Cozy Mystery – Kav's Best Reads

Deadly Harvest

All Georgia Rae Winston wants is to fall in love. Life, of course, has other plans.

Georgia’s biggest challenge in the farming town of Wildcat Springs, Indiana, is figuring out how to win Evan Beckworth’s heart. Until the day she discovers the body of a former student in the woods.

She assumes it was an accident. When she starts to suspect it wasn’t, it stirs memories of her father’s murder nine years earlier. A murder never solved. Georgia refuses to let that happen this time.

Not necessarily the wisest decision.

As Georgia works with the sheriff’s department’s newest detective, Cal Perkins, she finds her heart slipping into his hands. But her head is pummeled with conflicting evidence and anonymous threats of severe consequences if she digs any deeper.

In the end, Georgia faces a paralyzing choice. Ignore the dark secrets inside the family and friends who surround her or be willing to risk her own life to uncover the truth.

My Review:

published in 2018

What a delightful find! I don’t know of many cozy mysteries that also fit into the Christian Fiction category and Deadly Harvest is an excellent example of how well that works. I loved it — but do be aware that there is no mistaking the inspirational elements throughout the story. Prayer, scripture, bible study, friends who talk about Jesus and who are striving to follow Him. The characters are realistically flawed so this definitely isn’t a sugary sweet Utopia kind of read. Just be prepared to be uplifted in the midst of all the murder and mayhem! And yes, it actually works, as odd as that seems.

Love that Georgia has an unusual occupation for a heroine. She’s a farmer, spending her days out in the fields and working in the barn and doing all the things you would associate with farm life. She has an interesting backstory mystery which I think will play out more in future stories but in this first book in the series, Georgia stumbles upon a body on her property and the race is on to expose a killer…and new literary amateur sleuth is born!

Georgia’s gutsy and even a bit brazen when it comes to investigating. I enjoyed how up front she is and especially appreciate that she keeps the police in the loop when her snooping produces results. And speaking of the police…there is a new detective in town who just happens to be single. Yes, that’s a cozy mystery cliche and I love it!

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya . She did a fantastic job with these characters and delivered a compelling performance.

Happy Sidenote: Deadly Harvest is currently free on Kindle right now.

A Wonderful Christmas Crime

Innkeeper Holly White has a lot to be joyful about this season, until an attempted robbery throws the town into suspicion in the sixth installment of the Christmas Tree Farm mysteries from bestselling author Jacqueline Frost.

As Christmas descends on Mistletoe, Maine, Holly White has an extra gift for the a new baby on the way. Her husband, Sheriff Evan Gray, has been worried about her elevated blood pressure and Holly has agreed to take this year easy. Being idle has never been one of Holly’s gifts, so when Evan surprises her with tickets to the town-wide dinner, she and her many cravings thank him. But when a thief tries and fails to steal an antique ornament from the dinner’s holiday display, it’s clear that someone is on the naughty list.

The thief manages to escape, but after dinner, Holly spots their lifeless body. It’s clear that someone in town was keen to kill them. Evan is less than jolly to find his wife at the scene of yet another holiday homicide and asks her to promise that she’ll leave the investigating to the police. But Holly has never been one to turn down a challenge and has to get creative with the help of a few of her friends in order to find this killer.

Will she and her friends be able to stop the killer, and uncover the motive behind the attempted robbery, or will the killer strike again and paint the town a bloody red?

My Review:

What would Christmas be without some heartwarming murder and mayhem involving the ‘Christmas Tree Farm Mystery ‘crew?! This is one of my favourite cozy mystery series for so many reasons and this sixth book is a perfect example of why.

First — the cozy to mystery ratio is superbly written. While the investigation (both official policing and amateur sleuthing) is centerstage, Frost seamlessly incorporates exquisite cozy elements that provide an anchor of humour and heart to the story. The result is me alternately chuckling and swooning and feeling all nostalgically Christmas-y while trying to solve the mystery before Holly ( or at least keep up with her!) Makes for an incredibly captivating read.

Well, listen (again!) for me because narrator Allyson Ryan has become the voice I hear in my head when I think about these characters. She’s brilliant at giving everyone distinctive voices, including Holly’s disgruntled semi-feral cat Miss Cindy-Lou Who. And I always have the feeling that she is enjoying the story just as much as I am, which makes it feel like I’m buddy reading with a kindred spirit.

This is definitely a series I think should be read in order – not only for the character development, evolving friendships and slow-burn, toe-curling romance – but also for the sheer brilliance of all the holiday festivities. The author has an exceptional imagination and I love the mix of old favourite ‘reindeer games’ along with new traditions that appear in each book. This series breathes Christmas and, in fact, might just contain a hint of special Christmas magic on the side. I might be gloating a wee bit after reading that ending because, well, I knew it all the time!

