#BerkleyPrimeCrime

[doodlesink]

A Controversial Cover by Lorna Barrett -- A Book Review

Happy Wednesday!  A Controversial Cover by Lorna Barrett is the eighteenth A Booktown Mystery.  Stop by to see what I have to say about my latest visit to Stoneham.  Happy Reading!

https://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2024/07/a-controversial-cover-by-lorna-barrett.html

[thetarotman]

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The #cozymysteries that I AM currently savoring, as opposed to devouring. #aericksonbooks #deathbycoffee #bookstorecafemystery #kensingtonbooks #thewitchandthedead #wishcraftmysteryseries #heatherblake #browniesandbroomsticks #magicalbakerymysteryseries #baileycates #berkleyprimecrime #obsidianmysteries #penguinbooks #bookstores #witches #cozymystery

[dollycas]

Dollycas's Best Reads of 2023

Dollycas's Best Reads of 2023

2023 was a fabulous year for us readers. I read over 200 books and only a few earned 3 stars or less. The books on my list today are the cream of the crop for me. They were books that I couldn't put down and books that stayed with me after I turned the final page. They earned my Paradise Rating because I thought they deserved more than 5 stars.

Wined and Died in New Orleans (A Vintage Cookbook) Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series Setting - Louisiana Berkley (February 7, 2023) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593437632 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593437636 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09TZPW81C

The second in a fantastic new cozy mystery series with a vintage flair from USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award–winning author Ellen Byron. It’s hurricane season in New Orleans and vintage cookbook fan Ricki James-Diaz is trying to shelve her weather-related fears and focus on her business, Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbook and Kitchenware Shop, housed in the magnificent Bon Vee Culinary House Museum. Repairs on the property unearth crates of very old, very valuable French wine, buried by the home’s builder, Jean-Louis Charbonnet. Ricki, who’s been struggling to attract more customers to Miss Vee’s, is thrilled when her post about the discovery of this long-buried treasure goes viral. She’s less thrilled when the post brings distant Charbonnet family members out of the woodwork, all clamoring for a cut of the wine’s sale. When a dead body turns up in Bon Vee’s cheery fall decorations, the NOPD zeroes in on Eugenia Charbonnet Felice as the prime suspect, figuring that as head of the Charbonnet family, she has the most to gain. Ricki is determined to uncover the real culprit, but she can’t help noticing that Eugenia is acting strangely. Ricki wonders what kind of secret her mentor has bottled up, and fears what might happen if she uncorks it. In the second Vintage Cookbook Mystery, Ricki has to help solve a murder, untangle family secrets, and grow her business, all while living under the threat of a hurricane that could wipe out everything from her home to Bon Vee. You can read my review here. 

The Miner's Canary Cozy Mystery/Suspense Setting - South Dakota Touchpoint Press (October 25, 2022) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 326 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1956851410 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1956851410 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BBS7M1MD

"A smart heroine with a haunted past . . . a who-done-it full of twists and turns." Haunted by a death she might have prevented, single mom Julie Goldman returns to the brooding Black Hills of South Dakota to turn the old Victorian she inherits from her aunt into a bed-and-breakfast inn. But mysterious deaths are piling up, and a series of vaguely escalating threats convince her that someone wants her gone. When daughter Lu is run off the road while riding her bike, Julie knows she must find and stop whoever has them squarely in their sights. You can read my review here. 

I Will Find You Suspense / Thriller Setting - Maine - New York Grand Central Publishing (March 14, 2023) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1538748363 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1538748367 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B5SD5SCL

Five years ago, an innocent man began a life sentence for murdering his own son. Today he found out his son is still alive. David Burroughs was once a devoted father to his three-year-old son Matthew, living a dream life just a short drive away from the working-class suburb where he and his wife, Cheryl, first fell in love--until one fateful night when David woke suddenly to discover Matthew had been murdered while David was asleep just down the hall. Half a decade later, David’s been wrongly accused and convicted of the murder, left to serve out his time in a maximum-security prison—a fate which, grieving and wracked with guilt, David didn’t have the will to fight. The world has moved on without him. Then Cheryl’s younger sister, Rachel, makes a surprise appearance during visiting hours bearing a strange photograph. It’s a vacation shot of a bustling amusement park a friend shared with her, and in the background, just barely in the frame, is a boy bearing an eerie resemblance to David’s son. Even though it can’t be, David just knows: Matthew is still alive. David plans a harrowing escape, determined to achieve the impossible – save his son, clear his own name, and discover the real story of what happened. But with his life on the line and the FBI following his every move, can David evade capture long enough to reveal the shocking truth? You can read my review here. 

