50% Off Murder

Title: 50% Off Murder

Author: Josie Belle aka Jenn McKinlay aka Jennifer McKinlay Orf

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: Good Buy Girls Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780425247020

Pages: 273 + "The Good Buy Girls' Top Ten Thrifty Tips"

Obtained: Library copy

My Comments:

I enjoyed this (as expected since I like Jenn McKinlay's mysteries).  The characters were interesting.  I liked Maggie the other Good Buy Girls.  I really appreciated the idea of the group and having such a circle of friends.  The overall idea had my mind flashing to that Extreme Couponing show.  and I enjoyed the Thrifty Tips at the end.  They can be both useful and give some additional insight into the characters.

The mystery was nice, especially since the suspect the amateur sleuths work to prove innocent is the head librarian.  Solving of the murder was wrapped up perhaps a tad more abruptly than I would have liked, and the killer was someone I suspected much earlier on in the story.

Overall, I thought this was a nice start to a new series. I look forward to reading A Deal to Die For, due out Dec. 2012.

More cozies. And some more magic.

Hearse and Buggy (Amish Mystery, Bk 1) by Laura Bradford aka Elizabeth Lynn Casey (library copy ... I purchased a copy at LitFest, but figured why not read the library copy since it was here?) -

Claire has moved to Heavenly, Pennsylvania where the "English" and Amish worlds meet.  The setting was interesting (I've done the tourist thing in a place like that, though more Midwest).  The detective had a particularly interesting backstory.   I wasn't so drawn to Benjamin as Claire seemed to be, though.  While he seemed like a nice guy, I kept thinking, "What's she thinking?  It's an impossible - or at least incredibly difficult - scenario."  Regarding the mystery, it was interesting.  I guessed the murderer, but some surrounding mysterious going ons."  Anyway, I enjoyed the introduction to Claire and gang and look forward to getting to know them better in book 2, Assaulted Pretzel (due out March 2013).

Corpse in the Crystal Ball (Fortune Teller Mystery, Bk 2) by Kari Lee Townsend (library copy) -

The first book in this series, Tempest in the Tea Leaves, left a good impression on me due to lack of preaching (and apparently despite some other things that I didn't remember until re-reading my comments just now), so I was pretty eager to read this addition to the series.  Sunny jumped to a couple conclusions that I wouldn't have been so quick about, but otherwise the story went well.  I guessed the murderer but nothing to do with motivation or surrounding events.  Regarding characters, I'm still fairly hesitant about the detective.  Sunny's parents are still annoying, though scarce.  And Sunny's Granny is a fun addition to the story.  We'll see what happens next in Trouble in the Tarot, also due out March 2013.

Brownies and Broomsticks (Magical Bakery Mystery, Bk 1) by Bailey Cates aka Cricket McRae (library copy) - 

First, I have to say the cover is great.  Despite being über pink-and-purple I'm drawn to it every time I see it. Anyway... on to the actual contents of the book.  I liked the story.  While I liked Katie she seemed a bit more, um, meek than I might have expected.  I'm sure that's not entirely true since she wasn't meek about seeking answers regarding the murder.  Maybe it was a nick in her self-confidence that I was sensing.  Whatever the case, I did find the setting and characters interesting.  Regarding the love interest triangle (because there almost always is anymore.  Both the above books also have one), I got the feeling she was more into Declan over Steve.  Just thought I'd mention is was the opposite for me.  Guess I'll have to read the next book, Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti (due out December 2012), to learn more.

The BIG Kitty

Title: The Big Kitty

Author: Claire Donally

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: Sunny & Shadow Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780425248027

Pages: 293

Obtained: Library copy

My Thoughts: 

I requested the local library purchase this because it was a new cozy mystery.  It looked okay, but didn't especially draw me to it.  Until I saw a couple reviews on some other blogs.  First I saw mention of it here on Alison's Cozy Crimes blog.  It was an overall positive feedback with some small exception for Sunny's character.  Then I saw Ariel's review on her blog, Mysteries and My Musings.  It's another positive review, but she especially liked Sunny's character.  Now I had a library copy on hand, two positive reviews, and a difference of opinion to look into.  The Big Kitty was considerably bumped up on my mental reading priority list.  So when I needed reading material for the trip to the LitFest (more on that later), this is the book I scooped up.

