Castle Dark Series by Veronica Bond

I first read Death in Castle Dark in August 2024 after getting the recommendation from the Cozy Mystery Book Club (though I read it too late to participate).

Death in Castle Dark by Veronica Bond. First read: It’s the first book in a cozy mystery series (A Dinner and a Murder Mystery Series). I love the setting of a castle used for murder mystery dinners because it’s already engaging and spooky - then add in a real murder, and I’m hooked! 

Re-read December 2025: I heard there was a new third book in this series so I wanted to re-read the first. This is SO cozy to me - I love the mystery dinner theater concept, and set in a castle makes it that much better. This is one I'll definitely re-read again.

Castle Deadly, Castle Deep by Veronica Bond. This one didn’t pull me in as much as the first. I thought Nora’s relationship drama seemed kind of middle school and immature, and that dragged on for most of the story. Some of the twists were good though, so the ending redeemed the book overall. Also too much dependence on the Doll's House play - explaining it too much.

Death at a Castle Christmas by Veronica Bond. This was a bit too sweet for me. It felt like it was more of a clean romance than a cozy mystery. The ending seemed especially over the top, with everyone getting engaged for Christmas? After dating six months? I also felt like the storyline of the men trying to find treasure in the castle was a bit too similar to the last book, which is disappointing. I’d read another installment if it went back to “seeing” the murder mysteries performed in the castle - I think there could be 3 or 4 unique storylines around that concept and I wouldn’t think it was too played out.

The first book will always be a cozy mystery I'd like to re-read. However, the second seemed like too much filler, while the third seemed like it was trying too hard to wrap up the series. I'd read further installments if they focused more on the mysteries than sugary-sweet romance, but I have a feeling the author was indeed trying to wrap up the series with this delayed third installment.

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

Once I started seeing this book everywhere, I knew I needed to give it a try. I was surprised to see it was classified as romance at the library, considering the title and book summary. Once I read it, I got a bit of the romance aspect, but it was pretty light and behind closed doors. It made me think of what an Emily Henry cozy mystery might be.

I really enjoyed the writing and the brief interludes of the police transcript. Randomly jumping to Ethan’s POV halfway through, and then sporadically after that, kind of threw me off. I feel like he would mention things and the reader would get them, then he’d mention them again later to Maggie and, while I understand why it was that way, it just felt repetitive as a reader and I would have rather had new reveals instead of reliving the elevator scene several times. However, I loved this overall and want to read more by the author.

You Feta Watch Out by Linda Reilly

You Feta Watch Out by Linda Reilly

I read the first four books in this series in the fall and had to wait for this one to be released. I got it for Christmas but just read it in February due to my never-ending TBR and library checkouts.

It was good timing because I needed a cozy escape from reality, though, and this did the trick! I think this book progressed the side storyline of Carly and Ari nicely and it felt like that story was happening organically. Too often the romantic storylines of cozy mysteries either feel forced or rushed. While Carly and Ari are pretty innocent overall, I buy the sweetness and their relationship journey overall. I hope the series continues so we get to see their wedding, which should be happening soon!

I also love how the other characters are becoming more dimensional, for he most part. I loved getting to see more of Carly's sister, Norah. I also loved the development of Nina, and hope to see more from her. Suzanne seemed a bit pulled back this book, and I wonder if she's going to go away in the next, or if something's going on in her life she didn't really address... (Yes, I know it's fiction, but c'mon, I'm invested!) It was interesting to have some new players in this mystery, but I have to say I loved Grant coming back for the holidays. I'd read a side series starring him, even if it focused on food and music instead of mystery.

Overall, I think this was a great fifth book in the series. It was cozy, moved the overarching story along, and made me want to read more. I've recommended this series to a lot of people who seem to enjoy it as well, so give it a try!