What Cozy Are You Reading? > Likes and Comments
Working on completing a 3K readathon with Denise Jaden's Mallory Beck series. I just finished reading
Meg wrote: "L J wrote: "More traditional mystery than cozy but many readers of cozies would probably enjoy the Lily Adler regency mysteries by Katharine Schellman.The first was August bonus ..."
For me they read best as a trilogy rather than individually. As expected quite a bit of the first book is building character and setting but even that one had decent mystery plot development.
I'm not sure if there will be more of these as author is now writing 1920's Nightingale Mysteries.
I begin News and Nectarines by Carly Winter, one of the four books required this month, for another reading challenge. I figure I will find places to plug them into some of our challenges! 😉
Starting out the week with a trip to Rome!
Murder in the Piazza by Jen Collins Moore https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Apocalypse Meow
I stayed up late speed reading this. It was funny and creepy at the same time. It was very Christieesque with a dark and stormy night trapped in a creepy hotel and a locked room murder. The body count was a little high for me though.
Keeping my European virtual trip going with
Death in the Aegean by M. A. Monnin https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Cakewalk to Murder
This Kindle freebie was really bad. The heroine was beyond the usual amount of nosy, in spite of being married to a detective. She's judgmental, particularly of anyone who doesn't seem to embody southern manners and sour grapes when she doesn't get cast on an American version of the Great British Bake Off. The producers of the show are sexist, racist and sizeist. I skimmed this one but didn't really care to read it in detail.
The week begins with
Murder at Keyhaven Castle by Clara McKenna https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Knifed In Nice
This was absolutely hilarious and non-stop adventure. I couldn't put it down and stayed up too late reading. I can't wait to see what happens next with Angel, Sidney and Cesaire! (view spoiler)
Finishing off the week with
Buttercream Betrayal by Kim Davis https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mark wrote: "Finishing off the week with Buttercream Betrayal by Kim Davis https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."That title and those adorable dogs are right up my alley!
I started Penance on the Prairies and am really not into it. It's slow, repetitive and when I tried skipping to the end because I was tired and didn't feel like slogging through, it was too confusing. The plot seems to hinge on something really horrible. I'm not liking it.
Murder in the Manor
Fiona Grace
Set-up unbelievable as it is supposedly real life not paranormal.
Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake
Sarah Graves
This series comes after her Home Repair series but is readable without having read all the Home Repair books.
True Confections
Ruth Hartzler
I liked this more than expected. Happily there are more available from the library.
English Tea Murder
Leslie Meier
Travelogue with murder, unpleasant people and one too brief scene where MC and friends finally get afternoon tea wish fulfilled.
Update on my cozy reading. I completed the following so far this month:
News and Nectarines by Carly Winter 09-08-2022
The Fear Hunter by Elise Sax 09-08-2022
Death Takes A Break: A Taylor Texas Mystery by Vikki Walton 09-09-2022
Gluten-Free Murder by P.D. Workman 09-12-2022 (reread)
The Secret by Kathi Daley 09-13-2022
Proof in the Photo by Kathi Daley 09-16-2022I am currently reading Gossip in the Garden, also by Kathi Daley. I will stay on this series until the last available in TBR mountain!
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L J wrote: "Murder in the Manor
Fiona Grace
Set-up unbelievable as it is supposedly real life not paranormal.
"
I wasn't in love with that one either but the minor mysteries are the hook that got me to read the second and will probably skip ahead to the newest and skim for any new developments on her father or the dog's previous owners.
I finished skimming Penance on the Prairies and just didn't enjoy it. It was too dark and realistic for right now. Vangie needs to team up with (view spoiler)
QNPoohBear wrote: "L J wrote: "Murder in the Manor
Fiona Grace
Set-up unbelievable as it is supposedly real life not paranormal."
"I wasn't in love with...skim for any new developments on her father or the dog's previous owners..."
Mystery of dog's previous owners might get me to read another in series. Mystery of father no because that's become an over used trope that usually devolves into something unbelievable, something stupid or something unbelievably stupid.
A Peculiar Combination
Ashley Weaver
WW2 historical mystery with spies and patriotic burglar family. Cozy sort of caper feel despite spy drama. Interesting characters and plot. Next book on my to read list.
Adventures of a Vegan Vamp
Cate Lawley
Cozy paranormal with some interesting twists in the paranormal world. MC becomes vegan when attacked and turned into a vampire, not just vegetarian, vegan. Expected to die due to limited diet she does quite well on liquid diet of vegan nutritional drinks and fruit / vegetable smoothies. Series added to my to read list.
A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder
Dianne Freeman
Victorian historical mystery. Widowed young countess is entertaining main character. Interesting secondary characters and plot. If next book is as good as first I'll add series to my to read list.
Who's That Earl
Susanna Craig
Regency historical romance with spies that fits into broad cozy mystery definition. Books in Love and Let Spy series are connected but with different main characters in each book. If next book is as interesting as this one I'll add series to my to read list.
L J wrote: "A Peculiar Combination
Ashley Weaver
WW2 historical mystery with spies and patriotic burglar family. Cozy sort of caper ..."
