Books from the Backlog - A Skeleton in the Family

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:  A Skeleton in the Family by Leigh Perry

Blurb:  Moving back into her parents’ house with her teenage daughter had not been Georgia Thackery’s “Plan A.” But when she got a job at the local college, it seemed the sensible thing to do. So she settled in and began reconnecting with old friends.
Including Sid. Sid is the Thackery family’s skeleton. He’s lived in the house as long as Georgia can remember, although no one, including Sid, knows exactly where he came from and how he came to be a skeleton.

Sid walks, he talks, he makes bad jokes, he tries to keep Georgia’s dog from considering him a snack. And he manages to persuade Georgia to let him leave the house. But when she takes him to an anime convention—disguised as a skeleton, of course—he sees a woman who triggers memories of his past.

Now he is determined to find out how he died—with Georgia’s help. But their investigation may uncover a killer who’s still alive and well and bad to the bone…

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  This didn't series didn't appeal to me but then I heard some really glowing reviews for it.  I have the rest of the series in my Amazon cart at the moment so I need to read this book to see if I should press "Buy"

A Victim at Valentine's - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  A Victim at Valentine's (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #5) by Ellie Alexander

Rating: Liked It (3.5 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  In the cozy town of Redwood Grove, Annie Murray’s Valentine’s Day plans take a sinister turn when a beloved pillar of the local community is found dead at her Agatha Christie-inspired bookshop.

As Annie assists the lead detective in unraveling the mystery, she quickly identifies a host of likely suspects – from an oddball psychic, to a professional matchmaker, to a rival bookseller – each with a worryingly plausible motive.

With her keen eye for detail, soon Annie suspects there may be connections to the decade-old tragedy of her best friend’s death, which still haunts her. Putting her own Valentine’s Day plans with the irresistible Liam on hold, Annie must solve the crime – before she ends up on a hot date with a killer.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've enjoyed the previous books in the series and this is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors.

My Impression:  This may be the of the coziest cozy mystery series ongoing at the moment.  There's a small town with a big community feel and more than few festivals and events, there's an Agatha Christie themed bookstore in an old house complete with a secret bookshelf with a dash of found family, and an amateur sleuth with a cat named Professor Plum - and of course a shockingly high crime rate.  

I liked that Annie studied criminology and that she and Fletcher are in the process of starting a PI business.  That makes the crime solving make sense a bit more than when it's just a nosy resident (not that I'm anti-nosy resident).  This was an interesting mystery.  The victim is someone that everyone likes but things didn't seem quite right in the days before the murder.  Just what secrets were floating about and who hated the victim enough to commit murder.

I really enjoyed this one and loved spending time in the bookstore with Annie, Fletcher, Pri, Liam, and the rest of the cast of characters.  The mystery kept me engaged and reading and I enjoyed trying to figure out all the secrets.  This is a series best read in order as there are a few story arcs that involve multiple books.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I would!  I don't feel this is Alexander's best series and it isn't really one I think of when I'm not reading it but I always enjoy my trips to Redwood Grove.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you are a cozy mystery fan this series is a must read.

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

My Winter Reading Retreat Reading List - 2025

A few months ago I did a reading list for an imaginary reading retreat and had a good time picking out books to read for an imaginary weekend where I do nothing but read.  There's always the chance I might make it a reality so I need to be prepared!   My winter reading retreat looks pretty similar to the picture above.  Lots of snow that I don't have to go out into and a big house with lots of cozy reading nooks, fireplaces, and hot beverages - an assortment of tasty baked goods wouldn't hurt!  Here are the 10 books I'd bring to this retreat.

1.  The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder by C.L. Miller - A book involving an English Manor, antiques, and murder pretty much insists that it be read by a fire with a cup of tea and a cozy blanket.

2.  The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan - Something about historical fiction seems like winter reading for me and this one has been on my TBR for ages.

3.  Hercule Poirot's Silent Night by Sophie Hannah - It's been awhile since I read any of Hannah's Poirot books and spending time with Poirot during the winter season seems like a good choice.

4.  The Brightest Star in Paris by Diana Biller - Ballet and the aftermath of the siege of Paris and Biller's ability to make the setting a major character - this is another book begging to be read by a fire with a cup of tea.

