Book Review: Death & Sensibility by Elizabeth Blake

DEATH & SENSIBILITY is the second book in the Jane Austen Society Mysteries. Bookshop owner, Erin Coleridge is visiting York with her friends, attending the Jane Austen Society Conference. Disaster strikes when the keynote speaker turns up dead, from an apparent heart attack. However, Erin puts her amateur sleuth nose to the case, and is convinced that the speaker was murdered. When other suspicious events happen to confirm this theory, Erin [along with her friends' help] must try to flush out the killer, before they strike again.

I picked up this book, without reading the first book in the series. In my mind, that is usually major mistake, as I like to follow the sub-plots as well as the main mystery. However, I was so keen to dive into the series that I jumped right in! Am I ever glad I did!

Right away, I felt at home with the characters, and liked them instantly. I love the friendship between Erin and Farnsworth, and their friendship with Hetty and Pru. Elizabeth Blake makes the reader feel right at home among them, almost to the point that you wish they were your friends!

While it is not mandatory, if you're a "austenophile" you will truly love this book! With a quote on every page, it's a delight to my Jane Austen-loving heart! Especially the comparisons of the Pride & Prejudice adaptions [truly my favourite Jane Austen book].

The mystery was very enticing, and the final denouement was quite thrilling. If you're looking to cozy up with a mystery about books, then this one is for you! A true delight from beginning to end, even Jane Austen would be proud!

A little side note: I love that there is a reason for Erin feeling compelled to get involved in murder mysteries, beyond the usual "nosiness". I feel like Erin has a lot of growing to do, and I definitely can't wait to join her on her adventure! Especially if it involves a handsome man or two, on the side!

Book Review: Murder by the Bookend by Laura Gail Black

Murder by the Bookend is the second book in the Antique Bookshop Mysteries, and my very first visit to Hokes Folly.

Jenna Quinn is gearing up for her grand re-opening party. She's organized a fancy dress event at her bookshop, to celebrate the grand re-opening and everything has been planned perfectly. Or so she thought! On the night, all appears to be going smoothly until one of her guests is found dead near the shop. Who would want to kill Linus, the sweet man with an interest in antique books? Jenna, with the help of her police detective boyfriend, and Linus' dog, Eddy, put their nose to the crime and try to follow the clues, before the killer strikes again!

I jumped right in with this series. I hadn't read the first book in the series, but I wasn't lost at all. The author does a great job of recapping Jenna's life, without the reader feeling too bogged down in details. I immediately felt at home in Hokes Folly, and all the eclectic people that live there. 

The mystery is fast-paced and kept me on the edge of my seat, rapidly trying to read faster and faster, awaiting the final denouement. I thought I had the killer caught, in my mind, but the author threw in a couple of red herrings that had me guessing until the end!!! 

Murder by the Bookend was a fantastic read. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the gang at Twice Upon a Time bookstore, and I can't wait to visit Hokes Folly again!

Book Review: For Batter or Worse by Jenn McKinlay

Life is sweet and business is booming at the Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery--and the fact that Mel and Joe are getting married is the icing on the cake. Their reception will be held at the swanky resort where Oz works as the pastry chef. The wedding planning is all fun-fetti and games until Mel and Joe meet the head chef at the resort who has been making Oz's life miserable. When the eccentric chef insults Mel's bakery, Oz gets into a blowout argument with the culinary prima donna.

Things turn extra sour when the chef is murdered, and Oz is the police's main suspect. As the countdown to the wedding day begins, Mel, Joe, and the rest of the Fairy Tale Cupcake crew must sift through clues to catch the real killer and clear Oz's name before their wedding plans are totally battered and baked.[summary via Amazon]

It's time for another mystery with the Fairy Tale Cupcake crew! My favourite bakers are back for another tantalizing mystery... this time involving one of their own!

Mel and Joe are getting ready to (finally) walk down the aisle. However, it's not going to be easy, if their past experiences is anything to go by! With Angie mere weeks from giving birth, Mel thinks this is the biggest thing she has to worry about. However, when their friend and fellow baker, Oz, has to heal with an egotistical chef, things go from bad to worse... with Chef Miles turns up dead! Now Mel and her friends will have to solve the crime before her wedding day, lest Oz spend life in prison!

I absolutely love the Cupcake Bakery Mysteries. I've been reading them from the very first book, where I was charmed with the delectable cupcakes and delightful characters. With each book, they're friendships have grown stronger, and new friends have been added. 

While this is a long-running series, the mysteries are kept fresh and interesting. This one involved a new set of characters at the local resort, where Oz now works, and it was interesting trying to solve the murder, alongside Mel and Oz. As many would know, running a kitchen is very high intensity and there were many suspects to choose from, as Chef Miles was very disliked. I didn't solve the mystery before Mel, but I sure had fun trying!

If you're looking for a tantalizing mystery, with memorable characters and mouth-watering cupcakes, then this series is for you. For Batter or Worse is the best in the series (so far) and I can't wait to see where Jenn McKinlay takes the gang next!

Book Review: A Tale of Two Cookies by Eve Calder

Eve Calder is back with a new Cookie House Mystery, and oh boy, dear readers, are you ever going to be surprised!

Chef Kate McGuire is gearing up for her friend's wedding, set to take place on the beach in the little coastal town of Coral Cay. Deirdre and Judson are just perfect for each other, and they can't wait for their spur-of-the-moment beach wedding. However, on the big day Judson doesn't appear. Did the groom get cold feet or is there something more sinister at play?

Okay, so this is my favourite cozy mystery of the year (so far)! I've been hooked on the Cookie House Mysteries since Kate first stepped on Coral Cay. However, Eve Calder has completely taken it to a whole new level with A Tale of Two Cookies. Not since I first read Agatha Christies novels as a teen have I been completely surprised! After finishing this book, I can say that this series has now been elevated to my absolute favourite.

Coral Cay is picturesque and cozy, and seems like the perfect place to live. However with many island towns there is a lot of mystery surrounding it, and I particularly liked the mysterious elements presented in this book. Add in all the interesting happens as a reality tv series is being filmed on the island, and you've got a fabulous whodunnit that you won't be able to put down!

This series is so fantastic, and just like a great cookie, you won't be able to have just one! I highly recommend you start with A Tale of Two Cookies and then go back and read the rest of the series. It is one of the best modern cozy mystery series on the market!

Book Review: Big Little Spies by Krista Davis

In the newest Paws & Claws Mysteries, Holly Miller is gearing up for the gala event of the season... the Wagtail Animal Guaradians (WAG) Gala, in support animal welfare. However, not all is going smoothly leading up to the Gala, especially when a pet detective is found dead. Now Holly and her friends must put their heads together and try to solve the mystery, who would want the detective dead and was he really a stranger to Wagtail, or was his appearance more sinister?

Over the last year I have seriously crushed on this series! I've completely caught up with all the books in less than a year, and I was so thrilled to have a new adventure to read! 

As an animal lover myself, I absolutely love Wagtail. The concept of a town that caters completely to animals is absolutely bliss, and I wish it was a real place to visit. Especially the Wagtail Inn, where Holly works alongside her grandmother, Oma. Absolutely heaven!

The mystery itself was terrific, absolutely first class! I was left guessing right up to the end. I couldn't quite tie all the elements together, and I love that I was stumped! Krista Davis always delivers a well-plotted mystery and this one is no exception.

If you love animals you have to be reading this series! While they work as standalone novels, after just one you will want to read them all! Delicious food, interesting locals and a first class mystery... the Paws and Claws Mysteries really has it all!