Apr 2020 - Cozied Up Report Thread

[Janice, Moderator]

When you finish your book for the "Let's Get Cozy" Challenge, report and score it here.

First tell me your Wall of Fame Name (Wof). Then link to the book you read for the challenge and score as follows:

Scoring (based on the edition you read)

Theme:
Cozies by Theme

5 pts - Beauty Shop cozies
4 pts - Male Sleuths
3 pts - Gardening theme
2 pts - Paranormal theme (ghost, witches, vampire, etc)
1 pts - Cozies with recipes (required to share a recipe!)

Genre: In addition to Cozy Mystery, the following appears on the main book page.

5 pts - Cultural, any country
4 pts - Holiday, any holiday (Christmas, Easter, Halloween, etc.)
3 pts - Humor
2 pts - Historical
1 pts - Romance

Cover: (Based on the edition you read)

5 pts - Has luggage on it.
4 pts - Has a full house or manor on it (exterior view).
3 pts - Has the murder weapon on it.
2 pts - Has cat on it.
1 pts - Has curtain on it (interior view).

Title:

5 pts - Has six or more words, excluding subtitles and series names unless the series name starts the title eg. A Nancy Drew Christmas
4 pts - Has the name of a condiment in it (eg salt, butter, mustard)
3 pts - The same word(s) appears in all titles in the series. eg. In Death Series
2 pts - Is an alliteration (at least two words start with the same letter, not including articles or conjoiners) eg. Magpie Murders
1 pts - The title is a play on words (pun, simile). You are required to explain.

Pages:

5 pts - 500 +
4 pts - 400 - 499
3 pts - 300 - 399
2 pts - 200 - 299
1 pts - 175-199

Bonus points - 2 pts each
*All holidays named below have been cancelled due to Covid-19. We will celebrate them with our books.

- There is a car on the cover - Distracted Driving Month
- There is a kite or balloon on the cover - Kite Month
- There is a dancer in the story - National Dance Week
- There is an egg on the cover or cooked in the story - White House Easter Egg Roll
- There is a pie on the cover - National Pie Day.

[Cherie]

WoF Cherie

I read Death of a Gossip & Death of a Cad: The First Two Hamish Macbeth Mysteries

Cozies by Theme = 4 pts - Male Sleuths

Genre = 5 pts - Cultural, any country - Scotland

Cover = 0 pts

Title = 3 pts - The same word(s) appears in all titles in the series. "Death of a" are the first words in all of the books in the series.

*Pages = 3 pts - 300 - 399 (391)
(The first title pb is 179 pages and the second title pb is 212 pages.)

Bonus points = 0

Total points = 15

Hamish Macbeth is the only policeman in the tiny, imaginary village of Lochdubh in Southerland, Scotland.
--------------------------------------------
*The audiobook that I downloaded from my library had both books included, so I listened to them both.

[Janice, Moderator]

Speedy Cherie! :)

Count the book as an omnibus for 15 points.

[Cherie]

Janice wrote: "Speedy Cherie! :)

Count the book as an omnibus for 15 points."

Okay - thanks!

[Jayme, Moderator]

WoF Jayme

I read Murder in G Major for the cozy monthly challenge

2 pts - Paranormal theme - ghosts
5 pts - Cultural theme - Ireland
2 pts - alliteration - Murder & Major
1 pt - play on words - Murder in G Major is a play on the music title "Minuet in G Major by Petzold (but often attributed to Bach)
2 pts - 271 pages
2 pts bonus - Gethsemane has bacon and eggs on her first day of teaching at St. Brennan's

14 Total Points

[Lanelle]

WoF Name - Lanelle

I decided to read Aunt Dimity's Christmas. It's such a good story. If anyone wants a dose of good old-fashioned Christmas spirit and goodwill, this is the book to read!

Here's my scoring:
Theme:
2 pts - Paranormal theme

Genre: In addition to Cozy Mystery, the following appears on the main book page.
4 pts - Holiday (Christmas)

Cover: 0

Title:
3 pts - The same words appears in all titles in the series.

Pages:
2 pts - 200 - 299 (I read the ebook; the first paper edition has 214 pages)

Bonus Points: 0

Total Points: 11

[Margo]

WoF margo

I read Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death


Theme: 0pts
Genre: 0pts
Cover: 0pts
Title: 1 pts - Quich of death
Pages: 2 pts 246
Bonus points - 0 pts

TOTAL 3 PTS

Glue stick anyone??!

