Close Knit - Contemporary Fiction Review

Goodreads: Close Knit by Jenny Colgan

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

Description:  Follow Gertie MacIntyre from knitting circle to air stewardess in this glorious and romantic summer novel set in Scotland’s windswept Northern isles, by beloved New York Times bestselling author Jenny Colgan.

In the northernmost reaches of Scotland, where a string of little islands in the North Sea stretches towards Norway, lives Gertie MacIntyre, a proud island girl by birth. Her social circle is small but tight: family and friends, particularly the women in her knitting circle. In the whitewashed cottages of their hometown, everyone knows everyone, and the ladies of the knitting circle know more than most. In a place of long dark winters and geographic isolation, the knitting circle is a precious source of gossip, home, laughter, and comfort for them all. And while she knits, Gertie’s busily plotting what to do with the rest of her life.

When Gertie develops a crush on Callum Frost, who owns the local airline, she dares herself to take a job as an air stewardess on the little plane that serves the local islands. Terrifying at first, the sixteen-seat puddle jumper also offers the first taste of real freedom she’s ever known. Will Gertie’s future lie in the skies? Or will she need to go further afield to find the adventure she craves?

Genre: Fiction - Contemporary

Why I Picked This Book:  I have enjoyed a number of Colgan's books and I was looking forward to visiting the islands in Scotland again.

My Impression:   First the positives - I really love a finding yourself kind of story where the main characters starts out unhappy and unsettled and gradually becomes part of a community and figures out what they really want etc.  I also loved checking back in with Morag and the world we were introduced to in last year's Summer Skies.  I loved how Gertie connected with Morag and Nalitha and how she ended up with the job at MacIntyre Air.  Gertie has a lot of skill but isn't really aware of it so to see that appreciation by those around her was really lovely.  Colgan does a fantastic job of setting the scene and makes the beauty and spareness of the land come alive.  Her writing style is also well paced and one I very much enjoyed reading.  I felt like good progress was made in the story from the beginning which isn't always the case with her books I've found. 

And now for the negative - While I love Gertie and understood her shyness and dreaminess her focus on her crushes was a little uncomfortable.    Not only did she get intense crushes but at times the direction her daydreams went made her feel at best very immature and at worst unstable.  This took my enjoyment of the book down because I'd be happily reading along and then one of those thoughts would pop up and it was instant cringe.  

Despite my issue I did really enjoy this.  I loved seeing Gertie come into her own and I adore the setting.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Yes!  While not everything by this author's books are total winners for me I have enjoyed the bulk of them and am looking forward to reading more from her.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy main characters figuring out what they want in life this is a good choice -as long as you can overlook Gertie's crushes.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books Where I Wanted More Of The Story

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 Ten Books I Want More/Less of Whatever your topic.  I'm doing a little twist and going with ten books I just wanted more from it.  Being I wanted more from the story after going in with high expectations or I just wanted more of as I didn't want to say goodbye to the characters or the world.

1.  15 Summer Later by RaeAnne Thayne - I really loved this book and I was sad to say goodbye to the characters.  I also could have used more animal hijinks!

2.  The Glass Ocean by Beatriz Williams, Karen White, and Lauren Willig - I really enjoyed this book but I wanted more from Tess's storyline and to have it wrapped up a bit better.

3.  The House on Biscayne Bay by Chanel Cleeton - Another book I enjoyed but I wanted more about the house.  I never felt like I got a good sense of it.

4.  The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett - I was so sad when this book ended and didn't want to read the last page and be done with the world she created.  

5.  The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman - I would not be sad if the author published a short story just letting us check up on what Nina and her new family is doing.

6.  The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis - I enjoyed this book but I think I would have enjoyed it more if there was more about life in the library.  

7.  What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama - I just want more stories.  There could be a new series of stories around this library every 6 months and I would happily buy them and read them immediately.

8.  Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt by Lucinda Riley and Harry Whittaker - This is another one where I just want to check in with the characters.  I feel like I spent so much time with them that I'd like a visit.

9.  Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller - This was one of my favorite books last year.  I'd love another book in this world - or really something else from this atuhor.

