Crossfire – (Extreme Measures – Book 2) by Lynette Eason ~ Audiobook ~ Tantor Audio

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 4 stars

Former police officer turned FBI Negotiator, Juliana Jameson, is called in to handle a hostage situation involving the perpetrator, a federal judge and a full courtroom. Juliana prides herself on having never lost a hostage and she feels the pressure to maintain that record especially since School Resource Officer Clay Fox’s sister is in there. The situation is tense, and when a seemingly copycat situation arises on its heels, Juliana’s skills are further put to the test. It appears that someone is out to get her, but even more alarming is that her teenage sister, Dottie, of whom Juliana is guardian, could also be a target. And if Juliana and Clay think they’ve got things all figured out they’d better think again because the worst is yet to come.

I‘m enjoying this series. It’s action packed and clean, no profanity. In Crossfire we meet Juliana Jameson who’s in law enforcement due to an incident from her past that she tries hard to suppress but doesn’t always succeed. Clay Fox, the SRO at Dottie’s school has a similar problem so it was nice to see how he and Juliana grew close enough to support one another through their trauma. Both have younger sisters that they are trying to protect from various threats, including a bully and some unstable individuals. There was a twist that I didn’t see coming. I liked how some of the characters from the first book in the series, Life Flight, were present in the story, especially Life Flight pilot, Penny Carlton. The Charlotte, NC, setting was great, too.

I had a niggle regarding the portrayal of one of the characters, André Wilson. Perhaps it is my own sensitivity so I won’t comment further about that.

The audiobook narrator, Sara Sheckells, does an excellent job!! Her narrating skills is one of the reasons why I was so eager to read this next book in the series. She brings the characters, including the villains, to life.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a free download of Crossfire.

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Life Flight by Lynette Eason (Extreme Measures 1) – Audiobook – Tantor Audio ~ **TOP PICK**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 5 stars

Life Flight begins with a heart pounding action scene and sustains the allure with each subsequent page.

EMS helicopter pilot, Penny Carlton, is in trouble. Her chopper has been compromised by flying debris during a raging storm necessitating an emergency landing on Mount Mitchell in Asheville, NC. Even with the nurse practitioner and critical care transport paramedic aboard, Penny needs to find help quickly or her wounded passenger could die from her injuries. It’s up to Penny to get help before it’s too late.

Meanwhile, there’s an escaped serial killer loose on Mount Mitchell who’s desperately trying to take cover from the FBI, namely Special Agent Holt Satterfield, who’s hot on his tail. When Penny and Holt believe they’ve gotten their man, the outcome takes a devastating turn and the pair wind up back at square one.

Life Flight has so many great elements worthy of recommendation. The action, suspense, intensity, twists and turns kept me glued to its pages from beginning to end. Penny’s occupation as a highly skilled EMS helicopter pilot kept me riveted. She excelled at her job and I felt like I was along for the ride as she carried out each perilous rescue. The sweet romantic connection between Penny and Holt was heartwarming. Their relationship developed organically and convincingly—none of that insta-love stuff.

The performances of the secondary characters are not to be minimized. Their varied backgrounds contributed to the success of this story. Some had trauma-filled pasts while others left me with a niggling feeling of doubt regarding their true nature. With my speculations eventually resolved, I was thoroughly entertained and satisfied by the story’s conclusion. The setting was a bonus since I am grossly familiar with neighboring Asheville, NC., which my family visits regularly.

It’s hard to imagine how this book about the hunt for a serial killer could be written so tastefully, without foul language or gore, but it was. I was thoroughly impressed by the well-developed and engrossing plot. A testament to the fact that a talented writer can concoct an amazing story without filling it with expletives, sexually mature themes and excessive violence. Great job!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Last, but certainly not least, Sara Sheckells was an EXCELLENT audio narrator!! My enjoyment of Life Flight was definitely enhanced by the narration. The voice portrayal of the diabolical serial killer on the loose was perfection. Both male and female voices were artfully done. The characters were brought to life in a way that connected me to them. She nailed it.

Life Flight was so good that I visited the author’s website to see if or when book two in the series would be released. I was thrilled to find that book two, Crossfire, is set to be released in August, 2022. Yay!! 😀 Highly recommended.

