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.  The Curse of the Pharaoh by Elizabeth Peters - This is the second book in the Amelia Peabody series and takes place 5 years after the first book.  Amelia and Emerson are married and have a son but are far from settled and staid and when the chance comes to return to Egypt to run a dig that is supposedly cursed they jump at the chance even if it means leaving their precocious toddler at home.  Soon they are in the middle of a dig trying to figure out some very mysterious happenings - including the death of the previous dig leader and the disappearance of his assistant.  Elizabeth Peters is actually Barbara Mertz who actually was an Egyptologist of some renown which makes this book extra fun.  The mystery is an intriguing one with some good twists.  If you are a fan of Deanna Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell you must meet Amelia Peabody.   The pacing is a little slow but the story is a fast read and enjoyable. My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

2.  The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner - This was a random pick and my expectations were not super high.  I'm embarrassed to admit it but I'm not the biggest Jane Austen fan.  I enjoy her books but I don't love her as so many people do.  This was an interesting read.  There's a group of Austen lovers from very different walks of life who are united in their love of Austen and appreciation for history.  This takes place towards the end and immediately following World War II.  I loved the insight both into Austen's work and to why people love her as much as they do.  The connections to Austen herself added an extra bit of interest.  I picked up the audio book and the narrator did a wonderful job and enhanced my enjoyment of my story.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

3.  She Doesn't Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke - This was a fast read with pretty much all the characters involved somehow in book industry - either in writing them or publishing them.   It's definitely very much a rom-com but the "com" part of the rom-com didn't really fit with my preferences.  I'm not a big fan of farce or physical comedy and this was very much both of these.  I think it was a well-done example of those particular subgenres but it just isn't something I really enjoy.  If you like quirky rom-coms and love a book with bookish characters this is a fun one.  If you suffer from secondhand embarrassment, you may want to tread carefully.  My Rating: Just Okay (2 Stars)

4.  Tiny Little Things by Beatriz Williams - This is the second book in the Schulyer Sisters series and the one I was the least excited to read.  Tiny seemed a bit too perfect and stiff in the first book so I wasn't that interested in her story.  Once I got into this I enjoyed it way more than I expected.   From the time she was very young Tiny had an inordinate amount of pressure on her to be perfect and do what was expected.  Her parents are pretty much disasters (though her mother seriously redeemed herself in last half of this book) and Tiny didn't have the rebellious spirit of her sisters. As I got to know her more I couldn't help but root for her and like her quite a bit.  There is a subplot that seems a bit pointless but when I read the blurb for book three it seems it's a setup for the next book.  I don't think I enjoyed this as much as the first book or as much as I expect to like the next book but I'm very glad I got to spend some time with Tiny and get to know her.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

5.  The Ladies of Ivy Cottage by Julie Klassen - This is the second book in the Tales from Ivy Hill fiction series set in an 1800s English village.  The story continues from where the first left off with Mercy and Rachel (side characters but with major parts) taking the lead.  Jane Bell and the main characters from the first book have large roles in this story as well and I enjoyed seeing their stories continue.  This is Christian fiction which is normally not my cup of tea but I do like the messages of love, forgiveness, kindness, and grace without getting preachy.  This was a nice listen with real problems and characters that seem like real people.  I will be reading the next book in the series and I've really enjoyed the listening experience of this book and the first book.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

Books from the Backlog - Murder Road

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:  Murder Road by Simone St. James

Blurb:  July 1995. April and Eddie have taken a wrong turn. They’re looking for the small resort town where they plan to spend their honeymoon. When they spot what appears to be a lone hitchhiker along the deserted road, they stop to help. But not long after the hitchhiker gets into their car, they see the blood seeping from her jacket and a truck barreling down Atticus Line after them.
When the hitchhiker dies at the local hospital, April and Eddie find themselves in the crosshairs of the Coldlake Falls police. Unexplained murders have been happening along Atticus Line for years and the cops finally have two witnesses who easily become their only suspects. As April and Eddie start to dig into the history of the town and that horrible stretch of road to clear their names, they soon learn that there is something supernatural at work, something that could not only tear the town and its dark secrets apart, but take April and Eddie down with it all.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I don't have time to read it before Halloween this year but Simone St. James is one of my favorite spooky authors and this looks super creepy!