10. Dead in a Flash by Brynn Bonner - This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series of all times involving a genealogist and deep dives into family mysteries.  The series ended with this book and I would love to have more either in this series or from this author in general.  

What books did you want more of or more from?

A Murder at the Movies - Cozy Mystery Review

 Goodreads: A Murder at the Moviews (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #2) by Ellie Alexander

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

Description:  After the success of her first event, which revived the fortunes of the bookstore she loves so dearly, Annie is excited to launch Redwood Grove’s first film festival. But when an infamous film critic plunges to his death during the premiere of a Hitchcock-inspired thriller, Annie’s instincts tell her that this was no accident. She soon discovers that many of the cast, crew and guests are harboring dark secrets; from the lead actress with a scandalous past, to a film historian obsessed with protecting his vintage reel collection.

Determined to unravel the mystery, Annie must sift through a tangled web of hidden agendas and deception to expose the killer before they strike again. Can she crack the case and save her film festival – or will she find herself in the spotlight?

Genre:  Mystery - Cozies

Why I Picked This Book:   I love this author and really enjoyed the first book in the series.

My Impression: This is the second visit to the small town of Redwood Grove, California and this time Hollywood is in town for a premiere.  When an indie director wants to work with Annie and the crew at the Secret Bookcase Annie knows she's in for a chaotic week of dinners, movie premeieres and all kinds of Hollywood politics.  But she had no real idea just how much chaos and conflict she was setting herself up for - and when the dead body makes a dramatic entrance things get really busy.

I really enjoyed the mystery and while I had some ideas of how things would turn out I wasn't sure on all the details and there were more than a few surprises.  There is a little setup for the next mystery which I'mvery excited about and a bit more information on the mystery that is part of Annie's backstory.  There's also a little bit of some romance brewing - maybe!  

I really love the setting here and the cast of characters is a lot of fun.  And did I mention that the bookshop Annie works at is Agatha Christie themed complete with a secret room? 

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I have the third book in this series and the upcoming book in another series by this author and I cannot wait to read both of them.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy cozy mysteries this is a series I think you'd really enjoy!

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

The Man in Lower Ten - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads:  The Man in Lower Ten by Mary Roberts Rinehart

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

Description:  A happy bachelor in Washington, DC, Lawrence “Lollie” Blakeley is just the right age to dance with the grown-up little sisters of the girls he used to know. He is without sentiment—so he claims—but is ruled and frequently routed by his elderly housekeeper. All he really wants is to relax with a round of golf and a trip out on the yacht.

But when his law partner asks him to deliver important legal documents to a client in Pittsburgh, Lollie finds his cheerful life tremendously disturbed. In the course of one overnight trip, he ends up in the wrong berth, falls in love, and is accused of murder.

The Man in Lower Ten was the first detective novel to appear on national bestseller lists and is just as deliciously thrilling today as when it was published more than a century ago.

Genre: Mystery - Classic 

Why I Picked This Book:  I'm trying to read more classic mysteries and I have been really enjoying Rinehart's books.

My Impression:  I really enjoy this author's books and this was a fun one!  There's a murder on a train with all kinds of mistaken identities, confusion, and accusations.  The story is told completely in Lollie's point of view and there is a lot of time spent in his head.  

Rinehart's tone is completely unique with a bit of a noir feel but a touch of cozy and a little bit of humor.  There is some datedness to her descriptions of people and her language but at least in this story it was fairly minor.  I love the vintage feel ofthe train journey, wreck, and investigation as Lollie tries to figure out what's going on to keep himself out of jail.  

My main issue with this is the issue I have with pretty much every Mary Roberts Rinehart book I've read - the ending.  While the solution always makes sense and is explained it somehow always comes off as a bit anti-climatic.  This was no different but with the added issue that there are a lot of characters and I found it a bit difficult to keep everyone straight sometimes.  I think part of that problem was I went with the audio versus the print version of this one and I think print just works better for her books.  

