What Cozy Are You Reading? > Likes and Comments

I'm kicking off the week with Torn Asunder by Barbara Ross, a fabulous book in a favorite series. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Cyanide and Sensibility

I'm so-so on this world. I dislike the obvious Austen allusions Phaedra never seems to notice. In this one we have Delaford Winery. Phaedra does some crazy stuff in her investigations but she always means well. The romance progresses too quickly to be believable but they have known each other awhile as colleagues and friends. There was a plot twist to the mystery I did not see coming! I thought I had it all figured out in the first few chapters.

To Kill a Labrador by Kassandra Lamb is not as cozy as some mysteries, but recommended for dog lovers. No dogs, Labrador or other breed, died.
Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Mark! Did you see that Ellen Byron mentioned your review of The Witless Protection Program in the email blast sent out to her subscribers this week? I was reading along and thought "Hey, I know who that guy is!" :D

Huge thanks to everyone who helped make the launch of The Witless Protection Program such a success. The book is dear to my heart, and the support meant a lot to me. As did the great reviews, like this 5-star gem from Carstairs Considers!

Barb wrote: "Mark! Did you see that Ellen Byron mentioned your review of The Witless Protection Program in the email blast sent out to her subscribers this week? I was reading along and thought..."

I saw that, too! I got a real kick out of it. Always thrilled to be friends with a celebrity.

Now reading Ruby Red Herring.

Barb wrote: "Mark! Did you see that Ellen Byron mentioned your review of The Witless Protection Program in the email blast sent out to her subscribers this week? I was reading along and thought..."

Yes, I did. I got such a huge grin on my face when I saw it.

Reading Three Fudges and a Baby
I do not like Allie. She's way too immature to be in a serious relationship. I'm not fond of Jenn in this one either but she gets a pass I guess. Not sure who the killer is. I have two top suspects but they seem too obvious.

Meg wrote: "I'm partway through #9 in the Vampire Knitting Club series:

Popcorn and Poltergeists"

love this series!

Cindy wrote: "Meg wrote: "I'm partway through #9 in the Vampire Knitting Club series:

Popcorn and Poltergeists"

love this series!"

I do, too! I'm glad there are a few more in the series for me to read.

In April 25, 2024 e-news...
For one day only, the fabulous Cozy Mystery Book Club is offering 170 free ebooks from your favorite authors and new ones you have yet to discover!

It says "one day," but the links are still up.

You might have to sign up for newsletters, but these seem to be direct links to the retailers. Someone commented that they couldn't find some of the offerings on GR. I think sometimes they offer "In-between" stories that won't affect your series reading if you don't get them, but could enhance series if you do.

I haven't delved into the lists as of yet, but they have them broken down into Amazon/Kindle and Other Retaialers as well as by Contemporary, Historical, and Paranormal.

Link: https://cozymysterybookclub.com/bookb...

Happy Hunting!

I'm kicking off the week with by looking at Death Washes Ashore by Caleb Wygal https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Mark, you are dangerous for my to-read shelf!

finishing my weekend with Aunt Dimity and the Summer King

This was my least favorite so far. It wasn't much of a mystery and was way too baby-centric for me. I want to bake the cookies but they sound a little complicated.

Barb wrote: "Mark, you are dangerous for my to-read shelf!"

It's my job. :)

My shelf is out of control as well, so I completely understand.

I listened to A Study in Scarlet Women. After a slow and boring start, the book turned out to be good. I liked the characters and the mystery was a good one. It is a great reimagining of Sherlock Holmes. I'm looking forward to reading more.

I finished one of our author's of the month.

Them Bones by Carolyn Haines.   Set in MIssissippi. Book is suppose to show Southern Charm and values. Overall does a good job with that. Characters are developed nicely. a bit dated as it was published in 1999. Over a very good first in a series cozy.

.
These last two days I finished:
The Diva Cooks up a Storm, and
Bone Appetit

I'm halfway through:
The Diva Sweetens the Pie

I love both of these series!

Just finished a good start to a new series,
My review is here. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Meg wrote: ".
These last two days I finished:



My real life friend was just reading The Diva Cooks a Goose. I skipped that one and Storm! I don't like the characters very much. Sophie needs to grow a backbone and stop letting people come in her house and eat her out of house and home. (view spoiler)[and keep the back door locked so murderers don't come after her. (hide spoiler)]

I finished Catch Me If You Candy. I liked the Halloween party theme and the dogs but I think the dog content was inaccurate. The mystery kept me guessing and I never figured out all of it.

Meg wrote: ".
These last two days I finished:
The Diva Cooks up a Storm, and
Bone Appetit

I love both of these series!..."

So do I!

I just read 3 Benni Harper cozies in a row. Books 9-11.
Author: Earlene Fowler Quilt on cover and in title name.
Highly recommend.

Nancy wrote: "I just read 3 Benni Harper cozies in a row. Books 9-11.
Author: Earlene Fowler Quilt on cover and in title name.
Highly recommend."

I'm wayyyyyy behind on these! I'll need to get back to them sooner than later.

