This feature is for short reviews, reviews of books in a series where it might feel repetitive, or (as Michelle suggested) books I was too lazy to write a “real” review for. Today’s books are cozy mysteries I read in the last few months. All part of series I’ve already been reading and have fallen a bit behind on.
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Carnage in a Pear Tree by Dakota CassidyNarrator: Hollie Jackson
Series: Marshmallow Hollow Mysteries #4
Published by Tantor Audio on April 12, 2022
Genres: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal
Length: 5 hours 22 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Welcome to Marshmallow Hollow, Maine, a holiday mystery, where it's all Christmas all the time and murder is hung by the chimney with care . . . Hellooo! I'm at it again, and only a day after my last run-in with a killer! Hobbs and I are growing closer and closer, but there always seems to be a mystery waiting for us just around the corner, nipping at our heels and thwarting our hot romance. A very nice waiter named Joey Scarpetti, from the Marshmallow Hollow Ski Lodge, is dead, and it happened in my backyard in my pear tree, no less. So what's a girl to do but investigate? On top of that, I catch Hobbs having coffee with a very stylish, flawlessly beautiful, natural blonde (hair envy here!), and I'm in a bit of a tizzy. But when I have a gruesome vision of a young woman, so grief-stricken she wants to leave this plane forever, I know I have to find out if my vision is from a future event and if so, is there a way I can prevent a horrible tragedy? All bets are off the table as I hunt for a killer and try and save a young woman's life!
I really enjoy this series and it’s always fun to be in Marshmallow Hollow with Haliday. It’s funny, when I first started writing this review I thought it was a novella. That’s how quick and fun the story was. But iI also had to double check myself because it felt pretty significant for a novella… because it wasn’t one lol!
This mystery was very satisfying. There were several misdirects that I could have caught but didn’t. And it’s always fun getting the added twists of Hal’s visions that seem important but are very hard to interpret. And like her cousin Stevie (crossover series), Hal has a real knack for getting herself into trouble. I wasn’t quite sure how she was going to get out of it this time, even with her magic, since she’s not exactly reliable with her spells under pressure.
Even better than the mystery and action, though, we had a progression in her relationship with Hobbs. He’s learning so much more about Hal, but what’s especially surprising is some of the things she learns about him. The revelations explain some long held questions for the series!
The narration is great, as always. I love Hollie Jackson, she’s a favorite narrator for many of my favorite series. She knows how to deliver voices that work with fun characters. I think her voices for Hal’s familiar is especially fun! I always listen at 2x and find it comfortable.
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Purr-fect Potions by Danielle GarrettNarrator: Amanda Ronconi
Series: Nine Lives Magic #4
Published by Tantor Audio on May 17, 2022
Genres: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal
Length: 5 hours 11 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
We're making headway, but we need help to navigate the elusive world of magical treasure hunting. So, when famed adventurer Tabitha Blake arrives in Winterspell, offering to help, I jump at the chance to work with her.
After unearthing Aunt Lavender's secret, we may finally know why she was abducted. Unfortunately, it also means the stakes are higher than ever.
Have you ever wished your cat could talk to you? If so, allow my story to be your cautionary tale.
Tabitha is the key to many doors, but will one of them lead to Aunt Lavender? Or are we going in circles yet again?
I always enjoy Danielle Garrett’s paranormal cozy mysteries and the Nine Lives Magic Series has been so fun. And as we get into the fourth book, we’re starting to make some real headway on a mystery that encompasses the whole series – what has happened to Aunt Lavender?
In fact, that was the focus of this book – unlike the previous books where there’s a local mystery to solve at the same time. Instead while we focus on Aunt Lavender there’s the mysterious Tabatha Blake – who is a famous treasure hunter – who is supposedly there to help them and is actually quite suspicious. That’s the extent of an external mystery. I kind of missed having the normal small town mystery going on at the same time, even if I am eager to learn what’s happened with Aunt Lavender.
The other big conflict of this book was regarding Cora and Cliff’s relationship. This felt like it came out of nowhere and was a serious bummer for me. Cliff’s mother – who we already know to be an asshat, so no shock there – is putting extreme tension on their relationship. And Cora, who is already divorced and has had her heart broken, may not be cut out for the tension she could create for their relationship. I like them as a couple so I have my hopes.
I continue to really like the characters – even Selene who got downright mean this time around (I think because she’s feeling pretty sensitive about Lavender)- and I look forward to the next book. I’m summing this book up as one of those inevitable transitions that you like well enough but will never be truly memorable beyond how it got you setup for the next book.
Amanda Ronconi narrated, which is always a treat for me. She knows how to delivery the snarky lines with just the right tones to bring out the humor. I enjoyed listening at my normal 2x speed.
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Sugar Cookies and Sirens by Danielle GarrettNarrator: Amanda Ronconi
Published by Tantor Audio on March 22, 2022
Genres: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal
Length: 1 hour 39 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
The witch who can talk to animals meets the witch with a talking cat. What could go wrong?
It's Valentine's Day in Winterspell, but not everyone appears to be feeling the love. And no, I'm not talking about my dateless self.
Instead of being wooed by candlelight, I'm working in a candle shop. Cora Hearth, Winterspell's magical chandler, has teamed up with Sugar Shack to create party favors for the lucky couples, and they're counting on us to spark some magic for their special night.
So, when a thief breaks into my delivery van and swipes the goodies, Cora and I-and her persnickety talking cat-have to join forces to track down the culprit in time to save Valentine's Day.
It wasn’t aware until Jen (Twimom) mentioned it in one of her reviews that this series and the Nine Lives Magic series were both in Winterspell! I’m guessing this is the novella that clued her in, as it’s the first time I’m seeing it for myself. How did I not pick up on the obvious overlaps? I just love when series collide like this!
Technically this is a Sugar Shack Witch Mystery book as it’s told from the POV of Rosella. For both Rosella and Cora this mystery is a tame one — gift bags Rosella’s family’s bakery have put together with Cora’s candles for Valentine’s have been stolen from the back of the bakery’s van. Bad news for both their businesses but ultimately not life and death. I enjoyed watching them work together to solve the mystery, hopefully before it’s too late to fulfill the order. I hope to see them cross over more as they could easily be good friends. The resolution is a funny one and I’d love to see some more of a new character it brings to the scene.
This was narrated by Amanda Ronconi, a favorite narrator of mine. She is a great pick for these fun cozies and really delivers the one line sarcastic lines of Seline (Cora’s Cat) perfectly. I love her voices and find anything she narrates enjoyable.