Dead Post Society - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: Dead Post Society (A House Flipper Mystery #7) by Diane Kelly

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

Description:  The seventh in the House-Flipper mystery series set in Nashville, TN, where the real estate market is to die for.

Carpenter Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck are no strangers to murder. After all, they’ve encountered corpses on their properties before. But this is the first time they’d decided to take a chance on a property where two murders have already occurred. Most buildings on the former boarding school property have been repurposed for an upscale retirement community, but the developer had no use for the headmaster’s house given its violent history. The headmaster and his wife were killed there decades earlier, their deaths remaining a mystery to this day.

Still, it seems a shame to see the beautiful Victorian give way to decay or the wrecking ball, even if many claim the unsettled souls of the victims still wander its halls, seeking retribution and justice. Can Whitney and Buck exorcise the structure’s demons, solve the cold case, and give the building new life? Or will ghosts from the past seek to silence them forever?

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

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

My Impression: I do love a cold case and one involving a home renovation is even better.  Whitney and her cousin and business partner are exploring an old boarding school property when they discover the property also included a Victorian house where a terrible crime has occurred.  The house is like a time capsule and Whitney discovers a clue that leads her to believe the crime may not have happened quite like everyone thought.  

Why Whitney's family and friends do appear in the book - especially her husband who just happens to be a homicide detective and her cousin Buck - the focus is mostly on Whitney and her investigation.  I loved looking over her shoulder as she dug through old records and hunted down witnesses.  She's sometimes a bit impulsive but she's at least aware of it and is rarely in Too Stupid To Live territory.  I also really love the handful of chapters from Whitney's cat, Sawdust's perspective.

This was a fun cozy mystery with some home renovation and a fantastic cold case investigation.  I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I've enjoyed everything I've read from this author and am looking forward to going back and read the books I've missed.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy a cozy mystery than this is a great choice - and a mystery you can start without having to read the rest of the series.

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

This Week in Reading - March 30

 

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:

Knave of Diamonds by Laurie R. King - I'm so excited about this one.  I loved the previous book in the series and am looking forward to reading this story.  (Publisher)

It Takes a Psychic by Jayne Castle - I really liked the first book and am so curious to see how the story continues.  (Publisher)

For Duck's Sake by Donna Andrews - I'm really glad I enjoy this cozy mystery series because I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to resist the titles even if I didn't! (Publisher)

Currently:

Reading:  Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (On a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto and Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley

Listening:  Let Me Lie by Claire Mackintosh

This week has been such a good reading week.  I'm really enjoying all my books and have so enjoyed my reading time.  J and I tried a new restaurant which I very much enjoyed and he very much didn't but we did have a good time so I call that a win.  We have a new group of dogs for classes and I think most of them are going to be really fun to work with.   The appointment with the surgeon regarding my finger went well.  My only negative has been some fatigue but I'm hoping some rest this weekend will get me feeling better.

Have a great week and happy reading!

Three Act Tragedy - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: Three Act Tragedy by Agatha Christie

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

Description:  Who wouldn't be pleased to attend a small dinner party being held by Sir Charles Cartwright, once the leading star of the London stage? At his "Crow's Nest" home in Loomouth, Cornwall.

Unfortunately, thirteen guests arrived at the actor's house, most unlucky. One of them was a vicar. It was to be a particularly unlucky evening for the mild-mannered Reverend Stephen Babbington, who choked on his cocktail, went into convulsions and died. But when his martini glass was sent for chemical analysis, there was no trace of poison -- just as Hercule Poirot, also in attendance, had predicted. Even more troubling for the great detective, there was absolutely no motive!

Genre: Mystery - Classic

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

My Impression: This is one of the mysteries I always forget about but also really enjoy reading.  The main character is a famous actor and the murder seems as motive-less as it can possibly. Hercule Poirot is a side character for the bulk of the book as is Mr. Satterthwaite, much to my delight.  Mr. Satterthwaite is the main character in Christie's Harley Quinn short stories which are some of my favorites.  As well, Egg Lytton-Gore and her mother, Lady Mary are interesting side characters and I really enjoyed their time on the page.

The mystery and the investigation were both really interesting and I really enjoyed seeing everything be revealed.  This is one of Christie's underrated mysteries and I'm so glad the Read Christie Challenge had me reread this one.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I'm looking forward to the April read.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you're looking for a lesser-known Christie to read this is a fun one.

