What Cozy Are You Reading? > Likes and Comments

Just finished A Newlywed’s Guide to Fortune and Murder by Dianne Freeman. It's #6 in her series featuring an American heiress in Regency England. She married/bought into the British aristocracy. MC and supporting characters are likeable, author does a good job with character development as the series progresses. The mystery was very good. A wealthy widow endangered by her step-family. Plenty of suspects, lots of deception, What a fun read!

Nell wrote: " I like the Hannah Swenson Hallmark movies better than the books! I stopped reading the series years ago when the triangle began to overshadow the mystery."

I "fluked" (back-burnered) the book series when a character and event that could have opened a whole new world of possibilities to the series were killed off leaving readers right back where we were before the character and event. I'm nine behind at this point and have no desire to pick it up again just yet.

For some reason, I don't particularly care for the movies. I have as other suggested, viewed them as separate from the books, but, for me, they're miscast. I like Alison Sweeney, but there's just something... i don't know... wrong with the series... writing. chemistry, whatever... I love The Chronicle Mysteries, but the Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen Mysteries...

I've only seen the first few. They're all are on my TBW (to be watched!) list. I'm slowly but surely working my way through all the Hallmark Mysteries I can find and will get to them at some point. I'm just not champing at the bit to do so.

I've never read the Flower Shop books, but I did enjoy those movies.

Nell wrote: "L J wrote: "Thanks for info about the Hannah Swenson movies. I quit the book series but the movies seem to get away from things that annoyed me in the books."

I agree. I like the Hannah Swenson Ha..."

I agree with both of you.

Karen wrote: "Nell wrote: " I like the Hannah Swenson Hallmark movies better than the books! I stopped reading the series years ago when the triangle began to overshadow the mystery."

I "fluked" (back-burnered..."

GR lists 30 books in the Hannah Swenson mystery series. I stopped reading with book 6, Sugar Cookie Murder. I only read that one because it was already on my shelves. Changes for the tv movies are easier for me since I haven't read the books recently. In the last one I watched, Hannah has a new sister that will take getting used to.

I finished Six Sweets Under by Sarah Fox. Just an okay cozy nothing original. The location was a made up place in Vermont canals and gondolas.

Nell wrote: "Just finished A Newlywed’s Guide to Fortune and Murder by Dianne Freeman. It's #6 in her series featuring an American heiress in Regency England. She married/bough..."

I really enjoy this series!

Nell wrote: "Just finished A Newlywed’s Guide to Fortune and Murder by Dianne Freeman. It's #6 in her series featuring an American heiress in Regency England. She married/bough..."

That series is wonderful! It's funny and charming. That newest one was very good The covers are cute too. I like it when Fran and George work together.

Nell wrote: "GR lists 30 books in the Hannah Swenson mystery series. I stopped reading with book 6, Sugar Cookie Murder"

Smart move. Don't go any farther than the next one. Some of the problems with the series are the editor's insistence on a traditional old-fashioned plot for Hannah. I find it strange that Mother is a hot ticket and Hannah sounds like an old lady.

I listened to Death Come Quickly . It was 5 stars for me.

I've enjoyed Once Upon a Murder by Samantha Larsen https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Grounds for Murder by Lena Gregory

I'm closing out the week with Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust by Mindy Quigley https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

QNPoohBear wrote: "Nell wrote: "Just finished A Newlywed’s Guide to Fortune and Murder by Dianne Freeman. It's #6 in her series featuring an American heiress in Regency England. She ..."

Love this series. Came across it not too long ago, and went through all to date very quickly.

Next up will be The Dog Across the Lake
My real life friend read it already and returned it ASAP so I could have it and discuss it with her. After that I need to read Aunt Dimity and the Lost Prince

The Dog Across the Lake
Another excellent entry in this amazing series. As always Trixie and Twinkletoes are adorable, charming and clever. They have some new friends in this story. The mystery is so good. I couldn't put it down. I figured out who the murderer was only when something happened that only they could have known/done late in the story. We meet the entire Miller clan which is interesting. Holly's ex, "The Ben" makes an appearance as well. I read the whole book in one day!

This is the last one in paperback since B&N has indicated they will no longer stock mass market paperbacks. Krista Davis says the next one will look a little different but she didn't say what format. I hope not e-book only. My real life friend will be upset if she can't visit Wagtail again.

I am reading Inheriting Murder by Jamie Rutland Gillespie. I'd won another book in the series last year and liked it well enough to want to read more.

QNPoohBear wrote: "The Dog Across the Lake
... This is the last one in paperback since B&N has indicated they will no longer stock mass market paperbacks..."

Wow! I did not know about Barnes & Nobles' decision.

Nell wrote: "Wow! I did not know about Barnes & Nobles' decision.."

Jenn McKinlay hinted at it with "bookstores" and Krista Davis named names. If I buy books I buy them used or from a local indie bookstore. The one nearest me just moved and I'm so sad because they had a whole section of mass market pb mysteries, many good cozies. I haven't checked back to see if Jenn will bring us more cupcake mysteries. She can't end on FOOTBALL! Her romcoms don't interest me as much.

Just finished . My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

QNPoohBear wrote: "If I buy books I buy them used or from a local indie bookstore. The one nearest me just moved and I'm so sad because they had a whole section of mass market pb mysteries, many good cozies."

If you're interested in supporting an indie mystery bookshop that does mail order, you might want to check out https://www.mysterybooksonline.com/on... . I haven't looked lately to see how their prices compare to other shops, but I really should venture out there one day soon.

Thanks Barb for the link to the indie mystery bookstore.

I'm starting out the week with Murder Out of Character by Olivia Matthews https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Nell wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "The Dog Across the Lake
... This is the last one in paperback since B&N has indicated they will no longer stock mass..."

