Andrea Nichols Andrea’s Comments (group member since Dec 10, 2021)


Andrea’s comments from the Cozy on Up in NC Cardinal group.

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Apr 06, 2025 11:04AM

1176811 As no one normally comments or provides suggestions, but everyone does enjoy having reading recommendations, we're shifting to just having the reading suggestions for each month (and reasons why chosen), with how to access them. Feel free to comment in this thread about any of the books we read in 2025.

I do hope everyone's enjoyed our first quarter of 2025. Richard Osman's new novel that is NOT part of his Thursday Murder Club series was interesting, but some of you may have found the constant switching in viewpoint and voice a little jarring. However, he did write short chapters, which several people at our library branch do like, as they can read several chapters in short intervals, much like with James Patterson novels.

This next quarter of April-June will put us firmly into summer learning season, with this year's national CSLP theme is "Color Our World", so we'll have a few artist themed stories.

A Beautiful Place to Die (Martha's Vineyard Mystery #1) by Philip R. Craig
Laid Out to Rest (A Charcuterie Shop Mystery, #1) by J.C. Eaton
A Tough Nut to Kill (A Nut House Mystery, #1) by Elizabeth Lee The Crêpes of Wrath (Pancake House Mystery, #1) by Sarah Fox
We Solve Murders (We Solve Murders, #1) by Richard Osman
Vinyl Resting Place (Record Shop Mystery, #1) by Olivia Blacke A Grave Issue (A Funeral Parlor Mystery #1) by Lillian Bell
An Art Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder (Countess of Harleigh Mystery, #7) by Dianne Freeman Murder at the Castle (An Iris Grey Mystery, #2) by M.B. Shaw
We're heading into the national CSLP summer theme of "Color Our World", and as a result, we'll take a look at some art-themed cozies. First up, is Diane Freeman's "Countess of Harleigh Mystery" series, with book #7; her series is perfect for fans of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries and Jane Austen alike. Good news! They're available in regular print, audiobook, and large print in NC Cardinal (https://www.nccardinal.org/eg/opac/re...). You can also find it in Libby (https://www.overdrive.com/media/10174...) if your local system has purchased a copy.

Death by Arts and Crafts (Abby McCree Mystery, #6) by Alexis Morgan
For June, we'll continue on with CSLP "Color Our World", by reading "Death by Arts and Crafts", an Abby McCree Mystery #6. There are 7 regular print copies in NC Cardinal (https://www.nccardinal.org/eg/opac/re...). If your local system has purchased a copy, you can find it in Libby too https://www.overdrive.com/media/89658....

A Brush with Murder (A Paint by Murder Mystery, #1) by Bailee Abbott
Goodness, 'a brush with death' and 'a brush with murder' bring up lots of options for cozies. For July, we'll read "A Paint By Murder" series #1. There are regular print and large print copies in NC Cardinal https://www.nccardinal.org/eg/opac/re...). If your local system has purchased a copy, it is in Libby too:
https://www.overdrive.com/media/60161....

A Brush with Death by Ali Carter
For the last month of CSLP "Color Our World", we'll tackle two cozies available in NC Cardinal, with the same title, just in case. Ali Carter's book is available in regular print: https://www.nccardinal.org/eg/opac/re.... And if your local system has purchased a copy, it is in Libby: https://www.overdrive.com/media/39412....
A Brush with Death (A Penny Brannigan Mystery, #2) by Elizabeth J. Duncan
The other "brush with death" option, book #2 in the Penny Brannigan Mystery series. It is available in regular print and large print in NC Cardinal: https://www.nccardinal.org/eg/opac/re.... If your local system has purchased a copy, you can find it in Libby too: https://www.overdrive.com/media/51048....

The Busybody Book Club by Freya Sampson
This one is a brand new book that will hopefully be cataloged and ready for requests by September. It is available in regular print and large print in NC Cardinal (https://www.nccardinal.org/eg/opac/re...), but will be under an age-protection that prohibits it from moving beyond the local system for the first 6 months.