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.  Incident at Badamya by Dorothy Gilman - This was an interesting read and very different from the Mrs. Pollifax adventures.  Gen Ferris is an American who has lived her whole life in Burma in chaotic and often violent times.  She is now an orphan and trying to get to the US with very little resources.  Along the way she is captured and held for ransom with six other people.  The story that evolves is a bit slower paced but shows how people aren't always what the seem and how different people react to strenuous circumstances. This was an enjoyable read with an interesting premise and I am looking forward to reading more of Gilman's standalones.   My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

2.  Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon - I ended up really enjoying this one though it did take me a little bit to get into it.  I didn't love Beth or Lana at first though as the story went on I really enjoyed getting to know them and understand their issues.  Jack was a joy from page one and comes across as such an authentic teenager.  Once I got into the book I couldn't put it down and was just as motivated to see how the relationships developed as I was to see who the bad guy was.  My Rating;  Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)

3.  The Liar by Nora Roberts - This was a reread for me and I enjoyed it just as much as the first time.  I did remember the twist but didn't remember quite how it all came to be.  This is a good romantic suspense title from Roberts with a fantastic community feel and a likable main character who is finding her feet again.  The relationship developed nicely as did the plot.  Even though I knew how everything was going to work out I was still holding my breath a little bit as I waited for it to play out.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

4.  The Wolf Tree by Laura McCluskey - I have pretty mixed feelings on this one.  I do love a good claustrophobic feeling mystery and it is hard to get more claustrophobic than a remote island in Scotland during a storm.  I also love a good cold case which is hinted at in the blurb and occasionally referenced as the story goes on.  However, the pacing of this one felt a bit slow and I never truly felt like the mystery investigation really came together.  The ending was an interesting one but overall, I don't think this author's style is really for me. My Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)

5.  The Foundling: The True Story of a Kidnapping, a Family Secret, and My Search for the Real Me by Paul Joseph Fronczak - This case has fascinated me since I first heard of it and as soon as one of my favorite true crime YouTubers (Gabulosis) mentioned this book I put it on hold from the library.  It's a fascinating read about a double kidnapping but even more so about an investigation spearheaded as genetic genealogy evolves and how the search impacts everyone involved.  The story really hooked me and I felt like I was chasing leads down with the team.  This was much more emotionally in-depth than I was expecting and I was swept up from page one to the end.  If this kind of case fascinates you like it does me than this is a must read.  My Rating; Loved It (5 Stars)

Books from the Backlog - Tara Road

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:  Tara Road by Maeve Binchy

Blurb:  With each new book, Maeve Binchy continues a remarkable progression of sales and audience growth, reaching fans of all ages and backgrounds with her matchless wit, warmth, and sheer storytelling magic. "Tara Road," her first full-length novel since "The Glass Lake," again shows her incomparable understanding of the human heart in the tale of two women, one from Ireland, one from America, who switch lives, and in doing so learn much about each other, as well as much about themselves. Ria lived on Tara Road in Dublin with her dashing husband, Danny, and their two children. She fully believed she was happily married, right up until the day Danny told her he was leaving her to be with his young, pregnant girlfriend. By a chance phone call, Ria meets Marilyn, a woman from New England unable to come to terms with her only son's death and now separated from her husband. The two women exchange houses for the summer with extraordinary consequences, each learning that the other has a deep secret that can never be revealed.

Drawn into lifestyles vastly differing from their own, at first each resents the news of how well the other is getting on. Ria seems to have become quite a hostess, entertaining half the neighborhood, which at first irritates the reserved and withdrawn Marilyn, a woman who has always guarded her privacy. Marilyn seems to have become bosom friends with Ria's children, as well as with Colm, a handsome restaurateur, whom Ria has begun to miss terribly. At the end of the summer, the women at last meet face-to-face. Having learned a great deal, about themselves and about each other, they find that they have become, firmly and forever, good friends.

A moving story rendered with the deft touch of a master artisan, "Tara Road" is Maeve Binchy at her very best — utterly beautiful, hauntingly unforgettable, entirely original, and wholly enjoyable.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I've been wanting to read this book for ages and it just sounds like a lovely cozy read for stormy spring weather.

Cat Got Your Killer - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: Cat Got Your Killer (Second Chance Cat Mystery #12) by Sofie Ryan

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

Description:  Sarah Grayson, secondhand store owner, and her clever rescue cat Elvis are right on the tail of a criminal in the charming new Second Chance Cat Mystery.