5.  Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen: Peril in Owl Park by Marthe Jocelyn - After some heavy reading I think lightening it up a bit with child versions of Agatha Christie and Hercule Poirot solving a murder around Christmas sounds like the way to go.

6.  Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez - This one isn't all that seasonal but I really want to read this author and this looks like a good place to start.

7.  Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge - Cooking in Paris and solving murders.  I feel like this is the book where the baked goods would be a very important reading accessory.

8.  Perfect Storm by Paige Shelton - This mystery series is set in a remote area of Alaska and just seems like good winter reading.

9.  The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis - A book that starts during a winter storm - sounds like a fantastic book to read by the fire with all the coziness I can muster.

10. The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst - Ending on a gorgeously cozy fantasy book seems like the perfect end to my reading retreat.

What would you read on your Winter Reading Retreat?  What does your reading retreat look like?

The Dressmakers of London - Historical Fiction Review

Goodreads: The Dressmakers of London by Julia Kelly

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

Description:  In 1940s Great Britain, plain and awkward Izzie finds comfort in retreating into the safety of the backroom of her mother’s dressmaking shop. The predictable world of stitches, patterns, and fabric has been a sanctuary from the cruel, chaotic world that took her father in a tragic accident years ago.

Her beautiful sister Sylvia was old enough to watch her father’s tragic death force her mother to give up their respectable middle-class home and open a shop to support their family. That’s why, when she meets the sophisticated, wealthy Martin Pearsall, Sylvia isn’t surprised at her mother’s encouragement to seize her chance for a better life, even if it means distancing herself from her family at Martin’s insistence.

When their mother unexpectedly dies, the two sisters are surprised to discover that her will stipulates that they both inherit the dress shop, stirring up old resentments and hurt feelings. However, when conscription forces Izzie to join the Auxiliary Territorial Service in another part of the country, she realizes that Sylvia is the only person who can save the shop from closure. As the sisters begin an ongoing correspondence, they must confront old emotions to forge new beginnings in this lyrically moving novel perfect for fans of Genevieve Graham and Lucinda Riley.

Genre: Fiction - Historical 

Why I Picked This Book:  I've enjoyed previous books by this author and the premise really caught my attention.

My Impression:  It feels like every third book right now is set during World War II but it is a time period that always catches my attention.  In this book I felt like Kelly really focused on two areas that I haven't seen much about before - dressmakers dealing with fabric shortages and the changes in clothing coupons as well as women in military service.  I knew nothing about barrage balloons or the clothing restrictions and found both areas fascinating.  

The relationship between the two sisters is complex and made more challenging by misunderstandings and poor communication.   I loved that the bulk of the communication between the two was through letters and it allowed them to really speak to each other.  Seeing their lives evolve as the war continues was fascinating and really helped me connect with both characters and become invested in their worlds.  Izzie did drive me a bit crazy at times but I also couldn't help but sympathize with her.  

I really enjoyed this book and this author has become an auto-buy for me.  I look forward to reading more from her.  If you enjoy historical fiction with well-drawn characters this is a wonderful read.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  This book really cemented Kelly's status as an auto-buy for me and I will be looking for more books from her.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy books that focus on complicated relationships and flawed but sympathetic characters I think this is a fantastic read!

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

This Week in Reading - February 16

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

What I Got:

It Was Her House First by Cherie Priest - Basically I saw that it involves the ghost of a silent film star and I couldn't resist it!  (Publisher)

Currently:

Reading:  A Victim at Valentine's by Ellie Alexander and Nosy Neighbors by Freya Sampson

Listening:  My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

Thanks for all the well wishes!  My surgery went smoothly.  During all the waiting and prep time I noticed that all the nurses and the anesthesiologist spoke very highly of the surgeon so that made me feel pretty positive.  I ended up with two screws in the broken finger and started occupational therapy on Wednesday.  The pain isn't too bad thankfully and the biggest issues have mostly been typing and holding a print book with only one hand. 

I hope everyone has a great week and happy reading!

Five Little Pigs - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie

Rating:  Loved It (5 Stars)
Source:   Purchased

Description:  It was an open and shut case. All the evidence said Caroline Crale poisoned her philandering husband, a brilliant painter. She was quickly and easily convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Now, sixteen years later, in a posthumous letter, Mrs. Crale has assured her grown daughter that she was innocent. But instead of setting the young woman's mind at ease, the letter only raises disquieting questions. Did Caroline indeed write the truth? And if she didn't kill her husband, who did?

