Cozy Mystery 2009 Challenge Wrap Up

I just completed this challenge. The challenge was to read 6 cozies in 6 months. I love the cozy genre, so I couldn't resist joining this one. Below are the books I read, click on the links to read my reviews of each. I enjoyed all the books I read. Cozies rarely, if ever, disappoint me :)

I will definitely participate in this one again.


1. Murder of a Real Bad Boy by Denise Swanson Click here for review
2. Murder of a Botoxed Blonde by Denise Swanson Click here for review
3. Dirty Deeds by Suzanne Price Click for review
4. Dial Emmy for Murder by Eileen Davidson Click for review
5. Death in Daytime by Eileen Davidson Click here for review
6. Even Cat Sitters Get The Blues by Blaize Clement Click for review

Dial Emmy for Murder by Eileen Davidson

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Alexis Peterson is back and so is another dead body.

Recently, the popular daytime actress switched soap operas and now stars on “The Bare and the Brazen”. She had been one of the stars of “The Yearning Tide”, but when her fellow co-stars are so quick to believe she was capable of murder, she knew she couldn’t continue on the show.

She agrees to be a presenter at the Daytime Emmy Awards, but once she is onstage, her co-presenter falls down on her head or should I say he’s hanging over head. Very much dead and dripping blood all over Alexis.

Alexis’ new boyfriend Detective Frank Jakes is on the job investigating the murder. He quickly clears Alexis of any suspicion of murder, but holds everyone else in the room for questioning and declares they are all suspects. When Jakes discovers several other young actors, all of them with soap opera connections, were murdered in the same manner, he asks Alexis for her assistance in this investigation.

The detective receives quite a bit of flack from his superiors about involving a civilian in a murder investigation, but he doesn’t care. He insists Alexis be part of this. Meanwhile, Alexis is being followed by an irate ex-husband, who is desperate to see their daughter. She fears he doesn’t have their daughter’s best interests at heart and intends to protect her child at all costs.

When Alexis’ own life is in danger, she doesn’t know which is worse – investigating a murder or dealing with an ex-husband.

This is the second book in Eileen Davidson’s “A Soap Opera Mystery” series. Overall, I really enjoyed reading these books, although the first one was my favorite.

I tend to think these books are written as spoofs more than a traditional cozy mystery. As a soap opera watcher myself, I’m familiar with Ms. Davidson’s work on Days of Our Lives and I see traits of her character from that show in this book. Otherwise, I’d have a hard time believing a detective would purposely involve a civilian, a woman he supposedly loved no less, take such an active part in a murder investigation. Not to mention that he compromised evidence and pretty much seemed incompetent at his job, to me. LOL

“Dial Emmy for Murder” really is a funny, quick read and I enjoyed it. I intend to read the next one, which, from the excerpt after this book, takes place around Halloween. This should really be fun.

For reading challenge: Cozy Mystery

Death in Daytime by Eileen Davidson

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Alexis Peterson is the star of the popular daytime drama hit “The Yearning Tide”, but her head writer, Marcy Blanchard, has old issues with Alexis and is determined to write the actress off the show.

After a particularly nasty brawl between Alexis and Marcy, the writer is found dead - killed by her own Emmy award. The investigation turns bitter when most of Alexis’ co-workers tell the police they believe she could have committed the murder. Homicide detective, Frank Jakes, is immediately convinced of her guilt, while his partner tends to confuse Alexis with her TV alter-ego and is sure she’s innocent.

Alexis takes matters into her own hands. She has to prove her innocence for her own sake as well as for the sake of her beloved three-year old daughter, Sarah. Alexis’ first husband walked out on them, taking all her money, leaving her as a single mother with a demanding career. Alexis’ boyfriend, Paul, is a forensic expert who consults on another TV show, but she insists on handling her personal investigation on her own, which leaves hurt feelings between Alexis and Paul. It, also, doesn’t help their relationship when Alexis finds herself attracted to Detective Jakes, who wants nothing more than to put Alexis behind bars.

Eileen Davidson has been a major daytime drama star for years. I used to watch her on Days of Our Lives where she played devious Kristin Blake. She was amazing in that role and now it looks as if she has added another career to her already impressive resume. The author takes us behind the scenes of a daytime drama, who better to do that than an actress who has spent so many years working in the daytime drama arena?

