THE KNIFE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

3.5 stars out of 5

Despite not being a huge fan of cozy mysteries, this series is a favorite - largely because for once the main character is a real woman, not a ditzy female who never listens to reason, and the stories always are intriguing and relatively fast-paced. This one, too, was enjoyable, but it was noticeably lacking in the usual pizzazz. 

Yes, there's a murder in the small California coastal town of Lighthouse Cove (make that two murders, in fact); but those events take up a only a few pages - the rest mostly filled with characters running around talking about how much they like (or dislike) each other. Even the relatively brief reference to a current real-life trend (a particular concern for online shoppers) ends up with a not-quite-realistic conclusion and seems more like an afterthought than part of the plot.

Shannon Hammer is an accomplished builder with her own construction firm (for those not familiar with the series, yes, that's her real last name). It won't be long till she marries her true love, MacKintyre Sullivan, who's a successful writer of mystery novels (though it's a mystery to me when he finds the time to do much writing). This book takes place a few weeks before Christmas, so the small town is gearing up for the season. That's especially true at the Cliffs Hotel, a restored Victorian mansion (much of it by Shannon and her team) owned by Bill and Lilian Garrison, who apparently have money to burn and are by all accounts the most lovable people on the planet. Bill has asked Shannon to create a "Fun Zone" to entertain locals and tourists for the holidays, and there's plenty of enthusiasm and hoopla surrounding that.

The Garrisons have three grown children, all married to other characters - some of them are perfect like the parents/in-laws, some way at the other end of the lovable spectrum. One beloved son, Logan, has been away as an officer in the U.S. Navy and just returned home, to the delight of everyone.  His wife, Randi, is one of the nasties - she can't seem to tolerate anyone except herself, and Shannon is at the top of her enemy list. Since she's married to the son of the resort owners, though, she's been given a relatively cushy job despite everyone's dislike of her (and she of them). No big surprise, then, when she turns up as the first murder victim.

At this point, I can't reveal much more without spoiling things for others, so I'll say simply that, like almost all cozy mysteries, there's a happy ending (well, except for those two dead people). If you're already a fan of this series, do read it - it may not be my favorite, but it's definitely worth it. If this will be your first, I suggest starting with an earlier book (but then that's what I suggest to all new-to-a-series readeers). As for me, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.

The Knife Before Christmas by Kate Carlisle (Berkley, October 2024); 287 pp.

MURDER CHECKS OUT

4 stars

Many times, I've gone on record as not being a wholehearted fan of cozy mysteries - mostly because the heroines therein tend to be airheads, stubbornly pushing their way into murder investigations even after they've been told by authorities to butt out. Still, cozies do play a role in my life by offering much-needed relief after reading a string of knock-down, drag-out, shoot-'em-up (and worse) thrillers. And I don't recall the last time I read an actual book instead of on one of my e-readers, I'm a huge supporter of libraries and all the wonderful things that happen in them. So when I saw that this book has a bookish focus - and I'd read and enjoyed an earlier book in a different series by the author - well, reading it was kind of a no-brainer. It's the eighth in this series and my first, so I hoped that late start wouldn't put me at a disadvantage; for the record, it did not.

The star of this show is Amy Muir, co-director of the Taylorsford Pubic Library with her friend Sunny. Job-sharing allows Amy to better care for twins Nicky and Ella, whom she shares with her professional dancer/choreographer husband Richard. As the story begins, Richard and his professional partner are in charge of the upcoming community theater production of "The Nutcracker," in which the 5-year-old twins have roles. The couple also awaits a visit from Richard's mother, who isn't, shall we say, the most lovable person on earth (but she adores the twins and they her).

The chairwoman of the overall holiday festival in town also is not much beloved, since she heads up a company that's running roughshod over property owners with the intent of building upscale development projects. But when she's found dead by the hand of someone else, one of the suspects turns out to be Amy's brother, Ethan, who lives with his husband Scott and oversees the town's volunteer fire department. When Ethan suddenly goes missing, he suddenly becomes law enforcement's primary target.

Amy, understandably, is certain her brother is innocent - and in between shuffling the twins to rehearsals and from babysitters to babysitter, working and prepping for what is expected to be a stressful MIL visit, she sets out to prove it. Accomplishing that, she says, will require her to put to put all her "research skills" to the test - though honestly, based on what I read, said skills seemed to be limited to Google searches that most seventh-graders could do. Overall, though, Amy is a likeable, competent person; and while there's very little dangerous action going on - the bulk of the story is about the daily comings and goings of her and her family interspersed with a few hints as to who the culprit might be - I really enjoyed the reading experience. No blood, no guts here - the most "rugged" parts were the times Amy got annoyed enough to swear (well, just in her head a couple of times till she finally let one actually get past her lips). There's a titch of danger near the finish line, when everything comes together to usher in an "all's right with the world" ending.  

All told, it's a perfect book to read, especially over the holiday season (a gift, perhaps, for someone one your list? I'm sure they'd love it too). As for me, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to sample a series I'm now looking forward to reading more of. Well done!

Murder Checks Out by Victoria Gilbert (Crooked Lane Books, November 2023); 262 pp.

THE TWELVE BOOKS OF CHRISTMAS

3.5 stars out of 5

Make no mistake: This is a favorite series of mine, and after reading this latest entry (the 17th), it still is. But I'll also say that if I listed them in rank order, this one wouldn't be anywhere near the top of the "best" list. 

And why might that be? Mostly, I think, because it's more pomp than circumstance. The plot lacks pizzazz (or much of anything of substance), and there's way too much exposition and lengthy description of what people are doing, where they're going and what they're eating. Even the ending, while it did wrap everything up nicely, was a bit underwhelming.

Venting aside, though, it's still an entertaining read; I seriously doubt this talented author could ever write a dud. The story here begins as Brooklyn Wainwright, a book restoration expert, has moved to Sonoma wine country with her handsome husband, security consultant Derek Stone. In the midst of pre-Christmas celebrations, she gets a call from good friend Claire, who is in Scotland preparing to marry Cameron, a castle laird - and she wants Brooklyn and Derek to serve as their witnesses. Amid all the excitement, it's also decided that Brooklyn's parents (her mother is active in a local druidic Wiccan group) will tag along as well. Claire also hopes that Brooklyn will help solve a mystery: a dozen Christmas-related books, some quite valuable, have gone missing from the castle library - which is open to the public.

