Cozy Mystery Review ~ The Ghost and Mrs. McClure (Haunted Bookshop Mystery #1) by Alice Kimberly @BerkleyMystery

Print Length: 276 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: February 3, 2004
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
ASIN: B001QWDRV0

Amazon

Penelope Thornton-McClure manages a Rhode Island bookshop rumored to be haunted. When a bestselling author drops dead signing books, the first clue of foul play comes from the store's full-time ghost-a PI murdered on the very spot more than fifty years ago.

Is he a figment of Pen's overactive imagination? Or is the likable, fedora-wearing specter the only hope Pen has to solve the crime?

The Ghost and Mrs. McClure is the first book in the Haunted Bookshop Mysteries by Alice Kimberly, a pseudonym for Cleo Coyle (a husband-wife writing team). Penelope Thornton-McClure is running bookshop with rumors of being haunted. When, during a popular author’s books signing, said author falls over dead, foul play is suspected. When the resident ghost, a former PI murdered in the bookshop, presents himself to Penelope, he informs her that the death of the author was definitely suspicious.

Pen is picking up the pieces of the shattered lives of herself and her son after the suicide of her husband. She’s in a constant battle with her deceased husband’s family on how and where to raise Spencer, her son. They continually infer that she is not the one who should be raising their son’s child. Add in the murder of a popular author in her bookshop and her in-laws jump right on the tragedy. If that wasn’t bad enough, Penelope is now hearing and seeing the ghost of Jack Shepard, a PI who was murdered in that same space way back in the 40’s. If I were Penelope, I’d be losing my mind.

Pen, however, takes her in-laws, the murder, and her resident ghost in stride, as best she can anyway. Spencer is a strong child. His father is dead, his grandparents are continually trying to entice him to come live with them, and now his mother is dealing with a murder in her shop. I love his relationship with his mother and how he refuses to be persuaded against her by his grandparents. The author does a great job writing Jack as a true character from the 40’s, from lingo to clothing choices. He and Penelope get along well and I enjoyed their interactions. This is a great start to a new series, and I look forward to reading the next book.

I obtained a copy of this book to read from my library’s interlibrary loan program.

Cozy Mystery Review ~ Mousse and Murder (Alaskan Diner Mystery, Book #1) by Elizabeth Logan @BerkleyMystery

Print Length: 302 pages

Publisher: Berkley

Publication Date: May 5, 2020

Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC

ASIN: B07WCZPZY7

Amazon

A young chef might bite off more than she can chew when she returns to her Alaskan hometown to take over her parents' diner in this charming first installment in a new cozy mystery series set in an Alaskan tourist town.

When Chef Charlie Cooke is offered the chance to leave San Francisco and return home to Elkview, Alaska, to take over her mother's diner, she doesn't even consider saying no. After all--her love life has recently become a Love Life Crumble, and a chance to reconnect with her roots may be just what she needs.

Determined to bring fresh life and flavors to the Bear Claw Diner, Charlie starts planning changes to the menu, which has grown stale over the years. But her plans are fried when her head cook Oliver turns up dead after a bitter and public fight over Charlie's ideas--leaving Charlie as the only suspect in the case.

With her career, freedom, and life all on thin ice, Charlie must find out who the real killer is, before it's too late.

Charlie Cooke has just come home from California back to Alaska to take over running her mother's diner. She jumped on the opportunity to come home after a relationship disaster, hoping to find solace and strength in her hometown. She was not counting on butting heads with her mom's long-time head cook. Charlie wants to make changes and Oliver resists them every single time. There have been more than one heated argument between them since Charlie came home and took over. Their latest blow-up sent Oliver storming out of the diner. When the police show up in his stead, Charlie can't even believe it when they tell her Oliver has been found dead. His death is suspicious and now Charlie is the prime suspect. 