I found the writing style to be fast-paced, light, and witty. Her story took so many twists and turns. She kept me on my toes until the end. I already began reading the second book in her “A Soap Opera Mystery” series.

For reading challenge: Cozy Mystery

Dirty Deeds by Suzanne Price

Genre: Cozy Mystery

It’s Christmastime in Pigeon Cove and Sky Taylor has her hands filled with cleaning jobs at several different holiday parties. After the Art Association’s annual holiday celebration, Sky finds more than just dirty dishes that need to be cleared away. Kyle Fipps, a local real estate developer, is found dead. It’s not the first time Sky has discovered a dead body, but she sure didn’t want this to become a habit.

Sky tries to stay out of the investigation, but instead finds herself right in the middle of it. She gets a lucrative cleaning job at City Hall and immediately finds herself in danger at every corner. It doesn’t help when the former lover of one of the suspects moves in to stay with Sky for a few days. To top it all off, Sky’s mother is in town for a visit which tends to complicate things further, especially when it comes to Sky’s boyfriend, Mike.

This story has it all – mystery, suspense and a romantic triangle tossed into the mix. Sky has her work cut out for her, trying to solve the mystery of both the murder and her own heart.

Pigeon Cove is a town filled with wacky personalities and an intriguing plot to keep readers on their toes. There are also a few cleaning tips tossed in that readers will find quite useful. This is a fast-paced story that can be enjoyed in a short period of time. There’s already a third book in the series, which I will get to eventually.

I’m always happy to discover “new” or “new-to-me” cozy mystery series. I love the small town feel they all have to them and re-visiting these characters always makes me feel as if I’m meeting up with old friends. This series is no different.

For reading challenges: Amateur Sleuth Challenge, TBR Challenge Lite, The Themed Reading Challenge

Murder of a Botoxed Blonde by Denise Swanson

Genre: Cozy Mystery

The last place Skye Denison wants or expects to spend her Thanksgiving weekend is at a health spa. However, her close friend Trixie convinces her to accept the complimentary weekend, but they are more than surprised to find their Thanksgiving meal consists of tofu.

Things only manage to get worse when her mother and her ex-boyfriend’s mother decide to join them for the long holiday weekend. The spa’s owner informs them that the only food available to them is the healthy kind, so they have to resort to smuggling in their own calorie laden food or they’d pass out from starvation. To top things off, a group of protestors stir up all kinds of mischief in an attempt to close down the spa. They are against the spa’s message that only the beautiful and thin deserve a place in this world.

To make matters worse, the newspaper publishes a report that there is buried treasure somewhere in the spa. When a beautiful and wealthy woman turns up dead in her mud bath, everyone wonders could the killer be a treasure hunter or a protestor?

The spa’s owner pleads with Skye to work undercover for her and try to figure out this mess. Skye agrees and the race is on before another spa guest is found dead.

This was a fun book where we also saw the return of Skye’s new boyfriend, Wally, and things heat up. Then, Skye learns the true reason behind the breakup with her last boyfriend which could possibly jeopardize her new relationship.

Skye is a down-to-earth type of heroine. She’s someone we can all identify with, especially when she smuggles in her junk food. She faces all the same problems any everyday woman might face – not being thin, men trouble and an overprotective mom. This series is one of a few that makes me feel as if I’m part of Scumble River.


For reading challenges: Amateur Sleuth Reading Challenge, Read Your Own Book Reading Challenge, Themed Reading Challenge, Cozy Mystery Challenge

Murder of a Real Bad Boy by Denise Swanson

Genre: Cozy Mystery

School psychologist, Skye Denison, is having her newly inherited house renovated. She hires the sexy contractor, Beau Hamilton, to do the job. Not that she’s interested in the handsome man. She recently broke up with her boyfriend and has no need to get involved in another relationship. However, it doesn’t hurt to look.

When Beau’s work proves to be much less than adequate, Skye realized she has to look behind the sexiness and fire him. She’s given him umpteen chances, but the work is simply not being done. Unfortunately, before she can fire him someone kills him and she stumbles upon the dead body. The Sheriff quickly makes her the number one and only suspect.

Things get really crazy for Skye when the local police chief takes a romantic interes in her, her ex-boyfriend wants her back, her cat is missing, her brother has a deep dark secret and Beau’s sister turns up on her doorstep begging for help in finding her brother’s murderer. Skye always finds herself the center of murder investigations in Scumble River and has sworn to stay out of them, but how can she refuse getting involved in this one? Especially when she’s the prime suspect.

