Friday Fives - Five Beach Reads

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.  We are heading to the beach in a few weeks for our first beach trip in several years and I'm so excited.  I normally don't have time to read very much and this probably won't be any different as there will be lots of family about but I am able to spend some time on the beach reading here are 5 books that I plan on reading.

1.  Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum - I've heard such great things about this book and it sounds like gossipy fun and perfect for the beach!

2.  The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela Kelley - Not only does this have a gloriously beachy cover but it also has the word bookshop in the title.  Two great things that go great together!

3.  The Beach at Summerly by Beatriz Williams - I love Beatriz Williams' books and rich behaving scandalously in a historical context on the beach sounds fun.

4.  Ten Beach Road by Wendy Wax - It has beach in the title so that alone makes it a good beach reading candidate!  Plus I own a bunch of books in this series and should read them.

5.  The Lemon Sisters by Jill Shalvis - I'm trying to read more from this author and this book looks gloriously summery!

Now I just need to mix in some thrillers and I'm ready to go!

Books from the Backlog - Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist

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:  Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist by Dorothy Gilman

Blurb:   Working with her retired CIA friend John Farrell, Mrs. Pollifax must smuggle a manuscript out of Jordan, a document that encodes the shocking truth of Saddam Hussein's reign.Hardly are the two airborne when the coils of Middle Eastern intrigue begin to unwind. Mrs. Pollifax's seatmate is not the affable Arab businessman he pretends to be. 

It is not imagination that persuades Mrs. P. that wherever they go, she and Farrell are followed. To elude their pursuers in such a politically volatile country isn't easy. In fact, it can be downright deadly...

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I am almost done with this series but have been stalling on reading the last few books because I don't want to be done!  I need to just get it done!  

Requiem for a Mouse - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Requiem For a Mouse (Cat in the Stacks Mystery #16) by Miranda James

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

Description:  At last, Charlie and Helen Louise’s wedding is only a month away. They’re busy preparing for the big day, and the last thing Charlie needs is a new mystery to solve. Enter Tara Martin, a shy, peculiar woman who has recently started working part-time at Helen Louise’s bistro and helping Charlie in the archive. Tara isn’t exactly friendly and she has an angry outburst at the library that leaves Charlie baffled. And then she abruptly leaves a catered housewarming party Charlie’s son Sean is throwing to celebrate his new home in the middle of her work shift. Before ducking out of the party, Tara looked terrified and Charlie wonders if she’s deliberately trying to escape notice. Is she hiding from someone?

When Tara is viciously attacked and lands in the hospital, Charlie knows his instincts were correct: Tara was in trouble and someone was after her. With the help of his much beloved cat, Diesel, Charlie digs deeper, and discovers shocking glimpses into Tara’s past that they could never have predicted. Will they catch the villain before Charlie’s own happily ever after with Helen Louise is ruined?

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've really enjoyed the books in this series that I've read so of course I couldn't resist picking up this newest book!

My Impression:  I feel like it's been awhile since I checked in with Charlie and Diesel so I was so excited to catch up with all the fun characters that inhabit the world of Athena, Mississippi (which I'm pretty sure is loosely based on Oxford, MS - home of Ol' Miss).  Ramses, the younger much more mischievous cat, is in fine form terrorzing toddlers and providing some comic relief when he appears on the page.

The mystery is one of my favorite kinds of mysteries.  Yes, Charlie and crew are investigating who would have wanted Tara dead but they're also investigating Tara.  Who is she and what is she hiding?  In the time that they've known Tara she's been a closed book and to figure out who wants to hurt her they have to figure out who she is.  I love digging into the past and once the mystery got going I was hooked.  There is a bit of a slower start and the mystery is definitely a "slice of life" so there's lots of talk about food, what the cats are up to and Charlie's day.  This could feel a little frustrating for new readers but if you're a fan of the series it feels like catching up with friends.  

If you're looking for a cozy relaxing bookish series with cats this is a fun series to try!  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I missed the beginning books of the series so I"m looking forward to reading those and will be picking up anything else by this author.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you like a bookish cozy and enjoy a slower "slice of life" pace this is a series I think you'd enjoy.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Summer TBR

Today I'm linking up with Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl which is all about lists.  Since lists are one of my favorite things this is one of my favorite linkups!  Today's topic is Summer TBR.  I love making these seasonal TBRs.  I'm not great at sticking to them - though I am getting better - but I love making them!

1.  The Ghost Cat by Alex Howard - This was compared to a few books that I really liked so I have high hopes for it and it looks different from my usual reads. 

2.  Sticks and Stones by Ellie Alexander - I love this cozy series and am looking forward to checking in with the crew at Torte.

3.  The Confidence Game by Tess Amy - This sounds like a fun heist book and I think will be perfect summer reading!

4.  Between a Flock and a Hard Place by Donna Andrews - I love this cozy series and am curious to see just what trouble Meg can get into this time. 

5.  Booked on Murder by Allison Brook - Another favorite cozy series and another one where I'm looking forward to checking in with the characters.

6.  The Last Close Call by Laura Griffin - I've enjoyed previous books I've read by this author and this one involves a forensic genealogist so I'm super excited for it.

7.  The Castle on Sunset: Life, Death, Love, Art and Scandal at Hollywood's Chateau Marmot by Shawn Levy - Honestly, I saw this book at the library and the cover really hooked me.  It looks like a nonfiction I'd really enjoy.

8.  Death at Greenway by Lori Rayder Day - This is on my June TBR.  It's a historical mystery that takes place during World War II at Agatha Christie's home.  I have high hopes for it!

