The Queens of Crime - Historical Mystery Review

Goodreads:  The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict

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

Description:  London, 1930. The five greatest women crime writers have banded together to form a secret society with a single goal: to show they are no longer willing to be treated as second-class citizens by their male counterparts in the legendary Detection Club. Led by the formidable Dorothy L. Sayers, the group includes Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy. They call themselves the Queens of Crime. Their plan? Solve an actual murder, that of a young woman found strangled in a park in France who may have connections leading to the highest levels of the British establishment.

May Daniels, a young English nurse on an excursion to France with her friend, seemed to vanish into thin air as they prepared to board a ferry home. Months later, her body is found in the nearby woods. The murder has all the hallmarks of a locked room mystery for which these authors are famous: how did her killer manage to sneak her body out of a crowded train station without anyone noticing? If, as the police believe, the cause of death is manual strangulation, why is there is an extraordinary amount of blood at the crime scene? What is the meaning of a heartbreaking secret letter seeming to implicate an unnamed paramour? Determined to solve the highly publicized murder, the Queens of Crime embark on their own investigation, discovering they’re stronger together. But soon the killer targets Dorothy Sayers herself, threatening to expose a dark secret in her past that she would do anything to keep hidden.

Inspired by a true story in Sayers’ own life, New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict brings to life the lengths to which five talented women writers will go to be taken seriously in the male-dominated world of letters as they unpuzzle a mystery torn from the pages of their own novels.

Genre: Mystery - Historical 

Why I Picked This Book:  I like this author and how can I resist a book that involves Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers and other classic mystery authors solving a real life mystery?

My Impression:  As soon as I finished this book I immediately ordered The Scarlet Pimpernel, the first Campion book from Margery Allingham, and went through my Sayers and Marsh collections to see what I was missing.  The concept of this one was interesting.  Even though Sayers is a founding member of the detective club some of the other members are resistant to having too many women writers join.  Dorothy decides to prove their case with the help of her friend Agatha Christie and with three other women writers in tow.   I've read a decent amount of Ngaio Marsh's books and have heard of Margery Allingham's but while I had heard of The Scarlet Pimpernel I was unaware of it's author or really anything about her or the book itself.

I enjoyed this read.  My focus has always been on Christie so I enjoyed getting to "know" Sayers a bit better.  I do wish we had seen more from the other characters perspectives but it did make me more interested in them so I will take that as a win.  While there is a mystery this felt more like a book about the women and Sayers herself with the mystery solving being a subplot.  I was really interested to see there was some truth in the story of the investigation so I'm looking forward to doing some digging and learning more about it.  

There is a bit of repetitiveness here that slowed the plot and I suspect would have made it a bit of a slow read.   I did really enjoy the audio - especially Ngaio's accent - and I think it allowed me to enjoy the story more that I would have if I had the actual book.  This is my 2nd book by this author and will not be my last.  I like how she makes the past come alive - and includes a detailed author's note to let you know what is real and what is fiction.  I'm looking forward to reading more from her.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I already own several other books by this author and am looking forward to reading them.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Yes though it does seem like one that the audio is better for.

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.  Sweet Little Lies by Jill Shalvis - This was a fun romance with likable main characters and a large group of supporting characters who will all have their own books as the series progresses.  Pru and Finn both have baggage but I did appreciate that they were both able to communicate with each other and with the people around them.  There is a Secret which is one of my least favorite plot devices - especially when it takes awhile to be revealed.  However, the response to the Secret wasn't overdone and provided a moment for the characters to figure a few things out.  I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series that I haven't gotten to yet.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

2.  Murder at Kensington Palace by Andrea Penrose - I'm really enjoying this mystery series involving the Earl of Wrexford (Rex) and Charlotte who is not all what she seems.  The character development was really interesting and I especially enjoyed how they used all facets of Charlotte's past to solve the mystery.  The mystery was a good one with an interesting investigation and a solid reveal.   I'm looking forward to reading more of this series and seeing more of these characters.   My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