Summer is around the corner and Sarah is making sure the store is stocked and ready for tourist season. But while the weather’s heating up, Sarah gets involved in a case that is decidedly cold, when a man who was linked to a drowning death years ago is found dead himself, on the same stretch of beach. Some of Sarah’s friends from the store knew the victim—and the young woman who drowned—very well and are concerned they could be dragged into the case.

It’s beginning to look like an innocent man may be in prison and that drowning death might in fact be the work of a killer who has struck again. Between Charlotte’s Angels, the group of senior citizen private detectives who operate out of the store, and Elvis’s abilities to sniff out trouble, Sarah won’t let a second chance at catching this purr-petrator pass her by.

Genre:  Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series so of course I had to pick up this newest book.  

My Impression:  I really think this series keeps getting better!  There's a fairly large cast of characters and they're really hitting their stride and the different personalities are really developed.  Elvis especially shone in this book with an extra helping of cat sass.  

I really enjoyed the mystery in this book.  Not only did a present murder seem to have ties into a past murder but a regular side character had quite a lot of development.  The pacing was fantastic as well.  Not only did the murder happen fairly quickly in the book but the investigation progresses reasonably quickly.  I was hooked in from page one and not only did I enjoy spending time with the characters but I was caught up in the mystery.

I very much enjoyed this book and think it may be my favorite of an already favorite series. 

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Of course!  I'm looking forward to reading more from this series and from her other book under the Sofie Kelly name.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Absolutely!  If you're a cozy fan this is a fantastic series - especially if you enjoy an opinionated cat and a solid investigating community.

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

Favorite Books of the First Quarter of 2025

 
Somehow the first quarter of 2025 is almost over which is weird because I'm not even fully used to saying that it's 2025. Luckily, I have managed to read some great books in this first quarter and here are 10 of my favorites.

1.  The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery - Yes, it's a reread but every time I read it I remember just how much I love it.

2.  The Foundling: The True Story of a Kidnapping, a Family Secret, and My Search for the Real Me by Paul Joseph Fronczak with Alex Tresniowski - I'm a bit iffy on true crime but this was more a story of how one man's search for the truth impacted him his family, and his perspective on the world.  And it was surprisingly fast paced.

3.  Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon - I loved the mystery but I loved the development of the characters and their relationships even more.

4.  Mrs. Jeffries on the Ball by Emily Brightwell - This was just a delight.  I'm a longtime fan of the series but have been a bit underwhelmed by the early books but this was just so much fun.

5.  The Dressmakers of London by Julia Kelly - I loved how the characters evolved but found the challenges of being a dressmaker during World War II in London even more interesting.

6.  Nothing Ever Happens Here by Seraphina Nova Glass - I've been wanting to read this author for awhile and I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery.  Plus, the pace kept me absolutely hooked.

7. Funny Story by Emily Henry - My first Emily Henry was a DNF but this was such a fun read that I enjoyed all the way to the last page.

8.  The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett - Another reread but a true and total delight.

9. Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie - A reread but one of my favorite Christie mysteries that never disappoints and shows Poirot at his finest.

10. The Library Game by Gigi Pandian - I've enjoyed all the books in this series but this was by far my favorite.  I love a team effort when it comes to solving a mystery and that really shown here.  

What were some of your favorite reads this first quarter?

Murder, She Wrote: Snowy With a Chance of Murder - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: Murder, She Wrote: Snowy with a Chance of Murder by Jessica Fletcher and Barbara Early

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

Description:  Jessica Fletcher has taken a nasty spill on the ice, leaving her in a wheelchair for several weeks. She tries to work on her latest manuscript but finds herself distracted by a new neighbor moving in across the street. There’s good reason for her to be distracted, because soon after unpacking his sparse belongings, Mr. Rymer is out in the front yard, building somewhat risqué ( naked) snow sculptures.

While Cabot Cove debates whether the sculptures are a protected form of art or a public display of lewdness, someone starts destroying them at night. Rymer doesn’t seem upset. He just makes new ones. No need to get the police involved over a little snow, he says. Especially when there’s plenty more of it and a blizzard in the forecast.

The morning after the storm, Jessica looks out the window to see a new sculpture across the street—and the body of Mr. Rymer half-buried in the snow. Can Jessica catch a cold-blooded killer from her chair by the window?

Genre:  Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I always enjoy time with Jessica Fletcher and the books set in Cabot Cove are my favorite.  As well, Barbara Early is a cozy mystery author whose books I've been wanting to read for a while. 

My Impression:  I'm not sure there is any series cozier than Murder, She Wrote both in TV form and in book form.  My only issue with the books is there is no Angela Lansbury whose presence always makes things better.  This is an incredibly long running series but an easy one to jump into - especially if you are familiar with the main characters.

