Cozy Mysteries Available Today!

Here are some of the new cozy mysteries available this week:

1. Bake, Borrow, and Steal by Ellie Alexander

2. Murder Under a New Moon by Abigail Keam

3.A Deadly Endowment by Alyssa Maxwell

and...

4. Jane Darrowfield and the Madwoman Next Door by Barbara Ross

Book Review!

 

The Mystery of Albert E. Finch by Callie Hutton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bath, England, 1892. Mystery author Lady Amy Lovell is marrying Lord William Wethington, a fellow member of the Mystery Book Club of Bath. Amy's great aunt, Lady Priscilla Granville, is hosting their wedding at her stately Derby Manor House. But on the night before the ceremony Mrs. Alice Finch is heard arguing with her husband, Albert. The next morning at the wedding breakfast, Alice falls face-first into her breakfast, dead. Albert is accused of the murder, then, his dead body is found. Can Lady Amy and Lord William find the truth before their honeymoon plans are null and void?
I loved this story. The main characters are very likeable and wonderful to read about. I loved how the plot kept me on my toes, and I was surprised about who the culprit turned out to be. I like the historical aspect of the story and how Lady Amy fights for her independence. I received an advanced reader’s copy from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

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Book Review!

 

A Three Book Problem by Vicki Delany
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gemma Doyle and Jayne Wilson are catering a weekend party where David Masterson is entertaining friends at the Suffolk Gardens House. He’s a lover of Sherlock Holmes and asks Gemma to provide some books and props for the occasion. Detective Ryan Ashburton is assisting in the kitchen. When David asks to meet with Gemma and Jayne in the library, they are stunned and completely shocked when a dart sails through the window and into David’s neck, killing him. Gemma has a house full of suspects and knows that one of them is not David’s friend.
This was a very exciting cozy mystery. It reminded me of the closed room mysteries of the past with all of the interesting suspects and settings. Gemma seemed particularly single-minded in her investigation, and wouldn’t stop until she learned the truth. This story kept me guessing until the big reveal at the end. I received an advanced reader’s copy from NetGalley. This is my honest review.


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Book Review!

 

Gathering Storm by Sara Claridge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Published in 2015. Madeline always believed that love was an illusion. When she becomes stranded during a thunderstorm, reclusive tycoon Jean-Luc comes to her rescue. They both travel across France to help Madeline’s mother from a larcenous ex-boyfriend, and find their true passion is being together.
This was a sweet, quick read with an exciting ending. The relationship developed rather quickly between Madeline and Jean-Luc, but I felt the chemistry between them. I loved Madeline’s mother, and wish her character was written about more. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to read a fun, romantic story. I received an advanced reader’s copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Book Review!

 

Bake, Borrow, and Steal by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Ashland, Oregon, Jules and her team at Torte are working on a big event. They’ve been invited to create chocolate showpieces for the opening of a new exhibit, Shakespeare’s Lost Pages at the local museum. The museum is getting ready to unveil the Bard’s lost manuscript, Double Falsehood, which is being advertised as the greatest artistic discovery of modern times. Torte is also creating a historically accurate feast for the guests. Once the massive works of chocolate art are safely installed at the museum, Jules can let out a sigh of relief and enjoy the excitement of the grand celebration. But her relief is short-lived when news begins to spread that Shakespeare’s lost manuscript is missing. Then, the security guard tasked with keeping the priceless artifact safe has been murdered. When a family friend is charged with murder, Jules is on the case to find the culprit and the missing manuscript.
I loved this cozy mystery. The characters are likeable, and the setting makes me want to visit and spend some time eating. The plot was enjoyable, and full of red herrings and clues that kept me guessing. The romantic subplot is a wonderful addition to the mystery. This book can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend it for anyone who loves a good mystery. I received this advanced reader’s copy from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.


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The Binge Your Bookshelves Reading Challenge!

Do you have so many books on your (virtual or otherwise) bookshelves that you will never be able to read them all? If you do, you can join me in a new challenge. You can find the details from LizziefayeLovesBooks on her YouTube video here: Announcing the Binge Your Bookshelves Challenge - YouTube. Happy Reading!

Book Review!

 

Midnight Snacks are Murder by Libby Klein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Published in 2018. Poppy is a busy woman trying to get her gluten-free baking business off the ground and helping her aunt remodel her old Victorian into a bed and breakfast in Cape May, New Jersey. When her Aunt Ginny starts sleepwalking on her new sleeping pill prescription and helping herself to neighbors' snacks and knickknacks, Poppy is alarmed. When a local humanitarian who worked with troubled teens is found murdered, the police suspect Aunt Ginny. Poppy believes that someone's trying to frame her. She will need to work tirelessly to uncover the killer and keep her aunt out of the big house.
I really enjoyed this cozy. It has a wonderfully puzzling plot which kept me busy guessing whodunit until the very end. The humor and romance littered throughout the mystery lightened the intensity and made this story a comfort read. The main character is an intelligent woman who survived tragedy and is rebuilding her life. Reading these stories puts a smile on my face. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story.


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