Seasons Greetings, Cozy Readers!  Today’s blog spotlight is on Author Libby Klein and the December 31, 2019 release of the fourth epic story in her Poppy McAllister Mystery series!  THEATER NIGHTS ARE MURDER.  Read on for Chatting About Cozies 5 Star Review! 🎄😊📚

If you haven’t met Poppy McAllister, now is the time! I think it’s best to start with the first book and read in order so you’ll know the characters. I love this comical cozy mystery series!



5 Star Review by Chatting About Cozies (Linda Langford)

Poppy McAllister is normally baking gluten-free goodies in Cape May, NJ and juggling the romantic attention of two suitors, Tim and Gia. As book four begins, she volunteers at the theater production of “Mamma Mia” which is casting at the Senior Center. Royce Ricardo, an old flame of Aunt Ginny’s is the lead male actor. Aunt Ginny and her flippant and savvy tribe of older lady friends try out for various parts during auditions. Wha-la! The humor begins!

When another actress, Blanche aka Moira, sweeps the lead actress role from Aunt Ginny, she and her old biddy friends are up to mayhem and mischief using their senior sleuthing skills when sabotage and threats happen on set; then an actor dies falling from the catwalk.

Speaking of cats, Figaro is Poppy’s purrsnickety Persian and his purrsonality is a hoot! He thinks he rules the quaint Butterfly Wings Bed & Breakfast Inn that Poppy and Aunt Ginny own. The Inn is being targeted by a troll who keeps leaving obnoxious fake reviews on travel sites and Poppy is hot on their trail.

The female characters in this story are spunky, saucy, and strong-willed. They’re determined to get to the bottom of the on-set mysteries while the show goes on and before someone else is hurt.

Action keeps the plot moving swiftly, plus the dialogue and events are frequently hilarious! I laughed out loud many, many times! 😀

Eventually, between the police, Poppy, and the senior sleuths task force, the suspects get narrowed down and explanations for certain occurrences are exposed. There are also a couple of subplots in the storyline that are wrapped up at the end, along with the killer reveal. To me, it’s very clear which suitor Poppy chooses! The author gifts readers with some delicious gluten-free recipes after the story.

Check out Libby’s website:  https://libbykleinbooks.com/

Check out Chatting About Cozies Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/chatcozy/

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Fantastic beginning to the Cider Shop Cozy series—APPLE CIDER SLAYING by Julie Anne Lindsey also known as Julie Chase/Jacqueline Frost/Bree Baker.  Happy Reading, Y’all! 😊 📚 ☕️


5 Star Review by Chatting About Cozies (Linda Langford)

Who likes apple cider? Me, too! One of the first things that attracted me to this book was the cheery red Christmas cover, and the thought of hot cider on a cold winter day.

Winnie Montgomery’s passion is creating savory homemade apple ciders! Her cider is sold at her Granny Smythe’s Orchard in gorgeous Blossom Valley, West Virginia. Winnie’s dream is to renovate an old barn on the property into a cider shop and for that, she needs a bank loan. When Mr. Sherman, the banker, comes for a tour and they stumble across a corpse; Winnie fears that’s killed her chances for loan approval, however; she’s a determined protagonist and isn’t going to let a murderer ruin her project. She decides if she solves the murder and can get the bank officer to come back, then maybe she can still get a loan. 

Full of home, hearth, and love of family, friends, and community; I constantly felt the coziness as I savored this story. Winnie and her Granny have such wonderful memories that crop up throughout the fast-paced storyline. As the mystery and suspense build, there’s so much more to this story than picking apples and sipping cider. The author led me on such a merry chase that the killer snuck up on me! Scrumptious sounding recipes round out the ending of this delicious read. Grab a warm beverage and enjoy this cozy!

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing with an honest, unbiased opinion. Thank you.

Release Date: 10.29.19
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If you’re a fan of Author Rose Pressey and her paranormal novels, this debut story in the Haunted Craft Fair Mystery series should be an automatic buy for you!  Don’t miss MURDER CAN MESS UP YOUR MASTERPIECE, released 10.29.19!


5 Star Review by Chatting About Cozies (Linda Langford)

I think this debut para-cozy is a fantastic story! Author Rose Pressey shines in her creative expression with this engaging plot. I adore the eye-catching cover with the cute chihuahua, Van Gogh, who is artist Celeste Cabot’s companion and protector. I always enjoy festival settings and this Summer Arts & Crafts Fair in Gatlinburg, Tennessee is also the perfect set-up for a crime scene.