So they may be trade paperback size that cost more. That is unfortunate. MMBP are easy to fit in your purse if you are going somewhere

Alice wrote: "Nell wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "The Dog Across the Lake
... This is the last one in paperback since B&N has indicated they will no long..."

Trade paperbacks are more comfortable for me to hold than the tall mass market paperbacks that publishers were pushing a few years ago but to me they are only worth the cost for select authors and series.

I thought from what I heard months ago B&N was going to have mass market paperbacks available online and via in store order.

L J wrote: "I thought from what I heard months ago B&N was going to have mass market paperbacks available online and via in store order.

I like the little paperbacks. They're easy to carry. I hope B&N continues to carry them! I haven't heard anything else from the authors I follow.

I read Aunt Dimity and the Lost Prince for my real life book club. It wasn't our favorite and I felt it was too similar to Vampire Hunter. There wasn't enough Aunt Dimity involvement. We heard the next one is good so I look forward to that.

I just finished Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson. It is an excellent book with tons of suspense and clever twists and turns. It is a cozy in the same sense that Murder on the Orient Express is, except with an amateur sleuth (a writer). Such a good book!

Barbara wrote: "I just finished Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson. It is an excellent book with tons of suspense and clever twists and turns. It is a cozy..."

I was happy to hear that was a good one! I have it on my WL.

And the third book in the series, Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret, is supposed to come out in October :)

Barb wrote: "And the third book in the series, Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret, is supposed to come out in October :)"

😊

I'm closing out the month with Take the Honey and Run by Jennie Marts https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I listened to Coffee, Cream Pies, and Crimes . It was not as good as the rest of the series.

Zermeena wrote: "I listened to Coffee, Cream Pies, and Crimes . It was not as good as the rest of the series."

I liked the mystery and the baking show but the cozy details are often inconsistent and don't make sense for this part of New England. Like, for instance, the question is NOT "How do you think the Patriots will do this year?" (The correct question of this year was "Is Bellick going to get fired?" Yes yes he did.) Literally everyone, even me, knows the Pats are bad without Brady. The correct answer to Fran's question of the time period of the novel is "They suck. GO TOMMY!" LITERALLY EVERYONE knows that. If I know that, even Fran should know that! Ask a different question to change the topic of conversation. Ask "Will Tom Brady return to football or stay retired?"

I didn't like Matt's behavior in this one. He's usually very sweet but in this book he doesn't listen to Fran and goes behind her back. If Latte is a male, he's the only man Fran needs! Even her friends were disappointing in not listening to her.

I'm reading A Tennis Pro to Die For - a cozy mystery by a new to me author named Judy Moore. It's good so far.

Blood Orange Brewing

QNPoohBear wrote: "Zermeena wrote: "I listened to Coffee, Cream Pies, and Crimes . It was not as good as the rest of the series."

I liked the myst..."

I even found the baking show weak. There was only one round of competition and no controversies! There was one brutal attack that disturbed me and I didn't think it belonged in a cozy. Overall the book was disappointing.

I'm currently reading Buried in a Bog. I'm really enjoying it and would like to continue reading the series.

That's one of my favorite series :) I only have one book left to read, and I've been putting it off because I don't want the series to end!

jeannette swanson wrote: "I'm currently reading Buried in a Bog. I'm really enjoying it and would like to continue reading the series.

"

Thanks for the reminder, I finished up to #6 then lost my way. I've added #7 to the tbr.

I'm finishing out the week by tying up the Quilting Mysteries with Knot Ready for Murder by Mary Marks https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just started Survival of the Fritters by Ginger Bolton and am enjoying it so far.

I listened to The Marlow Murder Club . It was a great start to a series. I loved the characters and the setting. If you enjoy audiobooks, the narrator was great.

Zermeena wrote: "I listened to The Marlow Murder Club . It was a great start to a series."

That's on my list of books I want to read this year, so this is encouraging. I think I keep putting it off because it looks to me like someone is trying to capitalize on the Thursday Murder Club idea.

Zermeena wrote: "I listened to The Marlow Murder Club . It was a great start to a series. I loved the characters and the setting. If you enjoy audiobooks, ..."

I have it on my summer reading (listening) list so I was happy to see how much you enjoyed it.

Barb wrote: "Zermeena wrote: "I listened to The Marlow Murder Club . It was a great start to a series."

That's on my list of books I want to read this..."

There are some similarities to the Thursday Murder Club, but it is a different premise. There is not a formal Marlow Murder Club, instead some lonely ladies who bond together.

Good to know, thanks :)

A Death in Venice

I'm torn. The Venetian setting reads like a tourist guidebook for most of the book. There are a few scenes set in places most tourists don't go and I liked the introduction of the Jewish Quarter and a Jewish character. I did not like the stereotype of the blood feud. The mystery was pretty decent but the body count was a little high for this type of book. I much prefer the mysteries set at home in the village and around Henley Hall. Even though the ladies, Clifford and the pets are here, Hugh is not and I'm a little worried about their relationship.

I have to write up my full review and I'll try to add some pictures too. My parents have been visiting Venice (to see friends who live in the region) since the 1970s. They took us kids in the 90s and my oldest niece in 2018.

I really enjoyed the 20th Molly Murphy Mystery - In Sunshine or in Shadow by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Whew, 20 books already. I'm as far from reading this one as one could get...I'm only on #2 in the series! At least that one is on the tbr for the summer.

Next up will be Fatal First Edition

It has to wait though because like Lindsey, I'll be at an archivists' conference this week!

Just finished Chocolate Bunny Betrayal by Tonya Kappes.