This Week in Reading - May 31

It's Sunday Post time!  This is hosted by the awesome Caffeinated Book Reviewer and gives us all a chance to recap our week.

What I Got:

Nothing!  Somehow I went a whole week without getting anything.  It won't last but it's nice to have a little break from getting new books.

Currently:

Reading:  The Clutter Corpse by Simon Brett, Thunderstruck by Erik Larson (which I will finish this week) and A Killing in Antiques by Mary Moody

Listening:  Just starting Memories and Murder by Lynn Cahoon after finishing Caught Dead Handed by Carol J Perry yesterday.

Watching:  We are still watching City Homicide though haven't been watching much TV in the evening.  I'm catching up on The Voice.  I somehow forgot about it until I saw the winner announced so I'm going back and watching all the episodes I missed.  I think they're doing a good job with doing the Lives from everyone's homes!

Off the Blog:

Blogger switched me over to the new Blogger and so far I'm not a fan.  It's taking me forever to figure out how to do everything.  I'm sure it will get better (and really it already is somewhat) but I was not in the mood for a learning curve!

I tried the Copycat Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake (find it here) from Disney World's 50's Prime Time Cafe in Hollywood Studios.  I used strawberry preserves instead of grape jelly because it's what I had on hand and it beats grape jelly hands down any day.  I also didn't use quite the amount of ice cream called for.  And it was AMAZING.  Like when can I have this again amazing.  The funny thing is I've been to this restaurant a number of times and I've never gotten this because I'm not a huge milkshake with food person and I thought it sounded not particularly appetizing.  I was wrong.  It's crazy good and if you add in just a smidge of chocolate ice cream to the vanilla to give it just a hint of chocolate flavor you won't be mad about it.  

And speaking of Disney World - the Disney Parks have an official YouTube account (find it here) where they've uploaded some of the fireworks shows and parades so you can virtually go to Disney.  We watched the Happily Ever After fireworks show the other night and it was so lovely.  Just the like the show we saw just a few months ago but this time I could watch it in pajamas!  They also have recipes and a series called Voices from Home which features park performers singing their various songs.  

Nothing has really changed from us.  My 10 year old is homeschooled and my husband is working from home until at least the fall so we are still staying home except for appointments, grocery shopping, and picking up takeout and since I have asthma my husband is doing the bulk of that.

On the Blog:

What Happened:

Monday:  Grave Consequences - Cozy Mystery Review

Tuesday:  Top Ten Tuesday - Agatha Christie Opening Lines

Wednesday:  Summer on Honeysuckle Ridge - Contemporary Romance Review

Thursday:  Books from the Backlog - Death at Devil's Bridge

Friday:  Friday Fives - Five Things That Pretty Much Guarantee I'll Read a Book

Saturday:  The Clocks - Classic Mystery Review

What's Coming Up:

Monday:  Reviews from the Children's Section- Thimble Summer

Tuesday:  Top Ten Tuesday - Books That Give Off Summer Vibes

Wednesday:  Killing Time - Cozy Mystery Review

Thursday:  Books from the Backlog

Friday:  Friday Fives

Saturday:  May Reading Recap

Have a great week and happy reading!

The Clocks - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: The Clocks by Agatha Christie

Rating:  Really Liked It!
Source: Purchased

Description:  When a young secretary, Sheila Webb, is sent to the home of a blind woman on an errand, she is horrified to discover a dead man behind the couch, surrounded by four clocks that have all been stopped at 4:13.
The owner arrives home and denies that the clocks belong to her, the deceased's business card turns out to be a fraud, and a woman shows up claiming to be the dead man's wife.

There is only one man who can unravel this complicated case: Hercule Poirot.

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  This is one of my favorite authors and I always enjoy her books.

My Impression:  Oh this is such a fun read.  A complicated setup and a very simple murder all rolled into a fast read with lots of neighborhood gossip and a little bit of intrigue.  I have read this one several times before but I never quite remember how it ends so I'm always going along right with Colin Lamb, DI Hardcastle, and Poirot as they figure everything out.  The pace is fast and the characters are likable (except for the ones who aren't supposed to be) which makes for this one being a fun bit of escapism.

That said, this isn't one of my favorite Christies.  I feel like in the last decade of her writing career there was a decrease in quality in her mysteries.  I don't know if it was age or the fact that by this point she had written more then 70 books and was done with dealing with mysteries or what exactly but the mystery aspect wasn't quite up to her usual standards for one reason - a major plot point is a coincidence.  And not like someone happened to overhear something for perfectly innocent reasons.  That coincidence doesn't bother me but there's another pretty massive one that does.  It didn't really have to do with the main mystery and it didn't bother me when I was reading but it was one of those that when I put the book down I was like "wait a minute...".  That said this is still a fun light read with an entertaining mystery.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Of course!  Christie is one of my absolute favorite authors.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Yes but if you're new to Christie this isn't one I'd start with.