3.  Perfect Storm by Paige Shelton - This was the most recent book in a mystery series involving writer Beth  Rivers who has taken refuge in a remote town in Alaska.  Now there is evidence that the man who kidnapped and terrorized her is free and on his way to finish the job.  There's also been a murder at an even more remote settlement that is splitting the resources that are available.  This was decent.  I like the community that Beth has built and I like seeing her come to a decision after her running is over.  I got a bit annoyed with Beth as the book went on and her determination to not change anything about her life.  I get it but there's a such thing as taking independence far into TSTL territory and we were definitely there.  Overall, I enjoy this series but this wasn't a favorite.  My Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)

4.  The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst - This was an absolute delight from the beginning until the end.  I loved Kiela and Caz (especially Caz) and while her initial desire is to lay low she can't help but get involved in the community that she has returned to.  I enjoyed every character and this is found family at it's very best.  I don't want to say too much because I knew very little going in and couldn't have loved it more.  I will read anything this author writes and now I want cinnamon rolls - and jams.  My Rating: Loved It! (5 Stars)

5.  What You Are Looking For Is In the Library by Michiko Aoyama - This was a reread and one of my first picks from my Audio TBR jar.  It was a 5 star read when I read it in 2023 and I might have enjoyed it even more listening to it 18 months later. I love the stories, the characters, and everything about this book.  I wasn't sure how it would hold up to a reread/listen but it did and I was able to appreciate some of the little details even more.   It will definitely go on my permanent reread list.  My Rating: Loved It! (5 Stars)

What have you read lately?

Books from the Backlog - Dark Saturday

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:  Dark Saturday by Nicci French

Blurb:  Thirteen years ago eighteen-year-old Hannah Docherty was arrested for the brutal murder of her family. It was an open-shut case and Hannah's been incarcerated in a secure hospital ever since.
When psychotherapist Frieda Klein is asked to meet Hannah and give her assessment of her, she reluctantly agrees. What she finds horrifies her. And Frieda is haunted by the thought that Hannah might be as much of a victim as her family; that something wasn't right all those years ago.

And as Hannah's case takes hold of her, Frieda soon begins to realize that she's up against someone who'll go to any lengths to protect themself.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  This is an overdue review book that has been sitting on my shelf for years.  I have a number of books by this author on my TBR but since I actually own this I really should read it first.

Hidden Nature - Romantic Suspense Review

Goodreads: Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts

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

Description:  Natural Resources police officer, Sloan Cooper, and her partner had just taken down three men preying on hikers in the Western Maryland mountains. Driving back, she pulled in at a convenience store—and walked right into a robbery in progress. One gunshot from a jittery thief was about to change her world.

After being shocked back to life on the operating table, she has a long recovery ahead, so she moves back to her parents’ peaceful house in Heron’s Rest. As for the boyfriend who dumped her via text while she was in the hospital, good riddance.

She may be down, but she’s not out. So when a woman vanishes, leaving her car behind in a supermarket parking lot, Sloan searches online for similar cases. She finds them, spread across three states. Men and women, old and young—the missing seem to have nothing in common. And the abductions keep happening.

Luckily, the new man in her life shares her passion for solving this mystery. But it will take every ounce of endurance to get to the dark heart of this bizarre case—and she's willing to risk her life again if that's what it takes to stop the horror.

Genre: Romance - Suspense

Why I Picked This Book:  I can never resist a new Nora Roberts book!  

My Impression:   This has so many of my very favorite Nora Roberts stuff.  There's a pair of brothers setting up a business in a new town.  There's a strong and close family who support each other and have an important role in the community.  There's a likable main character who has been through a nightmare but has worked her way back and made her life even better.   There are a couple of side character dogs and a side character romance.  There's also a mystery with some time spent in the bad guy's seriously creepy POV.  

This book starts with quite a bang with the shooting of the main character.  I enjoyed meeting Sloan when she's at a tough point in her life.  She's always been strong and independent and suddenly having to rely on people - even people she loves - is difficult.  I couldn't help but root for her as she fought for her recovery and for the life she wanted.  The romance took awhile to show up.  We meet Nash and Theo pretty early in as does Sloan and the rest of her family but the focus for both is not on a romance until halfway through the book.  There's so much going on - including development of the suspense plot that I didn't miss the romance.  

