Murder at Ravens Edge by Louise Marley ~ Blog Tour

 Publisher: Storm Publishing 

Publication Date: 15th April 2024

Genre: Cosy Mystery

Summary:

When Milla Graham returns to her childhood home of Raven's Edge after eighteen long years away, she finds the perfect English village looks much the same – all rose-covered cottages, nosy neighbours, and chintzy teashops full of scones and gossip.

But her nostalgic visit takes a dark turn when the body of a local woman is discovered in an abandoned manor house on the edge of the forest. The murder scene is chillingly close to that of Milla’s own mother, whose death was never solved. As she begins to investigate the connection, Milla realizes this adorable village is guarding some dark secrets.

Handsome, grumpy local policeman Ben Taylor doesn't believe in coincidences, and he doesn’t think mysterious newcomer Milla Graham is as innocent as she seems. Why is she really here in Raven’s Edge, and how come she keeps turning up at his crime scenes, causing trouble? Can he solve this murder case without losing himself – or his heart – to the rather distracting Miss Graham?

When another body is found, everyone becomes a suspect – from the barmaid at the local pub to Milla Graham herself. It seems that in Raven's Edge, not everybody is as friendly, or as innocent, as they first seem...

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Storm Publishing and Louise Marley for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
I do love a cosy mystery so I was really glad to get not just this one in the series but book 2 (that review is coming later this week) I've not read anything by Louise Marley before but very quickly into reading this I know ill be coming back for more.
I seriously love Ben Taylor, he's such a grumpy man and I always find they make the best characters in books i don't know what it is about a grump but they always make my day! And I found myself laughing and smiling at him on a regular basis, I love his relationship with Harriet and how they bounce off each other and have some banter, it definitely makes their scenes fun even when they're on the serious side. I enjoyed the fact that he had secrets that he worked hard to keep hidden, i think it makes him compliment Milla in a way, neither one being overly truthful in their encounters. On the Milla front, she was another interesting character, I was never quite sure if she was who she said she was, I kept flip-flopping between believing her and not.
It's been one of those books that I've just wanted to keep reading, just curl up and ignore this world in favour of theirs with all the murder that comes along with it. Louise Marley has a brilliant writing style that flows so well and just keeps you engaged with the story. 
Definitely not off to go read book 2 now....

Krystina xx

Dying to Bake by Helen Golden~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Drew Bradley Press

Publication Date: 15th March 2024

Genre:crime/Thriller/cosy mystery

Summary:

Bake Off Wars is back! Get your aprons on and let the sleuthing begin!

BREAKING NEWS Vera Bolt, Queen of Bakes, dies unexpectedly aged 66

In a shocking announcement this afternoon, Vera Bolt’s agent confirmed that the Bake Off Wars judge and national treasure died yesterday. Ms Bolt was in the process of filming the next series of the hugely popular television show at Francis Court, the home of the King’s sister and her family. It’s believed that the renowned pastry chef was stabbed in the heart, and the main suspect is rumoured new royal girlfriend, Summer York.

What am I supposed to do? Lady Beatrice has promised DCI Richard Fitzwilliam that she won’t get involved in the investigation into Vera Bolt’s death. But when her brother’s new love interest, Summer York, becomes the top suspect for Vera’s murder, Fred begs Bea to find out who the real killer is. In a race against time, can Bea navigate a labyrinth of secrets and lies, evade danger, and safeguard her friendship with Fitzwilliam?

The answer may determine not only Summer’s innocence but also the fate of Bea’s and Fitzwilliam’s burgeoning feelings for each other.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Drew Bradley Press and Helen Golden for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
I knew I was going to love this book because I absolutely adored the last book in the series A Cocktail to Die For, so much so that the rest of the series is currently waiting to be read on my kindle! Helen Golden's writing style is brilliant and I immediately got drawn straight into Lady Bea's world and was swept away with her and Perry's discussion's, I really enjoy their friendship its one that just makes you smile as you read it. They both just come across as people you wish you actually knew because they'd be the best for having a brilliant time, no matter what the plans were they'd make them better kind of people and I think Helen Golden is just brilliant at writing characters that are so easy to connect to.
I saw the Simon twist way before it was revealed, I kind of guessed it at the first mention of someone looking for him but I didn't mind that. I liked it when it was finally revealed and I didn't guess the other twist in the book half as quickly (I think I got there at the same time as Bea) so I genuinely didn't mind that I saw Simons. The undercurrent of Rich and Bea was frustrating to read, the whole time I was yelling at them to get together, abit like Perry I was willing them to give it a go because they would clearly make each other happy.
I'm so hooked on this series now that I finished this one and went straight to find out when the next one was out, frustratingly I have to wait til December for book 10, but I know it'll be worth the wait.

