Trouble in the Alps (Miss Ashford Investigates, #6), by Vivian Conroy

 

Publication Nov. 30, 2025

If you're a fan of virtual travel, this series should be a hit with you. It's taken me to some of the most incredible places, albeit there always seems to be a murder involved to distract my attention. Seriously, the author does an excellent job of setting the scene and sharing what we'd be seeing, not to mention usually eating and even sensing the aromas of, were we there. Although this one didn't quite pull me in as the previous books have, it was still an enjoyable read. Atalanta Ashford inherited both her late grandfather's fortune and investigative service, something she's shown great talent in tackling. True, her tactics aren't always what might be expected and she does tend to let her emotions lead her, well, astray isn't the right word, so lets just say along difficult, even dangerous paths that might best have been avoided. In this case, her romantic yearning for champion race car driver Raoul Lamont, takes her to an isolated grand hotel in the Alps where he's recuperating from a bad accident. Not only that, but when she arrives she finds he's suffering from memory loss and doesn't even recognize her. Given the female attention he's garnered, maybe he isn't really suffering but he's chaffing under the restrictions placed on him by the hotel's owner who just happens to be Raoul's new race team owner. Why is he so determined to keep Raoul isolated?

And, that's about all the plot I'm going to share. Atalanta was frantic to reach his side given their "almost" relationship and at first is determined to focus on simply helping him recover. Then there's a murder. It does say a great deal for Atalanta's kindness and personality that even though Raoul doesn't recognize her and the "almost" moments they're shared, he's drawn to trust and like her. In her case, her mind is whirling even more than usual, which is a great deal, as she's determined to add finding out whodunit as well as protect Raoul. Fortunately, she does have help in Renard, the butler she seems to have inherited from her grandfather, too. 

Bottom line, this was an interesting read that kept my attention. Let's just say, lots of intrigue, international at that, the usual romantic angst and always hopeful back and forth between Raoul and Atalanta, setting and staying focused on priorities, and, hey, is the mob involved? Simply staying alive is a priority, too, with her laser focus on Raoul's health and future. If you're a series fan, you know there's always a letter to anticipate but I won't explain that further as it's fun to discover how relevant words written in the past by a man who barely knew his granddaughter are under present circumstances. Thanks #HarperCollinsUK - #OneMoreChapter for introducing me to Atalanta (her names means "huntress") Ashford and giving me this early peek at how her life and wannabe romance is going with Raoul.

Where the Bodies Are Berried, by Peg Cochran

 

Publication November 11, 2025

Love the Christmas-y cover. It's Christmas at Sassamanash Farms and Monica is busy hosting the local animal shelter's fund raiser. Since having one's picture taken with your pet and Santa is a staple around here, I was surprised to discover it apparently isn't that widely used. There are even some live reindeer on hand. Yep, things are beginning to look a lot like Christmas....wait, I've heard that line somewhere. Grin. In any case, all is going well until, in an effort to recapture a piece of money blowing away in the wind, Monica almost stumbles over a dead body in a snow drift. Uh, oh, he's one of the shelter's biggest donors. Is there a connection?

I won't detail the plot, but will say that as mother to a month old, Teddy, Monica already has her hands full. That doesn't stop her from sleuthing, of course.  There were quite a few characters coming and going, some quirky and memorable, others seemingly just passing through. I put it on myself that I had a tough time sorting them out and, as a result, found the plot rather slow. Monica also isn't the best at seeking information via otherwise informal conversations, either, even managing to further distress the victim's wife early on. In front of friends, no less. I liked her relationship with husband and shop owner Greg but found myself not really caring what happened to her despite curiosity over the usual whodunit. The side stories were intriguing and did add to the story, some of those characters showing promise for future installments. 

So, bottom line, while I wasn't loving it, I wasn't pulled into the story, either. As noted, I'll lay some of that blame on myself and feel many will fully enjoy this one. You will learn a bit about cranberry salsa, btw, and farm life on a cranberry farm in general. Toss in little touches like needing to set up the monitor in baby Teddy's room while speaking to visitors and there is a homey feeling to the story. As for whodunit, I didn't really know until the end, so figuring that out was fun, even if the logic behind it was rather saddening. Past events do have a way of haunting our lives today. Thanks #BeyondThePage for the early visit to Cranberry Cove. Despite not quite being lured in fully this go-round, it's a place I'll happily revisit. 