You''ve read a range of themes in the cozy genre.
Countess of Harleigh has become a favorite series. All the mysteries are good and the characters are entertaining. Her mother and sister are featured in later stories.
Last week I read Evanly Bodies by Rhys Bowen. The last in her Constable Evans series - an older one published in the 2000s. It was a good mystery and a nice conclusion.
This weekend I finished reading Roast Mortem by Cleo Coyle. Getting back to the Coffeehouse series - this is #9. It was excellent! The mystery was twisty; suspects to choose from and just the right amount of suspense. Glad to return to this old favorite.
Nell wrote: "L J wrote: "A Peculiar Combination
Ashley Weaver
WW2 historical mystery with spies and patriotic burglar family. Cozy so...
You''ve read a range of themes in the cozy genre..."
Took advantage of Hoopla Bonus Borrows to try some new to me authors and series. I still have 4 more to list.
L J wrote: "A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder (Countess of Harleigh Mystery, #1) by Dianne FreemanA Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder
Dianne Freeman
Victorian historical mystery. Widowed young countess is entertaining main character. Interesting secondary characters and plot. If next book is as good as first I'll add series to my to read list."
It's even better! I love that series. Her family annoys me. I love George though.
L J wrote: "Took advantage of Hoopla Bonus Borrows to try some new to me authors and series."Every time someone mentions Bonus Borrows, I run to the Hoopla catalog to check them out -- and our library system apparently doesn't participate.
I did the same thing, though, with my complimentary Kindle Unlimited subscription that's about to run out. I hope to sneak in a few more books before then, but I've already read several series #1 books that have me wanting to continue the series. Just what I need lol
Barb wrote: "L J wrote: "Took advantage of Hoopla Bonus Borrows to try some new to me authors and series."Every time someone mentions Bonus Borrows, I run to the Hoopla catalog to check them out -- and our li..."
Bonus Borrows are February, May, August, and November and each item checks out for standard borrow period for that item. Bonus list is not always obvious. Try googling "hoopla bonus borrows November" at beginning of November. I usually save some of my wish list for end of the month so my borrows last well into the next month.
QNPoohBear wrote: "L J wrote: "A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder (Countess of Harleigh Mystery, #1) by Dianne FreemanA Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder
Dianne Freeman
Victorian historical mystery..."
"It's even better! I love that series. Her family annoys me. I love George..."
Glad to hear from you and @Nell that next books are good. Moved series up my list.
Agree about her family and George. I adore George.
L J wrote: "Barb wrote: "L J wrote: "Took advantage of Hoopla Bonus Borrows to try some new to me authors and series."Every time someone mentions Bonus Borrows, I run to the Hoopla catalog to check them out ..."
Thank you for explaining the Hoopla bonus borrows. I was only able to find them once and never after that. This explains why. I wish Hoopla made it easier!
I finished Buried in the Stacks
. It was better than the first two books. Carrie seems to have settled down a bit although at times she takes stupid risks. It is satisfying to watch her relationship with Dillon develop. The mystery was fairly transparent. I narrowed down the murder to one of two people so it wasn't much of a surprise. The ending set up the next book without being a cliffhanger. I'll continue with this series.
L J wrote: "Bonus Borrows are February, May, August, and November and each item checks out for standard borrow period for that item. Bonus list is not always obvious. Try googling "hoopla bonus borrows November" at beginning of November. I usually save some of my wish list for end of the month so my borrows last well into the next month."Thanks for this, I'll make a note to check in early November.
Our library system limits us to six borrows per month, and I discovered last week that I still have five left for September. I've made a list of books I want to borrow on Thursday for the reason you mentioned - to make them last into next month :)
Aunt Dimity and the Duke This was a real life book club selection and there weren't enough copies in the system so I resorted to the Audible free trial. UGH! The narrator is dreadful. Her English accents were all over the place from proper to Cockney but not Cornish when the book is set in/near Cornwall. I liked the story though. It took awhile to get into the mystery and then I got into it. I didn't mind the romance elements but someone who isn't used to fiction and someone who doesn't read romances had issues with the timeline. I read a lot of Regency Romances where the timeline is days or a week at most so the quickness of this one didn't bother me. It was cute.
Catching up after a week off.
Under Lock & Skeleton Key by Gigi Pandian https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Deadly Director's Cut by Vick Delany https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Seams Like Murder by Dorothy Howell https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Continuing with The Inn At Holiday Bay series by Kathi Daley:Completed
The Inn at Holiday Bay: Cookies in the Cottage 09-27-2022Completed
Details in the Document 09-27-2022Reading
Clue in the Clam
I read Seven-Year Witch
and I loved it! Josie is an intriguing character who is learning witchcraft from letters her grandmother left her. Her love life is a bit of mess which will hopefully sort itself out in time. The supporting characters are a mixed bag and all a little eccentric. Josie has recently relocated to a small town in Oregon and is still learning about the area.The mystery was a mix of old and new with lots of red herrings to choose from. I was so absorbed in the story that I overlooked an obvious character. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
QNPoohBear wrote: "Aunt Dimity and the Duke This was a real life book club selection and there weren't enough copies in the system so I resorted to the Audible free trial. UGH! The narrator is dreadful...."I've always enjoyed the Aunt Dimity books just for a change of pace from everything else. They're a lot like the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books for me - no earthshaking mysteries or anything to keep you on the edge of your seat. They're more like puzzles to solve. I wouldn't want a steady diet of them, but they're fun now and then :)
Barb wrote: "I've always enjoyed the Aunt Dimity books just for a change of pace from everything else. They're a lot like the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books for me - no earthshaking mysteries or anything to keep you on the edge of your seat. They're more like puzzles to solve. I wouldn't want a steady diet of them, but they're fun now and then ."