At Death's Dough - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  At Death's Dough (Deep Dish Mysteries #5) by Mindy Quigley

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

Description:  It’s February in the swanky resort town of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, and love is in the air—along with a whiff of danger. Pizza chef Delilah O’Leary is gearing up to celebrate her first Valentine’s Day with her hunky police detective boyfriend, Calvin Capone, great-grandson of the legendary Chicago mob boss. But their romance is put on ice when a chilling discovery plunges Delilah and Capone into the heart of a century-old crime with ties to Capone’s notorious forefather.

As old secrets begin to surface, Delilah realizes that nearly everyone in town—from Calvin’s cagey cousin to her own eccentric customers—has something to hide. With the pressure mounting and the past closing in, Delilah must help Capone untangle a web of deceit that could lead them to a priceless treasure... or a heart-stopping finale. Will Delilah and Capone solve the mystery before history repeats itself? Or will they spend their first Valentine’s Day together sleeping with the anchovies?

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've read a couple of the other books in the series and enjoyed them and I couldn't resist the premise!

My Impression:  I've read the first and fourth book in this series and enjoyed them though Delilah isn't always my favorite cozy main character.  In this book Delilah meets a bit more of the Capone family when her boyfriend Calvin's obnoxious cousin appears on the scene.  While Calvin is always very reticent about his great-grandfather, the famous Al Capone, the cousin can't shut up about his famous relative.  

Delilah is stressed about the upcoming Valentine's Day and concerned that she still has tables available.   It doesn't help when a body is discovered and nothing is quite as it seems.  I really enjoy the ensemble cast in Delilah's life.  Delilah gets on my nerves a bit and the fact that I enjoy so many of the other characters helps soften that.  Butterball is a bit of a menace but a fun cat sidekick.  I also know more about ice fishing than I ever thought I would but it wasn't information overload.  

The mystery was entertaining but Delilah does drift over into TSTL territory which isn't unusual for her.  I do love the untangling of past secrets and of hidden motivations - and I'm now craving a deep dish pizza.  This is a fun read in an enjoyable series.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I would and I need to read the books in the series I've missed.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you're a cozy mystery reader this is a fun choice and it's a bit of a different spin on the usual foodie cozy.  Like most cozy mysteries - especially one with an ensemble cast - this book is best read in series order though it can easily be read as a standalone.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Halloween Reading Retreat

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 Halloween Freebie.  With Christmas books being released in October I don't get as much spooky reading as I'd like.  One of these years I'll do a Halloween reading retreat - ideally in a historic house with plenty of fireplaces and maybe on a cliff - and these are the 10 books I'd bring with me.

1.  The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen - I've loved everything I've read from this author and this sounds so creepy.  The cover alone gives me the creeps!

2.  The Haunting of Paynes Hollow by Kelley Armstrong - I love Armstrong's ability to mix a fast pace with great characters and a tense setting.  This one sounds fantastic.  

3.  Return to Wyldcliffe Heights by Carol Goodman - I haven't read anything by this author but I've been wanting to and this is referred to as Gothic and there's a crumbling estate that was once a psychiatric hospital AND there's a cold case connected to the property.

4.  The Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score - I need to mix a lighter book or two in with all these thrillers and this romance-y book with a ghost sounds fun.

5.  Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney - I've only read one Feeney book but the atmosphere and general creepiness were fantastically done and this sounds intriguing.  

6.  Fatal Fudge Swirl by Meri Allen - I can't have a Halloween themed reading retreat without a Halloween cozy!  This one involves ice cream which is even better.