Fateful Words: A Scottish Bookshop Mystery Cozy Mystery 8th in Series Setting - Scotland Minotaur Books (April 4, 2023) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250789532 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250789532 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09Y45JKX5

In Fateful Words, the eighth Scottish Bookshop Mystery from beloved author Paige Shelton, bookseller Delaney Nichols stakes her reputation—and her life—when a literary tour turns deadly... When Edwin, Delaney’s boss at the Cracked Spine bookstore, leaves town on secret business, Delaney is called upon to guide his yearly literary tour around Edinburgh. But on the first night of the tour, at the inn where the tour group is staying, the inn manager falls—or is pushed—off the roof of the inn, and killed. Then, one of the tour members disappears, leaving a trail of puzzles in her wake. In a race against the clock, Delaney sets out on the expedition of her life, following clues around Edinburgh to get to the bottom of this mystery. Exploring sights from Greyfriars Bobby to the Royal Mile to the Sir Walter Scott Monument, she'll have to put the pieces together quickly, or the bookstore's survival could be on the line...as well as her own. You can read my review here. 

The Ghost Goes to the Dogs (Haunted Bookshop Mystery) Paranormal Cozy Mystery 9th in Series Setting -‎ Rhode Island Berkley (May 2, 2023) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0425255492 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0425255490 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B8GC8YHT

A stray dog leads bookseller Penelope McClure and her gumshoe ghost on a chase for a cunning criminal in this brand-new entry in the "UTTERLY CHARMING" (Mystery Scene) Haunted Bookshop Mysteries from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle. Pet Mystery Week brings brisk business to Penelope's Rhode Island bookshop, but a real mystery comes barking at her door when a lost dog turns up in a panic. Pen and her son Spencer follow the furry fugitive to a wooded area where the dog's owner lies unconscious. Mrs. Cunningham is a warm-hearted widow who volunteers at the animal shelter and runs Buy the Book's pet lovers book club. Why would anyone shoot such a sweet soul? The police believe it's an accident, a shot by a careless deer hunter, but Pen remains skeptical. To straighten out this doggone mess, she whistles for the ghost of PI Jack Shepard, an expert in hounding as well as haunting. Jack has a dog story of his own, a case from the 1940s that may help Pen sniff out clues to her present predicament. Yet even with Jack's hard-boiled help, Pen may not be able to stop the killer from striking again or letting this whole case go to the dogs... You can read my review here. 

Muddled Matrimonial Murder (Cupcake Catering Mystery Series) Cozy Mystery 6th in Series Setting - California Cinnamon & Sugar Press (June 13, 2023) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 310 pages ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8223497615 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C1THMWZJ

With only two weeks left to finalize the nuptial ceremony and reception for her best friend, Brad, and a Thanksgiving feast to plan, Emory Martinez has enough to keep her busy. But when Emory and Brad stumble across the body of his former stalker, with a wedding gift marble muddler lying next to the body, it soon becomes apparent someone is intent on framing the groom before vows can be exchanged. How did the victim locate Brad and how did she end up murdered at the scene of the impending nuptials? Was someone so desperate to stop the wedding that they’d resort to murder? Or was she killed for revenge? As the countdown to the wedding speeds by, it’ll take Emory and her family and friends to pull together to pick through the muddled clues to clear the groom’s name. Includes recipes. You can read my review here. 

