Cozy Mysteries discussion
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When You’re Not Reading a Cozy
Here is my 4.5 rounded to 5 stars review of The Bone Thief by Vanessa Lillie:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mystery / Suspense
Book 2 in the Syd Walker series
Well-written and well-researched
Fantastic world-building, great plot, disturbing scenes, excellent pacing
Suspenseful, gritty, horrifying, thought-provoking, atmospheric
The author weaves in information about American history, struggles, and politics as it relates to Native Americans.
Starting to read A World of Curiosities
byLouise Penny. It looks like it should be good; however, I didn't know this was the 18th book in a series that I have never read.
I'm starting the week with a middle grade mystery,
Hurricane Heist by James Ponti. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished Murder at Arleigh
by Alyssa Maxwell. Set in 1903 Newport, RI. Love this series. She has grown and advanced the characters very well. Good historical information on the gilded age. Highly recommend this series.
My review for
Matilda's Summer of New Beginnings by Kirsty Ferryhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here is my 4.23 rounded to 4 stars review of False Start by Bev Pettersen:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mystery
Book 5 in the K-9 Mystery series
Entertaining and fast read
Racehorses, dogs
Great world-building, good characterization
Somewhat predictable, but enjoyable.
My review for
A Secret Daughter from Ireland by Ann O'Loughlinhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here is my 4.29 rounded to 4 stars review of Her Buried Past by Carolyn Arnold:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Police Procedural
14th book int he Madison Knight series
Great characterization, suspenseful
Here is my 3.94 rounded to 4 stars review of Bug Explorers! A Bug Book for Kids: Outdoor Activities, Insect Facts, and Stickers byEmily Greenhalgh:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Children's Nonfiction
Fun and educational
I'm currently reading The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick. It seems to be a departure from his other novel, but I'm enjoying it so far.
Fast paced historical mystery set in the Byzantine Empire:The Mosaic of Shadows
by Tom HarperHere is my 5-star review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fantasy in Death by J.D. Robb 4-StarsGaming can kill
My Review
Thaw of Spring by Rebecca Zanetti 5-StarsExtortion and murder in a sleepy Alaska town.
My Review
A Touch of Minx by Suzanne Enoch 5-StarsSexy Romance. Will She or Won't She?
My Review
Here is my 4.43 rounded to 4 stars review of Imposter Syndrome by Andrew Mayne:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mystery / Police investigation
Spin-off Series featuring two FMCs.
Good characterization, a thought-provoking and chilling premise, and an intriguing mystery
Here is my 3 star review of Fallen City by Adrienne Young:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Outlier opinion
Fantasy
Book 1 in the Fallen City duology
Dual timelines and dual points of view adversely affected the flow of this story.
While it kept me interested in the outcome, I didn't fully engage with the characters.
On top of that, it has a cliffhanger ending.
Here is my 4.34 rounded to 4 stars review of Hungry Like the Wolf by Paige Tyler:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Paranormal Romantic Suspense
1st book in the SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team Series
Entertaining
Delivers on escapism
Instant attraction
A couple of steamy scenes
Here is my 2.95 rounded to 3 stars review of The Graveyard Club: Revenge Game by R.L. Stine:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Graphic Novel / Horror / YA
Excellent illustrations
I did not like the characters.
I wasn't the target audience for this book. Arson and scorpions are not a prank. Neither are broken bones.
The horror part in the last part of the book was better than the so-called prank part in the beginning.
Here is my 4.49 rounded to 4 stars review of Deadly Trade by Sara Driscoll:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mystery / FBI K-9
10th book in the FBI K-9 series
set in Hawaii
Dynamic characters, fantastic world-building, excellent pacing, intense scenes, great plot
I listened to Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. It's a great book if you are interested in nature and ecology. It was narrated beautifully by the author. My only negative comment is that I found it a bit too long.
Here is my 4.34 rounded to 4 stars review of Wolf Trouble by Paige Tyler:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Paranormal Romantic Suspense
2nd book in the SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team series
Set in Dallas, TX
1st woman added to the SWAT team
Great world-building and characterization
Steamy scenes in the 2nd half of the book
Here is my 4.34 rounded to 4 stars review of The Unfair Advantage: Weaponizing the Hypomanic Toolbox by Todd Hagopian:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A business book that uses a fictional shopping cart manufacturer and its president to illustrate bipolar-inspired business concepts and strategies. Overall, the book is thought-provoking and compelling with practical tools that can be utilized to drive success.
