Legacies, Lies & Murder (Prentiss & Parker Cozy Mysteries Book 1), by Kathy Manos Penn

 Publication Sept. 22, 2026

What a delightful segue into a new series featuring characters I already know and love. Leta and Dave are currently settling into married life and expecting nothing more than a fun, entertaining time at a literary festival. Dave, although not there as a participant, is looking forward to sorting through and helping organize his friend Gilbert's library. Leta is there mostly for fun and, of course, they brought Dickens and Christie along. For newbies, I'll reveal that they talk to Leta in a language only she understands, albeit Dave is getting better at interpreting facial expressions and movement.  Oh, didn't I mention that Christie and Dickens are a cat and dog? It's simply a fact in the story and somehow seems just normal. Shrug. In any case, they're frequently helpful when Leta and Dave get involved in an investigation although much of it reminds of nothing more than typical kids bantering and teasing each other. Great fun, however you interpret it.

As noted, I've grown to like this duo, er, foursome, over the life of the series. I have to admit to thinking I might miss the other regulars, particularly the LOL's, aka Little Old Ladies group that frequently got involved in the investigations. Heck, they were there before Dave came along. What investigation, you ask? Long time readers won't be at all surprised to hear Leta discovers a body. This time it's the body of Agatha Penrose, a caustic, often mean spirited, 90+ year old writer who announced the publication of a fictional story collection that could best be described as a very thinly disguised, gossipy tell all. Needless to say, many of the locals who could easily discern who the real people being described were, were stunned and, yes, some were quite upset. Upset enough to kill? Well, now she's dead and the suspect list is long.

That's about all I'm going to reveal of the plot. I'll simply say that Leta and Dave's reputation as sleuths precedes them. They're quickly welcomed by the local law officials and investigating rather than simply enjoying the book chatter. Heck, even Minerva, the victim's cat gets involved courtesy of Dickens' translation for Leta. Leta's ability to not just get people to open up to her but to reveal more than they might have wanted is, as always, fully on display while Dave is a research wiz. While I'm not certain which of the new to us characters will become regulars, I'm thinking Gilbert and Margery are a cinch, with police office Tamsin and supposedly retired detective Harold Tremaine seem likely. I kept wondering how the author was going to handle the reveal of a new series with old, beloved characters but, well, let's just say for now that Dave seems to have an itch for something more and it provides the push for something new in their life. That's it. Not saying anything more. You'll just have to read it. 

Bottom line, I'm all in on this new series and recommend it highly. I love the bits of history and literary aspects Kathy Manos Penn brings to her books and it's definitely here. Of course, for me it is usually the characters and, as noted, I already was game for just about anything Leta and Dave, not to mention their furry friends. I'll happily tag along down any new path they lead. Well, maybe I'll skip the ones leading to a new body. While I'll admit I hope the old regulars play a role, at least occasionally, this appears to be another strong cast of characters surrounding Leta and Dave and it'll be fun to get to know them even better. I mean, based on Dickens and Christie's ability to train them on treat preferences, they're quick learners. Grin. Thanks to author #KathyManosPenn for gifting me this early peek at her brand new series. 

The Ghost and the Dead Librarian (A Haunted Bookshop Detective Mystery), by Cleo Coyle

 Publication Sept. 29, 2026

Although I'm a long time Cleo Coyle fan, this was the first time encountering this series. I didn't beat myself up, however, when I heard it was written under a pen name. That's a common practice of authors in all genres, so no surprise. In this case, we have young widow Pen/Penelope who has moved back to town to help out her aunt in a struggling bookshop. While helping make some changes, she discovers a long-time bookshop regular. Just one problem. He's a ghost. Killed in the bookshop. Fortunately for Pen's seeming habit of stumbling across murder investigations, he was also a private eye, albeit from the wise-cracking, gumshoe, hard-boiled detective era. His skills and investigative skills come in handy even if his abilities are somewhat hampered. I'll leave that to you to find out why. Needless to say, his help comes in handy when Dory, known for her writing of local obituaries, is killed in the bookshop after the signing of her first book. 

The series is, as it turns out, a rebirth of sorts, but with new adventures, so don't hesitate to jump into it again if you were a past reader.  I enjoyed the characters, finding the ghostly Jack Shepherd somewhat gruff at times but at the same time likable and even charming at times. True, his opinion that Pen use old style methods to elicit information don't work on her but he means well and does seem to have a knack of having her back when needed. Pen still seems a bit of a hesitant detective type but seems to be a fast learner. I may have to go find the initial offerings of the series just to see how it all began in more detail than this book offers although what is revealed here should be sufficient for most. The dream sequences Jack provides are not only helpful to Pen but offer up a cold case mystery for readers to try to solve, too, a bonus. You'll meet quite a few of the seemingly regulars of the series, too, as well as be reminded how narrow some small town focuses can be where status and family are involved. Having worked off and on to create my own family tree, I can definitely attest that digging into family history can reveal both saints and sinners as well as everything in-between, so to have family history pop up here was a fun perk for me. It also provides several suspects, that's for sure. And that's before Pen starts digging which is when things get far more complicated.

Bottom line, not to give away much more of the plot, this was a fun read and I'm glad I was intrigued enough by the title, which you'll clearly understand as you read, to request a review copy. It did take me a few pages to sort out that Pen was communicating with Jack by talking to him in her mind, not aloud, though slip ups were surely inevitable. She's also dealing with a son and wary family members. So, not just murder, but some family drama and lots of fun chatter with a wise-cracking ghost detective. I'm curious how Coyle will go from here with these characters, so already looking forward to the next book. Thanks #KensingtonPublishing for his early peek at the rebirth of an ol' series. Sounds like Pen's future is about to get more and more interesting, so glad Jack is around to help, even if she probably needs to keep a sweater handy when he appears. 

Mark Twain for Book Lovers: On Reading, Writing, and Publishing, by R. Rasmussen

 

Publication August 18, 2026

Like many, my introduction to Mark Twain was through a classroom study of one of his books. If I recall, the first one I encountered was "Tom Sawyer" with "Huckleberry Finn" soon after. Other than his riverboat and western adventures, not sure I really knew much about him as a person, however, aside from his involvement in the writing and publication of Grant's memoir. 

