Haunting License - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: Haunting License (A Haunted Haven #3) by Carol J. Perry

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  When a fisherman is murdered, Florida innkeeper Maureen Doherty must cast a wide net to catch a killer—with a little help from her ghostly tenants . . .

It’s June in Haven, Florida, a “between seasons” time in the tourism business, and Maureen’s Haven House Inn is feeling the pinch. There are plenty of ghosts in residence, but Maureen needs living guests to pay the bills.

Inspired by an old brochure she finds in a trunk she inherited along with the inn from her mysterious benefactor Penelope Josephine Gray, she gets the brilliant idea to revive a June fishing tournament from twenty years ago, hoping to reel in anglers who’d love to catch the Gulf Coast’s popular kingfish and take home a trophy.

But one fisherman won’t make it to the tournament. While walking on the beach with her golden retriever Finn, Maureen discovers a body. When Officer Frank Hubbard arrives, he recognizes local charter boat fisherman Eddie Manuel.

Now it’s up to Maureen and her spirited sleuths to sort through the red herrings and bait a hook for a killer before someone else ends up sleeping with the fishes . . .

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I absolutely loved the first book in this series and enjoyed the second book so I was thrilled to see this next book!

My Impression: While I loved the first book in the series the second book was a bit slower going so I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I picked this one up.  While it doesn't have that right book at the right time magic like the first one I definitely enjoyed it more than book 2.  The mystery is more cohesive and while Maureen still has a long way to go to make Haven House secure again she's definitely got a plan - and support.

This is more of a how are they going to catch him than a whodunnit mystery but it was fun to be along for the investigative ride.   Not only are we following along with Maureen as she figures out just who killed the local fisherman, what is in the trunk (and storage locker) left by the previous owner of the inn, how to put together a fishing tournament in a very limited amount of time, and deals with ghosts and a very cheerful Golden Retriever named Finn.  

This is a fun light cozy mystery with a handful of ghosts and a fun slice of life of an Innkeeper in a rather quirky small town.  I always enjoy Carol J. Perry's books and this was no exception!  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course!  I have the next book for antoher series coming up on my reading list and I can't wait! 

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy a quirky cozy this is a fun series - especially if you like a ghost or two popping up from time to time!

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

A Collection of Lies - Mystery Review

Goodreads:  A Collection of Lies (A Kate Hamilton Mystery #5) by Connie Berry

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  As Kate Hamilton and her new husband DI Tom Mallory honeymoon in Devon, a local history museum asks them to trace the provenance of a blood-stained dress said to belong to a Victorian lacemaker accused of murder. If genuine, the dress and its puzzling connections to a nineteenth-century Romani family who camped on Dartmoor will be the centerpiece of a new historic crimes exhibit—exactly Kate’s kind of mystery. But matters turn deadly when a shot is fired during a fundraising gala, injuring the man who donated the dress.

The injured donor, Gideon Littlejohn, is a cyber-security expert who lives and dresses as a Victorian gentleman, but everyone believes the real target of the attack to be another attendee—a controversial politician intent on rooting out local corruption. This belief is overturned when Gideon is found dead in a pool of blood. But then the politician receives a death threat.

Who was the real target? Who would want to kill both a man with an obsession for history and a tough-on-crime politician? When asked to assist in the investigation, Kate races to discover the truth as it becomes clear the killer isn’t going to come quietly.

Genre: Mystery 

Why I Picked This Book:  I've really enjoyed the previous books in the series so of course I had to pick this one up.

My Impression: In this book Tom and Kate are away from their familiar places and in Devon on their honeymoon.  The days leading up to their wedding were eventful to say the least and so they plan on having a relaxing time - while investigating the origin of a dress that could be tied to a historic murder. But as they begin to investigate things quickly spiral a bit out of control with a shooting, a death, and all kinds of hidden agendas.

One of the reasons I really enjoy this series is the history that is usually entwined in the plot.  I feltthat this book really leaned into the history aspect as Kate's primary investigation is into the history of several items with a focus on the dress.  If you aren't interested in the history I feel like the first half especially will feel like the plot has gone into the weeds a bit.  While there are several major events that happen in the first half it doesn't feel like things really get moving into the second half of the book.  I enjoyed it but it might not be for everyone.  

This is a interesting British mystery series with likable main characters who have a lots of interesting life experience and both bring different perspectives to the investigation.  Despite a bit of a slower start I enjoyed this one from beginning to end and look forward to reading more by this author.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  This has antiques and mystery together what's not to love?

