Hippity Hoppity Homicide (Zoe Donovan Mystery #28) by Kathi Daley

Book Information

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery

• Paperback: 186 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (March 26, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1984950320
• ISBN-13: 978-1984950321

Synopsis: With Easter only a week away, Zoe is pulled into a dangerous game after Zak is kidnapped and the person who kidnapped him, a rival from the past, challenges Zoe to a game referred to as The Sleuthing Game. Zoe is told that the only way to gain Zak's freedom is to not only play the game but to complete all the challenges in the time allotted. If she fails, Zak will die. Zoe had promised herself that she would retire from sleuthing now that she had an infant to care for and protect, but the stakes are high, so she leaves the kids with Ellie while she and Levi set out to conquer the game. Along the way, they get help from old friends who want to ensure that Zak is returned home safely to his family.

Review: This series takes a slightly darker turn in this book, at least in the first half. The tension runs high as Zoe and company try to solve a variety of tasks in time to save Zak's life. I found myself holding my breath at times, wondering how the tasks would play out.

The second half of the story is more of a typical Zoe mystery as they try to determine who kidnapped Zak and why. Zoe is learning to spend more time on the sidelines of investigations, letting others take the lead, and we get to witness how she struggles with that new role. And even without trying to investigate, she still manages to get herself in trouble.

With Eli and Catherine as part of the mix these days (as well as Ellie's surprise announcement in this book), there is no doubt these families will continue to have amazing adventures together for a long time to come.

Rating: Five stars

About the author

Kathi lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn't writing, Kathi likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese,) and garden (planting and planning not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she's not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing, the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home. 
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries. 

Reindeer Roundup (Zoe Donovan #27) by Kathi Daley

BOOK INFORMATION

Genre: Cozy mystery

Series: Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery

• Paperback: 166 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (December 15, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1977500765
• ISBN-13: 978-1977500762

Synopsis:  It's funny, it's family, it's a Zak and Zoe Christmas Mystery.

A reindeer invasion, baby on the way, small-town decked out for the holidays, and a killer on the loose, all come together in this fun and heartwarming Christmas Cozy Mystery.

Review:  Another great story in this series! As usual, Zac has gone all out with the Christmas decorations, including getting 8 reindeer for the celebration in town. Zoe is 9 months pregnant, and missing Zac, who has had to fly to Paris to care for his mother who was involved in a suspicious accident there.

Meanwhile, an old friend of Zoe's is found dead (a body she didn't stumble upon for once!) and while she wants to find the killer, she also wants to protect baby Catherine, so she takes a less active role in this case, generally taking someone else along when she is talking to possible suspects. 

Along with trying to solve the murder, she is worried about getting the 8 reindeer rounded up again before Zac gets home...and concerned that the baby will come before then as well.

I love this series, and I enjoy the changes which seem to be on the horizon for this family. I have a feeling Alex is going to start taking a more active role in solving cases, as she did a fabulous job in this one.

Can't wait to see what book #28 has to offer!!

Rating: Five stars

About the author

Kathi lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn't writing, Kathi likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese,) and garden (planting and planning not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she's not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing, the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home. 
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries. 

Join me on Facebook at Kathi Daley Books (www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks) for updates on my books, photos of life in Lake Tahoe, recipes, contests, and giveaways. For weekly updates and contests sign up for The Daley Weekly Newsletter (http://eepurl.com/NRPDf). 

REVIEW: Trick or Treason (Zoe Donovan Mystery #26) by Kathi Daley

Book Information

Genre: Cozy mystery

Series: Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery

• Paperback: 258 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (September 26, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1548558214
• ISBN-13: 978-1548558215

Synopsis: As is his tradition, Zak has gone Halloween Crazy, while Zoe is trying to overcome the baby bump blues and harness some enthusiasm for the annual Haunted Hamlet. Things seem to be on track for a Spooktacular good time until Zoe stumbles onto a Halloween mystery even she didn't see coming.

Review: Another successful novel from Ms. Daley. This is one of my two favorite series from her (be watching next week for my review of the latest release in the other one!).

In the midst of preparing for Halloween, Zoe discovers another dead body and is determined to discover whodunnit before the holiday. Due to her pregnancy, she is a little more subdued in her sleuthing this time around, which I found to be realistic and a relief--I was concerned that she might continue to be reckless and I'd get frustrated with her!

This mystery is filled with twist after twist. Every time I thought I had it solved, there were clues to point me in a completely different direction. The reveal was a surprise but in the end, the motive made sense. 

I'm already looking forward to Zoe's Christmas adventure!!

Rating: Five stars

About the author

Kathi lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn't writing, Kathi likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese,) and garden (planting and planning not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she's not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing, the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home. 
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries. 

