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Micky Cox

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Funniest Cozy Mystery Series Ever!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-10-25

This series is so much fun! I love that it is set on the plaza/country club area of KC which I grew up visiting. It is also set in the 70's so a lot of the landmarks mentioned are ones that I remember from my childhood. The author has created incredibly realistic characters that are full of wit and humor. The plot is extremely well crafted and typically has one or more mysteries or puzzles woven into one fabulous story line. I have to say that this series is on my must listen list as the narrator is absolutely outstanding. I mean she can seriously bring "Mr. Coffee," yes, I am referring to the coffeemaker brand, to life and make you believe it! Ellison has to be my all-time favorite amateur sleuth as she is a smart, brave and incredibly creative in her investigative plans even when stumbling onto the true culprit. All the characters are perfect whether you are meant to love or hate them! This book in particular was well plotted so that you had multiple suspects and multiple mysteries to untangle. I am now back to waiting for the next book to be available on audiobook so I can keep enjoying this series!

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Best book in the series so far!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-29-25

The author is cooking with fire now! The author has really brought the personalities of the characters to a new and might I add, wonderful, level in this book. Our main character, January, is a strong independent woman who has overcome an abusive marriage and is really getting her feet under her. The wit and humor that the author is bringing out in January's personality is making the character so much more realistic and enjoyable. She is a woman that many of us can relate to. She is a bit older (gasp, in her very early 40's), a curvy woman who has embraced her curves and is beginning to really love herself! Add in wonderful friends and family as well as a sexy wolf shifter boyfriend and you have a well-rounded cast that adds depth and fun to the story. The base story is a mystery, but mystery or mysteries are interwoven with the personal stories of the characters' lives. I can say the romance hit a spicier level in this book and I am here for it! If you like a good paranormal mystery and characters interlaced with some steam, then you have found the right book. I will say that you should read the series in order otherwise you'll be a bit lost in the characters' lives as each book has built upon the last. I also highly recommend the audiobook as the narrator does an outstanding job of bringing the characters and story lines more fully to life. I can't wait for the next book!

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Each book is more exciting than the last!

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-26-25

This series just keeps getting more exciting! More creatures to battle, more evil spirits to enhance the good vs evil themes in the books as well as more interpersonal relationship events to add more depth to each story. Once again January is in a fight against evil, but this time it ends up not only on her doorstep, but inside her home! I love how the interactions between the characters continue to add to the depth of the story and their individual backgrounds add a layer of nuance to the stories to make them more believable. The paranormal aspect keeps them fun, but also adds to the mystic of each case that January and her crew take on. Add in the deepening connection between January and her sexy wolf shifter beau and you have a well-rounded story full of entertainment for all. The narration on the audiobook is outstanding and also adds a layer of personality to the characters and emotions being presented by the author. I'm ready for the next audio in the series and can't wait to get started!

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Exciting crime drama that you won't want to miss!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-10-24

Once again Inspector Gamache is back in action with his trusted team in this action-packed, fast-paced installment in the series. An over the top case of terrorism is on the cusp of happening and the team can't trust anyone as the rot reaches the top of the police and political levels. The audiobook made the story even more exciting as the narrator was able to bring the characters to life and enhanced the sense of urgency the author has woven into the story. If you haven't read the series previously, you really need to read the books in order as each book builds the characters and their relationships more fully in each book in the series. Plus, you don't want to miss out on hours of wonderful entertainment in this Canadian cop mystery series. The characters are compelling and engaging drawing you further into the stories as you scoot to the edge of your seat cheering them on as they investigate and try to outrace the evil that is in their midst. This one has a slight bit of a cliffhanger, but not one that will have you shouting in frustration, rather you will be anxiously anticipating the next book in the series!