Death Knells and Wedding Bells (A Lighthouse Library Mystery) Read the full article

[doodlesink]

Pride, Prejudice, and Peril by Katie Oliver--Book Review

Happy Monday!  Pride, Prejudice, and Peril by Katie Oliver has Dr. Phaedra Brighton working to clear her friend of a murder charge.  Stop by to learn more about the debut of A Jane Austen Tea Society Mysteries.  Happy Reading!

https://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2021/12/pride-prejudice-and-peril-by-katie.html

[doodlesink]

Getaway with Murder by Diane Kelly--Book Review

Happy Monday!  Getaway with Murder by Diane Kelly publishes Tuesday, October 26.  Check out the debut of The Mountain Lodge Mysteries.  Happy Reading!

https://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2021/10/getaway-with-murder-by-diane-kelly.html

[dollycas]

My Reading Itinerary Monday! – Week #52 – 2023

Welcome to My Reading Itinerary Monday!  Where are your books taking you this week? I will be traveling to Indiana, Virginia, and California! Here’s what I read and what I have planned for this week. Escapes Completed

Christmas, Criminals, and Campers - A Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery Series by Tonya Kappes Release Date - October 30, 2018 Setting - Kentucky Just for Fun December Alphabet Soup Mini-Challenge

Twisted Twenty-Six (Stephanie Plum Book 26) by Janet Evanovich Release Date - November 12, 2019 Setting - New Jersey Just for Fun

Mackenzie's Mountain (Mackenzie Family Saga) by Linda Howard Release Date - March 1, 1989 Setting - Wyoming Just for Fun

Fields' Guide to Smuggling (The Poppy Fields Adventures) by Julie Mulhern Release Date - April 27, 2021 Setting - Greece Just for Fun

Scheduled Escapes

Deep Fried Death (A Country Store Mystery) by Maddie Day Release Date - December 26, 2023 Setting - Indiana I will feature this book for Cozy Wednesday next week!

The Dog Across the Lake (A Paws & Claws Mystery) by Krista Davis Release Date - January 26, 2023 Setting - Virginia For Review

Rivers and Creaks: A Redwoods Country Mystery by Marc Jedel Release Date - November 30, 2023 Setting - California The Great Escapes Tour stops here next Friday!

Future Escapes December 24 - 30, 2023 

Click Here to check out my Current Giveaways! Please Share Your Reading Itinerary in the Comments below! Happy Reading!! Read the full article

[dollycas]

Cozy Wednesday featuring Sniffing Out Murder (A Bailey the Bloodhound Mystery) by Kallie E. Benjamin #Review / #Giveaway Great Escapes Book Tour @penguincozies @BerkleyMystery

Welcome to Cozy Wednesday! I am delighted to share my thoughts today about Sniffing Out Murder today!

Sniffing Out Murder (A Bailey the Bloodhound Mystery) by Kallie E. Benjamin

About Sniffing Out Murder

Sniffing Out Murder (A Bailey the Bloodhound Mystery) Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting - Indiana Berkley (December 5, 2023) Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593547357 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593547359 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BXKHGG75

