Amateurs Sleuths Archives – Page 8 of 9

Better Off Read by Nora Page [Book Review]

Posted on May 14, 2018January 14, 2024 by Darinda

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BOOK INFO

Title: Better Off Read

Author: Nora Page

Publisher: Crooked Lane

Publish Date: May 8, 2018

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Bookmobile Mystery #1

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

When her best hope of saving her storm-damaged library is found murdered, senior librarian Cleo Watkins hits the road in her bookmobile in search of justice.

Septuagenarian librarian Cleo Watkins won’t be shushed when an upstart young mayor threatens to permanently shelve her tiny town’s storm-damaged library. She takes to her bookmobile, Words on Wheels, to collect allies and rally library support throughout Catalpa Springs, Georgia.

However, Cleo soon rolls into trouble. A major benefactor known for his eccentric DIY projects requests all available books on getting away with murder. He’s no Georgia peach, and Cleo wonders if she should worry about his plans. She knows she should when she discovers him bludgeoned and evidence points to her best friend, Mary-Rose Garland.

Sure of Mary-Rose’s innocence, Cleo applies her librarian’s sleuthing skills to the case, assisted by friends, family, and the dapper antiquarian bookseller everyone keeps calling her boyfriend. Evidence stacks up, but a killer is overdue to strike again. With lives and her library on the line, Cleo must shift into high gear to close the book on murder in Better Off Read, the charming Bookmobile series debut by Nora Page.

MY REVIEW

Better Off Read is a cozy mystery featuring Cleo, a seventy-five year old librarian in a small Southern town. After the library suffers storm damage, the mayor threatens to keep it closed. Cleo brings out the bookmobile, and looks for support to keep the library open. Plus, a local is found murdered, and Cleo’s best friend is the prime suspect. Cleo stays busy with her librarian duties, and playing amateur sleuth to prove her best friend’s innocence.

Better Off Read is the first book in the Bookmobile mystery series. A charming town with eccentric characters. I especially enjoyed the spry older protagonist. The story was a little awkward at first, but with the characters and setting in place, this could be a fun cozy mystery series.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Bookmobile Mystery Series:

Better Off Read
Read on Arrival
Read or Alive

Strawberries and Strangers by Leena Clover [Book Review]

Posted on May 12, 2018January 14, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Strawberries and Strangers

Author: Leena Clover

Publisher: Independently published

Publish Date: May 1, 2018

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Pelican Cove #1

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Exclusive beach party takes a murderous turn.

Dumped by her cheating husband, Jenny King is trying to build a new life in the small seaside town of Pelican Cove. Locals are lining up at the Boardwalk Café for her tasty cakes and muffins. But when her aunt, a local artist, is accused of killing a stranger, Jenny is forced to set her apron aside and put on her sleuthing cap.

Jenny battles with the cranky local sheriff and quirky local characters to get to the truth. Aided by her new friends, she will move heaven and earth to find out who the dead stranger was and what he was doing in Pelican Cove.

If you like cozy murder mysteries with friendly small towns, scenic settings, yummy food and a touch of romance, you will like Strawberries And Strangers.

MY REVIEW

Jenny is going through a difficult divorce, and relocates to Pelican Cove to start over. The small town is where her aunt lives, and a place Jenny used to visit when she was a kid. As Jenny begins to find her place in the community, she starts working at a local cafe and making friends. During a big social event, a dead man is discovered on the beach. The man is a stranger in town, but the local police have a suspect for his murder… Jenny’s aunt. To prove her aunt’s innocence, Jenny looks into identifying the dead man and discovering who in town wanted him dead.

trawberries and Strangers is the first book in the Pelican Cove cozy mystery series. There were a lot of characters, but it wasn’t too hard to keep up once the story got going. An enjoyable, easy read with some quirky characters, a little romance, and a solid mystery.