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy mysteries I very much recommend this series - especially if you enjoy a British mystery with a bit of history.  

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

Friday Fives - Five Beach Reads

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.  We are heading to the beach in a few weeks for our first beach trip in several years and I'm so excited.  I normally don't have time to read very much and this probably won't be any different as there will be lots of family about but I am able to spend some time on the beach reading here are 5 books that I plan on reading.

1.  Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum - I've heard such great things about this book and it sounds like gossipy fun and perfect for the beach!

2.  The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela Kelley - Not only does this have a gloriously beachy cover but it also has the word bookshop in the title.  Two great things that go great together!

3.  The Beach at Summerly by Beatriz Williams - I love Beatriz Williams' books and rich behaving scandalously in a historical context on the beach sounds fun.

4.  Ten Beach Road by Wendy Wax - It has beach in the title so that alone makes it a good beach reading candidate!  Plus I own a bunch of books in this series and should read them.

5.  The Lemon Sisters by Jill Shalvis - I'm trying to read more from this author and this book looks gloriously summery!

Now I just need to mix in some thrillers and I'm ready to go!

Books from the Backlog - Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist

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:  Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist by Dorothy Gilman

Blurb:   Working with her retired CIA friend John Farrell, Mrs. Pollifax must smuggle a manuscript out of Jordan, a document that encodes the shocking truth of Saddam Hussein's reign.Hardly are the two airborne when the coils of Middle Eastern intrigue begin to unwind. Mrs. Pollifax's seatmate is not the affable Arab businessman he pretends to be. 

It is not imagination that persuades Mrs. P. that wherever they go, she and Farrell are followed. To elude their pursuers in such a politically volatile country isn't easy. In fact, it can be downright deadly...

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I am almost done with this series but have been stalling on reading the last few books because I don't want to be done!  I need to just get it done!  

Requiem for a Mouse - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Requiem For a Mouse (Cat in the Stacks Mystery #16) by Miranda James

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  At last, Charlie and Helen Louise’s wedding is only a month away. They’re busy preparing for the big day, and the last thing Charlie needs is a new mystery to solve. Enter Tara Martin, a shy, peculiar woman who has recently started working part-time at Helen Louise’s bistro and helping Charlie in the archive. Tara isn’t exactly friendly and she has an angry outburst at the library that leaves Charlie baffled. And then she abruptly leaves a catered housewarming party Charlie’s son Sean is throwing to celebrate his new home in the middle of her work shift. Before ducking out of the party, Tara looked terrified and Charlie wonders if she’s deliberately trying to escape notice. Is she hiding from someone?

When Tara is viciously attacked and lands in the hospital, Charlie knows his instincts were correct: Tara was in trouble and someone was after her. With the help of his much beloved cat, Diesel, Charlie digs deeper, and discovers shocking glimpses into Tara’s past that they could never have predicted. Will they catch the villain before Charlie’s own happily ever after with Helen Louise is ruined?

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've really enjoyed the books in this series that I've read so of course I couldn't resist picking up this newest book!

My Impression:  I feel like it's been awhile since I checked in with Charlie and Diesel so I was so excited to catch up with all the fun characters that inhabit the world of Athena, Mississippi (which I'm pretty sure is loosely based on Oxford, MS - home of Ol' Miss).  Ramses, the younger much more mischievous cat, is in fine form terrorzing toddlers and providing some comic relief when he appears on the page.

The mystery is one of my favorite kinds of mysteries.  Yes, Charlie and crew are investigating who would have wanted Tara dead but they're also investigating Tara.  Who is she and what is she hiding?  In the time that they've known Tara she's been a closed book and to figure out who wants to hurt her they have to figure out who she is.  I love digging into the past and once the mystery got going I was hooked.  There is a bit of a slower start and the mystery is definitely a "slice of life" so there's lots of talk about food, what the cats are up to and Charlie's day.  This could feel a little frustrating for new readers but if you're a fan of the series it feels like catching up with friends.  

If you're looking for a cozy relaxing bookish series with cats this is a fun series to try!  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I missed the beginning books of the series so I"m looking forward to reading those and will be picking up anything else by this author.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you like a bookish cozy and enjoy a slower "slice of life" pace this is a series I think you'd enjoy.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Summer TBR

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 Summer TBR.  I love making these seasonal TBRs.  I'm not great at sticking to them - though I am getting better - but I love making them!

