Overdue Reviews - The Spies of Shilling Lane + Manor Death

 

Goodreads:  The Spies of Shilling Lane by Jennifer Ryan

Blurb:  From the bestselling author of The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir comes a thrilling new WWII story about a village busybody—the mighty Mrs. Braithwaite—who resolves to find, and then rescue, her missing daughter

Mrs. Braithwaite, self-appointed queen of her English village, finds herself dethroned, despised, and dismissed following her husband’s selfish divorce petition. Never deterred, the threat of a family secret being revealed sets her hot-foot to London to find the only person she has left—her clever daughter Betty, who took work there at the first rumbles of war. But when she arrives, Betty’s landlord, the timid Mr. Norris, informs her that Betty hasn’t been home in days--with the chaos of the bombs, there’s no telling what might have befallen her. Aghast, Mrs. Braithwaite sets her bullish determination to the task of finding her only daughter. Storming into the London Blitz, Mrs. Braithwaite drags the reluctant Mr. Norris along as an unwitting sidekick as they piece together Betty’s unexpectedly chaotic life. As she is thrown into the midst of danger and death, Mrs. Braithwaite is forced to rethink her old-fashioned notions of status, class, and reputation, and to reconsider the question that’s been puzzling her since her world How do you measure the success of your life? Readers will be charmed by the unforgettable Mrs. Braithwaite and her plucky, ruthless optimism, and find in The Spies of Shilling Lane a novel with surprising twists and turns, quiet humor, and a poignant examination of mothers and daughters and the secrets we keep.

My Thoughts:  I loved the previous book by this author but had heard mixed reviews for this book so I was a bit hesitant.   I really enjoyed all the day to day life in wartime London.   It was interesting and heartbreaking to follow Mrs. Braithwaite and Mr. Norris and all the people around them as they navigated bombings and shortages and so much loss but also increasing awareness of what they really wanted out of life.  Mrs. Braithwaite and Mr. Norris were a good pair and while of similar age couldn't have been more different.  The women's club life and the attitudes around Mrs. Braithwaite's divorce were also really interesting.  What fell a bit flat for me was the espionage elements.  It felt a bit farce-y compared to the more serious elements of the rest of the book and I had a hard time believing a few of the characters were really as well respected as they were.  I'm looking forward to reading more from this author and am hoping they next books are more like the first book I read by her.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

Goodreads:  Manor of Dying by Kathleen Bridge

Blurbs:   When decorator Meg Barrett travels to a remote mansion to help select period pieces for a new 1930s-style television mystery series, she's chilled to learn that the manor was once a mental asylum and the site of a mysterious decades-old murder. And when a fierce blizzard knocks out the power and strands Meg and her cohorts in the home's rickety old elevator, they emerge to discover that another person has been murdered--in the same macabre manner as the original victim. With a suspect list limited to those who were also stranded at the manor, Meg begins digging through their backgrounds for clues to both the old and new murder, trying to discover a connection that will lead her to the culprit's identity. But the more she learns, the more clear it becomes that someone wants to keep the secrets of the past buried, and Meg knows she'll have to watch her back before a ruthless killer decides to commit her to a grisly fate . . .

My Thoughts:  This was a cute cozy.  Meg is a likable main character and she has a quirky world of characters around her.  The murder happens in an old mansion which not only used to be an insane asylum that seems to have specialized in lobotomies but also a murder - and now a modern day murder.  The dialogue is on the clunky over-explaining side and the mystery isn't one that will stick with me.  However, this is a fun one to pick up if you need a bit of a palette cleanser from heavier books.  My Rating:  Liked It (3 Stars)

This Week in Reading - June 29

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:

A Dark and Deadly Journey by Julia Kelly - This is the third book in the Evelyn Redfern series set during WWII and I'm really looking forward to it.  (Publisher)

Currently:

Reading:  The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Telly and Murder on Mustique by Anne Glenconner

Listening: Six Feet Deep Dish by Mindy Quigley 

One of our local used bookstores that has been around for ages has recently changed hands.  I finally got the chance to visit it this weekend and was so pleased with the changes.  It's a bit prettier but the general vibe and selection are the same.

