Steeped in Secrets (A Crystals & CuriosiTEAS Mystery), by Lauren Elliott

 

Publication November 20, 2022

Wow. There is so much going on in this intro to a new series that I don't know where to start. I started out simply reading, no notes, but found myself grabbing a pen and paper at one point because there were so many different potential mysteries that I couldn't keep that straight. It speaks to author Lauren Elliott's talent that this only drew me into the story more, determined to figure out who did what, when, where, and why, and how the heck Shayleigh (Shay) Myers was connected to it all. I'm normally not particularly drawn to what I'll call magical or fantasy type stories but this one had me hooked, although I do wish a bit more explanation had been provided upfront regarding Shay's talents. I'm leaning toward that being intentional, however, as Shay herself seemed to be confused as she grappled with her sensory talents and how best to utilize them.

So, what happened to Bridget? Did she drown or was it murder? How or even is her death connected to the dead body found on the greenhouse roof? Why did she leave the business and cottage to Shay anyway? Do we know the real story of what happened to Shay and Jen's parents? How does Spirit know what he, well, seems to sense and know? How is some robbery in Shay's former business place connected? Why is Pierre hanging around? How did the sheriff, Burrows, overlook clues? Could he be the killer? How does Liam fit into the whole picture? Will Shay's magical pouch do it's work? Is Julia, the realtor guilty of anything except for wanting to make a big sale? 

And, oh, "a chara".... enough teasers. "A chara" means "my friend in Gaelic, by the way. There is a great deal to unpack from this book, the first in a new series. I'm already looking forward to the next book, especially after that ominous teaser near the end. Putting it on my MUST read list right now, just as you should be putting this one on your TBR list. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonPress, not to mention #LaurenElliott for the fantastic trip into the suddenly magical life of Shay.

Arctic Dinosaurs of Alaska, by Bonnye Matthews

 

Illustrations by Jacques Polomé and Anthony LeBeau

Quite frankly, I didn't expect to be as caught up in the story as I was. I found myself almost immediately transported into the story and way back in time to the time of Alaska's dinosaurs. I wanted to know how it all happened, how it turned out, especially for Pakky. In other words, author Bonnye Matthews did a great job of converting my idle curiosity into "must know" intent, not easy since I must admit to not being particularly into dinosaurs. I even found myself staring out the window of my home in Alaska pondering that time so very long ago. The history of my adopted state never fails to amaze me. 

Although there is plenty of serious information shared here, Matthews does it in a story fashion, making female juvenile dinosaur Pakky's eyes the ones we view that world through. It was fascinating to read the possibilities of how the dinosaurs lived. Given what seems to be proven very small brains, especially for their size, how did they survive the harsh, changing climate/environment in which they found themselves. As Matthews notes in a memorandum at the end, she is only speculating on their possible use of what I dubbed sound and smell memories. Young dinosaurs would surely have had to learn that certain sounds and smells meant danger, hence this theory seemed plausible. 

It was also fun to imagine a young dinosaur's first encounter with snow or, gulp, an earthquake. Set in the area between the Brooks Range and Arctic Ocean, even though it was much warmer 70 million years ago, the cycle of life meant winters were harsh.  Real dinosaurs have left tracks, an imprint on the earth if you will, so the setting is real. Seeing it all through Pakky's eyes brings it to life. 

As a former teacher, I found the volume of information shared impressive. As you read the story, and an adult would need to read it for younger readers, you almost forget you are learning as you get caught up in Pakky's thoughts (can we say dinosaurs thought?) and sensory observations. It was only when I hit the end of the book and was going through the extra material, which included three crosswords (and answers), that it even dawned on my retired teacher brain how much I'd learned as I read. The discussion questions provided only solidified that observation. Comparison charts, reference lists, words games, and the author's own musings on her speculations in this children's fiction book were a plus. To top it all off, there are photos at the end, including from the Museum of the North in Fairbanks and (closer to me) Anchorage's Museum of Science and Nature. 

If you're a teacher or simply interested in dinosaurs or, for that matter, Alaska's history, this book should be a must. As I said, I'm not even particularly into dinosaurs but the Alaska connection pulled me in. Hard to believe, looking out my window, that dinosaurs once roamed here. Kudos to Bonnye Matthews for tapping my curiosity and holding it. I didn't even let the temptation to start coloring some of the drawings provided deter my reading but, hey, now that I'm finished, hmmm....

Thanks #NetGalley and #FathomPublishingCompany for reminding me how very much I still have to learn about my own home state.

Hold the Line: The Insurrection and One Cop's Battle for America's Soul (ebook), by Michael Fanone, with John Shiffman

 

Publication Oct. 11, 2022

Powerful. As I read, I felt like I'd been transitioned back to that fateful day when I watched in horrified disbelief the events going down in Washington DC. Given the impact this book had on me, I cannot imagine what it must have taken Michael Fanone to find the will to write it. It took strength of not just character but belief. His belief that our democracy was on the line shines through. We owe him and the others who stood firm on the side of democracy a huge thank you.

As such, I won't detract from the importance of this book by trying to find the fancy words to describe it. It carries a powerful punch. Read it.

Thank you #MichaelFanone #NetGalley and AtriaBooks for making this important work available to the American people.

Murder on the Class Trip (Maya and Sandra Mystery #3), by Lee Hollis

 Publication Nov. 29, 2022

This one brought back some memories. I once chaperoned a class trip to Washington DC. The itinerary they followed even sounded familiar and brought back some pleasant memories. Fortunately, my trip didn't include murder. Also, unlike Maya and Sandra, I never got any closer to the White House than the fence outside but, hey, the door was open and I got a distant picture looking inside. In any case, back to the book...

What starts as a case of reluctant chaperoning of their children's much anticipated class trip to DC ends up with murder, political intrigue and posturing, and the involvement of the FBI. Hardly a relaxing vacation for Maya and Sandra. True, Sandra is an ol' pro at navigating Washington DC having been married to Senator Wallage for some two decades, but divorce is coming soon and she's unsure whether to trust Stephan after he lied and cheated on her. She sees something different in him this time, however, when he claims innocence and asks for their investigative help. She's even wavering a bit on that divorce but, well, first they have a murder and some political intrigue, lies and innuendo to deal with. Maya finds her competitive self riled by two female FBI agents, adding to the fun. Oh, and they do get an invite to a White house event thanks to Sandra's longstanding connections and likeability. 

There's humor in the book, some of it due to the images bus driver Clancy's driving conjures up in one's mind. If you've ever ridden in a school bus, which most of us have, imagine doing it while past-retirement-age Clancy abruptly abandons his slow-poke ways to help Maya and Sandra chase down a wayward student by speeding up and dodging DC traffic, slamming on the brakes and hitting the gas with seeming glee. He gets his student, however, one who becomes a suspect in the murder of Sen. Wallage's assistant, Tess. That's just the beginning. 

Who killed Tess? Is Sen. Wallage telling the truth? Why was Tess where she was found? And, how about Sen. Grisby? Could he have killed or had Tess killed for political gain? How about his son, Kyle? Where did he get those incriminating emails? How far would ambitious reporter Zoe go for a story that would make her career? Why is Preston so, uh, difficult? Could the likable Suzanne have been involved? How about the now ex-girlfriend? Surely not but, well, there is evidence that..... 

