Book Review: APPLE DUMPLING MURDER (Paranormal Cozy Mystery - Christmas Catastrophe Mysteries Book 2) by Trixie Silvertale

About the Book

Santa’s daughter is settling into her life as a baker, but could a fresh murder burn her biscuits? 

Cindy Claus loves exploring the human world and baking amazing treats. So, she’s bubbling over when her aging landlord takes her under his wing and promises to leave her the bakery in his will. But before she can stir up a celebration, her patron collapses, dead, like a bad soufflé. 

With suspicion instantly falling on the budding baker, Cindy must rely on her fragile new friendships and her father’s trusted arctic fox. She’ll have to butt heads with local law enforcement as she gathers crumbs, and one wrong move could crush her dreams… 

Can Cindy find the proof she needs, or will this villain punch down her last hope? 

Apple Dumpling Murder is the second book in the festive paranormal cozy series, Christmas Catastrophe Mysteries. 

Review 

Cindy Claus convinced her papa to let her leave the North Pole and try her hand at opening a bakery. She landed in Silver Shoals as the baker in town, Connie, dies. Her husband not only lets Cindy take over the bakery but shares Connie's wonderful recipes. He announces that he's changing his will and giving the building to Cindy, and then he's killed.

Cindy is all sweetness and light, not enlightened to many earthy things like funerals and kissing, though she has a strong sense of who is naughty and who is nice. She's helped the local police in the past, and Kevin is more than interested in getting her insights. At the same time, her fur friend, Arti, is her protector and a fierce one at that. 

The characters are well developed and though Cindy keeps slipping up, no one seems the wiser, not even Kevin or Jasmine. Connie's ghost makes an appearance and of course the killer wants to stop Cindy's dreams. Lots of festive ongoings, this is a cute mystery for the holidays, even better if you like paranormal elements - good and bad - in your mysteries. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way. 

Purchase Links 

Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon Canada ~ Amazon Australia 

About the Author 

USA TODAY Bestselling author Trixie Silvertale grew up reading an endless supply of Lilian Jackson Braun, Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew novels. She loves the amateur sleuths in cozy mysteries and obsesses about all things paranormal. 

Those two passions unite in all her mystery stories, and she’s thrilled to write them and share them with you. 

Author Links 

Trixie’s Website ~ Trixie’s Patreon ~ Amazon Author Page ~ BookBub ~ Instagram ~ Facebook Author 

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Book Review: UNTIL DEPTHS DO US PART (Cruising Sisters Mystery Book 1) by K B Jackson

ABOUT THE BOOK

Sudden riches lead to a world of trouble… 

Newly widowed Charlotte McLaughlin is adrift following the sudden death of her husband of twenty years and the shocking discovery of the lavish double life he’d lived while purportedly traveling for business. 

When Charlotte’s only nephew and his fiancée are notified that their secluded wedding venue has flooded, her sister Jane suggests an alternative venue: a Thanksgiving week cruise from Seattle to Alaska aboard the private residence ship where Charlotte’s husband had purchased a two-bedroom unit without her knowledge. 

What better way to get closer with her family and banish the memories Charlotte can’t bear to touch now? 

But the bride is found dead less than twenty-four hours after departure, and the head of security holds the groom on suspicion of her murder. Charlotte and Jane must figure out who is responsible for the murder before their nephew goes to jail for a crime they’re adamant he couldn’t have committed. Then a second victim is discovered, and Charlotte becomes even more certain there’s a killer on the guest list. 

REVIEW 

Charlotte and Jane embark on this voyage with mixed feelings - especially Charlotte, who now knows her husband bought the suite for him and his floozy - who wants the suite for herself. Similarly, though they love their nephew, they both have mixed feelings about his bride-to-be, and some of the other guests. When the bride-to-be is killed, Charlotte and Jane begin sleuthing, often butting heads with the cruiseline security team.

The story is filled with conflict and tension even before the first murder. The cast of characters include a range of personalities, all well-developed. The plot and tensions are well paced with some humorous spots as Charlotte gets used to having a butler and other amenities on board. This is the first in the cruising sisters and a great start to a fun cozy mystery series. 

AMAZON

AMAZON SERIES LINK

ABOUT KB JACKSON 

KB Jackson is an Anthony Award finalist, an 2x Silver Falchion finalist, and Agatha Award winning author of mystery novels for grownups and mystery/adventure books for kids. An alumnus of the University of Washington, she lives in the Pacific NW with her husband. They have four grown children. 

