Mystery at Magpie Lodge (Eve Mallow Mystery #7), by Clare Chase

This one kept me guessing. There were so many intriguing red herrings and interesting suspects that I found myself unable to pin down in my own mind who the killer was. Of course, as Eve Mallow puts together all the clues at the end, I thought, "Of course."

It was fascinating to spend time in Eve's mind, so to speak. Even though I couldn't quite figure out why she so liked the victim initially, her thought process was fascinating and thorough. Even when she was in danger, it was hard at work not just trying to figure out an escape but pulling loose ends together to make it all make sense to her. She's helped along the way, of course, by friends, including the mysterious Robin and his past police ties, a lover whose true connection to her must remain secret for now. And, Gus, her trusty canine companion, who is perhaps her most frequent sounding board. I liked how she at times had to talk things out with him just to organize them, so to speak, in her mind. As one owned by a dog, I thoroughly understood that inclination.

Bottom line, a thoroughly enjoyable read that reminds me of some of the classic mysteries I've read in the past. Eve isn't rash, she has no desire to rush into danger, which was reassuring given the frequent rashness of modern amateur sleuths. I liked that, even in the situation where she found herself in a dangerous situation, she had thought it through and tried to ensure "backup". I liked her. I liked Robin. I liked Gus. I liked her friends. I enjoyed visiting their communities, even if I don't think I'd have been as prone to walking my dog in the wooded areas as she was. I'll be going back and reading the previous books in this series, which was new to me, I think, not to mention looking forward to sharing Eve's thoughtful investigations in the future.

Thank you #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the ARC.

The King Falls, by R.J. Lee

After what seemed a slow start to me, once some invisibly switch in my brain clicked on, this one really kept me guessing until the end. The view point switched periodically, even sharing thoughts of the victim and his pondering over how to share his big news, all while, of course, not revealing what the big news was. There were countless red herrings and suspects, all with possible reasons to kill the victim. I was new to the series and thus fuzzy on some of the background and relationships but it really didn't matter. This one worked nicely as a stand-alone. 

I swung rather wildly between possible suspects, often within a few pages, and even fingered the right party at one point before abandoning that thought, so this one will definitely keep you guessing. Who killed King Kohl? Who came up with that name anyway? Was King's tallness really important? What was wrong with his mother? Could a parent kill their own child? Could a person kill someone they claimed to love and might marry? How tormenting must it have been for the priest to know the "big news" that might be relevant to the solving of the crime but be unable to share due to his position? Did the big news even matter? If so, to who? Why? And, what the heck makes Wendy, who seems tough as nails, faint? 

If you're like me, you'll waver from one suspect to the other as the plot moves along but never have a real clue to the "Why?" of the murder. The clues are all there, however, and I thoroughly enjoyed the back-and-forth musings on the case between Wendy and Ross, not to mention Bax. Thus, despite the it taking a bit for me to get into the book, I thoroughly enjoyed it and, hey, you don't even have to play bridge to enjoy it. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for the ARC. 

Three Shots to the Wind (A Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Saloon Mystery), by Sherry Harris

This story had me from the very first page. First, a plane towing a banner declaring "I love Chloe Jackson" is just the beginning. As the anonymous declarations of love piled up, I wondered how I'd feel in Chloe's shoes, especially as she realized how well the stalker seemed to know her. Then, to find out the likely identity of the stalker when a dead body is found clutching a picture of her. That is the situation Chloe finds herself in as the book opens. And that is all before her romantic interest, Rip, is taken in for questioning.

Chloe is determined to find out who murdered Perry, who she once planned to marry. That was about a year and a half ago, however. Still, she seems to think of him kindly, albeit as something of a staid, stay-at-home bore. As she learns more about him in her present, though, she begins to realize that perhaps she didn't know him as well as she thought. Was the man she thought she knew just an illusion? What other secrets will she discover? Who are all these women showing up and claiming they were his only love?

Why is Vivi introducing Chloe to a steady stream of eligible men? What does Vivi have against Rip? Who will show up at the dinner staged by the victim prior to his death? Who isn't what they appear to be? Will Chloe and Rip's young relationship survive the arrival of her boisterous brothers? How does Chloe manage to get herself into such predicaments as she faces near the end of the book? Speaking of the other characters, they're a likeable bunch. Her brothers are a hoot, that's for sure. Heck, you'll even learn how to make certain cocktails if you're paying attention.