Kicking off the week with Only the Good Die Young by Julie Mulhern https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Doing the May Serial Challenge. Just finished my minimum two books in the series for the month -- Dorothy St. James' The Broken Spine and The Perfect Bind.

Mark wrote: "I'm kicking off the week with Torn Asunder by Barbara Ross, a fabulous book in a favorite series. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

My real life friend is reading that now (waves hi!). She was sad to learn it is the last of the series.

Yeah, I'm sad the series ended. But it is such a strong ending to the series.

I just finished Hidden Beneath this past week. I was already saddened by the fact that the next one was going to end the series so that kind of dimmed the reading experience. However, that said, it was a really good one! I may drag my feet a little on reading Torn Asunder though I really want to get to it.

Mark wrote: "Yeah, I'm sad the series ended. But it is such a strong ending to the series."

And imo, that is the difference between the author choosing to end the series and the publisher simply dropping the series. The author is able to wrap things up nicely and while readers may feel sad that it's ended, get closure.

I'm with you, Barb. There have been a few times the publisher ended a series but gave the author enough warning (Maria DiRico's Catering Hall series is a good example), But it's still the best when the author has decided the time has come to end things.

I returned to Madison Night with Love Me or Grieve Me by Diane Vallere https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Mark wrote: "I'm with you, Barb. There have been a few times the publisher ended a series but gave the author enough warning (Maria DiRico's Catering Hall series is a good example), But it's still the best when..."

And I'm with both of you on this.

Mark, I didn't realize that the Catering Hall series was ending. too! I so appreciate your sharing these tidbits of info. (I actually have the latest one, is this the last one?)

The last Catering Hall Mystery is The Witless Protection Program.

The good news here is that the author is starting a new series in July under her normal name, Ellen Byron. I've got my ARC of A Very Woodsy Murder. Can't wait!

And you're welcome to sharing these tidbits.

Meg wrote: "Mark wrote: "I'm with you, Barb. There have been a few times the publisher ended a series but gave the author enough warning (Maria DiRico's Catering Hall series is a good example), But it's still ..."

I agree. It is more satisfying when series comes to a conclusion instead of having series story arc just stop. Spin-off series in same world with different characters in different place and/or time can be interesting and sometimes provide updates on original characters.

Mark wrote: "The last Catering Hall Mystery is The Witless Protection Program.

The good news here is that the author is starting a new series in July under ..."

I had forgotten that the Catering Hall series is written by Ellen Byron. Both the first Catering Hall and the last Maine Clambake are on my Kindle. Think I'll read Barbara Ross first. This is a stellar series.

L J wrote: "Spin-off series in same world with different characters in different place and/or time can be interesting and sometimes provide updates on original characters."

I don't have a lot of spin-offs on my to-read shelf, but I agree that they're a good way for the author to sneak in some character updates from the original series :)

Mark wrote: "Yeah, I'm sad the series ended. But it is such a strong ending to the series."

Real life friend agreed with you and then she promptly informed me she already got a hold on Fondant Fumble! She'll get it long before I do because her library has a copy on order. She promised to read it quickly and return it right away so I can get it next.

I enjoyed Strong Suspicions. The premise is tropey but the writing is strong. A lot of things are hinted at in keeping with period social norms. There was a lot of violence for a cozy mystery but I hope to read more about Sophie soon.

I'm finishing up the week with Kaleidoscope by Dorothy Gilman https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Free cozy mysteries until May 19th: https://books.bookfunnel.com/shhimrea...

These are ebooks and you'll be signing up for the authors' newsletters but those are fun to read. In fact I got the info about the book giveaway from an author's newsletter!

Meg wrote: "Free cozy mysteries until May 19th: https://books.bookfunnel.com/shhimrea...

These are ebooks and you'll be signing up for the authors' newsletters but those are fun to read. In fact I..."

Thank you for this!

A Deadly Beach Read by Dox

Jennifer wrote: "Meg wrote: "Free cozy mysteries until May 19th: https://books.bookfunnel.com/shhimrea...

These are ebooks and you'll be signing up for the authors' newsletters but those are fun to rea..."

You're so welcome! I hope you found some good ones!

I'm currently reading Goodbye Cruller World (and loving it) and then will read A Trip with Trouble and then I think I'll start working my way through the newest in the TBR pile thanks to Meg's link up there!! :)

My second book of the week is A Midnight Puzzle by Gigi Pandian. This is the third in her fun series involving a retired magician and a construction company that specializes in hidden rooms.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Currently enjoying Dust and Shadow
2011 by Lyndsay Faye. Well written and a wonderful flow of her storytelling. What are you reading?

Dust and Shadow: An Account of the Ripper Killings by Dr. John H. Watson

Next up will be Scones & Bones

I am on the 4th book in the Veronica Speedwell series right now. A Dangerous Collaboration

I'm finishing up The Legacy from the Tipperary Carriage Company series.

Scones & Bones wasn't too bad. I wanted more tea and less romantic drama.

I really enjoyed an e-ARC of the 1920s historical cozy Murder in Mayfair