Friday, 15 September 2023

Murder by the Books: Serenity Bay #Mysteries, Book 2 #NewRelease #SmallTown #Quozy #Cozy #Mystery


Murder by the Books
Series: Serenity Bay Mysteries
Book: 2
Author: J.J. Brass
Publisher: Rainbow Crush
Word Count: 30,000


Welcome to Serenity Bay, where books hold secrets, and mysteries lurk behind every page.

When Lucy Larkin and her uncle Frank stumble upon an unfinished manuscript hidden in a dresser at the Annual Antiques Street Fair, they uncover more than just forgotten words.

As the mystery unfolds, Lucy and Uncle Frank embark on a quest to unravel the truth. Can they convince Detective Johnson that a crime has been committed, or will they find themselves met with skepticism?

Now, with time running out, Lucy and her uncle must race against the clock to piece together clues hidden within the unfinished book. With curiosity, wit, and a touch of amateur sleuthing, can they unmask the killer and bring justice to Serenity Bay?

"Murder by the Books" is a page-turning journey into the heart of a small town where books can be deadly. Join Lucy and Uncle Frank in this charming cozy mystery.

J.J. Brass is a queer author living with disability who writes hilarious and heartfelt LGBT mystery stories. If you like your mysteries cozy and comedic, check out tales like Small Town Scandal, The Turkey Wore Satin, Murder at the Office, The Courtyard Clairvoyant Mysteries series, and the Serenity Bay Mysteries.

You can find this book practically everywhere!

The list includes... 

Tuesday, 1 August 2023

Butterball Reviews #MurderSheWrote: Hook, Line, and Murder #JessicaFletcher #CabotCove #Mystery

Meow, fellow book lovers!

It is I, your favorite feline connoisseur, Butterball, here with an exclusive review of "Murder, She Wrote: Hook, Line, and Murder.

Now, let me tell you, I was thrilled when I pawed my way into this book, for it whisked me right into the captivating world of "Murder, She Wrote," long after its television glory days. 

But, as my keen senses detected, there were some whiskers out of place.

First, let's give credit where credit is due! Authors Donald Bain, RenĂ©e Paley-Bain, and of course, the astute Jessica Fletcher herself, have done a serviceable job in crafting a tale that transports us to Cabot Cove's murky mysteries once more. 

In this novel, Mrs. Fletcher enters a fishing competition. Sheriff Metzger's wife, Maureen, tags along and is promptly kidnapped. One might call this book a thriller or suspense rather than a cozy mystery, so perhaps it might have been more up Zorro's alley than my own.

I must admit, my whiskers weren't fully quivering with delight as I delved into this particular novel. The writing style was rather bland, for my discerning taste. The prose lacked the purr-sonality that would have made it a real page-turner. The story, despite its thrilling premise, was more like a gentle grooming session than a heart-stopping chase.

Now, don't get me wrong; the characters were as charming as ever. Jessica Fletcher, with her keen intellect, continues to be the reigning queen of amateur sleuths. The supporting characters were a delightful bunch too, but their interactions seemed meek and mundane, like a lowly scratch on the furniture.

Despite my disappointment, the nostalgia factor whisked me back to a time when mysteries were solved with a twinkle in the eye. I appreciated that this book allowed me to reunite with cherished memories of Jessica Fletcher's brilliant deductions. My tail twitched with contentment at the familiar setting of Cabot Cove and the aroma of intrigue that always filled the air.

In conclusion, "Murder, She Wrote: Hook, Line, and Murder" was a delightful opportunity to saunter back into the world of the legendary Jessica Fletcher. While the book may not have clawed its way to the top of my recommended reads list, it's still a worthwhile jaunt for anyone seeking a comforting visit to yesteryears. So, cozy up with a cup of milk and a purring friend, and dive into the mysteries of Cabot Cove once more.

Find "Murder, She Wrote: Hook, Line, and Murder" at Amazon







Sunday, 23 April 2023

Murder Over the Rainbow: Serenity Bay Mysteries Book 1 #Queer #Cozy #Quozy #SmallTown #Mystery


Murder Over the Rainbow
Series: Serenity Bay Mysteries
Book: 1
Author: J.J. Brass
Publisher: Rainbow Crush
Word Count: 25,000


When Lucy Larkin moves in with her gay uncle Frank in the small town of Serenity Bay, she doesn’t expect to get caught up in a murder investigation.

