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. *

Top Ten Tuesday - Books I Was Reading on This Date Over the Last Ten Years

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 I Was Reading on This Date Over the Last Ten Years.  This was a fun look at past reads!

1.  All the Stars in Heaven by Adriana Trigiani (2025) - I have such mixed feelings about this book even now 1 year later.  I really enjoyed the story telling aspect but it was based on real people and it tells the story of a relationship between Loretta Young and Clarke Gable as a great love story when Young later made comments that the relationship was not entirely consensual.  That made me a bit uncomfortable, and I also didn't like how it trivialized the relationship between Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.  If this had been fully fictional I think I would have enjoyed it but since it was based on real people it impacted my enjoyment.

2. The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen (2024) - I really loved this stand alone from Bowen.  It was a bit of mystery and a lot of historical fiction.  This is a good reminder to read more of her stand alone books.

3.  Lightning in a Mirror by Jayne Ann Krentz (2023) - This is a candy bar book - a lot of fun but no staying power.  Perfect for a reading slump or a bit of a distraction.  

4.  Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Scott Adams (2022) - This was a weird read which I fully expected.  I love Adams' humor and while this was probably a bit too off the wall for me it was still fun.

5.  Mastering the Art of French Eating by Ann Mah (2021) - I really enjoyed this one and loved the author's writing style.  I need to read more from her.

6.  The Falcon Always Wings Twice by Donna Andrews (2020) - This is one of my favorite cozy series and the titles always make me laugh.  This was no different.

7.  Death in Kew Gardens by Jennifer Ashley (2019) - I really enjoy this series - especially these early books.  I've missed the last book or two but need to catch up.

8.  Fade to Black by Heather Graham (2018) - I don't remember anything about this one but that's not a big surprise.  This is another candy bar type book - lots of fun to read but not something that really sticks with me.

9.  The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (2017) - This was one of my favorite books as a kid and I really enjoyed the reread.  I should probably reread it at some point.

10. Whispers in the Mist by Lisa Alber (2016) - I don't remember anything about this one but I only gave it 3 stars so I'm thinking I liked it enough to finish it but not enough to ever read the author again.

Death at a Scottish Halloween - Mystery Review

Goodreads: Death at a Scottish Halloween (A Scottish Isle Mystery #5) by Lucy Connelly

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

Description: It’s the week of Halloween—or as they say in Scotland, All Hallows' Eve—and the town of Sea Isle is full of spooky celebrations. Dr. Emilia McRoy loves being part of her new community and is eager to help out in any way she can. But the festivities are interrupted when she and her assistant, Abigail, find a dead body in a haunted house. A real one. They’re too late to save the victim, but they’ll do whatever it takes to find his killer.

There’s just one There are too many suspects.

Constable Ewan would prefer the good doctor and her friends stay out of the investigations, but that isn’t how Dr. Em rolls. As she and her gang investigate, they realize the killer is searching for something—and has no problem murdering anyone who gets in the way of finding it.

Dr. Em must stay one step ahead if she’s to survive this Halloween season alive—either that or she might just end up the next victim.

Genre: Mystery

Why I Picked This Book: I've really enjoyed the previous books in this series so of course I had to pick this one up!

My Impression: This series has been a favorite since the very first book and this new mystery was no exception.  I love the setting of rural Scotland and the wonderful community of Sea Isle.  The mystery is a puzzling one with two deaths that may or may not be connected.  Emilia and Ewan are on the case with the help of their friends who frequently refer to themselves as the Scooby Doo gang which is a fact that I seriously love.

The mystery in this one may not be my favorite though it is intriguing.  There are lots twists and turns and I was really surprised at reveal.  My favorite thing about this series is life in Sea Isle itself.  It's not quite a slice of life cozy but there are a lot of other things going on between Em's patients and all the holiday celebrations.  I really enjoyed the variety of the celebrations and the explanations about them.