Mousse and Murder is a wonderful cozy mystery set in Alaska. The weather is cold but the arguments between Charlie and Oliver are heated. His death is a huge blow to the diner but it also brings to light several characters with means, motives, and opportunities to bump Oliver off. The path to discovering the real murderer is twisted and bumpy, leading Charlie in several directions that are dead-ends or just lead to more questions. Who actually was Oliver? Why did he end up in their Alaskan town, working for Charlie's mom? 

The book is full of surprises and twists in the plot the reader will never see coming. I was saddened during parts of the reveal for reasons you'll have to read the book to find out. No spoilers here. The author does a great job with the mystery, the character development, and providing the reader vivid imagery allowing the story to played out like a movie as you read along. The book also has some pretty amazing characters, ones I will definite enjoy learning more about in the next installment of the series.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

Book Review ~ Murder on Pleasant Avenue (Gaslight Mystery #23) by Victoria Thompson ~ @BerkleyMystery

Book Details:

Print Length: 332 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: April 28, 2020
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
ASIN: B07VP1NZH8
Amazon

About the Book:

When Gino Donatelli is accused of a brutal murder, beloved sleuths Sarah and Frank Malloy have to catch a killer who is out to destroy their innocent friend's life in the latest installment of the national bestselling Gaslight mysteries.

A victim is found, brutally murdered and the police are certain they've caught the killer. Their only suspect: Gino Donatelli.

Frank and Sarah know Gino is innocent but the police have a one-track mind. Once Frank struck it rich and left their ranks taking Gino with him, there has been a simmering resentment in the department. And now, someone has pulled out all the stops to make it look like Gino is the only one who could have committed the crime.

With the clock ticking and evidence mounting against their friend, Sarah and Frank will try to unravel a treacherous plot before Gino is sent up the river for good.

My Review:

Even though there are 23 books in this series, Murder on Pleasant Avenue is only the second one I've had the chance to read. I don't usually start a series from anywhere but the beginning because I don't like to miss out on world building and character development. I can say, however, that not having read the majority of the previous books didn't detract from the story. There were things referenced that were unfamiliar to me but in no way caused me to be confused or lack understanding of the current goings-on in the book.

I enjoyed the story and found the mystery behind the kidnapping of women and children, and the accusations made against Gino, to be interesting and full of twists and turns. I enjoyed  trying to figure out who the real culprit was as I read along, since it's clear Gino wasn't the murderer. The path taken to solve the murder is filled with interesting characters, hidden agendas, lies, deceit, and sadness. I was constantly on edge as Frank and Sarah Malloy investigated the Murder on Pleasant Avenue.

I fully plan to go back and start this series from the beginning. I enjoyed Murder on Pleasant Avenue and look forward to properly meeting Sarah, Frank, and the rest of the cast.

I was given a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

Book #Review ~ Death Waits in the Dark (A Writer's Apprentice Mystery, Book #4) by Julia Buckley ~ #CozyMystery @BerkleyMystery @juliabucks

About the Book:

Writer's apprentice Lena London is back and better than ever when her friend bestselling suspense novelist Camilla Graham needs help solving a town murder that hits a little too close to home...

It's summertime, and Lena and Camilla are busy working away while a town vandal runs amok. Things get even more complicated when Jane Wyland pays Camilla a not-so-friendly visit and gives her an ultimatum: reveal Camilla's husband James's family secret, or she will. Lena assures Camilla that nothing will come of the woman's threats, since the family has no secrets to hide.

When Jane Wyland is later found dead, they're convinced that whatever secret she was planning to expose led to her death. With Lena's assistance, Camilla is determined to solve the case before the finger points at her...