As might be expected, not everything goes exactly as planned; the young woman hired to maintain the previously neglected library doesn't seem up to the task; strange things go bump in the night, and the women of the town, located on the banks of Loch Ness, haven't exactly warmed up to the notion that Claire will be the lady of the castle - now or ever. On the plus side, thanks to the loyal keeper of the castle and her competent staff, no one will ever go hungry; at every opportunity, delicacies (and of course, tea) appear almost from nowhere.

But alas; also from nowhere appears a dead body - followed not long after by a second one. Those discoveries, needless to say, force a wedding postponement and an investigation that, of course, is joined by Brooklyn and Derek (though the former is still focusing on the missing library books). Also of course, that's where I must stop; revealing anything more could spoil things for other readers. That said, this is a cozy mystery; I've yet to read one in which things don't work out well for the main characters, and this one's no exception. And Brooklyn remains a bit of an anomaly among cozy heroines; she doesn't go off on tangents, plays nice with the police and doesn't have a "sidekick" to whom she listens instead of the voice of reason (and for that, I'm eternally grateful and a loyal reader). I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this one. 

The Twelve Books of Christmas by Kate Carlisle (Berkley, October 2023); 319 pp.

DEWEY DECIMATED

4 stars out of 5

I've read books in other series that are set in and around libraries, but this one has something the others don't: A resident ghost. And quite honestly, when near the end one of the characters agrees to not say a word to anyone else about the ghosts (actually, there are two of them), he adds, "Besides, who would believe me?" my response was something like "For sure not me." But credibility aside, it's a creative and entertaining way to add some spice to the usual cozy mystery formula.

This one, the sixth, begins as construction does likewise on an addition to the Clover Ridge, Connecticut, public library at which Carrie Singleton is in charge of programs and events. Rumor has it that the to-be-refurbished building that will house the addition is "cursed," and when a well-hidden dead body turns up that's deemed a murder, suspicions move closer to reality. Evelyn, the resident ghost, doesn't seem too surprised - at least not until another ghost, a man, turns up. Like Evelyn, Carrie can see and speak with him, but he has no memory of who he is or from whence he came.

Being the heroine of a series, Carrie has plenty of experience, albeit unofficial, solving local crimes; she makes a half-hearted effort to keep her nose out of this one (which no doubt readers of previous books know ain't gonna happen). Carrie's finance, private investigator Dylan, knows it as well and seems accepting, while her friend, police Lt. John Mathers, is a little less tolerant. 

Concurrently, Carrie is appointed to the town council  (a detail a bit hard for me to swallow given her age and lack of political experience), and one of her first orders of business involves collectively deciding on the fate of a nature preserve that's now legally available for repurposing. As might be expected, which future direction the project will take creates quite a furor among the council members, all of whom seem to have their own agendas.

Amid all this, the dead man is identified as Dylan's uncle Alec - and surprise (well, not really) - that's his ghost wandering around in the library. As the investigation starts to get serious, a local TV newscaster starts force-feeding her presence into the action (apparently, she's the requisite cozy "friend" who pesters the heroine and leads her into places she probably shouldn't go). Little by little, clues reveal why Uncle Alec was murdered - but it's also clear he won't leave this world until every piece of the puzzle is in place. Little by little, the chapters proceed to put them there.

All told, it's a clever and fun story that cozy lovers should love (for the record, it stands alone well; I've not read any of the others and had no problem following along). I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy (and for learning a new word - "gawp." At first, I thought it was a typo that should have been "gawk"; looking it up proved that by golly, I can be wrong.

Dewey Decimated by Allison Brook (Crooked Lane Books, September 2022); 328 pp.

A DARK AND STORMY TEA

3 stars out of 5

This is a new-to-me series, although I'm not sure how I've managed to miss it since this is the 24th installment. But with a tea shop, a bookstore and murder involved, I couldn't pass up a chance to try a sample. The Indigo Tea Shop in Charleston, South Carolina, is owned by Theodosia Browning, capably assisted by tea sommelier Drayton and young chef Haley. Judging from the extensive food and drink selections at various times of day, it appears that the shop does a thriving business (and made me wonder how on earth Haley could produce such delicacies in such quantity and timeliness when she's basically all alone in the kitchen). But on the fateful stormy night when the story begins, Theodosia walks past a cemetery and, through no fault of her own, sees what she believes is a woman being murdered right before her fog-clouded eyes.

And she's right; turns out the victim is the daughter of the aforesaid bookstore owner just down the street. As the police - including Theodosia's boyfriend, Detective Pete Riley - begin their investigation, similarities to the work of a known serial killer who was active in the area some seven years earlier. An amateur sleuth, Theodosia is eager to do some investigating on her own, but she's cautioned against doing so by Pete and his police cohorts (as is customary in every cozy mystery I've ever read). And just as customarily, Theodosia ignores their warnings and sets out on her own. After all, you see, the victim, an intern at a local TV station, was the daughter of a friend, who asks for Theodosia's help.

To be sure, there's no shortage of suspects - ranging from a former boyfriend to a neighbor who's writing a true crime book to a big real estate developer who's intent on making his mostly unwelcome mark on the historic neighborhood. Theodosia convinces herself each one is the killer, searching for clues to bolster her suspicions at least till the real police find real evidence of their innocence. The requisite ditzy cozy heroine sidekick - the one who's usually obnoxious and headstrong - makes herself known a couple of times, but she doesn't have much of a role in this story. Neither does Theodosia's boyfriend Pete, actually; in fact, they don't seem to have much of a relationship (I'm new to this series, so I'll assume he is as well).

