Chasing Echoes by Dan Goldman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was initially concerned about the swearing and Malka's lifestyle, but it soon became apparent that it was part of the story. I would not recommend it for younger children, I would say mature teens and up.
This book tells the story of a Jewish family who sets out to find their ancestor's home city and the flour mill he owned. Along the way, they discover many things about each other, Ashkenazi Jewish history, and the present state of antisemitism in Eastern Europe. I do not read too many graphic novels, but I thought it was odd that through out the trip nobody lent Malka clothes after her luggage went missing.


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Terns of Endearment by Donna Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have been reading a lot of cruise-themed mysteries lately. This one happens on a smaller ship, and they are stuck out in the Atlantic for days. Meg's family is therefore prevented from most of their usual antics. When one passenger is thought to have jumped overboard and the captain seemed not interested in investigating, Meg and her family take over. Actually, they motorize most of the passengers and practically mutiny. Well, the staff is sick with food poisoning and the engine is out so there's no electricity, so something has to be done.


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Finished my first challenge~!  20 cozies

        Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge   
   
    368 members
    This group is for all of those who would like to participate in the cozy mystery challenge I host on my blog Socrates' Book Review Blog.  I thought I would have a group over here as well.  You can join here or on my blog.  I thought this would be especially helpful for those without a blog.  You don't need a blog to join!
 

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Blood Orange by Susan Wittig Albert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

China Bayles is one of my favorite characters, so I don't know why I stopped reading the series a couple of years ago. I love her hints, her crazy family life, Ruby, the pets, and her tea room. I'm really glad I picked up this book, and I'm going to catch up on the few others I have not read. In this installment, China is missing McQuaid who is off on an investigation with Blackie. Her guest at the cottage behind the store, a nurse named Kelly, disappears mysteriously and soon China finds herself investigating why she's gone and what was the murder she called China about. When Kelly has a car accident on her way to China's house and ends up in the hospital in a comma, China tries to piece together the little bits of information she has.


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Arsenic and Old Books by Miranda James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I like books about librarians, and I love his cat, Diesel. I am not a cat person, but if I were to get a cat, I'd love to get a Maine Coon. That said, this particular book had a somewhat simple mystery, but it was very interesting. A Civil War era diary is found, and triggers an escalation of a political feud between 2 local families. Charlie is archiving the diary, but it disappears, and after a professor seeking tenure is killed, the diary is returned with pages missing. I do like that Charlie is not the "Don't go in the basement!" type of MC, but I had a bit of a hard time listening to the audiobook, narrated by a woman, and speaking in first person. But otherwise, it was a nice, easy read.


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Lark! The Herald Angels Sing by Donna Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another funny Lanslow clan adventure. Neighboring Clay County and all their corrupt leaders are on a manhunt, and the Caerphylly gang is trying to help the presumed innocent folks. There are several laugh out loud moments, as well as suspenseful ones. I love this series and cannot wait for the next one.


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Ghost Ship by P.J. Alderman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jordan moves to Port Chatham to escape her ex, and buys an old home to repair. Little did she know the home comes with ghosts. Apparently, the town is full of ghosts, and everyone knows it, but Jordan seems to be one of the few who can see them and communicate with them. The ghosts ask for help solving their murders, and Jordan is helping, but there seems to be a connection to a new murder. Who killed the town's notorious womanizer, and what was he doing scuba diving when he was known to hate the water? I felt a little lost since I didn't read the first book, but I did not guess the murderer, so maybe I will read the first one also.


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Caraval by Stephanie Garber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I did not think I would enjoy this book, as it sounded like it would be too dark for me, but I really liked it. It had a sort of Frozen meets Fantasy Island vibe, with a mystery week added in. Sometimes the imaginative language got on my nerves, but the plot kept me wanting more.


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Town in a Strawberry Swirl by B.B. Haywood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This mystery has a lot of small twists that kept me guessing and I did not figure out the killer ahead of the denouement. I'm liking this series more and more as I read through them.
Candy and Doc are sort of suspected in the death of a nearby farmer, since the weapon used was one of their shovels. They try to trace who had the shovel, which, as it happens in a small town, was borrowed and passed along to neighbor after neighbor. In order to clear themselves, Candy and Doc go investigating, finding ancient town deeds and buried treasure (and a dog named Random) along the way.


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Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd by Alan Bradley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Flavia is back home from Canada and quickly finds a body while on an errand for the vicar's wife. Why would someone kill a harmless wood carver? And why is his bookcase filled with children books?
Flavia and her faithful Gladys have to find out.