Newlyweds Can Be Knocked Off (An Amish Matchmaker Mystery #6), by Amanda Flower

 

Publication Nov. 25, 2025

Having lived in Florida, it was fun to take this virtual trip there with Millie and Lois. Seeing Millie experience Florida for the first time was a hoot. Lois dubbed it a Bachelorette Getaway, never mind that Millie is a relative newlywed and Lois, well, she's had a few husbands. Unfortunately, it soon turns into a murder investigation although, phew, they still manage to work in some typical tourist activities. The surprise is how many of their home town friends and associates are in Florida, too, at the same place. Pinecraft is hosting a multi-religion ministers' convention of sorts and that brought not just the likes of Ruth Yoder and husband but others. Even Jethro, the always entertaining "Comfort Pig" is there.

Then there's a murder. Always caring and friendly, Millie Fisher, the Amish matchmaker (or Amish Miss Marple as Lois has dubbed her) befriends a young, solo traveler, Caroline, on the bus trip south. Sadly, the next day, while experiencing her first Florida sunrise on the beach, Millie discovers Caroline's dead body washed up by the pier. Her hands had been tied and there were signs of trauma. Let's just say, all signs point to murder. Who'd have killed this seemingly harmless young woman, a recent convert to the Amish way of life after marriage to Cainan, a young Amish man who runs a business in Pinecraft. I won't detail the plot further other than to say there are lots of crossover cast appearances from author Flower's Amish Candy Shop series. Even Bailey, its main character, makes a small but significant appearance. Trust me, both Millie and Lois wish she were there with her pig wrangling expertise. Keeping Jethro out of mischief could be a full time job.

Bottom line, another fun, interesting read from Amanda Flower. I thoroughly enjoyed the virtual trip south and could only grin as Millie encountered things like not just the often oppressive heat but manatee viewings, sea grapes, the seashore, and clash of cultures. It's always fun to wonder what unexpected thing Lois will matter-of-factly pull from her bag this go-round and she never disappoints. In the process of trying to experience Florida, they are, of course, dealing with grieving family and suspicious minds. The past plays a role, too, as it frequently does in mysteries. Thanks to #KensingtonPublishing and #NetGalley for this early virtual trip/peek at Millie and Lois's Florida adventure. To answer Millie's pondering of how many Floridians would leave warm Florida for colder climes, I'm one of them. Grin. 

Adventures with Nash Dog: Welcome Home, by Amanda Newell

 

It seems like only yesterday that my dog was in the same position as little Nash. It's been ten years but this one brought back some memories. Told from Nash's viewpoint, it's a fun story of him finding his forever home while learning the routine. I loved that the humans involved picked him to match their lifestyle, not expecting an active, needs lots of exercise dog to simply become a couch potato at the snap of their fingers. They'd obviously done their homework, knowing both what they wanted and what to expect. I did a bit of homework, too, as I'm not familiar with this breed, and found that Nash could be expected to weigh 60-100 pounds when full grown and needs plenty of exercise. If this is a series, I'm wondering if we'll hear Nash's vocalizing from his hound side at some point. Grin.

The illustrations are well done, the cover an excellent example. I liked that they showed Nash both as a puppy waiting for his forever home, then him exploring his new home and, yes, the outside world he'd obviously been adopted to share. The oops moments are realistic and was glad to see the initial not-so-successful attempts at tasks simply accepted with a "we'll try again tomorrow" attitude. Good approach and one the best dog people around aspire to reflect. Bottom line, fun story with equally fun illustrations. Thanks #AmplifyPublishing - #MascotKids! and #NetGalley for sharing this charming story with me. It brought back some great memories. 

Santa and the Sled Dogs, by Sarah van Rijsewijk

 

Publication about Nov. 25, 2025

Living in Alaska in the midst of historical sled dog territory, this book was a natural draw for me. Seeing dog teams in action live, it's easy to imagine them somehow soaring through the air with Santa's sleigh instead of the traditional sleds. It was also a reminder that everyone, even Santa, can use a helping hand occasionally. The artwork was wonderful and captured the spirit of the whole without venturing into the realm of true make-believe. Yes, for those wondering, the Northern skies do occasionally look exactly like some of the skies depicted. Lady Aurora, ie the Northern Lights, always had something to add and it's frequently awe-inspiring. 

