Cozy Mystery – Page 17 – Carol's Notebook

Much Ado about Nauticaling by Gabby Allan

April 10, 2023April 10, 2023 by Carol2 Comments

Much Ado about Nauticaling is a breezy cozy mystery set on Santa Catalina Island, California. Whitney Dagner has left the corporate world to return to her hometown to help her brother, Nick, run the family glass-bottomed boat tour company and open her own island gift shop. Everything is going well until a wealthy businessman is found in the water, strangled to death. Nick quickly becomes the number one suspect, and Whitney is determined to clear his name. Much Ado about Nauticaling was fine. I liked the small island setting and some of the characters, especially Whitney's grandparents, were charming. Whitney herself was persistent but needs to hone her investigative skills a bit more. Felix, her potential love interest, was almost too perfect. And to be honest I didn't feel like Whitney was special enough for him and her best friend to just up and move for/with her. I did love her cat though. Whiskers is a pretty good partner, The mystery was...

A Hex for Danger by Esme Addison

March 23, 2023March 23, 2023 by CarolNo Comments

Alex Daniels has settled into Bellamy Bay well and is helping out at the family herbal apothecary. Her aunt and cousins have welcomed her with open arms, and she is immersed in her mermaid heritage, learning her skills and unearthing talents. Everyone in town is looking forward to the Mermail Festival. As part of the festival, Neve Ryland, a mural artist, is invited to paint and unveil a mural for the visitors' center. Shortly after the unveiling, Neve is found murdered. Once again, Detective Jack Frazier, Alex's boyfriend, has settled on a person Alex is close to as the main suspect. Honestly, I'm not sure what Alex sees in Jack. We never see them having fun together, just eating and grumping at each other about the cases. He keeps secrets from her, doesn't take her opinions seriously, and looks down on her family business. Granted, Alex is keeping secrets too, but I don't think Jack would believe her if she...

A Beach House to Die For by K. C. Ames

March 22, 2023March 22, 2023 by Carol2 Comments

When Dana Kirkpatrick inherits a Costa Rican beach house from her uncle, the newly divorced woman decides to leave her old life behind and move to Costa Rica. Unfortunately, her cousin, Roy, and his wife are contesting the will. Then Roy is killed, and Dana's the main suspect. A Beach House to Die for was like a mini-vacation. It was sunny and relaxed and the foods sounded delicious, but I think the howler monkeys might drive me crazy. Most of the locals were friendly and helpful. Dana was a good lead character. She's friendly and nice, but pushy enough to get answers. The mystery was fine. I didn't guess who the killer was but probably should have. This was a fun, light read, which is what I expect from a cozy. It has a fabulous setting, quirky characters, a potential love interest, and even a cat....

A Spell for Trouble by Esme Addison

March 21, 2023March 21, 2023 by Carol2 Comments

A Spell for Trouble is the first in the Enchanted Bay Mystery series featuring former risk assessor, Alex Daniels. After quitting her job in New York, Alex accepts an offer to visit her Bellamy Bay relatives whom she hasn't seen in many years. Alex is welcomed into the family with open arms and soon joins her Aunt Lidia and cousin, Minka, working at their apothecary shop. But when a troublesome customer is found dead, Lidia is arrested for the murder. Alex is determined to find out who the killer is and prove Lidia’s innocence. Bellamy Bay is a wonderful oceanside setting and the characters are charming. I loved how the author incorporated Alex's family's Polish heritage into the story. The magic was woven into the plot well and it was nice to learn about how the magic worked and the rules around it along with Alex. A Spell for Trouble was fun. The killer wasn't a surprise, but getting there was entertaining....

Fateful Words by Paige Shelton

March 2, 2023March 2, 2023 by CarolNo Comments

I have read the Scottish Bookshop mystery series from the beginning and look forward to each new addition. I don't think you need to have read others in the series to enjoy this one, but it never hurts either. Delaney is left in charge of a small tour group when Edward and Hamlet take off to London. I don't understand why their reason for going had to be kept secret. I think it was something I would have let my friends/employees know about for a couple of reasons, but I guess it adds to the tension. The tour starts off on the wrong foot, with the manager of the inn where the group is staying falling to his death from the roof. Then, at lunch the next day, one of the tour group goes missing. I'm happy that the remaining three continue on with the tour, although it's probably a questionable decision. I liked the mini-tour of Edinburgh and hearing the...

Foul Play by Helena Marchmont

February 23, 2023February 21, 2023 by CarolNo Comments

Foul Play is a fun addition to the Bunburry series. The story revolves around a lost play by none other than Oscar Wilde, and of course an ensuing murder. Marge is the executrix of her friend's estate so several of our friends, including Alfie, head off to the mansion. We get a good introduction to all the characters before the murder occurs so we have several suspects. The secret hidden in the library is definitely worth killing for. The plot was intriguing and the characters are well drawn. I especially loved the Oscar Wilde fans who descend on the town. I do wish Alfie's love life would get straightened out or let go by the wayside. These stories are short enough, I don't need the mystery given less attention so that we can see more of how bad Alfie is at communicating with women he's attracted to....