To find out, the Crale’s daughter asks Hercule Poirot to reopen the case. His investigation takes him deep into the conflicting memories and motivations of the five other people who were with the Crales on the fatal day. With his keen understanding of human psychology, he manages to discover the surprising truth behind the artist's death.

This was also published as Murder in Retrospect

 

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  This was the January pick for the Read Christie Challenge 2025

My Impression:  This is one of my favorite mysteries by Christie and I think really highlights her unique approach to solving mysteries and really allows Poirot's use of his "little grey cells" to shine.  

Poirot is faced with what seems to be an impossible challenge - how do you investigate a murder that occurred 16 years before when there is no evidence remaining?  This is right in Poirot's wheelhouse and he quickly begins to interview the witnesses with a little help from a nursery rhyme.  

This isn't a fast paced or action packed read but it is a fascinating one.    It is interesting to see how the different characters remember the same afternoon and the same woman - and to see what they held back 16 years ago. The reveal is a good one and was quite a surprise but at the same time made perfect sense.  It's easy to see why it is one of my favorites and I think I get a little something different out of each reread.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?   Of course!  I'm looking forward to reading February's pick - The Thirteen Problems.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you are a fan of classic mysteries this is a must read!

Friday Five - Five Books I'm Hoping Will Be Slump Prevention Reading

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 had a long tiring week, a book that felt like it took forever to read, and a few books in a row that I was just kind of meh about.  For me this is the perfect recipe for a reading slump which I desperately want to avoid.  So, I'm going through my shelves and picking out 5 books to hopefully prevent this from happening!

1.  Northern Lights by Nora Roberts - This is one of the authors I most enjoy and romantic suspense usually hooks me pretty quickly which seems like it would prevent the dreaded meh feeling.

2.  A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney - The reviews for this one have been glowing and it looks lovely and cozy.

3.  Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker - This is short and involves ghosts which makes this one seem like a good choice.

4.  We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida - I love the title and it sounds like a soothing read.

5.  The Secret to Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey - I fell in love with this family and the town in the first book and really want to read this one.  Since I'm already invested in the characters this looks like a good slump-busting book.

What are some books you'd try if you were in a reading slump?

Books from the Backlog - The Bar Harbor Retirement Home For Famous Writers

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 Bar Harbor Retirement Home for Famous Writers by Terri-Lynne DeFino

Blurb:  Alfonse Carducci was a literary giant who lived his life to excess—lovers, alcohol, parties, and literary rivalries. But now he's come to the Bar Harbor Home for the Elderly to spend the remainder of his days among kindred spirits: the publishing industry's nearly gone but never forgotten greats. Only now, at the end of his life, does he comprehend the price of appeasing every desire, and the consequences of forsaking love to pursue greatness. For Alfonse has an unshakeable case of writer's block that distresses him much more than his precarious health.
Set on the water in one of New England's most beautiful locales, the Bar Harbor Home was established specifically for elderly writers needing a place to live out their golden years—or final days—in understated luxury and surrounded by congenial literary company. A faithful staff of nurses and orderlies surround the writers, and are drawn into their orbit, as they are forced to reckon with their own life stories. Among them are Cecibel Bringer, a young woman who knows first-hand the cost of chasing excess. A terrible accident destroyed her face and her sister in a split-second decision that Cecibel can never forgive, though she has tried to forget. Living quietly as an orderly, refusing to risk again the cost of love, Cecibel never anticipated the impact of meeting her favorite writer, Alfonse Carducci—or the effect he would have on her existence. In Cecibel, Alfonse finds a muse who returns him to the passion he thought he lost. As the words flow from him, weaving a tale taken up by the other residents of the Pen, Cecibel is reawakened to the idea of love and forgiveness.

As the edges between story and reality blur, a world within a world is created. It’s a place where the old are made young, the damaged are made whole, and anything is possible…

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  It's been on my bookshelf for ages and it seems like it would be a good winter read.

What I'm Reading Wednesday - February 12

I always have a few books going.  Here is what I'm reading and what I'm thinking about them.