Thank you Tantor Audio for a complimentary audiobook download of Life Flight. My opinions about it are exclusively my own.

Wine Tastings Are Murder by Libby Klein – (Audiobook ~ Tantor Audio)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

Poppy McAllister is preparing for the upcoming wine and cheese happy hour that she and aunt Ginny are hosting for a wine tour group. Some of the members of the group that are staying at Poppy’s Butterfly Wings B&B are checked in and anticipating the upcoming wine tour. It’s a mixed bag of guests with peculiar circumstances, but Poppy is happy to oblige the pesky, unusual clan. But when the wine tasting tour turns deadly for one of the guests staying at her B&B, Poppy and her friends are determined to find out who the killer is before her B&B business goes belly up.

I loved Wine Tastings are Murder. Libby Klein never disappoints with this series and Wine Tastings are Murder is no exception. The humorous lines and scenes are abundant, and on numerous occasions I broke out into fits of spontaneous laughter. I love the Cape May, NJ setting of this cozy mystery. I vacationed there many years ago and it brought back fond memories. It was fun envisioning the wacky cast of characters in this setting and the never ending comedic scenes involving the tour guests, Figaro the cat, the visiting teacup pom Tammy Faye Baker, Aunt Ginny and her friends the biddies, the Ukrainian narcoleptic chambermaid named Victory, a pseudo social media fanatic, and Poppy’s nemesis, Amber the cop, who’s heading up the murder investigation.

Amidst the chaos of this bedlam, the time has come for Poppy to choose which beau will be her forever after. We’ve been waiting for this moment since earlier in the series. Will it be Tim or Gia? The answer in the end will amaze you.

The revelation of the murderer at the conclusion of this cozy mystery was creative brilliance, and the final line of the book whet my appetite exceedingly for the next installment in the series.

If you’d like a cozy mystery that features food, a feisty senior citizen, a naughty cat, a wacky cast of characters, lots of laughs and a thoroughly satisfying ending, then I highly recommend Wine Tastings are Murder. I listened to the audiobook version and Callie Beaulieu does an excellent job narrating the various characters. I kept laughing at her interpretation of Victory the Ukrainian chambermaid and the Italian, Gia.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary audiobook download of Wine Tastings are Murder. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Everybody’s Best Friend by Ken Englade – (Audiobook ~ Tantor Audio)

Craig Rabinowitz was everybody’s best friend, and then he wasn’t. Deception, betrayal, lies and then the ultimate confession severed the ties he worked so hard to establish. His apparent loyalty to his wife and baby daughter was so convincing that his network of friends supported him until they finally saw him for what he was, a dishonest man who took advantage of them and committed the ultimate crime.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫- 4.5 stars

Craig and Stephanie Rabinowitz seemed like an odd pairing from the start. Stephanie was interested in obtaining higher education and went on to become an attorney. Craig had little to no aspirations to become anything. After Stephanie gave birth to their daughter she began working part time while Craig made money with his latex glove “business.” From outward appearances Craig and Stephanie had a great life. Craig was solicitous towards his wife and seemed to adore their little girl. The couple shared a small network of friends who supported and loved them even when Craig’s behavior was at times a little peculiar or immature. Things were normal in the Pennsylvania town where they lived until tragedy struck. Stephanie, at only twenty nine years of age, drowned in her bathtub while her husband was at home. No one in Craig’s close circle of friends believed he had anything to do with it, but detectives and prosecuting attorneys disagreed. Of course, Craig adamantly denied having anything to do with his wife’s death, and his friends supported him in every way possible, including financially, until digging into his past unearthed secrets and lies that cast doubt on his innocence. Craig was quickly going from everybody’s best friend to no one’s.

This story was told in a format that was easy to follow and understand. It was sad to see how greed and the lack of industriousness on the part of Craig Rabinowitz led to the obliteration of his family’s assets, and the desperation that resulted in an unthinkable criminal act.  A good portion of the book was devoted to building a case against Craig Rabinowitz by the prosecution.  It was interesting learning how that’s done. The audio narrator brought the book to life. If you’re a fan of shows like Dateline or  Investigation Discovery (ID), you’ll appreciate this story.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of Everybody’s Best Friend. All opinions stated about it in this review are my own.

