Rehearsed to Death By Frank Anthony Polito

Here is the first paragraph of the description  of Rehearsed To Death:

"Hart to Hart via HGTV, this fabulous new quozy (queer cozy) mystery series by award-winning author and playwright Frank Anthony Polito’s features a gay couple who solve crimes while renovating houses in suburban Detroit as part of their hit reality show Domestic Partners. Now, their foray into community theater proves a major risk thanks to some deadly improvisation . . ."

When I was a wee lass, I LOVED Hart to Hart, the best detectives on TV!  So it's no wonder I enjoy this new series by Mr. Polito.  This is the second book in his series, and it's rare in two ways.  1. Instead of one amateur slueth we have an engaged couple--fun! I like having a couple instead of someone all on their own. 2. The couple in question is gay, there aren't very many cozy mysteries that have gay characters. 

In this book, the action and drama takes place on and off the stage as PJ's play Blue Tuesday is being produced and JP is the male lead.  I really enjoyed that in book one the focus was on their HDTV show and now in this book we have a focus on the play and the theater, a change of venue, really fun.

The story is told from PJ's point of view, almost as if we are reading his diary and I like this style.  If you read this book, keep in mind that this is going to be filled with humor alongside the more serious themes of murder and whatnot! 

4 Stars for Rehearsed To Death 

Thank you Net Galley for the electronic ARC, all opinions are my own!

Harvest Cookies and Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder Thanks NetGalley!

Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder is the first book in a new series by Valerie Burns. I was able to read an ARC from NetGalley. The story takes place in a small town in Southwestern Michigan right on the shores of Lake Michigan. This is a charming area of the United States and a good place to set a cozy as there are many cute towns that cater to tourists with picturesque little downtowns and many people visit throughout the year. Tourists are always helpful in cozy mysteries when you don't want to kill off all the townspeople.

The star of this series is Baby the Bull Mastiff. Baby is left to Maddy in Aunt Octavia's will along with Aunt Octavia's "BabyCakes Bakery" and Aunt Octavia's gorgeous lakefront house. Maddy is pretty annoying at the beginning of the book, very self-centered, and materialistic.  She is very smart though and quickly realizes she is at a crossroads, she can continue to live off her father or she can be her own person. I liked her growth in this book. 

I look forward to seeing where things go in book two. There is a setup for more murders and betrayals ahead --and that's putting it mildly!

4 stars

#NetGalley #TwoPartsSugarOnePartMurder

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Harvest Cookies

I used the Tastefully Simple Ah Sugar! Sugar Cookie mix--just add butter and milk and topped the cookies with candy corn.  Candy Corn is, of course, very controversial--but I will go out on a limb and just let you know I do like Candy Corn in the fall. How about you? 

The cookies came out flat because I used almost melted butter instead of just softened butter.  Live and Learn!