Kale to the Queen by Nell Hampton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a cute cozy with a very interesting setting. I did figure out who the murderer was halfway through the book, and I didn't feel like I got to know the characters well, but maybe in the next book they develop more.
Carrie Ann, a chef in Chicago, gets the chance of a lifetime to become personal chef to the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge (who are never identified by name.) First day on the job, one of her assistants is found dead in the greenhouse. Not a good start.

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Crossed by Death by A.C.F. Bookens
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Some things that happen at the begining of the book were confusing, but they are all explained somewhere in the text. I felt some connection with Paisley, as I became a first time mom at 46, but I also felt that there was not enough background story for a first in series book. There were only a few suspects, so I did guess the killer, but overall it was a good mystery.

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A Dark and Stormy Tea by Laura Childs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was a dark and stormy night.... Theo is trying to get back to the tea shop from the Heritage Society, in a foggy, rainy night when she notices 2 figures in a cementery. One of the figures falls to the ground, and the other flashes a knive at her before running away. Did she just witness a murder? Yes, a serial killer is back in Charleston after a 7 year absence. Will they find the killer before Theo becomes the next victim?

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Spouse on Haunted Hill by E.J. Copperman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alison's ex follows their daughter to New Jersey and they figure out that he's running away from some trouble. Alison is not thrilled to have him locally, and tells him he has to leave in two days. With mobster-types looking for the swine, Paul the ghost working on some electric experiment, and a policewoman who refuses to entered the haunted house, Alison has hands full. Then one of the mobster-types ends up dead, and all hell breaks loose.

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Book Clubbed by Lorna Barrett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The secretary of the Chamber of Commerce is killed when a bookshelf falls on top of her. Tricia and Angelica rent out her old storage place, and soon find that Betsy was a hoarder. Then the autopsy report comes back, and the sisters find themselves searching for a killer.

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Mocha, She Wrote by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Andy gets picked to compete in the West Coast Barista Cup, but one of the judges is found dead with Andy's drink in hand. Of course, Lance and Jules set out to find the killer. The list of suspects was not too long, and I did guess whodonit, but it was still fun.

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Booked for Death by Victoria Gilbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Charlotte inherits a book-themed B&B from her aunt Isabella, who used to be a social butterfly. She keeps the Inn's theme going by hosting book clubs and events themed around an author. While holding a week around Josephine Tey's books, One of her guests is killed. He was rude, boastful, and a womanizer, so there are plenty of suspects, from his wife and daughter, to the son of a man he scammed. Very good mystery, and I will continue the series.

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Town in a Maple Madness by B.B. Haywood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There is a maple tree sap thief stealing from a couple of the local farms, just before the Maple Madness festival kicks off. Candy thinks it's a teenage prank, but then the body of a local handyman is fished out of the river, she wonders if the two are related. Fellow farmer Neil and his dog have disappeared also, along with an ancient knife which could have been used to kill the victim. At first it was a little confusing, but it did keep me guessing till the end.

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Cappuccinos, Cupcakes, and a Corpse by Harper Lin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

New to me series. I enjoyed the setting, but I felt I didn't really 'get to know' the characters. There were also so few possible suspects, that the killer had been towards the top of my list for a while. There are a couple of recipes in the back. I will try the next one in the series, but if it's not better, I won't continue with the rest.

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Jane Austen's Lost Letters by Jane K. Cleland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Josie receives a package from a woman who knew her father. Apparently, he had given it to her to pass on to Josie, but she does not understand it took the woman 20 years to bring it. The woman runs off after refusing to explain anything. Inside the package Josie finds a note from her father, and what appears to be 2 letters of Jane Austen. She tries to find the woman with no luck. Then, one of the guests in her antiques show is found dead and that ups the ante.
This was the first book of this series I read, and I had a hard time telling the regulars from the 'guests' to make my list of suspects, but I guessed the killer midway through the book. And I learned more about antiques than I needed. I may read more of the series, but they are not on top of my list.

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Well Read, Then Dead by Terrie Farley Moran
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sassy and Bridgy have left New York to open a café & bookstore in the Gulf coast of Florida. They have started book clubs with several themes, and one of the group people, a quiet older lady, is found dead.
Her cousin asks Sassy to help find the culprit. Soon Sassy finds herself mixed in with salvage wreckers, a luxury resort agent looking to buy the deceased's property, and two strange nephews who think they've inherited it all. It was so entertaining that I forgot to make a suspect list. I will continue this series.

