Cozy Mystery Archives

September 24, 2022October 8, 2022

Death Among the Diamonds-Chester-Cozy Mystery-Available Now

I am a big fan of the Fen Churche historical mysteries by Fliss Chester, so I was very excited to see a new heroine introduced in the cozy mystery, Death Among the Diamonds.

Cressida Fawcett embodies the 20s. She’s glamorous, sharp-witted, and likes a good time. I’ve mentioned before that when a character is well-written, I tend to picture movie stars as that character. For Cressida, I kept picturing Myrna Loy or Claudette Colbert. Maybe even a young Bette Davis.

It’s hard to narrow down what makes this book so enjoyable. Just as Cressida embodies the Roaring 20s, the author does a great job of creating the atmosphere of the time as well. I think that the whole package just transports and plops the reader down right in the middle.

I guess you could say it’s an immersive experience that works in every possible way.

cozy mystery blog tour schedule — Buy Link:
Amazon: https://geni.us/B0B5LNRLRYsocial
Audio Links:
UK: zpr.io/5TH6WL7X6AsX
US: zpr.io/CHm3wmGbN8AW

I don’t want to say much about the mystery at hand because it would be easy to give away clues. But it felt like Agatha Christie meets Jeeves and Wooster meets Downton Abbey…you get the picture.

One of the other things I really liked about Death Among the Diamonds is the writing style. It might not be for everyone, but just like the character and the atmosphere, the author captured the style of writing of the time.

That means that it can be verbose at times, and it does cause action to drag in a few places, but the reader just has to ride it out. Once the rhythm is recognized, it is easy to enjoy the cadence of the writing.

I know that sounds strange, but it was something that stood out to me in the overall plot.

A cozy mystery is not usually my first choice, but I’m a sucker for the 20s and now I’m taken in by Cressida. I think Death Among the Diamonds is a great opener for the new series, and I look forward to what Fliss Chester has up next for her.

https://www.instagram.com/flisschester/
https://twitter.com/SocialWhirlGirl

April 2, 2022April 10, 2022

A Plot Most Perilous-Essig-Review-Historical Mystery-Available Now

I really enjoyed Deception Most Deadly (the first Cassie Gwynn historical mystery from Genevieve Essig). So, I was eagerly looking forward to A Plot Most Perilous.

It didn’t hurt that this time, the crime occurs in conjunction with the arrival of a traveling theater company.

I mean, historical mystery, feisty heroine, theater, Florida…seriously, what’s not to like?

It also doesn’t hurt that Pirates of Penzance is my favorite Gilbert & Sullivan. (Isn’t it everybody’s?)

I like the attention the author gives to what some might consider minutiae. I, for one, found the ins and outs of 1880s theater to be fascinating. Others might feel that the level of detail gets in the way of the plot. I can see both sides of that.

I will say that this is a “thinking person’s” type of historical mystery. If you are looking for lighthearted and mindless, this might not be for you.

There are a lot of characters to keep track of, and the author likes to go into extensive detail. Again, I appreciate it, because it feels like the author is mimicking the writing style of the time as well as the social mores, language, etc.

In fact, in some ways, the secondary and “extra” characters are more entertaining than Cassie herself.

Regardless, it is all a ball of fun, and reading Genevieve Essig’s books make me feel like I am watching a penny newsreel in an old Nickelodeon.

(No, I’m not that old, but I remember them at amusement parks as “novelties.”)

You don’t need to read the first one to enjoy A Plot Most Perilous, but you will enjoy this one more if you do – if only to be able to understand who at least some of the standard characters are.

Another enjoyable read!

Instagram: essigauthor
Facebook: essigauthor
Twitter: essigauthor

About the Author

I now proudly call New Orleans home, and when I’m not writing or getting lost down research rabbit holes, I spend my time practicing law, shooting pool, performing operas and musicals, ogling old buildings, acting for film and television, futzing with inventions that address highly specific and possibly only-annoying-to-me problems, traveling, ranting at bartenders about the evils of straws, riding horses, and petting strange cats.

