Cozy Mystery Archives – Carol's Notebook

A Dead Herring by Helen Golden

June 5, 2023June 5, 2023 by CarolNo Comments

I admit to having a fondness for country house mysteries, especially when a winter storm has everyone snowed in. Lady Bea is refurbishing rooms at Drew Castle with her business partner, Perry Juke, while her brother, Lord Fred, is hosting a shooting party, so Bea has to mix her work with helping her brother by playing hostess. Then one of the guests, Ben Rhodes, ends up dead, killed in his bathtub. And it's just Bea's luck that DCI Fitzwilliam is the only officer closed enough to get to them through the snow. I thoroughly enjoyed A Dead Herring, as I have the other three in the series I've read. Bea is a wonderful character, smart and persistent. Perry is funny and competent in his own right. I love how he and Simon, his boyfriend/ chef/ former CID officer, help Bea and watch out for her. They make a great trio. The book moves along quickly with the expected clash and attraction...

Misfortune Cookie by Vivien Chien

May 31, 2023May 31, 2023 by Carol1 Comment

Lana and her sister Anna May are visiting their Aunt Grace while attending a food expo. While visiting, they become involved in another murder investigation. The dead woman was their aunt's best friend, and Lana is determined to find the truth, especially if she thinks her aunt is in danger of being a suspect or the next victim. On the one hand, it was nice to see Lana get away from Cleveland. Too many people were dying around Asia Village. It was also nice to have Anna May and Aunt Grace helping Lana out. Anna May and Lana don't always get along well and it was nice to see them at least trying to work together. And Lana is her usual curious, funny, sarcastic self. On the other hand, I prefer Lana at home. I like her surrounded by her friends and family. I miss her sidekick, Megan, and her dog. The mystery was fine, with several suspects, good clues, and a...

A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales

May 27, 2023May 31, 2023 by Carol2 Comments

I didn't realize from the synopsis just how "funny" A Most Agreeable Murder was attempting to be. Comedy can be a tough sell for me - the joke around our house is that I don't have a sense of humor. Which is not true, by the way. This book is trying so hard to be funny, but, especially at the beginning, it strays over the line into silly and annoying. After the murder occurs and Beatrice and Inspector Drake have to work together to solve the killing, it improves. There are a lot of over-the-top twists and turns and several one-dimensional characters, but I found myself enjoying it. I wondered what was going to happen next and who was going to be accused next. It turned out to be a fun, light-hearted read that was different enough to stand out in the sea of historical cozies. There was also maybe a werewolf. ...

A Novel Disguise by Samantha Larsen

May 26, 2023May 26, 2023 by Carol2 Comments

When Tiffany's half-brother dies unexpectedly, she buries him in the garden and then assumes his identity. She sees it as the only way to keep her cottage and money. As a spinster in 1780s England, she has few options. Of course, being two people is quite complicated. When a servant at the palace is found poisoned, a death that looks very similar to her brother's, Tiffany realizes she might be in danger. Tiffany is a great main character. She's determined and funny and loves reading novels, which she was never allowed to do before. She's also very aware of society's inequalities and determined to help when she can. A Novel Disguise is a nice mix of romantic comedy, because of course Tiffany has a love interest and of course hijinks ensue, and murder mystery. It's also very well-researched without showing it off. The details of daily life for both the aristocracy and servants are fit in well. It also shows us a...

Witches in the Kitchen by Danielle Garrett

May 17, 2023May 19, 2023 by Carol2 Comments

Witches in the Kitchen is the first of the in the Magic Inn Paranormal Mysteries series, which is apparently a spin-off of the Beechwood Harbor Magic Mysteries series. I hav never read the Harbor series and didn't feel like I missed anything. I guess some of the secondary characters are from that series originally, but I felt like everyone was introduced well. It's a fun read. Our main character, Blair, discovers she's a witch by accidentally turning into a cat when she is in a life-threatening situation. The Supernatural Protection Agency steps in and she is moved to Beechwood Inn for her safety and to learn more about controlling her powers. I liked Blair. The life she's been leading up to now is a bit boring and a bit lonely. But learning that magic is real has thrown her for quite a loop. She's sweet and nice and caring. The inn's owners, Holly and Adam, are good mentors and the other inn...

Lament at Loon Landing by Josh Lanyon

May 15, 2023May 12, 2023 by CarolNo Comments

Lament at Loon Landing brings a once-famous folk singer to Pirate's Cove. Unfortunately, her comeback performance is surrounded by death threats and dangerous close calls. Ellery's close friend, Dylan who is on the festival committee, asks him to help find out if the threats are real. Ellery's not sure what he's actually supposed to be doing, but he asks questions and tries to keep an eye on things. Then, Ellery find Dylan's girlfriend dead and Dylan becomes the main suspect in her murder. I like Ellery a lot. He's snarky and nice and has an adorable dog. He's also getting used to the whole investigating things, along with the Silver Sleuths. His boyfriend, Jack, is Chief of Police, and of course that makes things both more complicated and easier. I am awfully tired of the cop/detective as the boyfriend/love interest in cozy mysteries. I enjoyed my trip to Pirates Cove. The mystery was fine, but I mostly enjoy the quirky characters...