A Body at the Book Fair - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  A Body at the Book Fair (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #6) by Ellie Alexander

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

Description:  In the gripping conclusion to The Secret Bookcase series, Annie Murray races to untangle the ultimate plot twist…

Life is good for she’s found healing at the Secret Bookcase, her beloved Agatha Christie-themed mystery bookstore in the cozy town of Redwood Grove, and is on the brink of launching her very own detective agency. But she's still haunted by one unsolved the murder of her best friend Scarlet ten years ago.

When Annie heads to Santa Clara for their annual book fair, she’s looking forward to meeting fellow booklovers. And she’s also got a secret she’ll be close to Silicon Summit Partners, the powerful investment firm she just knows had a hand in Scarlet’s death. But when an industry colleague is murdered at the book fair, Annie is first on the scene to investigate. The suspect list reads like a book lover’s who’s a celebrity author with a suspicious agenda, a rival with a grudge, and even a kindly grandmother pursuing her lifelong dream of owning a bookstore.

With her fellow bookseller and crime-fighting partner Fletcher playing Watson to her Holmes, can Annie catch the killer before they strike again? And will it distract her from her mission to finally bring her best friend Scarlet’s murderer to justice?

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've read all the books in this series and enjoyed them so of course I had to pick up this final book!

My Impression:  This is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors and while this isn't my favorite series by her I have really enjoyed it.  I was excited to see this was the final book as that means we are getting answers to the mystery that has run through the previous 5 books in the series.  Annie has been so affected by the murder of her college roommate and best friend, Scarlet that I was so excited to see her get answers.  

Annie and her business partner and friend, Fletcher, are heading to a book fair as they are taking over The Secret Bookcase bookstore.  This isn't an element of the book business I know that much about so I was really curious to see more about that.  While I missed the community of Redwood Grove (and all the time spent in the fabulous bookstore) I did enjoy this field trip - especially since most of my favorite characters were there too.

I enjoyed this mystery and the time spent with the characters.  I enjoyed following along with Annie as she came face to face with the mystery that has haunted her for years.  It's not the most memorable mystery - except for the bookstore which is on my top 5 list of places I wish were real - but it is enjoyable with likable characters and a great setting.   While the series is ending I'm looking forward to seeing what the author does next in the world she's created.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  This is one of my favorite cozy authors and I'm looking forward to her next book.

Would I Recommend this Book?   If you enjoy cozy mysteries this is a good series to pick up though I recommend starting at the beginning.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - My Summer 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 Summer TBR.  I love writing the seasonal TBRs even though I very rarely accomplish them all.  Here are 10 books I'm hoping to read this summer.

1.  Asylum Hotel by Juliet Blackwell - I've really enjoyed other books by this author and this looks so creepy!

2.  A Moment's Shadow by Anna Lee Huber - The previous book in this series ended with a lot of unfinished business so I'm looking forward to seeing how everything plays out for the Kents.

3.  Something Whiskered by Miranda James - This is an enjoyable cozy mystery and there have been some big changes for the main character so I'm curious to see what happens next.

4.  For Duck's Sake by Donna Andrews - I love this series and can't wait to see what hijinks and catastrophies are happening in Meg's world this time.

5.  The Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna - I loved the first book in this series and have been so looking forward to this one!

6.  Guess Again by Charlie Donlea - I've read two thrillers by this author in the last year or so and really enjoyed them.  I'm looking forward to reading this newest book.  

7.  The Battle of the Bookshops by Poppy Alexander - This looks fun!  I've also really enjoyed previous books by this author so this looks like a good read with bookish elements.  

8.  Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell - I always look forward to a new Lisa Jewell book and this one sounds interesting.  

9.  The Lost Book of First Lovers by RaeAnne Thayne - I've had mixed results with Thayne's stand alones though I love her series books.  This one sounds really good and like one I'd really enjoy.

10. Ghost Business by Jen DeLuca - This is the second book in the Boneyard Key series.  I really enjoyed the first one and can't wait for this one - I just have to make it to September 9th!

What are you hoping to read this summer?