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The Unmapped Sea by Maryrose Wood


This series gets more interesting as new books come out. The Ashtons and Incorregibles go to Brighton in January for a 'bracing' holiday. Penelope and Simon try to talk uncle Pudge to tell them what happened in Ahwoo, Ahwoo.


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As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not quite as good as the others, but I'm not sure if it was because of the setting, the fact that I was reading it, not hearing it, or because she only gets to do one experiment. Still a good read, but I'm glad she's going back home.


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A Plain Vanilla Murder by Susan Wittig Albert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love China and Ruby, but sometimes her books are description heavy which makes them hard to read. This one switches POV between China and Police Chief Sheila, and the timeline skips a little, but it was a complicated mystery. Picking the killer was easy, although the motive was unclear until the end. And like always, there is a ton of information about the herb/spice-of-the-book, Vanilla, including a lot I didn't know.


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Pekoe Most Poison by Laura Childs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I changed my top suspect so many times during this novel full of twists, but it was fun. Drayton and Theo are at a Rat Tea when the host is poisoned and killed. Great whodonit!


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Plum Tea Crazy by Laura Childs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The murder on this book is a bit grosser than usual, but Theo and Drayton set out to solve it nevertheless. The murdered was on top of my list since halfway through the book, but there were pieces of information missing so I wasn't 100% sure. Still, it made for a good puzzle to figure out, and of course, the book includes nice recipes.


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Speaking from Among the Bones by Alan Bradley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Best in the series yet! Opening the crypt where the saint's bones are buried reveals not only another body, but a years-old mystery. Flavia, as always, has to get involved. She discovers a lot of secrets, from her sister's love life to the DeLuce's family ancestry.


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Death on the Menu by Lucy Burdette
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hailey is helping her mom cater a Cuban-Key West cultural exchange, but of course death gets in the way.

This book is as much fun as the others in the series, and includes recipes. I think I'll need a map of Key West to follow Hailey as she moves around town.


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Murder with Ganache by Lucy Burdette
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another lovely cozy from Lucy Burdette. They make me want to go back to Key West and see all the places she talks about. I did attend a wedding at Hemingway's house, but did not see any of the cats.


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Killer Takeout by Lucy Burdette
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

October in Key West means heat, humidity and the Fall Festival Fest. This year, it also means a murder and a hurricaine. When one of the contentants in the pageant keels over dead during the zombie bike ride, Hailey steps in to try and solve the murder. In between writing a column about take-out food, planning her mom's wedding, dealing with her new boss and trying to decide whether to leave the Island for the duration of the storm, Hailey has her hands full.

I really enjoy this series, and picked up a map of Key West so I could follow along when Hailey is driving around town. The author really makes you feel like you are there, sweating and looking at all the strange happenings. There were so many likely suspects, I gave up trying to figure out who was the murdered. I also had to go and find a slice of Key Lime Pie on Saturday because I was craving it like crazy. This series is a lot of fun!


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Chocolate Cream Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so caught up in the plot that I was almost finished with the book before I realized that there hadn't been a murder (yet). I was kind of annoyed with the unending Norman vs. Mike thing, but Joanne Fluke keeps surprising me. I don't want to spoil the plot so I won't say much. The recipes were nice also.


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The League of Beastly Dreadfuls by Holly Grant
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Middle grade humor about flatulence spoiled my enjoyment of this otherwise fun adventure book. The plot twists and turns until the very end, and leaves you wanting for more. I loved the characters and the setting. I'm not sure if I'll read the rest of the series. I do want to know what happens to Anastasia, but I hope the silliness gets turned down a little.


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A Deadly Feast by Lucy Burdette
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hayley is preparing for her wedding to Nathan, scheduled for the day after Thanksgiving. She's got articles to write, food to prepare, details to finish and much more on her plate. Not the right time for Nathan to go undercover in an investigation. Maybe she's not ready to be an officer's wife? On top of everything, a tourist falls dead during a tour she's reviewing. Was it an allergic reaction or murder. Lots of twists and turns, and up to the last minute worry that the wedding will not take place.