As a result, I felt like I learned quite a bit about him as a person, friend, and writer/publisher. Not all of it positive, either, in a sense. I won't go into great detail but came away feeling that his supposed friends must have frequently felt like they were pulled toward and then shoved away, most frequently perhaps finding out in his published criticisms. Even his support of Grant, which I'd always admired, perhaps had some selfish motivation as we find out Twain's frequent need for money and how desperately he depended on the success of the memoir to promote his own business needs as a publisher. I certainly didn't come away disliking Twain but was definitely reminded that beneath the myth was a very human man. 

Bottom line, while I came away from the book having learned a great deal about the man, it wasn't always the easiest read. Maybe it was just my own mind-set of the time but it seemed to jump around a bit, from one example of his writing to a discussion of his friendships, to, well, a multitude of things. All added to the big picture but made it a bit of a difficult read for me. Hence, a tough ratings call as I'd say a 5 star for info while a 3 for not being an easy read for me, hence my 4 rating. Don't let my reaction stop you from picking this one up to read, however, especially if you're a fan. The inclusion of many of his writings and thoughts pulled from various sources means you're getting a good picture of who he really was and the writing style may be right for you. Thanks #GlobePequet for allowing me this early peek into the complicated life of a man whose name many of us have known for years. It was illuminating to get a glimpse behind the scenes, so to speak. 

Murder at the Country Fair, by Merryn Allingham

 

Publication June 2, 2016

Sussex, 1960. Flora and Jack are busy, busy, busy. They're trying to get everything sorted and boxed for their move into their new home at the old schoolhouse. Jack is stressing a bit as he tries to finish his latest novel in the face of pressure from his agent while Flora is still checking in on the bookshop as she can. There is also the autumn fair that they want to attend. Hey, even busy folks need to relax at times. Unfortunately, relaxation is the last thing they get from this visit when one of the vendors is killed on his way to his booth. Accident or something far more sinister? I'm sure you can guess. Murder. And, yikes, what a unique means of killing someone. Any hopes Flora and Jack have of staying out of this case goes by the wayside when Jack's police buddy Alec Ridley asks them to look into it. Turns out the prime suspect is Ridley's golfing buddy. 

So, who killed cheese maker Gilbert Barrow in such a devious way? Despite his agent's discontent, Jack manages to steal away from his novel and do some sleuthing, even including a short stop at this father's home in the process. We learn a bit more about Jack's relationship with his father in each book, so that's always an intriguing encounter. Flora, of course, as usual manages to put herself into danger. Let's face it, impulsive is her mode of operation and her questioning always seems to put a target on her back. I don't want to give away much more of the plot, it's always best and more fun to encounter events fresh, but will say that there are ample suspects and possible reasons for the murder. We're also treated to side stories involving Flora's friend Alice as well as a romance for Sally. Given Sally's romantic history, let's just say I was rooting for her that this one would take. And, oh, the idea of Egypt keeps floating in and out of the story but I'll leave you to find out why. 

Bottom line, despite some questionable stunts by Flora and Jack, I always seem to come away from this series with a smile. While the author didn't delve too much into the history of the times other than to note that the novel Lady Chatterley's Lover had just come out, you just have to wonder what will be playing out in future books. Anyway, although I picked up on an important clue, I interpreted it wrong and still didn't really finger whodunit until the reveal. A bit frustrating, true, but always a good sign of a clever writer. as it all made sense. Thanks #Bookouture for introducing me to Flora, Jack, and the whole of Abbeymead, and the early peeks into how life is progressing for them and their circle of friends. 

Murder from A to Z (Mystery Bookshop #11), by V.M. Burns

 

Publication Jan. 27, 2026

It's obviously been awhile since I've read this series but I felt at home again quickly. I liked the main characters of Samantha/Sam and her lawyer sister Jenna. The supporting cast is rather large, admittedly, but I took notes as needed and found myself able to connect relationships fairly easily. Boyfriend/fiance Frank Patterson seems to be not only a marvelous baker but capable of being scary to suspects, an interesting combo, especially when you toss in Frank's friend and former military buddy, Garrett, a sniper who has done "scary things". I think that means they were super spies or Seals or something akin to national security. The only thing that seems to frighten Garrett is Irma. Nope, not telling you why. You'll just have to read the book.

As for the murder, it begins with secret code being sent via eye blinks. Before any real response can be mustered, however, Alva Tarkington is dead and her family seems to be more interested in when they'll receive their inheritance than showing any sadness over her death. The only one who seems to have cared is Isabella, who plays an important role in the story. I'm not going to detail the plot further but will say it involves family drama, lots of it, art, shady business dealings, senior sleuths, the importance of estate planning, and, oh, yeah, the FBI gets involved. And lots of food. You'll pick up lots of info on art, especially painting, including art theft and forgery from as far back as World War II. Let's just say, Sam has her hands full sorting it all out.

Bottom line, despite having obviously missed a couple books, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It's quite character driven and the regulars are well fleshed out. Nana Jo is definitely a force to be obeyed, that's for sure. And let's not forget Snickers and Oreo, the two now senior cats of the story. Thanks #KensingtonPress for the early peek and reminder to me that I need to catch up on reading. I always enjoy the two-for-one concept as we get Sam's current mystery strewn throughout the current one, a real plus. Rather cool to see a bit of Winston Churchill vs Neville Chamberlain's appeasement approaches. 

Woody's Words: Woodrow Wilson Rawls and Where the Red Fern Grows, by Lisa Jean LaBanca Rogers , Susan Reagan (illustrator)

 

Publication Sept. 9, 2025

It's been awhile since I last read "Where the Red Fern Grows" but it still makes me smile when I remember it. Smile and feel the urge to reach for a box of tissues. That said, I must admit to knowing next-to-nothing about author Woodrow Wilson Rawls prior to reading this book. I'm now feeling the urge to dig out my old copy of the story (with some tissues handy) as I read it again with fresh eyes and more knowledge about how it came to be. 

Whether you've read "Red Fern" or not, I don't want to divulge too much of this book about it's author. Teacher friends, it should be a must. Same with dog fanatics everywhere.  A thoughtful, insightful look into what made Rawls a writer. It wasn't an easy life. In fact, he spent some time in jail but it ultimately sounds like wife Sophie was his savior and inspiration. A budget analyst for the Atomic Energy Commission, she was not just his biggest booster but typist, proofreaders, editor, and, well, much more. 