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau - Historical Fiction Review

Goodreads:  The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel

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

Description:  Colette Marceau has been stealing jewels for nearly as long as she can remember, following the centuries-old code of honor instilled in her by her mother, take only from the cruel and unkind, and give to those in need. Never was their family tradition more important than seven decades earlier, during the Second World War, when Annabel and Colette worked side by side in Paris to fund the French Resistance.

But one night in 1942, it all went wrong. Annabel was arrested by the Germans, and Colette’s four-year-old sister, Liliane, disappeared in the chaos of the raid, along with an exquisite diamond bracelet sewn into the hem of her nightgown for safekeeping. Soon after, Annabel was executed, and Liliane’s body was found floating in the Seine—but the bracelet was nowhere to be found.

Seventy years later, Colette—who has “redistributed” $30 million in jewels over the decades to fund many worthy organizations—has done her best to put her tragic past behind her, but her life begins to unravel when the long-missing bracelet suddenly turns up in a museum exhibit in Boston. If Colette can discover where it has been all this time—and who owns it now—she may finally learn the truth about what happened to her sister. But she isn’t the only one for whom the bracelet holds answers, and when someone from her childhood lays claim to the diamonds, she’s forced to confront the ghosts of her past as never before. Against all odds, there may still be a chance to bring a murderer to justice—but first, Colette will have to summon the courage to open her own battered heart.

Genre:  Fiction - Historical 

Why I Picked This Book:   I have been wanting to read something by this author for quite some time and this one really caught my eye.

My Impression:  Oh, this one broke my heart time and time again.  From a number of events that happened during the war to missed opportunities and secrets held for too long during the present day storyline there were several times I had to pause for a minute.   Colette's background is tragic and infuriating and it makes her focus understandable.  I loved her devotion to her goddaughter, Aviva, and her friendship with Max.   I also really liked Aviva and her desire to help this woman who has been a constant safe harbor in her life even if she's shocked with everything that gets revealed.

After a somewhat slow beginning I was really pulled into the story, and it was one I thought about even if I wasn't reading.   I've read a number of World War II historical fiction but this book had a different angle as it touches on the French Resistance in a very direct way.  As well, the main characters are Jewish but their friendship with a Jewish family is a focal point.   The 1940s timeline did drag at times as I found myself more interested in the search for the truth and the question of how does one find the truth when the records are gone and the memories of those left are quickly fading.

Colette drove me crazy at times.  For her background and training she is impetuous and impatient at times when it is most important for her to be measured and careful.  That and the somewhat slow beginning kept this from being a full 5 star book though I did really enjoy it.   This is the first book I've read by this author and I'm looking forward to reading more by her.

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

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy historical fiction I think you would really enjoy this one.

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

This Week in Reading - June 15

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:

Asylum Hotel by Juliet Blackwell - I'm so excited about this one.  It looks gorgeously creepy. (Publisher)

Currently:

Reading:  A Body at the Bookfair by Ellie Alexander and Crooked House by Agatha Christie

Listening:  The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick

We finally had some sun!  I went over to a friend's house for a pool day and apparently wasn't as vigilant with the sunscreen as I should have been so I got a bit scorched.  Now it's raining again and is supposed to do so for the next few days.  

Have a great week and happy reading!

Authors I've Been Meaning to Read - Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton

 

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:  Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton

Blurb:  Down-on-her-luck Lori Shepherd thought Aunt Dimity was a pretend character in her mother's bedtime stories ... until the Dickensian law firm of Willis & Willis offers the possibility of large inheritance -- if she can discover the secret hidden in letters between Dimity and her mother.

My Thoughts:  The premise of this one is absolutely bonkers but in a fun cozy way.  Lori is not quite at rock bottom but not doing well when she receives an inheritance - from a person she thought was fictional.   Lori took some getting used to before I warmed up to her and even then she's not someone I feel like I'd need to be friends with.  Life hasn't exactly been kind to her and she does seem to stumble from one struggle to another.  That is until Willis and Willis come into her life and she soon finds herself in a picturesque cottage in an English village.  The plot doesn't make the most sense but it does provide a tool for Lori to learn more about those who are important to her.  Overall, I really enjoyed this read.  It was a bit unusual but with lots of good characters, a ghost with an interesting way of communicating, and a lovely setting.  This series has been on my radar for decades but I never really read any of the books.  It was so fun to pick this one up and I'm looking forward to reading more of Aunt Dimity's adventures.  My Rating:  Really Liked It (4 Stars)

Friday Fives - Five Cozies that Take Place in Summer

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.   My reading tastes have moved a bit away from my usual cozy mysteries and I've found myself reading more fiction but I miss my cozies at times!   Since summer is starting to show up here - I picked a few cherry tomatoes this week and the temps are firmly in the 90s - I'm picking 5 cozies that are set during summer that I'm looking forward to reading.

