Cozy-palooza! This year I’m presenting both my list and Carla’s. Because we’ve read different books this year, our lists have no overlap. Mine are presented alphabetically, Carla has ranked hers in order of preference and I know she spent lots of time on her list. Full reviews can be found on the site, just type an author or title into the search box, and of course, all are available for sale. Sleuth on, fair readers!
Robin Agnew’s list
A Fatal Groove, Olivia Blacke. I love this new series featuring sisters Juni, Tansy and Maggie, who run a combo vinyl record-coffee shop in an Austin adjacent town in Texas. Juni is the series heroine, and she gets around town on her green tricycle. I love the vinyl record store concept. In this outing, the women are catering for the town bluebonnet festival, and when Tansy drops off a cup of coffee for the mayor at city hall, finding him dead, she’s instantly a suspect. This clever mystery finds the sleuthing sisters looking into some local history with some frisson added to the story through Juni having to deal with old high school rivals. The sisters’ relationship is lovely – nice and supportive – and the parameters of the town, the record store, and music in general make this series a standout.
Between a Wok and a Dead Place, Leslie Budewitz. This was the first I’d read in Budewitz’s long series set in a spice shop in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. The series heroine, Pepper Reece, ends up juggling the discovery of a body in the Chinatown International District during lunar new year celebrations, trying to hire new staff for the shop, worry about her house hunting parents, and missing her long distance boyfriend, who runs a fishing business in Alaska. The setting is incredibly layered and interesting, and Budewitz brings in Chinatown history as well as focusing on the Pike Place Market business community. It’s believable and at the same time vivid. Budewitz is a wonderful storyteller, and I’m delighted, seven books into the series, to make Pepper’s acquaintance.
Hot Pot Murder, Jennifer J. Chow. This is another terrific new series, set in LA’s night market and starring Yale Yee, who lives near her father’s restaurant, and her Hong Kong based, social media obsessed cousin, Celine. The two run a bubble tea stand at the night market. As the book opens, Yale’s father has set up a hot pot Thanksgiving dinner at his restaurant for the local restaurant association, and when the newly elected director is electrocuted at the dinner all heck breaks loose. Yale and Celine make a great sleuthing pair, as they are opposite in many ways but still have a real affection for one another. This book is enlivened by the arrival of Celine’s fancy parents from Hong Kong, who are hilariously named Sunny and Cher. The setting is unusual and the characters are super likeable and interesting. This was a really fun read.
A Wealth of Deception, Trish Esden. I truly enjoyed this book, the second in a series featuring antiques dealer Edie Brown, whose business is on the brink of collapse. Her mother is in jail for art fraud and Edie is a convicted felon herself, having (unintentionally) sold stolen art to an undercover agent. This series veers toward the darker side of the cozy universe, but it’s full on embrace of the antiques business and focus, in this novel, on “outside art” (think Grandma Moses) make it specific and totally fascinating. Esden supplies terrific characters and a layered and complex character based mystery and resolution. Edie’s struggles to keep her business afloat simply make her more relatable. Excellent writing and a sharp sense of place make this series a real stand out.
The Socialite’s Guide to Death and Dating, S.K. Golden. I’m a real fan of this series which could be considered historical, as it’s set in 1958, but is really very much a cozy. Series heroine and hotel heiress Evelyn Murphy, who is a fan of Marilyn Monroe, runs events at the hotel, dates former security guard Mac, and is agoraphobic. When she and Mac make the decision to actually leave the hotel after a big party Evelyn has put together and head to his place in Yonkers – a daring choice for Evelyn – their getaway is stymied by the discovery of a body in the hotel garage. These books have a great setting – what’s better than a fancy New York City hotel? – and the characters, Evelyn especially, turn out to have interesting backstories and some real issues that bring them into the realm of the relatable. Evelyn’s struggles with her father, her boyfriend and her agoraphobia add real depth to this very otherwise fluffy series. Bravo.
Wrong Poison, Nikki Knight. Nikki Knight, who also writes under her real name of Kathleen Marple Kalb, is a genius of a storyteller. She started out with an historical series featuring an opera singer and then branched into cozies. This book, featuring Grace the “hit mom” follows her on her busy life as the mother of a six year old, wife of an attorney, part time editor, and part time assassin. Way back in college she joined a sisterhood of women who take out deeply unpleasant men with untraceable poison. When such a death occurs in town but isn’t tied to Grace, the race is on to find her missing poison reference book, mistakenly sold at the church rummage sale, before the sisterhood takes her out for spilling deadly secrets. Knight is a deft, original and funny storyteller. Whatever incarnation she writes under, I cannot recommend her highly enough.