This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I always love re-visiting Scumble River and seeing what Skye is up to. Denise Swanson gives us a wide array of characters to fall in love with and some that will drive you crazy. Each character takes on a life of its own. This is the 8th book in the series and it never gets old. Each one is better than the previous one. I’m looking forward to reading #9.

For Reading Challenges: Amateur Sleuth Reading Challenge, Cozy Mystery Reading Challenge, Themed Reading Challenge.

Even Cat Sitters Get The Blues by Blaize Clement

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Dixie Hemingway is back and she finds herself in another sticky situation. Dixie, pet-sitter extraordinaire, gets a mysterious call from Ken Kurtz to feed and take care of his pet iguana, Ziggy. Upon Dixie’s arrival at the Kurtz house, she discovers the dead body of his guard. Instead of reporting this, Dixie flees the scene of the crime. She’s been involved in enough murders to know she wants no part of this. Of course someone sees her and she becomes the prime suspect in the murder.

When Ken Kurtz denies calling her in the first place, Dixie realizes there’s more going on here than meets the eye. After Kurtz’s nurse runs out on him, he convinces Dixie to care not only for his iguana but for him as well. He’s a very sick man, not to mention a bit of a “mad” scientist, unable to do much for himself. Dixie refuses at first, but fears Kurtz and Ziggy will die if she doesn’t make sure they are fed and cared for. So she begrudgingly agrees.

In an attempt to clear her name, as well as protect Kurtz and Ziggy, Dixie starts her own private investigation. Unfortunately, all she’s left with is a concussion and threats.

Meanwhile, Dixie finds herself attracted to two very different men. Both are good men, but she can’t put her past behind her. She still loves and remembers the husband and daughter she lost in a tragic accident. She’s not quite ready to move on with her life, but she’s trying.

This has to be the best book of the series for me. I loved it and I love Dixie. She’s a wonderful heroine who is filled with strength and determination. The plot is fast-paced and a quick read. Readers will enjoy going through Dixie’s adventure and will anxiously await her next one. I know I am.

For reading challenges: What an animal reading challenge, A to Z Reading Challenge, Cozy Mystery reading challenge, amateur sleuth challenge, read your own book challenge

Cozy Mystery Challenge 2009

Since cozies are something I love so much, I was excited to find this challenge on Kaye from Pudgy Penguin Perusals blog. I didn't think I could handle another challenge, but Kaye has me convinced I can do this - plus I already have some cozies signed up for other challenges anyway. If any of you would like to join in, click the button above. Here are the rules...

Challenge Rules:
1. The challenge runs from April 1, 2009 –September 30, 2009 (6 months)

2. The goal is to read at least 1 cozy mystery for each month, so a total of 6. You can read these all in the same month, one per month, or however you want.


3. It is ok to use books that you are already reading for other challenges, however at least 2 need to be specific for this challenge.

4. You do not need to have a blog to participate


5. You are not required to make a list of books you plan to read ahead of time, but it would be fun if you did. I do ask that you at least create a post for this challenge and link back to this post. Please also note how many books you plan to read for this challenge.


6. You must sign-up before April 1st, so the last date to sign up is March 31st.


7. To sign up for the challenge – please use Mr. Linky below. Behind your name, please put the number of books you plan to read for this challenge in (). Example: Kris (6) If you have trouble with Mr. Linky, just leave a comment.


8. At the end of the challenge, If you have a blog, please create a wrap-up post telling others how you did and listing each of the books you read for the challenge and link them to your reviews. I will create a posting regarding the end of the challenge and ask that you sign Mr. Linky and link your wrap-up post. That made sense right? If you don't have a blog, just enter your name and the number of books you did read in (). Example: Kris (6).


9. Prizes you ask? Of course! For each person who completes the challenge, I will send you a homemade bookmark. I know – you are overcome with excitement you can join this challenge fast enough!


Here are my choices...

1. Murder of a Real Bad Boy by Denise Swanson Click here for review
2. Murder of a Botoxed Blonde by Denise Swanson Click here for review
3. Dirty Deeds by Suzanne Price Click for review
4. Dial Emmy for Murder by Eileen Davidson Click for review
5. Death in Daytime by Eileen Davidson Click here for review
6. Even Cat Sitters Get The Blues by Blaize Clement Click for review