Join her on Facebook at Kathi Daley Books (www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks) for updates on my books, photos of life in Lake Tahoe, recipes, contests, and giveaways. For weekly updates and contests sign up for The Daley Weekly Newsletter (http://eepurl.com/NRPDf).

Camp Carter (Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery #25) by Kathi Daley

Book Information

Genre: Cozy mystery

Series: Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery, 25th book

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (July 24, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1546577300
• ISBN-13: 978-1546577300

Synopsis:  Zoe struggles with a secret as the Zimmerman clan sets out for a week of fun in the sun at Camp Carter, where they find the cook dead in the pantry on the very first day of their family vacation.

Review: Once again, Kathi shows why this is my favorite of her many series. The main characters are lovable and realistic folks, and they are always in believable locations where they just "happen" to discover a murder mystery that needs solving, whether they are at home in Ashton Falls or somewhere else.

This time around, Zak and Zoe are chaperoning a camping session for about a hundred elementary school students, and Zoe is trying to keep a "secret" which it turns out nearly everyone she knows has figured out and is just waiting for her to share. Zoe discovers a dead body almost immediately, and as the investigation progresses, she and Zak discover an "accidental" death has happened at the camp every two years for the last six years. Were they all accidents, or are they all murders which are connected? 

Every time I thought I had the mystery solved, Kathi threw another twist into the story that had me scrambling yet again.  As usual, there is plenty of clean romance and enough humor to keep things from getting too deep. 

Be sure to check out the great recipes at the end of the book, as well as a full list of all Kathi's books.

Rating: Four stars

About the author

Kathi lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn't writing, Kathi likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese,) and garden (planting and planning not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she's not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing, the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home. 
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries. 

Join Kathi on Facebook at Kathi Daley Books (www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks) for updates on her books, photos of life in Lake Tahoe, recipes, contests, and giveaways. For weekly updates and contests sign up for The Daley Weekly Newsletter (http://eepurl.com/NRPDf). 

Holiday Hangover (Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery #23) by Kathi Daley

BOOK INFORMATION

• Series: Zoe Donovan Mystery
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (January 6, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1540302253
• ISBN-13: 978-1540302250

Synopsis: In this snowy cozy mystery, Zak's is asked to track down the source of the breach for the surveillance system at a remote ski resort in the Canadian Rockies. Scooter is away with his dad leaving Zoe feeling depressed and deflated so Zak asks Zoe to go along on the trip. With Levi and Ellie away as well, Zoe decides to join Zak only to find that the sleuthing couple has really been invited to the resort to solve a murder. Join Zak, Zoe, Alex, and Charlie as they juggle fun-filled days on the slopes with theory building sessions as they attempt to track down a killer.

Review: Another great adventure for Zoe, Zak and Alex--along with Charlie. They travel to the Canadian Rockies for a ski holiday before Christmas, and to help solve a murder. 

I love the detail Kathi goes into about the resort and its decorations for the holiday.  The village sounds like a great place to visit, for sure. 

Once again, Kathi keeps us guessing with the murder mystery until the very end, and then wraps it all up in a very believable manner. Looking forward to finding out how Levi and Ellie's relationship grows and evolves, especially after the baby arrives. Also hoping that Zoe and Zak's family will be growing soon!!

Rating: Five stars

About the author

Author of the Zoe Donovan cozy Mystery Series, Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mystery series, Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Series, Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mysteries, and Seacliff High Teen Cozy Mystery Series. 

Come for the murder, stay for the romance.

Kathi lives in the beautiful alpine community of Lake Tahoe with her husband Ken and dog Echo. When she's not writing she enjoys hanging out on the beach with her children and grandchildren. During the summer she enjoys hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, wakeboarding, and sunset cruises on the lake. During the winter she enjoys cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and curling up by a fire with a good book.

Kathi uses her mountain home as inspiration for her books, all which include appearances by the wildlife she shares her life with. 

Visit Kathi Daley:

Blog - http://kathidaleyblog.com 

Facebook at Kathi Daley Books, www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks 

Kathi Daley Teen - www.facebook.com/kathidaleyteen 

Kathi Daley Books Group Page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569578823146850/

Kathi Daley Books Birthday Club- get a book on your birthday - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1040638412628912/ 

Kathi Daley Recipe Exchange - https://www.facebook.com/groups/752806778126428/ 

Webpage - www.kathidaley.com 

E-mail - kathidaley@kathidaley.com 

Recipe Submission E-mail - kathidaleyrecipes@kathidaley.com 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7278377.Kathi_Daley

Twitter at Kathi Daley@kathidaley - https://twitter.com/kathidaley 

Tumblr - http://kathidaleybooks.tumblr.com/

Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/kathidaley/ 

For weekly updates and contests sign up for her newsletter The Daley Weekly at (http://eepurl.com/NRPDf)or by accessing the link on her Facebook page or website.