1.  The Ghost Cat by Alex Howard - This was compared to a few books that I really liked so I have high hopes for it and it looks different from my usual reads. 

2.  Sticks and Stones by Ellie Alexander - I love this cozy series and am looking forward to checking in with the crew at Torte.

3.  The Confidence Game by Tess Amy - This sounds like a fun heist book and I think will be perfect summer reading!

4.  Between a Flock and a Hard Place by Donna Andrews - I love this cozy series and am curious to see just what trouble Meg can get into this time. 

5.  Booked on Murder by Allison Brook - Another favorite cozy series and another one where I'm looking forward to checking in with the characters.

6.  The Last Close Call by Laura Griffin - I've enjoyed previous books I've read by this author and this one involves a forensic genealogist so I'm super excited for it.

7.  The Castle on Sunset: Life, Death, Love, Art and Scandal at Hollywood's Chateau Marmot by Shawn Levy - Honestly, I saw this book at the library and the cover really hooked me.  It looks like a nonfiction I'd really enjoy.

8.  Death at Greenway by Lori Rayder Day - This is on my June TBR.  It's a historical mystery that takes place during World War II at Agatha Christie's home.  I have high hopes for it!

9.  A Late Phoenix by Catherine Aird - This is off my Classic Mystery list and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author. So far I've really enjoyed her books.  

10. The Lights of Sugarberry Cove by Heather Webber - Heather Webber's books are such perfect summer reading for me.  

What are you planning to read this summer?

A Deceptive Composition - Historical Mystery Review

Goodreads: A Deceptive Composition (Lady Darby Mysteries #12) by Anna Lee Huber

Rating:  Really Liked It! (4 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  October 1832. Kiera is enjoying the slower pace of the English countryside. She, Sebastian, and their infant daughter have accompanied her father-in-law, Lord Gage, home so that he can recuperate from the injuries he sustained in a foiled attempt on his life. But as the chill of autumn sweeps across the land, they receive a summons from an unexpected quarter. Lord Gage’s estranged uncle—a member of the notorious Roscarrock family—has been murdered, and his family is desperate for answers. Despite Lord Gage’s protests, Kiera and Sebastian press on to Cornwall to assist.

It isn’t long before they discover that almost nothing is as it seems among the Roscarrocks, and they’ve been lured to their isolated cove under false pretenses. There are whispers of a lost treasure and frightening allusions to a series of murders stretching back decades that touch the lives of the family personally. Kiera and Sebastian are left with no choice but to uncover the truth before the secrets of the past threaten to destroy them all.

Genre: Mystery - Historcial

Why I Picked This Book:  I really love this series so of course I had to pick up this newest book.

My Impression: I really enjoy this series and have especially loved seeing Kiera and Sebastian become parents and the softening of Lord Gage as he becomes a grandfather.  We got to see a more vulnerable side of Lord Gage in the previous book with his injury.  In this book he is (mostly) healed physically but is now having to come face to face with his past.

Lord Gage's past has always been a bit hazy though in the last few books more and more has been revealed.  The curtains are fully up now as the Gage family, complete with infant daughter Emma, head to down to Cornwall to find answers about the Roscarrock family and murder.

While I only came to this series about halfway through it has become one of my favorite historical mystery series and one I always enjoy.  I love the group effort - not only the partnership between Kiera and Gage but their staff and now even Lord Gage.  

This is a solid historical mystery with complex, interesting characters and a fantastic setting!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I've enjoyed every book by this author that I've read and am looking forward to reading more from her and catching up on her past books.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Definitely!  You could jump in here without too many issues or you could start closer to the beginning.

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

The A.B.C. Murders - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie

Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)
Source:   Purchased

Description:  When Alice Asher is murdered in Andover, Hercule Poirot is already looking into the clues. Alphabetically speaking, it's one letter down, twenty-five to go.

There's a serial killer on the loose. His macabre calling card is to leave the ABC Railway Guide beside each victim's body. But if A is for Alice Asher, bludgeoned to death in Andover, and B is for Betty Bernard, strangled with her belt on the beach at Bexhill, who will then be Victim C? More importantly, why is this happening?

Often considered to be one of Agatha Christie's best.

Genre:  Mystery - Classic 

Why I Picked This Book:  This was the May read for the Read Christie challenge.

My Impression:   This is probably one of Christie's most famous mysteries and it's one I always enjoy revisiting.  I love that in addition to Poirot, Hastings, and collection of Law Enforcement there is also a team of family members who get involved to help figure out just what is going on.  I really enjoy the variety of personalities and experiences all with Poirot's supervision.

