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Murder She Meowed (Bookshop Kitties Mysteries, Book 2) by Ruth J. Hartman – Review by Julie Johnson

Murder She Meowed (Bookshop Kitties Mysteries Book 2)Murder She Meowed by Ruth J. Hartman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a fun little read that starts off at a wedding with the attendants being cats. What a cute idea! Janie is horrified to see someone in the crowd at the wedding that she was hoping she’d never see again. Apparently a few others felt the same way! Soon we learn that the “mystery man” is found murdered on the floor of Janie’s shop.

Not one to shy away from a good mystery, Christy and her cats Milton and Pearl report for duty. They know Janie is innocent as they were all together during the time of the incident. Micah also pitches in to help in between his shifts as an ER doc. Together, they will find a way to solve this mystery, but what other mysteries will pop up in the process?

These cats are SPOILT!!! They are the stars of this book series and have a big role to play. They are also the characters in Christy’s book series that she writes and sells in her bookstore. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author. This was my first time reading her work!

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Murder She Meowed (Bookshop Kitties Mysteries, Book 2) by Ruth J. Hartman – Review by Jenni Bishop

Murder She Meowed (Bookshop Kitties Mysteries Book 2)Murder She Meowed by Ruth J. Hartman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ruth brings us another fun tale in the Bookshop Kitties Mysteries series, Murder She Meowed. It is full of furry sidekicks and super sleuths in this sweet cozy mystery.
Mayhem and madness ensue when Christy turns up to help a friend only to encounter a dead body. Now all she has to do is prove the innocence of an unlikely suspect.
A small town, family, a wedding, a wagon full of dressed up cats in their finest wedding attire and a murder are all wrapped up in this fun-loving tale.
This small town is full of colourful and quirky characters that you will love and make you laugh at their shenanigans and banter.
Murder She Meowed will make you feel good. It is entertaining tale and is a great tale to get lost in for some all-important me time.
If you love a good cozy mystery with an eclectic bunch, then this book is for you.

Reviewed by @jennadb

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Murder She Meowed (Bookshop Kitties Mysteries, Book 2) by Ruth J. Hartman – Review by Kerry Carr

Murder She Meowed (Bookshop Kitties Mysteries Book 2)Murder She Meowed by Ruth J. Hartman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Bookshop Kitties Series. These are a short cosy mystery read and even though it is part of a series it can be read as a standalone.
One thing is love is that the authors imagination and character development really brings the stories to life. You can’t help but be drawn into the story and the mystery has so many twists and turns that you are constantly kept guessing.

In this book we are back with Christy and her friends. When a distant relative turns up at her Aunty Betty’s wedding she is left wondering who he is. When it turns out that he is her best friend Janie’s ex husband things start to get strange and when said ex husband is found dead on Janie’s shop floor the question then is who is responsible.
Janie is the prime suspect but even though she was at the wedding could she still have commited the crime? And if not her then who?
As Christy starts to learn more about who this man was she starts to realise that the amount of people who would have wanted him dead keep increasing. Christy knows he wasn’t a nice man but even she is shocked as revelations come out about what he did and to who.
But the question remains who is responsible for his death? Can she clear her friends name?

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Murder She Meowed (Bookshop Kitties Mysteries, Book 2) by Ruth J. Hartman – Review by Jennifer Crain

Murder She Meowed (Bookshop Kitties Mysteries Book 2)Murder She Meowed by Ruth J. Hartman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Murder She Meowed” by Ruth Hartman is a cozy mystery that is perfect for cat lovers and fans of light-hearted whodunits. The story is filled with charming characters, including the lovable cats Milton and Pearl, who add humor and personality to the narrative.

The plot is well-paced and engaging, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing until the very end. The small town setting adds to the cozy feel of the story, and the author’s descriptive writing brings Green Meadow to life.

Christy Bailey is a relatable and determined protagonist, and her determination to prove her friend’s innocence is both admirable and entertaining. The romantic subplot with Micah adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story, and readers will be rooting for Christy to solve the mystery and find happiness in her personal life.

Overall, “Murder She Meowed” is a delightful read that combines mystery, romance, and feline antics in a fun and entertaining package. Fans of cozy mysteries will enjoy this charming book, and I look forward to reading more from Ruth Hartman in the future.

