Murder Pays a Call (A Keri Armstrong Cozy Mystery Book # 1) by Nancy J. Cohen

Personal concierge Keri Armstrong will accept almost any job, but solving murders wasn’t on her to-do list—until now.

When personal concierge Keri Armstrong swings by her favorite client’s mansion to drop off groceries, she expects a heartfelt chat along with a cup of tea—not Fiona Sullivan dead in bed and her room ransacked. Though police chalk it up to a botched robbery, Keri isn’t so sure. Whispers around town suggest Fiona wasn’t as adored as Keri had believed, and many of the philanthropist’s so-called friends in affluent Sunny Grove, Florida seem glad she’s gone.

Keri refuses to let Fiona’s memory be reduced to malicious gossip. Armed with a keen eye, insider access, and a fully charged tablet, she sets out to uncover the truth. Soon her file of suspects grows faster than her to-do list. Between sneaky neighbors, resentful relatives, and tight-lipped charity board members, Fiona left behind a trail of frenemies who’d happily skip her memorial brunch.

As Keri digs deeper, she discovers her late mentor had a gift for extracting people’s secrets and using them like fine china—carefully storing them until they could serve a purpose. But Fiona also kept a few skeletons in her own walk-in closet. Now, with danger creeping closer, Keri must race to crack the case before her number comes up next… and Murder Pays a Call.

A Fresh Pick at FreshFiction.com!

“Fans of award-winning author Nancy J. Cohen’s long-running Bad Hair Day Mysteries will be thrilled to learn there’s a new sleuth in town.” Lois Winston, author of the bestselling and award-winning Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries.  (Summary via Goodreads)

I fell in love with the Bad Hair Days Mystery series written by Nancy J. Cohen so when I found out she started a new series, I was very excited !!!  And boy has she started this new series off with a bang !!

Murder Pays a Call is the first book in her Keri Armstrong Cozy Mystery series.  This series follows main character Keri in her personal concierge business.  She helps others make their lives easier and simplier.  Unfortunately when Keri finds one of her favorite customers who is like a grandmother to her dead in her bedroom and it is ruled murder, she jumps right into looking for the killer.

Sadly Keri soon learns that Fiona wasn't liked by all and was downright mean to many.  Keri doesn't want to believe that but as the list of suspects continues to grows, she is going to have to face facts ....

As with the Bad Hair Day series Cohen provides readers with a strong main character that you immediately are drawn to and love.  And I know that Murder Pays a Call is the first book in this new series but Cohen knows how to end the story to ensure that readers will be back for more.

Murder at Cape Costumers (Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery Book # 7) by Maddie Day

In Agatha Award-winner Maddie Day’s delightfully spooky Cozy Capers Book Group mystery, it’s Halloween, and Cape Cod bike shop owner Mackenzie “Mac” Almeida and her book club must unmask a killer…

Just in time for Halloween, a new costume shop has opened on Main Street in Westham, Massachusetts. Cape Costumers is a cut above the usual seasonal pop-up stores with their flimsy mass-produced outfits and cheap plastic masks, mostly due to co-owner Shelly, a former Broadway costume designer. But when Shelly discovers her elderly boyfriend Enzo—a Broadway star who retired to Westham—dead of unnatural causes, Halloween suddenly gets a lot scarier.

Sleuthing, Mac has found, is a lot like riding a bicycle: once you learn how, you never forget. Far from being spooked, Mac and the members of the Cozy Capers Book Group put down their weekly book selection and put their heads together to see past a bag of tricks and find a malice-making murderer who’s hiding in plain sight . .  (Summary via Goodreads)

Murder at Cape Costumers, the seventh book in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series, has multiple stories to follow which will keep you reading for sure. 

If you've read any or all of the previous books in this series by Maddie Day, you know that main character Mac cannot stay out of trouble.  When there is a murder, whether she knew the victim or the suspects, she will begin investigating ... but don't worry, she has the Cozy Capers book club watching her back .... hopefully.

On the morning after Halloween Enzo, a gentlemen that was a recent customer at Mac's Bike's is found dead on his deck still wearing his skeleton costume.  Before the death is determined to be murder or natural causes, Mac is already looking into things.