Mrs. Morris and the Ghost (A Salem B&B Mystery, #1) by Traci Wilton
This book is available in regular print in NC Cardinal (https://northwestern.nccardinal.org/e...). The eBook is also in Overdrive, so check to see if your local library has purchased a copy on Libby (https://www.overdrive.com/media/45601...). The eBook and eAudiobook are on Hoopla: https://www.hoopladigital.com/ebook/m... and https://www.hoopladigital.com/audiobo....
Mrs. Morris and the Day of the Dead (Salem B&B, #10) by Traci Wilton
A brand new release (Aug 26) as #10 in the Salem B&B Mystery series by Traci Wilton, and it's Halloween themed. Copies are still in process in NC Cardinal, so this title is not likely to be available (https://northwestern.nccardinal.org/e...). However, the first book in the series has been on our To Be Read stack for a while, so that title is also down for October reads. Start with book #1!
Murder on Cape Cod (Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery, #1) by Maddie Day
This title is available in regular print and large print in NC Cardinal (https://northwestern.nccardinal.org/e...). The eBook and eAudiobook are in Overdrive, so if your library has purchased a copy on Libby, you can read/listen to it there
Murder at Cape Costumers (Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery, #7) by Maddie Day
A brand new release (Aug 26) as book #7 in the A Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series by Maddie Day. The book is in process in NC Cardinal, so likely to not be available yet (https://northwestern.nccardinal.org/e...). It is in Hoopla: https://www.hoopladigital.com/ebook/m.... However, book #1 in this series has been on our To Be Read stack for a while, so that has been added for October reads. Start with book #1!
The Kamogawa Food Detectives (Kamogawa Food Detectives, #1) by Hisashi Kashiwai
To try something completely different, in case Halloween isn't your cup of tea, let's go to our To Be Read stack and pull out a title from 2023. It is a Japanese series, with regular print and large print available in NC Cardinal (https://northwestern.nccardinal.org/e... and https://northwestern.nccardinal.org/e...). It is NOT in Hoopla, but the eBook and eAudiobook are in Overdrive, so see if your local library system has purchased a copy (https://www.overdrive.com/media/98690...).
Dec 22, 2024 01:27PM

1176811 Whew, so much going on!

Flipped for Murder (Country Store Mysteries, #1) by Maddie Day
Maddie Day was a new author for our cozy mystery club in October, and I liked her writing style and story. It was a great selection thanks to everyone's votes. "Flipped for Murder" was about the country store Pans ‘n Pancakes in southern Indiana, that is set in October, perfect as our Halloween read this year. There are 6 print copies in NC Cardinal (https://www.nccardinal.org/eg/opac/re...). The eBook and audiobook are in Hoopla Digital (https://www.hoopladigital.com/ebook/f...). The eBook is in Libby too (https://www.overdrive.com/media/21983...).

The Diva Runs Out of Thyme (A Domestic Diva Mystery, #1) by Krista Davis
I had heard lots of buzz about Krista Davis' "A Domestic Diva" series, and your votes selected this as the top choice for November. Once I read this first book in the series, set during Thanksgiving which made it a perfect selection for November, I LOVED it! The audiobook was great, and it was easy to listen and get sucked in. The book moved along well and the conclusion was not too predictable. It is available in large print and regular print in NC Cardinal (https://www.nccardinal.org/eg/opac/re...), audiobook only in Hoopla Digital (https://www.hoopladigital.com/audiobo...), and in Libby (https://www.overdrive.com/media/61325...).
Oct 24, 2024 06:56PM

1176811 September went by in a rush, ending with Hurricane Helene devastating much of Western NC. Giving all of us time to process what we were seeing and hearing, along with helping through donating supplies or in-person support to the mountains has taken precedence over making a September book wrap-up post. I hope this post finds you and your loved ones and friends OK.