[Lucy]

WoF - Lucy

I read For Cheddar or Worse


Points

Theme:
1pt - cozy with recipes (in spoilers to conserve space)
(view spoiler)[
Peanut Butter Quiche

4–6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
3 eggs
1 cup milk
⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 (9-inch) pie shell, baked and cooled
2 green apples, peeled and sliced thin
1 cup shredded Havarti cheese

Pre-cook bacon. I like to microwave for no mess. To do so, on a plate, set a large piece of paper towel. Place 4–6 strips of bacon on top. Cover with another paper towel. Microwave on high for 3–4 minutes until very crisp. Let cool, then crumble into small bits. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Combine eggs, milk, and nutmeg in a mixer bowl. Turn up speed to medium-high and whip 30 seconds more. Add peanut butter. Mix on medium-high until well combined, about 1 minute. Sprinkle bacon evenly in the bottom of a pie shell. Layer the sliced apples on top of the bacon. Pour egg–peanut butter mixture over both, and sprinkle with Havarti cheese.

Bake at 350°F for 25–35 minutes, or until knife inserted comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

(Cheese and Peanut Butter are my two favorite foods, I really want to try this!) (hide spoiler)]

Cover:
4pts - has a full house or manor on it.
2pts - has a cat on it

Title:
1pt - title is a play on words (For Cheddar or Worse is a play on For Better or Worse)

Pages:
2pts - 200-299 (I read the ebook, no hardcover, pages are based on paperback edition)

Bonus Points:
2pts - a few mentions of dancers during a town festival (dancer in the story)
2pts - two quiches are made (egg on the cover or cooked in story)

Total Points: 14pts

[Janice, Moderator]

That recipe does look interesting Lucy! I'm not sure I'm brave enough to try it though.

[Janice, Moderator]

WoF name - Janice


I read Gator Bait in the Miss Fortune Series.


0 pts - Theme (The recipes are deeply guarded. Francine isn't going to share.
3 pts - Genre: Humour
1 pts - Genre: Romance
3 pts - Cover: AK-47 on the cover was the murder weapon.
0 pts - Title
2 pts - Pages: Kindle, based on paperback = 248 pgs

Total points - 9

[Ashley]

Wall of Fame: Ashley
I read Murder on a Girls' Night Out

Points:
Theme - 0 points
Genre - 3 points (Humor)
Cover- 0 points
Title - 5 points (6 words)
Pages - 2 points (244 pages)

Total = 10 points

[Lynn]

WoF - Lynn



Scoring:

Theme:
2 pts - Paranormal theme (ghost, witches, vampire, etc)
1 pts - Cozies with recipes (required to share a recipe!)
(view spoiler)[
Chocolate Chip Gingerbread
2½ cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp powdered ginger
½ cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
​3/4 cup molasses
3/4 cup boiling water
2 tbsp grated ginger
1⁄3 cup crystallised ginger (cut into 1/4-inch dice)
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 9inch square cake pan.

Sift together flour, baking soda, and ginger; set aside. Beat butter with an electric mixer until it is creamy and lighter in colour - about 5 mins. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time and beat well.

Combine the molasses, grated ginger, and boiling water. Blend gradually into the butter mixture. Add in the flour mixture and combine thoroughly. Stir in the crystallised ginger and chocolate chips.

Pout into pan and bake for 35 to 45 mins or until a cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool slightly; then turn gingerbread out onto a wire rack to cool completely. (hide spoiler)]

Genre: 0pts

Cover:
2 pts - Has cat on it.
1 pts - Has curtain on it (interior view).

Title:
2 pts - Is an alliteration (at least two words start with the same letter, not including articles or conjoiners) eg. Magpie Murders

Pages:
3 pts - 300 - 399

Bonus points - 2pts
- There is an egg on the cover or cooked in the story - White House Easter Egg Roll

Total: 13 points

[Lucy]

Janice wrote: "That recipe does look interesting Lucy! I'm not sure I'm brave enough to try it though."

Haha, yeah it's definitely different. Eggs & bacon, with an apple & peanut butter is a pretty typical breakfast combo for me, so its stands to reason it would all taste good together, right? (I hope!)

