Friday Fives - TBR Jar Pick Reviews

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 year I wanted to add a bit of randomness and work on getting through more books I've been neglected so I started two TBR jars - one for physical books on my shelves and one for audio books.  Here are 5 books I've picked from my audio book jar and what I thought of them.

1.  Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams - I enjoy Beatriz Williams but this was not the book for me.  I gave it a couple of tries and finally DNF'd at about 11%.  I found I just didn't care.

2.  All the Stars in Heaven by Adriana Trigiani - This author has been on my TBR for at least a decade but I probably wouldn't have picked it up if I hadn't pulled it at random.  It's the story of a young Loretta Young navigating the world of 1930s Hollywood mostly seen through the perspective of her secretary.  It was interesting and I loved seeing Spencer Tracy on the page as well as the other Hollywood stars.  This wasn't a standout but I enjoyed it and will definitely try more from this author.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

3.  Veil of Night by Linda Howard - This was a fun listen with a good premise.  It read a bit like a 1990s romantic suspense (it was published in 2011 - I double checked) which was fun.  The male main character is the worst and it would have had a much higher rating if not for him.   My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

4.  Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena - What a terrible group of people and what a fast paced compelling thriller.  I'm glad I finally tried this author and I will definitely be reading more from her. My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

5.  Flea Market Magic by Bella Falls -  This was a cute and fluffy paranormal cozy mystery.  The main character was a bit annoying but I liked the quirky cast of characters.  The main issue I had was with how the ending was resolved.   My Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)

Books from the Backlog - The Woman Who Spoke to Spirits

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 Woman Who Spoke to Spirits by Alys Clare

Blurb:  London, 1880
When accounts clerk Ernest Stibbins approaches the World's End Investigation Bureau with wild claims that his wife Albertina has been warned by her spirit guides that someone is out to harm her, the bureau's owner Lily Raynor and her new employee Felix Wilbraham are initially sceptical. How are the two private enquiry agents supposed to investigate threats from beyond the grave?

But after she attends a seance at the Stibbins family home, Lily comes to realize that Albertina is in terrible danger. And very soon so too is Lily herself..

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I have no memory of picking this one up but it looks really good!  I have no idea why I haven't read it yet.

Reading For Fun - Emily Wilde's Encylopaedia of Faeries

The last few years I've made a list of 10 books - 5 books off my shelf, 5 books from the library - that I'm really wanting to read.  There's no real rhyme or reason.  I just go through my library list and my shelves and pick the books that are calling to me.  Here is one that I've read recently.

Goodreads:  Emily Wilde's Encylopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

Blurb:  Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world's first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people. She could never make small talk at a party--or even get invited to one. And she prefers the company of her books, her dog, and the Fair Folk.
So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk. Nor does she care to spend time with another new arrival: her dashing and insufferably handsome academic rival Wendell Bambleby, who manages to charm the townsfolk, get in the middle of Emily's research, and utterly confound and frustrate her.

But as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones--the most elusive of all faeries--lurking in the shadowy forest outside the town, she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery: Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, she'll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all--her own heart.

My Thoughts:  I wanted to love this one.  I'd heard such great things about it and I had loved The Grace of Wild Things by this author.  It wasn't bad and I did enjoy the last half but getting there was a bit of a slog for me.  I wasn't interested in any of the characters (except Shadow, Emily's dog) or Emily's research.  I had a hard time feeling invested in the story or the characters.  While I did enjoy the last half and was interested in how everything worked out this isn't a series I plan on continuing with.  I will read more from this author but that is based off the previous book I read.  I know this is a pretty unpopular opinion, but this one wasn't a win for me.  My Rating: Just Okay (2.5 Stars)

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books I Enjoyed Outside My Comfort Zone

 

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 Ten Books I Enjoyed Outside My Comfort Zone.  I read pretty widely but I'm a big escapist reader so I tend to stay away from books that don't seem like they're in my comfort zone but here are 10 that I've read and enjoyed.

1. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey - Years and years ago I was in a mom's group that would occasionally have a book club.  This was one of those picks and I wasn't super excited about but ended up loving it.

2.  We Were Liars by E. Lockhart - I typically don't read YA and it still isn't a genre that I typically reach for but I flew through this one and really enjoyed it.

3.  The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams - I'm not really a SciFi reader but I love Adams' humor and this book is just so bizarre.

