Let the Spooky Season Begin, Haunted to Death by Frank Anthony Polito!

If you like a cozy mystery that doesn't take itself seriously, Haunted To Death is a book you should pick up this fall. You don't have to read the first two books to enjoy the fun of this one. If you watched Scooby Doo as a youth, or as an adult with your own kids, you'll enjoy the Scooby Doo vibes. 

I enjoy how this series is campy. If you don't enjoy any camp, this book might not be for you. For the pet lovers, this book has lots of cute doggy content. As I have mentioned many times on this blog. I am a mood reader, so this book coming out in time for me to enjoy it in September as I look forward to October, is perfect.

This book is also an advertisement for Southern Michigan.  I have now added: Visit the Detroit metro area to my ever-growing cozy mystery-inspired vacation wish list. 
 

Last but certainly not least, this book features the solving of cold case, which is not usually how cozies go.  It's almost extra cozy that way!.

I gave Haunted To Death five-stars on Amazon. I bumped it up 1/2 a star because a couple of the reviews I saw were negative on the book and I wanted to balance those out.  They were unnecessarily harsh!

Rogue Justice by Stacey Abrams

 

On June 1st, I went with a friend to see Stacey Abrams in conversation with Jake Tapper.  Not only is  Jake Tapper on CNN, but he actually has written a few fiction books...mystery fiction books. This event was all about two writers talking about the craft and their upcoming books. As part of the event, I got a copy of Rogue Justice that has a signed bookplate.  

Rogue Justice is the second book in Stacey Abrams' Avery Keene series. Avery Keene is a super smart Supreme Court clerk who finds herself in the crosshairs of some super bad people. Together with her smarts and her Scooby Doo band of eclectic friends she basically has to save the world from fascism.  Stacey Abrams writes intricate and interesting thrillers. Both books in this series are can't put down books so plan your time well before opening this book, and know as soon as this book ends you'll be ready for the next book.  If I recall correctly Stacey Abrams is working on that book now. Can't wait! 

5 stars!  

#CozyMysteryDebut! The Guest is a Goner and Valentine's Day Talk

 

Look at this old cute picture of how cute is that kid and how colorful are the clothes.  The shirt has a great reminder for all of us Love Yourself!  Anytime is a good time to celebrate love, but it's almost Valentine's Day so let's talk about that, do you have any tradition you observe, a special dinner or night with your loved one? Is it all about the romance or the friendships?  Oprah Magazine has put together a list of 35 different ideas to celebrate Valentine's Day in 2021.  I like to use seasonal decor to celebrate the holidays so as I posted about a couple weeks ago, I have my DIY Valentine's day decor and as you know I like to cook, so a chocolate dessert is in order. 

And lastly, if you like flowers, get yourself some flowers! Don't wait for someone to do it for you, give yourself the gift of beauty in your home! 

Now on to my book review!

The Guest is a Goner by Carly Winter My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I Need to Know The Answer To The Cliffhanger at the End!

I have to say right up front that the cliffhanger I am talking about is outside the central mystery of the book. Don't worry you'll know why the guest is a goner and who did it! The Cliffhanger is the answer to something I was curious about as a reader and for that reason, I'll be sure to pick up the next book in the series.

This book is the first book in the Sedona Spirits series and is a spin-off of the author's "Tri-town Murders" series, but you don't have to be familiar with that series to start this book. I was drawn to read this book because I thought the title was a hoot and I enjoy paranormal cozies. Bernie and Ruby are a likable duo, grandma Ruby is a free spirit and Bernie is very straight-laced. Their lives have both been affected by Ruby's hardnosed parents and it's interesting to see how Bernie's great-grandparents have had a hand in Ruby's, Bernie's Mom's, and Bernie's personalities and decisions. In the book, Bernie does some important self-reflection and that's a real plus, it's so good to see characters focusing on their mental health.

One of the main components of a cozy mystery is the town and the townsfolk. In this book, it turns out that Bernie is surrounded by terrible townsfolk. At the end of the book Bernie really only has her grandma and a potential love interest and that was rather sad. I hope in the next book Bernie makes new friends with people who aren't murder suspects.

When the killer is revealed it is done Scooby-Doo style, which I *loved* So fun! I also learned that in the Sedona area there are wild boars and they are called javelinas. Lastly, I highlighted one line from the book to share: "The bowling alley smelled like oil and feet."--What a great line!

Overall this is a short cozy, has a quirky duo to root for, and paranormal elements and I will read the next book to see where we go!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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