I received a digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Pelican Cove Series:

Strawberries and Strangers
Cupcakes and Celebrities
Berries and Birthdays
Sprinkles and Skeletons
Waffles and Weekends
Muffins and Mobsters
Parfaits and Paramours
Truffles and Troubadours
Sundaes and Sinners
Croissants and Cruises
Pancakes and Parrots
Cookies and Christmas
Popsicles and Poisons
Biscuits and Butlers

Southern Discomfort by Caroline Fardig [Book Review]

Posted on May 7, 2018January 14, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Southern Discomfort

Author: Caroline Fardig

Publisher: Alibi

Publish Date: March 6, 2018

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Southern B&B Mystery #1

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Southern hospitality meets deadly deception in the start of a charming new mystery series from the USA Today bestselling author of the Java Jive novels.

Quinn Bellandini loves her life in Savannah, Georgia, where she runs her grandfather’s B&B with her sister, Delilah. From baking fresh scones and serving up grits every morning to ensuring the guests see the best of their historic city, Quinn can’t imagine doing anything else—even if it means dealing with nuisances like the occasional malfunctioning commode. But when Quinn drops by the local restaurant owned by her friend Drew Green, and stumbles upon a murder, her whole world comes crashing down.

Drew’s brother was always a little surly, but Quinn can’t imagine that someone disliked the prickly chef enough to kill him. The police, on the other hand, don’t believe that Quinn was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Before her guests can even digest the next morning’s gourmet breakfast, Quinn learns that she and Drew are suspects.

Drew thinks they should do some investigating of their own. Quinn is pretty sure she’s better suited to playing hostess than amateur sleuth. But with Delilah as her cynical sidekick, Quinn starts looking for the real killer—before she gets put away faster than you can say “sugar.”

MY REVIEW

Southern Discomfort is the first book in the Southern B&B mystery series. Quinn and Delilah run their grandfather’s B&B in Savannah. In this first book, Quinn stumbles upon a local restaurant owner’s dead body. The dead man’s brother is a friend of Quinn’s, and the prime suspect in the murder. Quinn decides to do some amateur sleuthing to prove her friend’s innocence and catch the killer.

A charming cozy mystery set in one of my favorite Southern towns. Colorful characters, including a helpful spirit. A solid mystery with a little humor and romance. I look forward to reading more of this series.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Southern B&B Mystery Series:

Southern Discomfort
Southern Harm
Southern Double Cross

Fiction Can Be Murder by Becky Clark [Book Review]

Posted on April 23, 2018January 14, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Fiction Can Be Murder

Author: Becky Clark

Publisher: Midnight Ink

Publish Date: April 8, 2018

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Mystery Writer’s Mystery #1

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Life Becomes Stranger than Fiction when Charlee’s Latest Novel Inspires a Real Murder

Mystery author Charlemagne “Charlee” Russo thinks the twisty plots and peculiar murders in her books are only the product of her imagination―until her agent is found dead exactly as described in Charlee’s new, unpublished manuscript. Suspicion now swirls around her and her critique group, making her confidence drop as severely and unexpectedly as her royalty payments.

The police care more about Charlee’s feeble alibi and financial problems than they do her panicky claims of innocence. To clear her name and revive her career, she must figure out which of her friends is a murderer. Easier said than done, even for an author who’s skilled at creating tidy endings for her mysteries. And as her sleuthing grows dangerous, Charlee’s imagination starts working overtime. Is she being targeted, too?

MY REVIEW

Charlee’s agent is killed in the same manner as a character in her new, unpublished novel. So, clearly, Charlee is suspect #1. Also on the list of suspects are her beta readers and critique group. The suspect field is small, but Charlee must look at her friends as suspects to find the killer.

Entertaining and fun. Charlee knows she is innocent, but everyone, even her friends, think she’s guilty. A quick read with some humor. I especially enjoyed the interactions Charlee had with her critique group.