1.  Steamed Open by Barbara Ross - I've read and really enjoyed this series set on the coast in Maine and am looking forward to reading this one set in the sumer.

2.  Magic and Macaroons by Bailey Cates - I've enjoyed the beginning books in this series and this is next up so I'll have to pick it up soon.

3.  Partners in Lime by Bree Baker - I've heard great things about this series and this is such a summery cover.

4.  Sour Crime Donuts by Ginger Bolton - This doesn't come out until later this summer but I've really enjoyed this series - even if it makes me want to eat all the donuts.

5.  Live and Let Fly by Clover Tate - I picked up the whole series involving a kite shop at a used bookstore and this looks so wonderful and summer-y.

Do you have any summery reads on your TBR?  Have you read any good cozies lately?

Books from the Backlog - Cheerful Money

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:  Cheerful Money: Me, My Family, and the Last Days of Wasp Splendor by Tad Friend

Blurb:  Tad Friend's family is nothing if not illustrious: his father was president of Swarthmore College, and at Smith his mother came in second in a poetry contest judged by W.H. Auden--to Sylvia Plath. For centuries, Wasps like his ancestors dominated American life. But then, in the '60s, their fortunes began to fall. As a young man, Tad noticed that his family tree, for all its glories, was full of alcoholics, depressives, and reckless eccentrics. Yet his identity had already been shaped by the family's age-old traditions and expectations. Part memoir, part family history, and part cultural study of the long swoon of the American Wasp, Cheerful Money is a captivating examination of a cultural crack-up and a man trying to escape its wreckage.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I picked this one up over a decade ago and I've kind of lost interest in it -and have been burned by similar memoirs.  I need to pick this one up and see if it's a DNF or not.

Knave of Diamonds - Historical Mystery Review

Goodreads: Knave of Diamonds (Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes #19) by Laurie R. King

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

Description:  Mary Russell’s allegiances are tested by the reappearance of her long-lost uncle—and a tantalizing case not even Sherlock Holmes could solve.

When Mary Russell was a child, she adored her black-sheep Uncle Jake. But she hasn’t heard from him in many years, and she's assumed that his ne’er-do-well ways had brought him to a bad end somewhere—until he presents himself at her Sussex door. Yes, Jake is back, and with a load of problems for his clever niece. Not the least of which is the reason the family rejected him in the first he was involved—somehow—in the infamous disappearance of the Irish Crown Jewels from a secure safe in Dublin Castle.

It was a theft that shook a government, enraged a King, threatened the English establishment—and baffled not only the Dublin police and Scotland Yard, but Sherlock Holmes himself. And now, Jake expects Russell to step into the middle of it all? To slip away with him, not telling Homes what she’s up to? Knowing that the theft—unsolved, hushed-up, scandalous—must have involved Mycroft Holmes as well?

Naturally, she can do nothing of the sort. Siding with her Uncle Jake, even briefly, could only place her in opposition to both her husband-partner, and to his secretive and powerful brother. She has to tell Jake no.

On the other hand, this is Jake—her father’s kid brother, her childhood hero, beloved and long-lost survivor of a diminished family.

Conflicting loyalties and international secrets, blatant lies and blithe sounds like another case for Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes.

Genre:  Mystery - Historical

Why I Picked This Book:  I have been reading this series for years and thoroughly enjoyed the last few books especially.

My Impression:  This has been a mystery series I have enjoyed for years and I was excited to pick up this latest book and it did not disappoint.  While I have thoroughly enjoyed the Damien Adler storyline I'm so glad that in this book we are getting more time in Russell's past and we are digging into a case that has haunted Holmes for years.  

