Friday Five - Five Short Revews

I'm taking a bit of a break from my usual Friday Linkups to try something a little different.  I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much. This week I'm sharing 5 quick reviews for books I've read recently.

1.  The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman - This book did not work for me on audio.  It changes POV and has journal entries.  However, when I switched to the print version those issues disappeared and I was pulled into this quirky mystery.  I love that the main characters are in an assisted living community and are using their different skills.  I also liked that there are a number of serious elements pulled in so while it is a bit quirky it definitely isn't silly or zany in any way.  The mystery wrapped up well and kept me reading.  My Rating:  Really Liked It! (4 Stars)

2.  The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis - This was such a wonderful story.  Typically books with two timelines have one that is my favorite and one that I'm just trying to get through but this book was the exception.  I enjoyed my time with Lillian as much as I did my time with Veronica.  I loved the talk of art and was fascinated by the Frick family and their collection.  Both Lillian and Veronica were likable characters who I rooted for even if they didn't always make the wisest decisions.  This was my first book by Davis but it definitely won't be my last.  My Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)

3.  A Ghostly Undertaking by Tonya Kappes - I've read several books by Kappes but somehow have never picked up this series.  I enjoyed this first book in a ghostly cozy mystery series involving an undertaker who happens to see the dead.  This was fun and I enjoyed both getting to know Emma Lee and the rest of the small town.  Emma having to come to terms with her new power was entertaining even if I regularly squirmed from second hand embarrassment.  I'm looking forward to reading the next one to see what happens next!  My Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)

4.  The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell - I forgot just how much I enjoy Lisa Jewell's books - especially in audio format.  Right from the beginning this book sucked me in and I couldn't wait to see how it all unraveled.  Because the two timelines are very close in time and involve a number of the same characters it did get a little confusing at the very beginning but as soon as I got invested in the story that went away.  This was one of those listens that had me contemplating dusting baseboards just so I could keep listening and I HATE dusting baseboards.  The audio was fantastic and the story had lots of twists and turns and kept me guessing.  My Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)

5.  Vanishing Edge by Claire Kells - This is the first book in the National Parks Mystery series.  I accidentally got the 2nd book without realizing it was part of a series so of course I had to pick up book 1.  I'm so glad I did.  Felicity Harland is a new ISB agent after 7 years in the FBI and a tragic loss combined with a life changing accident.  She's a smart and able investigator, incredibly stubborn but also able to listen to theories and opinions and others.  I loved the setting in the Sequoia National Park and the fact that the author showed both the beauty and the danger.  Park Ranger Hux is a fantastic partner to Harland as they work well together and just seem to click from the beginning.  The mystery kept me pulled in and wondering just how on earth it was going to turn out.  My main complaint was the audio - most of the narration by Natalie Naudus is done really well but periodically throughout the book there's a weird voice change that feels like it was dubbed over the original narration and is a bit distracting.  My Rating: Really Liked It! (4 Stars)

What books have you read recently?