As often happens with cozies in general and this series in particular the murder doesn't happen until almost halfway through the book.  However, the author did a good job of building a sense of something being afoot throughout the first half. I also really enjoyed the Rear Window nod as most of Jessica's intel comes through her observations through her window and through interviews with her visitors. 

I really enjoyed the way the story evolved and how Jessica dealt with being injured.  There were a number of threads that developed through the story that had me really curious on how things were going to play out.  There were a number of humorous moments - my  favorite was when a character remarked that they always felt a bit safer when Jessica was away from Cabot Cove - as well as just a general cozy feel and fantastic characters.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?   Of course!  I always enjoy this series and I'm looking forward to reading more mysteries by this author (Barbara Early).

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy cozy mysteries I absolute recommend this book.

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

This Week in Reading - March 23

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:

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna - I really loved the first book and was so excited when I got a review copy of this one. (Publisher)

What She Saw by Mary Burton - I do love a good suspense and this sounds like a page turner! (Publisher)

The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten - Another suspense read that looks like interesting.  The premise really caught my eye. (Publisher)

A Proposal to Die For by Molly Harper - I've read a few books by this author and always enjoyed them and this looks fun.  (Publisher)

Currently:

Reading:  Cat Got Your Killer by Sofie Ryan and Three Act Tragedy by Agatha Christie

Listening:  The Desk from Hoboken by ML Condike

I had a fairly quiet week.  We had some bad weather early on but it's gotten better and this weekend has been beautiful.  I had OT for my finger this week and it really increased my pain level which I haven't enjoyed.  I get that pain is part of healing and getting my range of motion back but it hasn't hurt this much since the surgery.  Luckily I've got some good books to read this weekend and a Formula 1 race to watch to distract me!

Have a great week and happy reading!

Authors I've Been Meaning to Read - The House in the Cerulean Sean by TJ Klune

 
At the beginning of the year, I made a list of authors that I've been saying I need to read and commit to reading at least one book by each of the authors in 2025.  Here's my thoughts on one of those books/authors.

Goodreads:  The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

Blurb:  A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.
Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.

When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he's given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they’re likely to bring about the end of days.

But the children aren’t the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.

An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.

My Thoughts:  I wasn't sure what to expect with this one and it did take me a few chapters to get into it but overall I enjoyed it.  Linus is very much a rule follower whose world is very small.  He has a cat named Calliope and that's about it with the personal connections.  When he gets to the island and learns more about the kids at the orphanage he is shocked and unsure about what to do but as he gets to know them and their caretaker his worldview begins to change. The message is a bit heavy handed but overall it's an enjoyable story with some very funny moments as well as some poignant ones.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

Friday Fives - Five More Books For My Spring 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.  I just discovered on my local library's website that they create a list of books that are being added to their collection each month. They only are going a month ahead but I'm adding all kinds of books to my TBR so here are 5 more I'm hoping to read this spring - or at least this year.

1.  Murder by Cheesecake: A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery by Rachel Elkstrom Courage - I'm kind of shocked this one wasn't already on my radar.  It could be terrible or it could be amazing but I do know I have to give it a try.

2.  I See You've Called in Dead by John Kenney - This looks quirky and weird but it sounds like a story about a man finding his love of life again and like something I would really enjoy.

3.  Swept Away by Beth O'Leary - I've heard good things about this author and I love a forced proximity trope.

4.  First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison - I've heard good things about this one and it sounds really fun.

5.  The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis  - This one was actually already on my TBR but the actual publishing of it kind of snuck past me. I've enjoyed other books by this author and it involves fashion and Egyptology which are two of my favorite subjects.

What are some last minute adds to your TBR?

Beach Vibes - Fiction Review

Goodreads:  Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery

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

Description:  While Beth is proud of her Malibu beach shop, Surf Sandwiches, she's even prouder of her charismatic brother, Rick, who rose from foster care all the way through surgical residency. She makes subs, he saves lives. Things takes a turn for the happy after she finds out Rick is dating her new best friend, Jana. Then Jana’s handsome brother adds even more sparkle to Beth’s days…and nights.

But when she catches Rick with another woman—like, with with—her visions of an idyllic family future disappear in one awful instant. Either she betrays her brother or she keeps his secret and risks losing the man she loves and her best friend.

Genre: Fiction - Contemporary

Why I Picked This Book:  I've enjoyed other standalone books by this author and I couldn't resist the cover.