Rawls beloved dog book was first published in the highly regarded Saturday Evening Post before appearing in full book form. While barely educated himself, Rawls, a true story-teller, made thousands of promotional appearances, frequently at schools in front of children. It sounds like their words of appreciation only fueled his drive to write. Is the story 100% true? You'll have to read the book to find out. You won't regret it. While aimed at children from 7-10, my hunch is dog and book people of all ages will find it a good read. There's a lengthy bibliography at the end for those who want to take a deeper dive as well as, in addition to the illustrations, both b/w and color photographs. It was a plus to note the contributions of family members. Thanks #AstraPublishingGroup for allowing me this early peek at this intriguing, delightful story. It brought back many memories and I loved the inclusion of a photo of the statue of the book's Billy Coleman and his hounds that stands at the Idaho Falls Public Library. 

Murder on the Books, by Toni LoTempio

 

Publication July 1, 2025

An incognito mystery writer moves back to her ol' home town to get away from all things mystery and the pressures of writing. Instead, she lands in the middle of a real-life murder mystery. She discovers her friend Zane's new business is endangered before it even opens. Business partner to-be, Sheila has gone missing, leaving Zane stretched financially. Charley/Charlotte agrees (volunteers, really) to be her new partner. While checking out the basement of the two shared businesses, Charley finds Sheila's body hidden in a chest. She didn't disappear. She was murdered. 

Thus begins a brand new mystery series. I won't detail the plot but it was an interesting one with lots of twists and turns and several suspects. Enter Barbie, er, Detective Barbara Johnson, a former classmate of both Charley and Zane. Let's just say they were not friends. Fortunately, a much more interesting character soon enters, Detective Ian Grant, who seems to be in town temporarily from a neighboring town. Cozy mystery fans will see where this is going, I'm sure. Of course, Charley doesn't make things easy, sticking her nose in the case and, in general, putting herself in danger multiple times. You'd think a mystery writer would know better, huh, but finding a read dead body was new to Charley and she seems compelled to follow leads....no matter where they lead. I have to admit, I found it rather unrealistic that townspeople would open up and be so forthcoming with a virtual stranger, hometown girl or not, but, it did move the plot along quickly. 

Bottom line, while I had a minor quibble, I enjoyed the book and will be looking forward to the next. .Quibble, you say? Yes. For instance, I'm a dog person and make sure my dog is secured in the car when I travel with her. Charley, in contrast, after finding a stray cat she calls Poe, simply put cat into the car free and even leaves Poe alone there for extended times. Despite this, I found myself liking her and the surrounding cast of characters. Heck, I didn't even dislike Barbie, er, Detective Johnson as we don't get much of the backstory yet. For that matter, we don't get to know even Charley well but, hey, this is the first in a hopefully long series, so that's normal. I definitely liked how the author handled the issue of PTSD/mental issues via Nancy and her service dog. I hope we see a lot more of them in future books, especially since it gave insight into Charley. Thanks #SevernHouse for this early look at a promising new series. I wonder how long Charley can keep her author status hidden. Something tells me Ian Grant will figure it out when he sets his mind to it. Charley isn't real good at hiding her unusual knowledge of murder investigations.

 

 

 

Death and the Librarian (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #9), by Victoria Gilbert

Publication July 8, 2025

Family, friends, and an art festival do not mix with murder. Unfortunately, that's just the situation Amy Muir finds herself facing in this, the ninth book of the series. While I tend to like the characters, I found myself exasperated with Amy this go-round. She's always been curious, never quite limiting herself to the "research" that she swears is all she's going to do to be involved in after the murder of author Maureen Dryden. She gets a note saying that if she doesn't back off, her friends and family would be in danger,. Does she let that stop her? Oh, you know the answer to that one, I bet. She's bound and determined to find out who killed the festival speaker and true crime author the morning before she's to meet with her to help her research. The suspects are varied and, yikes, include some close to Amy. Even family. Uh, oh.

Thus, while I found the mystery intriguing, I was constantly thrown off by Amy's rash actions and lack of common sense. While she does make the proactive move to remove her young twins from harm, a friend is injured as a warning and a second threatening note received. Does this attack put her off? You know the answer to that one, too. Of course not. Yet, Amy still goes hiking along up a tree-laden narrow trail to investigate the murder site of a possibly connected cold case murder. She also ventures out alone more than once, even waving away offers to accompany her. Does that get her in trouble? Oh, boy, you already know that answer, too. 

I won't detail the plot beyond this other than to say I do like that Amy has a good relationship with Brad, the chief police investigator. That isn't always true in cozy mysteries. She also has young children, which many amateur sleuths don't. It's definitely fun to see how husband' Richard's dance background is used and the fun of following the related side-story. Family friend and godfather to the twins, Kurt, has secrets, too. Big, potentially life changing secrets. As a result, despite my annoyance with Amy this go-round, I still enjoyed the read. 3.5 rounded to 4 stars. Thanks #CrookedLaneBooks for this early peek at the always busy life of Amy and her family and friends. Who knew being a librarian could be so, uh, exciting.

An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder, by Lynn Cahoon

 

Publication June 24, 2025

This is going to be one of those series where I came for the mystery and keep coming back for the characters. Meg Gates and her rescue dog Watson are back home on Bainbridge Island after her almost-husband basically dumped her for her maid of honor. She's living in her aunt and uncle's garage apartment and working at the family bookstore part time but is excited to be hired as a part-time assistant to mystery writer Lily Aster. Seems Meg has writing dreams of her own. Her first objective, however, is to pull herself together. Back at her childhood home, she's lucky enough to find her besties from middle school, Natasha and Dalton, are still around. They once solved petty mysteries such as missing items in middle school so what is more normal than for them to fall easily back into that after a dead body is discovered at her new part-time job site. Never mind her Uncle Troy is the police chief and keeps warning her to stay out of his case. Sound familiar? I bet you can guess how well Meg listens. That said, I give her props for sharing information she discovers asap with him rather than holding out and, props to him for, despite wanting to keep her safely away from danger, for accepting such information gracefully. 