The premise is an intriguing one.  Right from the start something feels off to Poirot and he is determined to solve the series of murders all and he is the only one to realize that all might not be as it seems.  This is definitely one of Christie's most famous books with one of the more unique premises but I can't say it's one of my favorites.  There's something about the ending that just falls a bit flat for me and keeps this one from being a 5 star read.    It's still a fantastic mystery that I always enjoy.  

The June Read Christie read is: And Then There Were None

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Of course!  Christie is one of my favorites and I'm already looking forward to the June book.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy mysteries I definitely recommend this book and really just about anything by Christie for that matter.

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

Friday Fives - Five Podcasts I've Enjoyed Recently

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.  Lately I've been mixing podcasts in between my audio books and have really been enjoying them.  Here are 5 I've really enjoyed lately.

1.  Scamanda - This is a complicated story of a woman who has cancer - or does she?  I loved the host and the format of the show and it is a seriously complex story.  

2.  The Missing Madonna - This is the story of an art heist in a castle in Scotland and the men responsible for getting the stolen DaVinci back.  The story is told by the daughter of one of the primary men involved.  

3.  Carrie Jade Does Not Exist - Who is Carrie Jade and why did she appear out of nowhere?  This series is hosted by Sue Perkins who I love and was absolutely fascinating.  It's still updating occasionally and I'm always thrilled to see a new episode pop up in my feed.  

4.  From the Front Porch - This is an ongoing podcast hosted by Annie Jones who owns an independent bookstore in Thomasville, Georgia.  I really enjoy that there's a number of employees and friends who rotate through the podcasts so that there are lots of different perspectives on books.  My favorite is the annual March Madness that Annie and her husband do.  This is my favorite "go to sleep" podcast and I listen to an episode every night as I'm going to bed.  

5.  Nellie's Baby - I've got a couple of episodes left of this one and I've really been enjoying it.  Kirsty Johnston is an investigative journalist in New Zealand and is approached by a woman named Sarah who was adopted as an infant.  She has learned that her mother was in a Psychiatric hospital in New Zealand and isn't sure how to find the answers she wants.  The series touches on adoption and mental health treatment as well as a whole host of very serious topics but there is also hope and the joy of finding family.  

What podcasts do you enjoy?

The Stranger in the Library - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: The Stranger in the Library (A Lighthouse Library Mystery #11) by Eva Gates

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  When a traveling show of impressionist art comes to Nags Head, North Carolina, librarian Lucy and the staff at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library are inspired to create an educational display about art history. Their launch of the display is a huge success, but the morning after, they discover that a reproduction of a famous painting has gone missing.

No one knows why anyone would bother stealing the picture is of no value–the real, priceless painting is under lock and key at the art show itself. Lucy gets an invite to the glitzy opening night for the real show, where she notices unusual tension among the show’s organizers. Then, the man scheduled to give the welcoming speech fails to arrive, and a party-goer is discovered drowned in a fish pond.

Meanwhile, Louise Jane is totally captivated by Tom Reilly, a handsome, charming art dealer lurking at the edges of the receptions on both nights. Tom slipped away from the party early, and he cannot be located by the police. Who, Lucy asks, is Tom Reilly, the shadowy figure threatening to break Louise Jane’s heart?

Something is afoot in Nags Head, and it’s up to Lucy and her friends to get to the bottom of it before it’s not just paintings being framed.

Genre:  Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I really enjoy this series so of course I had to pick up this newest book.

My Impression: I've enjoyed this series from the beginning and I was so excited to check in with Lucy, Connor and the rest of the Lighthouse Library crew.  I do love a cozy mystery with a fun bookish setting and this book had that in spades - plus an art heist.  

Lucy and Connor are adjusting to married life and are getting back to the regular life after their European honeymoon.  This starts off with a major art exhbit both at the library and at a local landmark.  Strange things start happening, people start disappearing, a dead body shows up, and Louise Jane and Charles the library cat are right in the middle of things adding their own special dash of chaos.  

This is a good cozy series with likable characters, a fun bookish element, a unique setting, and clever mysteries.  I really enjoyed this mystery and my visit to the Lighthouse Library!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Definitely!  Eva Gates/Vicki Delany is one of my favorite cozy authors and I always enjoy her books.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you are a fan of cozy mysteries this is a series not to be missed.  While the mystery is standalone the relationships between the characters will be more enjoyable if you start earlier in the series.  

