What Cozy Are You Reading? > Likes and Comments

Deadline with Death
The first in a new series. The time slip thing was intriguing and I was more interested in that than who killed the contemporary characters. I was disapointed it ended unresolved and the second book won't be out until 2024! I love history but I don't know much about Irish history. I learned a lot from this book but would have appreciated an extra historical note at the end summarizing the information that was presented in the novel with a bit more explanation. I do not enjoy the crazy grandma trope but Nana and Dottie sure are funny.

Zara Keane is a good writer of escapist, funny cozies.

I finished Ordeal by Innocence and I can't say that I liked it. I didn't think it met the high standard of most of Christie's work. The mystery was good with lots of red herrings. I was able to solve to murder and the motive for it.

The Plot and the Pendulum
So far, the first half is very OCTOBER! It's really atmopsheric and slightly creepy. Like Lindsey, I'm geeking out over the books and I want them but I'll pass on the skeleton, thanks.

I started Summerhouse Reunion - The Complete Story by Kathi Daley. This is a three-part story in one book. Only on chapter 3, and I already like the flow!

Starting out Thanksgiving week with Blind Side by Penny Warner https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Happy Thanksgiving!

My second book this week was Knot My Sister's Keeper by Mary Marks https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I read Witch and Famous which I enjoyed. I'm hooked on this series so I hope it continues!

I am reading Death on the Patagonian Express by Hy Conrad. Set in Chile and Argentina. It is an okay cozy, love the setting. Characters and plot are so so.

I am reading one of my favorite series A Song of Comfortable Chairs by Alexander McCall Smith. Set in Botswana. Wonderfully written sereis. I have read all them. Each year when the new comes out I buy it. Reminds me of sitting down and having a cup of tea with an old friend and catching up.

Enjoyed Bake Offed by Maya Corrigan https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Starting December with Knits, Knots, and Knives by Emmie Caldwell https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished my book Bookmarked for Murder 4 stars out of 5. This book is numbe 5 in the series. Well constructed cozy. Set in Michigan the day after Christmas to New Years. I like that Ms. Burns uses many senior characters and makes them vibrant with active lives. They are complex and well written. She does an outstand job writing about the elderyly minature poodles, Oreo and Snickers. She owns poodles herself and the books show it by what they do and the care needed. Very good series but I recommend starting with books one The Plot is Murder.

Sadlyl I marked Blanche on the Lam as did not finish. It was a well written book and Blanche is an interesting character. I would have liked to find out how her life plays out. But this book made me intensely uncomfortable. After giving it a lot of thought, I realized that Blanche's distrust and discomfort of white people reminded me of emotional abuse that I have experienced. So I put the book down and feel much better!

Just one cozy from me this week - A Streetcar Named Murder by T. G. Herren https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Enjoying the season with Cozy Up to Christmas by Colin Conway https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

An e-arc of A Murderous Persuasion. It was cute but I have mixed feelings. The Austen references were a little too pointed, such as the sister dating a guy called Charles who has a sister, Karolina and Charles being a good friend of Mark, the Mr. Darcy character. The sisters' love stories are right out of Pride and Prejudice which the Jane Austen professor really should pick up on. Sometimes she's a bit TSTL.

The mystery was solid but long. I never guessed who the murderer was. I thought it was someone else even when the clues pointed to a character of the opposite gender. I cheated and peaked so going back to finish the book felt a bit anticlimactic. I'm going to go back and read the first book in the series though.

Finished off the week with a Christmas short story The Christmas Caper by Gigi Pandian https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just picked that up yesterday. Mark, where does it fall in the series - between books 1 and 2, or between 2 and 3? Thanks.

Barb wrote: "I just picked that up yesterday. Mark, where does it fall in the series - between books 1 and 2, or between 2 and 3? Thanks."

The Christmas Caper: A Secret Staircase Mystery Short Story is after Under Lock & Skeleton Key.

Thanks, Cheryl!

Yes, this is story 1.5 in the series.

Cheryl A. wrote: "Barb wrote: "where does it fall in the series - between books 1 and 2, or between 2 and 3? Thanks."

The Christmas Caper: A Secret Staircase Mystery Short Story is after Under Lock & Skeleton Key."

Thanks!

“Christmas Cupcake Murder” by Joanne Fluke

Christmas Cocoa and a Corpse

It was not bad. The suspects were limited. I loved the puppy but this is so inaccurate about rescue and how to bring home a new puppy.