Have a great week and happy reading!

Midsummer Mysteries - Classic Mystery Reviews

Goodreads: Midsummer Mysteries by Agatha Christie

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

Description:  Summertime--as the temperature rises, so does the potential for evil. From Cornwall to the French Riviera, whether against a background of Delphic temples or English country houses, Agatha Christie's most famous characters solve complicated puzzles as the stakes heat up. Pull up a deckchair and enjoy plot twists and red herrings galore from the bestselling fiction writer of all time.

Includes the stories:

The Blood-Stained Pavement
The Double Clue
A Death on the Nile
Harlequin's Lane
The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman
Jane in Search of a Job
The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim
The Idol House of Astarte
The Rajah's Emerald
The Oracle at Delphi
The Adventure of the Sinister Stranger
The Incredible Theft

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  This is a short story collection I haven't read and I love Christie's short stories.

My Impression:  I love Christies' short stories so I've been really enjoying the release of new collections - even if most of the stories are ones I've already read.   To call this a summer collection is a bit of a stretch as only a couple of stories really have anything to do with that time of year but it is still and interesting collection.  There are a couple of Miss Marple books,  a Harley Quinn story, two Mr. Parker Pyne stories, a few Poirots, a Tommy and Tuppence and a standalone or two.  I always enjoy the variety and was thrilled to see some Mr. Parker Pyne stories as he is one of my favorites.  

The theme for this series was definitely the weakest and several of the stories were not my favorite.   That's not to say I didn't enjoy it - but it wasn't one that will be at the top of my list for a reread.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course!  I already have my Read Christie Challenge book for July pulled out and ready to go!

Would I Recommend this Book? Yes, though this is the Christie collection I would start with if you are wanting to try a Christie book.

Friday Fives - Five Short 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.  The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl - I've read several of Reichl's food memoirs but this was the first fiction book of hers that I read.  I enjoyed it though it wasn't a full win for me.  I find this kind of book works best for me if I really connect with the main character.  Stella was okay and I definitely felt sympathy for her regarding her relationship with her mother but she wasn't someone I really found myself rooting for.  Reichl's focus in the story is definitely the food which isn't surprising and her descriptions are gorgeous as expected.  However, what really caught my eye in the blurb was the dress and that felt very secondary in this story.  I found it very readable and I go through it fairly quickly but it just wasn't a book I fell in love with.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

2.  The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen - This is the first book in a slice of life series involving a village named Ivy Hill in 19th century England.  Things are changing for the coaching inn, The Bell, and the new owner and recent widow Jane Bell is trying to figure out how to keep things afloat.  This isn't something she's at all prepared for, but she is doing her best.  There's a whole host of side characters from inn guests and staff to village residents.  I really enjoyed the character progression of Jane's mother-in-law, Thora.  As well, Jane herself is a character I really rooted for.  There was a side character that I felt deserved some harsher consequences but for the most part this is good people trying their best.  This is billed as Christian fiction and it is, but the actual story isn't particularly religious, and I didn't find the writing preachy.  It's more a story of deeply religious people if that makes sense.  The next book isn't top of my list, but it is a series I'll be continuing.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

3.  The Unholy by Heather Graham - This series is always such fun and I really enjoyed this one.  This one was full of old movie mentions and old Hollywood lore.  Madison is a special effects artist who can also see ghosts as is Cameron - except now Cameron is also an FBI agent.  They work together well as does the rest of the special FBI unit.  The mystery itself was enjoyable though there were a couple of threads that were heavily mentioned but were never really explored.  This is kind of a candy bar book - yummy and quick to indulge in but won't stay with you too long.  It was an enjoyable read and I'll be picking up the next Krewe book by this author soon.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

4.  Love, Loss, and What We Ate by Padma Lakshmi - I picked this up on an Audible sale at least 6 or 7 years ago when we were really loving Top Chef.  I really enjoyed Padma's input on the show and was curious to know more about her.  This book was interesting.  I really enjoyed the look into growing up in an Indian household and then kind of split between two cultures after she and her mother moved to the US.  Her view of food was also really fascinating as was her move from modeling into the food world.  I would like for a bit more perspective on her relationship and how things developed with raising her daughter.  There are some really truly vicious reviews on this book that I think come from fans of her ex-husband and don't really seem to touch on subjects she actually touched on in the story.  She's not always the most likable but I did find it interesting and the audio which is read by the author is really well done.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

