REVIEW: Buried in a Good Book

 Buried in a Good Book
Author: Tamara Berry

Tamara Berry is a new-to-me author. And, I have to admit I bought the first 3 books in the By The Book Mystery series because I love the cover art. I took one look in the bookstore....saw the cute, outdoorsy covers on this series and all 3 of the books they had on the shelf jumped right into my basket. I didn't even read the book blurb -- I had to read this series! 

So, yeah, I have to admit that I buy cozy mysteries at times just because the covers are amazing. ;) I also bought my car because it's my favorite color of blue. Thank God it's actually a good car.....   And I'm pleased to announce that book one of this series was a fun read! I can't wait to read the other two books! 

The basics: Tess Harrow is a best-selling crime fiction novelist. Freshly divorced and rebooting her life, Tess and her teenage daughter move into her late grandfather's cabin. No electricity. No internet. No running water. And things start off with a boom.....literally. Tess really didn't expect their summer adventure to start out with a dismembered body.....or a sheriff that looks almost exactly like her fictional detective from her books. Their Cabin in the Woods summer suddenly becomes much more exciting than she expected! And dangerous.....

At first, I was not a big fan of Tess Harrow. I kinda found her annoying. But.....as the story progressed, I found myself liking her more and more. The mystery moves along at  nice pace. There are plenty of suspects, interesting side characters, and lots of twists and surprises. I enjoyed this story! And, I changed my mind about Tess. 

Moving on to book 2! I'm hooked!!

REVIEW: Snow Place for Murder

 Snow Place for Murder
Author: Diane Kelly

Snow Place for Murder is the 3rd book in the Mountain Lodge mystery series. I like this series. It's set in an area of NC where I used to live. The plots are fun and entertaining. And, I like the characters. 

This time, Misty Murphy's sons are at the lodge helping out for the holidays and spending time skiing. And, the lodge is full up, hosting a investors meeting for a development firm. The developer wants to build a large resort in the area. Some locals are very vocal and more than a bit threatening regarding their opposition to the project. When a dead body is discovered outside in the snow, Misty and her friends find themselves investigating yet another less-than-natural death. Who was mad enough about a proposed resort to kill? 

I don't ski, but I loved reading this book about the holiday season at Misty's lodge. It's too bad that a murder had to add darkness into their enjoyment of skiing and the holidays. There was one part of the discovery of the body that was both really gruesome and a bit funny at the same time. I felt guilty for laughing a bit....but the mental picture brought out my dark sense of humor. Readers will just have to read the book to find out what scene I'm talking about. You'll know it when you read it! :) 

I love snow, so the cover art for this book really made me happy. :) 

Great addition to this series! I can't wait for the next book!

REVIEW: Furever After

 Furever After
Author: Sofie Kelly

I have read every book in this series. The stories are always entertaining and fun! Furever After is the 16th book in the Magical Cats Mystery series, and I'm going to keep reading each book until the series ends.

Kathleen Paulson is a capable and intelligent main character. Her two cats, Owen and Hercules, are furry, magical awesomeness! I like the setting, background plot and the side characters. It's just a mystery series I like coming back to again and again. I love how her two cats help her solve all sorts of mysteries!

This time, Kathleen is trying to run the library and plan her wedding when a dead body (in the library, of course) creates quite a problem. Turns out he was trying to steal something in the library that Kathleen didn't even realize was valuable! Soon she finds herself, and her two magic felines, on the case to find a killer. Who knew being a librarian could be so dangerous?!!

Love this series! And this newest book is a great addition! I enjoyed every word. Takes a lot to make me laugh out loud...but I did several times while reading this book. Plus, the cover art is always so colorful and cute!

This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. Can't wait to find out what the magical felines and their librarian owner get up to next!! 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Where is Anybody?

 Where is Anybody?
Author: Simon R. Green 

I have been a huge fan of Simon R. Green's writing since I read his Nightside series years ago. I was sad when that series wrapped up, but have been very entertained by two of his newer series -- Ishmael Jones and Gideon Sable. Both series have that fantastical, other-worldly, supernatural feel like the Nightside books, with main characters that are just wonderfully weird. I grab each new book that comes out and just savor each series. Always entertaining! 

