The Wedding Cake Conundrum

An Ivy Creek Cozy Mystery Book 15

Author:    Ruth Baker

Genre:     Mystery

Hardcover; Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9798340155962; 9798340154934

Clean Tales Publishing

193 Pages

$18.99; $9.99; $2.99 Amazon

September 27, 2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐

As wedding bells chime in Ivy Creek, amateur sleuth and baker extraordinaire, Lucy Hale, should be reveling in marital bliss.  She's looking forward to changes in her life and the political landscape in her small town.

However, when a charismatic politician turns up dead, the town's tranquility crumbles faster than a poorly baked souffle.

With her fiance, the deputy sheriff, under the spotlight as a prime suspect, Lucy takes it upon herself to sift through the floury mess of clues.  But as she follows the trail of breadcrumbs, she discovers a rival far closer to home -- her soon-to-be sister-in-law, vying for the title of wedding cake baker, despite a dearth of baking prowess.

Caught between solving a murder and thwarting her sister-in-law's meddling, Lucy must tread carefully.

Will she untangle the twisted threads of deception in time to salvage her happily ever after, or will she become the killer's next target, her dreams of wedded bliss crumbling like a poorly constructed cake.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Lucy Hale owns her late parents' bakery in the small town of Ivy Creek.  After some years away, she's finally found what she's been looking for, and is finally happy.  Especially since she's marrying her high school boyfriend, Taylor, who's a police deputy running for sheriff.  Only two things stand in her way of true happiness:  Taylor's sister Kayla, who took some cooking classes and thinks the perfect gift would be to cater their wedding.  Although Lucy is horror stricken, she can't let on and hopes that maybe her Aunt Tricia and herself can steer the woman away.

The second is that Taylor has a rival, an out-of-towner who is also running for sheriff, and isn't above pulling dirty tricks to get the job.  While Taylor doesn't seem too concerned, an incident occurs that angers him and is, unfortunately, causing a problem.

When Lucy stumbles across a dead body, it suddenly amplifies their problems, and Taylor must step away from it, confined to desk duty.  But Lucy, being who she is, decides to try and figure out who the killer is, because she's determined that her wedding will occur on time.  If she can stay alive long enough to be part of it...

This is the fifteenth book in the series, and I have read them all.  The reason I gave four stars instead of five is because of a scene where the news shows a story that has obviously been edited.  No news outlet would do this unless they wanted to get sued.  Details are important.

Other than that, I really enjoyed this tale, finally seeing that Lucy is going to tie the knot with Taylor.  There is enough going on in the backstory to keep you interested.  But just like Lucy, I don't really care for Kayla.  I love cats, and cats know!...

The mystery is woven well into the story, and the plot was very well done.  I enjoyed this one more than the others, and that's saying a lot, since I enjoyed the others as well.  I would definitely recommend this tale to anyone.

https://www.amazon.com/Wedding-Cake-Conundrum-Creek-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CXF5TWRJ/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6885606634

More on Ruth Baker's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/ruth-baker/

Black Cat Comes Back

The Accidental Ghost Detective Prequel

Author:    Emmie Lyn

Genre:     Mystery/Paranormal

Digital Book

ASIN #:    B0CW1H2BJN

Tule Publishing

83 Pages

$.99 Amazon

September 23, 2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I'm Audrey Fernsby, just a ghost of my former self floating around Moonlight Mansion in Frog Hollow, Georgia.  My death was ruled accidental...but nothing is farther from the truth.

When my precious black cat, Mocha, returns on the same night that two friends, Tilly and Sunny, arrive from Maine, I plan to out my ghostly self and enlist their clever sleuthing capabilities.

Mocha knows the truth but can she help catch the killer before someone else ends up dead in my rose bushes?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Audrey Fernsby is -- was -- the owner of Moonlight Mansion B&B in Frog Hollow, Georgia.  That's before someone unceremoniously did away with her one night about a month ago.  But her friend Tilly, and Tilly's friend, Sunny, don't know that.  Tilly has been summoned by a letter from Audrey -- whom she hadn't heard from in years -- asking for help.  Unfortunately, they've arrived too late.  But still early enough to help Audrey, who's a ghost.

