All My Bones - Mystery Review

Goodreads:  All My Bones (An Old Juniper Bookstore Mysteries #2) by P.J. Nelson

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

Description:  Madeline Brimley recently inherited a bookstore in Enigma, Georgia, is embarking on her second career, after her first one (acting) founders upon the metaphorical rocks. Settling in, Madeline recruits her friend Gloria Coleman, the local Episcopal priest, to help her plant azaleas in the front yard of the old Victorian that houses the bookstore. Turning the soil, however, uncovers the body of one Beatrice Glassie, a troublesome woman who has been missing for the past six months.

When her friend Gloria is arrested for the murder, Madeline is determined to prove her innocence and, as she quickly finds out, there aren't many people in town who hadn't wanted to kill Bea Glassie at one point or another. And the very expensive and rare first edition of a particular volume of Grimm's Fairy Tales—ordered by the victim and her sister is somehow tied to the grim death. With the help of her not-quite-boyfriend, a local lawman, and her deceased aunt's best friend, Madeline plans to set a trap to catch the real murderer—before she becomes the next victim.

Genre: Mystery

Why I Picked This Book:  I read the first book in the series and enjoyed it.  

My Impression:  This has all the hallmarks of a cozy - small town setting, main character owns a bookstore, amateur sleuth, cat sidekick, and a community of unusual characters.  But it doesn't quite read as a cozy to me.  The topics touched on are a bit darker and the setting and characters are a bit grimmer.  As well, while I enjoyed this book, Madeline's world isn't one I'd like to visit nor are the characters people I'd like to be friends with.

The mystery was an interesting one involving a skeleton buried in a front yard, a beloved character maybe not being who they seemed.   There's also some family pressure for a quick arrest that spurs Madeline into investigative action with a little help from her friends.  The pacing was great and kept me engaged from beginning to end.  I wasn't sure just who would end up being the killer - and why but motives and suspects definitely kept me guessing.

This is one you could really start with this one though there is a bit of setup that will help a few non-plot related things make a bit more sense.  If you're looking for a good read somewhere between regular mystery and cozies this would be a good pick.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Definitely!  I've enjoyed the first two books in the series and look forward to reading more from this author.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you're a mystery reader this is a good series and a good one to pick up.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books I Want to Read in 2026

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 a Freebie and since 2026 is fast approaching I'm looking through my lists and picking books I want to be sure to read.  Here are 10 on my list for 2026.

1.  The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay - I have read and thoroughly enjoyed two books by this author and her more historical fiction/espionage books are really calling my name. 

2   The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong - I meant to read this one right after it came out.

3.  Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn - I read and enjoyed the first book in this series and am very curious to see how the author develops the series.

4.  Year One by Nora Roberts - I'm not much of a fantasy/scifi reader but I've thoroughly enjoyed everything Roberts has written so I figure I should give this trilogy a try.

5.  The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor - This author is one I've read quite a bit from and really enjoyed all her books but somehow I've never read this one.

6.  The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst - I adored the first book in this world and am so excited to read this one.

7.  Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams - I've read the first two books in the Schuyler Sisters trilogy and am really hoping to finish up in 2026.

8.  The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell - This was the first book by Jewell that really caught my attention and somehow I've yet to read it.

9.  A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey - I read and loved a book by this author last year and really loved it and this one has really been calling my name.

10. Killing Trail by Margaret Muzushima - This series is on book 10 I think and seems to keep getting stronger.  I've had this one my shelf for years and 2026 seems like the year to read it.

Authors I've Been Meaning to Read - Backseat Saints by Joshilyn Jackson

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:  Backseat Saints by Joshilyn Jackson

Blurb: Rose Mae Lolley's mother disappeared when she was eight, leaving Rose with a heap of old novels and a taste for dangerous men. Now, as demure Mrs. Ro Grandee, she's living the very life her mother abandoned. She's all but forgotten the girl she used to be-teenaged spitfire, Alabama heartbreaker, and a crack shot with a pistol-until an airport gypsy warns Rose it's time to find her way back to that brave, tough girl . . . or else. Armed with only her wit, her pawpy's ancient .45, and her dog Fat Gretel, Rose Mae hightails it out of Texas, running from a man who will never let her go, on a mission to find the mother who did.