 Oh, enough teasers. Read this book. You won't regret it. It's a quick, easy read whose short chapters just seemed to fly by. My only quibble with the book, which I devoured in one day, is that things seemed a tad too easy. Evidence was easily found with the right help and, no, I don't mean the FBI. Maya and Sandra are both likable and I definitely liked the growth of their friendship over this series. They work together, trusting and using each others strengths and weaknesses. For instance, Sandra is great at the good cop routine but, oh, such a softie, whereas Maya is, well, Maya. Stern, abrupt, and able to use the people and scene reading skills honed during her years on the police force. Both have interesting and evolving relationships going on. Will that be good or bad? Dang it, I'm ready for the next book, Lee Hollis, though the end left me hopeful.

Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonPress. I enjoyed the tour of DC, especially the basement tour of Ford's Theater. I wonder where I stashed all those photos.

A Doomful of Sugar, by Catherine Bruns

 

Publication Oct. 25, 2022

Ah, life in small town Vermont in the fall. That immediately conjures up images of bright, colorful fall foliage, cooler evenings, fireplaces, and, well, maple syrup. Murder is unexpected.

Her father's murder throws Leila Khoury for a loop. She arrived home from her job and life in Florida thinking her beloved father had been killed in a robbery gone wrong. That was hard enough to accept but, murder? She thought everyone liked her father. I mean, she obviously adored him and was very much a Daddy's Girl, so the idea of anyone deliberately murdering him stuns her. 

Her initial reaction of disbelief is quickly replaced by a fixed, unswerving conviction that she knows who did it, her father's right-hand-man, Noah. This emotional swing made me wary of her upfront, I must admit, and it took awhile for me to get past that initial reaction. I mean, she hadn't even met this Noah yet, not to mention she has no evidence, but she's already convicted him in her mind. 

That said, the mystery was an intriguing one. Who knows what secrets are hidden behind closed doors of even the most scenic small town? Who had reason to kill Victor, Leila's father? Why was she so determined that Noah was guilty? Why had her father changed his will? Why is her reporter brother arrested? Did he do it or was he set up? But, by who? He did sorta try to wave Leila away from taking over the farm, after all. What's going on at the farm? How did Toast get that name? Is money an issue? Is it true that anyone is capable of murder? Who.....oh, okay, enough teasers. This just scratches the surface of an intriguing plot that, quite frankly, I didn't guess until the big reveal at the end. In addition, once Leila calmed down, I gradually came to like her and her family and friends. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #PoisonedPenPress for inviting me to Vermont to see the fall colors. The recipes sound sweet and yummy, too.

Former Guy: Doonesbury in the Time of Trumpism, by G. B. Trudeau

 

Publication Sept. 13, 2022

Trudeau is the master. I've read through the book now twice and still don't know whether to laugh or cry.

I have to admit to, while not ignoring Trudeau's work, being less focused on it over the past years than I once was. As a result, as I enjoyed the collection here, I found myself smiling, even chuckling as I renewed old acquaintances, not to mention rolling my eyes and shaking my head. Not at the subject matter, no, but at the deft, humorous way events were presented. 

Your favorites seem to be here, from Zonker to Jimmy Crow, Mike, JJ, TRFF, Red Rascal, Roland Hedley, and more. The big hits just kept coming, from lies to election fraud, voting shenanigans, protests, conspiracy theories, and so much more. Covid was given its own cartoon character, btw, just as Buttsy(who makes a few appearances with Mr. Brewski) was used to represent smoking.

Once dubbed a "third rate talent" by the Former Guy, Trudeau has been drawing his "garbage" for some 52 years. Probably much to Trudeau's dismay, as huge a gift to comic and satirists as the Former Guy has been, most likely Trudeau wishes he'd had cause to spend less time focused on the Former Guy. Be that as it may (or may not) be, Trudeau's lens into the political world is as sharp as it's ever been. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #AndrewsMcMeelPublishing for reminding me how much I've been missing my daily dose of Trudeau and just didn't know it. Needless to say, that's something I'm already working on fixing.

Death by Spiced Chai (Bookstore Cafe Mystery #10), by Alex Erickson

Publication October 25, 2022

If you've ever been prank called and hung up on or simply had the feeling someone was following you, you know how unsettling that can be. In Krissy Hancock's case, however, she's enduring not just these things but being framed for murder.  This can certainly be read as a stand-alone, I was new to the series, but I wished I knew more about the past cases that are brought up as the book continues. Although it's eventually explained where the town residents are getting their gossip about Krissy, I never quite understood why they were so willing to believe what was being shared, for instance. I guess I'm just too accustomed to the typical amateur sleuth being an admired and well liked character in most cozy mysteries but it did leave me in the dark, perhaps intentionally, just as Krissy was initially.

That said, I found the mystery intriguing. The preparation for terrorizing Krissy was extensive. The culprit obviously knew a great deal about her. That allowed them to push emotional buttons, such as the blurry photo suggesting her boyfriend was cheating on her. What's the connection to her father's books? But, yuck, cockroaches? Writing nasty reviews in Krissy's name? Vandalism? Why was the lead investigator so willing to believe she was the guilty party? Who had she wronged so horribly in the past that they'd set such an elaborate plan in action? What is the connection to the victim who'd simply visited her stop? Who is behind all the rumors and gossip flowing through the town? How did the master mind behind the murder and stalking of Krissy know so much? Why did her neighbor lie? Why... oh, enough teasers. Read the book. It's a relatively quick read and you'll find yourself feeling the suspense and same unsettled nerves that Krissy feels as it progresses. 

Thanks #NetGalley and KensingtonBooks for inviting me to visit Krissy's bookshop cafe. I'm going to catch up with this series asap so I'll be ready next visit.

Death in the Margins (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #7), by Victoria Gilbert

 

Publication Dec. 6, 2022

I adore this series. While I somehow seem to have missed the book covering the wedding between Amy and Richard, this one would work nicely as a stand-alone. The characters are introduced in an efficient manner and brought to life, including the resident cats Loie and Fosse. Richard and Amy are a great pairing. As Fosse's name might hint to you, Richard is a dancer and dance coach/trainer/mentor, and it's his dance production that serves as the center of "Death in the Margins". Librarian Amy doesn't exactly discover the body of Richard's former girlfriend Meredith but she arrives on the scene just in time to see Conner, one of the young dancers in the show, holding a bloody knife beside the body. Conner is arrested on the scene but Amy, Richard, and several others question the teenager's ability to have done it. Although friend and sheriff Brad isn't the lead investigator this go round, Amy quickly becomes invested in "researching" the case, putting herself in danger. Oh, and horses are involved. No, they don't dance. Laugh.

Who killed the arrogant, not-very-nice Meredith. Besides Conner, several other suspects emerge. Was it her ex-husband? He was spied in the parking lot. How about the mother of the autistic and easily overwhelmed child that Meredith degraded in public? Or any of the other dance parents? Meredith wasn't a nice person, to be honest, although nice-guy Richard was trying to help her out by giving her the dance job in "The Folklore Suite" production. Even his partner, Karla, is harshly belittled by Meredith? Heck, she isn't even very nice to Amy. And, what's the pianist's connection to her? And, back to the horses, what was Meredith's connection to an odd illness that took the lives of some valuable show horses some four years ago? Or, was there even one? Could Amy be chasing red herrings with that bit of information? Who is keeping secrets? Or, oh, never mind. Enough teasers. I loved this book/series and am betting cozy mystery lovers who like their mysteries with a bit of romance will too.

Thanks #NetGalley and #CrppledLaneBooks for inviting me to witness the birth of Richard's "Folklore Suite". Kudoes to Karla (and obviously author #VictoriaGilbert ) for emphasizing Richard and Karla's efforts to be inclusive and work with children.

