Friday Five - Five Books on My TBR Set in Ireland

I'm taking a bit of a break from my usual Friday Linkups to try something a little different.  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.   One of my themes for March is Ireland and here are 5 books on my TBR set in Ireland.

1.  The Lilac Bus by Maeve Binchy - Somehow I've only read one Maeve Binchy book but I absolutely loved it and have been meaning to read more by her for literally years.  This sounds wonderful.

2.  The Likeness by Tana French - I read the first book in the Dublin Murder Squad series and while I liked it I couldn't quite forgive it for not wrapping up the older mystery mentioned in the book.  I've heard great things about this one and need to give the author another chance.

3.  Tears of the Moon by Nora Roberts - The first book in this trilogy is one of my absolute favorite Roberts books but for some reason I haven't read the second book more often.  I'd really like to reread this one soon.

4.  The Library at the Edge of the World by Felicity Hayes-McCoy - A woman getting her life back together in a small village in Ireland and a library about to close.  Yes please!

5.  Love and Luck by Jenna Evans Welch - I've seen good reviews for other books by this author but didn't know this one existed and it looks so sweet.

Do you have any books set in Ireland on your TBR?  Or any favorite reads set in Ireland?

Books from the Backlog - Fairy Spell

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:  Fairy Spells: How Two Girls Convinced the World That Fairies Are Real by Marc Tyler Nobleman and Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler

Blurb:  The true story of British cousins who fooled the world for more than 60 years with a remarkable hoax, photographs of “real” fairies. Exquisitely illustrated with art by Eliza Wheeler as well as the original photos taken by the girls.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I loved the Hazel Gaynor book based on this real life event and this would take me about 20 minutes to sit down and read.

The Raven Thief - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  The Raven Thief (A Secret Staircase Mystery #2) by Gigi Pandian

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

Description:  One murder. Four impossibilities. A fake séance hides a very real crime.

Secret Staircase Construction just finished their first project with Tempest Raj officially a part of the team—a classic mystery novel-themed home interior. Their client is now ready to celebrate her new life without her cheating ex-husband, famous mystery author Corbin Colt. First up, a party, and Tempest and Grandpa Ash are invited to the exclusive mock séance to remove any trace of Corbin from the property—for good. It's all lighthearted fun until Corbin's dead body crashes the party.

The only possible suspects are the eight people around the séance table—a circle of clasped hands that wasn't broken. Suspicion quickly falls on Grandpa Ash, the only one with actual blood on him. To prove her beloved grandfather’s innocence, Tempest must figure out what really happened—and how—or Ash will be cooking his delectable Indian and Scottish creations nevermore.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've enjoyed other books by this author and liked the first book in the series though it wasn't a favorite.

My Impression:  I really enjoyed the concept of the magicians and secret staircases in the first book but felt the execution was a bit lacking with all the different topics crammed into the book.  My fingers were crossed when I started this book and it more than exceeded my expectations.  With all the setup from the first book out of the way we could focus on Tempest and her family and friends, the intricacies of the amazing spaces her family creates, and the mystery itself.  

This mystery was especially interesting with an impossible murder in an impossible situation.  There are several intriguing side issues the investigation goes into and every single one was fascinating and kept me hooked.  There is also a series long mystery involving Tempest's mother and a family curse and seeing how this was woven into the plot was interesting.  

The characters are unique and highly specialized.  There are magicians, craftsmen, and researchers and each character brought so much to the story.  This is a fun and unusual read with a great concept and interesting if not always likable characters.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I will definitely be looking more from this author and will be picking up the next book in the series.

Would I Recommend this Book?  I would.  It is better if you read the first book before this one as it does explain a lot.  

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Books From My Favorite Authors That I Still Need To Read

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 Top Ten Tuesday rewind so I've chosen the topic - Books From My Favorite Authors That I Still Need To Read.

1. Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts - I love Nora Roberts' stand alone stories and this one looks great.  Plus, it's been sitting on my shelf since it came out in paperback which was years ago!

2.  The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor - This was the book that made me notice Hazel Gaynor in the first place.  Since then I've read and loved a number of her books but somehow never read this one!

3.  The Blind Side by Patricia Wentworth - I love Patricia Wentworth's mysteries and have read all the Miss Silver books but haven't read all the Ernest Lamb books.  This is one I'm missing.

4.  The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton - I have had the audio of this one since shortly after it came out but have stalled on getting to it.  

5.  A Nun in the Closet by Dorothy Gilman - I have read and adored the Mrs. Pollifax books but haven't read any of Gilman's stand alones.  This one sounds absolutely delightful!

6.  Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn - I love Deanna Raybourn's books but somehow never read the first book in her earlier Lady Julia Gray mystery series.

7.  Garden of Lies by Amanda Quick - I really enjoy Quick's romantic suspense but somehow I have never read this one.

8.  The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell - This book was the first book by Jewell that ever ended up on my TBR but while I've read a lot of her books I somehow have still not read this one.

9,  Hello, Stranger by Lisa Kleypas - Kleypas is by far one of my favorite romance authors but for some reason I haven't gotten all the Ravenell books read and still have this one to go.

10. Unfinished Portrait by Agatha Christie - This was technically published under the Mary Westmacott name but it's still an Agatha Christie book that I somehow haven't read!

Do you have books by a favorite author that you have yet to read?

Strike Out 4 Murder - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Strike Out 4 Murder (A Sophie Kimball Mystery #11) by J.C. Eaton

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

Description:  When softball fever overtakes Sun City West, foul balls and foul play add up to murder . . .