Murder and Mamon, Mia P. Manasala. This is one of the more charming, youthful, and vital series in the cozy universe, combining many traditional cozy elements – cooking, coffee, a dog, family dynamics – and giving all these elements a new kind of flair through the cultural background of the main character and the diversity of the cast. Series heroine Lila Macapagal has a cafe next to her aunt Rosie’s restaurant, and this particular installment focuses on Lila’s sharp tongued, judgy and loving aunties, known to the family as the “calendar crew.” They’re opening a laundromat and all kinds of heck including a murder ensues, but Manansala manages to make her fun cozy series also relevant (though not in a heavy handed way), by portraying the harm of gossip, family judgement and actual loss. The sleuthing is done by Lila, her boyfriend and her Aunt Rosie and her boyfriend. Also – there’s the food. I can’t begin to tell you how mouthwatering these books are and how hungry you’ll be when you finish. This series is such a standout, and now, only four books in, an extremely reliable reading choice.
Hop Scot, Catriona McPherson. This book has already earned a place on my all time favorite Christmas reading list, and I can anticipate a happy re-reading in the future. The series features Scot Lexy Campbell who lives in a motel in the strange world of Los Angeles. She’s surrounded by an oddball cast of characters who often help her solve mysteries. In book six, McPherson flips the switch, and sends Lexy and her friends back to Scotland for the holidays, courtesy of their doctor buddy Roger who is frustrated after COVID and want to spend some money. Despite Lexy’s warnings (which fall on deaf ears) that Scotland is dark, rainy, gloomy, and filled with crankiness, when the group arrives, Lexy’s parents pick them up and transport them not to Lexy’s childhood home but to the little town of (yes) Yule where they’ve bought a bed and breakfast that looks suspiciously like a castle. When a skeleton is found walled up in the castle basement, all heck breaks loose, and the funny, sweet and spicy story that follows is already a Christmas classic. The rest of the series is terrific too.
Rehearsed to Death, Frank Anthony Polito. I may have enjoyed this book so much – or partly – because it’s set in Southeast Michigan and the locations and references are incredibly familiar. Frank Polito’s delectable series features two as yet unmarried partners, JP Broadway and PJ Penwell, who star together on an “HDTV” show called – Domestic Partners. They are putting on a production of a play penned by PJ, and everything that can go wrong, does, including murder. The two men snap into sleuthing mode, naturally, to save the play. This was a really fun, fast paced read. I loved the characters, I loved the theater setting as well as the home reno tips, and the dogs are adorable. As a southeast Michigan girl, I loved the nicely detailed Detroit area setting. This is a terrific new series.
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, Jesse Q. Sutanto. This charming, hilarious, sweet and beautiful book is a real breath of fresh air. Vera Wong owns a tiny and underappreciated tea store in San Francisco. She’s a widow, and her son is a busy professional, but that does not stop Vera from texting him instructions about sleep, food, and anything else she feels is important. When she discovers a body in the tea shop one morning, her whole life changes. Vera is a force of nature. She doesn’t have much use for the cops, young people’s habits, sleeping in, slacking off, or failing to eat home cooked food. She’s bossy, judgy, and completely loveable, and it’s not long before all of her “suspects” (aka new friends) are doing her bidding and slowly but surely, she makes their lives better. Happily this is accomplished not in a corny way but in a funny and really pretty believable way. We may all need a little Vera in our lives, and if she can only be accessed through the pages of this witty book, then I hope there are many more installments. Oh, and the mystery part is good too, though you’ll stay for Vera. She’s a home run. Read my interview with Jesse Sutanto here.
Also notable: An American in Scotland, Lucy Connelly’s fab fairy tale and Murder in an Italian Village, Michael Falco’s gentle, languid book set on the Amalfi coast.
Carla Schantz’s list
Case of the Bleus, Korina Moss. Korina Moss’ Cheese Shop Mysteries has become one of my favorite series since I read Curds of Prey. I have read all four books, and had the privilege of reviewing two. Willa Baur wants nothing more than to run her cheese shop and make her new life a success in Sonoma Valley, but circumstances keep pulling either her personally, or those she cares about, into danger and she can’t just sit by. Her strong sense of righteousness, loyalty to her friends, and deep love of cheese pulls readers in. With Case of the Bleus, I also got a surprise at the end with a wonderfully constructed twist. Much like my review, I won’t spoil it, but I also can’t state enough how much I enjoyed it. My only disappointment is having to wait for the next book to be released.Murder in a Cup, Lauren Elliott. I’ve reviewed both books in Lauren Elliott’s Crystals & CuriosiTEAS and I loved both. I have read many a cozy, both to review and recreationally, and have found it difficult to find ones that play with the supernatural in a way that I really enjoy. Shay Myers is a strong female protagonist who is also plagued by her past, and unsure of her magical abilities. Her struggles are all very real, very relatable to readers, and work supernatural abilities in a way that elevates the story without overshadowing the plot. The seamless layering of Shay’s own personal story, and the magic therein, along with that of the current murder she is investigating, give readers plenty to enjoy. Murder in a Cup gives us a satisfactory ending to the main mystery, but leaves readers with the very questions that Shay herself is facing, which just adds to the anticipation for Lauren Elliott’s next installment.
Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft, Ellery Adams. Ellery Adams’ Book Retreat Mystery series drew me in with its secret rare book society that heroine Jane Steward leads. The whole concept of Storyton Hall being a book lovers retreat also was a lovely escape. I certainly wouldn’t mind spending a week or two exploring it and it’s many literary themed rooms. Any organization that is dedicated to the protection of knowledge and literature is definitely going to get a big thumbs up from me. While Jane is a wonderful character on her own, there are also plenty of colorful and strong supporting characters that bolster the story. The romance aspect is also very organic and real. In an odd way, it’s like spy adventure novel meets a cozy, and in all the best ways. Secret training, trap doors, a network that seems to span the globe, and all about books! Jane Steward is a fun protagonist because, while she is cheery and open, she is also able to become a more calculating at the drop of a hat when the situation warrants it. She does not let her very serious duties overshadow her ability to live and enjoy her life. I really do enjoy a character that can do both.
Spoon to be Dead, Dana Mentink. Dana Mentink’s latest Shake Shop Mystery was a delightful surprise for me. I didn’t know what to expect when I started, but the league of ex-wives and their mission for justice and ice cream was not on my list. Trinidad Jones, Juliet, and Bonnie all were once married to one Gabe Bigley, and some were wooed as he was married to the previous one. Now, in any other instance, one could expect this to make the women jaded, angry, and hateful to the ex-husband in question. Instead, they are all just trying to live their new lives as best they can, and for the most part are content to just let Gabe be as long as he leaves them be. Trinidad is a very sympathetic character who accurately portrays an individual with severe truest issues and romantic trauma, and despite all of that, she’s determined to not close herself off from the world and remain open to it and love. Watching her work her way through every challenge, and remain a good, open, and loving person is really beautiful; and I look forward to more. Also, the Freakshakes are just delightful and really tempting.
Hard Dough Homicide, Olivia Matthews. This is Olivia Matthews’ second book in her Spice Island Bakery series. In it, we follow Lindsay Murray and family at their Caribbean themed restaurant Spice Island Bakery. Lindsay isn’t ever afraid to speak her mind when she thinks something is wrong, and is first to the plate to defend her mother when detectives start looking at her for murder. Her absolute refusal to stay out of the investigation when she felt it wasn’t going fast enough, combined with her anxiety about poking around a potential killer, is a delicate balance. Olivia Matthews manages to pull it off. She’s a very reluctant detective, but her fears for her mother override her own personal reservations, and Lindsay doesn’t hold back with her investigation. Nor with just how she feels about the local detectives giving her mom the side eye. If it isn’t obvious by my list thus far, I am partial to a protagonist that has a strong personality and willingness to protect in spite of their fears. Lindsay Murray delivers this in spades.
A Flicker of a Doubt, Daryl Wood Gerber. Daryl Wood Gerber’s A Flicker of a Doubt is another example of an author who can bring the world of the fantastic into a cozy in a way that I find highly effective and enjoyable. With a cat named Pixy and a fairy named Fiona, Courtney Kelly lives in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California and runs a little fairy gardening and tea shop. The fairies and their magical world accentuates the story, rather than distracts, as Courtney tries to help her friend out of the suspicion spotlight of the local detectives. Courtney isn’t as dynamic as some of my other favorite sleuths, but she has an innate kindness and caring for those around her that makes me empathize with her as a character. There are very clear fairy rules that Fiona explains through the book, such as who can see them and why or what magic they can actually cast at any given time. Even though Fiona is a fairy, she and Courtney are both very down to earth characters and readers will enjoy watching them try and help their friends out and investigate this murder, while also trying desperately to continue to lead their normal lives.
Murder at an Irish Bakery, Carlene O’Connor. Carlene O’Connor’s Murder at an Irish Bakery was one of the first books I reviewed this year, and I have since procured more to enjoy. I will admit my appreciation of Murder at an Irish Bakery in particular comes from my own ability to deeply relate to our main character’s biggest weakness: baked goods. Siobhan O’Sullivan’s internal musings about all the tasty treats surrounding her were all too familiar to me. I appreciate when someone who enjoys good food is not portrayed as just a gluttonous food addict, but as having a true appreciation for what they are eating. And, most importantly for Siobhan as a member of the Garda, she knows very well there is a time for treats and a time for seriousness. She is a very dedicated officer and is always analyzing her surroundings, both the people and the environment, and coming up with theories to unveil the true killer. Serious about her job. Serious about her snacks. Siobhan is truly a woman I can respect, and I eagerly look forward to more of Carlene O’Connor’s work.