But when local artist Marcus Briggs is found dead at the site of a controversial rainbow crosswalk, Lucy can't help but get involved.

As she teams up with the surly but loveable Detective Johnson to solve the case, Lucy finds herself navigating a town full of colorful characters.

With suspects aplenty and secrets lurking around every corner, Lucy and Detective Johnson must work together to catch the killer.

Full of suspense, humor, and heart, "Murder Over the Rainbow" is a cozy mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.
 
Now Available from Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZ125M6M

Find more places to buy this cute quozy with https://books2read.com/MurderOverRainbow












Sunday, 28 July 2019

The Missing Cash Mystery: A #Cozy #NewRelease Featuring The #Mystery #Cats!

It's not every day that someone writes a book about you, which is why we Mystery Cats are overjoyed that our cat-mom Doris Hay has just released The Missing Cash Mystery!

Why are we so excited?

Because the book's about us!

The Missing Cash Mystery stars ME (Ginger)! Zorro and Butterball play a role too, and KitKat gets introduced as well. It's a great book about a funny little mystery. I think you'll love it, but I could be biased.


The Missing Cash Mystery
Series: Mystery Cats on the Case
Book: 1
Author: Doris Hay
Publisher: Rainbow Crush
Available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VCPBSCS?tag=dorishay-20


Ginger’s just a kitten who loves a good mystery. She’s never actually solved one before, but when a neighbour’s safe is broken into, Ginger’s on the case.

Her fellow Mystery Cats, Butterball and Zorro, don’t see any point in looking into this crime. Clearly, the neighbour’s son stole the money. He doesn’t work, mooches off his parents, and suddenly has the cash to take his girlfriend on a splashy beach vacation? Even Gemma, the neighbour-lady, feels pretty certain her son is to blame—that’s why she didn’t bother calling the police.

But Ginger smells a rat, and she won’t give up until the true culprit is brought to justice… even if the investigation puts this tiny kitten in all sorts of danger!

Don't delay! Read The Missing Cash Mystery today!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VCPBSCS?tag=dorishay-20


There are plenty more places to buy this book. Check them out here: https://books2read.com/u/4j2Dyk

Or look for a copy at your local library! 






Sunday, 5 May 2019

Zorro Reviews The Nancy Drew Files #106: Flying Too High

Title: Flying Too High (The Nancy Drew Files 106)
Author: Carolyn Keene
Genre: Action Adventure / Female Sleuth / Series
Status: Read
Cats?: Zero

Zorro Says:

You love our reviews of Nancy Drew books, so here's another one!

What could a book called Flying Too High be about, you might be asking. Well, you'll be thrilled to hear that Nancy goes undercover as a trainee fighter pilot!

Hard to believe? Not a bit! It's established early on that Nancy Drew is already a great pilot, so why shouldn't she fit right in among the other air force cadets?

Flying Too High is a real stunner. If you like your mysteries action-packed, this is the Nancy Drew for you!

Nancy's been called in by the admiral to investigate the death of one young pilot. Was it an accident?  A technical malfunction?  Or was it sabotage (aka MURDER!)?

We all know Nancy Drew is up to any task, but this one puts her through the ringer. Boy howdy, does it ever! I lost track of the number of explosions that took place over the course of the story. Exciting stuff!

Here's a line from the book, to give you a feel for what Nancy goes through:

"In the couple of days since she'd arrived at Davis Field, she'd been knocked out, her plane had been sabotaged, and she'd had a computer screen blow up in her face."

And you know what? That's not the half of it! There are even more explosions to follow! Lots of action in the air! It's non-stop!

If you're looking for a Nancy Drew novel that's all action (and even a hint of romance), you got it here.  Dive right in!









Thursday, 4 April 2019

Butterball Reviews #British #Thriller Make Death Love Me by Ruth Rendell

Title: Make Death Love Me
Author: Ruth Rendell
Genre: British / Thriller
Status: Read
Presence of Cats: None

Butterball Says:

On how many occasions have I lamented living so much of my life without ever having read a Ruth Rendell mystery? I suppose one might say I'm making up for lost time by reading every one that crosses the Mystery Cats' desk.