Print Book:

Nosy Neighbors by Freya Sampson - Just started this so don't have a full opinion yet but so far so good.

Up Next:  The Clairvoyant Countess by Dorothy Gilman - Gilman is one of my favorite authors and this one looks fun.

Ebook:

The Dressmakers of London by Julia Kelly - So far this one is gorgeous bur I expected no less from this author.  

Up Next:  A Victim at Valentine's by Ellie Alexander - I've really enjoyed the previous books in the series and am looking forward to this one.

Audio Book:

Party Line by Carolyn Brown - I'm almost done with this one and have really enjoyed it.

Up Next:  The Scandalous Adventures of the Sister of the Bride by Victoria Alexander - I've had mixed results with this author but am hoping it works in audio.

Slow Read:

Brought to Book by Anthea Fraser - I just started this one and so far am enjoying it.

What are you reading at the moment?

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Romances on My 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 a Love Freebie so I'm looking at Ten Romances That Are On My TBR.

1.  Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks - This one looks quirky and fun and is set in Ireland so how could I resist?

2.  Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage - I'm not a big fan of the cover but I've heard great things about this series and author.

3.  The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews - I've read one book in this series and really want to read the rest.

4.  Every Single Secret by Christina Dodd - I've read two books in this series and am looking forward to reading this romantic suspense.

5.  Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez - This author is on my Must Read list for the year and this one sounds really fun.

6.  A Wedding in Lake Como by Jennifer Probst - An Italian setting with a friend reunion and a bit of romance sounds absolutely perfect.

7.  Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places by Claire Kann - I do love some haunted houses in my book and this looks like a fun one!

8.  Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura - This looks so cute and I've seen some good reviews for it.

9.  Bookshop Cinderella by Laura Lee Guhrke - Historical romance and a bookstore sounds like fantastic escapist reading.

10. The Heiress Gets a Duke by Harper St. George - I've heard great things about this author and this is the first in a series.

What romances or books with romantic elements do you have on your TBR?

Nothing Ever Happens Here - Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Nothing Ever Happens Here by Seraphina Nova Glass

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

Description:  Nothing ever happens in small towns…

When Shelby Dawson survives a harrowing attack that should have left her dead, she tries to move past it—for herself, and for her family. Fifteen months later, with the help of her best friend, Mackenzie, she finally feels safe again in the snowy Minnesota town she calls home. But when an anonymous note appears on her windshield bearing the same threats her attacker made, Shelby realizes that her nightmare has only just begun.

As new evidence surfaces, and a group of well-meaning senior citizens accidentally makes the case go viral online, the situation quickly goes from bad to worse. And with suspicious accidents targeting those closest to her happening all over town, Shelby can’t shake the feeling that she’s being watched. Fighting to stay one step ahead of disaster, she finds herself asking the question on everyone’s lips: Who attacked her that night?

But Shelby isn’t the only one with questions. Mackenzie’s husband, Leo, vanished without a trace on that terrible night, and over a year later, no one knows why. Until a deep dive into his finances reveals a history of debts, mismanaged funds, and hidden accounts—one of which is still active. Their suspicion that Leo is still alive only complicates things further, though, and when another person connected to Shelby goes missing, she’s caught in a race against time before her attacker becomes a killer.

Genre: Mystery - Thriller

Why I Picked This Book:  I've heard great things about this author and have been wanting to try her books.

My Impression:  This was a page turner!  Within the first few chapters the action has already started and I was pulled in trying to figure out what is going on as the pressure on Shelby and Mack increases.  I wasn't sure how everything would play out but I couldn't wait to see what happened.

We have three POVs - Mack, Shelby, and Florence who is one of the residents at the retirement home that Shelby manages.  With Florence is a group of residents who genuinely care for Shelby and her family and desperately want to help.  Each POV adds something to the case and I enjoyed each one which doesn't always happen with multi-POV books.  

The pacing was good and really kept me hooked but one of the things that really kept me invested was that I liked most of the characters.  They aren't perfect but they feel real and are people I wouldn't mind spending time with - especially the residents of the Ole.  I'm a big fan of a mysteries where they put together an investigative team and this one had that in spades.  I enjoyed this read from beginning to end.  It was the right amount of thriller for me that had me riveted but not scared.   I'm really looking forward reading more from this author.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I really enjoyed this one and can't wait to read more from her.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Definitely!  I really enjoyed this one and think most mystery readers would also enjoy it.

