Review: Dangling By A Thread (A Mainely Needlepoint Mystery Series Book 4) by Lea Wait

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Scheduled Release Date: October 25, 2016

Dangling By A Thread is the 4th installment of the Mainly Needlepoint Series.  I have read the first book in the series, but somehow missed reading the next 2. It didn't make me feel like I needed to read the others first. There were a couple of things that were referred to from the past books but it was explained enough that I didn't feel lost. It does, however make me want to go back and read the 2 that I have missed, and I will do! 

I enjoyed the mystery of this book. Jessie Lockhart is a hermit who lives alone on King's Island.  It's a sanctuary for an endangered bird species, the Great Cormorants, and he's made it his mission to keep the island safe for his birds.  But a wealthy family shows up in the area, and wants to buy King's Island and Jessie will have none of that.  When Jessie turns up dead, Angie is determined to find his killer and take up the cause to save the island.  

There were lots of twists and turns throughout the course of the story, it wasn't easy to figure out 'whodunnit'  I'm a bit torn on the story though, I would have liked more interaction of the Needlepointers. Angie didn't seem to do much for the business throughout the story.. she did check in here and there with people but, it seemed like she wasn't really running a business at all.  I enjoy the backstory or I guess the secondary stories in most cozy mysteries with the main character running their business, not just all mystery.  I did like that at the beginning of each chapter, there is a quote of a sampler and the history behind it, it's quite unique. I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a solid cozy mystery series. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. 

Review: The Girls Next Door (Detective Eden Berrisford Crime Thriller Series Book 1) by Mel Sherratt

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Scheduled Release Date: October 27, 2016

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I absolutely loved this book. So much so, that I had to complete it in one day, I had to know what was going to happen, it just totally drew me in!

This is the first novel that I've read by Mel Sherratt, but it certainly will not be the last.  I enjoy reading Police Procedurals, but this one is different than ones I've read in the past. 

Detective Eden Berrisford is on the hunt for the suspects who have been attacking teenagers in the area.  All this, after sixteen year old Deanna Barker was murdered.  The story is already intense, but when Eden realizes her neice Jess has gone missing, then all bets are off. She's determined to find the kidnapper and bring Jess home safely...but time is running out.

The characters in the story are well developed and quite believable. It's easy to believe that the situations they find themselves in could happen in our world. I really enjoyed the interactions of Eden and her team, and can't wait to read more about them in the future. The story is quickly paced and doesn't get boring. On the contrary I didn't want to put it down.  I highly recommend this book! 

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC of this novel for an honest and unbiased review, also a huge thank you to THE Book Club on Facebook TBConFB for introducing me to some great authors! 

Review: Muffins And Mourning Tea (Oxford Tearoom Mystery Series Book 5) by H.Y. Hanna

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Muffins and Mourning Tea is the 5th book in the Oxford Tearoom Mysteries.  H.Y. Hanna once again brings us a truly wonderful cozy mystery. Each book in the series is better and better, for me anyway! I seriously can't get enough! 

When we pick up where we left off with Gemma, she's now moved into her own quaint little cottage, enjoying her freedom and privacy. But of course, Gemma's mom, being who she is, has decided that she needs some plants to liven up the place ... and so starts the hilarity! 

Unfortunately for Gemma, she's again dragged into a murder investigation when she inadvertently on the scene where an Oxford Student is killed during the early morning May Day Celebrations.  Her employee Dora's friend Miriam, asks her to look into it. After all, she's looked into all the previous murders recently hasn't she? So, along with The Old Biddies, Gemma sets out to solve the case, even though her boyfriend CID Devlin O'Connor insists she has to stop interfering in investigations.  

There are some absolutely incredible laugh out loud moments in this book, especially with The Old Biddies and the Krav Maga class they take part in! I think this is one of my favourite scenes in the series. We can't forget dear sweet Muesli, she's also got some antics up her kitty sleeves, and I hope to see more of her actions as a therapy cat. On the flip side, there is quite a bit of tension building up between Gemma and Devlin... and while it hasn't been completely resolved by the end of the book, I am hoping it is soon into the next one! 

Again, as with the other books in the series, there are lots of red herrings and just when I thought I knew whodunnit, there was another twist. This makes for a very enjoyable book, I love trying to figure out who the murderer is and was wrong yet again! 

I am very much looking forward to the next installment in the series, and am hoping in the next one there will be more interaction between Cassie and Seth.  There is a great potential story there and I can't wait to see how that all unfolds.  If you're looking for a great cozy series, look no further. The Oxford Tearoom Mystery Series fits the bill and I highly recommend it! 

I received an ARC for an unbiased and honest review.

I Finally Caught Up!

