Reading What I Love: Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett

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.  My focus in 2026 is reading books I think I'll love - or at least really enjoy.

Goodreads:  Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett 

Blurb:  It’s the roaring twenties, and San Francisco is a hotbed of illegal boozing, raw lust, and black magic. The fog-covered Bay Area can be an intoxicating scene, particularly when you specialize in spirits…
Aida Palmer performs a spirit medium show onstage at Chinatown’s illustrious Gris-Gris speakeasy. However, her ability to summon (and expel) the dead is more than just an act.

Winter Magnusson is a notorious bootlegger who’s more comfortable with guns than ghosts—unfortunately for him, he’s the recent target of a malevolent hex that renders him a magnet for hauntings. After Aida’s supernatural assistance is enlisted to banish the ghosts, her spirit-chilled aura heats up as the charming bootlegger casts a different sort of spell on her.

On the hunt for the curseworker responsible for the hex, Aida and Winter become drunk on passion. And the closer they become, the more they realize they have ghosts of their own to exorcise…

Why I Think I'll Love This One: Ghosts, romantic suspense 1920s setting - what's not to love?

My Thoughts:  This was a fun read.  I loved the time period, the San Francisco setting, and mystery part.  The romantic relationship feels a bit dated with Winter being a bit over the top with the "I'll do what I want" kind of attitude.  I loved the side characters and wish they could have had a bigger role - especially Winter's sister.  Aida is an interesting character as well.  She's had a tough time of it and has had to survive on her own.  Her reactions to what happens around her makes a good deal of sense most of the time.  I did like how it ended for both of the main characters and it makes me curious to track down the other book in the series.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

The Innocence of Father Brown - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: The Innocence of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton

Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)
Source: Purchased

Description:  Chesterton portrays Father Brown as a short, stumpy Roman Catholic priest, with shapeless clothes and a large umbrella, and an uncanny insight into human evil. "How in Tartarus," cried Flambeau, "did you ever hear of the spiked bracelet?" -- "Oh, one's little flock, you know!" said Father Brown, arching his eyebrows rather blankly. "When I was a curate in Hartlepool, there were three of them with spiked bracelets."
Not long after he published Orthodoxy, G. K. Chesterton moved from London to Beaconsfield, and met Father O'Connor. O'Connor had a shrewd insight to the darker side of man's nature and a mild appearance to go with it--and together those came together to become Chesterton's unassuming Father Brown. Chesterton loved the character, and the magazines he wrote for loved the stories. The Innocence of Father Brown was the first collection of them, and it's a great lot of fun.

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book: Chesterton was a contemporary of Christie (well maybe not exactly but there was overlap) and I've been wanting to read his Father Brown series.

My Impression: This first collection is a series of short stories all featuring Father Brown in varying degrees.  I found the more Father Brown was present the more I enjoyed the story.  Chesterton writes a good mystery and creates a good story.  Father Brown is a delightful character - incredibly aware of the evil in the world but never breaking from his somewhat bumbling priest character.  

My primary issue with this collection is that Chesterton is very fond of a well-turned phrase.  So fond that at times it feels like the story itself gets a bit lost in the clever writing.  This story collection works well for a slow read.  I am looking forward to watching the TV adaptation as Father Brown is a fantastic character and I will also be (slowly) reading the rest of the series.  While I do enjoy them frequently the story itself gets lost in the prose which did keep me from really loving them.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Yes, but mostly because I already own the remaining volumes in this series.  I'm not sure I'd search the other books out.

Would I Recommend this Book? Maybe?  If you're a big fan of classic style mysteries or like a slow read with a fun twist this is a good collection.  

Friday Fives - Bookish Confessions

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.  Today, inspired by the Well-Read Podcast I'm listing my 5 bookish confessions.

1.  I don't keep books - I do reread but not very often and unless I'm sure I'm going to want to reread the book it immediately goes into the bin I have to take to the used bookstore.  More often than not if I'm not sure I'm going to reread I go on and trade it in because I can always rebuy it later.  Plus, I have a whole roomful of books that I haven't read so I'd rather keep the space for new acquisitions.  There are some authors I collect - Agatha Christie, Dorothy Gilman, Patricia Wentworth and several others.