When a murder unleashes a widespread investigation through Crosbyville, children’s book author Pris and her trusty bloodhound, Bailey, must sniff out the truth before the whole town goes to the dogs. After deciding that life as a teacher wasn’t right for her, Priscilla found inspiration for her first children’s book in her three-year-old bloodhound’s nose for truth, and so The Adventures of Bailey the Bloodhound was born. After the book’s massively pawsitive response led Pris to move back to her hometown of Crosbyville, Indiana, to continue the series, she’s surprised by how things have changed in the town, but even more so how they haven’t. Pris is frustrated to discover that newly elected school board trustee Whitney Kelley—a former high school mean girl—is intent on making Crosbyville more competitive by eliminating “frivolous spending” on the arts and social programs, including Pris and Bailey’s beloved pet-assisted reading program. A minor altercation between them isn’t anything unusual, but after Bailey sniffs out Whitney’s body in a bed of begonias, locals start hounding Pris and Bailey as suspects for the crime. With Bailey’s sharp senses and Pris’s hometown know-how, can they prove to the community that they’re all barking up the wrong tree? Dollycas's Thoughts Priscilla Cummings has found success as an author with her first children's book, The Case of the Missing Maltese, an Adventures of Bailey the Bloodhound, Pet Detective story. So successful that she is giving up her career as a teacher. She has saved what she knows is going to be the hardest parent-teacher conference as the last thing to do before she leaves the school as a member of the staff. Joe and Whitney Kelly's adopted daughter, Clarice is very smart but hasn't applied herself and Pris believes she needs to be held back. The parents blame her as a teacher and her bloodhound who is part of a reading program at the school for distracting their daughter. Later Pris and Bailey go to the Blue Plate  Special Cafe owned by her aunt Agatha for some chowder and a BLT without the T but plenty of B. Her meal is ruined when the Kelly's make an appearance and cause trouble.  Whitney vows to use her position as chairwoman of the school board to ruin Pris and cancel the reading program along with the art and music classes, calling them unneeded "fluff". Pris attempts to tell her how important these programs are and they have a minor argument that gets blown all out of proportion when the new Chief of Police Gilbert Morgan walks in with his daughter. Not everyone saw what Whitney did to start the chaos but the drama queen acted all innocent trying to blame Pris and her dog. Pris then finds herself in the hot seat when an early morning walk has Bailey the Bloodhound sniffing out a murder, and digging up the body of none other than Whitney Kelly. Prepare to have your heart stolen by Bailey the Bloodhound. It is a stubborn breed especially when they catch a scent. Nose to the ground the hound is at work but when he is ready to play he is a gentle 100-pound giant with a whole lot of drool. A loyal inquisitive dog he always seems to be ready for his next adventure. His person Pricilla, was inspired by him to not only write stories featuring him but she also started a pet-assisted reading program letting children read to Bailey. She also takes him to library, to show off his special skills. She is inquisitive herself which comes in handy to do a little amateur sleuthing. Her Aunt Agatha has her back no matter what and I loved that. Her best friend, Marcie, is also a teacher and a lot of fun. I was not a fan of Chief of Police Gilbert Morgan until I got to know some of his backstory and his delightful daughter Hannah. He is a by-the-books kind of guy from Chicago so he needs to find his place and understand the ways of small-town life. I enjoyed meeting all these characters and like that even for the first book in a series, they have depth. Set in the small town of Crosbyville, Indiana, we meet several of its residents that are all tied in different ways to what is happening in the story. The cast is very diverse and typical of what you would find in any midwestern small town. The good, the bad, and sometimes the creepy or entitled. I hope to see the good ones in future stories. Ms. Benjamin sets a brisk pace with short chapters and she plotted out a sharp mystery. Pris is on the suspect list but there are several other viable suspects. Whitney Kelly was an awful person and had made some enemies. I was suspicious of all of them. As Pris investigated she did put a target on her own back but then clues for me started to fall into place. One character stood out but I wasn't sure about their motive until it was all spelled out. The killer did make a big mistake when they tried to get rid of some loose ends. The showdown was tense. A unique lesson came into play and some high school talents saved the day. I absolutely loved the way the ending played out. Sniffing Out Murder is a delightful lighthearted mystery with appealing characters and a sweet adorable bloodhound. I am excited to see what Ms. Benjamin has planned for her characters next and what kind of trouble Bailey's sniffer finds.

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent

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[dollycas]

My Reading Itinerary Monday! – Week #49 – 2023

Welcome to My Reading Itinerary Monday!  Where are your books taking you this week? I will be traveling to Pennsylvania, Nebraska, and Martinique! Here’s what I read and what I have planned for this week. Escapes Completed

Hope for the Holidays by Daryl Wood Gerber Release Date - November 14, 2023 Setting - Oregon The Great Escapes Tour stops here tomorrow!

Sniffing Out Murder (A Bailey the Bloodhound Mystery) by Kallie E. Benjamin Release Date - December 5, 2023 Setting - Indiana The Great Escapes Tour stops here for Cozy Wednesday this week!

Christmas in the Crosshairs by Deena Alexander Release Date - November 28, 2023 Setting - New York The Great Escapes Tour stops here on Thursday!

The Plot Thickets (A Garden Squad Mystery) by Julia Henry Release Date - October 25, 2022 Setting - Massachusetts My #FlashbackFriday Read!

The Pompadour Necklace: Sophie's Adventures by Nupur Tustin Release Date - March 14, 2023 Setting - England The Great Escapes Tour stops here next Tuesday!

Theft in Sleepy Hollow (Sophie's Adventures) by Nupur Tustin Release Date - November 25, 2023 Setting - New York The Great Escapes Tour stops here next Tuesday!

Scheduled Escapes

Murder with Chocolate Tea (A Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery) by Karen Rose Smith Release Date - November 28, 2023 Setting - Pennsylvania I will feature this book on Cozy Wednesday next week!

Dead of Winter Break (A Cassandra Sato Mystery) by Kelly Brakenhoff Release Date - November 17, 2020 Setting - Nebraska I'm trying to finish up my Literary Escapes challenge.