Here is my 4.34 rounded to 4 stars review of In the Company of Wolves by Paige Tyler:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Paranormal Romantic Suspense
3rd book in the SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team series
Entertaining, briskly paced and suspenseful, action-packed
I wrapped up a few days ago
and I'm currently reading an ARC from netgalley
historical fiction/mystery
My review for
The Children of Zagreb by Lelita BaldockApologies, it's a little longer than my usual
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here is my 4.09 rounded to 4 stars review of The Cornish Christmas Pantomime Murder by Fiona Leitch:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Cozy Mystery
9th book in the Jodie 'Nosey' Parker series
Entertaining, great characterization
As usual, Jodie picks up clues through gossip, luck, and asking the right questions that lead to an array of suspects.
My last book review of the week is another short story collection. This time, it's
Murder Most Scenic by Liz Milliron.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mark wrote: "I'm ending the week with Watching the Detectives by Julie Mulhern. I know some consider these cozies. To me, they are just over the line from cozy, so I..."
I read both reviews and am just looking for clarification on your "they are just over the line from cozy" comment. Not knowing really anything about the series, what makes you say that? I've read some cozies/series that are a bit more violent than most and some that skirt the edge of "platonic" love scenes and still see them as cozy. Does this series cross into another genre?
I know this is a "what have you read" discussion, but I'd be interested in what y'all think. This looks like a fun series--and Mark's review(s) back that up. I'm just wondering.
Here is my 4.45 rounded to 4 stars review of Innocence Road by Laura Griffin:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Police Procedural / Crime Novel
Standalone novel
Wrongful conviction
Suspenseful, vivid world-building, gripping scenes
Karen wrote: " Mark wrote: "I'm ending the week with Watching the Detectives by Julie Mulhern. I know some consider these cozies. To me, they are just over the line f..."
In many ways, they are cozies. We've got the amateur sleuth and small circle of suspects. The vibe is very humorous. I can see why many people consider them cozies.
For me, they are just edgy enough I don't feel fully comfortable considering them cozies. There is some swearing. Very minimal. The violence is just a little more graphic than in a cozy without being truly graphic. For me, the worst part is usually the sexual content. No, we aren't getting into R rated territory (no nudity, etc.) But we've had discussions on bondage and other fetishes in the course of the series. It's more kink instead of actual content.
Ironically, this was probably the mildest of the books I've read in the series so far.
If we were talking movie ratings, I'd say a cozy should be G or PG. I'd give this series a PG-13 rating. Does that help? (Maybe I should have lead with that.)
Definitely not saying they are bad. I enjoy them. And most of the time, people do say these are cozies. To my tastes, they aren't. But as long as you know what you are getting when you pick them, up, you'll enjoy.
I finished Heartwood
by Amity Gaige. Very complex novel written with 3 points of view. Well written and will keep you guessing most of the way through.
Here is my 4.25 rounded to 4 stars review of Prowl by Colleen Coble:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Murder Mystery
Wildlife Sanctuary setting
2nd book in the Sanctuary series
Suspenseful, several action-packed scenes, multiple mysteries
Here is my 3.91 rounded to 4 stars review of Wild Instinct by T. Jefferson Parker:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Police investigation / Murder mystery
Susepenseful
Standalone novel
Twist plot, multiple suspects
Uneven flow, but terrific, vivid scenes
Solid plot
I finished The Last Drop of Hemlock
by Katharine Schellman. Ms. Schellman was a previous author of the month. I really like this series. You get the feel for 1920's NYC. She describes, smells, noises and heat of the city. Wonder discussion of a speakeasy and its music. Highly recommend this series. Start with book 1 though.
Here is my 4.91 rounded to 5 stars review of Turns of Fate by Anne Bishop:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fantasy / Detective
1st book in the Isle of Wyrd series
This is my top rated book of the year so far.
Fantastic world-building, excellent plot, chilling at times
Strong FMC
Several trigger warnings
Why haven't I read anything by this author before now?
Cozy Mysteries
Books mentioned in this topic
What You Don't Know (other topics)Letters in Blue (other topics)
Hard Sun (other topics)
Legends & Lattes (other topics)
The Last Orphan (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Sandi Wallace (other topics)Heather Reyburn (other topics)
J.B. Turner (other topics)
Travis Baldree (other topics)
Carly Schabowski (other topics)
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https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...