Friday Fives - Five Books with Spooky Settings

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 reading spooky books in October and I'm picking 5 books that look like they have spooky settings.

1.  The Unknown by Riley Sager - A remote island in Vermont sounds fairly terrifying - especially in Sager's hands.

2.  The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh - Another remote setting - this time in a mountain village in North Wales.

3.  The Broken Girls by Simone St. James - Back to Vermont but this time to a haunted abandoned boarding school

4.  The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong - A Cornish setting and the promise of a spooky house.  How can I resist?

5.  Return to Wyldcliffe Heights by Carol Goodman - The cover alone gives spooky setting vibes.

What spooky setting books do you have on your TBR?

Books Past and Future - October Edition

Today I'm looking at books I want to read in October - a new release and a backlist - and books I've read in Octobers past and what I thought of them.

New Release I'm Looking Forward To Getting:

What Happens at Nightfall by Lauren Willig - I haven't seen much about this one but I've had good luck with this author and it sounds really good.

Backlist Title I'm Looking Forward to Reading:

Paris by the Book by Liam Callanan - This has been on my TBR since it came out and it still looks like one I'd enjoy.

Books From October Past

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R.A. Dick - I really enjoyed this read of this classic.  

To Err is Cumin by Leslie Budewitz - This series involving a Seattle Spice Shop owner was really fun and I really liked this one.

Death Comes to Marlow by Robert Thorogood - I really enjoyed the first book and liked this one but not quite as much as the first.  For some reason I've completely stalled out on the series and really should get back to it.

What books are you looking forward to in October?  What did you enjoy in Octobers past?

Deck the Hall with Boughs of Murder - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Deck the Halls with Boughs of Murder (Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #7) by Jacqueline Frost

Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)
Source: Publisher

Description: New parents Holly White and Sheriff Evan Gray are sleep deprived, but incandescently happy to be celebrating their baby’s first Christmas. Their family, friends, and neighbors are spoiling the newest addition. Adding to the perfect holiday season is the recent completion of their newly built home. All that’s left to do is move in and send off those change of address cards. But their cup full of cheer turns sour when Holly discovers a dead body.

It all started with a sweet trip down memory lane–Candy Cane Lane and Toyland were two of Holly’s favorites as a child, and she had been looking forward to sharing them with her baby. Then she stumbled upon the body of Greysen, the animal keeper, left among the reindeer at the petting zoo.

Earlier in the day, Holly witnessed a fight between Greysen and a stranger. Stranger still, the reindeer petting zoo had originally been empty that day–no reindeer in sight until they reappeared along with a corpse.

As Holly fights to keep the Christmas spirit alive, she is Greysen’s only chance at justice–and her baby’s only chance at a happy first Christmas.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book: I've really enjoyed this series in the past and was curious to see how it would develop with Holly as a new mother.

My Impression: I really like the setup for this series.  There is one mystery a year and that happens every year around the holiday season which is fun and we get to check in with what's been happening with Holly over the past year.  I also love the supportive family and friends in Mistletoe, Maine and the yummy sounding treats always sound amazing.  There are also some fun animal sidekicks like a goat named Theodore and Holly's cat Cindy Lou Who.  The mysteries are enjoyable and Holly is a likable main character.  

Unfortunately, this series is starting to go a bit flat for me.  I liked the mystery and the dynamic between Holly and her sister-in-law Libby who is also a PI.  I liked that there is some awareness about the risk of balancing toting an infant around everywhere and interrogating killers.  However, the fact that pretty much everyone mentions their concern for Holly's safety every chapter felt a bit repetitive.  As well, Holly is legitimately scared for her safety but for some reason kept asking questions she didn't need to ask and going out of her way to question suspects.  It was a bit frustrating and added with the repetitiveness impacted my enjoyment of the book.

I've really enjoyed this series and would recommend the first 5 books or so of the series but the previous one didn't quite live up to expectations and this one was a bit disappointing.  The writing style and revisiting characters that feel like friends made this still a mostly enjoyable read but I'm not anxious to pick up the next book in the series.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I would read more from this author but unfortunately, I do think I'm done with this series.  

Would I Recommend this Book? I would really recommend the first 5 or 6 books of this series and this series really is best read in order.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books on my TBR with Autumnal Covers

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 with Autumnal Covers so I went through my TBR and found 10 books I want to read with Autumnal Covers.