Happily, I enjoyed it.  I especially (and this came as a shock to me) enjoyed when the story turned to Shadow's perspective.  After reading the cats and curios books I'd never have guessed I'd enjoy the animals perspective, but there you go.  Regarding Sunny, I fell somewhere between the two aforementioned opinions.  I mostly liked her.  She was fleshed out enough for me to feel like I knew her, but she didn't stand out as special among cozy characters for me either. I also enjoyed some of the other characters such as Constable Will Price and Mrs. Martinson.  I did guess the murderer pretty early on, but that's never deterred me from enjoying a story.  Or at least it's never the only factor.  Anyway, I don't yet know anything about the next book in the series.

I'll have a little magic with that murder...

Let Them Eat Stake (Vampire Chef Mystery, Bk 2) by Sarah Zettel aka CL Anderson aka Marissa Day (library copy) -

I hate gaps between books in series as I always forget so much detail.  Despite that I still enjoyed this 2nd in the vampire chef mystery series.  I enjoy seeing Charlotte cope with all the challenges that come in her unique position and still do the sleuthing thing.  I don't know anything about a book 3, but I assume there will be one around April next year.

Copycat Killing (Magical Cats Mystery, Bk 3) by Sofie Kelly aka Darlene Ryan (library copy) -

I enjoyed this third installment in the magical cats mystery series.  Two mysteries that took place at two different times are being puzzled over and solved.  Kathleen is oh-so-slowly getting closer to Marcus.  And of course the cats, Hercules and Owen, are as charming as ever.  I'll see how things develop with the fourth book, Cat Trick, due out Feb. 2013.

a killer read

Title: A Killer Read

Author: Erika Chase aka Linda Wiken

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime

Series: Ashton Corners Book Club, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780425247037

Pages: 283 + "Reading Lists"

Obtained: Library copy

My Thoughts:

I picked this up because it was a new cozy.  It had extra appeal because I knew it was book related.  But so many little details appealed throughout...

Lizzie is apparently a "reading specialist."  Cool job title, no?  She's helping find how classes can best teach and encourage kids to learn, helping individual students improve their literacy skills, and then teaching an adult literacy class.  If you've followed my blog you may know I have a special fondness for books that address or help with adult literacy.  Not only does this book address the issue, but it mentions a publisher/line that helps as well... Rapid Reads.  I personally have read 4 Rapid Reads books by 2 authors (Love You to Death, One Fine Day You're Gonna Die, and The Shadow Killer by Gail Bowen and Orchestrated Murder by Rick Blechta).  So there was a bit of a thrill.  Lizzie starts a mystery book club, something I would LOVE to do if only I knew people interested and willing.  They decide to call themselves Ashton Corners Mystery Readers and Cheese Straws Society, which I believe was based off of The Guernesey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows ... a book I enjoyed and consider one of my top new-to-me reads of 2010.  Throughout the book a number of references are made to cozy mysteries, both those I've read and TBR, in the quotes highlighting the beginning of each chapter (the quotes also originate from Agatha Christie and other mysteries/thrillers/suspense type books) and throughout the story itself.

If you haven't already gathered from the above this book thrilled my book and mystery loving heart.  But beyond that, I enjoyed the story (a mysterious murder just outside of where they meet for their first book club meeting), the supporting characters, and the Siamese cats.  I look forward to reading the next book, Read and Buried, due out (I think) in December.

...3 cups of cozy mysteries...

Fire Engine Dead (Museum Mystery, Bk 3) by Sheila Connolly (library copy) –

This was another enjoyable addition to the museum mystery series (preceded by Fundraising the Dead and Let's Play Dead).  I like Nell as a character, of course.  But I also enjoy reading about the museum and her jobs in it, first as a fundraiser and now as the president.  There was a point in time when I considered going into museum studies instead of library information science, so it has special interest for me.  It also makes me want to visit the local historical society.  Unfortunately, the local historical society is only open a few hours on Saturdays… not very convenient with schedules.  There's apparently a short story in this series in ebook format called "Dead Letters" that I need to read.  I couldn't find the title to book 4 in the series, but I want to read it.