Of course, Theodosia's unauthorized poking around doesn't sit well with the killer, who would very much prefer to be left unidentified. And that, also of course, spells big trouble for Theodosia, "forcing" her to resort to all kinds of devious activities - and one that's downright illegal, which certainly doesn't sit well with me - to get what she's after. The trouble that ensues and how it all ends I can't reveal, but I can say that when it does end, foodies whose mouths watered over some of the scones and tea sandwiches mentioned liberally throughout the book will be delighted to find recipes and other tea-related resources. All in all, it's a fun story that's not too scary to read sitting alone in a big old house in front of a cozy (pun intended) fire. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the pre-release copy to read and review.

A Dark and Stormy Tea by Laura Childs (Berkley, August 2022); 316 pp.

A FATAL BOOKING

4 stars out of 5

This is the third book in what is a new-to-me series, and I don't expect it to be my last. It's always refreshing to find a cozy heroine who keeps her wits about her, doesn't go off on tangents that put her life and those of others in jeopardy and (gasp!) actually works with and respects law enforcement.

Such is the happy case with Charlotte Reed, a former English teacher who now runs Chapters Bed and Breakfast in a North Carolina harbor town. Aided by her trusty housekeeper Alicia Simpson and chef Damian Carr, she's hosting a book club retreat that promises to be fun because it will focus on classic children's literature. But as the guests arrive, it becomes clear all is not well in fairy tale land; in fact, their primary form of interpersonal communication seems to be bickering. Even worse, a local boat captain warns Charlotte that one of the guests has, shall we say, a rather shady background.

Still, Charlotte is determined to make the best of it - and things manage to go well until they don't: that shady guest turns up dead during the Mad Hatter tea party in the garden - a victim, it appears, of cyanide poisoning. That's an aha moment, at least until it becomes clear that most of the book club guests have relatively easy access to the poison. Whoops!

Charlotte begins to investigate, with the help of her next-door friend Ellen, who has a secret background as a secret agent (as does the relative who left the house to Charlotte in her will). Mostly missing in action is Charlotte's main squeeze, Gavin Howard, also an agent who is away on assignment until close to the end of the book to lend his expertise to the case (and to Charlotte, but in a different way). 

All in all, it's a delight to watch the story unfold as Charlotte follows clues where they lead (always, as I mentioned previously, sharing her findings with the police). There's a little too much repetition as various characters mull over who could have done what and when to my liking, but it all works out in the end (which also brings the revelation of possible new directions for a couple of the main characters, making me even more eager to read the next installment. Till then, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.

A Fatal Booking by Victoria Gilbert (Crooked Lane Books, June 2022); 304 pp.

A DEADLY BONE TO PICK

4 stars out of 5

Be still my happy heart: I read almost all the way to the end of a cozy mystery before realizing it's a cozy. Why? It's missing all the annoying hallmarks of other cozies: No hand-wringing heroine who won't listen to reason. No wacked-out loud-mouthed friend who gets her into even more trouble . No paranoia, questioning everything every other character says and does or waffling between two hunky guys. Better still, apparently it's the first of a series. My reaction? Thank you - and bring on the next one quickly, please!

That's not to say that Molly Madison isn't carrying around some serious baggage; after her husband's demise - for which some still blame her - the former Massachusetts police officer and private eye has moved to coastal California, taking very little except her beloved golden retriever, Harlow. Even before she gets settled in her new digs, she gets a visitor - in the form of a huge, exceptionally slobbery Saint Berdoodle (that's a blend of St. Bernard and, well, you know). Turns out he belongs to a down-the-street neighbor who is happy to share a dog he doesn't care much for anyway.

A practiced dog trainer (who shares her expertise with readers, a plus for dog-lovers), Molly tolerates the drools and takes a shine to Noodle  - as does Harlow. On a beach walk, though, Noodle starts digging around, triumphantly retrieving a human hand. Uh, oh, Molly thinks - time to call the cops. When she does, she bumps into perhaps the only similarity to most cozies: A cop with an ax to grind, and it's name is Molly - and his sympathetic, good-looking sidekick who steps in to dull his partner's blade.

After that, nothing much goes according to plan except Molly's training schedule for Noodle - approved by his emergency doctor owner - and training sessions for the dog belonging to super-smart eight-year-old Amy, whose parents are, shall we say, less than attentive. This is followed by a couple of neighborhood murders (which, of course, that unfriendly cop would love to pin on Molly if he could just figure out how). The closer Molly gets to the truth, though, the more she puts her own life in jeopardy.

The whole thing is an engaging romp with plenty of action from both people and canines, for which I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the privilege of reading and reviewing. For those who enjoy an entertaining, well-written book, I have this advice: Sit. Stay. Read!

A Deadly Bone to Pick by Peggy Rothschild (Berkley, February 2022); 304 pp.

A DEATH AT SILVERSMITH BAY

3.5 stars out of 5

I'm such a huge fan of this author's Lord and Lady Hetheridge cozy mystery series that I was thrilled to discover this one featuring special collections librarian Jemima Jago. It was entertaining - especially after a noticeable improvement after the second half or so - but I can't say I'm super eager to read another one.

That may be in part because I haven't read any others - this is the third in the series. And while it stands alone fairly well for the most part, the references to events that clearly happened in previous books left me wishing for a little bit more detail (like how is she able to hold down a job at which she works only a couple of hours a week and from which she can take big chunks of time off). Add in some glitches like a character who's unable to use a cell phone because of a dead battery only to pick it up and make a call 15 minutes later, and I was left scratching my head more than once.

All that aside, the story itself is intriguing. Jem has just returned to Penzance, where it appears she has a flat and a job, after weekends spent on the Isles of Scilly, where apparently her investigative skills earned her the nickname "Scilly Sleuth" (that struck me as kind of scilly, truth be told, but then this is a cozy and such things aren't all that unusual). Anyway, Jem returns to a flat that stinks to high heaven because, she discovers, there are bags of garbage in her bathtub. Besides that, there's a cat who seems to have made himself right at home and a young woman who turns out to be Jem's eight-years-younger sister Tori - and the less said about this wench the better. But worst of all, there's a bloody weapon in one of the trash bags. The aforesaid Tori, who's basically been passed out drunk, comes up with an explanation for how the garbage bags got where they are, but Jem isn't buying it for an instant (nor would any sane person). Bottom line for me from that point on was whatever Tori gets, she deserves; Jem seems to have a forgiving streak, but Tori gets zero sympathy from me and for sure would get the boot if she tried to hunker down at my place.