Amazon

Print Length: 304 pages

Publisher: Berkley

Publication Date: April 2, 2019

Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC

ASIN: B07FC45PJZ

My Review:

Death Waits in the Dark is another fantastic book in the Writer's Apprentice Mystery series. Having picked up almost where book 3 ended, Lena is living the dream as a co-author to her favorite author, Camilla Graham. With Nikon in police custody and baby Athena back in the arms of her mother, Victoria, Sam's ex-wife, life is starting to resemble something normal....that is until a blast from Camilla's past barges into her home and threatens her with exposure of a family secret unless Camilla, herself, comes clean. The only problem is, Camilla doesn't have an scandalous secrets to admit to anyone so she had no idea what Jane Wyland is even talking about. When Jane is found dead shortly after her visit to Camilla's, Lean knows they have to figure out what the secret is that she thinks ultimately lead to Jane's death.

I love Lena's character and her love and affection for everyone around her. Her relationship with Sam has been taken to the next level and they are so cute together. Lena's relationship with her mentor, Camilla, is one of mother/daughter (at least to me) and there is genuine affection between them - and with Camilla's guy, Adam. I love how Cliff was introduced in book 3 and how he fits right in with everyone in Blue Lake. 

The twists, turns, and red herrings kept my mind actively trying to put the pieces together of this mystery. I didn't feel like there were any dull or slow moments as we spent more time with Lena, Sam, Cliff, Belinda, Doug, Allison, John, and of course, Camilla and Adam. It wasn't until the very end that I was able to put the pieces together and have the "ah ha" moment right along with the characters.

I reviewed a paperback I own.

My Rating:

#Book #Review ~ A Dark and Twisting Path (A Writer's Apprentice Mystery, Book #3) by Julia Buckley @BerkleyMystery #CozyMystery

About the Book:

Writer's apprentice Lena London is happily working on a new collaboration with her idol and bestselling suspense novelist and friend Camilla Graham, but her joy is short-lived when a dark cloud descends upon the quaint town of Blue Lake, Indiana...

Lena's best friend, Allison, is in a panic. On a walk in the woods by her home, Allison discovers the body of her mail carrier, an argumentative man who recently had a falling out with Allison's husband. Lena quickly realizes that Allison has nothing to worry about as the murder weapon points to a different suspect altogether: Lena's embattled boyfriend, Sam West.

Sam was cleared of his wife's murder when she was found alive, and now someone is trying to make him look guilty again. Surveillance video of a break-in at his house shows a shadowy figure trying to incriminate him by stealing the weapon from his desk. Lena and Camilla work on a suspect list, but a threatening note and a violent intrusion at Graham House prove that the devious killer has decided to write them into the plot.

Amazon

Print Length: 300 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: July 31, 2018
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
ASIN: B077CRJ71C

My Review:

A Dark and Twisting Path is another fantastic book in the Writer's Apprentice Mystery series. Having picked up almost where book 2 ended, Lena is living the dream as a co-author to her favorite author, Camilla Graham. Sam is still helping investigate the disappearance of his ex-wife, Victoria's, daughter. The baby is still missing after being kidnapped by Victoria's ex, Nikon and now Sam is the target of a murder set-up.

During the continued investigation into the kidnapping, Lena's bestie Allison, finds their mailcarrier dead in her backyard. Evidence is eventually revealed as to why he may have been killed, especially when the murderer tried to incriminate Sam in yet another death. Fortunately, Sam has a surveillance system and was able to record the break-in and subsequent theft of the murder weapon.

I love Lena's character and her love and affection for everyone around her. Her relationship with Sam has been taken to the next level and they are so cute together. Lena's relationship with her mentor, Camilla, is one of mother/daughter (at least to me) and there is genuine affection between them - and with Camilla's guy, Adam. A new character is introduced and I love how this new person fits right in with everyone in Blue Lake. I love the extra dark tone in which the last few chapters of the book were written and what it means for the rest of the series.

The twists, turns, and red herrings kept my mind actively trying to put the pieces together of this mystery. I didn't feel like there were any dull or slow moments as we spent more time with Lena, Sam, Cliff, Belinda, Doug, Allison, John, and of course, Camilla and Adam. It wasn't until almost the very end that I was able to put the pieces together and have the "ah ha" moment right along with the characters.