Costume Catastrophe (Zoe Donovan Mystery #21) by Kathi Daley

Synopsis: It's Halloween in Ashton Falls and that means Haunted Hamlet and the annual haunted house. Zoe is determined not to have her plans for this annual event ruined this year especially since it is also the weekend of the big game and a lot of old friends are in town. Things look as if they are on track for a spooktacular good time, until Zoe receives a message from an anonymous source predicting a death. At first Zoe and the gang think the note is a prank until one of the friends Zoe went to high school with actually turns up dead. Once Zoe realizes the note might not be a prank, she sets out on a race against time before someone else dies.

Review: Another great adventure in Ashton Falls. As the gang gets ready for Halloween, and the Haunted Hamlet, Zoe worries about Ellie and keeping her secret. Then there's a murder in town, and Zoe is once again thrust into the middle of the investigation.

I love the detail Kathi goes into about the preparations for the festival and the decorating that individual characters are doing at their homes and/or businesses. The level of excitement that builds around the big game is something that I can definitely relate to personally. 

Once again, Kathi keeps us guessing with the murder mystery until the very end, and then wraps it all up in a very believable manner. There are several surprises throughout the book, and I can't wait for the next installment to see how things are going to go.

Rating: Four stars

About the author

Kathi lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn't writing, Kathi likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese,) and garden (planting and planning not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she's not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing, the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home. 

Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries. 

Join me on Facebook at Kathi Daley Books (www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks) for updates on my books, photos of life in Lake Tahoe, recipes, contests, and giveaways. For weekly updates and contests sign up for The Daley Weekly Newsletter (http://eepurl.com/NRPDf). 

Shamrock Shenanigans (Zoe Donovan Mystery #19) by Kathi Daley

Book Information

Genre: Cozy mystery

• File Size: 2955 KB
• Print Length: 240 pages
• Publisher: Kathi Daley Books (January 1, 2016)
• Publication Date: January 1, 2016
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0186KV7S4

Synopsis: Zak and Zoe travel to Ireland for their first Valentines Day as husband and wife. They have been invited to attend a murder mystery weekend in a real haunted castle. During their first night at the castle, they find one of the guests dead. Really dead. As they delve into the murder they begin to see that not only are things not as they appear, but several of the other attendees are not who they claim to be. During the course of her investigation, Zoe discovers a secret about herself that is more than just a little shocking.

Review: This is the 19th book in the Zoe Donovan series, and it is just as entertaining as the first one. This time around, Zoe and Zak are attending a murder mystery weekend at a haunted castle in Ireland. Sounds like a great way to spend Valentine's Day, right? But, once an actual murder takes place, and everyone is trapped in the castle due to the inclement weather, romance is the last thing on anyone's mind.

As if discovering another dead body, and being suspected of the murder, isn't enough bad news, things don't seem to be going well back home in Ashton Falls (which I suppose we'll find more about in the next book). In the course of investigating the murder--and the now missing body--Zoe makes contact with one of the castle's ghosts and finds out something about herself that she, and I, never saw coming.

It seems to me that every book I read in this series becomes my new favorite. Ms. Daley does a great job of keeping the characters fun and personable, and coming up with new mysteries that are interesting and entertaining to solve. Can't wait to see what is next for the Donovan-Zimmerman clan!

Rating: Five stars

About the author

Kathi lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn't writing, Kathi likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese,) and garden (planting and planning not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she's not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing, the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home. 
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries. 

Join her on Facebook at Kathi Daley Books (www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks) for updates on my books, photos of life in Lake Tahoe, recipes, contests, and giveaways. For weekly updates and contests sign up for The Daley Weekly Newsletter (http://eepurl.com/NRPDf). 

Ghostly Graveyard (Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery #17) by Kathi Daley

Synopsis: When Zoe finds a body laying across the grave of Isaac Wainwright, the man behind a hundred year old legend, she sets out to find the killer before the deputy who is substituting for Salinger, finds a way to pin the murder on her. Meanwhile, Ellie is asked to babysit her cousins baby, Levi is AWOL, and the entire Donovan-Zimmerman household is busy with Halloween activities.

Review: This may be the 17th book in the series, but it is still just as great as the first. This is the second time Ms. Daley has given us two stories in one: the main story of Zoe and Zak (and the murder mystery), and also the continuation of the Zimmerman Academy story.