4.  A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle - I've never been much of a SciFi or Fantasy reader but this was one of my absolute favorite books as a kid.  I was a bit surprised when I reread it as an adult that I had loved it so much as a kid.

5.  Cinder by Marissa Meyer - Another outside of my genres but I really enjoyed this one and the second book.  I do need to finish the series.

6.  Me Before You by Jojo Moyes - I'm a very firm escapist reader and it was clear that this book wasn't going to have a unicorn and rainbows ending but I ended up reading it anyway.  I ugly cried hard at this one but I did enjoy it.

7.  Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan - I'm still not 100% sure what was going on with this one but I really enjoyed it. The audio was such a ride.

8.  Before the Fall by Noah Hawley - I don't typically reach for catastrophe books or books where children are in peril and this book had both.  I flew through this one and really enjoyed it.

9.  The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman - Are Gaiman's books in anyone's comfort zone?  This book was bananas but such a good read.

10. Moonraker by Ian Fleming - This may be the worst Bond movie in existence but the book is fantastic.

What books have you enjoyed that are outside of your comfort zone?

The Queen Who Came In From the Cold - Historical Mystery Review

Goodreads:  The Queen Who Came In From the Cold (Her Majesty The Queen Investigates #5) by S.J. Bennett

Rating: Really Liked It
Source:   Publisher

Description:  It's 1961 and the Queen is planning her state visit to Italy aboard Britannia. But before she goes, an unreliable witness claims to have seen a brutal murder from the royal train. Did it really happen, and could the victim be a missing friend of Princess Margaret's new husband, Tony Armstrong Jones? The Queen and her assistant private secretary, Joan McGraw, get to work on their second joint investigation, little imagining that this time it will take them all the way to Venice in a tale of spies, lies and Cold War skullduggery.

Genre:  Mystery - Historical

Why I Picked This Book:  I really enjoyed the previous book and the blurb uses the world "skullduggery" so how could I resist?

My Impression:  This is the second book I've read in this series and have really enjoyed both of them.  The concept is fantastic and very well done.  While the primary actors are the people around the Queen she has a pivotal role and is definitely pulling all the strings.  While the first 3 books seemed to be set in more modern time this book and the previous book are set in the late 1950s and early 60s making it very easy to jump in either with this book or the previous book.  

There's a bit of espionage-y setup but while the book doesn't start up with the Queen stumbling over a body it does start with a bit of royal gossip - in this case about Princess Margaret's new husband Tony.  I did appreciate that the gossip never felt particularly mean spirited when it involved characters who were real people.  The fictional characters were fair game of course.

The story was interesting and I love Joan as the primary detective.  It's hard to beat the setting as we wind through multiple means of royal transportation and Venice.  The Queen and her people make for a wonderful investigating team and her world makes for a beautifully complicated setting for murder.  

If you enjoy lighter mysteries this is series is one to look for.  It's a bit unique, truly interesting, and a really fun read.  I haven't read the first three books yet but I'm really looking forward to picking them up.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I'm really looking forward to reading the first three books and will be looking for the next one.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy mysteries this is a great series that doesn't get as much attention as it should.

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

Friday Fives - November 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. Since this is the first Friday in November I'm planning my November TBR.

1.  The Seven Rings by Nora Roberts - This is one of the books I've been most looking forward to this year.  I've really loved the previous 2 books in the series and can't wait to see what happens next.

2.   Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey - I have a love/hate relationship with Tey's books so I'm curious to see what side this one lands on.

3.  A Cookbook Conspiracy by Kate Carlisle - This is the next book in the bookbinder mystery series and it's in a series I always enjoy.

4.  Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks - This looks super cute and it's one I've been wanting to read for months.

5.  A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kenney - Not only does this book have a fantastically fall-ish feel but it's one I've heard great things about.

What are you hoping to read in November?

Books from the Backlog - The Book of Candlelight

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 Book of Candlelight by Ellery Adams

Blurb:  As the owner of Miracle Books, Nora Pennington figures all the wet weather this spring is at least good for business. The local inns are packed with stranded travelers, and among them Nora finds both new customers and a new friend, the sixtysomething Sheldon, who starts helping out at the store.
Since a little rain never hurt anyone, Nora rides her bike over to the flea market one sodden day and buys a bowl from Danny, a Cherokee potter. It’ll make a great present for Nora’s EMT boyfriend, but the next day, a little rain turns into a lot of rain, and the Miracle River overflows it banks. Amid the wreckage of a collapsed footbridge, a body lies within the churning water.