[Janice, Moderator]

You would think. Let us know how it goes if you try it.

[Lucy]

Will do!

[Peggy]

WoF Peggy

I read

Theme:
Cozies by Theme
-

Genre: In addition to Cozy Mystery, the following appears on the main book page.
-

Cover: (Based on the edition you read)
2 pts - Has cat on it.

Title:

3 pts - The same word(s) appears in all titles in the series. eg. In Death Series
1 pts - The title is a play on words (pun, simile). You are required to explain.
Crafty: 1. clever at achieving one's aims by indirect or deceitful methods. 2. involving or relating to the making of objects by hand. Both definitions apply


Pages:
3 pts - 300 - 399

Bonus points - 2 pts each
*All holidays named below have been cancelled due to Covid-19. We will celebrate them with our books.
- There is an egg on the cover or cooked in the story - White House Easter Egg Roll

Total: 11 points

[Amanda]

WoF name - Amanda(Lily)

I read Lethal Bayou Beauty.

Scoring:
Theme - 0 pts
Genre - 3 pts - Humor
Cover - 0 pts
Title - 2 pts - Is an alliteration (at least two words start with the same letter, not including articles or conjoiners) eg. Magpie Murders
Pages - 2 pts - 274 pg
Bonus points - 0 pts

Total - 7 points

[Annerlee]

WoF Annerlee

I read Aunty Lee's Deadly Specials for my cozy mystery.

1 pts - Cozies with recipes (using my phone ... will share recipe when I'm on my laptop!) Two recipes at end of this post in the spoiler
5 pts - Cultural, Asia
3 pts - Has the murder weapon on cover i.e. the special dish pictured is poisoned

3 pts - The same word(s) appears in all titles in the series. 'Aunty Lee'
1 pts - The title is a play on words (pun, simile). The special menu item is a 'deadly special' because it is requested as a special extra to the normal menu and is poisoned for the murder. It is sold later with the new name 'deadly special' in honour of Aunty Lee's solving of the case and because the main ingredient is actually deadly (contains cyanide) if not prepared properly. Customers order it for the risk.
3 points for 384 pages on paperback (I read the ebook, no hardcover available)
2 points for the quails eggs that are cooked.

Total: 18 points

Better points than I thought. Maybe I won't get the glue stick after all.

RECIPES
(view spoiler)[
Aunty Lee's Easy Candlenut Chicken Curry

Chicken:
1 onion (preferably red) peeled and chopped
1 pound chicken cut into even-sized chunks
2 potatoes peeled and cut into chunks
1 cup chicken broth

Rempah Curry:
5 candlenuts (or macademias)
2 cloves garlic
Half an inch of peeled ginger
2 tsp curry powder
2 tsp coriander powder
2 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp chilli powder
2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp vinegar
Add a little oil as you blend the curry ingredients in a food processor for a smooth taste

Salt approx half a tsp
ground black pepper
1 tblsp sugar
1 cup coconut milk (approx)

Heat a little oil in a frying pan and fry the chopped onion. Add the curry paste and fry until it becomes dark and fragrant.
Add the chicken and stir fry until the chicken is coated in the curry paste.
Add potatoes and stir in the broth, salt, pepper and sugar.
Simmer on a low heat for 15 to 20 minutes.
After the liquid is reduced, stir in enough coconut milk to the consistency you like (soupy or saucy) and simmer for about 5 minutes more. Taste and adjust the seasonings.
Serve with bread or rice or Aunty Lee's Amazing Achar.

Cheril's Ginger Lemongrass Doctail
(doctails: mocktails a doctor would recommend)

5 cups water
An inch of ginger root, peeled and chopped
3 big stalks of lemongrass (or 5 little ones) including the juicy white bulbs, washed and chopped
Honey to taste

Bring the water to a boil in a pan.
Add chopped ginger and lemongrass and turn the heat down to simmer for at least 5 minutes.
Stir in honey to taste.
Strain and serve.
Drink hot or cold.
(hide spoiler)]

[Trudy]

WofF TrudyAn

I read Arsenic in the Azaleas. Cosy mystery is listed as a genre on the GR main page.

3 pts - Gardening theme

Genre: 0

Cover:
2 pts - Has cat on it.