I won't detail the plot but will note that Meg's interest isn't just based on her fascination with a good mystery. She also realizes her potentially fascinating new job as a writer's assistant is in danger when Lily turns out to be the prime suspect. Even worse, her long-time friend Natasha is another. Nor are they, thankfully, the only suspects. Seems Lily's manager, who turns out to be the victim, wasn't quite what he advertised himself to be and others may have had reasons to wish him gone, too. In the process of tracking down other suspects and proving Lily and Natasha couldn't possibly be guilty, Meg finds herself enjoying the company of Dalton more than she'd expected. Formerly with the Coast Guard, he is now working his way up the ranks with the local, vital ferry service and you'll get to take a few rides with them as you read. Fun! At some point she realizes her dog Watson is quite taken with Dalton but, hmm, didn't seem to care for the not-terriby-missed almost-husband....who'll also make a few appearances throughout. My bet is you won't be any fonder of him than Watson was.

Bottom line, this is a great start to a new series for author Lynn Cahoon. Heck, the book title alone pulled me in and I was delighted to discover each of the chapters is titled with one of the hints for sleuths that Meg comes up with. They made sense and were a nice touch that hopefully Cahoon will be able to utilize in future books, albeit perhaps not quite as focused on sleuthing. The trio of Meg, Natasha, and Dalton work well together and respect Meg's Nancy Drew abilities, as they call them. I liked them all and the easy way the related to each other with quite natural sounding dialogue. In other words, they seemed real. Her Aunt Melody and Uncle Troy were also a plus, with her aunt's background in the writing world coming in handy, just as her uncle's legal position and knowledge did here and surely will in the future. It was nice to find him, while protective, respectful of Meg's efforts, not belittling her contributions as he gracefully accepted them. I also very much appreciated Meg's restraint about mindlessly walking into danger. In other words, she's an amateur sleuth who isn't TSTL, ie too stupid to live. Finally, Bainbridge Island itself seems to be a lovely setting with lots of potential, so I'm looking forward to learning more about Meg's past and present home turf. Thanks #KensingtonPress - #KensingtonCozies for this early intro to Meg's life and allowing me to virtually enjoy a few ferry rides in the process.  I'm looking forward to following Meg's adventures as she not only solves crimes but works on writing about them, too. I assume Lily will be a regular and she's a great character with lots to share, both about life and the whole writing experience.

No Roast for the Weary (Coffeehouse Mystery, #21), by Cleo Coyle

 

Publication April 1, 1015

Although I'm not much of a coffee drinker, I thoroughly enjoy this series. In fact, it was one of the ones that made a cozy mystery fan out of me. It's been way too long since I've dropped into the Village Blend but I immediately felt right at home. It was lots of fun to be there for the birth, or should I say rebirth, of The Writer's Block Lounge, too, despite its early hiccups.  Boy, everyone should have a retired astronaut handy to share ideas on how to make large groups under intense pressure work best. I'd say he fully earned that Golden Ticket and Madame's attentions. It was an added plus to learn some of the back history of the coffeehouse, too, while getting a feel for life in New York City. Heck, we even get to ogle some well-known celebrities virtually although I'm not sure I'd be as disciplined as Claire and have not snapped a few photos.   

New readers, don't hesitate to jump in here. While it was nice to know backstories of character relationship, it works very well as a standalone. You'll settle in quickly, enjoying characters such as the animal loving, slam-poet Esther, and the rest of those associated with the Village Blend. Claire Cosi remains the hard-working, focused, and, oh, so determined woman I remembered and, well, Madame will always be Madame to me, too. Mother of Claire's ex-husband and now friend, Matt, Madame remains a force to be reckoned with. Despite my annoyance with Matt this go-round, he remains ready to head off on his next coffee bean recon trip, trips that usually provide more than a little rush of danger. I actually wondered if, despite my annoyance with what he was contemplating, he might just be growing up a bit more and thinking of the future, at least the financial future for Claire and his mother. I'll be paying attention to that possibility next book, that's for sure. 

As for the plot, it's complicated. On the surface it appears to be an investigation into who mugged a coffeehouse regular but, oh, my, there are more layers. Many more layers, in fact. Oh, and there's a duck involved. Nope. Not telling. You'll have to read the book. Lots of twists and turns, red herrings galore, missing manuscripts, coded manuscripts, hit-and-runs, and, oh, yeah, murder. And that's just the surface. I'd like to smugly say I figured it all out but who am I kidding? I didn't know for sure until the final big reveal and that wasn't even the end of the book. Lots more reveals, let's just say. Toss in celebrity sightings, taxi rides past well-known landmarks that included The Heights, publishing woes, writers woes and egos, lots of quotes and lyrics, friends and family, and, oh, so much more. Thanks #Berkley for my virtual invite to finally revisit the Village Blend and renew my acquaintance with Claire and the rest. I'm definitely looking forward to spending time in The Writer's Block Lounge next visit, especially now that they've figured out how to make it work with such diverse, intensely creative customers.

Shot Through the Book, by Eva Gates

 Publication May 5, 2025

A dead body on her own deck wasn't how Lucy hoped to start the Young Adult Book Festival. Not only is it someone she has barely met but, uh-oh, he was to be the festival's prime author. Who killed Todd Harrison? Why on Lucy and Conner's deck? And, oh, my, not with the usual weapon. Toss in a pushy, not exactly grief-stricken wife with political ambitions, rabid fans determined to live out rituals in Todd's YA series, and gossip, and you've got a twisty mystery to solve. On top of everything else, Lucy isn't even feeling all the great.

I don't want to detail the plot and ruin one moment for readers but will say that as a former teacher with librarian fans, I loved this twist on teens and authors. While I was a bit taken aback by Lucy's lack of backbone when Heather Harrison came calling, cameraman and assistant in tow, especially given Lucy is usually the strong one, I fully enjoyed the story. Politics in its most rabid attack mode might best characterize Heather's tactics but, wow, she is definitely a piece of work. By the time she's done, she's pretty much accused everyone of being inept, ineffectual, useless, or even being a murderer. I guess I'd be a bit taken aback to be confronted by someone like that, too, so I cut Lucy some slack. It was fun to see the rest of the cast of characters together again, sharing ideas, and I felt like I was back home with friends as I joined them virtually. Now, true, a little of Louise Jane goes a long way but Lucy was pretty successful at keeping her reined in. There's even some romance blooming, always fun when you're among friends. 