Friday Fives - Five Things That Pretty Much Guarantee I'm Going to Read That Book

I'm taking a bit of a break from my usual Friday Linkups to try something a little different.  Michelle over at Because Reading is Better Than Real Life   used to do a Five on Fridays that I always enjoyed and I've seen a few other variations on the theme.  As well I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd give start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much. I'm also going to start linking up with Kathryn over at Book Date for her Connect Five.  Today I'm focusing on the positive and listing things in a blurb that will pretty much guarantee I'll be reading that book!  This is a topic I've talked about before but I figure it's a subject that can always be revisited.

1.  A Missing Person - a cold case you say?  Someone disappeared multiple years ago and there has been no sign of them?  Or disappeared recently and there are few clues?  I will be picking that book up!

2.  Discovered Letters/Diary - I remember my very favorite Babysitter's Club book involved one of the girls (Stacy I'm thinking) finding a diary and learning about an old house in town.  My love for this particular trope has not changed.

3.  An Old House - The house can be abandoned, dilapidated or beautifully kept and filled with antiques.  Whatever the state (though I probably prefer the abandoned and dilapidated being brought back to life) if the book features an old house I'm here for it.

4.  A Ghost - I'm a little iffy on paranormal but I absolutely love a book with a ghost element.  This may be another holdover from childhood as I devoured all of the middle grade ghostly fiction I could find but I still love a good ghostly story be it a mystery or other fiction genre.

5.  A Bookish Element - I'm frequently disappointed by books about books but I will always try them.  My favorite thing is when a character in a book is really a reader - not just mentions of them loving books for window dressing but really seems to actively read and relish talking about books.  It always makes for a fun read.

Books from the Backlog - Death at Devil's Bridge

Today I'm linking up with Carole from Carole's Random Life of Books for Books from the Backlog.  I really enjoy the chance to feature a book that's been hiding in the piles of books for far too long!

Goodreads:  Death at Devil's Bridge (Victorian Mystery #4) by Robin Paige

Blurb:  Newlyweds Charles and Kate Sheridan host an auto exhibition at Kate's ancestral home, attended by Europe's foremost investors and inventors. But competition, speed and money--more explosive than gasoline--are deadly for one auto builder! Now amateur sleuths must unravel the mystery before the carnage spreads.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I remember really enjoying this series years ago and had forgotten that I had this one until I was reorganizing my books the other day to get as many visible as possible.

Summer on Honeysuckle Ridge - Contemporary Romance Review

Goodreads:  Summer on Honeysuckle Ridge (Highland Falls #1) by Debbie Mason

Rating: Liked It
Source: Publisher

Description:  In just a few months Abby Everhart has gone from being a top influencer to an unemployed divorcée living out of her car. So inheriting her great-aunt's homestead comes at the perfect time. Abby heads to Highland Falls, North Carolina, to spruce up Honeysuckle Farm before putting it on the market for some much-needed cash. But instead of finding a charming getaway, she discovers a serious fixer-upper, complete with a leaky roof, overgrown yard, and a reclusive -- albeit sexy -- man living on the property.

Ex-Delta Force soldier Hunter MacKenzie has faced war and loss, but nothing has quite prepared him for an outgoing redhead who's determined to turn his life upside down. Hunter doesn't want to get involved with anyone, especially a city girl who plans to sell the only place he's ever felt at home. But the sparks between them are undeniable. Spending time with Abby is easy. Convincing her to stay for good is another matter entirely.

Genre: Romance - Contemporary

Why I Picked This Book:  I've been wanting to read this author for awhile and this was a plot and a cover I couldn't resist!

My Impression:  I have very mixed feelings about this book which makes this a bit of a challenge to write!  Let me just say that this is my first book by Debbie Mason and it definitely won't be my last.  I really liked her writing and her way of making the setting really come to life.  I thought Hunter was a great hero.  He was hard not to like and not to sympathize with.  He's guarded without being too prickly and just a nice guy.  I liked Abby's stepsisters too.  They're perfect - beautiful, smart, kind, and always looking to do good - but Mason doesn't take the easy way out and make them villains or unlikable.  Instead they came off as nice girls who genuinely cared about their stepsister and had a little spark of harmless mischief to them.  I absolutely love this trope and can never resist a book where a character inherits a house and ends up having to do more repair work then they bargained for.  This didn't disappoint.  The house is quirky and I enjoyed spending time in this North Carolina farmhouse. 