They seem very gentle and nice so far. I joined a real life book and baking club where we meet once a month to discuss the book and eat the treat from the recipe.
I read Killed With a Kiss
after skimming the previous two. The series is getting better because I actually enjoyed this one and ended up reading the whole thing. She gets more clues about her dad and the mystery was intriguing. Lacey is still rather annoying at times but there was more antiquing and background information on the objects she was buying than there has been in previous books. Full review to come.
Finishing out the week with
Mrs. Claus and the Evil Elves by Liz Ireland https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm hoping to start that series in December (seasonal read and all), but I may have too many other books to read to finish challenges that end on December 31.
The series is getting better because I actually enjoyed this one and ended up reading the whole thing..."Scratch that. Skimmed Perished by a Painting and it was not so good. Lacey is back to being annoying.
She can't talk to Tom about her feelings.
She hasn't told her mother and sister about something major happening in her life.
She's shocked and hurt by something he casually reveals about his family.
Lacey chickened out following a lead about her dad.
Lacey frequently accuses the wrong person of wrongdoing, nearly getting killed in the process of figuring out who the right suspect is. This one comes out of left field.
I downloaded the next one, skimmed the first chapter and the very end. It's finally moving with regards to the dad plot so I'll download and skim the one after that and see where it goes. Maybe backtrack and read the books before they return to Hoopla.
Bait and Witch
Angela M. Sanders
This was great fun. Witch, cat, library, interesting characters and more. Willing suspension of disbelief required because pretty much everything about this is way out there from set up to the twists that make things work. Even the ordinary characters have secrets, really interesting secrets. Of course I want to read more.
Color Me Murder
Krista Davis
Enjoyed this. More to it than some first in series cozies. Closer to cozy than traditional mystery but a bit more serious than I expected. Series now on my to read list.
Just started Farm to Trouble, a new series by Amanda Flower. 10% in and wondering if I should stop. 🤷🏼♀️
Rounding out the week with
Murder at the Mushroom Festival by Janet Finsilver https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
*I have a monthly book reading challenge that includes Four books as follows:
I completed Dr. Shine Cracks the Case
by Cathy TullyStarting Death from High Places : A 1920s Mystery
by Benedict BrownNext to read is Pawsitively Poisonous
by Melissa Erin JacksonThen, finally, is Killer Focus
by Victoria L.K. Williams*
Loved A Good Dog's Guide to Murder
I think this is her best mystery yet. There were lots of twists and turns plus adorable Trixie has penned her guide to murder. Trixie and Twinkletoes get up to a lot of tricks in this book. The cozy is well done with Thanksgiving and Christmas themes. We meet Holly's mom for the first time and get to know Holmes' parents better. I want to move to Wagtail in the worst possible way!
I finished the Lacey Doyle series Catastrophe in a CloisterLacey never learns a lesson and continues to act childish. All that drama over her dad and (view spoiler) There's also no resolution to why Chester's previous owners left so suddenly. I expected some connection (view spoiler)
I don't normally like children but Lacey's nephew Frankie is charming. He's very enjoyable whenever he's on the page and I appreciate his obsessions. Usually it's younger boys obsessed with vehicles but it's good he's so curious about everything and enjoys learning.
Off to a good start this week with
The Plot and the Pendulum by Jenn McKinlay https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I listened to The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie. It is part of the Miss Marple series. Unlike other Miss Marple books, Miss Marple makes a brief appearance at the end of the story. The story is told from Jerry Burton's POV and is filled with red herrings. Intertwined with the mystery are love stories - some that are happy and others that are not. This book is a gem!
Mark wrote: "Off to a good start this week with The Plot and the Pendulum by Jenn McKinlay https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."I was able to listen to that one - the first in the series that I got on audio - and I enjoyed it. The narrator was good, and she did a decent job of giving each character a different "voice."
Mark wrote: "Off to a good start this week with The Plot and the Pendulum by Jenn McKinlay https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."I'm impatiently waiting for my library book. I didn't get in fast enough to get near the top of the hold list. Apparently the title of the book was a question on Jeopardy already!
I'm glad you enjoyed it, too, Barb.QN, yes, it was a clue in Jeopardy back in the spring/early summer. The category was Punny Cozy Mystery Titles. I recognized all of them even if I hadn't read them. So much fun.
The first was August bonus borrow audio..."
Thanks for the recommendation, L J -- I love Regency period mysteries.