2.  It never occurs to me to annotate or write down quotes - It always amazes me when people talk about needing a highlighter to read or annotating while reading.  It never enters my mind regardless of what I'm reading.  I typically skip footnotes too unless I need clarity.

3.  I don't mind a broken spine - As long as pages aren't falling out a cracked spine doesn't really bother me and I'm not horrified if I accidentally break the spine.  This may be because I don't keep books.  

4.  If there's a plot point, character, or animal that I'm really stressed about I sometimes skim the last chapter or so to make sure it works out before I continue reading - It just makes the whole reading experience more relaxing if I'm not constantly stressed about something.  

5.  I can't binge a series - It doesn't matter how much I love a series or the characters I can't finish a book and immediately pick up the next book in the series.  The times I've done it I end up being annoyed about SOMETHING - character quirks, writing style, a plot point, something.  Now I put at least a book or two between the next books in the series.

What are some of your bookish confessions?  Do you share any of mine?

Road Trip Thursday - Books Set in Florida

 

Every year I track the states and countries that I visit in my reading.  I'm trying to visit a few more states and countries so I'm looking for places I haven't visited yet this year.  I'm starting with Florida.

1.  Pane and Suffering by Cheryl Hollon - This is a glass shop cozy mystery set in St. Petersburg, Florida which is an absolutely lovely town and one I'd like to revisit.  

2.  The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton - I've enjoyed books by this author and this looks really fun.  I've driven down through the Florida Keys and I remember looking over at that teeny tiny train bridge stretching along next to the highway and it gave me shivers!  I can't imagine being on a train on that tiny track high above the water.

3.  The Love Haters by Katherine Center - I adored one book by her and this looks like a fun end of summer read!  

Do you have any book recommendations set in Florida?  Next month I'm thinking the opposite end of the country and will be visiting Washington State.  Do you have any Washington State recommendations?  

Authors I've Been Meaning to Read - The Last Heir to Blackwood Library by Hester Fox

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 2026.  Here's my thoughts on one of those books/authors.

Goodreads:  The Last Heir to Blackwood Library by Hester Fox

Blurb:  World War I England, a young woman inherits a mysterious library and must untangle its powerful secrets
With the stroke of a pen, twenty-three-year-old Ivy Radcliffe becomes Lady Hayworth, owner of a sprawling estate on the Yorkshire moors. Ivy has never heard of Blackwood Abbey, or of the ancient bloodline from which she’s descended. With nothing to keep her in London since losing her brother in the Great War, she warily makes her way to her new home.

The abbey is foreboding, the servants reserved and suspicious. But there is a treasure waiting behind locked doors: a magnificent library. Despite cryptic warnings from the staff, Ivy feels irresistibly drawn to its dusty shelves, where familiar works mingle with strange, esoteric texts. And she senses something else in the library too, a presence that seems to have a will of its own.

Rumors swirl in the village about the abbey’s previous owners, about ghosts and curses, and an enigmatic manuscript at the center of it all. And as events grow more sinister, it will be up to Ivy to uncover the library’s mysteries in order to reclaim her own story—before it vanishes forever.

My Thoughts:  I really thought I would love this.  It's set in a Gothic-y library and the main character who has been struggling to survive suddenly ends up with a title and an abbey.  Ivy quickly realizes that all is not what it seems.  The household staff is hardly welcoming, and she has to pick a lock to get into her own library.   Then more and more unexplainable things begin to happen.

This is one of those stories that it probably is best not to know much going in.  There's a lot going on behind the scenes but the reader and Ivy are in the dark for so long that it gets a bit frustrating.  I understand why Ivy is in the dark but because I had no idea what was going on for so long it did start to be repetitive.  Ivy has a headache and feels fuzzy, Ivy wants to do something but is told no by the housekeeper, the random "family friend" shows up and Ivy falls for his act when it is clear no one else likes him.  The last quarter of the book did start picking up and the end was interesting, but it took a bit to get there.  I enjoyed Fox's ability to set the scene, and I would like to read more from her, but this one was a bit flat for me.  I don't think I fully got over the slower pacing of the first half.  My Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Book Series I Want to Catch Up On

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 Book Series I Want to Catch Up On.  This could easily be a top 100 as there are so many great series that I really enjoy.

1.  Harmony/Ghost Hunters from Jayne Castle - These books always read like a fever dream but are so much fun.  I've only read a few of them so I'd like to go in and read from the beginning.