My thanks to Dreamscape Media and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

Edam and Weep

When a fundraiser turns fatal, Carly Hale is confronted by a trail of clues that all point to her mother as the culprit . . .

When the local high school hosts a fundraiser, restaurant owner Carly Hale is happy to sign on and enlists her mother’s help selling her much-loved grilled cheese sandwiches at the school. But no good deed goes unpunished, and the vendor stationed next to them at the event turns out to be aggressively rude and bullies them both. Never one to be pushed, Carly’s mom gives the man a vicious tongue-lashing and assumes that’s the end of it—until later that day when the man is found dead, strangled with her scarf.

With her mom on the hook for murder, Carly has no choice but to find out who killed the man and why. It turns out the victim had always been bad news and had racked up a long list of enemies. One of those enemies may have been the menacing stranger Carly saw lurking on the edges of the fundraiser, but her intuition tells her the murdered man’s girlfriend may have been mixed up in it too. Certain one of them—or both—did the deadly deed, Carly realizes too late that all her sleuthing has landed her next on the killer’s hit list . . .

Includes tantalizing grilled-cheese sandwich recipes!

My Review:

Warning: reading this book may result in extreme grilled cheese cravings. Read at own risk. And I love that the author delights her readers with tantalizing adaptations of this classic sandwich staple. I had just as much fun reading about the ingenuous recipe ideas as I did following the mystery!

And that mystery — delightfully twisty-turny with plenty of suspects since the victim was so obnoxious! And, sadly, one of those suspects is Carly’s mom so…a girl sleuth has to do what a girl sleuth has to do! And this murder investigation couldn’t come at a worse time! Because Carly’s personal life is already complicated enough.

Love these characters and the growth we’ve seen in them all with each new book. The cozy aspects of this mystery are so heartwarming and comforting. Friends and family who always have your back. A cute rescue pup. The restaurant that’s like a second home to half the town. And, of course, the romance! Happy sigh!

The author has struck the perfect balance between cozy and mystery and both aspects of the story kept me frantically turning pages….well, avidly listening since I enjoyed the audio book narrated by the wonderful Mia Gaskin. She’s been the narrator for the entire series and I love that continuity. She has done a fantastic job with these characters which keeps me turning to the audio editions for my Grilled Cheese Mysteries fix.

My thanks to Dreamscape Media and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

Five Golden Wings

Readers will flock to NYT bestselling author Donna Andrews’ latest installment in the award-winning Meg Langslow series.

Two of Meg’s cousins, members of Mother’s vast Hollingsworth clan, are getting married, and both have chosen Caerphilly for their Christmas destination wedding . . on the same day, in the same venues. But while they’re cousins they’re also lifelong enemies. Mother’s efforts to keep the peace are wearing her down, and the battling brides (and their mothers) are making the holiday season miserable for everyone. So Meg steps in to keep the peace. And it was going badly even before she stumbles over the murdered body of the wedding photographer.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of suspects. The photographer has been hitting on many of the guests, bridesmaids . . . possibly even one or both of the brides. He’s also been slinking about and taking candid shots that are unflattering, embarrassing . . . occasionally even incriminating.

Can Meg help the local police nab the killer in time for the weddings to go on as planned? Unless, of course, the killer was one of the brides or grooms, in which case she needs to identify the killer in time to reveal their identity when she hears those fateful words, “If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now; or else forever hold your peace.”

My Review:

What would Christmas be without a new Meg Langslow seasonal mystery to get us into the holiday mood? And this 38th (Yes, 38!!! and I’ve read them all…multiple times) book is full of all the charm and humour unique to this incredible series. Discovering a new Meg Langslow mystery is the highlight of my reading year and the Christmas ones are extra special.

Of course, Christmas in Caerphilly has the nasty habit of including a festive murder and Meg is always in the middle of the intrigue! Luckily she has a great rapport with the Chief of police and her meddling comes in handy…especially since she always seems to be the one to discover the victim. Love that predictability and the way the author manages to infuse the real spirit of Christmas in the midst of all the murder and mayhem.

This Christmas two bridezillas are putting a damper on Meg’s Christmas celebrations. Love the nod to the first book in the series (three bridezillas in that one!) but even though the two books share a similar theme they are very different. There are some great plot twists with the mystery which kept me guessing and I love the way the author was able to include so many of my favourite characters in the seasonal sleuthing. And, of course, there’s plenty of humour and Langslow family hijinks to liven things up even more.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition of ‘Five Golden Wings’, narrated by Bernadette Dunne, who has been with the series from the very beginning. I get such a cozy homecoming kind of feeling every time I listen to one of the Meg Langslow books. Dunne has created unique voices for the many characters and has kept them consistent over all these years! And she captures the humour and heart of these stories to perfection.

