What Cozy Are You Reading? > Likes and Comments

Claw of Attraction
by Karen McSpade
I didn't like that the beginning of this book is actually the end of the first book, Cat Scratch Murder.
The cats become characters, which is good. Unfortunately this, like book one, is cliffhanger/serial installment.
ETA: Book 2 story ends in book 5. There are more Crystal Beach books and if they weren't serial installments I would probably read them.

I read Wonton Terror. This series is just okay for me. I keep continuing it in hopes that i will like it more. This book had a good mystery, but I didn't agree with Lana's logic on how to solve it.

Murder at St. Paul's Cathedral
It was pretty good. It hints at the growing threat from Europe but is otherwise focused on the murder. There were a few twists I didn't see coming.

I'm kicking off August with a look at Public Anchovy #1 by Mindy Quigley. This is the best in the series to date.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished The Pint of No Return by Ellie Alexander. Very well written cozy. Great discription of brewing beer, and German beer traditions. Looking forward to the next book.

The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet
A fun adventure once it gets going. It's VERY predictable but Mary's journey of personal growth is interesting and relatable.

Historical cozy

I finished Murder at the Mortuary by Lee Strauss book 5 of the series. It is 1924 and Ginger is driving all over London. Fun series. I like the undertones of acceptability of women's roles changing. You have Ginger's Grandmother stuck in the Victorian/Edwardian ear and Ginger being a modern woman. I will continue with the series.

I concluded the Ginger Gold series with Murder at the Olympics: a 1920s cozy historical mystery! I timed it on purpose to read this week. It has a lot of fun history about the Olympics, women in sports, and a really good mystery. It is tinged with sadness though. Beloved characters are aging and may not be with us much longer if the series continues. Lee Strauss has stated on her blog she's taking a break from writing to pursue other interests and may return later on if she feels inspired or she may not. I think she left Ginger, Basil and family in a good place. However, I hope she returns so we can read another story set exactly 100 years ago. That gives Lee Strauss 4 years to try other things and come up with a twisty mystery!

Gone for Gouda by Korina Moss. Second in the series.

I enjoyed another fun novella by Sarah E. Burr - A Voyage of Vengeance https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Cherry Cream and Murder
This was fun. I agree with Holly about history. I've tried Tudor gingerbread and it was not amazing but maybe it is for someone? The mystery was twisty. I only figured out who by process of elimination. Obviously it can't be the main suspect. I didn't guess why though. I was closeish but not quite. My quibble is the characters sound American, even with the class snobbery and the princess, Duke and Duchess references, they don't sound British in my head.

I love Lady Philippa! She's a riot even with her death predictions.

I enjoyed the historical mystery The Key to Deceit by Ashley Weaver. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm caught up on Diane Vallere's Madison Night series...until next month. Still, it's always fun to visit the characters, which I got to do again with Please Don't Push Up the Daisies. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A Man of Some Repute by Elizabeth Edmondson is a historical mystery set in the 1950s with some serious themes, but dealt with gently. It should appeal to lovers of the classic mystery.
My review is here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A Body at the Dance Hall
This 1920s set series is fun and different. I stayed up WAY too late speed reading to finish the book. I guessed the murderer only after guessing wrong a few times.

Helen wrote: " A Man of Some Repute by Elizabeth Edmondson is a historical mystery set in the 1950s with some serious themes, but dealt wi..."

I loved this series. Sadly the author has passed away so it ended after three books.

QNPoohBear wrote: "A Body at the Dance Hall
This 1920s set series is fun and different. I stayed up WAY too late speed reading to finish the book. I gues..."

I just recently finished the first in the series and really enjoyed it. I have number two on the tbr.

Case of the Bleus

Meg wrote: "I just recently finished the first in the series and really enjoyed it. I have number two on the tbr.

"A Body at the Dance Hall"

The series gets better as it goes along. It's a little different from your usual drawing rooms and ball rooms/Society ladies. I'm enjoying it so far and can't wait for #4.

I just finished Blueberry Blast and Murder
Blueberry muffins, cute dogs, free cake samples? I want to dive right in to this book! As always a good solid mystery and fun cozy even if it sounds more American than British.

I started out the week with Death in St. George's by M.A. Monnin https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Meg wrote: "Helen wrote: " A Man of Some Repute by Elizabeth Edmondson is a historical mystery set in the 1950s with some serious themes..."

What a pity. I really liked the characters.

Just finished Aunt Bessie Tries by Diana Xarissa. A different mystery, in that Bessie is trying to prevent a murder.

I spent the whole day reading Trouble Is Brewing . While I guessed who and pretty much why and the dysfunctional family grated on my nerves, I enjoyed the story very much. I still can't stand Bernie. I like Lily and relate more to her. Rose is funny and not so annoying in this one. Good thing my parents brought me back scones and clotted cream from the airplane (Virgin Atlantic's anniversary) or I'd be seriously craving some right now.