I loved getting a peek into a slightly more vulnerable Russell as well as dealing with a decades old cold case that has been a sore spot for multiple law enforcement and both the Holmes brothers.  I did love seeing Mycroft having some page time as it feels like it's been a while since he's played a really active role that isn't just pulling strings way behind the scenes.  

The mystery kept me engaged and I really enjoyed seeing all the characters work their different roles.  I do prefer when Holmes and Russell to work together more but that's a pretty minor issue.  This is not a series to just jump into as there are a lot of characters and the lines connecting them can be a bit convoluted.  I would think it would be a bit confusing to new readers.  That said, if you start from the beginning I think you will find a solid and interesting series of mysteries with compelling characters.  Even if you aren't the biggest Holmes fan (I am not), this is an enjoyable series and this was a fantastic latest entry.  I'm really looking forward to a reread of the whole series at some point soon.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I really enjoy this series and this one did not disappoint.  

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy mysteries with a little bit of adventure this is a great series but start from the beginning. 

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Bookish Wishes

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 Bookish Wishes.  This was originally intended for people to post their Amazon Wish Lists which is lots of fun.  However, over the last little while I have been buying books like it's my job so I'm going to do things a little different!   If I had a genie who would grant me ten bookish wishes here's what they would be.

1.  I wish that L.M. Montgomery had completed and published the sequel to Jane of Lantern Hill - This is one of my favorite Montgomery books and while the story is complete I'd love for more time with the characters.

2.  I wish that Postern of Fate by Agatha Christie was a better book - Agatha Christie is one of my absolute favorite authors and I really enjoy her Tommy and Tuppence books. Her final one, Postern of Fate, has a fascinating plot but it is by far one of her weakest books both in writing style and plot.   I would love for our last bit of page time with Tommy and Tuppence to be stronger.  

3.  I wish I could block off days to do nothing but read.  This I could probably make come true on my own with a bit of planning and a refusal to get distracted by other things but I haven't done it yet!

4.  I wish that Brynn Bonner who wrote a fantastic genealogy cozy series would write more books.  I read and loved all 4 books in the series but I haven't been able to find anything else by her.

5.  I wish I could send Gone Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright back in time to my childhood self.  I would have LOVED it.  I enjoyed it as an adult but am a little sad I didn't find it when I was a kid.

6.  I wish there were more books involving haunted houses full of secrets that aren't too creepy.  I'm open to suggestions here!

7.  I wish I could read faster.  I'm almost certainly a faster reader than the average bear but I wish I could read faster!  There are so many books I want to read and they're piling up faster than I can read them.

8.  I wish some of the foodie cozies that I read came with the option to essentially DoorDash some of the yummy food that I'm reading about.

9.  Found family recommendations - all genres.  I adore found family and can use more recommendations.

10.  Fun middle grade adventure books - I need some good middle grade recommendations.  It's been too long since I've read a good one.

What are some of your bookish wishes?

The Bacherlotte Party - Mystery Review

Goodreads: The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten

Rating: Just Okay (2.5 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Scream meets The Guest List in this wickedly compelling and compulsively page-turning thriller of friendship and murder from the author of The Lost Village, Camilla Sten.

On a remote, craggy island nestled off the coast of Sweden, four friends—Tilly, Anna, Linnea and Evelina—meet every year. Best friends since childhood, the idea is to drink beer, dance by the water, and shake off the weight of life's expectations. The location of the island is a secret to everyone but them. One night of reckless fun and secret-sharing, and then they return to their normal lives.

Ten years later. Ever since she was a teenager, Tessa Nilsson has been consumed by the story of four friends who disappeared on their annual trip to a remote island together. As her true crime fervor turned into a wildly popular podcast, Tessa urgently covered Sweden’s most gruesome cases, but could never find the answers behind what happened to these women who disappeared, leaving a few maddening clues but no concrete answers. Now Tessa’s podcast has crashed and burned, any chance she had at uncovering the truth vanishing with it.