My review copy is my own paperback.

My Rating:

Death with a Dark Red Rose (A Writer's Apprentice Mystery #5) by Julia Buckley ~ #Book #Review ~ #Cozy #Mystery ~ @BerkleyMystery @juliabucks

Book Details:

Print Length: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: February 25, 2020
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
ASIN: B07SSQ1M8N

Amazon

About the Book:

Writer's apprentice Lena London is enjoying life in Blue Lake and being newly engaged, but is soon drawn into the terrifying disappearance of one of her closest friends....

Lena is starting to feel like having it all may actually be possible! She and suspense novelist Camilla Graham are busily plotting their next novel and she's got a brand-new diamond ring on her finger thanks to her fiancé, Sam West. The only blot on her Blue Lake life is a strange new corporation that has come to town called Plastisource. They seem to be intent on gobbling up prime real estate and changing the landscape of Lena's lovely adopted home.

When she and Sam get a call from their good friend (and Blue Lake detective) Doug saying that his girlfriend--and Lena's pal Belinda--isn't answering her phone and missed a date with him, they all head out to her home. The trio is shocked to discover that Belinda's purse and phone are at her house, along with a single red rose on her countertop--but Belinda herself is missing. Has she been abucted? Could the strange new corporation play a role in her disappearance? Lena is determined to find out and rescue her friend because she knows that the truth can be stranger and much more deadly than fiction....

My Review:

The Writer's Apprentice Mystery series just keeps getting better and better with each book. I've read all 5 so far and they are truly amazing. I love Lena's character and her love and affection for everyone around her. Her relationship with Sam has been taken to the next level and they are so cute together. Lena's relationship with her mentor, Camilla, is one of mother/daughter (at least to me) and there is genuine affection between them - and with Camilla's guy, Adam. The introduction of Cliff in a previous book also brings a nice, loving component to Sam's life and, in turn, Lena's. 

The mystery in Death with a Dark Red Rose begins with the abduction of Belinda, a friend and the girlfriend of local detective, Doug. What starts out as a missing person snowballs into a mystery full of missing, and presumed dead, employees of a plastics manufacturer who unceremoniously decides to set up shop in Blue Lake, shady characters, peeping toms, and danger no one saw coming. I was wholly engaged in this book and did not put it down unless I absolutely had to (I'm looking at you, day job!).

The twists, turns, and red herrings kept my mind actively trying to put the pieces together of this mystery. I didn't feel like there were any dull or slow moments as we spent more time with Lena, Sam, Cliff, Belinda, Doug, Allison, John, and of course, Camilla and Adam. It wasn't until almost the very end that I was able to put the pieces together and have the "ah ha" moment right along with the characters.

One of my favorite cozy series', I was a glad to be back in Blue Lake and can't wait to visit again.

I was provided a copy of this book to review.

My Rating:

#Book #Review ~ Pop Goes the Murder (Popcorn Shop Mystery, Book #2) by Kristi Abbott ~ #CozyMystery @EileenRendahl @Berkley

Book Details:

Series: A Popcorn Shop Mystery (Book 2)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley

Publish Date: January 3, 2017
ISBN-10: 0425280926
ISBN-13: 978-0425280928
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QIK2Mv

About the Book:

Gourmet popcorn entrepreneur Rebecca Anderson and her poodle, Sprocket, are back on the case, in the second Popcorn Shop Mystery from the author of Kernel of Truth.

Despite Rebecca Anderson’s best efforts to distance herself from her ex-husband, the guy keeps popping up. When Antoine offers to feature her breakfast bars and popcorn fudge on his popular cooking show, she suspects he’s once again trying to butter her up—but the TV exposure for her gourmet popcorn shop, POPS, is too good to turn down.