Nora and the sheriff both doubt the ruling of accidental drowning, and Nora decides it’s time for the Secret, Book, and Scone Society to spring into action. When another body turns up, it becomes clearer that Danny’s death can’t be blamed on a natural disaster. A crucial clue may lie within the stone walls of the Inn of Mist and Roses: a diary, over a century old and spattered with candle wax, that leads Nora and her friends through a maze of intrigue—and onto the trail of a murderer . . .

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I've read the first two in this series and really enjoyed them.  This is a series I really need to read more from.

What She Saw - Mystery Review

Goodreads:  What She Saw by Mary Burton

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

Description: Cold case reporter Sloane Grayson has come to a small mountain town in Virginia to solve a mystery.

Thirty years ago, her mother was one of four women who vanished during a music festival. The event’s promoter was eventually convicted of their murders, and Sheriff CJ Taggart closed the case. But for Sloane, it’s still open. Because the bodies were never found.

With Taggart now long dead, Sloane must make do with questioning the victims’ families and the few remaining witnesses once again. If they’re still willing to dredge up memories of a crime that made their town notorious. As for the incarcerated killer, he has always maintained his innocence. Sloane isn’t entirely convinced he’s lying.

Somewhere nearby, unmarked graves conceal the bones and secrets of the dead. Sloane will do anything to find them and unearth the truth, even if that means playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse with someone determined to stop her…

Genre: Mystery

Why I Picked This Book:  I've been wanting to read something by this author and the premise (and the cover) really caught my eye. 

My Impression:  Mary Burton is a pretty prolific author and her books frequently catch my eye (and I have more than a couple on my shelves) but somehow I've never picked up any of her books - until this one.  I do love a good cold case and especially one that involves either a PI or investigative reporter.  In this case we have the latter and not only is Sloan an investigative reporter but she is also the daughter of one of the missing women.  

The book goes back and forth between several characters and two different time periods.  It isn't the fastest paced book but the back and forth between the timelines kept me feeling like progress was being made even if it was just a little at a time.  As well, I never really cared for Sloan but it wasn't a story where that was really a problem.  I could definitely understand her motivation and I was interested to see how the story developed.

While this wasn't the fastest paced mystery it was a solid mystery with twists and turns and I had no idea how it would wrap up until the end.  I'll be on the lookout for more from this author.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I would!  I don't think she's a must read for me yet but I enjoyed this one enough that I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If the premise interests you and you're good with a slower unravel this is a great choice.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - The Ten Books Randomly Chosen From My Library List

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 The First 10 Books I Randomly Grabbed From My Shelf.  I've done this relatively recently with my bookshelves so instead I'm looking at my library and using a random number generator to help.  I love this doing this occasionally because it's a great way to make sure that every book on my list is still one I want to read.  Here are 10 library books the fates selected for me!

1.  Best Served Hot by Amanda Elliott - This sounds really fun but I've had mixed results with romcoms so I'll either enjoy it or it'll be a quick DNF.

2.  Marshmallow Malice by Amanda Flower - This is the next book in a cozy mystery series I'm really enjoying so good job fates!

3.  The Unquiet Grave by Sharyn McCrumb - I've really loved books by this author and I love her writing style so I'm curious about this one.

4.  Loving My Actual Life: An Experiment in Relishing What's Right in Front of Me by Alexandra Kuykendall - I love what the title says so I figure I should try it.

5.  The Santa Claus Man: The Rise and Fall of a Jazz Age Conman and the Invention of Christmas in New York by Alex Palmer - This has been on my TBR for ages.  Maybe this is the Christmas I read it!

6.  The Postmistress of Paris by Meg Waite Clayton - I really enjoyed another historical fiction by this author and this sounds like a good read.

7.  The Secrets of Hartwood Hall by Kate Lumsden - I know nothing about this one but the title sounds fun.

8.  The Apartment by Ana Menendez - Another one I know nothing about.  I'm not sure how it landed on my library list but I'll give it a try.

9.  The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes by Chanel Cleeton - I love this author and can't wait to read this one!

10. The Librarianist by Patrik deWitt - Another one I don't know anything about but it sounds interesting.

Have you read any of these?  Do you ever use an element of randomness to pick your next reads?