It's been a busy couple of weeks! Between getting some things organized, getting some crafts done for a few craft fairs, watching hockey tryouts (not mine! haha) and other day to day boring things... I finally did it, I am actually 4 books ahead of my Goodreads Challenge to read 100 books this year! From being behind to getting ahead.. well I'm pretty excited! I've read some pretty great books, and a few not so great, but that comes with the territory. The good thing is, that means I have some great reviews to post! 

So in the coming days, watch for reviews of books by some great authors, including H.Y. Hanna's "Muffins and Mourning Tea",  Mark Edwards' "The Devil's Work", M.A. Comley and Tara Lyons "The Caller" just to name a few! 

And now that summer is officially over and done with (boooo!) it's time to get back to the grindstone and get back down to a regular schedule.  So, I'm off to get more reading done, and get some more reviews ready to go.  

Happy reading! 

Review: Clever Deception by M.A. Comley and Linda Prather

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Absolutely brilliant novella! Right from the get go, we are drawn into the world of the serial killer known as the Escape Artist who is abducting, torturing and murdering women.. ten of them so far this year! He enjoys contacting the families, many of them police officers, and letting them hear the screams of terror and pain he is inflicting upon them.  The main character, Sergeant Alexandra Fox,  is on the hunt for justice, and is determined to bring an end to the Escape Artist's spree.  But when she gets a warning to back off and doesn't, she couldn't even begin to imagine what he could possibly do to punish her...

From the moment I started reading this book I was hooked. The Escape Artist is evil, and sadistic.. and I think is really going to be a fantastic villain. He brings to mind another of Mel Comley's villains (The Unicorn).  I love the character of Alex Fox. She is immediately likable, as is her colleague Bob.  They work well together, she is impulsive and Bob (does his best) to really keep her grounded and thinking before acting.  I'm very... leery about the lead on the case, Inspector Jordan. There's just something that doesn't sit right with me. I know this was a novella but I wish it was longer! I am just dying to find out what happens next, which is just what you want in a book like this, bravo!

I've never read any of Linda Prather's books, but I have read quite a few of Mel Comley's and have never read one that I haven't loved!  I'm looking forward to book 1 in this series, as well as looking up some of Prather's novels.  If I could have rated this more than 5 stars I would have!

Review: Murder Most Fowl (Local Foods Mystery Series Book 4) by Edith Maxwell

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I received this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you Netgalley! 

Murder Most Fowl is the 4th book in the Local Foods Mystery Series.  I hadn't previously read the other books in the series, but it didn't matter; I was able to follow along and not feel like I was missing something, and I went back to the beginning to read the others once I finished this one, I enjoyed it so much! 

Cam Flaherty is a local organic farmer who just can't seem to stay away from trouble! When one of her fellow chicken farmers is found dead, Cam is ready to jump in and solve the case. But can she balance her daily life, dealing with vandalism on the farm, and a murder investigation? 

Definitely a page turner, I would have read this all in one sitting had I not started it late in the evening. The characters in this book are really great and it's fun to read and learn about life on an organic farm.  The mystery is well done and there are lots of twists and turns. I wasn't able to figure out the 'whodunnit' right away which is something that I like.  If you are looking for a well written cozy mystery, look no further! 

Review: Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman

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I received an ARC of this book for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you NetGalley.

I think this is one of my favourite reads for this year, it's definitely in my Top 5! 

Britt-Marie is a quirky character.  She knows how she wants things, and that's just the way things have to be. She's a lady that firstly just seems to be quite passive-aggressive, suffering from OCD and very set in her ways.  But, she's much more than what is showing on the surface. Throughout the course of the novel, we see just why she's left her husband, what has made her the way that she is today, learn why she has no self esteem and why she is so obsessed with cleaning.  Suddenly she's not the annoying lady we first meet looking for a job at the employment office (that poor girl!) she is someone who finds herself, who becomes important to those around her, and is finally seen.  I don't want to give anything away with this review. It's such a wonderful story that I think you really need to read it for yourself.  If I could give it more than a 5 star rating, I certainly would! 

Review: Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen (A Year-Round Christmas Mystery Book 1) by Vicki Delany

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Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen by Vicki Delany is the first book in A Year-Round Christmas Mystery Series.  First off, what a wonderful cover! I don't always speak about the covers of books when I am writing a review, but... I just had to mention it.  There's something about it that just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I love Christmas, and even though I'm reading this in August, it's put me in the Christmas spirit! 