Amid all the brouhaha with the garbage bags - Jem finally does call in the cops - she and her good friend Micki go to visit a local bookstore and find the owner, who's Micki's former sister-in-law, rather dead. And wonders never cease: It looks as if she's been hit in the head with a weapon eerily similar to the one in Jem's garbage bag. Since the police seem to be having a tough time investigating on their own - another thing that somehow always happens in a cozy mystery - Jem decides to take matters into her own hands (ditto). She gets some help from a childhood sweetheart who's still sweet, making things a little confusing for Jem since she's hot to trot for another potential sweetheart I assume became that way in previous books. Oh my, however will she choose?

I won't answer that question, nor will I serve up details of the investigation that comes to a conclusion during a sort of intervention in that aforesaid bookstore. Overall, it's rather a fun book, but I strongly suggest that to get the most out of it, readers should start at the beginning. As for me, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for offering me a pre-release copy to read and review.

A Death at Silversmith Bay byEmma Jameson (Bookouture, February 2022); 256 pp.

LONG OVERDUE AT THE LAKESIDE LIBRARY

3 stars out of 5

A good plot that held my interest; wish I could be as complimentary about the two  main characters. To be sure, they fit the "cozy mystery heroine" mold perfectly - one has emotional baggage from the past, a great job, friends who love her and a penchant for investigating things that go bump in the night - or in this case, in an ice-fishing shanty. The other is loud, obnoxious, doesn't know the meaning of the word no and shoves her way into everyone else's life even when it's not appreciated. The first, Rain Wilmot, wouldn't be quite so hard to take if just once in a while she'd grow a backbone instead of caving to her friend Julia's outrageous demands; Julia, however, is beyond redemption.

Put together, they bring a whole new meaning to going off the deep end. That there are no consequences for their downright illegal behavior makes the whole thing even more of a travesty. That they laughingly agree to lie to the police if necessary to keep from going to jail because they broke the law, well, that crosses a line that, at least IMHO, shouldn't be crossed.

All that said, I'll return to that good plot - which makes for an entertaining book for those who don't share my concerns (this one is, for the record, the second in a series; I did not read the first, but I never felt at a disadvantage because of that). Rain has decided to live year-round at her family's log cabin compound on Pine Lake, Wisconsin; she runs the Lofty Pines library, attached to her house, which now will be open all year. It's winter, so the small community is preparing for an ice fishing tournament and "chili dump." Rain has hopes that her neighbor, Nick, will win the tourney - he's married to her best friend, the aforementioned Julia (he seems like a really nice guy, so what he sees in her is a not-so-cozy mystery). But before the competition can ramp into full gear, something awful happens: a local man, Wallace Benson, is found stabbed to death. The problem? He was seen arguing with Nick, who shows up with a nasty cut on his hand. When what may be the murder weapon - a fishing knife - is discovered in Nick's tackle box, he gets arrested.

Julia, needless to say, is determined to prove her husband didn't do it; Rain, who knows Nick well, agrees he's innocent. So, the two women, plus Julia's brother and local police officer Jace, set out to gather evidence. Mostly, though, they just talk about it - and spend even more time talking about the snowstorm that's apparently one of the worst to hit the Badger State in years. The storm's fury is exacerbated because Nick handled snowplow duties for the locals, but being jailed put rather a kabosh on that. The solution for that comes when one of the two potential love interests for Rain gives Julia five minutes of instruction on how to operate the plow so when she's not blabbing about the sleuthing she thinks they should be doing and how bad the storm is, she can pitch in (which, if I recall correctly, she actually does only once, when it serves her own purpose).

Toward the end, the action picks up as another tragedy strikes, making the case against Nick less of a sure thing and putting the lives of Rain and Julia at serious risk. Nope, no details from me - all I'll disclose from this point on is that I received an advance copy to read and review from the publisher (via NetGalley). For the rest, you'll have to get your own copy and find out for yourself.

Long Overdue at the Lakeside Library by Holly Danvers (Crooked Lane Books, February 2022); 304 pp.

ABSENCE OF MALLETS

4 stars out of 5

This is the ninth book in the author's "Fixer-Upper" series; my acquaintance - and love - began with the sixth, and I've remained a loyal and happy reader ever since. It's refreshing to find a cozy mystery heroine, in this case professional contractor Shannon Hammer (yep, that's her real last name), who isn't oblivious to anyone other than herself and actually listens to reason. Growing up with a father who could build and/or repair just about anything, as did Shannon, gives me yet another way to relate - I just wish he'd taught me more than how to drive a nail and paint fence boards.

This one brings a happy circumstance: Shannon and hunky thriller writer Mac Sullivan are cohabitating. Shannon, who specializes in Victorian style, is working on a project to build 50 tiny houses for homeless or needy veterans, with half - plus a community center- already in place and occupied. In addition to writing his next book, the wealthy Mac has turned the historic lighthouse mansion into a retreat for writers. Still another project, started in a previous book, is restoration of part of a former insane asylum to become a posh hotel for Shannon's friend Jane. Shannon's sister Chloe, also a contractor but one who hosts a popular TV show on the West Coast, is married to local police chief Eric and commutes on occasion to visit Shannon (and, of course, her husband). 

As this one begins, work is progressing on the veterans' project, and Shannon is about to start teaching a class on building basics for women. Mac is hosting a small group of writers, one of whom turns out to be a boorish loudmouth named Lewis, who rankles just about every human he meets, including Mac and Shannon. Chloe is home for a visit, and everything seems to be going along swimmingly until the unthinkable happens: Shannon's new friend, a female veteran who's agreed to lend her talents to the housing project, turns up dead near Mac's shuttered-for-restoration lighthouse. The weapon appears to be one of the mallets the woman used in her art projects (hence the title of the book, I assume).