Whisky Hernandez by J. S. Mason Release Date - October 26, 2022 Setting – Martinique The Great Escapes Tour stops here next Friday plus my #FlashbackFriday Read!

Future Escapes December 3 - 9, 2023

Click Here to check out my Current Giveaways! Please Share Your Reading Itinerary in the Comments below! Happy Reading!!

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent Read the full article

[dollycas]

Cozy Wednesday featuring Bulletproof Barista (A Coffeehouse Mystery) by Cleo Coyle #Review / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour @CleoCoyle @BerkleyMystery

Welcome to Cozy Wednesday! I am delighted to feature and share my thoughts about Bulletproof Barista (A Coffeehouse Mystery) by Cleo Coyle

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[dollycas]

My Reading Itinerary Monday! – Week #44 – 2023

Welcome to My Reading Itinerary Monday!  Where are your books taking you this week? I will be traveling to Massachusetts and Maine! Here’s what I read and what I have planned for this week. Escapes Completed

Snow Place for Murder (Mountain Lodge Mysteries) by Diane Kelly Release Date - October 24, 2023 Setting - North Carolina My Review will be up tomorrow! 

Bulletproof Barista (A Coffeehouse Mystery) by Cleo Coyle Release Date - November 14, 2023 Setting - New York The Great Escapes Tour stops here this week for Cozy Wednesday!

Viviana Valentine and the Ticking Clock (A Girl Friday Mystery) by Emily J. Edwards Release Date - November 7, 2023 Setting - New York My Review will be up on Thursday!

Real-life and sporting events have been cutting into my reading time for #FlashbackFriday Reads. They will be back soon. Scheduled Escapes

A Seaside Bookshop Christmas: A Single Dad, Friends to Lovers Small Town Romance (The Turner Family of Bluestar Island) by Jennifer Faye Release Date - November 3, 2023 Setting - Island Off Massachusetts The Great Escapes Tour stops here next Tuesday!

Stalking Around the Christmas Tree (A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery) by Jacqueline Frost Release Date - October 17, 2023 Setting - Maine I will feature this book on Cozy Wednesday next week!

A CATastrophic Neighborhood (A Pet Momma Cozy Mystery) by Maryann Shanesy Release Date - March 27, 2023 Setting - The small town of Starport Cove and a suburb of the town called Bluffington Hills. The Great Escapes Tour stops here next Thursday!

Future Escapes November 5 - 11, 2023

Click Here to check out my Current Giveaways! Don’t Miss These Giveaways! Special Giveaway! Special Giveaway! Sponsored by Kensington Cozies Special Giveaway! Sponsored by Kensington Cozies All 3  End at Midnight on November 7! Please Share Your Reading Itinerary in the Comments below! Happy Reading!!

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent Read the full article

[dollycas]

Paws to Remember (Magical Cats) by Sofie Kelly #Review @BerkleyPub

Paws to Remember (Magical Cats) Cozy Mystery 15th in Series Setting - Minnesota Berkley (October 17, 2023) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593548701 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593548707 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BSKH7N7Z

