Read and Gone: A Haunted Library Book

by Allison Brook

Organizing programs for adults is fun and challenging for Carrie Singleton.  Everyone loves sparkling jewels and the presentation by local jeweler, Benton Parr, has an extensive waiting list.  The problems arise when Parr is found murdered in his store and Jim Singleton, Carrie’s wayward father shows up in search of a cache of diamonds that Parr supposedly is holding on to for Jim.  

Brook’s second installment of her Haunted Library series is a feel-good holiday story.  This is a perfect book for a light read during the hectic holiday season that you can immerse yourself into to escape.  Don’t be fooled though.  This is a well plotted mystery but it moves quickly.  Pure guilty pleasure.  #ReadAndGone #NetGalley

I wish to thank the generosity of the publisher and NetGalley for providing the advanced reader’s copy for my honest review.

PUB:  Crooked Lane Books

PUB DATE:  September 21, 2018

ISBN:  9781683317340

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Deadly Dram:  A Whiskey Business Mystery

by Melinda Mullett

It’s been a year since Abigail Logan put down roots to help run Abbey Glen distillery.  It’s not easy being a woman in the distilling business but she has earned the respect of the men and the industry.  Now Abbey Glen is participating in a prestigious competition to be held at a high-end Scottish resort.  The first night is filled with good food and better spirits, the liquid kind.  As the next day dawns, one of the judges is discovered dead with a bottle of the Japanese whisky next to him.  Abi finds herself mixed in yet another murder and she discovers she is no longer the only woman working in the distillery industry.

This series continues to strengthen as it goes.  Mullett’s knowledge of distilling and the business of whiskey is extensive.  I don’t care for whisky and her descriptions of the aroma and flavor make me want to go pour a dram.  This cozy series is one of the more serious ones and I continue to tell anyone and everyone about it. #DeadlyDram  #MelindaMullett    #NetGalley

I wish to thank the publisher and NetGalley for generously providing an Advanced Reader’s Copy for my honest review.

PUB:  Random House/Alibi

PUB DATE:  September 4, 2018

ISBN:  9781984817198

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Royally Dead

By Greta McKennan

Hoping to get some publicity for her business, seamstress Daria Dembrowski was happy to share a booth with another business owner at the Laurel Springs Highland Games.  As the games begin, it’s apparent there is a rival between participants and things get serious when one ends up dead.  Hopefully Daria can figure things out between her fittings schedule and student lessons or her roommate could end up behind bars. 

McKennan’s third installment in her Stitch in Time series is a fun, entertaining mystery.  It’s not heavy and weighted down with details.  Nor does it skip important facts and information.  I’ve not read the first two titles but this one was easy to pick up and become engaged with the characters. Seasoned cozy readers will easily pick up the various clues she drops early on that those involved seem to miss. Even with these little head slaps, Royally Dead is worth the read if you want something light that isn’t going to send you into cardiac arrest.  This installment would also be good for a teen who is looking for something a little more 'mature' to read but doesn't cross the line with gratuitous sex or violence.  There is a young girl, fifteen, that is a key character who is struggling with that gray area of growning up.  McKennan handles the situation nicely. 

#RoyallyDead  #NetGalley

I would like to thank the publishers and NetGalley for their generosity in allowing me access to the digital Advanced Reader’s Copy for my honest review.

PUB:  Kensington Books

PUB DATE:  September 11, 2018

ISBN:  9781516101702

Genre:  Cozy Mystery