Yes, a ghost, who has been waiting for them, so she can ask their help in discovering who killed her.  The people who were there that fateful night will be once again with them for the reading of the will.  And it's not going to be pretty...

I usually don't read prequels (for my own reasons), but this one had me interested, and since I love the series, I thought I'd give it a shot.  I wasn't really surprised at the writing, since Ms. Lyn is a talented writer; but the contents are what I found intriguing.  

Moonlight Mansion is described in detail, as is part of Audrey's life we don't get to see in the future books, as she's, well, a ghost.  But it gives insight as well on her friend Birdie, and now Tilly.  I'd love to hear more about that ocean voyage so long ago, but that's for another time.

Audrey's cat Mocha has been missing since Audrey died, but shows up when the two women arrive.  And of all things, loves to spend time with Sunny, which is strange because no one but Audrey could touch her.  And Mocha knows who the killer is.  So now the three women must try and ferret out a killer, using only their wits, which, luckily, are aplenty...

This was a delightful read, and I enjoyed it very much.  The ending was unexpected, and I will say no more than that since this is a short book, but worth it all.  If you haven't read the Accidental Ghost Detective series, you should do so, and this book will send you on your way.  Highly recommended.

\

I was given a copy of this book from the author and BookSprout, but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Comes-Accidental-Ghost-Detective-ebook/dp/B0CW1H2BJN/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6874968121

More on Emmie Lyn's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/l/emmie-lyn/

Murder at a Scottish Christmas

A Scottish Shire Mystery Book 6

Author:    Traci Hall

Genre:     Mystery

Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781496744395

Kensington Cozies

320 Pages

$17.95; $9.99 Amazon

September 24, 2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

All Paislee wants for Christmas is for her new home to be finished, but it looks like she'll have to wait for New Year's Day.  Whether the paint on the walls has dried or not, she'll host a feast for her twelve-year-old son Brody, Grandpa, their black Scottish terrier Wallace, and friends -- including police station receptionist Amelia Henry and her brother McCormac, whose black locks can fulfill the Scottish first-footer tradition that a tall, dark-haired man should be the first person to enter your home on New Year's to bring good luck.

But McCormac's luck is about to run out.  During Hogmanay -- when the Scots welcome the New Year with dancing, bonfires, and midnight fireworks -- he collapses as the sky brightens in a blaze of color.  A shooter has used the noise of the fireworks to hide a gun's blast.  Amelia is inconsolable, and Paislee vows to do whatever she can to help DI Zeffer solve the murder -- even if it puts her in the killer's sights next.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Paislee Shaw owns Cashmere Crush, a yarn shop in Scotland.  She lives with her young son Brody, her Grandpa, and their Scottish terrier Wallace.  Since a pipe burst in her home leaving her with an unusable house, she's been staying in her best friend Lydia's condo.  But it's the holidays, and she wants to be back in her own home for Christmas.  But it can't be done until the repairs are finished -- so she'll just have to make do.  

So she decides to have Christmas dinner at a local hotel, and invites her friend, police receptionist, Amelia Henry, to join her.  Amelia shows up with her brother McCormac, who's come from Ireland to see her.  It's obvious he's more than a little drunk, it's no hardship when he leaves early.

Fortunately, Lydia was able to offer incentive to the workers and Paislee is thrilled with her new kitchen.  So much so, she'll be able to offer the traditional buffet feast to friends and family.  But Hogmanay night -- New Year's Eve -- McCormac collapses, and everyone thinks he's just drunk.  Except he's not.  And now Amelia wants Paislee to find out who did this to McCormac, because she's been placed on leave from the station due to McCormac being her brother.  Can Paislee find the killer?  Or will it be something else that leads her to the truth?...

This is the sixth book in the series and I've enjoyed them all.  The first one was a tad confusing, with the Scottish dialect, but I've picked up on what the words mean in English, so it's a breeze to get through (Scotland, here I come!).  There are two plots in this tale -- one, the death of McCormac, and two, the pups that he gave to his sister and family as Christmas presents.  I will say no more on the subject, as giving too much away (what I've said in the beginning is done early on), and I will not spoil the book for others.

