Review of Two Bites Too Many

Synopsis:

Far from a domestic goddess, Sarah Blair would rather catch bad guys than slave over a hot stove. But when a dangerous murder boils over in Wheaton, Alabama, catching the killer means leaving her comfort zone …

Things are finally looking up for Sarah Blair following her unsavory divorce. Settled into a cozy carriage house with her sassy Siamese cat, RahRah, she has somehow managed to hang on to her modest law firm receptionist job and–if befriending flea-bitten strays at the local animal shelter counts–lead a thriving social life. For once, Sarah almost has it together more than her enterprising twin, Emily, a professional chef whose efforts to open a gourmet restaurant have hit a real dead end …

When the president of the town bank and city council is murdered after icing Emily’s business plans, all eyes are on the one person who left the scene with blood on her hands–the Blair girls’ sharp-tongued mother, Maybelle. Determined to get her mom off the hook ASAP, Sarah must collect the ingredients of a deadly crime to bring the true culprit to justice. But as neighbors turn against her family, can she pare down the suspects before another victim lands on the chopping block?

Includes quick and easy recipes!

“This smart cozy–full of heart and humor and surprises–has everything a mystery lover could ask for.”
–Hank Phillippi Ryan, author of Trust Me (Goodreads)

 

Review:

The characters are well wounded and well developed. Sarah, Emily, her sister, and their mom, Maybelle, are close and really love each other, even if their mom drives them nuts most days. They will help each other anyway they can. Sarah is determined to find the real culprit so her mom does not go to jail for a crime she did not commit. The secondary characters added a lot to the story, but it seemed like there were a lot of characters to keep track of. That is only my opinion and other readers may not agree with me.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the story I felt like I was listening in on conversations and watching all of the action taking place. The mystery was well plotted and there were a lot of red herrings thrown in to mess with all of the armchair detectives.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I will definitely read the next one when it is released.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

 

New Releases For The Week Of October 20th, 2019–Part 1

Here is a list of some of the new releases for the week of October 20th, 2019. I am going to divide the list into 4 days because there are so very many of them for the week. Today is the first day of my list for this week. Hope you find some selections for your weekly reading. Enjoy and happy reading.

 

She talks to the animals. But when they witness a murder, who will squawk first?

Cursed and almost powerless, Jolene’s definitely down on her magical luck. Forced to disguise her taboo shifter abilities, she barely makes ends meet by working as a pretend pet psychic. So she eagerly says, “Oui,” to a job securing testimony from a parakeet that watched a woman’s fatal fall.

Teaming up with a true blue police officer and his lie-sniffing German Shepherd, Jolene works hard to hunt down suspects. But with an after-hours affair, a disgruntled neighbor, and risqué photos all seemingly connected to the crime, untangling the truth is bound to get hairy.

Can Jolene protect her cover and pluck out the clues before she falls from grace?

Pretty Little Fliers is the first book in the delightful Magic Market paranormal cozy mystery series. If you like charming characters, picturesque French settings, and spellbinding twists and turns, then you’ll love Erin Johnson’s pet-friendly tale.

Buy Pretty Little Fliers to swoop into a wild case today!  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No zen in sight as Sheila Mackey untangles a yoga instructor’s murder.
Sheila’s settling into life in Haines Tavern, Kentucky. Sure, she has secrets to keep, but things are rolling along nicely. Trips to the dog park with her rescue collie Gracie, meeting her friend Clara and Gracie’s friend LuLu. Preparing for more work on her house by another dog park acquaintance, former cop Teague O’Donnell. And regular, relaxing yoga classes at the Beguiling Way studio … until Sheila and Clara encounter a new twist when someone murders their instructor.
Law enforcement says the killer was a passing-through stranger now long gone. Sheila and Clara have their doubts.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This whodunit with humor is the third book in USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s new cozy mystery series, Secret Sleuth, which begins with a murder on a transatlantic cruise in Death on the Diversion. In Death on Torrid Avenue and later books, accidental investigator Sheila Mackey returns to dry land in the Midwest, where mysteries abound in her new small-town home.
On the spectrum of McLinn’s mystery novels, the Caught Dead in Wyoming cozy series is in the middle, Proof of Innocence is edgier (and has more romance), and Secret Sleuth is a bit less edgy.

