Book Review: Murder Can Confuse Your Chihuahua by Rose Pressey

Celeste Cabot has a flair for painting—and a touch of paranormal talent too. She’s just arrived to sell her artwork at a big craft fair in North Carolina, complete with rides, games, and deep-fried everything. But the sunny landscape takes on a darker hue when her Chihuahua, Van Gogh, leads her to the riverbank—and to a body that was definitely not part of her design.

With help from a handsome fellow artist, Celeste sets out to draw the brazen killer onto her canvas. She’ll need to balance the victim’s past, a suspected love triangle, and a long-ago accident—and also consult with a medium and a spirit—to try to paint a murderous fiend into a corner . . .[summary via Amazon]

Last year, I picked up the first book in the Haunted Craft Fair Mysteries, Murder Can Mess Up Your Masterpiece, and I was completely in love with the characters and setting, and couldn't wait for another adventure.

Celeste Cabot and her adorable Chihuahua "Van" Gogh are back at another craft fair. And, because it is Celeste we know there is mystery and mayhem around the corner! After setting up at the craft fair, Celeste stumbles across the body of a stranger by the river. Celeste, being her nosy self, can't resist investigating the crime. Even though she has two capable police officers on hand, in the case of Caleb and Pierce, Celeste, with the help of a wandering ghost, throws herself headlong into the mystery.

I love the concept of the Haunted Craft Fair Mysteries. Celeste is an artist, that sells her paintings at craft fairs. Each mystery is a new location, albeit close to home, so that her quirky family make an appearance. I like the concept of a new location each time, as we're not stumbling across the same characters all the time. While some familiar characters remain (remember her quirky family) we get introduced to new characters, and have to learn about suspects and decipher clues, which is my favourite part!

There was a lot at play in this mystery. The victim seemed like she was super nice, and no-one would want to hurt her, but there are a lot of creepy and mysterious people at the fair. Celeste certainly has more than a few suspects to choose from. It was difficult for me to figure out who the killer was, and I didn't manage it before Celeste did.

This is a fun, intelligent series. I really enjoy the romance and mystery angles, but it's Celeste's family that is the most intriguing. Her brothers are always causing some kind of trouble, including lighting things on fire in the front yard, and I find the connection between Celeste and her father really interesting. I'm looking forward to discovering more in later books!!

If you enjoy ghosts popping in, an interesting mystery, with a strong romance aspect I strongly recommend this series. Murder Can Confuse Your Chihuahua is a great second mystery in this series, and I can't wait for the next book.

Book Review: Pulp Friction by Julie Ann Lindsey

Thanks to Winnie's new cider shop, Smythe Orchards is out of the red and folks can get their fix of the produce and other delectable products they love all year round. The locals are even booking the shop for events, including a June wedding! Winnie couldn’t be happier to see the barn filled to the rafters for the big bash—until her doting ex, Hank, is caught in a heated argument with the groom. Winnie plans to scold Hank after the party, but spots him running off instead. And when the groom turns up dead, apparently hit by the honeymoon getaway car, Hank is the main suspect. Now Hank is on the lam, and it’s up to Winnie to get to the core of the truth—before the real killer puts the squeeze on her . . .[summary via Amazon]

There is something delightful about apples. They are such a diverse fruit. They make the perfect pie, the perfect snack, and as I'm learning from Winnie Mae Montgomery ... the perfect cider too!

In the second Cider Shop Mystery, all is coming up roses for Winnie and her grandma, as Smythe Orchards and the Cider Shop are doing better than ever. They've planned their first wedding in the barn, and it looks to be a successful season. However, things start to go awry when the groom is killed the night of the wedding, outside the barn. With ex-boyfriend and now some-what friend, Hank, pinned for the crime, Winnie decides to investigate to clear his name.

I really liked the first book in this series, Apple Cider Slaying. There was something fresh and wonderful about it. It was the first series, that I've read, that centred around an apple orchard, and I instantly took a liking to all the characters in Blossom Valley. When the second book came up on my radar, I was super excited to dive in!