So what am I torn about?  The heroine, Abby made me want to scream at times.  I don't love books that involve a lot of second hand embarrassment and this was full of them.  Abby fell into a pond, got herself attacked by bats, and bitten by a snake within the first 20% of the book and reacted with so much drama and hysteria and cluelessness it drove me crazy.  I think I was more embarrassed for her then she was for herself.  As well her general helplessness drove me crazy.  I've known people who have gotten crap deals in their divorce but hers seems ridiculous and did she not have a lawyer?  I wanted to shake her!

I definitely want to try another book by this author (and luckily I have a few!) as I imagine that her writing and scene setting will be absolutely fantastic when I like the heroine a bit better.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I would and am looking forward to it!

Would I Recommend this Book?  With reservations.  If second hand embarrassment doesn't bother you then I really liked the author's writing and the bulk of the book. 

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

Top Ten Tuesday - Agatha Christie Opening Lines

Today I'm linking up with Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl which is all about lists.  Since lists are one of my favorite things this is one of my favorite linkups!  Today's topic is about opening lines.  I'm not really big on quotes or paying attention to opening lines so I thought I would pull some of my favorite Agatha Christie books and share their opening lines.  There's no real rhyme or reason for picking these then that they are some of my favorite mysteries!

Gwenda Reed stood, shivering a little, on the quayside.  - Sleeping Murder

Mrs Van Rydock moved a little back from the mirror and sighed.  - Murder with Mirrors

The memory of the public is short. - Lord Edgware Dies

It was five o'clock on a winter's morning in Syria.  - Murder on the Orient Express

In every club there is a club bore. - Taken at the Flood

The Espresso machine behind my shoulder hissed like an angry snake. - The Pale Horse

Iris Marle was thinking about her sister, Rosemary.  - Sparkling Cyanide

Nadina, the dancer who had taken Paris by storm, swayed to the sound of the applause, bowed and bowed again.  - The Man in the Brown Suit

That amiable youth, Jimmy Thesigner, came racing down the big staircase at Chimneys two steps at a time. - The Seven Dials Mystery

In my end is my beginning... That's a quotation I've often heard people say.  - Endless Night

Which opening line is your favorite?  Have you read any of these?

Grave Consequences - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Grave Consequences (A Bay Island Psychic Mystery #5) by Lena Gregory

Rating: Liked It
Source: NetGalley

Description: Cass Donovan is reminded that you can’t believe everything you hear, especially when it comes from the dead . . .
When stories begin circulating of a centuries-old ghost haunting the Bay Island lighthouse, Cass is caught up in mystical happenings of her own, with countless voices from the beyond all clamoring for her attention with dire warnings. But before she has a chance to learn whether there’s a connection between the rumored ghost and her restless visitors, the lighthouse keeper mysteriously falls to his death, and Cass’s reputation for communing with the dead lands her right in the middle of the police investigation.

Cass knows the victim was no saint, as he made little effort to hide his philandering ways from his wife or anyone else, and often acted out with no thought for the feelings of others. But had he finally gone too far, or were there more menacing motives behind his murder? As Cass begins building a list of suspects, including the man’s supposedly grieving wife and a mysterious new woman in town, she also turns her ear to those otherworldly voices, hoping for a clue. And as she begins to close in on the culprit, she realizes too late that if she’s not careful, she’ll soon be communicating with the dead in person . .

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've read a few books from the series and really enjoyed them so I had to pick up this latest one. 

My Impression:  Somehow I missed a few books in this series so I was thrilled to pick this one up and see what was going on with Cass, Bee and every one else on Bay Island.  It's still the same gossipy mostly goodnatured place as ever and Cass's dog Beast is still capable of getting into just as much trouble.  I do love an animal sidekick and Beast is the biggest, sweetest, most accidental trouble-making there is.  He has shown a little bit of growth but he's still the same goofy dog he was at the beginning of the series.  As well we have the genuine friendships between Cass, Bee, and Stephanie which I really enjoy.  They don't always see eye to eye but the friendship feels really true and they just seem like friends which I enjoy.

There are two primary issues in this book - the murderer mystery itself  and Cass's struggles with figuring out just what to do with all the voices constantly invading her head.  I thought seeing Cass struggle with her abilities was an interesting issue that I haven't really come across before.  There's plenty of books that involve other people's issues (and there's some of that here) but I can't think of ever seen a psychic book where the psychic is struggling to really figure out how to use her powers.   Then there's a mystery.  Who killed Fred and why and just what is going on out and the lighthouse.  There's a treasure hunt and all kinds of rumors floating around complicating things which made the book very fun and very entertaining.  The mystery is fast paced and at times I felt this slid into a bit of a jumbled feeling.  There were a few times I forgot just what had lead them to a particular location or to a conclusion.  The information was there but it occasionally got a bit lost in everything else that was happening. 

