J. New

I discovered the author’s cozies during the Christmas season (2021) and was captivated by "Decked in the Hall." In fact, I read all 3 of the available cozies in a row of the "Finch & Fischer Mystery" series. This led my anticipation of further delight to investigate another series by this author but it was sadly disappointing to me.

• If you enjoy drinking tea and learning of the different medicinal benefits, this is the book for you.
• If you enjoy an entrepreneur that is constantly away sleuthing leaving the business to be manned by a new hire, this is the book for you.
• If you enjoy an amateur sleuth that conveniently forgets all the things she puts in her pocket, this is the book for you.

• I'm not a tea drinker but love a cold glass of sweet tea with lemon as a refreshing summer drink.
• I've read many delightful cozy mysteries with entrepreneurs of tea rooms that weren't dashing out on their employees every other minute.
• Amateur sleuth Penny Finch and her little Jack Russell terrier Fischer are simply a charming combination. Lilly Tweed, former agony aunt of the local newspaper exhibited many qualities but I didn't find charm to be one of them. Her cat, Earl Grey, is more delightful simply by sleeping in the window of the tea room.

At this time, I’m undecided if I’ll try "The Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries" taking place in 1930’s England or simply wait to enjoy more time with Penny and Fischer.… (mehr)

I love Fischer, a little Jack Russell terrier sometimes lovingly called "Fish Face" by librarian Penny Finch. For all readers who enjoyed meeting rescue cat Eddie and librarian Minnie Hamilton driving the traditional bookmobile in "A Bookmobile Cat Mystery" series and feline Rhett Butler and septuagenarian librarian Cleo Watkins driving an aging school bus in classic yellow in "Bookmobile Mystery" series by Nora Page and wished one of the librarians had a dog. Fischer is a rescue pup that not only does tricks (taught by Penny’s mom) to delight everyone but as Penny becomes an excellent amateur sleuth Fischer shows that he is an amazing dog detective. I also loved the picture on the cover of Penny's bookmobile that is a converted Volkswagen camper van and Penny calls her "mobile library" or simply "library van."

I'm so happy I discovered this series and with the first book in the series set at Christmas it's the perfect time to begin the series or add it to your gift list to delight reader friends… (mehr)

It's unusual for me to read all available books in a series to date right in a row but I simply couldn't resist spending as much time as possible in the charming village of Cherrytree Downs and neighboring small villages that together are the Hampsworthy Downs. I'm so happy I discovered this series and I hope it continues for a long, long time!

So many cozy mysteries have the amateur sleuth instantly fall in love with the law enforcement character that it has become a boring element of the cozy mystery genre. There's a twist in this series that happens over time and I love the gradual development of the twist. Even though the reader knew from Book 1, I applaud the author's creative touch to change the dull to enchanting pleasure. I delight in the pace that continues to be a special charm of the series. Thank you J. New!… (mehr)