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bugabusu's Reviews (248)
Author Barbara Venkataraman asked me to review the first three books in her Jamie Quinn series. Even though we’ve never met she totally gets me. This series is everything I look for in a cozy murder mystery; action packed, humorous, emotional, and a dash of thrilling.
The first story in the series, Death by Didgeridoo, is a novella. I thought I was reading One Minute Mysteries for adults and felt it was a wonderful way to introduce the reader to the characters and draw them into the series. The second and third books, The Case of the Killer Divorce, and Peril in the Park, were longer but not overwhelmingly so. Jamie Quinn, the main character, lawyer, and mystery solver extraordinaire, is someone I could be friends with. Duke, her side-kick PI, is hilarious. The reoccurring cast of characters: her aunt, friend, boyfriend, and newly discovered family all add into the mix in a very pleasant and light-hearted manner. I really enjoyed how fast paced they were. No lolly-gagging here. I would recommend these to anyone looking for a fun, fast paced read. Perfect for a cold winter afternoon spent reading.
The first story in the series, Death by Didgeridoo, is a novella. I thought I was reading One Minute Mysteries for adults and felt it was a wonderful way to introduce the reader to the characters and draw them into the series. The second and third books, The Case of the Killer Divorce, and Peril in the Park, were longer but not overwhelmingly so. Jamie Quinn, the main character, lawyer, and mystery solver extraordinaire, is someone I could be friends with. Duke, her side-kick PI, is hilarious. The reoccurring cast of characters: her aunt, friend, boyfriend, and newly discovered family all add into the mix in a very pleasant and light-hearted manner. I really enjoyed how fast paced they were. No lolly-gagging here. I would recommend these to anyone looking for a fun, fast paced read. Perfect for a cold winter afternoon spent reading.
Wow, this book is absolutely wonderful, loving, brave, and eye opening, with beautifully painted scenes of the mountains and farms as a backdrop. Beyond the Green, by Sharlee Glenn, tells the tale of a family giving up its most prized possession, their youngest child. The story, told through the eyes of the middle child, Britta, an eleven year old Mormon girl living on a family farm in the Uintah Basin, Utah in the late 1970s, centers on the youngest child, Dori, who has been living with the family since she was five months old and is now four. Her biological mother, Irene, member fo the Uintah tribe has gotten sober and wants her child back. Britta spends most of the book devising plans on how to keep Dori from Irene as well as trying to work through her feelings about doing what she knows is right and her prejudices about certain individuals. While Britta is a stereotypical eleven year old with stereotypical eleven year old farm girl problems (not wanting to do chores, annoying siblings) her life is anything but.
Sharlee Glenn has captured all the emotions of the story so well and the author’s note explains why. This book touches a lot of different themes that can help expose readers to new topics: multi-racial families, foster care, the Indian Child Welfare Act, farming communities, Mormonism, and stereotypes that existed and continue to exist about Native Americans. I strongly recommend Beyond the Green for both children and adults.
Sharlee Glenn has captured all the emotions of the story so well and the author’s note explains why. This book touches a lot of different themes that can help expose readers to new topics: multi-racial families, foster care, the Indian Child Welfare Act, farming communities, Mormonism, and stereotypes that existed and continue to exist about Native Americans. I strongly recommend Beyond the Green for both children and adults.
Mae Respicio, has written a beautiful, emotional book about a young girl of Filipino descent, Lou, who is dealing with life changes as they come. Lou’s solution to her problems is to build a tiny home on her inherited property. When this falls through she comes up with another plan and another. She is persistent. She manages to survive all the ups and downs with the support of her family and friends. This story evoked so many emotions. I was angry with Lou’s mom, Minda, whenever she reprimanded Lou. I felt sadness along with Lou whenever her plans fell apart. I felt joy when the family came together. It is an amazing read. And as an added bonus the descriptions of the different scenes; whether in the woods around Lou’s property, the dancing at the community center, or the food from Lola’s kitchen evokes wonderful imagery.
