Murder at Big Ben: The Fairbanks and Flynn Mysteries, Book 2, by Michelle Salter

 

Publication March 30, 2026

You're about to take a deep dive back into the past. It's April 1911. About two months before the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary. You know. The royal parents of Elizabeth, aka Queen Elizabeth. That's neither here nor now, though. The focus of main character Coral Fairbdianks is on women's rights. As such, she's quite active in the various activities of the group, some skirting the law. That makes Coral's potentially budding relationship with Scotland Yard detective Guy Flynn a bit tough, obviously, as he's usually tasked with halting the various activities or, as some call them, stunts. In this case, a small group, including Coral, plan to sneak into Parliament and hide out overnight in order to be counted there as part of the national census to be taken the next morning.Unbeknownst to Coral, Flynn is one of the officers sent there to insure nothing is damaged. Unfortunately, property damage is a minor worry as it turns out that one of the woman who sneaks in is found dead there. Hardly a feather in the cap with three Scotland Yard detectives on site. 

That's where the story really takes off. Flynn is torn by his official rank and his sympathy toward the movement which includes his daughter Theresa's growing interest. Coral and Flynn both fight their growing attraction but she quickly falls into helping him whenever possible. Who'd have wanted to kill the vivacious, apparently charming Amy, an American married to a British man? Maybe more puzzling, how did they do it? I'm not going to spoil the plot further for you but let's just say, let's see, it includes not just the suffragette movement but a deep dive into the art world, family drama, forgery, money problems, politics, poisons, and, more. You'll also learn quite a bit about what is called providence, or proof of the authenticity of works of art and it is discerned and proven. As always, I loved the historical aspects of the story (read the author's note at the end for more on that) and enjoyed the behind the scenes look at Big Ben itself, not to mention inside the Parliament building. You'll also be privy to both Coral and Flynn's points of view, which lets you see how things are progressing when the two main characters are apart. The author makes it easier for you to keep the characters straight, btw,, by giving us a character list with a brief description of who is who up front. That was much appreciated as there are quite a few characters.

Bottom line, a fun, relatively quick moving plot. And, nope, I didn't figure it out until the big reveal. I was so sure I had it, too. Good use of red herrings and twists and turns by the author to make it all make sense at the end. The characters were nicely fleshed out and largely likeable. Heck, I felt sympathy for the eventual killer, too, always a sign of good writing. And, oh, yes, seriously liked the ending. Nice to see the romances, yes, plural, moving forward. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to this series and continuing to allow me an early glimpse of Coral's complicated life through the virtual time machine. Looking forward to their next adventure, hopefully without Flynn having to arrest Coral for... well, whatever. 

 

With a Little Help from their Friends: New for 2025, a fun guide to the history and music of the Beatles, by Stuart Maconie

 

Publication April 7, 2026

You've got to respect and author who admits up front that he wrote this because, well, he wanted to write a book about the Beatles. I credit him for not taking the easy way out and doing some repetitive recap of their career. Instead, he takes another angle, taking a look at the people who came into the band members' lives, however long or short, and made a difference. You'll recognize some names and most likely be clueless as to some others but that's part of the charm. Through it all, it's an interesting, if occasionally too brief look at that angle of Beatlemania. I say brief because each gets a chapter, no more, no less, although there is obviously going to be some overlap. Author Stuart Maconie begins with the largely unknown Ivan Vaughn, who was the then young boy who introduced John and Paul way back when. He would later go on to become an academic and had some contact with the band but was not a major figure. It basically concludes that section of the book with a look at Allen Klein who, upfront, Maconie points at as the deciding factor in the band's breakup. Many would agree, I'm sure. 

Perhaps the strength of this book is the author's easy going, rather conversational tone and that you're not being asked to tackle heavy topics. I mean, do you really, really need to know about the then young officer tasked with ending the roof top concert? Maybe not, but it was fun to get some perspective on his unexpected role. That's the fun of it all, seeing how serendipity played into many events and the results. Did they all change the world? Nope. That was up to the four lads from Liverpool. But they did have a role and it was both fun and intriguing to be reminded how many things did work out perfectly as opposed to the negative encounters. 

This book isn't about the Beatles, mind you, but the people around them. Serious, long time fans will probably recognize many of the names or at least the role they played while less intense fans can just enjoy this for what it is, a fun trip to the past. Bottom line, I enjoyed it and hope to give it another read when time permits. Thanks #Abrams for giving me an early "ticket to ride" ("read"? Grin) back to this look at those in the Beatles' crowded past. I give the author kudos, too, for revealing his own personal favorite Beatle upfront as well as his sense of why the band is worth another book or two as the book winds down. Beatles fans, you definitely will want to read this one. 