For September, as we dove into a new angle in 'adventure' by looking at books that had the main character relocating to a new place, *Mousse and Murder* in the Alaskan Diner Mystery series by Elizabeth Logan was certainly a fun read, with discussion of terrain, weather, and animals many of us may have not experienced in person. The book title was a cute nod to both the crime and a key animal in a recipe -- moose. I found it a good read, that flowed well, quickly captured my attention, and the culprit and cause were not too easily guessable. This title is available in NC Cardinal in large print and regular print (https://www.nccardinal.org/eg/opac/re... as an audiobook in Hoopla Digital (https://www.hoopladigital.com/audiobo... and in Libby (https://www.overdrive.com/media/48842...).

The alternative or additional read for the month was *Auntie Poldi And The Sicilian Lions* by Mario Giordano and John Brownjohn, the first book in the The Auntie Poldi Adventures series. This title is available in NC Cardinal in large print and regular print (https://www.nccardinal.org/eg/opac/re...), and is also in Kindle Unlimited, Hoopla Digital (https://www.hoopladigital.com/ebook/a...), and Libby (https://www.overdrive.com/media/33600...). Other titles in this 'relocating to a new place' theme include Buried in a Good Book (By the Book Mysteries, 1) which is in NC Cardinal as audio and regular print; Death in Brittany: A Mystery (Brittany Mystery Series Book 1) which is in NC Cardinal; Murder on the Road by Adriana Licio (An Italian Village Mystery Book 1) which is Kindle Unlimited only; and Murder in an Italian Village by Michael Falco (A Bria Bartolucci Mystery Book 1) which is in NC Cardinal.

Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions (Tante Poldi #1) by Mario Giordano
Buried in a Good Book (By the Book Mysteries, #1) by Tamara Berry
Death in Brittany (Commissaire Dupin #1) by Jean-Luc Bannalec
Murder on the Road (An Italian Village Mystery, #1) by Adriana Licio
Murder in an Italian Village (A Bria Bartolucci Mystery #1) by Michael Falco
Sep 01, 2024 04:44PM

1176811 August's books - first option was *Death on the Nile* by the Queen of Cozy Mysteries, Agatha Christie, which is #17 in the Hercule Poirot series. We've read Agatha Christie last summer, so the tradition continues. This is an excellent segway from our "Adventure Begins at Your Library" CSLP summer theme, and this book has several big and small screen adaptations for you to enjoy as well. There are regular print and large print, as well as recent re-prints, CD audiobook, and DVDs all available in NC Cardinal (nccardinal.org), as well as eBook and audiobook options in Libby for free with your library card (https://www.overdrive.com/media/72813... and audiobook, eBook, and sound track in Hoopla Digital (https://www.hoopladigital.com/ebook/d...).
Death on the Nile (Hercule Poirot, #18) by Agatha Christie

The second option was *Murder On The Caledonian Queen* by Sigrid Vansandt, book #5 in the A Helen & Martha Cozy Mystery series. This is a Kindle Unlimited option only, with nothing in NC Cardinal, Hoopla, or Libby.
Murder On The Caledonian Queen (A Helen & Martha Murder Mystery #5) by Sigrid Vansandt

What did you think? What did you like most and least about the book (plot, pacing, character introduction & development, balance of mystery + small town setting & life)? Was the writing good (some people have not quite found one or the other up to par)? How soon were you able to figure out who the killer or culprit was; was it too easy or too hard due to a jolting surprise turn at the end? Who was your favorite character and why? What was your favorite moment in the book? Would you read more by either of these authors?
Aug 10, 2024 07:04AM