In Murder at Cape Costumers not only is Mac looking into Enzo's murder but her sister-in-law and two small children are visiting.  Unfortunately Jamie, Tim's sister, goes out one night claiming to be meeting a friend for dinner and never returns.  This leaves Mac and Tim looking after Ella and Luca.  Luckily Ella and Mac's niece Cokey become fast, best friends and Mac's family is there to help until Jamie returns.  Tim and Mac, both being business owners try to settle into their new home life but, of course, Mac needs to make sure her hometown and it's residents are safe .... so until she knows who killed Enzo and they are arrested, she will still stick her neck out ..... 

Murder at Cape Costumers, in my opinion, is different than the others as it digs deeper into the family aspect and has a storyline that draws from that.  Not only are we working on a murder but a missing loved one as well.  I personally got emotional with Jamie's disappearance and that could be because after six books, Tim is fictional family.

Regardless as to what drew you into this series or what draws you in, I know you will enjoy your time spent with Mac, Tim and the rest of the town of Westham.

Murder at an Irish Wedding (Irish Village Mystery Book # 2) by Carlene O'Connor

The O Sullivan clan of County Cork, Ireland, are thrilled to be catering the matrimonial affairs of a celebrity couple until a cunning killer turns an Irish wedding into an Irish wake . . .

"Any wedding is a big deal in the small village of Kilbane even more so when the bride is a famous fashion model. It is also good for business. Not only has customer traffic picked up at Naomi s Bistro, Siobhan O Sullivan and her five siblings have a full plate catering for the three-day affair. And Siobhan s own beau, local garda Macdara Flannery, gladly steps in as best man after the groom s first choice makes a drunken arse out of himself.

Even if he hadn't been disinvited to the wedding, the original best man wouldn t have been able to show. He's been found murdered in the woods, casting a pall over the nuptials. And when a second member of the wedding party is poisoned by a champagne flute engraved with Macdara's name, the garda goes from being best man to prime suspect.

With a killer at large and a string of robberies plaguing Kilbane, Siobhan feels more than a little protective of her village. She vows to clear Macdara's name, but the suspect list is as long as the guest list. Like the bride walking down the aisle, Siobhan needs to watch her step. For as she gets closer to unveiling the truth, the murderer is planning a very chilly reception for her . . .

PRAISE FOR "MURDER IN AN IRISH VILLAGE"

If Janet Evanovich and Maeve Binchy wrote a book together, "Murder in an Irish Village"would be the result. 

This one is delicious fun. Laurien Berenson, author of"Live and Let Growl"

A lively debut . . . The cheeky and close-knit O'Sullivans are sure to appeal to cozy fans, who will also appreciate the warmth and spirit of the people of Kilbane. "Publishers Weekly"

A smart whodunnit in an idyllic locale. I dare you not to be charmed by sleuth Siobhan and her siblings, the O Sullivan Six. Barbara Ross, author of"Fogged Inn"

This entertaining combination of Maeve Binchy s old-world Irish charm and Janet Evanovich's roguish humor is a smart, fast-paced read. Devotees of the Hibernian mysteries of Dicey Deere and M.C. Beaton will toast this debut with a pint of Guinness. Slainte! "Library Journal" (Summary via Goodreads)

I am a huge fan of books centered around Ireland.  If I liked to travel, Ireland would definitely be at the top of my list ... but seeing as I hate to travel and get anxiety when I have to visit family in Florida I will live inside books.  And the Irish Village Mystery series by Carlene O'Connor is one of the best ones to get lost in.

I fell in love with the first book in this series, Murder in an Irish Village, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book.

Murder at an Irish Wedding brings an interesting group of people to the Kilbane Castle for a wedding.  Alice is a famous fashion model and also the bride.  She, along with the groom Paul, and their small wedding party and parents are staying at the Kilbane Castle to celebrate their love and have the ceremony.