It's pretty clear there's a murderer among them all, but no one wants to think it's one of the veterans. Could it be one of Mac's guests at the writers' retreat? Or even Shannon's old nemesis from back in high school, who's beyond obnoxious to everyone? Everyone, from Shannon to Mac to Chloe and Eric, start investigating - but their efforts don't turn up much except the possibility that one or more of them may be the killer's next target.

Of course, all the details get hammered out in the end, but not without a bit of breath-holding on the part of this reader, at least. I have to say a couple of the characters in this one seemed borderline silly, but the whole thing was a treat as always (I love reading details of the construction trade) so I don't hesitate to recommend it. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

Absence of Mallets by Kate Carlisle (Berkley, December 2021); 304 pages.

ONE FOR THE HOOKS

4 stars out of 5

Fifty-ish widow Molly Pink returns home to find the back door wide open and her precious pets outside - clearly, someone's been inside. She's got a phone. Does she call the police? Does she go pound on her neighbor's door for help? Nope. She picks up a makeshift "weapon" and charges inside all alone. Right off the bat, nonsense typical of the heroine in a cozy novel - and the biggest reason I don't exactly cozy up to the genre. With a heavy sigh, I thought to myself this was the start of a pattern for disaster. 

But I love to crochet, which is what attracted me to the book in the first place - so I kept going. And I'm happy to say that in very short order, Molly, and an entertaining and clever plot, had me hooked. Not only is she the organizer of the Tarzana Hookers crochet group, she's developed a bit of a reputation for sleuthing (honed, no doubt, in the 13 previous books in this series). When a friend tells her that a local homeowner wants to get rid of an enormous amount of yarn, she consults with the owners of the California bookstore at which she works (in part managing the yarn shop inside), and off she goes for a looksee. The owner, who inherited the property, wants to turn part of the house into rental units - and the first thing Molly learns is that the neighbors are in a snit about it. 

But then, the woman who is helping the owner get the rooms ready to let gets bombarded by a drone - first by hitting her on the head and, as she falls, dropping a huge pile of smelly garbage on her. To the rescue comes Molly's former BFF, homicide detective Barry Greenberg. Since their breakup, he's been keeping his distance, but there are hints that the old flame could rise from the ashes at any given minute even though Molly has a new main squeeze named Mason, lawyer to the stars. He's hot to trot toward marriage, but so far she's holding steady at a canter.

Meantime, the older of Molly's two sons has unexpectedly returned home to quite literally take over her house, complete with a pregnant significant other and an attitude that would guarantee I'd kick him to the curb (if Molly has a fault, it's that she can't seem to say no to anybody). But since she spends a lot of time at work, sharing stories with her crocheting buddies and out following clues on behalf of her once-loved detective, she seems content to let her son have the run of her place. 

I was bothered a bit by some repetition - descriptions and utterings by characters in one chapter that had appeared in earlier chapters. But all's well that ends well, bringing a few gasps and a twist that most likely will get the attention of series readers (as for me, I was just happy that she finally said yes to something). The end also brought a couple of nice surprises, one in the form of a tasty-sounding recipe and the other the pattern for the "Serendipity scarf" that was featured in the story. Overall, I'm very happy to have read it - and yes, I'll be watching for No. 16. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. Good job!

One for the Hooks by Betty Hechtman (Crooked Lane Books, August 2021); 320 pp.

A SCONE OF CONTENTION

3.5 stars out of 5

Newly married to Nathan Bransford, a detective with the Key West, Florida, Police Department, Hayley Snow writes food-related articles for the island's Key Zest publication. When the couple gets a chance for a real honeymoon in Scotland to visit Nathan's sister Vera and her husband, William, she sees an opportunity to bring stories of Scottish fare back to tempt Key Westians. Then, because of their elderly but spunky houseboat neighbor Miss Gloria's family ties to the country - and that it might be her only chance to see it - they offer to take her along. Just before they leave, one of their local friends ends up in hot water with the police, making Hayley a little reluctant to leave.

Although Scotland is welcoming, Nathan's sister is far less so; to make matters worse, Hayley's brother-in-law insists on entering a golf tournament with Nathan as his partner - taking him away from her most of the days of their visit, sadly for her (and for readers, who see way too little of him as well). Vera, who's immersed in pulling together a soon-to-be-published book about the "thin places" of Scotland ("where the veil between heaven and earth is lifted"), spends a good bit of her time disagreeing with the production team about the direction the book is taking - a turn for the worse, in her opinion. When Nathan's rather standoffish mother, who has gained tentative acceptance by Hayley but isn't on the best of terms with Vera, shows up as well, she brings the potential for uncomfortable encounters. If I'm honest, I'll say that potential quickly turned into an unpleasant reality; the disagreements and sniping at each other - especially among the book production team - started to get annoying fairly early on. 

At an early-on dinner party for all of the above, one of the guests experiences severe stomach distress - a suspected poisoning. Later, as the group hops on the Falkirk Wheel on their way to their destination of the day, tragedy strikes: A man falls overboard and is killed. When he's identified by police, no one in Hayley's group acknowledges knowing him, but their furtive denials make her think there's more to that story - and the possibility that it was no accident rears its ugly head. Much of the book from this point on centers on descriptions of the group's destinations, detailed bickering among group members and, more pleasantly, Hayley's encounters with the traditional foods of Scotland (recipes for such treats as Shepherd's Pie and several varieties of scones are included at the end of the book).

The only near-edge-of-seat drama happens near the end, when one of member of the group faces a life-threatening situation; that's followed by the tying up of loose ends surrounding the death at Falkirk and publication of the book. Once Hayley and Nathan are back home, her friend's pre-trip tussle with police is sorted as well - but that situation had so little relevance to the rest of the plot that I had to wonder why it was included at all. Oh wait: Maybe it will be fodder for the next book in the series (for the record, this is the eleventh). While I wait for that one, I'll thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.

A Scone of Contention by Lucy Burdette (Crooked Lane Books, August 2021); 336 pp.

A GAME OF CONES

4 stars out of 5

For the most part, cozy mysteries get notice by me only every once in a while as a respite from the tension brought on by the mind-twisting, gruesome mystery/thrillers that comprise my usual (and preferred) fare. I simply have no stomach for the typical whining, paranoid heroines who don't listen to reason, get themselves in trouble and - miraculously - manage to solve the crime du jour (just once, I'd like to find a male in that role; can't help wondering if he'd be made out to be as brainless and exasperating as most of the females are).