Despite that minor issue I really enjoyed this mystery.  There's history, mystery, friendships, and an absolutely fabulous dog!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I need to go back and pick up the books that I missed and want to try the other series I've seen by her.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy a good cozy with a paranormal twist I think this is a great sereis.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

This Week in Reading - May 24

It's Sunday Post time!  This is hosted by the awesome Caffeinated Book Reviewer and gives us all a chance to recap our week.

What I Got:

Summer at Lake Haven by RaeAnne Thayne (NetGalley) - I couldn't resist this summery cover or a new Haven Point book by Thayne!

No One Saw by Beverly Long (Publisher)- I really enjoyed the first book of this police procedural series earlier this year so I couldn't pass up on book two.

Thread and Dead by Elizabeth Penney (Publisher) - I have been gobbling up the cozies lately and this looked so fun!

The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart (Bookshop.org) - I have been wanting to read this classic mystery for ages so on my last Bookshop shopping spree I couldn't pass this one up.

Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey (Bookshop.org) - I read this classic mystery years and years ago and have been wanting to reread it for years but always had a tough time finding a copy.  So glad I finally did!

Currently:

Reading: Spider Woman's Daughter by Anne Hillerman, Thunderstruck by Erik Larson, and Summer on Honeysuckle Ridge by Debbie Mason

Listening:  A Study in Emerald by Neil Gaiman which is a short story and will be done today and then I'll switch over to Caught Dead Handed by Carol J Perry

Watching:  We actually haven't been watching all that much TV but are still enjoying City Homicide which is an Australian police procedural on Amazon Prime.  We just finished the 2nd season and have 2 more to go.  I don't know what we'll watch when this is over!

Off the Blog:

Once again we've been playing a lot of Animal Crossing and are having fun with it.  We still aren't a 5 star island but we are 4 stars and working hard.   The 10 year old is still seriously bossy but we're working on that a bit.

This week I made a family favorite this week - Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Balsamic Pork Tenderloin from Six Sisters Stuff and it was just as good as usual.  I normally only make it in cooler months because it's pretty heavy but it was perfect for the rainy weather we've been having.  If you make it I highly recommend mashed potatoes to go with it.

That's about it.  It was a pretty slow week otherwise with not much going on other then the usual.  The weather has been a bit odd.  Grey and stormy until I decided it was going to be a rainy day and then it'd go back to sunny and vice versa.  

On the Blog:

What Happened:

Monday:  Mousse and Murder - Cozy Mystery Review
Tuesday:  Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Reasons I Love Cozy Mysteries
Wednesday:  A Hodge Podge of Reviews - Cozy Mystery Edition
Thursday:  Books from the Backlog - Suede to Rest
Friday:  Friday Fives - Five Classic Mysteries I'd Like to Watch to Soon
Saturday:  Sugar and Vice - Cozy Mystery Review

What's Coming Up:

Monday:  Grave Consequences - Cozy Mystery Edition

Tuesday:  Top Ten Tuesday - Agatha Christie Opening Lines

Wednesday:  Summer on Honeysuckle Ridge - Contemporary Romance Review

Thursday:  Books from the Backlog 

Friday:  Friday Fives

Saturday:  The Clocks - Classic Mystery Review

Have a great week and happy reading!

Sugar and Vice - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Sugar and Vice (Cookie House Mystery #2) by Eve Calder

Rating: Really Liked It!
Source: Publisher

Description:  OUT OF THE OVEN
Lately, Kate has a lot on her dessert plate. She’s launching a cookie-of-the-day challenge in the heart of Coral Cay, providing sweet treats for the reception of the town’s handsome new veterinarian—not to mention dealing with tourists in town for a pirate festival and the surprise arrival of her former fiancé, Evan, who seems determined to win her back.

AND INTO THE FIRE
And if that’s not enough, a skeleton has been found—in the backyard behind her best friend Maxi’s floral shop. Kate knows Maxi could never hurt a fly. Maybe the remains belong to Sir George Bly, a long-dead pirate whose name has become urban legend—until now? It’s time for Kate to use every trick in the recipe book to prove Maxi’s innocence, and find the truth about the skeleton, before the last of the cookies crumble…

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I really enjoyed the first book in the series and I can never resist a mystery involving a skeleton being unearthed and this one has a pirate mention!

My Impression:  I forgot how much I enjoyed the first book in the series until I picked this one up!  It was an absolute delight!  I love Kate and Maxi and Oliver so it was fun to spend more time with them and with the other residents of Coral Cay.  I really loved the bits of history and just what had happened to Gentleman George.  There was a good balance of the historic mystery and the modern day mystery and it's hard to say which one was more compelling. 

