Audiobook Review: Final Catcall by Sofie Kelly

In the fifth installment of the Magical Cat Mysteries, kitties Hercules and Owen are helping their owner and librarian, Kathleen Paulson, unravel another mystery. When a theater troupe relocates to Mayville Heights, Minnesota, the locals are looking forward to a performance of Yesterday's Child. However, rumor has it that the production is cursed. The rumors may actually be close to the truth, especially when Kathleen discovers the director has been murdered. With her mom in town to step in as director, and her ex-boyfriend surprising Kathleen with a visit, the last thing Kathleen needs to do is solve another murder. Especially as police officer, Marcus, is still upset at her involvement in the previous murder cases, however Hercules and Owen are scenting out clues and Kathleen has her nose on the case as well.

A long-running cozy mystery series needs to bring something special to each book. While it is the small town and murder that binds each novel, there must be something special about the characters and hidden surprises that keeps readers interested. Sofie Kelly achieves this with her Magical Cats mysteries. In each novel she creates a interesting whodunnit for readers to solve, but it is her characters (and cats!) that have readers coming back for more.

At the end of Cat Trick readers see a separation between Marcus and Kathleen. Marcus believes that Kathleen doesn't trust him, and Kathleen will do anything to protect her friends. I find the turn that Sofie Kelly has taken their relationship very realistic. With a police officer and amateur sleuth dating there certainly has to be give and take. I know that I'm not sure how I would take it if my spouse nosed around in my job everyday! I like that Sofie Kelly is taking these characters through the many turns of the road that make up relationships, and I was eager to see if they could solve their differences.

Of course the cats are back! I love Hercules and Owen so much. They are very much like my cats in their little antics. Although my cats can't walk through walls like Hercules or disappear like Owen. Even so, many pet owners will find they can relate their own cats to the always mischievous and fun Hercules and Owen.

Kathleen's mom makes a visit to Mayville Heights to replace the murdered director, and it was interesting having her in town and watching the mother and daughter relationship. Her mom is not conventional, but definitely a delight.

I could write 100 pages on how wonderful these characters are! This series is full of small town charm, and the characters are charming as well, but also real. Kathleen and her friends have formed a solid friendship, and the kind that when found is something to treasure. Together there is nothing that they can't overcome.

I'm looking forward to taking another visit with these characters in A Midwinter's Tail and seeing what murder and mayhem is to follow.

I listened to Final Catcall as an audiobook and it was narrated by Cassandra Campbell. Cassandra Campbell is a seasoned narrator and I've listened to her quite a bit. She narrates everything from popular literary fiction to science fiction and always brings a flawless narration. I really enjoyed listening to Final Catcall. She narrates the characters perfectly, including Hercules' little meows! I plan to keep listening on audio to this series.

Audiobook Review: One Potion in the Grave by Heather Blake

Carly Bell Hartwell lives in Hitching Post, Alabama, a town with the unique reputation of being the number one place couples go to get married. Her mama runs a local wedding chapel, and there is a lot of activity in town as a wealthy senator is in town for his son's upcoming wedding, due to take place at her mama's chapel. However, there is also plenty of activity at her own potions shop, when a old friend stops by. Carly hasn't seen Katie Sue (now Katherine) since she left town many years ago. However it seems that Katie Sue is back to cause trouble for the wealthy Calhoun's. When Katie Sue turns up dead Carly is determined to find a killer and let her friend rest in peace.

I've been a fan of Heather's writing since my days of reading the Lucy Valentine books. It's been a joy to watch her develop her writing range, and move onto the magical mysteries, by the way of the Magic Potion Mysteries and the Wishcraft Mysteries. Up until now, I've favored the Wishcraft Mysteries slightly more. With already four mysteries in the Wishcraft Mysteries (and a new release coming in May), I've been reading that series longer. However, after finishing One Potion in the Grave, I don't think I could pick a favorite between the two series anymore.

