Collection of Cozies #3

A Room With a Brew by Joyce Tremel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The 3rd installment of this series about a brewer in Pittsburg who keeps getting mixed up in murders. This one was pretty far-fetched and the G-rated romance with the hunky hockey-player chef is also hard to believe.

Death of a Fool by Ngaio Marsh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ritual dancing at the winter solstice provides the backdrop for this tale of murder from one of the queens of crime.



The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax
by Dorothy Gilman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This might stretch the definition of mystery a bit, but it is definitely a cozy spy novel.


Kansas Troubles by Earlene Fowler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Would have liked more quilting info in this one.




Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reread of a classic. Lots of interesting info about spiritualism. I love the ending of this novel. The actual last lines are great (total spoiler though so I won't quote them).


A Shot in the Dark by Lynne Truss
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The tone of this novel reminded me of Josephine Tey's work. This one is comic though (think Keystone cops). Now and then the grammarian in Lynne Truss pops up in a charming way and the language was delightful:

"It's an aspect of old-school Variety that is often overlooked in respectful academic accounts of the genre's sad and lonely death-by-television in the 1950s--that what made the weak comedy routines sound so funny in the halls (and the tawdry 'glamour' even passable), was the audience's prior consumption of alcohol in quantities that would nowadays be considered catastrophically injurious to health." (p. 77)

This novel has been on my shelf for ages and so counts toward the Mount TBR challenge.

All of these books count toward the Cruisin Through the Cozies Challenge.

A Siege of Bitterns

A Siege of Bitterns
by Steve Burrows
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A police procedural set on the Northern Coast of Norfolk, England this novel begins a series. Birdwatchers make up the bulk of the characters and the plot revolves around a marsh renowned for its diversity of birds. The characters were appealing and complex enough to be interesting and I learned a lot about birds. There was also a bit about the collective nouns of various birds (like a siege of Bitterns) which I found fascinating.
The author lives in Ontario, and the main character, Domenic JeJeune, is from Canada so I am counting this toward the 13th Canadian Book Challenge. I am also counting it as a cozy of my choice for the Cruisin' Through the Cozies Challenge.

Murder Under Cover

Murder under Cover
by Kate Carlisle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The latest installment about book-restorer Brooklyn and her hunky security-expert boyfriend. This time they get mixed up in an international spy caper. It doesn't interfere with their romance or with Brooklyn's obsessing over her friend's love-life. Like the others in this series this one was shallow but diverting. I'm counting it as a career-based cozy for the Crusin' through the Cozies Challenge.

Cruisin' Through the Cozies Update

This challenge is hosted at Socrates Book Reviews and I signed up for Level two (Investigator), option B which required 10 cozies of my choice, plus one book for each of the defined sub-genres (20 total). It is now half-way through the year and I have read 20 cozies so far so I decided to switch my goal to Level four (Sleuth Extraordinare) which is double my original level: 2 books in each sub-genre and 20 cozies of my choice. Here is where I am at now:

• Paranormal - done
  #1 Better Dead by Pamela Kopfler
  #2 Pies and Prejudice by Ellery Adams
• Cozy mysteries based outside the US - done
  #1 The Painted Queen by Elizabeth Peters and Joan Hess
  #2 Deadly Dance by M.C. Beaton
• Culinary - done
  #1 Gunpowder Green by Laura Childs
  #2 The Body in the Vestibule by Katherine Hall Page
• Historical mystery - done
  #1 Children of the Storm by Elizabeth Peters
  #2 Golden Tresses of the Dead by Alan Bradley
• Travel mystery (none so far)
• Career-based cozy mystery (need 1 more)
  Hangman's Root by Susan Wittig Albert
• Animal related (need 1 more)
  Fudge Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke
• Craft related (need 1 more)Twisted Threads by Lea Wait
• Holiday based (none so far)
• Your choice! Freebie! (need 11 more)
  Besides actual freebies I have listed books here that could fit a sub-genre for which I already have the required number of books
  #1 Search the Dark by Charles Todd
  #2 The Rising of the Moon by Gladys Mitchell
  #3 The Second Confession by Rex Stout
  #4 Y is for Yesterday by Sue Grafton
  #5 Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie
  #6 Bad Move by Linwood Barclay
  #7 The Lies that Bind by Kate Carlisle
  #8 The Christie Curse by Victoria Abbott
  #9 To Love and Be Wise by Josephine Tey

