Early Book Review: Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop by Emmeline Duncan

Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop by Emmeline Duncan is the first book in a new2 mystery series, and is currently scheduled for release on July 23 2024.

Normally, spooky season is Bailey Briggs’ favorite time of year, and her Halloween-themed small town’s time to shine. But between managing Lazy Bones Books, working on her graphic novel-in-progress, and running the Spooky Season Literary Festival, Bailey hardly has a moment to enjoy Elyan Hollow’s spot-on seasonal vibes. Not to mention, at every turn she seems to be tripping over the contentious crew of Gone Ghouls, a ghost-hunting reality TV show currently filming around town. Bailey tries to stay focused on the Lit Festival, which is supposed to kick off Elyan Hollow’s annual Halloween Fair; instead, this year’s festival begins with a murder. It’s bad enough Bailey discovered the victim, but now, as a lead suspect with some (admittedly) damning evidence pointing her way, she’s got to clear her name! With the help of her librarian friend, Colby, and Jack Skeleton, her world-class bookshop dog (and the absolute bestest boy ever), Bailey sets out to solve a murder.

Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop is a solid start to a cozy mystery series. I liked the characters and the small town setting- I thought the setting and important relationships were well built and revealed in good timer through the book. I like that there was character growth along side the murder mystery and getting to know you parts of the story. There were so many layers going on, and I enjoyed the mix of past and present effecting the investigation and choices being made. I also enjoyed that the major players were all firmly adults- not they they have everything figured out (because who does) but they are past new adult stage and generally consider the bigger picture and how their actions effect others. Seeing a book populated with mostly reasonable, realistic adults made my day. I liked Bailey, her circle of friends, and the other locals in town. I like that there was definite groundwork laid for good, bad, and awkward moments in the future. It made everything feel more real and engaging for me. 

Book Review: You've Got Tail (Peculiar Mysteries) by Renee George

You've Got Tail is the first book in the Peculiar Mysteries series by Renee George. Sunny Haddock, an animal-loving vegetarian psychic, is stoked to leave California behind to start a new life in the Ozark town of Peculiar with her best friend Chavvah Trimmel. She ups the moving date when Chav goes missing, and Sunny high tails it to the small town. What Sunny doesn’t realize is that she’s moving into a tight knit community that does not want another resident. When the gorgeous Babel Trimmel, Chav's younger brother, (along with the sheriff, the mayor, and some other nice folk) suggests Sunny haul her U-haul and butt back out of town, she’s undeterred. Her psychic abilities might be out-of-whack, and blood makes her faint, but she’s not a quitter. Besides, she's not about to go anywhere until she finds out what happened to Chavvah. But Sunny has more to deal with than unfriendly townsfolk, like disturbing killer visions and the dog-like animal no one else sees that seems to be stalking her every move. To make matters worse, she is finding Babel to be more irresistible than crack on a donut. Sunny needs to get her ability and her hormones under control if she wants to solve the mystery and save her best friend.

You've Got Tail is quirky and fun- pretty much what I expected from the cover and blurb. Sunny is a character with a lot of heart, but not always a stable train of thought. I liked Sunny's determination and some of her observations. I enjoyed Babel, but felt like I could have gotten more of his character through the story, I liked what I saw I just wanted more depth. I found the mystery about the town and Chav's disappearance was well done, and I enjoyed the characters of the strange little town and the layers to all the secrets they hid. I found some of Sunny's mental tangents highly entertaining, and others less amusing. However, I think it worked for the story. I did not really connect with the characters, partially because of Sunny's distracted way of thinking, but I died enjoy the ride and am more than a little curious to see where the series goes from here. 

You've Got Tail is a fun romance with a good touch or suspense and mystery. I enjoyed the read and look forward to catching up with the following books.

Book Review: Dark, Witch & Creamy (Bewitched by Chocolate #1) by H.Y. Hanna

Dark, Witch & Creamy is the first book in the Bewitched by Chocolate series by H.Y. Hanna. Caitlyn is used to being the ugly duckling in her glamorous showbiz family, until the day she learns that she was adopted as an abandoned baby. Now, her search for answers takes her to the tiny English village of Tillyhenge where a man has been murdered by witchcraft - and where a mysterious shop selling enchanted chocolates is home to the "local witch". Soon Caitlyn finds herself fending off a toothless old vampire, rescuing an adorable kitten and meeting handsome aristocrat Lord James Fitzroy and discovering that she herself might have magical blood in her veins! When she's dragged into the murder investigation and realizes that dark magic is involved, Caitlyn is forced to choose. Can she embrace her witchy powers in time to solve the mystery and save those she loves?

Dark, Witch & Creamy is a fun story with mystery, self discovery, and a hint of possible romance. Caitlyn is a independent woman that has just lost her mother, only to discover that she is adopted. So, she follows the story of her beginning to discover who her birth family might be. I liked the way the secondary characters were introduced and built up though the story. I found the Widow Mags to be my favorite character, and despite my lack of magic, the one I related to most through the story. I liked that the encounters with James were varied, and that the idea of romance between the pair is written as a possibility, it in no way became the major point of the book. The book is mostly Caitlyn's self discovery, introduction of the towns people, and the murder mystery.

I really enjoyed the read, and my only issue with the book is more something in my headspace than anything that might bother other readers. She is independently wealthy, and I have to admit that I was occasionally distracted by the fact that Caitlyn and her cousin have no responsibilities and no care for what things cost, or even mentioning the payment for much of anything they do- however this is a work of fiction and I have to laugh at myself for having more trouble getting over the lack of monetary discretion than the amount of magic and odd happenings that make the book so entertaining. 

Dark, Witch & Creamy is a wonderful start to a series, and I am glad that the next three books are available for my immediate enjoyment. I will be continuing this series happily.