The Forget-Me-Not Library - Fiction Review

Goodreads:  The Forget-Me-Not Library by Heather Webber

Rating: Loved It! (5 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Juliet Nightingale is lucky to be alive. Months after a freak accident involving lightning, she’s fully recovered but is left feeling that something is missing from her life. Something big. Impulsively, she decides to take a solo summer road trip, hoping that the journey will lead her down a path that will help her discover exactly what it is that she’s searching for.

Newly single mom Tallulah Byrd Mayfield is hanging by a thread after her neat, tidy world was completely undone when her husband decided that their marriage was over. In the aftermath of the breakup, she and her two daughters move in with her eighty-year-old grandfather. Tallulah starts a new job at the Forget-Me-Not Library, where old, treasured memories can be found within the books—and where Lu must learn to adapt to the many changes thrown her way.

When a road detour leads Juliet to Forget-Me-Not, Alabama, and straight into Tallulah’s life, the two women soon discover there’s magic in between the pages of where you’ve been and where you still need to go. And that happiness, even when lost, can always be found again.

Genre: Fiction

Why I Picked This Book:  I've enjoyed other books by this author so of course I had to pick this one up!

My Impression: I loved this book and it has fully cemented Heather Webber as a favorite author (not that there was much doubt there).  The book starts with Juliet's car breaking down right in front of Tenn's house just as he is looking for his granddaughter. And from there Forget-Me-Not's magic pulled me in and wrapped me up with all the warm cozy feels.

The two main characters are Tallulah and Juliet, both very different women with very different pasts who are both looking for more than they realize.  I really enjoyed getting to know both of them and watching them come into their own.  The town of Forget-Me-Not is wonderful filled with quirky opinionated characters.  Normally, when a book has multiple narrators I tend to gravitate to one more than the other but that wasn't the case here.  I enjoyed both Juliet and Tallulah's perspectives and their voices.  I loved Katy and Tenn and Callum and Jake and all the other characters that populate their world.  My very favorite was Deckle the library cat who is so much more than a library cat and I enjoyed Tallulah's resistance to the whole thing.

I read this book in essentially one sitting thought that sitting ended in the wee hours of the morning and I loved every page of it.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I've loved every book by this author that I've read and am looking forward to reading more from her.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy cozy heartfelt fiction with a bit of magical realism this book and this author are must reads.

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

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

I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much. This week I'm sharing 5 quick reviews for books I've read recently.

1.  The Curse of the Pharaoh by Elizabeth Peters - This is the second book in the Amelia Peabody series and takes place 5 years after the first book.  Amelia and Emerson are married and have a son but are far from settled and staid and when the chance comes to return to Egypt to run a dig that is supposedly cursed they jump at the chance even if it means leaving their precocious toddler at home.  Soon they are in the middle of a dig trying to figure out some very mysterious happenings - including the death of the previous dig leader and the disappearance of his assistant.  Elizabeth Peters is actually Barbara Mertz who actually was an Egyptologist of some renown which makes this book extra fun.  The mystery is an intriguing one with some good twists.  If you are a fan of Deanna Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell you must meet Amelia Peabody.   The pacing is a little slow but the story is a fast read and enjoyable. My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

2.  The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner - This was a random pick and my expectations were not super high.  I'm embarrassed to admit it but I'm not the biggest Jane Austen fan.  I enjoy her books but I don't love her as so many people do.  This was an interesting read.  There's a group of Austen lovers from very different walks of life who are united in their love of Austen and appreciation for history.  This takes place towards the end and immediately following World War II.  I loved the insight both into Austen's work and to why people love her as much as they do.  The connections to Austen herself added an extra bit of interest.  I picked up the audio book and the narrator did a wonderful job and enhanced my enjoyment of my story.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

3.  She Doesn't Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke - This was a fast read with pretty much all the characters involved somehow in book industry - either in writing them or publishing them.   It's definitely very much a rom-com but the "com" part of the rom-com didn't really fit with my preferences.  I'm not a big fan of farce or physical comedy and this was very much both of these.  I think it was a well-done example of those particular subgenres but it just isn't something I really enjoy.  If you like quirky rom-coms and love a book with bookish characters this is a fun one.  If you suffer from secondhand embarrassment, you may want to tread carefully.  My Rating: Just Okay (2 Stars)

