Christmas Cozies Plus a Couple More

Some people watch Hallmark movies during December; I enjoy cozy mysteries with a Christmas theme. Some were good; some were not so good. Here's the list:

Inn at Holiday Bay: Cookies in the Cottage by Kati Daley

A man is found dead at the Rosewood Estate where Shelby, Sage, and Sierra, are staying for the holiday. Officer Colt Wilder is out of town visiting family, so of course part-time innkeeper, part-time author Abby must investigate. A light-hearted read with enjoyable characters. 133 pages.

Christmas at The Grange: A Lady Hardcastle Mystery by T.E. Kinsey

Lady Emily Hardcastle and her maid, Florence Armstrong are retired spies, planning to enjoy a cozy Christmas at The Grange, when a thief makes off with a pearl necklace. Lady H. and Flo are asked to discreetly investigate. There is a fun O. Henry ending on this one.  I highly recommend this series. You can always expect strong characters and a good plot. 66 pages.

The Fatal Flying Affair: A Lady Hardcastle Mystery by T. E. Kinsey

OK. Not a Christmas-themed cozy, but when I found out a new book in this series was available, I couldn't resist. Lady Emily and Florence are asked to go undercover at an airplane manufacturing plant to find out why a pilot plummeted to his death and if there might be other nefarious activities going on as well.  315 pages.

Merry Christmas Murder: A Roland Bean Cozy Mystery by Rachel Woods

Oh, no! Someone has attacked Santa while he was on break from taking pictures with children. Reporter Roland Bean and his children are eye witnesses to the traumatic event. Bean writes about Santa and his good deeds, eliciting plenty of well-wishes for restored health from fans. But then Bean gets a tip that Santa should be on the naughty list. Is Santa naughty or nice? You'll have to read this book to find out! 340 pages.

Gingerbread to Die For: Dunbarton Christmas Mysteries by Valerie Tate

The residents of Dunbarton are abuzz with excitement. Famed chef Davina Dove has chosen Dunbarton to be the location of one of her special event cooking shows. The mayor decides it would also be the perfect time to host a Christmas cooking contest, with the Divine Dove as the judge. When Dove winds up dead after declaring the winners, there turns out to be plenty of suspects willing and able to commit the crime.  220 pages.

Miz Scarlet and the Holiday Houseguests: A Scarlet Wilson Mystery by Sara Barton

The Four Acorn Inn is closed to general guests for the holiday, but open to a good friend and her family, homicide investigator Laurencia “Larry” Rivera. Innkeeper Scarlet Wilson does her best to soothe the family squabbles while Larry investigates a new murder. To me, the character of Larry didn't quite work, but the others were fine and I am willing to try a second title in the series if one comes my way. 145 pages.

Christmas Cupcakes and a Caper: A Humorous Culinary Cozy Mystery by D.E. Haggerty 

A dead elf is found on the doorstep of Callie's Cakes and it soon becomes apparent he was murdered! Callie and friends decide they must investigate to solve the crime and save Christmas. This was my least favorite of the Christmas cozies. The characters are one-dimensional and the plot was simple. An OK read if you are looking for something light, quick and not too challenging. 108 pages.

Aloe and Goodbye: Southwestern Small Town Cozy Mystery by Janice Peacock

Ruby Shaw and her daughter are placed in witness protection in Paradise, Arizona, a former ghost town. From day one, Ruby is unable to stay under the radar when a murder takes place right next door the day she moves in and Ruby is the number one suspect. Can she clear her name? Time will tell. I liked this title enough to start following the author.  223 pages.

In a Witch's Wardrobe by Juliet Blackwell

I'm really not much of a mystery person, but I've enjoyed these. The main character is a witch who owns a vintage clothing shop in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco. The mystery always involves something supernatural, with ghosts and curses and secret societies. This one centers on a murder and a half-one woman's body is in a coma, while her spirit is trapped in a mirror. I also enjoy the character development across the books, as we see Lily slowly trusting people after coming from a less than supportive Texan upbringing. And Oscar, her potbellied pig/half-gargoyle/half-goblin is too stinkin' cute! All in all, this book was a fun weekend read.

322 pages

Hubbert and Lil Series by Gallagher Gray

Summary: T.S. Hubbert retires in his 50s from a stuffy banking firm only to be called back briefly into service when one of the managers is killed. In steps his 84 year old aunt, Lil, who has personality and energy to burn. Together they are tasked to solve their first crime. Then, as is the tradition with cozies, the bodies just keep turning up in book after book.

My Review: I really, really wanted to like this series because I like senior sleuths. The premise was good. The setup of the characters was fine. The series is touted as being hilarious. But I found the plots to be slow-moving and the dialogue dragging.