My Impression: When the email from the publisher arrived it was cold and gray and generally dreary.  There was no way I could resist a warm beachy looking cover!  Luckily, I've had pretty good luck with this author and the blurb did appeal to me.  

I liked this one but it wasn't the most standout read to me.  I really liked Jana.  She's a determined woman who has made some mistakes but is turning her life around.  She has a supportive and warm relationship with her brother and his kids as well as her own daughter.  She has her pride but doesn't sabotage herself unnecessarily.   I didn't warm up to Beth as much.  She's very stuck in life and can get very repetitive with her concerns and issues.  Also, her relationship with her brother Rick and her giant blind spot when it came to him got a bit annoying.  The character development was a bit shallow and there were times when all the dialogue felt a bit much.  

It took me about 10% to get into the story but once I did I pretty much flew through it.  What's described in the blurb doesn't really fit what the bulk of the book is about.  This is a story more about developing friendships as an adult, dealing with consequences and changing how you see someone you grew up with.  While it won't make my favorites list I did enjoy it and look forward to reading more from this author.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I would.  This author's not necessarily an auto-buy but it's a good escapist read.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you like stories about relationships and are looking for a lighter read this might be a choice you'd enjoy.

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

The Story She Left Behind - Historical Fiction Review

Goodreads:  The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry

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

Description:  In 1927, eight-year-old Clara Harrington’s magical childhood shatters when her mother, renowned author, Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, disappears off the coast of South Carolina. Bronwyn stunned the world with a book written in an invented language that became a national sensation when she was just twelve years old. Her departure leaves behind not only a devoted husband and heartbroken daughter, but also the hope of ever translating the sequel to her landmark work. As the headlines focus on the missing author, Clara yearns for something far deeper and more her beautiful mother.

By 1952, Clara is an illustrator raising her own daughter, Wynnie. When a stranger named Charlie Jameson contacts her from London claiming to have discovered a handwritten dictionary of her mother’s lost language. Clara is skeptical. Compelled by the tragedy of her mother’s vanishing, she crosses the Atlantic with Wynnie only to arrive during one of London’s most deadly natural disasters—the Great Smog. With asthmatic Wynnie in peril, they escape the city with Charlie and find refuge in the Jameson’s family retreat nestled in the Lake District. It is there that Clara must find the courage to uncover the truth about her mother and the story she left behind.

Told in Patti Callahan Henry’s lyrical, enchanting prose, The Story She Left Behind is a captivating novel of mystery and family legacy that captures the profound longing for a mother and the evergreen allure of secrets.

Genre: Fiction - Historical

Why I Picked This Book:  I have really enjoyed everything I've read by this author - especially her historical fiction.

My Impression:  Another lovely book by Patti Callahan Henry.  I love her historical fiction and this book involving a woman's missing mother who was a famous child prodigy author really called to me.  I was interested to see when I started this book that it was inspired by the life and disappearance of Barbara Newhall Follett which is a missing person's case that has always fascinated me.

I loved the characters.  Clara is creative determined woman who is still grappling with her mother's disappearance when Clara was only 8.  I loved her relationship with her daughter Wynnie. She is a fiercely protective mother but still allows Wynnie to be herself and explore her own interests.  Charlie and his mother Pippa are just nice people who would be wonderful friends.  

Clara's mother, Bronwyn, is like a magical thread woven throughout the book.  What happened all those years ago and how did her papers end up across the ocean?  I was fascinated by this mystery though I loved just spending time with the characters and seeing how the relationships develop.  The Great Smog does pay an important part in the book though it is only in the first bit of the book.  It did have me curious to do a bit more research on it as it made for such a chaotic time in London's history. 

This was a good read with fascinating plot and likable characters wrestling with real issues.  I look forward to reading more from this author.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  Patti Callahan Henry is on my auto-buy list.

Would I Recommend this Book?  I would - especially if you are a fan of family stories.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Spring 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 my Spring TBR.  I love making these seasonal TBRs!  I'm not the best at getting everything read (though I'm getting better) but I always enjoy making the list.

1.  Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (On a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto - The first Vera Wong book was one of my favorite reads of 2024.  I'm really looking forward to spending more time with Vera.

2.  Who Will Remember by C.S. Harris - I have really enjoyed this series and each book is more enjoyable than the last.

3.  Dead Post Society by Diane Kelly - This is a cozy mystery series involving a home renovation business that I always enjoy.

4.  The Keeper of Lost Art by Laura Morelli - Art and World War II and Italy makes for a wonderful sounding historical fiction.