Fiction Can Be Murder is the first book in the Mystery Writer’s series. I enjoy mysteries and books about books, so this one was right up my alley. This looks to be a good new series, and I look forward to reading more of it.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Mystery Writer’s Mystery Series:

Fiction Can Be Murder
Foul Play on Words
Metaphor for Murder
Police Navidad

Savannah Sleuth by Alan Chaput [Book Review]

Posted on April 15, 2018January 14, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Savannah Sleuth

Author: Alan Chaput

Publisher: Falcon Press

Publish Date: December 8, 2017

Genre: Amateur Sleuth

Series: Vigilantes for Justice #1

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Though born to heirloom pearls, designer dresses and lush garden parties, Savannah social icon Patricia Falcon and three of her closest friends spend their days in Savannah’s dark side rescuing abused women. Patricia’s darling mother, a prominent philanthropist, drops dead, and the police are baffled by her untimely death. Patricia recruits her three friends to help her investigate what she believes is murder. “Savannah Sleuth” is a page-turning journey from Savannah’s Southern wealth and grace into the hidden corners of Savannah and across two continents in a deadly pursuit of justice.

MY REVIEW

Patricia is a wealthy woman living in Savannah, who, along with her friends, spends her days helping rescue abused women. Patricia’s mother dies unexpectedly, so Patricia and her friends investigate.

Savannah Sleuth is the first book in the Vigilantes for Justice series. An entertaining new series. This story had the main mystery about Patricia’s mother, but also included a secret society that helps protect the city, a homeless man looking for his father, and family drama. A lot going on in this fairly short book. A light and enjoyable read.

I received a digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Vigilantes for Justice Series:

Savannah Sleuth
Savannah Secrets
Savannah Justice
Savannah Dragon

Murder at the Mushroom Festival by Janet Finsilver [Book Review]

Posted on April 15, 2018January 14, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Murder at the Mushroom Festival

Author: Janet Finsilver

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Publish Date: April 17, 2018

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: A Kelly Jackson Mystery #4

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

There’s a corpse among the chanterelles!

Redwood Cove Bed and Breakfast manager Kelly Jackson is hosting a cooking class during the week of the Mushroom Festival to attract guests, not drama. But soon after she finishes foraging for an edible mushroom species on sacred Native American land, a local newspaper reporter gets shot dead at the same site. With suspicions spreading like fungi in the quaint Northern Californian community over the culprit’s identity, Kelly and a savvy gang of sleuthing seniors known as the “Silver Sentinels” must uncover the truth about the secluded property before a tricky killer prepares another lethal surprise…

MY REVIEW

In Murder at the Mushroom, Kelly, the manager at Redwood Cove B&B, is happy to host a cooking class during the Mushroom Festival. Visitors are arriving to the festival, and plenty of mushroom related activities are on the schedule. During festival week, a local newspaper reporter is found shot dead. Kelly and some sleuthing seniors look into who is behind his death.

Murder at the Mushroom is the fourth book in the Kelly Jackson Mystery series. This is the first book in the series that I have read, but I plan on reading the first three too. A cute cozy mystery with a charming bed and breakfast in a small town.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Kelly Jackson Mystery Series:

Murder at Redwood Cove
Murder at the Mansion
Murder at the Fortune Teller’s Table
Murder at the Mushroom Festival
Murder at the Marina
Murder in the Wine Country

Raspberry Danish Murder by Joanne Fluke [Book Review]

Posted on April 15, 2018January 14, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Raspberry Danish Murder

Author: Joanne Fluke

Publisher: Kensington

Publish Date: February 27, 2018

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Hannah Swensen #22

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

Thanksgiving has a way of thawing the frostiest hearts in Lake Eden. But that won’t be happening for newlywed Hannah Swensen Barton—not after her husband suddenly disappears…

Hannah has felt as bitter as November in Minnesota since Ross vanished without a trace and left their marriage in limbo. Still, she throws herself into a baking frenzy for the sake of pumpkin pie and Thanksgiving-themed treats while endless holiday orders pour into The Cookie Jar. Hannah even introduces a raspberry Danish pastry to the menu, and P.K., her husband’s assistant at KCOW-TV, will be one of the first to sample it. But instead of taking a bite, P.K., who is driving Ross’s car and using his desk at work, is murdered. Was someone plotting against P.K. all along or did Ross dodge a deadly dose of sweet revenge? Hannah will have to quickly sift through a cornucopia of clues and suspects to stop a killer from bringing another murder to the table.