The Body in the Vestibule

The Body in the Vestibule
by Katherine Hall Page
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Food infuses every part of this cozy mystery set in France. New England caterer and minister's wife Faith Fairchild is spending time with her family in Lyon France where she indulges in lots of eating and a bit of sleuthing in amongst her daily chores.
"She struggled up the stairs with her clean was and was glad they were going out for dinner. She'd made reservations at Cafe des Federations--a bouchon, that Lyonnais institution not exactly a bistro and not a restaurant either. A bouchon--literally a cork--where Tom would drink deeply of Monsier Fulchiron's Morgon and they would eat quennelles in Nantua sauce--those delicate, lighter-than-air fish dumplings floating in lobster sauce--or maybe andouillette, the Rolls-Royce of chitterlings." (p. 167)
The food descriptions were delightful and the cast of characters Faith interacts with in France was also interesting. The actual mystery was a bit far-fetched though which is were this book lost points with me. Definitely a series I would read another book in though.
I am counting this toward the Cruisin' Through the Cozies Challenge as a "culinary cozy" and linking up with Weekend Cooking.

Yet Another Collection of Cozies

These are titles that I finished recently which count toward the Cruisin' Through the Cozies Challenge.  These are all "cozies of my choice."

To Love and Be Wise
by Josephine Tey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While visiting at an English country house a mysterious American stranger goes missing. Inspector Grant is called in to unravel the mystery and unravel he does in his usual charming style.


The Christie Curse
by Victoria Abbott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The heroine of this story comes from a family of con men which adds an interesting twist to the cozy formula. There was quite a bit of information about Agatha Christie's life in this one which I enjoyed learning about.


Pies and Prejudice by Ellery Adams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Set in a small Georgia town this story focuses quite a bit on the horse world. There is also a magical element to the story, though it is vague until the end of the book. This is the first in a series and while I'm not sure it will be a favorite I would definitely read the next one to see where the author goes with what has been set up here.

The Lies That Bind by Kate Carlisle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Set in a book arts non-profit in San Francisco this cozy mystery was fun, but strained the limits of believability. The gorgeous British security expert almost-romance element was also a bit much--every time they kiss his phone rings and it is an urgent crisis. The parts about how books are assembled was interesting though.

Bad Move

Bad Move
by Linwood Barclay
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lisa read this in 2014 and she recommended it to me as a quick fun read to help me get to the finish line on this year's Canadian Book Challenge.
Zack, the main character is definitely a jerk, but he is a well meaning jerk and he has enough self-awareness to make his jerky behavior funny. After moving out of the city (what city it is, and even if it is American or Canadian is unclear) into the "godforsaken sterile Wonder Bread and Miracle Whip world" of suburbia Zack begins to realize that all is not as safe and serene as it appears at first glance. His attempts to teach his family lessons (like not to leave their keys in the door) put him right in the middle of a murder investigation.
I enjoyed this book and will definitely read more of the Zack series. This book--crime and comedy and a flawed main character-- reminded me of The Spellman Files. 

This book counts toward the Canadian Book Challenge (author is Canadian); Cruisin' Through the Cozies Challenge  as a cozy of my choice.

Hangman's Root

Hangman's Root 
by Susan Wittig Albert
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This it the 3rd installment in the China Bayles series. China is a former criminal defense attorney who has given up her practice for a slower-paced life as the owner of an herb shop. This story involves the local college where faculty intrigue may have led to murder. 
The mystery was well constructed but there wasn't much connection to the herb shop or herb lore mixed in. Though we did learn a bit about catnip.  I am counting this as one of the "cozies of my choice" for the Cruisin' Through the Cozies Challenge.