If you're looking for a middle ground in classic mystery between Christie and Hammett but with a bit of a fun twist than Roberts is a great choice.  I don't think this was my favorite but it was a lot of fun!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I've enjoyed all her books and am looking forward to reading more by her.

Would I Recommend this Book? I would definitely recommend this author but maybe start with The Circular Staircase or The Bat before this book.

Friday Fives - Five Short Reviews for Books I've Read Recently

I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random fve 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 Glass Ocean by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White - I've read and enjoyed books by all of these authors and this is the second collab book I've read.  I enjoyed this one.  It's hard to beat a Lusitania setting with a modern day timeline involving an author who is trying to solve a family mystery and revive her career.   All the characters were interesting and I enjoyed getting to know them.  The start was a bit slow but the second half really hooked me.  I did want more from Tess's timeline as the other two were fleshed out a bit more and I felt like there were a number of aspects of Tess's story that were left unexplained.  I went with the audio of this book and enjoyed all three narrators.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

2.  Lost on Planet China by J. Maarten Troost - This is the story of a guy who because of his wife's job got used to living in out of the way places and writing about them.  When they move to California he now has to go out on his own and so he decides to go wander around China for a bit.  And he does and then he writes a book about it.  He doesn't speak Mandarin or any other language spoken in China and definitely can't read it so he's pretty much just winging it which leads to some interesting situations.  He does have some awareness of the culture and history and brings context to his experiences while still pretty much flying blind.  It was an interesting read that had me laughing a time or two and explored regions of China that I knew very little to nothing about.  His tone is not for everyone so if you haven't read anything from this author I recommed going the library route to make sure you can tolerate his writing style.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

3.  Nights of Rain and Stars by Maeve Binchy - Well this was lovely!  The day of a tragedy in a small coastal village in Greece, four strangers (plus a hanger on) from different countries find themselves in a cafe on a hill watching things unfold from afar.  The four become immersed in the life of the village as they try to figure out their own personal battles.   Vonni and Andreas become involved in helping the four foreigners - Elsa, Fiona, David, and Thomas - come to terms with their struggles and what they are running from.  At times the actions or decisions of the characters made me want to shake them but I never got frustrated with the book.  Despite the serious topics dealt with Binchy's writing style has a soothing quality to it that made it a peaceful feeling read.  I'm so glad I picked this one up and am looking forward to reading more from her.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

4.  Old World Murder by Kathleen Ernst - This mystery takes place in a living history village in Wisconsin that sounds absolutely amazing.  The setting of the book takes place in the early 1980s and Chloe Ellefson is just starting her new job as collections curator.  Honestly, Chloe drove me crazy.  She's struggling a bit with her mental health but she comes off as so incompetent I had a hard time taking her seriously.  The book had a bit of a slow start and the murder isn't the typical murder but I did get interested in the story after about a third of the way through and it was interesting to see how everything played out.  I have a later book iin the series on my review shelf and I will read that but I don't see myself reading all the books in the series.  My Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)

5.  Secrets of the Greek Revival by Eva Pohler - Three friends decide to give themselves a project to put all the HGTV watching skills to the test and give themselves a bit of a distraction as they deal with aging parents and marriages that haven't always turned out how they want them to go.  So they buy a house - a house that might be haunted and has a tumoltuous history.  What's really going on in the spooky abandoned house in San Antonio and does the rumored gold really exist.  This was an entertaining read with a bit of mystery and ghostly atmosphere.  The writing was a bit clunky and I had some issues with aspects of the story but overall it was an entertaining distraction.  My Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)

What have you read recently?

Books from the Backlog - Mountains Wild

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:  The Mountains Wild by Sarah Stewart Taylor

Blurb:  Twenty-three years ago, Maggie D'arcy's family received a call from the Dublin police. Her cousin Erin has been missing for several days. Maggie herself spent weeks in Ireland, trying to track Erin's movements, working beside the police. But it was to no avail: no trace of her was ever found.