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Sympathy for the Devil by Jerrilyn Farmer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was very surprised several chapters deep into this book to find it was the first of the series. There was no background story, except for a little bit in chapter 15. While I found the mystery good, a few things bothered me. There was more swearing that I am used to in a cozy, one character was very unlikeable, and some of the comments left me wondering if I had missed things. Maybe this series is a spinoff of another, which would explain the lack of background? I already own the second in the series so I'll give it a chance before deciding if I'll read the rest of the books


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The Chocolate Falcon Fraud by JoAnna Carl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A festival honoring film noir is being held in Warner Pier, and TenHuis chocolate falcons are selling fast. Lee's step-son (former step-son?) makes a quick visit and then disappears. And just like in the movie, a dead body falls when they open the door. What is going on and what does the ship La Paloma have to do with it?
Fudge recipes are sprinkled in with this mystery, the 15th in the chocolate series. The mystery is quite complicated for a cozy, and there are a couple of twists towards the end. I didn't particularly like the identity of the murder victim, but it does fit into the plot. I like that my suspect list was long and nobody really stood out; I'm beginning to get bored of mysteries where I can pick off the killer from the start. I'm looking forward to more books in this series!


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Deep Fried Homicide by Jessica Beck
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jake is hurt and Suzanne is taking time off, leaving the donut shop in her assistant's hands. But playing nursemaid is not all cake and roses. Both of them are being sought by people wanting to hurt them. Will the bad guys be caught before Suzanne misses work too much?


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Caramel Crush by Jenn McKinlay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mel has her hands full with Angie turning into a Bridezilla. Then her former college roommate wants her to deliver 'break-up' cupcakes to her fiance to let him know she's dumping him. Angie complies, but the groom-not-to-be is dead. Was Mel set up to find him? The killer was not on the top of my list, and a couple of twists on the b story make this a must read.


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Vanilla Beaned by Jenn McKinlay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mel, Angie and Tate are in Las Vegas trying to open their first Cupcake store franchise. Mel is still having doubts, but after meeting Holly, she feels a lot more positive. Except that someone is out to kill Holly. Or is it Tucci's hoods going after them?
I like this series (and the cupcake recipes!) and can't wait to read the next one after the funny ending of this one. And I have to make the Snickerdoodle cupcakes.


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Dark Chocolate Demise by Jenn McKinlay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There were some sad parts and some very exciting moments. Life is not easy for cupcake bakers Mel and Angie and their assorted family and friends. They are selling cupcakes at a charity Zombie walk where a Zombie bride is shot. Was she the target, or was Angie --also dressed as a Zombie bride-- the target? Does it have anything to do with brother Joe's case against mobster Frank Tucci, or, as the organizer claims, a government conspiracy? With Roach back in town and Tate uber jealous, the list of suspects just grows and grows.

Likable characters and a nicely progressing back story keep me enjoying this series.



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Dipped to Death by Kelly Lane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The first half of this novel was hard for me to read, as I didn't read the first two and I found the characters unlikeable (yes, even the dog); and their names very weird--Pottie Moss, Precious, Pepper, Buck, etc. However, about 2/3 into the book, the mystery got very interesting and convoluted. All my suspects were wrong, all the motives I had listed were wrong. So, kudos to the author for a good plot. I am not sure if I'll go back to read the previous books, but maybe if I can find them at the library or used book store.


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Only Skein Deep by Maggie Sefton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is the first book that I've read in this series, so I'm not sure if it's unusual because the MC was 9 months pregnant, and of course you wouldn't want her to be in danger. While there is a murder, and we're kept updated of the case progress via a friend of the police detective, there is no action. It felt like I was reading a journal of Kelly's last month of pregnancy, i.e. what she did everyday, had for breakfast, moaned about missing coffee, tried teas that her friends suggested, and conversations with the other knitters. I may try to read the first one and see if there's more action.


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Dying for Devil's Food by Jenn McKinlay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mel does not want to go to her 15th class reunion to see the people who bullied her mercilessly, but Angie talks her into it as they would order cupcakes. So when Mel walks into the bathroom and finds the baddest bully dead, of course she is a suspect. Some twists and turns makes the plot interesting, and it's nice to see Angie and Tate married. The recipes are yummy.


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Broken Bone China

Broken Bone China by Laura Childs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While Theo and Drayton are up in a hot air balloon, a drone hits another balloon near them and makes it crash, leaving 3 dead. Theo and Drayton of course have to investigate. Along with Hailey, Mrs. Dimple and Detective Tidwell, they try to figure out who was responsible. A new B&B is opening in town, and Theo may be facing some competition soon. I had the killer on my suspect list, but the mystery had plenty of twists and turns.


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The Opening Night Murder

The Opening Night Murder by Anne Rutherford
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoy reading Restoration era fiction, and this story was particularly interesting as it dealt with the Globe theater and the return of entertainment after Cromwell. I liked most of the characters, but Daniel bothered me a lot. I guess his attitude was correct for the times and his station, but still, he could have been a little warmer. The mystery was not so complicated, but it was very interesting how Suzanne solved it.


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