5.  The Palace Guard by Charlotte MacLeod - This is my second book by this author and the third book in the Kelling & Bitterson series.  I very much enjoyed seeing Sarah and Max again now that they know each other a bit better.  The setting for this one is an art museum loosely based on The Gardner Museum also in Boston and this also involves crimes committed in the museum though in a very different way from the infamous Gardner Heist.  MacLeod has a gift for kind of lulling you in.  I'm listening while I'm doing stuff and enjoying the story but not too wow-d by it and then all of a sudden I realize I'm completely pulled in by the mystery and the characters.  I'm really looking forward to reading more of this series and exploring MacLeod's other books.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

Books from the Backlog - Wedding of the Season

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:  Wedding of the Season by Laura Lee Guhrke

Blurb:  The duke may have returned, but she has no intention of falling back into his arms...

Abandoned at the altar...

Lady Beatrix Danbury had always known she would marry William Mallory. She'd loved him forever, and she'd never doubted he loved her, too. But when she made him choose between their life together or his lifelong dream, Will chose the latter...and left two weeks before their wedding.

Return of the duke...

Will has no illusions that Beatrix would welcome him back with open arms, but six years did not dim his love or desire for her. The only problem is, she's about to marry someone else. Someone safe and predictable...the complete opposite of Will. But can he stop the wedding of the season and win Beatrix back, or is it just too late?

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I used to be a big historical romance reader but that had really tapered off in the last few years.  I've started kind of gravitating back towards the genre and I have so many books by this author on my shelf that I need to work through.  I used to love her books but the last book I read of hers was a DNF and the one before that was a "meh" so I think this will be the tiebraker on whether I read the books I have or declutter.

Authors I've Been Meaning to Read - The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick

 

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:  The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick

Blurb:  Librarian Martha Storm has always found it easier to connect with books than people - though not for lack of trying. She keeps careful lists of how to help others in her superhero-themed notebook. And yet, sometimes it feels like she's invisible.
All of that changes when a book of fairy tales arrives on her doorstep. Inside, Martha finds a dedication written to her by her best friend - her grandmother Zelda - who died under mysterious circumstances years earlier. When Martha discovers a clue within the book that her grandmother may still be alive, she becomes determined to discover the truth. As she delves deeper into Zelda's past, she unwittingly reveals a family secret that will change her life forever.

Filled with Phaedra Patrick's signature charm and vivid characters, The Library of Lost and Found is a heartwarming and poignant tale of how one woman must take control of her destiny to write her own happy ending.

My Thoughts:  This had one of my absolute favorite things - a bookish main character and not only was the main character bookish but she also needed to take a long hard look at her life and figure out what actually makes her happy.   There's also family secrets and complicated familial relationships which are also things that I usually enjoy.  Martha really frustrated me at times but as the book went on and I learned more about her upbringing the more I understood why she was the way she was.   I really enjoyed following her as she got to know herself and those around her better.  It also hit home a bit for me when she realized that she's let all of these other jobs get in the way of her reading and decides to fix the problem.  I find myself doing the same thing when I really need to take a moment here and there to recharge and read.  This is the first book I've read by this author but I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading more from her.  My Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Most Anticipated Releases for the 2nd Half of 2025

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 Most Anticipated Releases for the 2nd Half of 2025.

1.  The Forget-Me-Not Library by Heather Webber - I love this author and how can I resist a book by this author that has the world Library in the title?  

2.  Death at the Door by Olivia Blacke - I really enjoyed the first book in the series and I'm really curious to see how this series develops.

3. The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan - Colgan's books are either Loves or DNFs for me.  This looks gorgeous so I'm hoping it's the former.

4.  A Moment's Shadow by Anna Lee Huber - I enjoyed the other books in the series and the previous book kind of ended on a cliffhanger so I'm looking forward to seeing how things develop.

