cozy - No Apology Book Reviews

Murder at an Irish Castle by Ellie Brannigan

January 31, 2023

Title: Murder at an Irish Castle Author: Ellie Brannigan Series: An Irish Castle Mystery #1 Poorly written Much thanks to Ellie Brannigan, Dreamscape Media, and Netgalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudiobook in exchange for an honest review. If you’re looking for a juicy mystery, you won’t find it here. This is primarily a women’s fiction story about a woman who not only loses everything but who also has to move to Ireland or she’ll destroy hundreds …

Interview with Korina Moss (Gone for Gouda)

November 6, 2022

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Gone for Gouda by Korina Moss is the second installment in her cheese shop mysteries. As with the first book, readers are treated to a riveting cozy mystery and great banter between the characters. The French-inspired cheese shop is playing host to celebrity vegan chef Phoebe Winston. But when photos surface that prove this vegan influencer is, in fact, a carnivore, things crumble. Phoebe is murdered. Willa’s employee, the affable Archie, was the last …

Interview with Daryl Wood Gerber (A Hint of Mischief)

July 9, 2022

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper A Hint of Mischief by Daryl Wood Gerber is a well written cozy mystery. This is the third installment of the series. It has a murder, delightful characters, and an inviting setting that is very magical. If readers believe in fairies, instead of clapping their hands, they should read these novels. If people do not believe that fairies exist, they can read this one and let their imagination take over. There are three mysteries …

Interview with Amanda Flower (Courting Can Be Killer)

December 10, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Courting Can Be Killer by Amanda Flower is book two in a great Amish cozy mystery series. It has a combination of quirky characters, close-knit community, and a fun suspenseful story. The main character, Millie Fisher, is becoming more of an amateur sleuth than a matchmaker. The plot has a massive fire at the Amish flea market. Ben Baughman, who has set his heart on marrying Tess Lieb, is found dead. Millie is devastated …

Interview with V. M. Burns (Paw and Order)

September 4, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Paw and Order by V. M. Burns is a fun cozy mystery. She has found her rhythm with engaging characters and enthralling plots. The humans and four-legged animals only enhance the story. The story has Lilly Echosby convincing an eccentric poodle-loving billionaire Archibald Lowry to sponsor a fundraiser for the Eastern Tennessee Poodle Rescue. Unfortunately, he is murdered at the event, leaving his puppy poodle an orphan. Lilly’s best friend Scarlett “Dixie” Jefferson, a …

Interview with Amanda Flower (Marshmallow Malice)

June 5, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Marshmallow Malice by Amanda Flower is another winner. As with all books in this series there are wonderful characters, a charming small-town setting, and a sense of community/family. Her mixture of murder and humor allows for a very fun read. This novel ties up loose ends with the marriage of Juliet Brody and Reverend Brook as well as the backstory on the Reverend. Everyone in the town is excited about attending the wedding, even …

Elise’s Review – Knot on Her Life by Mary Marks

February 6, 2020

Book Review by Elise Cooper Knot on Her Life by Mary Marks is a cozy mystery with a different perspective. Some would think that a story with quilts could not make a good mystery, but Marks is able to stitch everything together. She is one of a few mystery authors who has a Jewish protagonist. The author explained why she used the quilt angle. “I have made quilts for twelve years. I decided to write about them, which turned into …

Interview with Debra H. Goldstein (Sarah Blair Mysteries 1 & 2)

February 6, 2020January 31, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper A new series by Debra H. Goldstein, Sarah Blair Mysteries, is a fast-moving, intriguing plot set in the world of food. Readers should probably read the books in order, One Taste Too Many and then Two Bites Too Many. These first two books have the main protagonist, Sarah Blair, trying to defend family members of murder. First her sister is accused, and in the second book her mother. Sarah would rather catch bad guys …

Interview with Amanda Flower (Matchmaking Can Be Murder)

January 25, 2020

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Matchmaking Can Be Murder by Amanda Flower, is the first in a new series for the New Year. This spin-off from the wildly popular “Amish candy-Shop Mysteries” has some of the beloved characters including Deputy Sheriff Aiden Brody, and introduces some interesting others, some eccentric and some very appealing. The plot has matchmaker Millie Fisher just returning to Harvest, Ohio after spending 10 years taking care of her ailing sister. Millie is a widow …

Elise’s Review – Murder at Icicle Lodge by J. D. Griffo

January 19, 2020

Book Review by Elise Cooper Murder at Icicle Lodge by J. D. Griffo brings back the Ferrara women detective team. They are investigating a murder where the people of interest mount up. The four women are related and range in age from 65 to GenX. They are Alberta, her granddaughter Jinx, sister Helen and her sister-in-law Joyce with a supporting cast of police chief, Vinny; Jinx’s boyfriend, Freddy; Alberta’s boyfriend, Sloan; and Helen’s frenemy Father Sal. What makes these characters …