2.  Charles Lenox Mysteries by Charles Finch - I've read the first book and really enjoyed it.  I always mean to read more of the series but I haven't yet.

3.  Sebastian St. Cyr by C.S. Harris - I've loved the most recent books in the series and am really looking forward to reading the early books in the series.

4.  Family Skeleton Mystery by Leigh Perry - I read the first book in this slightly odd cozy mystery series and really enjoyed it.  I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of the books.

5.  Vera Stanhope by Ann Cleeves - I loved the first book and am looking forward to reading more of Vera and watching the show.

6.  Amelia Peabody by Elizabeth Peters - This is an interesting and fun series.  Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels was an Egyptologist which makes it even more interesting.

7.  Rockton by Kelley Armstrong - I've read the first two books in the series and enjoyed them both.  I know there's a spinoff of the series that I need to read as well.

8.  Wayward Children by Seanan McGuire - The first one was unexpected and incredibly readable.  I really want to revisit the world.

9.  Lady Darby Mysteries by Anna Lee Huber - I've read a few books in this series and really enjoyed them.  Now and read the beginning and more recent books.

10.  Noodle Shop Mysteries by Vivien Chien - I've read a few books in the series and really enjoyed it.

Casting Call 4 Murder - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Casting Call 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton

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

Description: When a theater group’s murder mystery weekend turns deadly, the seniors of Sun City West take on a starring role in catching the killer . . .

The book club ladies of Sun City West love nothing more than poking their noses into murder investigations, so it’s the treat of a lifetime when they get to attend a murder mystery weekend at a sprawling Victorian mansion. They’ll be matching wits with other mystery aficionados trying to figure out whodunnit, and Sophie “Phee” Kimball is thrilled that for once her mother’s friends won’t be meddling in a real homicide. As the plot unfolds it’s mysterious fun for the actors and audience alike, until the dead body they discover is all too real.

Confident they can solve what’s turned into a real-life murder, the book club ladies hatch a plan and rope Phee into helping them. But as they step into their roles as amateur sleuths, what seems like play-acting is deadly serious to the killer. Soon Phee and the seniors want to rewrite the ending, because the murderer in their midst is dead-set on bringing the curtain down on all of them . . .

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book: I've really enjoyed this series and was thrilled to see this newest book.

My Impression: This series has been pure zany madness from the beginning and this one was no different.  At Phee and her husband PI firm there's a missing deputy and a just as missing taxidermy fish.  The retirement community of Sun City West is in a tizzy as usual.  This time partly because of the fish and partly because the book club ladies are headed to a Victorian mansion to take place in a Murder Mystery weekend.  

This is a cozy in top form.  There's a group of quirky characters, some sidekick animals.  There's a full-blown community with lots of side stories, inside jokes, relationships and a heaping helping of unhinged behavior.  The mystery is a good one.  It's a little predictable if you're a regular reader of the series but it's a lot of fun.

I always enjoy spending time in the world of Sun City West though I must admit that I am profoundly grateful I don't have to deal with them in real life.  Anytime I pick up a book in this series I know I'm in for a good time and an entertaining mystery.  This was no exception.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I have really enjoyed this series and will happily pick up the next book if there is one.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy cozy mysteries I would recommend this series though I would start from the beginning as I imagine it could get VERY confusing if you dove in here as there is an enormous cast of characters.

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

Flowers in the Rain - Classic Short Story Collection

Goodreads: Flowers in the Rain and Other Stories by Rosamunde Pilcher

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

Description:  In Flowers in the Rain & Other Stories, Pilcher takes readers on a captivating journey across Britain, from the picturesque Scottish countryside to the bustling streets of London. With her signature charm and heartfelt storytelling, she weaves tales of love, laughter, and the complexities of human relationships that will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love with her characters.

Discover the magic of Rosamunde Pilcher's writing and immerse yourself in the lives of people you'll never forget. This collection is a gift to cherish, from an author who has touched the hearts of millions with her timeless stories of family, friendship, and the enduring power of love.

Genre: Fiction - Short Stories

Why I Picked This Book: This has been on my reread list for awhile and I remember really enjoying it.

