Category: Cozy Mystery

Chapters & Lattes, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery

For the Birds by Denise Grover Swank Book Review

Chapters & lattes

This is the second book in the Rose Gardner Investigations series.

I am completely addicted to this series and everything related to Rose Gardner. This book is pure fun—fast, quirky, heartfelt, and precisely the kind of small-town chaos that makes the Rose Gardner world so irresistible.

If you enjoyed the first book in the Investigations series, you’ll find that Denise Grover Swank has increased the stakes in this installment: there’s more mystery, more humor, and more delightful character moments that make you smile. Of course, Rose has once again found herself caught up in something she never intended to be a part of.

Spoiler‑Free Thoughts

This installment features a mystery that is tight, clever, and packed with surprising “wait… what?!” moments that will keep you turning the pages. Rose is adapting to her new life and role, yet she remains the same lovable blend of stubbornness, sweetness, and unintentional humor. The interactions between her and those around her—particularly those who attempt (and often fail) to keep her out of trouble—are among the highlights of the series.

The pacing is just right: fast enough to read in a day, yet layered enough to immerse you in the investigation. As always, Swank expertly balances tension with warmth, making the story feel comforting even as the stakes rise.

My Take

I adored this one. It’s witty, twisty, and full of heart — the perfect blend of mystery and character-driven storytelling. Rose continues to shine as a heroine you can’t help but root for, and the world around her just gets richer with every book. It’s the kind of read that leaves you smiling when you close the last page and already reaching for the next in the next installment

A solid, joyful, easy five stars.

Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery

Family Jewels by Denise Grover Swank

Chapters & lattes

Title: Family Jewels
Author: Denise Grover Swank
Series: Rose Gardner Investigations
Location: Fenton, Arkansas
Main Character: Rose, Neely Kate
Other Characters: James, Jed, Brice Wayne, Raddy, Levi, Rayna, Buck, Homer, Kip, Hugh
Pets: Muffy
Rating: 4

Family Jewels” is the first book in the Rose Gardner Investigations series. If you’re familiar with the Rose Gardner Mystery Series, you’ll recognize many of the beloved characters from that series. In this installment, Rose and Neely Kate launch their own investigation business while Rose also juggles her landscaping company. As always, Rose has a knack for finding trouble and getting into precarious situations, making this series no exception.

Rose Gardner is eager for a “normal” life. She’s leaving her past in the local underworld behind to pursue a peaceful career in landscaping. However, when she’s approached with a request to locate a missing family heirloom, Rose is drawn back into the chaos of the underworld once again

With her best friend, Neely Kate, by her side, Rose embarks on a search that soon reveals the necklace to be much more than mere jewelry. As they delve deeper, the duo discovers they have unwittingly entered a perilous world of buried secrets. To uncover the “Family Jewels,” Rose must confront a crucial decision: is she prepared to leave her old life behind, or is her talent for solving mysteries her true destiny?

I enjoyed the first book in the series. I have liked Rose since the very first book, and I really like Skeeter (James); he adds a unique element to the story. I’m starting to think a romance might develop between him and Rose. I guess we’ll find out in future books. I hope so, as I believe they would be great together.

I love how Rose has evolved from a sheltered girl who was abused by the woman she believed to be her mother into a strong woman who solves crimes and has formed a friendship with the local crime boss, who vows to protect her.

If you enjoy the Rose Gardner Mysteries, I recommend continuing with her story in this series. I’m eager to see where her journey takes her next and whether a romance will develop between her and James.

Cozy Mystery

Ticket to Ride by Kay Bratt Book Review

Chapters & lattes

Title: Ticket to Ride
Author: Kay Bratt
Series: Hart’s Ridge #15
Location: Hart’s Ridge, GA
Main Character: Taylor
Other Characters: Sam, Shane Tula, Waylon, Alice,
Pets: Diesel
Rating: 5

I loved this book just as much as the others in the series. I’ve been hooked on this series since the first book.

What an intense and suspenseful book! I couldn’t put it down. Whenever I wasn’t reading, I found myself thinking about it. I stayed up far too late just to see how it would end. I have loved all the books written by Kay Bratt, and this one is no exception.

In this installment, a young woman has gone missing on her way to rehab. As Taylor investigates this mystery, another young girl, who is close to the family, also vanishes. Taylor and Sam are frantically searching for both missing girls.  As they investigate further, they reveal unsettling patterns, hidden motives, and a network of individuals who are not what they appear to be.

 Meanwhile, a sister and brother are on the run, as the sister tries to protect her brother from being sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

Ticket to Ride has it all: a mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat, heart, and a strong family bond that will do anything to protect those they love. It will keep you turning pages long after you should be sleeping.

If you have read this series, share your thoughts in the comments.