Canada: We Are the Story, by Richard Wagamese, Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (illustrator)

 

Publication March 17, 2026

Although I'm not Canadian, I'm an Alaskan. Our indigenous populations share a heritage, so I was drawn immediately to this book. The cover art with the aurora definitely caught my eye. With stunning artwork throughout and powerful words, this one is a winner. Seen through the eyes of an indigenous child tasked with writing an essay about why they're proud to be Canadian, it's a lovely, beautifully illustrated reminder of what all of us have in common. It encourages us to honor our past while looking to the future. 

Given that I read this soon after the controversy surrounding Bad Bunny's Super Bowl half-time show, it carried even more meaning. It is not just a strong testimony to not just ones own cultural identity but of learning where you fit in the grand scheme of things. There's something of a dreamlike quality to many of the illustrations, reminding us of the thin veil between our past and present. Written for children, its strength is how it honors the past and those who came before us, no matter what their origin, but gives a sense of how we fit into the whole, how we're shaped by all those who came before us. I've spent time working on my own family tree which harbors long gone souls from faraway places who made our country strong, including family who came on the Mayflower, but all were met by indigenous people who also helped shape the world as we know it. As such, I could sense the awe felt by the child in the book as they meet their ancestors and are reminded to celebrate not just past achievements but the present and future yet to come. I liked the subtle blending of "old" style and modern clothing used in some of the illustrations, a subtle shading of past and present. The artist's renderings of the Northern Lights was stunning, I must say, and captured that sense of awe well. Even today they are mystical as the wave and dance above us, reminding us that our ancestors also must have watched in awe. The spreads featuring the aurora were, no surprise, my personal favorites. 

On a less mystical plain, the artwork is largely done in earth tones, with the blues ancestors are pictured in perhaps meant to convey that thin veil between past and present. You see the ancestor spirits surrounding the child in one rendering, another powerful image. To paraphrase the author, the ultimate message is that we are all one, we're all family, mankind. Different parts of Canada seem to be shown, too, again a reminder that we are bigger than one soul, living in a diverse world. We can learn from one another and bring our knowledge to the future. Obviously I could ramble on longer but will simply say this is a beautifully done book with stunning artwork and words that mean something rather than just entertain. My sincere thanks to #TundraBookGroup for allowing me early access to this lovely work. As an Alaskan, Canada is my closest neighbor and our worlds do blend at times, I'll certainly have this book firmly in my mind the next time I take in a Native gathering. 

The Importance of Being Murdered, by Debbie Young

 Publication March 26, 2026

Fun!

Seriously, I was about half convinced that this was going to be a book where everyone was guilty. I was initially jotting down clues to help me solve it before the sleuths but, wait a minute, there really weren't any amateur sleuths. The book opens with a chapter introducing us to DC Windermeir who is basically cruising around looking for a house for her and her new husband, artist Darius, to buy. Next chapter, poof, no Windermeir but, oh, my, what a cast of characters, all of whom, it turns out, are basically the cast and crew of the local theatre's upcoming production of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest". Save yourself from note taking as you're going to get to know these people well, very well, even before the murder and much, much better afterward. Given my love of character driven cozies, this was not just perfect but, as noted, oh, my, what a group. You'll get to know their personal quirks, strengths, weaknesses, and even better, the various connections, infatuations, and relationships between them. Add aged former star Bertram Manchester to the mix and, well, it's going to get even more interesting.

Set in the small town of Bunbury, population 1,000, you'll also see how quickly gossip can explode and rumors spread. That was quite funny, with various unlikely celebrity names spread as the latest resident. I was never quite sure how Hugh Grant's name emerged given the initial chatter, but it made all the sense to those excited at the idea of a celebrity in their midst. I'm definitely not going to detail the cast except to say that at one time or the other I wound up sympathizing and liking most, then the next finding them terrible bores and selfish, even sad and obnoxious. In other words, you know, the sort of people you might encounter anywhere and find you blow hot and cold with them. And, yes, I pretty much had each pegged as the killer at one point or the other. It wasn't even frustrating as, quite frankly, I was enjoying my read immensely. Do make sure you read the author's explanation of how/why she wrote the book this way at the end. It added to the fun and understanding. You may feel you're caught in some virtual game of Clue at some point but, hey, that's part of the fun, too.