Merry Wilkinson had lived her dream with a great job in the big city. But she's since moved back home to Rudolph, New York aka "Christmastown"  where she is the owner of Mrs. Claus's Treasures, a wonderful store filled with beautiful creations made by local artisans.  It's Christmastime all year round in Rudolph, and we find ourselves at the semi-annual Christmas parade (Because they have it every 6 months, can't forget about Christmas in July!) and the tractor that is supposed to pull Merry's float has been sabotaged! And she was a favourite to win the best float prize this year.   When she stumbles across a body in the park, her best friend, Vicky, is implicated in the murder and it's up to Merry to figure out who the real murderer is and if all these strange happenings around town are related or just a string of coincidences.... Can Merry discover the truth before the Grinch steals Christmas from Christmastown? 

What a great start to a series! The characters are likable, fun and quirky.  I was able to picture myself transported to Christmastown, wandering through Merry's shop with the beautiful glass ornaments, handmade train sets and beautiful jewelry.  They mystery was fun to try to solve, there is no shortage of suspects and I was left guessing right to the end.. and still got it wrong!  Filled with lots of laugh out loud moments, I didn't want to put this book down and would have finished it all in one day had I not started it so late in the day.

This is definitely going to be a series I will be following and I am very much looking forward to the next installment! 

Review: All-Butter Shortdead (Prequel. Oxford Tearoom Mystery Book 0) by H.Y. Hanna

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All-Butter Short Dead is the story of how Gemma comes back to Oxford and sets up her lovely new business, The Little Stables Tearoom.  There is also, of course, murder afoot! Gemma is the prime suspect when the mysterious stranger that she sat next to and befriended on her plane ride home is murdered. It's now up to her to clear her name and find out who the real killer is! 

Whether you read this prequel before you actually start the series, in the middle of it, or after you've finished the current installment it truly does not matter.  It can be read as a standalone book and won't ruin anything in the series.

I was really excited when I received this book! I'm already a huge fan of the series (as you know!) and this peek into how everything came about was just my cup of tea. It was fun reading the history of how things actually started, and some insight into how her relationship with "The Old Biddies" started, and of her first meeting of good old Muesli :) 

As with Hanna's other books in the series, there are lots of great laugh out loud moments and I did not want the story to end.  It's a great little story to tide me over until the next book is released, which I am looking forward to immensely! 

*This book was being offered by H.Y. Hanna free at the time of posting. I don't know how long it is going to be free so head on over and download it and get started!*

Review: Grilled For Murder (Country Store Mysteries #2) by Maddie Day

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Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.  

Grilled For Murder by Maddie Day is the 2nd book in the Country Store Mystery Series. In the small town of South Lick, Indiana, Robbie Jordan has turned a run down store into a wonderful, successful restaurant in which she also sells retro cookware called Pans n Pancakes.  She's stayed open late to cater a welcome home party for Erica, but the next morning when Erica turns up dead... in the STORE!... it's up to Robbie to figure out who hated Erica enough to commit the crime, and there is no shortage of suspects! 

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery it really has everything that a good cozy should!  There are some really great characters, a wonderful small town setting and a great mystery that will just keep you guessing! I loved the local dialect, I admit it did take a bit of getting used to, but that's part of what makes the characters unique.  I wanted to read it as quick as I could, but at the same time I wanted to slow down. I wanted to know what happened, but just didn't want the story to end.  

I liked this book so much that I went online right as I finished it, and purchased the first book in the series "Flipped For Murder"  If you are a cozy mystery fan, I definitely recommend this series, you won't be disappointed! 

Monday's Minutes

Weekend Update, Pre-orders, and an Author Giveaway

Did everyone enjoy their weekend? Happy Monday! It's that day again, the one that everyone hates... Actually I don't hate Mondays.. as long as there is coffee... or tea.. and lots of it! 

So, this weekend I didn't even pick up my Kindle. Or a physical book. Nothing. Nadda.  I'm as surprised as you are! We were away for the Under 14s hockey games with my nephew and I brought my Kindle and a book with me, but put them aside. We spent a lot of time in the rink and just hanging together and having fun, and that's what it's all about! 

So, this week I've got a few books to review, I need to organize my book shelves; I was given some more books from a cousin (thanks Pam!) and I found a bag of books that I'd purchased and forgot I had them.. you know, put them in a safe place and then forget said safe place haha   I also have some hockey games to go to, and a girl's night out.  

I pre-ordered a couple of books for my Kindle, the upcoming release The Caller by M.A. Comley and Tara Lyons 

(you can preorder HERE) due out on June 16th 

and 

The Sister by Louise Jensen 

(you can preorder HERE) due out July 7th.  

Mel Comley also has a great giveaway going on over on her Facebook Page  so head on over there and check that out! 

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend! What did you do this weekend, did you read any good books? Do you have any recommendations for books for me? Leave me a message in the comments or be sure to shoot me an email using the 

'contact me' link to let me know! 

Enjoy your day and happy reading! 

