Book Review: Proof of Murder by Lauren Elliott

The seaside New England town of Greyborne Harbor is home to many grand estates, including the Queen Anne Victorian Addie inherited from her great aunt. Now one of those mansions is holding an estate sale, which is just what the bookshop owner needs to replenish her supply of rare editions—even if the house is rumored to be haunted. Assisting an overwhelmed insurance appraiser with the inventory, Addie discovers an 1887 magazine containing Arthur Conan Doyle's first Sherlock Holmes novel, A Study in Scarlet, which she estimates to be worth over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

But when Addie later finds the appraiser dead in the estate's private library, with the door bolted from the inside, and the priceless edition missing, it's a mystery worthy of the Great Detective himself. She's certain the death and the robbery are connected—but who, other than a ghost who can walk through walls, could have gotten in to do the deed? It's up to Addie to find the key to the crime—before she's the next one cornered by a killer . . .[summary via Amazon]

Since the first book in this series, Murder by the Book, I've been absolutely smitten with the characters at Greyborne Harbor, and the mischief they find there! As with all my favourite series, I'm so happy to finally have a new adventure to read...

It's summer in Greyborne Harbor and Addie is looking forward to a book auction at a local mansion. However, things go awry when the insurance appraiser turns up dead. With a new officer in town, determined to pin the crime on Addie, she must go detecting once again and find the real killer.

Part of what makes this such a great series is that provides a real edge-of-your-seat suspense, while still fitting the cozy genre. In Proof of Murder I felt like Addie (and me, as the reader) was racing against the clock trying to solve the mystery. The mystery itself kept me stumped right until the end, and my heart was beating faster, as I was hoping Addie would solve it before she got hurt! It was definitely a thrill a minute.

Obviously I love mysteries. I started my love of mysteries with Miss Marple, but I also love Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock has been a huge part of pop culture, with so many new adaptions, and I liked learning more about his origins. The mystery partly focuses on his first adventure, A Study in Scarlet, and it was a fascinating study.

Proof of Murder is the fourth book in the series, but I feel like I have been reading this series for years. I love how all the characters have grown and developed - not just Addie's love life, but her relationship with fellow business owner, Martha, who is now a lot more friendlier with Addie. The pacing on both the mystery and sub-plots is just stellar, and its part of what I love about the series.

I cannot recommend the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mysteries enough. If you're a fan of vintage mysteries you will love the feel of vintage within modern with Proof of Murder. Add this series to your summer reading pile... you won't be disappointed!

Book Review: Sugar and Vice by Eve Calder

Lately, Kate has a lot on her dessert plate. She’s launching a cookie-of-the-day challenge in the heart of Coral Cay, providing sweet treats for the reception of the town’s handsome new veterinarian—not to mention dealing with tourists in town for a pirate festival and the surprise arrival of her former fiancé, Evan, who seems determined to win her back.

And if that’s not enough, a skeleton has been found—in the backyard behind her best friend Maxi’s floral shop. Kate knows Maxi could never hurt a fly. Maybe the remains belong to Sir George Bly, a long-dead pirate whose name has become urban legend—until now? It’s time for Kate to use every trick in the recipe book to prove Maxi’s innocence, and find the truth about the skeleton, before the last of the cookies crumble…[summary via Amazon]

For lovers of culinary cozy mysteries there is a relatively new series on the horizon, the Cookie House Mysteries. If my experience with the second book in the series, Sugar and Vice, is anything to go by, we're going to be raving about this series for years to come!

Kate is settling into her new life in sunny Coral Cay. She's busy baking up a storm as part-owner in The Cookie House, and getting ready for the Pirate Festival. However all plans go awry when her friend and neighbour, Maxi, uncovers a skeleton in her yard. Could it be the 400 year old bones of notorious pirate, Gentlemen George Bly, or something more recent and sinister?

I leapt right into Sugar and Vice without reading the first book in the series. Quite often I do this, and sometimes I feel a little lost and sometimes I land right on my "reading" feet. In this case it was the latter. Within a chapter I was feeling right at home in Coral Cay, and cursing myself for not picking up this series sooner!! Coral Cay is the perfect picturesque, sunny, island. The townsfolk are friendly, and they live off the tourist trade. There is a little shop for everything, and as I read, I was wishing I could visit this town, and step into The Cookie House, and all the other shops in the centre of town. Eve Calder has a way of describing the town and occupants so well, that you just want to dive right into the book!!

I love the uniqueness of the mystery. The skeleton, who Maxi nicknames "Alvin", when her husband calls it "Exhibit A", is a complete unknown. The police, nor Maxi or Kate, are all grasping at clues trying to figure out who it was. The whodunnit is cleverly plotted and it kept me guessing right up until the end! Combine it with the mystery of pirate George Bly and you've got a very fascinating and unique cozy mystery, and one readers won't forget in a hurry!

I highly recommend Sugar and Vice be on your Winter/Spring reading list! This is a delightful series for lovers of culinary cozy mysteries, and those that are looking to read a first class whodunit. The delightful locals, and not to mention Oliver, the adorable puppy that wanders the island and lives with Kate, will have you coming back for more.

Book Review: Murder in the Storybook Cottage by Ellery Adams

Jane Steward’s resort is hopping—not only is Peppermint Press’s conference in full swing, there are also lots of families staying on the premises, bringing their kids to events like a scavenger hunt through the Fairy Tale Forest.

