Book Review: A Crafter Hooks a Killer by Holly Quinn

A Crafter Hooks a Killer

(A Handcrafted Mystery #2)

by Holly Quinn (Goodreads Author)

Hardcover

Expected publication: June 11th 2019 by Crooked Lane Books

Goodreads synopsis:

Sure to delight fans of Betty Hechtman and Maggie Sefton, A Crafter Hooks a Killer is the second installment in Holly Quinn’s Handcrafted mysteries.

Community Craft proprietor Sammy Kane suspects that a tantalizing thread links the deaths of her best friend and a bestselling author. But can she weave together the clues?

Samantha “Sammy” Kane is settling into her new life in idyllic Heartsford, Wisconsin, running her late friend Kate Allen’s craft shop, Community Craft when one early June day, bestselling crochet author Jane Johnson visits Heartsford. Captivated by Community Craft, Jane devotes a chapter in her new book, Behind the Seams, to the store. Sammy is honored, though satisfaction quickly turns to shock when she finds Jane strangled to death―her cold hands clutching a copy of her most recently published book, with the words “THE END” raggedly scratched into the cover.

Heavens to Etsy! Not only must Sammy contend with the author’s inauspicious demise, she has to untie some knotty details from her own past. It turns out Kate’s death was not what it seemed, and instead somehow hooked to Jane Johnson’s demise. Handsome Detective Liam Nash is on the “skein”, more than happy to see the shop owner again, if less than enamored by her sleuthing interventions. But this was Sammy’s best friend―she has to know.

Fortunately, Sammy has a “lace” in the hole. As a child, she formed the S.H.E. detective team with her cousin, Heidi, and her sister, Ellie. Having already reconstituted their partnership, the S.H.E. team searches for a pattern behind the latest death. As the case starts to unravel, will Sammy and team be able to sidestep Liam quick enough to stitch together the clues?

***

4 stars

Cozy lovers and crafters of all kinds will love this new offering from Holly Quinn. The second book in the Handcrafted Mystery series. It was a well done mix of crafting and mystery.  Sammy Kane steps once again into a mystery as she has discovered the dead body of of a famous crochet book author, Jane Johnson, who was coming to her shop to do a book signing of her new crafty title. Sammy owns her best friend, Kate’s, business Community Craft. She has been keeping it going since the death of her best friend which took place before the start of this book.

It was interesting to try and follow the clues as they were dropped throughout the book. A hair clip from the 80’s only she and her best friend had created turns up in the position of the author and becomes an fascinating catalyst to spur Sammy into trying to find out what had really happened to the author and was her best friend’s death really accidental and connected?

I hadn’t read the first book in the series and that didn’t keep me from enjoying the book or knowing the backstory of characters. The author did a wonderful job of reintroducing the characters to us as she went along so no one would be left behind while trying to navigate the story.

The story was alluring and makes you want to keep reading to discover the truth Sammy is searching for. I enjoyed the characters that came back from the past and reintroduced them into Sammy’s life. And watching the relationship between her and the detective Liam Nash was humorous and sweet.

It was a good mix of everything in this book. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. Can’t wait to pick up book one and see how Sammy handled the first dead body she managed to trip over. :)

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Book Review: A Deeper Grave - By Debra Webb

A Deeper Grave

(Shades of Death #2)

by Debra Webb (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, 416 pages

Published May 30th 2017 by MIRA

Goodreads synopsis:

When the hunter becomes the hunted… 

Serial-killer hunter Nick Shade built his legendary career chasing monsters—sadistic criminals with a gruesome thirst for death. When he rescued Montgomery detective Bobbie Gentry from horrific captivity and helped her reclaim her life, he didn't intend to be a hero. Or a target. But now a copycat murderer haunts him, and reuniting with Bobbie is his best chance at neutralizing the threat. 

Bobbie can't forget the nightmares of her trauma—or the man who saved her. Working with Nick to outmaneuver the person behind a deadly vendetta feeds her hope that there's more to her world than ghosts and destruction. Maybe joining Nick's search for a killer is about gratitude. Maybe it's nothing more than cold revenge. But the only way they can protect themselves is to trust each other.

