Sweet Holiday Surprise by Cindy Kirk - 4 Stars!

 

Raven Tucci should be excited to have a Secret Santa this holiday season. After all, who doesn’t love thoughtful, beautiful presents? Trouble is, the only gifts Raven wants this Christmas are from coffee shop owner, Will Dougan. Will is enchanted by the lovely Raven but isn’t sure how to let her know he cares. One thing is certain, being the elf in a Secret Santa game is definitely not helping him win her heart. All Raven wants for Christmas is Will, but will her Secret Santa derail her chance at true love or bring them both a holiday to remember?
This is a sweet little holiday story. I loved the characters and the setting. It made me wish that it's Christmastime already. The only thing is that I wanted more, more story and time with the characters.

Murder Lo Mein by Vivien Chien - 5 Stars!

 

Lana Lee’s stake in her family’s Chinese restaurant is higher than ever now that she’s been made manager. When she enters Ho-Lee into Cleveland’s Best Noodle Contest, Lana makes it her business to win. But when a local food critic receives a threatening note in a fortune cookie and is later found dead, Lana decides to take matters into her own hands and investigate everyone involved in the contest. But when she receives an ill-fated fortune, Lana realizes that she could be the next victim.
This is another great story from Vivien Chien. I love reading about Lana, and all the other characters around the Plaza. I could almost taste the Chinese food, and the author's writing always makes me hungry. I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy, and you will too!

Murder, She Wrote: The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher by Jessica Fletcher, Donald Bain and Renee Paley-Bain- 5 Stars!

Jessica’s friend, Eve Simpson, the town’s real estate agent, has recently taken on the task of selling one of Cabot Cove’s oldest properties, the Spencer Percy House. Its current occupant, Cliff Cooper is convinced he’s about to die and wants the house sold so he can give the proceeds to his grandson. But Eve’s got quite a challenge on her hands. Not only is the building in deplorable physical condition, it's also rumored to be haunted. When Cliff passes away, Dr. Seth Hazlitt is not so sure the man died of natural causes. As Jessica tries to get to the bottom of Cliff Cooper’s death, a medium hired by Eve attempts to rid the house of the alleged apparition. But if Jessica isn’t careful, she may be the one who joins the ranks of the dearly departed.
I loved this story because it reminds me about the wonderful TV show. It was fun to read about the characters, and the plot was puzzling. I couldn't figure out whodunit and was surprised when the truth was revealed. I love this series and will continue to read it. I recommend this book to anyone who loves Murder, She Wrote.

 

The Game is a Footnote by Vicki Delany - 5 Stars!

Scarlet House, now a historical re-enactment museum, is the oldest building in West London, Massachusetts. When things start moving around on their own, board members suggest that Gemma Doyle, owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, might be able to get to the bottom of it. Gemma doesn’t believe in ghosts, but she agrees to ‘eliminate the impossible’. But when Gemma and Jayne stumble across a dead body on the property, they’re forced to consider an all too physical threat. Will Gemma and Jayne be able to solve the mystery behind the haunted museum, or will they be the next to haunt it?
This was a very enjoyable cozy mystery, and I couldn't put it down. Gemma was a reluctant sleuth in this story, but she was very smart and resourceful. I love how she observes everything and comes up with the answers. I can't wait until the next Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery! Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

 

Baby-sitters' Fright Night by Ann M. Martin - 3 Stars!

 

When the Baby-sitters visit Salem, they learn the mystery of the Witch's Eye, a famous diamond that has been stolen from a local museum. When they launch an investigation, they fear they have become cursed.
This was my first foray into the Baby-sitters' Club books. And it was a great story and kept me interested in finding out about the stolen diamond. The main characters were very likable. The only problem was that there were too many of them. It became confusing, and I couldn't tell the difference between some of the main characters.

Dead and Berried by Karen MacInerney - 4 Stars!

 

Developers have returned to Cranberry Island, and they're planning to wipe out a natural cranberry bog to build a luxury subdivision. Natalie Barnes isn't sweet on the idea of commercial interests souring their cozy oasis, but the innkeeper has other problems: a withering relationship with her best friend Charlene, the sudden appearance of her ex-fiancé with a tempting proposal, and eerie bumps in the night. Worst of all, there's a killer on the loose. When Charlene's lover is stabbed to death, Natalie promises to find the murderer for her heartbroken friend, who's also the number-one suspect.

This was a great continuation to a series that I've missed. Natalie is a great cozy character because she's independent, resourceful, and intelligent. The plot is engrossing and enthralling, I couldn't stop turning the pages. Cranberry Island is a great mysterious setting that seems, at times, like another character in the story. I recommend this book to all cozy mystery lovers.