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

This Week in Reading - February 9

 

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

What I Got:

 
All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall - I bought myself a 3 month Shelf Subscription from The Bookshelf in Thomasville, GA.  This was January's pick with Olivia's subscription and I'm really curious about it.  (Purchased)

The Brightest Star in Paris by Diana Biller - I loved a previous book by this author and then someone on Reddit posted a collection of gorgeous winter and ballerina pictures and asked for book requests with a similar vibe.  Several people mentioned this one and it seemed to good to pass up.  (Purchased)

Currently:

Reading:  The Dressmakers of London by Julia Kelly and The Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie

Listening:  The Party Line by Carolyn Brown

This week was way more eventful than I wanted it to be.  At the beginning of the week I managed to get my finger tangled in a long line during some dog training and managed to break it.  Luckily, I missed the joints and the tendons are intact but the finger is "unstable" and "fragmented" so I'm having surgery on Monday to put it back together.  I'm not looking forward to it but apparently if you must break a finger the index finger on your non-dominant hand is the way to go.  

On a positive note I'm going to go see the musical Six tonight and I'm really looking forward to it.  

Ways This Week Was Cozy:

It was a bit more difficult this week with the added in drama of doctors appointments and surgery scheduling and all that.  I did have some forced rest thinks to some meds and pain and enjoyed getting caught up on my YouTube watching.  I also bought myself a cupcake from my favorite local bakery so that helped!  I'm not sure how cozy next week will be either.

Have a great week and happy reading!

Monthly Reading Recap - January 2025

Monthly Reading Total:  18

Type:

Print:  6

Ebook:  7

Audio: 5

Genre:

Mystery - 10

Fiction - 5

Romance - 3 

Favorite Book of the Month:

Favorite Audio:  Funny Story by Emily Henry - I had DNF'd the previous Henry book I tried so I wasn't sure what to expect with this one but it ended up being a total delight.  Julia Whelan did a fabulous job with the audio.

Favorite Print Book: My favorites were probably The Secret Garden and The Blue Castle but since they're rereads I'll say A Darkness Absolute by Kelley Armstrong.

Bookish Armchair Travels

Domestic Travel - I visited California (twice), Michigan, Louisiana, New Jersey, Nevada, Connecticut,  Wisconsin, and Ohio

International Travel: I visited England (4 times), Korea, Ireland, France, and Canada (twice).

Where did your reading take you in January?  What were your favorite books of the month?

Friday Fives - February TBR

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 February so I'm picking out five books I hope to read this month.

1.  The Dressmakers of London by Julia Kelly - I'm so excited to read this book that's coming out this month.   I've really loved everything else I've read by Julia Kelly and this looks fantastic.

2.  The Scandalous Adventures of the Sister of the Bride by Victoria Alexander - This is one of the books that has been sitting on my review books the longest and it is time to get it read!

3.  Nosy Neighbors by Freya Sampson - I've seen some great reviews for this one and have been really looking forward to reading it since I bought a copy at the end of 2024.  

4.  My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse - I have read a few of the Jeeves stories but never in any kind of order and always a bit on a whim.  I put this one on my Classics this year because I want to start at the beginning with Jeeves and Bertie Wooster.

5. Seduce Me at Sunset by Lisa Kleypas - This is my impulse read of the month where I look at my shelves (or my library list) and pick the book that calls me the month.  Since its February I'm leaning into romance a bit and I've been wanting to reread this series.  I really enjoyed my reread of the first book.

What are you hoping to read in February?

Books from the Backlog - The Coloring Crook

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 Coloring Crook by Krista Davis

Blurb:  Life is looking rosy for Florrie Fox, manager of the Color Me Read bookstore in Georgetown, Washington D.C. She's working on an adult coloring book of gardens, her romance with Sergeant Eric Jonquille has entered a new chapter, and the bookstore's weekly coloring club is a source of friendship and entertainment. No member is more vibrant than Dolly Cavanaugh. Dolly likes to say she was blessed with beauty and cursed with lousy husbands, but at least she has a grown daughter and a stunning brownstone to show for it!

