Fatality by Firelight (A Cat Latimer Mystery
4.25 Stars
This is the second installment in the series although this one can easily be a stand-alone. I love cozy mysteries, and this series just gets better. I can’t wait to see what is in store next for Cat!
Cat runs a writer’s workshop/retreat in an old Victorian home. Thinking that the writers might need some R&R, Cat and her boyfriend take the crew and hit the slopes. Christina, one of the guest, is having too much fun and is a little too tipsy. Meeting a stranger at the bar and cozying up to him was not what Cat had in mind for a fun time.
Later, Christina is visited by a stalker who gets his due by being hit with a garden gnome from Cat and a shovel by Christina.
Unfortunately, for Christina, the ski bum neglected to mention that he was getting married. He just happens to be found dead in a tub, and Christina is found covered in blood. By all accounts, Christina is a scorned lover and has ended the bum’s downward slide.
Yet another storyline is conjured up from valuable paintings that are stolen from the local college. Although there were several storylines connected, the book was easy to follow. I really like the author’s writing style, and the narrator did an excellent job bringing these characters to life. I can’t wait for book 3!
Thanks to Tantor Media for supplying me with this book in exchange for a honest review
A Story to Kill by Lynn Cahoon (A Cat Latimer Mystery Book 1)
3.5 stars
This is book 1 in three installments. This was a cozy mystery, and this reader will be reading the next installment in the series. Cat Latimer inherited an old house from none other than her ex-husband. Cat is a former English teacher who has now decided to turn the old house into a B&B for authors. One of the authors who is staying at the B&B is a best-selling author, and Cat is excited to have him among the other guests. Seth is Cat’s high school sweetheart who is fixing up the old house. She has mixed feelings of his presence.
When Tom Cook was found dead in his room, Cat calls the local sheriff, who is none other than her uncle. Cat was hoping to start her life over by coverting the home but with the death and possible murder of Tom, Cat’s new life may end before it even begins.
Thanks to Tantor Media for supplying me with this audio in exchange for a honest review.
Shadows of the Past (Logan Point #1) by Patricia Bradley
3.5 stars
Taylor Martin is a psychology professor and part-time criminal profiler. The only case that she can’t solve is of her missing father. For twenty years, she has wondered what happened to him without a trace or any clues. She is good at her job and knows it. She does have self-doubt in her personal life where men are concerned.
In walks, or more accurately stalks, Nick Sinclair whose brother is accused of murder. Nick is in desperate need of Taylor’s help in order to acquit Scott. Nick’s wife died in an accident years before, and he has absolutely no plans to fall for Taylor.
This was a very slow character build. Several other characters were introduced so this reader is sure that they will be front and center in future installments. While the story was very clean (Christian novel), the particular writing style was not for me. The narrator did an excellent job in switching back and forth between characters. Thanks to Tantor Media for supplying me this audio in exchange for a honest review.
Death Before Decaf by Caroline Fardig
4 stars
Juliet Langley is distraught after her music career crashes. Tucking her tail between her legs, she is forced to go back into food service. As if she hadn’t already been down on her luck, she is thrown yet another curve ball. Her two timing fiancé runs off with her best waitress and in the process steals from Juliet. Packing up and moving back to Nashville, Juliet is offered a job to manager a friend’s coffeehouse.
By all appearances, Java Jive has not changed since the last time Juliet was here. To her surprise, the staff is revolting, and an employee is found dead in the dumpster. Unfortunately for Julia, this occurs on her first day back on the job. Just Juliet’s luck, the corpse is the cook who had gotten into a heated battle with Julia over code enforcement. Now, the employees are too happy to spill the beans to the cops regarding Juliet’s bad temper. Questions that Juliet can’t answer are being thrown at her, and she is finding that not only the coffee is in hot water. If she doesn’t solve the case, her next job maybe making coffee in the slammer.
This was a cute cozy read. Juliet is fun, witty, and very likeable. The narrator brought Juliet to life and the listen/read was very easy and fast. This is definitely a listen if you don’t want to think and just enjoy the moment. Grab a cup of java and be prepared to be swept away into Juliet’s crazy world. Thanks to Tantor Media for supplying me with this audio in exchange for a honest review.
A Devious Lot ( Antiques and Collectibles Mystery #5) by Ellery Adams and Parker Riggs
4 stars
I am a big fan now of Ellery Adams thanks to Tantor Media. I went into book one with no expectations except to listen and write an honest review. From the first book until now, I am loving this cozy mystery. I was a little concerned with this installment since there now is a co-author. Not to fear, Molly Appleby, her mother Clair, and her new husband are front and center. Molly and Matt are honeymooning in England where they spend some time with Molly’s great aunt in a quaint village. As fate would have it Molly stumbles upon a murder thanks to a cat. Molly is soon pulled into the investigation. The book does take the reader back and forth to 1851 until present day. I loved the history aspect of the book and even more loved her past and present are combined to solve a mystery.
The setting in this book was so detailed that this reader found herself sitting in a small countryside café drinking tea. Molly is such a strong character but is not overbearing. Matt supports Molly in anything that she does even when she does get herself wrapped up in murder. This book could easily be a stand a lone, but I recommend starting at the beginning in order to fully understand and fall in love with these characters.
Kudos to Ms. Adams, Andi Arndt (the narrator) and Tantor Media for offering me this book in exchange for an honest review.
A Deadly Dealer (A Collectible Mystery #3) by Ellery Adams and J.B. Stanley
4.5 stars
Molly Applebee and her mother, Clare, have a very close bond. Clara used to own an antique shop but now works for an antique auction. Molly was once a middle school teacher and now writes for an antique magazine. The setting in this story drew me in since I have family that lives in Nashville, TN. I also love to visit the Opryland Hotel, especially at Christmas.
Molly was on her way to find coffee for herself and her mother since their coffee pot in the room was not working. As usual, Molly finds herself in a predicament. She gets lost trying to locate the lobby in this huge hotel. The hotel is one of the largest that I’ve ever been to and one does need a map to navigate. In Molly’s quest to locate the lobby, she stumbles across a dead body who is one of her mother’s acquaintances.
There are a couple of stories going on but front and center is who killed the dealer. I am really enjoying this series, especially the narrator. This is a super easy to read cozy mystery but don’t be fooled. Most of the time, the murderer may not be who you think that it is. Very nice writing!