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank

Chapters & lattes

Title: Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes
Author: Denise Grover Swank
Series: Rose Gardner Mystery #1
Location:
Main Character: Rose
Other Characters: Joe, Violet, Betty, Daniel, Deanna, Suzanne, Agnes
Pets: Muffy
Rating: 4

Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank was a fun and easy read. It seems strange to say ‘fun’ when there is a murder, but it was definitely a fun read. I loved the small-town Southern atmosphere and the blend of mystery with just the right amount of slow-burn romance to keep things engaging. Rose is an interesting main character, with all her naivete, and I enjoyed following her journey as she navigates her life while unexpectedly becoming the main suspect in a murder investigation.

Rose is a naïve twenty-four-year-old who has never truly lived and lacks understanding of life. By this age, most young women have experienced various aspects of adulthood, but Rose has been sheltered by her mother, preventing her from fully engaging with the world. One day, while at work at the DMV, she has a vision of herself dead. She is known to have visions, but this is the first one she has had of herself. This troubles her, but when her mother is the one who is found murdered, Rose becomes the prime suspect in the investigation. After discovering her mother’s lifeless body, she is desperate for help and turns to her neighbor, Joe, whom she has never met until now. But can Joe be trusted, or does he have secrets of his own?

Rose fears ending up in prison or dead, so she creates a list on the back of a Walmart receipt detailing twenty-eight things she has never experienced but wants to do before her vision becomes a reality. When she reaches number twenty-nine, she struggles to think of what to write in that space. As she works on her list, Joe is more than happy to help her complete it, except for number fifteen.

I really enjoyed this book; it was a light, easy read. Although parts of it were predictable, it still featured a surprise ending that I didn’t see coming. I really liked the characters Rose and Joe and their slow-burn romance. I can’t wait to see where their relationship goes in future books.

Overall, this cozy and entertaining mystery is filled with charm and heart. It’s the perfect book for when you want something light and enjoyable. I appreciated the surprise ending, which I didn’t see coming—it always enhances the story. Plus, it features a dog, which, in my opinion, adds to the story. I will definitely continue reading the series.

If you have read this series, please share your opinions in the comments.

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Deadly Secret by Tammy L. Grace

Chapters & lattes

Title: Deadly Secret
Author: Tammy L Grace
Series: Cooper Harrington #7
Location: Washington DC
Main Character: Cooper Harrington, AB
Other Characters: Brooke, Tonya, S enator Beaumont, Mason, Savannah, Suzanne,
Charlotte, Grandma Adelaide, Mirian Thorne, Grandma Adelaide, Aunt Camille, Wyatt, Charlie, Kyle, Wyatt, Aiden, Nathan, Landon, Marlene, Sam
Pets: Coop’s Golden Retriever Gus
Rating: 5

I really loved Deadly Secret by Tammy L. Grace, the seventh installment in the Cooper Harrington Series. I’ve loved this series since the very first book and have become deeply invested in the characters. As with the previous books, this one captured my attention from beginning to end, and I found myself genuinely engaged in both the mystery and the characters’ journeys.

This book follows Cooper as he travels from Nashville to Washington, D.C., to investigate the murder of a young woman. Brooke, the granddaughter of a family friend of Cooper’s aunt, had gone to Washington, D.C., to intern for a Tennessee senator at the Capitol. When she is murdered, the police dismiss it as a mugging. However, Brooke’s family believes there is more to the story and has hired Cooper to uncover the truth behind the death of their daughter and granddaughter.

Coop is a strong lead character. I loved his determination to solve the case, even when it became complicated and messy. His persistence makes him a character you can’t help but root for. I also love AB. She adds depth to the story. Their dynamic was engaging and helped maintain a steady pace throughout.

I love a great story with a compelling family dynamic, and this series checks all the boxes—except for Coop’s mother! She is a total mess, but Coop is managing her. His relationships with his aunt and dad are amazing. He and his associate Abigail (AB for short) have a great connection. I keep hoping for a romance to develop there, but time will tell in future books.

This book is an engaging and well-crafted read, with strong characters, solid suspense, and emotional depth that keep readers captivated. I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys mysteries filled with characters you can’t help but be invested in, along with a touch of humor. Coop is known for his T-shirts featuring funny sayings, which I love. AB is always there to keep him in line. Plus, who doesn’t love a story that includes a dog? Gus, Coop’s Golden Retriever, is a great addition to the story.

While this book can be read as a standalone, I suggest starting the series from the beginning to know the characters and fall in love with them, just as I have.

If you have read this series, please share your thoughts in the comments.

Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery

Echoes of Her by Denise Grover Swanks

Chapters & lattes


Author: Denise Grover Swanks
Title: Echoes of Her
Series: Maddie Baker Mystery #3
Location: Cockamamie, TN
Main Character: Maddie Baker
Other Characters: Noah, Aunt Diedra, Mallory, Joe, Neil, George, Dawn, Rebecca, Annamarie, Gina
Rating: 5


Hello, Book Lovers, and Happy New Year! I had a wonderful New Year’s Eve, and I hope you did too. This is my first review of the year, and I couldn’t wait to share it. I finished this book recently, and it truly kept me engaged—it was definitely a “hard to put down” read!

I really had a hard time putting this book down, often reading late into the night when I should have been sleeping. From the moment I stepped into Maddie’s world, I was hooked. The author has a way of pulling the reader with emotion, suspense, and just a touch of romance, creating a story that will keep you reading till way past bedtime.

If you’ve read the first two books, you’re aware that Maddie’s mother was murdered when she was a child, and the case was never solved. Maddie is determined to uncover the truth about her mother’s death—a cold case that feels both impossibly tangled and personal. What captivated me most was Maddie’s relentless pursuit of justice. She just keeps pushing as she untangles secrets, which gets her closer to the truth. Could getting closer to the truth put Maddie in jeopardy, or is it best that it all stays buried? This is the type of mystery that stays with you long after the final reveal.

This book is captivating, emotional, and very hard to put down. If you enjoy mysteries with a lot of heart, strong characters, and a hint of romance, this series is for you.  I recommend starting with the first book to fully appreciate Maddie and Noah’s journey and watch their relationship develop. Although this is the final installment of this series, which makes me sad, I am still holding out hope for the chance to revisit Maddie, Noah, and the other beloved characters in the future.

If you have read this series, please share your opinions in the comments.

Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Holiday

Murder, Mistletoe & Spirits by Greta Sinclair

Chapters & lattes

Title: Murder, Mistletoe & Spirits
Author: Greta Sinclair
Series: Hattie & Moose #5
Location: Nashville, TN
Main Character: Hattie
Other Characters: Gracie, Tim, Hudson, Jack, Rose, Alex, Winter
Pets: a Chow named Moose , Yorkie named Minnie Pearl & Cecil the cat
Rating: 4

Murder, Mistletoe & Spirits is a such a fun read leading up to the holidays! I enjoyed the small-town atmosphere, the warm friendships, and the intriguing mystery that kept me guessing. The pacing was well written with just the right amount of suspense to keep things engaging.

Hattie is thrilled about her blossoming romance with Detective Bo and is looking forward to a double date with her best friend Gracie and Gracie’s boyfriend, Tim. They anticipate a quiet evening at the distillery, but their plans take a shocking turn when a dead body is discovered in a bourbon barrel. The victim, Quinn, is a woman who had been missing for years, with everyone believing she had simply left town. Hattie feels compelled to get involved in solving this cold case. How did Quinn end up at the bottom of a bourbon barrel? This question propels Hattie and Detective Bo into an investigation filled with unexpected secrets.

I really enjoyed the mystery and the investigation process, as well as the blossoming romance between Hattie and Bo. The only aspect that occasionally disrupted my immersion in the story was the portrayal of the animals. I love animals, especially dogs, but there were several instances where Hattie’s two dogs, Moose and Minie Pearl, along with her cat, Cecil, seemed to engage in their own conversations. This felt somewhat unrealistic and didn’t quite fit the story. While it didn’t ruin the book for me, it did momentarily pull me out of the mystery.

If you enjoy a captivating whodunit filled with twists and turns as you seek out the killer, along with a fun protagonist, a hint of romance, quirky characters, and entertaining pets, then you will definitely love this series.

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Tell Me Why by Kay Bratt

Chapters & lattes

Title: Tell Me Why
Author: Kay Bratt
Series: Hart’s Ridge #14
Location: Hart’s Ridge, GA
Main Character: Taylor, Shane, Tula
Other Characters: Anna, Jo, Cate, Lucy, Deputy Penner, Cecil, Earl, Sheriff Dawkins, Lana, Helene, Waylon, Lorine, Dixie, Curtis
Rating: 5

This is the 14th book in the Hart’s Ridge series. You might expect the story to become stale after so many installments, but Kay Bratt has a remarkable talent for introducing new ideas that keep the narrative fresh and engaging. Tell Me Why is a story that lingers in your mind long after you finish reading. From the very first chapter, I was immersed in a world of resilience, love, and the quiet strength of women who refuse to be defined by their hardships.

A burned car with a body inside is discovered on the outskirts of town, prompting former cop turned private investigator Taylor Gray to investigation. When it becomes clear that the victim is a close family friend, Taylor is determined to uncover the truth and identify those responsible. As she joins forces with her former partner Shane, their investigation leads them through a thrilling series of twists and turns, culminating in a surprise ending that ties all the pieces together.