7.  The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware - Ruth Ware does pacing and atmosphere fantastically and the opening scene of Cabin 10 still haunts my dreams a little.   I may go with the audio of this one as I believe Imogen Church reads it and she's one of my favorites.

8.  In the Hall with the Knife by Diana Peterfreund - This is a YA thriller based on the game Clue and while I don't read much YA this sounds really fun!

9.  The Last Close Call by Laura Giffin - This seems like a fairly straightforward romantic suspense with a forensic genealogist which is my favorite job for a fictional character to have.  A nice fast paced candy bar kind of read sounds fun.

10.  The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St James - Of course I need a ghost story for a Halloween reading retreat!  

What would you read during your Halloween Reading Retreat?  What would your retreat look like?

Sugar and Spite - Cozy Mystery Review

 Goodreads:  Sugar and Spite (A Witch City Mystery #15) by Carol J. Perry

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

Description:  Casa del Chocolate is one of Salem’s most charming boutique candy shops, making it a perfect profile story. Although preoccupied with her own personal sweet news—Lee and her detective husband Pete Mondello are expecting a bundle of joy—she cheerfully agrees to interview the chocolatier. Since becoming pregnant, the radiant and exhilarated mother-to-be has discovered that she is finally free of the unwanted haunting “visions” she has endured since childhood.

Shirley Parker inherited Casa del Chocolate, housed in her beautiful ancestral home on the waterfront, continuing her family’s sweet tradition of conjuring magical treats for the folks of Salem. Mesmerized by the delightful chocolate scented aromas filling the air while touring the kitchen, Lee is shocked when she stumbles upon the murdered body of Barney Bingham, Shirley’s estranged husband.

As the police focus their suspicions on Shirley, Lee learns that many people had reasons for wanting Barney dead. Now, with help from Pete, tarot reader River North, and clairvoyant gentleman cat O’Ryan, as well as some new feline friends, Lee must unmask the true killer—and cope with the sudden return of her troubling “visions”. . .

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've been reading this series since the beginning so of course I had to pick this one up!

My Impression:  This is one of my comfort read series. Salem is a fantastic setting for a cozy mystery series and there's a nice little tough of a slightly spooky paranormal ability.  Lee is a likable main character and there is a whole host of fun side characters and a psychic cat.

Halloween is front and center in this mystery as Lee is on assignment going to all the different candy stores in Salem when she stumbles onto a dead body.  Her husband, a detective at the Salem PD isn't thrilled with her involvement and the fact that she is seriously pregnant is another challenge.  Despite all the objections she is pulled into a world of family secrets and old hostilities.  

I did guess what was going on a little before Lee and Pete did but I enjoyed getting there along with her.  The end of this read a little bit like the end of a series and if that's the case it ended on a satisfying note.  This is a detail heavy series which is best read in order so you get to know all the characters and see the story develop.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I would.  I really enjoy this author's cozy mysteries.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy cozy mysteries this series is a good one though I do recommend starting with 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 Candies I'd Be On the Lookout For If I Was Trick-Or-Treating

 

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. As we are getting closer to Halloween I'm making sure we have some candy for trick-or-treaters (and for us to snack on.  As far as holidays go candy-wise Easter is probably my favorite, followed by Christmas and then Halloween comes in third but it's still holiday candy so it's pretty good!

1.  Reese's Pumpkins - I'd take Reese's cups as a backup but there is something about a Reese's in a festive shape that is just the best!

2.  Almond Joy/Mounds Bars - Part of this may be because I never have to fight anyone in my house for them but I love a mix of chocolate and coconut and even better if it has an almond!

3.  Dove Milk Chocolate squares - I love these little squares and always hoard them. 

4.  Cherry Jolly Ranchers - I will steal these and hide them.

5.  Heath Bars - I can't buy Heath bars because I will eat them all but I do like picking up a few minis to indulge in.

What are your favorite Halloween candies?

Books from the Backlog - A House with Good Bones

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 House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

Blurb:  "Mom seems off."
Her brother's words echo in Sam Montgomery's ear as she turns onto the quiet North Carolina street where their mother lives alone.

