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Review: The Missing Maid: The BRAND NEW page-turning historical cozy murder mystery from Holly Hepburn for 2024

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The Missing Maid: The BRAND NEW page-turning historical cozy murder mystery from Holly Hepburn for 2024 by Holly Hepburn My rating: 5 of 5 stars I’ve been a fan of Holly Hepburn’s books for some years now, so when I heard she was branching out into my favourite genre, cozy crime, I was thrilled. The Missing Maid exceeded my high expectations. I love the main character, Harriet (known as Harry). She’s determined and intelligent, but also reasonably sensible about staying safe. I love the historical setting. In fact I love the whole world Holly Hepburn has built, and everything and everyone in it. All the characters felt immediately real and I hope to get to know some of them better in future books. I also loved the story, it kept me interested and engaged throughout. I enjoyed watching Harry try (and succeed) to solve the mystery, and balance it with her job and other obligations. Overall, I absolutely loved this exciting and entertaining debut into cozy cri

Review: Death at the Drive-In

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Death at the Drive-In by Angie Fox My rating: 5 of 5 stars I’ve been a fan of the Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries since I read the very first book, Southern Spirits. I’ve so enjoyed the journey that Verity and the other characters have been on. I’ve loved watching her evolving relationship with Virginia. I love that there are plot lines that develop over the course of the series, as well as the main mystery in each book. Death at the Drive-In was an exciting thrill ride, I have to say. And Verity gets up to things I never thought she would, which is thoroughly entertaining. I can’t say much more without spoilers, but I absolutely loved it! Overall, this was another excellent book in a favourite series, full of excitement and humour. You’ll definitely get more out of this book if you read the whole series in order, but it would work as a stand alone. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

Murder at the Island Hotel - Blog Tour

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Review: 5 out of 5 stars I’ve been a fan of the Miss Underhay series since the very first book. And Murder at the Island Hotel is no exception. It’s such a joy to be back with this group of favourite characters again. This time, Kitty, Matt, and Alice end up stuck in a hotel on an island with murders happening. I really enjoyed reading this story. It was so much fun trying to figure out who had committed the murders, and there was a twist I definitely wasn’t expecting! Overall, this was another fun and intriguing murder mystery in a favourite series. I can’t wait to read the next one. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. Buy Links: https://geni.us/B0CLKX2BXGsocial Audible: UK:  https://ow.ly/zNNc50QHMvP US:  https://ow.ly/SvjA50QHMvS Listen here:  https://ow.ly/CkfR50QHMvR On X: Narrated by: @KarenCassAudio Blurb: A gorgeous island off the English coast, a beautiful hotel perched on the cliffs, a group of glamourous friends… and a suspicious death? Kitty Underhay’s

Review: The Murder Next Door

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The Murder Next Door by Emily Queen My rating: 4 of 5 stars 🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧 I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. I loved getting to know the characters I met in The Case at Barton Manor more. I thought the portrayal of Rosemary’s conflicted feelings towards Max was well done. The narrator did an excellent job, and now I’m used to her voice it took no time at all to get into the story.  Overall, this was another fun and intriguing murder mystery. I can’t wait to listen to the next in the series. I was given a copy of this audiobook, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

Review: The Case at Barton Manor

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The Case at Barton Manor by Emily Queen My rating: 5 of 5 stars   🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧 I’m a fan of cosy crime in general, and I have previously enjoyed The Case at Barton Manor as an ebook, so I was pleased to listen to the audiobook. I really enjoyed this audiobook. The writing is excellent. For the first book in the series, I thought it did an excellent job of convey the world that Rosemary lives in, and the people who inhabit it, without long stretches of description. The characterisation is also excellent, I took to Rosemary immediately, and her grief over losing her husband (some time before the start of the book) was delicately handled, and didn’t weigh the story down. I also liked Vera very much, though she appears frivolous at a glance, she is always there for    Rosemary. The plot is well conceived and executed. The mystery starts off small, and it was great fun to try and figure it out alongside Rosemary and her friends.  The narration is good. It too