Death in an Elegant City – Murder on Location – Book 4 by Sara Rosett – (AUDIOBOOK ~ Tantor Audio)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 4 stars

From GOODREADS…

Sightseeing can be murder…

Location scout Kate Sharp is thrilled to be part of a scouting trip to the historic city of Bath, England to research the location for a Jane Austen documentary. But before Kate gets a chance to stroll the elegant boulevards where Austen once lived, murder cuts the sightseeing short. Now Kate must rearrange her itinerary and find the killer before she and the production are shut down permanently.

My Review

Kate Sharp is a location scout. She’s currently back in England working on a Jane Austen documentary in Bath. She’s thrilled to be back in England and working, but unfortunately the crew that she works with, specifically the Producer, Elise, and the Director, Cyrus, are at it again. They don’t agree on aspects of this particular production and it’s making the rest of the crew miserable listening to their verbal sparring sessions.

When the crew finally settles into the Bath Spa Hotel and begins their scouting work for the production, one of the crew members winds up dead and leaves them all scrambling to clear their names.

I almost forgot how much I enjoyed the first book in this series. Even though this is book 4 and I skipped ahead, it was still easy to follow and could easily be a standalone. I loved all the references to Jane Austen’s life and books throughout the story. The location, Bath, heightened my interest in the mystery. I’ve enjoyed several of Jane Austen’s books and I fondly reflected on those memories as I listened. The descriptions of locations in Austen’s books was a plus.

The mystery itself played out well. With almost every character there was at least a hint of suspicion. The actual revelation was clever and believable.

The audio narrator has a voice suitable to cozy mysteries. It’s calm and soothing and excellent for this series. I looked forward to hearing her tell the story.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend the Murder on Location series.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of Death in an Elegant City. My opinions stated in this review are entirely my own.

The Broken Spine by Dorothy St. James (Audiobook ~ Tantor Audio)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

The Cypress library in South Carolina is about to fall victim to a technology overhaul which will eliminate all of its physical books, replacing them with a digital catalog. The head and assistant librarians, as well as many of the patrons, are not happy about this new development. Although their disapproval is openly expressed, their feelings fall on deaf ears. The library conversion will take place. But in the midst of this transition the town manager who was in favor of the new changes is found dead, crushed under the weight of an overturned shelf of DVD’s. There are several suspects, including the assistant librarian, Trudell Beckett, who loved the library’s precious books. Admittedly, Tru has some secrets of her own, but she insists she’s innocent of this crime. Nevertheless, she remains on the suspect list. Tru has a few theories of her own about who may have killed Duggar Hargrove, and sadly her best friend, Tori, is on her list of suspects. So when someone is arrested and taken into custody for the murder, Tru should be relieved. Unfortunately, she isn’t convinced of the culprit’s guilt, and she’s intent on finding who the real killer is. Will she get to the bottom of what really happened before someone shuts her up for good?

I enjoyed this cozy mystery. The cast of characters were lively and diverse—from young to old, ditzy to feisty. Their personalities were entertaining and I found myself chuckling out loud on quite a few instances. I had difficulty determining who the murderer was which added to my enjoyment of the book. A number of the characters had motive, and the revelation at the end was both believable and creatively executed. And what’s a cozy mystery without an animal’s presence? Dewey (short for Dewey Decimal), Trudell’s brown tabby cat, was a nice addition to the story.

The audiobook narrator had a pleasant voice and I was impressed by how well she performed both male and female characters, young and old. My only complaint is that her breathy inhalation’s were noisy and distracting at times. If editing could somehow remedy this issue I would give her an A+.

Overall, I was very pleased with The Broken Spine and would definitely recommend it.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of The Broken Spine. My opinion of the book expressed in this review is entirely my own.

Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan (Audiobook – Tantor Audio)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 4 stars

Polly Waterford has taken up residence in a four story lighthouse and oversees two bakeries for which she works many grueling hours and days per week, but wouldn’t have it any other way. She loves the thrill of observing the reactions of people from near and far gushing over her creations and forming lines to sample them. That feeling is worth more than all the money in the world. Besides that, she has her boyfriend, Huckle, to enjoy her spare time with; and of course, Neil, her pet puffin. Polly is feeling content with where she is in her life. But when Mrs. Manse, the owner of the little beach street bakery dies, the change in circumstances drastically affects Polly’s life and livelihood. And to make matters worse, a former acquaintance returns to Mt. Polbearne and Polly is incredulous to learn that they may soon be close neighbors—VERY close. This will put Polly in a very awkward predicament. She’s even feeling guilty about keeping Neil as a pet, regardless of his seemingly happy state. Pressures are mounting in every direction of her life. Much is at stake and Polly will have to make many difficult decisions to stay afloat financially. Can she navigate the many challenges she’s facing and regain everything she stands to lose?

I was excited to read Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery. I wanted to return to Mt. Polbearne, the little Cornish seaside town to see what my old chums were up to after having read The Little Beach Street Bakery and falling in love with the characters, the pet puffin, Neil, and the quaint picturesque resort town with the causeway that separates it from the mainland. I wasn’t disappointed. As I listened to the various trials Polly was facing in her life I admired how she persevered. She was uncertain and downright afraid about some of her choices, but she was determined to continue doing what she loved and her diligence paid off in the end.

I prefer the audio version of Jenny Colgan’s books because her books tend to be a bit long winded. She includes every thought, expression and action which translates well when I’m listening as opposed to reading. I learned this when I almost DNF’d the first of her books I’d tried reading before inadvertently switching to the audio version and enjoying it so much more. I’ve been a fan ever since. Although, I am disappointed that she tends to use expletives that are unnecessary and detract from the overall sweet tone of her stories that end on a happy note.

Audio narrator review:

Read by: Alison Larkin

Alison Larkin was pleasant to listen to and reflected Polly’s character and the tone of the story very well. It took some getting used to the voices of some of the male characters. A few were over animated and exaggerated and gave them a cartoon-like persona. They sounded a little dork-like to me, particularly the Dubose and Huckle characters. As the story progressed I finally became used to the sound of their voices and it was tolerable. Overall, a very good job with the audio.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery. All opinions expressed are my own.

Sheer Mischief by Jill Mansell – (Audiobook – Tantor Audio)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

Decidedly bored, flighty Maxine Vaughan has just abandoned another perfectly respectable man. With no money and nowhere to live, she shows up on older sister, Janey Sinclaire’s, doorstep. Janey has her own problems. Her husband up and disappeared one day after only a few years of marriage and hasn’t been seen for the past two years. Janey, distraught and bewildered by her husband’s sudden departure, tries to carry on with her life and thriving flower shop in Trazale, Cornwall, not knowing whether she’s been abandoned or widowed.

Meanwhile, breathtakingly handsome widower and celebrity photographer, Guy Cassidy, needs a nanny. His beloved wife, Veronique, is gone, and Guy is estranged from his father. When Maxine finds out Guy’s predicament, she’s determined to score, not only the job, but a chance at Guy. She’s not in the least bit domestically inclined, but nevertheless winds up getting the job with a little help from her sister, vouching for her character. At least she’s out of Janey’s hair for the time being. If irresistible Maxine isn’t around, maybe Janey will have a chance with Bruno, a restaurant owner to whom she delivers flowers on a biweekly basis. Janey feels guilty about her growing feelings for Bruno; she’s still married after all, even if she hasn’t seen her husband for two years.

Maxine is stumbling through her nanny duties, being scolded by Guy regularly but loved by his two young children. Then she makes an almost unforgivable mistake. Janey falls hard for Bruno, but will she ultimately regret it? Secret relationships and odd pairings abound, but will anyone find happiness?

I loved this book! The story introduced me to interesting, contrasting characters with complicated relationship dilemmas. I thought the fifteen hour length would be daunting initially, but it allowed for greater character development which lent to my enjoyment of the book. The insecurities Janey felt because of her sister’s superior beauty, I thought, was a realistic sibling scenario. I was entranced by all of the characters, and was fully invested in what was going on in their lives. When the book ended I felt dismayed and could easily have listened longer.

The audio narrator, Charlotte Anne Lore, did an excellent job portraying each character. I felt like she was made to tell this story. Fabulous!

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of Sheer Mischief. In exchange I have provided an honest, unbiased review.