Bottom line, an intriguing, fun read. Be sure to add it to your reading list.

Thank you #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for the ARC.

Bear a Wee Grudge (Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery, #5), by Meg Macy

Teddy bears in kilts?

Silver Hollow, Michigan, is a town gone mad for not just teddy bears but it's upcoming inaugural Highland Fling weekend. Sasha Silverman, who runs the, what else, teddy bear shop, is right in the midst of it. Hard not to be when her mother is mayor. Unfortunately, not only isn't Sasha feeling up to par but an ol' nemesis, Teddy Hartman, is back and doing his best to stir up trouble for not just her family but the town. Hartman and Sasha's father are reportedly long time business rivals and Hartman, at least, seems bound for revenge for some deals gone wrong for which he blames the Silverman family. Not only is his wife, Lucy, equally obnoxious but their little dog bites Sasha.... right after Sasha's sister has popped Silverman in the nose in anger at his innuendo and accusations. Soon after, as locals practice for the upcoming traditional games of a Highland Fling event, Hartman is found murdered.


Although I could see some initial interest being paid to Alex Silverman, Sasha's father, given his history with the victim, he seemed an unlikely suspect. Of all the characters in the book, he seemed one of the calmest, most self-controlled and unlikely to resort to violence types in town. Yet, with the police chief out of town, he is arrested. Naturally, Sasha sets out to prove his innocence. If that uncovers the real killer in the process, so much the better. The detective in charge of the case seems useless and too fixated on her father to even consider anyone else.

So, why was Hartman at the park in the first place? Did he die there or elsewhere? What was that shadow seen around his neck in the evidence photos? Was his wife a victim of abuse? How many people did the Hartman's dog bite anyway? Will Sasha's boyfriend manage to finish up his business' wood crafting projects on time? How good at axe throwing was Lucy? How good will boyfriend Jay and his brother Nathan be at tossing cambers? What is a camber anyway? Why do they throw them for fun? What will happen to Lucy's dog? Will Sasha ever learn to wait on her back-up before charging in to accuse someone? What is wrong with her? And, finally, what surprise does Jay have in store for Sasha, not to mention what surprise she has for him? You'll have to read the book to find the answers to all these are more, such as how to outfit a teddy bear in a kilt.

Speaking of teddy bears, I need to go find out where I can find one of those adorable teddy bears in kilts. I'll do that while you add this to your "to read" list.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for the ARC. Love the cover!
 

Atlin Where Everyone Knows Your Dog's Name, by Bradford D. Smith

"...life was a perpetual adventure," write author Bradford Smith, "an astonishing journey that most of us were not aware we were taking."

He's writing of his own life, one where he spent his growing years in Atlin, British Columbia. Isolated and difficult to reach, Arlin was both a wilderness community and his playground. His story is one part personal nostalgia for a far more simple life, at least in the eyes of his then young eyes, part history, and fully charming and intriguing. Living in Alaska myself, although I've never made it to Atlin, I've been to nearby Skagway and even Juneau, Alaska. I chuckled reading that Smith's family moved from Juneau to Atlin because, well, the population then about 5,000 then in Juneau made it just too crowded. I've taken that ferry to Haines that he mentions, too, and cannot imagine doing the trip in what was surely a far slower, less comfortable ferry of the times with all their personal belongings. Just as living in remote Alaska today, more than one trip was needed, too. I'm actually pretty sure some residents of remote Alaska and the Canadian wilds today would nod their heads sagely and say, "Yep, ain't improved much."

I won't detail Smith's adventures and misadventures as they are many and varied. His days were full of fun like fishing and hunting, yes, but hard work, too, work that didn't always feel like work because, well, they had fun doing it. Well, some of it. Even living in Alaska today where friends harvest moose and wild game to get them through out long winters, I know how hard just that task alone can be. Imagine hauling not just food animals you've trapped or killed for long distances without mechanical means, but wood, water, and doing it regularly, not just occasionally. One of the saving graces was perhaps the abundance of dogs, mostly huskies and Malamutes, in Smith's life. Mushing isn't as much a sport for some as a way of life, a way of getting food and supplies to the table and Smith lived that life. It was a small, close-knit community and everyone helped each other, too. It was a hard life but one full of fun, amazing sights and sounds, adventure, and people who, yes, knew your dogs' names. 