I'd still like more specific Cape Cod content. No one say I'm from a small town outside of Boston. Which town or region are you from?

Sometimes the language and speech patterns sounded British English more than American English and while I read this in my head in my normal lightly New England accented English, I'm sure Cheryl and Mary Beth would have more specific Falmouth Cape Cod accents. Is there one?

I was glad to see Lisa Q. Matthews back with The Jig is Up, the first in a new series. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I loved historical cozy mystery Foreboding Foretelling at Ficklehouse Felling. It is very clever, witty and laugh out loud funny.

I started Accidental Magic by Iris Beaglehole.

First in a series and new to me author.

QNPoohBear wrote: "I loved historical cozy mystery Foreboding Foretelling at Ficklehouse Felling. It is very clever, witty and laugh out loud funny."

I've enjoyed the first two books in that series. Looking forward to reading more.

My current read, so far I like it :)

Mark wrote: "I've enjoyed the first two books in that series. Looking forward to reading more.

"

The Case of the Ghost of Christmas Morning was my favorite so far but Foreboding Foretelling at Ficklehouse Felling is right up there. A couple of typos prevented a tip top rating. Amazon should have fixed those by now. I reported them so hopefully they'll be corrected.

I finishedTo Slip the Bonds of Earth by Amanda Flower. 1903 Dayton, Ohio. The book is about Katharine Wright the younger sister of Orville and Wilbur Wright. She is college Latin teach and of course ends up solving a mystery. Good period piece. I would consider this a historical cozy

I listened to Murder on Devil's Pond and I loved it. It is the first cozy mystery by this author. It had a good mystery and characters that I liked. It also had a theme of love of nature which I enjoyed. I'm looking forward to more in this series.

Zermeena wrote: "I listened to Murder on Devil's Pond and I loved it. It is the first cozy mystery by this author. It had a good mystery and characters that I liked. It also had a theme of love of ..."

Actually, this is a new penname for Wendy Tyson, who wrote the Greenhouse Mysteries. They were great! She's also written some thrillers.

I agree, this new book was great, too.

Mark wrote: "Zermeena wrote: "I listened to Murder on Devil's Pond and I loved it. It is the first cozy mystery by this author. It had a good mystery and characters that I liked. It also had a ..."

Thanks for the info and my evergrowing TBR list!

Always glad to help someone's TBR pile grow.

😂

I'm starting out the week with Between a Flock and a Hard Place, the latest fun Meg Langslow Mystery from Donna Andrews https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm so far behind in that series, but I know I have a lot of good books still to read :)

Aunt Dimity and the King's Ransom
This is yet another good one. There's not much mystery but I was curious enough to stay up late reading. I enjoyed the new location and all the people there. It was a fun read. Try the apple crumble with a cup of tea now the nights are cooler and it feels more like fall.

I finishedDeath Comes to Marlow by Robert Thorogood. Nice mystery set in England. Older sleuths that is nice change. Well written.

Alice wrote: "I finished Death Comes to Marlow by Robert Thorogood. Nice mystery set in England. Older sleuths that is nice change. Well written."

I liked that one, but felt it was awfully similar to the Thursday Murder Club books, almost too similar.

The Secret of the Lady's Maid by Darcie Wilde. Almost done with that series or caught up with the books that are out anyway

I'm finishing out August with French Quarter Fright Night by Ellen Byron https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

One of the authors
(Rosie A. Point) I read is having a bundle sale at 60% off. I think this is the last day, but am not sure.

https://rosiebooks.shop/pages/discoun...

Currently reading Murder on the Class Trip by Hollis Really enjoy this series.

Currently reading Aunt Dimity Beats the D*vil, set in a creepy English mansion.

Speaking of book sales, Kathi Daley shared this one:

https://fairfieldpublishing.com/cozy-...

Ends in 3 days.

I finished a very good cozy Reserved for Murder by Victoria Gilbert. Set in North Carolina. Lets of twist and turns and good book discussion. One more book in this series I hope to read.

Zermeena wrote: "I'm reading Half-Price Homicide and before that I read Killer Cuts. I'm also listening to The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller and before that I listened ..."

Hi Zermeena,

The Haunted Bookshop series are fun. I hope you are enjoying them.

Brigid Ryan

I'm finishing the second of my September Serial Challenge books, Elizabeth Penney's Cambridge Bookstore Mysteries, A Treacherous Tale.

Brigid wrote: "Zermeena wrote: "I'm reading Half-Price Homicide and before that I read Killer Cuts. I'm also listening to The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller and before..."

Hi Brigid - I listened to most of the series until the narrator changed. Now I have one more to read!