This has all the things I really enjoy in a cozy.  It has a great community, main characters I want to be friends with, a location I wish was real, and an entertaining mystery.  Oh and this one has cookies - amazing mouthwateringly yummy sounding cookies that almost had me baking shortbread at midnight.  I didn't but it was close!  I will say I wasn't shocked by the who but the whys were a surprised and I loved watching it all get exposed.  I can't wait for the next book in the series - but I will make the shortbread before I start the book this time!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I'm already excited for book 3!

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy cozy mysteries then I think you would love this series.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

Friday Fives - Five Classic Movies I'd Like to Watch Soon

I'm taking a bit of a break from my usual Friday Linkups to try something a little different.  Michelle over at Because Reading is Better Than Real Life   used to do a Five on Fridays that I always enjoyed and I've seen a few other variations on the theme.  As well I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd give start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much. I'm also going to start linking up with Kathryn over at Book Date for her Connect Five.  Today I'm going through the schedule of one of my favorite cable channels - Turner Classic Movies and picking out five movies I'm looking forward to watching.

1.  The Red Shoes (1948) - I have actually seen this movie before but it was a VHS recording that wasn't particularly great quality at that.  It was kind of hard to tell if the people had actual faces and I feel like it needs to be rewatched.

2.  Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944) - This is another one I have seen before but I would really like to see it again.  I love Van Johnson and Spencer Tracy. 

3.  The Lady Vanishes (1938) - The main reason this made the cut is because I absolutely adore Dame May Whitty and will watch pretty much anything she is in.

4.  The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) - I somehow have never seen this one even though John Garfield is one of my favorite actors and I have a soft spot for Lana Turner as she was one of my grandmother's absolute favorite actresses and loved all her movies.

5.  The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942) - I have seen this in play form multiple times and it's a favorite.  I love Bette Davis and Ann Sheridan and seeing them in this particular story I think would be really fun.

What are some of your favorite classic movies?

Books from the Backlog - Suede to Rest

Today I'm linking up with Carole from Carole's Random Life of Books for Books from the Backlog.  I really enjoy the chance to feature a book that's been hiding in the piles of books for far too long!

Goodreads:  Suede to Rest by Diane Vallere

Blurb:  When Poly Monroe was little, she loved playing in her family’s textile store. But after a fatal family tragedy, Land of A Thousand Fabrics was boarded up and Poly never expected to see the inside again. Now, as inheritor of the long-shuttered shop, she’s ready to restore the family business. However her two new kittens, Pins and Needles, aren’t the ones causing a snag in her plans…
Not everyone wants Poly back in San Ladrón, especially a powerful local developer pressuring her to sell—and leave town fast. But even when the threats turn deadly, she’s not ready to bolt. Because Poly is beginning to suspect that the murder behind the shop is tied to a mystery in her family’s unsettled past that she’s determined to solve…before her own life is left hanging by a thread.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I read the later books in this series and loved them so much that I had to go buy the first book which of course I haven't read yet.

A Hodge Podge of Reviews - Cozy Mystery Edition

Goodreads:  Have a Deadly New Year by Lynn Cahoon

Premise:  Angie and crew are catering a New Year's Eve dinner at a rock star's house when they are hit with a blizzard and murder.

My Thoughts:  This isn't my favorite series from Lynn Cahoon but this novella was a fun read.  All the characters are a bit out of their element and dropped into a bubbling stew of long simmering problems.  This novella was a fun read and a quick one and a good way to meet the characters.  While this will probably never become my favorite series this novella did encourage me to pick up the next full length book in the series.  My Rating:  Liked It

Goodreads:  Death on the Page (Castle Bookstore Mysteries #2) by Essie Lang

Premise:  A true crime writer is found dead in a secret passage in Blye Castle former home of a famous Prohibition mobster and now a museum and a bookstore.  Suspects, missing items, and clues abound.

My Thoughts:  This is a fun cozy mystery series.  There are two bookstores at the center of the book and the small town community has a waterfront feel that I really enjoyed.  As well, the setting in the castle was fabulous and I only wish we had learned more about it.  I hold out hope for future books.  I wasn't shocked by the reveal but it was interesting to see it all come together.  This is a series I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from.  With the victim being a writer and many of the suspects being somehow involved in writing I really enjoyed all the bookish talk.  My only real issue was that I listened to this on audio and I really disliked the narration done by Teri Reeves.  I found her spacing odd and her voices either quavering or robotic.  I've never really had a strong dislike for a narrator before but I will be avoiding her work in the future.  I tried every speed available and couldn't find any that worked.  If you enjoy bookish cozies this is a fun series but I recommend skipping the audio version.