1176811 July's books

First option was *A Crime of Passion Fruit* by Ellie Alexander, which is #6 in A Bakeshop Mystery (#19 is coming out in August and #20 is coming out in February). We've read and loved Ellie Alexander's books before, so we're adding her cruise ship title (#6 in A Bakeshop Mystery series) to the list for "Adventure Begins at Your Library." 7 physical copies are available in NC Cardinal (nccardinal.org), as well as eBook options in Libby for free with your library card (https://www.overdrive.com/media/30569...).
A Crime of Passion Fruit (A Bakeshop Mystery, #6) by Ellie Alexander

The second option was *Mexico, Margaritas, and Murder* by Wendy Day, book #1 in the Sally and Pearl Mystery series. This is a Kindle Unlimited option that has been popular and is another good cozy adventure series to try.
Mexico, Margaritas, and Murder (Sally and Pearl Adventure Club #1) by Wendy Day

The third and final option was *Shattered at Sea* by Cheryl Hollon, book #5 in A Webb's Glass Shop Mystery. Another cruise ship adventure, fitting the summer theme of "Adventure Begins at Your Library," being #5 in Webb's Glass Shop Mystery series. While it doesn't have a Kindle Unlimited option, two physical copies are available in NC Cardinal (nccardinal.org). There are also NC public libraries with the eBook available in the Libby app (https://www.overdrive.com/media/38791...). In Hoopla, there are also the audiobook (https://www.hoopladigital.com/audiobo...) and eBook options (https://www.hoopladigital.com/ebook/s...).
Shattered at Sea (A Webb's Glass Shop Mystery) by Cheryl Hollon

Other travel options include the following: the Travel Can Be Murder series by Jennifer S. Alderson (Kindle Unlimited only); the Passport to Peril mystery series by Maddy Hunter [available in Large Print and regular print in NC Cardinal]; A World Traveler mystery series by Carolyn L. Dean (Kindle Unlimited only); the Maxie and Stretch mystery series by Sue Henry [available in CD audiobook, regular print, and Large Print in NC Cardinal]; An Amy's Travel Mystery series by Hy Conrad [available in regular print in NC Cardinal]; *S'more Murders* in A Five-Ingredient Mystery series by Maya Corrigan [available in Large Print and regular print in NC Cardinal]; the Travel Writer Mystery series by Wendy Meadows; the To Do For mystery series by Beth Byers and Ann Warren (Kindle Unlimited only); and *Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies* by Catherine Mack [regular print in NC Cardinal]. For someone who moves around and travels a lot, try the Ellie Avery Mystery series by Sara Rosett, which is available in large print and regular print in NC Cardinal.

What did you think? What did you like most and least about the books (plot, pacing, character introduction & development, balance of mystery + small town setting & life)? Was the writing good (some people have not quite found one or the other up to par)? How soon were you able to figure out who the killer or culprit was; was it too easy or too hard due to a jolting surprise turn at the end? Who was your favorite character and why? What was your favorite moment in the book? Would you read more by either of these authors?
Jul 13, 2024 05:41AM

1176811 June's books - Title Wave by Lorna Barrett - book #10 in A Booktown Mystery series; Murder for the Halibut by Liz Lipperman - book #3 in A Jordan McAllister, or, A Clueless Cook Mystery series. These books take us into the cruise ship cozy mystery subgenre. They are available in NC Cardinal, and Title Wave is in Large Print too. Title Wave is also in Libby (https://www.overdrive.com/media/24623...), and the audiobook is in Hoopla (https://www.hoopladigital.com/audiobo...).
Title Wave (Booktown Mystery, #10) by Lorna Barrett
Murder for the Halibut (A Clueless Cook Mystery, #3) by Liz Lipperman

Amazon and Goodreads reviewers state they like the Title Wave pace, series, and plot, particularly how a new setting suddenly opened up a new list of suspects and characters to meet (but other readers find the main character Trisha tiresome or irritating). For Lipperman's title, it's another fun title especially to read when you're on a cruise yourself; but, some readers did not find it engaging, or the title character's development by this book to be disappointing.