Anneliese is Tessa’s best friend, and before she walks down the aisle, she wants to have a bachelorette party. The Baltic Vinyasa, a sleek, sophisticated yoga retreat on a small island off the coast—one with such similar characteristics to the tragedy years ago that it raises the hair on Tessa’s neck. The idea is to drink gallons of cava, do sunrise yoga, and get in their last chance to bond with the bride. Tessa will not pass this up. It’s her last chance to find out what happened to the four women, once and for all.

And it’s someone else’s last chance to get revenge.

Genre: Mystery 

Why I Picked This Book:  I've never come across this author but the premise really grabbed my attention. 

My Impression: I love the concept of this one - there's a cold case, a podcaster, and a current day investigation that quickly becomes a new problem.  However, the execution of this one didn't quite work for this one.  I really didn't like Tessa.  I get things haven't gone well for her but she's such a disaster I don't see how she functions in day to day life.  Not only is her career and relationship tanked but she can't interact with people or really maintain basic hygiene.  As well I felt strung along regarding just what she had done and for way too long into the book.  I don't mind a little bit of foreshadowing but more than halfway into the book there are still hints regarding "what she had done".  I found it hard to maintain interest that far into it.  As well, I didn't really like any of the other characters either with the exception of Irene and Annelise.  

If the mystery is fast paced I don't really find not liking the characters to be a big deal.  Unfortunately, I didn't find this to be fast paced either.  Nothing really seemed to happen (other than a quick scene in the prologue) until almost halfway through the book.  The last half of the book did keep me reading and guessing and is what saved this one for me.  

While this book didn't really work for me, I did find a lot to appreciate.  The author did a fantastic job setting a creepy scene and then filling it will all kinds of foreboding and tense atmosphere.  The characters were well drawn and the premise was intriguing.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Maybe?  There were enough positives that I'd give the author another try if a premise caught my attention enough.  

Would I Recommend this Book?   If a slower build up in a thriller works for you, you might enjoy this one.  

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

This Week in Reading - June 8th

 

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:

The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan - Colgan's books are either big wins or DNFs for me so I am a little nervous about this one.  However, the cover really caught my eye and the blurb sounds amazing.  (Publisher)

Currently:

Reading:  Knave of Diamonds by Laurie R. King and A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander

Listening:  I'm doing a relisten of Inheritance by Nora Roberts and am loving it.

It was a pretty busy and chaotic week but on Friday I realized the only thing I had on my schedule was a massage so I decided to take a reading day.   I've started getting massages every few weeks to help with migraines and it's made such a difference.  I bought a few of my favorite treats for meals (the Sister Schubert cinnamon rolls from the freezer section are amazing!) and was able to set a bit of a schedule and spend the whole day with the exception of massage time reading.  It was fantastic and so relaxing!  I'm definitely going to plan those into my schedule hopefully once a month.  

I hope you have a great week and happy reading!

Reading Recap - May 2025

 

Monthly Reading Total:  15 - It wasn't my best reading month but I read some books I thoroughly enjoyed so I'm calling that a win.  

Type:

Print: 5

Ebook:  6

Audio: 4

Genre:

Mystery - 10

Fiction - 4

Romance - 1

Favorite Books of the Month:

Favorite Audio:  The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst - This was such a lovely read and one I think would have been just as fantastic in any medium - print or audio

I also really enjoyed Murder Runs in the Family by Tamara Berry and The Guest Cottage by Lori Foster.  They might not be standouts but they were both lots of fun.

I was also completely delighted by two rereads - Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie and What  You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyanna

Bookish Armchair Travel:  

Domestic Travel:  I visited New York, Alaska, Kentucky, and Tennessee for the first time and revisited North Carolina, Florida, and Massachusetts, 

International Travel:  I visited England three times in two different time periods as well as France and Japan.

How was your May reading?   Where did your books take you?

Friday Fives - June 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 June so I'm picking out five books I hope to read this month.

1.  The Love Fix by Jill Shalvis - I do love a Jill Shalvis book and this looks really good!

2.  Murder on Mustique by Ann Glenconner - I love the cover for this one and it looks like a great summer read.  I'm hoping I really enjoy it.

3.  Scarlet Feather by Maeve Binchy - This came out of my TBR jar.  It's a book that's been sitting on my shelf for a while and one I've been looking forward to reading.  