She brushes the thought away as she climbs the front steps. Sam's excited for this rare extended visit, and looking forward to nights with just the two of them, drinking boxed wine, watching murder mystery shows, and guessing who the killer is long before the characters figure it out.

But stepping inside, she quickly realizes home isn’t what it used to be. Gone is the warm, cluttered charm her mom is known for; now the walls are painted a sterile white. Her mom jumps at the smallest noises and looks over her shoulder even when she’s the only person in the room. And when Sam steps out back to clear her head, she finds a jar of teeth hidden beneath the magazine-worthy rose bushes, and vultures are circling the garden from above.

To find out what’s got her mom so frightened in her own home, Sam will go digging for the truth. But some secrets are better left buried.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  This looks super creepy and has been on my TBR since it came out.  

Death at the Door - Mystery Review

Goodreads: Death at the Door (Ruby and Cordelia Mysteries #2) by Olivia Blacke

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

Description:   Ruby Young is slowly adjusting to her new life in Boston. A big part of that is her unexpected roommate—the ghost of the woman who lived there before. For Cordelia Graves, she may no longer be breathing, but it’s still her apartment and Ruby is the somewhat unwanted houseguest. They’re both happy they’ve managed to become friends, which is a miracle considering they struggle to communicate with each other. Cordelia even set Ruby up with her old job.

When Ruby discovers the body of a delivery guy at work, the new life she’s been building hangs in the balance. The last time Cordelia dragged Ruby into a murder investigation, it was almost two ghosts living in the apartment, not one. Determined to protect Ruby, Cordelia tries to shield her from the investigation, but Ruby has other ideas. It will take both of them working together to navigate the fine line between the dead and the living to bring a killer to light.

Genre: Mystery

Why I Picked This Book:  I really enjoyed the first book in this series and I've really liked everything I've read by this author.

My Impression:  This is such a unique series.  It's not the typical cozy and definitely not the typical paranormal.  The sleuths are definitely amateur but there is no small town to be found or even quirky found family.  The surroundings are pretty dingy and sometimes the facts are pretty grim.  Oh - and one of the main characters is a ghost.  Ruby and Cordelia are settling into being roommates, but communication is still a challenge and basically involves strong physical hints and magnet words on the refrigerator.  

Despite a tough time Ruby is forever optimistic and cheerful which contrasts with Cordelia's cynical nature though Cordelia is softening a bit.  The mystery was interesting and it was kind of fun to see the difference of opinions between Ruby and Cordelia right from the start.  Cordelia was immediately opposed to Ruby getting involved and ends up tagging along and voicing her opinion (not that Ruby can hear her) as Ruby goes out and talks to people involved and tries to figure out what happens.  While I enjoyed the mystery and really liked watching it unfold I think I enjoyed the character development between Ruby and Cordelia even more.  

This is a unique mystery with an interesting cast of characters, a good storyline, and excellent pacing.  I really enjoyed spending time with the characters and figuring out what had happened to Marty and seeing the latest evolution in Cordelia's story.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I've enjoyed everything I've read by this author and will definitely be looking for her next book regardless of series.

Would I Recommend this Book? I would!  I do recommend starting with the first book as it does explain the setup but this is a really enjoyable series.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Cozy and Atmospheric Books

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 Cozy/Atmospheric Books.  Since October is kind of a mix between cozy feels (it is one of the "brr" months after all) and spooky feels I'm going to do 5 of each with the atmospheric leaning firmly on the spooky side.

Cozy

1.   At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber - Everything I've read by Webber is cozy even if it's set during summer in Alabama.  

2.  Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen: Peril at Owl Park by Marthe Jocelyn - A historical mystery with the main character inspired by a young Agatha Christie.  It's also set on an English estate during Christmas so it's hard for it not to be cozy!

3.  The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods - The book is set in Dublin around a bookshop that only shows itself to people who need it. Sounds incredibly cozy!

