Planted 4 Murder - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: Planted 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton

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

Description:  When the seniors of Sun City West take over a garden plot, they have no idea they’ll unearth a plot for murder . . .

At the urging of the guys in the pinochle club, the members of the Sun City West book club decide it’s time to grow their own vegetables and join the local agriculture club. But when tending to their plants turns up a skeletal hand, the gang begin to feel like they’re working in a graveyard instead of a garden. It’s clear that whoever the bones belong to was the victim of foul play, and soon the seniors are pleading with Sophie “Phee” Kimball to step in and help them weed out the killer.

As rumors and speculation flourish, Phee begins to grow suspicious of the other members of the community garden. Certain that one of them chopped up a body and scattered the parts, she has to deal with invasive insects, sabotaged crops and her mother’s hairbrained schemes as she digs for evidence. Her efforts are finally rewarded when a ring found on the skeletal hand yields a clue that will lead her straight to the culprit. The only problem is that the killer is one step ahead of her, and Phee discovers too late that she’s in for a hoe lot of trouble . . .

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I have been reading this series since the beginning and always enjoy seeing what trouble Phee, her mother, Harriet, and the rest of the Sun City West crew get up to.  

My Impression: In this latest book the Sun City West crew have decided to start gardening which seems harmless enough - until Harriet's neurotic and badly behaved dog, Streetman, finds a skeletonized human hand in compost pile.  Soon enough there is all kinds of drama - from plot sabotaging, gossiping and culminating in a murder.  To make things more challenging the victim is one that most of the gardening club is happy to see gone.  Motives and suspects abound.  

Since the actual private investigators - Nate and Phee's husband, Marshall - are out of state if not the country chasing down cat thieves, Phee can't help but get involved.  The investigation goes along the usual pattern.  The book club ladies and Herb's group have some serious hijinks, Phee gets to make an early morning visit to the dog park to get some gossip from Cindy, Rolo shows up a time or two (though I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't find out what appliance he wanted though apparently it's from Ikea), and Streetman causes some serious trouble.  Add in the addition of Aunt Ina's literary group and a whole new group from the gardening club and it made for a very fun if a bit chaotic read.  As usual I enjoyed this book. The mystery is fun and holds together nicely, the pacing is good, and the chaos is a lot of fun.  Bonus points for having a little whos who of characters in the very front as there is a pretty big cast.  As well, I loved all the mentions of Phee's Uncle Louis.  He's one of my favorite characters in the series and even though all his doings were off page I enjoyed the mentions.

This series is written by a married couple and I was so sad to see the authors note at the end that Jim had died at the beginning of the year.   Ann does mention that they already had the next two books in this series put together as well as having a notebook of "murder ideas".  I can only hope that the writing this series brings her as much joy as it does the reader.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I always enjoy this series and look forward to reading more - and other series by this author.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy quirky cozies this is a fun series that you really must try.

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

Miss Pym Disposes - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey

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

Description:  To Miss Lucy Pym, expert psychologist, the atmosphere at Leys College for young women where she is a guest lecturer is heavy with tension. Beneath the so normal surface run sinister undercurrents of rivalry and jealousy. Then one student has a peculiar and fatal ‘accident’. Or is it murder? Respectable, law-abiding Miss Pym discovers some vital evidence—but should she reveal it?

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  I'm reading my way through some classic mystery authors and this was the next one up for Tey.

My Impression:  I have a complicated history with Tey.  I've enjoyed some of her books and then I've really disliked some of her books.  This was a pleasant surprise.  I really enjoyed the college setting and Miss Pym being not quite of the group was a good narrator.  The pace was a little slower but it allowed me to get to know the basics of all the characters (and there are a lot as it is a school setting).  As the book goes on things get more and more unsettling until the final incident.  

I enjoyed the read and the characters.  While it is technically a murder mystery it is more a study of a a group of people in an essentially isolated and very controlled setting and the effects that has on all of them.  Even the ending which does end with a satisfactory explanation is vaguely unsettling with a touch of unexpectedness.  I think Miss Pym may be my favorite Tey character and it has made me more optimistic about reading more of her books in the future.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I would.  I'm curious to see what I think of the next book of hers I read as I never know what to expect from Tey.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy boarding school/college settings this is definitely a must read.

Friday Fives - Five Authors I'm Thinking About Reading in 2026

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've been thinking a little bit about my reading for 2026.  The past few years I've made a list of authors that I keep meaning to read but somehow never get to for whatever reason.  I haven't loved every book I've read but it's been a great motivation to tackle books I might not have otherwise.  Here are 5 Authors I'm thinking about adding to the list next year.

1.  Sarah Adams - I have heard some fantastic reviews for this author.  I'm very hit or miss with Romcoms so I'm a little hesitant about this author but I do like the sound of her plots and characters.

2.  Allison Brennan - I've been enjoying mysteries with a thriller slant and this author has been on my radar for quite awhile.

3.  Annabel Monaghan - Her books sound so fun and I've seen some great reviews for them.  I have several of her books on my shelf and really hope to read one of those next year!

4.  Maddie Day - This is a cozy author with several long running series that for whatever reason I've never read.  

5.  Melinda Leigh - I love a good suspense read and I've heard great things about her Bree Taggart series.  

What authors are you hoping to read in 2026?  