Secret Sleuth series
Death on the Diversion
Death on Torrid Avenue
Death on Beguiling Way
Death on Covert Circle

Death on the Diversion “is such an enjoyable story, reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s style, with a good study of human nature and plenty of humor. Great start to a new series!” – 5-star review

Death on Torrid Avenue “is told with a lot of humor and the characters are good company. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and am looking forward to the next story.” – 5-star review

More cozy mystery from Patricia McLinn:
Caught Dead in Wyoming series
Sign Off
Left Hanging
Shoot First
Last Ditch
Look Live
Back Story
Cold Open
Hot Roll
Reaction Shot

“While the mystery itself is twisty-turny and thoroughly engaging, it’s the smart and witty writing that I loved the best.” — Diane Chamberlain, New York Times bestselling author

“Colorful characters, intriguing, intelligent mystery, plus the state of Wyoming leaping off every page.” — Emilie Richards, USA Today bestselling author

If you like mystery with romance and a bit of humor, try also:

Proof of Innocence
Price of Innocence (2020)

Ride the River: Rodeo Knights (romantic suspense; includes cameos from Caught Dead in Wyoming characters)

Bardville, Wyoming series (romance with a little mystery)
A Stranger in the Family
A Stranger to Love
The Rancher Meets His Match

About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn spent more than 20 years as an editor at the Washington Post after stints as a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.) and assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.). She received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University.
McLinn is the author of more than 50 published novels, which are cited by readers and reviewers for wit and vivid characterization. Her books include mysteries, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, historical romance and women’s fiction. They have topped bestseller lists and won numerous awards.
She has spoken about writing from Melbourne, Australia, to Washington, D.C., including being a guest speaker at the Smithsonian Institution.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 1910. Lady Hardcastle and her tireless sidekick Flo have finally embarked on a long-overdue seaside break. But just as they’re wavering between ice creams and donkey rides, their fellow guests start to go missing—and the duo find themselves with a hysterical hotel manager and a case to solve.

The first to disappear is Dr Goddard, a scientist doing something terribly top-secret for the government. Gone too are his strongbox and its mysterious contents. By the time Lady Hardcastle has questioned the horde of international guests, her number-one suspect has been dispatched in grisly circumstances—and then the others start vanishing too.

As the case begins to look like a matter of national security, Lady Hardcastle takes advice from her brother in the secret service. But could there be an even more personal connection at play? To solve the case, Lady Hardcastle may face a shocking discovery of her own.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return to the most haunted small town in America…

Mackenzie Clair finally has this whole ghost-hunting psychic thing figured out. The Soul Searchers are a hit, she’s got pet-parenting down, and she even has a plan to banish the poltergeist running amok at a lakeside cabin. Best of all, Donn’s Hill feels like home. But not everyone loves the town as much as Mac.

A world-famous paranormal debunker thinks the psychics in Donn’s Hill are lying about their abilities. His determination to destroy the Soul Searchers threatens Mac’s livelihood, and when a killer strikes, the sheriff’s suspicions threaten her freedom.

Mac needs all the help she can get to find the real murderer and clear her name… even if that help comes from beyond the grave.

Look for all of Caryn Larrinaga’s spooky mysteries featuring psychic Mac and her spirited tortoiseshell cat, Striker:

• Donn’s Hill
• Donn’s Shadow  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even a good man makes mistakes…

In Maggie Lee’s topsy-turvy world, Angel Delveccio is one of the good guys, but now it seems he’s gotten himself into some trouble. Can Maggie get him out of it?

It’s not like she doesn’t have enough problems of her own. She’s struggling to pacify both the people and pets of her household — all of whom aren’t shy about voicing their litany of complaints and demands about their new home.

Stretched thin, Maggie attempts to broker familial peace while simultaneously contending with an external threat that revolves around a human skull.

And let’s not forget that a certain mobster has tasked her with keeping his nephew out of hot water.

Can Maggie protect Angel while keeping her family safe and together, or will someone be lost?  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Spellbound, where paranormal is the new normal.

When a house-hunting show decides to film in Spellbound, residents are excited to see their town in the limelight–until someone in the production ends up dead. Meanwhile, Emma is grappling with the sudden appearance of a long-lost family member, as well as the ups and downs of motherhood and an overindulgent vampire ghost manny.

Can she find the killer before they strike again or will they need to trade their underwriter for an undertaker?

Cloaks and Daggers is the sixth book in the Spellbound Ever After paranormal cozy mystery series.

Books in the Spellbound Ever After series include:
Crazy For Brew, Book 1
Lost That Coven Feeling, Book 2
Wands Upon A Time, Book 3
Charmed Offensive, Book 4
Poetry in Potion, Book 5
Cloaks and Daggers, Book 6

Books in the Spellbound series include:
Curse the Day, Book 1
Doom and Broom, Book 2
Spell’s Bells, Book 3
Lucky Charm, Book 4
Better Than Hex, Book 5
Cast Away, Book 6
A Touch of Magic, Book 7
A Drop in the Potion, Book 8
Hemlocked and Loaded, Book 9
All Spell Breaks Loose, Book 10  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s a gorgeous day for a wedding… and a murder.

