A cozy mystery is ….?

A cozy mystery has a formula of sorts that it follows in all the books. I find them interesting when an author takes that formula and adds a twist to it that makes it even more fun to read.  In some ways the cozy mysteries remind me of the Harlequin romances.  There is a formula that romance authors follow as well. Mystery stories are the second most popular type of genre and romance is the first most popular genre.  In some ways authors combine the two together in a cozy mystery but maintain a certain amount of privacy for the main characters.

The definition of a cozy mystery is as follows (based on Wikipedia) . . .  

 referred to as “cozies”, are a subgenre of crime fiction in which sex and violence are downplayed or treated humorously, and the crime and detection take place in a small, socially intimate community. Cozies thus stand in contrast to hardboiled fiction, which features violence and sexuality more explicitly and centrally to the plot. The term “cozy” was first coined in the late 20th century when various writers produced work in an attempt to re-create the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.

This section of blog “Michelle’s Innovations”  will speak to the cozy mysteries that are out there and these are books and authors that I like and enjoy.  Hopefully you will as well!!

During Mystery Thriller Week, May 13, -23, 2019, I will submit my to their blog and site as well.

GOOD READING!!

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Lynn Cahoon: A Preview of Books and Novellas

Main Character: Jill Gardner, Owner of “Coffee, Books, and More” Store, South Cove, California

A Scene for Tourist trap from the blogger.

Jill is a transplant from the big city.  She was a lawyer, married and on the fast track to success.  Life happen and she moved to South Cove, CA and opened a Coffee/Book Store.  Thanks to an inheritance she receives in the first book she brings her aunt on board to help manage the store.  One thing leads to another and she becomes an important part of South Cove. Read the books & novellas, help her solve the mysteries and keep up with her life as it changes in South Cove.

2014: +Guidebook to Murder +Mission to Murder +If the Shoe Kills

Books by Lynn Cahoon

(Multiple reviews:   blog link:  https://michelledragalin50.com/2017/05/09/lynn-cahoon-book-reviews/)

2015:         +Dressed to Kill                                                + Killer Run

(Multiple reviews:   blog link:  https://michelledragalin50.com/2017/05/09/lynn-cahoon-book-reviews/)

2016:         + Murder on Wheels                                        +Tea Cups and Carnage

(Multiple reviews:   blog link:  https://michelledragalin50.com/2017/05/09/lynn-cahoon-book-reviews/)

  (Blog link: https://michelledragalin50.com/2017/05/16/new-books-from-lynn-cahoon/)

2017:          Hospitality & Homicide

  Killer Party: (Blog: https://michelledragalin50.com/2017/07/18/a-new-book-in-the-tourist-trap-series/)

2018:          A Deadly Brew                           Rockets Dead Glare*                                   Santa Puppy*

2019:          Corned Beef & Causalities*                      Mother’s Day Mayhem*

CAT LATIMER MYSTERY

Blogger's view of A Cat Latimer Mystery scene
Series: By Jlfdz – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44017023

Cat Latimer has returned to hometown after her ex-husband dies to wrap up his affairs and set up her career as a writer.  She is finding several pieces of information that shed a new light on her break up with her ex husband and their relationship. Cat is starting over, sort of, she has hired a cook and handy man to help her run her writer’s retreat. Of course, since it is a mystery series, she has a case to solve. The area is located in Colorado where I live so I recognize some of the sites explored. This is a series that you to keep up with because there are some twists and turns.

Main Character: Cat Latimer, former English professor, owner of bed and breakfast in Colorado

2016:           A Story to Kill  (Blog Link:   https://michelledragalin50.com/2017/05/16/a-story-to-kill/)  

2017:          Fatality by Firelight    (Blog Link: https://michelledragalin50.com/2017/05/16/a-cat-latimer-mystery-by-lynn-cahoon/)                                   

     Of Murder and Men    

2018:          Slay in Character   

2019:          Sconed to Death   

FARM-TO-FORK MYSTERY Series:

Angie Turner has returned home with her best friend after her grandmother had died.  She and her friend begin the process of opening a farm to fork restaurant and all of the work that it entails.  In addition, to headaches of staffing, supplying and running a restaurant Angie becomes embroiled in a relationship and three murders (one per book) that need to be solved in order for their restaurant to return to “normal” operations.

