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

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 Ghost and Mrs. McClure by Cleo Coyle/Alice Kimberly - This is the first book in the Haunted Bookshop Mystery.  I've read the most recent books in the series but wanted to go back and see where it all started.  Penelope McClure has sunk everything she has into her aunt's bookstore in small town Rhode Island and is hoping to start over after a tragedy leaving her a widow and her young son fatherless.  Plans go awry when their first big book signing ends with the death of a famous author.  Oh, and Pen is also hearing the voice of a long dead PI named Jack Shepherd.  The mystery was entertaining and did keep me guessing.  I really like the addition of Jack and his help in the investigation though I could do without the attraction between the two.  I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books I've missed in the series.  Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

2.  A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor by Darci Hannah - I do love a cozy mystery and one that involves a haunted manor home is even better!  Bunny is a professional chef who jumps at a chance to have a travel cooking show - she is less than enthused when she discovers that it involves going to haunted houses.  The beginning was a bit rocky.  I didn't love Bunny and I was a little iffy on the premise.  However, once the plot really gets going I was pulled in and really began enjoying the book.  I especially loved that as the story went on Bunny, Grif and the rest of the characters formed an investigative team to investigate both the murder and the ghost story.  The ending surprised me and I thoroughly enjoyed how it came about.  This was a fun ghostly cozy mystery.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

3.  Better Luck Next Time by Julia Claiborne Johnson - I picked up the audio of this one on and a whim and for the most part really enjoyed it.  I loved the idea of a divorce ranch and thought seeing it from the point of view of a "cowboy" was interesting.  I found Ward to be likable and interesting and I liked following his story.  I did feel like there was some pacing issues and at times the story dragged a bit.  As well, there was one scene that I really struggled with involving a horse.  It was fairly pivotal, but I definitely could've used less details.  I adored the ending and for the most part enjoyed the book.  I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

4.  The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton - I've read a few later books in this series and decided it was time to start at the beginning.  I love the Scottish bookshop setting and I enjoyed watching Delany start to build her found family.  The mystery was an interesting one and definitely kept me guessing as there were lots of potential motives and suspects.  I did have a bit of trouble keeping some of the characters straight and I didn't fully buy her jumping into the investigation.  Overall, it was fun and is a series I will continue with.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

5.  Murder at Lowry House by Leighann Dobbs -I picked this one up on a whim and really enjoyed it.  It's a short cozy mystery set in the 1920s and the main character, Hazel, is a recently widowed mystery author.  Hazel arrives at a house party of an old friend after receiving a worrying letter that the elderly woman is afraid someone in her family is trying to killer her.  I really enjoyed the mystery.  It's a fun classic house party mystery with plenty of suspects but questionable motives.  The mystery surprised me and I loved the role that the Hazel's naughty cat Dickens played in it all.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

What have you been reading lately?