Goodreads: Bells, Spells and Murder by Carol J. Perry -
The Basic Premise: When beloved chairman of the historical charities in Salem, MA is found murdered field reporter Lee Barrett puts on her Investigative Reporter hat and dives into the investigation. With her researcher extraordinaire Aunt Ibby by her side they're trying to catch a killer before Christmas.
My Thoughts: This series just keeps getting better! I love Lee's new job as a reporter and the access it gives her to crime scenes and investigations. I love her relationship with her Aunt Ibby and Pete and was so glad to see the crew of the news station being regular side characters. The mystery was a solid one with lots of clues and questions and side angles. I had a few things figured out but there were still some surprises in the final reveal. And as usual I found O'Ryan's (Lee's big orange cat and former witch's familiar) contributions absolutely delightful. My Rating: Really Liked It!
Goodreads: Dangling by a Thread by Lea Wait
The Basic Premise: Jesse Lockhart has found peace and a purpose out on the otherwise uninhabited King's Island where he protects the Cormorants. But that peace is interrupted when a local realtor shows up on the island and demands he sells. Chaos breaks out when Angie's friend Dave is shot and Jesse is found murdered. Luckily Angie is on the case with the help of the Mainely Needlepointers and a kitten or three!
My Thoughts: It has been too long since I read a book in this series but I was able to jump in right where I left off. Angie is a bit grittier then the usual cozy main character. She's not sure what she wants to do with her life, she's lonely, and just generally at loose ends. While she's not necessarily the most likable of my cozy character she's probably the most realistic even if she does get in her own head a bit too much sometimes. This was an interesting read. I really enjoyed all the tidbits about life in Maine and what's common in a lobster bake and things like that. I also loved the chapter headings that featured old samplers and even gave a tiny bit of information about the girl who had made it. The mystery didn't have the most surprising reveal but I didn't mind because getting to the end was so enjoyable. I'm already looking forward to the next book! My Rating: Liked It!
The covers are enticing too.
ReplyDeleteI like when a story gets you right into a setting, Maine and lobsters... yes!
ReplyDeleteThe cozy mystery’s have cute titles.
These are both series I want to read. Oh my you have ruined me with your cozies!!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you liked Bells, Spells, and Murders! I liked it too. Dangling by a Thread sounds good. I haven't tried that series yet.
ReplyDeleteBells, Spells, and Murders is on my list next as I am trying to catch up on this series. Love Lea Wait's series!! :)
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ReplyDeleteI love a cosy setting, these sound good!
ReplyDeleteThe Perry series sounds fun. I'll have to give that one a go.
ReplyDeleteI always love the cozy cat covers. 🐈❤
ReplyDeleteI finished book two and it was a solid, interesting mystery. I like the characters although they aren't as endearing to me and I think it may be because Lee's job is one that I'm particularly interested in. However, I do intend to read book three to decide if I'm going to continue the series or not.
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