4.  Midsummer Mysteries by Agatha Christie - Summer is literally in the title and I do love a collection of Christie short stories.  I meant to read this one last month but didn't get to it.

5.  Murder at the Breakers by Alyssa Maxwell - I have several books in this series on my shelf and have read one of the alter books.  I'm really looking forward to reading the first in the series and it looks like a book summer read.

What are you hoping to read in June?

Books from the Backlog - The Happiness Plan

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 Happiness Plan by Susan Mallery

Blurb:  Heather is happy . . . ish. She has a successful business, a cute but contemptuous cat, and best friends Daphne and Tori who know where she’s broken and love her anyway. So why does she feel crushed when her ex gets serious about someone new? No problem, she has a plan. More connections will hold her together while her world falls apart, so she finally reaches out to the stranger who might be her dad.

Daphne isn’t having an emotional affair, despite what her husband believes. He started the rift in their marriage when he said they weren’t ready for a baby. They used to be the closest couple she knew. Can they find their way back to one another before it’s too late?

When Tori forms an inconvenient crush on Daphne’s brother-in-law, she suppresses her feelings. Until her apartment floods, and she moves in with the dog-loving doctor. If things go wrong, she could lose her friends. . . but if they go right, she could lose her heart.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  This looks like a fun summery read.  Perfect for a beach trip.

It Takes a Psychic - Paranormal Suspense Review

Goodreads: It Takes a Psychic (Ghost Hunters #17) by Jayne Castle

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

Description:  Leona Griffin is at the height of her career as a para-archeologist thanks to a recent Underworld discovery. Her high profile attracts the attention of an organization of elite, secretive collectors. They want her to authenticate the artifacts that aspiring members submit as evidence to join their group. The ceremony takes place at a glittering reception where Leona is shocked to discover that one of the relics is a powerful Old-World object known as Pandora’s Box. But she’s not the only one interested in that artifact.

Oliver Rancourt, a man with a unique talent—they say you never see him coming—is also there. Leona knows she must not underestimate him. Attempting to make a discreet exit, she stumbles over the body of a waiter wearing the emblem of a dangerous cult. Before she can alert authorities, a police raid sends the reception into chaos. To avoid being arrested, Leona slips away with Oliver—a risky decision that gets her fired.

Now forced to work together, Leona and Oliver pursue an investigation that leads them to the town of Lost Creek where the locals are obsessed with a chilling legend involving a long-dead cult leader and illicit paranormal experiments. But Leona knows the real danger may be the irresistible attraction between herself and Oliver.

Genre: Mystery - Paranormal, Romantic Suspense

Why I Picked This Book:  I really enjoyed the previous book in the series and wanted to see more of Leona.  

My Impression:  This was absolutely bonkers in the most fun, readable way and it starts off fast.  Leona is at a gala-style event when she notices things aren't quite right and things quickly go awry.  We also meet Oliver pretty quickly in though who he really is and his motives take awhile to be revealed.   I read the book previous to this one and enjoyed it though it took a bit to get used to the world.  In this book the author included a quick explanation of the setup that I found really helpful.   There is a mystery (or four) and there some pretty intense cat and mouse action.  There are also dust bunnies which are my absolute favorite.  I very much enjoyed them in the previous book and was thrilled to see their appearance in this book.  

I love Castle's world building and the connections to other books in other series under her Amanda Quick and Jayne Ann Krentz names.  This was such a fun escapist story with intriguing characters and story arcs that really caught my attention.  Is it one that will keep me up thinking about the characters?  No probably not but it was one I looked forward to reading and enjoyed from the first page.  I now really want to do a big reading binge of all of this author's books to get a real understanding of Harmony itself and the Foundation and everything else which I think is a good sign!  

If you're looking for a fun action-packed escapist read I really recommend this book and this series as all.  While it is part of a long running series I didn't have too much trouble jumping in - especially with the author's note at the beginning of this one.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I always enjoy this author's books and now I want to collect the rest of the books in this series and have a reading binge.

Would I Recommend this Book? Definitely!  If you're looking for a fun summer read and like a bit of paranormal or urban fantasy in your reads this is a fun choice.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Books With Summer in the Title

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 Summer Freebie so I'm looking at Books on My TBR with the word "Summer" in the title.