4.  The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst - If this book is even half as cozy as the first book it will be wonderfully cozy.

5.  The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick - The one book I've read by this author was absolutely lovely and this looks like a delightful read.

Spooky

1.  Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell  - It sounds incredibly creepy and everything I've read by Lisa Jewell has been seriously unsettling.

2.  The Guest List by Lucy Foley - I'm not sure if there's a spookier setting than an isolated island - especially when things start going wrong.

3.  The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager - I have only read one book by Riley Sager and really enjoyed it.  This one is on my list and the premise just creeps me out.

4.  The Broken Girls by Simone St James - This is on any list that involves creepy books and if I don't read it this year I'm putting it on my priority list for next year.  It looks great and there aren't many people who do creepy better than St. James.

5.  The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger - This sounds like a claustrophobic read where nothing is quite what it seems.  I looking forward to it and it sounds like a good read for spooky season.

What cozy/spooky reads do you have on your TBR?

A Wonderful Christmas Crime - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  A Wonderful Christmas Crime (A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #6) by Jacqueline Frot

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

Description:  Innkeeper Holly White has a lot to be joyful about this season, until an attempted robbery throws the town into suspicion in the sixth installment of the Christmas Tree Farm mysteries from bestselling author Jacqueline Frost.

As Christmas descends on Mistletoe, Maine, Holly White has an extra gift for the a new baby on the way. Her husband, Sheriff Evan Gray, has been worried about her elevated blood pressure and Holly has agreed to take this year easy. Being idle has never been one of Holly’s gifts, so when Evan surprises her with tickets to the town-wide dinner, she and her many cravings thank him. But when a thief tries and fails to steal an antique ornament from the dinner’s holiday display, it’s clear that someone is on the naughty list.

The thief manages to escape, but after dinner, Holly spots their lifeless body. It’s clear that someone in town was keen to kill them. Evan is less than jolly to find his wife at the scene of yet another holiday homicide and asks her to promise that she’ll leave the investigating to the police. But Holly has never been one to turn down a challenge and has to get creative with the help of a few of her friends in order to find this killer.

Will she and her friends be able to stop the killer, and uncover the motive behind the attempted robbery, or will the killer strike again and paint the town a bloody red?

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  This is a series that I enjoy so of course I had to pick up this newest one!

My Impression:   This series is full of holiday goodness - yummy sounding treats, fun characters, and holiday spirits galore.  I like that each book happens at Christmas time as it really allows for the holiday events to be front and center and we get big jumps in the characters' lives which I like.  I especially enjoyed this one as it talked about Scandanavian Christmas traditions which made for a nice spin on the usual here.  

Holly has a gift for stumbling onto dead bodies and getting pulled into an investigation and despite her best efforts this book is no exception.  I enjoyed the mystery and following along with the investigation.  What really stands out is the time spent with characters and it really enhanced my enjoyment of the story.  This is a series that you could jump into with this book but like many cozy mysteries with a solid cast I do think it is more enjoyable if you read the series from the beginning.

If you like a holiday themed cozy mystery and are looking for a series where you enjoy spending time with the characters this series and this mystery are perfect choices.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  This series is always fun and I look forward to reading more.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you are a cozy mystery reader this is a series you should definitely try.

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

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir - Classic Review

Goodreads:  The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R.A. Dick

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

Description:  Burdened by debt after her husband's death, Lucy Muir insists on moving into the very cheap Gull Cottage in the quaint seaside village of Whitecliff, despite multiple warnings that the house is haunted. Upon discovering the rumors to be true, the young widow ends up forming a special companionship with the ghost of handsome former sea captain Daniel Gregg. Through the struggles of supporting her children, seeking out romance from the wrong places, and working to publish the captain's story as a book, Blood and Swash, Lucy finds in her secret relationship with Captain Gregg a comfort and blossoming love she never could have predicted.

Genre: Fiction - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  I read this book when I was in high school and always meant to reread it but never managed it until now.