While I certainly enjoyed A Potion to Die For, One Potion in the Grave made me really love this series. Narrated by Carly Sue, we hear a story of a woman with a troubled past, that certainly didn't deserve to die before her time. Carly Sue is determined to find the killer, at all costs. For me, Carly is so real. She has a on-and-off again relationship with police officer, Dylan. Not all love is black and white, and Carly and Dylan certainly have a colorful history, including a burning chapel! She's passionate about her friends and family and confused about her relationship with Dylan, and one of the most delightful amateur sleuths I've read.

I loved the mystery in this story. While I did guess several aspects of the mystery, I was surprised by the final denouement. Heather Blake writes human nature and emotions and in this story she really taps into the dysfunctional family very well.

One side story line that I loved was Carly's relationship with her cousin, Delia, who is the black to Carly's white, and they are a odd couple, but it is a joy watching them get closer. More than this, I loved Carly's relationship with her Aunt Margie. Margie is a riot. She shoots people for trespassing and uses a pitchfork to ward off unwanted guests. After an injury she ends up staying with Carly and it was fun watching them interact and their relationship grow stronger and closer.

With such an eclectic range of characters, readers will adore this series. It is full of characters that you will remember long after you've turned the last page, and fondly be looking forward to another visit to Hitching Post.

I listened to One Potion in the Grave on audio and I loved Carla Mercer-Meyer's narration. While I don't live in the south, her southern accent sounded authentic and she brought all the necessary emotion required to Carly, as she hunts down a killer, while mourning the loss of her friend. I hope she continues to narrate this series as I'm really enjoying the extra enjoyment she brings for me to this series.

Book Review: A Bird in the Hand by Dane McCaslin

Have you ever wondered what it would be like for a mystery writer to solve an actual crime? Do you think mystery writers would be nosy and throw themselves head first into a murder mystery, right in their town? Well Dane McCaslin answers that with a resounding "yes!" in her new book, A Bird in the Hand.

In Dane McCaslin's debut series, readers get to dive into the world of a mystery writer that finds herself right in the middle of a real-life crime! Caro Layton-Browning and her husband, Greg, are British ex-Pats, navigating life in New York. When they stumble across a body in the park it spikes Caro's curiosity. Soon another dead body is discovered, that of a fellow resident in picturesque Seneca Meadows, and Caro and Greg get investigating, determined to find a killer before he strikes again.

Plain and simple, Caro is awesome! Right from the first page, I found myself enjoying Caro's "quirks" as she spies on her neighbors, and rallies against her neighbor, the "Cat Lady", who she accuses of allowing her cats to use Caro's yard as a giant litter box. She has adorable quirks, like not wanting to walk in the rain!, and did I mention she's nosy? I loved that about her.

Caro is determined to unravel this mystery, and she pulls her husband, Greg, right into the mystery too!! In Caro and Greg, Dane McCasslin has created a happily married couple, that work together to solve the crime. In many ways Caro and Greg remind me of Tommy and Tuppence from the series written by Agatha Christie, and they were truly as enjoyable to read and spend time with, as Tommy and Tuppence are.

With a gang of ecclectic and unforgettable characters, A Bird in the Hand is a fast-paced mystery that will have you turning the pages faster and faster, trying to solve the mystery alongside Caro and Greg. I soaked up this mystery, like a caffeine addict that hasn't had a cup of coffee for a week!, and I'm eager to find out what kind of fun and adventure Caro and Greg will get up to next!

Audiobook Review: Steeped in Evil by Laura Childs

It's time for another visit to my favorite tea shop in the fictional world... the Indigo Tea Shop. In Theodosia's latest adventure she is spending some time away from the tea shop, at a wine tasting. A local winery, Knighthall Winery, is owned by Jordan Knight, a friend of Drayton Conneley, Theodosia's co-worker and fellow tea expert. When disaster strikes on the night of the tasting, with Jordan's son being killed in a most gruesome way, Drayton and Jordan beg Theodosia to step in and find a killer. With a Downtown Abbey Tea to plan, a tea shop to run and catch a killer, Drayton and Theodosia find themselves very busy!! Will they be too busy to catch a killer before he/she strikes again?