1.  Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez - I have heard so many good things about this author and this book that I really need to read it.

2.  Summer of the Dragon by Elizabeth Peters - This is the second book in the Amelia Peabody series. I read the first one last year and want to continue the series.

3.  Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum - I've heard this one is fun and it sounds like the perfect read.

4.  The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey - I love what I've read by this author and this sounds really good - and perfect for summer.

5.  A Demon Summer by G.M. Malliet - I've been wanting to read this series for ages.

6.  Summer at the Robbers Library by Sal Halpern - I know nothing about this book but it has the words "summer" and "library" in the title so it has landed on my TBR.

7.  The Summer Deal by Jill Shalvis - I do love a summer-y Jill Shalvis!

8.  Summer Hours by Amy Mason Doan - I've read another book by this author and really enjoyed it and this one sounds even better.

9.  The Summer that Made Us by Robyn Carr - I started this one years ago and really enjoyed but had to put it down and never got back to it.  

10. One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan - I've really loved Morgan's standalones and this is one I own but haven't read.

Bodies and Battlements - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney

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

Description:  The first in a new cozy mystery series by Elizabeth Penney investigates a suspicious murder in a haunted British castle-turned-bed and breakfast.

Herbalist Nora Asquith is delighted to welcome Ravensea Castle’s first guests to the picturesque village of Monkwell, Yorkshire. After a thousand years of ownership, her family has decided to convert the castle into a bed and breakfast. But when Hilda Dibble, a self-appointed local luminary, is found dead in the knot garden the next morning, Nora’s business is not only at risk—she’s a prime suspect.

Hilda had opposed the hotel plan every step of the way, and although she didn’t succeed in stopping the venture, her disagreements with Nora seem to only further her motive. One of Ravensea’s guests happens to be Detective Inspector Finlay Cole, who is new to the area and now finds himself with a murder case in his lap.

Nora and her actress sister Tamsyn decide to investigate for themselves. They look into the entangled dealings of their newly arrived guests, while also getting hints from Sir Percival, one of the castle ghosts. As they learn, Sir Percival’s tragic death centuries ago sheds light on present-day crimes. Surely they can get to the bottom of this mystery while keeping their new business afloat . . .

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I like other books I've read by this author and how could I resist that premise and that cover?

My Impression:  This was a fun read with a fantastic series premise.  I liked Nora and her family - especially as they figured out how everything would work now that they are in the middle of this new venture.  The body is discovered pretty early in the book and what was already a complicated situation for the Asquith family becomes absolutely dire.  

The small village around the castle is interesting and the guests were an interesting mix.  Everyone seems to be hiding something and it was a challenge figuring out just who was hiding a motive for murder.  I liked all the side quests with running the inn and Nora's herbalist business.  I really enjoyed watching the investigation progress and really had no clue who the bad guy was until shortly before Nora did.  

I'm excited to see where the series goes.  This was a great mystery with a spectacular setting and a great and likable group of characters.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I've enjoyed every cozy mystery I've read by this author.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you're a cozy mystery fan I definitely recommend this book and this author.  

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

This Week in Reading - June 1st

 

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:

The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liz Tully - To be honest I couldn't resist the title but the blurb looks good too! (Publisher)

Sugar and Spite by Carol J. Perry - I really enjoy the Witch City Mystery series so of course I had to pick up the next book in the series! (Publisher)

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer by Ragnar Jonasson - The blurb really caught my attention on this one and I've heard good things about the author. (Publisher)

Laying Down the Latte by Ellie Alexander - I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in the series! (Publisher)

The Sisterhood by Tasha Alexander - I just started the Lady Emily series and this latest book looks like a good one.  (Publisher)

Currently:

Reading:  It Takes a Psychic by Jayne Castle and The Unholy by Heather Graham

Listening:  Love, Loss, and What We Ate: A Memoir by Padma Lakshmi

Thanks for all the well wishes last week!  I'm feeling much better and a bit less draggy.  For some reason this year has just been brutal allergy-wise and that's keeping me from being 100% but hopefully whatever is blooming or dying or spreading pollen or whatever will stop soon!

Have a great week and happy reading!