5.  Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates - Another favorite cozy series!

6.  Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts - I look forward to Roberts' suspense stand alones every year and this one looks great!

7.  Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney - I've really enjoyed other cozies by this author and this start of a new series involving a haunted castle with a dog on the cover looks to good to pass up.

8.  Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn - I read and enjoyed the first book and have been a long time fan of Deanna Raybourn.  I'm very curious to see how the series continues.

9.  The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves - This is one of my priority reads for 2025 and it seems like a good read for a dreary day in early spring.

10. Looking For Love in All the Haunted Places by Claire Kann - This one just looks fun and why not read it in the spring!

What are you hoping to read this spring?

The Library Game - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: The Library Game (Secret Staircase Mystery #4) by Gigi Pandian

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

Description:  In The Library Game, Tempest Raj and Secret Staircase Construction are renovating a classic detective fiction library that just got its first real-life mystery.

Tempest Raj couldn’t be happier that the family business, Secret Staircase Construction, is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Known for enchanting architectural features like sliding bookshelves and secret passageways, the company is now taking on a dream project: transforming a home into a public library that celebrates history's greatest fictional detectives.

Though the work is far from done, Gray House Library’s new owner is eager to host a murder mystery dinner and literary themed escape room. But when a rehearsal ends with an actor murdered and the body vanishes, Tempest is witness to a seemingly impossible crime. Fueled by her grandfather’s Scottish and Indian meals, Tempest and the rest of the crew must figure out who is making beloved classic mystery plots come to life in a deadly game.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I have read and enjoyed other books by this author including the earlier books in this series.

My Impression: This was my favorite book of the series.  A multi-book story arc just ended and some time has passed since Tempest's Magic career came to an untimely end so it feels a bit like everything has gotten a fresh start.  I love the concept of the series involving a family owned construction company that does fantastical renovations involving illusions and secret spaces.  I also love that while Tempest is the main character there is very much a group investigation feel (which gets referenced a number od times) with Tempest's friends and her grandfather who knows everyone.  

This mystery involved an amateur theater production/murder mystery night in a house that is being renovated to become a mystery library.  I love Ivy and her classic mystery references and the deep knowledge on illusion that both Sanjay and Tempest have.  I also would love to try some of Tempest's grandfather's food!  This was a fun mystery from beginning to end and one I looked forward to picking back up every time I had to put it down.

This is a fun mystery series with a very unique twist and I'm looking forward to seeing how the series develops from here.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  This was such fun and I'm really looking forward to my next read by this author.

Would I Recommend this Book?   If you enjoy cozies this is a great choice - especially if like me you love a group investigation!

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

This Week in Reading - March 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:

Nothing!  

Currently:

Reading:  The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry and The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

Listening:  The Desk from Hoboken by ML Condike

How I Made This Week Cozy -

I was struggling with the time change but really prioritized getting plenty of sleep so that helped take the edge off of it.  I also got a lot of little things accomplished that have been dragging down my To Do list for ages and that's always a list.  I also found these super comfy lounge pants and I have been wearing nothing else when at home so I feel super cozy!

How is your week going?  Happy reading!

My Man Jeeves - Classic Fiction Review

Goodreads:  My Man Jeeves (Jeeves #1) by P.G. Wodehouse

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

Description:  Who can forget our beloved gentleman's personal gentleman, Jeeves, who ever comes to the rescue when the hapless Bertie Wooster falls into trouble. My Man Jeeves is sure to please anyone with a taste for pithy buffoonery, moronic misunderstandings, gaffes, and aristocratic slapstick.

Contents:
"Leave It to Jeeves"
"Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest"
"Jeeves and the Hard-boiled Egg"
"Absent Treatment"
"Helping Freddie"
"Rallying Round Old George"
"Doing Clarence a Bit of Good"
"The Aunt and the Sluggard"

Of the eight stories in the collection, half feature the popular characters Jeeves and Bertie Wooster, while the others concern Reggie Pepper, an early prototype for Bertie Wooster.

Revised versions of all the Jeeves stories in this collection were later published in the 1925 short story collection Carry On, Jeeves. One of the Reggie Pepper stories in this collection was later rewritten as a Jeeves story, which was also included in Carry On, Jeeves.

Genre:  Fiction - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:   I've enjoyed Jeeves stories in the past and my Grandmother loved them but I had never read the first book.