***

3 stars

I want to start this off by saying that I have been a big advocate of Debra Webb from her beginnings at Harlequin. So me giving this book three stars is quite unusual. A lot of other reviewers gave this book five stars. So, keep that in mind.

I have to admit I had a hard time getting into this book. I was already at a disadvantage since I did not read book one. The flow of the text seemed off and I did not get enough character backstory to push me further into the pages of chapter one. 

So, yes, I struggled with this one.  

I did not find the main character engaging enough to follow and the secondary character of Nick seemed more lead man worthy than Bobbie. The interactions between Bobbie and Nick’s psycho killer father were the best parts of the book, in my opinion and that happened in the first quarter of the book.

I wonder if I would have enjoyed it more if I had read book one first, but since many reviewers said they thought you could skip book one, I did.

I suggest you read reviews by others if you enjoyed book one of this series. Otherwise, I would just skip this one and move on to another book in your TBR.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Book Review: Ring in the Year with Murder (An Otter Lake Mystery #4) by Auralee Wallace

Ring in the Year with Murder

(An Otter Lake Mystery #4)

by Auralee Wallace (Goodreads Author)

Mass Market Paperback, 297 pages

Published October 31st 2017 by St. Martin's Press

Goodreads synopsis:

It’s been a tough year for Erica Bloom. And with hours left on the clock and a killer crashing the party, it’s not over yet…

This New Year’s Eve, Erica’s resolution is to have a great night―even if it kills her. She is, after all, at the party to end all parties: a Great Gatsby--themed gala sure to be the talk of Otter Lake, New Hampshire. With her perfectly finger-waved hair, borrowed pearls, and scarlet flapper dress, Erica is determined to be unflappable, despite the presence of her ex, Sheriff Grady Forrester, and his hot date, a bubbly blonde who has a hard time holding her drink. Literally. . .

In a plot twist as bizarre as a game of Clue, Grady’s girlfriend almost drops dead after her drink is poisoned. Who put the killer ingredient in her appletini? Suddenly the tables have turned and the sheriff has become the prime suspect. Now Erica has until midnight to clear the man she still loves―and in so doing just maybe win him back. That’s if the killer doesn't pop the cork again… and turn a New Year’s smooch into a kiss of death…

***

4 stars

The intro of this book is very intriguing and sets the stage for the success of the entire book, in my opinion. 

Erica Bloom is doing security at a New Year’s Eve party with her BFF Freddie Ng. Freddie is quite a hoot and such a great addition to the Otter Lake cast. I would enjoy seeing who he was in book one when he was Madame F, psychic/tarot reader. (Yes, I read the books out of order.)

Erica finds herself in an odd place in her life as the story opens. She wants Grady back but he is with Candace now. She also is at odds with Candace since MRG has taken the house she wanted practically from under her feet. Then there is Matthew, who owns the house where the party is occurring. She could have a relationship with him but dare she?

The flow of the book was good but the sporadic “morning after” sections were odd and I didn’t think truly necessary. I know others seem to love that part but to me it was just a bit of overkill.  It was a bit of a flash-forward to the end of the book as the characters of Erica and Freddie looked back to what had happened in the past. I think the author thought it helped explain events to the reader. But she had already done a good job of that, I thought.

I would have liked to see a bit more of Erica’s goddess power mother playing a tarot reader but I did get a kick out of the section where Erica tapped the High Priestess card and said it meant the person was a douchebag. Priceless.

Even though Erica is at odds with Candace she finds herself coming to her rescue over and over. She has become the appointed watcher of the real estate guru since said guru can’t be trusted to take care of herself, according to her sister.

I did enjoy this book and would recommend it to any cozy readers out there. Decide for yourselves about the morning after sections. Either way, I think you will enjoy diving into the world of Otter Lake.

I bought this book with my own money.

Review of Double Up by Gretchen Archer

Double Up

(Davis Way Crime Caper #6)

by Gretchen Archer (Goodreads Author)

Kindle Edition, 262 pages

Published March 21st 2017 by Henery Press

Goodreads synopsis:

On behalf of USA TODAY bestselling author Gretchen Archer and the entire Henery Press crew, welcome aboard flight DOUBLE UP. Fasten your seatbelts for non-stop action as stiff competition blows into town and the resulting turbulence threatens to take down the Bellissimo Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. Super Secret Spy Davis Way Cole, who lives on the twenty-ninth floor of the hotel with her CEO husband and newborn twins, takes it hard. If the casino goes belly up, she won’t be a stay-at-home mom because she won’t have a home. Not to mention her husband won’t have a job. 