Series Titles:

Book 1: Partners in Crime, 330 pages

Book 2: A Cast of Killers, 343 pages

Book 3: Death of a Dream Maker, 368 pages

Book 4: A Motive for Murder, 344 pages

My Rating: 3 out of 5

Cozy Mysteries

Tiffany Black Mystery Series by A.R. Withers

Summary: Tiffany may work in a casino, but she hopes to leave that job behind her for good once she gets her private investigator’s license. Ironically, her very first case is investigating the death of casino mogul, Ethan Becker. Throughout the series there are loveable characters, like Nana and Ian, as well as a love interest or two.

My Review: It’s no secret, I tend to binge-read cozy mystery series. This one kept me interested until about book five, when the plots, dialogue and characters started to fizzle. I hung in there for a few more titles, in hopes the author could pick it back up again. But alas, she did not. That said, though, if I were looking for a quick read on a lazy day, I might seek out book 9 in the series.

Title	Pages
1. Innocent in Las Vegas	217
2. Green Eyes in Las Vegas	248
3. Red Roses in Las Vegas	252
4. Lost Kitten in Las Vegas	263
5. Reality Check in Las Vegas	235
6. Deadly Disco in Las Vegas	148
7. Pesky Politicians in Las Vegas	256
8. A Perfect Murder in Las Vegas	201

My Rating: 3 out of 5

Look Alive Twenty-Five by Janet Evanovich

Summary: There's nothing like a good deli, and the Red River Deli in Trenton is one of the best. World-famous for its pastrami, cole slaw, and for its disappearing managers. Over the last month, three have vanished from the face of the earth, and the only clue in each case is one shoe that's been left behind. The police are baffled. Lula is convinced that it's a case of alien abduction. Whatever it is, they'd better figure out what's going on before they lose their new manager, Ms. Stephanie Plum. – Publisher’s description

My Review: After the Tiffany Black mysteries fizzled, I knew I needed to find a sure winner. Stephanie Plum and company are up to their usual antics, and it’s all fun!

My Rating: 5 out of 5

Aunt Dimity and the Village Witch (Aunt Dimity Mystery #17)

 Aunt Dimity and the Village Witch (Aunt Dimity Mystery #17)
by Nancy Atherton
Pages: 232
Rating: 3 out of 5

Amelia Thistle moves into Finch and her new neighbors welcome her with open arms and of course, many questions. Amelia brings with her not only her personal secret, but a family mystery she is trying to solve in honor of her late brother. Lori agrees to help Amelia conceal her identity and solve the family mystery. She of course, goes to Aunt Dimity for help. They soon discover the secret of the village witch.

A fun, light, cozy mystery.

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: Snowbound (Aunt Dimity Mystery #9)

 Aunt Dimity: Snowbound (Aunt Dimity Mystery #9)
by Nancy Atherton
Pages: 272
Rating: 4 out of 5

Lori decides to take a bracing hike on an unseasonably warm day and ends up lost in the midst of a blizzard. Luckily, she finds Ladythorne Abbey as shelter. She meets a couple of other unlucky travelers but are they really lost or had they planned to meet at the Abbey all along? Can she trust them?

Aunt Dimity and the Next of Kin

 Aunt Dimity and the Next of Kin
by Nancy Atherton
Pages: 274
Rating: 4 out of 5

Lori decides what she needs is to connect to people again. She becomes a volunteer at the Radcliffe Infirmary, where she meets Elizabeth Beacham. She quickly cares about Elizabeth a great-deal and is upset to learn that she is dying and none of her relatives or friends have been to visit her in the hospital. After Elizabeth dies she sends Lori on a hunt to find her long-lost brother and to learn more about Elizabeth as she was in life.

Aunt Dimity: Detective (Aunt Dimity Mystery #7)

 Aunt Dimity: Detective (Aunt Dimity Mystery #7)
by Nancy Atherton
Pages: 230
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Lori Shepherd returns from her trip to America, she is shocked to learn that a murder took place in her quiet village of Finch. This is the first murder in over a century and the whole town is full of gossip and questions about who did it. Though no one is sorry that Prunella Hooper is dead. Prunella moved in while Lori and her family where in the States so never meet her. With the help of Nicholas, the minister's nephew Lori unravels this tale of local secrets.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke

Hannah Swensen is quite busy running her bakery, The Cookie Jar---busy enough she deftly dodges her mother's attempts to marry her off to every eligible bachelor in Lake Eden, Minnesota. But when Ron LaSalle, a much loved delivery man with the Cozy Cow Dairy and by all accounts an all around good guy, is found murdered, Hannah can't resist getting her hands dirty.

Book 1 in the Hannah Swensen series. 431 pages.

Plum Lucky (Stephanie Plum #13.5)

 Plum Lucky (Stephanie Plum #13.5)
by Janet Evanovich
Pages: 166
Rating: 4 out of 5

Stephanie Plum's Grandma goes missing and her mom sends her to find her. Grandma's found a bag of money and decides to go to Atlantic City for her own adventure. Set around St. Patrick's Day and a guy who thinks he is a leprechaun, this adventure is a wacky tale.

