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Murder Off the Books by Tamara Berry

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


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Stayed up late to finish reading Murder off the Books by Tamara Berry. It’s the third book in her “By the Book” series of cozies. Main character is NYT bestselling author Tess Harrow.

Tess has decided to coincide the launch of her own book store with the release of her latest bestseller. She’s looking forward to building good relationships with the residents of tiny Winthrop after having uncovered two cold-case murders. Tess’ plans go awry when her mother comes to town, bringing along her much younger lover—a man who is rumored to have murdered three wealthy women, although no one could pin the crimes on him. His arrival brings a famous podcaster to town—a woman who’s made tracking his case her bread and butter. Tess immediately alerts the sheriff to the presence of Levi Parker, but before the sheriff can investigate, Levi is murdered. Now Tess’ mother is the prime suspect, the podcaster is salivating over a juicy scoop, and Tess is trying to hold it all together. As she puts the clues together, she puts herself in a killer’s sights, meaning the next murder may be her own.

I love these books. Tess is smart, witty, and devoted to her family. Her teen daughter, Gertie, is incredibly funny, too. Characters are fully-realized, and the plot was quick and lively. Subplots made for some twists and turns and kept the pages turning. I wonder, however, if the author plans to write any more in this series. This was published three years ago, and some things were wrapped up neatly by the end.

Favorite lines:
♦ “We’re making murder fun again.”
♦ If anyone looked like she planned to skin a pack of Dalmations in the pursuit of high fashion, it was this woman.
♦ “Mom! We’re not poisoning Grandma.”
♦ “I cannot and will not have that man murdering my mother right now. Make him come back and try later.”
♦ “If I have a hundred bags of chips, I’ll eat a hundred bags of chips. The laws of nature demand it.”
♦ “That was sweet. No one has ever stolen federal tech for me before.”
♦ “There are only so many character ships I can take before my brain starts to melt.”

Thoroughly enjoyable, five stars

( Cozy Clichés )

A Ghoul's Gotta Do: A Ghost Hunter Mystery by Victoria Laurie

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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I stayed up half an hour past bedtime last night to finish reading A Ghoul’s Gotta Do by Victoria Laurie. It’s the 11th installment in her “Ghost Hunter” mystery series, starring medium MJ Holliday.

MJ, her husband Heath, and their friend Gilley retired from the ghost hunting business nearly a decade ago. MJ and Heath now live in New Mexico with their children. On one of Gilley’s visits, a demon attacks MJ and her family in their home. It seemed to have emerged from a portrait of Heath’s grandfather, Sam Whitefeather. They barely escape with their lives, and they soon learn that other portraits are acting as portals for demons, resulting in several deaths among prominent members of the Tribal Council. Now it’s up to the old Ghoul Getters crew to dust off their equipment and their skills to send these demons back to hell before anyone else is killed.

Once upon a time, the author said book 10 in the series would be the last, which was disappointing. I was thrilled, therefore, when this one came out. I thought it would be make for good “Halloween lite” reading. It was not. It was creepy and brutal and had me on tenterhooks. I enjoyed reconnecting with the “gang” and meeting new characters. I don’t recall so many F-bombs dropped in the original series, although it’s been awhile, so maybe? It was a bit disconcerting. The story was fast-paced and engrossing. I do feel, however, that the ending was somewhat anti-climactic, considering the terrifying lead-up.

Favorite lines:
♦ My sons were in the house with that demon who’d just nearly killed my husband, and not even Satan himself was going to keep me from getting them out.
♦ “Why Netflix isn’t knocking down your door begging you to host your own comedy special, I’ll never understand.”
♦ “Whistles?” I asked. // “One short toot for all clear, two short toots for unsure, three short toots for possible demon at your location, and one long toot for, ‘Help! Help me! Oh God! It’s on top of me! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”
♦ “Welcome to the find-out phase of all that fuckin’ around.”
♦ I didn’t know if we should knock or simply barge in. What was the protocol when on the doorstep to hell?
♦ “Calm down, Kraken. Eat something to take the edge off that hangry temper.

Much anticipated and very good. I’m giving it 4.5 stars.

Mrs. Morris and the Day of the Dead by Traci Wilton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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Last night I finished reading Mrs Morris and the Day of the Dead by Traci Wilton. It’s the 10th installment of the “Salem B&B” series of cozy, paranormal mysteries. The main character is widowed Charlene Morris, who runs a haunted B&B in Salem.

As Halloween nears, Charlene has a full house at her bed and breakfast, including beautiful Isabella Perez. Isabella has come to Salem in an effort to contact her sister, Marisol, who disappeared two years prior. Isabella believes Marisol is dead, which is why she wants to reach out to her sister now, when the veil between worlds is at its thinnest. If Marisol is, indeed, dead, there is no shortage of suspects who may have wished her harm, from a creepy stalker to a rival witch, and even Marisol’s fiancé, Rico. Charlene is moved by Isabella’s plight and vows to help however she can. Even her ghostly house guest, Jack, is eager to assist. With the help of other witches in Salem, Charlene and Isabella are determined to find out what happened to Marisol.

First up, I knew that this series initially had two authors collaborating on it. The author note in this one indicated that one of them had retired, leaving the other to carry on. I knew it! I had remarked before that there seemed to have been an abrupt shift (for the better) in both Charlene (not as nosy) and Jack (not such a jerk). The setting of this story was fun—not just Salem, but at Halloween, as well. The guests were a riot, too. There was no murder mystery to solve (for the most part). It was more trying to find out what happened to Marisol. The story was lively with twists and turns. It left me confused, however. The author’s note did not indicate this was to be the final book in the series, but she sure wrapped it up that way.

Favorite lines:
♦ “Sister Abbott still crusades like it’s sixteen ninety-nine.”
♦ “I love pizza. I could eat it for every meal.”
♦ “This time on earth is short. Be happy, be kind, and dream.”
♦ “Halloween in Salem jumps everyone up from zero to a thousand on the wacko scale.”

Very good, and I’ll be disappointed if there are no more in the series. Four stars.

( Cozy Clichés )