Plum Tea Crazy - Cozy Mystery Review

Plum Tea Crazy (A Tea Shop Mystery #19) by Laura Childs

Rating: Very Good

Source: Publisher 

Description: While viewing the harbor's Gaslights and Galleons Parade from the widow's walk of Timothy Neville's Charleston mansion, local banker Carson Lanier seemingly tumbles over a narrow railing, then plunges three stories to his death. But a tragic accident becomes something much more sinister when it's discovered that the victim was first shot with a bolt from a crossbow.

At the request of the mansion owner, Theodosia investigates the tragedy and is soon neck deep in suspects. An almost ex-wife, a coworker, a real estate partner--all had motives for killing the luckless banker, but one resorted to murder to settle accounts.


Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  Laura Childs is a familiar favorite and I haven't read nearly enough of this series.

My Impression:  When I think cozy mystery Laura Childs is really the author comes to mind.  Her tea shop and scrapbook store series were two of the first I discovered.  As well, her books are the definition of cozy.  Most of the characters are likable and most of the quirkiness adds to the entertainment without straying into annoying.  Theodosia's tea shop is full of wonderful tea goodness - tea, tarts, scones, little sandwiches, the occasional soup - and makes me wish that I had my very own tea focused tea shop right down the street.  As well the setting is wonderful.  I have yet to finish a book in this series without wanting to go to Charleston.  And have a scone.  And start a teapot collection.  Reading this is a little dangerous now that I think about it.

This is the 19th book in the series and I've read 2 in my memory and several more at the very beginning but they don't really count.  I really didn't have any trouble getting all the relationships figured out and there wasn't anything that detracted from my enjoyment.  Childs does a great job of filling in the reader without a large and tedious info dump.

The mystery was entertaining - I mean how can a man falling off a roof due to a crossbow all while tall ships are shooting canons out in the harbor in front of a house not be entertaining.  There are definitely a few red herrings and more than a few directions the mystery could take.  I did suspect who the killer was but wasn't sure until the end.

This was an entertaining and light mystery.  Perfect for reading with a scone or maybe a plum tart and a perfect cup of tea.  Now if I could just get Drayon to make me my own blend!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I always enjoy a mystery by Laura Childs.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy cozy mysteries you must be reading this author.  She has several different series but I think this one is my favorite.  

What's Getting Me Through the Winter (non-bookish edition)

This time of year is probably my least favorite.  We get a lot of rain, it seems like it's gray more often than not and it's been so long since it wasn't cold I don't remember what being warm feels like.  Now granted this is Alabama so my version of cold would be most people's brisk or probably even comfortable.

Here's a few non-bookish things I'm loving and that's keeping me entertained while I hibernate

1.  Yoga
I've never really considered myself a Yoga person.  I'm a bit type A and always preferred the high intensity workouts but I've started doing Yoga with Adriene and I love it.  I just finished the 31 Day Yoga Revolution (though it took 40 days) and I feel so much more positive and comfortable.  Plus my endurance - especially in my upper body is so much better.  I'm going to start one of her other 30 day programs next month.

Some of my favorite videos:
1.  Yoga for Digestion
2.  7 Minute Bedtime Yoga
3.  Feel Good Flow
4.  Pretty much any of the 31 Day Revolution

and there are so many more I want to try!

2.  Safiya Nygaard's Youtube Channel
I kind of just stumbled on this one accidentally but I've been really enjoying it.  I've never really gotten into YouTube channels unless they were for a specific purpose - workouts or trying to figure out how to do something specific - but I've had a good time watching some of her videos.  She seems to do projects and some of my favorites are:
I Try 4 Different Style Boxes
I Bought an Entire Outfit from Instagram Ads
I Bought the First 5 Things Insta Celebs Recommended
I Tried a 10 Month Korean Skincare Routine for a Month

The videos funny and quirky and perfect for ignoring the fact that it's raining - again.

3.  Thred Up
I'm obsessed with this web site.  It's kind of like an online thrift store except the clothes look like they're in great condition and the prices are somewhere between thrift and consignment.  The range of brands is amazing and I scroll through the new arrivals all the time.  I'm making my first order later this week and I'm so excited.

4.  Top Chef
I'm absolutely loving this series of Top Chef.  All the contestants look so nice and they all cook yummy food.  I love how low drama this season has been and that all the contestants seem to have genuinely formed friendships.

5.  Good Belly
This is somewhere between a smoothie and juice texture-wise.  It's full of probiotics and is supposed to do magical stuff digestion-wise. I don't know about that but I really enjoy my morning cup.

So these are some of my favorite things right now.  What are you loving that's helping your survive until spring?