My Impression: For nostalgia and cozy feels this is a 5 star read.  I love Pilcher's ability to tell a story and make a setting come alive.  This is no different.  The stories are full of country houses (in various states of repair) and main characters looking for what they want in life or what they're not seeing or to reconnect with someone from their childhood.  There are three stories that I absolutely love - one involving a couple celebrating their 30th anniversary, another a mother of the bride looking to solve a wedding crisis and getting so much more, and the third a young couple trying to determine what they want in life and if you can be married without losing yourself.  

The other stories were enjoyable but didn't really hook me.  Two are very much alike and so often the women involved are very young (around 20) and their choices don't seem the wisest.  This is a nice collection of short stories and is a very easy pleasant read.  If you're a fan of Rosamunde Pilcher and need a cozy book but only have a short attention span this is a good pick - though I do think her other collection, The Blue Bedroom, is a bit better.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Of course!  Rosamunde Pilcher used to be my favorite author and I'm hoping to do some rereading in the next couple of years.

Would I Recommend this Book? I would with reservations.  If you're a fan of Pilcher than definitely.  The stories aren't amazing but they are sweet and cozy and sometimes that's just what I need.

Friday Fives - Five Quick Reviews for Series I'm Currently Reading

I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much.  I'm working on catching up on 10 different series and decided to put a few reviews of them all together here.

1.  Queen of Hearts by Rhys Bowen - This was a fun read in a series that I tend to really enjoy.  Georgie is off to California with her mother, Claire Daniels, who is eventually heading to Reno to obtain a divorce.  On the ship to America Claire is pulled into the circle of a movie producer and an old acquaintance who is working on a film.  A jewel thief is also sneaking about causing international incidents.  The murder doesn't occur to almost halfway through the book but between the jewel thief intrigue and the world of movies there's so much going on that I didn't mind in the slightest.  There is a small plot hole or two, but the solution was otherwise satisfying, and this was a fun fast read.  My rating: Really Liked it (4 Stars)

2.  Mrs. Jeffries on the Trail by Emily Brightwell - I've really enjoyed the later books in this series and have really liked going back and starting the series from the beginning.  It's definitely getting stronger as it goes along and this 6th book in the series may be my favorite so far.  When a flower seller is murdered the investigation has a powerful person behind it making sure the woman's death isn't overlooked.  I really like the dual investigations - the official one with DI Witherspoon and the one going on behind the scenes with his housekeeper, Mrs. Jeffries directing the other employees of the household.  I love the dynamic of both and how the characters are evolving.  I also really enjoyed seeing the creative ways that the staff manages to get their evidence into Witherspoon's hands without arousing suspicion.  This is a good cozy historical mystery series with an entertaining plot and a solid mystery.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

3.  Marshmallow Malice by Amanda Flower - This is the fifth book in the Amish candy shop series featuring Bailey King and a whole host of side characters - some Amish and some not.  It makes for an interesting and sometimes complicated dynamic as the suspects and witnesses are a mix of Amish and English.  The mystery itself is a fun one with a woman being found dead shortly after she causes a disruption at a wedding and her background is far from clear cut.  I enjoyed Bailey's investigation and was really thrilled that Cass is in town for most of the book.  My only negative with this book is that Juliet and Jethro drive me crazy and Jethro especially had a lot of page time.  That pig is a menace!  There's some personal life updates for Bailey which I enjoyed.  Overall, this is a fun entry into an enjoyable cozy series.  My Rating: Liked It!  (3.5 Stars)

4.  The Book Stops Here by Kate Carlisle - This is the 8th book in the Bibliophile series about bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright.  This was a lot of fun.  Brooklyn has gotten involved with essentially Antiques Roadshow as the local book expert and one particularly gorgeous volume of The Secret Garden catches her eye.  Shortly thereafter a murder, a stalking case, and a number of other misadventures start happening in quick succession.  I loved the behind the scenes of the antique show and the description of the beautiful books.  The pacing was good and the story was engaging.  The conclusion felt a little off the wall but overall it did make sense.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

5.  Murder in the Paperback Parlor by Ellery Adams - I can't make up my mind about how I feel about this series.  This is the second book in the series and for the first half of this one I had decided it would be my last.  But then once the investigation really kicked off I found myself really enjoying it.  I do love the team (even though I find the whole reason they're there a little bizarre) and how they work together.  I also love the idea of the cozy book themed manor house hotel.   Jane is a good lead for a cozy series and isn't too prickly or TSTL.  The mystery is an interesting one and I did like the reveal.   After a kind of dull first part and a fun second half with a good mystery I will probably continue with the series though it is on probation.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

Killing in the Countryside - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: Killing in the Countryside by Maria Malone

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

Description:   t’s just another day in the small town of Heft when Ali follows up on reports of an escaped pride of peacocks stirring up trouble in a once quiet cul-de-sac. A routine call, a case of fuss and feathers, Ali suspects. But what she discovers inside the house the birds have invaded is far from routine. The couple who live there have been receiving anonymous hate letters.