4.  Tiny Little Things by Beatriz Williams - This is the second book in the Schulyer Sisters series and the one I was the least excited to read.  Tiny seemed a bit too perfect and stiff in the first book so I wasn't that interested in her story.  Once I got into this I enjoyed it way more than I expected.   From the time she was very young Tiny had an inordinate amount of pressure on her to be perfect and do what was expected.  Her parents are pretty much disasters (though her mother seriously redeemed herself in last half of this book) and Tiny didn't have the rebellious spirit of her sisters. As I got to know her more I couldn't help but root for her and like her quite a bit.  There is a subplot that seems a bit pointless but when I read the blurb for book three it seems it's a setup for the next book.  I don't think I enjoyed this as much as the first book or as much as I expect to like the next book but I'm very glad I got to spend some time with Tiny and get to know her.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

5.  The Ladies of Ivy Cottage by Julie Klassen - This is the second book in the Tales from Ivy Hill fiction series set in an 1800s English village.  The story continues from where the first left off with Mercy and Rachel (side characters but with major parts) taking the lead.  Jane Bell and the main characters from the first book have large roles in this story as well and I enjoyed seeing their stories continue.  This is Christian fiction which is normally not my cup of tea but I do like the messages of love, forgiveness, kindness, and grace without getting preachy.  This was a nice listen with real problems and characters that seem like real people.  I will be reading the next book in the series and I've really enjoyed the listening experience of this book and the first book.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

Books from the Backlog - Murder 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:  Murder Road by Simone St. James

Blurb:  July 1995. April and Eddie have taken a wrong turn. They’re looking for the small resort town where they plan to spend their honeymoon. When they spot what appears to be a lone hitchhiker along the deserted road, they stop to help. But not long after the hitchhiker gets into their car, they see the blood seeping from her jacket and a truck barreling down Atticus Line after them.
When the hitchhiker dies at the local hospital, April and Eddie find themselves in the crosshairs of the Coldlake Falls police. Unexplained murders have been happening along Atticus Line for years and the cops finally have two witnesses who easily become their only suspects. As April and Eddie start to dig into the history of the town and that horrible stretch of road to clear their names, they soon learn that there is something supernatural at work, something that could not only tear the town and its dark secrets apart, but take April and Eddie down with it all.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I don't have time to read it before Halloween this year but Simone St. James is one of my favorite spooky authors and this looks super creepy!

At Death's Dough - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  At Death's Dough (Deep Dish Mysteries #5) by Mindy Quigley

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

Description:  It’s February in the swanky resort town of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, and love is in the air—along with a whiff of danger. Pizza chef Delilah O’Leary is gearing up to celebrate her first Valentine’s Day with her hunky police detective boyfriend, Calvin Capone, great-grandson of the legendary Chicago mob boss. But their romance is put on ice when a chilling discovery plunges Delilah and Capone into the heart of a century-old crime with ties to Capone’s notorious forefather.

As old secrets begin to surface, Delilah realizes that nearly everyone in town—from Calvin’s cagey cousin to her own eccentric customers—has something to hide. With the pressure mounting and the past closing in, Delilah must help Capone untangle a web of deceit that could lead them to a priceless treasure... or a heart-stopping finale. Will Delilah and Capone solve the mystery before history repeats itself? Or will they spend their first Valentine’s Day together sleeping with the anchovies?

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've read a couple of the other books in the series and enjoyed them and I couldn't resist the premise!

My Impression:  I've read the first and fourth book in this series and enjoyed them though Delilah isn't always my favorite cozy main character.  In this book Delilah meets a bit more of the Capone family when her boyfriend Calvin's obnoxious cousin appears on the scene.  While Calvin is always very reticent about his great-grandfather, the famous Al Capone, the cousin can't shut up about his famous relative.  

Delilah is stressed about the upcoming Valentine's Day and concerned that she still has tables available.   It doesn't help when a body is discovered and nothing is quite as it seems.  I really enjoy the ensemble cast in Delilah's life.  Delilah gets on my nerves a bit and the fact that I enjoy so many of the other characters helps soften that.  Butterball is a bit of a menace but a fun cat sidekick.  I also know more about ice fishing than I ever thought I would but it wasn't information overload.  