Blue Skies and Golden Fields, ( Kindle Edition) by Oksana Lushchevska

 Publication Sept. 1, 2022 

I was a sunflower fan long before it became an international symbol of not just peace but hope and resistance against foreign invasion. As such, the cover grabbed my attention immediately. As a retired teacher, I wondered how it could be used for learning, particularly as I imagine many children, the target audience, had never heard of the country before recent (2022) events. While it certainly isn't a comprehensive tome on the country's culture and place in history, it does provide a solid starting point as well as some hands-on projects.

My first reaction, probably naturally, was to delight in the colorful photos spaced throughout the book. For instance, rather than simple drawings of, say, a nightingale, the national bird of Ukraine, photos were used. No surprise, the sunflower got its own section, one that included instructions on planting them. They share a bit of culture here and there and one of them was a Ukrainian poem to be recited as you water your flowers. 

History-wise, they provide a very basic overview and timeline. I should note  that the book seems more directed at adults, adults who can read and discuss the information within with children. It provides a taking off place, in other words. Known as "the breadbasket of the world", Ukraine certainly is worthy of discussion. A handy timeline is provided, by the way. Given recent events, it provides a handy reminder that Ukraine's geographical location has made it something of a volatile barrier between the west and east at times. Again, not presented politically but in a conversational tone as a starting place for discussion. As such, this book would be an excellent starting point for adults wanting to know more about Ukraine. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #Capstone - #CapstoneEditions for providing this quick, easy-to-read overview of Ukraine, it's culture, history, and importance to the world. Now I'm going to go practice those Ukrainian phrases.  

Murder in the Library (Julia Bird Mysteries #2), by Katie Gayle

 

Publication September 7, 2022

Retirement isn't proving at all dull for former social worker Julia Bird. She's just discovered another body. Who killed well=known author Vincent Andrews in the library? Having been the one to discover Andrews' body, Julia's intrigue with the case is probably inevitable although she does try, well, sorta try, to stay out of it. 

So, who did it? Was it the wife, who he'd praised aloud during his presentation at the library to a crowd? Let's face it, the spouse is almost always a suspect. But, why would she have killed him? Or, hmm, maybe one of those unhappy locals who felt they'd been wrongly used as characters in the new book? Why did one man walk out on the presentation? Or maybe it was the attractive young publisher's assistant, Phoebe. Maybe an old flame? He did noticeably overlook one woman's attempts to ask a question during the Q/A session. Where's the murder weapon anyway? But, wait. There's a second murder? Why? Is there some unknown connection? 

Why...oh, never mind, Enough teasers. Although I couldn't quite get as invested in the mystery as I'd have liked, that is probably on me, not the book. The plot moved along smoothly and it appealed to me that she's an older sleuth and has a much loved dog, Jake. So, I liked Julia, even if she did some rather impulsive things in her curiosity to solve the crime. That's rather typical of most cozy mysteries, of course, and despite not quite connecting with Julia, the mystery was an interesting one and the ending did take me by surprise. Julia's relationship with sorta-almost-boyfriend Sean was adorable, too. It'll be interesting to see it grow. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #Bookouture for letting me spend a bit of time in Cotswolds with Julia and Sean, not to mention Jake. Give that dog a virtual treat!

Round Up the Usual Peacocks (Meg Langslow, #31), by Donna Andrews AUDIOBOOK REVIEW (plus original ebook review)

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW with original ebook review after

Duration 10h 33m

As I said in my ebook review, the Meg Langslow series never disappoints. This is also true of the audio version courtesy of #MacmilanAudio and #StMartinsPress - #MinotaurBooks.

Narrator Bernadette Dunn does an excellent job capturing Meg's often zen-like ability to stay cool, calm, and collected, even when faced with difficult, even wild situations. Since there is frequently a large cast in the series, I was particularly interested in seeing how Dunne differentiated voices. I was particularly fond of the voice she used for Meg's mother. She captured "mother" nicely, using that slightly exasperated, slightly uppity tone that conveys she can't imagine how anyone could argue, so why have you disappointed me, but I still love you voice well. The different voices add to the experience, I must admit. The audio version of the, well, let's call it "the llamas and guests meet the visiting peacocks" scene, definitely made it come alive for me, cheering the arrival of Border Collie Lad to save the day. Grandfather's voice is slightly impatient, while Michael remains the ever calm voice of sanity. Kudos to Dunn for her interpretation of characters.

To be honest, I'm amazed at how much a talented voice actor's change of pace, tone, or touch of "oh, wow" can add to the story. I will definitely continue to read and enjoy the print versions of this series but take every chance I get to listen to the audio, too. The plot moved along steadily, chapter breaks defined by a slight pause then simply announcing "Chapter (whatever)". Bottom line, a fun experience and nice diversion from reality.

EBOOK/Original review follows:

This series never disappoints.

Despite the chaos about her, Donna Andrews' Meg Langslow always seems to maintain her almost zen-like calm while dealing with the bad guys. In this, the 31st book of the series, she actually solves three cold cases. Her nephew Kevin and Casey, a friend, were doing a true crime podcast, a very modern touch to the plot, and had managed to rile up someone enough to make them attempt to run down Casey. Spooked and more at home in front of a computer than dealing with people, Kevin asks Meg to help investigate. Since helping Kevin sounds like a great excuse to avoid some of the wedding planning chaos going on, Meg readily agrees.

I won't detail the plot, it's readily available elsewhere, but will say that the wedding hoopla takes a backseat to the investigation although, quite frankly, is the source of some absolutely hilarious scenes involving Meg. Who knew herding dogs could herd peacocks? Or that peacocks make great watchdogs, er, watch...birds? Well, when they're not attacking you. Have you ever heard a peacock shriek? It isn't a pleasant sound, so just the image conjured up of their possible participation in the wedding program is amusing. Beautifully feathered, yes. Peaceful and serene, no.

So, first, what is the Clay County involvement in the cases? Why the heck are they stalking Meg's movements? Second, in this day and age, why would any college department resist converting its records to digital files? Could the answer to the death of a professor be hidden there? Third, what happened to the talented singer/college girl who simply seems to have disappeared? Did her stalker kill her? If not, could she still be around to be found? And, will Meg really wind up creating a gargoyle collection, so to speak, for Ragnor? Sounds like they're fit right in.

These questions are only the tip of the iceberg as Meg organizes and does errands for the upcoming wedding, listens to the previous podcasts, talks to Chief Burke, keeps her guests safe, wrangles peacocks, avoids Spike's bad tempered bites, and dodges bad guys. This is a can't-put-it-down read, full of both tense and hilarious moments with lots of critters. My friends who have herding dogs will love it, I'm sure. Lad, you're my furry hero in this one.

Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for my "wedding invite". It was fun to see Meg come full circle from the beginning as she dealt with a wedding, quirky relatives one can't help but love, and helps put the bad guys away.

Six Feet Deep Dish, by Mindy Quigley

 

Publication August 25, 2022

What a delight! I not only found a new-to-me author to follow but the joy of reading this fast-paced, fun cozy mystery. Delilah O'Leary is focused so much on opening her new gourmet pizzeria that the worst of her control freak side has ruined a relationship, then she discovers a dead body outside at the pizzeria's soft opening. It's her elderly Aunt Biz's caretaker, Jeremy. The murder weapon is found in her aunt's possession. Enter Geneva Bay's police detective Capone, great grandson of the legendary Al Capone. Fur is going to fly and it isn't all going to come from Butterball, Deliliah's plus-sized cat.