I am absolutely head over heels smitten with the Indigo Tea Shop and Drayton and Theodosia. Laura Childs writes engaging, compelling mysteries, but it's her characters that make her stand out above the crowd. I love how Drayton and Theodosia fit together as friends and co-workers. There is not a love angle between them, they are great friends and they fit together. Drayton can be quite stuffy and Theodosia is more fun, and they make a great pair to solve a crime!

The actual mystery was very intriguing. It starts with quite a gruesome killing, with Drew Knight being found dead in a barrel of wine!! The path to find the murderer is a tangled web of local and even international intrigue, that leaves Drayton and Theodosia running about town to solve it before the killer strikes again! I was kept on my toes, willing the audiobook to read faster and faster, so I could find out what happens!!

I listened to Steeped in Evil as an audiobook and I have to say that Barbara McCulloch has won me over on listening to future installments as audios. This is my second audiobook in the series and I really enjoy her narration. She builds on the characters that Laura Childs has created, and it's a joy to listen on audio. I listened with a cup of tea at my side, and knitting needles clicking away, and I had a fabulous time enjoying the latest Tea Shop Mystery.

The Tea Shop Mysteries are interesting and timeless mysteries.If you haven't picked this series up yet, I highly recommend giving them a read or a listen.

Audiobook Review: Dying for a Cupcake by Denise Swanson

Devereaux “Dev” Sinclair's Dime Store is taking part in a cupcake contest to end all cupcake contests. Kizzy Cutler is the famous Cupcake Queen, and she's returning home to be a part of the contest, and award the grand prize. Not everyone is happy to see Kizzy Cutler though. When her assistant is killed, and attempts are made on Kizzy's life, it is clear that someone wants the Cupcake Queen dead. With Noah and Jake out of town, Dev and friends, along with the help of the sexy new fire chief, Coop, get on the case to find out who is trying to kill Kizzy.

I have to say Denise Swanson sure knows how to pack a punch with her cozy mysteries. With 21 cozy mysteries published between her two series, she certainly has the experience and this shows in her latest offering, Dying for a Cupcake.

It's a action-packed time for Dev, as she helps with the Cupcake Contest. This isn't the taste-testing, which surely Dev would prefer, but keeping her Dime Store running, keeping Kizzy under control with her infamous short-temper, and more importantly, keeping Kizzy alive! From High School Queen to Cupcake Queen, Kizzy has a natural ability at annoying people, and it turns out she's annoyed one person so much that they want her dead.

Noah and Jake are both absent in this story, with Noah providing medical aid overseas and Jake on the trail of the man who kidnapped his ex-wife, leaving Dev alone to sort through this mess. She's more than capable... after all she's solved three other cases!! However, we have a newcomer on board in the form of the new fire chief, Coop. Sexy as all get up, Coop isn't shy to show his interest for Dev, and I think it will be interesting to see how that storyline plays out in future books.

What I enjoy the most about Denise Swanson's books is she provides a fun adventure, with adorable and obnoxious characters alike, but she touches on some real issues as well. In Dying for a Cupcake, she touches on the tender subject of bullying and does it in a way that is subtle but to the point. I always turn the final page of her books, feeling like I've had satisfied of a great read and a great adventure.

Whether it's a visit to Scumble River or to Shadow Bend, you can't go wrong with a mystery by Denise Swanson.

I listened to Dying for a Cupcake on audio, and I loved it. I whiled my weekend away knitting, while I soaked up to atmosphere in Shadow Bend, and it was a fantastic listen. I've listened to all four books on audio, and I love Maia Guest's narration. For me, she is the voice of the inhabitants of Shadow Bend, and I'm hoping she will continue to narrate the books in this series.