The mystery was entertaining but Delilah does drift over into TSTL territory which isn't unusual for her.  I do love the untangling of past secrets and of hidden motivations - and I'm now craving a deep dish pizza.  This is a fun read in an enjoyable series.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I would and I need to read the books in the series I've missed.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you're a cozy mystery reader this is a fun choice and it's a bit of a different spin on the usual foodie cozy.  Like most cozy mysteries - especially one with an ensemble cast - this book is best read in series order though it can easily be read as a standalone.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Halloween Reading Retreat

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 Halloween Freebie.  With Christmas books being released in October I don't get as much spooky reading as I'd like.  One of these years I'll do a Halloween reading retreat - ideally in a historic house with plenty of fireplaces and maybe on a cliff - and these are the 10 books I'd bring with me.

1.  The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen - I've loved everything I've read from this author and this sounds so creepy.  The cover alone gives me the creeps!

2.  The Haunting of Paynes Hollow by Kelley Armstrong - I love Armstrong's ability to mix a fast pace with great characters and a tense setting.  This one sounds fantastic.  

3.  Return to Wyldcliffe Heights by Carol Goodman - I haven't read anything by this author but I've been wanting to and this is referred to as Gothic and there's a crumbling estate that was once a psychiatric hospital AND there's a cold case connected to the property.

4.  The Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score - I need to mix a lighter book or two in with all these thrillers and this romance-y book with a ghost sounds fun.

5.  Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney - I've only read one Feeney book but the atmosphere and general creepiness were fantastically done and this sounds intriguing.  

6.  Fatal Fudge Swirl by Meri Allen - I can't have a Halloween themed reading retreat without a Halloween cozy!  This one involves ice cream which is even better.

7.  The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware - Ruth Ware does pacing and atmosphere fantastically and the opening scene of Cabin 10 still haunts my dreams a little.   I may go with the audio of this one as I believe Imogen Church reads it and she's one of my favorites.

8.  In the Hall with the Knife by Diana Peterfreund - This is a YA thriller based on the game Clue and while I don't read much YA this sounds really fun!

9.  The Last Close Call by Laura Giffin - This seems like a fairly straightforward romantic suspense with a forensic genealogist which is my favorite job for a fictional character to have.  A nice fast paced candy bar kind of read sounds fun.

10.  The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St James - Of course I need a ghost story for a Halloween reading retreat!  

What would you read during your Halloween Reading Retreat?  What would your retreat look like?

Sugar and Spite - Cozy Mystery Review

 Goodreads:  Sugar and Spite (A Witch City Mystery #15) by Carol J. Perry

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

Description:  Casa del Chocolate is one of Salem’s most charming boutique candy shops, making it a perfect profile story. Although preoccupied with her own personal sweet news—Lee and her detective husband Pete Mondello are expecting a bundle of joy—she cheerfully agrees to interview the chocolatier. Since becoming pregnant, the radiant and exhilarated mother-to-be has discovered that she is finally free of the unwanted haunting “visions” she has endured since childhood.

Shirley Parker inherited Casa del Chocolate, housed in her beautiful ancestral home on the waterfront, continuing her family’s sweet tradition of conjuring magical treats for the folks of Salem. Mesmerized by the delightful chocolate scented aromas filling the air while touring the kitchen, Lee is shocked when she stumbles upon the murdered body of Barney Bingham, Shirley’s estranged husband.

As the police focus their suspicions on Shirley, Lee learns that many people had reasons for wanting Barney dead. Now, with help from Pete, tarot reader River North, and clairvoyant gentleman cat O’Ryan, as well as some new feline friends, Lee must unmask the true killer—and cope with the sudden return of her troubling “visions”. . .

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've been reading this series since the beginning so of course I had to pick this one up!

My Impression:  This is one of my comfort read series. Salem is a fantastic setting for a cozy mystery series and there's a nice little tough of a slightly spooky paranormal ability.  Lee is a likable main character and there is a whole host of fun side characters and a psychic cat.

Halloween is front and center in this mystery as Lee is on assignment going to all the different candy stores in Salem when she stumbles onto a dead body.  Her husband, a detective at the Salem PD isn't thrilled with her involvement and the fact that she is seriously pregnant is another challenge.  Despite all the objections she is pulled into a world of family secrets and old hostilities.  

