Maggie had divorced her husband - Big Mac McJasper - as soon as she was witness to his cheating and the "little house" she now owned, while renting ouMaggie had divorced her husband - Big Mac McJasper - as soon as she was witness to his cheating and the "little house" she now owned, while renting out the large home she received in the settlement (and all its incumbrances!) was as cute as it was tiny, but she loved it. She was happy to be free of Big Mac, and now owned her craft shop which she was determined would be a success.
But when Maggie discovered the body at the bottom of the pool and the obvious culprit was immediately arrested, Maggie felt something wasn't quite right. Did the police have the right person as the killer? But it was when Maggie found a second body that she knew the police had it all wrong - but could she find the answers before she ended up dead as well? And what was she to do with the adorable Jasper? He was too big for her little house, but she couldn't desert him...
The Inconvenient Corpse is the 2nd in the Carita Cove series by Barbara Cool Lee and the first I've read. It was light, fun and entertaining - Jasper is a sweetheart, and Maggie has a heart of gold. An enjoyable read which I recommend....more
Emma Collins' green thumb was from her mother, and Emma's little florist shop - A Sprinkle of Green - was a huge success. Emma was a quirky, pedantic Emma Collins' green thumb was from her mother, and Emma's little florist shop - A Sprinkle of Green - was a huge success. Emma was a quirky, pedantic young woman and she and her best friend Arianna, were close. When the luxury house belonging to a friend burned down one night and Caroline couldn't be located, Emma was suspicious. The police deemed it an accident and continued to try to locate the owners. But the Sheriff gave Emma and Arianna the go ahead to investigate as he could see their point.
Were the two young women right? Was it not the innocent event the Sheriff believed? When a body was found and Emma realised she was right, she was more determined than ever to discover the killer. Their small town of Norbury in Wyoming, normally peaceful and quiet, now had a different reputation...
The Flower Arraignment is the first in The Garden Shop Cozy Mysteries and is also my first by Ashleigh Quinn and was a quick, easy read. I have trouble believing the Sheriff was so amenable to Emma and Arianna investigating, even interviewing suspects! Nevertheless... A fun cosy mystery which filled a couple of hours :) ...more
Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron made up the Thursday Murder Club in their residence of Coopers Chase, where they met each week to solve the nation'sElizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron made up the Thursday Murder Club in their residence of Coopers Chase, where they met each week to solve the nation's woes. They were all in their late seventies to early eighties, but their minds were active and intelligent. When a man connected to Coopers Chase was murdered, Elizabeth led them in their determination to solve the case. The local police, DCI Chris Hudson and PC Donna De Freitas, became aware of the Thursday Murder Club when Elizabeth saw Donna at the station, prepared to pass on information, as long as they received some in return.
When a second person was killed, Elizabeth and her group knew they had to dig deeply. And so they did, with her and Joyce travelling by train to London, as well as other destinations, while Ibrahim and Ron worked from home. Could they catch the killer before another person died?
The Thursday Murder Club is the 1st in the Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman and it was loads of fun. Joyce wrote in her diary (to inform the readers what was happening) while Elizabeth led the unruly gang in their solving endeavours. Chris and Donna were gobsmacked by the four, and couldn't believe what they got up to, as well as achieved. Fun and entertaining, The Thursday Murder Club is a great start to a new (to me) series, and one I'm going to continue. Recommended....more
When Queenie Forsyth died from a heart attack, her friends were devastated. Genevieve contacted Dusty Kent, who she knew had received a letter from QuWhen Queenie Forsyth died from a heart attack, her friends were devastated. Genevieve contacted Dusty Kent, who she knew had received a letter from Queenie, and Dusty immediately made her way to the small community of Olinda, nestled in the Dandenongs not far from Melbourne. Queenie's call for Dusty's help and her subsequent response was something Dusty regretted, as she'd thought it was a cold case - Dusty's speciality - but it seemed not.
With Sean O'Kelly in his place of birth, Ireland, for his grandmother's funeral, Dusty was going it alone for the start of the investigation. The pandemic had eased its clutches and international flights had resumed, so Sean would be home soon, much to Dusty's delight. Interviewing Genevieve and her husband John as a first priority, then moving on to Queenie's family members, some feathers were ruffled, but Dusty was determined to discover the answers. As soon as Sean returned he began his internet magic, discovering many secrets that could give motive. But would they find the killer? Or would this one be Dusty's first failure?
Death in the Dandenongs is the 7th in the Dusty Kent series by Aussie author Brigid George, and I think it's her best yet! I love the colourful cover with the jug of pomegranate juice showing prominently - I'd love to visit the Dandenongs one day! Dusty and her rescue dog Cheyenne (adorable), along with Sean are a great team. Dusty gets fanciful and passionate about her case, while Sean calms her and Cheyenne gives comfort :) I thoroughly enjoyed this new episode in the series and recommend it highly, and while it could be read as a standalone, I'd advise starting from #1.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
Carrie Singleton was at a perfect stage of her life; she and her fiance Dylan Avery were organising their wedding; her position at the Clover Ridge LiCarrie Singleton was at a perfect stage of her life; she and her fiance Dylan Avery were organising their wedding; her position at the Clover Ridge Library continued to make her happy; Smokey Joe, her cat and constant companion, kept her on her toes, and the new addition to the library was about to be used for the first time. But Carrie's one concern was the art gallery, and the possibility that Susan, one of her part time employees, would leave the library for the gallery. And when Carrie and Dylan visited the home of Victor Zalinka, Dylan was shocked to see a forgery among Victor's collection of art.
