Friday Fives - Five Quick Reviews for Books I've Read Recently

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. This week I'm sharing 5 quick reviews for books I've read recently.

1.  Lie to Me by J.T. Ellison - This was quite the roller coaster!  It's been awhile since I've read anything by this author but I don't think I'll have quite as long in between books for my next one by her.  This had some serious Gone Girl vibes at the beginning.  Nothing is quite as it seems and I wasn't sure who to trust.  I was never quite sure what was going to happen next and the author definitely kept me guessing.  At no point did I like any of the characters (with the exception of Holly and Jim) but as the story went along they became a bit more sympathetic.  This is a good twisty read and one that I really enjoyed.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

2.  A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney - I really enjoyed this fantasy book about a hedge witch facing the unraveling of family secrets and discovering more about her very own identity.   I really liked Kate and rooted for things to work out for her.  She's having to balance keeping up the old traditions and learning new things about herself.  The bulk of the book is a quieter story but there is always something a bit darker lurking at the edges.  The audio was very well down and kept me hooked and completely engaged shortly after it began until the very end.  It was a touch more romance-y than I expected but it did fit well into the story so it didn't bother me.  My Rating: Really Liked It! (4.25 Stars)

3.  The Camelot Caper by Elizabeth Peters - I've read a few of Elizabeth Peters standalones and while I wouldn't necessarily say they are the most believable or that the stories always make the most sense they're always a good time.  This one was not a favorite.  I liked the characters and I liked the basic concept - long estranged grandfather with a King Arthur tie-in and a traveling companion who writes Gothic novels - but once you get away from the setup everything kind of falls apart.  The story reads like the author had the premise and characters all worked out and then was told that she had to produce the book in 48 hours.  I look forward to reading more from Peters but this is one I wouldn't recommend.  My Rating: Just Okay (2 Stars)

4.  The Lost Gargoyle of Paris by Gigi Pandian - I picked this novella up when I was trying to make my reading goal for the year and this was a series I'd always been curious about. I have really enjoyed other books by this author so I'm not surprised that I really enjoyed this book.  It would definitely have been better if I read this series in order but the concept and the characters are solid enough that it has me searching out the other books.  Pandian does a great job of coming up with unique characters and premises and this one especially is a fun one.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

5.  Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa - Takako is a young woman feeling at loose ends and not happy with her life.  When she visits her uncle's bookshop in an out of the way corner in Tokyo she's at first uninterested and uninspired but slowly as the book goes along she finds her way.  I preferred the first part that focused more on Takako but overall I enjoyed the entire story.  This was a nice listen and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

What have you read lately?

Booking For Trouble - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Booking For Trouble (A Library Lover's Mystery #16) by Jenn McKinlay

Rating: Just Okay (2.5 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Just off the shores of the coastal Connecticut town of Briar Creek are two small islands, which library director Lindsey Norris visits with her new book-boat, inspired by the bookmobiles she’s seen traveling across the country. Nothing, not even the infamous feud between the families who own the Split Islands, can stop Lindsey from getting books into the hands of readers. But when Lindsey and her boat captain husband, Mike Sullivan, discover a body on the rocky outcropping of one of the islands, Lindsey’s new library venture quickly becomes a murder investigation.
At news of the crime, hostilities between the two families are reignited. Long buried secrets are revealed, tensions spark, and suspects abound. As Lindsey navigates treacherous waters (both literal and metaphorical), she must use her research skills and community ties to solve the murder and bring peace to the islands before her book-boat dreams are sunk.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  This has been one of my favorite cozy mystery series since it started.

My Impression: This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series but this may be my least favorite book in the series.  I've always loved how McKinlay developed characters (Ms. Cole aka the Lemon is one of my favorites of all time) but it very much fell flat here.  The bad guys were very over the top clearly bad guys and it all felt very surface level.  As well, a subplot involving library funding is given equal page time with the murder leading to a kind of disjointed feel.  As a result, the ending felt rushed with a primary aspect only loosely explained.  

McKinlay's books are always incredibly readable and she always sets a good pace.   Even though I didn't love the story it made for a fast read.  I'm hoping the next book in the series brings back the Crafternooners and the rest of the Briar Creek crew that I always enjoy seeing and really make this series fun.  This was my least favorite in the series but I will be looking for the next book.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Yes, while I didn't really enjoy this one I've loved everything else by this author that I've read.  

