Book Review: The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss

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The Escape Game  by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss  opens on the set of a reality television show called "The Escape Room" where one of the season four contestants, Alicia Angelos, is found in a coffin on set ... dead. Fast forward to season five where Sierra Angelos, the murder victim's younger sister and suspected killer, has been brought back to the show and paired up with Beck, Adi, and Carter. Sierra wants to find justice for her sister, but when Sierra and her teammates start uncovering clues about the true killer, they must figure out how to survive the game. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for approving my request and providing me with a digital copy of The Escape Game  for free in exchange for my honest review. I was immediately drawn to the title and cover of the young adult novel. Throw in the plot being about an escape room, and I was completely sold on the story before even reading it. The story is told from the perspective of fou...
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Book Review: Scone Cold Dead (Country Store Mystery, #13) by Maddie Day

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NetGalley ARC Cozy Mystery Book Review Scone Cold Dead (Country Store Mystery, #13) by Maddie Day
Scone Cold Dead (Country Store Mystery, #13) by Maddie Day opens with Robbie and her husband Abe preparing for the birth of their first child in a few weeks. When a stranger comes into Robbie's restaurant, Pans 'N Pancakes, asking about her aunt, Robbie is a bit uneasy about the situation. Then, the stranger is found dead in her aunt's field, and Robbie knows she must clear her aunt's name off the suspect list.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for my honest review. I genuinely enjoy Maddie Day’s writing style, so I was thrilled to receive a free copy. Her cozy mystery storytelling once again delivers a comforting yet suspenseful read that fits perfectly within the Country Store Mystery series.

I really enjoyed this installment and, after finishing it, found myself eager to go back and start the series from the beginning to fully experience each character’s backstory. The characters are largely likable and well-developed, and even without having read many previous books in the series, it wasn’t difficult to follow along. Scone Cold Dead works well as a standalone cozy mystery while still rewarding longtime fans with familiar faces and ongoing relationships.

From early on, I felt completely drawn into the story, as if I were right there alongside the characters. That immersive quality is what makes a book truly enjoyable for me ... those moments when you forget you’re reading and lose track of time. Whenever I finally paused, it took a few minutes to come back to reality, which is always a good sign.

While there were a few slower moments, they never dragged on for long, and the mystery quickly picked up again. I found myself wanting to read faster just to see how everything would unfold. My only minor complaint was how frequently Robbie mentioned having “pregnancy brain,” which became a bit repetitive, though it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.

Overall, Scone Cold Dead (Country Store Mystery, #13) by Maddie Day is a fantastic cozy mystery and a perfect escape from reality. With its engaging plot, charming setting, and satisfying mystery, it’s an enjoyable addition to the series. The expected publication date is April 1, 2025, and I’m giving this book four out of five stars.

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