Then a woman dressed like Little Red Riding Hood is found dead from a plot device straight out of a fairy tale—with a rare and valuable copy of Grimm’s Fairy Tales in her basket. Not long after, a second victim is killed, with yet another treasure—a volume by Hans Christian Andersen worth thousands of dollars—nearby. It looks like a big bad wolf may be lurking among the guests, and Jane can’t just wait for a handsome prince to come to the rescue . . .[summary via Amazon]

Ellery Adams is the voice of cozy mysteries and she's crafted some of the best mysteries on the shelves today. She's at it again with Murder in the Storybook Cottage, delivering a beautiful, magical story that will have readers craving to re-read books from our childhood.

Storyton Hall is hosting a publisher's conference for Peppermint Press, publishers of children's books, and Jane Steward is looking forward to a week of fun and frivolity. However, when she discovers a stranger's body in her new Storybook Cottage, plans change and Jane must devote her time to finding out who the stranger is and who killed her.

I've been a long-time reader of Ellery Adams' books. Whether she is weaving actual magic (like the Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries) or the magic that comes from being curled up with a good book (like the Book Retreat Mysteries), I've always felt like real magic comes off each page of her stories. They wrap me up like the hug from a best friend, and make me feel like everything is right with the world. This is exactly how I felt reading Murder in the Storybook Cottage.

The story centres around children's books, both modern and older books. While reading the story I was able to think about how much the stories have changed over the decades. The Brothers Grimm stories were quite dark, but still very much read and loved today. As a mom to twin boys myself, I read a lot of children's books with them, and I loved seeing Ellery Adams mention many of our favourites - including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

I loved that the mystery involved fairy tales of times gone past, and it was interesting to see how the mystery was weaved into the Grimm's Fairy Tales. Along with the mystery, the readers get a look into life at Storyton Hall, and all that encompasses the children's activities that they are holding, to celebrate children's fiction. Both storylines we weaved together, and that pace was frantic, as Jane and her friends try to find a killer before they strike again! 

With the current situation in the world, Murder in the Storybook Cottage  is a well-timed, much needed dose of magic. The kind of magic that doesn't come from a wand, but from reading a good book, escaping the world and adding one of those "happy moments" to our lives. I can't recommend this book (and the Book Retreat Mysteries) enough. Pick up a copy today. I guarantee you that it will be the best book you read this year!

Book Review: Pumpkin Spice Peril by Jenn McKinlay

Life is all sugar and spice for the Fairy Tale Cupcake bakers--Melanie Cooper is engaged to the delectable Joe DeLaura, Angie Harper and her husband Tate are savoring married life, and the bakery is bustling with happy customers. Until one of their most valued cupcake connoisseurs ends up dead.

Local glass artist and cupcake lover Rene Fischer-Klein has always suffered from a wide variety of health issues. In an effort to cheer her up, her doting husband, Peter, brings her a four-pack of her favorite cupcakes every week. But when the police discover that Rene has been poisoned, there's no sugarcoating the fact that the last things she ate were the bakery's signature pumpkin spice cupcakes! With their lives and bakery at stake, it's up to Mel and Angie to find out who poisoned their artist friend and why, before their future is frosted for good.[summary via Amazon]

Oh be still my cozy heart!! It's time for another Cupcake Bakery Mystery....  

Let's take a short trip back to 2010 when I read the first Cupcake Bakery Mystery, Sprinkle with Murder. I was just getting into cozies and I was delighted at the combination of my favourite dessert and a tantalizing mystery. Since then I have eagerly awaited (and devoured) each mystery, equally enjoying the mystery, the cozy setting and characters, and of course the mouth-watering cupcake recipes!! Each trip back to Scottsdale is like a visit home to see family. I love catching up with Mel, Angie, Tate and Joe. And, of course, all the De Laura brothers!

Just like a delicious bakers dozen of cupcakes, I tell myself I will pace myself. Before I know it the cupcakes are gone, I've finished the mystery, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next mystery! Yes, this has been happening for 12 mysteries, and I hope it never ends!!

This time the mystery involves one of Mel's friends, Rene, an artist, who has been behaving very strangely. When Rene dies unexpectedly, all signs point to unnatural causes. It's up to Mel to put aside everything she thought she knew about her friend, and uncover the truth.

Jenn McKinlay delivers a top-notch mystery, not just in detection, but in emotion. As I'm reading through Mel's adventure, she uncovers things she didn't know about her friend, Rene, and her husband, Peter. There is so much emotion leaping off the page, and I really enjoy how easy it is to get caught up in the story and not want to put it down.

Beyond the mystery, the Cupcake Bakery mysteries is one of the best examples of character development from book-to-book. They are the reason I love reading series. Each book has built on the last, and I've enjoyed watching these characters grow and develop. The ending of Pumpkin Spice Peril feels very bittersweet for me. There are changes afoot for our favourite characters, but I have faith in Jenn McKinlay and her ability to leave readers feeling not just satisfied, but wanting more! Exactly like a good cupcake!

If you haven't read the Cupcake Mysteries yet, put everything else aside and pick them up. Start with Sprinkle with Murder, and read and read, until you've finished them all!!! You won't be disappointed!

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!