Bottom line, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book this much. It's supposedly a one-off book but I sort of hope the author somehow brings back some of these characters in a series. You get to hear their inner thoughts as the plot moves along, too, which  may or may not help you figure things out before the big reveal. Let's just say, it didn't really help me. Grin. The senior police officer, DI Whistler, in a hurry to solve the case so he and his wife can head off for a long planned vacation, is definitely fun to "hear" thinking, especially in conjunction with DC Windermeir who finally reappears about half-way when the murder (or was it murder) occurs. Again, makes all the sense in the world as you read, so don't let my rambling review confuse you. Opt for being intrigued instead as I'm leaning toward thinking fans of cozy mysteries with humor that are most definitely character driven will love this one. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for allowing me this early peek at what was a fun, great read. 

North of Ordinary: How One Woman Left It All Behind for Wilderness and Wonder in Alaska's Frozen Frontier , by Susan Aikens

 Publication March 10, 2026

Although I've certainly heard of Life Below Zero and Susan Aikens, I sometimes think I must be one of the few Alaskans who has never watched even one episode of Life Below Zero. As a result, other than the well documented bear attacks, I knew very little more about her other than that she was living a rugged life. As such, I was instantly pulled in from the opening chapter. Aikens struggles began long before Life Below Zero. I'm not going to go into detail here because I don't want to dilute one word of this astonishing tale of struggling not just to survive against the odds but thrive and find her place in a sometimes inhospitable land. This is her story and although I lean toward thinking some sections were glossed over, it's an amazing one. 

Alaska itself, of course, plays a starring role. I could instantly identify with how small and alone she must have felt as a child left alone here. Even in the best of times I have frequently pondered how, while we all need to be reminded at times that we're not the center of the universe, that there is life within the emptiness and grandeur and, yes, frigid cold where she lives north of the Arctic Circle. I've been to Fairbanks, south of her turf, in the winter and learned what -40 degrees felt like.... it wasn't great but was also amazing to realize one could survive it .... but I was surrounded by people and had a cozy, well heated cabin to retreat to that I didn't even have to chop and gather wood for. And, of course, surviving the harsh cold is only a small part of the battle of life. Loneliness, the unexpected, (an Alaskan specialty), vast emptiness, injury and sickness, wildlife who were there first, and, well, so much more, all play into just the survival mode, never mind finding yourself while surviving. The resilience of the human spirit can break or be strong. In Aikens, it is strong.

Bottom line, I could rattle on here endlessly but will try to restrain myself to saying that if you enjoy stories of not just surviving the elements but your past, you will thoroughly enjoy this book. If you are interested in it simply for the Alaska setting, that's okay, too. Alaska is vast and you'll find something to love, not to mention gasp over in astonishment of all she can throw at you in one of the most challenging areas of Alaska. Aikens faced not just the challenge of life in remote Alaska but one of overcoming her own past and haunting memories of never being enough. And, and, and....okay, I could keep going but it's tough not to want to detail specifics and I want to leave the readers to meet Aikens' Alaska fresh. Thanks #Sourcebooks for allowing me this early peek at Aikens. I think I may have to finally dive into watching a few episodes of Life Below Zero, or at least wonder if she's watching the same Northern Lights aurora display I am next time Lady Aurora dances above me. 

My First 100 Signs: Baby Sign Language Book: Tiny Signs for Everyday Moments, by Lane Rebelo

 

Publication April 21, 2026

Although I don't have a baby handy to practice on, I was intrigued by the idea of being able to "talk" to them in signs before they are actually able to verbalize. I once had a deaf student who came with a sign language interpreter that taught me a few pertinent words, too, so I was curious to see what words might appear here that I knew or, sigh, once knew. People also swear by being able to communicate with deaf dogs, another concept that drew me, so this was a natural read for me, babies around or not. 

As it turned out, I do remember some basic terms, like the sign for "dog" (grin), but was struck at how many actually are close to things we tend to do naturally. These terms are common, very much signs that are applicable to babies, ranging from common objects and routines, as well as memorable moments in a child's life. Parents will appreciate that "potty" is in there, as is "grumpy". The way to introduce this to pre-vocal babes is to keep it fun. This is info, readers, that you're given in the front of the book. Real time connections are obviously best to start with, starting with a visual as you say and sign the word. And, remember, every child is different so what works immediately for one child may be a total flop with another.

Bottom line, an interesting idea that I'd love to know more about. The illustrations are colorful and simple, with the sign both described in words then and shown in a circular graphic. I was reading this on my phone so the sign photo did seem small but my hunch is that had I had the actual book, that wouldn't be an issue. All seem good, practical choices and I especially liked that the phrase "thank you" was included. Thanks #CiderMillPress for the early peek at this intriguing concept. Have fun with it, readers.

 

Disturbing The Fleece, by Reagan Davis

 

First, welcome back and hugs, Reagan Davis. You've been missed. That said....