My Thoughts:  As someone from Alabama the fact that I haven't read Joshilyn Jackson seems a bit like a crime so I'm glad to have finally corrected my transgression.  This was quite a ride. I'm not sure I liked any of the characters (other than Fat Gretel (the dog) and a few minor side characters) but I very much enjoyed reading this story.  The audio was fantastic and the narrator's Southern accent was well done (and I'm picky about my accents).  This was fun in a bit of a dark and twisted way and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

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.  Every Single Secret by Christina Dodd - I really enjoy this author's books but if you are not able to suspend belief (as in take belief and lock it a box in a closet while you're reading it) this will not be the book for you.  It's plot and the setup are absolutely bananas.  There are crime lords and secret assassins and all kinds of dramatic intrigue and tragedy. I loved the appearance of Gothic in this book and am hoping for another book set there soon.   It was a fun roller coaster of a read that kept me entertained which is kind of the point of this kind of story.  This is a fun bit of escapist reading that will keep you turning pages.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars) 

2.  The Collector's Apprentice by B.A. Shapiro - I didn't enjoy this one.  Maybe if I had more of an appreciation for art I would have enjoyed it more with all the art mentioned and the time spent in the art scene both on the collecting end and with the actual artists.  My main issue was I disliked all of the characters and the story didn't engage me enough to make up for it.  I don't think this author is for me.  I didn't care for the style of writing or how the characters were developed.  My Rating: Not For Me (2 Stars)

3.  The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill - I had read some mixed reviews for this one so my expectations were pretty low going into it and I ended up thoroughly enjoying it.  It's definitely a bit unique with one part being a more traditional mystery and the other being an exchange between the woman who is writing the story and a fan.  As the story goes on both plots become more and more unsettling and I had no idea how either would end.  The audio version was fantastic with Katherine Littrell's narration really adding to the experience.  I will be on the lookout for more from both the narrator and the author.  My Rating:  Really Liked It (4 Stars)

4.  The Body on the Beach by Simon Brett - Carole Seddon is incredibly sensible and her neighbor Jude (just Jude) is decidedly not.  However, it is sensible Carole that stumbles upon a body on the beach and gets caught up in an investigation she never had any intention of taking part in.  Who else can she reach out to for help but Jude?  This was a fun very classic feeling English village mystery.  I really enjoyed watching the friendship between Jude and Carole develop and the mystery itself unravel.  This is a series and an author I'm looking forward to reading more from.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

5.  We Solve Murders by Richard Osman - I read and enjoyed a previous book by Osman and I loved the sound of this one.  I went with the audio version and Nicola Walker did a fantastic job with the narration.  The cast of characters is quite the mix involving professional assassins, super tough security, retired police officers, a hodge podge of village residents, oh and a professional author with quite a lifetime of experience.  The mystery is a cat and mouse game through multiple countries with serious stakes and hijinks galore. This was a fun read and I had no idea how things were going to unfold until the end but I enjoyed watching unfold.  I'm looking forward to read more from this author and this series.  My Rating: Really Liked It!  (4.5 Stars)

Books from the Backlog - The Man Who Died Twice

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 Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  While I didn't love the first book in the series I did enjoy it and it's a series I'd like to read more of.  

What I'm Reading - November 26

 I always have a few books going.  Here is what I'm reading and what I'm thinking about them.

Print:

A Cookbook Conspiracy by Kate Carlisle - I'm desperately trying to finish up my series reading for 2025 and this is the next book on the stack.  So far I'm enjoying it though I'm not very far in.  I've had some mixed results with this series so I'm hoping for the best.

Ebook: 

All My Bones by P.J. Nelson - I liked the first book in the series and am curious to see how the series develops.  

Audiobook:

Backseat Saints by Joshilyn Jackson - This is one of my must read authors for 2025 and this book is more than a little bonkers but so far a pretty good time.

Slow Read: 

The Five Red Herrings by Dorothy L. Sayers - This is proving to be a bit of a slog.  I'm not a fan of large quantities of dialogue written in heavy dialect and that is definitely slowing this one down for me.

What are you reading right now?