1.  Tara Road by Maeve Binchey

2.  The Ghosts of Misty Hollow by Sue Ann Jaffarian

3.  The Simplicity of Cider by Amy E. Reichert

4.  Murder at Chateau sur Mer by Alyssa Maxwell

5. Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout

6.  Put Out to Pasture by Amanda Flower

7.  Dead and Gone by Joanna Schaffhausen

8.  Murder Outside the Lines by Krista Davis

9.  Uncharmed by Lucy Jane Woods

10. A Dream of Death by Connie Berry

What books with autumnal covers are on your TBR?

Authors I've Been Meaning to Read - The Third to Die by Allison Brennan

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 Third to Die by Allison Brennan

Blurb:  Detective Kara Quinn, on leave from the LAPD, is on an early morning jog in her hometown of Liberty Lake when she comes upon the body of a young nurse. The manner of death shows a pattern of highly controlled rage. Meanwhile in DC, FBI special agent Mathias Costa is staffing his newly minted Mobile Response Team. Word reaches Matt that the Liberty Lake murder fits the profile of the compulsive Triple Killer. It will be the first case for the MRT. This time they have a chance to stop this zealous if elusive killer before he strikes again. But only if they can figure out who he is and where he is hiding before he disappears for another three years. The stakes are higher than ever before, because if they fail, one of their own will be next...

My Thoughts:  I'm kind of annoyed at myself that it has taken me this long to read this author.  I really enjoyed this one.  It reminded me a bit of early Criminal Minds with a complicated serial killer and a team with different elements of strength.  This mystery is over 500 pages but it was a very fast read.  I liked the two primary characters and while they have some serious baggage they're competent adults and very good investigators.  The mystery was dark and gritty but the on page violence or grief was never so pronounced that it crossed the line for me.  I'm looking forward to continuing this series and anything else by this author.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4.25 Stars)

Have His Carcase - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: Have HIs Carcase by Dorothy L. Sayers

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

Description: The second Dorothy L. Sayers classic to feature mystery writer Harriet Vane, Have His Carcase. Harriet’s discovery of a murdered body on the beach before it is swept out to sea unites her once more with the indomitable Lord Peter Wimsey, as together they attempt to solve a most lethal mystery, and find themselves become much closer than mere sleuthing partners in the process.

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book: This was the next book in the Lord Peter Wimsey series.

My Impression: This year has been all about reading what I love and I've had to have a bit of a sit down with myself and realize I just don't love Dorothy Sayers.  She loves a clever turn of phrase and is brilliant at using them but sometimes it gets a bit much.  Plus, I can only handle Wimsey in small doses.  Much more and I want to throw something at him.  I do love Harriet Vane and she and Wimsey play off each other very nicely.

This was a fun mystery with a lot of different threads and more then a few dead ends.  The mystery reveal was surprising and entertaining.  Unfortunately, to me, a lot of the impact got lost in all the phrasing and asides.  I have a few more Lord Peter Wimsey books - including Gaudy Night which features Harriet Vane.  I will read them but I don't think I will be picking up any more of her books.  When it comes down to it I just don't think this is an author for me.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I will but only the ones already on my shelf.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy classic mysteries I'd give Dorothy L. Sayers a try - though I'd focus on the ones featuring Harriet Vane.

Friday Fives - Five Books with Ghosts

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 reading spooky books in October and I'm starting with 5 books with ghosts.

1.  Middle of the Night by Riley Sager - This sounds spooky and ghostly and Sager can create some stunningly creepy atmosphere.  

2.  Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand - I didn't like the ending of the Paradise trilogy but this sounds fantastic and I'm hoping I have better luck with a standalone - especially one with a ghost.

3.  The Witching Hours by Heather Graham - Graham was responsible for my worst book of the year so far and I've been hesitant to read any of her newer books ever since but I like the premise so I'll give this one a try.

4.  The Restorer by Amanda Stevens - This has been on my TBR for ages.  

5.  The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James - Does anyone write creepier atmosphere that St. James?  

Do you have any ghostly books on your TBR?