I liked that the family not only trusted Santa with their dogs, not always easy for some dog mushers, but seem to have a relationship with him. Since Alaska has a genuine Santa Claus residing in the Fairbanks area, worked for me. While I would have liked to have seen a bit more of the dogs in training, it was nice to see that they didn't just substitute at the last second and somehow miraculously fly, but trained and trained hard for the experience. Was magic involved? Well, Santa is all things magical but, hey, a child's belief helped, too. She was invested in the whole thing and did her part, sharing a precious item in the process. It was especially cool to see the dogs get called out by name before take off just like the reindeer in "The Night Before Christmas". In other words, I loved it. Thanks #GlobePequot - #NorthCountryBooks for this early peek at this lovely book. Having owned a retired sled dog at one point, I have no doubt sled dogs would be an excellent substitute should Santa's reindeer be ailing again.  

Murder at the Scottish Games (A Scottish Shire Mystery Book 7), by Traci Hall

 

Publication Nov. 2,2025

It wasn't long ago that my little piece of Alaska had its own Scottish Games, so I was rather smug to realize that I not only recognized most of the events mentioned -- caber tossing anyone -- but wasn't phased by the use of Scottish lingo. Now, true, there weren't any ducks being herded (nope, you'll have to read the book for that scene) but sounded like a nice mix. While the book works as a standalone, as a reader you'll appreciate the growth and maturing of the characters far more if you have some familiarity with the series. Seems like the characters, who are generally realistic and easy to relate to and like, are heading into a period of change, so it'll be interesting to see where the book goes from here. Paisley seemed more absorbed in her own concerns this go round than I remember, so her investigating was occasionally more happenstance and luck of being in the right place at the right time than going out and tracking down clues. 

Of course, that didn't stop town gossip from revealing much of the hidden background of the suspects in the killing of Joseph, a stern, bully type, including to his family. He was seen having altercations with more than one person at the games, including belittling his own son. Family secrets go deep, as do town secrets. Paisley, despite distractions, is able to ascertain some info with a few phone calls and, miracle of miracle, isn't one of those amateur sleuths who is TSTL. To Stupid to Live, if you don't know. She shares it asap with the police. She's got a lot to life for and doesn't tend to go rushing into danger without backup. I won't detail the plot further except to say that the past plays a role in more ways than one. Open wounds are prodded and that leads to perhaps more revelations than expected. Past relationships do play a role as does what I'll dub teen angst and the frustrations of growing up. 

Family, as always, is front and center. Long suppressed feelings emerge. Is it a smooth transition? Of course not. Real life isn't like that, either. The fact that this series seems largely "real" is one of its strengths, I think. Great characters who seem real, like folks we know, just with a Scottish accent. Thanks #KensingtonPublishing and #NetGalley for introducing me to Paisley and her circle of friends in Nairn, Scotland, and allowing me this early look at the latest. I am definitely looking forward to the next book. My Scottish ancestors would surely enjoy this series, too, I bet, for the atmosphere and setting alone. 

A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore, by Matthew Davis

Publication Nov. 11, 2025

Part memoir, part solid research project, I have to let you know up front that this one isn't an easy read. Despite the author's personal notes that help us understand his connection to Rushmore, the deep dive into the basic divides in cultural reaction to the setting make this an interesting, if not always easy read. Don't get me wrong. It reads fine. It's the topics, focusing on the concept of Mount Rushmore as a patriotic symbol, while acknowledging it's spiritual importance and meaning to Native Americans, particularly the Lakota Sioux, that make it a read that requires thought. Both sides have something worth conveying, so kudos to Davis for his effort to be even-handed while presenting the varying viewpoints and, trust me, it isn't even simple to break it down into the two most compelling ones. 

I obviously won't rehash the contents but will say that those willing to set aside preconceived notions and read with an open mind may come away still divided. Why can't it be both? Both patriotic and spiritual, so to speak. The divides in our country are vast and this is just one of many. Davis' visits with various citizens of the Black Hills area were interesting, including the times he encountered residents who had never actually visited Rushmore. Living in Alaska with countless sights, I had to sympathize a bit as, well, you do tend to take things that are practically on your home turf for granted. Having a family tree that goes back to not just the Pilgrims and Jamestown settlers but the native population that surrounded them, my tendency is to go with the spiritual aspects but, well, despite the sculptor being a supporter of the KKK, sigh, it does shout American strength and forward thinking, too, both of these being aspects that have made progress possible. In other words, my brain was pinging and ponging back and forth as I read, which isn't a bad thing, I guess. Tiring but a sign the words were having an impact. Davis' efforts to remain unbiased, to be fair to all, worked, in other words, for the most part.