Main Character: Angie Turner, owner of the farm to table County Seat restaurant, Idaho

2018: Who Moved My Goat Cheese? Killer Green tomatoes

2019: One Potato, Two Potato, Dead

Author: Lynn Cahoon

Lynn Cahoon is an author that I discovered via Netgally. (Netgally is a website that influence the sale of book by offering advanced copies of ebooks to book reviewers.) This author, Lynn Cahoon, has written three series that are published by Kensington/Lyrical Underground. She also writes contemporary romances set in a small town under the pen name Lynn Collins. I have not read any of the romances that Ms. Cahoon has written at all. I really don’t like romances.

This post is about what I know and read about Lynn Cahoon. Based on the information i have received she is a breast cancer survivor and it sounds like she reorganized her life by writing. I was very impressed with her profile, her output in the last few years I have read all of her books in the following three series:

TOURIST TRAP

CAT LATMINER

FARM TO FORK

I have really enjoyed each and every of the books. Since I haven’t posted all of the reviews for the books in the series. In this post and the series to follow I will post the reviews and also the links to Amazon, Good reads, in addition to sending copies to her and her publisher, which is standard

Look for all of this, as it will be coming soon.

Scrapbook of the Dead by Mollie Cox Byran

This book is the latest in the Cumberland Creek Mystery series by this author.  This book will be released September 29, 2017

Synopisis

Reporter Annie Chamovitz is a former investigative journalist who is now a stay at home Mom.  In order to get more adult communication and out of the house, she is part of Saturday night crop group called the Cumberland Creek Scrapbook Crop.  They are making new scrapbooks for Halloween. However their new member is a little mysteries, the victims are sisters and there are gangs in the area who may have something to do with this crime.

Scrapbook of the DeadBook Review plus 4.3 stars

This is a very new read for me  because I was introduced to the author via her Cora Craft series.  However, I like cropping (don’t have a lot of time) and I like the fact that the main character has some experience.  Plus, this group of ladies is interesting.  I think it is a great read and a page turner.

 

Book Review: Cluttered Attic Secrets

Synopsis

Professional organizer Tina Shaw rushes to her best friend’s ancestral home to determine if Leslie really saw a ghost. Tina doesn’t see one in the cluttered Newport, Rhode Island, Victorian attic, but she does hear strange noises. As she tries to reassure Leslie, the police and firefighters arrive because a murdered man has been found in Leslie’s side yard.

A note in his pocket reads My name is Joshua Young in childish printing. Leslie’s father’s name is Joshua Young, but the men are about a decade apart in age, and this man was killed outside the house where Leslie’s father grew up. Tina must help her friend find the answers to who the murdered man really was and why he was killed. And to what’s making the noises in the attic.

Book ReviewScreenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05

This book was good, I really want to read the series associated with Jan Christensen.  I think that it is well written, just the kind you need a night when sleep is so far away.  It reminds you that there are friends, but that there are other people who are just idiots. This is a very enjoyable read and I encourage you to read it all the way to the end.

This book was given to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: A Toast to Murder

Synopsis

As Milwaukee counts down to New Year’s Eve, bar owner Mackenzie “Mack” Dalton has but one resolution—unmask the dangerous mastermind who has been taunting her and killed bouncer Gary Gunderson. Mack and her fellow barflies have fleshed out a suspect and arranged an invite-only party to put a cork in the murderer’s game for good. But when the clock strikes midnight and their suspect is found cold and stiff on the basement stairs, it seems the celebration may have come too soon. Now Mack must rely on her special talents to find the real criminal among the crowd of revelers—or someone won’t survive until last call . . .

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This book was an interesting read.  I don’t mean that in a good way.  I had a difficult time reading the book because the MC: Mack was very self-centered.  I mean every three chapters we heard about her background, how she got her gift and on and on. . . .I almost made it a three, but the author did such a nice time in writing the book and I did like her friend that help her solve the mystery.

 

Book Review: Bearly Departed

Synopsis

Thirty-one-year-old Sasha Silverman leads a charmed life as a manager of the family teddy bear shop and factory. Well, except for the part about being a single divorcée with a ticking biological clock in small-town Silver Hollow. There is Will Taylor, the sales rep who’s set on making drastic changes to the business her parents built from scratch—with or without Sasha’s approval and making her feel like she is not worth consulting.

Unfortunately, someone has left Will’s dead body inside the factory. Now Sasha hot-tempered Uncle Ross is suspected of murdering him.  Sasha knows her uncle would never do such a thing, and she’s launching her own little investigation to expose the truth.