Book Review: Chef Maurice and the Rather Fishy Tale by J.A. Lang

When Chef Maurice uncovers a wooden fish inside the day's fresh bass, with a plea written on the fish, he's not sure what to make of it. His friend, food critic, Arthur Wordington-Smythe, insists there is something fishy going on and wants to investigate. Together they start to investigate, and head all over in attempt to find the person, that has written the message on the wooden fish.

I read Chef Maurice and the Rather Fishy Tale as a prequel introduction to J.A. Lang's first full-length novel, Chef Maurice and a Spot of Truffle, and it was just the perfect short story to whet my appetite for this new-to-me series.

The friendship between Chef Maurice and Arthur was a fun one, as Arthur gets Chef Maurice into interesting situations, in an attempt to solve this mystery. I had a fun time with this duo and it will be definitely be entertaining to watch them get into more mischief in their next adventure.

It's clear this series will be a culinary delight for fans of culinary mysteries. With the mouth-watering descriptions of the seafood, y the time I turned the last page I was ready to seek out some fish and chips for myself!

With a good mystery, and delicious culinary delights, this was a perfect short story to introduce readers to the series. I'm looking forward to starting the next book in the series.

Check out Chef Maurice and the Rather Fishy Tale by J.A. Lang at Amazon. At the time of posting this review, this book is free for Kindle.

Book Review: Suspendered Sentence by Laura Bradford

Suspendered Sentence is the fourth book in the Amish Mysteries by Laura Bradford. Claire Weatherly, owner of Heavenly Treasures, lives amongst the Amish and English in the town of Heavenly, Pennsylvania. She loves the quiet life in Heavenly, but it certainly isn't dull and boring. During the raising of a new barn, human bones are discovered and they are believed to belong to a Amish teenager, who ran away many years ago. With police officer, Jakob, and Claire on the trail, they try to piece together this cold case, and figure out who the killer is.

I live in a town, where there are no Amish about, but that doesn't stop my curiosity about them and the lifestyle they lead. In some ways they have a simple, beautiful life, where they help each other when help is needed. Of course when it comes to crimes they are reticent about having police involvement, and this makes Jakob's job more difficult.

The lastest installment in the Amish Mysteries is certainly a page-turning, unputdownable read. Laura Bradford beautifully describes the ups and downs of Amish life, in a almost lyrical style, and as her words drew me in, I found myself stepping alongside Claire, her Aunt, Diane, and police officer, Jakob, trying to solve the murder with them.

The events that lead to this murder surround the rumspringa. For those that aren't family the rumspringa is a rite of passage available to Amish youth around the age of 16 when they are allowed to see the world outside the closed Amish community. It ends when the youths return to the community to be baptized into the Amish church or decide to remain outside it. It's a interesting time in the life of the young Amish and I like how this rite of passage was weaved through the mystery, letting readers learn more about this.

As with the other books in this series, Laura Bradford doesn't disappoint with Suspendered Sentence. As befitting someone living in a Amish town, she is moving the relationship between Claire and Jakob at a perfect pace, and I enjoyed several toe-curling moments between them, and I look forward to seeing where the path leads for both of these characters.

I had a wonderful time visiting the fine folks of Heavenly, and I absolutely cannot wait to tag along for another adventure, when the next book is released.

If you are looking for a first class mystery, pick up the Amish Mysteries today. They are written so that you can pick up any book in the series, and just read, or to really do this series justice, pick up Hearse and Buggy, and enjoy four of the best mysteries on the market today.

Book Review: A Wee Murder in My Shop by Fran Stewart

In Fran Stewart's debut series she introduces readers to Margaret "Peggy" Winn. Peggy lives in Hamelin, Vermont, a town that is like a mini Scotland in America, and owns the Scotshop, a darling little store selling Scottish items. On a trip to Scotland, to purchase more items for her store, she brings home with her an unwanted gift in the form of a 600+ year old ghost, who she names Dirk. With a ghost following her around, marveling at all the changes in the last 600 years, Peggy is determined to carry on with her life, and put the heartbreak of finding her boyfriend in bed with her best friend, behind her. However, this proves difficult when her ex-boyfriend is found dead in her shop and her cousin is accused of murder. With the help of her "wee ghostie" Peggy and her friend set out to clear her cousin's name, and try to find a murderer.

Fran Stewart has done something so incredibly right with this new series. She whisked me away to the land of Scotland right from the beginning, and the magic of Scotland carried through, even when Peggy returned back to Hamelin. Of course this was helped with the Scottish atmosphere of Hamelin, where kilts are aplenty, and of course thanks to Dirk, her wee Scottish ghostie.

Dirk is the perfect gentleman, and everything about the 21st century is a surprise to him! Peggy tries to explain to him, but of course she's talking to a ghost, so at times Dirk has to fumble along for himself, lest Peggy looks like she's talking to thin air!! Dirk was a delight, and at times I found myself copying his old Scottish account, and delighting in his every action and word!

The mystery in this debut book is very interesting, because Fran Stewart doesn't give us many suspects. With a mystery that involved hidden rooms, secrets codes and only a handful of suspects, I certainly had a hard time trying to solve it before Peggy and Dirk!

Fran Stewart's debut is a strong start to what is going to be a fabulous series. She's created very memorable characters, full of charm and mischief, and readers will be fondly recalling this adventure long after they turn the last page. If you haven't picked up this first book in the Scot Shop Mysteries yet, go grab a copy today, because it is going to be one series you don't want to miss!

Book Review: Assault & Pepper by Leslie Budewitz

In Leslie Budewitz's new series, she's spicing up the Seattle scene with a delectable culinary mystery to appeal to all the senses!

After a corporate crash leaves Pepper Reece jobless, she opens up a spice shop, called Seattle Spice Shop. All is going well with her somewhat relationship with local restaurant owner, Alex Howard, and running her store. That is until she finds a dead body on her front step, and the dead person looks to be connected to one of her employees. With her nose to the ground, she's soon trying to catch the scent of a killer, that is if she can stay out of the way of her ex-husband, police officer, Tag Buhner.

I really enjoyed the first book in Leslie Budewitz's debut series, the Food Lovers' Village Mysteries with Death Al Dente, and I was excited to hear that she was also releasing a second series, surrounding a spice store.

Assault and Pepper is certainly a book for all the senses! Right from the first chapter I felt like I could almost smell the delicious scents that must waft in and out of the Seattle Spice Shop. The way the different spices, and recipes, are described I was practically racing to my local stores to try out lots of new spices!! With an atmosphere like this to begin with, the mystery that followed could have only made this debut novel better.

I found it interesting that Pepper starts off with a boyfriend of sorts, especially as in in most cozy mystery debuts we see the sleuth as single and looking for the love of her life. I won't spoil this story line for readers, but I thoroughly enjoyed the direction that Leslie Budewitz takes Pepper, in both her business and her personal life, and I absolutely can't wait to see what kind of adventure she has in store for her next.

The mystery was first class and it kept me guessing until the end. Leslie Budewitz certainly delivers in this new series: a first class mystery, delightful characters and when the mystery is all finished, there are mouth-watering recipes for the reader to try.

Book Review: Lease on the Beach by Jennifer L. Hart

Jackie Parker, with her Damaged Goods Property Management crew, are back for another adventure. Reeling after the near death events in Final Notice, things aren't going smoothly for Jackie and her ex-marines husband, Luke. Especially not with the sexy Logan, Luke's brother and Jackie's one-time fling many years ago. However business is business and together they are off to evict to another dead beat in their jobs as property managers. What begins with evictions leads to "furries", drug labs and murderers on the loose for the Damaged Goods team.

I simply can't get enough of the Damaged Goods Mysteries. I really enjoyed the first book, Final Notice, and when I finished it I was eager for a second story. I patiently waited for a sequel and I was rewarded with "Lease on the Beach".

