Book Review: Class Reunions are Murder by Libby Klein

In her first adventure, Poppy McAllister is back in her hometown of Cape May, New Jersey, for a school reunion. Her hope is to get into town, attend the reunion, and quickly go back home. However, it seems like someone else has a plan for her... frame her murder! When Barbie Pomeroy-Clark, popular cheerleader and the girl who bullied her all throughout school, is murdered, it looks like someone is trying to pin the crime on Poppy! Together with her friends and eccentric Aunt Ginny, Poppy must clear her name before time runs out.... and she spends the rest of her life behind bars!

Oh gosh, I just simply LOVED this book! While I had heard of this series before, and it was on my reading list, I was given an extra incentive to start it now, as the author is hosting a Summer Book Bingo! I never need an excuse to start a reading challenge, and I couldn't wait to dive into the first book!

From the very first page, I adored Poppy and found myself relating to her in so many ways. I've just entered middle-age myself, and know how easy it is to get into a rut. Similarly, I stick to a very strict gluten free diet, so it was interesting to watch Poppy transform not just her life around her, but also what she eats as well. 

Of course that's where the similarities end, as Poppy gets herself caught up in a murder investigation, and the investigating Officer is determined to pin the crime on Poppy! I loved every minute of the investigation. Aunt Ginny is an absolute treasure and a hoot and a half! As are her friends! 

If you enjoy fun, fast-paced cozy mysteries, you won't want to miss this one! It's an enjoyable mystery, that will have you curling your toes in delight, and craving just another page! 

Audiobook Review: How the Murder Crumbles by Debra Sennefelder

How the Murder Crumbles is the first book in the Cookie Shop Mysteries by Debra Sennefelder, and culinary cozy mystery fans are not going to want to miss this one! 

Mallory Monroe is living her dream. After a career change, she is now operating a cookie shop in Wingate, Connecticut, and everything is going smoothly. That is until she has an altercation with the "Queen Bee" of Wingate, Beatrice Wright. When Beatrice turns up dead, fingers start pointing to Mallory and she must do all she can to clear her name.

LOVE! Simply and utterly LOVE! You know that feeling of biting into a delicious cookie.... crispy on the outside, melt in your mouth on the inside... well that is How the Murder Crumbles. This is the perfect first-in-a-new-series mystery!

I listened to the audiobook and I instantly fell in love with the characters and the quaint setting of Wingate.  The narrator, Ellen Quay, does a great job of drawing you into the story. Once I started I couldn't put it down, and found new chores to do, just to keep listening!

I loved the mystery. I enjoyed getting to know everyone in Wingate and trying to piece the clues together. I didn't manage to solve the mystery before Mallory, which is always a sign of a good mystery! Even after turning off the audiobook I'm still thinking about it, and all the delightful characters and places in Wingate!

If you love culinary cozy mysteries, especially those with a sweet tooth like Jenn McKinlay's Cupcake Bakery Mysteries, you are not going to want to miss this one. An absolute first class mystery and I can't wait for the next one.

Audiobook Review: Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder by Valerie Burns

Get ready to meet the one and only Maddy Mongtomery!!!!

Maddy's life isn't going too well. Her groom has left her at the altar, and she feels like she's at a loose end. However, what Maddy doesn't know is her life is going to get a whole lot more interesting! When a surprise inheritance from her Great Aunt Octavia lands in her lap, she decides to head to New Bison and learn more about her inheritance and Octavia's life. What follows is an adventure you won't forget, as Maddy learns how to bake and solve a mystery!

I love, love, LOVED this audiobook! Right from the start Maddy is spoilt, but as she starts to discover this about herself she grows into a brand new person and that person is surprising in so many ways!

This story is fun and hip, especially with the social media references. If you've never read a cozy mystery before you should start RIGHT HERE! It is beyond fun, enticing and an all around great mystery.

I really enjoyed watching Maddy's development and learning more about the folks in New Bison. Especially the "Baker Street Irregulars", who might be the best sleuthing team ever!

The audiobook was fantastic. The narrator IS the voice of Maddy! Even when I switched over to the e-book [as I usually flip between the two versions], all I could hear was Jasmin's voice in my head. Her narration was absolutely spot on.

If you are looking for a new series, you have to try this one! Just perfection!

Book Review: Cat's Paws and Curses by Nancy Warren

It's time for a short Christmas [almost in July] mystery and Nancy Warren has you covered with a festive Vampire Knitting Club mystery!

Lucy is getting together with her [human] knitting circle, to enjoy good company and festive knits. However not all is festive and happy, when one of the members of the circle is killed. In a brilliant locked room mystery, Lucy must figure out who the killer is before they strike again.

I love a locked room mystery! With only a limited number of suspects and clues laid out before you, can you solve it before the amateur sleuth? In this case.... yes! It was clear early on who the victim and murderer were. However, it was enjoyable watching it play out and confirm my theory!

I listened on audio to this short story and it was great. It's the perfect length for a long dog walk. I have only one Vampire Knitting Club mystery left, and it is going to be a happy-sad moment when I start it. This series has zoomed up my list of most favourites! If you like knitting and/or supernatural mysteries then this series is for you too!