Goodreads:  Microphones and Murder (Podcasting Sisters #1) by Erin Huss

Premise:  A former sound engineer for a very popular podcast strikes out on her own with her sister.  As they tackle a 10 year old missing person case they quickly get over their heads.

My Thoughts:  This is such a fabulous concept and it totally lived up to my expectations.  The premise allows the main characters, Liv and Camry to get involved with cases they are in no way connected with personally and gives them a bit of credibility to investigate.  And for their first case they picked a good one!  A missing persons case with lots of unknowns and all kinds of sinister possibilities that all come to light in a compelling don't want to put down mystery.  This also had one of my very favorite plot devices - the putting together of a team.  Anytime there is a crew or a team or a group that is investigating I'm here for it and this group was a lot of fun.  I especially liked the relationship between Liv and Camry and the growth there was there and Hazel might just be one of my favorite side character ever.  This is such a fun read that you must try if you enjoy cozy mysteries.  My Rating:  Really Liked it!

Top Ten Tuesday - Reasons I Love Cozy Mysteries

Today I'm linking up with Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl which is all about lists.  Since lists are one of my favorite things this is one of my favorite linkups!  Today's topic is Reasons I Love ...  and I decided to fill in that blank with my favorite genre - cozy mysteries!  So here are 10 reasons why I love cozy mysteries!

1.  The variety of interests- Feel like reading about food or books or crafting or home remodeling?  Or just about anything else?  There's a cozy for that!  Granted there's also going to be at least one murder involved with all the rest but there's a lot of the other stuff too.

2.  The community - Most cozies take place in a small town and even if they don't there is very much a community feel to them.  The main character has a group of quirky friends, or coworkers, or employees or family that makes you feel like you're visiting old friends when you pick up the next book in the series.

3.  The variety of characters - Some sleuths are in the early 20s, some are in their 50s, there's single women, and married women with or without kids, the occasional divorced woman (also with or without kids), and even the occasional man.  They are professional people, small business owners, stay at home moms.  Just about everything you can think of.  The only real thing they have in common is that they are all basically nosy and know LOTS of people who get murdered or who are involved in murder investigations.

4. They're just plain cozy - Some are funny, some are a bit cutesy, some are a little more serious but whatever they are you know they won't be too creepy or too grisly.  It's going to be a comfortable, entertaining, cozy read.

5.  They're a bit predictable but in a good way - A character I've really grown to love isn't going to be the victim (or the killer), children or pets will not be in danger, and the bad person will be found.

6. The titles - Hands down cozy mysteries have the best titles if you love a good pun.  I love seeing just what they'll come up with next.

7.  They frequently dig into cold cases - Cold cases are my very favorite mysteries to read about and they frequently come up in cozies.  Sometimes the main character has a mystery about her family or where she came from, sometimes a diary is found in a wall or in the attic, sometimes a body is dug up in a yard, or a major clue shows in a trunk that was auctioned off. 

8.  They're good for traveling vicariously - whether it's an adorable inn in New England, a bookstore in a small town in California, or a bakery in Oregon cozies are usually set in a place I'd like to visit.  And since traveling isn't really happening right now cozies are a good substitute.

9.  They're good for whatever mood you're in - This is mostly due to the variety I mentioned earlier.  Want something funny?  About family connections?  Paranormal?  Foodie?  Crafty?  A cozy usually has you and their perfect when you're feeling in need of a gentle or light read.

10.  I might learn a thing or two - One of the fun things about the variety of interests and locations in cozy mysteries is that they frequently involve things I don't know much about and they're a great place to jump start just about any interest.

What do you love about your favorite genre?

Mousse and Murder - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: Mousse and Murder (Alaskan Diner Mystery #1) by Elizabeth Logan

Rating: Liked It
Source: Publisher

Description:  When Chef Charlie Cooke is offered the chance to leave San Francisco and return home to Elkview, Alaska, to take over her mother's diner, she doesn't even consider saying no. After all--her love life has recently become a Love Life Crumble, and a chance to reconnect with her roots may be just what she needs.
Determined to bring fresh life and flavors to the Bear Claw Diner, Charlie starts planning changes to the menu, which has grown stale over the years. But her plans are fried when her head cook Oliver turns up dead after a bitter and public fight over Charlie's ideas--leaving Charlie as the only suspect in the case.

With her career, freedom, and life all on thin ice, Charlie must find out who the real killer is, before it's too late.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I love a foodie cozy and I never turn down a chance to pick up the first book in a series.