I found myself immediately sucked into the story. Not only is Delilah's personality one you can't ignore but her pizzeria staff is made up of equally unique characters. All have back stories and needs and depend on Delilah to one extent or the other. Oh, the pressure of being the boss. They have her back, fortunately, and the dialogue, quips, and zingers seem to flow naturally, making them someone we'd like to know. Despite having just seen Sam, her boyfriend exit, she finds herself drawn to Capone. His backstory trickles out as the book continues and you will find yourself liking him, too, I'm sure. Delilah sure did but, well, will that be enough? Maybe. Life is never perfect, alas. 

Who killed Jeremy? As it turns out, there are many legitimate suspects. Since Delilah was storming out of the pizzeria determined to fire Carson when she found the body and he was nowhere to be found, he's an obvious suspect. Biz? After all, the gun was hers. Who steals Aunt Biz's medications? Why does she wind up in the hospital? Did Sam's jaunt cleanse his heart chakra and help him reconnect with himself? Why does Veronica call Jeremy a viper? What surprise is found in Biz's shed? And, oh, so much more. The twist at the end was a stunner. Put this one on your "TBR" list and enjoy the recipes at the end, too. They were made extra special by being given in the "voices" of various characters, adding to the fun. Let's just say, I rarely do more than scan recipes. These I read with a grin.

Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for inviting me to Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, for Delilah's grand opening. It was fun and I will definitely be back.

The Murder Question (A Beth Haldane Mystery Book 3), Alice Castle

 

Originally published as "Calamity in Camberwell"

It's so easy to let yourself be drawn into Beth Haldane's world. Alice Castle's writing engages you quickly and you find yourself rooting for Beth. Given that this installment in the series focuses almost as much on her private, home world as the mystery itself. Beth is a romantic. We get the "meet cute" moment when Beth and her late husband James met, for instance, and her trepidation as she's urged to enter the dating world again. For reasons she is yet to admit, she can't quite stop thinking of Detective Inspector Harry York every time that topic comes up. He both fascinates and frustrates her. Interestingly enough, since this series takes us into the minds of different characters, he's growing tired of being alone, too. His purchase of Beth's favorite tea is a sweet, telling gesture.

As for the mystery, we do get a glimpse into the mind of the missing Jen. Her new husband, after initially seeming perfect, is abusive, seemingly both physically as well as mentally. Dulwich is proof positive that we never know what secrets hide behind firmly closed doors. Then, Jen goes missing. Beth. always drawn to a mystery, can't help snooping. This time it lands her in the hospital. Harry is there when she wakes up. 

Where is Jen? Who put Beth in the hospital? Who is that mystery doctor she vaguely recalls seeing one night? Will all her dates be as, uh, odd as the first? Was sending son Jake for extra tutoring a good idea? Who ransacks Beth's office? Is online dating dangerous? Does the pressure to bow to the opinions of the "yummy mummies" of Dulwich play a role in keeping spousal abuse hidden? What other secrets are hidden behind firmly closed doors? Will Harry be around to save her the next time she gets in trouble?

There's so much more. Life is never simple, even in upper crust areas. One of the things I applaud Alice Castle for is stepping forward and tackling difficult topics.Thanks #NetGalley and #Bookouture for inviting me back to Dulwich. I hope to return soon as I look forward to following Beth and her ability to find trouble without trying as this series continues. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what is next for Beth and Harry. I've spent reading time in their heads and like them both immensely, so I'm rooting for them.

 

Dashing Through the Snowbirds (Meg Langslow #32), by Donna Andrews

 

Publication October 11, 2022

As a fan of this series from the beginning, it's no surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed joining Meg's family for the Christmas run-up. I often wonder if I keep coming back as much for their antics and the animals as I do the mystery. In this case, the mystery is who killed the obnoxious, mean-spirited Scrooge, er, Ian The antics, oh, too many to mention although can't ignore that surprise ice rink in the back pasture. Humor, always. Meg has a zen like ability to face danger and remain calm or find the perfectly snarky comeback to someone's comments. Fortunately, we only "hear" most of them in her head though I did like the snarky, surely intentional misinterpretation of someone's comment about wanting to remain silent and a lawyer. Nope, not telling. See if you guessed right and read the book. Enjoy those accidentily gold sprayed Pomeranians, too, although they are now naked Poms dressed in an abundance of outfits supplied by friends and family. 

As for the crime, it kept me guessing. Just when you think Meg has rounded up the last of the suspects, another appears. Heck, they even toss in a cyber stalker for good measure who has decided Casey, half of the crime podcast team with Kevin, is her soul mate. Never mind she thinks he's a tall redhead, mostly likely Irish, and Casey is, well, not. The crime centers about a quite current topic, however, DNA testing and it's legit uses.

So, who whacked Ian with the hockey stick in the pasture at the ice rink? There are multiple suspects who'd wish him dead, that's for sure. Was the person in the silver car cruising past Meg and Michael's home involved? How many uses can you think of for a dumbwaiter? What happened to the soon-to-be mama cat in the manger at the church nativity? Can Juncos really predict the weather? Is it suspicious that Maeve planned to basically quit on Friday anyway? How much would it cost to outfit your town's police force with electric cars? Do you know what "curds and whey" is the ol' fashioned term for? Who is that supposed lawyer that is looking for Ian?  In fact, who are all those strangers that keep turning up? What mischief is Meg's grandfather into now that is annoying Caroline? And, oh, there is always more in a Meg Langslow story? Trust me, you won't be bored. Even now, on book 32, this series hasn't gone stale. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress - #MinotaurBooks for letting me spend some time hanging out with Meg's family and friends, not to mention the dogs, llamas, peacocks, oh, never mind. I'd be here all day listing all the much loved critters in their lives.

The Murder Museum (A Beth Haldane Mystery Book 2), by Alice Castle

 

Previously published as The Girl in the Gallery.  

Beth Haldane is someone you can root for. She isn't perfect, which she acknowledges to herself rather frequently, but she cares about people and wants justice done where there is injustice. This brings her into contact and frequent conflict with Harry, the Detective Inspector. What I particularly liked about this story is that we get to spend time in not just Beth's head, but Harry's, giving us insight into who he is as a human being, too. Heck, we get to visit quite a few different minds in this installment of the series, including that of pouty, self-centered, and, oh, so spoiled and neglected schoolgirl Sophia. Even her drug wasted "boyfriend" gets a turn and, quite frankly, I hope he doesn't pop up again. Let's just say, bad news.

 The mystery begins benignly enough. Beth, playing a childhood game in her head of "Which work of art would you save in a fire?" is making a quick visit to the upscale school museum where she works. Instead of a fun, relaxing visit, however, she finds a body. Well, not quite a body. The mystery girl is still alive but in what appears to be a coma. She's wearing a flowing white dress and has her hands folded against her chest, recalling several works of art that Beth is familiar with. It's the folded hands that won't allow Beth to let the image go and next thing we know, she's off on her own investigation. Her budding friendship with Harry is already shaky but this time it takes off on a roller coaster of a ride as he alternately shoves her away and allows her into his world as the investigation goes along. 

The case is baffling. How did the comatose girl get into the mausoleum? Who arranged her so picturesquely? More importantly, who is she? Why haven't her parents reported her as missing? Why is she comatose? Drugs? Why is the upper crust school so shaken? How does a parent make the horrendous decision of life or death for the child they carried within them? What does the Blue Whales challenge have to do with anything? Is social media to blame? How powerful does being a known influencer make a teenage girl feel? Do we blame society? Busy, distracted parents? Seriously, what sort of nasty secrets are lurking under the veneer of upper crust Dulwich? I know I didn't see the ending coming, that's for sure. It was at once satisfying and saddening. Author Alice Castle made me care about her characters, even the ones we only meet in passing, and I was fully, intently invested until the end. And, hey, what about that ending?