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books That Take Place on Thanksgiving

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 a Thanksgiving Freebie and I'm picking ten books (mostly cozies) that take place on Thanksgiving that I'd like to read.

1.  Drizzled with Death by Jesse Crockett - Pancakes and cozy mysteries sound like quite a good combination!

2.  Peanut Butter Panic by Amanda Flower - I really enjoy this series and a Thanksgiving mystery sounds perfect.

3.  The Good House by Ann Leary - I have had this on my TBR for ages.

4.  A Deadly Feast by Lucy Burdette - Thanksgiving in Key West.

5.  Murder, She Wrote: A Fatal Feast by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain - These books are always so cozy so a Thanksgiving mystery sounds great.

6.  In the Blink of a Pie by Catherine Bruns - Pies, cozy mysteries, and the orange cat on the cover!  

7.  Feast of Murder by Jane Haddam - I haven't read anything by this author but I've been wanting to try something by her and this looks like a fun one.

8.  Wicked Autumn by G.M. Malliet - This looks a bit more classic mystery and this is a series I've really been wanting to read.

9.   The Diva Run of Thyme by Krista Davis - This whole mystery centers around a Thanksgiving meal.

10. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett - Another non-cozy that takes place around family drama and Thanksgiving.

What books set around Thanksgiving are on your TBR?  

Vows and Villainy - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: Vows and Villainy (The Cambridge Bookshop Series #5) by Elizabeth Penney

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

Description:  It’s wedding season in Cambridge, and Molly Kimball is thrilled that it's almost time for her best friend's special day. With the help of her boyfriend Kieran Scott, she is determined to be the best maid of honor for Daisy and Tim. Daisy’s heart is set upon a Shakespeare-themed wedding to be held at Hazelhurst House, Kieran’s family’s home. The Scotts are also hosting a Shakespeare troupe for the summer, and the actors have kindly agreed to be part of the festivities.

But all goes awry with the discovery of Sir Jordan Peck, a famous actor with a checkered past and present-day misdeeds, floating dead in the moat with flowers strewn around him, à la Ophelia. When Kieran’s brother Alan becomes a top suspect, Molly and company must investigate to uncover the ugly truth behind this picturesque scene . . . before more bodies keep piling up.

Can Molly solve the murders before Daisy and Tim say “I do”?

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

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

My Impression:  Molly is spending more time at the castle as she helps her boyfriend, Kieran's, family organize the library and prepare for the wedding of two close friends.  On a beautiful morning she and Kieran's mother, Lady Asha, and the bride to be, Daisy stumble upon a body in the moat in full Ophelia mode.  Molly is quickly pulled into the investigation both to get things settled before Daisy's wedding and to keep Kieran's brother, Alan, out of trouble.

This is a fun series that is so cozy it feels indulgent.  I mean there's a library in a castle, a 400 year old family owned bookstore, and a cat. What not to love?  Add in a hefty dash of Shakespearean actors (some with rather scandalous pasts and all with hidden agendas) and an assortment of likable main characters and I always enjoy my visit to Molly's world.  There's a side plot involving Molly's aunt which I very much enjoyed as well as some regular life scenes.  

The mystery is enjoyable and I always love catching up with the characters.  The series isn't one that really sticks with me but it is one I always look forward to reading.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Definitely!  I've enjoyed everything I've read by this author and look forward to reading more.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you are a cozy mystery fan this is definitely a fun series to try though I do recommend starting from the beginning of the series.

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

Friday Fives - Five Holiday Reads I'd Like to Read This Year

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.  Most of the time the new Christmas releases come out in October I've read them months before the tree is up and we are supposed to be thinking cozy holiday thoughts.  I never think to read some of the backlist books that have been on my TBR to add a bit of holiday coziness.  So I'm making a list and sticking it front in center on my desk so hopefully I'll remember this year!  Here are 5 of the books I'd like to read this year.  I'm also thinking it's time to give A Christmas Carol a reread.

1.  Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher - This has been on my list for literally a decade but somehow I never quite manage to read it.  I'm hoping to fix that this year.

2.  Snow Kissed by RaeAnne Thayne - Her books are always so wonderfully cozy and full of holiday spirit.  This looks like a book that demands it be read tucked into a cozy blanket with a hot cup of tea.

