Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge discussion
2018 Level 4 (Super Extra)
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Introducing Dawn Michelle, Slueth Extraordinaire. ♥
21. Killer Characters [Books by the Bay #8] ~Ellery AdamsMarch 19 - March 20, 2018
4 Stars
22. The Secret, Bone and Scone Society [Miracle Springs NC #1] – Ellery AdamsApril 1 - April 2, 2018
5 Stars
25. Due or Die [Library Lovers #2] ~Jenn McKinlayApril 4 - April 5, 2018
4 Stars
Dawn Michelle wrote: "25. Due or Die [Library Lovers #2] ~Jenn McKinlayApril 4 - April 5, 2018
4 Stars"
Love this series.
Dawn Michelle wrote: "25. Due or Die [Library Lovers #2] ~Jenn McKinlayApril 4 - April 5, 2018
4 Stars"
I think I'll look for this series--sounds good!
Betsy wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "25. Due or Die [Library Lovers #2] ~Jenn McKinlayApril 4 - April 5, 2018
4 Stars"
Love this series."
Me too! The audiobook narrator isn't horrible either, which as of late, is nothing short of miraculous! LOL
Donna wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "25. Due or Die [Library Lovers #2] ~Jenn McKinlayApril 4 - April 5, 2018
4 Stars"
I think I'll look for this series--sounds good!"
It is very good. I have truly enjoyed everything that she has written.
5. One from cozy mysteries based outside the US A. Death of a Ghost [Hamish Macbeth #32] – M.C. Beaton
April 23, 2018 [ODR]
4 Stars
6. One career-based cozy mystery [housekeeping, wedding planner]A. Eclair and Present Danger [Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery #1] ~Laura Bradford
May 10 - May 14, 2018
4 Stars
33. The Silence of the Flans [Emergency Dessert Squad #2] ~Laura BradfordMay 14 - May 15, 2018
2 Stars
Dawn Michelle wrote: "33. The Silence of the Flans [Emergency Dessert Squad #2] ~Laura BradfordMay 14 - May 15, 2018
2 Stars"
That doesn't sound promising.
Betsy wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "33. The Silence of the Flans [Emergency Dessert Squad #2] ~Laura BradfordMay 14 - May 15, 2018
2 Stars"
That doesn't sound promising."
It was really horrible. WAY to much emphasis on a weird "romance" and it was like everyone was trying WAY too hard. Apparently #3 is much better, back to what was good in #1!
23. Carbs and Cadavers [Supper Club Mystery #1] ~Ellery AdamsMay 23 - May 27, 2018
3 Stars
10. One is your choiceA. Stiffs and Swine [Supper Club Mystery #4 - Ellery Adams
May 29, 2018 [ODR] ***
1 Star
*** Because of the nature of these books, I have skipped #’s 2 & 3 and just went to #4, which is my NetGalley book; I will read it and review it and never pick up this series again.
Dawn Michelle wrote: "10. One is your choiceA. Stiffs and Swine [Supper Club Mystery #4 - Ellery Adams
May 29, 2018 [ODR] ***
1 Star
*** Because of the nature of these books, I have skipped #’s 2 & 3 and just ..."
That bad?
Betsy wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "10. One is your choiceA. Stiffs and Swine [Supper Club Mystery #4 - Ellery Adams
May 29, 2018 [ODR] ***
1 Star
*** Because of the nature of these books, I have skipped..."
Fat shaming [THIS was the beginning of Book #2! I could not finish it]. Atkins diets with LOTS of diet soda and then wondering why they cannot stick to the diet and keep cheating.
LOTS of self-loathing and almost smarminess in regards to each other, even though they are supposed to be supporting each other. And LOTS of snide remarks when they cheat. And then NO more extreme dieting and then more shaming.
They are really, really, really bad.
Joanne wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "10. One is your choiceA. Stiffs and Swine [Supper Club Mystery #4 - Ellery Adams
May 29, 2018 [ODR] ***
1 Star
*** Because of the nature of these books, I have skipped..."
It is very bad. Very, very bad.
5. One from cozy mysteries based outside the US B. Death of an Honest Man [Hamish Macbeth #33] – M.C. Beaton
May 30, 2018 [ODR]
4 Stars
24. Of Books and Bagpipes [Scottish Bookshop #2] ~Paige SheltonJune 8 - June 11, 2018
4 Stars
Joanne wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "24. Of Books and Bagpipes [Scottish Bookshop #2] ~Paige SheltonJune 8 - June 11, 2018
4 Stars"
I love her books 👍👍"
Me too!!