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

Fondant Fumble - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: Fondant Fumble (A Cupcake Bakery Mystery #16) by Jenn McKinlay

Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Professional football players Keogh Graham and Tyler Matthews want to open a Fairy Tale Cupcakes franchise. They’re spending the off-season in Scottsdale working in Mel’s bakery, learning about the business and how to bake show-stopping cupcakes. The popular athletes bring a boom of customers to the store as football fans flock to see the friends mixing batter and piping icing.

Everyone’s excited the athletes are pursuing their dream of owning a bakery—except for those who fear the players will ditch football for fondant and retire early from professional sports. The angry naysayers include their team owner and Keogh's sports agent, along with some very vocal fans.

When the owner of their team, the Arizona Scorpions, is found dead on the floor of their new bakery following an argument with Keogh, the pros become prime suspects. As the investigation heats up, Mel and the rest of the cupcake bakery crew must step up and prove their franchise owners are innocent before it’s game-over for the new bakers.

Genre:  Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I enjoy this series and McKinlay is one of my favorite authors.

My Impression: Football meets cozy mystery and chaos ensues.  I really enjoyed this cozy mystery involving the cupcake baker characters that I enjoy catching up with - Mel, Angie, Tate, Joe and the rest of the DeLara family - with the addition of an NFL team and their shenanigans.  

Keogh and Tyler were interesting characters.  They're close friends and Keogh has a life long love of baking.  I thought it was interesting that the fact that professional athletes have a time limit of how long they are able to perform was discussed frequently as was the downsides of fame and fortune.

The mystery was a godo one and while this was a super easy fast read things didn't always go the way I expected them to go.  I really enjoyed the wrapup of the mystery and seeing changes in the main characters personal life.  I do prefer this author's Library Lovers series but this was a fun, fast read that I enjoyed from beginning to end - and now I need to go get cupcakes.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I have really enjoyed everything I've read by this author and am looking forward to new books and catching up on books I've missed.  

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy cozy mysteries this is a fun series and this was a fun read.  

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Bookish Wishes

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 Bookish Wishes.  This time I am taking inspiration from how  Lydia Schoch tackled this topic.    In her blog post last time this topic came around she wished for book recommendations and gave a number of genres or tropes she was looking for.  Here are 10 subjects/genres/tropes/or other bookish things I would love recommendations for.

1.  Old Houses - I'm looking for a book where a main character has come into possession of an old house by some means or other.  Bonus points if it's still full of stuff and there's a mystery to be solved - or a ghost.  Or both.

2.  Magical Realism - I love Sarah Addison Allen and Heather Fawcett and would love some more books with that general feel.

3.  Fantasy that isn't 9 million pages long - I've really enjoyed the fantasy I've read but the massive page count I see so often in the genre regularly scares me off.  

4.  Romances with more story than spice - I love romances that really focus on the characters but I'm not a huge fan of lots of spice.  I have my tried and true authors that I enjoy - Jill Shalvis, Lisa Kleypas, Nora Roberts, and a few others - but at some point I'm going to read all of their books.

5.  Found Family - Found Family may be one of my very favorite tropes.  No matter what genre it is if a book involves a found family I am in!

6.  Bookish characters - I love books where the character is bookish and it isn't just window dressing.  I love when they talk about books or mention books or books and reading are somehow pivotal to the plot or character development.

7.  Books involving antiques or vintage clothes - especially when the plot involves the history or the story of that particular item.

8.  Books set in hard to find states - Every year I try to "travel" to as many states as possible through my books.  I have a tough time finding books set in Delaware, Nebraska, Montana, Wyoming, and North Dakota especially.

9. Books with a Gothic-y Feel - I love books with a good eerie setting like Kate Morton or Barbara Michaels and am always looking for more books like that.

10.  Your favorite book - I tend to stay in my lane when it comes to reading but so often some of my favorite books of the year are when I take a chance or read something on a recommedation that I wouldn't normally pick up.

Do you have any book recommendations for me?  My TBR needs to do some growing!

The Paris Widow - Thriller Review

Goodreads: The Paris Widow by Kimberly Belle

Rating: Really LIked It (4 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  When Stella met Adam, she thought she had finally found a nice, normal guy—a welcome change from her previous boyfriend and her precarious jetsetter lifestyle with him. But her secure world comes crashing down when Adam goes missing after an explosion in the city square. Unable to reach him, she panics.