My thanks to Macmillan Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

A Murder Most Fowl

A food truck run by twins serves up a clucking good murder in this cozy debut mystery, perfect for fans of Lucy Burdette and Joanne Fluke.

When their late aunt Dolly passes away, twins Beth and Seth Lloyd inherit a chicken themed food truck. Despite the challenges, the siblings rise to the occasion, even going as far as signing up their truck Kluckin’ Good to compete on a top cooking show and ruffle a few feathers for some good publicity. But the competition goes from heated to lethal when a contestant is found dead.

With the elimination competition becoming far too literal, Beth and Seth will need all the help they can get to get out of the frying pan without landing in the fire. Relying on their assistant-turned-friend Rylie for help, they’ll have to follow the bread crumbs to untangle a very twisted case before either one of them is put on the chopping block.

This humorous series debut with a mouthwatering mystery will charm readers and keep them guessing right until the not-so-bitter end.

My Review:

So much to love about this new cozy mystery series! The food truck theme is a stroke of genius and, in this first book, Beth has entered them in a cooking competition for a new food truck reality show which brought a whole lot of likely suspects into our sphere once the murder happens. I had a lot of fun armchair sleuthing right along with Beth and Rylie (and a reluctant Seth.)

Of course there’s the classic handsome detective who might just become a love interest for Beth, plus a secondary romance for her bestie Rylie which makes my romantical heart so, so happy. The mystery is well plotted with clever twists and turns and even a few gasp out loud moments. Beth is impulsive and tends to speak first, think later, which gets her into some interesting situations. Let’s just say she’s not the most subtle amateur sleuth out there! And I loved the twin dynamics – lots of sibling bickering and teasing while stoic best friend, Rylie tries to stay neutral.

The author has achieved a wonderful balance between cozy and mystery and it’s all delivered with her special brand of humour that included more than a few laugh out loud moments for me.

I listened to the audio edition of ‘A Murder Most Fowl’ narrated by Tina Wolstencroft. She did a brilliant job delivering the snappy dialogue for a variety of characters and her comedic delivery was spot on too which really added to my listening enjoyment.

My thanks to Spotify Audiobooks and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

Dying to Read + Giveaway

Random Retro Re-Read

Cate Kinkaid is just dipping her toe into the world of private investigating until one of the many résumés she has floating around lands her a real job. All she has to do is determine that a particular woman lives at a particular address. Simple, right? When the big and brooding house happens to contain a dead body, this routine PI job turns out to be anything but simple. Is Cate in over her head?

Readers will be hooked from the very first chapter of this fast-paced and witty romantic mystery from bestselling and award-winning author Lorena McCourtney.

My Review:

published in 2012

An engaging mystery with no end of false trails and intriguing subplots. I have to admit this armchair sleuth (a graduate of the Nancy Drew/Trixie Belden School of Sleuthing) was hard pressed to solve the murder before heroine Cate Kinkaid.

Fascinating and amusing characters provide lots of scope for mayhem as Cate catapults herself into the thick of things. Loved Cate’s pithy point of view — and the whole story is from her perspective. Snappy dialogue mixed with Cate’s unique insights provide humour in nearly every scene but that doesn’t stop drama from unfolding too. Both professional and personal angst counter Cate’s witty asides and make for a well-rounded and captivating read.

Oh — and watch out for the kitty diva, Octavia. Doesn’t every supersleuth need a little help from a familiar now and again?

And let’s not forget about the dragon-slaying knight in shining armour hero – a cute guy but what an annoying habit! Cate wants to slay her own dragons, thank you very much…in theory anyway. This light romance sealed the deal for me — and I’m hoping Dying to Read is just the beginning of a promising new cozy mystery series.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy available to anyone, anywhere in the world so…woohoo…International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the Dying to Read, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 23 2025.

The Secret Investigator of Astor Street

After high school graduation, Piper Sail isn’t quite sure what her future holds—until a possible murder case lands in her lap. Filled with both the glitz and glamor of high society and the dark mafia underbelly of 1920s Chicago, The Secret Investigator of Astor Street is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Maureen Johnson.

Piper Sail knows what she to become a detective. After all, she already solved the case of her missing best friend, and there’s no shortage of crime in 1920s Chicago. But for an eighteen-year-old society girl—even one who’s currently dating a police investigator—it simply isn’t done.