I needed such a respite a year ago when I read the first book in this series
, A Deadly Inside Scoop. What piqued my interest? Well, I'm a big ice cream fan; a chain that started in 1945 right in my backyard of Youngstown, Ohio - Handel's Ice Cream  - is a special favorite that gets plenty of my business and has amassed fans all over the country. But the big reason I was curious is that it's set in Chagrin Falls, Ohio - about 50 miles from my backyard not too far from Cleveland that I've visited many times.

The story this time out is similar to the first book, and I must note that plenty of space is allocated to "remembering" events from that one so new readers shouldn't feel lost. Bronwyn Crewse has returned to her Ohio roots from a too-hectic job in too-hectic New York City to renovate, and run, her family's ice cream shop in the picturesque city known for - surprise - its waterfalls. All of the cohorts from Book One are back, and in this case, more's the pity; her friend and employee, Maisie, was downright obnoxious in the first book. Despite my hopes that she'd drop by the wayside, she's back - and this time manages to drag the rest of the bunch down to her level before it's all over.

Bronwyn's family is close, though - from her elderly grandfather to her parents - and it really is a treat to watch their unique personalities interact. New to this one is Aunt Jacqueline, who left town to pursue other interests but has returned with, apparently, a big interest in taking over the ice cream shop and undoing much of Bronwyn's hard work. Needless to say, that causes more than a little headache for Bronwyn, who's sunk a ton of money into turning the shop into a very successful venture and is on the cusp of expanding.

But early on, Bronwyn's concerns turn to a different problem; an "outside" company appears to be buying up land in the close-knit, quaint downtown with the intent of building a (gasp!) shopping mall. Quite a few of the townspeople are upset, to put it mildly, and a public meeting with the developer's representative ends in a shouting match. The representative's personal end, though, comes shortly thereafter; his body is found in a downtown alley - and the primary suspect is one of Bronwyn's best friends who's visiting from New York.

After her experience trying to solve a murder in the first book, Bronwyn is reluctant to get involved in another one. Enter the ever-persistent Maisie, who probably wouldn't be able to sit down and shut up if she were tied to a chair and gagged (please, God, make it happen). She soon convinces Bronwyn and their other close friends and relatives that they and only they can get to the bottom of things (leave it to the police? Fuhgettaboutit). The rest of the book focuses on their plans, some of which don't go much beyond the talking stage, and still others lead up to a conclusion that adds another notch in the belts of the Crewse crew. 

Beyond the ending comes a special treat I expect will continue: recipes for three of the unique homemade flavors of ice cream mentioned within the pages. All told, another mystery that I'm sure will please cozy readers (especially those from the Buckeye State). Thanks once again to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

A Game of Cones by Abby Collette (Berkley, March 2021); 352 pp.

ICE BLUE

5 stars out of 5

Who needs to search the Internet when other folks know the kind of thing you love to read? In this case, I'll give a big shout-out to my cousin Rhonda for recommending this six-book series. The description won me over immediately, and as luck would have it, this one - the first - was available at a price I couldn't resist: Free. The same day I downloaded it, somewhat bored with the free-for-review book I was reading at the time, I opened it on another Kindle. And guess what? For the first time in a while, I polished off an entire book in one day. It helps that's it's relatively short as books go - just 240 pages - but I have no doubt I'd have kept at it no matter what the length. What's more, within an hour of finishing, I downloaded the next two.

In the beginning, the stars of the show, Lord and Lady Hetheridge, aren't quite there yet. Well, Lord Anthony is - he's the Baron of Wellegrave and chief superintendent of the New Scotland Yard. Detective Sergeant Kate Wakefield - who, given what happens in this book and the series description, at some point will become Lady Hetheridge - works for him. Clearly, she's fiesty; just as clearly, he's smitten. But aside from some cheeky comments that belie the classification of this series as "cozy," they both focus on treating each other professionally and solving a murder.

The dead man, gruesomely killed with a fireplace poker, is the husband of a woman once known rather well by the good Lord; from all accounts, he was a nasty sort and no one - not even his wife and daughter - are sorry he's no longer around. Still, it's a murder; so Hetheridge (known less formally as Tony), Kate and her wonderfully entertaining partner Paul Bhar set out to follow the meager clues and interview all who were at the disastrous dinner party earlier on the evening of the murder.

Throughout, Tony grapples with his newfound attraction to Kate, who's half his age (as the book begins, he's about to turn 60). He's far from prudish, but a bit on the reserved side; Kate, not so much. As cozy mystery heroines go, she's a breath of fresh air. She's brash, but sensible - she doesn't second-guess her every move or make truly stupid moves like trying to escape a captor by running toward a dark alley rather than a crowded, well-lit store. Her candor - and insistence on speaking her mind no matter what - are her stock in trade, although those qualities are less appreciated by the Scotland Yard muckety-mucks to whom Tony answers.

You won't learn further details from me, except to say that the case gets solved amid a few wrong turns on the team's part and edge-of-seat experiences for readers (well, me, at least). There's plenty of fodder left for the next book, (which, Lord willing and the creek don't rise, I'll start within the next day or two). Like this one, I expect it will be absolutely delightful! 

Ice Blue by Emma Jameson (Lyonnesse Books, March 2011); 240 pp.

PREMEDITATED MORTAR

5 stars out of 5

As cozy mysteries go, this series never fails to bring a breath of fresh air (albeit infused with the scent of sawdust). I've read three so far - I believe this is the eighth - and thoroughly enjoyed each one.

As this begins, building contractor Shannon Hammer has signed on to renovate and restore a wing of a long-abandoned mental hospital known as the Gables. The wing will become an upscale hotel owned by Shannon's friend, Jane Hennessey; when completed, the rest of the property will become a large retail complex that, hopefully, will attract visitors to Lighthouse Cove, North Carolina. Shannon's main squeeze, successful writer Mac Sullivan, has invested in the hotel project, so she's eager to get started.

