Scan barcode
annieb123's review
5.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Cozy Case Files is the 11th promo chapter preview for upcoming releases. Due out 26th Jan 2021, from Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 180 pages and will be available in ebook format. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. This (and the 10 other promotional previews with chapter samples) are free to download and read.
This is a nicely curated selection of upcoming big-name cozies from a major publisher. I love using these collections to (try to) plan my TBR pile. At any rate, the generous previews give a good feel for the books and allow readers to find the ones which pique their interest. There are 6 series cozies included in this volume with both modern and historical timelines as well as American and European settings.
I have read and reviewed 3 of the 6 included books and the ones I've read have worked very well as standalone reads. High quality engaging cozies from a big name publisher. Release dates for all 6 are between December 2020 and April 2021.
Five stars. I do also enjoy small indie publisher offerings, but it's very nice to pick up a book from a larger publisher and know that what the reader is getting is well edited, well written, polished, and professionally finished.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Cozy Case Files is the 11th promo chapter preview for upcoming releases. Due out 26th Jan 2021, from Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 180 pages and will be available in ebook format. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. This (and the 10 other promotional previews with chapter samples) are free to download and read.
This is a nicely curated selection of upcoming big-name cozies from a major publisher. I love using these collections to (try to) plan my TBR pile. At any rate, the generous previews give a good feel for the books and allow readers to find the ones which pique their interest. There are 6 series cozies included in this volume with both modern and historical timelines as well as American and European settings.
I have read and reviewed 3 of the 6 included books and the ones I've read have worked very well as standalone reads. High quality engaging cozies from a big name publisher. Release dates for all 6 are between December 2020 and April 2021.
Five stars. I do also enjoy small indie publisher offerings, but it's very nice to pick up a book from a larger publisher and know that what the reader is getting is well edited, well written, polished, and professionally finished.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
tlvz721's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hannah_monson's review
4.0
An easy but effective way to find a new cozy series without getting bogged down in any one for too long.
nancyjreads's review
4.0
I loved that this is a compilation of different cozy mysteries from different authors whom otherwise I probably wouldn’t have heard of. I recognized some of the authors but others took me by surprise. I’ll definitely be checking out these cozies!
stuckonchapter13's review
4.0
This was a charming set of samples. All the mystery started easily described the setting and introduced the crime in an intriguing way. I loved the different time periods a few samples brought, especially when they used the dialects of that time when the character communicate. I thought that was a lovely addition. Overall these were all great and they all definitely cozy reads.
ashleighbsb's review
4.0
This book provides samples of six different cozy mysteries by six different authors. Since this is my first sampler, I'm not exactly sure how to review this book.
The book itself was nice. By the end, I had found two new series I would like to try. However, as a whole, I was not very impressed by the books that were chosen and would like to leave my impressions below.
[bc:Death of a Showman|53137977|Death of a Showman (Jane Prescott #4)|Mariah Fredericks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1610926702l/53137977._SY75_.jpg|79888452][b:Death of a Showman|53137977|Death of a Showman (Jane Prescott #4)|Mariah Fredericks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1610926702l/53137977._SY75_.jpg|79888452] begins with the narrator and her grandson attending the newest Broadway musical, Cats. Reading their opinion of this musical was hilarious, because it sounded just like me and my mother. She never understood who would be interested in a musical about cats and I could never figure out the storyline, although I love a few of the songs. However, in this sample, I found there was a lot of narration and backstory and not a lot of action or dialogue. By the end of the sample (prologue + 3 chapters), I was confused about the story and found no mystery, although there were several hints that a murder would be coming soon.
[bc:Deadly Editions|53137989|Deadly Editions (Scottish Bookshop Mystery)|Paige Shelton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1610926161l/53137989._SY75_.jpg|79888471][b:Deadly Editions|53137989|Deadly Editions (Scottish Bookshop Mystery)|Paige Shelton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1610926161l/53137989._SY75_.jpg|79888471] has several mysteries by the end of this sample, including a murder, a treasure hunt, and a cold case. I enjoyed the characters and writing and am looking forward to reading more. However, although I found this sample intriguing, I have decided to begin reading at the first book in this series before continuing this book.