Letters that are at once threatening and suspiciously personal.

As Ali and Wilson investigate, they dig up long-buried secrets at the heart of the community. Every detail they uncover brings them closer to the truth, that someone in Heft will stop at nothing to keep their past hidden…

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I really enjoyed the first book in the series so I was looking forward to ore time with Ali and Wilson.

My Impression: I really enjoyed the first book in this series about a police sergeant in a small village dealing with the mostly small and petty day to day complaints with the help of her dog.  I'm a little confused about Wilson's role as he doesn't function as a typical police K9 but I'm more than willing to work with that.  

The book starts with Ali getting a visit from a retired colleague telling a long-winded tale about peacocks invading a neighborhood.  When Ali goes to investigate all is not what it seems and very few things in the report add up to what Ali sees.  

This is very much a slice of life cozy.  Ali goes about her day and interacts with the people in her life and in her community.  She talks about dinner, work stuff, and how to balance her life and her work - especially as she is in the very middle of the village.  Because of this it can take awhile for the story to develop and to really hook the reader.  I was feeling a bit distracted when I first started this one and it took me awhile to get into the flow of the story and start enjoying it.  If I had been a bit less scattered, I think I would have enjoyed it more though I still don't think it would have been a fast read.  

I like Ali and the rest of the characters in this story.  The premise of the village police officer is a good one that adds variety to the story.  The mystery itself is good even if the ending felt a bit rushed.  This isn't a book I'd recommend if you have a lot of things going on and I'd definitely recommend reading the first book before picking this one up.  Overall, this is an entertaining mystery that isn't too quirky or too gritty and was a good if slower read.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I would.  While this wasn't my favorite, I did enjoy it and I really liked the first book.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Yes, though I would recommend starting with the first book and making sure you're in the right frame of mind before picking this one up.

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

See You at the Sunset - Romance Review

Goodreads: See You at the Sunset by Susan Lee

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

Description:   Two enemies-to-lovers, one unforgettable summer escape…

Jia Chung is living the dream…until she gets fired from her job, yet again. With her mom breathing down her neck to move home, she needs an escape, fast. When Mimi, her beloved grandmother, invites her to spend the summer in Palm Springs, Jia jumps at the chance. Staying at Sunset Hills Senior Living Community is exactly where a free spirit like Jia can thrive—among people living their best, sun-soaked, fun-filled lives. So what if they’re all octogenarians?

Henry Shin lives by the rules. It’s what overworked corporate lawyers do. They don’t fly off to Palm Springs to help their grandfathers move into a new home. But Dennis is Henry’s only family. How else can Henry make sure he’s settled and safe? The boisterous Zumba classes, daily happy hours, and spicy book clubs were a surprise though. And at the center, leading the charge, is a bright, vivacious stunner named Jia Chung. The same face he’d had a one-night stand with a few months back. And the same woman Henry was forced to terminate at his company the morning after.

As carefree days turn into hot, steamy nights, the chemistry between Henry and Jia ignites. But when the real world beckons, should what happens at the Sunset stay at the Sunset?

Genre: Romance - Contemporary

Why I Picked This Book:  This looked fun and I love a multi-generation story.

My Impression:  I wasn't sure I was going to like this one at first.  The characters were so young and they definitely acted their age!  But from the second Jia landed in Palm Springs I became more and more hooked.  Both Jia and Henry annoyed me at a times but I really enjoyed following their story.  

This turned into a grandparent/grandchild story with a cast of quirky senior citizens and a side of grump/sunshine romance.  I loved Jia's focus on bringing life back to Sunset Hills and making sure the residents get to keep their independence and are treated with dignity.  I also really liked Jia and Henry together as the story went along.  Their upbringings are polar opposite though neither particularly happy.  However, I really liked that they respected and appreciated each other and tried to understand the other.   