Tell Me Why is a rare story that resonates deeply and stays with you. Kay Bratt portrays emotions with remarkable honesty, allowing readers to connect with the characters almost instantly. I embraced their flaws and became fully invested in their journeys.

If you enjoy a story featuring a strong female lead, a complicated family dynamic where members prioritize each other, and an engaging mystery filled with twists and turns leading up to a thrilling climax, you will love this series. I recommend reading the series in order so you can really get to know the Gray family with the other recurring characters.

If you have read any of the books in this series, please share your thoughts.

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Rest in Peas by Ashley Albi

Chapters & lattes

Title: Rest in Peas
Author: Ashley Albi
Series: Scarlet James Cozy Mystery #3
Location: Spirit Lake, Iowa
Main Character: Scarlet James
Other Characters: Bree, Della, Ellie, Samuel, Lucas, Gabe, Zoey, Maggie, Tucker, Hudson, Maggie
Pets: Bentley – Della’s Beagle
Rating: 5

Rest in Peas is an engaging, twist-filled journey that I had trouble putting down. Scarlet James is the heart of the story; she genuinely cares for others, and her unwavering determination to solve the crime is inspiring.

Scarlet moved back to her hometown to take care of her grandmother and help out at Fireside Books & Cafe, little did she know she would end up staying.  Since she has moved back, finding dead bodies just seems to follow her. In this third installment she has stumbled upon yet another dead body. When her best friend appears to be the prime suspect,  Scarlet dives in headfirst, allowing readers to experience her courage and moments of doubt. 

This book takes the reader on twists and turns as Scarlett begins to piece together the clues to uncover the truth. The plot unfolds with clever twists that kept me guessing right up until the final pages. Will Scarlett put herself in jeopardy as she gets closer to the truth?

If you enjoy a cozy small-town mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end, featuring a lovable protagonist you’d want as your best friend and a hint of romance, this series is for you. I recommend starting with the first book of the series  to get to know the characters.

There is also a subplot involving Scarlett and a cold case. I look forward to continuing the series to see how this cold case develops and what other mysteries Scarlett will encounter..

Having loved the first two books in the Scarlet James series, I was thrilled when the author reached out to ask if I would like to read and review the latest installment. I eagerly accepted the opportunity, as I thoroughly enjoyed Scarlet’s previous adventures. This opinion is entirely my own and was shared willingly.

If you’ve read this series, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Fiddling with Murder by Greta Sinclair

Chapters & lattes

Author: Greta Sinclair
Title: Fiddling with Murder
Series: Hattie & Moose #2
Location: Nashville, TN
Main Characters: Hattie, Gacie & Bo
Other Characters: Della Mae, Rachel, Dallas Raines, Wendell, Leslie, Loretta, Mick
Pets: Moose, the Chow Chow, and Cecil, the cat. & Mini Pearl, the Yorkie
Rating: 4

I just finished Fiddling with Murder, and I found it very enjoyable. I’m naturally drawn to anything set in Nashville or connected to the music world, so the premise immediately grabbed my attention. However, what truly made this story stand out for me was Hattie Leiper and her wonderfully chaotic crime-solving team, which includes Moose, the grumpy Chow Chow, and Cecil, the overly confident cat. Along with Mini Pearl, the Yorkie she adopted, they brought so much personality and warmth to the narrative. I enjoyed Hattie and Moose from the very first book. Anything with pets, especially dogs, always catches my attention.

The mystery is highly engaging. I especially appreciated the blend of old Music Row secrets, missing musicians, and the fiddle that belonged to a music star who disappeared years ago, which mysteriously appears at Hattie’s door. This combination created a nostalgic yet haunting atmosphere that beautifully enhanced the story. The pacing was mostly solid, making it difficult to resist the temptation to read “just one more chapter.

I enjoy the chemistry between Hattie and Detective Bo. Their connection unfolds slowly and subtly—more like a gentle simmer than a prominent romantic subplot. This added a nice touch of heart to the story without distracting from the mystery.

The reason this received four stars instead of five is that there were a few moments where I wished the plot had explored deeper. Some clues were resolved quicker than I anticipated, and I sometimes felt the need for more tension or a longer examination of certain suspects. This isn’t a dealbreaker—it’s just my desire for a bit more depth, especially since the setup was so strong.

Overall, this is a genuinely enjoyable cozy mystery featuring a great atmosphere and a fun cast of characters. If you love mysteries infused with Southern charm, musical backdrops, and a heroine you’d want to share a cup of coffee with, be sure to add this one to your reading list.

I will definitely continue the series—mainly because I need more Moose in my life.

If you’ve read this series, please share your thoughts in the comments.