More importantly, Smith saw it as a wonderful adventure, a time where he lived rather than just existed. "I have attempted to depict and  explain a time, a place and a sense of community.... I chose to tell my story in a bright light, understanding every community has darkness..." In other words, he knows he's being nostalgic. I mean, how else can you look back on the experience of having a father put you on his shoulders and then climb tall ladders or poles with you clinging to him without thinking twice about it. 

Finally, a real plus to this book are the additions of excerpts by Smith's mother, Diane Solie Smith. I wish I'd known her. Much of the history of Atlin available today may be through her efforts as a historian and writer of several books. Kudos to Bradford Smith for giving his mother her due and including her thoughts and insights. She died in 2003 and is buried with her last dog on a hill overlooking the town that once hosted her wild flower garden. The dog's name was Willow. 

Thank you #NetGalley and #FathomPublishing for introducing me to this wonderful book. I've shared it with friends including one who lives part time in, yes, Atlin.

White House Confidential: The Little Book of Weird Presidential History, by Gregg Stebben, Austin Hill, Will Durst

I've got to admit, while I found the various stories, tidbits, and wisps of gossip intriguing, I also found the going a bit chaotic. It tended to jump around a great deal, more from theme to theme than from president to president. As a result, especially reading on my phone as I was, I found it difficult to keep track of who did what and when. And, boy, there were a lot of whos doing whats. From Washington to Obama (published pre-Trump and Biden), not to mention several vice-presidents and assorted governmental figures, both well known and not, as well as some relatives of presidents, there was a lot to cover. I was aware of some of the information shared but had somehow, thank goodness in some cases, missed other bits shared. Bottom line, though hardly the book for someone seeking accurate, documented information about the presidents, this was a fun, easy read with just enough shared to catch your attention before moving on. Wow, who knew some of our presidents were so, well, uh, un-presidential? Maybe the real question is, what does the fact I thoroughly enjoyed it all say about me? Never mind. I'd rather not know.

 

Pleading the Fish (Seaside Café Mysteries, #7), by Bree Baker

I've somehow missed this series until this book, apparently the last in the series, alas. As a result, I probably wasn't as clued in as I might have been otherwise on why a seemingly modern, intelligent woman like Everly Swan would so strongly believe in an ol' curse. According to this curse, any man the women of the Swan family marries dies an early death. Curse aside, there is still plenty of time for Everly, who seems to have a reputation for doing so, to get involved in investigating a murder. Her soon-to-be husband, detective Grady Hayes, of course, tries to discourage her, not to mention disprove the curse.

He already has a murder to solve. Who pushed the victim in the well? Will Grady also disprove the curse? Does the curse have anything to do with the murder? Will Everly discover who the murderer is? Will she have more seaweed dumped on her? Yuck. Will Everly ever settle on a wedding gown? Why is a lemon cake important? Who is the mystery man lurking near her aunts' place of business? Can Everly trust her former nemesis? Heck, will Everly live long enough to get married or, gasp, will she learn that the curse is real and Grady won't make it down the wedding aisle?

Nope, not telling. All these questions and more are answered in this final entry in the Seaside Cafe Mysteries series. Now, please, excuse me. I'm feeling the urge for some lemon cake.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #PoisonedPenPress for the ARC.

 

Long Overdue at the Lakeside Library (Lakeside Library Mystery #2,) by Holly Danvers

Rain and Julia could be the models for a "seriously amateur sleuths" poster.

I cringed at some of their decisions, cringed even while giving Julia some leeway given her husband Nick's position as the chief suspect. Rain's role seemed to be the more cautious one although, quite frankly, despite her courage and determination to help her friends, she didn't do a real good job of that most of the time. I cringed at her glee of hearing about a library patron's granddaughter who'd been troubled by the death of the victim because she knew him, without giving a second's thought at that moment to what additional harm such questioning might cause. Don't get me wrong. Rain seems a kind, caring person but, well, caring doesn't always lead to intelligent actions. I honestly alternately liked her and then a page or two later wanted to shake some sense into her.

Bottom line, the story moves along relatively quickly as we follow the two friends in their efforts to find the real killer.They're doing all this in the midst of a bitterly cold winter, too, which spoke to me as, ironically, just as I picked up the book to read, my own temps dropped into negative numbers. Finally, I should note, there is a budding love triangle, too, for those who enjoy that aspect of some cozy mysteries. At this point I'm probably intrigued enough by the setting and occasionally humorous situations Rain and Julia get themselves into to keep reading this series.....even while wanting to sit them down and give them a good shaking at times, I'm sure.