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To Kill a Matzo Ball by Delia Rosen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This mystery was a little darker than most cozies, as it delved into racial/hate crimes. Gwen's deli is shot at while she's talking to a catering client. He manages to pull her to safety, but he is killed. Gwen is left with survivor's guilt, and not knowing who was the target. The conflict is resolved, but you can't call it a happy ending. I did not guess the murderer, though. Includes one recipe.

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Lending a Paw by Laurie Cass
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Minnie has just acquired a bookmobile for her library, thanks to a large donation from the local rich guy. So it is very ironic that on the first day out in the bookmobile, she finds the donor dead. Well, her cat finds the body. The cat that followed her home a few days back and has adopted her. Since the library is listed in his will, the police think someone there is the murderer.
I did not guess the killer until almost the reveal, and the mystery was very good, with lots of possible suspects.

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Grilling the Subject by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jenna's father, Cary, is the main suspect in the death of a neighbor who annoyed everyone with loud parties. Jenna tries to help clear his name while the town celebrates a Wild West Extravaganza. Half-way through the book, Jenna gets a big surprise. The murderer was in my suspect list, but it was still a fun read. I wish the author had included the orange juice bbq sauce recipe.

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Pride, Prejudice and Poison by Elizabeth Blake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Erin owns a bookstore in a small Yorkshire village. She is also part of the local Jane Austen Society. When the society's president is killed at a meeting, her BFF is the main suspect, and she sets out to find out the real killer to clear her friend. It does not hurt that the detective in charge is quite handsome.
I liked the small town setting, and the friendship between Erin and Farnsworth, but the killer was on top of my list from the beginning. There's also a possible love triangle, and I'm tired of that trope.
Otherwise, the mystery was good, lots of clues to distract, and quite a few characters in the town. I will read the next in series.


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Chilled to the Cone by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Spring has sprung in Ashland and love is all around. Carlos is in town, Thomas and Sterling are planning announcements, and even Lance is giggling and drinking beer. Jules is thinking of opening a seasonal coffee & ice cream stand near the Railroad park, but a homeless man is killed nearby and vandalism is rampant in that area. Jules wonders if the vandalism and death are connected, and sets off to find what is going on. Meanwhile, she wonders if Carlos will stay or go back to the ship, what Thomas and Sterling are up to, and why is Lance drinking beer. Nice recipes included.

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Suite Revenge by Hope Callaghan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a quick read. Millie has been on a break from the cruise line, and her daughter and family have booked a cabin for her first cruise back, so she's really looking forward to returning. However, her ex-husband and his girlfriend have not only booked the same cruise, they have planned to get married on board. Millie tries to stay out of their way, but when the girlfriend ends up dead, almost the whole wedding party makes her the prime suspect. Luckily, the ship's crew believe in Millie, but they tell her to stay out of the way while they investigate.
This is a Christian cozy, very sweet and clean.

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Trick or Deadly Treat by Livia J. Washburn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Phyllis takes 2nd place to Sam as he leads their investigation into their new pet's veterinarian. Sam decides to adopt a dog, and the shelter recommends a nearby vet. A few days later, the vet's wife is murdered. Sam likes how Dr. Baxter has been treating Buck, his Dalmatian, and decides to help find the real killer.

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Murder and Marinara by Rosie Genova
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Despite the annoying references to Bruce Springsteen (I had roommates in college who played him nonstop and I can't stand him), this was an excellent mystery that kept me guessing and changing suspects every chapter. I liked the characters and the setting at the Jersey shore (where I've vacationed several times, but a long time ago). I will read the next one in the series.

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The Whispered Word by Ellery Adams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thought the first book in the series was a bit sad, and this one started out that way, but then it got very interesting. Lots of twists and turns on this one. I had no idea who the murderer could be.
Nora finds a young woman in the bookshop. She's obviously a runaway, but will not talk very much. Nora and her friends decide to help her, but when one of the bookshop's clients turns out dead, Nora wonders if the runaway was involved.

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A Fatal Twist of Lemon by Patrice Greenwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ellen is ready to open her Victorian-themed tearoom in downtown Santa Fe, but her practice run with those who helped her ends up in murder.
I like the characters and setting, and had a hard time narrowing suspects, but I wished the author had included recipes. I will read the next one in the series.