9.  A Late Phoenix by Catherine Aird - This is off my Classic Mystery list and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author. So far I've really enjoyed her books.  

10. The Lights of Sugarberry Cove by Heather Webber - Heather Webber's books are such perfect summer reading for me.  

What are you planning to read this summer?

A Deceptive Composition - Historical Mystery Review

Goodreads: A Deceptive Composition (Lady Darby Mysteries #12) by Anna Lee Huber

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

Description:  October 1832. Kiera is enjoying the slower pace of the English countryside. She, Sebastian, and their infant daughter have accompanied her father-in-law, Lord Gage, home so that he can recuperate from the injuries he sustained in a foiled attempt on his life. But as the chill of autumn sweeps across the land, they receive a summons from an unexpected quarter. Lord Gage’s estranged uncle—a member of the notorious Roscarrock family—has been murdered, and his family is desperate for answers. Despite Lord Gage’s protests, Kiera and Sebastian press on to Cornwall to assist.

It isn’t long before they discover that almost nothing is as it seems among the Roscarrocks, and they’ve been lured to their isolated cove under false pretenses. There are whispers of a lost treasure and frightening allusions to a series of murders stretching back decades that touch the lives of the family personally. Kiera and Sebastian are left with no choice but to uncover the truth before the secrets of the past threaten to destroy them all.

Genre: Mystery - Historcial

Why I Picked This Book:  I really love this series so of course I had to pick up this newest book.

My Impression: I really enjoy this series and have especially loved seeing Kiera and Sebastian become parents and the softening of Lord Gage as he becomes a grandfather.  We got to see a more vulnerable side of Lord Gage in the previous book with his injury.  In this book he is (mostly) healed physically but is now having to come face to face with his past.

Lord Gage's past has always been a bit hazy though in the last few books more and more has been revealed.  The curtains are fully up now as the Gage family, complete with infant daughter Emma, head to down to Cornwall to find answers about the Roscarrock family and murder.

While I only came to this series about halfway through it has become one of my favorite historical mystery series and one I always enjoy.  I love the group effort - not only the partnership between Kiera and Gage but their staff and now even Lord Gage.  

This is a solid historical mystery with complex, interesting characters and a fantastic setting!

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

Would I Recommend this Book?  Definitely!  You could jump in here without too many issues or you could start closer to the beginning.

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

The A.B.C. Murders - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: The A.B.C. Murders by Agatha Christie

Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)
Source:   Purchased

Description:  When Alice Asher is murdered in Andover, Hercule Poirot is already looking into the clues. Alphabetically speaking, it's one letter down, twenty-five to go.

There's a serial killer on the loose. His macabre calling card is to leave the ABC Railway Guide beside each victim's body. But if A is for Alice Asher, bludgeoned to death in Andover, and B is for Betty Bernard, strangled with her belt on the beach at Bexhill, who will then be Victim C? More importantly, why is this happening?

Often considered to be one of Agatha Christie's best.

Genre:  Mystery - Classic 

Why I Picked This Book:  This was the May read for the Read Christie challenge.

My Impression:   This is probably one of Christie's most famous mysteries and it's one I always enjoy revisiting.  I love that in addition to Poirot, Hastings, and collection of Law Enforcement there is also a team of family members who get involved to help figure out just what is going on.  I really enjoy the variety of personalities and experiences all with Poirot's supervision.

The premise is an intriguing one.  Right from the start something feels off to Poirot and he is determined to solve the series of murders all and he is the only one to realize that all might not be as it seems.  This is definitely one of Christie's most famous books with one of the more unique premises but I can't say it's one of my favorites.  There's something about the ending that just falls a bit flat for me and keeps this one from being a 5 star read.    It's still a fantastic mystery that I always enjoy.  

The June Read Christie read is: And Then There Were None

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Of course!  Christie is one of my favorites and I'm already looking forward to the June book.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy mysteries I definitely recommend this book and really just about anything by Christie for that matter.

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

Friday Fives - Five Podcasts I've Enjoyed Recently

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.  Lately I've been mixing podcasts in between my audio books and have really been enjoying them.  Here are 5 I've really enjoyed lately.

1.  Scamanda - This is a complicated story of a woman who has cancer - or does she?  I loved the host and the format of the show and it is a seriously complex story.  

2.  The Missing Madonna - This is the story of an art heist in a castle in Scotland and the men responsible for getting the stolen DaVinci back.  The story is told by the daughter of one of the primary men involved.  

3.  Carrie Jade Does Not Exist - Who is Carrie Jade and why did she appear out of nowhere?  This series is hosted by Sue Perkins who I love and was absolutely fascinating.  It's still updating occasionally and I'm always thrilled to see a new episode pop up in my feed.  

4.  From the Front Porch - This is an ongoing podcast hosted by Annie Jones who owns an independent bookstore in Thomasville, Georgia.  I really enjoy that there's a number of employees and friends who rotate through the podcasts so that there are lots of different perspectives on books.  My favorite is the annual March Madness that Annie and her husband do.  This is my favorite "go to sleep" podcast and I listen to an episode every night as I'm going to bed.  

5.  Nellie's Baby - I've got a couple of episodes left of this one and I've really been enjoying it.  Kirsty Johnston is an investigative journalist in New Zealand and is approached by a woman named Sarah who was adopted as an infant.  She has learned that her mother was in a Psychiatric hospital in New Zealand and isn't sure how to find the answers she wants.  The series touches on adoption and mental health treatment as well as a whole host of very serious topics but there is also hope and the joy of finding family.  

What podcasts do you enjoy?