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@bookworm1909

Murder She Meowed (Bookshop Kitties Mysteries, Book 2) by Ruth J. Hartman – Review by Shelly Kittell

Murder She Meowed (Bookshop Kitties Mysteries Book 2)Murder She Meowed by Ruth J. Hartman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a fun read. Who took out the ex? So many characters to choose fun. A fun cozy with some cool cats and an entertaining murder to solve. The wedding was my absolute favorite. This was a quick read that doesn’t give a way the murderer to quick. The characters fit perfectly in this town. I love the backstory where they have history. It’s a delightful read that I recommend, especially if you love your cozy with humor and charm.

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Murder She Meowed (Bookshop Kitties Mysteries, Book 2) by Ruth J. Hartman

📖📖 • BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE • 📖📖
Murder She Meowed (Bookshop Kitties Mysteries, Book 2) by Ruth J. Hartman
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Clean Cozy Mystery
Page Count – 150
Children’s book author Christy Bailey is thrilled that her aunt Betty is finally marrying the man of her dreams! The small wedding is a family event, right down to Christy’s cats and subjects of her books, Milton and Pearl, who are dressed in wedding attire and pulled down the aisle in a wagon. After the reception, Christy and her boyfriend-hopeful, Micah, agree to help her friend and wedding caterer, Janie, clean up at her pastry shop. But when they arrive at the shop, they’re not greeted by Janie but Janie’s ex-husband—who’s dead on the floor, cold as a frozen muffin!
Suddenly the murder is all anyone is talking about in the small town of Green Meadow, Indiana, and it’s clear the local police detectives have Janie squarely in their sights. But Christy believes in her friend’s innocence and with Milton and Pearl pawing for answers, Christy will stop at nothing to give Janie a happy ending.

~ AMAZON ~BARNES AND NOBLE~APPLE BOOKS~KOBO~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Murder She Meowed (Bookshop Kitties Mysteries, Book 2) by Ruth J. Hartman

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Murder She Meowed (Bookshop Kitties Mysteries, Book 2) by Ruth J. Hartman

Ruth J. Hartman spends her days herding cats and her nights spinning mysterious tales. She, her husband, and their cats love to spend time curled up in their recliners watching old Cary Grant movies. Well, the cats sit in the people’s recliners. Not that the cats couldn’t get their own furniture. They just choose to shed on someone else’s. Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, farmhouse-dwelling writer uses her sense of humor as she writes tales of lovable, klutzy women who seem to find trouble without even trying.

Ruth’s husband and best friend, Garry, reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and loves her despite her insistence all of her books have at least one cat in them. See updates about her cozy mysteries at Ruthjhartman.com.

Author Interview With Ruth J. Hartman

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• 📖 • 📖 • PREORDER • 📖 • 📖 • Murder She Meowed (Bookshop Kitties Mysteries, Book 2) by Ruth J. Hartman

Children’s book author Christy Bailey is thrilled that her aunt Betty is finally marrying the man of her dreams! The small wedding is a family event, right down to Christy’s cats and subjects of her books, Milton and Pearl, who are dressed in wedding attire and pulled down the aisle in a wagon. After the reception, Christy and her boyfriend-hopeful, Micah, agree to help her friend and wedding caterer, Janie, clean up at her pastry shop. But when they arrive at the shop, they’re not greeted by Janie but Janie’s ex-husband—who’s dead on the floor, cold as a frozen muffin!
Suddenly the murder is all anyone is talking about in the small town of Green Meadow, Indiana, and it’s clear the local police detectives have Janie squarely in their sights. But Christy believes in her friend’s innocence and with Milton and Pearl pawing for answers, Christy will stop at nothing to give Janie a happy ending.

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Mission Improbable: Vietnam (A Blanche Murninghan Mystery) by Nancy Nau Sullivan – Review by Stephanie Robb

Mission Improbable:Vietnam (A Blanche Murninghan Mystery)Mission Improbable:Vietnam by Nancy Nau Sullivan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mission Improbable: Vietnam is Book 3 in the Blanche Murninghan Mystery Series in my opinion is best to read the books in order but you don’t have to. I loved following Blanche and Jean as they journey to Vietnam and of course the journey is full of twists and turns. This is a perfect cozy mystery to cuddle up with and enjoy.