5.  The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer by Ragnar Jonasson - I haven't read this author but I've heard great reviews and I just love the title.

6.  The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst - I loved the first book I read by this author and this also looks wonderful.

7.  Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams - I typically really enjoy this author's books and this one looks good.

8.  Ghost Business by Jen DeLuca - I'm so excited to see another book set in Boneyard Key.  I'm really looking forward to reading it.

9.  Murder on a Scottish Train by Lucy Connolly - I've really enjoyed the previous books in this cozy-ish mystery series and this one involves a train.

10. The Seven Rings by Nora Roberts - I have adored the first two books in this series and am so excited for the conclusion of the trilogy.

What releases are you excited to read during the 2nd half the year?

The Love Fix - Contemporary Romance Review

Goodreads:   The Love Fix by Jill Shalvis

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

Description:  Lexi Clark’s life is falling apart around her, so when she’s summoned home to Sunrise Cove, the last thing she wants to do is face all the complications she left behind. Her past, her stepsister Ashley, and especially her infuriatingly gorgeous childhood nemesis-turned-crush Heath Bowman.

Yep, Lexi’s pretty sure being home again just might kill her. She’s an overachieving art appraiser who doesn’t believe in trust, love, or Happily Ever Afters. Free spirit Ashley, on the other hand, is so full of life it hurts to look at her. But Lexi can’t refuse Ashley’s plea to honor their late mother’s final wish to make amends with the people she’d wronged. So, on behalf of her estranged mother’s estate—and with Heath in tow as the executor—Lexi embarks on a road trip to repay all the people her gambling addicted mother owed money to.

Complicating everything are the feelings that well up for for her mom, for Ashley, and most of all, for Heath. And for the record, she doesn’t like it, or the way he has of scaling the walls she’s built around her heart. The road trip shenanigans that ensue are both funny and heartbreaking, but Lexi finds something shocking along the way. Acceptance. Family. And unbelievably—if you ask Lexi anyway—love.

Genre:  Romance - Contemporary

Why I Picked This Book:   I always enjoy a Jill Shalvis book and so of course I couldn't resist this one.

My Impression:   I love how Shalvis writes familial relationships and this was no different.  Lexi and Ashley are step-sisters who shared a mother-figure (it's complicated) but the mother that Lexi had was very different from the mother that Ashley had.  In addition, Lexi's carefully planned life has come apart at the seams.

Now she's back where she never wanted to be trying to settle her estranged mother's estate and come to terms with all the people who knew her mother as a very different person than the one who continuously let Lexi down.  And there's also Heath - of the missed opportunities and the childhood rivalries.

I enjoyed this story.  It reminded me a bit of the first Lucky Harbor trilogy which was one of my favorites but it was a new take on the premise.  Lexi isn't the most likable main character at first. She's prickly and defensive but as the story goes on I understood her a bit better and she began to listen to those around her.  I liked how the mother's final wishes were setup and how the range of emotions those actions evoked were dealt with. 

This is the 8th book in the Sunrise Cove series but reads like a standalone and not like part of a series.  I thoroughly enjoyed being back in a Shalvis-created world and look forward to reading more from her soon. 

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I'm already looking forward to the next book by hers that I pick up.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy stories with a solid romance and strong family connections this is a great read.

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

This Week in Reading - June 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:

Nothing!  I do have a used bookstore trip planned for next week though - and maybe a visit to another bookstore.

Currently:

Reading: Murder, She Wrote: A Body in Boston by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran and Midsummer Mysteries by Agatha Christie

Listening: The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan

We spent this weekend flooring shopping and are starting the process to replace the flooring downstairs.  I'm so excited but so dreading the upheaval of the whole thing.  

Summer decided to finally show up here.  We've had some sunshine and the temperatures are in the 90s with humidity about 80% or so.  I know I'll be sick of it in a couple of months but right now I'm enjoying the pool time.

Have a great week and happy reading!

Crooked House - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Crooked House by Agatha Christie

Rating: Loved It (5 Stars)
Source:   Purchased

Description:  The Leonides are one big happy family living in a sprawling, ramshackle mansion. That is until the head of the household, Aristide, is murdered with a fatal barbiturate injection.

Suspicion naturally falls on the old man’s young widow, fifty years his junior. But the murderer has reckoned without the tenacity of Charles Hayward, fiancé of the late millionaire’s granddaughter.

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:   This was the June pick for the Read Christie reading challenge and is one of my favorites.

My Impression:  This is such a good one.  This is a standalone so no Poirot or Marple or any of her other regular sleuths.  Instead, there is Charles Hayward, son of the Assistant Commissioner of Scotland Yard and his fiancé (kind of) Sophie Leonides.  

I really enjoyed Charles's interactions with his father and the fact that he was completely upfront with Sophia when he comes down to investigate.  The family is a good one from Christie with 2 sons and their wives, various grandchildren, an elderly aunt, and the new wife who is no one's favorite and everyone else is eying suspiciously.  The dynamics are different, and each character has their own motives.  

I enjoyed this one from start to finish and through all the twists and turns.  If you're looking for a Christie to try this would be a good and out of the ordinary choice.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I'm really looking forward to the July Christie read.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Definitely!   This is a good Christie and a good choice if you're wanting a stand alone.

Friday Fives - Five Non-Cozies Set During Summer

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.  Last week I found 5 cozy mysteries that are set during summer. This week I'm looking at 5 non-cozy books set during summer!

1.  Mansion Beach by Meg Mitchell Moore - This book looks gloriously summer-y and is a retelling of The Great Gatsby

2.  One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle - Summer in Italy with a story that touches on some deeper more emotional subjects.   

3.  A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey - Two timelines in North Carolina with family drama and a bit of summer.

4.  The Edge of Summer by Viola Shipman - Another summer while touching on heavier topics and a heaping helping of family secrets.

5.  Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan - This is an author I haven't read anything from yet but have been wanting to try some of her books.  There's some starting over and a dog which are subjects I enjoy!

What summer-y books do you have on your TBR?

Books from the Backlog - You'll Never Find Me

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:  You'll Never Find Me by Allison Brennan

Blurb:  Working alone as a private investigator is tough. Estranged from her PI family, Margo Angelhart does what she must to get by—including taking on sordid cases that pay the bills, even if she’d rather be helping those the justice system has failed.
That is, until a cheating husband case she’s working intersects with her siblings’ corporate espionage investigation, forcing Margo to cooperate with the Angelhart firm. Now, as the siblings compare notes, it’s clear they need to work together before a white-collar crime escalates to murder.

With far more questions than answers and a key suspect on the run, they’ll need the whole family to pitch in. But as they investigate the ever-twisting mystery, Margo isn’t sharing everything. Can she learn to trust her family and heal their once-close relationship before her secrets put those she loves most in danger?

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I've been wanting to read this author for awhile.  This is the first in a series and it looks intriguing.

A Body at the Book Fair - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  A Body at the Book Fair (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #6) by Ellie Alexander

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

Description:  In the gripping conclusion to The Secret Bookcase series, Annie Murray races to untangle the ultimate plot twist…

Life is good for she’s found healing at the Secret Bookcase, her beloved Agatha Christie-themed mystery bookstore in the cozy town of Redwood Grove, and is on the brink of launching her very own detective agency. But she's still haunted by one unsolved the murder of her best friend Scarlet ten years ago.

When Annie heads to Santa Clara for their annual book fair, she’s looking forward to meeting fellow booklovers. And she’s also got a secret she’ll be close to Silicon Summit Partners, the powerful investment firm she just knows had a hand in Scarlet’s death. But when an industry colleague is murdered at the book fair, Annie is first on the scene to investigate. The suspect list reads like a book lover’s who’s a celebrity author with a suspicious agenda, a rival with a grudge, and even a kindly grandmother pursuing her lifelong dream of owning a bookstore.

With her fellow bookseller and crime-fighting partner Fletcher playing Watson to her Holmes, can Annie catch the killer before they strike again? And will it distract her from her mission to finally bring her best friend Scarlet’s murderer to justice?