That is, until a girl asks her to dig into her brother’s recent death. The police ruled it a suicide, but she’s convinced it was murder. And she wants Piper to help her prove it.

In this companion to The Lost Girl of Astor Street, Piper once again grabs her notebook and plunges into the underworld of mafia-controlled Chicago. But she’ll need all her wits and courage if she wants to become The Secret Investigator of Astor Street.

My Review:

Phenomenal sequel to the first Piper Sail Mystery novel! It’s been a long wait but I am thrilled that this series is continuing. Love the edgy Nancy Drew vibe. Instead of bucolic River Heights, Piper sleuths in mobster-run Chicago in the 1920s, a full decade before Nancy put on her deerstalker hat! Makes for some classic atmospheric amateur sleuthing!

Piper’s dream of becoming a full-fledged private investigator seems destined to go unfulfilled. She is constrained by the expectations placed on a recently graduated high society young miss (aka get married and serve at charity functions.) Can she help it if she excels at crime solving instead of flower arranging?!

So her indomitable spirit and gritty determination seem destined to remain buried in a stifling clerical job until a sleuthing opportunity presents itself. Ofcourse, she can’t resist diving in. Love the complexity of the investigation, the intriguing plot twists, and the tremendous character growth Piper experiences along the way. I’m also a fan of the way her relationship with her police detective boyfriend develops as well. He is refreshingly supportive, a truly forward thinking man of the times!

Tumultuous complications in Piper’s home life, and even in part of her romance, add extra depth to the story and kept me riveted. Definitely a read-in-one-sitting kinda book…or in my case compulsively listen because, once again, I enjoyed Megan Trout’s narration. Love the way she portrays all the characters, especially Piper. And she captures all the intricacies of emotion and humour…and even hair-raising danger…to perfection.

My thanks to Harper Collins Focus / Blink and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

The Lost Girl of Astor Street + Giveaway

random retro reread

To most people, Piper Sail looks like a rich girl with little potential, but she surprises everyone, including herself, when she starts investigating her best friend’s disappearance. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Maureen Johnson, The Lost Girl of Astor Street combines the allure of Jazz Age Chicago with a twisting mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Lydia has vanished. Lydia, who’s never broken any rules, except falling in love with the wrong boy. Lydia, who’s been Piper’s best friend since they were children. Lydia, who never even said goodbye.

Convinced the police are looking in all the wrong places, eighteen-year-old Piper Sail begins her own investigation into Lydia’s disappearance. With the reluctant help of a handsome young detective, Piper searches for answers in the dark underbelly of 1924 Chicago. Did Lydia get abducted by one of the city’s most notorious gangsters? Or does the trail lead back to their own affluent neighborhood?

Piper must decide if she’s willing to risk her life to find out the truth.

My Review:

published in 2017

I read this book when it first came out and loooovvved it sooooo much! Was so hopeful for a long running series but then…nothing. For years. So imagine my extreme bibliophile ecstasy when I discovered that not only did the publisher reissue the book with a swanky new cover, but they also included a new audio edition and there’s a second book now as well. Eeeeeeeepppp! I can’t even….

—

Nancy Drew meets Veronica Mars in this astounding Young Adult Mystery that can certainly be enjoyed by readers who have passed their teen years.

Love the mix of historical (roaring twenties in Chicago) and mystery. And I’m actually surprising myself by saying I also loved the first person, present tense point of view which is usually my least favourite POV. But it works here, catapulting the reader into Piper’s heart and mind as she navigates a complicated web of intrigue and secrets.

I love her spunk! And her fierce loyalty and dogged determination. She just doesn’t quit, much to the exasperation (and reluctant admiration) of a certain young police detective. But Piper’s stubbornness leads to danger as she exposes secrets and follows clues that lead her into the seedy side of town. And if the heart-stopping suspense doesn’t keep you frantically turning pages, the sweet romance certainly will. Praying this is the first of many cases for this new, intrepid female detective.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Megan Trout’s compelling narration. She did these characters justice – especially our indomitable heroine!

My thanks to HarperCollins Focus / Blink and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Lost Girl of Astor Street, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 9 2025.

Icing on the Murder

Influencer-turned-bakery-owner Maddy Montgomery has sold plenty of wedding cakes before, but before she turns one out for her and her fiancé’s wedding, she’ll have to solve a little case of murder . . .

Aunt Octavia would be so proud! Maddy has turned Baby Cakes Bakery—named for her 250-pound English Mastiff, Baby—into a runaway success, and she’s marrying the love of her life, veterinarian Michael Portman. #DreamWedding! Plus the timing couldn’t be the country’s biggest bridal expo has come to New Bison, Michigan, and Maddy has secured a spot for Baby Cakes to showcase their cakes. She’s also entered a contest for an all-expenses-paid wedding extravaganza offered by world-renowned wedding planner Serafina.