Features Over a Dozen Cookie and Dessert Recipes from The Cookie Jar!

MY REVIEW

Raspberry Danish Murder is the 22nd book in the Hannah Swensen series. This series needs to be read in order to understand the characters, their lives, and what is going on in the town of Lake Eden.

In Raspberry Danish Murder, Hannah’s husband Ross is missing. She’s worried about him, so she throws herself into her work. Ross’s coworker P.K. is filling in for Ross, using his office and driving his car. When P.K. dies mysteriously, Hannah looks into his death to determine if it was related to Ross’s disappearance. Along the way, Hannah learns some new things about her husband.

These cozy mysteries are light and entertaining. A fast read that’s good for fans of cozies. Plus, recipes are included for the mouthwatering treats they mention in the story.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Hannah Swensen Mystery Series:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder
Strawberry Shortcake Murder
Blueberry Muffin Murder
Lemon Meringue Pie Murder
Fudge Cupcake Murder
Sugar Cookie Murder
Peach Cobbler Murder
Cherry Cheesecake Murder
Key Lime Pie Murder
Carrot Cake Murder
Cream Puff Murder
Plum Pudding Murder
Apple Turnover Murder
Devil’s Food Cake Murder
Cinnamon Roll Murder
Red Velvet Cupcake Murder
Blackberry Pie Murder
Double Fudge Brownie Murder
Wedding Cake Murder
Christmas Caramel Murder
Banana Cream Pie Murder
Raspberry Danish Murder
Christmas Cake Murder
Chocolate Cream Pie Murder
Coconut Layer Cake Murder
Christmas Cupcake Murder
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder
Caramel Pecan Roll Murder
Pink Lemonade Cake Murder
Pumpkin Chiffon Pie Murder

Color Me Murder by Krista Davis [Book Review]

Posted on April 7, 2018January 14, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Color Me Murder

Author: Krista Davis

Publisher: Kensington

Publish Date: February 27, 2018

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Pen & Ink #1

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

By day, Florrie Fox manages Color Me Read bookstore in Georgetown, Washington D.C. By night, she creates her own intricately detailed coloring books for adults, filling the pages with objects that catch her eye. There’s plenty of inspiration in her new apartment—a beautiful carriage house belonging to Professor John Maxwell, Florrie’s boss. He offers the property to Florrie rent-free with one condition—she must move in immediately to prevent his covetous sister and nephew from trying to claim it.

When the professor’s nephew, Delbert, arrives, he proves just as sketchy as Florrie feared. But the following morning, Delbert has vanished. It’s not until she visits the third floor of the store that Florrie makes a tragic discovery—there’s a trap door in the landing, and a dead Delbert inside. The esteemed Professor Maxwell is an obvious suspect, but Florrie is certain this case isn’t so black and white. Doodling clues, she begins to consider other colorful characters on the scene, all with a motive for murder. With a killer drawing closer, Florrie will need to think outside the lines . . . before death makes his mark again.

MY REVIEW

Florrie Fox manages the Color Me Read bookshop. She has wanted to move closer to the bookshop, but hasn’t been able to find anything she liked, or could afford. When her boss, Professor John Maxwell, offers his carriage house to her, she can’t resist. Unfortunately, Maxwell’s nephew Delbert had his eye on the carriage house. Delbert is not a likable guy, so when he goes missing nobody is too upset, but then Florrie discovers Delbert’s body in a trap door area in the bookshop. Maxwell is the obvious suspect, but Florrie doesn’t believe her boss to be capable of murder.