Back to Christmas cozies with Slay Ride by Diane Vallere https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My final Christmas cozy of the year - Dashing Through the Snowbirds by Donna Andrews https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Proof In The Pudding
It was OK but not enough of Chester and Peanut for me. I was sad to say goodbye to the series though.

This one is a historical cozy

I am reading one of my favorite series
Peril in Paris by Rhy Bowen. Love characters and Paris is a great setting. This book does not get ratings as good as others in the series but I am enjoying it.

Read both Maddie Day Christmas novellas and while the mysteries aren't bad, I'm just not a huge fan of the characters.

Finishing out the year with Rum and Choke by Sherry Harris https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I listened to Comic Sans Murder. It was fun. I hope this series will continue.

Zermeena wrote: "I listened to Comic Sans Murder. It was fun. I hope this series will continue.

"

I was hopeful but it's been too long.

Meg wrote: "Zermeena wrote: "I listened to Comic Sans Murder. It was fun. I hope this series will continue.

"

I was hopeful but it's been too long."

I was really getting into the series and then *poof* it was over.

When that happens, I often wonder if it's the author's decision or that of the publisher?

Barb wrote: "When that happens, I often wonder if it's the author's decision or that of the publisher?"

I think Dangerous Type series was victim of Berkley Prime Crime cozy mystery purge as the last book came out at that time.

Buried in a Book by Tamara Berry

L J wrote: "Barb wrote: "When that happens, I often wonder if it's the author's decision or that of the publisher?"

I think Dangerous Type series was victim of Berkley Prime Crime cozy mystery purge as the la..."

Ugh, that's so sad.

L J wrote: "I think Dangerous Type series was victim of Berkley Prime Crime cozy mystery purge as the last book came out at that time."

2017?? :o(

There were so many times I'd find series at used book stores or libraries that were three-and-dones. Just as I was getting into the series it would end, no more entries. I wondered if that was always the first order... Give us three and if it sells we'll go for three more.

Came to list my first cozy of 2023...

The Case of the Canterfell Codicil from P.J. Fitzsimmons' Anty Boisjoly series
So good. So funny. So fun. -- **My Review**

I updated my 2022 cozy list (from a challenge I do). You can find my latest reads there, Karen's Kozies 2022

Karen wrote: "L J wrote: "I think Dangerous Type series was victim of Berkley Prime Crime cozy mystery purge as the last book came out at that time."

2017?? :o(

There were so many times I'd find series at us..."

The purge where Berkley dropped so many cozy mystery authors was 2016. My understanding was that books already far enough along in production still came out so 2017 release date makes author likely purge victim.

Some authors were able to get rights to their series but not all authors had contracts that made that feasible.

added for clarification: Though cozy mysteries took obvious hit the target was mass market paperbacks in all categories. Mass market paperback is purportedly format from which publisher made least profit per book. Speculation was this was attempt by publisher to drive readers to buy more expensive books even if it meant they had to switch authors or genres. Booksellers, at least the ones I knew, thought publisher did not understand the market.

L J wrote: "Karen wrote: "L J wrote: "I think Dangerous Type series was victim of Berkley Prime Crime cozy mystery purge as the last book came out at that time."

2017?? :o(

There were so many times I'd fin..."

That is a bummer! And it feels unfair to not give the author rights to continue a series!

Karen wrote: "L J wrote: "I think Dangerous Type series was victim of Berkley Prime Crime cozy mystery purge as the last book came out at that time."

2017?? :o(

There were so many times I'd find series at us..."

Yes, quite often the author gets an initial 3 book contract, and it might be extended based on how well the series sells. Usually, it is two book extensions after that, although I've heard of some 3 books extensions recently.

Glad to see you enjoyed The Case of the Canterfell Codicil. I snagged it recently myself. No idea when I will get to it, however.

Karen wrote: "Came to list my first cozy of 2023...

The Case of the Canterfell Codicil from P.J. Fitzsimmons' Anty Boisjo..."

I've had this on my tbr for what seems like forever. Thanks for the nudge to get it read! Can't do it this month but maybe next.

Can I tell you how refreshing it is to see someone else say they have their reading already planned for the month on the second of the month? I sometimes feel crazy being already planned out like this.