The Claus Conspiracy - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: The Claus Conspiracy (Seven Ponds #2) by Tamara Berry

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

Description:  Amber Winslow thought she'd left chaos behind when she traded bounty hunting for small-town life in Arizona. Between her job as a barista and recording a true-crime podcast with a lively group of retirees at Seven Ponds Retirement Community, life has finally settled into something resembling calm.

Until a battered, amnesiac teenager crashes into it―literally.

The girl knows only one thing for Amber's voice from the podcast. Clutching a Post-it note with Amber's address, she arrives with no memory of who she is…and a dead Santa Claus in her trunk.

Determined to uncover the truth, Amber and her sharp-witted octogenarian crew begin digging―and quickly discover this is no holiday mishap. Their search uncovers a trail of rogue Mall Santas, a dangerous drug operation, and secrets someone is willing to kill to protect.

As the bodies pile up and the past closes in, Amber must untangle a mystery that's far bigger―and far more personal―than she ever imagined.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy(ish)

Why I Picked This Book:  I really like this author and I enjoyed the first book in the series.

My Impression: This was a bananas book.  It starts off with a car crashing into a cactus, a teenage girl who doesn't remember her past but is quite sure there's a body in the trunk of the car - a body dressed as Santa.  Throw in a group of chaotic senior citizens who have very little to do to fill there day other coming up with theories and some day drinking and each page is one chaotic incident after the next.

I really like Amber and I love her sidekick Tatiana the tortoise.  She's trying to keep her grandmother and friends in line just a smidge while participating in a true crime podcast.  

When law enforcement gets involved in the form of Detective Vega who is also Amber's ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend (kind of and also Amber is really good with it) as well as just an intimidating force of nature things start coming together until suddenly there are more questions than answers.

I figured out a few things before Amber but I really didn't have any idea of how everything would work out until it did - such as it is.  It was an enjoyable read and while I am very glad I don't live Amber's life I was very entertained to read about it.  This is the second in a series and while the mysteries aren't connected there is a large cast of characters that would be way easier to keep track of if you read the first one.  Plus, the first one is also a lot of fun.  If you're looking for a fun and quirky read that's not on the page graphic but also not a typical cozy this is a great pick.

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

Would I Recommend this Book? Yes definitely though I do recommend starting with the first book.

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

What I'm Reading - October 7

I always have a few books going.  Here is what I'm reading and what I'm thinking about them.

Ebook:

Jay to the World by Donna Andrews - I've just started this one but I've been really looking forward to it.  I love her cozies and the Christmas ones are my favorite.

Print Book:

The Third To Die by Allison Brennan - I'm about 30% done with this one and am really enjoying it.  It has kind of an early Criminal Minds vibe which I really like.

Audio Book:

The Guest List by Lucy Foley - I'm about halfway done with this one and am enjoying it.  I don't Foley will ever be a five star read for me but so far I've enjoyed what I've read by her.

Slow Read:

Sauvigone for Good by J.C. Eaton - I love this writing team but this isn't my favorite series.  This is an entertaining read but probably not one that will stick with me.

What are you reading today?

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books That Conjure Up Happy Memories

Today I'm linking up with Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl which is all about lists.  Since lists are one of my favorite things this is one of my favorite linkups!  Today's topic is Books That Conjure Up Happy Memories.  

1.  The Four Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright - This was one of my absolute favorite books as a kid and I have read this book countless times.  

2.  Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery - I vividly remember the first time I read this book and then immediately needed to have the whole series which I then read in a week.

3.  The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keen - I spent so many happy hours reading Nancy Drew books and this was one of my favorites.  I still love the stories and anything Nancy Drew adjacent.

4.  Christina's Ghost by Betty Ren Wright - I loved these ghostly spooky middle grade books and spent countless hours curled up reading them.

5.  The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde - This book reminds me of my grandmother.  It was one of her favorites.

6.  The Forget-Me-Not Library by Heather Webber - I love Webber's brand of magical realism and I remember staying up late into the night reading this one.

7.  Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie - This was the first Christie I really fell in love with and it is still a favorite.

8.  The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White - This was one of the favorite books that Will and I read together.  

9.  The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst - I love her stories and am looking forward to reading her latest one.

10. Devil's Daughter by Lisa Kleypas - This book reminded me of just how much I enjoy historical romances and it's one I'm excited to reread.

What books conjure up happy memories for you?