The first book in the Pen & Ink series. A cozy mystery with a likable cast of characters. I love the setting of the bookshop and carriage house in historic Georgetown, Washinton, D.C.

The story is told from Florrie’s point of view as she looks into Delbert’s demise. The mystery was light, as is normal in cozy mysteries. The police latch on to their main suspect, Maxwell, and Florrie goes around talking to people to find the real killer.

I read this book based on the cover. True story. Fortunately, I also really enjoyed it. A cozy mystery with humor and a little romance. I look forward to reading more of this series.

I received a digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Pen & Ink Series:

Color Me Murder
The Coloring Crook
Murder Outside the Lines
A Colorful Scheme

Pawprints & Predicaments by Bethany Blake [Book Review]

Posted on April 2, 2018January 14, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Pawprints & Predicaments

Author: Bethany Blake

Publisher: Kensington

Publish Date: February 27, 2018

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery #3

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

The Tail Waggin’ Winterfest is the highlight of the season in the famously pet-friendly Pocono Mountains town of Sylvan Creek. But despite attractions like an ice sculpture display, a dogsled race, and gourmet hot chocolate, Daphne Templeton finds herself annoyed by TV producer Lauren Savidge, who’s filming the festivities. She’s critical, controlling, and as chilly as the January air. Daphne would like to tell her to go jump in a lake—and as a matter of fact, that’s exactly what they’re both going to do . . .

It’s the first-ever polar bear plunge in Lake Wallapawakee, and Daphne and Lauren are among the eighty or so people who charge into the frigid water to raise funds for animals in need. Daphne makes it back to shore—with the help of a mysterious St. Bernard—but Lauren is dragged out stone cold dead. Now, with her trusty basset hound Socrates at her side, Daphne intends to assist Detective Jonathan Black in his investigation—whether he wants her to or not…

MY REVIEW

Daphne, and other locals in Sylvan Creek, are not too happy with Lauren, a TV producer. Lauren is working on a show that features the pet-friendly town, but she is harsh and controlling. At the Winterfest’s first-ever polar bear plunge, Lauren is killed. Amateur sleuth Daphne sets out to find who killed Lauren.

Pawprints & Predicaments is the third book in the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery series. I have not read the previous two books, but I enjoyed this book and will keep an eye out for others by Bethany Blake.

A cozy mystery for dog lovers. The mystery part was good and kept me interested. The characters and setting were delightful. Sylvan Creek is very pet-friendly, especially to dogs. Most characters have a dog in this everyone knows everyone, and their dog, town. As a nice bonus, recipes for pet treats are included in the back of the book.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery Series:

Death by Chocolate Lab
Dial Meow for Murder
Pawprints & Predicaments
A Midwinter’s Tail
Something Borrowed, Something Mewed
Of Mutts and Murder

Lost Books and Old Bones by Paige Shelton [Book Review]

Posted on March 27, 2018January 14, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Lost Books and Old Bones

Author: Paige Shelton

Publisher: Minotaur

Publish Date: April 3, 2018

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Scottish Bookshop Mystery #3

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

Set in Edinburgh, Scotland, Lost Books and Old Bones is a delightful new mystery by Paige Shelton, featuring bookseller and amateur sleuth Delaney Nichols.

Delaney Nichols, originally of Kansas but settling happily into her new life as a bookseller in Edinburgh, works at the Cracked Spine in the heart of town. The shop is a place filled with curiosities and surprises tucked into every shelf, and it’s Delaney’s job to research the rare tomes and obscure artifacts that people come to buy and sell. When her new friends, also students at the medical school, come to the shop to sell a collection of antique medical books, Delaney knows she’s stumbled across a rare and important find indeed. Her boss, Edwin MacAlister, agrees to buy the multivolume set, perhaps even to keep for his own collection.