Krystina xx

The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder by C.L Miller~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Macmillan

Publication Date: 29th February 2024

Genre: Cosy Mystery

Summary:

What antique would you kill for?

Freya, it’s down to you to finish what I started . . .

Freya Lockwood has avoided the quaint English village in which she grew up for the last 20 years. That is until news arrives that Arthur Crockleford, antiques dealer and Freya’s estranged mentor, has died . . . and the circumstances seem suspicious.

You will uncover an invitation, I implore you to attend . . .

But when a letter from Arthur is delivered, sent just days before his death, and an ordinary pine chest concealing Arthur’s journals are revealed, Freya finds herself sucked back into a life she’d sworn to leave behind.

But beware, trust no-one. Your life depends on it . . .

Joining forces with her eccentric Aunt Carole, Arthur’s staunch best friend, Freya follows both clues and her instincts to an old manor house for an ‘antiques enthusiasts weekend’. But not is all as it seems; the antiques are bad reproductions and the guests all have something to hide.

Can Freya and Carole solve the mystery and unearth the killer before they strike again?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Random Things Book Tours, MacMillan and C.L Miller for having me on this book tour and sending me a copy of the book.
This was just the book I needed to read to start off the week, I love a cosy mystery they always seem to make me smile and they always come in series which is a win for me!
When we meet Freya she's definitely lacking in confidence thanks to her horrible ex-husband and you just want to give her a hug and tell her to pull herself together because she is way better than she currently believes. The more you hear about and from her ex-husband the more you dislike him, I'd go as far as to say hate him, because he's a real piece of work!
I loved the relationship with Freya and Carole, they just work so well together as personalities and at clue-solving! I definitely enjoyed getting chapters from both of their points of view, in fact, I loved that we had multiple points of view in general. It was nice to occasionally move from Freya's POV, though I really enjoyed her as our Main narrator.
I loved that we had a quote from Arthur at the beginning of each chapter, his little sayings etc made me smile so much. His opening chapter was brilliant and the fact that he wanted to go out in style!
The writing style was brilliant and the pacing felt right for a cosy mystery, I enjoyed all of it and I really hope we get more from Freya, I've got my fingers crossed that this becomes a series!

Krystina xx

A Cocktail To Die For by Helen Golden~Blog Tour

 

Publisher: Drew Bradley Press

Publication Date: 1st December 2023)

Genre: Crime/thriller/mystery

Summary:

Cocktails, chaos, and an unexpected twist. Can Bea, Perry, and his hens unveil the truth before time runs out?

Death at Prestigious Hotel and Spa, Chasingham HouseWe are hearing reports that a young woman has been found dead at Chasingham House, the exclusive venue in the Cotswolds. She has not been named, and the cause of death is unknown at this time. This will no doubt cast a cloud over the bachelor weekend being hosted there by Lady Beatrice (36), the Countess of Rossex, for her business partner Perry Juke (34) ahead of his wedding to bestselling author and celebrity chef Simon Lattimore (40). Also staying at Chasingham House are top models Camile Redmaine (35) and Mel Parks (35), who are celebrating newly-single Cammy’s birthday with a group of friends.

When one of the birthday girls is found dead in her room, it’s clear Bea plans for her, Perry, and their friends to chill around the pool, have a few treatments, and generally relax, seem to have gone down the drain. When the local police are quick to dismiss the death as an accident, Bea is determined to help investigate anyway, along with the rest of Perry’s party.

Can they catch the killer before the weekend is over and the trail goes cold?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, Drew Bradley Press and Helen Golden for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
I got so drawn in by this book from the first few pages, it's been a brilliant read. We had a cast list at the end of the book but I really didn't feel I needed it, i loved all the characters we met they are so well crafted. It kind of felt like you could be stepping into one of those murder mystery weekends away, and I really loved that vibe (I also really would love to go to one of those and this has just intensified that want to do it). The humour in it was so brilliantly placed I had laugh-out-loud moments throughout, it's a book that's proven that humour is all about timing and Helen Golden's is spot on.
It's a fantastically written book, and I can see, knowing it is a series, where she's woven in points that will probably come up again in other books and I really loved those little crumbs of information that she's left us. I think Bea is a fantastic main character, I know that others in the group do give us information from their point of view often but Bea is our MC and I just adored her. I can't wait for the next in the series to see where life takes her and her friends and what they are going to stumble into next.
I definitely think I've found my new comfort cosy mystery series, and thankfully I have a fair few of them to catch up on!