 WEBSITE ~ INSTAGRAM ~ FACEBOOK

 

Book Review: A GAME OF LIES (Hannah Vogel Novels Book 3) by Rebecca Cantrell

About the Book 

In the midst of the grandeur and pageantry of the Games, Hannah Vogel poses as sports reporter while operating as a spy. When her mentor dies during the opening ceremonies, Hannah barely escapes with her life. As she searches for his killer and uncovers darker secrets than she'd ever imagined, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to her enigmatic contact. Their connection blurs the line between duty and desire, as they navigate a world growing ever darker. 

Prepare to be captivated by Cantrell's immersive storytelling as she delves deep into the world of espionage, where loyalty is tested, alliances crumble, and the stakes couldn't be higher. 

"A Game of Lies" is a thrilling historical adventure that will leave you breathless, reminding us of the indomitable spirit of those who risked everything for love and freedom in a world on the brink. 

Review 

Hannah Vogel has come to Berlin as a reporter named Adelheid Zinsli to help the Brits counter the Nazi's heinous plans. As Hannah, she used to work in Berlin, but left as a fugitive. Part of her disguise is to pretend to be the lover of her co-conspirator, SS officer Lars. 

Her mentor of old, Peter Weill, contacts her as she, Lars and others watch the Olympics. As they connect, he tells her has an important package to take back to Britain. Only then he dies, poisoned. The setting, particularly as I read this during the 2024 Olympics, is portrayed well, as are the tensions of the time and the isolation of the Jews who are isolated, trying to get out of Germany. As tension and danger increase for Hannah and Lars, so does the attraction between her and Lars. 

The story is well-written, the pace steady, and it's not always clear who Hannah should trust. Although this is book 3 in the series, it is easily read as a stand-alone mystery. 

AMAZON

About the Author 

New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Cantrell's works have won the ITW Thriller, the Bruce Alexander and the Macavity awards and been nominated for the Barry, Mary Higgins Clark, GoodReads Choice, APPY, RT Reviewers Choice, and Shriekfest Film Festival awards. She and her husband and son live in Hawaii. 

Rebecca Cantrell is the author of the following series: The Joe Tesla mystery thriller series, including The World Beneath, The Tesla Legacy, The Chemistry of Death, and The Steel Shark. The Hannah Vogel mystery series, including A Trace of Smoke, A Night of Long Knives, A Game of Lies, A City of Broken Glass, and the prequel novella, Cigarette Boy and Other Stories. She co-writes the Malibu comedy mystery series with Sean Black, including A is for Asshat, B is for Bad Girls, C is for Coochy Coo, D is for Drunk, E is for Exposed, and F is for Fred. She co-wrote the Order of Sanguines gothic thriller trilogy with James Rollins, including The Blood Gospel, Innocent Blood, and Blood Infernal. As Bekka Black, Rebecca wrote the critically-acclaimed YA cell phone novels iDrakula and the iFrankenstein.

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Book Review: FROM MANGIA TO MURDER (A Sophia Mancini - Little Italy Mystery Book 1) by Caroline Mickelson

About the Book 

Little Italy, 1946 

Sophia Mancini would have enjoyed the grand opening celebration of her family’s private detective agency if the volatile chef at Vincenzo’s Ristorante had actually survived the meal. But before Sophia’s chilled spoon hit the spumoni, someone plunged a knife into Vincenzo’s back and the word on everyone’s lips went from mangia to murder. 

Sophia soon finds herself trailing crime boss Frankie Vidoni, chatting with his mouthy mistress Maria, and dodging henchman Mooch DiMuccio. She’s suspicious of Vincenzo’s widow, Stella, and his assistant chef, Eugene, because they don’t appear the least bit dismayed by Vincenzo’s passing. 

There is no conversation Sophia won’t eavesdrop on, no question she won’t ask, and no danger she won’t face to find the killer. 

Review 

Post-war, Sophia's not only dealing with her father's attitudes about a woman's place, but she needed to come up with a business plan to help her brother, an injured vet, maintain custody of his son. Maybe a murder wasn't the place to start, but when Vincenzo is killed, the detective agency she and her brother just opened has its first case. And the crime boss hired them to solve the murder. Her brother is rehabbing and the nephew is cheering Sophia on, as her father berates her for working.

Sophia is spunky, assertive, and a force to be reckoned with. She loves her brother and nephew and is determined to make the agency work. Mooch's character develops slowly, but he's a keeper. Then there's the crime boss, his girl friend, Eugene, and Stella to consider. The plot has the requisite twists and turns, and moves at a steady pace. It was a fun read with the detective showing up at odd times, sometimes cold, and sometimes? There may be a romance in the offing. Definitely a cozy historical mystery worth curling up with.