Title:
2 pts - Is an alliteration (at least two words start with the same letter, not including articles or conjoiners) eg. Magpie Murders (Arsenic, azaleas)

Pages:
2 pts - 200 - 299 (no hardcover; ebook has 294 pages)

Bonus points: 0

Total points: 9 points

[Janice, Moderator]

Yes, Annerlee. It doesn't look like you'll get the glue stick. :)

[Anna]

WoF Anna M

Trouble in Mudbug by Jana Deleon


Theme
2pts- paranormal

Genre
1pts- romance

Cover
0 pts

Title
3pts- word "Mudbug" appears in all of the books in the series

Pages
3 pts

Bonus
2pts- a car on the cover

Total: 11

[Sharon]

I read M.C Beaton’s Death of a Celebrity

Points:

4 pts-Male sleuth

4 pts- picture of full house on cover

3 pts- “Death of...”

2 pts- 274 pages

Bonus:

1 pt.- egg in story

Total- 14 points

Total-

[Janice, Moderator]

Sharon wrote: "I read M.C Beaton’s Death of a Celebrity

Points:

4 pts-Male sleuth

4 pts- picture of full house on cover.."

Two tiny things - could you add your Wall of Fame name and link to the cover, please? Thanks!

[Sharon]

WoF SharonBiskit

I read “Death of a Celebrity” by M.C. Beaton

Male sleuth- 4 pts
Full house on cover- 4 pts
“Death of”- 3 pts
274 pts- 2 pts
Egg (bonus)- 2 pts

Total: 15 points

[Janice, Moderator]

Thanks Sharon.

Here's the link if you're on your phone and can't add it:

[Sharon]

Thank you, Janice. Trying to figure out how you did that. 🤦‍♀️

[Janice, Moderator]

Right above the comment field is a tiny link that reads "add book/author". Click on that, type in the name of the book (or author), select the edition you want. And then "add'. At the bottom of the search, you have to option to select the link to be title or cover.

[Almeta]

WoF Almeta

Swamp Team 3 16 Apr

Genre: In addition to Cozy Mystery, the following appears on the main book page.
3 pts - Humor
1 pts - Romance

Pages:
2 pts - 270

Bonus points
2 pts - Chicken Fried Steak, eggs and hash browns cooked in the story

8 pts total

[Niloofar]

WoF Niloo

I read A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder

2 pts – Genre - Historical
1 pts – Genre - Romance
3 pts - Has the murder weapon on it. (there are poison and dagger on the cover.)
5 pts –Has six or more words in the title.
3 pts - The same word(s) appears in all titles in the series. (A lady’s Guide to... and murder)
2 pts - 264 pages

Total Points: 16

[Janice, Moderator]

Niloo wrote: "WoF Niloo

I read A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder

2 pts – Genre - Historical
3 pts - Has the murder weapon on it. (there are poison and dagger on the cover.)
5 pts –Has six ..."

Add 1 point for "Romance" genre, for a total of 16 points.

[Renee]

Death of a Snobwof renee )

Theme:
Cozies by Theme

4 pts - Male Sleuth


Genre: In addition to Cozy Mystery, the following appears on the main book page.

5 pts - Cultural, any country Scotland
4 pts - Holiday, any holiday (Christmas,


book was only 169 pages so no points for length

total points 13

)
3 pts - The same word(s) appears in all title Death of is in all tittles

[Janice, Moderator]

Renee wrote: "wof renee )

Theme:
Cozies by Theme

4 pts - Male Sleuth


Genre: In addition to Cozy Mystery, the following appears on the main book page.

5 pts - Cultural, any country Scotland
4 pts - Holiday, ..."

And... the name and link to your book please? :)

[Renee]

oh lol I will edit my post. I just saw what I did. I am so sort

[Niloofar]

Janice wrote: "Niloo wrote: "WoF Niloo

I forgot about the romance! thank you Janice, i just edited my post. :)

[Janice, Moderator]

Thanks Renee and Niloo.

[Ayacchi]

Wof Aya

I read The Diva Digs Up the Dirt and love it so much. Full of useful tips for gardening and it has everything I like in it. Gave it 5 stars and am gonna read her other books!