Where is Anybody? is this 5th book in the Gideon Sable series. Gideon is a thief. A master thief. And, he only steals items that can't be stolen. So he isn't out pulling bank robberies and the every day sort of heists.....he's looking for legendary items, dangerous mythical doo-dads, cursed relics, or things that technically don't actually exist. 

This time, someone close to Gideon has been kidnapped. And he has to find an out of this world item in order to get her back. And he only has two days to do it. 

Wonderful, weird adventure with lots of suspense, action, and fun! I loved every word! Can't wait for the next book! Simon R. Green stories never disappoint. I had a great time reading this story! 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Severn House. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Burning

 The Burning
Author: Linda Castillo

I have been an avid reader and fan of the Kate Burkholder series since the first book came out in 2009. The Burning is the 16th book in this series, and I enjoyed just as much as I did all the prior books. Some long-standing series lose steam by the time they get past a certain number of books, but the Kate Burkholder series still has strong characters and plots each time. Linda Castillo never disappoints!

This time, Kate is called to the scene of a mysterious fire, only to discover it's also the scene of a horrific murder as well. Why would someone chain an Amish man to a stake and then burn him alive? Kate soon faces opposition from all sides due to the grisly nature of the crime, reluctance of the Amish to open up to outsiders, and a suspect who is very close to her.

I enjoyed this book immensely from start to finish. The suspense and plot kept me totally engrossed in the story. The story moved along at a perfect pace with plenty of investigation and possible suspects. Kate really shines as a strong main character in this newest book. It was a rough investigation. Made for a very twisty, suspenseful story!

I backtracked about half way through the book and started over again with the audio book version. I love having suspense stories read to me...so it was worth starting over to enjoy the audio. Kathleen McInerney always does a great job narrating this series. The audio is about 10 hours long. I enjoyed every minute!

A great addition to this series! I can't wait for the next book in this series -- always a wonderful read! 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book and audio book from St Martins Press and Macmillan Audio. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Nature of Disappearing

 The Nature of Disappearing
Author: Kimi Cunningham Grant

I can't even imagine what it would be like to have a friend or family member disappear. The feeling of absolute need to search for them.....the fear that they may be injured or even dead.....the pain of not knowing. Some friends/families never find out what happened to their loved one. I guess I can be glad that I just have to imagine what it would be like. So many actually go through this sort of life-changing event. 

When I read the book blurb for this novel by Kimi Cunningham Grant, I knew I needed to read this story! Take a disappearance, add in past relationship drama, a dose of fear and suspicion, and a healthy bit of reckoning/acceptance/dealing with the past.....and you get a suspense novel like this one! The story quickly morphed into something so much greater than searching for a lost friend.

I enjoyed this book from the first word to the last! I actually ended up binge reading this one, because I couldn't put it down! I wasn't sure how the story was going to end.....which made it an awesome emotional trip. I liked the main character...so strong and capable yet still trying to get a grip on her life and move on from her past. I love how the plot centers around the disappearance of a basically estranged friend.....and how events lead Emlyn to face her demons, past and present. 

 I love books that make me feel all the feels -- I had a wide range of emotions while soaking in this story. Fear, anger, hope, sadness, happiness......and when I finally got to the end, I had to sit and just digest about how I felt about the story as a whole. It's awesome when a book has that sort of a hold on me! Lovely reading experience!

Great book! I look forward to reading more from this author! 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St Martins Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: A Trip With Trouble

 A Trip With Trouble
Author: Diane Kelly

Misty Murphy is just settling into her new life - divorced, new owner of a mountain lodge in North Carolina, and feeling out a potential new relationship. Lots going on! She's happy that a female biker club from Raleigh has rented out the entire Mountaintop Lodge for their annual autumn ride in the Blue Ridge Mountains. But almost immediately strange things start to happen.....and one of the riders ends up dead. Can Misty help the bikers find out what happened without making herself a target? 

I enjoyed this second book in the Mountain Lodge Mystery series. Very entertaining story! I used to live in that area of NC so recognized all the towns, events and areas that the author mentioned. That helped bring the story to life for me. 

 I enjoy the characters in this series. Misty is a capable and intelligent main character. The side plot of the lodge and the diner next door adds some nice color to this series. And, there is always plenty of amateur sleuthing and suspects. There is a bit of romance, but it's not a main part of the story. 

I'm definitely going to keep reading this series! I already have my bookmark moved over to book 3 so I can start reading!