Thank you #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the copy.

Batten Down the Belfry (House-Flipper Mystery #4), by Diane Kelly

Although the going seemed slow initially, by the end of the book I was thoroughly invested in trying to sort out who did it. This was a new series to me but "Batten Down the Belfry" worked quite well a a stand-alone, especially for someone like me who had no real interest or knowledge about fixing up and flipping houses. The fact the "house" in this instance isn't even a house but a run-down rural church only added to the interest. The main characters seemed likeable and left me rooting for them to make a success of this, I guess you'd call it, failed flip project.

Toss in a horse ranch next door with an antagonistic owner that claims he owns the property Whitney and her cousin Buck just purchased, wandering horses, the prospects of the property when refurbished becoming part of the Nashville entertainment scene, murderous money making schemes, and, yes, murder, and there is a lot to take in. Although I had an inkling about the identity of the killer of the antagonistic neighbor, like Whitney and Collin, her police boyfriend, I had no clue who killed the deliveryman in the belfry until the very end. Kudos to Diane Kelly for weaving together such an intricate plot so well. She even managed to give Sawdust, Whitney's cat, a role in the action.

Finally, while you go add this to your "to be read" list, I'm tempted to ponder what the Stained Glass Cookies in one of the recipes at the end might taste like. They sound beautiful, that's for sure.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for the ARC.
 

How Dogs Work: A Head-To-Tail Guide to Your Canine, by Daniel Tatarsky, David Humphries

If this book was a dog, I'd give it two treats. One for author Daniel Tatarsky and one for illustrator David Humphries.

It perfectly treads the fine line between being informative on a wide variety of related topics, from tail wags and head tilts to various breeds and even costs and responsibilities of care from birth to the Rainbow Bridge, with the loving, whimsical, often humorous side of being owned by a dog always present. The illustrations catch that tone perfectly in an uncomplicated but direct and, yes, frequently humorous way.

I couldn't help checking my own dogs ear and tail positions, for instance, as I began the book, although if there is a section on your dog being bored because you are tethered to a computer, I missed it. That's okay. I'll be going back to this book repeatedly.

The author had me from the git-go when he wrote that there was no need to read the book from page to page. "Jump around. Wiggle your tail, and look for the bits that make you laugh, make you think, or maybe you want to know more. Then go do something else, walk your dog, and come back later." I'll be back, David Tatarsky. My corgi mix is telling me it's time for some "dog time" now, however.

Thanks to #NetGalley and publisher #DK for the copy. I loved it.

Up to No Gouda by Linda Reilly

Like author Linda Reilly, my go-to comfort food is a grilled cheese sandwich. As a result, she just made my day starting the Grilled Cheese Mysteries series. Even better, I loved it. Reilly has created likeable, realistic characters that most of us would be delighted to have in our own circle of friends. Now, true, given Grant's ability to conjure the perfect grilled cheese sandwich for the moment, I might put him high on my list but there's also more to him than his cooking skills. A talented young black man, he's being pressured by this parents to give up his dreams of becoming a chef and focus on his music. Turns out he's also a talented cello player named after William Grant Still, a composer and conductor who was the first African-American to conduct a major America symphony orchestra. Grant's parents are also talented musicians and are leaning heavily on him to choose music as a career. You'll have to read the book to see how that is sorted out. Grant obviously doesn't plan on making his career making grilled cheese sandwiches forever.

As for the murder mystery, the plot moves along as Carly and the local police force sift through a variety of suspects and clues to find Lyle's killer. Not only did Carly once briefly date him in high school but one of her workers becomes the main "person of interest" after Lyle exits Carly's restaurant after smugly delivering some bad news to Carly. Will this be the end of Carly's dream? Will her workers have to look for new jobs, too? What role will the fiercely independent homeless Becca play? Why is some ol' car so important to Lyle's younger brother? Would he kill for it? Can Carly trust Ari? How about with her heart? Are any of those about her too good to be true? Finally, will she ever get around to finally changing her mind and adopting the adorable little dog she discovered at about the same time she stumbled across Lyle's dead body? I'm not telling but I'm already looking forward to the next book in this series. Go add it to your "To Be Read" list while I go make myself a grilled cheese sandwich. It won't be as good as one of Grant or Carly's, alas, but it'll hit the spot this cold, snowy Alaska evening. I might even share a bite of it with my own dog who was rooting for Carly to adopt Havarti.