But not long after the sale, one of Delaney’s new friends is found murdered in the alley behind the Cracked Spine, and she wonders if there is some nefarious connection between the origin of these books and the people whose hands they fell into. Delaney takes it upon herself to help bring the murderer to justice. During her investigation, Delaney she finds some old scalpels in the bookshop’s warehouse—she and discovers that they belonged to a long-dead doctor whose story and ties to the past crimes of Burke and Hare might be connected to the present-day murder. It’s all Delaney can do to race to solve this crime before time runs out and she ends up in a victim on the slab herself.

MY REVIEW

Delaney moved to Scotland from the US to work for a bookseller. She has been in Scotland for about a year, and has recently been friendly with a couple of the local medical students. One night, Delaney goes out with the medical students and meets some of their friends. The next morning, one of the women Delaney had met the night before is found murdered just outside the bookshop. Delaney is curious as to why the woman was outside the bookshop, and suspects it may have something to do with the bookshop’s “secret” warehouse.

Lost Books and Old Bones is the third book in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series. This is the first book I have read in this series.

I love the setting. Delaney works for a bookshop in Scotland that specializes in rare books. Delaney was likable, though I wish I had read the first two books in the series to know more about her. Since reading Lost Bones and Old Books, I have checked with my local library and they have the first two books in the series. I’ll be picking them up soon to read them.

This cozy mystery was interesting and incorporated some history about the Burke and Hare murders that took place in Edinburgh 1828. Burke and Hare were two men who killed people and sold their corpses to a local doctor for dissection and study.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery Series:

The Cracked Spine
Of Books and Bagpipes
Lost Books and Old Bones
The Loch Ness Papers
The Stolen Letter
Deadly Editions
The Burning Pages
Fateful Words
The Poison Pen

Jamie Quinn Mystery Series by Barbara Venkataraman [Book Review]

Posted on March 21, 2018January 14, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Series: Jamie Quinn Mystery
Book 1: Death by Didgeridoo
Book 2: The Case of the Killer Divorce
Book 3: Peril in the Park
Book 4: Engaged in Danger
Book 5: Jeopardy in July

Author: Barbara Venkataraman

Publisher: Independently published

Genre: Amateur Investigator

My Rating: 4/5

Jamie is an attorney that practices family law, but manages to occasionally find herself in the middle of a mystery. To help her solve the mysteries, she gets helps from an amusing cast of characters, primarily her best friend Grace and a private investigator, Duke.

BOOK 1

Death by Didgeridoo

Reluctant lawyer, Jamie Quinn, still reeling from the death of her mother, is pulled into a game of deception, jealousy, and vengeance when her cousin, Adam, is wrongfully accused of murder. It’s up to Jamie to find the real murderer before it’s too late. It doesn’t help that the victim is a former rock star with more enemies than friends, or that Adam confessed to a murder he didn’t commit.

Death by Didgeridoo by Barbara Venkataraman

MY REVIEW

The first book in the Jamie Quinn Mystery series.

Jamie’s cousin is accused of murder, and he needs her help. Jamie is an attorney, though not of criminal law, but she want to help her family. Her cousin has Asperger’s, and it’s inconceivable to her that he is capable of committing a violent crime. Jamie, along with the help of a few friends, searches for the real killer.

A humorous cozy mystery. The characters were relatable, and I enjoyed the interactions Jamie had with her best friend and the private investigator. This was a quick, fun read.

BOOK 2

The Case of the Killer Divorce

Reluctant lawyer, Jamie Quinn, has returned to her family law practice after a hiatus due to the death of her mother. It’s business as usual until a bitter divorce case turns into a murder investigation, and Jamie’s client becomes the prime suspect. When she can’t untangle truth from lies, Jamie enlists the help of Duke Broussard, her favorite private investigator, to try to clear her client’s name. And she’s hoping that, in his spare time, he can help her find her long-lost father.