The characters continue to be well-written, well-developed and realistic.  I enjoyed reading about Zoe figuring out how to balance her family, her job, and her investigating.  Just like most parents, she is faced with more activities and responsibilities than time.

The book is a fun easy read, and the mystery will keep you guessing from beginning to end.  Already looking forward to #18!

Rating: Four stars

About the author
Kathi lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn't writing, Kathi likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese,) and garden (planting and planning not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she's not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing, the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home. 
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries. 

Join me on Facebook at Kathi Daley Books (www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks) for updates on my books, photos of life in Lake Tahoe, recipes, contests, and giveaways. For weekly updates and contests sign up for The Daley Weekly Newsletter (http://eepurl.com/NRPDf).

Hopscotch Homicide by Kathi Daley

Synopsis: When Zoe finds the body of the lunch lady on the hopscotch course the week before the new school year, she is pulled into a mystery that will find her volunteering as soccer mom, classroom mom, and PTA board member. It's funny, it's family, it's a Zak and Zoe murder investigation.

Review:  This book is a little different than previous installments in the Zoe and Zak series. There is a lot more focus on the kids and their school activities than anything else. Sometimes it felt as if the murder mystery were secondary to that part of the story.

However, I love seeing Zoe get more maternal--her shopping trip with Alex was reminiscent of taking MY girls school shopping. And the chapters written from the point of view of Phyllis King, letting us see her life as three teen girls board with her to attend Zimmerman Academy, were a lot of fun as well. I would have liked to see more of Levi and Ellie in this book, and hope we get more of their story soon.

The mystery, as I hinted at in the first paragraph, left me wanting more this time around. It just didn't really grab me and have me turning page after page to follow the clues and discover the killer.

So, while I enjoyed this story, I hope the mystery goes back to being the primary focus in future books.

Rating: Four stars 

About the author
Kathi lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn't writing, Kathi likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese,) and garden (planting and planning not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she's not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing, the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home. 
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries. 

Join me on Facebook at Kathi Daley Books (www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks) for updates on my books, photos of life in Lake Tahoe, recipes, contests, and giveaways. For weekly updates and contests sign up for The Daley Weekly Newsletter (http://eepurl.com/NRPDf). 

Heavenly Honeymoon (Zoe Donovan Mystery #15) by Kathi Daley

Synopsis: In true Zoe Donovan fashion, Zoe ends up in jail on the second night of her honeymoon after she finds herself the only suspect in the first murder Heavenly Island has seen in a decade. Although she has been ordered to leave the investigation to a man known only as Toad, she can't help but snoop around just a bit while enjoying the tropical paradise with new husband Zak. In the midst of enjoying days at the beach and moonlit walks under the stars, she discovers a truth about the island that might very well put those she loves in danger.

Thoughts: Leave it to Zoe and Zak to have the most nontraditional honeymoon ever. Not only do they turn it into a "family" vacation with Scooter and Alex, but Zoe gets tossed in jail on the second day, accused of murder!

Naturally Zoe spends the rest of the honeymoon searching for the real murderer--although she and Zak do manage to make time just for the two of them, and for activities with the kids. I enjoyed Zoe's interactions with "Toad" throughout the book, and was happy she was able to help him out in the relationship department.

By the end of the book, not only is the real murderer found, but Zoe and Zak have made decisions that will change their lives forever. Can't wait to see what they get into in the next book.

**I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
My rating: Five stars

Soul Surrender (Zoe Donovan #14) by Kathi Daley

Synopsis: Now that Zak and Zoe have their house, their lives, and their wedding back, things seem to be on track once again, until a man is found dead and Zoe is once again pulled into a murder investigation. The victim is a well known and liked member of the community who didn't appear to have any enemies until his secret past caught up with him. Zak and Zoe work together to find the killer while Zoe deals with the fact that Levi and Ellie seem to be imploding before her very eyes. Meanwhile Alex shares a shocking piece of news which causes Zak and Zoe to consider taking a huge step which could forever alter their future. 

Thoughts: This story picks up right where Matrimony Meltdown left off. Zak and Zoe are back in control of the wedding plans, although Mrs. Zimmerman still tries to manipulate events on occasion. 

With less than a week till the wedding, of course Zoe finds a dead body and finds herself in the middle of yet another murder investigation as well as all the last minute wedding details. Zak's grandmother arrives on her pink Harley, wearing a pink leather jacket. She's wild and crazy, and she and Zoe begin to build a relationship.

Alex gives Zoe some news that has Zak and Zoe planning something HUGE for their future...can't wait to see how that works out for everyone. However, the next installment will take us through the "family" honeymoon, which I'm sure will include yet ANOTHER murder, and another chance for Zak to have to rescue his new wife.

**I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

My rating: Four stars