My Impression:  It's no secret that I'm a big cozy mystery fan and it's also no secret that sometimes series can be intimidating.  So when I come across the first book in a cozy mystery I can never resist.  Especially when it's a foodie cozy set in Alaska!  This was a lot of fun and had a lot of potential.  The setting was really a focus both in terms of the challenges and beauties of living in Alaska and with just a diner setting in general.  Charlie is an interesting main character.  She really doesn't have much interest in mysteries in general and she is affected by Oliver's death.  Sure, she's unnerved by even the possibility that she could be a suspect but this was also someone she's known for a very long time and he was a prickly complicated man who could be infuriating but also incredibly kind.  I thought it was nice that she took the time to recognize this and didn't immediately brush it off and get to solving the crime.

The mystery is a good one.  Just who killed Oliver and what secrets was he hiding in his past? I loved that this was a team investigation and especially enjoyed the dynamic between Charlie and Chris the journalist.  I did feel like there were some pacing issues.  The catalyst to everything happened before the book started and there's a lot going on as the reader is introduced to Charlie, Benny, the town itself, the diner, Annie, and other regulars and townspeople.  The mystery doesn't get forgotten but it does have a few slower spots.  I kind of expect this for first books in a series and I enjoyed the other aspects of this mystery enough that I don't feel like this really detracted from my enjoyment.  That small issue aside, this is a fun new entry into the cozy mystery world with an interesting lead character and a fantastic setting.  I'm really looking forward to picking up the next book in the series.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  This was a fun series.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy cozies I think you'll enjoy this one and it's the first book in a series which is always fun.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

This Week in Reading - May 17

It's Sunday Post time!  This is hosted by the awesome Caffeinated Book Reviewer and gives us all a chance to recap our week.

What I Got:

The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan (Bookshop.org) - I adored the last few Jenny Colgan books so I decided this would be a perfect birthday present to me.  I ordered a few more books in this order and they are on their way but not arrived.

The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson (Book Outlet) - This book has been on my TBR for ages and when I saw it on Book Outlet I couldn't resist it.  I don't see me reading it any time soon but I'm glad I have it on hand.  I ordered a few more things but mostly kid related school books.  

Currently:

Reading:  Grave Consequences by Lena Gregory, Thunderstruck by Erik Larson, and Falling Awake by Jayne Ann Krentz

Listening:  In Want of a Knife by Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli

Watching:  We are still watching City Homicide on Amazon Prime and enjoying it.  

Off the Blog:

New week same story.  Nothing major has changed.  I've had a few chiropractor appointments this week to get my headaches back under control.  It was nice to be out of the house a little bit though I'm pretty much just going from point A to point B and back with an occasional run through a drive thru!

Our state is opening back up slowly but I think we are going to pretty much stay as we are for a bit.  I understand people who need to get back to work or other various reasons but since we are doing okay inside we are going to stay put.

We have been playing a LOT of Animal Crossing and have decided we are going to become a 5 star island if it kills us - or more realistically requires us to spend a tremendous amount of time playing the game.  It's been kind of fun to work together though the 10 year old is seriously bossy!

And if you aren't watching John Krasinski's SGN on YouTube  you need to be.  Seriously every episode makes me get a bit teary in the best possible way and the cameo appearances cannot be beat!

On the Blog:

What Happened:

Monday:  Murder on Pleasant Avenue - Historical Mystery Review
Tuesday:  First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - A Killing in Antiques
Wednesday:  The House that Vanity Built - Cozy Mystery Review
Thursday:  Books from the Backlog - Hats and Eyeglasses
Friday:  Friday Fives - Five Middle Grade Books I Wish I Had
Saturday:  The Lost Carousel of Provence - Fiction Review

What's Coming Up:

Monday:  Mousse and Murder - Cozy Mystery Review

Tuesday:  Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Reasons I Love Cozy Mysteries

Wednesday:  Hodge Podge of Reviews - Cozy Mystery Edition

Thursday:  Books from the Backlog

Friday:  Friday Fives - Five Classic Movies I'd Like to Watch Soon

Saturday:  Sugar and Vice - Cozy Mystery Review

Have a great week and happy reading!  

The Lost Carousel of Provence - Fiction Review

Goodreads:  The Lost Carousel of Provence by Juliet Blackwell

Rating: Really Liked It
Source: NetGalley

Description:  Present day, San Francisco. During her free time, professional photographer Cady Drake shoots local carousels, a hobby inspired by a gift that transformed her childhood: a wooden rabbit supposedly created by master French carver Gustave Bayol a century ago. And when she's offered a freelance assignment for a book on the antique merry-go-rounds of Paris, Cady can't refuse the opportunity to visit the famous carousels for the first time....
1900s, France. In a small town outside of Avignon, a husband and young wife struggle to keep up their ancestral chateau--and start the family they so desperately desire. For the children they hope to have, the Clements hire the famous Bayol to build a carousel, but as the carver and his apprentice work on the beautiful and whimsical creation, fate will entwine them all in unseen ways--for generations to come...