Today I inform you of my latest read, a book perhaps more in the style of a thriller than a classic murder mystery. I say "thriller" only because we, the reader, watch the crime play out in its entirety. We are aware of the culprit, we are aware of the crime... or, at least, we think we are... until the grand finale, when everything changes.

Make Death Love Me boasts a copyright date of 1979--a mere 40 years ago, and yet we are immediately aware of all the changes that have taken place between that time and this.

Alan Groombridge works in a small bank in a small town. Every day, he removes 3,000 pounds from the safe and fantasizes about stealing it. He could easily live on that money for a year, he figures--a clue that we are gazing into the past, for what feline could live on 3,000 pounds these days?

When the bank is robbed, Groombridge sees this as his opportunity to escape with his coveted 3,000 pounds. Meanwhile, the bank robbers flee with cash and Alan's young coworker, Joyce.

We spend the majority of the book watching the situation go from bad to worse for our bank robbers and their hostage.  At the same time, Alan Groombridge reinvents himself in London, commits a slight bit of identity theft, and lives out his fantasy.

Hark! Has nobody died?  Isn't this book entitled Make Death Love Me? Indeed it is. Why so, if it is not a murder mystery? Where is this death we've been promised?

Ahh, now, that would be telling! I shan't give away the ending by revealing who dies, or how.  You will simply have to read Make Death Love Me for yourself to enjoy the intriguing narrative leading to death.









Friday, 1 March 2019

KitKat Reviews The Baby-Sitters Club #Mystery 1: Stacey and the Missing Ring

Title: Stacey and the Missing Ring
Author: Ann M. Martin
Genre: Juvenile / Nostalgia / Mystery
Status: Read
Cats?: Yes, there's a cat named Mouse!

KitKat Says:

It's not often that I get to read the first book in a series that features characters I remember fondly from kittenhood, but here we have one with The Baby-Sitters Club Mystery #1: Stacey and the Missing Ring.

It's been ages since I've read a Baby-Sitters Club book, but I loved this series as a kitten.  So when this mystery crossed our desk, you better believe I got my paws on it right away.  I couldn't wait to dive right in!

Reading this book really took me back.  It begins with three chapters of reminding you who all the characters are: the girls in the club, their families, their clients.  This takes a while, but kids like repetition, and this is juvenile fiction, after all.

Then we get into the juicy stuff: the babysitting.  No, I'm kidding.  THE MYSTERY. As you've probably guessed from the title, this mystery involves 13-year-old Stacey and a missing diamond ring.

See, diamond is Stacey's birthstone and she's been begging her mom for a (diamond) birthstone ring. Mother and daughter have an argument about it, and Stacey tells all her friends.  As luck would have it, she babysits for a fancy new client and, sure enough, that client's diamond ring goes missing. Stacey is blamed.  No, it's worse than that.  Stacey is accused of stealing.  And when she won't confess, the client threatens to tell all The Baby-Sitters Club's clients she's a thief.

I really felt for Stacey, when she was accused of a crime she didn't commit.  It's hard enough for that to happen to you as a grown-up, but when you're thirteen, the trouble is compounded by the fact that you're a kid and nobody believes you.  She has no way of proving she didn't steal the ring, and even her best friend seems to think she's guilty.

Nobody, cat or kitten, would want to find themselves in Stacey's predicament.

But Stacey comes up with a clever way to solve the problem. That, paired with a bit of luck, leads her to the solution.

Is there a lot of investigation in this book? No. Does it include all the components you expect to find in your typical mystery? No.  There's no questioning suspects or anything along those lines, but there are enough red herrings that I thought I had this mystery tied up and I was wrong, wrong, wrong.  But I don't mind being wrong.  The ending surprised me and put a little smile on my face.

The Baby-Sitters Club Mystery #1: Stacey and the Missing Ring took me on a trip down memory lane. I would recommend it to people who are currently thirteen years old, as well as grown-ups who read these books when they were young. If you're as much of a sucker for nostalgia as I am, you're sure to enjoy it!