Thank you #NetGalley and #PoisonedPenPress for the advance copy of this great new series and to author #LindaReilly for adding those great grilled cheese recipes at the end, too.

 

Roadside Homicide (River Sutton Country Cozy Mysteries Book 1), by Nancy Basile

 I enjoyed this book. An interesting story combined with the weirdness many feel when coming home after a long time gone. Robin literally almost crashes into this mystery as the soon to be dead man stumbles out in front of her car. He's only able to mutter a few syllables before he dies but that is enough to make Robin, a computer search wiz, determined to find out not just who killed him but why. Along the way she encounters some blasts from the past, both good and bad. I had the wrong suspect pegged as the murderer, by the way, but it all made perfect sense at the end.

I liked Robin. Having been quite shy during my own high school days, more at home with my nose in a book than being social, I could relate. That made her ability to focus on finding long forgotten clues that tied two cases together make sense. She seemed to jump right into questioning people and pushing ahead when it might have been wiser to allow Chris, the local police and a former crush, to take the lead, of course. Will she get smarter and let him into her amateur investigation? Will Jenn's wedding come off with no more problems? Will Chris ever act on his long ago crush? Will Robin stay or will Robin go?

This book seemed to be a nice mesh of mystery and romance. Between Jenn's upcoming wedding (and I should probably note for any who care that it's a same sex wedding, in small town West Virginia, no less) and Robin discovering Chris' long ago crush, the mystery occasionally seems shoved into the background. That's actually good as, let's face it, even in real life investigations shouldn't focus our attention on finding the solution 24/7 but allow those involved to continue living, too. I liked that. On the downside, I made an early note to myself saying, "Will what's in her suitcase matter?" as I read the great detail given to that aspect of Robin's trip back to her ol' home town. Let's just say, the book started slow in my eyes. No fault of the author, I'm sure, but Ch. 2 was a repeat of Ch. 1, so the real action didn't start until the third chapter. After that, however, the pace began to pick up and I found myself interested in not just the mystery but Robin's family and relationships about her. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #MediaMedusaLLC for the copy.

A Very Furry Christmas Mystery (Curly Bay Animal Rescue #8) by Donna Doyle

 

This is a sweet, wonderful story of dog rescue wrapped up in Christmas paper as a cozy mystery. Courtney's efforts to find creative ways to find homes for the pets at the shelter she manages collide with murder but, well, this is a Christmas mystery, so it's all rather subtle. Gracie the Golden Retriever is the ultimate heroine and, again, this being Christmas, not only is the murderer caught, Courtney's media appearances do wonders for the adoption rates. I loved the dogs, especially Gracie, and look forward to getting my hands on some of the other books of this series. It's a short, quick read with lots of adorable dogs and cats. What more could we ask for in a Christmas read?

Death by the Finish Line (An Abby McCree Mystery Book 5) by Alexis Morgan

 

This was a solid, entertaining read with interesting characters and, oh, yes, a cool dog. Main character Abby isn't the one who finds the body but that doesn't stop her from being involved in the investigation, even as she tries to stay out of Gage's way and investigation. Yet, despite a tremendous amount of time baking and serving up food to, well, basically anyone who crosses her path, her curiosity won't allow her to completely let go. Although this is the fifth book in the Abby McCree Mystery series, it worked nicely as a stand-alone. That said, as a new reader to the series, I couldn't quite wrap my brains around the complicated relationship she has with Tripp, who seems to be a former government agent of some sort, or even Gage, the local police detective. I definitely enjoyed getting a look into Gage's relationship with his daughter, who feels protective toward him while understanding the responsibilities of his job. Doesn't mean she has to like it, however. He's good at it, though, and that is emphasized throughout. That is a nice change from some cozy mysteries where the local police and main character are set up as adversaries. Bottom line, I had no clue who did it until Abby knew. What makes a father basically disown his own daughter? What is Zeke the dog's role in the conclusion? Would you have been clever enough to leave a clue behind like Abby did for her hoped for rescuers? Will Gil get Abby on the back of his motorcycle? Will the townspeople be shocked if he does? What is going on between Tripp and Abby? And what job will the mayor volunteer Abby for next? How will that turn out? Like me, you're just going to have to read this book to find out. I'm already looking forward to the next adventure for Abby and her intriguing circle of friends, not to mention to see how many treats big dog Zeke can bum off of them next time.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonPress for the ARC and for introducing me to a new-to-me series.