When Dolly's love of garage sales results in her showing up at Color Me Read with a rare book in hand, Florrie is astounded. The Florist, the earliest known coloring book, was first published in 1760. An original copy would be worth a fortune--and someone else knows it. That same evening, Florrie finds Dolly dead on the floor of her apartment, a corner of a coloring book page clutched in her hand. As Florrie delves into Dolly's past and her personal effects, she discovers a skeleton in the closet--literally--and a whole lot of shady suspects. One of them is an expert in the fine art of murder, but can Florrie draw the right conclusion?

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I really enjoyed the first book in this series but haven't gone back to it.  I really like the sound of this one.  

The Wagtail Murder Club - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  The Wagtail Murder Club (Paws and Claws Mystery #10) by Krista Davis

Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Holly Miller is on her way home from a visit with the mayor of Wagtail, Virginia who also happens to be her grandma, when she spots something hiding out in the grass not far from her car. It turns out to be an adorable black Labrador in a cage with a note attached to his collar, dubbing him Squishy and asking the finder to care for him. Holly takes Squishy home to the Sugar Maple Inn and soon finds the lovely hotel in chaos and another surprise waiting for her. Holly’s ex-boyfriend Ben is set to check-in with a group of his attorney colleagues who all seem to think he and Holly are still an item.

When one of Ben’s fellow attorneys dies in a fall, it could be chalked up to an unfortunate accident but when a second lawyer is murdered, Holly wonders if it could all be tied to Squishy’s mysterious appearance in Wagtail. Along with her beloved furry friends Trixie and Twinkletoes, Holly has to put the pieces together to find the killer before the fiend causes another fatality.

Genre:  Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I have really enjoyed the previous books in the series that I've read.

My Impression:  I like this series and really enjoy the community and all the pet goodness.  Holly's family and the other people who make up the community that fill out the world this book exists in.  I loved the addition of Squishy and the labrador joy he adds to the pages.  The mystery was an interesting one as the victim is pretty much a stranger to Wagtail and it seems impossible that anyone would want to kill them.  Throw in the return of a convicted murderer who is returning home after serving his time and things definitely get interesting.  

Even our favorite series have a book that just doesn't work for a reader and unfortunately this was one of those for me.  Ben has never been a favorite character and Holly's relationship with him has always annoyed me.  In this book Ben has a lot of page time and while I do enjoy Oma and the staff at the hotel referring to him as "The Ben" it was a lot more of Ben than I enjoy.  What really drove me up the wall was Holly's interactions with him.  It's good to be a nice and considerate person but she was well past that and into the "get a backbone" side of things.  I was happy with how everything resolved and it did make sense for the plot but it was just too much Ben.

Despite the Ben issue, I did enjoy this book.   The writing style is nicely paced and I really enjoy spending time in Wagtail.  The mystery kept me guessing at a few things and fully invested even when I wanted to scream through the pages at Holly.  I'm looking forward to reading more of the series.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Yes!  Even though this wasn't my favorite of the series I did enjoy it and am looking forward to reading more from this series and catching up with the earlier books in the series.

Would I Recommend this Book?   If you enjoy cozy mysteries I would definitely recommend this series though I recommend starting with an earlier book as there are a lot of relationships to figure out in the series. 

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

Top Ten Tuesday - 2024 Releases I Was Excited About But Didn't Read

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 2024 Releases I Was Excited About But Didn't Read (Yet).  I've gotten better about prioritizing releases I'm excited about but there are always more books than time.

1.  Murder Road by Simone St. James - I love everything by this author that I've read and this one looks great.

2.  Apprentice to the Villian by Hannah Nicole Maehrer - I preordered this one as soon as I finished Book 1 but still haven't read it!

3.  A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna - I really enjoyed the first one and meant to read this one as soon as it came out.

4.  Everyone On This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson - This one caught my eye so I read the first book which hadn't appealed to me and ended up loving it.  I was even more excited about this one but never quite got around to picking this one up.

5.  The Author's Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White - I've enjoyed other books by these authors (both as a trio and individually) and this one looks great.

6.  A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney - I've seen fantastic reviews for this one and bought a copy but ran out of time. 

7.  The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter - I really meant to read this one around the holidays but hopefully next year!

