I read 10 books (almost 2000 pages) this month! How about that? Now I just have to work on a few reviews that I’ve been too busy lazy to do. I binged on Diana Xarissa books this month. I couldn’t … Continue reading Cozy Reader Plans, God Laughs – A look back at May
Summer is not having a good summer. After a minor scandal has her scurrying off to England to spend some time researching Shakespeare for an academic paper, she has to rush back home to North Carolina when her mother dies suddenly of a heart attack. Continue reading Little Bookshop of Murder
The Lacemaker’s Secret (Chloe Ellefson #9) by Kathleen Ernst Curator Chloe heads to Green Bay to consult on the restoration of an old Belgian-American farmhouse. When she arrives, she can’t help but check out a historic summer kitchen – and discovers a dead body in the bake oven! Alongside the the bake oven mystery is the tale of Seraphine, a Belgian immigrant skilled in art of making lace. The hardships she faced forging a new life in Wisconsin in the mid 1800s provided a background for the events in the modern day mystery. I can think of 2 authors off … Continue reading The Lacemaker’s Secret
The Chalk Pit (Ruth Galloway #9) by Elly Griffiths I meant to get this review written last week, right after I finished this marvelous book, but, well, I was traumatized by Nelson and Ruth. How can you keep doing this to me? Auuuggh! I loved the plot, anything having to do with tunnels and hidden entrances sucks me right in, and this fiction-is-stranger-than-fiction plot was a real rollercoaster; I never would’ve guessed the ending in a million years! The plight of “rough sleepers” was highlighted with compassion and humanity and watching the investigation unfold into edge-of-your-seat action kept me turning … Continue reading Review: The Chalk Pit
Biscuits and Slashed Browns by Maddie Day Biscuits and Slashed Browns is the 4th book in the Country Store Mysteries, and the small town of South Lick, IN is gearing up for a Maple Festival when a visiting college professor ruffles some feathers and winds up dead with a chef’s knife stuck in his chest. Puzzle fanatic Robbie can’t seem to let the matter go, especially when the prime suspects are her best friend Christina and the father of one of her employees! Robbie ruthlessly chases the truth, and finds herself in a couple of sticky situations before being confronted … Continue reading Review: Biscuits and Slashed Browns
A Will to Die by Russell Atkinson A Will to Die is the 7th Cliff Knowles mystery but also a standalone. What sets this book apart from the other books in the series is that Cliff is a bit of an outsider to this investigation, since it was his estranged sister who died, he was more on the sidelines, not that Cliff let that stop him. This was an intriguing case, and I have to hand it to the author, he comes up with some pretty unsettling plots (read Fatal Dose!) and this one, a suicide cult preying on Cliff’s … Continue reading A Will to Die
Death Distilled by Melinda Mullet The second book in the Whisky Business Mystery series, Death Distilled is a solid tale of old secrets, revenge and murder, both in the current day and hundreds of years ago. And that’s what I liked best about this book, the blending of mysteries from two separate time periods and then tied together at the end. Add in secret passages and you’ve got an intoxicating cozy mystery. My only gripe is there was too much packed into the book and I felt like it rambled a bit too long. At around 2/3 of the way through … Continue reading Review: Death Distilled
Killer Party by Lynn Cahoon I liked this, but I didn’t love it. While the mystery was interesting and intriguing, I didn’t care for any of Greg’s friends, and that made me feel a little apathetic towards solving the murder and seriously Jill, get over the whole relationship angst. The surprising and exciting ending was a great way to end the book, and overall it was entertaining and enjoyable. Mostly, I just enjoy another visit to South Cove and catching up with Jill, Greg and the Coffee, Books & More gang (And I really concerned about Aunt Jackie!) Continue reading Review: Killer Party
Murder in Mayfair by D.M. Quincy Murder in Mayfair is an excellent debut historical cozy, with a labyrinthine plot that pulls you deep into their Georgian era world from the very first page. It was so easy to lose myself in the world the author created, from the picturesque English countryside to London’s dirty streets, the attention to period detail was adept without weighing down the story. This was the kind of book where the characters become almost like familiar friends, from the enigmatic Lilliana to the brilliant Thea to the dashing and witty Atlas Catesby (that name, right? I … Continue reading Review: Murder in Mayfair
Doom with a View by Kate Kingsbury I thoroughly enjoyed this one, the second in the Merry Ghost Inn series. From the enchanting and picturesque Oregon setting to the charming characters to the suspenseful plot that kept me guessing right up until the end, it was an engaging and absorbing read. I loved the reveal at the end, both heart-wrenching and tragic, it was a great way to end the book. I really love Orville the Laughing Ghost, it’s a fun element to the story and adds just a touch of spooky that gives the series a little flavor. Although … Continue reading Review: Doom With a View