Mrs. Jeffries and the Midwinter Murders (Mrs. Jeffries #40), by Emily Brightwell

First, how the heck did I miss the first 39 books in this series? Wow. Impressive. 

Second, coming off reading several fast paced, intense murder mysteries in a row, the slower pace of this one was actually quite nice. It had, well, Victorian sensibilities and a slower, more measured pace than more modern mysteries tend to do. I liked that although I'm honest enough to say I probably wouldn't like that full time, especially given the repetition involved as the helpful crew report back to each other daily. No razzle dazzle, just good ol' fashioned sleuthing and working as a team here as Mrs. Jeffries and the other characters, all of whom we got to meet briefly but sufficiently for the plot, secretly assist "their" Inspector Witherspoon to solve the locked room Christmas murder mystery. The suspects are intriguing themselves, most seemingly having a reason to kill, and I loved the teamwork and organization displayed by Witherspoon's unknown to him assistant sleuths. All and all, a delightful, intriguing read with lots of teamwork and obvious love and caring amongst the crew around Mrs. Jeffries and Inspector Witherspoon. I think I'm going to have to go do some serious catching up with this new to me series. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #BerkleyPublishingGroup for the ARC and for introducing me to a delightful series I've somehow missed.
 

Murder at the Bake Sale, by Lee Hollis

Lipstick taser?

Now that I have your attention I'll note that though it took me longer to get into this book than expected, once I got into it I was thoroughly into it. I had the advantage of having read the first in the series and found the budding partnership between Maya and Sandra intriguing, so it was doubly interesting to see how it had progressed. They are definitely an odd couple, with layers of illusion they've garbed themselves with the protect their inner core, layers that are slowly being peeled away in "A Murder at the Bake Sale". I honestly had no clue who the murderer was until the very end. With several parallel stories drawn from both the political and real world, There are many, many things going on within the larger whole. The relationships Maya and Sandra have with their husbands is given a bit more emphasis here, with decisions being made that will impact more than just Maya and Sandra.  One of my main takeaways from the book is how the smallest action or lack of action can impact so many, ranging from high school students and school staff to political movers and shakers, not to mention ones own children. Thus, as the book wound up some loose ends, I couldn't help feeling both satisfied and sad. Real life has a way of doing that and author Lee Hollis pulls us into not just Maya and Sandra's worlds but the world and people about them. 

Despite it taking me awhile to get into the book, which may be as much my fault as the plot, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and ultimately went with the five star rating. I came away thinking of, well, so many things and looking forward to the next visit to Maya and Sandra. One of the things I'm thinking of, of course, is that darn lipstick taser. While I'm checking on where to buy one, make sure you add this one to your "To Be Read" list. 

Thank you #NetGalley and #Kensington Books for the ARC

The Starlight Mint Surprise Murder, by Marla A. White

This was a fun, quick read. Although I'm still fuzzy on why Mel doesn't admit upfront to Marks that she's an ex-cop, I found that I liked and even sympathized with her, both past and present. While she comes across on the surface as cool and efficient, there are layers beneath that calm exterior that reveal the real Mel O'Rourke Due to the shortness of the story, think novella, the plot moves along quickly as the starring characters make their appearances and establish a connection to Mel. The setting sounds delightful, a bit of a winter wonderland, although I'm with Mel. No way I'd be crossing the rope bridge unless I absolutely needed to do so. What makes Mel, whose vertigo is established fairly early on, cross that bridge? Who isn't what they appear to be? Will Mel ever master her grandmother's seemingly famous cookie recipe? Will she save the family business? I hope there is a sequel because I for one don't have answers to all those questions. In the meantime, as I ponder them, give this book a read. It's short, fun, and full of action, not to mention there are a couple men that could be vying for Mel's affections.

Thank you #NetGalley, #BacklitPR and #TheWildRosePressInc for the ARC and a fun read. 