This is a solid mystery series in an interesting community.  It balances the line between cozy and procedural mystery.  It's not cutesy but not graphic, it's not quirky but not overly dark.  This is a good solid mystery series with likable characters and a fun community.  While this mystery is a standalone the series is best read in order as there is character development as the story goes along.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I've enjoyed every book in this series and really liked the first book in another series by this author.  I'm definitely planning on reading more from this author.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you are a mystery fan this series is a must read.

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

This Month in Reading - July 2026

Monthly Reading Total: 17 - I had a long audio book which slowed me down a bit but other than that it was a pretty good month!

Type:

Print - 8

Ebook - 7 

Audio - 2

Genre:

Mystery - 7 

Fiction - 6

Nonfiction - 1

Romance - 3 

Favorite Books of the Month:

The Story Keeper by Kelly Rimmer - I really enjoyed this one and was sad when I got to the last page.  I wanted more!  

Rereads:  Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas and Northern Lights by Nora Roberts

Monthly Armchair Reading:

Domestic Travel:  The only new state I visited was Alaska but I visited California twice, Texas, Oregon, and Virginia three times.

International Travel:  I went to England three times, France, and Australia

What was your favorite book in July?  Where did your reading take you?

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

1.  Death at a Scottish Halloween by Lucy Connelly - This is a new release I'm really excited about.  I've really loved this series and can't wait to read the next book.

2.  Hope Springs on Main Street by Olivia Miles - This is the last book on my Reading Priority list for this year.  I read the first two books and Jane was my favorite character.  I was so excited when I got my hands on Jane's book and it has been YEARS and I haven't read it.  Now is the time.

3.  The Innocence of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton - This is the next book on my Classics list and I'm really looking forward to reading it.

4.  A Merciful Death by Kendra Elliot - Kendra Elliot is on my Authors to Read list this year so when the first book in the Mercy Kilpatrick series was heavily on sale at Audible I took it as a sign.

5. The House of Hidden Letters by Izzy Broom - This book seems like it was written for me.  Main character starting over, gorgeous setting, and a mystery hidden in the house.  I'm really looking forward to it.

What are you hoping to read in August?

Life's a Beach Book Tag

Since it is well into the 90s with 90% humidity here today, I figured I'd do the Life's a Beach Book Tag I found on Lefty Reads.  Now Lefty posted this way back in 2018 and her blog is no longer active but this looked so fun I couldn't resist.  Plus, if it's going to be this hot and muggy I SHOULD be on the beach.  

1.  Sand - A Book That Stuck With You Long After You Finished Reading

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery - This is high up on my favorite book list and it's one I think of often.  

2.  Sun - A Book That Burned You

A Cruise to Die For by Heather Graham - This may be the worst written book I've ever read and if it hadn't been a review book I would have DNF'd it.  My expectations for this kind of book aren't super high as they're usually more fun than quality but this was neither.  

3.  The Waves - A Book That Calms You Down After a Long Day

Soyangri Book Kitchen by Kim Je Hye - I loved the calming slower vibe of this book and it's one that I look forward to revisiting when I need a calm read.

4.  The Bathing Suit - A Book With a Pretty Summery Cover

The High Tide Club by Mary Kay Andrews - This looks like the kind of beach we go to every year and I love the tote bag.  This just screams vicarious trip to the beach.

5.  The Birds - A Book That is Everywhere

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke - Honestly, I probably won't read this one.  The premise doesn't appeal to me and the reviews I've seen have confirmed it but it feels like I can't turn around right now without seeing it.

6.  The Company - A Book With Wonderful Characters

The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst - I loved this book and all the characters in it - even the grumpier ones.

7.  The Ice-Cold Drinks - A Book You Gulped Down

The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen - I could not put this book down!  I wouldn't really call it a thriller though it is super creepy but it is definitely fast paced.

8.  The Fun Memories - A Book You Can't Wait to Return To

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan - I'm so glad I bought the audio version of this one as it is definitely a book I'll want to revisit.