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've read all the books in this series and enjoyed them so of course I had to pick up this final book!

My Impression:  This is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors and while this isn't my favorite series by her I have really enjoyed it.  I was excited to see this was the final book as that means we are getting answers to the mystery that has run through the previous 5 books in the series.  Annie has been so affected by the murder of her college roommate and best friend, Scarlet that I was so excited to see her get answers.  

Annie and her business partner and friend, Fletcher, are heading to a book fair as they are taking over The Secret Bookcase bookstore.  This isn't an element of the book business I know that much about so I was really curious to see more about that.  While I missed the community of Redwood Grove (and all the time spent in the fabulous bookstore) I did enjoy this field trip - especially since most of my favorite characters were there too.

I enjoyed this mystery and the time spent with the characters.  I enjoyed following along with Annie as she came face to face with the mystery that has haunted her for years.  It's not the most memorable mystery - except for the bookstore which is on my top 5 list of places I wish were real - but it is enjoyable with likable characters and a great setting.   While the series is ending I'm looking forward to seeing what the author does next in the world she's created.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  This is one of my favorite cozy authors and I'm looking forward to her next book.

Would I Recommend this Book?   If you enjoy cozy mysteries this is a good series to pick up though I recommend starting at the beginning.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - My Summer TBR

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 Summer TBR.  I love writing the seasonal TBRs even though I very rarely accomplish them all.  Here are 10 books I'm hoping to read this summer.

1.  Asylum Hotel by Juliet Blackwell - I've really enjoyed other books by this author and this looks so creepy!

2.  A Moment's Shadow by Anna Lee Huber - The previous book in this series ended with a lot of unfinished business so I'm looking forward to seeing how everything plays out for the Kents.

3.  Something Whiskered by Miranda James - This is an enjoyable cozy mystery and there have been some big changes for the main character so I'm curious to see what happens next.

4.  For Duck's Sake by Donna Andrews - I love this series and can't wait to see what hijinks and catastrophies are happening in Meg's world this time.

5.  The Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna - I loved the first book in this series and have been so looking forward to this one!

6.  Guess Again by Charlie Donlea - I've read two thrillers by this author in the last year or so and really enjoyed them.  I'm looking forward to reading this newest book.  

7.  The Battle of the Bookshops by Poppy Alexander - This looks fun!  I've also really enjoyed previous books by this author so this looks like a good read with bookish elements.  

8.  Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell - I always look forward to a new Lisa Jewell book and this one sounds interesting.  

9.  The Lost Book of First Lovers by RaeAnne Thayne - I've had mixed results with Thayne's stand alones though I love her series books.  This one sounds really good and like one I'd really enjoy.

10. Ghost Business by Jen DeLuca - This is the second book in the Boneyard Key series.  I really enjoyed the first one and can't wait for this one - I just have to make it to September 9th!

What are you hoping to read this summer?

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau - Historical Fiction Review

Goodreads:  The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel

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

Description:  Colette Marceau has been stealing jewels for nearly as long as she can remember, following the centuries-old code of honor instilled in her by her mother, take only from the cruel and unkind, and give to those in need. Never was their family tradition more important than seven decades earlier, during the Second World War, when Annabel and Colette worked side by side in Paris to fund the French Resistance.

But one night in 1942, it all went wrong. Annabel was arrested by the Germans, and Colette’s four-year-old sister, Liliane, disappeared in the chaos of the raid, along with an exquisite diamond bracelet sewn into the hem of her nightgown for safekeeping. Soon after, Annabel was executed, and Liliane’s body was found floating in the Seine—but the bracelet was nowhere to be found.

Seventy years later, Colette—who has “redistributed” $30 million in jewels over the decades to fund many worthy organizations—has done her best to put her tragic past behind her, but her life begins to unravel when the long-missing bracelet suddenly turns up in a museum exhibit in Boston. If Colette can discover where it has been all this time—and who owns it now—she may finally learn the truth about what happened to her sister. But she isn’t the only one for whom the bracelet holds answers, and when someone from her childhood lays claim to the diamonds, she’s forced to confront the ghosts of her past as never before. Against all odds, there may still be a chance to bring a murderer to justice—but first, Colette will have to summon the courage to open her own battered heart.

