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. *