3.  Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak - I'm not sure about this one as it does have the potential to be all unlikable characters but I love the premise.

4.  Let It Snow by Nancy Thayer - I've been wanting to read this author for ages and this looks so cozy and Christmasy.

5.  A December to Remember by Jenny Bayliss - I love estranged sisters and inheritance tropes so I'm looking forward to this one.

What holiday reads are on your TBR?

Books from the Backlog - A Murder of Magpies

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:  A Murder of Magpies by Judith Flanders

Blurb:  It's just another day at the office for London book editor Samantha "Sam" Clair. Checking jacket copy for howlers, wondering how to break it to her star novelist that her latest effort is utterly unpublishable, lunch scheduled with gossipy author Kit Lowell, whose new book will dish the juicy dirt on a recent fashion industry scandal. Little does she know the trouble Kit's book will cause-before it even goes to print. When police Inspector Field turns up at the venerable offices of Timmins & Ross, asking questions about a package addressed to Sam, she knows something is wrong. Now Sam's nine-to-five life is turned upside down as she finds herself propelled into a criminal investigation. Someone doesn't want Kit's manuscript published and unless Sam can put the pieces together in time, they'll do anything to stop it.
With this deliciously funny debut novel, acclaimed author Judith Flanders introduces readers to an enormously enjoyable, too-clever-for-her-own-good new amateur sleuth, as well Sam's Goth assistant, her effortlessly glamorous mother, and the handsome Inspector Field. A tremendously entertaining read, this page-turning novel from a bright new crime fiction talent is impossible to put down.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf: I read and enjoyed the second book in this series and thought "Wow - I bet I'd have enjoyed this way better if I had read the first book".  So I purchased the first book and the promptly forgot about it.

From Cradle to Grave - Cozy Historical Mystery Review

Goodreads:  From Cradle to Grave (A Royal Spyness Mystery #19)

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

Description:  Georgie may not have much in common with your average new mother, but she does have one a new nanny she despises. Knowing she must find a nanny more suited to her young son, Georgie travels to London to see her old friend ZouZou, only to find her about to depart for a funeral, after the unexpected death of a young man. It quickly becomes clear there’s more than one mysterious death around town, when another friend, Georgie Gormsley, reveals he’s just returned from the funeral of a school friend, who seemingly drowned while swimming. And then Georgie's best friend, Belinda, receives a telegram informing her that the son of family friends has died tragically. It begins to seem like too much of a coincidence to Georgie. Yet the victims didn’t seem to have any connection to one another.

Georgie returns to ZouZou, who puts the final nail in the coffin—she’s sure that the deaths were not an accident and begs Georgie to solve the case. As Georgie begins investigating, she can’t help worrying that her own husband, Darcy, may be next. She begins to suspect there might be a serial killer at work and as she delves deeper into the case, realizes that the young men may all share a link to a crime many years ago. Will Georgie solve the murders before it’s too late for Darcy, and manage to find the perfect nanny all at the same time?

Genre: Mystery - Cozy Historical

Why I Picked This Book:  I've read the most recent books in this series and am enjoying catching up on the earlier books so of course I had to pick this one up!
 
My Impression:   I felt a bit sorry for Georgie in the beginning of this.  She basically wants to be left alone with her family at her home in the English countryside.  Things are quickly turned on their ear when a formable woman appears at the door to be the nanny to Georgie's 7 month old son James.  Soon after,, the reason for the nanny appearing in the first place also turns up a the door.  Georgie isn't the most outspoken confident person and Nanny and Fig most definitely are so I couldn't help but feel sorry for her as she tried to stand up for what she actually wants while trying not to offend anyone.  I did kind of want to shake Darcy for not being more supportive.

In all the household chaos the mystery kind of sneaks in as the death of one young man after the other gets mentioned and bit by bit begins to stack up.  It's an interesting concept and proves to be an interesting mystery.  I enjoyed how Georgie gets involved as well as more time with ZouZoe who we haven't seen very much of in the last few books.  I also love what the author has done with Queenie who was easily one of my top 5 least favorite cozy mystery side kicks.  She has a valuable role in the household but is only a side character in Georgie's life and normally the chaos she unleashes impacts some of the unlikable characters visiting the house (in this case Fig and Nanny).  

I really enjoyed this book and wasn't sure how any of the various plots would work out.  There is a lot about Georgie's life which as a long time reader of the series I really enjoyed but may be a bit much if you start the series with this one.  If you're starting the series from the beginning just remember while Fig doesn't get better Queenie most definitely does.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series and finishing up the books in the middle of the series that I've missed.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I've enjoyed everything I've read by this author and am looking forward to reading more.

Would I Recommend this Book?  I recommend this series but do recommend starting earlier in the series so you can get to know the characters.

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

Ten Books I Want To Read By The End of The Year

Today's Top Ten Tuesday Topic over at That Artsy Reader Girl is Modern Books That I Think Will Be Classics.  Honestly, I don't think many of the books I read will become classics though I'm very curious to see what everyone has on their lists.  Instead, I'm going to do a topic I've seen bouncing around on blogs and on YouTube - Ten Books I Want to Read By the End of the Year.  I can't believe we are coming towards the close of 2025 and to be honest I am not ready!  I'm iffy on what goals I'm going to complete as I've had a weird year with reading slumps or slowdowns.  That doesn't mean I haven't been looking at my shelf and library shelves and bookstore shelves and thinking about books I want to read though!  Here are 10 I'd like to get read by the end of the year.

1.  Shady Hollow by Juneau Black - I have a few books in this series and it looks wonderfully fall-ish.

2.  The Belle of Bellgrave Square by Mimi Matthews - I read this a few years ago and read the first book in the series earlier this year which made me want to continue with the series and reread this second book.

3.  We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida - I picked this one up earlier this year and really want to read it.  It sounds like a nice cozy read.

4.  The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst - The first book by this series was one of my favorite reads last year and I'm so looking forward to reading this one.

5.  A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey - I love this author and this one looks fantastic.

6.  The Woods are Waiting by Katherine Greene - I read another book by this author and really liked it and this one looks super creepy.

7.  Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn - I liked the first book in this series and I really enjoy everything I've read by this author.  I'm curious to see how the author continues this storyline.

8.  The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor - This was the first book that brought this author on my radar but somehow while I've read lots of other books by this author I still haven't read this one.

9.  Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams - I read the second book in this trilogy earlier this year which kind of ended on a cliffhanger so I need to read the third book.

10. Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher - This has been on my end of the year reading list for several years so hopefully this is the year.

What are some books you want to read by the end of the year?

The Seven Rings - Romantic Suspense Review

Goodreads:  The Seven Rings (The Lost Bride Trilogy #3) by Nora Roberts

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

Description:  Long ago, Arthur Poole built a grand house overlooking the turbulent ocean, in a Maine village that bore his name. Today, Sonya MacTavish lives in that house—a manor that has been cursed for generations. Within its walls, she has witnessed the deaths of seven brides and the thefts of seven wedding rings. And now, to break the curse and banish a malevolent spirit once and for all, a difficult task must be completed.

After Sonya, her boyfriend, Trey, and their friends are forced to hear, see—and feel—the suffering of the house’s many ghosts as their torment is reenacted by the evil presence, their bond only strengthens and their anger is renewed. Refusing to let her spirit be broken, Sonya searches each room for clues to her ancestors’ hidden story, putting the picture together, unearthing small treasures, and uncovering the moments of joy that existed among the sorrows. She’s determined to bring light to this haunted place—to fill it with people, with life and hope, once again.

But the enemy in the black dress continues to hover, to come at her in frightening forms. They may be illusions—but illusions can be powerful enough to wound and kill. She feeds on fear, and lies are her weapon. This dark-hearted witch wants to be mistress of Poole Manor, at any cost. And Sonya will need to fight a battle across two realms to finally take possession of the house on the clifftop—and of her own future…

Genre:  Romance - Paranormal Suspense

Why I Picked This Book:  I have loved this trilogy and have been so looking forward to this book.

My Impression:  I have thoroughly enjoyed the first two books though I do feel that my family failed me a bit because at no point have I inherited a haunted family manor with a boatload of (mostly) helpful ghosts.  Each of the first two books have ended on a cliffhanger and I have been highly anticipating how Sonya, Cleo, Trey, and Owen were going to defeat the truly awful Hester Dobbs.  

I enjoyed spending more time with the four main characters, their pets, and the ghosts that inhabit the historic old house.  I really enjoyed that we got to know Colin a little bit more and that Sonya is increasingly making the house her own.  The story is compelling and I enjoyed watching as they figured out how to fight the evil Hester Dobbs.  

There was a bit more filler than necessary which is what kept this from being an absolute win for me.  I have really enjoyed this trilogy and am a bit sad that my time at Lost Bride Manor has come to an end though I have enjoyed the ride!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course!  I'm looking forward to whatever Roberts publishes next and have a few of her past books on deck to reread.

Would I Recommend this Book?  I would absolutely recommend this trilogy but this is definitely one that needs to be read in order.

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

Friday Fives - TBR Jar Pick Reviews

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 year I wanted to add a bit of randomness and work on getting through more books I've been neglected so I started two TBR jars - one for physical books on my shelves and one for audio books.  Here are 5 books I've picked from my audio book jar and what I thought of them.

1.  Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams - I enjoy Beatriz Williams but this was not the book for me.  I gave it a couple of tries and finally DNF'd at about 11%.  I found I just didn't care.

2.  All the Stars in Heaven by Adriana Trigiani - This author has been on my TBR for at least a decade but I probably wouldn't have picked it up if I hadn't pulled it at random.  It's the story of a young Loretta Young navigating the world of 1930s Hollywood mostly seen through the perspective of her secretary.  It was interesting and I loved seeing Spencer Tracy on the page as well as the other Hollywood stars.  This wasn't a standout but I enjoyed it and will definitely try more from this author.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

3.  Veil of Night by Linda Howard - This was a fun listen with a good premise.  It read a bit like a 1990s romantic suspense (it was published in 2011 - I double checked) which was fun.  The male main character is the worst and it would have had a much higher rating if not for him.   My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

4.  Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena - What a terrible group of people and what a fast paced compelling thriller.  I'm glad I finally tried this author and I will definitely be reading more from her. My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

5.  Flea Market Magic by Bella Falls -  This was a cute and fluffy paranormal cozy mystery.  The main character was a bit annoying but I liked the quirky cast of characters.  The main issue I had was with how the ending was resolved.   My Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)

Books from the Backlog - The Woman Who Spoke to Spirits

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 Woman Who Spoke to Spirits by Alys Clare

Blurb:  London, 1880
When accounts clerk Ernest Stibbins approaches the World's End Investigation Bureau with wild claims that his wife Albertina has been warned by her spirit guides that someone is out to harm her, the bureau's owner Lily Raynor and her new employee Felix Wilbraham are initially sceptical. How are the two private enquiry agents supposed to investigate threats from beyond the grave?

But after she attends a seance at the Stibbins family home, Lily comes to realize that Albertina is in terrible danger. And very soon so too is Lily herself..

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I have no memory of picking this one up but it looks really good!  I have no idea why I haven't read it yet.

Reading For Fun - Emily Wilde's Encylopaedia of Faeries

The last few years I've made a list of 10 books - 5 books off my shelf, 5 books from the library - that I'm really wanting to read.  There's no real rhyme or reason.  I just go through my library list and my shelves and pick the books that are calling to me.  Here is one that I've read recently.

Goodreads:  Emily Wilde's Encylopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

Blurb:  Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world's first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people. She could never make small talk at a party--or even get invited to one. And she prefers the company of her books, her dog, and the Fair Folk.
So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk. Nor does she care to spend time with another new arrival: her dashing and insufferably handsome academic rival Wendell Bambleby, who manages to charm the townsfolk, get in the middle of Emily's research, and utterly confound and frustrate her.

But as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones--the most elusive of all faeries--lurking in the shadowy forest outside the town, she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery: Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, she'll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all--her own heart.

My Thoughts:  I wanted to love this one.  I'd heard such great things about it and I had loved The Grace of Wild Things by this author.  It wasn't bad and I did enjoy the last half but getting there was a bit of a slog for me.  I wasn't interested in any of the characters (except Shadow, Emily's dog) or Emily's research.  I had a hard time feeling invested in the story or the characters.  While I did enjoy the last half and was interested in how everything worked out this isn't a series I plan on continuing with.  I will read more from this author but that is based off the previous book I read.  I know this is a pretty unpopular opinion, but this one wasn't a win for me.  My Rating: Just Okay (2.5 Stars)

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books I Enjoyed Outside My Comfort Zone

 

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 Ten Books I Enjoyed Outside My Comfort Zone.  I read pretty widely but I'm a big escapist reader so I tend to stay away from books that don't seem like they're in my comfort zone but here are 10 that I've read and enjoyed.

1. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey - Years and years ago I was in a mom's group that would occasionally have a book club.  This was one of those picks and I wasn't super excited about but ended up loving it.

2.  We Were Liars by E. Lockhart - I typically don't read YA and it still isn't a genre that I typically reach for but I flew through this one and really enjoyed it.

3.  The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams - I'm not really a SciFi reader but I love Adams' humor and this book is just so bizarre.

4.  A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle - I've never been much of a SciFi or Fantasy reader but this was one of my absolute favorite books as a kid.  I was a bit surprised when I reread it as an adult that I had loved it so much as a kid.

5.  Cinder by Marissa Meyer - Another outside of my genres but I really enjoyed this one and the second book.  I do need to finish the series.

6.  Me Before You by Jojo Moyes - I'm a very firm escapist reader and it was clear that this book wasn't going to have a unicorn and rainbows ending but I ended up reading it anyway.  I ugly cried hard at this one but I did enjoy it.

7.  Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan - I'm still not 100% sure what was going on with this one but I really enjoyed it. The audio was such a ride.

8.  Before the Fall by Noah Hawley - I don't typically reach for catastrophe books or books where children are in peril and this book had both.  I flew through this one and really enjoyed it.

9.  The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman - Are Gaiman's books in anyone's comfort zone?  This book was bananas but such a good read.

10. Moonraker by Ian Fleming - This may be the worst Bond movie in existence but the book is fantastic.

What books have you enjoyed that are outside of your comfort zone?

The Queen Who Came In From the Cold - Historical Mystery Review

Goodreads:  The Queen Who Came In From the Cold (Her Majesty The Queen Investigates #5) by S.J. Bennett

Rating: Really Liked It
Source:   Publisher

Description:  It's 1961 and the Queen is planning her state visit to Italy aboard Britannia. But before she goes, an unreliable witness claims to have seen a brutal murder from the royal train. Did it really happen, and could the victim be a missing friend of Princess Margaret's new husband, Tony Armstrong Jones? The Queen and her assistant private secretary, Joan McGraw, get to work on their second joint investigation, little imagining that this time it will take them all the way to Venice in a tale of spies, lies and Cold War skullduggery.

Genre:  Mystery - Historical

Why I Picked This Book:  I really enjoyed the previous book and the blurb uses the world "skullduggery" so how could I resist?

My Impression:  This is the second book I've read in this series and have really enjoyed both of them.  The concept is fantastic and very well done.  While the primary actors are the people around the Queen she has a pivotal role and is definitely pulling all the strings.  While the first 3 books seemed to be set in more modern time this book and the previous book are set in the late 1950s and early 60s making it very easy to jump in either with this book or the previous book.  

There's a bit of espionage-y setup but while the book doesn't start up with the Queen stumbling over a body it does start with a bit of royal gossip - in this case about Princess Margaret's new husband Tony.  I did appreciate that the gossip never felt particularly mean spirited when it involved characters who were real people.  The fictional characters were fair game of course.

The story was interesting and I love Joan as the primary detective.  It's hard to beat the setting as we wind through multiple means of royal transportation and Venice.  The Queen and her people make for a wonderful investigating team and her world makes for a beautifully complicated setting for murder.  

If you enjoy lighter mysteries this is series is one to look for.  It's a bit unique, truly interesting, and a really fun read.  I haven't read the first three books yet but I'm really looking forward to picking them up.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I'm really looking forward to reading the first three books and will be looking for the next one.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy mysteries this is a great series that doesn't get as much attention as it should.

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