Steamy weather and bugs all around in NC.

Thanks for reading! ☺️

Thread Herrings by Lea Wait (audiobook – Tantor Audio, and ARC – Kensington Books)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

First, I’d like to thank Kensington Books for a complimentary paperback ARC of Thread Herrings. And Tantor Audio, for the free audio download. What a privilege to have both versions to enjoy.

—————

When a tattered, badly damaged coat of arms embroidery piece catches Angela Curtis’s eye while at an antiques auction with her friend and antique shop owner, Sarah Byrne, Angela is determined to own it. In its dilapidated state few people seem interested in it and Angela easily wins it. She’s curious about its origin, particularly because of the piece of paper from a foundling hospital she finds tucked inside. So when she’s presented with an opportunity to find out more about the embroidery and its contents by appearing on television, she accepts the invitation. But when a seemingly harmless investigation into the coat of arms embroidery turns deadly, Angie’s life, as well as her family’s, is soon in terrible danger. Who’s behind the death threats, and why would anyone want her dead over an old piece of embroidery?

Thread Herrings is another keenly plotted cozy mystery in the Mainely Needlepoint series. These stories are always well developed and full of depth, both in plot line and characterization. I always learn something new when I read a book in this series, and I can count on a unique story of a high calibre that will keep me entertained and in suspense. Thread Herrings delivers. Recommended.

Thanks for stopping by. Here are a couple of pictures of my 18.5 year old cat, Kit-Kat. 😊

Have a great day.

The Bad Seed by William March – Read by Elizabeth Wiley (Audiobook – Tantor Audio)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 5 stars

Rhoda Penmark is not your ordinary little girl, and her mother, Christine, senses that something is off about her child. There’s a cold, calculating way about Rhoda that makes her mother uneasy and hesitant to confront her innermost fears regarding her daughter. Others are troubled by Rhoda’s odd behavior and shy away from her. Even the devious, troublemaking maintenance worker, LeRoy Jessup, senses that there’s something amiss about Rhoda. When he catches her alone he taunts her and lets her know he’s got her all figured out. Does he? But then there’s Christine’s wise and intelligent neighbor, Monica Breedlove, who’s intimately acquainted with Rhoda and adores the child. Who’s assessment about little Rhoda stands true? After all, she can be quite sweet with those whom she likes. But it’s quite different when the reverse is true, or if you have something she wants.

I loved listening to this book!! It took me back to the 1956 film of the same name starring Patty McCormack as young Sociopath, Rhoda Penmark. The book was written in 1954, and it was excellent!! Slightly different from the movie version and a bit more detailed. The author is a highly proficient writer and I was frequently caught up by his expressions and viewpoints on various topics and subject matter. Although Rhoda’s behavior factors prominently in the story, this book is not about a child’s murderous rampage. It was written in 1954 after all. It equally focuses on Rhoda’s mother and how she handles the truth about who her daughter really is.

This book was excellent and I highly recommend it. The audio narrator, Elizabeth Wiley, did an INCREDIBLE job portraying each character—both male and female. Her portrayal of Rhoda was so similar to how the young girl sounded in the movie I was enthralled. Fantastic job!

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of The Bad Seed. All opinions about it are honest and entirely my own.

Have a great day everyone!! 🦋

Thread and Gone by Lea Wait

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5-stars

Lea Wait is my go-to author for highly intelligent, well-constructed cozy mysteries. Her intricately woven plots are so impressive that I often forget that I’m reading a cozy. I can always look forward to acquiring new and interesting facts when I read her books. There’s usually some historical facts that factor into the mystery, and I always come away feeling wiser about fascinating subjects I wasn’t previously familiar with. In Thread and Gone, I received a lesson in who Mary, Queen of Scots was, and how needlepoint was a major part of her life. I also learned about Marie Antoinette and several other facts that made me think of how much research went into preparing this mystery for the reader’s enjoyment.