Review: The Christmas Love Letters: a gorgeous, heartwarming new Christmas romance to cosy up with this winter

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The Christmas Love Letters: a gorgeous, heartwarming new Christmas romance to cosy up with this winter by Sue Moorcroft My rating: 5 of 5 stars I love Sue Moorcroft books, and Christmas books, so I was excited to be invited to read The Christmas Love Letters. I was not disappointed! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I loved the story relating to the love letters, and how they (eventually) brought people together. I loved the setting. Nelson’s Bar is clearly a beautiful place near the sea, and all the snow made the book seem extra Christmassy. The characters were also great. I loved Maddy, and the way she’s coped under difficult circumstances, and given Lyla such a lovely childhood. I really liked Raff too, and in fact all the other characters, with the exception of Harris. I understand his reasons, but that is not how you treat anyone you care about! Sue Moorcroft has produced another beautifully romantic and Christmassy story. I highly recomme

Review: Sweet Mercies

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Sweet Mercies by Anne Booth My rating: 5 of 5 stars I loved Small Miracles, so I was thrilled to be offered a copy of Sweet Mercies (the sequel) to review. I was such a joy to return and spend time with the Sisters of Saint Philomena again. I loved the sense of community, both in the convent, and the wider area. It’s wonderful to see how all the characters are getting on, they feel like old friends. I especially loved the kittens, and their interactions with Sister Cecilia. The plot was great, I loved all the different threads running through the book, and the way they intertwined. I enjoyed the sense of history, and the way it all comes together in the end. Overall, this book was a joy to read, full of community and kindness. I really hope that there will be more books in the series. I’d love to learn more about Sister Cecilia’s past. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

Review: Three Holidays and a Wedding

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Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin My rating: 5 of 5 stars I read this book because I’ve enjoyed Uzma Jalaluddin’s previous books so much. Plus, I love a well done snowed in story! I really loved this book. I loved all the characters (though it took me a little while to warm up to Saif, he came across as arrogant to start with). I loved seeing Anna and Maryam get to know each other, and themselves. I loved seeing their friendship grow. I loved the sense of love that Maryam’s family had for each other, even if they didn’t always get things right. The setting was wonderful. I absolutely loved Snow Falls, and its inclusiveness. I so enjoyed the way the three holidays and the general winter atmosphere blended together to produce such a festive ambience. I also had a delightful time watching the romances unfold. If you’re looking for a fun winter read, full of romance, friendship, and festive feeling, look no further! I was given a copy of th

Murder at the Village Fair - Blog Tour

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  Review - 5 out of 5 stars: I have loved all twelve books in the Miss Underhay mysteries so far, so I couldn’t wait to read Murder at the Village Fair. Matt and Kitty are on their somewhat delayed honeymoon, and staying with Aunt Effie. Kitty finds another dead body, and in spite of trying to stay out of it as she’s on holiday, can’t resist investigating! I really enjoyed this mystery. It was fun to be in a new location, with mostly unfamiliar characters. The apparently peaceful village is seething with secrets and hidden resentments, so finding the killer is tricky. I didn’t work out for sure who it was until the reveal, which is always good. I always love spending time with Kitty and Matt. I thought that the way the aftermath of their previous case was handled was realistic. So often in fiction detectives end up injured and seem to recover almost instantly. It’s so good to see convalescence happening.  Overall, this was another excellent mystery that will keep you guessing until the

Review: More Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up: The WTF AM I DOING NOW follow up to the runaway bestseller

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More Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up: The WTF AM I DOING NOW follow up to the runaway bestseller by Alexandra Potter My rating: 5 of 5 stars I really enjoyed Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k-Up, so I was excited to get my hands on More Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k-Up, the sequel. It was very enjoyable to catch up with Nell and see what she’s been up to. And, of course, Cricket, who is my favourite character. I absolutely love their continuing friendship, and the way they support each other. I loved the journey that this book took. All the things that happened to Nell and her loved ones, so realistic of the chaos that real life can be! I loved following the ups and downs, and the ending was wonderful. Overall, this was a great story, jam packed with hilarious and emotional moments. I definitely recommend it. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews