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!

Pumpkin Spice Puppy (A Melanie Travis Canine Mystery, 30), by Laurien Berenson

 

Publication August 20, 2024

I always feel a bit like I'm visiting ol' friends when I stop by to catch up with Melanie's hectic life. New readers, never fear, however. Berenson does an excellent job of filling us in on who is who and their connections early on. Even Terry and Crawford make an appearance, long time readers, albeit a brief one. The focus here is on Melanie's quest to find out who killed pet shop owner Gregory Willet and, in the process, save her school from any unnecessary bad publicity due to him being one of the businesses taking part in the prestigious Howard Academy's Thanks For Giving fundraiser. I won't detail that but will note that lots of pumpkin spice is involved. And, hey, we even get a recipe for pumpkin spice cookies at the end, so it's definitely a win-win.

I also won't detail the plot, that's what blurbs are for, but will just say Melanie's reputation for solving mysteries precedes her, as usual. Unfortunately, she's also the one to find the body, so she has a personal stake in the mystery, too. Long time readers will be delighted to know there are lots of dog related sections with Faith usually along for the ride. And, yes, no surprises where Aunt Peg is involved. For those new to the story, you'll quickly grow to know and like the main characters, from the always busy but caring and persevering Melanie (and you'll get a quick backstory on her failed first marriage) to Alice, a friend and helpful neighbor who steps in when Melanie needs help with her children's school schedule, and, the indomitable Aunt Peg. I also liked how the author gave us a sense of who those children were, with Davey once again being the responsible big brother but also trying to please Aunt Peg as her go-to dog show handler, and Kevin and his wild-child of a dog Bud. Sam, as always, is the always calm, cool headed husband whose relationship with Aunt Peg seems to have escaped the stress that Melanie so often feels around her. You may even come away feeling like you know Detective Young a bit better. It's fun to see Melanie's interactions with him and I was definitely glad to see Melanie escape the TSTL (too stupid to live) label. You'll see what I mean when you read it.

Bottom line, while I'm always astonished at how upfront Melanie is with her questioning and isn't really challenged on it, though that perhaps tells us a bit about Melanie's personality, too, when you think about it. She's someone people trust and I admire how seriously she takes her job including the use of Faith to help cross and chasm between the students and herself. We should all be lucky enough to have a Faith in our lives. As for the mystery, the clues are all there, of course, whether we as readers can sort them out before Melanie or not. Okay, true, she's not the world's best snowball fighter, not one you'd choose for your team willingly, but her intentions are always good and she has the perseverance to follow the path of clues no matter where it might lead. Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonPress - #KensingtonCozies for allowing me a sneak peek into what's going on in Melanie's world. It's always a pleasure to be surrounded by those beautiful dogs, that's for sure.

NetGalley's Book Advocate Toolkit (Updated), by We Are Bookish

Even if you don’t review for NetGalley, there are some good hints on organizing and writing reviews that would work anywhere. The information is laid out in a simple, uncluttered fashion, often boxed for ease of focus, and is easy to read and understand. While there are still questions I’d like to see answered in a more extended fashion, it does answer many of the questions that seem to pop up repeatedly on related forums. Kudos to NetGalley and We Are Bookish for making the effort to make this available to reader/reviewers.

Murder at Cleve College (A Flora Steele Mystery Book 9), by Merryn Allingham

 

Publication July 24, 2024

Is anyone surprised that Flora and Jack's long awaited wedding celebrations would be interrupted by news of a murder investigation? Long time fans won't be. Flora and Jack have danced around the idea of marriage for what seems like ages after getting to know and respect each other while investigating, what else, murder. The compliment each other nicely, with Flora usually the more impulsive, hunch-driven one, while Jack tends to tread a more cautious, slower process. I won't give it away but their nicknames for each other are even driven by murder, albeit from a popular couple in literature. As always, author Merryn Allingham does an excellent job setting the scene, introducing us to what seems an ever growing cast, while never losing sight of the readers' need to know whodunit. Once you adjust to the slower paced world of, in this case, 1958 Sussex, you'll find yourself marveling at the difference between police investigations then and now. For instance, if you stumble across a body, you have to leave it to go find help or at the very least a phone to summon help. Abbeymead, the setting, sounds lovely, although it isn't without its secrets and quirky citizens. It takes Flora two difference buses rides to get from Abbeymead to Lewes, btw, another difference of the times.

In this installment, we spend time in Lewes, where Jack has taken a part-time job at Cleve College as a sort of mentor to young writers, a writer-in-residence type role. He finds he enjoys the job but he's also uneasy. Wouldn't you be if you discover your predecessor mysteriously died in the college's lake? This is where the story takes off as Flora and Jack stumble across a connection between the current murder and some suspicious activity and deaths connected to the college. I won't relate any more of the plot as it builds slowly (remember, we're talking not just before cell phones but most modern sleuthing equipment) and one bit of info fits into the jig saw puzzle as the connections are realized. There's lots of speculation, of course, even without evidence, so be prepared. Flora is known for her hunches.

