Welcome to this week’s edition of Friday Book Round-Up. We’re back from our February hiatus and have been inhaling books. There’s something about the cold weather than turns me into a reading machine. The wind blows, the snow and freezing rain falls yet all I care about is what’s going on in the latest book I’m reading.
I know some of you are saying to yourself, enough with the romance already. I know not everyone is a romance nut like me so I’m turning to another of my favorite genres today: cozy mystery. I love cozy mysteries because they’re light, fun and there’s a murder to solve. There’s also a fair share of quirky characters and humorous dialogue. So, here’s five of my favorite cozy mysteries to dive into:
'Scuse Me While I Kill This Guy: Romantic Comedy Mystery (Greatest Hits Mysteries Book 1) by Leslie Langtry
YOU CAN'T PICK YOUR FAMILY...
Death by Chocolate is her favorite dessert. And those knitting needles aren't just for craft projects. To most people, Gin Bombay is an ordinary single mom. Then again, they don't know she's from a family of top secret assassins. Somewhere between leading a Girl Scout troop for her kindergartner-- would nooses count for a knot badge? --and keeping their puppy from destroying the furniture, Gin now has to take out a new target.
BUT YOU CAN PICK THEM OFF
Except this target has an incredibly hot Australian bodyguard who knows just how to make her weak in the knees. But with a traitor threatening to expose everything, Gin doesn't have much time indulge her hormones. She's got to find the leak and clear her assignment...or she'll end up next on the Bombay family hit list.
The Marquesa's Necklace (Harmony Duprie Mysteries Book 1) by P.J. MacLayne
Harmony Duprie enjoyed her well-ordered life in the quiet little town of Oak Grove—until her arrest for drug trafficking. Cleared of all charges, she wants nothing more than to return to the uneventful lifestyle of a historical researcher she once savored.
But when her beloved old car “George” is stolen and explodes into a ball of flames, it sets off a series of events that throws her plans into turmoil. Toss in a police detective that may or may not be interested in her, an attractive but mysterious stranger on her trail, and an ex-boyfriend doing time, and Harmony’s life freefalls into a downward spiral of chaos.
Now she has to use her research skills to figure out who is behind the sinister incidents plaguing her, and why. And she better take it seriously, like her life depends upon finding the right answers.
Because it might.
Mind Your Manors (A Flamingo Realty Mystery Book 1) by CeeCee James
Meet Stella O'Neil, retired FBI agent Oscar O'Neil's granddaughter. She's got a lot on her plate, trying to figure out her crazy, stubborn family, the hidden secrets that caused her grandfather's estrangement from her dad, and starting out as a realtor. Throw in a dead body found in what used to be the town's "royalty" family's manor, and she’s neck deep in a mystery.
She may be sweet, but she's pretty stubborn herself.
As Stella's curiosity leads her from one town resident to the next, a dramatic tale of family secrets starts to appear, but is she getting too close to the truth? A scary car chase in the dark has her nerves on edge, but she won't give up until she finds out who the skeleton once was. She's so close... but someone... maybe more than one person... will do anything to stop her.
Murder Past Due (Cat in the Stacks Mystery Book 1) by Miranda James
FIRST IN THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING CAT IN THE STACKS MYSTERY SERIES!
Everyone in Athena, Mississippi, knows Charlie Harris, the good-natured librarian with a rescued Maine coon cat named Diesel that he walks on a leash. He’s returned to his hometown to immerse himself in books, but soon enough he’s entangled in a real-life thriller...
A famous author of gory bestsellers and a former classmate of Charlie’s, Godfrey Priest may be the pride of Athena, but Charlie remembers him as an arrogant, manipulative jerk—and he’s not the only one. Godfrey’s homecoming as a distinguished alumnus couldn’t possibly go worse: by lunch, he’s put a man in the hospital. By dinner, Godfrey’s dead.
Now it’s up to Charlie, with some help from Diesel, to paw through the town’s grudges and find the killer before an impatient deputy throws the book at the wrong person. But every last one of Charlie’s friends and co-workers had a score to settle with the nasty novelist. As if the murder wasn’t already purr-plexing enough...
Academic Curveball (Braxton Campus Mysteries Book 1) by James J. Cudney
Who killed professor Abby Monroe?
When Kellan Ayrwick returns home for his father’s retirement, he finds a dead body in Diamond Hall’s stairwell. Unfortunately, Kellan has a connection to the victim, and so do several members of his family.
Soon after, the college's athletic program receives mysterious donations, a nasty blog denounces his father and someone attempts to change students' grades.
Someone is playing games on campus, but none of the facts add up.
With the help of his eccentric and trouble-making nana, Kellan tries to stay out of the sheriff’s way. But who is behind the murder?
Have a cozy mystery recommendation? Share in the comments below and don’t forget to share using the buttons below.
MRS N, Book Addict