Introductory chapters of six upcoming cozy mysteries. A great way to find a new author or decide if you want to read a book and not feel guilty about quitting after a few chapters!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this DRC.
#CozyCaseFilesVolume23 #NetGalley

much for clearing my to be read list before the holidays. This includes six previews of upcoming cozy mysteries from Minotaur Books and was a nice break from some of the darker books I have been reading.

But starting the book and not finishing them is hard, I wanted more! I will be watching for a few of these next year.

Star-Crossed Egg Tarts by Jennifer Chow (Jan 21st 2025): This is probably not something I would have picked up based on the description but I really enjoyed the chapters I read. I wish it cut out a little of the wedding day and included why Kelvin was suspected other than his gardening shears were used but guess I will have to read the rest.

Killing Me Soufflé: A Bakeshop Mystery by Ellie Alexander (Feb 25th 2025): This one doesn't actually get to the mystery in the preview chapters so hard to say if I would enjoy it. It was just a long chapter of working in a bake shop and setting up a change in character jobs from the previous book.

The Library Game by Gigi Pandian (March 18th 2025): This one also didn't get to the actual mystery in the preview but the chapters did set up the mystery compared to Killing Me Soufflé. There is a lot going on with books moving almost by themselves in one library and sabotage at another. I would continue reading this one.

Written in Stone: A Scottish Bookshop Mystery by Paige Shelton (April 1st 2025): Like some of the others, the sample isn't quite long enough to get into the murder/mystery. This one starts with the investigating couple visiting a reclusive artist as part of a festival. You get a history lesson but not really enough to decide if you like the book or not.

Dead Post Society: A House-Flipper Mystery by Diane Kelly (April 1st 2025): It probably had me at the cat on the cover but the preview probably could have skipped the first chapter and started at them arriving at the school. This one doesn't seem to have a current mystery solve but evolves around a cold case in the house they hope to renovate. But is it just a house settling, ghosts of those lost over time in the house or is there something more current trying to stop them. I look forward to this one coming out to find out.

The Chow Maniac: A Noodle Shop Mystery by Vivien Chien (April 1st 2025): This one starts with a flashback to 1901 to explain the history of the group they will be investigating the deaths of in the present time. It seems like a decent book just not my usual read with secret societies and cultural references that my reviews cannot do justice.

Included in this edition of Cozy Case Files are descriptions and generous (multiple chapter) previews of forthcoming books by Paige Shelton, Gigi Pandian, Jennifer J. Chow, Ellie Alexander, Diane Kelly, and Vivien Chien. There is also information about each of the authors whose works are included. Quite the embarrassment of riches for those who enjoy traditional mysteries. I have added many of these books to my wish list now.

Cozy Case Files editions are always worth a look and always free (!).

Highly recommended for its audience.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

With so many authors competing for a space on our TBR shelves, it is easy to miss a good book or read something you simply don't enjoy. Amazon does offer the opportunity to enjoy a sample but there samples are relatively small. This book allows you to get a true feel for a book and maybe find a new author along the way. I like the concept, it is much like a sample platter in a restaurant. However, just like you want another cheese stick on the sample platter, I wanted a few more pages in some of the stories. From that reason the concept of reading a sampler might make you crazy because just when the books heats up the story in the sampler is over. However, don't fret that just means you have to go find he full size book to add to your TBR shelf.
I was familiar with Ellie Alexander's work and her team from Torte before I started this story so I knew I would enjoy that sample. We get to revisit the team from Torte and learn that we are leading to challenges for the pair that moved on. So that is one book going on my TBR shelf.
The book that caught me by surprise and the book I was disappointed when it ended was the first in this Cozy Case File. Jennifer's story had a lot going on and a lot of loose ends I need to go back when the full size book is published and read. Her characters of Felicity and Kelvin are interesting and well matched and unfortunately have both found themselves accused of murder. The story is well written and super easy to read.
I don't want to diminish the others stories in the book as they each offer something new from fake artifacts to a female magician turned magical contractor. Each book centers are a tough main character thrown out of their comfort zone a bit to solve a mystery and bring the cozy to a happy ending. Depending on your taste, if you are a cozy fan, trying one of these Cozy Case Files will allow you to explore more authors. You may not like every story in the book but you get to try them on for size before committing to the full story. Cool concept.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this ARC and to explore so many cozies..