And now a glimpse into the plot…

Angela Curtis and the Mainely Needlepointers are on a quest to find out the details about a unique piece of delicate embroidery that was brought to them for analysis by Mary Clough, a seventeen year-old girl, who found it in the attic eaves of her family’s old house. At least one of the Needlepointers believes it could date back to 16th century Elizabethan times and may even have been stitched by Mary, Queen of Scots. If so, it’s quite valuable, so Angela proposes that the embroidery be secured within an attorney’s office for safe keeping since Mary’s fiancé voices his concerns about it getting lost or even stolen by the Needlepointers. 🙄 But when the safe is broken into and the embroidery is stolen along with some valuable jewellery, and the attorney is found dead, the Needlepointers find themselves with more than a needlepoint mystery on their hands to solve.

Lea Wait is a heavyweight in this genre. If you enjoy a solid mystery, but without the profanity and gratuitous violence present in some traditional mysteries, I highly recommend that you try Lea Wait’s Mainely Needlepoint series. You will NOT be disappointed.

Christina Delaine did an impeccable job narrating this cozy. Her voice fits perfectly with this series and I’m always anticipating my next opportunity to listen when she narrates.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of Thread and Gone. In exchange I have provided my honest, unbiased opinion of it.

Thanks for reading. Have a wonderful day! 😊

This Could Change Everything by Jill Mansell (Audiobook – Tantor Audio)

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 – 4.5 stars

Sometimes a single incident in our life can change everything we’ve ever dreamed of, and that was certainly true in Essie Phillips’ case. This Could Change Everything expounds on the lives of three main characters whose lives converge, and in so doing, inadvertently change Essie’s life, and their own lives, in ways they could have never imagined.

When a scathing round robin (newsletter) gets sent out to everyone in Essie’s address book, her recently acquired idealic life is reversed overnight. Left with no boyfriend, no job and nowhere to live, things look hopeless. But when a chance encounter with an 83-year-old, spunky, eccentric woman, Zillah Walsh, occurs, things start looking up. In fact, losing her boyfriend and everything that went along with him, may be the best thing that’s ever happened to Essie. She soon learns that forming relationships with those who can impart wisdom and valuable lessons is priceless, and that helping others brings true and lasting happiness.

There were so many little brilliant facets within this story that steered my emotions from elation to sadness and back again. The three-dimensional characters drove the story forward and kept me thoroughly immersed. Admittedly, in the beginning the concept of a newsletter being sent out as a joke by an adult seemed quite far-fetched, and I wasn’t sure if I could suspend disbelief enough to enjoy the book. But the narrative took a quick turn and I became completely absorbed in the story.

This was an audiobook and the narrator, Esther Wane, was a perfect fit for telling this book. She brought the characters to life, especially Zillah’s character, which I enjoyed the most. The skillful narration most definitely enhanced my enjoyment of this book. Definitely recommended.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of This Could Change Everything. In exchange I have provided an honest review.

I’ve got lots of catching up to do. 🤦🏽‍♀️

Enjoy your day everyone, and thanks so much for stopping by. ☺

Off Kilter by Hannah Reed (Audiobook – Tantor Audio)

🐑🐑🐑🐑.5 – 4.5 bleating sheep

Eden Elliott, 38, is off to the Scottish Highlands to get the proper atmosphere for her first novel, compliments of her best friend and established romance author, Ami Pederson. While traveling to Glenkillen, Eden meets a young woman named Vicki MacBride on the plane who is on her way to Scotland to bury her father. The women quickly bond and Eden learns of Vicki’s harrowing situation regarding her father’s inheritance. Her siblings’ bitter rivalry stems from their resentment of Vicki’s inheriting the entire sheep farming operation when they’ve been the ones overseeing it while Vicki, their half-sister, was living in London. Eden is sympathetic to Vicki’s plight and provides a listening ear and shoulder to cry on. But when the two women stumble across the body of Vicki’s supposed friend, Gavin Mitchell, a sheep shearer, Eden is left with doubts regarding her newfound friend.

Scottish heather

What an engrossing, atmospheric, cozy mystery! The setting, with its highland cattle, country lanes, lush mountains, low stone walls, rolling green farmland and purple heather was captivating. The kilt-wearing handsome Scot, Leith Cameron, and his dog, Kelly, were prominently featured characters and I adored them. The Scottish idioms and lilt made me chuckle. (The audiobook narrator for Off Kilter, Angela Dawe, gave an outstanding performance. The accents sounded authentic and realistic, which enhanced my enjoyment of the story.) Vicki’s west highland terriers, Cocoa and Pepper, that were constant companions to Eden in parts of the book were always a welcome addition to the storyline.