If you like multi-layer mysteries with well-defined characters and suspects, you will surely love this one. Go into it with an open mind and be prepared to think, "Whoa!", sit back and think periodically. There's a great deal to this book and this is just an overview of all that is tackled. The world we live in is a complicated one and one never really knows what is going on behind closed doors, be they at home, school, or elsewhere. This one made me think, reflect, and as a former teacher, feel the pangs of knowing I can't gather all my students under my wings and protect them from real life. Kudos to Alice Castle. This series has me hooked.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for inviting me back to Dulwich. It was an uneasy trip occasionally but I adored the moments when the prose flowed and we saw the world through Beth's whimsical, romantic eyes. I'll be diving into book three asap.

The Murder Mystery (A Beth Haldane Mystery Book 1), by Alice Castle

 

Previously published as Death in Dulwich.

Beth Haldane seems like a nice woman, realistic, likable and somehow both confident and unsure of herself. She compares herself to that adorable little pony while wishing for longer legs herself and a more tameable mane. I immediately liked her attitude, which is good as we spend a great deal of time in her head. Determined to give her 9 year-old son the best life possible, she's accepted a job at a posh, rather snooty school. Yet, she can't figure out why they hired her. She knows her own resume was sketchy in the area of historical archivist and that there were surely other applicants far more experienced. She's grateful, however, as she presents herself at the school the next morning. 

That gratefulness turns to uneasiness. To be polite, let's just say her boss leers. She's actually glad when he heads out to meet someone and leaves her alone in the shed, er, office for hours. He never returns. Finally steeling herself to find lunch and a restroom, Beth heads out, only to get turned around on the school's paths. Then, she finds her boss. He's dead. That is where the story truly begins. Detective Inspector Harry York soon arrives to begin the investigation. 

Who killed Dr. Alan Jenkins, her boss? She slowly comes to grips with the thought that the person who finds the body is often a suspect. Determined to prove her innocence, albeit without a clue how to do so, Beth begins her own investigation. Will this get her in trouble? Oh, come on. You know the answer to that. This is a cozy mystery after all. This brings her into frequent contact and conflict with Det. York. Will he tell her not to get involved? Of course. Will she listen? Of course not. They gradually come to respect and even, hmm, like each other, however, as the book continues. 

What I liked most about this book, aside from the likable main character, is that the murder plot involved more depth than who killed Jenkins. Sadly, many readers, especially women, will relate. Like Beth, Jenkins has a backstory and it isn't an admirable one. Maybe this explains the reactions of so many to his death? Will Beth get herself fired asking nosy questions at the school? It's an upscale facility, think parents with money and prestige, and the school is anxious to move past this and regain its usual hallowed status. Is the fact Beth spied the headmaster near where the body was found meaningful? Who was that flash of pink she saw? Is the receptionist friend or foe? Why are so many relieved to know Jenkins is dead? Why was there a handkerchief over his face? What secrets are hidden in the archive office? Oh, my, so much to think about but, enough teasers. Read the book. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for introducing me to Beth and her posh new job setting. I wasn't sure what to expect but am glad I accepted and am looking forward to the next in the series. I wonder if she'll listen more to her cat's not so subtle hints that a bad day may be at hand.

Murder at the Priory Hotel (Flora Steele Mystery #4), by Merryn Allingham

Book Blog Tour. How cool is that? And for a great book, with interesting characters, lots of history, and an intriguing murder to solve. Enjoy!

How far would you go to help a friend? Would you risk your own life? How much are you willing to give of yourself?

That's the situation facing Flora Steele. She's even invited Jack to help. That alone is enough to make her wary. She's been dancing around her relationship with Jack for awhile. As the book opens, however, their focus is on helping their friend Sally prepare for the grand re-opening of the Priory Hotel in Abbeymead. Everything seems to be going well until, well, it isn't. The singer of the band hired to entertain drops dead on stage in front of an audience. She's been electrocuted. The main police inspector is away and Sally, who has everything she owns tied to the success or failure of the hotel, turns to Flora and Jack for help. 

As intriguing as it is to watch them set out to find the murderer, it's even more fascinating to contrast the tools available to them in 1957 to now. They are forced to rely on good ol' fashioned sleuthing, talking to people and gathering evidence that isn't always as helpful as it might be in this day and age. I mean, Jack doesn't even have a telephone in his residence yet, let alone the instant communication and reference ability a cell phone offers us today. Flora rides a bicycle she calls Betty which, a bit of research tells me wasn't that unusual in the area during the time period depicted. In fact, Abbeymead was largely green fields until nearly the 1970s and was still recovering from the damage of World War II in 1957. I also noted, excuse me detour into research, that many of the real streets had bird names, too, just as in the book. In other words, the author knows her stuff. I'll spare you my other detour into knot gardens, which are mentioned, but that mention added another element of historical reality to the setting.

As for the mystery, it seems slow going at first. Flora is reluctant not because she doesn't want to help Sally but, well, because she fears losing more of her heart to Jack if they come together to investigate. Despite this, a sense of responsibility to her friends wins out and they begin. It's slow going at first, with few clues. Jack even ventures to another town to talk to a suspect's mother, something difficult given the then fuel shortages, while Flora remains at home, asking questions and listening. She's even willing to consider Sally a suspect, however unlikely. That's what "real" detectives do, consider everyone until they can be eliminated. It takes a frustratingly long time, however. Then a second murder occurs. Eliminate one suspect.

I like Flora and Jack both apart and together. It's pretty obvious I find the setting in the Gloucestershire area, researching it a bit more each book. I find it fascinating to figuratively watch the wheels in Flora's brain spin, spinning at an almost dangerous pace as she zeroes in on the culprit. She's impulsive, yes, but Jack is right there with her. 

I'm looking forward to seeing where their relationship goes from here. I'm also looking forward to not just more history of the area in future books but to seeing where the events in this book take Jake and Flora. 

Thanks again, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for inviting me back into Flora's world. I think it's my ancestors from the Gloucestershire area would applaud my taste in books.

_______________

Book Description: Join Flora Steele – bookshop owner, bicycle-rider, and amateur detective – as she faces her most puzzling case yet!

Sussex, 1957: When Flora Steele andhandsome crime writer Jack Carrington attend the grand re-opening of the Priory Hotel in the beautiful little village of Abbeymead, their day out is cut short when the flame-haired female singer in the band suddenly drops dead before their eyes.

Flora is stunned by the unexpected turn of events and immediately deduces foul play. Beverly Russo was a spirited young woman with a big voice and Flora is determined to get to the bottom of her untimely demise – especially as the detective sergeant leading the investigation is so hopeless. The first clue in the extraordinary case is Beverly’s missing ruby ring…

As Flora makes her enquiries, she discovers that Beverly wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea and there’s more than one person in Abbeymead who had reason to dislike her. But who had the biggest motive: Beverly’s former beau Tommy May, jealous love rival Sally Jenner, or the local doctor who seems to be up to no good…

Then one of the suspects is found dead in the woods near the Priory Hotel. The murder weapon – a musical instrument. As the investigation reaches a high note, Flora knows she must find the culprit and make them face the music before anyone else is hurt. But will Flora’s tenacity put a dangerous spotlight on both her and Jack?