The experience inspired Maggie to become a cop. Now, back on Long Island, more than 20 years have passed. Maggie is a detective and a divorced mother of a teenager. When the Gardaí call to say that Erin's scarf has been found and another young woman has gone missing, Maggie returns to Ireland, awakening all the complicated feelings from the first trip. The despair and frustration of not knowing what happened to Erin. Her attraction to Erin's coworker, now a professor, who never fully explained their relationship. And her determination to solve the case, once and for all.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I've been wanting to read this series since this first book came out and just haven't managed to pick it up yet!

Pinned 4 Murder - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: Pinned 4 Murder (A Sophie Kimball Mystery) by J.C. Eaton

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

Description:  With a killer in their midst and a high-tech developer threatening to overhaul their beloved bowling alley, the seniors of Sun City West turn to amateur sleuth Sophie “Phee” Kimball to strike back at both culprits. She’s been recruited by her mother’s friendThis s before, but this time Phee finds herself pulled in two directions when one of the book club ladies gets tangled in the clutches of a dangerous cyber-scammer who pretends to be the love of her life.

Phee’s investigation grows even more complicated when the bowling alley is sabotaged and a flimflammer is found dead in the nearby bushes. With the league tournament in limbo and one of the seniors pegged as the likely murder suspect, Phee will have to cut the cord on the cyber-criminal and pin the killer—before they can strike again . . .

Genre: Mystery- Cozy 

Why I Picked This Book:  I love this series and have been reading it since the first book.

My Impression:  When I start a book in this series I'm looking forward to chaos and quirky characters getting into trouble all while a long suffering Phee tries to keep order and calm.  This didn't let me down!  There was cyber scamming, affairs, rumors of a serial killer, lizards loose in a bowling alley, and just general chaos - all with stops for bagels and coffee in between.  

There were two mysteries going on here.  The first involves the murder victim and the second involves who is romance scamming one on the Book Club ladies and why.  The murder definitely kept me guessing.  The victims had multiple people who wanted to remove them from the equation so it kept me (and Phee, the rest of Williams Investigations and of course the Book Club ladies) guessing!  The scamming isn't so much a whodunnit but a how is it going to get unraveled and we saw quite a bit of Rolo which always makes me happy.

The conclusion was a fun one and a bit of a surprise!  I'm also oh so glad I don't have a dog like Streetman in my life but it is always fun to read about his misadventures!  If you're looking for a light quirky cozy with a good portion of humor and likable characters this series is a great pick and this mystery was a fun one!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely! I've been reading this series since the beginning and I'm always on the lookout for new books.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you like humorous cozies this is a fantastic series!

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

10 Beachy Covers on My TBR

 I was going to do the Top Ten Tuesday topic today but it turns out I don't read very many debut books!  We had an amazing beach vacation a few weeks back and are planning on going back in the next month or so but at the moment I'm missing the sand and the water a bit.  Here are 10 books on my TBR with beachy covers so I can take some virtual vacations until the next real one happens!

1.  Sweet Little Lies by Jill Shalvis 

2.  The Seafront Tea Room by Vanessa Green  

3.  The Accidental Bestseller by Wendy Wax

4.  Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey

5.  A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams

6.  Live and Let Chai by Bree Baker

7.  Honeymoon by Tina Seskis

8.  Forever Beach by Shelley Noble

9.  From Beer to Eternity by Sherry Harris

10. Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum

What beachy reads are on your TBR?

TBR Tarot - Murder at Half Moon Gate

At the end of 2022 Wendy over at Literary Feline posted about these fantastic TBR Tarot Cards she had picked up on Etsy and that sounded too good to resist so I immediately ordered my own set.  So when I'm not feeling strongly about what to read next I pull out my cards and pick a book based on the prompt.  Here is a book the fates chose for me recently.

Prompt:  Choose a book with a 5 word title

Goodreads: Murder at Half Moon Gate (Wrexford & Sloan #2) by Andrea Penrose

Blurb:  When Lord Wrexford discovers the body of a gifted inventor in a dark London alley, he promptly alerts the watchman and lets the authorities handle the matter. But Wrexford soon finds himself drawn into the murder investigation when the inventor’s widow begs for his assistance, claiming the crime was not a random robbery. It seems her husband’s designs for a revolutionary steam-powered engine went missing the night of his death. The plans could be worth a fortune . . . and very dangerous in the wrong hands.