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you're a cozy mystery fan I would definitely recommend this series but I wouldn't start with this book.  

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

The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor (Wales Village #1) by Lucy Connelly

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

Description:  After crossing the pond, Dr. Gwen Griffith finds herself in the quirky place she fell in love with, Dillynaidd, Wales. A former managing editor for a Texan newspaper, Gwen is ready for the next stage in her life as the head of the journalism department at the local university in town. With her best friend, Carolyn Sparks–who is also the university’s dean–at her side, Dillynaidd feels like a dream, until murder comes knocking at her doorstep.

Gwen had only just met the victim, Dr. Alice Rice, at a faculty party but that doesn't stop police detective Gareth Jones from suspecting her of foul play–after all the victim was found on her doorstep. With her journalism background, Gwen decides that it’s up to her to clear her own name. But she’ll need all the help she can get when her idyllic small town life is turned upside down in order to stay one step ahead of the killer.

This brand new series by Lucy Connelly, author of the Scottish Isle mysteries, will charm cozy mystery readers everywhere.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've enjoyed this author's books in another series and the Welsh setting really caught my eye.

My Impression: I've really come to love Lucy Connelly's Scottish Isle series and I was really looking forward to diving into this one.  It didn't disappoint.  This starts out a little slower as Gwen has just moved to a new country (well returned after almost two decades away) and is starting a new job.  While the body does fall fairly quickly there is some setup as the reader and Gwen get adjusted to the new setup. 

I really liked the focus on investigative journalism and Ellis is a fantastic side kick.  He's a great journalist in his own right with big dreams and is eager to learn.  He's capable of investigating on his own and he and Gwen also really work well together.  I also really enjoyed how Gwen's relationship with the detective in charge develops.  

As the mystery goes along there are a few clues and investigative paths. I guessed the who and the why a little ahead of Gwen but it was a fun time getting to the solution.  I'm looking forward to going back to the Welsh village the author has created and seeing more from this author. 

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I've really enjoyed everything I've read by this author.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you're a mystery fan this is a great start to a new series.

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

My Winter Reading Retreat Book List

 

I am not a cold weather person. I will take heat and humidity over ice and snow any day.  When it gets cold all I want to do is stay under lots of blankets with a pile of books.  Here are the ten books I would have in my stack as I sit in front of a roaring fire under a pile of blankets with a cup of hot tea.

1.  Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep - I heard this mentioned on the From the Front Porch podcast.  It was Annie's husband, Jordan's favorite book for that period of time. It sounds like a fantastic way to spend some time.

2.  The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen - I've enjoyed what I've read by this author and this sounds extra spooky.

3.  The Time Hop Coffee Shop by Phaedra Patrick - I need a lighter book to mix in with all the thrillers and this sounds magical.

4.  The Haunting of Paynes Hollow by Kelley Armstrong - I love everything I've read by this author and the premise for this one really appeals to me.  Sounds like it will keep me from remembering it's cold outside!

5.  My Life with Bob: Flawed Heroine Keeps Books of Books, Plot Ensues by Pamela Paul - I do love a book about books and this sounds like a light quick read.

6.  A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James - And back to the spooky!  I'm not sure anyone does spooky ambience better than this author.

7.  White Hot by Ilona Andrews - I read the first book in 2025 and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it.  Plus, things catch on fire a lot which sounds nice and warm.

8.  All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot - This has been on my TBR for a long time.  I read it when I was a kid but remember nothing about it so I'm really looking forward to revisiting it.

9.  This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Paige - I've seen such great reviews for this one and it looks like a lovely read that will be nice to mix in with the spookier books.

10.  Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey - I need a visit to the beach and given that even Florida is cold right now a virtual one is probably best.

What would be in your stack of books for a winter reading retreat?

The Whisking Hour - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: The Whisking Hour (Bake Shop Mystery #22) by Ellie Alexander

Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Fall is in full flush in the charming hamlet of Ashland, Oregon, where theater director Lance’s production of Perfect Crime has been met with rave reviews. As with everything, Lance has put his own spin on the long-running Broadway classic, opting for an intimate staging and drawing the audience into a cozy New York apartment on a stormy fall night where a nefarious set of suspects pulls off the perfect murder. Jules and the team at Torte are eagerly whipping up a murderous crime scene feast for the cast party, baking a bevy of treats like panna cotta eyeballs with blood orange coulis, deviled eggs, and savory cheese fingers with pumpkin dipping sauce.


Life seems to imitate art when a storm rolls over the Siskiyou Mountains on the day of the soirée, ushering in gusty winds and unrelenting rain. But Jules and Lance are not to be deterred. After all, the show must go on. The audience buzzes with electric energy as the lights flicker and the actors take the stage. Once the actors take their final bow, the cast trickles into Carpenter Hall, ready for a night of frivolity, but when the lead actor stumbles in with a fatal stab wound, Jules wonders if she’s just witnessed the perfect murder.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've been reading this series since the beginning and always pick up the newest release.  

My Impression: I always look forward to my visits to Ashland, Oregon and the Torte crew and this was no exception.  Fall is in full swing and Jules is preparing for maternity leave.  This book focuses more on the theater side of Ashland with a toxic director and a whole host of actors and crew with some interesting and disturbing methods of working.  When the director is found dead the only real surprise is how did he make it this long.  Because this focuses on the theater side of things and because there are a number of temporary staff members (whose names we don't even learn) we don't get quite as much of the inside the bakery team feel.  There are quite a number of yummy food descriptions and Andy's spiced lattes sound amazing!

There are quite a lot of misdirection and red herrings which makes for a fun investigation and I always enjoy anytime Lance is on the page.  This series is heavy on the description and the small details and subplots.  While this adds to the cozy community feel for longtime readers it can slow the pace and I would imagine be a bit tedious for readers who aren't already familiar with the Ashland world.  This is a fun series with fabulous food descriptions and likable characters.  While maybe not the best for standalone reading it is a consistently enjoyable series.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Definitely - I've really enjoyed what I've read by this author and will continue to read her mysteries.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy cozy mysteries this series is one you definitely need to try.

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

This Week in Reading - February 22

 

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:

Murder on the Sacred River by Tasha Alexander - This is the newest book in the Lady Emily series which I've been enjoying. (Publisher)

Murder, She Wrote: Murder Most Trivial by Jessica Fletcher and Barbara Early - I've read one other MSW book by this author and really had fun with it so I'm excited to pick this one up.  (Publisher)

Stay for a Spell by Amy Coombe - I've been loving cozy fantasy and this is a princess stuck in a bookstore so what's not to love? (Publisher)

Currently:

Reading:  The Lost Book of First Loves by RaeAnne Thayne and A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn

Listening:  The Scrooge Conspiracy by Anna Elliott and Charles Veley - This is the last book in this series and I'll be sad to see this end.

Slow Read:  The Queen Who Came In From the Cold by S.J. Bennett

This was a long week - nothing really terrible or a big deal but just lots of little grinding details.  I've just felt like I'm dragging all week.  I'm hoping to get some solid sleep this weekend and then feel more energized feeling for the week ahead. 

Have a great week and happy reading!

Death and the Dancing Footman - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: Death and the Dancing Footman by Ngaio Marsh

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

Description:  The party's over when murder makes an entrance...

With the notion of bringing together the most bitter of enemies for his own amusement, a bored, mischievous millionaire throws a house party. As a brutal snowstorm strands the unhappy guests, the party receives a most unwelcome visitor: death. Now the brilliant inspector Roderick Alleyn must step in to decipher who at the party is capable of cold-blooded murder...

Genre: Mystery - Classic
 
Why I Picked This Book:   I'm slowly reading my way through the Ngaio Marsh books and this was the next one on my shelf.

My Impression: While this is technically an Inspector Alleyn book he really doesn't show up until the last quarter.  Before that it is just the guest list of a house party designed to be absolutely awful with guests who all hate each other, a famous playwright who is a bit of an outsider, and a host who is joyfully pulling the strings.  Until things take a much more serious tone.  

This was a good and enjoyable mystery.  The victim was a surprise and there seems to be no opportunity for anyone to have been the killer.  The dancing footman is in fact pivotal to the investigation which is kind of fun.  I love an isolated house party mystery and in this one not only are they in an out of the way house but they are trapped by a blizzard and generally miserable weather.  I did guess a little bit of the how but there were still a lot of surprises in the unraveling.  Alleyn has a nice presence - just enough to put all the pieces together but not so much where he becomes the focus of the story.

I've found Marsh to be a bit inconsistent but this book and the previous book (Overture to Death) I read by her have both been so much fun.  I'm looking forward to reading more from her.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I'm looking forward to my next book by her and getting the rest of the Marsh books I don't have.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Yes!  It's a fun classic mystery.