Off Kilter was an enjoyable cozy mystery with a setting that’s described so distinctly that you will feel as though you’ve been transported to Scotland in your mind’s eye. Definitely recommended.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a free download of Off Kilter.

Highland cattle

Death in the English Countryside by Sara Rosett – (Audiobook – Tantor Audio)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

When Kevin Dunn, owner of Premiere Locations, a small location scouting firm, goes missing in the quaint village of Nether Woodsmoor in England while scouting out locations for their newest project, a Pride and Prejudice adaptation, Kate Sharp, Kevin’s employee, is sent from their office in California to locate her boss. Kate and the office manager, Marcy, are the only two who are aware of Kevin’s alcohol addiction and the problems it has caused him in his professional life in the past. Not wanting to stir up unnecessary negative publicity for some trivial impropriety and risk losing a project from a top Director, Kate heads off to England to find her boss and bring him back to California. But when she finally locates Kevin he’s not inebriated, he’s dead.

There was so much to love about this book; all of the references to Pride and Prejudice, the beautiful location with its undulating green fields, golden stone cottages, groves of trees, flowering hedgerows and lush gardens; the snooty characters that made me feel like saying…

It’s always an added bonus when I learn new things while reading a book. This book taught me a lot about location scouting, which I found quite interesting.  It was a unique profession that I’ve never seen used in a cozy mystery.  I was pleasantly surprised by how well the mystery was developed.  The ending was satisfying, although I did find it slightly difficult to piece together.  The audio narrator, Sarah Mollo-Christensen, has a soothing voice that was exceedingly pleasant to listen to, and aided in my complete enjoyment of this book.

I will be inquiring about book 2 in the series, Death in an English Cottage. That’s how excited I was about this book. Highly recommended.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of this book. In exchange I have provided an honest, unbiased review.

Have a great week everyone, and thanks for visiting Cozynookbks. 😊

Hummus and Homicide by Tina Kashian (Audiobook-Tantor Audio) **Top Pick**

   5-stars

I absolutely loved Hummus and Homicide!! The completely convincing suspect list, sleuthing tactics and loyal family dynamic; including the cultural traditions the Berberian family so tightly clinged to, were all factors that made the book worthwhile. I cracked up many times while listening. The pace never wavered, and the ethnic dishes that Lucy’s mother prepared in Kebab Kitchen made my mouth water!!

And now a little summary of the book…

When Lucy Berberian returns home to Ocean Crest, NJ, after her professional life in Philadelphia as a patent attorney takes a nosedive, her parents welcome her with open arms and a waitress uniform so she can get right to work at their family-owned Mediterranean restaurant, Kebab Kitchen.

Before long Lucy bumps into former classmate and nemesis, Heather Banks. When Heather introduces her boyfriend, famous suspense writer Paul Evans, to Lucy and then exclaims “Lucy’s parents are foreigners who own that Mediterranean restaurant,” Lucy is mortified by Heather’s tactless, erroneous statement (her parents are citizens) and corrects her in front of Paul. The two women exchange words and Lucy later regrets the tiff after learning that Heather is the new health inspector, replacing her father who’d given Kebab Kitchen’s inspection a pass every year for the past 30 years. Heather inspects Kebab Kitchen shortly thereafter and cites the restaurant for several infractions and demands corrective action within 7 days or she will shut Lucy’s parents’ beloved restaurant down. So Lucy is surprised when Heather comes back to Kebab Kitchen to eat the following afternoon, engulfing various varieties of hummus from the very hummus bar she’d verbally assaulted just a day earlier. But when she’s found dead in the restaurant’s parking lot, Lucy comes under suspicion and must act quickly to find out what really happened to Heather before the negative publicity destroys her parents’ health and livelihood, and she gets put away.

Audiobook narrator, Rachel Dulude, did a fabulous job with the storytelling and numerous accents and dialects in the book. Her performance most definitely added to my enjoyment of it, being that I’m originally from NYC and thus familiar with various cultures, I felt that her imitations were quite realistic and thoroughly entertaining, making the book that much more enjoyable.  I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, Stabbed in the Baklava.