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A Beeline to Murder by Meera Lester
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

New series to me, but I had to keep checking that it was the first one in the series because the narrator kept referring to the MC's previous investigations. All in all, it was a fairly good mystery with some unexpected twists.
Abby, a farmer and beekeeper, is taking some of her honey to the pastry chef in town, but when she walks into the kitchen, she finds him dead on the floor. It looks like he hung himself, but then, who cut him down, and where is his apron and the rope? With the help of policewoman Kat and the chef's brother, Phillippe, Abby looks for the killer.

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Tilly and the Bookwanderers by Anna James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Eleven year old Tilly lives with her grandparents in a flat above their bookstore. She's been told her father died, and her mother disappeared when she was a baby. Tilly has noticed that her grandparents have odd-looking visitors, but it's not until Alice (from Wonderland) and Anne (from Avonlea) show up and take her into their books, that she finds out she comes from a family of bookwanderers.
I'm looking forward to the next book.

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Black and Blueberry Die by Livia J. Washburn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mike asks his mom for help. His childhood BFF is in prison for murdering his wife. Mike just can't believe he did it. Phyllis, with the help of Sam and lawyer D'Angelo, go about trying to figure out who did it. I did not guess the killer, and some of the recipes look yummy. I've read several of this series and like it.

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A Cup of Holiday Fear by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

'Tis the week before Christmas, and all through Ashland, there was celebrating, by Jules and her gang.
Jules takes the Torte staff to a Dickens themed feast to celebrate the season at the old Winchester Inn, but in the middle of dinner the lights go off, and when they come back, a body is found. The Inn's new owner is dead by steak knife. Will the killer be found before Christmas?
I really enjoy this series and am trying to catch up on the previous titles before the new ones come out. I love the setting and the characters (especially Carlos!)

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Pumpkins in Paradise by Kathi Daley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

New series for me. TJ works as a school coach and helps out in her family's lodge at a Lake Tahoe-style place in the town of Serenity, Nevada. She is friends with the town's curmudgeon, Zachary, who is found dead. Police think he just died of old age, but TJ thinks there's something odd about his death.
I enjoyed the setting and the characters, but the writing was a little bit odd. I also thought that the Nevada Day holiday was not mentioned, even though it celebrated right before Halloween. It may be a bigger deal in Carson City, where I live, than elsewhere in Nevada.
I will try to read the next one in the series.

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Till Death Do Us Tart by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jules is planning a surprise wedding for her mother and the professor, with the help of the whole town. Carlos is flying in for it, and bringing his son Ramiro to meet Jules. On top of that, the renovations at Torte are almost done, but with all the stuff going on, she is a nervous wreck. Then BFF Lance's father dies in suspicious circumstances and he asks her for help. This mystery was very complicated and sad, but I enjoyed seeing how Jules and almost-ex Carlos get along, and Ramiro turned out to be a nice kid.

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Gilded by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It is a little dark, but after all it's based on German folklore, so it was true to the spirit of the tale. A bit slow in the beginning, but the story of Serilda, the miller's daughter, and how she came to tell the lie of spinning straw into gold gets very captivating. Every time she comes about a clue (usually the letter R), I want to scream Rumpelstiltskin! I am eagerly awaiting the next book.

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Knitted and Knifed: A Humorous & Heart-warming Cozy Mystery by Tracey Drew
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Set in a small beach town in New Zealand, this was a rather cute mystery. I thought it was the first in the series, but they talk about a past murder, so maybe there's a prequel? Tessa moves in with her grandfather after her grandmother dies, to take care of him, his two cats, and help out in the yarn store owned by her grandmother. She finds her brother's boss dead, and with him being the main suspect, she sets out to find the real killer. I really liked the characters and the setting. I was worried that some of the vocabulary would be strange for an American, but there were only a few words I didn't know. I'm not usually a fan of crafty mysteries (read this one for a challenge), but I may continue the series.

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Due or Die by Jenn McKinlay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have the first book in this series marked as read, but I really do not remember it. I did enjoy the characters, even the lemon librarian, and loved Heathcliff the puppy.
When the new president of the Friends of the Library club finds her husband dead, Lindsey and her friends wonder if the past president, sour at losing his post, could be the killer. Or could it be his sycophant follower, Batty Marjorie, who is not at all well in the head. There is a missing valuable donation of rare books, and a major storm moving in to complicate matters.
I liked this mystery, and will continue the series.

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Live and Let Pie by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jules and the gang at Torte try to solve both a recent death and a 30 year old murder. The renovations to Torte are over, and there are new staff members and a grand reopening. Mom and the professor are back from their honeymoon, and looking for a home. There's an old legend to investigate to figure out if the two murders are connected.

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