27. Pagan Spring [Max Tudor #3] - G.M. MallietJune 14 - June 19, 2018
4 Stars
8. One travel mystery [character could be on a cruise, touring another area]A. Messenger of Truth [Maisie Dobbs #4] – Jacqueline Winspear
June 18 - June 22, 2018
5 Stars
25. Lost Books and Old Bones [Scottish Bookshop #3] - Paige SheltonJune 22 - June 24, 2018
4 Stars
28. Crooked House ~Agatha ChristieJune 30 - July 2, 2018
5 Stars
32. The Diva Cooks Up a Storm [Domestic Diva #11] - Krista DavisJuly 5 - July 9, 2018
4 Stars
40. Murder at the Mansion [Victorian Village Mystery #1] ~Shelia ConnollyJuly 9 - July 12, 2018
3 Stars
8. One travel mystery [character could be on a cruise, touring another area]B. Among the Mad [Maisie Dobbs #6] – Jacqueline Winspear
July 12 - July 15, 2018
5 Stars
30. Murder Has a Motive [Mordecai Tremaine #1] ~Francis DuncanJuly 16 - July 20, 2018
4 Stars
Dawn Michelle wrote: "8. One travel mystery [character could be on a cruise, touring another area]B. Among the Mad [Maisie Dobbs #6] – Jacqueline Winspear
July 12 - July 15, 2018
5 Stars"
I've read the first 8 Maisie Dobbs mysteries. I thought they were all interesting. I'm glad to see you enjoyed Among the Mad.
Katherine wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "8. One travel mystery [character could be on a cruise, touring another area]B. Among the Mad [Maisie Dobbs #6] – Jacqueline Winspear
July 12 - July 15, 2018
5 Stars"
I..."
I am completely in love with that series - they have been some excellent reads and the narrator for the audiobooks is absolutely delightful as well. I am so glad I took a chance with those.
Murder at the Mansion wasn't good? I like Sheila Connelly's story ideas and characters but the apple series had tons and tons of description and not much action and dialogue. I keep wanting to try her again but her books take pretty intense concentration. Was this one the same way?
Lena wrote: "Murder at the Mansion wasn't good? I like Sheila Connelly's story ideas and characters but the apple series had tons and tons of description and not much action and dialogue. I keep wanting to try ..."This one was totally convoluted. And just meh while being confusing. I like her "Relatively Dead" series [well, the first one that I have read] so I was excited to read this. Meh. I doubt I will continue with this series. And now I am not sure about starting the Apple series either.
Below is my review:
"I was pretty excited to get this as I really like this author. I have to admit that I am kind of disappointed as this was just an average cozy mystery, not anything spectacular and certainly not like the author's previous books. Kate is an okay, but slightly annoying MC who has a tendency to berate herself mentally [which gets annoying] and seems to be unsure of herself, even though she has been to college and had held a very respectable job due to an unfortunate incident that happened her senior year in high school with her HS nemesis. Who, conveniently turns up dead just as Kate comes to the town of her youth to help them bail themselves out of the debt they have suddenly found themselves in [it is all kind of convoluted] because she has suddenly found herself out of a job. Confused yet? Uh-huh. Me too.
I had the murderer guessed early on - like in the chapter they are introduced. It was pretty obvious [to me] and because of that, it seemed to take forever to get to the end. Where we have some slightly forced-feeling romance and the reveal. Which was totally anticlimactic.
Just an average, meh read."
7. One holiday based [set during any holiday - Christmas, Valentines, Easter]B. Murder in the Paperback Parlor [Book Retreat Mystery #2] ~Ellery Adams
July 21 - July 25, 2018
3 Stars
Curious about this Ellery Adams one too! I read the first book in that series and didn't care for it. Looks like we have similar tastes!
Lena wrote: "Curious about this Ellery Adams one too! I read the first book in that series and didn't care for it. Looks like we have similar tastes!"I wasn't a huge fan of the first one, but I liked it enough to listen to the second one. If I had just read it it probably would have been a higher rating but the narrator for these is just hideous and I can barely get through them - I liked the story when I wasn't being distracted by other things. ;-)
I don't have the attention span for audio books :)
Lena wrote: "I don't have the attention span for audio books :)"I am glad that I do since I cannot currently read print book due to an eye issue!! If I couldn't - ohhhhh boy. This house would be an unhappy one.