Unfortunately, supremely nasty Serafina truly takes the cake—she makes the worst bridezilla seem like a shy flower girl. But there’s one thing the wedding planner didn’t plan on—being impaled by one of the skewers Baby Cakes uses on their tiered wedding cakes.

While Maid of Honor Sheriff April Johnson rounds up suspects at the expo, Maddy and her aunt’s friends, the Baker Street Irregulars, and even Baby join forces to unveil a killer hiding in plain sight . . . before wedding bells start to chime.

My Review:

I love everything about this series from the appealing covers to the pun-y titles and all the characters, especially English Mastiff Baby Cakes, Maddy’s drool worthy sidekick! And, honestly, when I started in on the first book, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to connect with a twenty-something social media influencer but Maddy won me over with her sass and heart. Even if she likes to throw in the occasional hashtag now and then. In fact just call me a #BakerStreetMysteryFan!

Burns knows how to keep a reader engaged with her carefully (and diabolically) crafted mysteries and winning characters. One of the things I have come to appreciate about this series is the tremendous character growth we see in Maddy and that is really highlighted in this fourth book. I found her struggles with insecurity achingly honest. And the way Michael supports her is totally swoonworthy! The romantic elements are divine, and fitting since it’s their engagement story. They just have to solve a pesky murder before their wedding plans can really get underway. And that means the Baker Street Irregulars are on the case!

A lovely blend of cozy and mystery with just enough light romance to keep my heart atwitter. Absolute cozy perfection as far as I’m concerned. Praying there are many more Baker Street Mysteries in my reading future!

I listened to the audio edition of ‘Icing on the Murder’ narrated by Jasmin Walker who did an incredible job bringing all these characters to life with distinctive voices to match their personalities. Such a pleasure to listen to her performance. The audio books are definitely the way to go for this cozy mystery series.

My thanks to RBmedia and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

For Duck’s Sake

Donna Andrews returns with her latest charming addition to the bestselling Meg Langslow mystery series.

Meg is in the backyard of the house her brother Rob, Delaney, and their new baby have moved into, supervising some workmen who are using a bulldozer to start digging out a duck pond. She wants to get away from her own house, which has become the staging site for Caerphilly’s first Mutt March, which will be held the next day. Meg thinks it will be more peaceful at Rob’s house–and it is until the bulldozers uncover a skeleton whose skull has a hole and a bullet rattling around inside.

Meanwhile, Chief Burke begins searching the police records to see if he can identify any missing persons who would fit the bill. He doesn’t turn down Meg’s offer to help with his identification efforts, and she begins looking in the library and talking to old-timers. She’s all the more eager to help because Iris Rafferty, who sold the house to Rob and Delaney and still lives in the mother-in-law suite, disappears the morning after the finding of the body… does her disappearance have anything to do with finding the body? Was it voluntary? Or was she kidnapped–possibly by the prowlers who are spotted lurking around the half-finished duck pond at night? Or do the prowlers have sinister designs on one or more of the dogs who will be marching in the parade?

Written with her classic cozy and investigative style, Donna Andrews is sure to delight in the latest in her Meg Langslow mystery series.

My Review:

Classic Donna Andrews brilliance! Full to brimming with characters who are charming and humorous and even exasperating! All backed by the cozy small town ambiance that has made Caerphilly my absolute favourite fictional setting ever! In fact, I reread (well, re-listen) to the whole series every year and each book is just as memorable and captivating as the first time I read it. This 37th Meg Langslow instalment is a perfect example of why.

Madcap mayhem and town hijinks, in this case the altruistic Mutt March’s bid to rehome countless numbers of dogs…who all need costumes for the parade. Of course. It’s absolute chaos at Meg’s house so she sets off on the relatively blissful pursuit of a cold case murder. What could go wrong? If Donna Andrews is writing the story, plenty! Bwahahaha!

I’m still giddy and grinning over all the shenanigans and plot twists galore. Still thrilling over getting to spend time with characters who have become as dear to me as my own family. I love watching the twins grow up while key older characters remain eternally ageless because they are so integral to the series – a bit of fictional magic that makes me so, so happy!

And the ultimate thrill is listening to Bernadette Dunne’s narration. Her performances highlight these characters perfectly and I get the feeling that she is relishing the story just as much as I am. Love the connection that brings to my listening experience. Highly recommend the audio editions for the entire series!

My thanks to Macmillan Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.