Review: A Grand Murder by Kate Lucky

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I like reading cozy mysteries that have a different theme than the 'norm'  In Kate Lucky's debut cozy novel A Grand Murder, the main character, Sammy Young is piano tuner who runs her own business not only tuning pianos, but repairing
and restoring them as well.
 
When Sammy is accused of murder, her business begins to suffer, so she decides that it's up to her to find out who the real killer is.  Things aren't always as they seem in this book, and there are some fun, quirky characters along with a few creepy ones!

Definitely a little bit edgier than some of the other cozies I've read, there are some really great moments (I won't spoil them, you've got to read for yourself!) and I often found myself laughing out loud. I look forward to see what's next in store for Sammy and her friends!

If you're looking for a cozy that has just a bit more edge (think different settings and maybe some unlikely allies) but still all the elements that makes a cozy a cozy, then this series just may be for you!

I received an ARC of this book for an honest and unbiased review.  

Review: Two Down, Bun To Go by H.Y. Hanna

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(If you missed my reviews of the previous 2 books in the series, you can find them HERE and HERE)

If you are looking for a fantastic cozy mystery series to read, look no further! 

Two Down, Bun To Go is the third installment of the Oxford Tearoom Mystery Series by H.Y. Hanna.  

Right from the start, you are drawn into the book with Hanna's excellent story telling, well rounded characters and laugh out loud moments.  

Gemma gets a strange late night phone call from her friend, Seth... begging, pleading with her to help him.  Of course she has to help Seth, they've been friends forever!  As it turns out, Seth ends up being arrested for murder (but.. he could never commit murder... or... could he??) and who ends up being assigned to the case, none other than  CID Devlin O'Connor!  Gemma begins looking for clues to the real murderer (no matter what Devlin says!) and of course the "Old Biddies" are there to lend a helping hand.  Gemma has her hands full, with Museli getting into mischief, trying to find a new baking chef for the tearoom, trying to solve a murder mystery all while trying to figure out her love life since she's caught between two wonderful men.  

This series just gets better and better with each book. As usual, I was completely drawn in to the story and loved revisiting some of my favourite characters.  I really do love the "Old Biddies" and can picture them holding court in Gemma's tearoom.  The relationship between Gemma and her mother is hilarious as ever and doesn't disappoint.  As for the mystery, I wasn't able to piece together the whodunnit until quite late in the book, and there isn't a shortage of suspects or twists to keep you wondering. There were some moments where I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen, it got pretty intense!  During the entire book, I was wanting to read faster to see what was going to happen, all the while wanting to read slower because I didn't want it to end. Another fabulous book!  

I recommend this to anyone who loves a good cozy mystery, you will not be disappointed! I look forward to the next installment in the series. 

Thank you to H.Y. Hanna for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.  

Review: Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower

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Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book for an honest and unbiased review. 

Crime and Poetry is the first in a new series, The Magical Bookshop, by Amanda Flower.  

Violet gets a call that her grandmother is ill, so she rushes to her childhood home of Cascade Springs to be by her side. When she arrives, she's shocked to find out that Grandma Daisy isn't ill at all! She quickly realizes that her grandmother wants her to move back and work in her bookstore.  

The gentleman friend Violet met at the bookstore, Benedict Raisin, turns up dead outside of Grandma Daisy's house making her the prime suspect! He was clutching the book that he had chosen, or had chosen him.. that he'd purchased at the store. Of course, this makes Grandma Daisy the prime suspect, especially when it's revealed that Benedict had revised his will to include Daisy! 

Violet must do everything she can to find the real killer and save her grandmother! 

This was a really great book, filled with fun and quirky characters.  Lots of laugh out loud moments, this book will keep you guessing until the very end. If you're looking for a fun new series to read, this one is for you!

Review: An Unfamiliar Murder by Jane Isaac

This is the first of Jane Isaac's books that I have read, but I can tell you that it definitely will not be the last! 

Anna arrives home after work, and to her surprise finds the body of stranger in her apartment.  Of course she becomes the first suspect, but her alibi checks out. Then new evidence brings her back to the forefront of the investigation.  Leading the investigation is DCI Helen Lavery. It is her first murder investigation and she is determined to bring the guilty party to justice.  I won't include any spoilers, you'll need to read it for yourself to find out what happens. You will NOT be disappointed! 

I was drawn right into the story, and found myself not wanting to put this book down.  It was very well written, and the mystery to who the murderer really is, is not easily deduced which is a definite plus for me. I can't wait to read more about DCI Helen Lavery! She is balancing work and family life, and all of the craziness that goes along with it. It will be interesting to see if there is more written about her family life and how she copes with everything.  

Special thank you to TBC (THE Book Club) and Jane Isaac for giving me the change to receive this book for an honest review.