What did you think? What did you like most and least about the book (plot, pacing, character introduction & development, balance of mystery + small town setting & life)? Was the writing good (some people have not quite found one or the other up to par)? How soon were you able to figure out who the killer or culprit was; was it too easy or too hard due to a jolting surprise turn at the end? Who was your favorite character and why? What was your favorite moment in the book? Would you read more by either of these authors?
Jun 03, 2024 05:58PM

1176811 May's books - Campervans, Cooking, and Corpses by Tyler Rhodes - book #1 in Max's Campervan Case Files series; a Kindle Unlimited series with 8 books to start our summer theme of "Adventure Begins At Your Library"! Also, we had Beaches, Bungalows, & Burglaries by Tonya Kappes - book #1 in Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series. This is also a massive Kindle Unlimited series, but physical copies are available in NC Cardinal.
Campervans, Cooking, and Corpses A humorous vanlife cozy murder mystery (Max's Campervan Case Files Book 1) by Tyler Rhodes
Beaches, Bungalows & Burglaries (Camper & Criminals, #1) by Tonya Kappes

Amazon and Goodreads reviewers state they love the Rhodes' characters as "fun and flawed" and mystery complication and detail; and for Kappes, it's light-hearted and funny, and Southern-influenced and down-to-earth. What did you think? What did you like most and least about the book (plot, pacing, character introduction & development, balance of mystery + small town setting & life)? Was the writing good (some people have not quite found one or the other up to par)? How soon were you able to figure out who the killer or culprit was; was it too easy or too hard due to a jolting surprise turn at the end? Who was your favorite character and why? What was your favorite moment in the book? Would you read more by either of these authors?
May 26, 2024 03:42PM

1176811 April's book - Murder by the Seashore by Canadian author Samara Yew - is book #1 in A California Bookshop Mystery series; her debut novel about books, beach, and murder! I've heard in-person from patrons that they loved it and can't wait for the next title. While reviewers state they love the characters, setting, plot and pace, what did you think? What did you like most and least about the book (plot, pacing, character introduction & development, balance of mystery + small town setting & life)? How soon were you able to figure out who the killer or culprit was; was it too easy or too hard due to a jolting surprise turn at the end? Who was your favorite character and why? What was your favorite moment in the book? Would you read more by this author?
Mar 31, 2024 05:19PM

1176811 Hello everyone. I hope you've all been doing well. With short-staffing and sickness at the library, it's been hard to have time to post here. However, the focus on Louisiana / Mardi Gras / Cajun / New Orleans has been very fun for me during the dark and gloomy days post-Christmas season, and perhaps you've found yourself a new favorite author! Ellen Byron's series was particularly good.

We're going to move on to "Murder by the Seashore" in sunny California as a way to step closer to our summer reading theme of Adventure Begins at Your Library while also having a nod to National Library Week in April. May, June, July, and August's reading all fit the adventure theme, focusing largely on camping or cruise ship travel. Some of the books are Kindle Unlimited for those that prefer that format, and others are available in NC Cardinal member libraries so you can request physical copies (nccardinal.org) or Libby eBooks.
Jan 29, 2024 04:41PM

1176811 We've got a New Orleans focus going on for January and February, in honor of Mardi Gras (Feb 13). Plus those of us in colder climes, this time of year is dark & cold, and we need a little fictional warm weather and fun times to liven things up.
Bayou Book Thief (Vintage Cookbook Mystery, #1) by Ellen Byron
Wined and Died in New Orleans (Vintage Cookbook Mystery, #2) by Ellen Byron
A Streetcar Named Murder (A New Orleans Mystery, #1) by T.G. Herren
Plantation Shudders (Cajun Country Mystery, #1) by Ellen Byron