Another Collection of Cozies

These are titles that I finished recently which count toward the Cruisin' Through the Cozies Challenge.

 

Gunpowder Green by Laura Childs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is set in a tea-shop so I am counting it toward the "anything culinary" category. I would have liked a bit more info about the various teas. There was a lot of name dropping, but not a lot of explanation. An entertaining enough mystery though.



The Painted Queen
by Elizabeth Peters and Joan Hess
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the last of the Amelia Peabody books, and it was finished by Joan Hess after the death of Elizabeth Peters. It was well done and stayed true to the series, but I felt like Amelia was a gentler version of herself which was less appealing and the supporting characters were less involved than they are in some of the books. The manuscript H excerpts were very good. Like the other EP novel I read for this challenge this could be either for the mystery set outside the US--Egypt in this case--or the historical category. 



Search the Dark by Charles Todd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A body found in Dorset brings Instpector Ian Rutledge from London to investigate. It is very much a small town story with everyone knowing everyone and immediately suspecting outsiders. Rutledge, and several other characters, struggle with the scars left on them by World War. This is one of the "cozies of my choice."


Fudge Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have read several of the books in this series before and this one was exactly what I expected. Lots of sweets, tons of coffee, and obsessive attention to Moishe, the cat. I am counting this as an "animal related" cozy.

The Golden Tresses of the Dead

The Golden Tresses of the Dead
by Alan Bradley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At the end of the last Flavia de Luce novel she and Dogger decided to open an agency for "discrete inquiries." This is their first case.  Most of the usual characters are present, though her sisters are decidedly in the background this time. Flavia's young cousin Undine is developing into an interesting character. The resolution of the actual mystery is a bit murky which annoyed me, but the sleuthing and chemistry was up to typical Bradley standards. The way that Flavia sees the world continues to enchant me.

"Lovely day for a funeral" might be a most dreadful faux pas, and "I'm sorry you're dead" could well be etiquettical suicide. The solution was, as it is in so many other instances of British life, to press my lips together and give a microscopic nod and turn to looking out the window. (p. 251)

I love the phrase "etiquettical suicide"!
This book counts toward the Canadian Book Challenge (Bradley is Canadian) and Cruising through the Cozies as a cozy of my choice (it could be historical or outside the US, but I have both those covered already).

A Collection of Cozies

These are titles that I finished recently which count toward the Cruisin' Through the Cozies Challenge. 

The Second Confession by Rex Stout
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one of the rare Nero Wolfe stories where Wolfe leaves the brownstone. It is one of the 10 cozies of my choice.




Y is for Yesterday by Sue Grafton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the last of the Sue Grafton mysteries (she died) which is sad. I have been reading them since the series began in 1982 and they are all good. Kinsey is a great character. I was very pleased that an ongoing plot line from an earlier book gets resolved by the end of this book. This is also one of the 10 cozies of my choice.


The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Classic Poirot and Captain Hastings is in top form in this mystery--making foolish mistakes, falling for pretty faces, and generally missing everything HP sees immediately.  Another cozy of my choice.

Rising of the Moon

The Rising Of The Moon 
by Gladys Mitchell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gladys Mitchell (1901-1983) was the author of numerous books, including 66 novels featuring the detective Mrs. Bradley. 

"I'm a consulting psychiatrist to the Home Office, and when things become a little abnormal they often send me along." (p. 111) 

This is the 18th of the Mrs. Bradley novels. The narrator of this tale is a 13-year-old orphan who, along with his 11-year-old brother, spends his school holiday investigating the murders of young women happening in his town. The novel reminded me, in feeling more than content, of Something Wicked This Way Comes. The tale was well crafted and the boys were appealing heros. 
I plan to seek out more of the Mrs. Bradley novels. 

I am counting this toward the Cruisin' Through the Cozies challenge as one of the 10 cozies of my choice. 