Aunt Dimity's Christmas (Aunt Dimity Mystery #5)

Aunt Dimity's Christmas (Aunt Dimity Mystery #5)
by Nancy Atherton
Pages: 214
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Lori Shepherd wants to have the perfect family Christmas and the perfect Christmas party for the whole village. Then a homeless man collapses outside her house and nearly freezes to death. The pastor who runs the homeless shelter thinks the man is mentally unstable and needs psychiatric care but Lori's convinced there's something else causing his unusual behavior. Can she discover the truth behind his behavior before he is sent away?

Aunt Dimity's Good Deed (Aunt Dimity Mystery, #3)

Aunt Dimity's Good Deed (Aunt Dimity Mystery, #3) 
by Nancy Atherton
Pages: 277
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Thanks to Aunt Dimity, Lori Shepherd's life has become a fairy-tale. She plans a second honeymoon for herself and her workaholic boyfriend, Bill. Bill has a work emergency but insists she goes on ahead to England and take his father with her. Then he disappears. How can Lori tell Bill that she's lost his Dad?

Aunt Dimity and the Duke (Aunt Dimity Mystery #2)

 Aunt Dimity and the Duke (Aunt Dimity Mystery #2)
by Nancy Atherton
Pages: 290
Rating: 3 out of 5

This book tells the back story for series lead, Lori Shepherd's best friends and how they became a couple. Emma Porter is a frumpy, amateur gardener going on a garden tour of England when she meets the twin Pym sisters. The sisters and Aunt Dimity send her to Penford Hall
 where she finds a mysterious duke and a handsome carpenter.

Aunt Dimity's Death (Aunt Dimity Mystery #1)

 Aunt Dimity's Death (Aunt Dimity Mystery #1)
by Nancy Atherton
Pages: 244
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Down-on-her-luck Lori Shepherd thought Aunt Dimity was a pretend character in her mother's bedtime stories ... until the Dickensian law firm of Willis & Willis offers the possibility of large inheritance -- if she can discover the secret hidden in letters between Dimity and her mother.

This is the first book in sweet, cozy, mystery series.

Tea with Jam and Dread (Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery #20) by Tamar Myers

  Tea with Jam and Dread (Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery # 20) 

  by Tamar Myers

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Magdalena decides to expand advertising for her Bed and Breakfast, Penn-Dutch Inn, to Europe. Her best friend Agnes arranges for the Earl and Countess Grimsley-Snodgrass and their children to be guests. Agnes tries to prompt Magdalena in all things British and aristocratic and Magdalena learns that maybe her regular guests really aren't that annoying. Then tragedy strikes and one of the Earl's sons disappears over the edge of a cliff during a picnic. Did he fall or was he pushed and just where is the body?

Tamar Myers recovers here, from whatever happened to her storytelling in books 18 and 19 of the series. 

Pages: 217

The Glass is Always Greener (Den of Antiquity #16) by Tamar Myers

 The Glass is Always Greener (Den of Antiquity #16) by Tamar Myers

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Abigail Timberlake's current adventure occurs when she goes with her best friend, Rob, to one of his family gatherings as "moral support." Unfortunately, Rob's aunt who is hosting the party, treats everyone cruelly at the party and a short time later is found dead by Abby. Of course, since she is not a relative and she found the body she is the top suspect. Can Abby not only clear her name, but help Rob and his mother mend emotional fences?

Pages: 279

Butter Safe Than Sorry (Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery #18)

 Butter Safe Than Sorry (Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery #18)

My Rating: 2 out of 5 stars 

This book was quite confusing. Events happening in this book were years later than the previous title in this series and yet in this story somethings that happened earlier were happening again. Perhaps author was rushed to wrap up the series? Something went awry. 

Pages:  259

As the World Churns (Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery, #16)

 As the World Churns (Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery, #16) 

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Magdalena has finally married the man of her dreams. As mayor, she is asked to emcee the first annual Hernia Holstein competition. Then Magdalena's long-time friend, Doc Shafor is knocked unconscious and her husband Gabe and their adopted daughter Alison go missing. With the help of her best friend, Agnes, Magdalena is determined to find her family.

Pages: 260

The Chocolate Frog Frame-Up (A Chocoholic Mystery, #3) by JoAnna Carl

  The Chocolate Frog Frame-Up (A Chocoholic Mystery, #3) by JoAnna Carl

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Lee McKinney helps her aunt run TenHuis Chocolade in a tourist town. For this year's 4th of July they  debut chocolate frogs in a variety of sizes. The only person to buy a large frog is also the town's most annoying citizen and it's the first time he has ever bought anything from them instead of asking for samples. When he disappears Lee's boyfriend is the prime suspect, even though he has no real motive. But there are others who do... relatives who need the money, investors in a secret land deal, and perhaps some folks who have just gotten tired of him looking through their windows.

Pages: 227