Also, Bookriot has a good article that came out today (Jan 29) about 2024's most anticipated cozy mysteries, which includes "The Kamogawa Food Detectives" which is on our suggested books list, along with Ian Moore and Vivien Chien who we read last year during the summer months. I've been thinking about adding Olivia Blacke's Record Shop series, as both books #1 and #2 are in NC Cardinal. Book #3 comes out in March.
Dec 17, 2023 03:31PM

1176811 Merry Christmas and happy holidays! Hope you all are doing well this holiday season. Lots of sickness is going around among our library patrons. I wanted to send along a link to our Pinterest section on Christmas cozy mysteries available in NC Cardinal, so you all could find a holiday read to request. I'll be updating our list of books to some series I plan on tackling once the holiday season closes. https://www.pinterest.com/yadkinlibra...
Oct 14, 2023 02:21PM

1176811 Hello everyone! I've thoroughly enjoyed the fun, well-written, and interesting mysteries by Korina Moss (Cheddar off Dead) and Linda Reilly (Up to No Gouda). https://www.pinterest.com/yadkinlibra... To be honest, I'm having a hard time wanting to shift to Kirsten Weiss' "Gourd to Death" and Sheila Connolly's "A Killer Crop". So, personally, I'm going to move on to book #2 in each of Moss and Reilly's series, but I'm leaving Gourd to Death and A Killer Crop on our list, as I may move on to them in November. For those of you in North Carolina, with the Libby app, our local NWRL system currently has Linda Reilly's "Up to No Gouda" and "No Parm No Foul" available an eBooks. The print copies of Korina Moss, Linda Reilly, Sheila Connolly, and Kirsten Weiss's books can be found in NC Cardinal to request for free delivery to your local branch. https://www.nccardinal.org/eg/opac/home Happy reading! :-)

Cheddar Off Dead
Up to No Gouda
Sep 10, 2023 04:24AM

1176811 Well, I enjoyed finally getting to listen to The Thursday Murder Club (I did audiobook while commuting to work). This completed our summer "Murder Clubbin'" theme.

I think the audiobook worked well given all of the characters and POV(s) in the book. I found the book did well with the cozy genre, using some standard elements like a second murder that ramps up the tension, and the gradual solving & elimination right until the final moments; but also, flipped things a bit on how many culprits there were and who and why they did it. It also had a decent relationship between the cops and amateur sleuths (so nice that it's not always animosity and tension), the romantic elements were not predictable, humor was throughout, and lots of details. I've found that our older library patrons, in particular, find these books enjoyable, as the sleuths are also older (they can identify even more closely with the characters situations, concerns, etc.).

The Thursday Murder Club (Thursday Murder Club, #1) by Richard Osman
Aug 12, 2023 08:16AM

1176811 Hello everyone! I hope you've had a good summer. No worries, I didn't disappear at the beach to never come back, haha. We've just been insanely busy with summer programs at the library, and now have a sudden change in staffing that will impact the next few months. However, I wanted to let you all know my thoughts about several of books I've gotten to read from our list this summer.

I listened to the audiobook of Jessa Maxwell's The Golden Spoon. They had a different narrator for each character, and it was a well done book. Just as all the reviews have said, if you're a fan of Clue, Only Murders in the Building, or The Great British Bake Off, you'll like this. There is a limited set of suspects, but a plethora of possible motives. While avid readers may have a good guess as to who culprit(s) are and what the motive(s) may be, the twists right at the end of the book may surprise you. The details, realistic characters, personalities, and ability to gradually build but not bore you make it worthwhile. Highly recommend!

The Golden Spoon

I also listened to the audiobook of Ben Aaronovitch's Midnight Riot. This was a cool blend of fantasy, amateur / low-level police detective, fairy tale / folk lore and ghosts come to life, British history and London setting. There was dry British humor, suspense, rich details, and lots of edge-of-your-seat thrills at the end of the book. I'd be happy to take a listen to the next book in series in the future!