Davis can’t find a way to stop the inevitable end of the Bellissimo life she loves until her ex-ex-mother-in-law shows up, unexpected and definitely uninvited. Davis makes the best of a bad Bea Crawford situation and recruits her for a little corporate espionage work, which would’ve been great, had Bea not turned out to be the world’s worst spy. 

Ever. 

Seatbacks and tray tables in their upright positions as we prepare for a bumpy ride with babies, bankruptcies, besties, and shrimp. (Shrimp?) 

Enjoy your flight. 

***

4 stars

Davis Way starts out the book married to Bradley and fast-forward nine months has twin babies to care for. Needless to say, she is no longer the super casino spy girl and now a full-time mommy.

The first problem that crops up is a new casino is built next door on property previously owned by the Bellissimo. They were told it was supposed to be a football stadium but there was a bit of an illusion since the entire facility was covered until it was revealed and by then it was too late. Davis blames herself for letting the construction get so far. She was distracted by her new family and let her job fall by the wayside. The new casino was built and glitzier than ever. Not to mention, it was taking all the Bellissimo’s business including most of its employees.

Davis was in a bit of a post-baby birthing fog which was finally lifted when her ex-husband’s mother shows up on her doorstep wanting to see her grandbabies. (Even though, technically, she wasn’t related to them at all.) 

The aggravation of  having Bea around knocks some sense into Davis. She is now out of her brain fogged stupor and ready to figure out how to save the Bellissimo from financial ruin.

I have to say that I really love this series world that Gretchen Archer has created. They are filled with a lot of suspense and nail-biting drama. Bea alone can give anyone a major case of stress headaches. Reading one title makes you yearn for more. I will always recommend anything from Gretchen Archer.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Review of Turkey Trot Murder by Leslie Meier

Turkey Trot Murder

(Lucy Stone #24)

by Leslie Meier (Goodreads Author)

Kindle Edition, 304 pages

Published September 26th 2017 by Kensington

Goodreads synopsis:

It’s late autumn in Tinker’s Cove, Maine, and the last surviving flowers on Lucy Stone’s porch have fallen victim to the first frost of the season. But as the part-time reporter learns, this cold November morning will claim more than potted plants . . .

Besides the annual Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving Day, Lucy expects the approaching holiday to be a relatively uneventful one—until she finds beautiful Alison Franklin dead and frozen in Blueberry Pond. No one knows much about Alison, except that she was the daughter of wealthy investor Ed Franklin and struggled quietly with drug addiction. Police blame her death on an accidental overdose, but Lucy can’t understand what terrible forces could lead a privileged woman to watery ruin . . . 

Alison’s funeral service is just as puzzling. Many believe Ed’s young—and very pregnant—new wife, Mireille, divided the family, leaving Alison to wither on the vine. Did Mireille truly adore her stepchild as Ed claims, or did she pit father against daughter for personal gain? 

As a state of unrest descends on Tinker’s Cove, Lucy is thrown into a full-scale investigation. Now, in a race against time, Lucy must beat the killer to the finish line—or she can forget about stuffing and cranberry sauce . . .

***

4 stars

The saying: “You never really know someone until they are gone” seems to resonate with this book. No one really seemed to know the victim well enough to make a reasonable deduction about her character traits or flaws.

The title opens with Alison Franklin going out from her morning run. When she makes the split second decision to run around Blueberry Pond, she has unknowingly sealed her fate. Little did she know there was a lot of drug activity around the pond and this fact makes many people in her life make assumptions as to why she was running there. She is approached by a woman who asks her to save her dog who had apparently fallen beneath the ice. Alison knows the ice is too thin. She doesn’t actually see said dog but she walks out anyway and of course, her fears are confirmed and she falls beneath the ice too. Not sure why this woman didn’t call the police for help but that will all wash out in the end.