Lethal Lace (Cozy Corgi Mysteries #23), by Mildred Abbott

I've loved this series from day one and that love affair continues. Abbott has done a wonderful job of character development, making me feel like I know Fred and Watson and their many friends and family members. This book in the series struck me as both poignant and hopeful, with an eye to the future while treasuring the past. Just as grumpy corgi Watson remains, well, grumpy, Fred remains true to her fashion sense, even when it comes to weddings. For those who've followed the series, never fear. Help is at hand.... if she'll accept it. The murder may dominate Fred's thoughts leading up to the Christmas holiday but there is some family "stuff" to deal with, too, as well as the mystery of who did it. I have to admit, I didn't warm up to Leo initially but over time as the series has progressed have come to really respect and appreciate him for the man that has emerged from his past. Hey, Watson loves him. That's good enough for me.

Bottom line, if you like mysteries with well-rounded characters, even some who wear on you at times, people who care about others, even those who've done wrong, an incredibly beautiful setting, food, oh, my, the food, and corgis, grumpy or not, Lethal Lace should be a must read for you. In fact, you'll probably enjoy the entire series. My corgi mix, who isn't quite a grumpy as Watson, thank goodness, gives this one four paws and a tail wag. 

Life Crafter Death, A Knitorous Murder Mystery, Book 9, by Reagan Davis

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The humor in it, mostly the result of busy body neighbors, was cute and connected, too. Poor, Eric. In any case, as with the rest of the series, this addition is complex and full of twists and turns, not to mention multiple suspects. Main character Megan is quite likeable and I admire the friendly relationship she and her former husband, Adam, have forged for the benefit of their daughter Hannah. Adam's a lawyer, too, which comes in handy in this story.

I won't detail the plot aside from that one comment as I'm sure others will do a better summation than I could. Instead, I'll simply say that the story, while perhaps confusing to first time readers given the comings and going of characters and their back stories, moves right along. Megan has come to respect boyfriend Eric's need for evidence, not hunches, frustrating as it might be, not to mention the conflict he's facing being pulled in two different direction as he investigates a case that is essentially connected to a family member. Okay, almost family member.

So, mystery that keeps you guessing, abundant characters that we do learn quite a bit about, even the seemingly peripheral ones, some humor, and family ties. Give it a read. You won't regret it.

Case of the Missing Marine (Corgi Case Files Book 14), byJeffrey Poole

This series is just plain fun. The corgis are adorable and, as always, way ahead of the humans. They could charm, well, the Queen. I won't detail the plot other than to say it moves along at a rapid pace with few down moments. The corgi duo of Sherlock and Watson had it under control, even if it did take the humans awhile to figure out what the clues the dogs kept dropping in their laps meant. The quick tour of Jolly Ol' England was nice, too, as I've never been. A fun, quick read that will make you smile and wish you had a corgi. Four paws and a tail way from my corgi mix.

Put Out to Pasture (Farm to Table Mysteries #2), by Amanda Flower

I was much too young to have real memories of life on our family's farm but it did bring back some memories of old photos of me in a diaper feeding a bottle to a lamb and looking terrified while surrounded by chickens in another. Even with those vague memories, I felt a tug of recognition in Shiloh Bellamy's dedication to her family's farm. While I can't imagine doing the work she is required to do with minimal help, I could respect her efforts and courage, not to mention her energy. Faced with a mystery, the murder of a woman with an unlawful past, and that initial evidence seems to point to her best friend as the murderer, Shiloh adds saving her friend from arrest to her to-do list.

The plot moves along nicely, albeit interrupted by episodes of farm life and chores that give you a feel for the setting. In addition, the characters are colorful and could be our own neighbors, even the cranky ones. I even felt a pang of sadness for the seemingly unlikable victim near the end. Good writers have a way of doing that. Amanda Flower has a real feel for small town and farm life, making these characters and the setting come alive for us. The addition of a new neighbor adds promise, too, and not just because he is male model gorgeous and seems too good to be true. He shares Shiloh's dream of turning his newly purchased farm into an organic one, too. Hmm, dang, can't wait to see how this plays out in future books. Of course, there is steady, handsome Quinn, too, although Shiloh seems almost too busy to think of romance for more than a few fleeting seconds here and there.

Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, What's extra nice is that I can revisit the dream farm of my toddler days without having to ponder doing any of the work. An intriguing mystery that kept me guessing until the very end, characters I'd like to call friends, and no farm chores. Yep, that's a win for us as readers.

Thank you #NetGalley and #PoisonedPenPress for the ARC.