Books from the Backlog - The Frozen People

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 Frozen People by Elly Griffiths

Blurb:  Ali Dawson and her cold case team investigate crimes so old, they’re frozen—or so their inside joke goes. Nobody knows that her team has a secret: they can travel back in time to look for evidence.
The latest assignment sees Ali venture back farther than they have dared before: to 1850s London to clear the name of Cain Templeton, an eccentric patron of the arts. Rumor has it that Cain is part of a sinister group called The Collectors. Ali arrives in the Victorian era to another dead woman at her feet and far too many unanswered questions.

As the clock counts down, Ali becomes more entangled in the mystery, yet danger lurks around every corner. She soon finds herself trapped, unable to make her way back to her beloved son, Finn, who is battling his own accusations in the present day.

Could the two cases be connected? In a race through and against time, Ali must find out before it’s too late.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I really enjoy this author's books and this series really appeals to me.  The second book in the series is coming out in the next few months so I need to read this one first.

Authors I've Been Meaning to Read - Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews

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 2025.  Here's my thoughts on one of those books/authors.

Goodreads:  Burn For Me by Ilona Andrews

Blurb:  Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career—a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile case. Nevada isn't sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire.
Then she's kidnapped by Connor "Mad" Rogan—a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run or surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive.

Rogan's after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she's getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world.

My Thoughts:  I'm a little conflicted about this one (and it's not just because of the cover which I can't stand) and I think it's because the urban fantasy part of the genre just isn't really for me.  The world building and class structure just isn't my favorite.  I also went with the audio book version and while the narrator did a good job her voice just didn't fit the story which I found a bit jarring.  That said, as soon as I finished this book I went and put the other 5 in the series on my library list.  I really liked Nevada and I loved her family and that dynamic.  Mad Rogan is another interesting and complicated character and the relationship that developed between the two was interesting and at times unexpected.  The way the story unfolded also really held my interest.  There's a twist or two that really surprised me and a few moments that even had me laughing.  I probably won't be seeking out any other urban fantasy books but I will definitely be finishing this series and am looking forward to seeing more of Nevada, Mad, and the rest of the side characters.  My Rating:  Really Liked It (4 Stars)

Top Ten Tuesday - Winter 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 Winter TBR.  I love making seasonal TBRs!  Am I best about sticking to them? Not in the slightest but I like pretending I will.

1.  The Storm by Rachel Hawkins - I've read one book by this author and really enjoyed it.  The blurb of this one really caught my eye and it sounds fantastic.

2.  The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz - I love Krentz's books and this one involves the backstory of a character that has really intrigued me in previous books.

3.  A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn - I really love this series and I look forward to seeing what new trouble Veronica and Stokker get up to.

4.  The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor by Lucy Connelly - I really love another series by this author and I love this title.

5.  The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst - I'm annoyed with myself that I haven't read this one yet but am really looking forward to reading it soon!

6.  The Frozen People by Elly Griffith - I've enjoyed several other books by this author and I love a good cold case mystery.

7.  Golden Hour by Beatriz Williams - I love this author and this one is set in World War II era Bahamas which seems interesting.

8.  Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery - This is one of Montgomery's stand alone books that I remember loving but have only read once or twice.  I've been meaning to reread it for ages.

9.  We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida - I've been wanting to read this one since it came out.

10. Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon by Donna Andrews - This is the next book in a long running cozy mystery series that I really enjoy.

What books are on your Winter TBR?

A Chapter of Accidents - Short Story Collection Review

Goodreads:  A Chapter of Accidents: Twenty-Seven Rediscovered Stories by L.M. Montgomery

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

Description:  L. M. Montgomery, best known for creating the beloved Anne of Green Gables series, had a thriving writing career that included several novels and more than five hundred poems and stories.

This collection features rare short stories originally published between 1901 and 1932 that haven't been in print since their initial periodicals. Montgomery scholar Carolyn Strom Collins has curated a selection of funny and heartfelt stories to provide unique insight into how this famed author's writing developed over her career. With stories like "A Case of Mistaken Identity," "A Platonic Experiment," and "Frank's Revenge," each tale features an unusual, accidental, or unlikely pair. Montgomery's brilliantly written characters and strong sense of place paired with Collins's scholarly context make this collection a must for every Montgomery fan.

Genre: Fiction - Short Stories 

Why I Picked This Book:  I love Montgomery's short stories so how could I not pick this one up?

My Impression: This is quite a mix of stories.  Most are only a couple of pages but the ages range from young children to older adults.  The subject matters vary widely as well.  Montgomery made her living with her writing - frequently heavily supplementing her husband wages and that means she frequently tailored her stories to publications she knew would take them.  The forward talked a bit about this - especially the stories for children's religious magazines that required there to be some kind of moral.  

These aren't the best quality stories but they are sweet and entertaining.  They're a wonderful palate cleanser between heavier stories or a nice way to end the day.  Montgomery frequently uses these short stories to play with different topics and story ideas that she frequently uses again in her longer books.  

I really enjoyed reading a few of these stories each day.  I love the world and the characters Montgomery creates and finding 27 new stories was really wonderful.  I do think the early short story collections edited by Rea Wilmshurst are a bit better but these are still a delight and a must read for Montgomery fans.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I love Montgomery's books and will read anything by her.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Yes!  If you've read and enjoyed Montgomery's books then her short story collections are definitely not to be missed.

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