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The Cannibal Caper (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden – Review by Jess Engel

The Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill MysteryThe Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a smashing sequel! The author delivers again with an adventurous mystery with our favorite child sleuth, Sparky!

The author does a wonderful job with setting and storytelling. The story is engaging, fast-paced, and incredibly unique. You’ll feel transported right into the action with Sparky working to solve the mystery and keep her friends safe.

These books continue to surprise me with their ingenuity and likable characters, especially Sparky. This has been an unexpectedly wonderful series so far and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

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The Cannibal Caper (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden – Review by Shannen Kern

The Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill MysteryThe Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed this book so much as I am quite a bit older than the target audience. This is the second book in the Bunker Hill Mystery Series which includes our lovable 11-year-old detective Sparky. Much has changed from the first book and it’s all for the better…well mostly. She is doing her best to locate the stolen jewels while trying to avoid a cannibal. I enjoyed the setting again in this book as the author has a knack for transporting you to 1930s Los Angeles. I loved the flow of the story and found myself caught in the fast pace of it all. I recommend picking this up if you’re looking for a fun and cozy mystery.

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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The Cannibal Caper (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden – Review by Micalah Weatherholtz

The Cannibal CaperThe Cannibal Caper by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m not sure if there is an exact order to read these books in but I read The Cold Kid Case first and this one after it. Described as a YA, cozy mystery, I would check out the subject matter before just handing it to your kiddo as you definitely want to be sure they are mature enough to handle that. A little hard to get into at first but still an immensely enjoyable story. Once the action starts it doesn’t stop and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened. The characters were lifelike and fit the time period well. Again, told from her point of view we get an idea of what it’s like to be a scrappy, orphan, in this day and age, and how tough it is to survive on the street. Appreciate Bardens wonderful storytelling and can’t wait to find out what Sparky gets into next.

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The Cold Kid Case (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden – Review by Micalah Weatherholtz

The Cold Kid Case: A Sparky of Bunker Hill MysteryThe Cold Kid Case: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Although The Cold Kid Case is geared toward a YA audience I was still able to enjoy this fun, cozy mystery. After looking at the cover and reading the blurb about the book I thought it was going to be a little more geared toward young children but that wasn’t the case. We get a good idea of how the 1930’s was and how kids were treated and with Sparky being an 11 year old orphan it definitely wasn’t safe and she had to fight for everything. Told from her point of view it was a wild, entertaining ride to the end.

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The Cannibal Caper (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden – Review by Santana Hicks

The Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill MysteryThe Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sparky is back and this time she is looking for a cannibal on the loose. She has come a long way from the first book in the series. She has a home in the “creepy house” living with Tootsie and Gilbert and she is even going back to school. A cannibal has emerged in Bunker Hills and Tootsie is the main suspect. Sparky wants to clear her name but this time she has no help to solve the mystery. Tootsie likes the publicity she is getting being the prime suspect, Gilbert is busy doing his butler duties, and Bobby is out of town. Sparky is suspicious of everyone.

Sparky meets a 12 year old boy who works at a pet shop and is intrigued by him. She wants to be able to trust him but anyone could be the cannibal. On top of that, Sparky is also trying to find missing jewellery. Will she be able to do it all? Alone?

Even though I wasn’t really fond of the first book in the series, this one was a lot better. I was less irritated with Sparky as the main character. In the first book, I found her rude and annoying but she has come a long way from the feral girl you meet in the first book. I was able to get into the storyline a lot easier with this one.

I also really enjoyed the new characters introduced this time around. The author once again portrayed a comical murder mystery with more zany characters to add to the already colourful mix.

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The Cold Kid Case (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden – Review by Santana Hicks

The Cold Kid Case: A Sparky of Bunker Hill MysteryThe Cold Kid Case: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sparky is an 11 year old child who was in the wrong place at the wrong time causing her already difficult life harder. She is an orphan living on the streets in the 1930s when she discovered a little girl dead on a park bench. The press and Mayor portrayed Sparky as the murderer. Already hard to come by food and shelter, Sparky now had to avoid the cops. She decides to crash in the “creepy house” thinking no one would look for her there and ends up meeting the homeowner, an actress by the name of Tootsie. Instantly they bonded and Tootsie invited Sparky to hide out in her home.

