Mini-reviews Of Several Cozy (and a Few Not So Cozy) Mysteries

While I've read quite a few books that fill requirements for various challenges that I've joined, I've also read books that don't fit into any of the challenges.  So, I've decided to write mini-reviews on several of them in this post.

A Murderous Yarn by Monica Ferris--The main character is Betsy Devonshire, who owns a needlework shop.  She volunteers to help out at an antique car rally, and ends up investigating a murder.  I liked the story, the characters were interesting and believable, and the mystery kept me guessing for a while. That being said, somehow the book just didn't grab me--I would read more in the series if I had them, but I didn't like it enough to go out specifically to find another.

Do or Diner by Christine Wenger--Trixie Matkowski is the main character in this, the first of a series.  After a divorce, she moves to small town Sandy Harbor, New York, where she had spent her summers as a child visiting her aunt and uncle.  Her uncle has passed away, and her aunt sells their diner to Trixie.  During the first week of her ownership, the local Health Inspecter ends of dead in her kitchen.  To protect her diner, Trixie gets involved in trying to solve his murder.  I mostly liked this book, and enjoyed Trixie.  I thought the characters were interesting, and easy to relate to.  I felt it was pretty good for a first-in-series.  I liked this book, and will probably read more in this series.

Dyed and Gone by Beth Yarnall--Azalea March is a hairdresser, and is attending  the North American Salon Trade Expo with her two friends, Vivian Moreno and Juan Carlos, being held in Las Vegas.  All of them have quirky personalities, and Juan Carlos especially.  While in Las Vegas, they become involved in the murder of a famous hair stylist, and attempt to help the police solve the crime.  The various events in this book were a little weird, but interesting, and the story moved along. As a mostly light, easy read, I enjoyed it, although there were a couple of things that didn't really appeal to me.
This book would be one of the Not So Cozy Mysteries--finding a decapitated head pushed it right out of the cozy category for me, along with some of the other events it revealed.  I will probably read more in the series as I come across them, as for the most part, I enjoyed this story, and the mystery kept me guessing.

Grace Under Pressure by Julie Hyzy--main character Grace Wheaton moves back to her hometown. She's inherited a large home that need major repairs, and takes in boarders-a charming gay couple who own a local wine shop, and the three become close, supportive friends.
She becomes the assistant to the Head Curator of Marshfield Manor, a local attraction and Museum, with the understanding she would become curator in a year or two when the Head Curator retires.   However, just a few weeks after being hired, the Head Curator is killed, and Grace is forced to step into his shoes immediately.  Grace tries to protect the owner, Bennett Marshfield, and the reputation of the Manor so tries to help the police solve the murder.

Catch A Falling Clown by Stuart Kaminsky review

Catch a Falling Clown is the seventh in the Toby Peters mystery series.  First published in 1981, the story starts when Toby is called by Emmett Kelly, famed clown, who is concerned that an elephant in the small circus he is working in is killed, and he suspects that someone has also tried to murder him.

During the course of this investigation Toby is shot at, beat up, comes face to face with an escaped lion, and ends up in a gorilla cage--with an irate gorilla.  He meets a lady who charms snakes, members of a family who perform a high wire act, lion tamers, and many other circus members.  He also has a run-in with a couple of law enforcement people he was hoping never to see again, and meets Alfred Hitchcock.

I enjoyed this, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series--featuring Mae West!

This is part of my 2014 Mt. TBR Reading Challenge (bought 12/13/2013), and
the 2014 Vintage Mystery BINGO--Silver--V--book by an author I've read before.

File M for Murder by Miranda James review

This is the third in the Cat in the Stacks mystery series featuring librarian Charlie Harris and his Maine Coon cat, Diesel.  They live in Athena, Mississippi, home to Athena College, where Charlie works.

The college hires as a writer-in-residence an annoying, self-absorbed and tyrannical playwright named Connor Lawton.  After managing to alienate almost everyone he meets, Connor is murdered, and the main suspect is Charlie's daughter, Laura.  Charlie and Diesel, with the help of a few friends, attempt to clear Laura of suspicion.

I enjoyed this book quite a lot.  The mystery is intriguing, and the characters are interesting.  Looking forward to reading more in the series.