Present day, Provence. As Cady's research leads her to the dilapidated Chateau Clement and its fabled carousel that was lost to the ravages of World War II, she will uncover a shocking truth in a set of one-hundred-year-old photographs that could guide her in reuniting a family torn apart by petty jealousies over several generations.

Genre: Fiction

Why I Picked This Book: A story about investigating a mystery from the past will always pull at me and I love the carousel element.

My Impression:  Oh this was such a great escapist read!  I was transported to Paris and then to a small town in Provence and a dilapidated chateau with an incredible history.  The book has three time lines - present day, early 1900s when the carousel was being built, and occupied Paris during World War II.  Some of it heartwarming and some is heartbreaking but I found all of it interesting. 

I liked Cady right from the start and I felt quite a bit of sympathy for her.  She's had a hard time of it and some of the baggage has led to her never feeling like she belongs or that she's likable.  She's not overly prickly or hard but she's unsure of her role in people's life and in her own abilities.  Watching her get to know the people in Avignon was really sweet and while the conflict was easy to guess I was happy with how it was resolved.  The two past timelines were much more heartbreaking but made it possible to see how the carousel came to be and what shaped the people that lived in the Chateau Clement. 

This was a wonderful way to visit Paris as well as the countryside of Provence.  Blackwell engaged me, transported me, and kept me thoroughly entertained throughout this story. 

I listened to the audio version of this that was narrated by Xe Sands and as usual she did a wonderful job.  I had just listened to an audio book with a narrator that did not work for me so Sands was a welcome listen.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I loved this one and am looking forward to reading more fiction from Blackwell.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Definitely! 

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

Friday Fives - Middle Grade Books I Wish I Had

I'm taking a bit of a break from my usual Friday Linkups to try something a little different.  Michelle over at Because Reading is Better Than Real Life   used to do a Five on Fridays that I always enjoyed and I've seen a few other variations on the theme.  As well I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd give start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much. I'm also going to start linking up with Kathryn over at Book Date for her Connect Five.  A couple of weeks ago I talked about middle grade books I would be reading aloud to my 10 year old that come out of books we already have at home.  Today I'm looking at books I would have picked up at the library if I had known it was going to close for the foreseeable future.

1.  Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George - This is one of my absolute favorite Middle Grade series and I think would be fabulous as a read aloud.

2.  Chitty Chitty Bang Ban by Ian Fleming - Basically same as above!

3. Greenglass House by Kate Milford - This is probably better for around Christmas or at least winter time.  There's some slightly spooky atmosphere, suspicious characters, and secrets.  I'm curious to see if my 10 year old would like it.

4.  A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle - I was shocked to discover I don't actually don't own a copy of this book but that needs to be fixed.  Since this is definitely on the fantasy side I'm not sure what my 10 year old would think but I'm really curious to see plus I think it would be a good book vs movie discussion.

5.  The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Kingsbury - I somehow have never read this but think it sounds fun and like it would be a good read aloud.

What are some of your favorite middle grade books?

Books from the Backlog - Hats and Eyeglasses

Today I'm linking up with Carole from Carole's Random Life of Books for Books from the Backlog.  I really enjoy the chance to feature a book that's been hiding in the piles of books for far too long!

Goodreads:  Hats and Eyeglasses by Martha Frankel

Blurb: Martha Frankel grew up in a warm, loving family of diehard gamblers, where her father's poker games and her mother's mah-jongg blended happily with big pots of delicious food and endless gossip. As kids, she and her cousins bet on everything?from which of their Weight Watching mothers would lose the most to who could hold their breath longest underwater or eat the most matzo. But once Frankel left for college and later became a successful entertainment journalist, gambling didn't factor much into her life. She thought her family legacy had passed her by.
In this ?fast-paced and amazingly funny? (The Times- Picayune) memoir, Frankel traces her love affair with poker, an obsession that didn't hit until her mid-forties. And she was good at poker. Frankel won routinely, whether she was playing in her Wednesday-night poker game or in one of the seedy, out-of-the-way rooms she always managed to find when on assignment. But all this changed when she discovered online poker. It was the beginning of what one of her uncles called ?hats and eyeglasses, ? a term used to describe those times when you?re losing so bad your ship is sinking until all that's left on the water's surface are your hat and eyeglasses. By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, Hats & Eyeglasses is a tale of passion, addiction? and those times in life when we almost lose our shirt.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I've had this one for AGES and for some reason never picked it up.  It sounds like and interesting memoir.