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Intense and engaging! Great audiobook!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-03-24

What happens if the worst monster that you had ever arrested was set free and full of vengeance? Inspector Gamache is about to find out and everyone he loves is in danger, but can he unravel who and where the threats are coming from in time or will everyone he loves pay the price for his career path? Wonderful characters (seriously, I want to grow up to be Ruth!!!) and incredible writing draw you in and compel you to keep reading or listening to the book as you just can't put it down. The narrator does an excellent job of adding excitement and emotion to the events to make them even more intense. I can't wait to dig into the next book in the series! FYI: You should read this series in order or you will be lost during this book as there is some flashbacks that take place that can be confusing to someone not familiar with the series.

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Great narration enhances an okay story

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-08-24

This is the second book in the series and again, I'm glad I listened to the audiobook vs reading the book. The narration is key to breathing life into the characters although I do feel the writing in this book was better than the first. The characters had a bit more dimension to them and the plot was more exciting. It was interesting seeing another side of the alpha pack since they were the bad guys in the first book. Overall, I would say these were enjoyable to listen to and I'll download more of the audiobooks in the series to listen especially when I'll be traveling and want a series that I can sink into without needing to do much thinking to enjoy as I drive.

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Great narration, ok story

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-08-24

I downloaded the audiobook version which I think enhanced the story as it has good narration. The story is a short fast paced take on an omega who doesn't know anything about the werewolf world as she has been raised as a human and hidden from the wereworld. Omegas in this version of wereworld are the lowest on the class heirachy and have little to no rights. The story moves quickly and has a few plot holes, but not enough to not enjoy the book. I was driving across several states and wanted a group of audios that would be in the same series so downloaded this book and number 2 in the series. While I won't say they are stellar award-winning writing, I will say they were entertaining and the heat level of the spice was good. Overall, I enjoyed the basic premise of the story and I may grab another book or two later on when I need something to listen too that doesn't take much thought. Again, the narration made the story much better as the narrators added to the characters personalities, but I'm not sure reading the book would be as enjoyable as the books are a bit one-dimensional.

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Dark and deliciously dirty!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-09-24

Dark and deliciously dirty! This is the second book in a bully romance that takes a dark turn while also running a sweet undertone throughout it. Add in an undercurrent of mafia attitude and activity and you have the perfectly dark, dirty and of the charts hot read or listen if you are into audiobooks. I have to say the narration is fantastic. Dual narration always does a better job of bringing characters more fully to life, but in this case the narrators do a superb job of bringing the dark and growly men to life while making readers want to cheer and fight for sweet Belle! I listened to the first book in the series and got hooked, now this book is driving me even further into madness for this series! I can't wait to get my hands on the next audiobook in the series! If you like a hot, spicy read with a bully who falls hard for the girl then this book or rather the series is the one for you!

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A sweet second chances romance to start the series

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-08-24

A sweet second chances romance with a will they - won't they vibe, a secret child, a violent stalker, opposites attract and a few more tropes to entertain you for days. I do recommend going the audiobook route as the dual narration really brings the characters and plot to life. Some subjects that come up are orphanage, child neglect in the past, creating family and place. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the plot and characters as this was a quick impulse purchase after seeing the book pop up in a social media feed which in the past hasn't always paid off for me, but this time it paid off in spades. I am especially happy to see that this is book one in a series of books that I'll be snagging from my library or when on sale at audible.

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Outstanding paranormal cozy!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-27-24

Quinn has a premonition of something bad about to happen. Then strangers appear in town that seem to have ill intent or do they? Could locals have something to do with the bad events about to happen? Quinn and the vampires are on alert, but since they don't know what to look for it makes it difficult to stop anything bad from happening. Once again, the book club needs to investigate, but are they investigating theft, murder or both and are they related or separate issues. The characters are so well written and some of the vampires are famous literary writers so for a bookseller like Quinn, it is quite exciting. This series is one of my must listen series and once again the audiobook does not disappoint! The narrator really brings the characters and events to life. The narration enhances an already well written cozy mystery.

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