There are a number of spicy scenes which felt a bit jarring and didn't really go with the rest of the book.  I may have some bias here as my preference is more on the closed-door side of things.  As well there are a couple of minor plot points that I would have liked a bit more resolution to.  

Once I got into to the story this was an enjoyable read.  I liked both the multi-generational relationships as well as the romance. I couldn't help but root for both Jia and Henry to figure out what they wanted in life.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I would - especially if the premise appeals to me like this one did.

Would I Recommend this Book? I would - especially if you like grumpy/sunshine stories.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Books I Was Reading on This Date Over the Last Ten Years

Today I'm linking up with Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl which is all about lists.  Since lists are one of my favorite things this is one of my favorite linkups!  Today's topic is Books I Was Reading on This Date Over the Last Ten Years.  This was a fun look at past reads!

1.  All the Stars in Heaven by Adriana Trigiani (2025) - I have such mixed feelings about this book even now 1 year later.  I really enjoyed the story telling aspect but it was based on real people and it tells the story of a relationship between Loretta Young and Clarke Gable as a great love story when Young later made comments that the relationship was not entirely consensual.  That made me a bit uncomfortable, and I also didn't like how it trivialized the relationship between Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.  If this had been fully fictional I think I would have enjoyed it but since it was based on real people it impacted my enjoyment.

2. The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen (2024) - I really loved this stand alone from Bowen.  It was a bit of mystery and a lot of historical fiction.  This is a good reminder to read more of her stand alone books.

3.  Lightning in a Mirror by Jayne Ann Krentz (2023) - This is a candy bar book - a lot of fun but no staying power.  Perfect for a reading slump or a bit of a distraction.  

4.  Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Scott Adams (2022) - This was a weird read which I fully expected.  I love Adams' humor and while this was probably a bit too off the wall for me it was still fun.

5.  Mastering the Art of French Eating by Ann Mah (2021) - I really enjoyed this one and loved the author's writing style.  I need to read more from her.

6.  The Falcon Always Wings Twice by Donna Andrews (2020) - This is one of my favorite cozy series and the titles always make me laugh.  This was no different.

7.  Death in Kew Gardens by Jennifer Ashley (2019) - I really enjoy this series - especially these early books.  I've missed the last book or two but need to catch up.

8.  Fade to Black by Heather Graham (2018) - I don't remember anything about this one but that's not a big surprise.  This is another candy bar type book - lots of fun to read but not something that really sticks with me.

9.  The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (2017) - This was one of my favorite books as a kid and I really enjoyed the reread.  I should probably reread it at some point.

10. Whispers in the Mist by Lisa Alber (2016) - I don't remember anything about this one but I only gave it 3 stars so I'm thinking I liked it enough to finish it but not enough to ever read the author again.

Death at a Scottish Halloween - Mystery Review

Goodreads: Death at a Scottish Halloween (A Scottish Isle Mystery #5) by Lucy Connelly

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

Description: It’s the week of Halloween—or as they say in Scotland, All Hallows' Eve—and the town of Sea Isle is full of spooky celebrations. Dr. Emilia McRoy loves being part of her new community and is eager to help out in any way she can. But the festivities are interrupted when she and her assistant, Abigail, find a dead body in a haunted house. A real one. They’re too late to save the victim, but they’ll do whatever it takes to find his killer.

There’s just one There are too many suspects.

Constable Ewan would prefer the good doctor and her friends stay out of the investigations, but that isn’t how Dr. Em rolls. As she and her gang investigate, they realize the killer is searching for something—and has no problem murdering anyone who gets in the way of finding it.

Dr. Em must stay one step ahead if she’s to survive this Halloween season alive—either that or she might just end up the next victim.

Genre: Mystery

Why I Picked This Book: I've really enjoyed the previous books in this series so of course I had to pick this one up!

My Impression: This series has been a favorite since the very first book and this new mystery was no exception.  I love the setting of rural Scotland and the wonderful community of Sea Isle.  The mystery is a puzzling one with two deaths that may or may not be connected.  Emilia and Ewan are on the case with the help of their friends who frequently refer to themselves as the Scooby Doo gang which is a fact that I seriously love.