My Impression: This was a lovely read.  Lucy has spent her whole married life living the life dictated by her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law.  All three of whom have very strong opinions on how Lucy should do things and don't care very much about what Lucy wants to do.   When Lucy is left in impoverished circumstances after her husband's death she finally decides to take back her life and she and her two children move to a small cottage overlooking the sea.  

Other than a very loud-mouthed opinionated ghost of a sea captain that also happens to inhabit Lucy's house the Muir family lives a fairly quiet life.  This isn't a day by day account of Lucy's life but more a focus on significant periods of time.  Lucy faces a series of challenges as time goes on and she lives life on her own terms.  

This was a nice read.  The tone is quiet and old fashioned.  Overall, it was a fast read.  I think I could easily have read it in a day and it would be a nice cozy read for a cold gray day.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I would!  I'm curious to see if I can find something else written by this author. 

Would I Recommend this Book?  I would though I would be sure the reader knows that while there is a ghost this isn't a spooky book.

Friday Fives - Five Books Set in Fall 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. There are so many books coming out this month that are Christmas themed that I'm taking a little time to focus on fall books.

1.  The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware - I DNF'd this book right after it came out but I love this author and really should give it another try - especially during spooky season.

2.  A Dream of Death by Connie Berry - This is the first book in one of my favorite series that somehow I haven't read.  It takes place in fall in Scotland.

3.  The Dutch House by Ann Patchett - This takes place around Thanksgiving and has been on my TBR for ages.

4.  Fixing to Die by Miranda James - Fall in Mississippi with a quirky cast of characters is always a recipe for a good time!

5.  It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas - This is a reread and really not the most Fall themed book despite the title, but it is a lot of fun and it's been awhile since I've read it.

What are some of your favorite books that are set during fall?

Five Golden Wings - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Five Golden Wings (Meg Langslow #38) by Donna Andrews

Rating: Really Liked It
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Two of Meg’s cousins, members of Mother’s vast Hollingsworth clan, are getting married, and both have chosen Caerphilly for their Christmas destination wedding . . on the same day, in the same venues. But while they’re cousins they’re also lifelong enemies. Mother’s efforts to keep the peace are wearing her down, and the battling brides (and their mothers) are making the holiday season miserable for everyone. So Meg steps in to keep the peace. And it was going badly even before she stumbles over the murdered body of the wedding photographer.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of suspects. The photographer has been hitting on many of the guests, bridesmaids . . . possibly even one or both of the brides. He’s also been slinking about and taking candid shots that are unflattering, embarrassing . . . occasionally even incriminating.

Can Meg help the local police nab the killer in time for the weddings to go on as planned? Unless, of course, the killer was one of the brides or grooms, in which case she needs to identify the killer in time to reveal their identity when she hears those fateful words, “If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now; or else forever hold your peace.”

Genre: Fiction - Cozy 

Why I Picked This Book:  I love this series and the Christmas books are typically the most fun.  

My Impression:  If I was Meg, as soon as November 1st came around, I would book a holiday in a place that is hard to get to and has very poor cell service.  Between family and dogs and crime her holidays are frequently chaotic and this year may just be the most chaotic yet.   

Weddings are already a perfect setting for a hjinks and chaos and in this book we have two weddings - that are on the same day.  And if that isn't enough both brides and bridal parties hate each other and most of them are just pretty dreadful people.  That would only be a mild issue but the brides are cousins of Meg's and half the bridal party is staying at her house.  Oh and Meg's mother has become DeFacto wedding planner which is causing frequent migraines and pulling Meg even more into the muddle.

While the bridal party is pretty bad the wedding photographer makes them all look like saints.  There isn't much he hasn't tried both with this wedding and previous clients so when he ends up dead no one is surprised.