Joining Wrexford in his investigation is Charlotte Sloane, who uses the pseudonym A. J. Quill to publish her scathing political cartoons. Her extensive network of informants is critical for her work, but she doesn’t mind tapping that same web of spies to track down an elusive killer. Each suspect—from ambitious assistants to rich investors, and even the inventor’s widow—is entwined in a maze of secrets and lies that leads Wrexford and Sloane down London’s most perilous stews and darkest alleyways.

With danger lurking at every turn, the potent combination of Wrexford’s analytical mind and Sloane’s exacting intuition begins to unravel the twisted motivations behind the inventor’s death. But they are up against a cunning and deadly foe—a killer ready to strike again before they can recover the inventor’s priceless designs . . .

My Thoughts:  I had enjoyed the first book in this historical mystery series but it wasn't a stand out for me so I'm so glad that I this prompt pushed me into picking up book 2.  I so enjoyed this book and really enjoyed getting to see more of Rex and Charlotte - and of course Raven and Hawk.  The mystery involves the seedy side of industrial invention and conflict between those who want to improve society and those that want money at all costs.  I really wasn't sure just who the bad guy was and how it would all unravel until the very end and what an ending it was!  I'm so glad I picked up book 2 and won't be nearly as long until I pick up book 3.  If you're a fan of historical mysteries this is a great series!  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

Nothing Venture - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Nothing Venture by Patricia Wentworth

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

Description:  Jervis Weare is in a predicament. According to Ambrose Weare’s will, his grandson must marry within three months or the vast estate goes to his Jervis’s fiancée Rosamund Carew. But the deceiving society beauty has just dumped Jervis, which leaves him scrambling to find another bride.   Nan Forsyth has secretly loved Jervis for ten years. He has no inkling that Nan once saved his life and is now about to come to his rescue again. She knows that with her working-class background and the emotionally fragile sister she’s raising on her own, she’s hardly the proper wife for Jervis. Yet marry him she does; though to Jervis, it’s strictly a business arrangement. They’re barely wed before the past comes back to haunt them—a past Jervis can’t remember, but someone else does. Now Nan must save Jervis one last time before a murderous plot a decade in the making comes full circle.  Nothing Venture is a classic British mystery from the acclaimed author of the Miss Silver Mysteries.  

Genre:  Mystery - Classic 

Why I Picked This Book:   I'm trying to read more of Wentworth's non-Miss Silver books.

My Impression:  This is a classic Patricia Wentworth mystery.  Nan is plucky and intelligent and just a nice person.  Jervis is honestly a bit of a jerk (that part isn't classic Wentworth - her heroes are usually fairly nice) who is a bit angry at the world and not the most trusting.  He does have a friend - FF - that truly saves him as FF is nice and funny and sees who Nan truly is from the first.  He also has some common sense and is able to get through to Jervis occasionally.

The villains are apporpriately villiany with lovely aristorcratic haughtiness and nefarious intent.  There are lots of fancy dinners and English estates and a fun bit of adventure.   This was a fun book to read with lots of adventure and just enough action.  I loved the characters (even Jervis grew on me) and loved the ending.  If you're looking for a fun classic mystery this is an entertaining light read.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course!  Wentworth is a favorite even though the non-Miss Silver books aren't the most consistent.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you're in the mood for a light fun mystery this is a good choice.

Friday Fives - Five Short Reviews for Series I'm Currently Reading

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.  I'm working on catching up on series and decided to put a few reviews of them all together here.