Smythe Orchard (and even Winnie Mae herself) is definitely a rag to riches story that I think readers will appreciate. After the death of her Grampy, Winnie is helping her Granny make Smythe Orchard a success again, with the help of the Cider shop, and it's heart warming to see their success pay off! One of the things I like about this story is that I really love the relationship between Granny and Winnie. Winnie's mom ran off when she was young, her Granny raised her, and their relationship is the sweetest thing!

Oh boy this mystery kept me on my toes!! Julie Anne Lindsey did a great job of deceiving me when it came to try to figure out the killer! It's been a while since I've been stumped completely, and I love that she managed to do that!!! For most of the book I was clueless to the killer's identify, and really just taking stabs in the dark!!! 

If you're looking for a new series to jump into I highly recommend the Cider Shop Mysteries. They are fresh, unique and a lot of fun. If you like animals in your mystery, then I suggest you run to the bookshop and buy them now... let me just leave you with... fainting goat!

Book Review: Murder Lo Main by Viven Chien

Lana Lee’s stake in her family’s Chinese restaurant is higher than ever now that she’s been made manager. So when she enters Ho-Lee into Cleveland’s Best Noodle Contest, Lana makes it her business to win—at all costs. But when a local food critic receives a threatening note in a fortune cookie and is later found dead, face-down in a bowl of lo mein, all bets are off. . .

Now, along with her sweet-and-sour boyfriend Detective Adam Trudeau, Lana decides to take matters into her own hands and dig into the lives of everyone involved in the contest. But when she receives an ill-fated fortune, Lana realizes that in order to save the reputation of her restaurant, she needs to save herself first. . .[summary via Amazon]

Anyone that has been reading my reviews lately knows that I'm absolutely in love with the Noodle Shop Mysteries. In quick succession I've devoured the first three books, and every book has been better than the last!

In the third mystery, Lana Lee is getting ready for the Best Noodle Contest. She's hoping this is the year that her chef, Peter, wins the contest and steals the trophy from rival Asian family, the Shens. However, things turn deadly when a food critic turns up dead. Despite everyone telling her not to, Lana decides to investigate and get to the bottom of the mystery.

Love, love, love Lana Lee!! She has "Nancy Drew" tendencies, loves to read and loves doughnuts. Where do I sign up to be her best friend? Well instead of me, she has flatmate and best friend, Megan, as her side kick. Together they make a fantastic duo, as they bounce ideas around trying to solve the mystery. 

In Murder Lo Mein the Ho-Lee Noodle House isn't front and centre. We're in and out of other asian restaurants, as Lana Lee tries to figure out who killed Norman Pan, the food critic. I loved the change of setting, especially seeing different asian restaurants and their different menus. The only downside to this, was that I craved asian food for the entire book!!

The mystery surround Norman's death was interesting, as it delved into not just businesses in Asian Plaza, but beyond. It was tough trying to figure out the secrets people were keeping, and solve the mystery before Lana did. However, I was able to pick up on one clue "left on the table" and solve it before Lana.

Readers have to simply read the Noodle House Mysteries. Go order yourself some Asian food (I highly recommend some Lo Mein!) and devour these fabulous mysteries. You won't be disappointed. 

Book Review: Death by Pumpkin Spice by Alex Erickson

Bookstore café owner Krissy Hancock would rather spend Halloween serving pumpkin goodies than wearing costumes with Pine Hills’ wealthiest at Yarborough mansion, especially when the soiree shapes up to be more trick than treat . . .

As if a run-in with an old flame and a failed marriage proposal weren’t enough to horrify Krissy for one night, a woman is found strangled to death in a room filled with ominous jack-o’-lanterns. All signs suggest a crime of passion—but when the hostess’s jewelry disappears, malevolent intentions seem way more likely . . .