Reviews from the Children's Section - The Wishing Spell

One of my favorite genres and one that is the easiest for me to push aside is middle grade fiction. This year to make sure I get a little more children's and young adult fiction I thought I would designate the first Monday of every month Middle Grade Monday.  While a lot of my picks this year are classics I am trying to branch out a little bit and read new or at least recent releases.  This month's book is one that has been on my radar since it first came out a few years ago - The Wishing Spell, the first book in The Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer.

The Wishing Spell (The Land of Stories #1) by Chris Colfer

Life for twins, Alex and Connor Bailey has been difficult this past year with the loss of their father, their home, and the way their family used to be.  Connor is struggling to get through school and while Alex is excelling academically she's struggling to fit in.  When their grandmother visits bringing her beloved book, The Land of Stories, things take a dramatic turn and soon Alex and Connor find themselves battling goblins, wolves, and witches as they try and get home.

This one has been on my radar for quite some time because of the cover.  I love the castle in the back and just the whole fairy tale look of it.  Then when my son's school librarian recommended it one day when we were talking about books I knew it was time. to actually read it.

And for the most part I loved it.  The characters are twelve and they read like twelve year olds.  They're loyal to each other even though they drive each other crazy at times like normal siblings.  I liked that both Alex and Connor had their strengths and weaknesses and those tend to compliment each other.

The setting is amazing.  I mean it's The Land of Stories with Rapunzel's tower and Cinderella's castle looming in the background.   All through the journey the twins meet with a whole cast of familiar characters-  Cinderella, Goldilocks, Snow White, wolves, frog people, and anyone else you've ever bumped into while reading fairy tales.

The book did a good job of walking the line between the Disney fairy tales and the original Grimm's Brothers.  These aren't sweet characters holding hands and seeing campfire songs after their story is finished.  They're got attitude (some more than others) and their own sorrows and drama.  But at the same time they're not quite as gruesome and vengeful as the originals.

I think this would be a great read for 8 and up.  There's a bit of danger but it wasn't scary (think 1st Harry Potter level) even for more sensitive kids.  My only real issue with the book was that I felt like it was a bit too long.  It clocks in at over 400 pages and there were times I felt it dragged a bit or was over-detailed.  If it had been 100 pages shorter I would have loved it.  However, overall I found it an enjoyable read that fairy tale lovers of all ages will enjoy.  

This Week in Reading - March 4

It's Sunday Post time!  This is hosted by the awesome Caffeinated Book Reviewer and gives us all a chance to recap our week.

This week is going to be a little scarce because my modem decided to die sometime Saturday morning so I’m kind of making do with what I’ve got until I go get a new one Monday.  I’m not too sad going without WiFi but the Tornado is learning a hard lesson regarding television. The idea that he has to wait for something to come on vs being instantly able to stream it whenever he wants is blowing his mind.  He’s having to be more selective about when to use his TV time!

I’m struggling with the whole Rice Krispy treats made to look like cheese thing.  Turns out fondant and I aren’t friends so I’m trying yellow candy melts.  I’ll update next week and it’ll probably be on my Instagram already if you want to check it out.

The thing I’m most excited about is that I bought Disney tickets!  We went in October and now are planning on going back next October and I can’t wait!  I was really surprised at how excited the Tornado was.  I was afraid he would be just okay with the idea but if anything he’s even more excited. 

I’ve got a middle grade review, a couple of mystery reviews, and a romance review coming up.  I’ve got a 5 Favorites post planned for Tuesday but not entirely sure if that’ll come together with no internet.  Fingers crossed!

How’s your week going?  Any fun plans?  Happy reading!

Whisper of Bones - Mystery Review

A Whisper of Bones (Jane Lawless #25) by Ellen Hart

Rating: Good

Source: NetGalley

Description:  Britt Ickles doesn't remember much from her only visit to her mother's childhood home when she was a kid, except for playing with her cousin Timmy and the eruption of a sudden family feud. That's why, when she drops by unannounced after years of silence, she's shocked when her aunts tell her Timmy never existed, that she must be confusing him with someone else. But Britt can't shake the feeling that Timmy did exist...and that something horrible has happened to him. Something her aunts want to cover up.

Britt hires Jane Lawless, hoping the private investigator can figure out what really happened to her cousin. When a fire in the family's garage leads to the discovery of buried bones and one of the aunts dies suddenly and suspiciously, Jane can't help but be pulled into the case. Do the bones belong to Timmy? Was the aunt's death an accident, suicide, or homicide? What dark secret has this family been hiding for decades? It all depends on Jane Lawless to unravel.

Genre: Mystery

Why I Picked This Book: The blurb grabbed my attention and I couldn't resist!