Paislee tries to keep out of the investigation, but Amelia is desperate on two counts, and unfortunately, Paislee is drawn in once again to a murder investigation.  There is also the problem of Hamish, who wants to keep seeing Paislee, and DI Zeffer, who is causing problems for her in more ways than one.

The clues are there along the way, but not easy to find; I appreciate this as I love nothing more than working my brain to put the puzzle together to find answers.  The murderer is indeed a surprise; again, another thing I truly enjoyed.  The ending comes together beautifully, and I will say that I hope things go in the direction that I think they are leading to.  A terrific cozy for Christmas, and I would definitely recommend it to others.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review,

https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Scottish-Christmas-Shire-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CR712ZJT/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6865259755

More on Traci Hall's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/traci-hall/

The Pomegranate Gate

The Mirror Realm Cycle Book 1

Author:    Ariel Kaplan

Genre:     Fantasy

Hardcover; Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781645660576; 9781645660941

Erewhon Books

576 Pages

$15.46; $22.57; $14.54 Amazon

September 26, 2023

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Toba Peres can speak, but not shout; sleep, but not dream.  She can write with both hands at once, in different languages, but she keeps her talents hidden at her grandparents' behest.

Naftaly Cresques sees things that aren't real, and dreams things that are.  Always the family disappointment, Naftaly would still risk his life to honor his father's last wishes.

After the Queen demands every Jew convert or face banishment, Toba and Naftaly are among thousands of Jews who flee their homes.  Defying royal orders to abandon all possessions, Toba keeps an amulet she must never take off.  Naftaly smuggles a centuries-old book he's forbidden to read.  But the Inquisition is hunting these particular treasures -- and they're not hunting alone.

Toba stumbles through a pomegranate grove into the mirror realm of the Mazik: mythical, terrible immortals with an Inquisition of their own, equally cruel and even more powerful.  With the Mazik kingdoms in political turmoil, this Inquisition readies its bid to control both realms.

In each world, Toba and Naftaly must evade both Inquisitions long enough to unravel the connection between their family heirlooms and the realm of the Mazik.  Their fates are tied to this strange place, and it's up to them to save it.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

I must say that I am not a huge fan of fantasies, but I decided to read this anyway.  It is a story of two remarkable individuals who are brought together by fate; two worlds that are connected by a pomegranate gate.  Two people who are Jewish and refuse to give up their religion, and two people who have powers that they have not been able to use.  It is these connections which create the story and tell the tale.

Toba and Naftaly are only in the beginning of their journey to find out where they belong.  They are facing two separate Inquisitions from two different worlds, and yet, even though each faces their own trials, somehow they manage to make a difference in these worlds.

This is a complicated book with many characters, and the POV is from both Toba's and Naftaly's.  I liked a lot of this book, but of course, I hate cliffhangers, and since this is Book One, I knew first off that it would have one.  It is a large book (576 pages) so going in I knew it would take a while.  That said, there were pros and cons, but I managed to get through it regardless.

For a fantasy, the book is written well.  The fact that both characters are Jewish is something different, but it is written in just that manner.  It is a dark book, but the words flow off the page; it is a book about magic and other things, and it crosses the realms easily.

For the most part, I enjoyed reading this.  The characters were exactly as they were supposed to be; and the ending gives you enough to know what the second book will be.

I won this book from the publisher but this in no way influenced my review. 

https://www.amazon.com/Pomegranate-Gate-Mirror-Realm-Cycle-ebook/dp/B0BVP71HMD/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5654367611

More on Ariel Kaplan's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/k/ariel-kaplan/

Easier Dead Than Drawn

A Paint by Murder Mystery #3

Author:    Bailee Abbott

Genre:     Mystery

Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    978168512639

Level Best Books

238 Pages

$16.95; $5.99 Amazon

May 7, 2024

⭐⭐⭐

When the town council hires Chloe Abbington's close friend, famous wall muralist Lana Easton, to paint a mural advertising the return of the floating amphitheater, not everyone in Whisper Cove is happy about the theater or Lana.  Naysayers think the noise from concerts and visitors will disrupt their quiet community.  It doesn't help that a lot of money taken from the town's budget is being used to pay the muralist for her services.  The mood turns even more grim when Lana is found dead, and since Chloe was there alone to discover her body, that makes her the prime suspect.

