Catching up on my Cozies! Four Fabulous Finds

Sometimes I just need to stop everything and read. Who am I kidding? I make time to read everyday. This week I had a lot of extra time to dig deep in my reading stack and have found four gems hidden in there. I can't wait to tell you bout them, the variety will make sure that there is something here for every type of cozy lover! 

Collared for Murder by Annie Knox is part three in the Pet Boutique mystery series. I loved this story and, for a few reasons, I will be looking for the first two parts. One, it had all the romance I as looking for while still being a mystery! I love when I get my girly dose of romance in my mysteries. The second reason was I was actually able to figure out who done it! I also really love when that happens. I think most readers will find the characters in this story really fun and jump to life. I was surprised to find a recipe in the back as well.  I recommend you look it up but don't just take my word for it. Check out the excerpt from the back of the book:

'Groomed for Murder’s Izzy McHale is back, and her pet boutique, Trendy Tails, is raking in the green. But someone else in town is seeing red.…

The Midwestern Cat Fanciers’ Organization is bringing its annual weeklong retreat to Merryville, Minnesota. While that’s perfect for Izzy’s business, it unleashes headaches for everyone else. The event has lots of workshops on the care and breeding of cats, and it culminates in a cat show with a fabulous prize—a platinum collar dangle worth some big bucks.

Cattiness, of course, ensues. But the claws really come out after the prize disappears, and the wealthy director, Phillip Denford, is done in with a pair of grooming shears. Now Izzy and her furry friends, Packer and Jinx, can’t waste time pussyfooting around. They have to solve this case before a killer pounces again.'

Tying the Knot by Elizabeth Craig is part five in the Southern Quilting Mystery series. This was my first read in the series and I was just tickled by Beatrice and all of the super spunky older ladies I got to know. This story was rich with characters who made it loads of fun to read. It was not an easy one solve for me but in the end it was a very satisfying mystery with a great page turning pace. Plus there were recipes and quilting tips! 

From the back of the book:

'Wedding bells are ringing in Dappled Hills, North Carolina.  But when the festivities take an unexpected turn, quilter Beatrice Coleman must get crafty and catch a killer wedding crasher....

Everyone loves a wedding, and with the sister of Beatrice’s beau, Wyatt, about to say “I do,” Beatrice and the Village Quilters are pitching in to help with the nuptial plans. They’re hard at work making everything from wool boutonnieres to a quilt-shaped wedding cake. And all the talk of love and marriage has Beatrice thinking about her own budding romance with Wyatt.

But after she stumbles across the body of the original best man at the end of the reception, Beatrice must stop threading her needle and start collecting clues. She, along with the Village Quilters, will need to turn all their attention to solving a murder before another victim gets cut out.…'

Fatal Fortune by Victoria Laurie is part twelve in the Psychic Eye Mystery series. I am jumping into the series way late but I didn't feel at all like I was missing anything. It had great characters and a beautiful pace. This is the kind of story you can read in one night and if you are late arriving like I was, you now have eleven more parts to look forward to, which is just as exciting to me as starting with a series from day one! Check out the excerpt I just know you will want to jump in too:

'Fans of Harper Connelly and TV’s Medium will love the psychic detective in this New York Times bestselling series…. 

Abby Cooper can’t believe her eyes after the police show her surveillance video of her best friend and business partner, Candice Fusco, shooting a man in cold blood. And when the cops tell her they think the victim has ties to the Mob—and perhaps Candice does too—Abby can’t believe her ears. Surely there is a logical explanation. But Candice is nowhere to be found.

Trusting her intuition, Abby decides to search for the truth in Vegas—which may be the biggest gamble of her life. Once in town she begins to uncover a rigged game of dirty double-dealing where the stakes are no less than life and death. And if she’s not careful, Abby can forget about ever leaving Las Vegas…alive.'

I hope you won't throw things at me when I say I have never seen a single episode of Monk... in fact Mr. Monk and the new Lieutenant by Hy Conrad was my first exposure to the character. This is part nineteen!!! You know when you miss something so awesome for so long there is great solace in the fact that you know have so much awesome reading to look forward to. I loved this book so much, not only will I be tracking down the rest in this series but I also have to track down and catch up on the TV series. 

From the back of the book:

'Welcome to the series of original mysteries starring Adrian Monk, the brilliant investigator who always knows when something is out of place...

Monk and Natalie have finally settled into a new office routine-but the detectives soon another problem to deal with: Captain Stottlemeyer’s new lieutenant, A.J. Thurman—a man of limited skills whom Monk finds insufferable.

Despite Thurman's presence, Monk and Natalie attend the funeral of Judge Oberlin, and it’s a good thing. In typical fashion, Monk examines the body in the casket—and finds evidence of poison. The judge was murdered.

While there are no traces of the poison at the judge’s house, Monk detects that there had been an intruder. When Captain Stottlemeyer shows the same symptoms the judge exhibited, Monk detects the work of a diabolical killer who wants both men dead. With his friend in danger and an enemy close, Monk will have to put his reservations aside to crack the case in time.  '

Take some time to browse the other great mysteries available from Berkley Prime Crime. While you are there, you can sign up for the newsletter so you never miss a new release. I must warn you though, after browsing my wish list is longer than I could probably read. You can also connect with them on Twitter where can happen across a fun giveaway as well. 

Disclosure: I may receive products in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I personally believe will be good for my readers.