When one of Celeste’s paintings brings a ghost to life, creepy things begin to happen, including the slaying of the unlikeable festival manager. Unfortunately, Celeste has doubts about the innocence of many of her fellow vendors. She meets two men during the investigation who show interest in getting to know her on a personal level, and I wondered which one Celeste would choose.

MURDER CAN MESS WITH YOUR MASTERPIECE charmed me from the beginning with its delightful setting, wonderful characters, adorable pets, and an overall alluring mystery! 5 Stars! As an extra treat, the author includes delicious recipes for recipes for readers to try.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an honest, unbiased review. Thank you.

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A bewitching mew cozy series from Author Bethany Blake.  Introducing A BRUSHSTROKE WITH DEATH (Owl & Crescent Mystery #1).  Happy Reading! 😊 📚


5 Star Review by Chatting About Cozies (Linda Langford)

Just in time for Halloween, this is the perfect story to get you in the mood for the witching hour and some crystal ball reading! Author Bethany Blake debuts a para-cozy series I believe will immediately bewitch cozy mystery fans. Heroes come in all sorts of forms and disguises and this new paranormal/witch mystery showcases several of them, and was one of the reasons I enjoyed the story so much. The ending is spellbinding!

Artist Willow Bellamy’s ancestors are witches. She can “read” people through their paintings. As this mesmerizing cozy tale begins, Willow’s hosting a painting event in the old barn that houses her shop/studio—The Owl & Crescent Art Barn. It’s a dark and stormy night as the eclectic group gathers to chat, sip, snack, and paint. Early the next morning, one of the attendees is found cold and lifeless near Willow’s property. Willow is shocked when a Detective Lucian Turner arrives and looks just like the man in a painting she recently finished. She wonders if she could have painted he and his dog, Marinette, to life.

To say this is an excellent mystery doesn’t seem to be enough. I’d give it more stars than 5, if I could, for entertainment, creativeness, and characterization. The dialogue is witty with laugh-out-loud moments. There’s obviously something supernatural about Lucian and Willow’s connection and why he’s there, and those facts are slowly revealed as this captivating tale unfolds. Willow is surrounded by dynamic pets who I loved—her protective familiar...Rembrandt, the owl. Rescue pig...Mortimer, who’s much more at home inside than outside. And, Luna...a sweet gray cat with a crescent marking. All three are her faithful companions.

I was creeped out by secondary character, Benedict Blodgett, a horror film director, and y’all will understand why as you read the story! There’s a bevy of suspects who disliked the victim and Willow places herself in danger multiple times as she casts spells to see if she can “see” the killer. I got goosebumps when I realized who the murderer was! I kinda had a feeling who it was, but still....the betrayal! I can hardly wait for book two so I can find out what happens in the next story!

I reviewed a galley ARC provided by Kensington Publishing. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

Release Date: 10.29.19

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Barbara Ross and Kensington Publishing have re-published a short novella, NOGGED OFF (A Maine Clambake Mystery #4.5).

5 Star Review by Chatting About Cozies (Linda Langford)

A sparkling new Christmas novella set on Morrow Island in Busman’s Harbor, Maine.

Julia Snowden and her family are preparing for Christmas at the farm. Julia makes a quick trip to New York to move her belongings back home. Acquaintance, Imogen Geinkes invites herself to the family gathering and trouble follows her like a magnet.

This is an entertaining short story that displays home, hearth, and family amidst a strange murder scene that Author Barbara Ross neatly wraps up in a clever ending.

I reviewed a digital arc that I won in a Goodreads Giveaway from Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

Release Date: 10.29.19

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It’s Tuesday, 10.29.19!  Don’t miss Author Debra Sennefelder’s newest Food Blogger Mystery, THREE WIDOWS AND A CORPSE!  Enjoy!


5 Star Review by Chatting About Cozies (Linda Langford)

I like food blogger Hope Early. She’s a strong woman determined to make her blog, Hope At Home, successful. In book three, a bigamist husband is exposed and things quickly take a morbid turn during an annual scavenger hunt. Hope begins meddling in order to help solve the crime in a timely manner. The plot is filled with humor, yummy food, and clues galore; all of which keep the story moving along at a great pace. There are suspects galore, including the three wives the victim was allegedly married to! Ms. Sennefelder keeps you guessing whodunnit until the very end. This is a great traditional cozy sure to please readers. Recipes from Hope’s Kitchen included at the story end.


I reviewed a galley arc provided by the author for an honest review. Thank you.