August 3, 2021October 20, 2021

Cozy Mystery-“Death at the Gates”-Available Now

This is the third cozy mystery featuring Pip and it firmly cements the series as one of my all-time favorites.

I can’t speak highly enough about these books (you can read my reviews of the first two here and here). There is so much cleverness and attention to detail that it’s difficult to know where to start.

I like how Pip is fallible. She is not necessarily the sharpest tool in the box, but she gets things done – sometimes in spite of herself. She also finds herself in the most amusing situations…again, mostly of her own doing.

An ill-planned event at the museum from the last book causes her to lose her job. Again. I like how the authors have established this pattern. Pip is always on to the next thing. This time she inserts herself into the middle of a school cheating scandal.

Anyone who pays attention to pop culture even a little will find it reminiscent of the college cheating scandal that rocked Hollywood a couple of years ago. It doesn’t exactly parallel but there are similarities.

Until a dead body pops up. Or rather, face down? And then Detective Pip really has a dilemma on her hands. As has been the case in the other books, Pip is more a beneficiary of luck rather than actual skill, although she does have a knack for talking to the right person at the right time and recognizing important things when necessary.

Pip’s affinity for pop culture helps her along the way. However, she is woefully underprepared in some areas (her rabbit hole search for sports facts was particularly amusing). Flis also has an uncanny knowledge of pop culture. But hers often seems to be more luck of the draw due to her constant malapropisms.

Honestly, I think Flis is one of my favorite characters ever. I especially liked how her long-suffering husband has apparently figured out a way to get around her horrid attempts at new recipes

My absolute favorite part of these books, however, is the sheer intelligence of the authors. Their command of the language, wordplay, clever alliterations all make for a most enjoyable read. I almost feel like I have to read the books twice: once for the plot and a second time to just enjoy the love of words.

I hope Pip will be around for many books to come because I thoroughly enjoy reading about her escapades.

Other cozy mystery reviews from this author:

FB: KatieGayleWriter
Twitter: @KatieGayleBooks

Author Bio:
Katie Gayle is the writing partnership of best-selling South African writers, Kate Sidley and Gail Schimmel. Kate and Gail have, between them, written over ten books of various genres, but with Katie Gayle, they both make their debut in the cozy mystery genre. Both Gail and Kate live in Johannesburg, with husbands, children, dogs and cats. Unlike their sleuth Epiphany Bloom, neither of them have ever stolen a cat from the vet.

March 31, 2021October 20, 2021

Cozy Mystery-The Museum Murder-Available Now

I found a feisty, funny heroine to fawn over in the cozy mystery The Kensington Kidnap, and I’m flying high that Pip is back for another fantastic adventure.

I can’t say enough good things about this book. I just loved every minute of reading it.

When I read psych thrillers, I try and outguess the author as to whatever the big twist might be. With crime novels, I try to solve the case before the police do. And rom-coms sometimes result in a “yeah right – nobody is that romantic” response from me.

With Pip, and this type of cozy mystery, I just get straight-up enjoyment from beginning to end.

I wondered how Pip would be able to stumble upon another “accidental detective” case, but I needn’t have worried. This one is even better than the first and again, it’s right up Pip’s avenue of expertise.

Once again, her love of pop culture gets her a job that quickly turns into more than she expected. Of course, she’s been bitten by the investigative bug and is more than happy to help solve the mystery at hand (you won’t find a spoiler about it here).

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3chaM1l
Apple: https://apple.co/3qzldlV
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3mTY1MV
Google: https://bit.ly/33QqdsO

We get a healthy dose of Most (who has new responsibilities) and a few characters from the first book make reappearances over the course of the investigation.

Guiding her along the way as Flis who may just be one of my favorite characters ever written. She’s ditzy and has no idea what she is saying most of the time (as I mentioned in my review of the first book, Mrs. Malaprop would be proud).

But she is always there to support Pip – even if it takes Pip a while to figure out exactly how she is trying to help! I love every scene between these two.

We also get a glimpse into why Pip and Flis may be the way they are. It comes early on and has to do with a phone call and llamas.

And that’s all I’m going to say about that.