Sparky is determined to clear her name with the help of her new friends and help from some old ones, she sets off to find the real murderer.

Honestly I disliked Sparky as a character immensely. She was full of contradictions and rude. I know life on the street made her feral but I could not understand her actions a lot of the times. She says she can’t trust anyone and then goes to the same people she mentioned she couldn’t trust. She was constantly disobeying and doing everything alone when she had people who liked and cared for her. I also didn’t like her personality in general.

The author did a good job of making a murder mystery comical and I loved most of the characters, especially Gilbert. Gilbert was the sweetest. Not liking the main character made it hard for me to like the book in general but looking outside of my dislike, the book was well written with a lot of colourful personality.

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The Cannibal Caper (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden – Review by Lorralei Hoerner

The Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill MysteryThe Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Sparky Bunker is back!! The Cannibal Caper is Book # 2 in the Sparky of Bunker Hill series and just as fun and full of adventure as the first book. Although this story is more for an audience of 11-18 years of age; this series can be enjoyed at any age. I was looking forward to reading this story and it did not disappoint.

Sparky and the cast of characters are on the hunt to solve another mystery; this one of missing jewels and who knew there would be mad cannibal in the mix! Sparky is now trying to put the puzzle pieces together in trying to figure out this mystery.

Will Sparky be able to solve the case? With her wit and banter and I love her feisty fiery side….definitely read and find out what Sparky and her friends have in store!! What a great read and highly recommended. I am already looking forward to the next installment.

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The Cannibal Caper (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden – Review by Tatra Johnson Barnes

The Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill MysteryThe Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden

The Cannibal Caper is Book Two in the Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series. It is a historical cozy mystery set in 1932 that centers around a precocious, street smart, eleven-year-old orphan named Sparky. She is smart, feisty, and a bit of an amateur sleuth with a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. In her latest adventure Sparky finds herself trying to solve the mystery of missing jewels and a gourmet cannibal. The list of suspects is complex and even those closest to Sparky could be guilty. Sparky is witty, determined, and has a feisty attitude that matches her bright red hair. The author does a great job pulling the reader into the story with detailed writing, rich, historical details, and quirky characters. This book had mystery intrigue, humour, witty banter, crime, action, adventure, and a bit of mayhem. Loving this series!

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The Cannibal Caper (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden – Review by Kerry Carr

The Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill MysteryThe Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the 2nd book in the Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery series. These historical Cozy mysteries are fun to read. The authors attention to detail really brings the characters to life. As a reader I felt really transported back in time to the 1930s.
This is a book ideally written for a young adult and our main character Sparkly is only 11 years old. She is a great character, at times she seems quite mature and grown up because of her life on the street and at other times you get flashes of the child she is.
I do recommend reading these books in order so you get the full story of Sparky’s life up to this point and you also get introduced to the characters who are present in this story.

We are back with Sparky and her friends. After solving the case in the last book and proving her innocence in murder, the amateur sleuth is back trying to uncover the mystery of missing jewels but with danger and a mad cannabel on the loose you know it’s not going to be easy or safe.
This is a fun mystery read which is fast paced and engaging. You won’t be able to put the book down until you uncover the mystery and see if Sparky solves the case.

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The Cannibal Caper (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden – Review by Betsy Melano

The Cannibal CaperThe Cannibal Caper by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This series is fun to read. The author paints a picture of the world of 1930’s era Los Angeles, where Sparky lives and finds ways to keep herself out of trouble. There are many things that could come up but Sparky doesn’t give up. It can’t be safe as an 11year old Orphan but Sparky makes due. She really has a personality that you can connect with. Sparks’s main goal in this book is to help her friends and benefactor keep away from the Cannibal who is attacking people. Like the first book, I felt like I transported to Los Angeles and learned a bit about the area and time. Thank you for keeping this story going, I really enjoy Sparks’s character.