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One of my favorite ‘beachy’ cozy mystery series!  Happy reading ❣️📚😊



5 Star Review by Chatting About Cozies (Linda Langford)

A fun, fresh cozy with a Christmastime beach setting. The third book of the Seaside Cafe cozy series features protagonist Everly Swan and her popular business, Sun, Sand and Tea, and is sure to quench your thirst with a startling murder and a surprise killer reveal!

The plot moves along quickly and the author skillfully throws suspicious actions on innocent suspects. Everly’s great aunts, Fran and Clara, are engaging secondary characters, as well as Grady Hays who seems interested in a romance with Everly. Clara’s holiday obsession with gnomes plays a huge part of the plot. Lou, the seagull, may even be a local man reincarnated and interestingly helps save Everly in an unusual way!

I highly recommend this story plus the two previous stories in the Seaside Cafe series.

I reviewed a digital copy provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press. Thank you.

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Loved this Christmastime cozy mystery!  Enjoy❣️ 📚 😊



5 Star Review by Chatting About Cozies (Linda Langford)

I merrily read this Christmastime cozy set in beautiful Silver Hollow, Michigan. Author Meg Macy pens another original story and fills it with sparkling visions of holiday cheer! The new bears and the bear-related events are really fun and show the great imagination of Author Macy.

There’s something ‘beary’ suspicious going on in the town where Sasha Silverman’s family’s Silver Bear Shop & Factory is located. The murder mystery was a stunner for me! I loved the sweet ending. Have yourself a merry little Christmas and add this book to your wish list. 

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

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Relax and read with Nancy Coco’s latest Candy-Coated Mystery, FUDGE BITES❣️ 📚 😊


5 Star Review by Chatting About Cozies (Linda Langford)

Halloween is fast approaching idyllic Mackinac Island, MI, and the historic McMurphy Hotel & Fudge Shop owned by Allie McMurphy. During the annual Zombie Walk, the bloody paw prints of Carmella, Allie’s stray cat, lead to a gruesome murder scene.

I thought Author Nancy Coco’s writing was in it’s prime as I read this spooktacular story. There are constant twists and turns, and the surprises don’t end until the shocking reveal! I’ve been waiting for Allie to choose her man, and she finally does. Book #7 is a great addition to a long-running series—A Candy-Coated Mystery.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

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Great start to a new cozy mystery series!  Happy Reading! 😊 📚


4 Star Review by Chatting About Cozies (Linda Langford)

I’m a fan of stationery, pens, ink stamps, cards, and journals, so I knew this book would appeal to me. The gorgeous cover had me at Hello! I liked the concept for the setup of this debut cozy series and enjoyed the rural autumn descriptions in the foothills of Washington State.

Protagonist Delta Douglas uses a monetary gift from her Gran to purchase co-ownership in a stationery shop run by her friend, Hazel. Delta and Hazel present a craft workshop at a local hotel owned by the Taylor family on the same night a gold miners party is being held. When a murder occurs, it becomes apparent that the Taylor family is in turmoil and that nearly all members have problems which may, or may not be, connected to the victim. Several times during the story, I found my attention wandering after some far-fetched actions by one of the characters (the sheriff, for example, and how he handled suspects). By the time the author glues all the clues together at the end, the killer reveal didn’t surprise me, and left me feeling a bit let down. My review is 3.5 Stars rounded up to 4 stars.

I reviewed an unedited digital ARC provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an honest review. Thank you.

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Cozy Readers, Have y’all read Sandra Bretting’s ‘Missy DuBois Mysteries’?  Book #5 is a great story!  Happy Reading! 😊 📚


5 Star Review by Chatting About Cozies (Linda Langford)
Release Date: 9.10.19 from Kensington Lyrical

Great southern charm and writing! Moves swiftly and the plot is so intriguing I wished I could have read it in one sitting! Missy DuBois—hat designer extraordinaire—and fiancé, Ambrose ‘Bo’ Jackson—wedding gown designer—are kind, southern folks who don’t hesitate to take young Hollis Oubre into their home when his Granny is murdered near their bayou home. Aided by Detective Lance LaPorte, Missy slowly begins to piece together the secrets the swamp threatens to hide. I enjoyed visiting with these delightful characters, plus the author’s descriptive plot details from the charming antebellum mansions to muddy waters of the bayous.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Lyrical Underground. Thank you.

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Enjoyed this debut cozy, and hope y’all do, too! 😊 📚


5 Star Review by Chatting About Cozies (Linda Langford)

I loved this story from start to finish. Poppy is a great character with her retirement village friends who use their varied talents and contacts to solve a mystery of some stolen jewelry and a murder. The 12 year old grandson who is a hacker is a riot! The pace is fast, and the dialogue witty. I highly recommend this debut of the Desert Flowers Mysteries.