Little Shop of Homicide (Devereaux's Dime Store, Bk 1) by Denise Swanson (library copy) -

I understand Denise Swanson has a very popular cozy series (Scumble River), but I haven't read any of them yet.  This was a chance to try her writing with a new series instead of stepping into a long one.  Plus I heard great things.  It wasn't quite as cozy as I expected in regards to the romance angle.  Not that I had a problem with it; I read romance too.  Just something I noticed.  In any case, I did enjoy it, and I look forward to more.  Update: Next in the series is, I believe, Nickeled and Dimed to Death.  It's supposed to be available early March, 2013.

Murder Buys a T-shirt (Haunted Souvenir Shop Mystery, Bk 1) by Christy Fifield aka Christy Evans aka Christina F. York (library copy) -

My schedule has been crazy busy, so it took me FOREVER to sit down and finish this.  It was interesting.  I liked the setting, the characters, etc.  By far the best part of the book was Glory's parrot Bluebeard.  And I guessed who was the bad guy fairly early, but that was okay since Glory wasn't being incredibly obtuse about it.  Anyway, I'm not sure that the haunted part of the story is necessary, and the ending still holds questions about that aspect.  I guess that's what a series is for.  I'm sure the next book will have more details.  Update: It appears to be due out in Dec. this year (2012) and titled Murder Hooks a Mermaid.

Kate Collins and the Flower Shop Mysteries

Mid April (I am very behind), I had the opportunity to see Kate Collins aka Linda Tsoutsouris speak at a fund-raiser for my library.  I was SO excited.  In preparation for the event, I started reading Kate's Flower Shop mysteries, which I've been collecting for awhile but had yet to read.  I managed to read the first two and get a start of the third before hearing her.  I finished the third afterwards.  Continuing the series is a given (I still have several more waiting), but I took a break to read some other books, genres, and authors.  In the meantime, these are my belated impressions of the first three...

Mum's the Word (Flower Shop Mystery, Bk 1) by Kate Collins (personal copy - ex-library copy from a library local to a former residence) -

I have to say my biggest impression of these is influenced by the setting.  I'm familiar with the town this was set in and could picture it when it was described.  In fact, that familiarity game me a little thrill.  Beyond that, I enjoyed it for what it is... a light cozy mystery.  Abby Knight gets involved in murders because she's a meddler.  If you've followed my blog you may know meddling is not one of my favorite traits in characters.  Nevertheless, I still liked Abby.

Slay It with Flowers (Flower Shop Mystery, Bk 2) by Kate Collins (library ebook) -

A co-worker noted that these books pick up where the previous book left of (as opposed to say, a year has passed) which I suspect makes it easier to read together than with great pauses while waiting for the next to be published... put that's a bridge I'll cross when I come to it.  What it means for now is that Abby is running into a lot of dead bodies in a short amount of time.

Dearly Depotted (Flower Shop Mystery, Bk 3) by Kate Collins (personal copy - purchased used) -

Abby is at her annoying cousin Jillian's wedding reception when she (or rather Jillian's new grandmother-in-law that Abby's supposed to be keeping track of) finds someone who's been murdered.  By this point, Jillian has managed to completely annoy the local police with her meddling in their affairs.  But she's been asked to help - again.  This time by her proper employee, Grace, who has previously discouraged her involvement in these investigations.  Funny how that works.  Anyway, the next book in the series is Snipped in the Bud.  My aforementioned co-worker skipped straight from the 1st book to the 4th so I had a spoiler about how it starts off, and there's no question that I need to read it and find out the deets.

Due or Die

Due or Die (Library Lover's Mystery, Bk 2) by Jenn McKinlay (library copy) -

This was another enjoyable book by Jenn McKinlay.  In addition to the obvious library factor there was also the stormy weather (is it just me, or is reading books set in stormy weather when you're perfectly comfortable at home, etc add an extra something to the reading experience?), the puppy, and of course the story.  The third book in the series, Book, Line, and Sinker is due out this December.



I know this is short; it's more mini-review only without any others, but the next three cozies (past tense, because I'm backed up on my blogging... oops) are going to be lumped together.  I really wish I had found a trailer to go with this one but no such luck.