Davis had me almost immediately as she mentioned main character Megan enjoying the "liminal space" of early morning with her corgi Sophie. While not a commonly used term, it's characteristic of her ability to use just the right phrasing to set the scene. While I'm more likely to enjoy the liminal space of late night, I knew exactly what she meant. This has been a favorite series of mine for a long time and, in fact, is one of those that turned me into a cozy mystery fan. The characters are multi-dimensional and their personalities shine through. I've got to admit, too, that one of the opening scenes with husband Eric fresh from working a traffic accident involving chickens, lots of angry chickens, made me chuckle and settle into my chair knowing I'd enjoy what was coming. I mean, who doesn't giggle at the idea of the police trying to wrangle angry chickens. If you're familiar with chickens, you know they can be scary at times, bizarre as it sounds. I still have nightmares of my grandparents' territorial rooster from childhood. Grin. 

Of course, it isn't long until the real story begins. Megan and much of the town of Harmony Lake is hustling to prepare to open for the first day of the country's huge annual yarn and fibre festival. You'll immediately feel right at home with these people and, most likely, even have some sympathy for the killer as the story winds down. The festival isn't limited to yarn enthusiasts, of course, as there's something for everyone, including local farmers. Even better for Megan and Eric, his Aunt Dorothy is in town and, wow, she's about as organized as any organizer be. She winds up in the middle of quarrel between the town's two premiere yarn dyers, Annabelle and Dawn, and, no surprise, one of them winds up dead. Not only does Megan find her but they also find Dolores, who'd gone missing after her confrontation, unconscious by where, yes, you guessed it, one of the dyers is found dead. And, ugh, what a way to go. Nope, not telling. In fact, this is about as much plot as I'm going to share. It's a good mystery, one with not just twists and turns and nuances, but multiple suspects.   

As noted many times in my reviews, I'm a character drawn reader and that is one of the strengths of author Davis. You'll feel like you know these people and how they're related and connected as the plot moves along smoothly. The book works well as a standalone, sharing Megan's relationship with her ex-husband who is now, no lie, Eric's best buddy. Davis also does an excellent job setting the scene, describing not just the setting but what you'd see, smell, and hear were you to enter the festival  Oh, and taste. You'll also learn a bit about such fun treats as Beaver Tail and what it is really made of. Let's just say, make sure you have something handy to munch on as you read given all the delicious sounding mentions of food. Kudos to Davis for weaving (knitting?) it all together smoothly and sensibly. She definitely kept me guessing. Don't hesitate to pick this one up even if, like me, you aren't a knitter or crocheter. 

 

Some Like It Fudgy (Candy-Coated Mystery #14), by Nancy Coco

 

Publication April 28, 2026

Allie's emotions are all over the place in this one. The usual characters make an appearance but it's her relationship with husband Rex that seems to be the focus this go round. It begins simple enough when Allie opts to take some fudge next door to Melonia, Rex's former wife, who is new in town. With her usual knack for finding bodies, she finds the woman dead. In the meantime, Rex gets a call that his wife has been killed.  Only when Rex arrives, it isn't Allie, phew, but his ex, Melonia. Still stunned from thinking Allie had been killed, Rex makes the mistake of trying to ward off Allie's usual inquisition of questions mumbling something about his wife being dead. That sets off a series of clashes and misunderstandings that seem to send Allie off the deep end. It doesn't help that given Rex's connection to the victim that he's not only removed from the case but replaced by an Officer Laird, who seems to be a major league, arrogant jerk. He tolerates none of Allie's meddling, even forcing officer friend Charles to perp walk her through the crowd to the police station. Fortunately, she's released but only after she learns the seemingly magic word "lawyer" and holding her tongue. And that is just the very beginning.

I'm not going to detail the plot, as noted it sorta zigs and zags all over the place as possible clues send her in one direction or the other, all while trying to be as secretive about her investigation as possible.  She's also finding things to be upset about that aren't really important in the grand scheme of things.  In the meantime, we meet a new character, Rowan Giles, and her amazingly well trained Great Dane Finn. Quite frankly, I lean toward thinking this book was as much to introduce the personable and amazingly well connected but broke Rowan as for Allie's story. Rowan, we find out, will have her own series soon. I think Rowan's nervous, almost non-stop chatter when we meet would drive me nuts but she proves herself (with Finn's help) as the story progresses. I'm already looking forward to it after the teaser chapter.  