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The Cannibal Caper (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden – Review by Alison Risher

The Cannibal CaperThe Cannibal Caper by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m loving this series! This mystery is set in Los Angeles in the 1930s. The main character is this scrappy little orphan who has been living on the streets. It is told in the first person, from her point of view. Although she now has a safe place to sleep and regular meals, she struggles to leave behind her life on the streets. She struggles with making good choices, which is something we can all relate to.

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The Cannibal Caper (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden – Review by La Toya Lewis

The Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill MysteryThe Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Cannibal Caper is the second book in the Bunker Hill Mystery Series. We are once again hanging out with street kid turned sleuth Sparky. Sparky’s life has gotten better as she builds a life with Tootsie. She has her own room and much to her chagrin Tootsie wants to send her to school. Of course, Sparky lands smack dab in the middle of another mystery. This time Sparky finds herself on the trail of a cannibal. Once again I found myself on a wild ride with spunky Sparky. This book was even better than the first. The author draws you into the shady 1930s perfectly. I love how immersive everything feels. Of course, I also loved the relationship between Tootsie and Sparky. This was a fun and adventurous story with a very well-written plot.

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The Cannibal Caper (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden – Review by Tausha Treadway

The Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill MysteryThe Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery by Rosalind Barden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Cannibal Caper (Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Series) by Rosalind Barden. I love this little series about a 11 year old “detective Sparky who lives in the Bunker Hill area in the 1930’s. In this edition of the series Sparky tries to find a cannibal and a jewel thief who is running loose in LA. Sparky has a guardian who is more worried about getting Sparky in school than catching any cannibals or jewel thief. Sparky also makes a new friend who is kind of weird that works at the pet store. Bobby decides to help Sparky find these criminals. Will they be able to find them before someone else gets hurt or their jewels stolen? Read this fun mystery to find out!

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Mission Improbable: Vietnam (A Blanche Murninghan Mystery) by Nancy Nau Sullivan – Review by Angelina Frazzini

Mission Improbable: Vietnam (Blanche Murninghan Mystery, #3)Mission Improbable: Vietnam by Nancy Nau Sullivan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is book three of the series and the first book I’ve read by this author. You can read this book without feeling like you missed anything if you didn’t read book one or two. This book has a mystery plot that definitely pulls you in.

Blanche has an adventure in Vietnam while using her amateur sleuthing skills to find Jean’s mother. So many secrets and so much history woven through this story! You can tell the author either researched or has personal experience with Vietnam. It is so well written it’s like you are on the journey with Blanche!

It’s a good read and I may very well circle back and read the first two books in the series.

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Murky Murder (A Maid Ivy Cozy Mystery Book) by Hazel Smith – Review by Heidi Sturgess

Murky Murder (A Maid Ivy Cozy Mystery, #4)Murky Murder by Hazel Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Our Ivy girl is at it again.

Ivy is like so many other “ detectives” they irritate the police yet they can’t solve their cases without them , a real love hate relationship if you like and a great source of Entertainment for me 😉 thank you Ivy and company ❣️📚

I’ve been an Ivy fan for quite sone time and this time was no different.

Someone is sending letters and we have a dead guest on our hands and Ivy and her “team” need to solve the case before another body is added to the count ….

I’m a sucker for a cozy mystery and Ovy is a firm favourite 🥰

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Recipe for Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith- Review by Heather Knalls

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

April has moved to Laurel Lake to take care of her grandmothers house and get it ready to sell. She never anticipated staying around after everything that happened when she first arrived. Now she is searching for Isaac the man that cause all of her problems when she first arrived. After a tornado tears through town Isaac’s grocery store has caught fire and Isaac is no where to be found. April sets off with Wesley her boyfriend and the town veterinarian to see if they can find Isaac and solve the newest case involving their town.