1.  Killing Thyme by Leslie Budewitz - This is the third book in this cozy mystery series set in a Seattle Pike Place Market Spice Shop and I think this one is my favorite so far.  I really enjoyed that the mystery dove into Pepper's past and her mother played an active role in the book.  As well, Pepper seems to be getting it together with her life in general and is making progress with figuring out what she wants in her romantic life. My only complaint is that I would have liked more time spent in the spice shop itself.  The mystery was interesting and well done and kept me guessing up until right before Pepper figured things out.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

2.  Death by Beach Read by Eva Gates - This was a fun mystery!  This is the first mystery where Lucy isn't living in the lighthouse but is instead starting her new life with Connor in one of the "Unpainted Aristocracies" on the beach.  I really liked how the mystery allowed the reader to learn a bit more about the history of the house and dive into the secrets of the family who once lived there.  I did figure out the who a bit faster than Lucy but I didn't have quite as much going on as she did.  I also like the new side of Louise Jane we're seeing.  I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series! My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

3.  Glow of Death by Jane K. Cleland - I've really been enjoying this series more and more as it goes along and this was an interesting one involving a Tiffany lamp and a case of an impersonator.  Josie does not take kindly to getting fooled and must dig into the lamp's history and the situation surrounding the appraisal.  I enjoy the information around the antiques as well as how Josie uses her sources to investigate.  The mystery kept me guessing and I enjoyed it from beginning to end.  Josie is a little to perfect but not in a way that annoys me so I'm willing to give her a pass!  If you're looking for a good light mystery series this is a fun one.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

4.  Shadow of a Spout by Amanda Cooper - I have had this cozy series involving teapot collectors and a tea house on my wishlist for years but was a bit meh on the first book.  My expectations weren't particularly high going into this book but I was pleasantly surprised.  This is a straightforward cozy with two pairs of grandmother/granddaughters, club politics, and of course a victim whose presence won't be missed even though the murder must be solved.  This was a fun classic feeling cozy.  I loved the mix of ages and the hotel setting and am looking forward to reading the next book.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

5.  Murder with Puffins by Donna Andrews - In this second book in the series Meg and Michael are desperately trying to get a bit of alone time now that they are officially dating.  What better than a secluded cabin on an island in Maine?  That is until half of Meg's family shows up, a hurricaine comes in, and a dead body is discovered.  Oh and Meg's father is the number one suspect.  Meg and Michael step up the investigation to make sure Meg's dad is not implicated in the murder and the usual entertaining chaos ensues - this time with artists and puffins in spades.  The mystery wasn't the strongest in this book as the reveal felt a little bit buried with all the other stuff going on but it was a thoroughly enjoyabe read from beginning to end and this is a series I'm already looking forward to reading the next book.  My Rating: (4 Stars)

Books from the Backlog - Shady Hollow

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:  Shady Holoow by Juneau Black

Blurb:  The first book in the Shady Hollow series, in which we are introduced to the village of Shady Hollow, a place where woodland creatures live together in harmony--until a curmudgeonly toad turns up dead and the local reporter has to solve the case.

Reporter Vera Vixen is a relative newcomer to Shady Hollow. The fox has a nose for news, so when she catches wind that the death might be a murder, she resolves to get to the bottom of the case, no matter where it leads. As she stirs up still waters, the fox exposes more than one mystery, and discovers that additional lives are in jeopardy.

Vera finds more to this town than she ever suspected. It seems someone in the Hollow will do anything to keep her from solving the murder, and soon it will take all of Vera's cunning and quickness to crack the case.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I read the most recent book in this series last year and enjoyed it enough that I went out and bought the first book intending to catch up on the series before book 5 came out.  Book 5 is about to come out and I still haven't read book 1!

15 Summers Later - Fiction Review

Goodreads: 15 Summers Later by RaeAnne Thayne

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

Description:  Ava Howell seemed to have it all. She moved away from Emerald Creek, Idaho, married the love of her life and published a bestselling memoir. But she never expected that her husband would feel so betrayed by a secret from her past—the truth of what happened to her and her sister all those years ago—that he’d walk away. Now Ava is back home and trying to move on with the only person who can truly understand…

Following years of healing, Madison Howell is finally happy. After college she built a no-kill shelter where she works with animals every day, and she’s in love with the town veterinarian, Dr. Luke Gentry. But she can’t ever bring herself to tell him. Years ago, his dad died protecting Madi and her sister, so how could he ever love her back?

