Genre: Mystery

Feb 13 2022
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Murder in Real Time by Julie Anne Lindsey – Review

Murder in Real Time by Julie Anne Lindsey – Review

My Thoughts

I was equal parts excited to read Murder in Real Time and sad that this was the last Patience Price mystery. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on Pony Island. The characters and setting truly make this series wonderful. I absolutely love the way Julie is able to balance mystery, humor, and romance in her books, and this series is no exception.

The Patience Price mysteries are not cozy mysteries at all, though they do have an amateur sleuth and a quirky, cozy town. There is romance and more on-page violence than you would find in a cozy. This is more of what I would consider a contemporary mystery with romantic elements.

Patience finds herself embroiled in yet another …

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 1,494 total views

Feb 04 2022
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Murder Comes Ashore by Julie Anne Lindsey – Review

Murder Comes Ashore by Julie Anne Lindsey – Review

My Review

Murder Comes Ashore is the second book in the Patience Price Mystery Series and I was super excited to read this one. Patience once again finds herself embroiled in an island mystery when body parts start washing up and new bodies are showing up as well. This story was a great balance of mystery, humor, and romance.

Between the washed-up body parts, the bodies, getting herself injured in a few different ways, the visiting Birders filing a petition against her, and the whole town taking bets on who her boyfriend is, Patience has a lot going on. Not to mention her down-low, anywhere on the island counseling service. This was a story that, whenever I needed to put it …

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 1,682 total views

Jan 28 2022
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Murder by the Seaside by Julie Anne Lindsey – Review

Murder by the Seaside by Julie Anne Lindsey – Review

My Review

It’s no secret that Julie Anne Lindsey is one of my favorite authors. When I had the opportunity to read a revamped ARC of Murder by the Seaside for the re-release, I jumped at the chance.

Murder by the Seaside is the first Patience Price mystery. It’s more of a traditional mystery and would not be considered cozy. There was definitely a romantic element – well, two – wrapped up in the story. There was more danger and criminal activity and details than a cozy. I really enjoyed this book. I did figure out whodunit shortly before the reveal, but loved seeing it play out.

The mystery was intense and kept me reading. There were so many times I laughed out …

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 1,362 total views

Oct 28 2021
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One More Kill by Carolyn Arnold

One More Kill by Carolyn Arnold

Wow! If you haven’t read one of Carolyn Arnold’s thrillers, you absolutely need to remedy that. I’ve read a few books in the Brandon Fisher series and this might be the best one yet. I love television shows and movies about the FBI and the author does an incredible job of bringing that to life in this series. One of my favorite things about this series is how quickly I get sucked into the book. The killer and the plot of One More Kill had me on the edge of my seat. I felt like I was profiling right alongside Brandon. This story (and series) absolutely reads like one of my favorite TV shows: Criminal Minds. The nuances, getting inside …

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 1,295 total views

Oct 06 2021
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The Silent Witness by Carolyn Arnold

The Silent Witness by Carolyn Arnold

The Silent Witness is the third book in the Detective Amanda Steele series. It pulls you in right away and has you having to turn the pages until you find out what happens next. Ms. Arnold has a gift for writing taut, suspenseful police procedurals that keep you guessing. This series is a must-read if you like shows like CSI or Criminal Minds.

I love how Amanda tries to stay emotionally detached from her cases but because of her personality and what she’s been through, she can’t help but feel a connection. That raw emotion often helps her find just what she is looking for. The drama and the mystery had my adrenaline pumping. As much as I wanted to …

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 1,197 total views

Sep 08 2021
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An Untidy Affair by MB Dabney – Review & Giveaway

An Untidy Affair by MB Dabney – Review & Giveaway

My Thoughts

An Untidy Affair is a gritty, hard-boiled private eye novel that delivered. The story is set in the mid-1980s in Philadelphia. David Blaise is a PI with his own business and a former prostitute, Mae, as his secretary. Blaise finds himself wrapped up in more than he bargained for when two seemingly unrelated cases start having some common connections. And someone doesn’t want him connecting the dots…

The author has a wonderful writing style that kept me engaged and really brought the setting to life. The characters felt real as well. The suspense, humor, and relationships worked well to balance out the story.

If you’re looking for a suspenseful mystery that keeps you guessing, pick up An Untidy Affair. …

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 1,903 total views

May 18 2021
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Dead Sprint by Caroline Fardig

Dead Sprint by Caroline Fardig

Right from the prologue, Dead Sprint jumps out as a thrilling murder mystery. Just the first few pages hooked me. This is the first Ellie Matthews book I’ve read, but I was still able to enjoy the story. Though I do think this series would best be enjoyed in order – I definitely want to delve more into the characters’ backstories.

In this book, a smart and dangerous killer is on the loose – and may even be coming after Ellie. The characters really drive the story and I liked the uniqueness of the plot. The book was exciting and felt different than others I have read. It felt like I was reading a story that I might watch on …

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 1,187 total views

Apr 19 2021
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Stolen Daughters by Carolyn Arnold

Stolen Daughters by Carolyn Arnold

My Thoughts

Stolen Daughters by Carolyn Arnold is the second book in the Detective Amanda Steele mystery series. I loved the first book and was definitely looking forward to reading this one. Ms. Arnold did not disappoint! This book was full of action and suspense. Stolen Daughters feels like an episode of Criminal Minds. Once I started reading, I didn’t want to put it down. If you love crime shows and suspenseful stories that keep you guessing until the end, you need to read Stolen Daughters.

I’ve read and enjoyed many books by Ms. Arnold – she has a knack for writing books that draw the reader in right away and don’t let go until the conclusion. I’m happy to have …

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 2,809 total views

Feb 11 2021
2

18 1/2 Disguises by Larissa Reinhart – Slow-Cooked Roast Beef Debris Po’ Boys + Giveaway

18 1/2 Disguises by Larissa Reinhart – Slow-Cooked Roast Beef Debris Po’ Boys + Giveaway

Slow-Cooked Roast Beef Debris Po’ Boys

Although this isn’t a culinary cozy mystery, the Maizie Albright Star Detective series is set in Georgia and gives me an excuse to write about my favorite Southern foods. My ex-actress turned private investigator loves to eat, particularly now that she’s off-screen and doesn’t have to worry as much about her weight.

In 18 1/2 Disguises, one of the foods I describe her and a police detective eating is Debris Po’ Boys. This is a Cajun-style roast beef sandwich and I think, super delicious. I’ve had all kinds of po’ boys, but this is my favorite. It also fits with the season for the setting of 18 1/2 Disguises, in February, around Mardi Gras.

Now …

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 3,655 total views

Jan 21 2021
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The Little Grave by Carolyn Arnold

The Little Grave by Carolyn Arnold

My Thoughts

The Little Grave by Carolyn Arnold is a thriller packed with mysteries at every turn. I found myself utterly wrapped up in the story and staying up well past my bedtime to finish reading. Detective Amanda Steele is very relatable…as a mother and a wife, I can understand her anguish at losing her family. The character development by Ms. Arnold is spot-on. I love that Amanda is shown from all sides – she has dark moments and we get to see them as well as her flaws. It really helps drive the story. The pacing is perfectly done. One thing I love when I read a book by Ms. Arnold is that I feel like I’m watching one of …

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 3,597 total views