Book #Review ~ Death Below Stairs (Kat Holloway Mysteries, Book #1) by Jennifer Ashley ~ @BerkleyMystery

Book Details:

Series: A Below Stairs Mystery (Book 1)

Paperback: 336 pages

Publisher: Berkley

Publish Date: January 2, 2018

ISBN-10: 0399585516
ISBN-13: 978-0399585517

Purchase Link:

Amazon

About the Book:

Victorian class lines are crossed when cook Kat Holloway is drawn into a murder that reaches all the way to the throne.

Highly sought-after young cook Kat Holloway takes a position in a Mayfair mansion and soon finds herself immersed in the odd household of Lord Rankin. Kat is unbothered by the family’s eccentricities as long as they stay away from her kitchen, but trouble finds its way below stairs when her young Irish assistant is murdered.

Intent on discovering who killed the helpless kitchen maid, Kat turns to the ever-capable Daniel McAdam, who is certainly much more than the charming delivery man he pretends to be. Along with the assistance of Lord Rankin’s unconventional sister-in-law and a mathematical genius, Kat and Daniel discover that the household murder was the barest tip of a plot rife with danger and treason—one that’s a threat to Queen Victoria herself.

My Review:

Kat Holloway high demand as a cook affords her the rare opportunity to take a job at Mayfair mansion. Becoming a part of the household of Lord Rankin takes a bit of time, as is to be expected in a new household. As Kat tries to assimilate, blending in proves a bit difficult at times, especially with the various oddities Kat observes. She’s relatively unconcerned with the strangeness if the family stays out of the kitchen - until she discovers the body of her young, Irish assistant in the larder.

Kat enlists the assistance of her friend Daniel McAdam, along with Lord Rankin’s sister-in-law and a mathematical genius friend of Daniel’s, to assist her in finding out who killed her assistant. Together, the four of them realize the death of Kat’s assistant is just the tip of the iceberg. A plot has been hatched that directly threatens Queen Victoria’s reign.

Daniel is more than who he pretends to be and is a great asset to Kat. I love their dynamics. Kat is strong and independent, but she also has a secret that had me breaking down into tears. Daniel is a strong character and I enjoyed his protector-type demeaner and his ability to see Kat is capable and not weak.

The mystery was captivating and had twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. The story kept me engaged, was interesting, and had great characters. The author did a wonderful job creating a historical English mystery with imagery I could visualize and made me feel like I was in the story. I look forward to reading book 2.

My book is a verified Amazon purchase.

My Rating:

#Book #Review ~ Death in Dark Blue (A Writer's Apprentice Mystery, Book #2) by Julia Buckley ~ @juliabucks @BerkleyMystery #CozyMystery

Book Details:

Print Length: 300 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: May 2, 2017
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
ASIN: B01KGZVP0M
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QKmJ4M

About the Book:

In the quaint town of Blue Lake, Indiana, Lena London is settling into her dream job, but someone is making her life a nightmare…

Things are beginning to go right for Lena. She’s got a new job assisting suspense novelist and friend, Camilla Graham. She lives rent-free in Camilla’s beautiful, Gothic house. She even has a handsome new boyfriend, Sam West.

After being under attack by the media and his neighbors, Sam has recently been cleared of suspicion for murder. Journalists and townsfolk alike are remorseful, and one blogger would even like to apologize to him in person. But when she’s found dead behind Sam’s house, Lena must dodge paparazzi as she unravels the many mysteries that threaten to darken the skies of her little town and her newfound love with Sam.



Death in Dark Blue is book 2 in Julia Buckley’s A Writer’s Apprentice Mystery series. Picking up where book 1 ended, Lena and Sam are still trying to find the whereabouts of his missing ex-wife Victoria. He was cleared of her murder, with the help of Lena. There are some out there who still don’t think Sam’s innocent but one blogger in particular feels awful for condemning him. Set to apologize to Sam, everyone is shocked when her body is discovered near Sam’s house. Lena knows Sam wasn’t involved and works to figure out who took the poor girl’s life.

I enjoy cozy mysteries that have more than one mystery. This one has two; the continuation of Sam’s missing ex-wife and the death of the blogger. Separate, yet smoothly written, both mysteries co-exist without overshadowing each other or falling flat.