But at the groundbreaking ceremony, her hopes are dashed a bit as a group of protesters show up to create a media circus. But wait, there's more: After the protesters disburse and she heads inside to get a better look at what needs to be done during the year-long renovation, someone pushes Shannon into a huge stack of bricks. Once she gets back on her feet - literally and figuratively - she goes back in to check out a hidden space and finds the body of one of the protesters.

From there, it's a merry chase to identify the killer that brings most of Shannon's close friends and her sister Chloe together (Chloe, for the record, has been in a serious relationship with the local chief of police). The investigation takes several turns, revealing previously unknown relationships and the possibility that the murderer might be someone close to Shannon. In between are details of the restoration project and the dark history of the mental institution - all interesting in and of themselves. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the chance to read and review another winner - and now I'm looking forward to the next installment!

Premeditated Mortar by Kate Carlisle (Berkley, December 2020); 304 pp.

THE KEY LIME CRIME

5 stars out of 5

I am not, as a rule, fond of cozy mysteries; give me plenty of blood, life-threatening action and bang-up endings any day of the week. But I'll also say this: There's nothing like a well-written cozy to take the edge off all that gore and angst and provide an enjoyable few hours of reading.

And this is just such a book. Admittedly, I'm new to the series; this is, I've read, the 10th featuring the personable and delightfully unobnoxious Hayley Snow, a food critic in Key West, Fla. I suppose my interest initially was piqued by the setting; honestly, I've never really wanted to visit anywhere in too-hot Florida except for one spot (you guessed it). Maybe it's the Hemingway connection (one of my retired English teacher husband's favorite authors); maybe it's the six-toed cats; maybe it's the chance to be Buffeted by some of my favorite music - I can't say for sure. And I can't discount being able to indulge in one of my favorite desserts, key lime pie. 

Of the latter, there's plenty to go around here (although I must admit that after reading the book I'm more enthralled by the key lime martini, for which the author provides a recipe - among others - at the end). For those wondering if they'll be lost starting with a book so far into a series, my answer is an unequivocal no; I had no trouble whatsoever understanding what is going on.

Hayley, newly married to Key West cop Nathan Bransford, is covering some of the food events being held on the island during the tourist-crowded week between Christmas and New Year's. While their houseboat is being renovated, she and Nathan are living with a somewhat kooky next-door neighbor. All that suddenly becomes complicated when Nathan's mother announces an unplanned visit - starting the very next day. She and Hayley have never met, this is Nathan's busiest time of the year and the houseboat is overcrowded as it is. Not the best time, then, for Hayley to witness a nasty incident involving one of the bakery-submitted key lime pies - and certainly not to find a dead body.

Hayley's innate curiosity kicks in, of course, aided and abetted by that of her mother-in-law and their elderly houseboat hostess. Nathan (also of course) doesn't take kindly to their intrusion into the investigation, but readers of cozies know that only serves as an incentive for the heroine to dig in her heels. Will she learn the murderer's identity without putting herself and her friends in mortal danger? Will Nathan forgive his bride for ignoring his advice? You'll just have to read the book to find out. All I'm willing to do at this point is say thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for letting me read and review this very entertaining book.

The Key Lime Crime by Lucy Burdette (Crooked Lane Books, August 2020); 320 pp.

THE GRIM READER

4 stars out of 5


I've read one other book in this series - this is the 14th - and because I enjoyed the story and characters in that one (the 13th) so much, I was delighted to have the opportunity to read an advance review copy through NetGalley). I liked this one as well, albeit not quite as much. 

In part, I think, it's because main character Brooklyn Wainwright and her new husband and security consultant Derek Stone, somehow seemed more subdued here. And, there didn't seem to be as much emphasis on the how-tos of Brooklyn's work as a bookbinder who specializes in rare book restoration (details in the previous book were fascinating to me, and I'd looked forward to learning more). In fact, Brooklyn, who narrates the story, wasn't even identified until the 11% mark on my Kindle. Another intriguing character popped in and out, but I never found out from whence he came. Because he always calls Brooklyn "Babe," it actually crossed my mind that Ranger, Stephanie Plum's hunky temptation in the popular series by Janet Evanovich, had somehow morphed into this series under a pseudonym).

Once Brooklyn was properly identified, however, it was pretty much all systems go the rest of the way. She and Derek are back in Dharma, where her flower-child-like parents live amid the wineries of California's Sonoma region. Her mother is heading up the community's first annual Book Festival, which will be followed a week later by the grape harvest (her parents own a vineyard). Relationships are strained among some of the committee members, and one particularly nasty character - who's been buying up nearly foreclosed wineries in the area and turning them into producers of (gasp!) box wine - actually threatens Brooklyn's mother at one of the committee meetings.

Not long after the meeting, Brooklyn's mother and Derek's mother find a dead body in the town hall - he's the treasurer for the festival. Further investigation reveals that the committee's bank account - about $70,000 - has vanished. Meanwhile, a local bookstore owner gave a raggedy old copy of "Little Women" to Brooklyn to restore, with the intent to sell it by silent auction at the festival (readers do get a bit of details on the restoration process). Still another murder follows, and from that point on, everything is focused on making the festival a success and finding out who the murderer is - ideally before some other character bites the dust. 

All in all it's an engaging experience, although I'd suggest that newbies read others in the series before tackling this one. That said, the recipes for some of the goodies mentioned in the story are at the end for those who are into such things (truthfully, they sound absolutely delicious; but anything with more than three ingredients doesn't get made at our house). And absolutely, I'll be watching for the next installment!

The Grim Reader by Kate Carlisle (Berkley, June 2020); 336 pp.

A DEADLY INSIDE SCOOP

4 stars out of 5

My taste in mystery/thrillers rarely encompasses

the "cozy" kind - mostly because the "heroine" typically is a woman who has no common sense and charges ahead to put her own life, and sometimes the lives of others, at risk simply because she won't listen to anyone else. This one spoke to me, though, because it's set in Chagrin Falls, Ohio - almost, but not quite, in my own back yard - I've been there many times.

