A Couple of Charming Cozy Mysteries

by Donna Huber

I love cozy mysteries. They're usually light, fluffy reads that I don't have to worry about having a sex scene in the middle of. One of my favorite series recently had a new book come out and I discovered a new series while looking for an audiobook to listen to while I cleaned. They are both quick, fun reads - great for those wanting a fun read that's not holiday-themed.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Killer Research by Jenn McKinlay

November 2021; Dreamscape Media; 9781666511420
audio (6h 44m), ebook, print; cozy mystery

I love this series and I was excited that I scored an audiobook ARC. Lindsey and Sully are now married, but I didn't notice much change in their relationship. I actually thought we saw less of Sully in this book. Instead, we see a bit more of the library staff which is fun.

The library is the scene of another murder. Unfortunately, Ms. Cole is the suspect this time. A body is found dead in the trunk of her car. Lindsey can't believe that Ms. Cole is actually the murderer so it must be someone who wants to discredit Ms. Cole. And who would want to do that? Perhaps someone who sees her as a threat to their career? Ms. Cole is running for mayor and the current mayor couldn't be more unhappy about having a challenger - he has been running unopposed.

As a suspect, we see more of Ms. Cole in this book, but it is also because of her campaign. She is about town more as she has speaking engagements. We also get more of the children's librarian, Beth, because she is Ms. Cole's campaign manager. Both of these characters are fun but they've always been on the periphery in the other books in the series that I've read. So it was nice to have the characters more fleshed out. Ms. Cole really shined and I think it will be great if she becomes mayor.

Killer Research is book 12 in the Library Lover's series but it is only the 4th one that I've read. I discovered the series with book 6 which I picked up at a charity book sale right before book 10 came out. I skipped to that one. I hope to one day find the time to read the rest of the series, but my experience shows that you don't have to read them in order or even need to have read the previous books to enjoy the story. 

The audiobook was well done. Allyson Ryan is the perfect narrator for the story. She was pretty close to the voices I already had in my head for these characters, so it was easy to follow the story. 

If you are looking for a quick, fun read that isn't holiday-themed, then I highly recommend picking up this book.

Buy Killer Research at Amazon

Aloha Alibi by Jasmine Webb

August 2021; Indie; 9781667063461
audio (6h 13m); ebook, print; cozy mystery

I had Friday off of work and I had just finished the audiobook I was listening to. I planned on cleaning the house so I needed something to keep me entertained. I hit the Listen Now section of Netgalley and found a cozy mystery. Aloha Alibi is the first book in Jasmine Webb's Charlotte Gibson mystery and it is set in Hawaii. It was a cold, gray day so a fun story set in a warm, sunny place sounded perfect.

I immediately liked the main character Charlotte (Charlie). She is going to be a great cozy mystery sleuth. She is quirky enough that the bizarre situations she finds herself in are comical, without feeling ridiculous or too over the top. I liked her best friend Zoe. She is definitely the straight-laced character to Charlie's "funny man" character. But that doesn't mean she isn't fun. I also enjoyed Dot and Rosie, amateur sleuths in their seventies who Charlie teams up with to solve the murder mystery. They are a great counterbalance to Charlie's youth. The only character I didn't like was Charlie's mom. The only purpose the character seems to serve is to embarrass Charlie with inappropriate sex advice. I'm glad she is a minor character that has only brief scenes.

I've watched a lot of TV shows set in Hawaii - Magnum PI, Hawaii Five-O, NCIS Hawaii. Those shows have a new murder just about every week so I found Charlie's line about the cops not having much experience with murder (or crime at all) kind of funny. 

I don't always enjoy the first book in a series, but I found this one really fun. I hated when my phone's battery ran out and I couldn't continue listening to the book until it had recharged. I didn't want to put the book down. I have to say that my housework went by quickly as the book kept me entertained. 

If you are looking for a charming cast of characters and a cute mystery story, then definitely get this book.

Buy Aloha Alibi at Amazon

(the ebook is FREE!)

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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