Bottom line, a fun, thought provoking read in many ways. While as educators we strive to pull students into reading, this one tackles what happens when an author's work becomes an obsession. Even worse, an obsession that leads them into not just annoying but potentially dangerous situations. What might be the result? You'll probably at first shake your head at some of the Todd Harrison book fans but be forced to look deeper into teen angst and obsessions as it progresses. You'll even learn a bit about a sport that isn't the norm for cozy mysteries, at least those set in modern times, as well as get some insight into both publishing and author agents, not to mention author rivalries. Nags Head is, as always, a fascinating location and I enjoy the quirky characters that seem to have found their virtual home there. This one kept me guessing until nearly the big reveal, I must admit. Thanks #CrookedLaneBooks for this early peek at all that's going on in Lucy's life. I did guess that not too finely hidden hint about the final big reveal, though, I must admit. Now I'm looking forward all the more to the next book.

The Case of the Christie Conspiracy, by Kelly Oliver

 

Publication Feb. 16, 2025

An interesting mix of fact, fiction, history, and mystery....with a dash of romance. Don't let the title confuse you. Although Agatha Christie does make an appearance, she's hardly the central character. That spot falls to Eliza Baker, secretary/assistant to mystery author Dorothy Sayers. While the plot centers about happenings at the Sayers' created Detective Club of mystery authors, including Christie. Eliza is there simply as Sayers' secretary. In fact, she's not even a fan of the genre though you'd never know it when she does turn sleuth.Theo Sharpe, an aspiring mystery writer who has an obvious crush on Eliza, becomes her sleuthing partner/competitor. It really does seem at times like they're more in competition than cooperating, to be honest. In addition to their sleuthing skills, both play a mean game of chess although Theo refuses to play Eliza for reasons that slowly emerge.

While I won't detail the plot, it's wicked clever. It even centers about the Detective Club and its members, including Sayers and Christie. In fact, the inevitable murder occurs during the initiation of Theo into the organization.  Who killed jokester and mystery writer Neville Lively? Christie? I mean, almost the last word from Neville's mouth was "Agatha". Other clues emerge, many pointing to Agatha, others in other directions. It was interesting and almost surprising to see Eliza switch gears from the seemingly bored assistant to sleuth in the blink of an eye (gunshot?). Seeing how evidence was collected and evaluated in 1926 was also interesting, even if readers may be uncertain as to where she gained her skills at this point. At best we know she once worked for Scotland Yard but quit after her partner was killed, an event she blames herself for. To be honest, if the book blurb itself hadn't stated this was a new series, I'd have been sure I'd missed a first book.

The characters involved, both real and fictional, were an interesting lot. Sayers stands out but it's Theo that drew most of my attention. He's SO besotted with Eliza. While he comes from a titled family with money, he's turned his back on all that to write. Unlike Eliza, who believes life is about living it, not writing about it, he's more feelings based. Eliza tends to be procedural and fact driven while he has great respect for hunches. Eliza's sister Jane remains a bit of an enigma, perhaps because she works for British intelligence, something sure to provide plenty of interesting situations for Eliza to become involved in as the series progresses. As for the other characters, largely mystery writers and their family and/or friends, while not fully fleshed out, they seemed likable enough and were easy to differentiate. The author did manage to work in a reference to Christie having enjoyed surfing in Hawaii, I noted, a fun, humanizing aspect. I've always enjoyed Oliver's ability to weave history into her plot but be sure to read her Author's Note at the end to find out who was real and who wasn't if you're unsure. 

While I was a bit put off by the frequency the wannabe romance between Eliza and Theo took center stage, it was interesting to get both points of view at times. It was also a bit disconcerting to see Eliza's sudden, abrupt shift from no real interest in mysteries to being this talented, direct sleuth, even to the point of being almost cruel, when questioning suspects. Had to wonder why they simply answered her questions instead of showing her to the door. Grin. Hopefully that will get better, of course, and there will be less focus on the romance, at least less intensity, although to each their own.

Bottom line, despite my minor quibbles and excellent start to a new series, even if somewhat bewildering at times. The characters and story drew me in and kept my attention. I've always enjoyed author Oliver's ability to somehow weave together a sensible plot that involves real life character in fictional situations, something that definitely attracts this history buff. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for this early intro and peek into the lives of Eliza, Theo, and the rest, including Eliza's dog Queenie. I'm already looking forward to the next book to see how Oliver continues the idea of the Detective Club and what members may become recurring characters. Sayers, surely, especially as Eliza's employer.

The Old Girls' Chateau Escape, by Kate Galley

 

Publication Jan. 29, 2025

Heartfelt, charming and wonderfully character driven, not to mention a tale of secrets kept and even a hint of mystery. Or, is that two mysteries? In any case, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to spend more time with Gina Knight again, once again as a caretaker, but this time in France. I worried we might not get much Dorothy Reed this go-round, so was quite delighted when she popped up as the book continued. It's Dorothy, after all, who points Gina in the direction of old author friend Meredith to find out what long kept secrets she might be revealing in her upcoming memoir. Gina is naturally friendly, honest, and wants to help, even if she is uncomfortable at the idea of betraying Meredith's trust, too, by sharing what she discovers. That's complicated by Meredith's husband Gerald having dementia and concerns of doing anything to ruin his moments of clarity by disturbing Meredith. Gina has a sensitive way of reading people and it's obvious Meredith is troubled.

It is to Gina's credit that she not only tries to do right by both of them but help harried chateau manager Lucian and another stranger she meets at the chateau villas. Phew, and that's only hitting the highlights. Lots more going on here. For me, however, the important aspect was that this is definitely a character driven story. From side characters like Lucian to Dorothy, Gina, and the rest, each is wonderfully fleshed out and we get to spend some time i many of their heads. I hope we somehow get to see more of Lucian in future books. I really liked him. The descriptions of the setting and the places Gina visits in the area are well-done and give you a taste of France, not to mention its artists. While the main characters are older, they're hardly stereotypes, albeit the author doesn't ignore that they have to make adjustments for activities and outings. I liked that, maybe because I'm slowly but surely coming to grips with that myself? Grin. 