Librarian Kathleen Paulson and her enchanted felines get involved in a cold case that is putting people in very hot water in the newest installment of this New York Times bestselling series. When a water leak repair results in a body being found behind the walls of the store run by the artists’ co-op that Kathleen's friend, Maggie, is part of, everyone is completely mystified as to whose body it is and who hid it there. But as the dust settles, her boyfriend, Detective Marcus Gordon, begins to suspect the body could belong to a young woman who disappeared more than thirty years ago. When a friend with a connection to the young woman asks Kathleen to look into the circumstances around the disappearance, she and her cats—who have special feline talent for catching felons—find themselves digging up secrets that at least one person in Mayville Heights would much prefer stay buried. Dollycas's Thoughts Kathleen and her frisky felines are back and wrapped up in a cold case brought back into focus when a water leak repair exposes a gruesome find at the artists' co-op. Kathleen's boyfriend, Detective Marcus Gordon, is investigating, but a friend has asked Kathleen for help too. So she, along with Owen and Hercules and their special talents, start digging through clues and uncovering secrets. Secrets that could solve a 30-year-old case, but could also put Kathleen in grave danger. The characters in this series are some of my favorites. The humans, the felines, and a canine too. Each has their own unique traits and personalities. Kathleen is so genuine and caring. She jumps in to help wherever she can which is why she was right there when this body was found. Her relationship with Marcus has grown so much and they are so comfortable together. Owen, Hercules, and Micah steal my heart every time. Fifi, the next-door neighbor's German shepherd, has wiggled his way in there too. All of Ms. Kelly's characters continue to evolve and feel fresh even after 15 books in this series. She introduces relevant new characters that have depth in each story too. The cold case mystery was complex and Kathleen was very careful with the questions she asked. Observations and research on the computer with feline assistance helped bring everything together but Kathleen still wasn't 100% sure if she was right. I wanted to jump into the book to stop Kathleen when she wanted to get the final answers she thought she needed. But she went there, and what a showdown and rescue followed. Some of it was pretty freaky. There was one situation where I had to suspend reality a bit. There should have been aftermath or evidence of an event that happened 30 years ago that wasn't mentioned, but that may just be me being too picky. It didn't detract from enjoyment but I did make note of it while reading. I do enjoy visiting Mayville Heights. A great midwest town filled with wonderful people. It reminds me of the way my small town was growing up. There was a subplot of Marcus and Kathleen's plans to go to Boston to spend the holidays with her family that wove through the book. There were outside elements that kept popping up to try to ruin their plans but I have to say I loved the heartwarming conclusion. It gave me some great holiday feels. Paws to Remember is a solid addition to this series. Engaging characters, a compelling mystery, set in a charming small town. I am looking forward to my next visit.

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent

About Sofie Kelly Sofie Kelly writes the New York Times bestselling Magical Cats mysteries that feature librarian Kathleen Paulson and her two very special cats, Owen and Hercules, who have a magical knack for solving crime. As Sofie Ryan, she is the author of the New York Times bestselling Second Chance Cat Mystery Series. She lives on the east coast with her husband and daughter. Website: www.sofiekelly.com

Written as Sofie Ryan

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[dollycas]

My Reading Itinerary Monday! – Week #44 – 2023

Welcome to My Reading Itinerary Monday!  Where are your books taking you this week? I will be traveling to North Carolina and New York this week! Here’s what I read and what I have planned for this week. Escapes Completed

Murder Outside the Lines (Pen & Ink) by Krista Davis Release Date - September 29, 2021 Setting - Washington D.C. My Review will be up tomorrow!

Spoon to be Dead: A Dessert Cozy Mystery (Shake Shop Mystery) by Dana Mentink Release Date - October 31, 2023 Setting - Oregon I will feature this book this week on Cozy Wednesday!

Paws to Remember (Magical Cats) by Sofie Kelly Release Date - October 17, 2023 Setting - Minnesota My Review will be up on Thursday!

Scheduled Escapes

Snow Place for Murder (Mountain Lodge Mysteries) by Diane Kelly Release Date - October 24, 2023 Setting - North Carolina For Review

Bulletproof Barista (A Coffeehouse Mystery) by Cleo Coyle Release Date - November 14, 2023 Setting - New York The Great Escapes Tour stops here next week for Cozy Wednesday!

Viviana Valentine and the Ticking Clock (A Girl Friday Mystery) by Emily J. Edwards Setting - New York For Review

Future Escapes October 29 - November 4, 2023

Click Here to check out my Current Giveaways! Please Share Your Reading Itinerary in the Comments below! Happy Reading!!

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent Read the full article

[dollycas]

My Reading Itinerary Monday! – Week #43 – 2023

Welcome to My Reading Itinerary Monday!  Where are your books taking you this week? I will be traveling to Washington D.C., Oregon, and Minnesota! Here’s what I read and what I have planned for this week. Escapes Completed

Murder Uncorked (A Cece Barton Mystery) by Maddie Day Release Date - October 24, 2023 Setting - California My Review will be up tomorrow.

Syrup to No Good (Maple Syrup Mysteries) by Catherine Bruns Release Date - October 31, 2023 Setting - Vermont I will feature this book this week for Cozy Wednesday!

Holly, Baubles and Murder: A British Cozy Murder Mystery with a Female Amateur Sleuth (A Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery) by Victoria Tait Release Date - October 20, 2023 Setting - England The Great Escapes Tour stops here on Thursday!