When a member of the local pinochle club rallies everyone in the community to come cheer on the softball team he’s joined, Sophie “Phee” Kimball can’t imagine a worse way to spend a free afternoon. But before anyone can take them out to the ball game, her mother’s friend Shirley spots a dead body, only to have it vanish before anyone else sees it. Soon Shirley and her friends can’t decide whether she’s losing her marbles or being stalked by the living dead—until an attempt is made on her life.

Wondering if the body Shirley saw belongs to a missing ballplayer who may have been murdered, Phee begins to suspect that Shirley’s in danger from a menacing killer. Following the clues at the ball park and eyeing the crowd for a likely perpetrator, she devises a clever scheme to sniff out the culprit, but she’ll have to act fast before she strikes out for the last time!

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series so of course I had to pick this one up.

My Impression: I am undecided as to whether I want to retire to some place like Sun City West.  The good thing is I would never ever be bored and the bad thing is I would never ever be bored!  There is always something going on and lots of gossiping and in between all the events and clubs and gossip there are frequently murders.  In this new adventure book club member Shirley seems to be tripping over dead bodies but the problem is they don't seem to be staying put.  Since Shirley is one of Phee's mother's more reliable friends Phee takes her seriously and is soon plunged into an investigation trying to figure out just what is going on.  

With Phee's husband Marshall and boss Nate (the Private Investigators of the business) are out of town Phee is mostly investigating on her own with the help of Phee's friends Augusta and Lindy and book group and pinochle club from Sun City West.  Chaos ensues though Phee's mom's dog, Streetman, isn't even responsible for most of it!  Paul and Lindy have been side characters in most of the books of this series but in this book they take more active roles and we get to know them a bit better which was fun.  I did guess some of what was going on before the end but I had such a good time getting to the reveal it didn't bother me.

If you like quirky cozies with plenty of hijinks and chaos this is a fun series that is always enjoyable!  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  These mysteries aren't perfect but they're always such fun and I will always grab the next book.

Would I Recommend this Book?  I would!  This is a quirky series but lots of fun.  It's probably better when read in order but the mysteries do stand on their own.

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

It's Sunday Post time!  This is hosted by the awesome Caffeinated Book Reviewer and gives us all a chance to recap our week.

What I Got:

The Murderous Type by Sue Minix -I don't know much about this book but I love the cover and can never resist a bookish cozy.  (Publisher)

Currently:

Reading:  Murder in Postscript by Mary Winters and Mrs. Pollifax and the Whirling Dervish by Dorothy Gilman

Listening:  The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

This was another good week.  We are really starting to gain traction with finding our new normal when it comes to homeschooling.  We have an appointment with Will's pediatrician to get a prescription for physical therapy and just a regular post-treatment check in.  He's feeling pretty good and his energy level is way up which is nice.  We also are trying to get his No-Mo Chemo party scheduled at the affiliate.  We had it scheduled but then Will and I got Covid and had to cancel.

Dog classes have started again and this week we will have a new group of puppies which I'm so looking forward to.  The scent work trial is over and went really smoothly and I'm finally caught up rest wise!  Dog events are hard work!  

I've been in a bit of a reading funk - mostly because I've been tired but also because most of what I've read has really pulled me in.  I've enjoyed all the books I've read but I've been ready for them to be done if that makes sense.  I'm hoping the Mrs. Pollifax book will kick things back into the gear.  If anyone can save the day it's Mrs. Pollifax!

Have a great week and happy reading!

The Unexpected Guest - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads:  The Unexpected Guest by Agatha Christie and Adapted by Charles Osborne

Rating:  Liked It (3.5 Stars)
Source:   Purchased

Description:  When a stranger runs his car into a ditch in dense fog near the South Wales coast, and makes his way to an isolated house, he discovers a woman standing over the dead body of her wheel-chair bound husband, gun in her hand. She admits to murder, and the unexpected guest offers to help her concoct a cover story.

But is it possible that Laura Warwick did not commit the murder after all? If so, who is she shielding? The victim's retarded young half-brother or his dying matriarchal mother? Laura's lover? Perhaps the father of the little boy killed in an accident for which Warwick was responsible? The house seems full of possible suspects ...

Genre: Mystery - Classic

My Impression:  Huh.  I'm not quite sure what I thought of this one.  This starts out looking like a very simple straightforward mystery but quickly spins out of control.  Is the obvious suspect the killer or is she covering for someone or was it simply wrong place wrong time?  And just who is the unexpected guest and what are his real motives?

This is a play written by Christie and much later adapted into a novel by Charles Osborne who is an actor and Christie lover.  He does a good job making this into a novel though there are times when the prose does feel like stage directions.  I was easily able to visualize the setting and characters and in some ways the stage directions enhanced this as I could see just how this would take place in play form.  

This is clearly Christie experimenting in the play format.  There's a bit more uncertainty as to just what happened and the atmosphere is much more unsettling with heavy fog and multiple motives.  When I finished this I couldn't quite decide what I thought of it but as a little time has gone by I've gotten more and more positive about it.  I would definitely enjoy seeing this in play form and will probably reread this though it may be a bit.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course!  Agatha Christie is one of my favorite authors and I have one more of the adapted plays left.

Would I Recommend this Book?   Maybe?  If you're a big Christie fan than definitely if you're not than this probably isn't the book I'd recommend starting with.