The Cryptic Crossword Caper by Russell Atkinson Mags has settled in Buck’s Gap, CA to enjoy a quiet retirement from her civil service job, spending her time solving crossword puzzles and discussing the latest thriller with her mystery book club. While her well-meaning friends try to set her up with wealthy crossword puzzle author Morris Butcher as the perfect match, Mags is content to enjoy the single life. But when she discovers Morris stabbed to death in his kitchen, the investigation uncovers a possible link to a jewel heist that occurred years ago and many of the missing diamonds have … Continue reading Review: The Cryptic Crossword Caper
The first in the Cliff Knowles series, Held For Ransom is a nail-biting thriller following the FBI’s investigation into the kidnapping of a wealthy tech executive. Written by a retired FBI Special Agent, what really sets this series apart from the usual police-thrillers is the ultra-realism and attention to detail that puts the reader right in the middle of an FBI investigation, watching the events unfold like you’re right there in the middle of the action. Told from the perspective of Special Agent Cliff Knowles and the victim, Carl Fischer, it’s a gripping story that will keep you on the edge of … Continue reading Review: Held for Ransom
Sgt. LeeAnn Hogan is at Walter Reed, recovering from the disfiguring wounds and trauma suffered in a failed military operation in Afghanistan. Disoriented, angry and scared, she takes solace in the friendship with her hospital roommate, Marci. Continue reading Review: The Right Side
Intense, darkly funny and unforgettable, Juggling Kittens is an exceptional debut mystery and Matt Coleman is an author to watch. Recommended! Continue reading Review: Juggling Kittens
It’s evening at the lounge of the local pub and squire Matthew Scaife is ensconced in his usual seat, nodding off after a few pints. One by one, the regulars show up, a few local couples, including Scaife’s sons, Edward and Mark and author Crescy Hardwick, who is bitter over being thrown out of her cottage by Scaife. At the end of the evening, Edward goes to wake Scaife and realizes he’s dead and a local doctor called in to attend insists on an autopsy. When evidence of murder is found, Scotland Yard is called in and Inspector Guy Northeast arrives to investigate. All the circumstantial evidence points to Crescy, who was heard to threaten Scaife’s life but despite motive and means, no opportunity can be found. Did Crescy kill Scaife? If not, who did?
Continue reading Review: Death at the Dog
It’s 1998, and for years the old First Bank of Cleveland has sat abandoned, perfectly preserved, its secrets only speculated on by the outside world.
Twenty years before, amid strange staff disappearances and allegations of fraud, panicked investors sold Cleveland’s largest bank in the middle of the night, locking out customers and employees, and thwarting a looming federal investigation. In the confusion that followed, the keys to the vault’s safe-deposit boxes were lost. Continue reading Review: The Dead Key
With a quick pace and a baffling plot, this locked room mystery, set in a small square in England, has several obvious suspects with several good motives and iron-clad alibis. Continue reading Review: The Cheltenham Square Murder
Dead Nasty is the second book I’ve read in this series and I loved it as much as the last. Continue reading Review: Dead Nasty
Before you ask, Behead Me refers to a word puzzle. No blood and gust here, Behead Me is an engaging and absorbing mystery that will quickly draw you in and keep you turning pages. Continue reading Review: Behead Me
The Skeletons of Birkbury is so unequivocally British, the rural setting of Birkbury and the age-old rivalry between villagers and landowners helps set the scene with its quirky village atmosphere, colorful villagers and an engrossing plot that draws you into the story. Continue reading Review: The Skeletons Of Birkbury
Darkscope skillfully weaves mystery, suspense, thrills, chills and horror into an exquisitely tense story of family secrets, lies and deception. Continue reading Review: Darkscope
A Memory of Muskets, book 7 in the Chloe Ellefson series,combines a heart-wrenching tale of Roelke’s ancestors, finely woven into a riveting present day mystery of a Civil War re-enactor found dead at Old World Wisconsin. Continue reading New Release: A Memory of Muskets
This week’s TBR list is full of hauntings, magic and bone-chilling thrills just in time for Halloween, so I’ll have a spooktacular time reading this week! (Sorry about the pun, I couldn’t resist.) Continue reading TBR Tuesday October 11, 2016
A gritty, hard-boiled story about gangs, crime and murder on the streets of London, Worth Killing For isn’t your ordinary police procedural, it’s a look at the seedy side of city life that lives and breathes every day, but most of us don’t notice until it impacts our own lives. Continue reading Review: Worth Killing For
The Swap is an excellent 5 star thriller that will keep you turning pages – and looking over your shoulder – right to the very last page. Continue reading The Swap
My #TBR (To Be Read) reading list for Tuesday 09/27. Continue reading TBR Tuesday (Sepetember 27, 2016)
Fast-paced and heart-stopping, The Hope That Kills is a chilling look into the dark side of the thriving sex trade industry. Continue reading Review: The Hope that Kills
Captivating, exciting and thrilling romp through history, Daufuskie Island will appeal to history buffs of all ages, from kids to adults. Continue reading Review: Daufuskie Island
Who killed Vivian Morse? A killer, of course. But which one? Continue reading Review: Who Killed Vivien Morse
Hagar’s Last Dance is riveting and enjoyable; with a rich plot, great characters, lots of intrigue, a sprinkle of humor and a little bit of romance, this page-turner will keep you guessing until the end. Continue reading Review: Hagar’s Last Dance
Mystereity Reviews 