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The Tourist Trap Mysteries captured my attention at book one.  Lynn Cahoon quickly became an auto-buy author for me.  This novella is a quick, fun read.  Enjoy! 😊 📚


4 Star Review by Chatting About Cozies (Linda Langford)
Release Date: 2.5.19

If you like the Tourist Trap Mysteries, don’t miss this novella. It’s always a pleasure to visit the regular characters of the seaside town of South Cove, California and this time, the town is poised for its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations when a body is discovered on the beach. Jill Gardner, owner of the local coffee shop/bookstore uses her sleuthing skills to help boyfriend, Greg King solve the mystery behind the murder. A short, quick, clean cozy read that is absorbing. The author includes a cheesecake recipe that sounds yummy!

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Lyrical Underground. Thank you.

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Each of The Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries are fantastic cozies.  If you haven’t read these stories by Sherry Harris, I highly recommend them! 😊 📚


5 Star Review by Chatting About Cozies (Linda Langford)
Release Date: 1.29.19

“The Gun Also Rises” features a clever mystery, engaging characters, and a top-notch creative plot. Sarah Winston is asked to inventory a massive mystery book collection for a wealthy widow to benefit a fundraiser for the local library. Sarah finds much more than a bargain in the attic when she unpacks several priceless manuscripts written by Ernest Hemingway. As the story begins to unfold, past misdeeds join ongoing deceptions, and a sudden death occurs.

Author Sherry Harris never disappoints with her strong, witty writing voice and her ability to use the surprise effect just when you think you have it all figured out! The history of the missing manuscripts and a copy of “The Sun Also Rises” by Hemingway is very interesting and woven seamlessly into the plot.

The regular cast of characters in the Sarah Winston Garage Sale series are some of my all-time favorites plus some new, quirky characters are introduced in book six. Protagonist, Sarah Winston, is independent, fiesty, and practically fearless in her search for treasures. I loved this story, you’ll love this story, and I highly recommend this entire cozy series!

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

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The Pawsitively Organic Mystery series by Liz Mugavero has been a favorite of mine since the first book.  This is book #7, and I hope y’all enjoy❣️ 📚 😊

There never seems to be a dull moment in Frog Ledge, CT for Stan Connor, owner of Pawsitively Organic Pet Patisserie. Stan is attempting to plan her wedding to Jake, who owns and runs McSwigg’s Irish Pub. However, she and her mother, Patricia, are at odds as the older woman wants to do the planning *her* way. As this delightful cozy mystery begins to unfold, I wondered what on earth could Organic farming and a bachelorette party have in common? One thing’s for sure—I was surprised by this plot twist!

Police Sargeant, Jessie Pasquale, Stan’s sister-in-law to be, needs Stan’s help to solve a curious murder involving a crazed stalker! Whether you’re a new reader to this fantastic series or have read the six previous stories like me; you’ll be riveted by the events in this well executed mystery plot. Plenty of chuckles, precious pets, and a happily ever after ending make this one of my favorite stories in the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries. The author shares several gourmet pet food recipes you can make for your furry friends. 😊

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

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Author Debra Sennefelder (Food Blogger Cozy Series) brings us a new series with MURDER WEARS A LITTLE BLACK DRESS...#1 in the Resale Boutique Mysteries. 😊 📚


5 Star Review by Chatting About Cozies (Linda Langford)
Release Date: 1.8.19

I had the pleasure of reading an early ARC of MURDER WEARS A LITTLE BLACK DRESS—the debut story in the new Resale Boutique Mysteries. It’s trendy and fast-paced with plenty of suspects, entertaining characters, and home and hearth details to appeal to cozy fans. I enjoyed this story from cover to cover. The author plotted the scenes much like you put together a chic ensemble with accessories. At the end, the reveal is well pulled together and appealing.

Kelly Quinn’s granny left her a consignment shop that was her pride and joy. Located in Lucky Cove, NY, the shop is rundown and Kelly’s vision is to update and revamp the space into an upscale boutique. Her granny’s best friend, Pepper, works there and is wary about the changes Kelly is making. When a customer tries on a black lace dress and has a vision of murder, business slacks off and Kelly fears the financial strain will be too much to stay afloat amid rumors she’s selling haunted clothing. To keep the shop open, Kelly begins to piece clues together and figure out how the black dress was involved in a murder. This cozy is a clever whodunnit! Enjoy!

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Lyrical Press. Thank you.

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