With the truth laid bare, and the past that Ava and Madison have worked so hard to leave behind threatening everything they have built for themselves, the Howell sisters’ reunion is bittersweet. And as Ava and Madi attempt to remedy the rifts in their lives and reconcile their futures, they must face the demons of their past together.

Genre:  Fiction - Contemporary

Why I Picked This Book:  I really enjoy the other books I've read by Thayne and the animal rescue element and I love books about sisters.  

My Impression: I've been a fan of RaeAnne Thayne for quite some time though I typically haven't loved her standalones as much as her series books.  This was an exception.  For starters the secret from the girls' past is some serious trauma so their issues in their relationship make a lot of sense.  

Madi is a tough woman who has overcome a serious injury to make her dreams of an animal rescue come true.  She's devoted and loyal and determined to not let her disabilities keep her from doing what she wants.  Ava was a little harder to warm up to at first.  While I liked her I didn't quite understand her motivations for doing what she did.  As the book went on I came to understand both sisters and couldn't help but root for them both.  

While there is a bit of a romance the focus on the story was really the relationship between Ava and Madison.  I did enjoy Luke and Madi's relationship - especially how they bond over animals and understand each other.  I enjoyed this story from beginning to end.  It deals with some tough subjects but there is so much hope in renewal that it never felt too dark.  This was a lovely read with characters I was sad to say goodbye to which I reached the last page.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I'm already looking forward to reading more of her books.

Would I Recommend this Book?  I would!  If you enjoy stories about families and love a good animal addition this is a wonderful read.

Top Ten Tuesday - Eight Reasons I Love Cozy Mysteries + Two Recommendations

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 Ten Things I Love About any book.  Since I couldn't think of 10 things for any particular book I'm taking a whole genre and adding a couple of recommendations.  Here are 8 reasons I love cozy mysteries and 2 recommendations.

1.  The Community Feel - Almost every cozy mystery involves a community setting.  A lot are set in small towns but even series that are set in cities - like Leslie Budewitz's Spice Shop series set in Seattle - involve a small area or group to provide a nice community.

2.  Not Too Violent or Dark, but Still a Murder to Solve - I love mysteries because the whole plot of the book is characters solving a puzzle of some kind but in some mysteries things get a bit too dark or violent for my escapist reading preferences.  However, cozies have all the mystery solving without ever making me want to double check the locks or have nightmares.

3.  The Variety of Hobbies or Jobs - If you're interesed in sewing, baking, organizing, genealogy, books, home decor, hiking or just about anything else there is a cozy mystery main character who either works in that field or is also interested in it.

4.  The Animal Sidekicks - Cozy mysteries win for the variety of dogs and cats with the occasional bird, turtle, lizard and even an armadillo that are present in the books to help the main characters figure out just who the bad guy is.

5.  The Humor - Not all cozies are funny but there are so many that have a lot of humor.  Some lean hard into the hilarious chaos that so many cozies do so well and some give me a laugh as the main character has just the right amount of snark.

6.  The Variety of Types - Want a nice historical English village murder?  Want something a bit more paranormal?  Want a nice beach setting?  How about the exact opposite and want a mystery that takes place in a snowed in hotel?  Whatever you're looking for cozies have you covered.

7.  The Seasons - I'm not the biggest seasonal reader but sometimes it's fun to read something that takes place during the Christmas season with all the holidy goodness or a book full of all the fun of Halloween.  Cozies excel at this kind of seasonal reading.

8.  All Series - When I finish a book that I've really enjoyed I'm always a bit sad to say goodbye to the characters but pretty much every cozy is part of a series so when you can always revisit communities and characters you love.

Recommendations

9.  The Meg Langslow series by Donna Andrews - Meg is a blacksmith which is one of the more unusual jobs in the cozy universe.  As well she has a large family that always has some kind of crazy chaos happening.  The books are funny and the mysteries are usually very solid.  This a long running series so start with the first book and you have a LOT of reading fun ahead of you.

10.  The Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander - I've really enjoyed everything I've read by Ellie Alexander but the bakeshop series is a long running series with a lovely community feel, a fabulous setting, family connections, mouth watering food descriptions and interesting mysteries.  I also really enjoy her Sloan Kraus series about a brewer in Leavenworth, Washington.  