Ruby Holmes has finally settled into her four-week ‘vacation’ in cozy town Carmel Springs, Maine. She’s thrilled when she lands a catering gig for a local wedding… even if the client is a bridezilla of epic proportions.

When Ruby arrives early to set up for the wedding, the last thing she expects to find is the corpse of the bride, her face plastered in Ruby’s highly unique marzipan frosting. Ruby’s suspect number one again, and if she can’t solve the mystery, she’ll be locked up while the real murderer roams free.

Figure out whodunit! Enjoy this bite-sized cozy mystery today.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A sleepy English seaside town rife with secrets

Despite settling into life in the English town of Skegness Doris Cudlow hasn’t found full-time work as a journalist. She’s working an overnight doughnut shift to pay for her poky boarding house room.

When a retiree’s festival comes to town an old tale about a sinister murder is re-told. Sensing a great story Doris set’s off on the trail to solve a crime that baffled the local police.

But disaster strikes as she uncovers a shadowy web of greed and jealousy.

In a town where everyone is a suspect and no one is giving up their secrets easily, can Doris uncover the truth or will she, like the original victim, become part of local folklore?

“Another superb Doris Cudlow mystery.”  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise is good for you, or so they said. So why is the Pilates instructor dead?
Adina signed up for Pilates because she wanted to get some exercise, not to find another body. Initially ruled an accidental death, the victim’s business partner has her doubts, which are soon reinforced by a series of suspicious incidents. With no obvious motives or suspects, Adina sets out to identify the killer – with or without help from her favorite detective.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you play with fire… you might get burned.

When a Spirit Realm dweller turns up dead, Penny fears the worst. Is the killing a threat meant for her? It’s up to Penny and her witchy knitting circle friends to get to the bottom of the case!

Would you like to read the Hillcrest Witch Mystery series in order? Here’s your guide:

Prequel: The Case of the Love Spell
Book #1: The Case of the Power Spell
Book #2: The Case of the Banishing Spell
Book #3: The Case of the Desire Spell
Book #4: The Case of the Trust Spell
Book #5: The Case of the Vision Spell
Book #6: The Case of the Voice Spell
Book #7: The Case of the Earth Spell
Book #8: The Case of the Water Spell
Book #9: The Case of the Air Spell
Book #10: The Case of the Spirit Spell
Book #11: The Case of the Fire Spell  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nothing like murder to welcome you home

Jayden Carmichael is not moving back home to small town Riverbrook. She’s only there for a break. A few months’ worth, tops.

She is definitely not getting involved in a murder investigation. So what if she found the body at her new job and the entire town thinks she’s killed one of the most obnoxious locals? And she’s most certainly not going to help Riverbrook’s new, gorgeous, and way too chill sheriff get the truth out.

All Jayden wants is to lick her wounds, save up, and return to New York City to take the art world by storm. Instead, she gets swept up in Riverbrook’s gossip, sordid secrets, and simmering conflicts. With the help of loving relatives, a new friend with a wild beast for a pet, and the sheriff she’s so not interested in, Jayden might just make it out alive.

Murderous Homecoming kicks off the Riverbrook Geeky Cozy Mysteries series with a reluctant sleuth, a small town trapped between its past and future, and a victim that rubbed just about everyone the wrong way. If you like murder mysteries, quirky protagonists, and huge pets, you’ll love this new series.

Get your copy right now to find out if Jayden survives her Murderous Homecoming.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1995 – A burned out American business woman is visiting her friend in rural France when their lives are turned upside down by events that happened in occupied France during 1941.
Something has changed in the endless repeating cycle of life and seasons.  After many years of peaceful visits; living the French dream of fine food, perfect patisserie and wonderful wine a chill wind is blowing from the East.
Can paradise return, or has the past damaged the future beyond repair?  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle, Paperback

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Famous Local Artist

Massive Town Fire

Deadly Aftermath…

With newlyweds Gramps and Tillie away honeymooning, bookstore and bar owner, Jaycee Sullivan, hopes for a mini-stay-cay of her own. But her plans are quickly foiled by a mammoth fire and the attempted murder of her long-time friend.

Armed with a stun gun, pepper spray, and yard stakes, Jaycee, Jax, Heidi, and Bridget set out determined to catch the would-be assassin…all under the radar from Jaycee’s police detective boyfriend, Mike Connors.

But when Jaycee suddenly finds herself at the wrong end of a weapon, her life and her relationship are at risk. Will her mini-stay-cay end with a trip to the morgue or the lonely hearts club?

If you like small town cozy mysteries with a hint of romance and yummy recipes, you’ll love the Sullivan Sisters cozy mysteries. Get it now.  (Amazon)

Editions Available:  Kindle