Very highly recommended.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of Hummus and Homicide. In exchange I have provided an honest review

Hummus plate

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Lending a Paw by Laurie Cass (Audiobook-Tantor Audio)

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 stars

Lending a Paw is Book 1 in the Bookmobile Cat Mystery series. It was an enjoyable cozy with a believable suspect list and a few red herrings to point me in different directions along the way. Eddie, the mischievous cat, is a lovable character. I liked that he’s an ordinary cat with God-given animal instincts and doesn’t possess any magical abilities.

Here’s a little of the plot….

Minerva (Minnie) Hamilton, a Librarian with the Chilson (MI) District Library, drives the Bookmobile with her naughty but decidedly helpful and intuitive cat, Eddie. Eddie followed Minnie home from the cemetery one day, and surreptitiously made his way onto the bookmobile on the day of its maiden voyage, and subsequently lead her to her friend’s dead body. Minnie was fond of Stan Larabee, a major contributor to the library. But further digging uncovers unfavorable accounts of Stan’s character and business dealings. Many people hated the man. Who really was Stan Larabee, and why were so many folks’ attitudes that of good riddance instead of poor Stan?

This is my second book in the Bookmobile series. Admittedly, I had to get well into the book before it truly started to hold my attention. Once it did, I was eagerly anticipating the unveiling of the killer. This was an audiobook and the narrator did a pretty good job as Minnie. Her voice sort of reminded me of Jane Fonda, and it took me a little while in the beginning to equate her to 33-yr. old Minnie. But after listening for a time I got used to her voice and it was fine. Overall, I liked this cozy and I would try another book in the series.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a free download of Lending a Paw. In exchange I have provided an honest review.

Have a great week everyone. Thanks for stopping by.

Éclair and Present Danger by Laura Bradford (Audiobook)

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫—3.5 Stars

Winnie Johnson has just inherited a vintage ambulance and a brown and white tabby cat, Lovey, from her elderly deceased neighbor, and friend, Gertrude. This is not what Winnie was hoping for, and she realizes that her bakery, Delectable Delights, won’t be salvaged financially after all. The increase in rent on the bakery by her landlord is too much for her to keep it running. When her neighbor, Bridget, unwittingly gives Winnie the idea for her emergency dessert squad service, things begin looking up. Using the ambulance to get delectable desserts with whimsical names like NEVER GIVE UPside Down cake, into the hands of people who are experiencing varying situations in life, can be a real hit. But in the midst of all the excitement with her new business, a dear friend on Winnie’s street is murdered, smothered with a pillow in his home, and Winnie feels an obligation to help find out who killed him so that her elderly friends on Serenity Lane can sleep better at night.

The Emergency Dessert Squad is a fun idea and it made me chuckle thinking about the ambulance coming to the rescue of people going through rough times and needing a sweets fix. There are desserts for celebrations too and that’s how Winnie meets a potential beau, Jay Morgan, a man who is not put off by her choice of friends. Winnie is an interesting character in that she’s a young woman but prefers elderly companionship. Her best friend, Reneé, and the men she usually meets have a difficult time understanding this. But Winnie doesn’t care. She loves the older ones who’ve embraced her and made her feel welcome in Silver Lake. I loved this aspect of Winnie’s personality. She readily defends her senior friends and lets her male acquaintances know that they can take a hike if they can’t understand why she prefers them as friends. Lovey the cat is a hilarious animal character in the book. She’s friendly with most people, but no matter what Winnie does to warm up to her, Lovey responds with an audible hiss. One wonders why Gertrude entrusted the cat’s care to Winnie.

Overall, I liked this cozy. Although at times I felt like the dessert squad and Winnie’s love life overshadowed the murder mystery in the book, it was still pretty good. I personally didn’t think the murderer was too hard to figure out, likely because there weren’t a whole lot of suspects, but it was still entertaining finding out the person’s motivation behind the killing. The audio narrator did a good job with the book. It took me a little time to warm up to her voice for some unknown reason, but once I did I determined she was okay.

Thank you, Tantor Media, for a free audio download of this book. In exchange I have provided an honest review.

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Have you read any books by Laura Bradford? What did you think dear readers? Have a wonderful day!!