I've read the last what, 6 or 7 books? over the weekend so I'll sum them up here.

I've enjoyed this series of quick little reads, all of them a good mystery without one murder or violent crime. I can't imagine that's easy to do but this series has done it remarkably well. With a picturesque setting, a cast of realistic and quirky townspeople and lots of intrigue, they're great to curl up with on a chilly autumn evening.

I'll be sad to see this series end, but I'm looking forward to seeing it wrap up. Will Edward really retire and take Janet on a whirlwind trip around the world? Will Janet sell her share of the B&B to Michael and Joan? Will Robert and Stacy settle down? Can't wait to see how it all pans out but it will be bittersweet. I'll miss the Markham sisters and their wholesome mysteries.

This series blows me away with every book. There are always 3 narratives: Chloe's, cop boyfriend Roelke's and a haunting historical story featuring a woman facing horrible hardships. It's managed so well, too; it seamlessly switches in between the narratives and brings a multi-dimensional facet to the story that's unmatched in any other series I've read.

There was a lot going on this one; Chloe is struggling to find out who was buried in the root cellar of her friend's stone cottage and also trying to help save the historical interpretation site Pendarvis from closing. Roelke is working on a big drugs bust while trying to protect his cousin from her ex-husband. Meanwhile, centuries ago, a Cornish woman and her brothers immigrated to Wisconsin to mine lead and her struggles and triumphs. There's a lot packed into this book, but the story is woven so well that it's easy to switch between characters. I loved the story of Mary Pascoe, from her time as a balmaiden in Cornwall to her immigration to the US and the struggles she faced throughout her life but also her triumphs. Meanwhile, with Chloe away, Roelke was forced to make a drastic decision that haunts him, one he can't share with anyone, even his beloved Chloe.

I heartily recommend this series, particularly for those who enjoy historical fiction.

As an animal lover, I can't resist a good pet lover cozy, so when I saw this on Netgalley, I snapped it up quick. The first third of the book didn't wow me, although I liked Kari, the "you found the body, you're the main suspect" and the "leave the investigating to the police..." tropes really get under my skin. But I held on and, as the story unfolded, it turned into a smashing good read. Once the pace picked up and more and more leads were uncovered, it was impossible to put down. And I loved how Kari and her friends uncovered pieces of the puzzle and went to the sheriff with what they found, leading to several people headed off to jail. This little plot-within-a-plot elevated this to not-just-your-average cozy. Add in the heartwarming rejuvenation of the pet sanctuary, finishing this left a smile on my face and that warm, fuzzy feeling when all is put right.

One last note...seriously, NO ONE called out mouthy Bryn when she blames everything on Kari several times? No one, absolutely no one, told her to grow up and stop acting like a spoiled toddler? Not a fan of Bryn. She can go wash dogs somewhere else.

Heartwarming, satisfying and oh so cozy, Furbidden Fatality was a wonderful debut to a new series.

I'm a huge fan of (some may say obsessed with) the Inn at Holiday Bay series, so when there was a crossover introducing Ainsley, I was excited to dig into this series and I absolutely love it! Ainsley and her new group of friends are a plucky bunch, resourceful and determined in thier investigation into a young woman's death, and heroic in their rescue. The main plot of Cammy's death was a little different than most cozies in that there was really only one suspect, so they were just looking for proof, and the cracking good ending made for an exciting read.

As with Abi's search for answers in the Inn at Holiday Bay series, Ainsley's search for the truth of her adoption will span several books. I'm looking forward to seeing that mystery unfold as well.

I really enjoyed this debut book of the Gooseberry Bay series and definitely recommend it (and the Inn at Holiday Bay series!) to cozy fans looking for well crafted characters and excellent plots.

It's Thanksgiving in Gooseberry Bay and with it, another mystery for Ainsley and her friends. Her friend Parker, a journalist for the local paper, is reopening an investigation into a family who disappeared on Thanksgiving 5 years ago. The Thanksgiving dinner was on the counter ready to be served, the table was set and there were no signs of a struggle. Parker was just beginning her career back then and is hoping that with her refined investigative skills and new resources, she'll finally be able to solve this mysterious case.

What I love about the books this author writes is that they're never the same ol' tried and true plots and this one was no exception, I thorougly enjoyed how the plot around the missing family played out and the awesome ending. Meanwhile, Ainsley finally meets Adam, the elder Winchester brother and begins to look into the mystery of her adoption. I like the dynamic between Ainsley and Adam, it's cute and romantic without being *too* cute and romantic.

Also, I just realized that the blurb about this book is different than what happened in the book I read, so I think there was some editing or retooling involved before it evolved into this book.

Overall, a super enjoyable holiday read and I'm totally sucked into this series!

This was a great holiday read and I'm loving how this series is coming along. Ainsley and her friends team up again, this time to clear a friend after he's seen running from the scene of a murder. The victim had no shortage of people who'd want him dead, both due to his professional life as a successful realtor and his personal life of chasing women. Ainsley bowed out of helping much with this one, saying she "wasn't a local, so it was better that the locals do the sleuthing..." which didn't make sense to me. I mean, how are you going to know the locals if you don't go out and learn about the locals? It was a flimsy excuse so she could spend more time with Adam, which she did; ballroom dance lessons, cozy lunches in Adam's palatial apartment (within the mansion, no less) and volunteering at the Christmas tree farm. But we did get to learn more about Adam and his work, and I appreciated the glimpse into his life.

As with the last book, the main plot of the murdered man at the Christmas tree lot was not your usual cozy plot, and that's what I love about this author's books. How they tracked down the true culprit from just a few clues shows how resourceful and adept they are at putting the pieces together. Enjoyable!