A delightful cozy crime novel, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis!

Author Bio:  

Merryn taught university literature for many years, and it took a while to pluck up the courage to begin writing herself. Bringing the past to life is a passion and her historical fiction includes Regency romances, wartime sagas and timeslip novels, all of which have a mystery at their heart. As the books have grown darker, it was only a matter of time before she plunged into crime with a cosy crime series set in rural Sussex against the fascinating backdrop of the 1950s.

 

Merryn lives in a beautiful old town in Sussex with her husband and one last cat, Bluebell. When she’s not writing, she tries to keep fit with adult ballet classes and plenty of walking.

https://merrynallingham.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MerrynWrites

https://twitter.com/merrynwrites

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Merryn Allingham here: https://www.bookouture.com/merryn-allingham 

Buy Link:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B09VK7X3GRsocial

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The Plot Thickets, by Julia Henry

 Publication October 25, 2022

"I'm home." Seriously, that sense of being home was what immediately struck me as I read. I've loved this series from book one and it just seems to get better with each new book. I enjoyed that rather then simply give a recounting of past events in the characters' lives, author Julia Henry ties each in to what is going on in their current lives, whether an ongoing concern or catching us up on the bird sanctuary project or Alden Park development, all vital to past events in their lives. That makes the story come alive and, quite frankly, makes it all seem all the more real. I mean, dang it, why can't I buzz over and ask Lilly for gardening advice. She (and the rest) genuinely seem like people you know or want to know. Thus, the sense of home I get when making a virtual visit to Lilly, her friends, and their lovely home in Goosebush, MA. 

Perhaps it's that feeling of simply visiting ol' friends that kept me from realizing until about chapter 15 that although a great deal was going on, there hadn't been a murder yet. Given that I'm a sucker for character centered books with a dose of history, that's probably not surprising. Visiting the cemetery with Lilly seemed like a natural thing to do and recalling my ol' home town cemetery with it's intriguing histories and grave sites, it seemed natural. A long-time resident like Lilly, whose family was so much a part of the town's history, would notice that something wasn't right. What is going on? 

Lilly's sense that something is askew quickly ties in with some other reports, including when one friend's visiting relative reports an unknown body in what should be an empty family plot. What is going on? Even the seemingly unrelated work on a park designed by Lilly's dear friend Roddy seems to be somehow connected. Is the funeral home involved? The cemetery's recent caretaker was, uh, abruptly retired recently, but rumors of plots suddenly being available where none should be, for a high cost, mind you, and Lilly's discovery inside her family vault are worrisome. Even more so is what is found outside, the body of funeral home owner Whitney Dunne-Bradford sprawled against the lovely carved bench outside the vault, clutching a broken headstone. Heck, in this town, even that bench has an intriguing history but I'll leave that for readers to discover on their own. 

I honestly don't want to give away too much of the plot aside from the fact that there are multiple suspects who'd wish Whitney dead but there is so much more.  Like, hey, did you know they use salt urns for sea burial? Or, yikes, that many tombs don't have inside door-handles to detour grave robbery? Wouldn't you hate to not know that and close that door securely behind you? And, what the heck does all this have to do with the sudden death of Stan's father, Buzz? Did Stan decide to rid himself of the burden his money-hungry father had become? Why was Stan angry with Whitney? What happened to the good top soil ordered for Alden Park? Why are they wondering if it went to the cemetery? Will Lilly's house guest ever find the perfect home of his own? How sweet is it that Lilly unthinkingly shares a sandwich with friend and neighbor Roddy? They are both such lovely, caring people that it's a delight to watch their connection as it evolves. 

Bottom line, you don't have to be a gardener to love this series, I've been known far more as a black thumb than a green one, but if you love multi-dimensional and aged characters who work and come together smoothly, you will love this book. If you're seriously into gardening, so much the better. You might even pick up a few tricks from Lilly and the group not to mention the excellent gardening tips included at the end. Cozy mystery fans will also probably applaud that Bash, the young police chief, seems to trust and appreciate Lilly's abilities at figuring things out, too, which I enjoyed..

Thank you, thank you, thank you #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for inviting me to hang out with Lilly and her friends. Love the community and how they all come together for the common good.

Death on the Pier, by Jamie West

 

Publication October 11, 2011

Deliciously clever. Delicately woven around theatre (British spelling) customs and production elements, it's a bit like stepping onstage and into the middle of a classic Agatha Christie type mystery for which you neither know the lines nor how the play ends. Nothing seems quite wrong....or right. 

That's the situation successful playwright Bertie Carroll finds himself in as he attends a performance of one of his older productions at Brighton's Palace Pier Theatre. It's the 1930s. The theatre was real, btw, and a quick search reveals it must have been rather resplendent at one time. Sadly, it no longer exists. But, I digress. Bertie is in town to meet with an old friend, Chief Detective Inspector Hugh Chapman who has a reputation for solving impossible cases. Bertie is, well, an unassuming writer and feels out of his element as the investigation into the onstage death of fading star Celia Hamilton begins.

It happened in front of an audience who simply thought it was part of the play, as did Bertie initially, to be honest. It quickly becomes evident that it was no well-played death scene, however. It was the real thing. Celia is dead. The actress who pulled the trigger of the prop gun is the obvious suspect but, well, we all know that things aren't always what they seem. I won't detail the plot/investigation but it's fun watching Bertie gain in confidence as he uses his knowledge of day-to-day theatre customs, whether on casting, production, staging, or dressing the stage, to help solve the crime. You'll learn a great deal about the theatre in the process of solving this mystery. 

So, who did it? Did the butler do it? Was it the young, unknown actress, perhaps hoping to replace the difficult star? Perhaps the stage manager had snapped at one too many caustic criticisms? Or maybe the handsome young actor who seems, well, a tad undisciplined onstage? Breaking the fourth wall is a no-no, you know. Why is this show being produced anyway? It isn't even one of Bertie's hits. And, why is Hugh there in the first place? Do you know what a cigarette card is/was in that time period? He gives one to Bertie. There are subtle hints of their connection but, given the era, they remain shadowy. I rather like that as I liked them both and it makes them human but doesn't distract from the story. But, enough teasers. Read the book. You won't be sorry, especially if you're a fan of classic mysteries and/or the theatre.

Thanks to #NetGalley and BrabingerPublishing for the invite to the show. It was a delight to meet Bertie and Hugh and feel engulfed by the mystic of the theatre. Hope to catch another show with them soon!

Calypso, Corpses, and Cooking (A Caribbean Kitchen Mystery #2), by Raquel V. Reyes

 

Publication October 11, 2022

I like Miriam. I think I'd enjoy having her as a friend. It might even bring back my neglected Spanish. That said, although new to this series, I was pleasantly surprised to find that after being thrown off my reading stride initially by the frequent use of Spanish, much of my Spanish came back to me. I wonder how much that might impact those who know little or no Spanish, however. To the author's credit, she makes no apologies for its use. Miriam notes that she and her non-Hispanic husband have made a real effort to raise a bilingual child, Manny. Having lived in Florida much of my life, I can attest to how valuable such a skill can be. Most was usually either indirectly restated or easily figured out, I'll note. Heck, we even learn a few words in Kreyol, such as "wi" means "yes"and "Mesi" means "thank you". 