A Nutcracker Nightmare (A Killer Chocolate Mystery) by Christina Romeril Release Date - October 17, 2023 Setting - Montana The Great Escapes Tour stops here on Friday!

Scheduled Escapes

Murder Outside the Lines (Pen & Ink) by Krista Davis Release Date - September 29, 2021 Setting - Washington D.C. For Review

Spoon to be Dead: A Dessert Cozy Mystery (Shake Shop Mystery) by Dana Mentink Release Date - October 31, 2023 Setting - Oregon I will feature this book next week on Cozy Wednesday!

Paws to Remember (Magical Cats) by Sofie Kelly Release Date - October 17, 2023 Setting - Minnesota For Review

Future Escapes October 22 - 28, 2023

Click Here to check out my Current Giveaways! Please Share Your Reading Itinerary in the Comments below! Happy Reading!!

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent Read the full article

[dollycas]

#FlashbackFriday featuring Pumpkin Spice Peril (Cupcake Bakery Mystery) by Jenn McKinlay #Review / #Giveaway @BerkleyMystery

On Flashback Fridays I will share with you the books I was not able to review when they were first released that have been screaming at me from my To-Be-Read bookshelf.

Pumpkin Spice Peril (Cupcake Bakery Mystery) Cozy Mystery 12th in Series Setting - Arizona Berkley (April 28, 2020) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 045149265X ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0451492654 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07VP1NX6M

In the twelfth Cupcake Bakery Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay, the Fairy Tale Cupcake crew follows the clever crumb trail of a killer who's anything but cookie-cutter. Life is all sugar and spice for the Fairy Tale Cupcake bakers--Melanie Cooper is engaged to the delectable Joe DeLaura, Angie Harper and her husband Tate are savoring married life, and the bakery is bustling with happy customers. Until one of their most valued cupcake connoisseurs ends up dead. Local glass artist and cupcake lover Rene Fischer-Klein has always suffered from a wide variety of health issues. In an effort to cheer her up, her doting husband, Peter, brings her a four-pack of her favorite cupcakes every week. But when the police discover that Rene has been poisoned, there's no sugarcoating the fact that the last things she ate were the bakery's signature pumpkin spice cupcakes! With their lives and bakery at stake, it's up to Mel and Angie to find out who poisoned their artist friend and why, before their future is frosted for good. Dollycas's Thoughts So many good things are happening for Fairy Tale Cupcake bakers Melanie Cooper and Angie Harper both personally and professionally. Then they learn one of their friends and cupcake lover Rene Fischer-Klein has died. Rene was a local glass artist and has had several health issues over the years. She had been working on a huge project for the city which made her stressed out and not sleeping but Rene did not pass from natural causes or health issues. No, she was poisoned and the police suspect the cupcakes Rene loved could have carried the poison. Melanie and Angie know they had nothing to do with Rene's death and they are going to prove it before they lose their business or are sharing a jail cell. I have gotten behind on this series for a variety of reasons and I am so happy to reconnect with Mel, Angie, Joe, Tate, Oz, Marty, and the fabulous and funny DeLaura brothers. Mel and "Dear Joe" are planning their wedding while Angie and Tate are settling into married life and all that brings. Marty is always a lot of fun and is still dating rival baker Olivia. Oz has been taking time off and made a huge change to his appearance leaving Mel and Angie nervous that are going to lose him. The DeLaura brothers are up in arms when they receive some news and have some crazy ideas. It was so easy to catch right up with these wonderful characters. The banter between them always makes me smile. The movie quotes are just plain fun. The death of a friend hits Mel especially hard. Feeling she should have been able to help in some way, she is now on a crusade to find her killer. She trusts her Uncle Stan, but the Chief is "concerned" about all the bodies she has found or investigations she has played a part in, so she is opening an investigation and reviewing all those cases. Mel doesn't have time to worry about the past, she needs to live in the present and find out who killed Rene. She is nervous that it was Rene's husband Peter but he seemed to dote on his wife. She has other suspects though. I did too, but one event blew my theory up nicely. I did really enjoy all the twists and found the showdown extremely satisfying. A lot happens within these pages. These characters have always been some of my favorites.  I laughed out loud and giggled more than a time or two. I was intrigued by the mystery and was delighted by the author's descriptive talents.  Every scene was so well described but Rene created a fantastic and unique piece of art for the town and those descriptions enabled me to envision it so clearly. I can't forget the cupcakes, they had me drooling.  The recipes for Pumpkin Spice, of course, Coffee Mocha, Root Beer Float, and Passion Fruit Cupcakes are all included at the end of the story. Pumpkin Spice Peril was a totally entertaining read that I enjoyed from beginning to end. The first book in this series, Sprinkle with Murder was one of the first reviews I wrote when I started blogging so I really need to get caught up on this series. Jenn McKinlay never disappoints.