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Mission Improbable: Vietnam (A Blanche Murninghan Mystery) by Nancy Nau Sullivan – Review by Brandy Rymer

Mission Improbable:Vietnam (A Blanche Murninghan Mystery)Mission Improbable:Vietnam by Nancy Nau Sullivan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a great mystery story that beautifully portrays the customs and traditions of Vietnam both during and after the Vietnam War. The parts that take place during the Vietnam War are so realistic and frighteningly sorrowful, that to feel the fear both sides must have been experiencing, was just heartbreaking. The paths that Jean and Blanche travel around Vietnam, and the people they meet while on their hunt for answers to what happened to their parents, take the reader into places you would not even imagine exist. I love the variety of characters that we meet throughout this story, especially the ones working to help Jean find her missing mother, they all show such deep love for the beauty of family bonds, embracing both Jean and Blanche as one of their own. The author did a great job on her research and gathering background information to keep this story true to the facts in her detailing, making the characters, and the descriptions of the areas she develops made the story come to life. I was on the edge of my seat, cheering for both Jean and Blanche to find the answers that they were seeking along their journey together.
@Brandy Rymer
1/2024

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Mission Improbable: Vietnam (A Blanche Murninghan Mystery) by Nancy Nau Sullivan – Review by Julie Johnson

Mission Improbable: Vietnam (Blanche Murninghan Mystery, #3)Mission Improbable: Vietnam by Nancy Nau Sullivan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a journey of finding lost family members and putting some to rest. When Jean approaches Blanche about traveling to Vietnam with her to help her find her mom, Blanche isn’t prepared for what she might also find while there. Jean is keeping secrets and once they start to come out, Blanche learns even more about herself. There is mystery, intrigue, and suspense woven throughout this story and is sure to keep any mystery lover engaged.

My favorite part of this story is the re-telling of Cinderella. I really enjoyed that little tidbit. There is some history woven throughout this story too. A very good read that I would recommend.

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Ashley Mertz

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Recipe for Revenge by Hazel Smith is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐ Book Review

Recipe for Revenge mixes a little bit of suspense, a little bit of romance, and a ton of shenanigans to this recipe. April May, a small town reporter, has all the hottest topics to write about: a burnt down store whose owner is presumed dead, a burglary, and a missing person. She has also dug up some memories from a tragic accident that deeply affected her past and had to give up her foster dog whose owner magically reappears.

Recipe for Revenge is the second installment of the April May Cozy Mystery series. Despite being part of a series, this could be read as a standalone with no troubles. I have not sat down with a good cozy mystery in a long time and this one truly won me over. April is so relatable to me, especially her crochet abilities. And her love for Ralph, makes my heart happy. Hazel Smith really knows how to draw her readers in and keep their attention. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I enjoyed that the mystery was not only suspenseful but had a hint of romance thrown in. I will definitely get my hands on Installment #1 of this series and I look forward to reading other novels by Smith. Highly recommend!

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Felicia Bates

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was looking for something light and fun to read while home for a long weekend when I stumbled upon Recipe for Revenge. I hadn’t heard of Hazel Smith before so hadn’t even thought to read book one in the April May series. Despite being the second book, Recipe for Revenge read well as a stand alone just as “advertised”. I never felt lost or confused and felt the story flowed well. I am not a huge dog fan (I know, I know) but I was shocked to realize how much I enjoyed the characters throughout, furry ones included. This was a great, fast paced cozy mystery that really hit the spot. I will likely go back and check out the first book in this series as well.

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Recipe for Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Tabitha montero

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

April May is the Laurel Lakes newest reporter when she comes to town from the big city of Chicago to the small town. After a local business burns down, April finds herself involved in another mystery that has surprise connections to her family, her foster dog Ralph’s owner, and post events, she races to find the “Recipe for Revenge”. She also finds herself getting attached to an attractive vet in town and making close friends making her rethink her original get back to Chicago ASAP mentality.
The April May books are meant to be stand alone books and can be read in any order. I did read the first book but I do wish I did so that I would have a better backstory on how and why she ended up in Laurel Lakes, but you definitely do not have to read it.

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith – Review by Megan Conley

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery (An April May Cozy Mystery Book Book 2)Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cute yet intriguing murder mystery with a dash of romance. This is book 2; however, I read it as a standalone and I didn’t really feel lost at all. I enjoyed the mystery and suspense that Hazel Smith brought to us with the FMC April May, who seems to have some of the worst luck around. I also really enjoyed the dash of romance sprinkled throughout the book…nothing too heavy, but it was a nice touch. You can definitely read this as a standalone, but I am going to be going back to read the first one. Pick this up if you are looking for a lighter murder mystery with a dash of romance.
Reviewed by @meggs1717

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