Book Review: Murder Gone A-Rye by Nancy J Parra

When Toni’s beloved—and eccentric—grandma Ruth is arrested for the murder of her archenemy, Lois Striker, it’s time for a senior moment of truth. Telltale tracks from a scooter like the one Grandma Ruth rides lead the police to suspect the outspoken oldster, but Toni knows her grandmother wouldn’t burn a cookie, let alone extinguish a life.

In fact, the case has Grandma more revved up than her infamous scooter. A former investigative journalist, she decides to solve the murder herself—with help from Toni—by digging up long-buried town secrets. But as Grandma scoots in where others fear to tread, Toni needs to make sure she not only stays out of jail but out of harm’s way…[summary via Amazon]

Having been diagnosed with Celiacs disease many years ago, I leaped on the first book in the Baker's Treat Mysteries, Gluten for Punishment, when it first came out. A mystery series that featured a gluten free bakery is my idea of heaven! Especially as it also included gluten free recipes!!

I was in need of another trip to Oiltop, Kansas, and dove into the second book in the series, Murder Gone A-Rye. It was every bit as delightful and enjoyable as the first book.

In Murder Gone A-Rye, Toni is trying to keep her Grandma Ruth out of jail, when she becomes a suspect in the murder of her archenemy, Lois Striker. Toni's grandmother is not the sweet, old lady variety. No she's the feisty, hellion on a scooter type and Toni has her hands full stopping Ruth, along with her Aunt Phyllis, investigating the crime and getting arrested again!

I love Grandma Ruth and all of Toni's family. They are a big, loud, fun family and there is never a dull moment!! For me, Toni's family absolutely makes this series. Grandma Ruth is a laugh a minute, and the kind of awesome grandmother you wish you had. She is eager to discover long-buried secrets and she's not afraid to get into trouble, or arrested either!! With Ruth at the helm of the mystery, it was never dull - not even for a second.

In my opinion, Murder Gone A-Rye was even better than the first book. The characters are fantastic, the mystery itself was intriguing, as it involved a long-ago murder, and I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to pick up the third book in the series, Flourless to Stop Him.

Purchase Murder Gone A-Rye from Amazon.

Book Review: Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen by Vicki Delany

In Rudolph, New York, it’s Christmastime all year long. But this December, while the snow-lined streets seem merry and bright, a murder is about to ruin everyone’s holiday cheer…

As the owner of Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, Merry Wilkinson knows how to decorate homes for the holidays. That’s why she thinks her float in the semi-annual Santa Claus parade is a shoe-in for best in show. But when the tractor pulling Merry’s float is sabotaged, she has to face facts: there’s a Scrooge in Christmas Town.

Merry isn’t ready to point fingers, especially with a journalist in town writing a puff piece about Rudolph’s Christmas spirit. But when she stumbles upon the reporter’s body on a late night dog walk—and police suspect he was poisoned by a gingerbread cookie crafted by her best friend, Vicky—Merry will have to put down the jingle bells and figure out who’s really been grinching about town, before Vicky ends up on Santa’s naughty list…[summary via Amazon]

Welcome to Christmas in Rudolph, New York! It's exactly what you would imagine a Christmas in the North Pole to be. The streets are alive with Christmas spirit, with Santa strolling down the street, gingerbread baking at the bakery and friendly people everywhere. Well that is what Christmas in Rudolph is supposed to be like, but this year there is a little murder on the menu as well!

I love Christmastime. I live in Canada, and the snow is falling, the stores are festively decorated, and it's the perfect time to cozy up with a warm cup of tea and a good book (a cozy mystery, of course!). With my love of the holiday season, it's no great surprise that I love to read Christmas-themed books during the holidays. With Vicki Delany's release of her Year-Round Christmas Mysteries, it's the perfect time of the year to catch up on this great new series.

Vicki Delany sets the perfect scene of the idyllic small town, where their business is centred around Christmas. The streets are packed with tourists, and it seems like it's going to be another perfect holiday season. That is until a murderer strikes, and panic amongst the residents starts to set in. For the residents of Rudolph, Christmas is everything, and Merry and her friends must try to solve this mystery, before they have no customers at all.

From the start to the end, I cherished Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen. It is the perfect Christmastime cozy mystery, with just the right balance between mystery and holiday spirit. I liked the sleuth, Merry, a lot. Her family is big on Christmas spirit, with her dad, Noel, playing Santa every year. Of course with a name like Merry, she loves it too!! Together with her friend, Vicky, they set about to solve the mystery - even travelling to one town over to see if they are involved in the murder somehow.

There is so much to love in the town of Rudolph, including Merry's Saint Bernard pup, Matterhorn, and I'm already eager to take another trip there to see what kind of mischief Merry, her family and friends will be up to next.

If you are looking for a great mystery, filled with holiday spirit, this season, pick up Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen. You won't be disappointed!

Purchase Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen from Amazon.