One of the things I like best about these two books is the clever writing. These are books that you need to read carefully – not because you’ll miss an important clue (well, maybe you will), but if you skim, you’ll miss clever asides and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it references or quips.

(My clumsy attempt at alliteration in the first sentence of this review is in honor of the writing tricks the author often uses).

Honestly, even if you aren’t a fan of cozy mysteries, you really should give this series a try. It’s witty, contemporary, and thoroughly engaging.

Facebook: KatieGayleWriter
Twitter: @KatieGayleBooks

December 2, 2020October 20, 2021

Cozy Mystery-“The Kensington Kidnap”-Available Now

Full disclosure. I used to love a good cozy mystery, but for some reason, I moved away from them over the past couple of years. I still read the occasional one and enjoy them every time, but they just don’t hold my attention the way they used to.

Until this book.

Right from the start I knew that I was going to really like Pip (short for Epiphany). Her initial reactions to her mom’s phone calls gave immediate insight into Pip’s frame of mind, which was totally relatable.

It also showed that Pip handled frustrating situations with a sense of humor, which I really appreciated. It was nice to have a heroine who, even when desperate for a job, could keep her wits about her and crack jokes.

Which leads me to the other characters.

Cozy mystery blog tour book review schedule — Amazon: https://bit.ly/396HfGh
Apple: https://apple.co/33eKAi1
Kobo: https://bit.ly/35pAIF0
Google: https://bit.ly/2FobH1R

There’s Mummy, who we get a clear picture of because Pip has a unique ringtone for her. There’s also Pip’s cat, Most, probably one of the funniest “pet acquisition” stories and the cleverest name I’ve come across.

And then there’s Pip’s sister Flis (short for Felicity) who is in a class of her own. It took me a few beats to understand her, but once I did, well…let’s just say that Mrs. Malaprop has a descendant, and her name is Flis.

I laughed out loud over just about every one of Flis and Pip’s conversations. There was extremely clever writing and the plot points that came out of them were unique and interesting.

If you couldn’t tell, the authors are skilled at word play and have an amazing command of the language.

Then there is the case itself. I liked how Pip came on the job (not going to give it away) and I liked how the entire thing unfolded. It kept me entertained and interested all the way through.

Sometimes cozies stretch the realm of believability – everyday person has uncanny ability to solve crime. That’s not the case with Pip.

She uses what she knows, and she turns it to her advantage. For example, she figures out a few pieces of the case based on her love for pop culture, reading gossip magazines, and scouring Instagram.

Think of it as a cozy for 2020.

I’ll be honest, I’m not always a fan of pop culture and the digital age but it worked for me in this book, especially because the writing was clever. I mean, to make a joke about alliteration using alliteration? I think I’m in love.

Consider me a fangirl, avidly awaiting additional adventures for Pip.

October 30, 2020October 30, 2020

Murder on the Dance Floor-Books On Tour-Historical Mystery-Available Now

Review to follow due to technical difficulties.

Buy Links: https://geni.us/B08BV2V69QSocial

Author Bio:

Nell Dixon was born and continues to live in the Black Country. Married to the same man for over thirty-five years she has three daughters, a cactus called Spike, a crazy cockapoo and a tank of tropical fish. She is allergic to adhesives, apples, tinsel and housework. Her addictions of choice are coffee and reality TV. She was winner of The Romance Prize in 2007 with her book Marrying Max, and winner of Love Story of the Year 2010 with her book, Animal Instincts. She also writes historical 1930’s set cozy crime as Helena Dixon.

August 24, 2020August 22, 2020

The Matinee Murders by Jeannette de Beauvoir – Blog Tour (Review)

Although I love crime thrillers and murder mysteries that allow me to “solve the crime” alongside the detectives, every once in awhile it’s nice to be able to just “follow along.” This was a light, quick murder mystery that was quite enjoyable.

The setting of a movie festival Provincetown allows for the author to maintain a surface veneer throughout the story. That sounds like it might be a bad thing, but it really isn’t. The author focuses on the glamour of both P’town and the movies, even as bad things are occurring. And murder is definitely bad.