10. One is your choiceB. Who Moved my Goat Cheese [Farm-to-Table #1] ~Lynn Cahoon
July 26 - July 31, 2018
2 Stars
2. One from animal related [cats, dogs, birds, etc.]A. Twelve Angry Librarians [Cats in the Stacks #8] – Miranda James
August 2 - August 6, 2018
4 Stars
6. One career-based cozy mystery [housekeeping, wedding planner]B. Murder in the Secret Garden [Book Retreat Mystery #3] ~Ellery Adams
August 7 - August 8, 2018
4 Stars
LOL! If my eyes weren't up to the task I'd figure out a way to make audio books work. Can't not have books!I like Miranda James's series. I think I'm caught up with it
Lena wrote: "LOL! If my eyes weren't up to the task I'd figure out a way to make audio books work. Can't not have books!I like Miranda James's series. I think I'm caught up with it"
I am two behind; the one that is out now and the one that will be out in October. I will be sad when I am caught up as I really like that series.
Dawn Michelle wrote: "Lena wrote: "LOL! If my eyes weren't up to the task I'd figure out a way to make audio books work. Can't not have books!I like Miranda James's series. I think I'm caught up with it"
I am two beh..."
I am at the same place in Cat in Stacks series. Glad I have other cat series to keep me occupied.
Betsy wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "Lena wrote: "LOL! If my eyes weren't up to the task I'd figure out a way to make audio books work. Can't not have books!I like Miranda James's series. I think I'm caught up ..."
Which cat books are you reading? Have you read LeAnn Sweeney's books?
36. Killer Green Tomatoes [Farm-to-Fork Mystery #2] ~Lynn CahoonAugust 9 - August 11, 2018
3 Stars
If they are the cat based ones, yes. I have not read her other series, but have read all of the cat based ones and those are just fantastic. I really enjoyed that series a lot. Though it looks like it is done. :-( That whole Penguin/Random House merger really did a number on a lot of my favorite series. Ergh.
4. One from paranormal [witches, vampires, etc.]A. A Spell of Trouble [Silver Hollow Mystery #1] ~Leighann Dobbs and Traci Douglass
August 19 - August 20, 2018
3 Stars
4. One from paranormal [witches, vampires, etc.]B. Spell Disaster [Silver Hollow Mystery #2] ~Leighann Dobbs and Traci Douglass
August 22, 2018 [ODR]
2 Stars
Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge
Authors mentioned in this topic
Kay Finch (other topics)Laurie Cass (other topics)
Sofie Kelly (other topics)
Sofie Ryan (other topics)
Claire Donally (other topics)
More...
Read two books from each sub-genre in level one plus an additional 20 cozy books of your choice [total of 40 books]