Middle Grade Monday - The Body Under the Piano

Goodreads: The Body Under the Piano (Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen #1) by Marthe Jocelyn

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

Description:  Aggie Morton lives in a small town on the coast of England in 1902. Adventurous and imaginative but deeply shy, Aggie hasn't got much to do since the death of her beloved father . . . until the fateful day when she crosses paths with twelve-year-old Belgian immigrant Hector Perot and discovers a dead body on the floor of the Mermaid Dance Room! As the number of suspects grows and the murder threatens to tear the town apart, Aggie and her new friend will need every tool at their disposal -- including their insatiable curiosity, deductive skills and not a little help from their friends -- to solve the case before Aggie's beloved dance instructor is charged with a crime Aggie is sure she didn't commit.

Genre: Mystery - Middle Grade

Why I Picked This Book:  This is a middle grade mystery series heavily inspired by Agatha Christie's childhood.  How could I not read it?

My Impression: This was fun! Aggie is loosely based on Agatha Christie and lives in a world heavily inspired by her books - including Aggie's new friend, a Belgian immigrant with a love for shiny shoes and a passion for exactness.  When a rather dreadful woman is found dead under the piano at the Mermaid Dance Room Aggie springs into action to make sure her beloved dance teacher is not framed for the murder.  

Aggie and Hector form a partnership to figure out just who had the motive to want the victim dead - and out of all those people who actually was the one who killed her.   Aggie and Hector have different strengths and it was fun watching them work together.    While this is a Middle Grade mystery and it is a book I would be perfectly comfortable with my kids reading from about 8 or 9 and up.  While there is a murder and the characters occasionally are in danger it isn't bloody or violent.  This is a fun mystery with a solid amateur sleuth team that I think all mystery readers will enjoy!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more of this series.  

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy mysteries and are an Agatha Christie fan I think you will really enjoy this book. 

And Then There Were None - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads:  And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Rating: Loved It! (5 Stars)
Source:   Purchased

Description:  "Ten . . ."
Ten strangers are lured to an isolated island mansion off the Devon coast by a mysterious "U.N. Owen."

"Nine . . ."
At dinner a recorded message accuses each of them in turn of having a guilty secret, and by the end of the night one of the guests is dead.

"Eight . . ."
Stranded by a violent storm, and haunted by a nursery rhyme counting down one by one . . . one by one they begin to die.

"Seven . . ."
Who among them is the killer and will any of them survive?

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  This was the June read for the Read Christie Challenge this year.  I'm pretty sure next month's is Taken at the Flood.

My Impression:   This is one of my favorite Christie mysteries and everytime I reread it I'm pleasantly reminded of why.  Christie is spot on here with complex characters, an isolated setting, and lots of twists and turns.  I remember the end and yet it never fails to give me a little thrill at the end.

Like Murder on the Orient Express, I feel like I notice something a little different or pick up on a new clue everytime I read this mystery.  Each character has some serious baggage and there is just enough of their backstory to flesh them out without getting confusing or overdone.  

This is a quick entertaining read that I always thoroughly enjoy and I enjoy it everytime I pick up the book.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course!  I'm already looking forward to July's Read Christie Challenge book.

Would I Recommend this Book? Yes!  If you've never read Christie this is a fantastic book to start with.

Friday Fives - Five States I Haven't "Visited" Yet

I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random fve lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much. Every year I keep track of all the states and countries I've visited through my reading.  This week I'm looking at 5 states I haven't "visited" yet and books that I'm thinking about picking up to help my traveling.  These are5 states I usually visit pretty early in the year and for whatever reason I just haven't gotten there yet.

1.  Alabama - The Lights of Sugarberry Cove by Heather Webber

2.  Louisiana - The Shop on Royal Street by Karen White

3.  Idaho - Then Came You by Jill Shalvis

4.  Colorado - Take the Honey and Run by Jennie Marts

5.  Rhode Island - A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams

Any suggestions for books that take place in any of these states? What states or countries do you usually "visit" regularly but haven't made it there yet?