What Cozy Are You Reading? > Likes and Comments

I tried a new to me author Death and Croissants by Ian Moore. I did not like it. Set in France's Loire Valley in a B&B. I has hoping for more French culture, food and wine. Book was chaotic.

Alice wrote: "I tried a new to me author Death and Croissants by Ian Moore. I did not like it. Set in France's Loire Valley in a B&B. I has hoping for mor..."

Funnily enough, I started this one last week and put it down again quite quickly. Don't know why but it just did not gel with me.

My real life friend has Sugar Plum Poisoned! I was ahead of her in the library queue but her home library owns a copy and bumped her to the top of the list - AGAIN! SOOO jealous! She better hurry up and read it so it can go into circulation again for the rest of us impatiently waiting.

I'm making do with A Killer Maize

I read some of Traci Andrighetti's Franki Amato shorts. My parents just got back from Sardinia and I thought my mom might enjoy the short story Mirto Magenta. I did not care for this series at all. The ex-stripper landlady isn't my cup of tea. Some people enjoy that crazy old lady trope.

Franki's family is such a stereotype! I can't stand the Nonna. Mine wanted us to get an education above all else. The one thing she regretted in her very long life (100 years and 11 months exactly) was not getting an education. She never once asked for great-grandchildren. Her older sister is rumored to have demanded an heir to carry on the family name but that was not my problem to deal with. The Jersey Shore wannabe brother is horrid and Franki lacks personality, at least in the shorts.

The travel stuff is fun and I liked learning about different parts of Italy and more about New Orleans. The plots are way out there though.

Finished two cozies today. I've tried this month to read books that would fit the Halloween vibe (you know, ghosts, vampires, witches, and/or Halloween parties), and have mostly been successful. These fit right in:

Lace and Lies

Costume Catastrophe

I had a lot of fun with Barbecue Can Be Deadly by Ryan Rivers https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A Killer Maize

The mystery was good and perfect for the season without being spooky. There may be a hint of paranormal/witchcraft - it isn't fully explained. Becca can be a bit stupid and immature at times, especially when it comes to her love life but she's a little better by the end of this one.

Inspired by Becca, I made pumpkin butter with maple syrup, brown sugar and spices. I added cream cheese to half the batch. I can't taste the spices much or the maple but it tastes like the filling in pumpkin pie. I entered it in a contest. I don't know yet if I won anything.

Crust No One by Winnie Archer (book 2)

Finishing up the week with Mint Julep Murder by Carolyn Hart https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I am in the mood for an Agatha Christie book I am reading The Body in the Library . This one is a Miss Marple book. Not too far in, but the writing is lovely and well paced.

I'm reading Murder on the Cornish Cliffs

and next will be Sugar Plum Poisoned woohoo!

by Anne George an old series (but new to me.

I'm starting the week and ending the month with Cheap Trills by Wendall Thomas https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Unraveled Sleeve by Monica Ferris

Closing out the week with Tulle Death Do Us Part by Diane Vallere https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I listened to A Dark and Stormy Night for a challenge. I really liked it. The main character and her husband are in their 60s. This book is in the middle of the series, but it read well without knowing the backstory. Now I have to go back to the beginning of the series.

Enchantment Lake: A Northwoods Mystery by Margi Preus

Meg wrote: "Finished two cozies today. I've tried this month to read books that would fit the Halloween vibe (you know, ghosts, vampires, witches, and/or Halloween parties), and have mostly been successful. Th..."

I really enjoyed the first in the Vampire Knitting Club, but can't seem to find the next few either at a library or on sale. One day.

Enjoying which I picked up during October for the witchy theme. I'll look for more in this series.

Just finished Sugar Plum Poisoned

It was SOOOO good as always! I did have an inkling of who may have done it but wasn't 100% positive. The gang's all here and Angie is back to her usual firecracker self. The Christmas cozy made me laugh. (view spoiler)[Marty wants to be a backup dancer for Shelby, a young country singer performing a Christmas residency in town. LOL! Mel's mom asks her to host Christmas dinner for the family, which then goes from 8 people to 10 to 20+! Joyce is crazy into decorating and Mel is not. She puts the brothers in charge... Then Ray snuck in after everyone left and the results are insanely funny and awful at the same time. (hide spoiler)]

Spoon to be Dead

Very good. The mystery kept me guessing but it did end up a little bit flat. It wasn't what I was expecting. I adore Noodles and his new BFF! Noodles is just so sweet and empathetic. I like Trinidad well enough and I appreciate and enjoy the "sisterhood" of this ex-wives club. I don't like some of the characterization of those women and I really can't stand Quinn. The ice cream sounds amazing!

I listened to Crowned and Dangerous and On Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service. I love the humor in these books. The stories are well paced and interesting. I also enjoy watching the characters develop.