Before Chloe finds herself painted into a corner as the killer, she and sister Izzie hurry to solve the case and find the real criminal.  The suspect list grows to include Lana's boyfriend and her intern, as well as a couple of local residents.  The task is a tall order for the sisters, and it doesn't help that the detective on the case is someone who doesn't seem to care for Chloe or her interference.  Clues about Lana's past surface and point to more than one suspect.  the challenge will be to decide which one is the real killer.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Chloe Abbington and her sister Izzie live with their parents in small town Whisper Cove, New York, near the finger lakes.  They own a paint-your-own shop and also do events, hoping to make enough money to expand a little.  

A man in town has brought the floating amphitheater back, and has just hired Chloe's muralist friend to paint it.  Lana Easton and Chloe were roommates in Paris, before Chloe decided to give up her art there and help her sister.  She's happy with her choice, but will having Lana here make her also have doubts?

Lama is accompanied by her boyfriend Nick, and employees Tate and Audrey, who each have their own skills.  Everything seems to be going nicely until one night while Chloe is going to pick up Lana for an evening out, hears a scream, and finds her lying dead below the art lift.  Now the lead detective on the case, Winsell, thinks Chloe, along with others, might be a viable suspect.  Chloe and her sister have no choice but to do a little investigating themselves, or Chloe might be looking at the inside of a jail cell instead of outside her shop window...

I read the first two books in this series and I enjoyed them very much.  But this one is a little different for some reason.  First, there is a huge issue with continuity.  Chloe was talking about an argument between two of the townspeople, and I thought I missed something, so went back to check.  But I found out the argument hadn't happened yet!  This is just one example, but I won't list the others.  There are also a lot of grammatical errors that should have been caught by an editor.  These things detracted from my enjoyment of the story.

Anyway, Chloe and her sister Izzie are trying to gather clues in between running their business, and it keeps them busy.  They have four main suspects of their own, but need to question them and weed through everything to get to the truth.  There are plenty of red herrings, and pointing to the actual killer isn't easy.  But in the end, it comes with unexpected help from someone to find out everything they want to know.  It's rather sad, but it all comes together nicely.

I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Easier-Dead-Than-Drawn-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0D15342M1/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6848916946

More on Bailee Abbott's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/a/bailee-abbott/

Cramped Quarters, Lethal Secrets (A Willow Oaks Inn Mystery #6)

Author:    Amerie Brand

Genre:     Mystery

Hardcover; Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9798338743973; 9798338741207

Clean Tales Publishing

174 Pages

$18.99; $9.99; $2.99 Amazon

September 12, 2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Norman Haskins thought the biggest challenge he'd face this summer would be overseeing the renovations of his beloved Willow Oaks Inn.  But when a routine repair turns into a nightmare after a dead body is discovered on the construction site, things take a sinister twist.  The victim? The bitter rival of the firm Norman hired to do the work.

As if dealing with a murder investigation wasn't enough, one of Norman's eccentric guests -- a notorious documentary filmmaker -- seizes the opportunity for attention, turning the quiet inn into a media circus.  With rumors swirling and secrets piling up, Norman is thrust into the heart of a mystery that threatens to destroy both his business and peace of mind.

With the help of his ever-loyal Border Collie, Milo, Norman must sift through a tangled web of lies, rivalries, and buried secrets to uncover the truth.  But the closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous the game becomes.  Can Norman solve the case before he becomes the next victim, or is a ruthless killer already one step ahead?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽ 

Norman Haskins is expanding his Willow Oaks Inn to include a swimming pool, and some renovations of the rooms.  He's hired Monroe Construction to do the job, and the owner is an old school friend of his to boot.  Suddenly a man shows up in a battered truck and offers to renovate the rooms at a lower cost.  Norman tries to explain to him that he's already signed with Monroe, but the man, Andrew Reilly, insists, and won't let go.  Later that evening a motel guest walking her dog finds a dead body...and it turns out to be Andrew.