Bottom line, while I don't want to give away any more of the plot, I will say if you enjoy character driven plots, especially with finally aged characters in amazing places, you'll enjoy this book. The plot moves along nicely and you'll feel at home with the characters almost immediately. While a follow-up to the first in the series, this one stands alone nicely with pretty much all the background you need to know being revealed in the first chapter almost without you noticing it. In other words, the author writes well and is quite readable. There's obviously lots of drama but also humor (and a cat), particularly as Gina tries to navigate civilly with an ex-husband who walked out on her but seems to be having second thoughts. I couldn't quite decide if he was a jerk or to feel sorry for him, though did grin when he was played a bit by both Lucian and neighbor and potential real romantic interest Erik, who I'm quite liking. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for allowing me this early peek at Gina's adventures in France. I like how she's handling the changes in her life and the realization that she rather likes not having to answer to someone else. You go, girl!

She Doesn't Have a Clue, by Jenny Elder Moke

 

Publication Jan. 21, 2025

Kate should be delighted to find herself sharing an isolated private island with long-time crush Jake. Well, maybe if she she wasn't being accused of being a murderer. A mystery author herself, Kate also notes a strange similarity to her own mystery novels. The fact she's a klutz and seems to always manage to react in exactly the wrong way to events doesn't help. I was confused initially when the point of view seemed to be flashing between Kate and someone named Loretta who seemed to have a handle on such things far, far better than Kate. As it turns out, Loretta is Kate's fictional creation, one she tends to hide behind. Heck, she even uses Loretta to facilitate her fantasies about Jake, who she's also made into a character in her book series. She uses Loretta as a bit of a shield, so to speak, trying to imagine how Loretta would handle finding a body and being stuck on an island in the middle of a savage storm amidst a feuding family, spooky manor house with countless confusing hallways and hidden passages, countless animal trophies, both heads and full bodies, hidden rooms, an eccentric hostess, and, oh, yeah, a wedding party. Ah, complications and locked room mystery vibes mixed with rom-com vibes.

I won't detail the plot but will say to buckle your seat belt. It tends to zig-zag and twist and turn, all while we're bouncing back and forth in Kate and Kate As Loretta's minds, so to speak. Heck, I haven't even mentioned the Deer Shredder, who handiwork we encounter early on. Toss in a dead body or two and, well, there's lots going on. There are even some steamy scenes when Kate does let down her guard against Jake. Maybe because he keeps rescuing her? Usually just in time for her to be accused of something else, of course. Wait until you see the fixes she keeps getting into. Lots going on, most mirroring Kate's own fictional works. Who'd be so diabolical? I actually wound up liking Jake far more than Kate, mostly because he seemed more open and honest upfront. Kate is hiding behind Loretta, using her to try to make sense of everything. All this, remember, while a storm is raging, winds are blowing out windows, and mysterious fires break out, not to mention fingers being pointed at Kate for much of the misery.

Have I confused you yet? There really is a rational ending, albeit one that may make your heart race before all is said and done. I'm not sure this was a book for me but, as noted, I came to understand Kate far more as the book drew to a close. It's far easier to hide behind the mask of Loretta for her than to face messy reality, bottom line. Loretta has all the answers while Kate has, well, none. Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for allowing me to be an early fly on the wall while Kate struggles to make sense of not just the mystery but own life. Not quite the book for me but I can imagine others will love the rush of adventure, romance, and spooky intrigue.

Schooled in Murder (Campus Sleuth Mysteries #1), by Victoria Gilbert

 

Publication Jan. 27, 2025

Since I was a student aide for my college's education department, which was alongside the English department, this one drew me immediately. The first of a new series for author Victoria Gilbert, the main character is a professor as well as the author of a mystery  series. She works with students who want to write but finds there is a bit of a stigma from some higher minded souls when the students want to write, let's say, non-serious material such as romance or, dare I say it, cozy mysteries. Jenn Dalton finds herself in the middle of what could be one of her mysteries when one of her students, Mia, has a confrontation with a professor who, although he finds her talented, has belittled her romance writings as being a waste of her talents. As if that isn't bad enough, the student goes missing just as the snobby professor's body is found in the library....by Jenn. Mystery author or not, Jenn was totally shaken by the experience but with the help of friends is determined to discover the truth. Who killed Professor Doug Barth?

I won't detail the plot but it was fun to see a mystery writer trying to summon everything she knows, or thinks she knows, about sleuthing. She has friends to help, including one who just seems to drive her nuts. If you're like me, having read enough cozies over the years to see it coming, I immediately thought, "Ah, ha, romantic interest". That said, I didn't quite warm up to Jenn immediately. She seemed a bit prickly at times although maybe stand-offish would be a better word choice. I did enjoy the setting, however, and the ease with which her fellow workers jumped in to help her sort it all out. Zach, the psychologist and romantic interest, seemed almost condescending at first but I credited that to Jenn's inability to accept that her reactions were anything but normal and she'd be perfectly fine. The dance around ultimate attraction between them was fun to watch, even if I wondered at times if I'd like either one in real life.

As for the murder, the initial focus is on talented writing student Mia, who goes missing at the wrong time. As it turns out, there are several potential suspects, all complicated by the dynamics of what appears to be professional rivalries and some less than professional actions. That's all I'm saying about that other that Jenn found out reality doesn't always fall into line with creative plot lines. Nor are people always what the appear to be. While I wasn't fully pulled in by Jenn, there's promise to this new series and I'll definitely read the next. Thanks #CrookedLaneBooks for the early peek into Jenn's literary and new-found sleuthing life.

The Poison Pen Letters(The Village Detectives #2), by Fiona Walker

 

Publication Nov. 8, 2024

I found myself all over the place with this one. On the one hand, it used an unique murder weapon, that's for sure. I honestly didn't care much for the characters as the book began but they did grow on me as I got to know them better. I'm not sure if reading the first book in this series would have made a difference. Probably not as it eventually worked as a standalone for me. I did seriously wish they'd find Juno the perfect boyfriend soon, if only so she'd stop obsessing over men so much. Part of her character, true, but it did distract me at times. Phoebe, the writer and possible target of the murder, and her husband Felix, a film producer, seemed genuinely in love even while they also seemed to both push and pull away repeatedly. It's obvious they care for each other. Mil Winterbourne, was younger than the rest but has a crush on Juno that she can't quite bring herself to reciprocate. 

