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.  A Trace of Poison by Colleen Cambridge - I think I'm going to have to face that this series is not for me.  I really want it to be because the main character is Phyllida Bright, Agatha Christie's housekeeper and Christie herself is a regular side character.  Unfortunately, I just don't like Phyllida and never really warmed up to her through the book.  As well, I found the mystery to be a bit slower paced and never really grabbed my interest. This isn't a bad mystery but it just isn't for me.  My Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)

2.  Murder at the Breakers by Alyssa Maxwell - I love the concept of this one. The main character, Emma Cross, is cousin to the Vanderbilts but is on the side of the family without the money.  That means she knows them and all the people that make up their world and can easily move in that society but isn't really apart of that society.  Emma is a bit TSTL at times but she does has the excuse of being a reporter so it is kind of her job to get into crazy situations.  The mystery was a good one and Emma's involvement did make sense.  I'm curious to see how the series develops.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

3.  A Killer Collection by Ellery Adams - This was originally published under the name J.B. Stanley but Adams has republished them under the name she's better known by.  This is such a classic cozy mystery - a likable heroine, a bit of a love interest, a good community of friends and family, and a hobby (in this case an art - pottery) to focus on.  I found the mystery and all the pottery info really interesting.  The ending surprised me and I really liked the way it all played out.  I'd definitely pick up the second book in this series.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

4.  Six Feet Deep Dish by Mindy Quigley - Deep dish pizza has never seemed all that appealing to me but I have changed my mind and there are several variations I'd love to try.  This is the first book in a cozy mystery series set in Wisconsin and focusing on the owner of a Deep Dish Pizza place - and her cat Butterball.  This was a fun read that touched on a lot of darker issues.  The mystery really kept me listening and guessing.  I've read a later book in the series and enjoyed it and now I'm looking forward to reading all the ones in the middle.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

5.  The Coloring Crook by Krista Davis - This is such a fun cozy series.  The main character, Florrie, works at a bookstore and has her own line of adult coloring books.  I really loved how she processes information with her drawing.  There's a whole cast of characters which all add a bit to the story and the mystery.  I love in a cozy mystery when characters brainstorm together and this happened frequently a book.  I did find the reveal a bit odd - what I thought was the A plot got solved a bit on the backburner while the B plot ended up wrapping up front and center.  By this time I was more interested in the B plot but it still felt a bit odd.  I'm really looking forward to reading the next book! My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)