Book Review Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05

Nice book, to many characters in it though, but I did like the premise of the bear making factory in the story.  Sasha is a good character.  However it is a good start to a fun series.

Book Review: Nic & Nigel Mysteries by Tracy Kiely

 A Perfect Manhattan MurderScreenshot 2017-09-07 17.03.07

Synopsis

Thrilled that their playwright friend’s Broadway debut was a rousing success, Nic and Nigel are trying to enjoy the A-list after-party with their pal Harper. Unfortunately, all the champagne and repartee in the world aren’t enough to overlook the churlish behavior of Harper’s theater-critic husband, Dan. (Not a nice person) Nic is shocked the next morning when she learns that Dan’s been murdered. Nigel thinks the world may be a better place without him.

Still, Harper is their friend and they’re intent on helping her any way they can.

Book Review Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05

I did like this book and felt so sorry for Harper.  He was not a nice man.  He took full advantage over the fact that his wife was a lovely, well connected and RICH person.  Harper’s friends weren’t to happy with Dan, but well.  . . . read the book and enjoy!!!

 

Murder with a TwistScreenshot 2017-09-07 17.02.06

Synopsis

Visiting New York to attend a cousin’s birthday gala, Nic and Nigel Martini are looking forward to cocktails with old friends and a pampered stay at the Ritz. But when the birthday girl’s gold-digging cad of a husband goes missing, the Martini family worries that the social event of the season may turn into a story for the scandal sheets.

Nigel’s condescending aunt begs former detective Nic to find sleazy Leo, despite the fact that it would be better for everyone if he just stayed lost. Trailing a “married bachelor” with a penchant for trouble isn’t pretty; in fact it’s downright deadly. Assisted by Nigel and their newly adopted Bullmastiff, Nic must tangle with her old underworld connections if she hopes to hunt down the dirtiest Martini

Book Review Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05

The Bullmastiff made that story.  He sounds like such a cute dog.  I kid you not.  Every time Nic was supposed to be doing something that dog bailed him out.  He is a huge dog by the description, however, I digress.  I felt same way about the missing husband as Nic did and I really didn’t blame him for his lack of care towards him.  But you have to read the story, if only to get to know the Bullmastiff. 

Killer Cocktail Screenshot 2017-09-07 17.01.11 

Synopsis

Walking the red carpet at the Academy Awards with a bow-tied Bullmastiff draws Nic and Nigel Martini plenty of attention from the press. But that’s nothing compared to the attention they receive at the A-list after party, when Hollywood royalty learn they’ve discovered behind-the-scenes footage from an acclaimed film that left one of its stars dead.

Returning home after the party, Nic and Nigel find their house in shambles and their employee DeDee Evans beaten within an inch of her life. And when the weapon used to pummel DeDee implicates a beloved actress, Nic and Nigel drink and banter their way into a modern-day version of a golden-age crime caper.

Book Review Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05

 

These books are so much fund and Tracy Kiely really know how to connect the two main charcters.  It was a lovely story and and the series just gets better and better.  Can’t wait for the next book.

Book Review: Book 4 Murder

Synopsis

Sophie “Phee” Kimball is not a cop. She’s a divorced, middle-aged mom who works as an account clerk for the police department in a small city in Minnesota. But her retired mother, Harriet Plunkett, is convinced Phee is the only one who can solve the mystery of a cursed book. According to Harriet, four members of her book club have already succumbed to the deadly curse. Harriet insists Phee catch the next plane to her retirement community in Sun City West, Arizona, to investigate.

Phee is certain that their book club selection isn’t cursed, but is somebody really knocking off the ladies? As Phee starts to uncover dark secrets hidden in plain sight under the blazing Arizona sun, she’ll need to read between the lines before it’s someone else’s final chapter….

Book Review Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05 Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05

This book is perfect for the over 55 crowd and anyone connected with them. The authors nailed it. Lots of twists and the culprit I guessed early on, turned out to be someone totally different. If you’re to know what goes on in a senior community anywhere in the country, this is the book to read. Great first book in a series. I truly enjoyed it, especially since the MC is from Minnesota.  This is book I could relate to, understand and truly get.  You will love it!!