Twisted Threads

Twisted Threads
(Mainely Needlepoint Mystery #1)
by Lea Wait
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Set in a small town on the coast of Maine I enjoyed this mystery. It was a bit dark for a cozy--there was a lot more harsh reality than is typical--but it was a well put together story. I did think the solution came to our heroine rather suddenly without a clear reason why she suddenly put it all together. I also would have liked a bit more about needlepoint. It is the first in a series so later ones may have more needlepoint stuff in them. There was a lot of interesting info about New England plants. 
I am counting this toward the Cruisin' Through the Cozies challenge as a craft-related cozy.

The Deadly Dance

The Deadly Dance by M.C. Beaton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the 15th book in the Agatha Raisin series (I think there are 30 total) and Agatha is between romances and decides to open a detective agency. As usual Agatha only succeeds (in so far as she does) because her friends help her and she is typically oblivious of this fact. In this one she starts to worry a bit that maybe she should be nicer to Charles and Roy. A number of new characters are introduced in this book as well. Some may be coming back in future adventures.
This book counts towards my Cruisin' Through the Cozies challenge as a cozy based outside the US (it is set in England).

Children of the Storm

Children of the Storm
by Elizabeth Peters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"The Great War has ended at last. No longer must archaeologist Amelia Peabody and her husband, Emerson, the distinguished Egyptologist, fear for the life of their daring son, Ramses, now free from his dangerous wartime obligations to British Intelligence. The advent of a season of joy and peace marks a time of new beginnings in Luxor, with delightful additions to the growing Emerson family and fascinating wonders waiting to be discovered beneath the shifting Egyptian sands."

This is the 15th entry in the Amelia Peabody series and despite the end of the war their lives are as crowded as ever with enemies, crimes, heroics, and puzzles for Amelia to untangle while she admires the fine physique of her domineering husband. Amelia is a wonderfully entertaining character--she has always wanted to board a pirate ship with a cutlas in her teeth but is concerned about the logistics of such a thing and the dental problems that might result--and she is voiced brilliantly by Barbara Rosenblat in the audiobook version.  There is quite a bit in this book about the character of Sethos, which I liked, and Selim has a dramatic part to play as well. 

This book counts towards my Cruisin' Through the Cozies challenge either for the mystery set outside the US--Egypt in this case--or the historical category. I will figure out where I need it when I sum up at the end of the challenge.

Better Dead

Better Dead by Pamela Kopfler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"As the owner of a charming Louisiana bed and breakfast, Holly Davis believes in Southern hospitality--but she draws the line at welcoming the ghost of her cheating husband . . ."
I enjoyed this supernatural cozy, though it focused on drug smuggling rather than murder which wasn't what I expected. There was a handsome man from Holly's past with baggage of his own which provided the romance element typical of modern cozies. The cook at the B&B played the "sidekick" role and was an appealing (and funny) character.
This book counts towards my Cruisin' Through the Cozies challenge (for the paranormal mysteries category) and toward MountTBR2019.

Cruisin' Thru the Cozies 2019

This challenge is hosted at Socrates Book Reviews and challenges you to read cozy mysteries--which I love so this is a perfect challenge for me! I am signing up for  Level two (Investigator), option B. I will need to read 10 cozies of my choice, plus one book for each of these sub-genres (20 total):

• Culinary (anything dealing with food: restaurants, baked goods, etc.)
• Animal related (cats, dogs, birds, etc.)
• Craft related (any kind of hobbies - knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, etc.)
• Paranormal (witches, vampires, etc.) -- I got one of these in my Christmas stocking.
• Cozy mysteries based outside the US (example: Belinda Lawrence series (British))
• Career-based cozy mystery (housekeeping, wedding planner, etc.)
• Holiday based (set during any holiday - Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentines, etc.)
• Travel mystery (character could be on a cruise, touring another area, etc.)
• Historical mystery (any mystery not set in the present)
• Your choice! (freebie!)