The suspense is super creepy and every time the bad guy showed up on the page I couldn't wait for them to go away again but at the same time I was completely pulled into what was happening with the disappearances.  

I really enjoyed the switch between the creepy disappearances and the day to day life of Sloan and those close to her.  This was a bit predictable but thoroughly enjoyable.  I was hooked from page one and few through this book.   It reminded me of why I look forward to a Nora Roberts suspense title every year!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  This is one of my most read authors and I can't wait for her next book.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you like a good suspense title or are a fan of Nora Roberts' books this is a must read!

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

Top Ten Tuesday - My Favorite Animal Companions

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 animal companions.  I do love an animal companion in a book and here are some of my favorites.

1.  Charles the library cat from the Lighthouse Library Mysteries by Eva Gates - Charles is always ready to get to work and frequently has opinions about most things but especially library patrons (and how many treats he thinks he should get)

2.  Elvis from Second Chance Cat Mysteries by Sofie Ryan - Elvis not only has more than his fair share of personality but he sometimes acts as a lie detector.  I love when he shows up on the page.

3.  O'Ryan from the Witch City Mysteries by Carol J. Perry - O'Ryan is very helpful - and very insistent when it comes to solving mysteries.

4.  All the dogs in the Meg Langslow series by Donna Andrews - There are so many dogs in this long running series from an ill-tempered shih tzu, a whole bunch of Pomeranians, an Irish Wolfhound and a few more that I'm sure I'm forgetting.  

5.  Finn from the Haunted Haven Mysteries by Carol J. Perry - I may be slightly biased but there is nothing more fun than a golden retriever.

6.  Peter the wire fox terrier from Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie - Not only has Peter figured out a way to play fetch but he also helps Poirot solves a murder.

7.  Matty in the Year Round Christmas Mystery by Vicki Delany - I can not resist a big dog - espeically not a lovable drooly St. Bernard

8.  Baby from Vanish with the Rose by Barbara Michael - There's a big pack of dogs in this book but my favorite is Baby, who if not a St Bernard is St Bernard size, who when the heroine is in danger (sometimes real, sometimes perceived by Baby) would try to knock the heroine down so that Baby could lie on her to protect her.  There's one scene where the heroine is having an argument with someone and the dog is desperately trying to knock her down.  It makes me laugh every time I read it.

9.  Poe the Raven in the Magical Bookshop series by Amanda Flower - All the animal sidekicks in this series are great but Poe, the raven, is my favorite.

10. Neil the Puffin in The Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan - It's a puffin that won't leave despite efforts to rehabilitate him.  He's probably my absolute favorite sidekick.

Who are some of your favorite animal sidekicks?

The Spriit Moves - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  The Spriit Moves by Carol J. Perry

Rating: Just Okay (2.5 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Innkeeper Maureen Doherty is well aware that no one—when asked why they come to Florida—says, “For the ghosts.” But her historic Haven House Inn has spirits to spare, and just when she thinks she’s met every ghost in town—a new one pops up to help solve a murder. Or so it seems . . .

When the body of “how-to” book writer Terry Holiday is found by Aster Paterson in her flower garden, the townspeople of Haven are shocked. But they’re even more surprised when the beloved bookshop owner insists that the spirit of her late husband Peter Paterson led her to the grim discovery. Only Aster seems unsurprised—she’s been baking his favorite shortbread cookies every day, hoping to lure his ghost back home . . .

Even Maureen is a little skeptical—until Peter’s ghost appears in the bookshop window for all to see. Haven’s hard-headed realist cop Frank Hubbard is determined to unveil whatever trickery led to the apparition, as he suspects the answer to who killed Terry Holiday may be connected to the illusion.

If Maureen’s learned anything since she moved from New England and inherited her haunted inn, it’s that 1) ghosts are real (at least some of them), and 2) so are murderers. She doesn’t need a how-to manual to solve a murder; she’s done it before. But with suspects ranging from a mystery writers group to a ghostwriter who just checked in at the inn, she will need a little help from her spirited sleuths . . .

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I have liked earlier books in this series and I love this author's Witch City Mystery series.