As the French police investigate, it’s revealed that Adam was on their radar as a dealer of rare and stolen antiquities with a long roster of criminal clients. Reeling from this news, Stella is determined not to leave Paris until she has the full story. Was Adam a random victim or the target of the explosion? And why is someone following her through the streets of Paris?

An irresistible, fast-paced read set in some of Europe’s most inviting locales, The Paris Widow explores how sinister secrets of the past stay with us—no matter how far we travel.

Genre: Mystery - Thriller

Why I Picked This Book:  The blurb really caught my attention and I've been wanting to try a book by this author.  

My Impression:  This was a fun fast paced read with a writing style that kept me pulled into the story from the beginning.  Nothing was quite what it seemed and I enjoyed following Stella as she tries to put together the pieces of just who Adam really is - which slowly had me wondering was anyone or anything how it seemed?

The book is a combination of present day in Stella's point of view and flashbacks earlier into their vacation from Adam's perspective.  I really enjoyed Adam's perspective and it helped the feeling of a net closing around Stella and the book goes on.  

I really enjoyed the story, the writing style, and the pacing in this book.  It was a fast paced read with suspense but not so scary it had me wanting to double check the locks or jumping at shadows.  This was my first book by this author but it won't be my last.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Definitely!  I'm really looking forward to reading more from this author.  

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you're looking for a fast paced read with suspense but don't want too much on page violence this is a fantastic choice.

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

Reading Recap - May 2024

 

Monthly Recap:

Monthly Reading Count -  19 - this seems to be my regular reading pace as each month I always seem to be right around this number.

Print - 8

Ebook - 5 

Audiobook - 6 

Mystery -  9

Fiction - 3

Romance - 5 

Nonfiction - 2

Favorite Books of the Month:

The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett - I loved this book inspired by Anne of Green Gables with found family and magic.  

Mind Games by Nora Roberts - I always enjoy Roberts' stand alone romantic suspense book but I especially enjoyed this one.

My Armchair Travel:

Domestic Travel:  I visited Washington State three times, North Carolina  twice, New Hampshire, California, and New Hampshire.

I visited Kentucky and Texas for the first time

International Travel:  I visited England twice, Scotland, Germany, and Canada.

Where did your books take you this month?  What was your favorite book of the month?

Friday Fives - June TBR

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 is the first Friday in June so I'm picking out five books I hope to read this month.

1.  Haunting License by Carol J Perry - I've enjoyed the first two books in the series (the first WAY more than the second) and was so excited to see that book three was coming out.

2.  Empty Nest by Marty Wingate - I read the first book in this cozy mystery series about bird watching awhile ago and enjoyed it.

3.  Nothing Venture by Patricia Wentworth - This book is on my classic mystery list and this is one of my favorite authors.

4.  Death at Greenway by Lori Rader-Day - This is a historical mystery set at Agatha Christie's home during World War II.

5.  Murder at Half Moon Gate by Andrea Penrose- The TBR Tarot prompt was Choose a Book with a 5 Word Title.  I listened to the first book in this series last year and really enjoyed it so I'm really looking foward to the second.  

What are you planning on reading this month?

Books from the Backlog - Code Name: Lise

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:  Code Name: Lise: The True Story of the Woman Who Became World War II's Most Decorated Spy by Larry Loftis

Blurb:  The year is 1942, and World War II is in full swing. Odette Sansom decides to follow in her war hero father’s footsteps by becoming an SOE agent to aid Britain and her beloved homeland, France. Five failed attempts and one plane crash later, she finally lands in occupied France to begin her mission. It is here that she meets her commanding officer Captain Peter Churchill.
As they successfully complete mission after mission, Peter and Odette fall in love. All the while, they are being hunted by the cunning German secret police sergeant, Hugo Bleicher, who finally succeeds in capturing them. They are sent to Paris’s Fresnes prison, and from there to concentration camps in Germany where they are starved, beaten, and tortured. But in the face of despair, they never give up hope, their love for each other, or the whereabouts of their colleagues.

In Code Name: Lise, Larry Loftis paints a portrait of true courage, patriotism, and love—of two incredibly heroic people who endured unimaginable horrors and degradations. He seamlessly weaves together the touching romance between Odette and Peter and the thrilling cat and mouse game between them and Sergeant Bleicher.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf: I read and loved another book by this author and this one has been sitting gathering dust on my shelf ever since then.  It looks abosolutely fascinating.