As with any other murder mystery, I’m not going to go into details because it would be too easy to give something away. I did like the characters and how the author worked everything together, both the regulars and the visitors in town, to create a plot that was entertaining and easy to read.

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2PfpdGW Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/39KBAE9
Barnes and Noble: https://bit.ly/3gj4YUm

I have found that I really enjoy the “accidental detective” trope. There is something satisfying about a “normal” person putting clues together to solve the crime. I suppose this is also considered a cozy mystery series, although I didn’t consider it so, possibly because of my own opinion that P’town doesn’t strike me as cozy. It’s more fun than cozy.

But I digress.

This is the sixth book in the Sydney Riley series, but the first one that I have read. Although I was never lost in the plot, it was obvious that there was a lot of backstory with the characters. I did feel like I missed some important things due to not knowing that backstory. It wasn’t so much with the crime at hand, rather the personal connections between Sydney and the others.

That didn’t stop me from enjoying the book, however, and I will definitely be looking for the previous books.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeannetteDeB
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeannettedeBeauvoir
Website: https://www.jeannettedebeauvoir.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeannettedebeauvoir/

About Jeannette de Beauvoir:
Award-winning author Jeannette de Beauvoir writes mystery and historical fiction that’s been translated into 12 languages. A Booksense Book-of-the-Year finalist, she’s a member of the Authors Guild, the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the National Writers Union.

All her novels are firmly rooted in a sense of place, and her delight is to find characters true to the spaces in which they live. She herself lives and writes in a cottage in Provincetown, on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and loves the collection of people who assemble at a place like land’s end.

Find out more (and read her blog and sign up for her newsletter) at jeannettedebeauvoir.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, Patreon, Medium, and Goodreads.

July 10, 2020July 10, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): Death at the Dance by Verity Bright

Right from the start, I felt like I was reading a movie.

Let me explain.

I’m a big fan of the screwball comedies of the early talkies. “It Happened One Night” with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert is one of my favorites.

As soon as I started reading this book, I felt like I was dropped right into the middle of one of those. From the character and clothing descriptions to the dialogue, it all was true to the time. In a strange way, there were also times that I was reminded of Downton Abbey (another favorite).

Honestly, this book had everything that makes a cozy mystery so much fun. The colorful characters, the rich detail, and (of course) the murder and ensuing investigation all made for a delightfully light and breezy read.

I liked Lady Eleanor as the sleuth because she was feisty but shrewd at times. I also really enjoyed Clifford. He was a butler, but so much more. In some ways, it felt like he was the Watson to Eleanor’s Sherlock. I’m not going to give away the plot of the mystery, but it’s a good (and fitting) one.

I mentioned detail, and I think this where the author really succeeded. From the descriptions of the fabrics and settings to the names of the characters, there was no part of the book that didn’t fit perfectly in the time period.

I think that’s what I liked most. The world created by the author enabled me to escape and enjoy a mystery romp in the 20s.

In times like these, that kind of talent is invaluable. I can’t wait to visit with Lady Eleanor on her next venture.

Author Bio:
Verity Bright is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing partnership that has spanned a quarter of a century. Starting out writing high-end travel articles and books, they published everything from self-improvement to humour, before embarking on their first historical mystery. They are the authors of the fabulous Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, set in the 1920s.

June 1, 2020May 30, 2020

Books On Tour (Review): Murder on a Mississippi Steamboat by Leighann Dobbs

I am a big fan of Agatha Christie. Her books are well-plotted, the characters are memorable, and the mysteries are unique. However, mysteries are tough to re-read. Honestly, once you know “whodunnit” you can only go back so many times to see what you missed before the story gets old.

I’m always looking for a new author who writes similar to Ms. Christie, and I couldn’t be happier than to have found Leighann Dobbs. I thoroughly enjoyed A Purr-fect Alibi and was excited for more to come. Her latest, Murder on a Mississippi Steamboat, does not disappoint. (I must point out, the two books are not in the same series. This new one is standalone).

