So today I have so quick reviews of some cozy mysteries I picked up for free on Kindle. They are still free at time of this post:
Title: Then There Were Nun (Nun of your business Book 1) by Dakota Cassidy
Description:
My name is Sister Trixie Lavender, and I’m an occasionally possessed excommunicated nun.
Okay, that’s a lot to swallow at once. But it’s true I was booted from the convent after doing something unspeakable. Something I had no control over. Something that lives inside me to this day, exploding out like that chestburster in Alien when I least suspect it.
But I have help. My amazing friend Coop—the demon who saved me from an ugly end—remains by my side, loyal and true. She was Hell’s best tattoo artist back in the day, and together with my designs, we’re opening Inkerbelle’s Tattoos and Piercings, right in the heart of Portland’s most darling district, Cobbler Cove.
Of course, our bid to fit in would be a little less rocky if I could help Coop assimilate with humans, keep a lid on our sassy talking owl, Livingston…oh, and if someone hadn’t killed our landlord on day one—in our shop.
This mystery-loving, bumbling ex-nun and her trusty demon sidekick are on the case! If I don’t bumble my way right into my own demise first…
This new cozy mystery series from USA Today bestselling cozy mystery author Dakota Cassidy is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat as Trixie and Coop hunt for a killer. Then There Were Nun is book 1 in the all new, Nun of Your Business series.
Review:
I saw this and thought, ‘ooh, I like the sound of that.’ An ex nun who happens to get possessed by an evil spirit now and again, her best friend is a demon and there’s also a cheeky possessed owl called Livingston.
Unfortunately it just fell a little short.
Don’t get me wrong the writing was good as was the overall mystery but there are a few issues I had that spoilt my enjoyment a little.
The thing I didn’t realise was these characters had already appeared in the author’s other series and the constant references to ‘Stevie’, which I assume is the main character in her other series, got a bit annoying.
It also sticks to the no violence rule of a cozy mystery, which all the violence happens sort of ‘off screen’. This kind of irritated me as there was a scene which the main character gets possessed, then we’re told about it afterwards by another character. Maybe this sort of subject matter is a bit too gritty for this sort of novel.
Also I know Livingston was meant to be Irish but he ended up sounding Scottish most of the time.
The main redeeming factor was Coop, she’s a great character, who’s trying to understand why humans do what they do, added some fun to the overall story.
I don’t think I’ll be carrying on with this series but I have picked up the first in the author’s other series Witch Slapped to see if I like that any better.
Title: Better Off Wed (Annabelle Archer Book 1) by Laura Durham
Description:
A guest with an axe to grind. A bridal party full of secrets. This wedding planner is about to turn detective…
Annabelle Archer is a few days away from completing the most elaborate wedding she’s ever planned. As she daydreams about the doors her perfect reception could unlock for her business, she stumbles over a dead body at the bottom of the stairs. The planner is horrified to recognize the body lying underfoot as the mother of the bride. When the police determine the victim was poisoned, Annabelle’s best friend and caterer becomes the prime suspect.
As she works to clear her best friend’s name, Annabelle discovers the bride’s mother had more enemies and secrets than she could ever fit on the guest list. To save her business and her friend, D.C.’s premiere wedding planner must find the killer. But will getting too close to the action make this wedding day her last?
Better Off Wed is the Agatha Award-winning first book in the Annabelle Archer Wedding Planner Mystery Series. If you like hilarious-yet-deadly whodunits, charming characters, and delightfully witty tales, you’ll love Laura Durham’s cozy mystery series.
Review:
This has been on my kindle since 2017 and I didn’t realise it, oops!
Annabelle is in the middle of one of the most high profile weddings she’s ever organised when she finds the mother of bride from hell dead at the bottom of a set of stairs. She of course starts to investigate putting herself in danger.
This was such a cute little cozy mystery! Fast paced and fun its perfect if you’re looking for something light hearted.
Two stand out characters for me were Richard, Annabelle’s camp caterer friend and Leatrice her nosey neighbour who loves a good mystery. They added a good dose of humour to the story, the back and forth between Annabelle and Richard really made me smile.
I did guess quite early on who the killer was but I read a lot of mysteries, it’s quite difficult to surprise me.
My only minor annoyance was Kate, Annabelle’s assistant who I felt was a little flat as a character, her main attributes being the fact she likes dating men and gets common sayings wrong.
I already have the second in this series which I’m looking forward to.
Title: Killer Cupcakes by Leighann Dobbs
Description:
Things are going great for Lexy Baker. She’s finally opened her dream bakery, gotten rid of her
cheating boyfriend and settled into her grandmothers house with her perky dog Sprinkles at her side.
But her blissful life doesn’t last long. When her ex boyfriend is found poisoned with cupcakes from her bakery, Lexy finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation headed up by her hunky neighbour detective Jack Perillo.
With the help of a gang of iPad toting, would-be detective grandmothers, Lexy decides to take it upon herself to find the real murderer in order to clear her name and get her bakery back in business.
As things heat up on the murder trail, in the kitchen and between Lexy and the hunky detective, it’s a race against time to put the real murderer behind bars and get back to baking.
Will Lexy get her man?
Review:
So I really enjoyed The Oyster Bay series by Leighann Dobbs so when I saw this for free on Kindle I thought I’d check it out.
This series features Lexy Baker, who has just opened her dream bakery. She thrown into a murder investigation after her ex boyfriend is poisoned by some cupcakes from her bakery. There’s a little bit of romance on the cards for her too, with her handsome policeman neighbour who happens to be investigating the case.
So this was actually the shortest one of the three novels I read, it took me only an hour to read. It is also a dual perspective novel, with POV’s from both Jack and Lexy, which made it stand out from the other cozies I’ve read recently.
I will say that it was quick and enjoyable but I felt it was a little rushed in places. I would have liked to get to know the characters a little better and see the romance blossoming a bit more between Jack and Lexy.
A good start to the series, I’m not sure if I’ll pick up the next one but I haven’t decided yet.
What about you do you enjoy cozy mysteries? Have you read any of these? Do you have any recommendations for cozies I should check out?
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was a professional librarian for over twenty-five years. He has degrees in English, Classics, and Information Science.
his love of nature and the outdoors. He found environmental education especially important and soon became a teacher for the primary-age group. Jamie enjoys reading and watching all kinds of theatre productions, from high dramas to lively musicals. His love of writing shines through in everything he does.
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