Ginger Bolton’s Survival of the Fritters is another great addition to the cozy murder mystery/recipe genre. Emily, her father-in-law, Tom, and her cat, Dep run a donut shop in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin. This is where all the action takes place, all the characters gather here and all the information (gossip) is exchanged. The book opens with a missing woman who turns out murdered. The plot gets more complicated from there as you learn about past events that may have lead to the death. Bolton also fills the reader in on Emily’s backstory, how she ended up with a donut store and her love story. The plot thickens as the story goes on, there is romance, drama, a little humor, and just a touch of thrill. Overall, the book is well written and enjoyable, the why behind the murder is a little thin but the flow of the story keeps on pace. If you’re looking for a book with some murder and great donuts this is your read.
Raspberry Danish Murder was another delicious addition to Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen Mystery series. I have enjoyed reading most of the books in this serial. It is a constant in my line up of cozy murder mysteries. I can count on Hannah, Norman, Mike, and the all the rest of the cast of characters to show up and help solve the crime. The tasty treats are always a lovely addition to the book. The setting of Lake Eden makes me want to live in a small town in Minnesota. This story had two mysteries, one was completely solved by the finish, the other was left open-ended. I liked this twist and how it keeps the reader wanting more. I cannot wait for the next addition to the series.
Now I may be a bit biased as I love Idaho but Who Moved My Goat Cheese? by Lynn Cahoon is an absolutely awesome, first in what I hope is a long, cozy murder mystery series. Ms. Cahoon, a native Idahoan, has captured the people, scenery, and as importantly, the community. This is the story of Angie, an experienced chef, who has returned to her Nona’s home, in Idaho from California. While in the process of opening a new farm to table restaurant, Angie helps solve a murder. The book is fast paced, which I like. The characters, including the animals, are interesting and funny. I enjoyed that Ms. Cahoon explained Angie’s back story, it helps the reader get a better understanding of the main character. The descriptions of the food are mouth watering. Also, there’s just a hint of romance which adds a nice element to the tale. I highly recommend this wonderful read and look forward to the next book.
Cinco de Murder by Rebecca Adler was a wonderful, entertaining read about a journalist/waitress, Josie, her chihuahua, Lenny, her family and their restaurant, and a chili cook-off murder. The tale starts the day before the cook-off and follows our heroine through a festive Cinco de Mayo weekend that culminates in fireworks, a chase, and a kiss. Josie’s character acts mainly on spunkiness with a dash of trepidation. She is surrounded by a very loving group of family and friends who are supportive and hilarious. The two main men in the story add a nice dash of romance that creates a fun side plot. Lenny is a wonderful side-kick who’s tiny yips speak volumes. The story ends in a scary, thrilling trapped scene that grips the reader’s attention. I thoroughly adored this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, spicy, cozy murder mystery read.
Pip’s Big Hide and Seek Book by Thais Vanderheyden is a colorfully, amusingly illustrated counting story. The hundred little grey mice are hiding everywhere and the reader helps Pip find them. There are all sorts of fun locations, the beach, a castle, a casbah, even a scene with a knitting robot and all vividly drawn. Young readers will enjoy discovering the mice, their silly hiding places, and the other little secrets on each page . Adults reading along will enjoy the cultural references that are stealthily added throughout the pictures. This is a fun read for any youngster and a great counting book.
Cherry Pies and Deadly Lies by Darci Hannah was a hilariously fun, cozy murder mystery. Whitney Bloom, former ad exec turned cherry pie baker, works intensely to prove her father innocent and solve who killed family friend Jeb. She leaves Chicago behind and heads to her hometown of Cherry Cove. There she runs into her old frenemy turned cop who she “assists” and her best friends from high school who add to delightful mix of characters. The description of the town makes me want to move to Wisconsin and the description of the pastries makes my mouth water for cherries. The delicious wit and the humorous, scary, slightly romantic scenes makes this book all that better. I seriously cannot wait for the next book to see what happens with Whitney’s romantic life and who gets murdered. If you love humorous mysteries with spectacular scenery, both men and food included, this book is right up your alley.