When a woman was murdered, then another elderly lady also murdered, the local police were baffled. As Carrie compiled a list of suspects, they realised the list was long, and there were many tangled webs through the small town, which pointed to something much bigger than any of them had imagined. Would Carrie discover the culprit before someone else died?
Overdue or Die is the 7th in The Haunted Library Mysteries by Allison Brook and it was fun and entertaining. The library's resident ghost, Evelyn, played a pivotal part, as she often does, with Smokey Joe always on the sidelines. Carrie is an excellent character, and she and Dylan make a great team. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
Jenna Quinn, owner of the bookstore, Twice Upon a Time, had set up her booth at the annual festival in Hokes Folly, North Carolina, prepared for the wJenna Quinn, owner of the bookstore, Twice Upon a Time, had set up her booth at the annual festival in Hokes Folly, North Carolina, prepared for the weekend to be busy, especially with the fishing carnival close by, due to start in a short time. Jenna soon called Mason, her manager who was minding the store in town, to close up to come and help out at the booth, as the foot traffic was heavy. When Jenna heard a ruckus nearby, she was shocked to see her boyfriend Keith's ex-partner in the police force, staggering and slurring his words, yelling at his wife. Keith soon escorted Frank away, but no one could believe Frank's manner - it wasn't like him at all.
The final morning of the festival, Jenna arrived early to get set up again. When she heard the scream, she and Keith rushed to the site, only to discover the body of a local author, dead with a knife in his chest. Who would have killed him? And why? Jenna was soon searching for clues because with Frank arrested for the murder, she knew they needed to discover who really killed the author, as they knew Frank wasn't the culprit...
Caught on the Book is the 4th in the Antique Bookshop Mystery series by Laura Gail Black and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fast paced, fun and entertaining, Jenna is a determined, strong character, and Keith is a sweetheart! I'm looking forward to the next in the series, hopefully not too far away. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for my honest review....more
After being contacted by a client, Maud McIntyre and her assistant Daisy, leave Edinburgh bound for a small village in the Scottish highlands. ForgeriAfter being contacted by a client, Maud McIntyre and her assistant Daisy, leave Edinburgh bound for a small village in the Scottish highlands. Forgeries of famous paintings were suspected, but before Maud and Daisy can concentrate on that case, a dead body fell from the train carriage the two women were about to enter. Mr Bisset, resident of the village, had been shot dead. Maud and Daisy had accommodation in the local hotel which Mr and Mrs Wallace ran, and it was a delightful place to stay. Maud felt they could work their detective magic based from there.
Getting closer to the truth, the women had only five suspects on their list. But it was another murder which brought them the closest. Would they find the killer before another life was taken? And would they have enough evidence to present to the police?
Murder in the Scottish Hills is the 2nd in The Scottish Ladies Detective Agency series by Lydia Travers and it was another fun and entertaining read. I enjoy Maud and Daisy's characters - they work together well. Train travel, horse and cart, bicycle travel and the few cars around was the way it was back in 1911 and I'm looking forward to #3. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
Amelia Spelled was still unable to cook, so it was fortunate that the cake shop she'd inherited from her aunt - along with the house - came with her nAmelia Spelled was still unable to cook, so it was fortunate that the cake shop she'd inherited from her aunt - along with the house - came with her now good friend Thyme. Thyme was an excellent cook, with cakes, cupcakes and the like turning out to perfection. Amelia only succeeded in setting the oven on fire.
When Amelia discovered a dead body on her front verandah, she was horrified. The police were suspicious of a new resident in town, Dianne but once they'd cleared her, Amelia became a suspect. Who was sending photos to the police with her and the victim together? Amelia had never met him before. Could she discover the culprit before she was jailed for murder?
Dizzy Spells is the 2nd in The Kitchen Witch series by Aussie author Morgana Best and it was fun and entertaining. There were several suspects, some witchy spells and two adorable cats (Amelia's familiars). But the best character of all is Amelia's house! Recommended....more
It was 1957 in Abbeymead, Sussex, and Flora Steele was impressed with Percy Milburn's verbal image of the farm he was going to buy, turning it into a It was 1957 in Abbeymead, Sussex, and Flora Steele was impressed with Percy Milburn's verbal image of the farm he was going to buy, turning it into a hostel. But not everyone was impressed with Percy's idea, and when a meeting called to iron out the differences was missing its main person - Percy - they all wondered where he was. But it was three days later that he was found, murdered. Shocked but determined to uncover the killer, Flora and Jack Carrington, crime writer and Flora's good friend - maybe beau - joined forces to once again discover the answers.