I did guess what was going on a little before Lee and Pete did but I enjoyed getting there along with her.  The end of this read a little bit like the end of a series and if that's the case it ended on a satisfying note.  This is a detail heavy series which is best read in order so you get to know all the characters and see the story develop.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I would.  I really enjoy this author's cozy mysteries.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy cozy mysteries this series is a good one though I do recommend starting with the beginning of the series.

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

Friday Fives - Five Candies I'd Be On the Lookout For If I Was Trick-Or-Treating

 

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. As we are getting closer to Halloween I'm making sure we have some candy for trick-or-treaters (and for us to snack on.  As far as holidays go candy-wise Easter is probably my favorite, followed by Christmas and then Halloween comes in third but it's still holiday candy so it's pretty good!

1.  Reese's Pumpkins - I'd take Reese's cups as a backup but there is something about a Reese's in a festive shape that is just the best!

2.  Almond Joy/Mounds Bars - Part of this may be because I never have to fight anyone in my house for them but I love a mix of chocolate and coconut and even better if it has an almond!

3.  Dove Milk Chocolate squares - I love these little squares and always hoard them. 

4.  Cherry Jolly Ranchers - I will steal these and hide them.

5.  Heath Bars - I can't buy Heath bars because I will eat them all but I do like picking up a few minis to indulge in.

What are your favorite Halloween candies?

Books from the Backlog - A House with Good Bones

Today I'm linking up with Carole from Carole's Random Life of Books for Books from the Backlog.  I really enjoy the chance to feature a book that's been hiding in the piles of books for far too long!

Goodreads:  A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

Blurb:  "Mom seems off."
Her brother's words echo in Sam Montgomery's ear as she turns onto the quiet North Carolina street where their mother lives alone.

She brushes the thought away as she climbs the front steps. Sam's excited for this rare extended visit, and looking forward to nights with just the two of them, drinking boxed wine, watching murder mystery shows, and guessing who the killer is long before the characters figure it out.

But stepping inside, she quickly realizes home isn’t what it used to be. Gone is the warm, cluttered charm her mom is known for; now the walls are painted a sterile white. Her mom jumps at the smallest noises and looks over her shoulder even when she’s the only person in the room. And when Sam steps out back to clear her head, she finds a jar of teeth hidden beneath the magazine-worthy rose bushes, and vultures are circling the garden from above.

To find out what’s got her mom so frightened in her own home, Sam will go digging for the truth. But some secrets are better left buried.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  This looks super creepy and has been on my TBR since it came out.  

Death at the Door - Mystery Review

Goodreads: Death at the Door (Ruby and Cordelia Mysteries #2) by Olivia Blacke

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

Description:   Ruby Young is slowly adjusting to her new life in Boston. A big part of that is her unexpected roommate—the ghost of the woman who lived there before. For Cordelia Graves, she may no longer be breathing, but it’s still her apartment and Ruby is the somewhat unwanted houseguest. They’re both happy they’ve managed to become friends, which is a miracle considering they struggle to communicate with each other. Cordelia even set Ruby up with her old job.

When Ruby discovers the body of a delivery guy at work, the new life she’s been building hangs in the balance. The last time Cordelia dragged Ruby into a murder investigation, it was almost two ghosts living in the apartment, not one. Determined to protect Ruby, Cordelia tries to shield her from the investigation, but Ruby has other ideas. It will take both of them working together to navigate the fine line between the dead and the living to bring a killer to light.

Genre: Mystery

Why I Picked This Book:  I really enjoyed the first book in this series and I've really liked everything I've read by this author.

My Impression:  This is such a unique series.  It's not the typical cozy and definitely not the typical paranormal.  The sleuths are definitely amateur but there is no small town to be found or even quirky found family.  The surroundings are pretty dingy and sometimes the facts are pretty grim.  Oh - and one of the main characters is a ghost.  Ruby and Cordelia are settling into being roommates, but communication is still a challenge and basically involves strong physical hints and magnet words on the refrigerator.  

Despite a tough time Ruby is forever optimistic and cheerful which contrasts with Cordelia's cynical nature though Cordelia is softening a bit.  The mystery was interesting and it was kind of fun to see the difference of opinions between Ruby and Cordelia right from the start.  Cordelia was immediately opposed to Ruby getting involved and ends up tagging along and voicing her opinion (not that Ruby can hear her) as Ruby goes out and talks to people involved and tries to figure out what happens.  While I enjoyed the mystery and really liked watching it unfold I think I enjoyed the character development between Ruby and Cordelia even more.  