The setting is interesting and there is continued, wonderful character development. I befriended the characters and felt like I was in the story with them. I was excited for the addition of Belinda, a research librarian. She was such an asset to Lena. There were twists and turns that keep me on the edge of my seat. The author did a fantastic job with book 2 in the series.

My review copy came from my public library’s interlibrary loan program.

My Rating:

New #Book Release #Review: Murder Ink (Victoria Square Mystery, Book #6) by Lorraine Bartlett with Gayle Leeson ~ #CozyMystery @LorraineBartlet @GayleTrent #5Stars

Book Details:

Series: Victoria Square Mystery (Book 6)

Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages

Publisher: Berkley 

Publish Date: December 31, 2019

ISBN-10: 042526601X

ISBN-13: 978-0425266014

Amazon:

https://amzn.to/2QJodv3

About the Book:

The charm of Victoria Square may prove to be only skin deep when murder follows the arrival of a tattoo parlor in town in this latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series.

A tattoo parlor on Victoria Square? Some of the merchants get hot under the collar at the proposal, but could they be driven to kill to stop it? That's what the sheriff's office and Katie Bonner want to know when the building's owner is electrocuted with his own saw.

Meanwhile, tensions rise when a hot chef takes over the square's tea shop. Will Katie have three men vying for her affections, or will her rival take the tea cake?

I started reading this series with Yule Be Dead, book 5 in the series, and I was hooked. When I had the opportunity to review Murder Ink, book 6, I jumped on the chance. I was not disappointed. 

Katie Bonner, owner of Artisans Alley, new proprietor of Tealicious, and head of the Victoria Square Merchants Association, is one busy person and it doesn't look like her obligations are going to lessen anytime soon. Katie's manager of Tealicious quits, leaving her scrambling to fill the position in the three days her current manager, Janine, gives her. Upon the recommendation by Nick and Don, local B&B owners, Katie hires a very handsome chef to manage Tealicious.

At one of the Association meetings, the members learn that one of the buildings is in the process of being sold and being turned into a tattoo parlor. There is an overwhelming sense of alarm and some members end up insulting Paul, one of the new owners who attended the meeting. The next day, Ken, who is Paul's brother, and Ray get into an altercation. Later, Katie attempts to smooth Ken's ruffled feathers and he's basically unreceptive. When he turns away from Katie and begins using a circular saw sparks fly - literally. Ken and Katie are both electrocuted. Katie, fortunately, survives; Ken does not. As the mysterious death progresses, Ray is implicated in Ken's homicide. Katie knows he didn't do it and makes it her mission to figure out who did. The author does a great job parading several potential suspects in front of Katie. Of course, the idea that Ray could be responsible is laughable but there are several business owners who climb on Detective Schuler's bandwagon. Katie finds herself in precarious situations and the object of personal threats. 

During the fiasco with Ray, Katie is having issues with Andy.  Her jealousy meter of his assistant manager, Erikka, is pretty high. Andy does or says several things that absolutely do not help the situation. I'm really unsure if I enjoy their characters together. He's pretty obtuse and she has trust issues. Knowing Katie has issues with Erikka, Andy pulls an awful stunt causing Katie to re-evaluate her life and she makes some decisions more inline with independence. Andy, then turns around and has issues with Brad, Katie's new chef/manager. Really, dude? Between the issues with Andy and her inability to acknowledge Ray's crush, the relationships she has with men are getting tiresome. I've only read this book and book 5 in the series but after reading Murder Ink, I'm leaning toward a possible relationship with Ray for Katie. Andy is nice and everything but there is a connection between Katie and Ray that I, for whatever reason, don't see/feel with Andy.

Katie is a likable character. She is very invested in her town, her business adventures, and the people she loves. When her friends are in trouble she is the first to volunteer to help fix the problem. In most cases, Katie is a very strong character. She has proven she can manage businesses, be chair of the Merchant Association, and aid in murder investigations (even though the local police department wishes she would refrain on the aid part). Katie is also insecure when it comes to Andy and Erikka. Her imperfections make her human and relatable. I enjoy all of the secondary characters and the way the author portrays them. Each person is vital to Katie's successes, whether professionally or personally. 

I enjoyed Murder Ink and can't wait for the next book.

I was provided a paperback of the book to read.

My Rating:

Book #Review ~ A Dark and Stormy Murder (A Writer's Apprentice Mystery, Book #1) by Julia Buckley ~ #CozyMystery #BookReview

Book Details:

Print Length: 301 pages

Publisher: Berkley

Publication Date: July 5, 2016

Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC

ASIN: B016JPTK46

Purchase Link: Amazon

About the Book:

An aspiring suspense novelist lands in the middle of a real crime, in the first in a captivating new series by the author of the Undercover Dish Mysteries.

Lena London's literary dreams are coming true—as long as she can avoid any real-life villains...

Camilla Graham’s bestselling suspense novels inspired Lena London to become a writer, so when she lands a job as Camilla’s new assistant, she can’t believe her luck. Not only will she help her idol craft an enchanting new mystery, she’ll get to live rent-free in Camilla’s gorgeous Victorian home in the quaint town of Blue Lake, Indiana.

But Lena’s fortune soon changes for the worse. First, she lands in the center of small town gossip for befriending the local recluse. Then, she stumbles across one thing that a Camilla Graham novel is never without—a dead body, found on her new boss’s lakefront property.

Now Lena must take a page out of one of Camilla’s books to hunt down clues in a real crime that seems to be connected to the novelist’s mysterious estate—before the killer writes them both out of the story for good...

Lena London is a huge fan of Camilla Graham – so much so that Camilla is Lena’s inspiration to become a writer. When Lena is offered a job working with Camilla, she is over the moon. Lena moves to Camilla Graham’s estate in Indiana where she not only gets to work her dream job, but all amenities are paid for my Camilla, as well. She can’t believe her luck. That luck runs out shortly after accepting the job and taking up residence with Camilla. Lena becomes the subject of small-town gossip and then stumbles over a real dead body in Camilla yard. Lena and Camilla learn firsthand what it takes to locate clues, fit them together, and hope they don’t become the next victims.

A Dark and Stormy Murder is the first book in the Writer’s Apprentice Mystery series. The author sets the tone for the series with likable characters, a solid foundation, and a continued plot line that carries over into at least the next book. I always enjoy mysteries that have more than just the main problem or theme. This story includes another storyline that is almost as strong as the main murder mystery and I loved how the author wove it all together. Separate, yet smoothly written, the two events co-exist without overshadowing each other or falling flat. 

The character development and world building had me befriending the characters and feeling like I was right there with them. I enjoyed the idea of Lena, as an aspiring writer, getting to not only meet the author who inspires her, but also becoming said author’s apprentice. I really enjoyed the mystery-in-a-mystery concept and because I waited to so long to start the series (which I regret) I don’t have to wait to read the next book. Cliffhanger be darned! This is a series I will be continuing. 

I was given a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

Cozy Mystery #Book #Review ~ City of Scoundrels (Counterfeit Lady, Book #3) by Victoria Thompson ~ #Cozy #Mystery @BerkleyMystery

Book Details:

City of Scoundrels

Series: A Counterfeit Lady Novel (Book 3)

Hardcover: 336 pages

Publisher: Berkley

Publish Date: November 5, 2019

ISBN-10: 1984805657

ISBN-13: 978-1984805652

Amazon:  https://amzn.to/2O97Asx

About the Book:

Elizabeth Miles finds herself in a position no con can help her escape. Her beloved fiancé, Gideon Bates, is awaiting his turn in the draft to fight in the Great War. Elizabeth is finding it hard to think of anything else, but Gideon has thrown himself into his work, preparing wills for soldiers before they ship out. Corporal Tom Preston is part owner of Preston Shoes, a company that is making footwear for the army, so he has a rather large estate. He needs a new will, however, because he has just been secretly married to a woman whom his family would never approve. He wants to make sure she and their unborn child are provided for if he does not return.

When Tom is later reported killed, Elizabeth and Gideon learn that the new will has gone missing after Tom's bride revealed her identity to his family. Unless the new will is found and validated, the original will, which leaves everything to Tom's brother, will prevail and the wife and child will get nothing. If Tom's new bride survives, that is. Some terrible threats have been leveled against her, and Elizabeth and Gideon must figure out a way, legal or not quite, to secure Tom's fortune for his wife and child while saving her life in the process.