Then there's the documentary filmmaker who rented rooms -- he's dubbed the motel "Murder Motel" and films at every opportunity, but Norman wishes he'd just leave, knowing he's now going to be a bigger problem than he already is.

Since the dead man was found on the construction site, the owner's daughter, Olivia, insists on helping Norman ferret out the killer, especially since the filmmaker has named the two  of them as prime suspects and put it on the web.  So what can they do?  Just figure out who the killer is, and hope not to be the next two targets...

This is the latest installment in the Willow Oaks Inn mystery, and we once again have Norman in the middle of a murder investigation.  He's doing his best to keep his teenage son, Jason, out of the investigation, but a new part-time hire named Diane is disrupting things along the way, no matter how he tries to tell her to leave it alone.  Olivia has her own problems with her father who won't allow her to make decisions on her own, but this time she just isn't letting him know.

We see Norman butt heads again with Sheriff Bennett, although the interactions are mild; and of course, Norman's dog Milo is helping them sniff out clues.  When the ending comes and we discover the murderer, the reasons seem strange; but then again, killers never make any sense anyway.  It's an interesting tale that can be read in one evening.

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Cramped-Quarters-Lethal-Secrets-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0D872CWCF/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6841494506

More on Amerie Brand's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/amerie-brand/

Running Haunted

Author:    Effrosyni Moschoudi

Genre:     Romance

Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9798643411048

Independently Published

371 Pages

$14.24; $3.99 Amazon

May 5, 2020

⭐⭐⭐

Kelly Mellios is a stunning, athletic woman, who has learned -- the hard way -- to value herself.  Having just finished her first marathon in the alluring Greek town of Nafplio, she bumps into Alex, a gorgeous widower with three underage children, who is desperately looking for a housekeeper.

The timing seems perfect, seeing that Kelly aches to start a new life, and Nafplio seems like the ideal place to settle down.  She accepts the position on the spot, but little does she know that Alex's house has an extra inhabitant that not even the family knows about.

The house is haunted by Alex's late wife, who has unfinished business to tend to.  By using the family pet, a quirky pug named Charlie, the ghost is able to communicate with Kelly and asks her for help.  She claims she wants to ensure her loved ones are happy before she departs, but offers very little information about her plans.

Kelly freaks out at first, but gradually finds herself itching to help.  It is evident there's room for improvement in this family...Plus, her growing attraction towards Alex is overpowering.

Will Kelly do the ghost's bidding?  How will it affect her?  And just how strange is this pug?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

I have to be honest and say that I started to read this without reading the entire blurb.  Therefore, I didn't know it was a romance.  My fault.  I don't really care for romance too much, as there's always too much "lusting" for the male on the part of the female, and it really doesn't add to the story.  But oh, well.  Anyway, this book had that quality in it, so it took me a while to finish, which I try to do with all books I read (yet don't always succeed).

First off, I wondered about her giving the dog chocolate treats since chocolate can kill dogs.  That bothered me.  Then I wondered how quickly everyone bent to Kelly's will (a matter of a couple of days).  She had changed their diet and no one seemed to care.  Kids like sugar.  It's a given.  Yet not one peep, not even from the six-year-old.  I get that she wants everyone to eat healthy (I do).  But I can't even imagine what would happen if I wanted kids to go cold turkey on sugar instead of gradually moving it away from them.  Again, just my opinion.

I was disappointed in the ghost part, especially since most of it seemed to be in Kelly's head, and not an apparition at all until toward the end of the book.  I suppose romance lovers will enjoy this book, for myself, not so much.  I found the writing to be a bit simplistic, with everything coming together too easily for my taste.  I found it a bit on the boring side.  But again, that's just me.

The ending was stereotypical, with the expected love match made and the family happy together.  That's as it should be, and I don't think it's any spoiler to say so, as I won't give away any of the "ghostly" aspects of the book.  

https://www.amazon.com/Running-Haunted-romantic-comedy-Nafplio-ebook/dp/B0853CMP1V/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6831300400

More on Effrosyni Moschoudi's Books:    https://www.amazon.com/stores/Effrosyni-Moschoudi/author/B00I5JKMXS?ref