Midnight Riot

I read the eBook of Betsy Reavley's Murder at the Book Club. This is more in-line with the cozy mystery formula for a story, but well-written, with interesting twists and turns, and the usual cliff-hanger ending. Even if you figure out WHO probably did it, you likely won't be able to guess WHY (to the full extent) until the end of the book. A worthwhile read for even the most avid cozy mystery readers given you won't have it all figured out or be bored.

Murder at the Book Club

I'm still finishing up listening to The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood. I'm enjoying it so far.

The Marlow Murder Club

Be sure to check out the Amazon Book Club for a list of upcoming titles! https://www.amazon.com/amazonbookclub...
Aug 12, 2023 08:09AM

1176811 It's time for the last Cozy on Up in NC Cardinal episode before summer programming starts! This episode talks about Vivien Chien's *A Noodle Shop Mystery* series, with book #9 coming out June 27. The series is available in NC Cardinal in regular print, and the first five books are available in large print too. A big congrats to Vivien for her report last month from the doctor that she is now cancer free! https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/... #vivienchien #anoodleshopmysteryseries #aapi #cozyonupinnccardinal #newbook #ycplpodcast
1176811 Did you watch the coronation of King Charles III this morning? If not, here is a full recording of his ceremony (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8HVn...) and then his mother Queen Elizabeth II's ceremony (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52NTj...).

The Windsor Knot
Murder Most Royal
A Three Dog Problem

S J Bennett's *Her Majesty the Queen Investigates* is a great pairing with all of the British focus lately around the coronation, as you get to see the late queen solving mysteries. I had this series on my TBR stack for a while, and thought this was the perfect time to dive in. It is available in regular print, large print, and audiobook (Audible too, if that is what you prefer) throughout the NC Cardinal public library system, and is a good precursor to the look at British-themed murder mysteries we're tackling this summer. I love how the author tackles this idea of having the queen solve murders (how does she get involved? who helps her? how is this kept secret? has the queen been solving murders only recently?), but without being a royal family gossip-fest. It's more along the lines of "keep calm and carry on" with good character development (respectful of the queen and institution of the monarchy), details, and never a boring moment -- fun, moments of excitement, smart and engaging, royal life details, etc. After reading it, I'm left wondering how SJ Bennett will handle the death of the queen, as I want this series to continue! Or, will she shift to a series of prequel stories?

The first podcast episode handles the books and their details (fact vs. fiction line so you can appreciate the level of research and creativity SJ Bennett has brought), and the second episode is more on the coronation and British monarchy itself.
Episode 1: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/...
Episode 2: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/...
Mar 09, 2023 05:06PM

1176811 For March, we looked at garden and plant cozies. Now, last year in April, which is National Garden Month, we did the Flower Shop Mystery series by Kate Collins and the Hallmark adaptations. Well the page-to-screen element got handled last month with Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen series. The gardening topic, though, had to get moved up as some fun stuff needed to happen nearer summer, so there is some exciting stuff coming up soon! I recommended "Bloom and Doom" book #1 in A Bridal Bouquet Shop Mystery series, by Beverly Allen; and "Pruning the Dead" book #1 in A Garden Squad Mystery series, by Julia Henry. Julia Henry's series continues to be added to, but Allen's is just a trilogy. Both are available in regular print and large print in NC Cardinal, and Julia Henry's series is in Kindle Unlimited. I hope you enjoyed them! https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/...
Mar 09, 2023 05:05PM

1176811 For February, after having so much fun last year in April when we watched the Flower Shop Mysteries from Hallmark, and the Kate Collins books they were based on, I decided to return to the "page-to-screen" option this year. This time, it's the Hannah Swensen mystery series by Joanne Fluke. It is available in large print and CD audiobook in NC Cardinal, and some copies are in Kindle Unlimited. Book #29 is coming out July 2023! In a rare turn of events, she even has a cookbook for this series, just like the book character Hannah made! I hope you enjoyed them. https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/...