I may have found a new favorite pair: Nora Marsh and her feisty great-aunt Julia are a fantastic duo.

Right off, I liked the setting. It reminded me of one of my favorite Christie’s Death On the Nile. The “single-set” of a steamboat allowed the author to be creative (there are only so many places to be on a ship). But that also helped keep the action tight; there were no rambling passages about travel.

I also like the era. Ms. Dobbs captured everything from the music to the lingo to the dress of the day. She created an atmosphere that just screamed “1920s” from head to toe.

As to the mystery itself, I wouldn’t be a good blogger if I gave it all away, would I? Suffice to say that the set-up is masterful because each of the characters is introduced naturally, and viewing them through the eyes of a murder novelist was unique. It felt like a “live” game of Clue.

It was also nice to be able to change it up and read a straightforward mystery instead of crime or psych one. To me, that change of pace is relaxing and feels like sitting down with a cat curled up next to me. I guess that’s why they are called “cozy mysteries,” though.

Fans of Agatha Christie, cozy mysteries, the 1920s, historical fiction (any or all of these!) will no doubt enjoy this book as much as I did.

Author Bio
USA Today bestselling author, Leighann Dobbs, discovered her passion for writing after a twenty year career as a software engineer. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband Bruce, their trusty Chihuahua mix Mojo and beautiful rescue cat, Kitty.

Her book “Dead Wrong” won the “Best Mystery Romance” award at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention.

Her book “Ghostly Paws” was the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem First Place category winner in the Animal Mystery category.

**Website:** http://www.leighanndobbs.com
**Facebook:** https://www.facebook.com/leighanndobbsbooks
**Twitter:** https://twitter.com/leighanndobbs

April 28, 2019

BOOK REVIEW: Making a Medium

The newest series by Erin Huss is a journey into the paranormal. Her Cambria Clyne series is excellent, and she continues the tradition of awkwardly funny heroines in Making a Medium.

A mystery within a paranormal mystery, it’s the story of Zoe Lane and her realization that she can see ghosts. Of course, it’s not as straightforward as “oh, look at that.” It’s more like, “what the heck is happening/am I going crazy?” This thought is due mainly in part to her overbearing mother, who is hiding secrets from Zoe.

But Zoe has more significant problems, in the form of Willie, who appears to her after she is almost hit by a car. The two form an uneasy but amusing bond. He acts as a spiritual guide, commenting on everything from Zoe’s fashion sense (she doesn’t have one) to her life (she really doesn’t have one), while she tries to solve the mystery of how he died.

The interaction between the two quickly became my favorite parts of the book. Even as Zoe learned how to use her “gift,” she still maintained her awkwardness. More than once, I laughed out loud at her efforts trying to cover for talking to Willie – which of course to everyone else looks like she’s talking to thin air.

I also liked how Zoe’s character grew throughout the novel. She gained a backbone and started to embrace her talents. Both the primary mystery and Zoe’s mystery are well-plotted and not easy to solve, so that is an added bonus.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book, and I look forward to the continued paranormal experiences of Zoe. My Goodreads review is below.

Pre-order for 99 cents on Kindle (Available 5/09/19); available now in paperback.

Making a Medium: a humorous, cozy mystery! (Lost Souls Lane Mystery Book One)

Making a Medium: a humorous, cozy mystery! by Erin Huss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this author’s Cambria Clyne series (that’s another good series to pick up), and I was excited to see her branch out into another series. Zoe Lane is sheltered by her real estate agent mother (who reminded me of Tammy Faye Bakker) and is socially awkward as a result. In a twist of events, she finds out that she can see ghosts, mainly when Willie shows up claiming that he was killed and that Zoe needs to help him. What follows is a fun whodunnit, filled with vivid characters and witty dialogue. I loved Zoe’s awkwardness and how Willie calls her “person.” The mystery driving the plot was good (I can usually guess but didn’t get this one) as was a secondary plot involving Zoe’s past. All in all, a great start to the new series. Visit my blog at www.firefliesandfreekicks.com for a more detailed review. Both reviews were written based on a pre-release digital copy.

View all my reviews