The mystery in this one may not be my favorite though it is intriguing.  There are lots twists and turns and I was really surprised at reveal.  My favorite thing about this series is life in Sea Isle itself.  It's not quite a slice of life cozy but there are a lot of other things going on between Em's patients and all the holiday celebrations.  I really enjoyed the variety of the celebrations and the explanations about them.

This is a solid mystery series in an interesting community.  It balances the line between cozy and procedural mystery.  It's not cutesy but not graphic, it's not quirky but not overly dark.  This is a good solid mystery series with likable characters and a fun community.  While this mystery is a standalone the series is best read in order as there is character development as the story goes along.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I've enjoyed every book in this series and really liked the first book in another series by this author.  I'm definitely planning on reading more from this author.

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

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

This Month in Reading - July 2026

Monthly Reading Total: 17 - I had a long audio book which slowed me down a bit but other than that it was a pretty good month!

Type:

Print - 8

Ebook - 7 

Audio - 2

Genre:

Mystery - 7 

Fiction - 6

Nonfiction - 1

Romance - 3 

Favorite Books of the Month:

The Story Keeper by Kelly Rimmer - I really enjoyed this one and was sad when I got to the last page.  I wanted more!  

Rereads:  Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas and Northern Lights by Nora Roberts

Monthly Armchair Reading:

Domestic Travel:  The only new state I visited was Alaska but I visited California twice, Texas, Oregon, and Virginia three times.

International Travel:  I went to England three times, France, and Australia

What was your favorite book in July?  Where did your reading take you?

Friday Fives - August 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 August, I'm planning my August TBR.  Here are 5 books I plan on reading in August. 

1.  Death at a Scottish Halloween by Lucy Connelly - This is a new release I'm really excited about.  I've really loved this series and can't wait to read the next book.

2.  Hope Springs on Main Street by Olivia Miles - This is the last book on my Reading Priority list for this year.  I read the first two books and Jane was my favorite character.  I was so excited when I got my hands on Jane's book and it has been YEARS and I haven't read it.  Now is the time.

3.  The Innocence of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton - This is the next book on my Classics list and I'm really looking forward to reading it.

4.  A Merciful Death by Kendra Elliot - Kendra Elliot is on my Authors to Read list this year so when the first book in the Mercy Kilpatrick series was heavily on sale at Audible I took it as a sign.

5. The House of Hidden Letters by Izzy Broom - This book seems like it was written for me.  Main character starting over, gorgeous setting, and a mystery hidden in the house.  I'm really looking forward to it.

What are you hoping to read in August?

Life's a Beach Book Tag

Since it is well into the 90s with 90% humidity here today, I figured I'd do the Life's a Beach Book Tag I found on Lefty Reads.  Now Lefty posted this way back in 2018 and her blog is no longer active but this looked so fun I couldn't resist.  Plus, if it's going to be this hot and muggy I SHOULD be on the beach.  

1.  Sand - A Book That Stuck With You Long After You Finished Reading

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery - This is high up on my favorite book list and it's one I think of often.  

2.  Sun - A Book That Burned You

A Cruise to Die For by Heather Graham - This may be the worst written book I've ever read and if it hadn't been a review book I would have DNF'd it.  My expectations for this kind of book aren't super high as they're usually more fun than quality but this was neither.  

3.  The Waves - A Book That Calms You Down After a Long Day

Soyangri Book Kitchen by Kim Je Hye - I loved the calming slower vibe of this book and it's one that I look forward to revisiting when I need a calm read.

4.  The Bathing Suit - A Book With a Pretty Summery Cover

The High Tide Club by Mary Kay Andrews - This looks like the kind of beach we go to every year and I love the tote bag.  This just screams vicarious trip to the beach.

5.  The Birds - A Book That is Everywhere

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke - Honestly, I probably won't read this one.  The premise doesn't appeal to me and the reviews I've seen have confirmed it but it feels like I can't turn around right now without seeing it.

6.  The Company - A Book With Wonderful Characters

The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst - I loved this book and all the characters in it - even the grumpier ones.

7.  The Ice-Cold Drinks - A Book You Gulped Down

The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen - I could not put this book down!  I wouldn't really call it a thriller though it is super creepy but it is definitely fast paced.

8.  The Fun Memories - A Book You Can't Wait to Return To

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan - I'm so glad I bought the audio version of this one as it is definitely a book I'll want to revisit.