But this case was particularly baffling and it was one step forward and two back for them both. Plus someone was after Flora, damaging items she loved. Jack was worried, Flora was angry. And when another body was found - their main suspect - their frustration was immense. Would Flora and Jack find the evil doer before it was too late for someone else?
Murder at Abbeymead Farm is the 6th in the Flora Steele Mystery series by Merryn Allingham and I quite enjoyed it. Fun, entertaining with plenty of twists, I have no hesitation in recommending this cosy mystery to fans of the genre.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
Working in the garden of her soon-to-be ex-husband's family home, nestled in the small village of Maybridge, Abby was horrified to find the long burieWorking in the garden of her soon-to-be ex-husband's family home, nestled in the small village of Maybridge, Abby was horrified to find the long buried bones of a baby, buried underneath the rose bush she was about to replace. Calling the police started a series of events which took Abby back to the Finch family's past, and what she discovered made her wish she'd left the bones covered. Husband Howard was furious, with Abby copping the brunt of his anger, so when he was found dead in the same place that the baby had been found, Abby was on the top of the suspect list.
With Abby's three children distraught about losing their Dad, and Howard's fiance, soon to be mother, angry, Abby knew she needed to find the killer, both to help the police, but to clear her name as well. Would she do it? Could she discover Howard's killer, as well as the baby's origin?
Murder Among the Roses is a exceptional cosy mystery by Liz Fielding, her first as she's an author of the romance genre. I hope she continues in this vein as I'd love to read more cosy mysteries by Ms Fielding. Abby is a really great character, natural, down to earth, while her friend Meg, the police woman Dee and all the cast are well formed and well written. I think also, that Abby would make a fabulous main character in a series! And I must make mention of the divine cover! Absolutely gorgeous - I can smell those roses! Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
The Dolphin Hotel was hosting the beauty pageant and Mrs Craven was in charge of organising it all. She had Kitty Underhay (now Bryant) running aroundThe Dolphin Hotel was hosting the beauty pageant and Mrs Craven was in charge of organising it all. She had Kitty Underhay (now Bryant) running around after her and Kitty's Grams was sympathetic to Kitty. With the change rooms organised for the young women, she was shocked to open the locked door to find a nasty, threatening note. It wasn't long before everyone connected to the pageant had received the letters, but the new police inspector wasn't interested. It wasn't until one of the contestants was found stabbed to death that he decided to investigate, but told Matt and Kitty to stay out of it - it was police business.
Kitty and Matt continued to interview people of interest and it wasn't long before they discovered a few secrets which would give motive to a select few. But would they discover who the killer was?
Murder at the Beauty Pageant in the 12th in the Miss Underhay series by Helena Dixon and once again it was fun and entertaining. I love mischievous Bertie, and his new friend Rascal. Life is a little different for Kitty now she's not living at the Dolphin, but her new life with husband Matt is an exciting one. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
It was 1911 in Edinburgh and Miss Maud McIntyre had just opened her own detective agency, in partnership with former lady's maid, Daisy Cameron. They It was 1911 in Edinburgh and Miss Maud McIntyre had just opened her own detective agency, in partnership with former lady's maid, Daisy Cameron. They were yet to have any clients when the Duchess of Duddingston hired them as she was holding a Saturday-to-Monday weekend party and her knowledge of jewel thieves at previous parties had her concerned about her own. So Maud and Daisy were to go to the Duddingston House estate as the Duchess' guests, along with the others who would be there. But would it be a long and boring waste of time for the two fledgling detectives?
When a scream was heard in the middle of the night, all the guests rushed from their rooms in their night attire, and when one of the guests was discovered deceased, as well as jewellry missing, Maud and Daisy knew they had a case on their hands - but they hadn't expected murder to be included! Would they discover the culprit before the end of the weekend?
What a delightful start to a new series! I thoroughly enjoyed The Scottish Ladies Detective Agency by debut author Lydia Travers and am very much looking forward to book 2, Murder in the Scottish Hills. Both Maud and Daisy are great characters, and their disguises are lots of fun. With a dry wit and plenty of laugh out loud moments, I have no hesitation in recommending this historical cosy mystery to fans of the genre.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review....more
Pyper Rayne and her best friend Jade were shopping for a vintage design dress for her to wear at the opening of the art show the following week. When Pyper Rayne and her best friend Jade were shopping for a vintage design dress for her to wear at the opening of the art show the following week. When Pyper found owner, Ruby's, body at the back of the shop, she'd been strangled, the second woman to be strangled in a short time. But worse was to come - Pyper was next on the list to lose her life...
Pyper was a medium and owned the local coffee shop, working beside Jade, who was a witch. Jade's husband Kane was also a witch, and had been Pyper's good friend for many years. But it was the arrival of Julius, a ghost who could appear in solid form, who would help them all, plus the witch council, as they set out to find the killer. But was it too late for Pyper?
Spirits, Stilettos & a Silver Bustier is the 1st in the Pyper Rayne series by Deanna Chase and I quite enjoyed it. I don't read a lot of ghostly, witchy books, but this one was fun and entertaining, which I needed after my last book. I think I'd best check out #2 :) Recommended....more
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