What I"m Reading Wednesday - June 5

 I always have a few books going and this is what I'm reading this week and what I think of my reads.

Print Book:

The House on Biscayne Bay by Chanel Cleeton - I have just started this so no opinion yet but I'm really looking forward to it.

Ebook:

The Paris Widow by Kimberly Belle - I'm almost done with this one and have been enjoying it.  It's definitely proven to be a fast read.

Slow Read:

Lost on Planet China by J. Maarten Troost - I was inspired by Kathryn over at Book Date to add a slow read into my day.  I've been reading about 20 minutes a day and it has become one of the things I really look forward to.  I've found this has been helpful for tackling books I've been reluctant or intimidated to pick up for whatever reason.  I haven't read much of this one but so far I've been enjoying it.  

Audio Book: 

The Whispered Word by Ellery Adams - I loved the first book in this cozyish mysery series though I read it awhile ago.  So far I'm really enjoying this one and am so glad to be getting back to the world Ellery Adams created.

What are you reading today?

My Summer Reading Retreat Reading List

 So I'm not really doing a reading retreat but the past month or so has been kind of rough.  Nothing particularly terrible but just a lot of little things that have left me feeling drained with not much left in the reserve tank.  One of the podcasts I listen to was talking about a reading retreat and while the one they were talking about was more hanging out with readers and listening to different bookish discussions I kind of latched onto the idea.  Now my personal idea of a reading retreat is more of a cozy room with a stack of books and nothing to do but read (and maybe nap) for a little while.  If I was having my very own summer reading retreat I would bring these 10 books. 

1.  Steeped in Stories: Timeless Children's Stories to Refresh Our Tired Souls by Mitali Perkins - I love middle grade fiction and I'm curious to see what books I might have missed and what this author has to say about them.

2.  The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren - I really enjoyed another book by this author and something light and fun looks like perfect reading retreat reading.

3.  Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places by Claire Kann - I love ghost-y books and this looks like a fun read.

4.  The Self-Care Year: Reflect and Recharge With Simple Seasonal Rituals by Alison Davies - I'm curious about this one and would love to incorporate some traditions and self-care into my day to day life.

5.  One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware - I love a good creepy mystery and I've really enjoyed almost everything I've read by this author.

6.  The House on Biscayne Bay by Chanel Cleeton - This looks Gothic-y and creepy and seriously entertaining.  

7.  Every Single Secret by Christina Dodd - The previous books in this series have been a bit of escapist fun and this one doesn't look any different which makes it perfect for a reading retreat.  

8.  Leave Me Alone, I'm Reading: Finding and Losing Myself in Books by Maureen Corrigan - A reading retreat wouldn't be complete without a book about books right?

9.  The Body Under the Piano by Marthe Jocelyn - Since I'm reading a book about classic middle grade books I feel like I should throw in a middle grade mystery and this one with a serious nodd to Agatha Christie seems perfect!

10. My Life with Bob: Flawed Heroine Keeps Book of Books, Plot Ensues by Pamela Paul - So apparently my reading retreat has two bookish books!

Now I'm going to go curl up on the couch with a cold drink and a good book.  What books would you choose for your reading retreat?

Olive You to Death - Cozy Mystery Review

 Goodreads: Olive You to Death (A Tourist Trap Mystery #16) by Lynn Cahoon

Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  In the coastal town of South Cove, June is tourist season—and wedding season. Unfortunately, Jill Gardner’s own wedding has been delayed. But that just gives her more time to search for a missing bride—and a killer . . .

Things are looking up for the owner of Coffee, Books, and More—Jill’s finally getting her MBA, and though her wedding to police detective Greg is postponed a few months, she still has plenty to celebrate. A girls’ weekend in Santa Barbara is just the ticket. But back in South Cove, someone else’s big day has become a big problem. Antiques dealer Josh Thomas and Mandy Jensen were planning a small private ceremony under an olive tree on the historic Jensen farm—until Mandy went missing . . .

Is this a case of a runaway bride—or a guilty groom? Greg zeroes in on Josh but finds him so annoying that he quietly asks Jill’s help in keeping his number-one suspect distracted. She knows that Josh is searching for something else besides his fiancée—a bank robber’s buried gold bullion. And when the professor he’d been discussing it with turns up dead, she can’t help wondering if what looked like cold feet was actually cold-blooded murder . . .

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've been reading this series since the beginning and I always look forward to seeing what Jill and Greg are up to.