I will continue chopping down my TBR mountain this year. (Too bad I keep adding new ones!) Today I am starting the JANUARY '23 SERIAL READER CHALLENGE picked for me: Books 25 and 26 of the Cozy Corgi Mysteries series by Mildred Abbott.

Mark wrote: "Can I tell you how refreshing it is to see someone else say they have their reading already planned for the month on the second of the month? I sometimes feel crazy being already planned out like t..."

I start every month with a list of books to read that month, but there's always some play in the list, so I can work in those unexpected library holds that arrive or other shiny book titles that catch my eye :)

Mark wrote: "Can I tell you how refreshing it is to see someone else say they have their reading already planned for the month on the second of the month? I sometimes feel crazy being already planned out like t..."

I plan my reading monthly as it gives me some kind of control and sanity, as my tbr is tremendous! For one thing books I really want to read are right there staring me in the face instead of being lost in la-la land. Plus I have what I need for my umpteen reading challenges, which I join to help me bring forgotten books out of obscurity, in a fun way.

Another way to put this: I'm not a sweet young thing these days, and sometimes memory ain't what it used to be. Lists are my best friend. 😂🤣😂

Mark wrote: "Can I tell you how refreshing it is to see someone else say they have their reading already planned for the month on the second of the month? I sometimes feel crazy being already planned out like t..."

I plan a month with the different challenges that I join. That will come into play this year as I have some longer novels, having been on my Kindle since 2018! I may try planning for two or three months!

Mark wrote: "I snagged it recently myself. No idea when I will get to it, however."

LOL... Isn't that the way with most TBRs? We all add more than we can get to, though I will read a "new" one if a recommendation or review really makes the book appealing or if the title/cover catches my eye between reads. I almost broke down with the recently commented on Twelve Angry Librarians by Miranda James, but it was book 8 and I just can't knowingly start a series at book 8. Phew...

Cheryl A. wrote: "I will continue chopping down my TBR mountain this year. (Too bad I keep adding new ones!)."

LOL!! and, ditto.

Mark wrote: "Can I tell you how refreshing it is to see someone else say they have their reading already planned for the month on the second of the month? I sometimes feel crazy being already planned out like this."
~then~
Barb wrote: "I start every month with a list of books to read that month, but there's always some play in the list, so I can work in those unexpected library holds that arrive or other shiny book titles that catch my eye"
~and then~
Meg wrote: "I plan my reading monthly as it gives me some kind of control and sanity, as my tbr is tremendous! For one thing books I really want to read are right there staring me in the face instead of being lost in la-la land. Plus I have what I need for my umpteen reading challenges, which I join to help me bring forgotten books out of obscurity, in a fun way."
~and then~
Cheryl A. wrote: "I plan a month with the different challenges that I join. That will come into play this year as I have some longer novels, having been on my Kindle since 2018! I may try planning for two or three months!"

and then Karen responded... :o)
I guess I'm most like Barb. I have an idea of what I'm going to read -- my Nooks are already loaded. I have a file for catch-ups to series I read, files with favorite authors' series I have yet to read, and files with new-to-me authors. My plan always starts with reading what's already loaded on the readers.

However, I leave myself open for new additions to the series I read (as I try not to fall behind) -- still need to get my book release date calendar organized!, then up to date, of course -- and for new-to-me items that catch my eye from the boards, your reviews, and or freebie newsletters. That's where I wind up adding to Mt TBR. Mostly new-to-mes are TBRed. However, if a book looks good and it's the start of a series, I may read it when I see it. If it's a mid-series book, I'll TBR it and the series (unless it looks so so so good that I'm compelled to read the series to date to get to it). Newsletter freebies mostly come in Kindle format and while I have a Kindle, I prefer my Nook(s). I just "click to buy" instantly (mindlessly??) adding the freebie to my TBR. My Kindle TBR has more books in it... Part of the problem is out of sight, out of mind. I have an idea of what's in the K-TBR, but it's not taking up any of my hard drive space so I don't have an issue just adding and adding while rarely subtracting. I'm most likely to read right away freebies that come in epub format.

I'm also freer because I only enter one main challenge (cozy mysteries). While I might join a special challenge within the boards here and there, my reading list is pretty much what I want when I want.

Between all my reader apparati, I usually have three or four books going at one time in different areas in the house (and a hard copy book in my glovebox for emergencies!).