Bottom line, while it wasn't the light read I was expecting and I wish there had been photographs, I found this an intriguing read. His personal stories (he was eventually heading to Mongolia when he first visited the site, no lie...what a detour) and meeting the people of the area give it a personal touch, too, albeit it seemed to veer from that lighter tone to serious talk without much true transition. It was fun to know the role his son's birth had to the book. I applaud him for not avoiding the more negative aspects of the history of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills area, either, from the often troubling history of sculpture Borglum to working in conversation about the Lincoln Memorial and slave Archer Alexander, an ancestor of boxer Ali amidst the history of the site from both white and Native (largely Lakota Sioux) vantage points. As he noted at one point, writing the book made him ponder what it truly means to be American. My thanks to #StMartin'sPress and #NetGalley for allowing me this early look at this insightful, thoughtful look at one of America's best known symbols. Yes, symbols matter.  

Murder on the Clock (A Mercy McCarthy Mystery Book 4), by Lucy Connelly

 

Publication Nov. 14, 2025

It took me awhile to get into this one but once I did, I enjoyed it. One of those that while it didn't wow me, it keep me entertained. Twins Lizzy and Mercy McCarthy inherited their grandfather's bookshop and cottage in Ireland and Mercy is trying to find just the right present for Lizzy. She settles on having their mother's old watch, a family keepsake, repaired and takes it to the local Clock & Jewelry store. Next thing you know, the repairman is found dead. Well, while it certainly isn't what Lizzy would have wanted but looks like she's getting a murder investigation for her birthday ... and not one mystery author Mercy wrote ... although Mercy tries mightily to keep it a secret from her that the watch went missing. And, the story is off.

I won't share any more of the plot but will say that despite the to mevslow acceleration of the story, it was nice to get to know the town of Shamrock Cove, Ireland, in the process. It's one of those typical mystery cozy towns where everyone knows each other, often better than some would want. As relative newcomers, Mercy and Lizzie are still feeling their way but have made progress becoming a part of the community. Heck, there even seems to be some s.l.o.w. progress in the relationship between Mercy and Detective Inspector Kiernan. Even better, a potential romance seems to have emerged for Lizzie although that's still a big unknown. Sounds promising, however. Overall, the cast of characters is quirky at times but likable and, hey, let's not forget Mr. Poe, Mercy's canine buddy. The town has secrets and long running feuds but did that lead to murder? Family Dramas? Romance gone wrong? Greed? 

Bottom line, if you like a bit of a slow build, this one will be a hit with you. The rest of us ultimately fell into line, too, as the characters took the spotlight. It's been fun to further differentiate Mercy and Lizzie, Mercy the more introverted writer type, while Lizzie is the more open, caring sort who knows just what to say to others.  It was also rather nice to see people who were willing to take the time and money to have old items repaired rather than simply trash them and buy new. I think I'd have enjoyed that clock shop. Thanks #Bookouture and #NetGalley for this virtual trip to Ireland. Looking forward to seeing more on the potential stalker matter next installment. It largely didn't seem to be an element this go-round.

Murder Most British (The Secret Detective Agency Book 3), by Helena Dixon

 

Review to come as this is part of a virtual blog tour. Just marking my place, so to speak, to remind me when I was actually done.

The Old Sleigh, by Jarrett Pumphrey, Jerome Pumphrey

 Publication Nov. 24, 2025

A heartwarming story of how people can make a difference. There's a bit of an ol' fashioned, simple vibe to the illustrations that add to the warm feel of this story of caring through the generations can have an impact. In it, a new generation steps forward to continue a tradition of caring for community neighbors. Simply put, it's the story of how individuals caring and taking action can make a big difference to many. Santa obviously has no monopoly on sleighs, so it was fun to see this symbol of mythical giving take on real world meaning of keeping tradition alive. Thanks #WWNorton&Co for giving me an early peek at this lovely celebration of diversity and community. I wasn't familiar with the Pumphrey's but will definitely be looking for their previous work. This would be a lovely gift/addition for anyone's book shelves or library.