My Impression:  I really enjoyed my re-visit to Wodehouse's world.   Jeeves and Bertie's dynamic is incredibly entertaining with their difference of opinions on Bettie's style as well as Bertie's propensity to get into scrapes.  While I enjoyed seeing the beginning of Jeeves I didn't enjoy the Reggie Pepper stories quite as much.  You can definitely tell it is the origin of Jeeves and Bertie but I didn't feel it had the sly humor that the later stories do.

This was a fun read and a nice palette cleanser from more intense stories.   I think the Jeeves stories are best read in small bites.  I love Jeeves and Bertie but reading more than one story at a time does feel a bit monotonous.  I'm looking forward to reading more and will remember to take it one story at a time instead of trying to read the whole book in one go.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  The next books will be great choices for a slow read.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you're looking for something a bit different or a quieter read with a bit of humor the Jeeves stories are great picks and absolutely don't need to be read in order.

Friday Fives - Five Reviews for Series I'm Currently 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'm working on catching up on series and decided to put a few reviews of them all together here.

1.  Between a Wok and a Dead Place by Leslie Budewitz - This is the 7th book in the Spice Shop series, and I really enjoyed that this one explored a little of Seattle's old West history as well as the lives of Chinese immigrants.  When a not so historic corpse is found in an abandoned historic building Pepper becomes involved in figuring out just what happened - especially since there are links to someone from her boyfriend Nate's past.   I had a little bit of trouble keeping up with some of the names, but I really enjoyed it, and the motive and murderer were quite a surprise.  I also really enjoy the world that Pepper lives in with her family, friends, and the crew of the spice shop at Pike Place Market.  It's a world I really enjoy visiting and look forward to visiting again.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

2.  And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander - I love a historical mystery and this series with it's gorgeous covers and interesting settings has been on my TBR for ages.  Emily is recently widowed after the husband she barely knew died shortly after their wedding.  She is trying to figure out how she wants to live now that she has the freedom of being a widow with a nice fortune behind her.  As she does this she discovers her husband is not the man she thought he was and there may be more to his death (and life) than she could have imagined.  I did guess a bit of the solution but I enjoyed Lady Emily's progress through all the details of a life she really didn't understand.  The pacing is a bit slower because there are a lot of characters to introduce and relationships to explain.  However, despite that, I enjoyed this mystery and am looking forward to reading more of Lady Emily's adventures.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

3.  Toxic Toffee by Amanda Flower - I am really enjoying this series.  I love the mix of English and Amish cultures and how they interact.  This had a couple of interesting plot points regarding the different cultures that I found really interesting.  The mystery itself had me guessing up until almost the very end and the final confrontation had me absolutely hooked.  I liked the introduction of Puff the rabbit and was very pleased with how the storyline resolved.  It did have me craving Easter candy and all kinds of chocolates and whatnot.  I'm looking forward to continuing with the series and spending more time in Bailey's world.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

4.  Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams - I have a complicated relationship with this author's books.  I love her Secret, Book, and Scone Society series but have been meh on 2 other series I've read by her.  This first book in a series involving a book themed manor house did not help uncomplicate things.  I love the setting but was iffy on the characters.  It also went in a direction I was absolutely not expecting which at first seemed ridiculous but then I came around to finding it fun.  The mystery had a satisfying ending and the pacing was good.  If I had more books from this series sitting on my shelf I would continue reading it and if I find the next book in the series at a bookstore I'll probably pick it up but I'm not sure I'm going to go out of my way to find the next book.  My Rating:  Liked It (3 Stars)

5.  Mrs. Jeffries On the Ball by Emily Brightwell - This is my favorite one yet!  This is an incredibly long running series and while I have read and enjoyed the later books the early books haven't sucked me in quite as much.  I thoroughly enjoyed this one and loved getting to reconnect with some of my characters.  It really felt like the author has really figured out who the characters are and their personalities and motivations really shine through in this one.  Smythe and Betsy's relationship is especially sweet though she's not entirely aware of it yet.  The mystery is such a good one and kept me guessing right to the end.  There's quite a bit going on so it's best to read the series in order so you learn the characters.  This one reminded me just why I enjoy the series so much and I'm so looking forward to reading the next book!  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

Books from the Backlog - How to Solve Your Own Murder

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:  How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

Blurb:  It’s 1965 and teenage Frances Adams is at an English country fair with her two best friends. But Frances’s night takes a hairpin turn when a fortune-teller makes a bone-chilling prediction: One day, Frances will be murdered. Frances spends a lifetime trying to solve a crime that hasn’t happened yet, compiling dirt on every person who crosses her path in an effort to prevent her own demise. For decades, no one takes Frances seriously, until nearly sixty years later, when Frances is found murdered, like she always said she would be.
In the present day, Annie Adams has been summoned to a meeting at the sprawling country estate of her wealthy and reclusive great-aunt Frances. But by the time Annie arrives in the quaint English village of Castle Knoll, Frances is already dead. Annie is determined to catch the killer, but thanks to Frances’s lifelong habit of digging up secrets and lies, it seems every endearing and eccentric villager might just have a motive for her murder. Can Annie safely unravel the dark mystery at the heart of Castle Knoll, or will dredging up the past throw her into the path of a killer?