3 pts － Gardening theme
1 pts － Cozies with recipes
(view spoiler)[
Garden Veggie White Pizza

1 pizza crust
1 medium onion
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic
½ of an eggplant (or 1 small eggplant), diced
1 red pepper, sliced
¼ cup pesto
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup shredded goat gouda or sharp white cheddar

Preheat the oven to 375. (Follow directions on crust package.) Sauté the onions in the olive oil to caramelize, then add the garlic, eggplant, and red pepper. Cook until soft, but not mushy. Spread pesto on the pizza crust. Scatter the vegetables on top of the pesto. Top with cheeses. Bake 25–30 minutes or until the crust is done

Lemon Slush

1 cup lemon juice
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
4 ounces lemon vodka
2 ounces triple sec
Ice
Place the lemon juice, water, and sugar in a pot and bring to a low boil to dissolve the sugar and make syrup. Cool.

Add the syrup, lemon vodka, and triple sec to a blender and fill with ice. Pulse to an icy slush.

Makes 4 large servings.

(hide spoiler)]

3 pts － Has the murder weapon on it (foxglove and monkhood plants)
2 pts － Has cat on it
5 pts － Has six or more words
3 pts － The same word(s) appears in all titles in the series (The Diva)
2 pts － Is an alliteration
1 pts － The title is a play on words (dig up the dirt = literally digging soil and such; finding negative information about someone)
2 pts － 200 - 299 (290 pages)
2 pts － There is an egg on the cover or cooked in the story (omelet and Belgian waffle)

Total pts: 24

[Cherie]

Awesome score, Ayacchi!

[Almeta]

Ayacchi wrote: "Wof Aya

I read The Diva Digs Up the Dirt and love it so much. Full of useful tips for gardening and it has everything I like in it. Gave it 5 stars and am gonna read her other book..."

I'm impressed!

[Janice, Moderator]

The lemon slush appeals to me. It would make a lovely summer drink, as long as there's no foxglove garnish in it.

[Katrisa]

WoF - Katrisa
I read A Midsummer Night's Scream.

I just chose it because it was available from Libby, but it was not very good. There was an inordinate amount of fluff. I mean, I know that cozy mysteries are not known for being serious - but this was over the top.
Points
Cover:
Has a cat = 2
Title:
has a play on words (midsummer night's dream to midsummer night's SCREAM) - 1
Pages:
272 = 2
Total Points 5

[Katrisa]

Margo wrote: "WoF margo

I read Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death

I was hoping for glue stick since my book wasn't good and was low scoring - but you beat (I mean didn't beat?) my 5 points! :)

[Ayacchi]

Thanks @Cherie and @Almeta, I'm quite happy to
get the score and more important, I enjoyed the book so much :)

Janice wrote: "The lemon slush appeals to me. It would make a lovely summer drink, as long as there's no foxglove garnish in it."

I think the same! That's why I decided to put it there as well, and it's quite simple. Foxglove surely is beautiful but maybe peppermint suits better XD

[Kristie, Moderator]

WoF name - Kristie

I read Lethal Bayou Beauty.

Scoring:

Theme: 0

Genre: 4
3 pts - Humor
1 pt - Romance

Cover: 0

Title: 2
2 pts - Is an alliteration

Pages: 2
2 pts - 212 pgs

Bonus points: 0

Total: 8 points

[Kay]

WoF - Kay

I read Tears of the GiraffeTears of the Giraffe.

Scoring (based on the edition you read)

Genre: In addition to Cozy Mystery, the following appears on the main book page.

5 pts - Cultural, any country

Pages:

2 pts - 200 - 299

Total points 7

[Beth]

WOF Beth (Philly/TexBeth)
The Escher Twist

6 points:
4 Male Sleuth
2 256 pages

[uncomfytomato]

WOF Bash
The Ghost of Marlow House

3 pts - Has the murder weapon on it. (the noose)

3 pts - The same word(s) appears in all titles in the series. (the ghost of -----)

2 pts - Paranormal theme (ghost, witches, vampire, etc)

4 pts - Has a full house or manor on it (exterior view).

2 pts - 200 - 299

Total: 14 points

[Janice, Moderator]

Badges have been posted! And a new wall was created for SharonBiskit!

Please let me know if I've missed anyone.

[Lucy]

Thanks Janice!