Fatal Fudge Swirl, Meri Allen. In Fatal Fudge Swirl Meri Allen brings us her third Ice Cream Shop Mystery, and has Riley Roades facing a celebrity invasion in her town. While good for business, it does make everything rather chaotic in the New England village of Penniman, Connecticut. The creativity of making Riley Roades a former CIA Librarian is another reason I enjoyed this one. Former governmental officers becoming sleuths is something I’ve seen in many a cozy, but a former CIA Librarian is a new take I did not expect. She puts her training to use to try and save her friend from suspicion, but actually keeps finding more things that make her look guilty instead – not exactly what she was hoping for. But she doesn’t hide what she learns from the detectives. She knows the importance of working with law enforcement when it comes to catching a killer. What puts this book on my list is the creativity of the actual murder method itself, which I will not be revealing due to it being a massive spoiler. Sorry, but to know what I’m talking about, I suggest getting your hands on Fatal Fudge Swirl.
Murder at a Scottish Wedding, Traci Hall. I wasn’t sure what to expect with Traci Hall’s Murder at a Scottish Wedding, as it really seemed just from the title and description that it was one that would need previous context to enjoy. Thankfully, I was very wrong. The setting, characters, and their relationships are explained clearly and concisely so readers know exactly what the relationships are. Paislee Shaw is our amateur sleuth, and what is it that makes her unable to leave this particular investigation to the police? The tragic events take place at her best friend Lydia’s wedding. And it is jewelry jealousy at the center of everything, with a Luckenbooth brooch that was intended for Lydia. Unwilling to let things just ‘play out’ while her friend is in danger, Paislee is on the case. She focuses on the social side of sleuthing, talking to any and every one, even if Lydia doesn’t necessarily want her to. When on the trail of a killer, one possibly intent on her bestie, Paislee is willing to risk Lydia’s anger if it ends up keeping her safe. I also must praise, again, Traci Hall for writing the dialog of all characters in a Scottish brogue. It makes everything more authentic and really does help immerse readers in the world she created.
So Others Might Live, Sara Driscoll. I just recently finished this book, and it isn’t like my usual cozies. Sara Driscoll’s That Others May Live focuses on the horrors not only of the collapse of a building full of people, but the fallout for those around it. Especially the fallout on those performing the rescue, such as our heroine Meg Jennings and her search-and-rescue K-9 dog Hawk and the families. It is a bit more graphic and detailed in ways that I do caution potential readers to be aware of before picking it up. There are descriptions of trauma, corpses, and very emotional scenes depicting grief and fear. The reason this is on my list, however, is because of the accuracy of all of this. I appreciate when a book goes after a sensitive subject like this and does not hold back about the realities that surround it. I found myself unable to put That Others May Live down, as I was determined to see Meg Jennings and Hawk reach the end and find those responsible for the atrocity so that they would face justice. I also enjoyed learning about the various construction and architectural terms as I read, as each chapter starts with one. It really helped to understand how the collapse happened. Sara Driscoll doesn’t hold back, but the ending is well worth the journey.
Honorable mention: Murder on Tour, V.M. Burns. I said it in my full review, and I’ll say it again: there is a LOT that goes into getting a book published. Not the least of which is a whole lot of self-doubt and anxiety on behalf of the authors. Especially new authors such as protagonist Samantha Washington in V.M. Burns’ Murder on Tour. She has family and her boyfriend there to bolster her confidence, in the face of being on a book tour panel with several well-known and established authors. When things turn to murder, however, she is one of the few to keep her head and know what to do thanks to her previous experiences. Once in it, she can’t let it go until she finds out who could have done the deed. She also shows how life influences art as she writes he own book’s sequel based on the mystery, using it to help her put the pieces together. She is self-conscious about her book, about her own skills as a writer, but also confident in her and her family’s ability to investigate and uncover a killer. It was her combination of self-doubt and self-confidence that pulled me into Samantha’s world so easily. Life is made of internal contradictions and V.M. Burns captures this perfectly. Also her trusty partner investigator Nana Joe and her Shady Acres Retirement Village girls are an endless source of enjoyment, all with their own delightful quirks and habits that will have readers unable to put the book down until they find out exactly how this unlikely team puts things together in the end.