These relationships, good, bad, or indifferent, are sidelined when Phoebe's chatty postman Craig is murdered. Let's just say a package he was delivering to Phoebe explodes and kills him. Was he the intended target or Phoebe? Who'd hate either of them enough to kill them in such a dramatic manner? As it turns out, Phoebe does have a long list of potential enemies. She's been stalked before and getting an invite to her own funeral the day before is rather telling about who the intended victim was, I'd say. Phoebe's friends, who've been dubbed the Village Detectives, gather to investigate and then scatter here and there to do so. I won't detail the plot further other than to say the ending was quite intense.

Despite the murder and following events, there is also humor. Just the characters alone provided much of it, especially their thoughts as they encounter others. Juno and Felix combining forces to investigate offered lots of laughs as well as "Uh, oh, what if..." thoughts. And, as over-the-top as Juno's man crazy persona was, I found myself liking her and thinking she'd be someone I'd want on my side. Readers just need to relax and go with the flow, so to speak, and not try to make it all make sense as frequently as I initially did. The theme of cyber stalking is definitely a timely one, so that kept my attention, too. The red herrings are plentiful, as are the twists and turns. While not quite the book for me, 3.5 rounded to 4 stars, it was still an intriguing read with characters you're likely to grow to like. I may make a point of reading the first book now because it's a series that intrigued (yes, there's that word again) me enough to want to know them all more. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for introducing me to Phoebe, Felix, Juno, and Mil early, not to mention the rest of the cast of characters. That ending was both intense and funny, something hard to make come off but the author managed it well.

Something Dead the Cat Dragged In (A Dixie French Mystery Book 1), by Ella Duke

 

Publication about August 19, 2024

Dixie wanted to write a mystery, not star in one.

Having spent a good part of my life in the South, I felt right at home with some of the terms and attitudes Dixie encounters in her planned stay at Loblolly Falls, SC. Dixie is charmed, too, although she wasn't expecting to be a witness to murder when she met her landlady, Miriam, at Twin Perks to pick up the keys. Yet, that's exactly what happens. She even has notes to prove it as she was practicing her writer's observation skills by noting down human behaviors and such in a journal. In fact, she's getting some great ideas for writing while observing Greg and his family. Then he suddenly drops dead. As it turns out, he was murdered.

Although the writing at first seemed a bit choppy, it quickly smoothed out and my interest was captured. Dixie was likable and her new, almost immediate friendship with Miriam, was also likable, witty, and seemed game for anything, seemed natural. Well, almost. She wasn't quite as eager as Dixie to ask questions meant to lead them to whodunit. For a newcomer, Dixie did seem rather forward and even unthinking as she approached suspects and asked questions that made Miriam uncomfortable. Hopefully she'll fine-tune her approach in future books. Heck, even her good intentions weren't well thought out but you'll have to read the book to see what I mean by that. I liked the sparring between Dixie and her new neighbor, too, and am curious to see where that leads in the future. You'll even learn a bit about both social media influencers and flower/plant care, too. 

Overall, a good start for a new series. I did find Dixie somewhat too pushy for my comfort on questioning people she doesn't even know, especially as a new-comer, but that was probably some combo of natural curiosity and her hoped for career as a mystery writer. She definitely didn't seem to suffer from writer's block. The supporting cast, as noted, seemed interesting and offer some interesting potential story lines for the future. Thanks #BookSirens for introducing me to Loblolly (I can hear that name now rolling of Southern tongues) Falls and Dixie. Looking forward to the next in the series. And, hey, I've even had fried green tomatoes. They are tasty!

Christmas in Aspen, by Anita Hughes

 

Publication October 8, 2024

There's a lot going on in this story. It starts with Caroline Holt finding a letter in a Santa Claus envelope to her late mother. A man, who didn't sign the letter, says he loves her mother, Anne, and will be waiting for her at Santa's Little Red Mailbox in Aspen on New Year's. Caroline decides she must be there to meet him. In the meantime, her sister announces she's getting married. Caroline's idea of romance is to date someone for a month, then dump them, and finds the concept of marriage difficult to understand. And, thus, begins a story of love lost, found, family, balancing life and work, and, well, so much more. What mostly pulled me to the book was the idea that Caroline words as a book editor for a prestigious firm in New York, hence we'd be getting to see some of what goes on behind the scenes that brings books like this to us. 

To be honest, I was up and down with the book. I didn't particularly like Caroline in the beginning, finding her not only a downer but was put off by her overall attitude toward life in general, not just romance. She is still suffering from grief over her mother's death, yes, but Caroline seems to bring it up constantly, making it hard to root for her. She's also determined that since she doesn't believe in happily ever after, she needs to meddle in her younger sister's romance. And, even when she meets an interesting man, one she is definitely attracted to, she makes it clear to him that she has "rules" and they basically evolve around not allowing anyone to get close to her. I did like her determination to meet the mysterious man of the letter, however, so he wouldn't feel her mother had simply blown him off. In other words, there is a heart there, it's just well guarded. And, in the meantime, if she wants to keep her job, she needs to find a sensational new author to present to the publishing company's powers that be. That is complicated, of course, and there is also that series of letters her mother had kept dealing with a once beloved author's own love life. And, well, that's all I'm saying about the plot.

I envisioned the setting as sort of like being caught in the magic of a snow globe and living in Alaska, I do know a thing or two about "life in a snow globe". Aspen sounds lovely in the winter although the title is a bit misleading as much of the action occurs between Christmas and the New Year. There's a somewhat unexpected twist at the end and the overall plot was interesting, albeit I also found the way the stories merged confusing initially. Toss in the obvious impact grief was still having on Caroline and the bubbly, magical spirit of Christmas seemed a bit subdued, although Caroline's jaunt on a snow cat (snow machine in Alaska) sounded like fun. Overall, though, while not quite pulled in to the extent I'd hoped, it was an interesting read and I liked the peek at the pressure on editors to constantly produce the next best seller, so to speak, all the time. It was interesting to watch her work with the young author, for instance, ironically trying to lead him to ways to insert more feeling/emotion into her promising work, something largely missing from her own life. Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #StMartin'sGriffin and #NetGalley for this early peek at a holiday celebration.

