Tag: Book Review

“Doggone Dead” – A Book Review

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

Looking for a new mystery to while away those extra quarantine hours? Look no further than Doggone Dead by the talented Dane McCaslin. Below, you can read Barnes and Noble’s overview and enjoy a quick recap of the story. Don’t you just love the cover?

Retired high school teacher Gwen Franklin has a new pet valet business with her BFF, and a whole new leash on life. But a killer is about to come sniffing around . . .

Gwen Franklin is looking forward to spending her retirement drinking her favorite coffee and reading mystery novels. Those peaceful plans are brought to heel by her best friend, Nora. Sporting stiletto heels, leggings, and a “more is better” makeup routine, fifty-something Nora Goldstein has a penchant for marrying—and divorcing—rich men. Now that Gwen’s got free time, Nora figures they should start a dog-walking and pet-sitting service together.

But it’s far from a walk in the park when the corpse of Linda Fletcher is found in Nora’s kitchen. Linda was Nora’s nemesis, and the large knife protruding from her chest points to murder. With no doubt that her bestie’s being framed, Gwen puts her sleuthing skills—acquired from reading every Agatha Christie mystery—to the test as she digs through suspects, including four disgruntled ex-husbands, ten greedy ex-stepchildren, not to mention all her exes’ exes. But with death threats and another body surfacing, can Gwen curb a killer before her own (dog) days come to an end?

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this book. It has all the elements I love in a cozy mystery: fun and quirky characters, a mystery, (of course!), surprises/twists and turns, and dogs! Spoiler alert…don’t be surprised if there is a little bit of pet adoption going on. 🙂  I’m a big fan of rescuing dogs, so this warmed my heart.

I can’t wait for the second in the series, and I doubt you will be able to either!

Below the  lovely Dane McCaslin

Would you like to purchase your own copy of this delightful read? Then click on one of the links below to be directed to your favorite book seller.

barnes and noble

amazon

“Sprinkles of Suspicion” A Book Review

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

Sprinkles of Suspicion, the first in a new series by the talented cozy mystery author, Kim Davis, is out today (June 2, 2020). I always love to discover new authors to my favorite genre, cozy mystery, and Davis doesn’t disappoint.

First, a blurb straight from amazon about the book:

“One glass of cheap California chardonnay cost Emory Gosser Martinez her husband, her job, and her best friend. Unfortunately, that was only the beginning of her troubles.

Distraught after discovering the betrayal by her husband and best friend, Tori, cupcake caterer Emory Martinez allows her temper to flare. Several people witness her very public altercation with her ex-friend. To make matters worse, Tori exacts her revenge by posting a fake photo of Emory in a compromising situation, which goes viral on social media. When Tori is found murdered, all signs point to Emory being the prime suspect.

With the police investigation focused on gathering evidence to convict her, Emory must prove her innocence while whipping up batches of cupcakes and buttercream. Delving into the past of her murdered ex-friend, she finds other people had reasons to want Tori dead, including Emory’s own husband. Can she find the killer, or will the clues sprinkled around the investigation point the police back to her?

Includes recipes!”

You’ll love the charming heroine, Emory, especially her recipes. I’m not a baker, but the description of those cupcakes made even me want to explore my kitchen! Sprinkles of Suspicion kept me guessing.  Just when I was certain I had the whole thing figured out, a twist occurred and left me guessing again. You’ll never be bored, and will have a hard time putting this one down.

If you’d like to purchase your own copy, a link to amazon is below.  Enjoy!

amazon

Don’t you just love the cover? And below, the lovely author, Kim Davis.

“The Southern Side of Paradise” – A Book Review

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

 

The Southern Side of Paradise

Kristy Woodson Harvey is back with the third of her delightful ‘Peachtree Bluff’ series.  Did I like this book?  No, I loved it!   “The Southern Side of Paradise” strikes just the right cord for me, with components of love, family drama, and romance.  Will there be a wedding in this, the final installment of the series?  Well, you’ll just have to get your own copy and find out!  Links below if you’d like to order from your favorite book seller.

Below is a blurb from the Barnes and Noble website:

“With the man of her dreams back in her life and all three of her daughters happy, Ansley Murphy should be content. But she can’t help but feel like it’s all a little too good to be true.

Meanwhile, youngest daughter and actress Emerson, who is recently engaged and has just landed the role of a lifetime, seemingly has the world by the tail. Only, something she can’t quite put her finger on is worrying her—and it has nothing to do with her recent health scare.

When two new women arrive in Peachtree Bluff—one who has the potential to wreck Ansley’s happiness and one who could tear Emerson’s world apart—everything is put in perspective. And after secrets that were never meant to be told come to light, the powerful bond between the Murphy sisters and their mother comes crumbling down, testing their devotion to each other and forcing them to evaluate the meaning of family.”

Barnes and Noble – “The Southern Side of Paradise” 

Amazon – “The Southern Side of Paradise”

Click on one of the above links if you’d like to purchase your own delightful copy.

 

Below the beautiful Kristy Woodson Harvey

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“Double Vision” By Ellie Hart

Posted on by Mary P Karnes

“Double Vision” by Ellie Hart, is the second in a series.  I love this book.  Sometimes, you read the first book in a new series, and feel a sense of loss when it’s over.  Then book number two comes out, and you are just so excited! But sadly, the second book isn’t quite as good as the first.  Not in this series!  “Double Vision” is even better than the first.  Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed “The Deep End”, but installment number two, “Double Vision” was even better.  Read below a little about it from an Amazon blurb…

Double Vision by [Hart, Ellie]

“When her cell phone rings, Giselle Cutler answers it—and finds herself speaking to a dead woman.

As Giselle and her partner Marta Perry get ready for the birth of their baby, the last thing they expect is to be drawn into another mystery. But there’s been a horrible mix-up with identification of a body found in the bay, and Marta’s supervisor Chrissy Burton is very much alive and desperate for their help.

Intrigue turns deadly as they uncover illegal organ transplants, black market sales, and ties to international terrorism. The killer is willing to do anything to keep the public from knowing how the transplant system really works, even if it means killing Giselle and Marta.”

Hart’s writing is taut, clever and will keep you wondering until the very end.  You’re not going to want to miss this one.

Do you wish to read your own copy of this thrilling new release?  Below are links from amazon and Barnes and Noble if you are so inclined…

“Double Vision” by Ellie Hart – Amazon

“Double Vision” By Ellie Hart – Barnes and Noble

Below, the ever lovely Ellie Hart

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