The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

 The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

Pages: 382

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This book was such fun to read. Clever insights, short chapters, and a gentle writing style easily guide the reader through several murders. Set in a peaceful retirement village in England, this story unwinds slowly but steadily. We are introduced to the village and its residents by new comer, Joyce. She is excited to learn about the weekly Thursday Murder Club meetings, where three other residents of the village meet weekly to discuss unsolved crimes. Then a local builder is found dead in their village and they have the chance to solve a "live" case happening around them. The reader shares in the discoveries of different characters from chapter to chapter, sometimes reading Joyce's diary, sometimes with detective in charge of the case, other times with random people from the village. But the tidbits of knowledge go together to make a cohesive puzzle with just enough extra "clues" to keep the reader guessing. 

Sleep Like a Baby (Aurora Teagarden #10)

 Sleep Like a Baby (Aurora Teagarden #10) by Charlaine Harris

Pages: 288

Rating: 5 out of 5

Aurora has begun her new adventure in parenting with newborn, Sophie. When Robin is out of town for an author's convention, her new found domestic tranquility is disturbed by a murder and a missing person. Should she call Robin, or can she and teenage brother Philip handle the case?

All the Little Liars (Aurora Teagarden #9)

All the Little Liars (Aurora Teagarden #9) by Charlaine Harris

Pages: 229
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Charlaine Harris returns to one of her first characters, Aurora Teagarden in this cozy mystery. Librarian, Aurora is enjoying her married life, her pregnancy and taking care of her teenage brother, Phillip, when four kids go missing from the area school. Her husband, Robin Crusoe, a bestselling writer start their own investigation to bring Phillip home.

Three Cozy Mystery Series

Just going to put down three fun, quick cozy mystery series that I have read in 2021. The fact that I read all the books in each of these series is a testament to how much I enjoyed them!

Rosie A. Point’s Mission Inn-Possible Cozy Mysteries

Charlotte “Charlie” Mission is a spy who outs her husband as a double agent.  As a result, she is sent into hiding to work as a maid at Gossip Inn, which just happens to be owned and operated by her superspy, ex-agent grandmother. Somehow Charlie’s arrival coincides with a murder spree in her newly adopted community and she and her grandmother must solve each murder so they can both stay under the radar.

Title	Pages
Vanilla Vendetta	208
Strawberry Sin	278
Cocoa Conviction	270
Raspberry Revenge	270
Mint Murder	272
Chocolate Chills	252

Elain Viets’ Dead-End Job Mysteries

After Helen Hawthorne catches her unemployed, unfaithful husband with her neighbor, she divorces him. Then, vowing her ex will never receive another dime from her, she goes on the run, winding up in Florida where she works a series of dead-end, low-wage jobs where she is paid under the table to avoid a paper trail. Somehow or other, each job seems to have an accompanying murder which she has a knack for solving.

Title	Pages
Shop Till You Drop	292
Murder Between the Covers	292
Dying to Call You	292
Just Murdered	292
Murder Unleashed	249
Murder with Reservations	232
Clubbed Together	283
Killer Cuts	284
Half-Price Homicide	274
Pumped for Murder	306
Final Sail	350
Board Stiff	359
Catnapped!	290
Checked Out	304
The Art of Murder	320

 Pepper Frost’s Betty Snickerdoodle Mysteries

Bea Sickles aka Betty Snickerdoodle is the unexpected author of a cozy Christmas stories. But she is also a poker-playing, humorous curmudgeon who loves to solve mysteries ala her role-model Jessica Fletcher.

Title	Pages
The Return of Betty Snickerdoodle	240
A Sleuth Is Born	298
Bake It Like Betty	219
Mixed to Death	262
Murder Takes a Bough	368

 

Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala

Summary: "When Lila Macapagal moves back home to recover from a horrible breakup, her life seems to be following all the typical rom-com tropes. She's tasked with saving her Tita Rosie's failing restaurant, and she has to deal with a group of matchmaking aunties who shower her with love and judgment. But when a notoriously nasty food critic (who happens to be her ex-boyfriend) drops dead moments after a confrontation with Lila, her life quickly swerves from a Nora Ephron romp to an Agatha Christie case."

I enjoyed this! I appreciated the Midwestern setting and especially the diverse foods. 

I wanted a bit more out of the mystery, and a bit more out of the non-existent romance. More Amir, please! Or, even more Dr. Jae!

But it was an impressive first novel for an author, and I may follow the series as it continues.

316 pages

goodreads | MOBIUS

Turkey in the Trap-Room by Kathi Daley

I couldn't resist finding a cozy mystery with a Thanksgiving theme and settled on this book in a series I thoroughly enjoy. Once again, all is not well in Holiday Bay and it looks like inn-owner and popular author, Abby Sullivan will need to put her sleuthing cap on to discover who murdered an unpopular lawyer in the midst of a Thanksgiving Pageant rehearsal.

Inn at Holiday Bay series, book 12

207 pages

Tiffany Black Series by A.R. Winters

While some people have been binge-watching TV shows in the last couple of months, I have been binge-reading this fun series. Tiffany Black is a part-time casino card dealer and a part-time private investigator, but always good for a laugh as she solves mysteries set in Las Vegas, Nevada. Here are the ones I have read since October 1, books 16-23...book 24 is coming out soon!

• Lounge Singers and Liars in Las Vegas - 227 pages
• Deceptions and Decisions in Las Vegas - 234 pages
• Snapshots and Suspicions in Las Vegas - 236 pages
• Pride and Prejudice in Las Vegas - 259 pages
• Just Desserts in Las Vegas - 245 pages
• Dinners and Disasters in Las Vegas - 262 pages
• Art and Apprehension in Las Vegas - 248 pages
• Masks and Malice in Las Vegas - 285 pages

TOTAL PAGES: 1,996, 8 titles

Answers in the Attic by Kathi Daley

Summary: The renovations of the Inn is nearing completion and the only thing left to do is clear out the attic. The job takes on extra intrigue when a woman who is the great, great, great, niece of Abigail Chesterton, the wife of the man who built the house, arrives wanting to learn more about her ancestors. This time around, the mysteries are in the past, but that won’t slow down Abby Sullivan who is a part-time Inn owner, part-time author, and part-time amateur sleuth.

Series: Book 4 in the Inn at Holiday Bay series

My Review: A gentle, cozy mystery series with endearing characters. I read this one out of order, but that wasn’t a problem.

Pages: 201 pages

My Rating: 4 out of 5

Haunting in the Hallway by Kathi Daley

Summary: The residents of Holiday Bay, Maine are preparing for Halloween and inn owner and author Abby Sullivan is no exception.  But amidst the preparation, Abby and Police Chief Colt Wilder manage to discover not one, but TWO bodies the same cemetery plot. Who could they be and why did someone want them dead? Have no fear! Abby and Colt are on the case.

Series: Book 5 in the Inn at Holiday Bay series

My Review: I wanted a cozy mystery that was Halloween-themed and this one met the requirements. I’m a bit disappointed the series is becoming more simplistic in nature. Still, I plan to gobble up the next one, as I’m sure I will want to read a Thanksgiving-themed, cozy mystery soon!

Pages: 219 pages     My Rating: 4 out of 5

Double-Booked for Death (Black Cat Bookshop Mystery #1)

 Double-Booked for Death (Black Cat Bookshop Mystery # 1)
by Ali Brandon
Pages: 325
Rating: 4 out of 5

Darla inherited her aunt's bookstore in New York City. It is a big change for a small town girl from Texas but she's loving it. However, the book market is tough with Amazon taking business from small shop owners. She is thrilled that a popular teen author has agreed to a book signing at her shop. But an accident leads to bad publicity and the suspicion that it wasn't an accident. Can Darla solve the mystery and save her business and new home?

Rose Hill Mystery Series by Pamela Grandstaff

Summary: Rose Hill is a small mountain town in West Virginia where everyone knows everyone else’s business. In this cozy mystery series, amateur female sleuths (also cousins) Maggie, Hannah, and Claire navigate the challenges of marriage, family, children, and nosy neighbors as they solve crimes and entertain each other. If you like small town cozy mysteries with a little humor and romance, you will love the Rose Hill mystery series. (Publisher’s description) 

Review: I found the mysteries to be secondary and really got caught up in the family saga and the antics of the cousins. 

My Rating: 4 out of 5 

Series Order:

	Pages
1.   Rose Hill	258
2.   Morning Glory Circle	284
3.   Iris Avenue	329
4.   Peony Street	354
5.   Daisy Lane	330
6.   Lilac Avenue	379
7.   Hollyhock Ridge	326
8.   Sunflower Street	268
9.   Viola Avenue	258
10. Pumpkin Ridge	331
TOTAL	3,117

Oxford Tearoom Mysteries by H. Y. Hanna

Summary: When Gemma realizes she is missing out on the important things in life, she ditches her high-powered, high-stress job and returns to Meadowford-on-Smythe to follow her dream of opening a traditional English tearoom. What she doesn’t expect is to turn into an amateur sleuth. But, as is the case in all good cozy mysteries, that is exactly what happens. With the aid of four little old ladies, affectionately known as the Old Biddies, and her cat, Muesli, Gemma feels compelled to get to the bottom of every mystery she stumbles across.

Review: I find the characters endearing, thoroughly enjoyed binge-reading this series, and can’t wait for the next one to come out!

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Books Read in Series:

1. A Scone to Die For	334
2. Tea with Milk and Murder	326
3. Two Down, Bun to Go	356
4. Til Death Do Us Tart	378
5. Muffins and Mourning Tea	360
6. Four Puddings and a Funeral	340
7. Another One Bites the Crust	322
8. Apple Strudel Alibi	318
9. The Dough Must Go On	340

Aunt Dimity and the Family Tree (Aunt Dimity Mystery #16)

 Aunt Dimity and the Family Tree (Aunt Dimity Mystery #16)
by Nancy Atherton
Pages: 229
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Lori plays host to her father-in-law, William's open house to show the village of Finch how he has restored but updated Fairworth House. Among some knick-knacks found in an outside shed is a painting covered is soot, that William insists should be professional restored as a piece of the house's history even if the painting itself isn't worth anything. In the meantime, William is also trying to hire some servants and protect the reputation of one of Finch's leading citizens. Aunt Dimity lends her calm, logical nature to balance out Lori's own hyper temperament. 

Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon (Aunt Dimity Mystery #14)

 Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon (Aunt Dimity Mystery #14)
by Nancy Atherton
Pages: 232
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

The peaceful village of Finch is being overrun by the Renaissance fair. King Wilfred's Faire opens complete with wizards, minstrels, jesters and knights jousting. But someone is stalking the madrigal singer and someone has sabotaged one of the knights' weapons. With Aunt Dimity's guidance Lori rushes to save her friends and neighbors.

Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea (Aunt Dimity Mystery #11)

 Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea (Aunt Dimity Mystery #11)
by Nancy Atherton
Pages: 336
Rating: 4 out of 5

Lori's husband receives death threats against him and the whole family including photos of their twin boys playing in the backyard. Bill arranges a place for Lori and the twins to go stay while he and the police try to figure out who is sending the death threats and Bill stays in protective custody. The boys love exploring the Scottish castle and small village on a tiny island off the coast of Scotland. They don't realize their new caretaker is also their body guard.

Aunt Dimity Down Under (Aunt Dimity Mystery #15)

 Aunt Dimity Down Under (Aunt Dimity Mystery #15)
by Nancy Atherton
Pages: 215
Rating: 3 out of 5

Lori's world is rocked when she learns that her beloved neighbors, Louise and Ruth Pym may be dying. She vows to find their long-lost brother, Aubrey before it's too late leading her to New Zealand.

Aunt Dimity, Vampire Hunter (Aunt Dimity Mystery #13)

 Aunt Dimity, Vampire Hunter (Aunt Dimity Mystery #13)
by Nancy Atherton
Pages: 240
Rating: 3 out of 5

Lori and her family live in a cozy cottage out of a village in England. A mysterious stranger is sited by the neighboring ranch where Lori's young twins are riding. She is determined to find out who the dark shadowy man in the woods is but stumbles across local legends of a family of vampires.

Aunt Dimity Goes West (Aunt Dimity Mystery #12)

 Aunt Dimity Goes West (Aunt Dimity Mystery #12)
by Nancy Atherton
Pages: 240
Rating: 3 out of 5

Lori, Reg and Aunt Dimity head back to America to the wild west. She needs a change of scenery after being shot. Can the clear Colorado air chase away her nightmares or will they follow her across the ocean and invade the quiet mountain town of Bluebird.

Aunt Dimity goes on Holiday

 Aunt Dimity Takes a Holiday
by Nancy Atherton
Pages:
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Lori's best friend invites her to her husband's family estate. Lori agrees to go along to be emotional support for her friend, Emma, who has never met her husband's family. Then Lori finds out her husband Bill has been summoned to the same estate in his professional capacity as a lawyer. 

Between poison pen letters, a burning bush and mysterious accidents is any safe at the estate? Lori has to uncover some family secrets to protect her friends. 

This is a fun, quick-read series. The main character often jumps to conclusions way to soon, but don't we all. The use of Aunt Dimity's spirit living in a journal as Lori's guide and sometimes conscious is a unique twist on the cozy mystery formula

Aunt Dimity Beats the Devil (Aunt Dimity Mystery #6)

 Aunt Dimity Beats the Devil (Aunt Dimity Mystery #6)
by Nancy Atherton
Pages: 247
Rating: 4 out of 5

Lori's twins are walking and talking and getting into mischief but she's going stir crazy. Then her old boss asks her to take a commission for him and travel to Scotland to Northumberland to visit Tarrant Hall to evaluate a book collection. But her exciting vacation turns out to be full of Gothic intrigue.