My Impression:  I've found this series to be fairly inconsistent.  The first book I absolutely adored, the second book was just okay, the third was a lot of fun, and unfortunately, I found book four to just be okay.  I had a difficult time getting into this one which I'm largely putting down to mood as I was feeling decidedly under the weather when I started this.  But even as I got caught up in the story I was never fully invested.  The mystery was a bit odd, the writing group was a bunch of really terrible people, and if I was Maureen I would have blocked the sheriff's calls.  I can get wanting to hear her thoughts or wanting her to stay out of the investigation but the guy couldn't pick a lane.  He was either mad at her that she wasn't working on the investigation or mad at her that she was working on it or mad at her that information she gave him didn't prove fully accurate.

I like Maureen, her dog Finn, and the side characters at the Inn.  I find the investigation into the Inn's past really interesting and I love the ghostly residents.  This is definitely a series that is best read in order as there are a lot of multi-book plot points but so far I've found the even numbered books a bit disappointing.  This is a fun ghosty cozy mystery series but unfortunately, I found this to be one of the weakest books in the series.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I will definitely read more by this author as I've really enjoyed her other series.  

Would I Recommend this Book?  I would try the first book in this series and the first book in the Witch City Mystery series if you haven't read anything by her.  I don't recommend starting with this book.

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

This Week in Reading - May 25

 

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:

The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner - I haven't read anything by this author though I did DNF one book really early in because I wasn't feeling it BUT this book is gorgeous with sprayed edges and just absolutely stunning.  Oh and the blurb sounded pretty good.  (Purchased)

Then I did some shopping at the sale on Libro.fm and got: 

The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman 

The Spectacular by Fiona Davis

Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

Currently:

Reading: Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts and Picked to Die by Sheila Connolly

Listening:  The Queens of Crim by Marie Benedict

I've been feeling kind of terrible all week - not exactly sick but not exactly well either.  Just really run down and headachy.  This has not been good for my reading or really any productivity.  

Have a great week and happy reading!

Friday Fives - Five Books I Remember Reading from Summer Reading Lists

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.  The schools near me are starting summer break which got me thinking of all the Summer Reading books I was assigned over the years.  I need to find a school list to see what are assigned or if they even still do summer reading lists.

1.  The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner - I remember nothing about this one except that it convinced me that Faulkner may not be for me.  Then I had to read Absalom, Absalom and that REALLY convinced me that Faulkner isn't for me.

2.  To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - I remember reading this at my grandparents' house one summer and feeling a bit let down.  Growing up in Alabama this book is frequently held up as the best thing ever written.  Having that kind of hype surrounding the book pretty much my whole life, 15 year old me didn't feel like it quite lived up to it.

3.  A Portrait of the Artist as  Young Man by James Joyce - 17 year old me was so confused by this one.  I remember a bunch of us getting together and trying to figure out what on earth was happening in the story.  I haven't read anything by Joyce since.

4.  Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy - This was one of my favorite summer reading books even though it absolutely broke my heart.

5.  The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - I liked this when I read it but when I reread it as an adult a few years ago I was so surprised by how much darker it seemed than when I read it at 14.  It does make me wonder if all the organizers of Great Gatsby themed proms and weddings have actually read the book.  

Did you have assigned reading in school?  What were some books you had to read and what did you think of them.

Books from the Backlog - The Crossword Murder

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 Crossword Murder by Nero Blanc

Blurb:  When colorful crossword editor Thompson C. Briephs turns up dead under mysterious circumstances, private detective Rosco Polycrates joins forces with a beautiful crossword editor from the victim's rival newspaper to find the killer before he or she strikes again, in an entertaining mystery accompanied by six crossword puzzles.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  It looks really fun and I do love a good classic feeling mystery.  

The Guest Cottage - Romance Review

Goodreads:  The Guest Cottage by Lori Foster

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

Description:  Marlow Heddings is starting over. She’s carried the outrage of her husband Dylan’s affair with a younger woman—and the expectations of his family’s powerful Chicago holdings company—long enough. Now, after another devastating twist of fate, she’s unapologetically moving on.