AMAZON

AUTHOR WEBSITE

Book Review: THE BODY BUSINESS (A Samantha Newman Mystery Book 1) by Gay Yellen

About the Book (from Amazon)

A missing friend... A jealous rival... 

An investigator with motives of his own. With a great job and a steady guy, Samantha Newman has it made until her best friend at work disappears and doubt creeps in. Is there some ugly reality behind her firm's success?

When she turns to the FBI for help, they send Carter Chapman, a man on a mission, and it doesn't include a headstrong corporate executive with her own set of problems. But after a terrible event puts them on the same path to discovery, they each have to decide if some secrets are worth the price. 

Fast-paced, fun, and full of surprises, The Body Business is Book 1 in the Samantha Newman Mystery Series from award-winning author, Gay Yellen. 

Review 

Samantha is putting pieces together, yet doesn't know what the puzzle will reveal. There's a sleazy co-worker who started on the job at the same time as Sam and immediately told Sam to stay out of her way. Then people start disappearing or dying suddenly. Most recently, it's Sam's best friend. For days, she hasn't returned Sam's calls. At the same time, she's broken up with Derek, who she brought into the company and is rising fast to the top. She doesn't trust him or anyone else. She sends a message to the FBI.

Yellen has a fine, well-developed cast of characters. As she tells the story, I had to agree with Sam that something was off. The FBI agent who finally responds has his own agenda, but comes around to Sam's thinking soon enough. The plot moves at a quick pace and the ending makes sense. If you like mysteries with multiple subplots, lots of action, and twists and turns, you'll enjoy this book. It kept my attention and the other two books in the series are now on my TBR list.

AMAZON

About the Author 

Gay Yellen began working life as a stage and TV actor, then moved behind the camera for the American Film Institute (AFI) as Assistant to the Director of Production. A former magazine editor and national journalism award winner, she was contributing book editor for Five Minutes to Midnight (Delacorte), an international thriller and New York Times Notable. 

Her award-winning Samantha Newman Series of romantic mystery novels includes The Body Business, The Body Next Door, and The Body in the News. 

Gay lives in Texas. She loves connecting with book clubs and community groups in person and online. You can contact her through her website or at GayYellen@gmail.com    

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A Glimpse of Killer Nashville and Bouchercon in Nashville, TN

The last few weeks (8/22-9/2), I attended Killer Nashville and Bouchercon - both writer's conferences, and both in Nashville, TN. The major difference is that Bouchercon caters to fans (readers) as well as writers. This was my first Killer Nashville and I met some interesting people. The first photo below is the cozy mystery panel I was on along with CB Wilson, JD Webb, DL Mitchell, and Kay DiBianca, with Susan Parker moderating. Of note, DL Mitchell won the Silver Falchion Award for Cozy Mystery. It was a fun panel and CB Wilson explained succinctly that a cozy mystery was "a Hallmark movie on steroids." Would you agree with that?

The second was romantic suspense vs. romantic mysteries. That panel included Kathleen Caraway, Lynessa Layne, me, and Gay Yellen. I just finished a book by Gay Yellen - review coming soon. 

Between the two conferences, my husband and I enjoyed Gatlinburg, before returning to Nashville for Bouchercon. We visited the Great Smoky Mountain State Park and stayed in a cabin near the park. This is the sunrise from our deck. 

This is my third Bourchercon and they've all been a little different. Bouchercon 2024 was held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville. If you've never been to this hotel, it is phenomenal (and larger than life) with a conference center.  I attended a number of panels, saw some people I met at Killer Nashville and previous Bouchercons and made new friends.  

One of the panels I most enjoyed was entitled "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." The panel was moderated by Linda Hurtado Bond, and the panelists were Harlan Coben, Tom Farrell, Elise Hart Kipness, Andrew Welsh-Higgins, and Jonathan Brown. Very entertaining and informative. Not exactly cozy, but I'm a fan of Coben and may have to try some of these other authors.

I participated in a panel on Sunday morning - "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" moderated by Sara Glenn, along with Nicole Asselin, Carolyn Eichhorn, and MS Green. The focus was on cozy mysteries, why we write them, and where we get our ideas. It was a fun panel and I now have more authors to add to my TBR list.

I enjoyed my 10 days in Tennessee, but I came home exhausted and won't be doing back-to-back conference weekends again any time soon. In between, I ready many books so reviews will be coming slowly but surely.