In any case, there are multiple suspects who might have wanted Melonia dead although that, once again, is only the top of the iceberg of trouble facing Allie and her friends on Mackinac Island which, sadly, we didn't get to spend much time virtually enjoying this read. The theories of whodunit and possible reasons is all over the place due to some well place red herrings and misdirection by the guilty and, of course, there are some absolutely delicious sounding recipes included. Thanks #KensingtonPublishing for the early peek into the roller coaster life of Allie as well as introducing me to an intriguing new character. I'm already in love with Finn, as is Allie's dog Mal, so am looking forward to getting to know Rowan soon. 

The Barn Identity (House-Flipper Mystery #8), by Diane Kelly

 

Publication March 30, 2026

Despite being pregnant,Whitney (now) Flynn is delighted to discover an old barn with Underground Railroad ties that needs renovated. Unlike most of Whitney and Buck's other projects, however, this one won't be a flip. The owner wants to keep it but have it turned into something safe and practical due to her own family's ties to the property. It's ultimately decided to create a unique apartment project to be called the "hayloft" apartments. Then, a reporter who was doing a story on the transformation is killed on the property. While Whitney doesn't let that or the threats she receives detour her determination to redo the old barn, she's also hot on the trail of whodunit. Much to her surprise, the local investigator seems to welcome, even encourage her sleuthing. Husband Collin assists when possible but the murder took place out of his jurisdiction, so his options are legally limited.

 I thoroughly enjoyed the bit of Civil War era history shared, including the significance of symbols and credit given to the enslaved people who build the barn originally and their handiwork. On the more humorous side, you'll learn a bit about not just chickens but the sexuality of roosters. The vegetarian diet gets some kudos, too, with even meat eater Buck showing appreciation at a local restaurant near the barn after sampling some of its offerings. Maizy the cow, with her perpetual itch, is quite the character, too. While neither murderous nor humorous, you'll learn quite a bit about some not so upfront methods some shady land developers use. And, oh, I can't forget, the fancy church operation. Think mega-church. 

But, enough teasers. I enjoy spending time with Whitney and Buck and now their extended families. While I wonder about the wisdom of Whitney tackling such a physically demanding job while pregnant, I have always admired her ability to make her way in what most would consider a man's world. Collin was a bit of a hoot fretting and catering to her, not to mention her mother's constant checking up on her. I think it's obvious this one is heading to the birth of a spoiled baby...oops, not telling the name, so not really a spoiler. You're just going to have to read the book. It's a fun one with multi-layered side stories and characters that are well fleshed out. The regulars, even Sawdust the cat, get their moments, too, of course, and it's going to be fun  Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for giving me this early peek at how life is going for Whitney. I am always fascinated by their projects and it's been fun getting to know them and those about them. 

 

A Summertime Murder (The Isle of Wight Killings #5), by Mary Grand

Publication March 9, 2026

Susan lives in a lovely setting where everything appears serene and calm on the surface. Only, it isn't. There are lots of twists and turns and I lost track of how many times I changed my mind about who was the most likely culprit. The prologue sets the mood as we're briefly in a killer's mind, leaving us uneasy as we wait to find out the details. As such, the fact life goes on as usual for awhile, dog walks and ocean swims included, prepares us but not for how many seem to have had a reason for wanting the victim dead. It reminds us that a killer can walk amongst us anytime, their life rarely allowing a glimpse into whatever drove them to kill. 

We meet Susan early on (this was my first read of the series) and while tired of the overbearing heat of a seemingly never ending heat wave, she's going about her life. We even get to meet not just her friends but the eventual victim, a local vet whose clinic was just broken into. There are quite a few characters, too, so it took me a bit to sort them all out, occasionally getting confused about who was with who or married to who or whose dog was which. I did quickly suss out that Susan seems involved in a slowly budding romance with Robert, a retired cop, but he was in France with his daughter for much of the book, There always seemed to something hovering just beneath the surface, albeit you're not sure what it is about. Everyone seemed to have secrets. Heck, even Susan seems to have a secret of sorts that involves Steve, her ex-husband who shows up in town expecting to stay at her place briefly....for work, of course. 

Bottom line, lots of secrets on the Isle of Wright. Who'd have wanted to kill the local vet and why? He was a keeper of secrets, too, of course, from the past and present. Let's say his wife didn't seem enthused about his news of a big break. But, more than enough said. Once you sort out the characters, which may be more the fact this was my first read of the series than not, it's an intriguing mystery with a growing sense of unease always just below the surface. Lots of twists and turns and, as noted, misdirection that have you pointing to one suspect after another as whodunit, some more than once. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to this intriguing book and author. While it was maybe a bit out of my usual cozy mystery niche, I found it an interesting read and will definitely be back. It was a plus to me that the story was centered around a small town vet practice, too, animal person that I am. Loved the teaser at the end regarding Susan's future.