Arriving in tiny Bramble, Kentucky, Marlow revels in her freedom, swapping her executive suits for sundresses . . . and scouting places to open her dream boutique. Best of all is her new residence, an adorable cottage with gorgeous lake views—and a breathtaking landlord, former Marine Cort Easton. Soon they’re sharing dockside morning coffee and nighttime firefly gazing. Marlow’s new life feels like a dream.

Then Pixie Nolan arrives on her doorstep. With a shocking secret.

To Marlow’s astonishment, Dylan’s “other woman” is a desperate girl of nineteen, destitute, exhausted, and disowned by her family. Defying her manipulative in-laws’ demands, and surprising even herself, Marlow vows to lay down roots in Bramble and help Pixie get on her feet. Then they’ll part ways. But empathy has a way of forging bonds. As Marlow grows close to the hard-working, devoted young woman, she becomes something of a big sister to Pixie.

Now, with each sunrise, Marlow awakens to the life she was truly meant to live, one filled with deepening connections, supportive friendship . . . and even a second chance at love.

Genre: Romance - Contemporary

Why I Picked This Book:  The premise caught my attention as did the cover. 

My Impression:  This was such a sweet cozy read.  Was it the best written book I've ever read?  Nope.  Were the characters a little too perfect?  Definitely.  Was the concept of the town a bit ridiculous?  And then some.  Did I enjoy every single page I read?  100% and I'm really excited to see that this might be the start of a series.  

I loved Marlow and Cort though the true star of the book is Herman, the bar owner.   I enjoyed seeing Marlow find her footing and getting to know Pixie.  There are a few moments of tension but nothing to get rid of the cozy feel of the story.  This was a super quick read that was enjoyable from the first page to the last.  It's a great bit of escapist reading and now I want a dock of my own to watch sunrises on while drinking coffee.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I really enjoyed this one and will be looking for more from this author.

Would I Recommend this Book?  I would!  If you're looking for something sweet and cozy this would be a perfect pick.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Books That Feature Travel

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 That Feature Travel.  I'm sticking with fiction and going through my super long TBR lists.

1.  Paris by the Book by Liam Callanan - I've heard mixed reviews on this one but I'm curious.

2.  The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor - This has been on my TBR for ages and I love everything I've read by this author so I need to pick this one up.  

3.  Tara Road by Maeve Binchy - Another author I love and this sounds wonderful.

4.  A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams -Another author I love and I love different types of beach trips.

5.  Mrs. Pollifax and the Innocent Tourist by Dorothy Gilman - Mrs. Pollifax travels a lot and it's always interesting to see where she ends up.

6.  State of Wonder by Ann Patchett -I've gotten this from the library a couple of times now but have yet to read it.  It sounds really interesting.

7.  People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry - I've loved one book by this author (Funny Story) and DNF'd another (Happy Place) so I need a tie breaker.

8. The Life Impossible by Matt Haig - This looks fantastic and I've heard great things about this author.

9.  The Ancestor by Danielle Trussoni - This looks super creepy and entertaining and who doesn't want to become royalty and travel to Italy?

10. Murder, She Wrote: The Queen's Jewels by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain - I can't make a list without a cozy mystery and this one involves a trip on the Queen Mary 2.

Murder Runs in the Family - Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Murder Runs in the Family by Tamara Berry

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

Description:  Amber Winslow's life has taken a serious turn for the worse. When an impulsive decision forces her to flee her former life carrying nothing but the clothes on her back, she heads to the sunny state of Arizona and the luxury accommodations of her grandmother's retirement community. Never mind that Amber's never actually met her estranged and eccentric grandmother.

As soon as she sneaks her things into Seven Ponds (a place she technically doesn't qualify for and definitely can't afford), she's shocked to learn that George Vincent, a.k.a. the Admiral, was found dead the very night of her arrival. Much to Amber's dismay, no one seems particularly distraught over the news of the Admiral's death or the disappearance of his prize pet tortoise. All anyone can talk about is a missing Vincent family heirloom, and they're quick to blame Jade for both the Admiral's murder and the theft of the priceless ring.

Amber doesn't want to admit the woman she's just met—and who accepted her without question—could be a villain, and she's determined to clear her grandmother's name no matter the cost.

Genre: Mystery 

Why I Picked This Book:  I've enjoyed other books by this author and this one sounded fun.

My Impression: This was a fun read.  Amber is out of money, out of resources, and out of options when she shows up to the retirement community that the grandmother, Jade, she's never met lives.  But before Amber is able to even start getting to know her grandmother a body is found and Jade is arrested.  

I liked watching Amber find her confidence - especially in her dealings with ex-boyfriend Bones.  She's a good investigator and the mystery was an interesting one.  The ins and outs of a retirement community is always interesting and throw in a murder investigation and it becomes doubly interesting. 

I wasn't fully satisfied with the ending and it felt a bit rushed but I enjoyed the reading experience enough that it didn't ruin the book for me.  I will definitely be on the lookout for other books by this author.

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

Would I Recommend this Book? If you're looking for a cozy with quirky and unexpected characters this is a good choice.

This Week in Reading - May 18

 

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:

Death in the Countryside by Maria Malone - This looks like a good mystery and I can never resist with a working dog.  (Publisher)

Currently:

Reading:  The Spirit Moves by Carol J. Perry and The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl

Listening:  The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen

We had a nice weekend at the beach.  The weather wasn't great but it was still a good time and always good to get away for a bit.  Once we got home I got big repairs tackled (as in I hired the people to do the fixing) which was such a huge relief.  I also got some more bookshopping done which is always fun.   My reading has taken a bit of a hit.  I'm liking what I'm reading but by the time I get in bed I am wiped out feeling.  

Have a great week and happy reading!

Cards on the Table - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie

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

Description:  A flamboyant party host is murdered in full view of a roomful of bridge players!

Mr. Shaitana was famous, as were his parties. He was also a man of whom everybody was a little afraid. So, when he boasted to Poirot that he considered murder an art form, the detective had some reservations about accepting a party invitation of cards and viewing Shaitana’s private art collection. Indeed, what began as an absorbing evening of bridge was to turn into a more dangerous game altogether…

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  This was the May pick for the Read Christie Challenge.

My Impression:   Oh this was a good one!  I could practically feel Christie's enjoyment as she carefully plotted this complicated yet oh so simple mystery.  This is also the first time Mrs. Oliver appears on the page.  She has long been a favorite side character of mine and that is even more so since reading Lucy Worsley's biography of Christie and reading how Christie used Mrs. Oliver to vent some of her own thoughts.

I found this to be a quick read and enjoyed the three main detectives - Superintendent Battle, Mrs. Oliver, and of course Hercule Poirot.  As well, Colonel Race makes several appearances throughout the book.  I think the mystery will keep everyone guessing and even though I had read it before I was surprised by the ending.  When I was younger I did agree with Captain Hastings that this one was a bit boring but now I'm fully on Poirot's side and find it one of the best mysteries he's been involved in.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course!  I'm looking forward to the June pick for this challenge and will be rereading this one at some point in the future.

Would I Recommend this Book? Absolutely!  This is Christie at her best.

Friday Fives - Beachy Covers on My 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.  We just got back from a beach trip and while the weather was not so great we had such a fun time.  I'm already looking forward to the next trip later this summer.  Until then, here are 5 covers on my TBR that feel like virtual beach trips.

1. The Seafront Tea Room by Vanessa Greene 

2.  Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey

3.  Boardwalk Summer by Meredith Jaeger

4.  The Friendship Club by Robyn Carr

5.  Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum

Do you have any books with beachy covers on your TBR?

Books from the Backlog - Perfectly Matched

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:  Perfectly Matched by Heather Webber

Blurb:  The heat is on...

When Boston psychic Lucy Valentine finds herself involved in a group of eccentric psychics trying to learn more about their abilities, she is convinced a rare spring heat wave has flushed the crazies out of hiding.

Adding to her theory is her newest client in the Lost Loves division of Valentine, Inc., her family’s lucrative matchmaking firm. He’s an animal communicator who hires Lucy to find his purrfect mate—because his cat told him so.

