avid_reader_sf_and_f's Reviews (5.3k)

A Harvest of Hearts

Andrea Eames

4.75

adventurous challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

While this wasn't the charming cozy fantasy romance I was expecting based on the blurb, I did love this story and Foss. It took me a bit to warm up to Sylvester but he won me over in the end. The best character in the book hands down was Cornelius. Cornelius was an utterly delightful kitty sidekick and I adored him!

Tequila Mockingbird

Morgana Best

4.0

funny lighthearted mysterious

Last Mango in Paris

Morgana Best

3.75

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Loveable characters: Yes

This book begins with dinner at Cressida Upthorpe's Inn where she has a new "French" chef, three new boarders, and a new handyman. What isn't new? A murder. When the handyman is murdered and Mr. Buttons discovers the body, the police think Mr. Buttons is the intended victim, rather than the murderer, for once.

There were some really great scenes in this book. Cressida taking Sybil and Mr. Buttons to the town's new a sex shop thinking it was a pet shop, priceless!

Overall, fun and the characters and their interactions are a delight to visit with. This was another light, entertaining, and cozy read.

Any Given Sundae

Morgana Best

3.75

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Little has changed in Little Tatterford, except that Sybil has finally received her post divorce settlement. When a pompous guest of Cressida's newest guest Dr. Roland Cavendish, a quantum physicist, is found dead in Sybil's cabin, and the police are (once again) on the wrong trail, it's up to Sibyl and Mr. Buttons to save the day. Honorable mentions to Blake, Sandy, Max and Lord Farringdon for their help.

Biggest complaint, it seems that Sybil’s dream premonitions are completely gone, at this point. Really it's a pity, because it was a fun element to the story. Overall, an enjoyable, if predictable mystery. I still enjoy all the quirky characters and their interactions. This was found another light, entertaining, cozy and fun read.

The Prawn Identity

Morgana Best

3.75

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

This book begins with and itro to the newest guests at Cressida Upthorpe's Inn, a newlywed couple, Greg (a local rich land developer) and Lisa Summers. When Lisa, plunges to her death from the room's Juliet Balcony, Sibyl and Mr Buttons, once again find themselves in the middle of a murder investigation.

Another fun, if predictable mystery. I love all the quirky characters and their interactions and found this to be an entertaining and fun, light read.

Dye Hard

Morgana Best

3.75

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

This is the Third book in the Australian Amateur Sleuth series. In this book Little Tatterford invaded by ghost hunters who have come to Cressida Upthorpe's boarding house due to the recent murders. When one of them is murdered with poisoned hair dye, Sybil and Mr. Buttons investigate.

This was another fun, light, and quick mystery. Mr. Buttons is my favorite side character, he adds some great humour. The dog training session with Sandy was a joy to read.

Natural-born Grillers

Morgana Best

3.75

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Natural Born Grillers (Australian Amateur Sleuth #2) by Morgana Best, Amy Soake (Narrator)

Our book begins MC Sybil Potts landlady in Little Tatterford, When Sibyl's landlord, Cressida is hosting a group of Scholars, who are attending a symposium on Socrates, at her Inn. When the Scholars start dropping dead, Sibyl and fellow resident, Mr. Buttons, set out to find the killer.

Another cute, short and cozy read. I'd like a little more character development of the side characters, but overall these are fun little cozy mysteries.