And then I found out the heroine - in this case, ice cream shop owner Bronwyn Crewse - doesn't fit that typical cozy mold, which kept me interested (well, that and an intriguing story that begins when Bronwyn ("Win" for short) bumps into a friendly stranger who claims to have found a lost puppy and is looking for its owner. Not long thereafter, she finds the guy again next to the town's waterfall - where she'd gone to collect newly fallen snow to make ice cream - only this time he's very dead.

She also learns that the stranger not only isn't friendly, but he's a familiar, if unwelcome, person in town. In fact, he's a con man who pulled some shady deals last time he made an appearance; quite a few folks, including Win's physician father, aren't particularly unhappy that he's dead. But when the police get wind of who the guy was and what he'd done, they zero in on her father. Understandably, Win pledges to gather evidence that will clear his heretofore stellar name.

Woven throughout the rest of the book, besides her attempts at amateur investigation, are her efforts to make the just-renovated long-time family ice cream store a success (even in the middle of winter in Ohio) that include a big catering job for the local college. Alas, in the middle of all this entertaining drama is this: Remember how happy I was that Win didn't exhibit that bull-in-the-china-shop attitude common to most cozy heroines? Well, the same can't be said about her friend and part-time employee, Maisie, who is absolutely insufferable - honestly, she's one of the most annoying characters I've run into in a long, long time. I hope she finds a job in New York or California before the next book in this series is released.

Otherwise, though, this is a very enjoyable - delightful, even - book and I look forward to the next one, especially if the author adds some of those yummy-sounding ice cream recipes at the end as she did here. Meantime, thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review it. 

A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette (Berkley, May 2020); 384 pp.

SHOT THROUGH THE HEARTH

5 stars out of 5

...You give love a bad name (said with a nod to one of my favorite Bon Jovi songs from years past) and another to the author, whose easy-to-read mysteries - and the characters in them - have become favorites as well. This one is the seventh in the "Fixer-Upper" series, which features the very capable, intelligent and never wimpy building contractor Shannon Hammer. Those qualities, nearly always lacking in the heroines of most cozy mysteries I've read, made me love her in last year's A Wrench in the Works, so I was super-delighted that my request for an advance review copy of this one from the publisher (through NetGalley) was granted.

Although Victorian restoration is her company's specialty (plus a new line of tiny houses that are becoming quite popular in the real world), it is a barn-raising that brings her to the home of filthy rich Rafe Nash, now retired and starting a foundation to help fund humanitarian efforts worldwide. She's also charged with renovating his mansion and erecting what will be called an Ecosphere, a plant-friendly tower - and most of these projects must be completed in time for Nash's upcoming inaugural Future Global Survival Con that will bring thousands to the property.

She's joined by her capable company team, her tight-knit group of female friends (which includes Marigold, Nash's soon-to-be bride), her hunky ex-Navy Seal and now best-selling writer boyfriend Mac and a few other notables such as her dad and his brother Pete. Add a cadre of "smart mice" - yes, real critters - to the mix (Shannon doesn't fear much, but if she's got a list, these rodents are at the top), and you've got the blueprint for an interesting, hard-to-put-down book.

As the conference gets under way, the barn-raising project comes to an abrupt halt when Rafe's partner in the company he just left - a total jerk - turns up dead as one of the door nails. That incident forms the foundation for the rest of the story, during which yet another body turns up, Rafe's life is threatened and Shannon tries to juggle the barn-raising and worry about her dad's newfound love life with figuring out the murderer's identity and keeping her distance from those dreaded mice. Fast-forward a few ills, spills and chills, and it shapes up to be another one well done. Kudos once again!

Shot Through the Hearth by Kate Carlisle (Berkley, October 2019); 304 pp.

THE LIAR IN THE LIBRARY

3.5 stars out of 5


If it involves a library, it's likely to get my attention; holding that attention is another matter entirely. Clearly, it's a solid series - this is the 18th in the Fethering Mystery books, so just as clearly, plenty of readers are enthusiastic. And fact is, I can't say I didn't enjoy it - I did, and I'd definitely say yes to reading the next one. But for whatever reason, I just didn't feel much snap, crackle or pop.

The story begins at the Fethering Library in West Sussex, where reasonably successful author Burton St. Clair has been invited to speak and promote his popular book. A long-ago friend of Jude Nicholls, who lives in the area, he invites her to attend (part of their long-ago friendship includes a brief affair, but that's not something on which Jude wishes to dwell). She's long since moved on, both figuratively and literally, and she's now a "healer" who uses potions and a touch of psychology to make her clients feel better.

The meet-and-greet session has its ups and downs, the latter of which include a couple of gropes by the not-so-honorary guest; he also manages to antagonize a few others in attendance. That's all well and good and everyone goes home to forgive and forget - all, that is, except one: St. Clair makes it out of the building to his car, but that's as far as he gets before getting very dead.

Needless to say, several people at the library event are not inclined to mourn his demise, including Jude. In fact, once her prior relationship to St. Clair comes to light, she ends up the primary suspect. That, of course, is not okay with Jude; to help ferret out the truth, she enlists the help of her neighbor, Carole Seddon. Apparently, the two women have a history of solving crimes, but their strange, sometimes adversarial relationship was more than a little off-putting to me. Maybe it's because Carole seemed, well, stuffy, while Jude leaned more toward the flower child personality with which it's much easier for me to identify.

The police don't charge Jude with the crime, but they threaten to lock her up if she doesn't back off the investigation (warning the heroine to mind her own business seems to be a staple of the cozy mystery genre). Unlike most of those heroines, though, Jude pays attention; but that warning doesn't apply to Carole, who keeps on digging around. Nor does it stop Jude from investigating the mystery of a missing Polish uncle (a diversion I took to be a clue that the disappearance and St. Clair's murder just might somehow be connected).

Any more details and I'll be in danger of tripping over the spoiler line, so I'll just leave it at that. I will add that while this book stands alone well, I'm pretty sure reading previous books in the series would have added to my enjoyment. And of course, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy. 

The Liar in the Library by Simon Brett (Black Thorn, June 2019); 192 pp.