City of Scoundrels is the third book in the Counterfeit Lady series. This book continues through World War I and Elizabeth and Gideon are waiting for Gideon’s draft summons to fight. Both characters are anxious and Gideon’s too honorable to try to find a way to finagle his way out of his duty. While awaiting his turn, Gideon and the law firm for whom he works, are treating soldiers with kindness and preparing wills in case of the unfortunate actions of war. One will, in particular, is that of Tom Preston, an industrialist who co-owns a shoe factory with his brother and stepmother. Tom is recently married to a woman his family would never approve of, let alone support if something were to happen to him. He takes it upon himself to have a new will drawn up to supersede one his brother insisted upon not too much prior. 

After receiving word of Tom’s unfortunate death, Gideon learns Rose, Tom’s widow, is robbed of both the marriage certificate and the new will. She was also attacked in her own home. Fearing for her safety, Gideon involves Elizabeth to help keep Rose safe. Now, Gideon and Elizabeth must figure out who’s behind the theft and assault and Gideon must figure out how to help Rose secure the part of the shoe factory’s fortune Tom wanted her to have. Unfortunately, what Elizabeth and Gideon encounter goes further than Tom’s scandalous marriage to Rose. 

City of Scoundrels is my favorite book in the Counterfeit Lady series so far. Don’t get me wrong, the first two books are absolutely amazing, but City of Scoundrels has so many emotional moments, plot twists, and truly spectacular moments. The author did a wonderful job with this book in the series and I couldn’t put the book down. I love how the author weaves truly historic events into this series in such a way that I feel like I’m there. The character development continues, and I love the strength written into Elizabeth and Gideon. I highly recommend this series. 

I was given a hardcover copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

#Book #Review ~ A Night's Tail (Magical Cats Mystery, Book #11) by Sofie Kelly ~ #CozyMystery @berkleymystery

Book Details:

Series: Magical Cats (Book 11)
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Publish Date: September 3, 2019
ISBN-10: 0440001137
ISBN-13: 978-0440001133

eBook:
Print Length: 285 pages
ASIN: B07L7SSYYZ

Purchase Link: Amazon

About the Book:

In the charming town of Mayville Heights, librarian Kathleen Paulson and her two cats pounce on clues to catch a killer, in the eleventh installment of this New York Times bestselling series.

Spring is coming to Mayville Heights, and Kathleen’s brother, Ethan, has arrived in town with his band, The Flaming Gerbils. But not everything goes as scheduled when one of Ethan’s bandmates gets into a fight with a man interested in investing in the town. When the businessman’s body is later found, Ethan’s friend is implicated in the crime.

Kathleen wants to help her brother by solving the case, but she has no shortage of suspects from which to choose. Prior to his death, the investor was fighting like cats and dogs with lots of people. If this librarian wants more than a whisker’s chance of solving the case, she will need to rely on her trusty feline sidekicks, Owen and Hercules.

My Review:

A Night's Tail by Sofie Kelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Night’s Tail is the eleventh book in Sofie Kelly's Magical Cats Mystery series and, just like the first ten, is wonderful. The author keeps her stories fresh and original, the characters likable and well-developed, and the scenes and imagery vivid.

A Night’s Tail takes place while Kathleen is organizing a quilt festival inside the library. During the festivities, Kathleen is also hosting her brother Ethan’s band, The Flaming Gerbils. During an evening at The Brick, emotions are heightened when a local man gets into a confrontation with a man about his service dog. This scene in the book just tore at my heart. I don’t tolerate abuse or mistreatment of animals well and reading about the actions of one man toward a dog was upsetting. When Derek, a temporary band member comes to the aid of the man and dog, he ends up in an altercation with the abuser. Later, the abusive man is found dead and Derek is a prime suspect.

I really enjoyed A Night’s Tail. The pacing is steady, and the entire novel is easy to read and understand. Multiple suspects keep the reader guessing and keep Kathleen and Marcus on their toes. The continued world building and character development of Kathleen, her magical kitties, and Marcus, along with the secondary characters, is fresh and original with each installment.

The Magical Cats Mystery series is one of my favorites. I enjoy the lowkey nature of these cozy mysteries. The series keeps me entertained with the human and feline characters, plots, and mysteries. I recommend the series to all cozy mystery lovers. The books are descriptive without going overboard. I feel like I'm in every scene of the story. The books also have the right amount of suspense to keep the reader engaged all the way to the end. The romance included isn't over the top and doesn't overshadow the mystery solving. It's a nice addition to give the story and characters realism.

I voluntarily reviewed a hardcover version of this book.

View all my reviews