Genre:  Fiction - Historical 

Why I Picked This Book:   I have been wanting to read something by this author for quite some time and this one really caught my eye.

My Impression:  Oh, this one broke my heart time and time again.  From a number of events that happened during the war to missed opportunities and secrets held for too long during the present day storyline there were several times I had to pause for a minute.   Colette's background is tragic and infuriating and it makes her focus understandable.  I loved her devotion to her goddaughter, Aviva, and her friendship with Max.   I also really liked Aviva and her desire to help this woman who has been a constant safe harbor in her life even if she's shocked with everything that gets revealed.

After a somewhat slow beginning I was really pulled into the story, and it was one I thought about even if I wasn't reading.   I've read a number of World War II historical fiction but this book had a different angle as it touches on the French Resistance in a very direct way.  As well, the main characters are Jewish but their friendship with a Jewish family is a focal point.   The 1940s timeline did drag at times as I found myself more interested in the search for the truth and the question of how does one find the truth when the records are gone and the memories of those left are quickly fading.

Colette drove me crazy at times.  For her background and training she is impetuous and impatient at times when it is most important for her to be measured and careful.  That and the somewhat slow beginning kept this from being a full 5 star book though I did really enjoy it.   This is the first book I've read by this author and I'm looking forward to reading more by her.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I'm looking forward to reading more from this author. 

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy historical fiction I think you would really enjoy this one.

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

This Week in Reading - June 15

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:

Asylum Hotel by Juliet Blackwell - I'm so excited about this one.  It looks gorgeously creepy. (Publisher)

Currently:

Reading:  A Body at the Bookfair by Ellie Alexander and Crooked House by Agatha Christie

Listening:  The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick

We finally had some sun!  I went over to a friend's house for a pool day and apparently wasn't as vigilant with the sunscreen as I should have been so I got a bit scorched.  Now it's raining again and is supposed to do so for the next few days.  

Have a great week and happy reading!

Authors I've Been Meaning to Read - Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton

 

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:  Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton

Blurb:  Down-on-her-luck Lori Shepherd thought Aunt Dimity was a pretend character in her mother's bedtime stories ... until the Dickensian law firm of Willis & Willis offers the possibility of large inheritance -- if she can discover the secret hidden in letters between Dimity and her mother.

My Thoughts:  The premise of this one is absolutely bonkers but in a fun cozy way.  Lori is not quite at rock bottom but not doing well when she receives an inheritance - from a person she thought was fictional.   Lori took some getting used to before I warmed up to her and even then she's not someone I feel like I'd need to be friends with.  Life hasn't exactly been kind to her and she does seem to stumble from one struggle to another.  That is until Willis and Willis come into her life and she soon finds herself in a picturesque cottage in an English village.  The plot doesn't make the most sense but it does provide a tool for Lori to learn more about those who are important to her.  Overall, I really enjoyed this read.  It was a bit unusual but with lots of good characters, a ghost with an interesting way of communicating, and a lovely setting.  This series has been on my radar for decades but I never really read any of the books.  It was so fun to pick this one up and I'm looking forward to reading more of Aunt Dimity's adventures.  My Rating:  Really Liked It (4 Stars)

Friday Fives - Five Cozies that Take Place in Summer

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.   My reading tastes have moved a bit away from my usual cozy mysteries and I've found myself reading more fiction but I miss my cozies at times!   Since summer is starting to show up here - I picked a few cherry tomatoes this week and the temps are firmly in the 90s - I'm picking 5 cozies that are set during summer that I'm looking forward to reading.

1.  Steamed Open by Barbara Ross - I've read and really enjoyed this series set on the coast in Maine and am looking forward to reading this one set in the sumer.

2.  Magic and Macaroons by Bailey Cates - I've enjoyed the beginning books in this series and this is next up so I'll have to pick it up soon.

3.  Partners in Lime by Bree Baker - I've heard great things about this series and this is such a summery cover.

4.  Sour Crime Donuts by Ginger Bolton - This doesn't come out until later this summer but I've really enjoyed this series - even if it makes me want to eat all the donuts.