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Hannah Swensen, #1) by Joanne Fluke
Plum Pudding Murder (Movie Tie-In) (Hannah Swensen Mysteries) by Joanne Fluke
Peach Cobbler Murder (The Hannah Swensen Mysteries) by Joanne Fluke
Fudge Cupcake Murder (Hannah Swensen, #5) by Joanne Fluke
Strawberry Shortcake Murder (Hannah Swensen, #2) by Joanne Fluke
Cream Puff Murder (Hannah Swensen, #11) by Joanne Fluke
1176811 I tried a newer series this month for Cozy on Up in NC Cardinal, continuing our tradition of doing a drink-themed series for January. Last year, I did Laura Child's *A Tea Shop Mystery* series; and in Dec 2021, I read Cleo Coyle's *Coffeehouse Mystery* series. This January, I went with coffee, and book #1 GROUNDS FOR MURDER from Tara Lush’s *A Coffee Lover’s Mystery* series. https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/...

Just like our main female investigator in GROUNDS FOR MURDER, Lana Lewis, who was tasked with writing a newspaper feature on coffee, I also open the podcast with a blurb about the history of coffee, and some fun nonfiction you can read to learn more about coffee's fascinating history.

Then, I jump into discussing and analyzing the novel, which is available in regular print and large print in the NC Cardinal system of public libraries. We've checked out several copies to our local library patrons. The series is up to 3 books -- started in 2020, with the most recent release coming out in Oct 2022!

Tara did a good job with pacing, spreading out discovery of more clues, and adding / eliminating suspects. There were two quotes that stood out: at the start of the story, Lana points out, "It’s Florida. Everyone’s strange. They shouldn’t be jerks on top of it.” Then, at the end of the book, which is the barista contest we’ve all been waiting for, in a moment that many will probably relate to (as we all have multiple skills and various jobs we've worked), Erica tells Lana, “No, you were amazing. Seriously. Don’t doubt yourself so much, ok? You worked hard for this. Maybe you need to consider the possibility that you’re as good of a coffee shop owner as you were a journalist. It’s okay to be two things in a lifetime, you know. Or more.”

#ycplpodcast #cozyonupinnccardinal #taralush #groundsformurder #acoffeeloversmysteryseries #cozymystery #cozymysteries
Dec 26, 2022 04:12PM

1176811 Welcome to the next episode of Cozy on up in NC Cardinal! Each episode is a journey through a Cozy Mystery theme or author available in NC Cardinal public libraries. I open with history or chatter on a related topic, then jump into the books. Last year I read Holiday Buzz by Cleo Coyle, Deck the Hallways by Kate Carlisle, Murder in the First Edition by Lauren Elliott, and Bookmarked for Murder by V. M. Burns. I still remember how much I enjoyed Cleo Coyle and V. M. Burns. This year, I read Gingerdead Man by Maya Corrigan [book #7 in A Five-Ingredient Mystery series] and Fruit Baskets and Holiday Caskets by Gayle Leeson [book #5 in A Down South Cafe Mystery series]. I open with a historical overview of Christmas foods. https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/...

Gingerdead Man (A Five-Ingredient Mystery, #7) by Maya Corrigan
Fruit Baskets and Holiday Caskets (Down South Café Mystery, #5) by Gayle Leeson

Feel free to join our Goodreads group or Amazon Book Clubs to discuss and recommend books to your fellow cozy mystery lovers. We also have a Pinterest board, if you’d like to follow along there and grab a digital copy of the handout I make for each theme.
https://www.amazon.com/amazonbookclub...
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
https://www.pinterest.com/yadkinlibra...

#GingerdeadMan #MayaCorrigan #AFiveIngredientMystery #FruitBasketsandHolidayCaskets #ADownSouthCafeMystery #ACoffeehouseMystery #AFixerUpperMystery #ABeyondthePageBookstoreMystery #AMysteryBookshopMystery #YCPLpodcast #CozyOnUpInNCCardinal
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