REVIEW: Getaway With Murder

 Getaway With Murder
Author: Diane Kelly 

I started reading this series the first time when this first book came out in 2021. Then life got in the way. I since returned to this series and started over. Glad I did! I enjoyed reading book one again and look forward to the other books in the series!

The basics: Misty Murphy is in her 50's and newly divorced. To start her life over, she purchases a lodge in Western NC. Things immediately go wrong -- unexpected building repairs and even a murder. Yikes! But she's a strong woman and starts making friends quickly....and doing more than a bit of amateur sleuthing. 

I can't even imagine going through what Misty did in this first story. She just starts to put her life back together.....and has the first group of guests staying at her lodge....and there's a murder. I would be freaking out!! 

Great story! The mystery moves along at a nice pace. The side characters are entertaining and fit well with Misty. There are plenty of suspects and surprises. I had a great time reading this book! 

I'm very much looking forward to the next books in this series!

REVIEW: The Cider Shop Rules

 The Cider Shop Rules
Author: Julie Anne Lindsey

This book is the 3rd and final book in this series. At times publishers make decisions based on book sales before a series ever really gets off the ground....and this series is one that got cut a bit short. However, I enjoyed this final story and the ending was satisfactory for me. I'm not left wondering what happened to this character or that one -- it ended in such a way that I feel glad I read the books but not overly sad that there aren't more. I wish there were more, but I'm happy with 3. 

This time Blossom Valley is being visited by lots of Civil War re-enactors. Tourists in town mean lots more business at the orchard and cider shop. When a well liked local businessman ends up dead and his body discovered in a dramatic way, Winnie finds herself doing a bit of amateur sleuthing again. Much to the chagrin of the local sheriff. 

I enjoyed this book! The addition of a surprise new character really made the story fun to read. The mystery moved along at a nice pace, and there was a nice amount of sleuthing and unexpected developments. 

After completing this series, I will definitely be reading more by this author. I like her writing style and hope her other cozy mysteries have similar fun plots and entertaining characters! 

REVIEW: Pulp Friction

 Pulp Friction
Author: Julie Anne Lindsey

I'm loving this series! Pulp Friction is the second book in the 3-part Cider Shop Mystery series.

Winnie Montgomery has opened her Cider Shop on her grandma's apple orchard. She can finally market her hand-crafted ciders from her refurbished and remodeled barn on the property. But trouble seems to be following her....even after solving the murder that happened in the first book, strange happenings are still happening at Smythe Orchards. 

This time, the orchard hosts a wedding party...but one party member doesn't survive the night. And someone close to Winnie is the main suspect. Seems like every time Winnie just wants to get down to business and make cider, a dead body pops up. 

Great second book in this series! And yummy recipes in the back! 

I love the setting for this series. An apple orchard that does public tours and events with a barn that opens daily as a cider shop. What a cool place! I would go there if it were a real business and anywhere near where I live! I like the side characters. Granny is awesome. The former boyfriend is a perfect annoyance for the main character. The best friend/animal lover fits right into the plot. And the two kittens are a cute addition for some humor. The cranky sheriff is a bit of a trope, but works into the story perfectly. Winnie is a great main character. She's independent, intelligent and a good amateur sleuth, although her stealth mode isn't nearly as great as she believes it is (The Sheriff tends to always know she's at it again). 

Great story! Luckily, I have book 3 on my TBR bookshelf -- already got it down and getting ready to dive in. 

I really really hope that this is a finished series and not just one that the publisher dropped. A few years back several big publishers dropped cozy series contracts.....and several series I was in the middle of reading just ended abruptly. Really made me mad! This genre is very popular, and authors deserve to get to finish what they start and continue their creativity. Book 3 is the final book -- if it ends on an unsolved cliffhanger, I am going to be so sad. We shall see!! I was curious enough to send a quick message to the author and ask. I will edit this review and add her response if I hear back from her. 

I like this author's writing style. She has other series (including a Christmas Tree Farm series I really want to read!) and I'm definitely going to check them out! You should, too!! Warning -- reading these books will make you crave cider and apples! I don't usually eat many apples...and found myself ordering honeycrisp and gala from the local CSA supplier I buy my veggies from. :) Got my cinnamon and cloves out and I'm baking an apple for lunch today! Yum!!