Fun with languages aside, however, the book takes an unflenching look at not just the different cultures that exist in South Florida but the pre-conceived notions and expectations of each. Miriam is a positive force, I should note, working to bring the people and communities together. She uses being delegated by her, uh, well, overbearing, superior-aired mother-in-law to organize the Women's Club's annual gathering at the upscale country club to bring in food and music from various cultures, something totally alien to the event until now. Unfortunately, Miriam, alas, seems to be a bit of a dead body magnet. She's there when the country club's head chef takes a header off the balcony at the club and dies. Another later dies. And that is just the beginning. Toss in foreign mafia/scheming, greed, racist snobbery, and more and you've gotten an idea of how complex the situation becomes.

Why was there a body stretched across the fake grave/tombstone in Miriam's yard? That wasn't part of their Halloween decorations. Is the vandalism of her house connected? What role does that cute little kitty, Camo, play? What sort of test does Miriam take? Is the MIL as hateful as she seems? Well, yeah, seems so. How does a costume malfunction cause more serious problems? What exactly does a culinary anthropologist do? Is it just Miriam's imagination that potentially dangerous people from the past keep popping up? Octopus? Would you like to try some octopus for dinner? What....oh, never mind. Enough teasers. Despite the slow-to-me start and my concerns over how the frequent use of Spanish will impact non-bilingual readers, I like Miriam and her crew/posse and am looking forward to her next adventures.  

Thanks #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for letting me spend some time in my ol' stomping grounds of Florida. Hope to visit again real soon.

The Paper Caper (Bibliophile Mystery #16) by Kate Carlisle, AUDIOBOOK, narrator Sara Young

 

AUDIOBOOK, 9 h 4 m  Sara Young narrator  

I'm a long time Kate Carlisle fan but this is my first time listening to one of her books on audio. Even better, it's one I hadn't read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Young does an excellent job not only bringing the characters to life but differentiating the voices. Chapter changes are simply announced and Young even handles various accents with aplomb. It was interesting to hear the minor but distinct changes in the Swedish accents utilized, too, both showing character traits in a subtle way. Kudos to both author and narrator.

As for the mystery, it opens with Brooklyn's security team chief husband, Derek, on the job protecting Joseph Cabot, a wealthy San Franciscan. Cabot is a huge supporter of the Covington Library and is sponsoring and hosting a Mark Twain related festival as a fundraiser. One of the big draws is a contest to select someone who looks like Joseph, not Twain. There are also children's activities, a riverboat casino cruise, and even a frog jumping contest. Brooklyn, a book restoration expert, is on site giving presentations on her restoration of a copy of Twain's "Prince and the Pauper", the book that inspired the look-alike contest, as well as mingling with guests and, ultimately, suspects in the murder of Cabot's long-time butler. Derek and his team are top-notch and Brooklyn, well, she's snoopy and has the knack of being in the right place at the right time to see and overhear things. 

They, along with Detective Lee, follow clues and hunches, many courtesy of Brooklyn, to solve the problem. Complications arise, of course, as Brooklyn and the rest deal with crowds, rowdy children, and two "blond bombshells", Joseph's wife and his mother-in-law. Could they be involved? Where did the killer get the idea for the murder weapon? Who had the skill to make it work? Why does Ella tolerate her mother's treatment of her? How does Brooklyn get so lucky at casino night? Should we all remember her numbers? Why were Joseph and his butler arguing? Was the butler even the intended victim? Why is someone afraid of look-alike winner Tom's presence? Would you risk your own life for a friend like Wyatt did for Tom? 

And...oh, so much more. I liked watching the wheels turn in Brooklyn's mind even if, well, they did tend to ping and zing and zip off in different, unexpected ways at times. I mean, I sorta related as my own mind often works that way. Like, her random thought about frog handlers made me wonder what sort of qualifications such a worker must have. That detail seemed irrelevant but others weren't, making it all the more interesting. Throughout it all, of course, we book people were treated to a flood of fascinating information about books, printing, book restoration, and, of course, Mark Twain. Btw, Derek and Brooklyn have only been married for a year, so, yes, lots of sweet lovey-dovey moments but nothing that distracted either them or the reader from the plot. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMeida for inviting me to the Mark Twain Festival to hang out with Brooklyn, Derek, and friends. I'm thinking the ending perhaps gave us a foreshadowing of big news to come? Can't wait!

Last But Not Leashed, by Eileen Brady

 

Publication Oct. 6, 2022

I'm not a vet but have friends who work in that field and imagine they'd be happy to vouch for the "life of a vet" scenes depicted. I'm sure they'd just as rather have no experience with murder, however. Dr. Kate is dealing with a lot as the book opens. It's almost New Year's Eve and her long distance boyfriend is feeling just as emotionally distant as he is in reality. Than she finds a body in a parking lot after a presentation by a professional home organizer. To add to the dark clouds seemingly surrounding her, a body falls from the rafters at a New Year's Eve bash. Luke, the boyfriend did make it there for that but, as a former cop, his professional mode kicks in and she rides home with a friend. All is not lost, however, as she met a charmingly handsome man at the bash, Colin. Hmm, new romance?

I found myself liking Kate a great deal. Her friends and co-workers at the vet clinic are fun, smart, and seemingly in touch with all the gossip, good and bad, in the community. They even know how to talk humans down when near passing out, such as the sight of blood leaves one client. Handy skill for a cozy mystery, I'd say. Nor does Kate show the usual tendency of other series mysteries to go looking for trouble. Rather nice to see a smart amateur sleuth who doesn't deliberately or stupidly but themselves in harm's way. It just finds her.

Did I mention the dogs? Kate's King Charles spaniel, Buddy, welcomes not just one but two fellow canines in this installment, the badly injured pit they dub Mr. Pitt, dumped at the clinic, and Desi, the attack trained dog she "borrows", not to mention temporary visitor, cranky, usually nasty to deal with  Little Man, a chihuahua described as having the heart of a lion but the body of a mouse. How can you not love them all?

As for the murder, who killed professional organizer Sookie? Her husband sounds like a likely suspect. Seemingly desperate for money, he showed violent tendencies in public. Was unlucky Lucky somehow involved? He did seem to have a way of stumbling into trouble. Or, maybe Posey? Will her book be a best seller? What about Rainbow? She gives airheads a bad name but seems intellectually brilliant, at least? Could the dazzling movie star living on the hillside have played a role? Will Kate's love life improve? Will they find Mr. Pitt's humans?

Why....oh, never mind. Enough teasers. Read the book. If you like dogs and interesting mysteries with a multi-layered plot, you'll enjoy this one.

Thanks #NetGalley and #PoisonedPenPress for introducing me to Dr. Kate, a vet all animal lovers can love.

Holy Chow (Andy Carpenter #25), by David Rosenfelt, Grover Gardner (Narrator) AUDIO BOOK

 

Audio book, Macmillan Audio    6h, 2m, 15s

It's always a delight to spend time with Andy and the gang, especially the dogs. Never mind that people seem to always be trying to kill him. Thankfully Marcus and Laurie have his back because Andy's strength is walking the dogs and legal matters, not self-defense. I read the ebook earlier, that review will follow the audio review, and enjoyed the book, so wasn't surprised to equally enjoy this audio version. As always, Grover Gardner does an excellent job capturing the personality and humor of wannabe-retiree defense lawyer Andy Carpenter. 

 Rosenfelt's Andy Carpenter series tends to follow the same pattern. You begin the book with a crime, usually murder, being committed. At that point you have no clue how it will connect to the rest of the story but you know it will eventually make sense. You then move to meet Andy, often as he's walking his dogs or chatting with Laurie. In this case, we meet him at a ball game. Son Ricky is playing. Not long after, Andy gets the phone call that sets the plot into motion. A woman who adopted a dog through his Tara Foundation, Lion, the chow of the title, had called to make sure that should something happen to her that Andy will ensure that Lion is cared for properly. She mentions a visiting step-son, one she hopes might take to Lion, but after Andy assures her that Lion will be properly cared for in case she no longer can care for him, the matter is dropped and pretty much forgotten. Then, a few weeks later, another phone call, this one from another lawyer. Rachel Morehouse, Lion's human, has passed away and Andy is invited to the reading of the will. Surprised, since he neither knew of Rachel's death nor that he'd have any connection to her will, Andy agrees. There he meets the step-son prior to the will reading. Just as they begin, the police enter and everyone except the step-son, Tony, is asked to step out. When the attendees return to the room, the only one missing is Tony. Seems the police have arrested him for the murder of his step-mother. It also turns out that Rachel was worth billions, probably the inciting reason for the arrest of a potential heir. And, thus begins the winding trail of how Andy reluctantly becomes involved in the case which, of course, turns out to be far more complicated than a simple murder. Luckily, Marcus has his back.

Narrator Grover Gardner perfectly captures Andy's humor, snark, and complex personality. The pacing is steady, seemingly increasing in pace as Andy finds himself in tense situations. Gardner makes no real effort to impersonate the various characters, ie changing his male voice to a more female sounding one, but it somehow works. There is never any doubt who is speaking. Gardner does this simply through slight changes of tone and speed, for lack of a better description. Chapter changes are not announced. Instead, there is a subtle pause between both chapters and changing scenes. All in all, it works well, from the initial set-up to the usually cliff-hanging conclusion....with Marcus managing to save Andy's life repeatedly at times, not to mention increasingly showing more of his own personality and background. I find myself looking forward to the next revelation about Marcus almost as much as I do seeing how Andy manages to get himself into and out of what appears a legal quagmire. "Holy Chow" is a winner, especially with the assist of narrator Grover Gardner.

Thanks #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for the chance to hang out with Andy and the dogs. It's always an adventure, with lots of both laughs and tension. One of my favorite, not-to-miss series.

ORIGINAL REVIEW OF EBOOK VERSION:

As usual, once I started reading, I couldn't stop until I finished. This is the 25th book in the Andy Carpenter series and I'd say that has pretty much held true for all of them. Now, true, I had to delay starting because, well, I needed to take my own dog for a walk. Andy would understand. I was drawn to the series because of the dog connection but have stayed for the self-deprecating humor, witty dialogue, and well-defined characters. Hey, we even learn a bit more about Marcus who, to be honest, I'm about half convinced is Superman in disguise.

As usual, the plot initially sounds simple. Andy's Tara Foundation adopted out Lion, a senior Chow, to Rachel Morehouse. Rachel calls him out of the blue one day to ask him to be sure Lion is cared for if something happens to her and her stepson can't take Lion. Andy thinks nothing more about it until he's notified Rachel has died and he should show up at the reading of her will. He goes, mostly thinking he's there to pick up the dog. He finds out there that Rachel was extremely rich and left $2M to the Tara Foundation. Then, her stepson, Tony, who actually adores the dog, is arrested for her murder just as the reading of the will is about to start.

That's when it gets complicated. Andy has been trying for years to retire, winds up as Tony's lawyer. Who killed Rachel Morehouse? Why? That's the big question Andy must answer to successfully defend his client. Speaking of his client, why was Tony estranged from the family? How is the family business connected? What does Sam discover while hacking his way through records? Do we really need to know exactly how late a plane lands each flight? What could that have to do with Rachel's murder? Dirty money? Drugs? How many times has Marcus saved Andy's life over the lifespan of this series? I don't know. The question just struck me. How do all these things connect? And, oh, there's more but you're going to have to read the book to find the answers to these and other questions.

Thank you #NetGalley and #SMB, #StMartinsBooks, for inviting me to drop in on Andy, Laurie, and the dogs. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment, well, aside from that really scary moment but, well, Marcus was there. He'd have saved me, too.

Mrs. Claus and the Evil Elves (Mrs. Claus #3), by Liz Ireland

 

Publication Sept. 27, 2022

Fun! I loved it! Quirky characters! Santaland! Santa Claus. Sugarplums! Candy canes! Elves! Flying reindeer! And, oh, yeah, murder.

April and Nick have been married a year-and-a-half and she's still not quite adjusted to life in Santaland. Come on. How long would it take you to adjust to being Mrs Claus and living amidst talking snowmen, elves, not just flying but talking reindeer with an attitude, and getting about in a reindeer powered sled? 

Life in Santaland isn't all sugarplums and candy canes, however. Something is afoot. The reindeer are on strike. Then, a kamikazee drone reindeer crashes into a stunning ice sculpture. It's towing a banner saying: "This is just the beginning!!!" The beginning of what? Where did it come from? Is that a threat? Who controlled it? April vows to find out. Then things get worse. Someone is found murdered.

Ironically, I found myself so caught up in the whimsy of the delightful world Liz Ireland has created for us that I almost forgot about the murder at times. I mean, drone reindeer? Clogging elves? A robot elf servant in the Claus castle? Antler toupees? Snowmen on hover-boards? Talking snowmen, at that? How do you put a living snowman back together after they've, well, been powderized by a crash on said hover-board? All this and more, oh, so much more, while April is entertaining Claire, a friend from Oregon who arrives disbelieving. Can you blame her? At least she likes the cold. She also makes a great ice cream.

The mystery starts with a missing man, er, elf, Blinky. He's a bit, well, odd. An eccentric genius, let's say, and has had a habit of going off alone at times. This time, however, he has a girlfriend, Juniper. At least she thinks she's his girlfriend. She hasn't heard from him and is worried. April isn't so sure but wants to support Juniper, even when Juniper is arrested for killing a long time friend with a crush on her. If you're going to be arrested, however, I must admit that Santaland sounds like the best place to be arrested and spend your time in jail. 

I don't want to give away any more of the plot or the delight that is Santaland, so won't detail the plot further. Let's just say, Santaland is both everything we ever imagined the North Pole to be like and nothing like our dreams. The reindeer are competitive, we've all heard of those reindeer games, but resent the gradual intrusion of technology into their world. Heck, so do many of the residents. The reindeer aren't the only ones who might lose their jobs. April's experiences with the robot maid are a perfect illustration of what can go wrong, not to mention that the sedentary snowmen are hardly cut out for nimbly guiding hover-boards. That said, even 12 year-old Christopher Claus, who will take over as Santa when he is 21, wants a robot for Christmas. Nick is sort of a Santa Regent, so to speak.

Is the murder related to the encroachment of technology into Santaland? Are the competitive reindeer causing the problems? What would Christmas be like without reindeer? Will Nick, er, Santa be able to soothe nerves and bring all the factions together in time for Christmas Eve? Even Pamela, the usually serene grand dame elder Mrs. Claus, dumps food over someone's head. Whoa.

They've called in detective Jake Frost to help. Although this is my first read of this series, it's obvious he's known to both Nick and April and, oh, my, visiting Claire is entranced on first sight. Will April be able to solve the murder, attend all the ceremonial festivities, soothe her reindeer friends, keep her red suited husband safe, and referee Claire's attraction to Jake, not to mention the fireworks display that sounds a bit, well, overboard? You're just going to have to read the book. Set aside your rational self, buy into the fantasy, and enjoy a great mystery with some of the quirkiest characters you can imagine. Fun!

Thank you, thank you, #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for taking me away on a fun, imaginary trip to Santaland. Murder aside, I want to go back! Thanks for introducing me to this series.