[bc:Bodies and Bows|53137999|Bodies and Bows (Apron Shop, #3)|Elizabeth Penney|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1597696446l/53137999._SY75_.jpg|79888485][b:Bodies and Bows|53137999|Bodies and Bows (Apron Shop, #3)|Elizabeth Penney|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1597696446l/53137999._SY75_.jpg|79888485] had a cute premise and I loved the setting. However, this sample was not divided into chapters and, although it felt about 2.5 chapters long, it felt as if it ended in the middle of a scene. By the end of the sample, there had been no mystery, although I was already suspicious of several characters.
[bc:Murder With a View|53138096|Murder With a View (House-Flipper Mystery #3)|Diane Kelly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1592884851l/53138096._SY75_.jpg|79888593][b:Murder With a View|53138096|Murder With a View (House-Flipper Mystery #3)|Diane Kelly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1592884851l/53138096._SY75_.jpg|79888593] had a little too much information in the blurb. Before beginning the story, I knew the name and occupation of the victim. I would have preferred it to be a surprise. The story begins with a short scene that had nothing to do with the story. I would have much rather the book started with the main character going into the courthouse. The last chapter of the sample (chapter 3) is from the cat's point of view. While cute, I wasn't sure what it had to do with the story. Also, while the MC's story is 1st person, the cat is third, which was even more confusing. Overall, by the end of the sample, there are three chapters and no dead body, although the motel project was interesting enough that I might want to read this book to find out what happens with that.
[bc:Chilled to the Cone|53138171|Chilled to the Cone (A Bakeshop Mystery #12)|Ellie Alexander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589256025l/53138171._SY75_.jpg|79888692][b:Chilled to the Cone|53138171|Chilled to the Cone (A Bakeshop Mystery #12)|Ellie Alexander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589256025l/53138171._SY75_.jpg|79888692] starts with a lot of background information that I can only assume is a summary of previous books. As the story continues, it gets interesting, but then it goes into all that backstory and narrative again. I found myself glossing over and skimming much of this sample, which had no dead body by the end of chapter three.
[bc:Fatal Fried Rice|53138056|Fatal Fried Rice (A Noodle Shop Mystery, #7)|Vivien Chien|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1587492187l/53138056._SY75_.jpg|79888548][b:Fatal Fried Rice|53138056|Fatal Fried Rice (A Noodle Shop Mystery, #7)|Vivien Chien|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1587492187l/53138056._SY75_.jpg|79888548] also has a blurb that tells me the murder victim before I start the story. However, I loved the way this story opened and the character felt very real to me. This sample included the murder victim, as well as the main character's initial reaction to finding it. By the end of the sample, I already had a much of suspects and am looking forward to reading the rest of the book. However, I think I will start with the first book in the series, since I really loved this main character.
The book itself was nice. By the end, I had found two new series I would like to try. However, as a whole, I was not very impressed by the books that were chosen and would like to leave my impressions below.
[bc:Death of a Showman|53137977|Death of a Showman (Jane Prescott #4)|Mariah Fredericks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1610926702l/53137977._SY75_.jpg|79888452][b:Death of a Showman|53137977|Death of a Showman (Jane Prescott #4)|Mariah Fredericks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1610926702l/53137977._SY75_.jpg|79888452] begins with the narrator and her grandson attending the newest Broadway musical, Cats. Reading their opinion of this musical was hilarious, because it sounded just like me and my mother. She never understood who would be interested in a musical about cats and I could never figure out the storyline, although I love a few of the songs. However, in this sample, I found there was a lot of narration and backstory and not a lot of action or dialogue. By the end of the sample (prologue + 3 chapters), I was confused about the story and found no mystery, although there were several hints that a murder would be coming soon.