An Irish Bookshop Murder (Mercy McCarthy Mystery #1), by Lucy Connelly

 

Publication August 22, 2024

Great start to a new series. I immediately fell into Mercy and Lizzie's inherited life as they explored their unexpected new world and got to know their neighbors. Of course, being accused of being a killer by a dying man wasn't exactly helpful. Nevertheless, they persevere, Lizzie being her charming, likable, more social self while Mercy is, well, likable, but direct and frequently comes across as prickly. As we learn their backstory, much of that is understandable, however. She's a successful, even famous mystery author who dealt with a stalker in New York. You'll like the tight, I-have-your-back relationship of mutual respect that the sisters have. For them, being twins, it's probably even tighter and Mercy is particularly protective of Lizzie given how fragile past tragedies have left her. Their move to Ireland after the surprise inheritance from their unknown-until-notification grandfather gave both a chance to start over and reclaim their lives.

And what an amazing inheritance. Not only do they inherit a home in an apparently rather exclusive neighborhood of Shamrock Cove, but a bookstore owned by their late grandfather. I won't detail the delights they discover as they explore their new surroundings other than to think what fun it'd be to explore. Well, if it weren't for that nasty murder hanging over their heads. Much to Mercy's surprise, not to mention my own, based on the stereotypical mistrust between the police and amateur sleuths in most cozy mysteries, she finds the local detective, Kieran, not just friendly and open but, well, downright handsome, too. Ah, one doesn't have to be a sleuth to see a romance coming as this series progresses. That said, remember, I said she could be prickly. And protective. Keep that in mind. Grin.

As this particular episode introduces us to Mercy, Lizzie, Keiran, and Keiran's grandmother Lottie, however, I couldn't help liking the supporting cast. Lottie, in particular, adds a new twist for me. Nope, not telling, but you'll find out early on. Neighbors Rob and Scott are rather prominent this go-round, too, and were quite likable, not only being personable and friendly but apparently the likely source of some great food chats in the future. Mercy does admit to being, well, let me rephrase that. NOT being a cook, although Lizzie seems to have that ability down. Mercy even shows some real people skills in her ability to help a young, reluctant reader find just the right book to spur his interest. That friendship leads to the addition of a new character at the end. Nope, quit asking. Not telling.

Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoy this debut series entry. The author's writing style was smooth and although some time was spent setting the delightful scene in Shamrock Cove -- seriously, we may all want to move there -- the plot moved along. Red herrings? Yep, bunches. Also multiple suspects, which was troubling as most seemed to be new neighbors. Uh, oh. I admit to not taking the time to research but the rules of their new neighborhood as far as inheritance were intriguing, too. Thanks #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the early introduction to Mercy and Lizzie. I can't wait to revisit Shamrock Cove. And, before I forget, readers, be sure to read the author and publisher's note at the end that notes some 7% of children do not have a book in their home. Having pictures of myself toddling along with a bottle and upside-down book, I always find this astonishing and depressing. There's a link there for readers to find a list of books to share with children that should appeal, all suggested by GoodReads readers, I believe.

Taylor Era by Era: The Unauthorized Biography, by Caroline Sullivan

 

Available June 6, 2024   Audio   6h 53m    Dreamscape Media

It's probably going to depend on how big a fan of Swift you are and how long you've followed her to know how you'll react to this book. There's a wealth of information in this book that even I, as a relatively new admirer, knew, but also a great many details of her business and recording sessions that I didn't. To be honest, while I found much of it fascinating, there were also sections where I suddenly realized my attention had drifted and I needed to go back and listen again. I found this more of an issue when various albums/songs and the dates and numbers of release and charting were tossed out in rather rapid sequence than throughout, however. What can I say? I'm not a numbers person. The addition of how family support helped Taylor was a great inclusion.

It was great to hear the breakdown of her songs/album lists, including how hard Taylor Swift works to make her fans feel included. I found the section talking about how, as much as Swift tries, it's impossible for her fans to really know what she's feeling on that stage. It spoke of the isolation entertainers may feel when, quite frankly, their usual view is of only a few rows and then endless rows of probably bouncing light from cell phones during performances. I believe it said it was Jon Bon Jovi who once invited fans (and a music reporter) on stage for a brief set, the reporter noting that overwhelming feeling of realizing how many eyes were watching, even while acknowledging all eyes were surely on Jon, not him or the others. Nice touch by the author to help fans sense of a bit of what it's really like.Although I've never attended a Swift concert in person, I must say her ability to make it seem cozy and like she's speaking directly to you come through well, showing how hard she really does work. Loved the quip about how she handled needing to, gasp, blow her nose during a performance.

I'm not going to try to detail the contents, there's just too much and it's probably about as up-to-date as any publication can be at any point given Swift's, well, swift writing and release of new albums, usually with little advance notice. Narrator Katelyn Levering does an excellent job with a book that is heavy on info that includes lots of dates and numbers (ie numbers sold, competitive album numbers, etc), and comes across as someone who probably admires Swift. Her tone seemed gushy in sections but was probably appropriate given the words she had to speak and fans will have no issue with it. Chapter changes and titles are simply announced and then the narration continues. Do note, however, that this is titled an unauthorized biography. That means the author technically wrote it without Swift's assistance or even permission. While I'd call the book quite positive, it does delve into matters such as her contract issues and things like the Kanya incident and supposed snub of Celine Dion and the negative press they garnered, matters perhaps not best handled in such detailed but brief bits for the youngest of Swifties. For older fans, however, these little revealed aspects may prove fascinating, so it's an "it depends" note, I guess. 

Bottom line, although I'm rating this a 4 star based on the sheer amount of info and up-to-date coverage since, as noted, there were moments where I pretty much zoned out. There were also, obviously, more moments where I found it quite informative and thought provoking. I also liked that the author made a point of noting the positive impact of Taylor Swift tours, from simply bringing people into cities for the shows to, say, the financial benefits of bringing in people who'd eat, drink, and shop, not to mention frequently rent hotels rooms for the shows. Like the Swiftie nation, this author also seems to have Swift's back, even while sharing some not quite positives. Thanks #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for allowing me to drop in and give this an early listen. As a late comer to fandom, I appreciated all the new material and the author's attention to detail, a trait she seems to share with Swift.