Tag: Cozy Mystery

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: Murder in PostScript (A Lady of Letters Mystery #1) by Mary Winters

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Murder in PostScript (A Lady of Letters Mystery #1) by Mary Winters

When I see books with any mention of “Bridgerton-like’ in the summary or taglines, I am at once skeptical and yet can’t pass up on said book based on hope of finding another wonderful series that is indeed like Bridgerton! I often get asked what books would I recommend for Bridgerton fans, and that is such a hard question because there are so many historical romances out there that have a Bridgerton feel but aren’t necessaitly Bridgerton like if that makes sense. So sometimes when I see this statement on books, I become skeptical because there is nothing like Bridgerton but yet like so many others I can’t resist finding then next Bridgerton like book to fall in love with.

That’s how this book came to be on my review radar. It was described as “… the first novel in a new historical mystery series perfect anyone who loves the secret identity intrigue and swoon-worthy romance of Bridgerton“. So naturally I couldn’t resist even though I was skeptical. The idea of a new murder mystery series with a hot romance even if it didn’t quite live up to the Bridgerton claim, intrigued me enough that there was no way that I would pass on this!

I am a huge fan of historical mysteries and romances and any time that the two cross over is a win-win for me. I am always on the look out for new lady detectives and sleuth series to dive into. There are so many good ones out there—-Veronica Speedwell, Lady Darby, Lady Sherlock—and new female detectives are hitting shelves everyday so when I saw this was a debut and a new series, I knew it must be worth checking out if it had already been acknowledged as an upcoming series rather than just a standalone.

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Special Feature: Death and Croissants (Follet Valley Mysteries #1) by Ian Moore

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: Death and Croissants (Follet Valley Mysteries #1) by Ian Moore

So many cozy mysteries are written by women and about women with a woman protagonist, which is why this one caught my eye. It’s written by a man with a male protagonist at the helm! You don’t see that too much in the cozy genre so I was eager to check this one out. This book is billed as a quirky, British style comedy, cozy mystery. There is a lot happening in that description and I think for the right reader, it will garner attention! I love quirky British humor and of course I love cozy mysteries so naturally this one stood out to me. Although that might not be the case for other readers and that’s ok but if you are looking for something a little different within the cozy genre, then this might be a good option for you!

I loved that the main character was going to be this middle aged man—-not exactly what I would have expected but I think it will work in this book. This book kicks off with the murder of one of Richard (the protagonist) chickens! If that doesn’t scream different and quirky then I don’t know what does! This book is one in a series of three books in the Follet Valley Mysteries and I think that readers will enjoy a new, quirky main character to get to know with some interesting murders to solve!

While I couldn’t fit this one into my review schedule, I couldn’t resist sharing this cozy with you guys today. I am eager to check this one out and see how funny and quirky it is! It sounds like a quick and easy murder mystery that will be a pleasure to read on the beach this spring/summer. If you enjoy cozy mysteries but maybe want to try something a little off the beaten path then I think you will find something in this one to enjoy. It promises a light hearted approach with a funny character and mystery to solve, give it a shot and see if this is something that catches your eye!

Continue reading “Special Feature: Death and Croissants (Follet Valley Mysteries #1) by Ian Moore” →
Book Critic, Book Review, Books

Review: Girl with the Dragonfruit Tattoo (Trouble in Paradise #3) by Carrie Doyle

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Girl with the Dragonfruit Tattoo (Trouble in Paradise #3) by Carrie Doyle

Right about now is the time where I start getting really tired of the Oregon rain and cold weather. I start to randomly look for tropical vacations that are anywhere with sun and warmth. Sadly, my budget doesn’t allow for tropical travel every year so I have to make do with what I have on hand which is usually a book set in a sunny location. Sometimes tropical book setting can be hard to find, but when I do find one, I am usually game to check them out.

When I saw this book come up for review, I was like HECK YES, tropical cozy murder mystery sounds like just the ticket to cure the winter blues. So I decided to give this one a shot, plus I love the cover. It is super cute. I haven’t read anything by Carrie Doyle before and actually I hadn’t even heard of any of her books but once this one came into my orbit, I was curious to see what other books she has put out. This one here is third in a series so obviously there are other books before it as well as another series that Doyle has written.

She seems to have a flair for cozy mysteries and this particular series is set in a tropical destination which to me is rare. Tropical destinations always feel transient. Like people weren’t meant to be there for any length of time. But I love that this book series make a home of the tropical island Paraiso. It gives readers roots to a location that often just feels like a short escape but readers of the series will feel like they are coming home to the island of Paraiso.

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Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Special Feature: Muffin But The Truth (A Bakeshop Mystery #16) by Ellie Alexander

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: Muffin But The Truth (A Bakeshop Mystery #16) by Ellie Alexander

Ellie Alexander has written a number of cozy mysteries series, her most well known being this one. Clearly it’s popular as it currently has 16 books in the series! I have skipped around in this series without too much trouble and I have also read some of Alexander’s other book series and really enjoyed her mix of classic Oregon towns and interesting characters—-not to mention the food!

Alexander is from Oregon and this particular series is set in Ashland. I live in Oregon so naturally I am partial to any book set in the PacNW. Ashland is a fun town and they have an annual Shakespeare Festival there as well so I love that Alexander incorporates this into her books. I can personally attest that these books authentically portray Oregon and the charm of some of our quirky towns which is one of the reasons I love her books because she really shows our lovely state in all its glory.

Whenever I read one of her books, I always know I am going to get a well written and fun mystery as well as a few good recipes or two! The Bakeshop Mysteries are so fun and I have loved reading them over the years, even reading them out of order they all can read like stand alone books. If you haven’t read this series yet maybe this is your sign to pick it up and give it a shot! I don’t think you will be disappointed. I can’t wait to review this latest novel a little later in the spring! It’s out now though so don’t miss it!

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Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: City of Fortune (Counterfeit Lady #6) by Victoria Thompson

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: City of Fortune (Counterfeit Lady #6) by Victoria Thompson

I featured this one last week and ever since then I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it! The cover fully lured me in as well as the horse racing aspect and I just couldn’t get it out of my head! I had planned to read this one a little bit later this spring when my calendar wasn’t so full but sometimes it just happens like this where I can’t get a book out of my head and then boom here we are reading it way before I planned to !

I have read some of Victoria Thompson’s books but have been limited to the Gaslight Mystery series. They are pretty good and that series especially is a long standing series (I think there are around 25 or 26 books!). She has written a couple of other romance books (cowboy romances) but the historical mysteries have been limited to the Gaslight Mystery series. Then in 2017, Thompson released the first book in her new series, Counterfeit Lady series and this series was born.

I haven’t read any of the other books in this series but I have the books on my radar and now that I have read this one, I think I am going to have to go and check out the other books in the series now. You could pick this one up mid series (which is what I did) without having read the other books, but there are clearly some plots that are established from previous books. It wasn’t a deal breaker for me but I did feel like my reading experience was different than someone who might be reading it from the beginning and in order.

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