Unfortunately on the morning after a night out drinking, Kevin, Paul's best man is found dead in the woods and it is definitely murder !!  Main character Siobhan is there delivering some of her family's bistro's brown bread so she immediately goes into investigator mode .... especially when her boyfriend/police officer, Macdara, is on the suspect list.  Macdara is long time friends with Paul and asked to step in as best man.

Paul and Alice are determined to get married no matter what !!  Even when everything and it seems everyone is against it !!

Readers cannot help but love this series and this edition is a repackaged trade paperback reissue so if you are like me and just becoming a fan, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.  And I hope you will continue reading because as you'll see when you get to the end of Murder at an Irish Wedding, things are going to be changing for Siobhan and her siblings ..... and it's going to be a hoot for sure !!!!

Death Whisk (Cookies & Chance Mysteries Book # 15) by Catherine Bruns

From USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bruns comes the next dangerously delicious Cookies & Chance mystery!

Full time baker and part time sleuth, Sally Muccio, is looking forward to an impromptu getaway at Bella Vita, a charming local inn recently renovated by an old friend of her father’s. Sal’s been asked to provide treats for Bella Vita's open house and, in addition to the extra dough she’ll earn, her entire family is invited to spend the night at the bed and breakfast for free.

But after a winter storm knocks out the power and Sal stumbles across owner Guido Sorrentino’s lifeless body, the night becomes something directly out of a horror movie. Sal fully intends to leave the investigation to the police...that is, until her father’s life becomes endangered as well! Who wanted Guido dead and what does her father have to do with it? Was Guido a member of organized crime? And why was he acting like he had a death wish? With a crowd of angry and bitter relatives busy celebrating his death instead of mourning, it quickly becomes apparent that there are too many suspects to count. It's up to Sal to find a killer before she’s treated to a taste of death herself!

Recipes Included!

What critics are

"A fantastic cozy mystery!"
~ InD'Tale Magazine

"I want to visit more with all of the quirky characters just to see what crazy and outrageous things they will do next!"
~ Fresh Fiction

"The Cookies and Chance Mystery series is more than just a series....it's a family !! Once you read the first book, you are hooked and feel like a member of the crazy Muccio family."
~ Cozy Mystery Book Reviews     (Summary via Goodreads)

What can you say about a book when it is the fifteenth book in a series ?  Well..... a lot actually.

Death Whisk is the fifteenth book in the Cookies & Chance Mystery series by Catherine Bruns and by far my favorite series.  This series is so much more to me then just stories.  When I open one of these books, I am home with my family.  The Muccio and Donovan families are a part of me .... you cannot help but love them and the craziness they get into !!!

And in Death Whisk we get to see a whole different side to Sally's father, Domenic.  Something I don't think we could have ever imagined !!!  

In Death Whisk Sally and Josie have been asked to provide cookies for an open house.  A friend of Domenic's from when he lived in Italy has bought and renovated a bed and breakfast and he has invited a selection of people to attend the open house and spend the night before the grand opening.  Sally, who is almost due to delivery her second child and Mike will be in attendance along with everyone else except Gramma Rosa who stayed home to watch the other children.

Unfortunately in the middle of the night Sally and Mike go to Guido's suite with an issue and find him dead.  And maybe with all the excitement, or maybe that's just how the family is, Sally goes into labor !!  As you know Sally can handle anything .....

Instead of being able to just rest and enjoy her family with the new addition, Sally is drawn into the murder investigation.  She claims to do it because her father is involved somehow and she knows that he isn't telling them everything, but we know she can't help herself !! 

I just love this series and look forward to when the latest book gets published so that I can dig in.  There is so much to love !!  You cannot help but love the families and the relationships.  No matter what is going on, whether it is family dinner with Gramma Rosa's cooking, a murder, hanging out with Sally and Josie at the bakery, or spending time with Sally and Mike, you will enjoy it.  And Bruns knows how to keep your blood pumping and you on the edge of your seat !!!

A Murder Most Fowl (A Food Truck Mystery Book # 1) by Carmela Dutra

A food truck run by twins serves up a clucking good murder in this cozy debut mystery, perfect for fans of Lucy Burdette and Joanne Fluke.

When their late aunt Dolly passes away, twins Beth and Seth Lloyd inherit a chicken themed food truck. Despite the challenges, the siblings rise to the occasion, even going as far as signing up their truck Kluckin’ Good to compete on a top cooking show and ruffle a few feathers for some good publicity. But the competition goes from heated to lethal when a contestant is found dead.   

With the elimination competition becoming far too literal, Beth and Seth will need all the help they can get to get out of the frying pan without landing in the fire. Relying on their assistant-turned-friend Rylie for help, they’ll have to follow the bread crumbs to untangle a very twisted case before either one of them is put on the chopping block.  

This humorous series debut with a mouthwatering mystery will charm readers and keep them guessing right until the not-so-bitter end.  (Summary via Goodreads)

I had so much fun reading A Murder Most Fowl, the debut book in the Food Truck Mystery series by Carmela Dutra.  I totally rate this a 12 out of 10 stars !!  

In Murder Most Fowl twins Beth and Seth Lloyd have signed up for a food truck competition.  Their Aunt Dolly left them the Kluckin' Good chicken food truck and even though Beth does most of the work with Seth working at getting his law degree, she has her best friend Riley helping.  

Unfortunately before things can really get under way in the competition, one of the contestants dies.  It is ruled a heart attack but Beth is not convinced.  Even though she and Benji were not friends, some things do not add up so this puts her on alert.

Ohhhhh.... there is so much more within the story that I want to tell you but I don't want to take away from you reading it for yourself and hopefully having the same reaction as I did.

Dutra has the beginning of a great series that I am sure will receive a lot of fans !  The food truck setting has so much potential and don't get me started on the friendships and other relationships brewing !  Not only are you on the edge of your seat reading the excitement, there will be times that you will laugh out loud !!  You cannot help falling in love with Beth and Seth and the way they are towards each other.  And they have the best friendship with Riley, she completes them !!!

I highly recommend grabbing your copy and digging in.  Plan a snack and a drink, a comfy blanket and staying up past your bedtime with this book !!!

Catnaps & Crimes (A Book Store Cozy Mystery Book # 2) by Lucinda Race

Enjoy this clean, small town, paranormal cozy mystery by award winning and bestselling author, Lucinda Race.

Book store owner and novice witch Lily Michaels is struggling to get a handle on her new powers. The book “Practical Beginnings” is showing her random spells to learn, and her familiar, the talking cat, Milo, isn’t much help. She doesn’t need any more distractions, but when a car crashes just outside the bookstore, Lily is first on the scene. It’s more than just an automobile accident. Bullet holes can be deadly. The victim, shady real estate agent Teddy Roberts, was dead before his fancy sports car ever hit that pole.

Investigating the crime scene is Detective Gage Erikson, or as Milo calls him, Detective Cutie. His crush on Lily is not-so-secret to anyone but her, but she’s acting like he’s a distraction she doesn’t need. Is he her boyfriend, or just her best friend? He just needs to keep her out of trouble while he traces clues to the crime.

But a mystery is like catnip to Lily. She’s willing to admit she has a tiny bit of a reputation for investigating things she shouldn’t. She’s trying to balance her growing feelings for Gage while keeping her witchy secret from him and solve a murder. Teddy had plenty of people with reasons to do him in. Will Lily’s best protection spell be enough to keep her and Gage safe while they work together to catch a killer?

Catnaps and Crimes is the second novel in A Book Store Cozy Mystery Series, although each book can be read as standalone. A sweet and clean cozy mystery with a guarantee the culprit is caught. Happy reading!  (Summary via Goodreads)

I fell in love with Books & Bribes, the first book in the Book Store Cozy Mystery series by Lucinda Race .... there is so much to love, you just want to jump inside the book and stay forever.  Luckily with that being the first book, you don't have to do that, you just have to open the next book and get lost in the story again.

The stories are set in Pembrooke Maine which is a little town and you are mainly hanging around with two main characters.  Lily who owns a bookstore in the town square, is just coming into her powers at being a witch, takes to her cat who is her familiar and is in love with the other main character, Gage.  Gage is a detective, always trying to keep Lily out of trouble, doesn't know she is a witch and is in love with her also.  But neither will tell the other.

Oh and there is always a murder to solve.  

Catnaps & Crimes is the second book in this adorable series and I fell deeper in love, if that is possible.  In Catnaps & Crimes there is what appears to be a car accident in the town square that all the shop owners and customers hear.  Lily gets to the car and finds the driver dead.  Teddy Roberts, who was a real estate agent, is the victim but things are not as they look.

Of course Lily should be tending to her shop and reading her witch book and mastering her new skills but she is drawn to Teddy's murder and loves to solve puzzles.  It's a good think for her that Gage, being her best friend and always close to her, can keep an eye on her and keep her out of trouble ..... I'll pause for a moment while you laugh ...... I know I've only read two books in this series but I already know Lily will do what Lily wants and Gage knows that.

Even without murder and Lily and Gage solving the crimes, I would still love this series.  It has a quaint little town with inviting shops, good people, and I feel like you could relax and have some fun.  And anytime you can communicate with a cat has got to be a blast !!!!  

Vengeance in the Vines (Rylie Sunderland Mysteries Book # 2) by Rachele Baker

Secrets can be deadly. When the owner of a local bar is found dead in his home after eating at her best friend’s husband’s restaurant, veterinarian Rylie Sunderland is determined to uncover the truth to save her friend in this intriguing small town cozy mystery.

This suspenseful cozy mystery is perfect for fans of Kate Carlisle, Ellie Alexander, and Lauren Elliott.

Rylie’s thrilled when she gets a long-term locum veterinarian job in the beautiful Napa Valley wine country where her best friend Sophie lives, and she’s looking forward to enjoying the area and spending time with Sophie and Sophie’s husband, Lucien.

That is until the owner of a local bar is found dead in his home after having eaten at Lucien’s restaurant during the Chamber of Commerce awards dinner.

Evidence piles up against Lucien, but Rylie is certain he’s innocent. She feels compelled to do whatever she can to help clear Lucien of suspicion.

When Rylie meets Alex, the handsome son of the man who died after eating in Lucien’s restaurant, they can’t deny their attraction to each other. And they’re both motivated to find out who killed Alex’s father. Alex believes Lucien’s innocent. And he has some ideas of his own as to who may have had motive to kill his father.

Rylie goes to the detective in charge of the case with each new piece of information she finds that she thinks could be relevant to the murder investigation. But the detective seems laser focused on the mounting evidence against Lucien and doesn’t seem swayed by any of the information Rylie brings him.

The pressure increases as Rylie’s best friend Sophie struggles to deal with the stress of the investigation involving her husband. Will the secrets of the past prevent the truth from being revealed?  (Summary via Goodreads)

Readers fall in love with Rylie Sunderland immediately !!  Author Rachele Baker has created an amazing main character in Rylie.  You got to know Rylie in Tragedy in Tahoe, the first book in the Rylie Sunderland Mystery series and, well yeah, she was a bit of a mess. The veterinary hospital that she worked at burned down and when she went away to try to figure things out, she was thrown into a murder investigation.

Now in Vengeance in the Vines Rylie has taken a job as a temporary veterinarian in the Napa Valley.  She will be working part of the week for a doctor who is recovery from surgery.  Her and Bella, her dog, have a beautiful house they are staying in and her best friend from college Sophie and her husband live nearby.

Unfortunately after Sophie's husband's restaurant hosts an event and one of the people in attendance is found dead in his home from poisoning, Lucien is on the suspect list.

While Rylie wants to help Sophie and Lucien, this time around she has a group of woman that she became fast friends with and they meet weekly and show her around as well as try to help with the case.  Rylie has also met  Aaron, the detective on the case, and they become friends as well.  It doesn't hurt that Rylie and Aaron have dogs in common,

The best part is when Rylie becomes friends with Alex, whose father is the murder victim, and they hit it off instantly !!!  

One thing I really liked about Vengeance in the Vines is that it isn't all about the murder, you have love, friendship, fun outings, clothes, food, food and more food !!!  

When you are reading this book, have a snack handy !!!!