cozy - No Apology Book Reviews

Elise’s Review – A Killer Carol by Laura Bradford

December 24, 2019

Book Review by Elise Cooper A Killer Carol by Laura Bradford expertly combines a good mystery within the Amish community. In this novel, she is able to highlight the suspense with a secondary story about Christmas preparations and festivities. Bradford decided to write the series because she wanted to “have an interesting backdrop for a mystery. They live in the 1800s with no cell phones in their houses, do not keep large amounts of money in their house, will not …

Elise’s Review – Bookmarked for Murder by V. M. Burns

December 6, 2019

Book Review by Elise Cooper Bookmarked for Murder by V. M. Burns is the fifth book in the Mystery Bookshop series, one of three the author writes. Many of the amateur sleuths in this series are not young at heart, which adds to the plot. “I write three series and this one is from the “Mystery Bookshop series.” It has a story within a story with a contemporary murder and a historical cozy mystery. The protagonist has two poodle dogs, …

Interview with Laurien Berenson (Here Comes Santa Paws)

November 1, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Here Comes Santa Paws by Laurien Berenson blends a cozy mystery with fantastic characters along with tidbits about dogs. As the story progresses readers attempt to solve this “who done it” murder right with the main character Melanie, ever the amateur sleuth. The plot begins with Melanie’s Aunt Peg calling her to announce someone left three Australian Shepherds puppies in the Christmas stockings at the end of her driveway. While visiting her Aunt and …

Buried in the Stacks by Allison Brook

November 4, 2019October 2, 2019

Title: Buried in the Stacks Author: Allison Brook Series: A Haunted Library Mystery #3 Boring and stuffed with irrelevant information I would like to thank Allison Brook, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. All right, I’ve been working on this book for a few weeks now, and I’ve decided enough’s enough. I managed to read 60% of this boring, meandering story, and I’m calling it quits. I …

Interview with Laurien Berenson (Bite Club)

July 5, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Bite Club by Laurien Berenson takes the bite out of crime with this fun cozy mystery. With a thrilling crime to solve, a likable amateur sleuth, poodles, a bulldog puppy, and interesting insider information about the world of dog shows, readers will enjoy her latest novel. The main character, Melanie Travis, is a dog-lover who welcomes a few friends to participate in a book club she names the “Bite Club.” But her opinionated, bossy …

Interview with Amanda Flower (Toxic Toffee)

June 28, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Toxic Toffee by Amanda Flower is a delightful cozy mystery that will put a smile on readers’ faces while they try to solve the who done it mystery. As with all the books in the series, murder seems to find Bailey and she enjoys her role as an amateur sleuth along with her “hot” boyfriend Deputy Sherriff Aiden Brody. She divides her time between New York, where she films a cable TV show, and …

Interview with V. M. Burns (The Puppy Who Knew Too Much)

March 29, 2019

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Puppy Who Knew Too Much by V. M. Burns is a dog lover’s delight. The three dogs in the story will make readers laugh and sympathize with the main character Lilly Echosby. Beyond the dog antics the story has a good mystery with many twists and thrills. It appears that Lilly is a murder magnet. The first book in this series has her in the middle of a divorce, when her husband is …

Interview with Amanda Flower (Premeditated Peppermint)

November 24, 2018

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Premeditated Peppermint by Amanda Flower is a delectable read. People are treated to an intriguing mystery with likeable characters, some kooky, a charming setting, and humorous dialogue that will put a smile on reader’s faces. The main character, Bailey King, returns to Harvest Ohio in Holmes County to help take care of her Amish grandmother after the death of her grandfather. She takes over the running of the family shop, Swissmen Sweets. In this …