And I've read the most recent in the series - The Proof of the Pudding by Rhys Bowen https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Mark wrote: "And I've read the most recent in the series - The Proof of the Pudding by Rhys Bowen https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Unfortunately the audible version has been delayed to, I believe, the 21st. I got an email about it as I had pre-ordered it. It gives me time to read a bunch of other books for challenges, but I can't wait to get it.

It will be worth the wait.

I'm reading which is fun and different (witchy but also a spy agency retiree back to work. It's a Prime Read I borrowed.

While I wait for the latest Her Royal Spyness, I am reading the last two farmer's market mysteries Merry Market Murder and Bushel Full of Murder. The library is missing Red Hot Deadly Peppers and I don't love the series enough to want to buy it.

Starting out the week with Final Cut by Marjorie McCown https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I have 2 Kindles open as I don't have a hardback book going right now. and

Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hannah.

Just finished the last Farmer's Market mystery Bushel Full of Murder
This series got better and better. I'm sorry it's done. I never guessed who or why at all.

Next up this week is the delightful Case of the Bleus by Korina Moss https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I am reading Sugar Plum Poisoned. Then it’s Baking SpiritsBright, Paws to Remember, and Snow Place for Murder. Christmas themes all around!

Amy wrote: "I am reading Sugar Plum Poisoned. Then it’s Baking SpiritsBright, Paws to Remember, and Snow Place for Murder. Christmas themes all around!"

My favorite holiday. 😊🎅 My tbr list for December is filled with Christmas reads.

Starting out the week with the fun Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Hoopla added more Bonus Borrows so if you haven't looked since the beginning of the month you might want to take another look.

This time there's a mystery tv series I think I've seen mentioned here.
Midsomer Murders season 1
https://www.hoopladigital.com/televis...

Check ebooks for cozies
https://www.hoopladigital.com/tag/621...

More Hoopla Bonus Borrows for November
https://www.hoopladigital.com/tag/621...

I am reading Witch Hunt by Cate Conte.

I finished The Proof of the Pudding by Rhys Bowen. It is the newest of the Royal Spyness series. She has moved the plot and grown Georgie and Darcy nicely. I am not sure how much I like the newer Georgie very much lady of the manor giving servants commands.
overall well done. Set in 1936 England

Finished Caught on the Book . It was a good mystery but I did figure out whodunit and thought Jenna was WAY TSTL when (view spoiler)[she discovered the evidence! (hide spoiler)]. This seems to be the end of the line for Jenna. I didn't like the first book very much but enjoyed the rest a lot more.

Reading Christian Christmas anthologies throughout the rest of this year.

I finished Put Out to Pasture by Amanda Flower. It is okay. I like her other series better. I do find it interesting trying to keep the family farm running, but rest of plot and characters do not do much for me.

I’m reading Murder By Invitation by Verity Bright. Im really enjoying these books, just can’t put them down.

Black Friday Freebies...

I just read a newsletter dated 11/26/23 regarding freebies. I looked for the freebie thread, but gave up. There are 17 titles available via BookFunnel at https://books.bookfunnel.com/blackfri...

I know several are full-length.

I'm assuming you need to sign up for newsletters.

L J wrote: "Hoopla added more Bonus Borrows so if you haven't looked since the beginning of the month you might want to take another look."

Thanks! Hoopla was the only place I could find several books in a series I was reading. I don't visit as often as I should, but it can be a great resource.

Karen wrote: "L J wrote: "Hoopla added more Bonus Borrows so if you haven't looked since the beginning of the month you might want to take another look."

Thanks! Hoopla was the only place I could find several ..."

Hoopla Bonus Borrows months, at least at this time, February, May, August, November starting first of the month. Sometimes I find more posted later but I think they may have been available just not linked to the announcement in the banner.

Karen wrote: "Black Friday Freebies..."

Deal is done. Boo!

I wanted to post the picture, but copyright??? Got this in my daily "Bliss" e-news.

How many have TBRs like this? :o)
https://store.harrybliss.com/product/...

L J wrote: "Hoopla added more Bonus Borrows so if you haven't looked since the beginning of the month you might want to take another look.

This time there's a mystery tv series I think I've seen mentioned her..."

Yes, I love Hoopla to get my Hallmark fix for the month!

Karen wrote: "I wanted to post the picture, but copyright??? Got this in my daily "Bliss" e-news.

How many have TBRs like this? :o)
https://store.harrybliss.com/product/......"

This is why I can't read print books (not enough room!) 😉

Karen wrote: "I wanted to post the picture, but copyright???
How many have TBRs like this? :o)"

Here you go, Karen

Catching up a little after being gone for Thanksgiving.

Dead Man's Hand by Penny Warner https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Over My Dead Blog by Sarah E. Burr https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...