But craziest of all is The Beantown Burner, a serial arsonist who is targeting private eye Sam Donahue, the brother of Lucy’s boyfriend, Sean. With the help of her kooky psychic group, Lucy must tap into abilities she didn’t know she had to catch the firebug before the fires turn deadly. What she never expected to discover is that the motive behind the flames hits a little too close to home...and her heart.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  Not only is this the last book in a series I've read all the other books in but according to Goodreads this is the same Heather Webber who writes some of my favorite magical realism now.  

Three Books I'm Waiting For In the Next Three Months

 

There are so many great books coming out in the next few months and so many I can't wait to read!  Here are three coming out in the next three months that are at the top of my list.

June

Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell - I have really enjoyed every book I've read by Jewell and I can't wait to pick this one up.

July

Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams - It was so hard to pick just one for July but this one sounds amazing.

August

For Duck's Sake by Donna Andrews - I'd want to read this one just for the title but the fact that it's one of my favorite cozy mystery series doesn't hurt.

What books are you looking forward to reading in the next 3 months?

Birthday Season - Books I Actually Bought

 

I celebrate a birthday season instead of just one day and of course going to bookstores are part of the way I celebrate.  I've still got a bit to go but here are twelve books I've bought.

1.  The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson - This was part of a historical fiction bundle at one of our indie bookstores and it sounded really good.

2.  The Wandering Season by Aimie K. Runyan - Another book in the bundle and this one is not only an author whose books I've enjoyed in the past but involves a DNA test so I'm looking forward to it.

3.  Murder at Gull's Nest by Jess Kidd - The last book in the bundle!  I've read some good reviews for this one and it is another one that looked really good.

4.  At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Weber - I've loved everything I've read by this author and I'm trying to get all the ones I haven't read.

5.  The Museum Detective by Maha Khan Phillips - The blurb really grabbed my attention.

6.  Emily Wilde's Encylopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett - I keep checking this out from the library but by the time I get it I don't have time to read it before it goes back so obviously I just needed to buy it.

7.  Touchstone by Laurie R. King - I picked this one up at a used bookstore and I was so excited.  I have the second book in the duology for years but have never been able to find this one until now.

8.  The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand - I finally read a book by this author earlier this year and really loved it.  The blurb really caught my eye on this one and I'm looking forward to reading it.

9.   The Riviera House by Natasha Lester - This one looks fantastic and I've read another book by this author and really enjoyed it.

10.  Our Last Days in Barcelona by Chanel Cleeton - A missing sister and a dual timeline sounds like a book for me and I've liked what I've read by this author.

11.  Picnic in Someday Valley by Jodi Thomas - I really liked the first book in this series and this is the only one that my library doesn't have so I was excited to see it in the store.

12. The Secret to Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey - I really enjoyed the first book in this series that I read last year so I had to pick up this second book.

What's a book you're really wanting to buy?  Have you read any of these?

My New TBR Jars

 

I watch a decent amount of Bookish YouTube and so many of them have TBR jars either with prompts or book titles.  I love an element of randomness and desperately wanted my own TBR jar.  While I don't have any spare jars I did find these 2 decorative boxes that were too pretty to throw away but I had never figured out what to do with them.

The first one is my Shelf TBR jar.  I took a whole bunch of index cards and wrote all the books on my shelves down.  If I had a series I just wrote the first one - or the next one I had to read - not the whole series.  It took a lot of time but I got a lot of audio book listening done and it was fun to explore my shelves.  I cut the index cards up into little slivers with one title one each one and spent a ridiculous amount of time folding them up.  Next time I'm looking for an actual book to read I just give the box a shake and pick a title.

The came the Audio Book TBR jar.  If I thought the Shelf one took awhile this one took a ridiculous amount of time.  It's at least double the size of the box for the Shelf titles and I have so many audio book titles saved in so many different platforms.  I did put a little symbol to show me what platform the book is on.  A lot of the Libby books will have to be placed on hold so when that happens I'll place that book on hold and pick another title.  I've already used this and have really been enjoying it!

I'm not really a mood reader but when I pick a book that I'm really not wanting to read than I'm going to use that as a sign that it's time for that book to come off my shelf.

Do you have any kind of random system to help you pick books?