So, who killed the initially unknown body that is discovered by, you guessed it, Flora and Jack? How do they figure out who he is? Why are they so quick not so share information with Inspector Ridley, a man Jack seems to like and respect? To be honest, the almost glee with which they react to, sigh, having another case to solve is a bit off-putting, doubled by, in particular, Flora's almost need to prove they can solve the case before the inspector. Never mind the danger they not only put themselves into but the potential dangers it might spark for others. In any case, it goes without saying that both Flora and Jack dash in to ask questions of potential suspects, albeit not without finding themselves in danger. 

Bottom line, despite my annoyance at both Flora and Jack (it's usually Flora whose rashness annoys me), I do enjoy this series and liked this book. We got to see the potential of their now married partnership as well as expand into other areas. I particularly enjoyed getting Jack's viewpoint (we get both) where his students' needs were and what he hoped to teach them, all of which gives us insight into what Jack, a well-known author, experiences as he writes. It was also fan to visit with friends in Abbeymead as well as venture into Lewes and college life in the late '50s. I definitely learned a bit about some orphanages of that time, reminding us that there is always improvement to be made. Thanks #NetGalley and #Bookouture for inviting me back for an early look at what is in the works for Flora and Jack.

I Got This!: I Have Bounce Back Superpowers, by Julia Cook , Michele Borba, Dale Crawford (illustrator)

Love this! What a fantastic teaching/guiding tool attached to a fun story. Children (and adults) can also benefit from the advice within, so a double win. Toss in great illustrations....my favorite was Hazel the squirrel and Charlie the wannabe rescue dog looking ever so human and dejected, sitting in the snow.... and you know children will enjoy the story. The story follows Charlie's quest to become a certified rescue dog by completing the difficult journey of climbing the tallest mountain. It's full of challenges and, even better, hints on how to overcome the obstacles her (and we) meet sometimes. I loved the eagle as the wise one, guiding Charlie along, offering suggestions but not telling Charlie specifically how to achieve his goals. I must admit, too, the illustrations are well done and realistic, even to the one of the "oops" in the slippery, deep snow. 

Eagle helps Charlie and his squirrel friend Hazel reach their destination. It isn't easy and he learns how to use his "Bounce Back Superpowers" to reach the top of that mountain. Step-by-step, obstacle by obstacle, they show us that we do have the power within us to overcome obstacles by staying calm and using our heads. They're presented to Charlie in a believable way via the dialogue and illustrations. And, hey, Charlie, I've seen some real life mushers tackle getting around a downed tree to keep moving forward, so, yes, quite realistic. I definitely liked that Eagle reminded Charlie that while the journey is his, there is no reason he can't ask for help, something even we humans tend to forget at times when we're so focused on the target we lose sight of the big picture. The helpful suggestions shared with Charlie and nicely summarized at the end, too, with some suggestions on how to help children grasp what they actually mean.

Bottom line, I adored this book. Not only was the cover adorable, but the illustrations throughout managed to capture both the whimsical personalities of Charlie and Hazel but the reality of the winter scenes. You'll feel like cheering at the end, trust me. Teachers and parents, this is a book you should have. I'll be a quite valuable resource for you to bounce back, too, as you guide your child through ways to stay strong and keep their eyes on the goal, not the momentary frustrations we all feel at times when things don't go just right. Thanks so much #NetGalley and #NationalCenterForYouthIssues - #IBPA for sharing this early peek at this great resource that has the benefit of also being a great, fun story with an adorable dog and its squirrel friend. With this books help, we can all look forward to that virtual downhill sled ride at the end. Wheeee.....

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.

Like Mother, Like Son: From the Deepest Despair of Mental Illness to the Grittiest End-Of-Life Battle with Metabolic Syndrome, by Stephen Bryant Biles , Daniel Fredman M.D. (foreword)

 

Since I read this one in spurts, between other books I've committed to review, and dealing with the real world, my apologies if this doesn't quite flow. It's an intense read but one that anyone who has ever dealt with mental illness in the family can relate to. Needless to say, I flashed back to my own experiences dealing with dementia in the family, so it hit close to home at times. 

It begins with the recounting of the author's mother, Shirley Ellen Biles, being taken away in a straight jacket.  The author is about 8-9 at the time and has grown up dealing with his mother's breakdowns much of his life. I'm honestly impressed that the author can recount this story so well given all the emotions that had to be riling within him. He mentions his mother turning on his father violently, striking out and shrieking at him, something I experienced first-hand, so I could definitely relate to the emotions and I was an adult at the time. Paranoid schitzophrenia and the dementia that I experienced aren't the same but seem to have shared many of the most visible characteristics. Treatments were primitive by today's standards but doctors did seem to work out a medical treatment that allowed Shirley to maintain her core self for longer and longer periods. I won't detail them as, quite frankly, the meds used were unfamiliar with me and I don't want to misspeak. 

The book is basically broken down into three parts, perseverance, phoenix, and post struggles. We're given an intimate look at the patient's prior life, including her childhood and marriage. To complicate matters, Stephen's father was an alcoholic, dealing with his own demons, hardly preparing him to cope with his wife's mental illness. His presence, however, somewhat shielded Stephen until 1981, when his father passed away. I won't detail the journey as not only does the blurb do an good job of covering the basics but there are already some excellent, detailed reviews out there, but Stephen's life changed forever. Manic depression and periods of paranoia and hyper-energy from his mother followed, and that's just the tip of the iceberg facing the Biles family. Stephen's unwavering devotion to his mother never failed, however, even when forced to leave one profession and begin another that, initially, was anything but a success. That would change but that is where dogs began to play a major role in the journey. But, first, a few more details....

One aspect of this journey to save his mother from the depths of despair that I'd highlight is his willingness to work closely with the medical professionals involved in Shirley's treatment. As noted, her illness, even today, isn't a simple one to treat. Medicines and treatments had to be fine-tuned and adapted as Shirley's situation changed. Dr. Fredman, who wrote the foreward, was one of the doctors involved early on, btw. Note, it's predicted one in four Americans will experience some form of mental health issue in their lifetime, so this is a story that could apply to any of us. It's a story that will both warm and hurt your heart but you'll admire the love and trust that existed between mother and son throughout. It isn't always an easy story to read, either, so keen those tissues handy. Shirley's intense drive to get better and Stephen's willingness to sacrifice to meet their mutual goals are inspiring, however. I should note the basic goals, too: consistant, meaningful exercise, maintaining social contact, and being able to feel independent, ie like she was having a say in her own life and treatment, were at the top of the list. Through it all, Stephen faced the task of keeping not only her motivated but, of course, himself. I didn't note the exact words but at one point he says he was both her drill sergeant and couch as well as her lifeline and inspiration. 

As for the dogs, they do play a role in the story. When forces to leave his job behind, Stephen found himself "going to the dogs", cliche that it is. The family had always had dogs and he ultimately decided to try to make a go of it starting a doggie day care. Dogs had always been a huge part of the family's life and it seemed a natural. But, it wasn't easy. You'll meet many of the dogs that passed through their lives, all leaving a mark. Initially forced to take any and all jobs caring for the dogs, even if it involved driving distances in the middle of the night, Stephen had a secret weapon. His mother. Shirley, who customers seem to have come to think of as part of their canine's family, too, played a huge role, often helping care for the more difficult dogs. Do be forewarned, since this story covers more than two decades, it is inevitable that some of these dogs will pass during the story so, as noted early, keep those tissues close although, quite frankly, I found these dog stories and roles more inspiring than saddening. 

Bottom line, this is a story that as difficult as some sections were to read, deserves to be read. While sadly, even after beating back her mental issues, Shirley was than faces with medical issues that are also shared, it's an inspiring story. Anyone who has ever felt despair while dealing with the illness or caring for those it has impacted, will know both that they aren't alone and that as hopeless as things may seem at times, there is hope. I don't feel like this quick overview has done justice to the book but hope many will give it a read. You'll come away wanting to hug your loved ones closer and, yes, that includes your furry family friends.

Presidents, by Eric Huang, Sam Caldwell (illustrator)

 Publication Sept. 3, 2024

Not only fun and entertaining but, shh, educational, too. I absolutely loved this book. As a history major and teacher, it made my reading heart happy. I liked the overall design and illustrations which seemed to lead readers in a logical, flowing manner. Now, true, there's nothing stopping you from letting your eyes and interest dart here and there, I know mine did, but for those who crave a loose but orderly manner, it'll work nicely. Author Eric Huang keeps his narrative relatively succinct, with text frequently found in boxes, while artist Sam Caldwell's illustrations are realistic enough to let your differentiate between the presidential characters shown but with a touch of whimsy, too. Overall, it's a setup that should appeal to both young and adult readers. Yes, adults will enjoy this one, too, and, dare I say it, are likely to learn a thing or two, too.