Murder in the Christmas Tree Lot (Tory Benning Mystery #2), by Judith Gonda

I saw a bit of myself in main character Tory Benning. She's smart and sees things that others might miss but, like me, she also tends to overthink things, usually in the most frightening way. This made her all the more human. As a result, she spends much of the book tightly wound, seeing murderers in even the most innocent around her. Despite this she keeps going, fulfilling a multitude of responsibilities that would make a less distracted person exhausted. I admire her ability to talk herself off the edge, however, and not just protect and show loyalty to friends as she tries to solve the horrible murder, but keep pushing forward, even when terrified.

Tory's background trauma involving murder is horrific but even though I haven't yet read the prior book of this series (a fact I will be remedying soon) the book worked nicely as a stand-alone. The pace of the  story moves forward quickly and the relationships between the characters are smoothly established for those like me who are just discovering this series. The parallel stories are intriguing in themselves and author Judith Gonda shows mad writing skills in pulling most of them all together at the end, something I hadn't necessarily expected. Toss in that despite the horrific death of her husband that Tory seems to be moving forward, not living inside her protective shell, and her budding relationship with Jake the PI shows promise. And, oh, saved the best for last. There's a dog, an adorable, feisty Pomeranian that, despite its size, is one of Tory's fiercest protectors.

I don't think I'll ever quite look at a Christmas tree lot quite the same after this. Talk about a Christmas buzz kill, pun intended. Excellent book that I couldn't put down. 

Thank you #NetGalley and #BeyondthePage for the ARC.

Peril at Pennington Manor, by Tracy Gardner

It's probably rather telling about the excitement level near the end of the book as just as the culprit was nearly in hand, oh, so close, I uttered a long drawn out "Daisy, noooo!" when my dog decided she absolutely, positively had to go outside right that second. No negotiating. Just as main character Avery's Halston demands his ear scratches and chance to fetch something, a dog's demands are not to be denied. It was then I realized I was loving this book, one I'd once thought was sorta slow in the beginning.

I won't detail the plot as others will do a far better job at that than I can but will say that the twists and turns and large cast of suspects, everything ultimately made sense. Toss in a gorgeous setting, intriguing family dynamics, including on Avery's part, hidden passageways, secrets, disappearing priceless art pieces, and even training for a marathon and you have a winner. Even Avery's romantic prospects are looking up as she has two fine contestants for her heart as the story opens. Which will she choose and why? What upset her sister Tilly enough to cause her to spend a considerable sum to fly home across and ocean earlier than expected? What is Art's story? And....cats? Has the new mama cat found a forever home and safety for her babes? Finally, who did it?

This book stands alone nicely with intriguing regular characters and places. I'm not familiar with antiques nor do I have much interest in them, to be honest, but found the history of the pieces in question fascinating. Even better, the author shows how much certain pieces mean to their owner, no matter how valuable they may be. Heck, I even learned a bit about how one can often tell an authentic piece from a replica, not that it's always easy or quick. Hmm, I think I'll go check my jewelry box. While I'm busy dreaming, enjoy this book. It's a winner.  

Thanks to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the ARC. Loved it!

Death By Beach Read (Lighthouse Library Mystery #9), by Eva Gates

Although I found myself frequently wanting to grab Lucy, shake her, and yell "What did you think you were doing?" in her face after some of her decisions, I found this book a fun, interesting read. The plot is simple, Lucy and soon-to-be husband Conner move into a new/old "unpainted aristocracy" house that they are fixing up. They find a dead body in the kitchen one evening after returning from an outing.

It's what goes on in-between that makes the story both interesting and, yes, a trifle sad. The almost tragic aftermath of one youthful misadventure changed one life forever. Could that have lead to murder? Is the house haunted? What does "The House of Seven Gables" have to do with anything? Charles the library cat may have the answers but he's not telling. Will Lucy's wedding ever get past the "we need to plan" stage? Will Lucy even live that long?

All these questions, well, most, are answered in "Death By Beach read", the ninth in the series by Eva Gates. Although part of a series it stands alone nicely. Yes, there are loose ends at the end but the mystery is solved, even though I had no clue who the killer was until Lucy did. I still cringe at her tendency to not share information with those who might be able to more safely act upon it but, hey, it wouldn't be a true cozy mystery unless the main character manages to place themself in peril at some point, right. Lucy is lucky to be surrounded by good friends and family, not to mention neighbors willing to step up and do the right thing. Even Charles the library cat gets in on the action. My hero.

Bottom line, even as I move into the beginnings of another Alaskan winter here at my home, it was fun to spend some time at the beach with Lucy and those about here. Give this one a read.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the ARC.