Lease on the Beach was definitely worth the wait. Jennifer L. Hart has created a very intense relationship with Jackie and Luke, throw in the mix the sexy brother, Logan, and there is definitely drama aplenty. Jackie is not the usual airhead running into situations without warning, and I like that she does think about the situations before diving in. She is definitely a amateur sleuth worth following!

Lease on the Beach was full of adventure on every page, and I loved every second of it. This is not a series that you will be bored with, and one that you will get thoroughly addicted to.

I give Lease on the Beach five sparkling stars (if I could give it a trillion stars I would!) and I am very eager to visit with Jackie and the Parker boys again to find out what is in store for them next.

Book Review: Played By The Book by Lucy Arlington

In the fourth book in the Novel Idea Mysteries, Lila Wilkins, and the gang at Novel Idea Literary Agency are gearing up for a signing and dinner with their newest and biggest client, television show host Damian York, with his new gardening book. However gardening isn't just going on between the pages as the local gardening club gears up for a contest and Lila uncovers a skeleton in her backyard. With a cold case on hand, and a murderer looming it's up to Lila to help her police officer boyfriend solve another crime.

Ever since I read the first book in this series, Buried in a Book, I have been completely enamored with this series. As far as I'm concerned Lila has the perfect job! She is paid to read stories every day. Lila is a great main character. She always has her nose to the crime, and it doesn't hurt that she lives in the idyllic town of Inspiration Valley, and has some fantastic friends.

I love that something is always happening in Inspiration Valley. You might think these small towns are sleepy, but that's not so. With a gardening contest that is so competitive, that someone might kill to win the "van Gogh" prize, romance and the possibilities of wedding bells in the air, and a murderer on the loose, every page of this latest addition of the series kept me on the edge of my seat.

Played by the Book was another fabulous addition to a series that gets better with every book. If you're a book lover and haven't added this series to your reading pile don't hesitate to pick it up. It will be a series that you will treasure for a long time.

Note: I wanted to add a little note about Lucy Arlington. Lucy Arlington was the pseudonym for Ellery Adams and Sylvia May. Having these two tremendously talented authors behind this series was part of my reason for picking the series up to begin with. For this book the author behind the series was changed to Susan Furlong. I only discovered this when I was halfway through reading this book and read another review on this title. The transition has been absolutely seamless. If I hadn't read about the change in author I wouldn't have realized it by reading this book. Whether it's Ellery Adams and Sylvia May or Susan Furlong behind the words, they've done a fantastic job of creating a enjoyable mystery series that keeps readers engrossed from the first page to the last, and I can't wait to see where they will take the series next.

Audiobook Review: Bless Her Dead Little Heart by Miranda James

This series is the spin off to Miranda James' Cats in the Stacks Mysteries and features Miss An'gel and Miss Dickce Ducote. The sisters are pet sitting Charlie Harris' maine coon cat, Diesel, and get themselves involved in an adventure. When their former sorority sister, Rosabelle Sultan, turns up on their door step, claiming that her family is trying to kill her they don't really believe her. After all Rosabelle loves drama! However when someone else falls victim to a trap set for Rosabelle it really looks like Rosabelle's family mean her harm. With the Sultan family residing at their house too, An'gel and Dickce must try to solve the mystery before they become the next victim.

I just adore Diesel and the Cats in the Stacks Mysteries. This spin off was great. While I did miss Charlie Harris, I did like this story. An'gel and Dickce are such a hoot, and with their southern manners they tend to keep their snarky comments to themselves. That doesn't mean they don't think them. Rosabelle and her family are pretty uncouth and it was interesting watching them all clash with each other!

This was my first time listening to a Miranda James novel. I've previously read all the others. However having said that I enjoyed Jorgena Marie's narration. I liked the southern accents she used and I would definitely listen to another book in this series, with her narration.

Bless Her Dead Little Heart was a fun debut in this series. If you enjoy the Cats in the Stacks mysteries I thoroughly recommend picking this one up. If you are new to Miranda James give this one a try and I guarantee you that you will be racing out to buy her other series too!