Things take a shocking turn when the crew comes to Grand Lake to film in her shop, and Rebecca discovers Antoine’s assistant electrocuted in a hotel bathtub. Now the police want Antoine to come clean. Her ex may be a pain, but he’s no killer. So Rebecca decides to bag the real culprit. If she isn’t careful, however, she may be the next one getting burned.

Rebecca cannot seem to shake her ex-husband. She left California for Ohio, providing a very large chunk of the U.S. between them. Unfortunately, he just can’t leave her alone. He shows up in Ohio wanting to feature her popcorn shop on his wildly popular cooking show. Of course, Antoine has ulterior motives, but Rebecca would be remiss in her duties if she let such a fantastic opportunity for her shop and her town slip through her fingers.

When the crew lands in Ohio to begin setting up for the filming, Antoine’s right-hand woman, Melanie, is found dead in the tub in her hotel room. Antoine is implicated, and eventually, arrested for Melanie’s death. Antoine may be a lot of things, but Rebecca knows a murderer is not one of them. She takes it upon herself to figure out who had it in for Melanie and was willing to let Antoine take the fall for the murder.

With a lot of hard work and effort, Rebecca turns up several potential suspects that keeps the reader guessing around every turn. Even with all the potential suspects and their solid means and motives, I still figured out who was responsible for Melanie’s murder long before the climactic scene dramatic reveal. The knowledge didn't detract from the story at all.

The world building is wonderful, and I felt like I was in the story. The author continues character development, providing more details about Rebecca, Garrett, Antoine, Dan, and Haley. Rebecca is becoming more comfortable, has wonderful friends, and a great boyfriend. The absolute last thing she needs is her ex-husband following her around, or the death of one of his crew members to prolong his stay. That sounds a bit insensitive to the death of Melanie and that is unintentional. Rebecca’s insistence on helping prove Antoine’s innocence goes beyond the normal expectations of former spouses.

I enjoyed Pop Goes the Murder. The characters are fun, the mystery is creative, and I love the small-town setting and Rebecca’s popcorn shop.

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

My Rating:

#Book Review ~ Murder, She Wrote: Murder in Red (Murder, She Wrote #49) by Jessica Fletcher, Jon Land ~ #Mystery #MurderSheWrote #JessicaFletcher @BerkleyMystery

Book Details:

Series: Murder She Wrote (Book 49)
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Berkley (May 28, 2019)
ISBN-10: 0451489330
ISBN-13: 978-0451489333

Amazon:

https://amzn.to/35mdfRr

About the Book:

In the latest entry in this USA Today bestselling series, Jessica loses a loved one to unnatural causes and sets her sights on the mysterious local hospital before more people wind up dead on arrival...

Jessica Fletcher's favorite gin rummy partner, Mimi Van Dorn, checks into the brand-new Clifton Care Partners, a private hospital that's just opened up shop in town, for a simple procedure--one that leads tragically, and inexplicably, to her death. Seeking justice in her inimitable fashion, Jessica decides to pursue her own investigation on the hospital and its shadowy business dealings.

On the trail of what initially appears to be medical malpractice, Jessica digs deeper and learns her friend was actually a victim of something far more sinister. Death is bad for business, but murder is even worse, and Jessica will find plenty of both as she races to bring down Clifton Care Partners before someone else flatlines...



Murder in Red is the first Murder She Wrote book I've had the chance to read. I enjoyed the show when I was growing up and loved Angela Lansbury's character. As I read Murder in Red, Angela is who I channeled as Jessica Fletcher, as I'm sure others have done, as well. I found the mystery surrounding her friends and a shady new private hospital well written. I enjoyed the characters, how Jessica was able to ferret out the mysteries and solve the murder of one friend and the disappearance of another.

Clifton Clinic's portrayal as a shady clinic and worthy of such suspicions intrigued me. The entire book, plot, and characters kept me engaged in the story from start to finish. I was completely surprised by the ending and how everything wrapped up. I will definitely be reading more of the books in the series now that I've had a taste.

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

My Rating: