by Cynthia Chow, Sarah Erwin, Tracy Condie, & Sandra Murphy

This week we have reviews of several more cozies for your summer reading-The Spirit Moves: A Haunted Haven Mystery Book 4 by Carol J. Perry, No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding by Catherine Mack, Doggone Bones by Carolyn Haines, An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murders: A Bainbridge Island Mystery by Lynn Cahoon, and Grave Words: Deadly Deadlines Mystery, Book Two by Gerri Lewis. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win copies of all 5 books and links to purchase them from Amazon at the end of each review.

The Spirit Moves: A Haunted Haven Mystery Book 4 by Carol J. Perry
Review by Cynthia Chow

In the town of Haven, Florida, nearly every building is haunted or has a resident spook. It’s a secret the townspeople prefer to keep to themselves, as the last thing they want are disruptive clout-chasing ghost hunters flooding the town. They still need to attract tourists though, which is why Haven House Inn owner Maureen Doherty is consulting the DIY book How to Make Your City Famous and Attract Big Spenders by Terry Holliday. The author also just happens to be doing a book signing in their town’s local bookstore, a promotional change from the book club’s usual mysteries. The mystery/romance/western/thriller writers in the book club call themselves Murder Incorporated, an ironic reference to their collaborative knowledge on infinite ways to murder someone. That proves to be rather unfortunate when Terry Holliday is found murdered in the bookshop owner’s flower garden, especially since the book club had declared just how much they loathed him and wouldn’t mind seeing him dead. Astor Patterson begs Maureen to once again help discover who was responsible, and even local police officer Frank Hubbard asks her to use her “feelings” to help them catch a killer.

This fourth in the series focuses on Maureen’s efforts not just to promote Haven as a dog-friendly town with its own Yappy Hour, but on her budding relationship with chef Ted Carr. Due to their living in and working together in the same inn, not to mention having ghosts constantly and randomly popping in and out, they have yet to have had a moment of privacy for more than a few kisses. That doesn’t mean that they aren’t ready for the next step though, not only proposing marriage but using an upcoming planned Tiki event as a test run for their own eventual ceremony.

Maureen’s occasional roomie ghost and former starlet Lorna DuBois continues to pop in for fashion inspirations, and her equally departed detective boyfriend provides Maureen with investigative advice. The more Maureen learns about Terry Holliday, which was not his real name, the more she realizes that jealous authors and even his own family had motives for wanting him permanently cancelled. Prophetic notes from a carnival Zoltar machine guide Maureen along in her personal life and in the investigation, delivering the perfect mix of cozy mystery and paranormal that fans of Carol J. Perry love.

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding by Catherine Mack
Review by Cynthia Chow

This second in the series continues moments after Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies. As one should guess from the title, this novel begins with bestselling mystery author Eleanor Dash discovering a body in a broom closet during the wedding of star actors Emma Wood and Oscar-winner Fred Winters. While nobody WANTS a murder to occur at a wedding, at this point Eleanor Dash should have expected it. After all, she’s been on the 50-day film shoot of the movie based on her first mystery, inspired by her real-life adventure and with Santa Monica subbing in for Italy. An executive producer credit still doesn’t give Eleanor script approval, meaning that she’s forced to watch her dialogue be slashed into the tritest exchanges. At least she has the luxury of her best friend being the actress in the starring role, which is why Eleanor, her boyfriend Oliver, and her sister Harper are on the film set while also attending Emma’s wedding to fellow star Fred Winters.

In addition to asking Eleanor to be her bridesmaid though, Emma asks the novelists to look into the threatening letters she’s been receiving. While the internet and social media is notoriously unkind with criticism, online attacks against Emma include too many details to have them being sent from the general public. When an electrocuted phone, possibly poisoned cat (don’t worry, it’s fine), and then the first body pops up, Eleanor, her ex-boyfrenemy nemesis, and a method-acting fake inspector jump into the investigation on who wants either the actors, the real-life characters they represent, or the stand-ins dead.

This is an absolutely fantastic read that combines all of my favorite loves. A sarcastic heroine, celebrity gossip, Hollywood moviemaking, and an isolated mystery murder; just one of these is guaranteed to please readers, so when combined they are a true joy. The footnotes included by Eleanor for each chapter should NOT be ignored or skimmed over, as they add an infinite amount of delightful details and observational humor. Fans of The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz will enjoy the use of these to add snark, fill in details from the previous book, and inform readers about the book writing and moviemaking businesses. Eleanor occasionally breaks the fourth wall to speak directly to readers, mostly to address murder mystery conventions and how these tropes definitely are NOT happening here (maybe). Segments from the movie script are included throughout as well, and the terrible writing and trite dialogue justifies Eleanor’s complaints and disdain for the movie’s writer David Liu.

There are so many plot swerves, misidentifications, and added complications that readers will be unable to figure out the culprit, and further, they will not care. The journey is what is important in this hilarious mystery, with the ending leading up to what will hopefully be yet another very on-the-nose book title in Eleanor’s future.

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Doggone Bones by Carolyn Haines
Review by Sandra Murphy

Special note: This book contains talk of dog fighting and theft of dogs for bait dogs. If you are sensitive to those topics, be advised, no dogs are harmed and no fights or fight rings are more than a vague rumor. Haines is an avid animal rights supporter and works with Good Fortune Farm Refuge, a non-profit dedicated to animal welfare.

It’s almost Valentine’s Day and Sarah Booth is making heart-shaped cookies for her honey, Coleman, and her friends. Before they can get too involved with Valentine’s, Sarah Booth and her BFF and business partner in solving crimes, Tinkie, are involved in another case. This one involves dogs. Missing dogs.

Pups are being stolen right out of their yards from owners who are older and more likely to pay a ransom. Of course, politics are also involved since the police chief doesn’t like Tilly, whose dog Jezebel is missing. Tilly, a local pet activist, is one for stirring things up in the community.

As if missing dogs and rumors of dog fighting isn’t enough, Sarah Booth’s dogs are taken by her enemy, Gertrude. She’s not sure what Gertrude thinks she did but Gertrude is out for revenge, no matter the cost. The woman is slippery and able to disappear just as Sarah Booth and Tinkie get on her trail. Now she’s teamed up with a couple of shady characters who have no idea what she’s capable of doing.

It’s a chase from beginning to end—for the missing dogs, Gertrude, other shady characters, and an effort to sort out the good guys from the bad.

This is the 29th book in the long running series. Haines has also written 14 stand alone novels and one non-fiction book. Start at the beginning—you’ll have enough reading to last you until Christmas and still want more.

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis Missouri. She’s the editor for the upcoming Yeet Me in St Louis, an anthology with stories from twelve St. Louis writers. Her own short stories have appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Mystery Magazine, and anthologies such as The Perp Wore Pumpkin and I (Almost) Died in Your Arms. ‘Lucy’s Tree’, published in The Eyes of Texas, won a Derringer Award from the Short Mystery Fiction Society. She lives in St. Louis with Ozzie the Westie Impersonator and his sidekick in crime, Louie the Cat.

An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murders: A Bainbridge Island Mystery by Lynn Cahoon
Review by Tracy Condie

Ms. Cahoon had created another winning cozy and probably the best amateur sleuth job EVER. The cherry on the top of this series starter is the scrumptious mac and cheese recipe found at the back of the book. The setting is on Bainbridge Island, which is just a ferry ride away from Seattle. Meet Meg Gates, who is about to go from being a hot mess to a phoenix rising out of the ashes. You cannot help but empathize with Meg, even if you haven’t been left at the altar by your fiancé who ran off on your honeymoon with your bridesmaid. Between heartbreak, lack of a degree, and loss of a job, Meg has no choice but to return home and take a job at the family bookstore. But wait, there is a silver lining to the bookstore job. Thanks to family connections, Meg gets a side gig as a research assistant for successful mystery author, L.C. Aster. This seems fated because Meg has been toying with the idea of writing a book. After reading this book I think that I have found my dream job!

Who would have guessed that Meg would be able to get on-the-job training for how to write her Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murders. I was drawn into the story right away. As with any good cozy mystery, the amateur sleuth has a furry friend, like Meg’s appropriately named rescue cocker spaniel, Watson. She is part of a good group of friends who were once known as the Mystery Crew. This isn’t Meg’s first try to solve a mystery, although it is the first one that involves murder.

There are plenty of suspects and red herring because Robert Meade, the victim, was a rather odious person who took advantage of people in trouble. The list of those who had not had the displeasure of interacting with him was a short one, which means that Meg’s Uncle Troy, the town’s police chief will have his work cut out for him.

Ms. Cahoon introduces us to Emmett’s lobster mac and cheese in the story but in the recipe, she leaves it up to the reader/cook to decide what to add, if one should decide to add anything at all. I gave this easy to make recipe a try and added ham. Take a look.

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

Tracy Condie is a paralegal by day and cozy armchair sleuth by night. When she is not working or reading, she enjoys preparing the recipes found in culinary cozies or researching recipes of meal items described therein and sharing reviews of both books and food on Instagram and on KRL. She lives in Corona, California with her husband and dog Zoolie, and looks forward to visiting with their grown sons when their time permits.

Grave Words: Deadly Deadlines Mystery, Book Two by Gerri Lewis
Review by Sarah Erwin

It may be summertime, but readers should grab Grave Words, book two in the Deadly Deadlines cozy mystery series by Gerri Lewis, for an escape to the town of Ridgefield, CT during the crisp October days leading up to Halloween. While this is book two in the series, the plot reads well as a standalone.

Obituary writer Winter Snow has been tasked to write the obituary of a local homeless man who died under suspicious circumstances in a burning building. This isn’t the first arson in town, and unfortunately Winter’s best friend, Scoop (a local reporter) tops the suspect list. And what makes this obituary harder to write than normal is that no one has information on the victim – not even a last name. When Winter approaches Kip, her boyfriend and detective for the Ridgefield Police Department, he refuses to share any information and warns Winter not to investigate.

Winter does not let those warnings deter her from investigating – she pulls at all possible threads to see how the victim, the fires and her best friend could possibly be related. This mystery is well-paced and detailed. I had to remind myself to slow down as I was reading so that I would be sure to capture all the possible clues.

I enjoyed the characters the most – each so well developed that they each added to the plot in their unique way. The Nosy Parkers were perfect town gossips, and I wish I had an Uncle Richard who would come and cook such delicious meals for me. Carla, Winter’s best friend, is a layered character, and I hope future books in the series reveal more of her back story and show her and Winter working together more. And while I enjoyed all the human characters, Diva, the Great Pyrenees puppy that Winter adopted is an especially adorable canine companion.

An atmospheric read that can be enjoyed now as an escape from the summer heat or saved for pumpkin season!

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

To enter to win a copies of all 5 books, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “summer catchup” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen July 12, 2025. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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Sarah Erwin started her career as a children’s librarian, later becoming a public library director and now she’s a stay at home mom. While her career might have changed, her love of reading has been a constant since 4th grade and she reads over 200 books a year. Read along with her on her blog Sarah Can’t Stop Reading or on Instagram. Sarah lives in St. Louis, MO with her two kids, her husband and a family dog and cat.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.