The Case of the Killer Divorce by Barbara Venkataraman

MY REVIEW

The second book in the Jamie Quinn Mystery series.

Jamie has recently returned to her family law practice after a brief time away to deal with her mother’s death. One of Jamie’s current cases is a bitter divorce, that turns to murder. In her personal life, Jamie wants to learn more about her father.

The murder mystery was light, but with some twists. In addition to the mystery of whether Jamie’s client killed her soon-to-be ex, Jamie decided to search for her long-lost father. I was curious where this story would lead, but it was wrapped up too abruptly for me. As for romance, an old flame returned to Jamie’s life.

A fun and humorous cozy mystery. I have enjoyed the characters in this series: Jamie is smart, compassionate, and relatable; Jamie’s bestie, Grace, is no-nonsense, yet funny; and private investigator Duke is a lecherous drunkard, but likable. Jamie’s aunt and cousin weren’t as prominent in this book as the first, but it’s clear Jamie believes family is important.

BOOK 3

Peril in the Park

There’s big trouble in the park system. Someone is making life difficult for Jamie Quinn’s boyfriend, Kip Simons, the new director of Broward County parks. Was it the angry supervisor passed over for promotion? The disgruntled employee Kip recently fired? Or someone with a bigger ax to grind? If Jamie can’t figure it out soon, she may be looking for a new boyfriend because there’s a dead guy in the park and Kip has gone missing! With the help of her favorite P.I., Duke Broussard, Jamie must race the clock to find Kip before it’s too late.

Peril in the Park by Barbara Venkataraman

MY REVIEW

The third book in the Jamie Quinn Mystery series.

Jamie’s boyfriend, Kip, is having trouble at work. He is the new director of Broward County parks, and someone is trying to make his work life miserable. Between dealing with vandalism in the parks, disgruntled employees, and a land development deal, Kip’s hands are full. Along with wanting to help Kip with his work woes, Jamie also helps her father try to obtain his US citizenship.

This book focused more on Kip and mysteries related to his work. Jamie wanted to help her boyfriend, so she contacted her favorite private investigator, Duke, to figure out who was causing problems for Kip. I enjoyed this story. Kip was another great character, and as usual, Duke brought a lot of humor to the story.

As a side story, Jamie’s father was having trouble obtaining US citizenship. Jamie enlisted the help of her best friend Grace to discover what was the problem. Grace was once again level-headed and practical, but humorous.

BOOK 4

Engaged in Danger

Finally, life is good for reluctant family law attorney, Jamie Quinn–her father may get his visa soon, her boyfriend is the bomb, and her law practice is growing like crazy–but when she agrees to take on a high-profile divorce case, everything falls apart. What looked like an opportunity to work with her friend Grace and make some serious bucks has turned into a deadly game, one that could destroy their friendship and tear their town apart. Why couldn’t Jamie just leave well enough alone?

Engaged in Danger by Barbara Venkataraman

MY REVIEW

The fourth book in the Jamie Quinn Mystery series.

Jamie works a high-profile divorce case of a woman who wants to get away from her husband, a corrupt businessman. A few side stories are also going on in Jamie’s life, including helping her neighbors discover who owned the plane that crashed and killed their sister and brother-in-law.

A quick and fun cozy mystery. Jamie worked harder in this one than the others. She had a high profile case in this book, and it kicked her into higher gear for work. Plus, her boyfriend, Kip, left the country for work, and she was looking for ways to distract herself while he was away. Jamie and her best friend, Grace, had the opportunity to work together in this book. It was fun to see their work relationship, but they also had a big falling out over personal matters. Also reappearing were Duke, the unorthodox private investigator, and Nick, the slick politician.

