Carla Schantz

Paige Shelton: The Poison Pen

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Scottish Bookshop #9

Paige Shelton’s Scottish Bookshop Mystery series follows Delaney Nichols. Delaney’s adventures take place in Edinburgh as she works for the specialty bookstore, The Cracked Spine, and its connected and more secretive warehouse. The Poison Pen takes place just after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Even though Delaney is American by birth, she feels the loss deeply. Work is a welcome distraction, and Delaney’s curious nature is piqued when her boss, Edwin McAlister, asks her to go and investigate a friend’s claims about an interesting artifact they found on their property. The secretive nature of the item, and Edwin’s special interest, lets Delaney know that she is in for something big. read more

Nancy Coco: Three Fudges and a Baby

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Candy Coated Mystery #12

Three Fudges and a Baby is Nancy Coco’s twelfth book in her Candy Coated Mystery series. Allie McMurphy is our protagonist, and she has one of the most important jobs on Earth: Fudge Maker. She is also a hotel manager for her Mackinac McMurphy hotel, but that’s not nearly important as her attached fudge shop, at least as far as I’m concerned. Allie loves her hotel and fudge shop equally, but has a bit of a problem taking a step away from her work. She has integrated herself into the culture of the island, and has become a staple thanks to winning a fudge competition the year before. Her best friend Jen also lives on the island, and is expecting her first baby any day. Her support system is in place for her to have the baby on the island instead of on the mainland hospital. She even has a Doula, Hannah, to be there to advocate and support her through the birth. read more

Karen Rose Smith: Murder Marks the Page

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Tomes & Tea #1

I have been a longtime fan of Karen Rose Smith’s Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery series. I cannot really express how thrilled I was to hear Karen Rose Smith was starting a spin-off series focusing on Daisy Swanson’s daughter Jazzi. Murder Marks the Page follows Jazzi to New York State’s Belltower Landing where she opened Tomes & Tea with her college friend Dawn. Belltower Landing is a resort town and flourishes during the summer months with tourists and boating activities aplenty. As a brand new business, Tomes & Tea faces the challenges of the first year, not being sure what their fiscal outcome will be, or if they’ll even be able to stay afloat once the tourists depart at the end of summer. read more

Olivia Blacke: Rhythm and Clues

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Record Shop #3

Music, murder, and mayhem await in Olivia Blacke’s Rhythm and Clues. In the true spirit of family business, three sisters have opened and run a record and coffee shop known as the Spin & Sip in Cedar River, Texas. Tansey, Maggie, and Juni Jessup have their own specialties, but are all involved in the daily running on the shop. However, Juni adds a little extra spice to their lives that isn’t just in the pumpkin lattes. She’s a very efficient amateur sleuth with a reputation of successfully solving murders about town. While her sisters would prefer for Juni to keep out of any dangerous situations, when in involves their shop they are very supportive of her sleuthing specialty. read more

Christina Estes: Off the Air

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Debut

Reporters: Some love them, some hate them, but most understand they are a necessary part of society if we want to stay aware of current events. Off the Air is Christina Estes’ first mystery novel and follows reporter Jolene Garcia, a TV reporter in Phoenix, Arizona. Jolene covers everything from puff pieces to in depth breaking news. She tries to hold onto her integrity to not reveal her sources, and to not publish information that isn’t verified and confirmed, despite the fact that other reporters around her have no qualms of just running with any crumb they’re given. read more

Isis Crawford: A Catered Quilting Bee

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Mystery with Recipes #18

In Isis Crawford’s seventeenth book, A Catered Quilting Bee, sisters Bernie and Libby Simmons find themselves in for far more than they bargained for when they are hired to cater the Longely Sip and Sew Quilting Circle’s fist exhibit event. First one of the members is found dead, and Bernie and Libby are hired by Cecelia Larson to investigate. Suicide appears to be the cause of death, and the local authorities rule it as such, but her friends just cannot believe it.  What starts as a basic fact-finding quest turns into a full-blown murder investigation for the Simmons sisters. Luckily their father was an impressive detective back in his day on the force, and he raised his girls to investigate and sleuth out the truth, even if their actual profession is more about solving the perfect recipe instead of the perfect crime. read more

Traci Wilton: Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid

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Salem B & B #8

There are very few places more ideal for supernatural themed cozies than Salem, Massachusetts. Traci Wilton takes full advantage of the town’s mystical air, and has based each of her eight books around some sort of mythical being. Her eighth Salem B&B Mystery, Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid, highlights the town’s first ever Mermaid Parade. Charlene Morris’ B&B is bursting with people eager to participate and compete in the parade. There is also a local, and retired, Hollywood celebrity mermaid, Trinity Powers, who will be making her first public appearance in years. She is famous for her role in the movie Sirena, which has a massive fan base. But she isn’t the only big name to show up. Sirena got a remake, and the star of that movie is shimmying her way to center stage with her own fan mob. Needless to say, the opposing fan groups are pretty opinionated, and are unfortunately more than willing to escalate things. Luckily, the stars themselves are more interested in making their own public appearances a success then sending their fans after each other. read more

Ellie Alexander: A Smoking Bun

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Bakeshop #18

A Smoking Bun is the 18th Bake Shop Mystery book by Ellie Alexander. I was so excited to see the next instalment in our baker and part time detective Jules Capshaw’s adventures. Her ever growing foodie empire has been a joy to watch expand. Jules cares about her community and has forged her place in Ashland, Oregon after many trials and tribulations and has even settled her family here. It isn’t all family and fondant for her, however. Jules also has made a bit of a name for herself in helping the local police detective, known primarily as The Professor, and now also to her as stepdad, solve several murders. She tries her best to stay away from any dangerous situations, but when a friend is in need she cannot turn away. read more

Emily George: A High Tide Murder

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Cannabis Cafe #2

Quick disclaimer for this particular review: this book is a part of the Cannabis Café mystery series by Emily George. Legalized cannabis and its uses are a major theme in A High Tide Murder. If this topic puts you off, please stop reading. Right now. Medical use is the driving motivation, but it is also used recreationally by the café patrons. As the book cover, and many characters, emphasize: consume responsibly. This goes for reading about it, too. If you know legalized cannabis isn’t something you are comfortable with, do not read this review or the book. Cozies are meant to be an enjoyable escape, but not every book is for everyone. For those who do not mind, or perhaps even enjoy seeing legalized cannabis normalized, this is indeed a review and book for you. If not? Again, stop reading this. read more

Darci Hannah: Murder at the Blarney Bash

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Beacon Bakeshop #5

Darci Hannah starts Murder at the Blarney Bash mystery running. Literally. The main focus of the story runs full speed into our heroine Lindsey’s car on her way home with her trusty Newfoundland, Wellington. However, whoever it was got away before she could ensure their well being, or find out who they were. Or what they were. She does not have time to dwell on it, as a league of leprechauns is heading right to her Beacon Bakeshop. Leprechaun children, that is, from the local school who are all looking forward to a Saint Patrick’s Day celebration chock full of tasty green pastries. So Lindsey has to race to beat them there, or at least not be too late. read more