The Haunted Librarian - Paranormal Cozy Fiction Review

Goodreads: The Haunted Librarian by Auralee Wallace

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

Description: It’s a dark and stormy night…and Amelia Bates is caught in the rain. Life hasn’t always been kind to her, and being a ghostseer certainly doesn’t make things any easier.

Glowing warmly through the autumnal downpour is her safest the library. Amelia, the newly hired librarian, has always relished the comfort of curling up with a novel, vastly preferring it to the company of humans (alive or ghostly).

But Amelia is shocked to discover the building is full of more than quiet stories and warm cups of tea. There are curious, talkative patrons, a shy, bespectacled head librarian who makes her heart skip a beat, and three quirky spirits causing paranormal havoc that endangers the future of the library.

To help the ghosts and save the building, Amelia will have to gather all her bravery and wits, because learning to trust others might just be the first step to a happily ever after she only thought was possible in books.

Genre: Fiction - Paranormal Cozy 

Why I Picked This Book: I've enjoyed other books from this author that also had a witchy element - though they were more cozy mysteries than this one.

My Impression: I love the premise of this.  I'm a big fan of sentient buildings and what could be better than a sentient library WITH ghosts?  The night librarian is also an interesting dynamic as it allows for more interaction between the ghosts and the library itself without the pesky patrons getting in the way.  Simon and Rosalinda (both living library employees) are interesting characters and the ghosts are interesting and a bit different from the usual ghosts. 

What took this book down a few notches was the slow start and Amelia herself.  Both of these I can blame on it being the first book in a series.  There's a lot of setup as Amelia gets through the job interview (such as it is) and figures out the library and what's going on.  As well, the reader has to get to know Amelia which takes a bit as she has a lot of backstory and baggage a lot of which center around her ability to see ghosts.  It didn't help that I didn't really like Amelia.  She's walking second hand embarrassment for much of the book.  If she's holding a drink she's going to spill it on herself or someone else.  If there is something to fall down she will do so spectacularly.  It's a bit much.  With quirky characters it sometimes does take a bit for things to settle down a bit and that is definitely the case here.  I hope if this is the beginning of the series that Amelia isn't quite as quirky in the next book.

I love the premise and enjoy the author's writing style.  There's a bit of everything in this book - mystery, romance, character growth, and of course ghosts.  Overall, despite a rough start, I enjoyed this story and would like to revisit this world.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I would.  While this was a bit rough especially at the beginning I did enjoy it and I've enjoyed other books by this author.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you're looking for a witchy ghostly cozy read I think this would be a good choice.  As well I really enjoyed her mystery series.

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

This Month in Reading - September 2026

Monthly Reading Total: 15

Type:

Print - 6

Ebook - 5 

Audio - 4

Genre:

Mystery - 8 

Fiction - 2

Nonfiction - 1

Romance - 4 

Favorite Books of the Month:

Audio:  First Time Caller by B.K. Borison - I wasn't really expecting to like this one but I ended up really enjoying it!

Other Type: The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle - I enjoyed this mystery but I'm really hoping this is the start to a series.  I really enjoyed the world created in this book.

Rereads:  Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts, Key of Light by Nora Roberts and Endless Night by Agatha Christie

Monthly Armchair Reading: 

Domestic Travel:  I visited Pennsylvania and Colorado for the first time this year and revisited Massachusetts, Oregon, Maryland, North Carolina, California, and New York

International Travel: England (3 times), Canada, and early 1900s India

How was your reading in September?  Where did your reading take you?

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

1.  The Key to a Killer by Olivia Blacke - I have really enjoyed this series featuring a young woman and her ghostly roommate.  I'm curious to see what happens next.

2.  A Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander - I just finished the most recent book in this series so I'm looking forward to going back and reading more from the beginning of the series.

3.  The Gabriel Hounds by Mary Stewart - This is the next on my Classics list and I do enjoy Stewart's ability to create an eerie scene.  

4.  The Guest List by Lucy Foley - I've enjoyed other books by Foley before and this one sounds creepy and claustrophobic.  

5.  After Midnight: Thirteen Tales for the Dark Hours by Daphne du Maurier - I've read another short story collection by du Maurier and really enjoyed it so I'm really looking forward to this one.  This author is the queen of unsettling and eerie stories.

What are you hoping to read in October?