BOOK 5

Jeopardy in July

Old people were dying at an alarming rate at La Vida Boca, a posh assisted living facility in Boca Raton, Florida. With its sterling reputation, dedicated staff, and top-notch medical care, none of the deaths are considered suspicious, but when members of the poker club start to die under strange circumstances, attorney Jamie Quinn finds herself once again embroiled in a mystery. With help from her new friend, Jessie Sandler, and her favorite P.I., Duke Broussard, Jamie uncovers a crime that took place forty years earlier. Can she stop the killer in time? Or is she in danger of becoming the next victim?

Jeopardy in July by Barbara Venkataraman

MY REVIEW

The fifth book in the Jamie Quinn Mystery series.

Jamie’s current divorce case takes her to an assisted living facility. After visiting the facility and getting to know some of the people, Jamie takes a job there to lead seminars. The job is fairly simple, Jamie will host seminars and help the seniors with their legal paperwork, but, of course, nothing is as easy as it appears. As Jamie spends time with the seniors, she gets involved in a mystery of suspicious deaths and art forgery.

This book brings back Jessie, a friend Jamie made in a previous book, but includes her bestie Grace and the odd, but lovable, Duke. I enjoy the recurring characters in this series. Jamie is fun, but her friends provide some real laugh out loud moments. Jamie’s family drama continues, but takes a backseat to the other action.

My favorite Grace/Jamie interaction in this book:
“I was wondering — do you want to check out a new brewery in Fort Lauderdale? They have games and food trucks.”
“But do they have beer?” I joked.
“They have kegs and kegs of the stuff — with flavors like coffee, and peanut butter and jelly.”
“Call me old-fashioned,” I said, “but I like beer-flavored beer. Do they have any of that?”

This made me laugh out loud because my husband and I enjoy visiting breweries and trying new beers, and we always make fun of the weird beers that breweries make nowadays. I’m with Jamie, I like beer-flavored beer.

This is a fun series. Jamie and her friends, family, and other assorted characters are entertaining and likable. Great reads for fans of cozy mysteries.

I was contacted by the author to review the Jamie Quinn books.

The Questionable Behavior of Dahlia Moss by Max Wirestone [Book Review]

Posted on March 18, 2018January 14, 2024 by Darinda

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BOOK INFO

Title: The Questionable Behavior of Dahlia Moss

Author: Max Wirestone

Publisher: Redhook

Publish Date: January 9, 2018

Genre: Amateur Investigator

Series: Dahlia Moss Mysteries #3

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Veronica Mars meets the World of Warcraft in this mystery romp with a hilarious heroine.
Working for a games development company is my dream job. So, when a slightly sketchy lawyer offered me the opportunity, I had to take it! Who cares that the company has some quirks? No job is perfect. Some questionable, but probably totally normal issues:
· A mysterious whistle-blower is posting the industry’s dirty laundry on Reddit.
· An unidentified corpse is in the staff room.
· The game under development is for filthy casuals, and unwisely involves matching talking peppermints.
· My job, technically speaking, is “Industry Spy.”
It’s all just a typical day at the office. Right?
Dive into Dahlia Moss’s brilliant, bonkers mystery and enjoy pure, geeky fun!

MY REVIEW

Dahlia Moss is hired to be an industry spy. Her job is to work as a temp at a software game development company and acquire the information her client wants. Mainly, the client wants to know what is taking so long for a game to be developed and they want the code to see what the problem is. However, once Dahlia is at the company, a couple of other issues arise, namely a mystery whistleblower and a dead body in the store room.

The Questionable Behavior of Dahlia Moss is the third book in the Dahlia Moss mystery series. This is the first book I have read in this series, and it was a quick and entertaining cozy mystery.

Silly and light. Many crazy escapades occur along the way to Dahlia solving the mystery, but that was the fun of this book. Good for fans of contemporary cozies with kooky characters.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Dahlia Moss Mysteries Series:

The Unfortunate Decisions of Dahlia Moss
The Astonishing Mistakes of Dahlia Moss
The Questionable Behavior of Dahlia Moss