As Annie gets closer to the truth, and closer to the danger, she starts to fear she might inherit her aunt’s fate instead of her fortune.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  Kay from Kay's Reading Life mentioned the second book in the series and it sounded so good I was amazed I hadn't discovered this series.  After a look at my TBR I discovered that I had discovered the series but I just hadn't read it even though it's been on my shelf for awhile.

Puzzled 4 Murder - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Puzzled 4 Murder by J.C Eaton

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

Description:  It’s a blistering hot summer in Sun City West, and members of the retirement community are happy to escape into the air-conditioned bliss of the library to work on a mammoth forty-thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle. But things begin heating up inside, too, when members clash with the domineering head of the puzzle committee over which puzzle to solve—until someone settles the matter by killing her. Now it’s up to Sophie “Phee” Kimball to put all the pieces of the murder plot together and catch the culprit responsible.

Any number of the jigsaw aficionados could have wanted the victim out of the picture for her personality alone, but Phee suspects there was a more sinister motive behind the murder. Then the chosen puzzle and the library itself are struck by one instance of sabotage after another, and Phee’s convinced that someone is sending a menacing message. But just as she unearths a telling clue and slots it into place, she finds herself in a race against time to finish the puzzle and solve the case—before the killer goes to pieces and finishes her off too . . .

Genre: Mystery - Genre

Why I Picked This Book:  I've been reading this series since the beginning and I always enjoy the mysteries.

My Impression: This is a fun and quirky cozy mystery series involving Phee, her enthusiastic mother and the inhabitants of the retirement community she lives in.  There are also an assortment of pets - especially Phee's mother's chiweenie whose primary skills are causing chaos, Phee's husband Marshall who is a PI and Nate and Augusta who are the other employees at the PI firm they work for.  There is a huge cast of characters but you really don't need to keep the backstories of everyone in your head and the author does a good job of reminding you of what you need to know without an info dump.  

The mysteries is a fun one involving cold cases and puzzles and lots of sabotage.  Nothing goes smoothly in Sun City West and that is most definitely the case here.  I love Phee and her relationship with Marshall though she does need to maybe try Yoga breathing when dealing with her mother.  I also really enjoyed that we saw a bit more of Augusta this book.  This is a long running series but one you can jump into with no issue.  The mystery involved a bit of a coincidence but it was still fun getting to the conclusion.

If you enjoy a quirky cozy mystery this is a fun series that has only been getting better!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I always enjoy this series.

Would I Recommend this Book?   If you enjoy cozies you should definitely give this series a try.

* 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 on My TBR That Include Ghosts

 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 Books That Include your favorite theme or plot device.  I'm looking at 10 Fiction books involving ghosts.  I'm not entirely sure if this counts but it's my favorite thing at the moment so I'm going with it.

1.  The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand - I've been wanting to read this author for ages and this story involves an angry ghost and an old hotel so I can't resist.

2.  The Ghost and Mrs Muir by R.A. Dick - I read this book many times decades ago and loved it and have really been wanting to reread it.

3.  Happy Medium by Sarah Adler - I have heard good things about this author and this sounds like a good ghostly read.

4.  Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker - I picked this book up at a local bookstore and it looks like a lot of fun.

5.  A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand - Pretty much the same as above but this looks much creepier.

6.  The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston - I've heard such good things about this book and this author that I really need to try it.

7.  The Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score - Somehow I missed this author until I stumbled across a big display of her books.  They look like fun reads.

8.  Murder Can Mess Up Your Masterpiece by Rose Pressey - I do love a good cozy with a ghost and this one looks so fun!

9.  Lost Among the Living by Simone St James - I really enjoy this author and this book is a bit of an older one of hers but looks wonderfully Gothic-y.

10. The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson - I really loved the one book I've read by this author and this looks like it involves some potentially haunted woods so that sounds goof.

What ghostly books are on your TBR?