Book Review: Black Sheep Mysteries

Black Sheep Mysteries by Anne Canadeo    

The Black Sheep Knitting shop of Plum Harbor, Massachusetts is owned by Maggie Screenshot 2017-09-06 14.34.41Messina who leads her fellow knitters in some amateur detecting. Each book contains a fun mystery solve among friends, recipes and a knitting pattern.  On this day, this blog will review the following books:

  • 1 .  A Stitch Before Dying (Gallery, 2010)
  • 2 .  Till Death Do Us Part (Gallery, 2012)
  • 3.    A Dark and Stormy Knit (Simon and Schuster, 2014)

A Stitch Before Dying

Synopsis:

The third mystery in Anne Canadeo’s winning Black Sheep Knitting series, featuring a group of  five friend who have a knack for knitting—and sScreenshot 2017-09-06 14.34.41olving crimes…

Maggie Messina, owner of the Black Sheep Knitting Shop, has been invited to give knitting workshops at a Berkshires spa resort, she manages to negotiate a cottage that fits all five of the Black Sheep for what promises to be a weekend of knitting bliss. But while the friends are expert at counting stitches, they haven’t counted on murder.

Guests and staff at the Crystal Lake Inn are as varied as a mixed bag of yarn, but most colorful is certainly the owner, charismatic self-help guru and former psychiatrist Dr. Max Flemming. The doctor may have told all in a revealing autobiography, but from his ex-wife to the widow of his former business partner—both employees at the inn—Max seems mired in shad­ows from his past. And when a killer strikes during a mountaintop retreat, the Black Sheep wonder what the good doctor might be hiding. Now who is going to be the victim of the third murder?

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This book was a good read!  Although I have to admit I don’t how they (five women) shared one cottage during this time.  Yes they are friends but really?  The book was my favorite to date. I enjoyed the storyline, the location, the familiar characters mixed with the new ones and it was a good solid story.
The Hotel is owned by a former Psychiatrist, Dr. Max Flemming. His is a sad story indeed. He wrote a book about his trials and re-birth as a holistic follower. Maggie finds she is teaching classes such as ‘Random Knitting” and “Mindful Knitting”, which were actually very interesting concepts.  In addition New Age knitting there were other’ practices that the women found good for their body, by going on various hikes and receiving body treatments. Maggie finds herself liking the classes.

The only glitch is Dr. Max is murdered!

Till Death Due Us PurlScreenshot 2017-09-07 15.44.13

Synopsis

The fourth in this wonderful knitting mystery series that  features Maggie Messina and her close circle of knitting-club friends, who must unravel another murder in their cozy coastal town of Plum Harbor, Massachusetts.

The Black Sheep Knitters new project is helping a bride-to-be knit shawls for her upcoming wedding. Days after the ceremony, the groom dies in a freak accident. As the knitters comfort the family, many secrets and betrayals—both business and romantic—are revealed. When the groom’s body turns up after the funeral in a motel room, dead again, the newlywed widow is the prime suspect, The Black Sheep must prove her innocence and find the real killer among a large circle of family, friends, and foes.  

Book Review Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05

I have read a majority of the black sheep knitting mysteries. Some I have really enjoyed and other not as much, but all the books are well written.  I really like the bond that the women have together. That bond is what really makes this series come together.  They are all different except that they love to knit.

A Dark & Stormy Knit

Synopsis

In the sixth novel in the series the Black Sheep Knitters must work to solve the mystery of the disappearance of their friend—and figure out who is trying to kill her before it’s too late.

Curiosity Killed the Cat 

Knitting graffiti, in Plum Harbor? Maggie Messina doubts it could ever happen in her quiet village. Until the new parking meters on Main Street are found covered with cat-faced cozies. In the dark of night, the mysterious Knit Kats have struck again! The infamous gang of stitching graffiti artists are totally harmless, and their pranks all in good fun. Or so Maggie and her friends think. Until a yarn-covered corpse is discovered a few days later—the tangles identical to Knit Kat handiwork.

These threads of evidence should be easy to follow. But the clever Knit Kats hide behind a website and secret identities. The murderer could be anyone. A familiar face in town, even a copy Kat.

Book Review Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05Screenshot 2017-07-02 19.36.05

This book is the sixth in the Black Sheep Knitting Mystery series. The series features the support and friendship of members of the knitting group, with Maggie Messina as owner of the Black Sheep Knitting Shop, and plots with plenty of suspense and satisfying conclusions. A Dark and Stormy Night lives up to its title: it’s a bit “dark,” owing to the phantom group of “graffiti knitters” who appear initially to be involved in the crime. It’s quite a contemporary theme for a knitting mystery, and in this way it is quite original.

Anne Canadeo is a wonderful writer. She consistently comes up with very original and unique themes for her stories.

 

 

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