5.  Live and Let Fly by Clover Tate - I picked up the whole series involving a kite shop at a used bookstore and this looks so wonderful and summer-y.

Do you have any summery reads on your TBR?  Have you read any good cozies lately?

Books from the Backlog - Cheerful Money

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:  Cheerful Money: Me, My Family, and the Last Days of Wasp Splendor by Tad Friend

Blurb:  Tad Friend's family is nothing if not illustrious: his father was president of Swarthmore College, and at Smith his mother came in second in a poetry contest judged by W.H. Auden--to Sylvia Plath. For centuries, Wasps like his ancestors dominated American life. But then, in the '60s, their fortunes began to fall. As a young man, Tad noticed that his family tree, for all its glories, was full of alcoholics, depressives, and reckless eccentrics. Yet his identity had already been shaped by the family's age-old traditions and expectations. Part memoir, part family history, and part cultural study of the long swoon of the American Wasp, Cheerful Money is a captivating examination of a cultural crack-up and a man trying to escape its wreckage.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I picked this one up over a decade ago and I've kind of lost interest in it -and have been burned by similar memoirs.  I need to pick this one up and see if it's a DNF or not.

Knave of Diamonds - Historical Mystery Review

Goodreads: Knave of Diamonds (Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes #19) by Laurie R. King

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

Description:  Mary Russell’s allegiances are tested by the reappearance of her long-lost uncle—and a tantalizing case not even Sherlock Holmes could solve.

When Mary Russell was a child, she adored her black-sheep Uncle Jake. But she hasn’t heard from him in many years, and she's assumed that his ne’er-do-well ways had brought him to a bad end somewhere—until he presents himself at her Sussex door. Yes, Jake is back, and with a load of problems for his clever niece. Not the least of which is the reason the family rejected him in the first he was involved—somehow—in the infamous disappearance of the Irish Crown Jewels from a secure safe in Dublin Castle.

It was a theft that shook a government, enraged a King, threatened the English establishment—and baffled not only the Dublin police and Scotland Yard, but Sherlock Holmes himself. And now, Jake expects Russell to step into the middle of it all? To slip away with him, not telling Homes what she’s up to? Knowing that the theft—unsolved, hushed-up, scandalous—must have involved Mycroft Holmes as well?

Naturally, she can do nothing of the sort. Siding with her Uncle Jake, even briefly, could only place her in opposition to both her husband-partner, and to his secretive and powerful brother. She has to tell Jake no.

On the other hand, this is Jake—her father’s kid brother, her childhood hero, beloved and long-lost survivor of a diminished family.

Conflicting loyalties and international secrets, blatant lies and blithe sounds like another case for Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes.

Genre:  Mystery - Historical

Why I Picked This Book:  I have been reading this series for years and thoroughly enjoyed the last few books especially.

My Impression:  This has been a mystery series I have enjoyed for years and I was excited to pick up this latest book and it did not disappoint.  While I have thoroughly enjoyed the Damien Adler storyline I'm so glad that in this book we are getting more time in Russell's past and we are digging into a case that has haunted Holmes for years.  

I loved getting a peek into a slightly more vulnerable Russell as well as dealing with a decades old cold case that has been a sore spot for multiple law enforcement and both the Holmes brothers.  I did love seeing Mycroft having some page time as it feels like it's been a while since he's played a really active role that isn't just pulling strings way behind the scenes.  

The mystery kept me engaged and I really enjoyed seeing all the characters work their different roles.  I do prefer when Holmes and Russell to work together more but that's a pretty minor issue.  This is not a series to just jump into as there are a lot of characters and the lines connecting them can be a bit convoluted.  I would think it would be a bit confusing to new readers.  That said, if you start from the beginning I think you will find a solid and interesting series of mysteries with compelling characters.  Even if you aren't the biggest Holmes fan (I am not), this is an enjoyable series and this was a fantastic latest entry.  I'm really looking forward to a reread of the whole series at some point soon.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I really enjoy this series and this one did not disappoint.  

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy mysteries with a little bit of adventure this is a great series but start from the beginning. 

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