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent Find out all about Jenn McKinlay and her books on her webpage here. Cupcake Bakery Mysteries

Library Lover's Mysteries

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[dollycas]

My Reading Itinerary Monday! – Week #40 – 2023

Welcome to My Reading Itinerary Monday!  Where are your books taking you this week? I will be traveling to Maine, California, and Florida! Here’s what I read and what I have planned for this week. Escapes Completed

Joy to the Wool (Clear Creek Mysteries) by Rebecca McKinnon Release Date - October 5, 2023 Setting - Rocky Mountain Town The Great Escapes Tour stops here tomorrow!

Murders of a Feather: A Veterinarian Cozy Mystery by Eileen Brady Release Date - October 3, 2023 Setting - New York I will feature this book this week on Cozy Wednesday!

Darjeeling and A Deadly Disappearance: A British Cozy Mystery with a Female Sleuth (A Waterwheel Cafe Mystery) Release Date - September 8, 2023 Setting - Cotswold, England My review will be up on Thursday! 

An Unholy Death—A Novella: A Food Lovers’ Village Mystery by Leslie Budewitz Release Date - August 29, 2023 Setting - Montana I still need to get this review written.

Currently Reading

Pumpkin Spice Peril (Cupcake Bakery Mystery) by Jenn McKinlay Release Date - April 28, 2020 Setting - Arizona My #FlashbackFriday Read!

Scheduled Escapes

Slashing Through the Snow: A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery by Jacqueline Frost Release Date - October 12, 2021 Setting - Maine For Review

Murder by the Seashore (A California Bookshop Mystery) by Samara Yew Release Date - October 17, 2023 Setting - California The Great Escapes Book Tour starts here next week for Cozy Wednesday!

Purrder, She Wrote: A Detective Whiskers Cat Cozy Mystery by Chris Abernathy Release Date - September 12, 2023 Setting - Florida For Review

Future Escapes October 1 - 7, 2023

Click Here to check out my Current Giveaways! Please Share Your Reading Itinerary in the Comments below! Happy Reading!!

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[dollycas]

My Reading Itinerary Monday! – Week #37 – 2023

Welcome to My Reading Itinerary Monday!  Where are your books taking you this week? I will be traveling to Scotland, Rhode Island, and Florida! Here’s what I read and what I have planned for this week. Escapes Completed

CSI: Cat Sleuth Investigation: A Detective Whiskers Cat Cozy Mystery by Chris Abernathy Release Date - June 20, 2023 Setting - Florida The Great Escapes Tour stops here tomorrow!

Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas (Year-Round Christmas Mystery) by Vicki Delany Release Date - September 19, 2023 Setting - New York The Great Escapes Tour stops here for Cozy Wednesday this week.

The River Runs South: A Novel by Audrey Ingram Release Date - September 5, 2023 Setting - Alabama I will post my review on Thursday!

Steeped to Death (A Witches' Brew Mystery) by Gretchen Rue Release Date - September 6, 2022 Setting - Washington State My #FlashbackFriday Read!

Scheduled Escapes

Deadly Performance: A British Cozy Murder Mystery with a Female Amateur Sleuth (A Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery) by Victoria Tait Release Date - July 14, 2023 Setting - Scotland For Review

Murder at the Elms (A Gilded Newport Mystery) by Alyssa Maxwell Release Date - August 22, 2023 Setting - Rhode Island The Great Escapes Tour stops here next week for Cozy Wednesday!

Miami Mice: A Detective Whiskers Cat Cozy Mystery by Chris Abernathy Release Date - July 18, 2023 Setting - Florida The Great Escapes Book Tour stops here again next Thursday so I can share my thoughts about another book in this fun series.

Future Escapes September 10 - 16, 2023

Click Here to check out my Current Giveaways! Please Share Your Reading Itinerary in the Comments below! Happy Reading!!

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