This is a unique mystery with an interesting cast of characters, a good storyline, and excellent pacing.  I really enjoyed spending time with the characters and figuring out what had happened to Marty and seeing the latest evolution in Cordelia's story.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I've enjoyed everything I've read by this author and will definitely be looking for her next book regardless of series.

Would I Recommend this Book? I would!  I do recommend starting with the first book as it does explain the setup but this is a really enjoyable series.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Cozy and Atmospheric Books

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 Cozy/Atmospheric Books.  Since October is kind of a mix between cozy feels (it is one of the "brr" months after all) and spooky feels I'm going to do 5 of each with the atmospheric leaning firmly on the spooky side.

Cozy

1.   At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber - Everything I've read by Webber is cozy even if it's set during summer in Alabama.  

2.  Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen: Peril at Owl Park by Marthe Jocelyn - A historical mystery with the main character inspired by a young Agatha Christie.  It's also set on an English estate during Christmas so it's hard for it not to be cozy!

3.  The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods - The book is set in Dublin around a bookshop that only shows itself to people who need it. Sounds incredibly cozy!

4.  The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst - If this book is even half as cozy as the first book it will be wonderfully cozy.

5.  The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick - The one book I've read by this author was absolutely lovely and this looks like a delightful read.

Spooky

1.  Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell  - It sounds incredibly creepy and everything I've read by Lisa Jewell has been seriously unsettling.

2.  The Guest List by Lucy Foley - I'm not sure if there's a spookier setting than an isolated island - especially when things start going wrong.

3.  The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager - I have only read one book by Riley Sager and really enjoyed it.  This one is on my list and the premise just creeps me out.

4.  The Broken Girls by Simone St James - This is on any list that involves creepy books and if I don't read it this year I'm putting it on my priority list for next year.  It looks great and there aren't many people who do creepy better than St. James.

5.  The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger - This sounds like a claustrophobic read where nothing is quite what it seems.  I looking forward to it and it sounds like a good read for spooky season.

What cozy/spooky reads do you have on your TBR?

A Wonderful Christmas Crime - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  A Wonderful Christmas Crime (A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #6) by Jacqueline Frot

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

Description:  Innkeeper Holly White has a lot to be joyful about this season, until an attempted robbery throws the town into suspicion in the sixth installment of the Christmas Tree Farm mysteries from bestselling author Jacqueline Frost.

As Christmas descends on Mistletoe, Maine, Holly White has an extra gift for the a new baby on the way. Her husband, Sheriff Evan Gray, has been worried about her elevated blood pressure and Holly has agreed to take this year easy. Being idle has never been one of Holly’s gifts, so when Evan surprises her with tickets to the town-wide dinner, she and her many cravings thank him. But when a thief tries and fails to steal an antique ornament from the dinner’s holiday display, it’s clear that someone is on the naughty list.

The thief manages to escape, but after dinner, Holly spots their lifeless body. It’s clear that someone in town was keen to kill them. Evan is less than jolly to find his wife at the scene of yet another holiday homicide and asks her to promise that she’ll leave the investigating to the police. But Holly has never been one to turn down a challenge and has to get creative with the help of a few of her friends in order to find this killer.

Will she and her friends be able to stop the killer, and uncover the motive behind the attempted robbery, or will the killer strike again and paint the town a bloody red?

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  This is a series that I enjoy so of course I had to pick up this newest one!

My Impression:   This series is full of holiday goodness - yummy sounding treats, fun characters, and holiday spirits galore.  I like that each book happens at Christmas time as it really allows for the holiday events to be front and center and we get big jumps in the characters' lives which I like.  I especially enjoyed this one as it talked about Scandanavian Christmas traditions which made for a nice spin on the usual here.  

Holly has a gift for stumbling onto dead bodies and getting pulled into an investigation and despite her best efforts this book is no exception.  I enjoyed the mystery and following along with the investigation.  What really stands out is the time spent with characters and it really enhanced my enjoyment of the story.  This is a series that you could jump into with this book but like many cozy mysteries with a solid cast I do think it is more enjoyable if you read the series from the beginning.

If you like a holiday themed cozy mystery and are looking for a series where you enjoy spending time with the characters this series and this mystery are perfect choices.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  This series is always fun and I look forward to reading more.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you are a cozy mystery reader this is a series you should definitely try.

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