My Impression:  This is a series I always enjoy but isn't up on my favorite list right now.  The writing style is easy and fast paced and I love the bookish element as well as the relationships within the community.  

I didn't feel like this was the strongest mystery in the series.  Jill is far more focused on finishing up her MBA than the running the bookstore and spends a lot of time running here there and everywhere.  I wish Mandy had been a slightly more established character before this book as the whole situation with Josh and her family felt a bit out of left field.  I did like getting to know Josh a bit better and seeing a more vulnerable side to him.   I also enjoyed Jackie's storyline in the book.  She is usually one of my least favorite character but I really enjoyed how everything worked out there.  Jill's best friend Amy is a whole other story though.  

The mystery was entertaining and I loved the treasure hunt element.  There is a bit of a scattered feeling to the book so I didn't feel like everything full came together at the end.  This is a good light mystery if you're looking for a quick read.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Yes.  While this isn't necessarily my favorite cozy mystery series it is one I always enjoy.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you are a cozy reader I definitely recommend this series but

I don't think I would recommend jumping in with this book.  There are a lot of relationships that wouldn't make much sense if you start out here.

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

The Emperor of All Maladies - Nonfiction Review

Goodreads:   The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biorgraphy Of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Rating:  Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)
Source:   Borrowed froma friend

Description:  The Emperor of All Maladies is a magnificent, profoundly humane “biography” of cancer - from its first documented appearances thousands of years ago through the epic battles in the twentieth century to cure, control, and conquer it to a radical new understanding of its essence.

Physician, researcher, and award-winning science writer, Siddhartha Mukherjee examines cancer with a cellular biologist’s precision, a historian’s perspective, and a biographer’s passion. The result is an astonishingly lucid and eloquent chronicle of a disease humans have lived with - and perished from - for more than five thousand years.

The story of cancer is a story of human ingenuity, resilience, and perseverance, but also of hubris, paternalism, and misperception. Mukherjee recounts centuries of discoveries, setbacks, victories, and deaths, told through the eyes of his predecessors and peers, training their wits against an infinitely resourceful adversary that, just three decades ago, was thought to be easily vanquished in an all-out “war against cancer.”

The book reads like a literary thriller with cancer as the protagonist. From the Persian Queen Atossa, whose Greek slave cut off her malignant breast, to the nineteenth-century recipients of primitive radiation and chemotherapy to Mukherjee’s own leukemia patient, Carla, The Emperor of All Maladies is about the people who have soldiered through fiercely demanding regimens in order to survive—and to increase our understanding of this iconic disease.

Riveting, urgent, and surprising, The Emperor of All Maladies provides a fascinating glimpse into the future of cancer treatments. It is an illuminating book that provides hope and clarity to those seeking to demystify cancer.

Genre: Nonfiction

Why I Picked This Book:  It was highly recommended by a friend so I decided to give it a try.  

My Impression:  I feel like the subtitle is a bit of a misnomer.  This book isn't so much a biography of cancer but more of a biography of the fight against cancer.  My son is a year out from his treatment of Leukemia with all signs pointing positive so I am sure my personal experiences have shaped my impression of this book.

For the most part I found this book absolutely fascinating.   I was especially interested in the evolution of treatment for childhood cancers which a lot of the book does center around but the author does cover multiple types of cancer as treatment options and theories progress.  The battle between theories, researchers, and oncologists was interesting and I found it interesting to see how each theory impacted the evolution of treatment.  The origin of several common chemotherapy drugs was also fascinating.  My son was especially interested in where 6MP came from which is a pill he took every day for almost two and a half years.

There were times when the book got a bit into the weeds for me where it really focused on the really detailed bits and pieces regarding DNA, RNA, viruses and other more techincal aspects that I don't truly understand.  I much preferred the case studies and examples that were used throughout the bulk of the book.

My takeaway from this book as the mother of a cancer survivor is that I am incredibly grateful for all the scientists, doctors, researchers and patients who came before us who really pushed for progress in cancer treatment.  I'm also amazed with how fast treatment protocols have progressed as my son's treatment and projected outcome were so much better than they were when this book came out which was in 2010.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I would.  I found the author's style interesting and engaging and it was one of those books I couldn't resist telling people about as I read it.

Would I Recommend this Book? I would with some reservations.  While I found the book fascinating and absorbing I don't think I could have read it a year ago when the stress and worry was too fresh.  If you have had a personal cancer battle I would make sure you are in a steady place before picking up this book.