1. One from culinary [anything dealing with food]
A. Going, Going, Ganache [Cupcake Bakery Mystery #5] – Jenn McKinlay
September 1 - September 2, 2018
3 Stars
B. Single Malt Murder [Whiskey Business Mystery #1] - Melinda Mullet
September 4 - September 7, 2018
3 Stars
2. One from animal related [cats, dogs, birds, etc.]
A. Twelve Angry Librarians [Cats in the Stacks #8] – Miranda James
August 2 - August 6, 2018
4 Stars
B. Claws for Concern [Cats in the Stacks #9] – Miranda James
September 26 - September 28, 2018
4 Stars
3. One from craft related [any kind of hobbies - coloring, crocheting, scrapbooking]
A. Hooked on Murder [A Crochet Mystery #1] – Betty Hechtman
October 9 - October 10, 2018
2 Stars
B. The Coloring Crook [Pen and Ink Mystery #2] - Krista Davis
November 12 - November 13, 2018
4 Stars
4. One from paranormal [witches, vampires, etc.]
A. A Spell of Trouble [Silver Hollow Mystery #1] ~Leighann Dobbs and Traci Douglass
August 19 - August 20, 2018
3 Stars
B. Spell Disaster [Silver Hollow Mystery #2] ~Leighann Dobbs and Traci Douglass
August 22, 2018 [ODR]
2 Stars
5. One from cozy mysteries based outside the US
A. Death of a Ghost [Hamish Macbeth #32] – M.C. Beaton
April 23, 2018 [ODR]
4 Stars
B. Death of an Honest Man [Hamish Macbeth #33] – M.C. Beaton
May 30, 2018 [ODR]
4 Stars
6. One career-based cozy mystery [housekeeping, wedding planner]
A. Eclair and Present Danger [Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery #1] ~Laura Bradford
May 10 - May 14, 2018
4 Stars
B. Murder in the Secret Garden [Book Retreat Mystery #3] ~Ellery Adams
August 7 - August 8, 2018
4 Stars
7. One holiday based [set during any holiday - Christmas, Valentines, Easter]
A. Twelve Slays of Christmas [Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #1] - Jacqueline Frost
August 29 - August 31, 2018
4 Stars
B. Murder in the Paperback Parlor [Book Retreat Mystery #2] ~Ellery Adams
July 21 - July 25, 2018
3 Stars
8. One travel mystery [character could be on a cruise, touring another area]
A. Messenger of Truth [Maisie Dobbs #4] – Jacqueline Winspear
June 18 - June 22, 2018
5 Stars
B. Among the Mad [Maisie Dobbs #6] – Jacqueline Winspear
July 12 - July 15, 2018
5 Stars
9. One historical mystery [any mystery not set in the present]
A. Five Little Pigs [Hercule Poirot #25] – Agatha Christie
October 4 - October 9, 2018
5 Stars
B. The Grave’s a Fine and Private Place [Flavia de Luce #9] – Alan Bradley
October 1 - October 3, 2018
5 Stars
10. One is your choice
A. Stiffs and Swine [Supper Club Mystery #4 - Ellery Adams
May 29, 2018 [ODR] ***
1 Star
B. Who Moved my Goat Cheese [Farm-to-Table #1] ~Lynn Cahoon
July 26 - July 31, 2018
2 Stars
21. Killer Characters [Books by the Bay #8] ~Ellery Adams
March 19 - March 20, 2018
4 Stars
22. The Secret, Bone and Scone Society [Miracle Springs NC #1] – Ellery Adams
April 1 - April 2, 2018
5 Stars
23. Carbs and Cadavers [Supper Club Mystery #1] ~Ellery Adams
May 23 - May 27, 2018
3 Stars
24. Of Books and Bagpipes [Scottish Bookshop #2] ~Paige Shelton
June 8 - June 11, 2018
4 Stars
25. Lost Books and Old Bones [Scottish Bookshop #3] - Paige Shelton
June 22 - June 24, 2018
4 Stars
26.. Due or Die [Library Lovers #2] ~Jenn McKinlay
April 4 - April 5, 2018
4 Stars
27. Pagan Spring [Max Tudor #3] - G.M. Malliet
June 14 - June 19, 2018
4 Stars
28. Crooked House ~Agatha Christie
June 30 - July 2, 2018
5 Stars
29. Death Distilled [Whiskey Business Mystery #2] Melinda Mullet
September 8 - September 9, 2018
4 Stars
30. Murder Has a Motive [Mordecai Tremaine #1] ~Francis Duncan
July 16 - July 20, 2018
4 Stars
31. Deadly Dram [Whiskey Business Mystery #3] - Melinda Mullet
September 10 - September 11, 2018
3 Stars
32. The Diva Cooks Up a Storm [Domestic Diva #11] - Krista Davis
July 5 - July 9, 2018
4 Stars
33. Toucan Keep a Secret [Meg Langslow #23] - Donna Andrews
September 1 - September 3, 2018
4 Stars
34. The Silence of the Flans [Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery #2] – Laura Bradford
May 14 – May 15, 2018
2 Stars
35. Too Big to Miss [Odelia Grey #1] ~Sue Ann Jaffarian
August 20 - August 30, 2018
4 Stars
36. Killer Green Tomatoes [Farm-to-Fork Mystery #2] ~Lynn Cahoon
August 9 - August 11, 2018
3 Stars
37. Assaulted Caramel [Amish Candy Shop Mystery #1] - Amanda Flower
September 12 - September 13, 2018
4 Stars
38. Murder at the Flamingo [A Van Buren and DeLuca Mystery #1] ~Rachel McMillan
August 27 - August 30, 2018
2 Stars
39. The Mapping of Love and Death [Maisie Dobbs #7] – Jacqueline Winspear
August 23 - August 27, 2018
4 Stars
40. Murder at the Mansion [Victorian Village Mystery #1] ~Shelia Connolly
July 9 - July 12, 2018
3 Stars
*** Because of the nature of these books, I have skipped #’s 2 & 3 and just went to #4, which is my NetGalley book; I will read it and review it and never pick up this series again.