Krystina xx

A Story To Strangle For by E.V Hunter~Blog Tour

 Publisher:  Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 6th January 2024

Genre: Cosy Mystery

Summary:

A failing hotel…

With its reputation in tatters, Alexi Ellis is determined to save her beloved Hopgood Hall from any more bad press. A writing course for wannabe journalists shouldn't cause too many issues and will hopefully take the heat off Hopgood Hall….

A shocking death…

But disaster strikes when one of the group is found dead in a local pub. What’s worse Alexi was the last person to see the victim alive, which makes her suspect number one.

A case too close to home?

Alexi is sure she is being set up, but who would go to such deadly lengths? With her reputation and liberty on the line, this is a case Alexi, Jack and Cosmo can’t afford to leave unsolved!

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and E.V Hunter for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
I loved my last E.V Hunter book so much that when I saw this one I had to read it. I've loved being back at Hopgood Hall and meeting all the familiar characters again, Cosmo is one of my favourites I love that he's so protective of Alexi and so spot on with his dislike of certain people. Don't get me wrong I really love seeing everything from Alexi and Jack's points of view but I had so many chuckles at Cosmo's behaviour, he's the star really. 
I've loved the writing style of both books I've read, I found it so easy to get drawn into the story and engrossed in it, I swear I don't normally ignore people when they talk but this book was so all-encompassing when I was reading that I just didn't notice them. It's been such an enjoyable style to read.
I loved seeing more of Alexi and Jack's relationship in this one, I've only read two of the four books so I didn't see how it started but I got some more filler information in this book and I liked how it rounded out what I knew about them. There were so many different options for the murderer and I loved that I was never quite sure who did it until we were near the end, While I like trying to figure out ahead of time who did it, it's always best when I'm left guessing.
All in all, I've loved discovering this series of books and while I hope for Alexi's sake there aren't too many more murders at Hopgood Hall, I'm secretly hoping that this is a long series because it's just the right kind of cosy mystery for me.

Krystina xx

The Paper Pirate by Dawn McIntyre~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Running Wild Press

Publication Date: 8th November 2022

Genre:Cosy Mystery

Summary:

As if the looming deadline to pay off a balloon mortgage isn’t enough to worry about, the five partners who own the small town book store The Paper Pirate find themselves menaced by a stealthy crook who systematically searches first the shop, then each of their homes. Because he takes nothing and barely leaves traces of his presence, the police can’t be of much help, and simply promise to keep an eye on Charlie Santorelli, Lavinia “Vinnie” Holcomb, Al Rockleigh, Felicia Cocolo, and Lenora Stern. It’s a mystery to them but the reader knows that Rick Foster, a shady rare-books dealer and his sidekick Nina Bartov are on the hunt for a particular old volume that sits unnoticed on a shelf in The Paper Pirate’s used book section. It’s an obscure early work of the not-terribly-successful author Benjamin Conway, and it’s badly defaced―but a very wealthy man is willing to pay Rick a half a million dollars for it. Seems an ancestor of his eluded the henchmen of a nineteenth-century dictator by escaping to New York, and eventually took refuge in the northeastern Pennsylvania countryside. Before he was captured and killed, he’d scribbled as much evidence of the tyrant’s sins as he could fit into the blank spaces of a copy of The Stargazer at Dawn and hid it where he hoped his comrades would find it. They never did. The five friends also are members of a writers’ group, and each of them has a secret. One is penning an erotic novel on the sly, another hides a painful estrangement with an only child, and a deadly teenaged mistake causes a third to sabotage her every chance at happiness in the present. A partner who claims to be unpublished actually is a one-hit-wonder with a thirty-year-old best-selling novel followed by a crippling literary failure, and the last has a family with criminal connections―he’s spent half a lifetime avoiding them.

Review:

Firstly thank you to Love Books Tours, Dawn McIntyre and Running Wild Press for sending me a copy of the book to review.
I haven't read many cosy mysteries but I really liked the idea of them so I was really happy to get this book, a new genre is always a welcome change. The cover really doesn't give much away and it's quite plain which actually drew me in almost as much as the pretty covers that I usually waffle on about. It's a really well-written book and the characters are well-rounded with interesting back stories. I enjoyed the fact that we switch between different characters' perspectives, especially when it brought in new characters to hear from.
I liked the level of intrigue around the rare book that Rick is trying to find, and how he's attempting to go about finding it.
I have to admit that I'm still currently reading the book, I had a few issues with the original digital copy I was sent but Love Books Tours kindly resent it to me, so I haven't quite made it to the end and I will update when I do without spoiling any endings!

Krystina xx