8.  First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston - I've read great things about this one and hoped to get to it but am still on hold for the audio.

9.  The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn - Honestly I meant to read anything by Kate Quinn this year but didn't get to it.

10. The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong - This looks gorgeous and it was high up on my list to read but once again too many books and not enough time!

What 2024 releases were you excited about but haven't read (yet)?

Last Twilight in Paris - Historical Fiction Review

Goodreads:  Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff

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

Description:   A Parisian department store, a mysterious necklace and a woman’s quest to unlock a decade-old mystery are at the center of this riveting novel of love and survival, from New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff

London, 1953. Louise is still adjusting to her postwar role as a housewife when she discovers a necklace in a box at a secondhand shop. The box is marked with the name of a department store in Paris, and she is certain she has seen the necklace before when she worked with the Red Cross in Nazi-occupied Europe —and that it holds the key to the mysterious death of her friend Franny during the war.

Following the trail of clues to Paris, Louise seeks help from her former boss Ian, with whom she shares a romantic history. The necklace leads them to discover the dark history of Lévitan—a once-glamorous department store that served as a Nazi prison, and Helaine, a woman who was imprisoned there, torn apart from her husband when the Germans invaded France.

Louise races to find the connection between the necklace, the department store and Franny’s death. But nothing is as it seems, and there are forces determined to keep the truth buried forever. Inspired by the true story of Lévitan, Last Twilight in Paris is both a gripping mystery and an unforgettable story about sacrifice, resistance and the power of love to transcend in even the darkest hours.

Genre: Fiction - Historical

Why I Picked This Book:  I've been wanting to try this author and the premise really grabbed me.  

My Impression:  I always enjoy a historical fiction that deals with something I know very little about and has me wanting to research a particular subject after finishing the book.  This happened with this book because I wanted to read more about both Levitan and how the Red Cross went behind enemy lines.  I also enjoyed how post war relationships were portrayed with Louise and Joe as they try to get along with all the changes the post-war era has brought both to their relationship and themselves as individuals.  

Most of the reviews I've seen of this book are glowing so I'm not entirely sure this author is for me as for quite a good bit of the story I was seriously considering DNFing this book.  I never really cared for either of the main characters.  I found the pace for the first bit of the book very slow and Louise's reaction to the necklace feels a bit overblown until close to the end of the book.  

Once I was pulled into the story I did fly through the book.  While Helaine was impossibly naive for most of the story I was sympathetic to her and understood why she was the way she was even though I wanted to shake her.  I'm not sure I ever warmed to Louise and for quite awhile I couldn't comprehend why tracing the origin of this necklace she saw once during the war was so important.    I was happy with the ending and felt that most of the points were nicely resolved and I liked the path that the characters were beginning.  

Despite a first half that didn't really work for me I did end up enjoying this book overall.  I will probably try another book by this author and I definitely want to research a number of the history that was explored in the book - especially Levitan.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?   Yes, though I will more be focused on premise and not just anything written by this author.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Yes, especially if you are a fan of other books by this author.   I would be prepared for a slower start when picking this one up though.  

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

This Week in Reading - February 2

 

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

What I Got:

Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts - I'm so excited about this one!  I love her standalones and this one looks like quite the fast-paced read.  (Publisher)

Currently:

Reading:  The Wagtail Murder Club by Krista Davis and Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams

Listening:  The Copenhagen Connection by Elizabeth Peters

Last week we went up to Memphis to the main St. Jude campus for Will to have his 2 year post treatment scans.  Everything came back great and his growth is sky-rocketing.  He is now officially taller than me and I swear every time I blink he's a little bit taller.  This week had a lot going on and because of that and recovering from the Memphis trip which always takes a lot out of all of us I have been wiped out.  It hasn't helped that I'm feeling kind of meh about everything I'm reading right now.   I don't know if it's my mood or if the books themselves just aren't quite working for me.   I like them all but am just not feeling excited about any of them. 

What I did to make get some cozy in this week:  I made sure to get some extra rest which helped.  Also, on Saturday I went to lunch with a friend and we had such a good time.  Then afterwards Jason and I went to dinner and to see the theater production of The Girl on the Train which was really good.  

Have a great week and happy reading!