My Impression:  I'm not sure if I wasn't in the right mood for this book or if it's just my cozy mystery reading binge had me expecting something that was a bit happier or nicer.  I liked it but it wasn't one I that I couldn't wait to get back to reading.

The premise is fantastic.  Britt is intelligent, logical and not particularly driven by emotion.  Her memories of her cousin Timmy aren't a glowing haze of perfection.  He was what made an awkward and tense trip to her mother's estranged family bearable and her memories were so real and realistic that she's sure she didn't make him up and bothered by the shrug off she gets from her aunts.

Jane is good at her job.  She knows what she's doing in an investigation and isn't afraid to act on impulse at times.  I did feel like her personal life got in the way a bit both for her concentration and page time.  While I did like seeing her in her regular world her complicated relationship with girlfriend Julia didn't feel like it advanced the plot and took up a lot of conversation space with friends that were helping with the investigation.  However, this is book #25 so I may feel different is I was a long time reader.

The mystery is good with all kinds of twisty secrets.  However, I did question how possible it was for the secrets to be kept for so many years.  While I did like the conclusion and the setup I questioned this little detail - especially given how dysfunctional 2 of the primary characters were.

This was a solid mystery with an interesting and diverse cast of characters.  If you're not in the mood for a cozy but don't want a high intensity psychological thriller this is a perfect fit.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Probably though next time I'll be sure I'm more in the mood for a straight mystery.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you're in the mood for a mystery that doesn't have you double checking the locks and pulling the blankets over your head but aren't feeling cozy this is a great choice.

Friday Linkups - Astor Place Vintage

It's Friday linkup time!  I'm linking up with the Book Blogger Hop hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer, Book Beginnings of Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader, and the Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice

This Week's Book Blogger Hop Question:
Off the book topic... Do you use a mouse pad?  If so, what is on it?

My Answer:  
I don't use a mousepad though I have seen some cute bookish ones that do appeal to me.

This week I'm taking a break from my usual cozies and reading Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehman which is a dual timeline - one taking place in modern day and the other in 1907.  So far I'm enjoying it though I haven't gotten very far.

The Beginning:
My appointment was in an apartment building called Stewart House - a white brick high-rise on Tenth Street, near Broadway, built in the sixties.

My Thoughts:
Not the most exciting though I do like the level of descriptiveness.

The 56:
Olive may never have ventured down to my territory.  Back then, middle-class women avoided going south of Eight Street.

My Thoughts:
I like that the character in present day is putting the character from 1908 into context.  I like the comparison of then and now.

So what do you think? Keep reading?

The Pajama Frame - Cozy Mystery Review

The Pajama Frame (Mad For Mod #5) by Diane Vallere

Rating: Good

Source: NetGalley

Description:  Nightie Night!

Interior decorator Madison Night is no stranger to the occasional odd inheritance. But when an octogenarian friend dies and leaves her a pajama factory, the bounty is bittersweet.

Once a thriving business, Sweet Dreams closed decades ago after a tragic accident took the life of a young model. Or was that simply a cover up?

Between her friend’s death and her own stagnant life, Madison is tempted to hide under a blanket of willful ignorance.

But when family members and special interest groups lobby to expose the secrets of the factory, Madison gets caught in a tangle of secrets and lies and discovers that sometimes, the bed you make is not your own.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've really enjoyed this series and love all the Mod references.  Plus, if this author's name is on the cover I know it's going to be a fun book!

My Impression:  When I start a Diane Vallere mystery I know I'm in for a fun read full of quirky characters and a solid mystery.  And now I have a need for post-war pajamas.  I'm not a 100% what they look like but Madison's enthusiasm and her description of the patterns has convinced me.

One of the things I really like about this series is that while it's light and fun there's some seriousness too.  Madison is funny and optimistic but she also is dealing with some of the real consequences of being involved in murder investigations both physically and emotionally.  As well she is dealing with really trying to figure out what she wants for her future as well as dealing with changes in her identity personally and professionally as she is heading towards her 50th birthday.  It makes her a much more endearing and likable character.

The mystery was intriguing.  I mean I can't resist a mystery from long ago - especially when it's combined with modern day dead bodies!  I really liked how Madison and Tex worked together to figure out just what was going on and how Tex struggled to keep the balance between friend and law enforcement.  I had a number of theories as to just what was going on but really had no idea until the reveal.  The end was a bit rushed and I would have liked a little more detail on some of the points but that was only a minor flaw.

This was an entertaining real with a likable main character though it does always make me want to start searching out vintage shops!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I've really enjoyed all the books by Vallere that I've read.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you love cozy mysteries and you're not reading Diane Vallere's books you're missing out!