With the estate on lockdown and a killer roaming the halls, Krissy must help Officer Paul Dalton investigate each nook, cranny, and guest for answers—while also confronting a few demons of her own. Someone has lots of skeletons in the closet, and Krissy better tread lightly to expose them . .[summary via Amazon]

The Bookstore Cafe mysteries have been my latest addiction. In a world of hundreds of cozy mysteries to choose from, I just can't get enough of the antics of Krissy Hancock, her cat, Misfit, and the residents of Pine Hills.

Krissy has been invited to attend an exclusive Halloween party at the Yarborough mansion, with cute doctor, Will. However what starts out as a treat, turns into tricks when one of the guests turns up dead. As Krissy investigates, with the help of Officer Paul Dalton, she finds that there are some skeletons that might want to stay in the closet!

Oh my! I am completely wowed by Death by Pumpkin Spice. This is a "locked mansion" story, and was very reminiscent of an Agatha Christie mystery. Krissy is at a Halloween party "the mansion" and due to weather no-one can leave. The party-goers are literally locked in the mansion with a killer, and Krissy and Paul have to solve the mystery before someone else gets killed! I love the concept of a locked room mystery, and I love how well Alex Erickson executed this concept to suit this series.

Krissy's love life heats up in Death by Pumpkin Spice. There is her date to the party, Will, who is perfectly charming and adorable. However, it seems like Krissy has lingering feelings for Officer Dalton. To make this even more interesting, her ex, Robert, is back on the scene. With so many men in the picture the next few books are bound to be very interesting!!

I can't get enough of this series and I've already bought the next few books! I can't wait to dig into the next book and see what the residents of Pine Hills are up to next!

Book Review: Live & Let Chai by Bree Baker

Life hasn't been so sweet for Everly Swan over the past couple of years, but now that she is back in her seaside hometown and the proud owner of a little iced tea shop and café right on the beach, things are finally starting to look up—until a curmudgeonly customer turns up dead on the boardwalk. With one of her hallmark glass tea jars lying right next to him and an autopsy that reports poison in his system, it doesn't look good for Everly or her brand new business.

As the townspeople of Charm, formerly so welcoming and homey, turn their back on Everly, she fights to dig up clues about who could have had it in for the former town councilman. With a maddeningly handsome detective discouraging her from uncovering leads and a series of anonymous attacks on Everly and her business, it will take everything she's got to keep this mystery from boiling over.[summary via Amazon]

Lately, I've taken to Twitter and Instagram, and the use of polls, to let readers choose what books I read next. Recently there was overwhelming votes that I read Bree Baker's Live and Let Chai, the first book in the Seaside Cafe Mystery. Let me just say, all the hype regarding this book is totally warranted! Live and Let Chai was the perfect seaside cozy mystery!

Everly Swan is returning to her hometown of Charm, looking to recover from recent heart break and open up a new business, her very own tea shop. However, when a customer turns up dead outside her cafe, the townsfolk seem determined to pin the crime on Everly. She must, with the help of her aunts, try to find the killer before they strike again.

As I mentioned earlier, there was a lot of hype before I read Live and Let Chai. Both cozy mystery authors and readers were telling me that I had to read this book, and I'm glad I listened to them! This was a perfectly sweet seaside mystery, and was filled with charm from beginning to end.

I really liked the main character, Everly Swan. She comes with her own baggage, but so does every Swan woman, if you listen to legend. Everly, along with her aunts, Clara and Fran, are the resident Swan woman in Charm and they are all very intriguing. Together the three of them get together to solve the mystery, and I loved watching the adventure alongside them.

For non-human sidekicks, Everly has Lou the seagull and Maggie the cat, stray turned pet (sometimes).  The feathered and furry sidekicks definitely added to the seaside atmosphere, because what other cozy mystery has a seagull named Lou!

I really liked the mystery. It was well-plotted and kept me guessing until the end. The victim, Benedict Paine, literally was a pain and there were definitely lots of suspects in the course of solving the mystery.

If you haven't picked up the Seaside Cafe Mysteries, listen to the words of many readers and pick up this series. It will have you dreaming of summer, of drinking a cool glass of iced tea, and reading a cozy mystery in the sun!