Books from the Backlog - Picnic in Someday Valley

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:  Picnic in Someday Valley by Jodi Thomas

Blurb: Marcie Latimer longs to run away from Someday Valley—especially since her ex-boyfriend spun a web of lies that almost led to tragedy in neighboring Honey Creek. Little wonder so many locals have turned their backs on her. But not Brand Rodgers. The quiet cowboy comes to listen every time she sings at Bandit’s Bar, offering a glimpse of safety and calm that Marcie’s rarely known.
After Texas Ranger Colby McBride saved Honey Creek’s mayor, Piper Mackenzie, from a fire, she claimed him with a kiss. That was five months ago, and Colby still isn’t sure where they’re headed. Piper loves her town—but does she love Colby? And is he even ready for what comes next?

Pecos Smith, Honey Creek’s emergency dispatcher, is grateful to have a new bride he adores and a baby on the way—even if one vital piece of the puzzle is missing. But as trouble comes stalking through the valley, lives will cross surprising paths. And Marcie, who’s always felt that a forever love was out of reach, might discover that Someday is the perfect place to find it . .

.Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I read the first book last year and really enjoyed the characters and meant to read the second book pretty quickly.  But then my library updated their Hoopla audiobooks and dropped this series and I kind of forgot it existed.

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (On a Dead Man) - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (On a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto

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

Description:  Ever since a man was found dead in Vera's teahouse, life has been good. For Vera that is. She’s surrounded by loved ones, her shop is bustling, and best of all, her son, Tilly, has a girlfriend! All thanks to Vera, because Tilly's girlfriend is none other than Officer Selena Gray. The very same Officer Gray that she had harassed while investigating the teahouse murder. Still, Vera wishes more dead bodies would pop up in her shop, but one mustn't be ungrateful, even if one is slightly...bored.

Then Vera comes across a distressed young woman who is obviously in need of her kindly guidance. The young woman is looking for a missing friend. Fortunately, while cat-sitting at Tilly and Selena's, Vera finds a treasure Selena's briefcase. Inside is a file about the death of an enigmatic influencer—who also happens to be the friend that the young woman was looking for.

Online, Xander had it a parade of private jets, fabulous parties with socialites, and a burgeoning career as a social media influencer. The only problem is, after his body is fished out of Mission Bay, the police can't seem to actually identify him. Who is Xander Lin? Nobody knows. Every contact is a dead end. Everybody claims not to know him, not even his parents.

Vera is determined to solve Xander's murder. After all, doing so would surely be a big favor to Selena, and there is nothing she wouldn't do for her future daughter-in-law.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I absolutely loved the first book so of course I need to pick up the second book!

My Impression:  I don't know if I want to have a Vera in my life or if I absolutely don't!  I both adore her and am terrified her but I always enjoy time spent in Vera's world.  Her absolute confidence in herself and her meddling ways are so fun and I think I would be okay with it if I could have a helping of whatever delicious meal she's cooking up.  

Things have settled down from the previous adventure but Vera is getting a bit restless.  Soon though she stumbles into another murder investigation and into the world of social media.  Vera's investigation into the death of a young influencer brings her into contact with the man's social circle and they are pulled into Vera's world whether they like it or not.  I loved the reactions of the characters from the previous books as they realize what's happenings and it's always entertaining to watch someone encounter Vera for the first time.   

While I enjoyed this both for the fantastic found family aspect and for the mystery itself it wasn't quite as wonderful as the first book.  There's some repetitiveness that drug the plot down a bit.  I got that all the characters were hiding something but there's a lot of handwringing with no progress in revealing those secrets for a bit too long.   Despite the slower moving plot I do love the found family aspect of this book and I can't help but enjoy anytime Vera is on the page.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course!  While I don't think this was quite as magical as the first book I did really enjoy it and am looking forward to reading more from this author.

Would I Recommend this Book? I would - though if you haven't read the first book you do really need to pick that one up before starting this one.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Books You'd Be a Fool Not to Read If...

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!  In honor of April Fools Day, today's topic is Books You'd Be a Fool Not to Read.   I'm picking a few prompts and choosing books You'd Be a Fool Not to Read If....

You're Looking For A Cozy Mystery:

The Whole Cat and Caboodle by Sofie Ryan - This cozy mystery series involving secondhand store owner Sarah, a slew of senior citizens who run a PI firm, and a cat with some serious attitude is always good and a great series to try.

Murder, She Wrote: Murder Backstage by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran - I was deeply suspicious of this series as I didn't think a book based on a show could be any good but it turns out they're just as fun and as cozy as the show.  The series is long running, and you can jump in anywhere.  

You're Looking For A Love Story with Characters You Can't Help But Like

Funny Story by Emily Henry - I loved both Miles and Daphne and the world they inhabited.  The side characters were fantastic and I was completely rooting form them as a couple.

The Summer Swap by Sarah Morgan - This wasn't quite the house swap story I expected but I loved all the characters and it was just a delight.   

You're Looking For A Classic Mystery:

Overture to Death by Ngaio Marsh - I don't always love Marsh's books but this was a delight with a fantastically clever method of murder.

The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie - This is one of her earliest books and such a fun one with a good mystery, a heroine with a longing for adventure, and a touch of espionage.  

You're Looking For A Twisty Thriller That Will Keep You Reading But Won't Be Too Scary:

None of This is True by Lisa Jewell - Multiple POVs with a podcast format and twists and turns that kept me guessing made for a page turning read and a fantastic audio book.

Nothing Ever Happens Here by Seraphina Nova Glass - This multi-POV thriller involving a violent attack, stalking, murder, and missing persons kept me locked in but didn't give me nightmares.

You're Looking for Found Family Goodness:

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman - This was lovely found family in both the literal and metaphorical sense with a big helping of books!

The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander - After the death of her mother Jess is pretty much alone in the world and lands in a little English village in a small cottage and in possession of an old phone box.  This is a little slower but lovely.

What books do you think people would be a fool not to read?