Our protagonist, Lucy Stone, reporter for Tinker’s Cove local newspaper, finds the body of Alison and like any good investigator after she calls the police she calls in the story.

After the reports of Alison’s death hits the gossip grapevine, all sorts of theories as to why she died are waffled about. Everyone has a theory, even her father, who pretty much blames everyone not American in town, which is ridiculous. Most of the people he focused on were technically more American than he was.

This book was pretty good. I was able to catch the flow of the text which really speeds up how quickly I can read a book. I appreciate flow in a book. Watching the fallout from Alison’s father’s anger was kind of annoying but expected based on his assumption the Mexican drug runners had a hand in her death. Franklin’s anger and his job as a health inspector has ripple effects when a Mexican family wants to open a new restaurant in town. Franklin makes it his mission to put them out of business even though no one knows for sure if any of them or the Mexican cartel were involved. Having a mysterious killer behind it all made me evaluate everyone as I went along wondering the entire time whodunit and why.

I enjoyed this book and have already purchased a few more titles from the author. I am lucky that my local grocery store has a small offering of cozy mysteries and I pick up a few from time to time. This one was a winner for me. Kept me guessing the entire way though.

I bought this book with my own money.

Book Review: Silken Threats by Addison Fox

Silken Threats

(Dangerous in Dallas #1)

by Addison Fox (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, 288 pages

Published February 3rd 2015 by Harlequin (first published January 30th 2015)

Goodreads synopsis:

Everyone has secrets, and some will kill to keep them buried...

It started with a break-in. And though normally wedding dress designer Cassidy Tate could have handled it, having Tucker Buchanan's strong arms, quick wits and great dog as backup was reassuring The former army engineer turned architect was the perfect guy in an emergency--and the fact that he was willing to pick up the pieces was even more appealing.

Because it turned out it wasn't a simple robbery. Someone was after something in the shop Cassidy and her fellow bridal boutique owners shared. Now Tucker didn't want to let Cassidy out of his sight. But was that to protect her--or claim her for his own?

***

3 stars

I have been a big fan of Addison Fox books in the past which is why I chose to read this one. But it didn’t do anything for me this time.  After reading the excellent “House of Steele” series, I felt let down with this. The quality wasn’t the same.

This title didn’t capture me and pull me full force into the world of the drama. This is sad since I really liked the author’s work previously. I just couldn’t get into the flow of the text. And I know that could be all me since I have been under a lot of stress at work and the focusing aspect of my brain wasn’t always in the fullest of effect.

I love a mystery and this had a good one. This story started off with a bang… literally. And the male point of view character was there to assist and begin the story. I personally was more interested in the mystery portion of the story than the romance. So when all the kissy-face stuff started, I was turned off immediately. 

I know you are saying to yourself “why did she pick up a Harlequin book if she didn’t like romance?”I have found in the past that the books in the Romantic Suspense series are much more suspense than romance. I guess I got used to that format and took it for granted.

The basic premise of the book is that a secret held by some old-timers, one of whom owns Cassidy’s building, comes to light and puts Cassidy and her friends in danger. Tucker’s expertise and friends come in handy to assist with solving the mystery before anyone gets killed.

Overall, it was good. Decent. A solid book. I just couldn’t catch the wave of the flow of text and that was probably my own fault. I really enjoyed the mystery and would have liked to see that fleshed out a bit more.

If you love a bit more romance than mystery in a story, then this book is for you. Otherwise definitely check out her House of Steele series. You won’t come away disappointed.

I bought this book with my own money.

Makeup Addiction Renewed

I just recently got back into makeup. The fact was: my skin wasn't looking great and I hadn't focused on any self care in years. I remembered how much better my skin looked when I was washing my face every night and putting on lotion morning and night.

I started that routine nearly a month ago and I can really see a difference in my skin's texture. It looks less creapey and more supple and nourished.

Plus, I am having fun playing with the different eyeshadow palettes i have acquired recently. See photo above from my recent Kohl's haul.

If you are interested in knowing what shadows I have been using you can follow me on Twitter. My handle is Tonispywriter.

I hope you are having tons of fun with your makeup. Sending you many blessings.