[bc:Deadly Editions|53137989|Deadly Editions (Scottish Bookshop Mystery)|Paige Shelton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1610926161l/53137989._SY75_.jpg|79888471][b:Deadly Editions|53137989|Deadly Editions (Scottish Bookshop Mystery)|Paige Shelton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1610926161l/53137989._SY75_.jpg|79888471] has several mysteries by the end of this sample, including a murder, a treasure hunt, and a cold case. I enjoyed the characters and writing and am looking forward to reading more. However, although I found this sample intriguing, I have decided to begin reading at the first book in this series before continuing this book.
[bc:Bodies and Bows|53137999|Bodies and Bows (Apron Shop, #3)|Elizabeth Penney|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1597696446l/53137999._SY75_.jpg|79888485][b:Bodies and Bows|53137999|Bodies and Bows (Apron Shop, #3)|Elizabeth Penney|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1597696446l/53137999._SY75_.jpg|79888485] had a cute premise and I loved the setting. However, this sample was not divided into chapters and, although it felt about 2.5 chapters long, it felt as if it ended in the middle of a scene. By the end of the sample, there had been no mystery, although I was already suspicious of several characters.
[bc:Murder With a View|53138096|Murder With a View (House-Flipper Mystery #3)|Diane Kelly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1592884851l/53138096._SY75_.jpg|79888593][b:Murder With a View|53138096|Murder With a View (House-Flipper Mystery #3)|Diane Kelly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1592884851l/53138096._SY75_.jpg|79888593] had a little too much information in the blurb. Before beginning the story, I knew the name and occupation of the victim. I would have preferred it to be a surprise. The story begins with a short scene that had nothing to do with the story. I would have much rather the book started with the main character going into the courthouse. The last chapter of the sample (chapter 3) is from the cat's point of view. While cute, I wasn't sure what it had to do with the story. Also, while the MC's story is 1st person, the cat is third, which was even more confusing. Overall, by the end of the sample, there are three chapters and no dead body, although the motel project was interesting enough that I might want to read this book to find out what happens with that.
[bc:Chilled to the Cone|53138171|Chilled to the Cone (A Bakeshop Mystery #12)|Ellie Alexander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589256025l/53138171._SY75_.jpg|79888692][b:Chilled to the Cone|53138171|Chilled to the Cone (A Bakeshop Mystery #12)|Ellie Alexander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589256025l/53138171._SY75_.jpg|79888692] starts with a lot of background information that I can only assume is a summary of previous books. As the story continues, it gets interesting, but then it goes into all that backstory and narrative again. I found myself glossing over and skimming much of this sample, which had no dead body by the end of chapter three.
[bc:Fatal Fried Rice|53138056|Fatal Fried Rice (A Noodle Shop Mystery, #7)|Vivien Chien|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1587492187l/53138056._SY75_.jpg|79888548][b:Fatal Fried Rice|53138056|Fatal Fried Rice (A Noodle Shop Mystery, #7)|Vivien Chien|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1587492187l/53138056._SY75_.jpg|79888548] also has a blurb that tells me the murder victim before I start the story. However, I loved the way this story opened and the character felt very real to me. This sample included the murder victim, as well as the main character's initial reaction to finding it. By the end of the sample, I already had a much of suspects and am looking forward to reading the rest of the book. However, I think I will start with the first book in the series, since I really loved this main character.
camdenellese's review
3.0
So I guess I should start with saying what I expected from this book as that will likely explain my rating. I was expecting several short, cozy mystery stories. I was looking forward to a complete story. What I got was a teaser for 6 different books. So, first off I will say I enjoyed each of them. It was clear each author had a distinct voice and went about introducing the reader to their characters and their story in their own unique way. Some of them introduced you to the mystery right off the bat and others I had trouble telling if I was reading a cute little romance novel or a mystery. Some of the stories were similar enough that I had a hard time keeping them all separate in my head, especially as I was reading these teasers back to back. I do see the value in presenting it this way, it just wasn't what I expected so I was a bit disappointed. However, I do see myself buying a few of the books to find out what happens! Thanks to NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review!
More...