I won't spoil the discoveries to come for you but will share a few teasers. Like which president could have probably easily mended a hole in your sock? Who was the first president actually born a US citizen? Who started the White House library? (I guessed Jefferson. Wrong.) Which president once graced the cover of a magazine as a model? When did the White House officially become known as the, well, White House? Who..... oh, enough teasers. If you're interested in history, this book will have something for you as it covers all the presidents through President Biden. The First Ladies and Vice-Presidents get their due, too, as do the multitude of White House pets. You'll be amazed at some of the pets kept through the years. 

Finally, there's a timeline, a map showing the birth state of each president, and a glossary. All nicely presented and informative. Wait to you see which president was practically born on the border between two states! Thanks #NetGalley and #QuartoPublishingGroup for given me a sneak peek at this fun, entertaining book. I'm sure I'll be browsing it a few more time until I can get my hands on a print copy.

Misfit Mutts and Mayhem (Heywood Hounds #5), by Carly Winter

 

Diabolical is Daisy the talking dog's new favorite word and it definitely describes the plot to frame her human Gina for murder. I can't say too much about the plot without giving away something but will say it's quick moving and Gina seems to bounce from one suspect to another almost in the blink of an eye. I can't say I blame her. I mean, being accused of not just murder but accused because your DNA has been found on the scene that you never visited is enough to make anyone a bit driven. Gina's an interesting character, more comfortable with dogs than people most of the time and has little time for idle gossip or goings-on in town. That's both a plus and minus as it means she's woefully uninformed about some aspects of the case, not to mention that her lack of people skills make her questions come off as, well, downright accusatory. It's no wonder she finds herself in frequent danger. 

I lean toward feeling that even though I'd generally like Gina, I don't think I'd like spending a great deal of time with her. Well, unless goofy Daisy is along with her super sniffer. You'd think by now Gina would have learned to trust that nose, huh? We get to meet some new friends of Daisy's, the Misfit Mutts, mascots at the Hold Your Horses Bar. It's always great fun to try to keep up with Daisy's blink of an eye swings from serious sleuthing dog to typical, easily distracted dog. And, she hates that fake vest she has to wear to get into some places. Makes me glad my Daisy dog can't talk to me given some of the side-eye looks she sends my way when I've somehow failed to live up to her standards. 

Bottom line, this is a quick, fun read that may leave your head spinning at times. Who killed bar owner Kevin Cox? Nope, not telling aside from noting that their are several suspects. Amazing the things that go on in some small, seemingly safe towns. And, will Gina's campaign to get Trevor elected sheriff be successful? Why's that reporter hanging around? Is he friend or foe? For that matter, are the town residents supportive of Gina's efforts or tired of her occasional confrontational questioning tactics? What do drugs have to do with anything? Does someone want Gina behind bars? Uh, oh, who'd take care of Daisy? What '80s look will Annabelle come up with next? And, whoa, what a twist at the end. Thanks #BookSirens for the early invite to drop in on Gina, Daisy, Trevor, and Annabelle once again. Phew. There's never a dull moment when she's around.

A Berry Suspicious Death, by Peg Cochran

 

Publication August 20, 2024

I wasn't as taken with this one as I'd expected to be but it was still an enjoyable read. Monica's half-brother's wedding is going well until, well, the end. Having a dead body fall out of a porta-potty is enough to put a damper on about any occasion. That's when things get really complicated. Who is Jolie Clawson and why was she even there? Turns out, much to the surprise of almost everyone, she was married to Micky, Monica's newest baker. From there, the web of connections expands, pulling suspicion in many different directions. We're also introduced to a rather large cast of characters in the beginning, most of them guests or workers at the wedding, as well as Monica's barely two-month old son Teddy.

I won't detail the plot, that's what blurbs are for, but will say it involves family squabbles, worries that a house is haunted, packing and moving, a rather new age spa, a missing porta-potty, health aides, and more. For me, it was a slow build, with Monica more finding out more info/clues more by the luck of being in the right spot at the right time than any actual sleuthing. Given the presence of a baby in her life now, that's probably understandable, but there seemed to be lots of chit-chat and overhearing conversations but little actually happening much of the time. And, of course, she's selective in what info to share with police rather than all of it. Husband Greg seemed to be in and out of scenes but wasn't contributing much but a convenient body to care for little Teddy, as was one of his bookshop workers. 

Bottom line, although I neither loved nor hated this book, it did hold my interest to keep reading to find out whodunit. While I was thinking maybe a 3 star rating for me, the ending was creative and timely, so it bumped it up to a 3.5 rounded to a 4 star for me. Others may find it more to their taste as it was, overall, an enjoyable read. Cranberry Cove sounds like a neat place to live, especially if you're into all things cranberry, and the characters, while sketchy in my mind, seemed overall to be likable. Thanks #NetGalley and #BeyondThePagePublishing for the early invite to drop into Jeff's wedding and check out what everyone was up to at Sassamanash Farms in Cranberry Cove.