The mystery is a fun one with lots of hijinks that I'm so glad I wasn't part of though I did enjoy reading it.  I loved seeing all the different characters as usual and it was fun seeing Meg's mother out of her element.  This is a very long running series with lots of characters and different relationships.  While it isn't a series that needs to be read in order to enjoy it is one that the more you get to know the characters the more you enjoy the story so do with that what you will.  I always enjoy visiting with Meg and family and this book did not let me down.  It's a great bit of fun with engaging characters and a fun mystery.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  This is one of my favorite cozy series and I always enjoy the newest mystery as well as the earlier ones as I catch up on the series.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you like cozy mysteries this series a good one and it is one that gets stronger as it goes along.  

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

The Secret Christmas Library - Fiction Review

Goodreads:  The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan

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

Description:  Mirren Sutherland stumbled into a career as an antiquarian book hunter after finding a priceless antique book in her great aunt’s attic. Now, as Christmas approaches, she’s been hired by Jamie McPherson, the surprisingly young and handsome laird of a Highland clan whose ancestral holdings include a vast crumbling castle. Family lore suggests that the McPherson family’s collection includes a rare book so valuable that it could save the entire estate—if they only knew where it was. Jamie needs Mirren to help him track down this treasure, which he believes is hidden in his own home.

But on the train to the Highlands, Mirren runs into rival book hunter Theo Palliser, and instantly knows that it’s not a chance meeting. She’s all too familiar with Theo’s good looks and smooth talk, and his uncanny ability to appear whenever there’s a treasure that needs locating.

Almost as soon as Mirren and Theo arrive at the castle, a deep snow blankets the Highlands, cutting off the outside world. Stuck inside, the three of them plot their search as the wind whistles outside. Mirren knows that Jamie’s grandfather, the castle’s most recent laird, had been a book collector, a hoarder, and a great lover of treasure hunts. Now they must unpuzzle his clues, discovering the secrets of the house—forming and breaking alliances in a race against time.

Genre: Fiction

Why I Picked This Book:  I have really enjoyed a number of this author's books so how could I resist that cover?

My Impression: The book starts off with a private train car journey which is something I didn't know I wanted and the journey ends at a crumbling (literally in some areas) Scottish castle.  Oh and all through it there's a book hunt for a valuable book in a hoard of books.  And this all takes place during the Christmas season.  What's not to love?

Mirren is just coming off the high of last Christmas's book hunt and is feeling a bit sad and alone - especially since she was ghosted by someone she thought was a potential love interested, Theo Palliser.  I did like that Theo's reasons for ghosting made sense and I could definitely see his side of things.  The bookish element was really fun and I loved the imagery of the castle.  While I wouldn't say this was slow paced, it did take me a bit to really connect with the characters and the story so I didn't immediately have the warm cozy for the first quarter or so of the book.  

This was a fun read with a fantastic setting.  I really enjoyed the read though it did make me appreciate my centrally heated non-crumbling house even if it isn't a castle in Scotland full of books.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I would!  While not all of this author's books work for me when they do I really love them.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you're looking for a cozy read this is a fun choice.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time

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 Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time.

1.  Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie - I would love to read the bulk of Christie's books for the first time again but this is one of my favorites.

2.  The Story Girl by L.M. Montgomery - This is a magical book with wonderful characters.  Rereads are always good but I've noticed I love it more if there's a long time between rereads so a redo for the first read would be wonderful.

3.  The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey - This isn't one I'd probably reread but this is a book that lives on the edges of my thoughts at times.  The writing was stunning and reading it is an experience that I'd like to do again.

4.  The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson - I read this when I was 11 or 12 and I wish I could read it for the first time as an adult.  I think I'd have a different perspective on it.

5.  The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen - This was the first book that I read by this author and I remember absolutely falling in love with the magic woven through the story and the writing style that made the setting come alive. 

6.  The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows - This book was just magical and one I'd love to experience again for the first time.

7.  The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware -This thriller has a few scenes that literally made me gasp out loud the first time I read it.  

8.  Three Fates by Nora Roberts - This was such a fun adventure with found family, a creepy bad guy, and some pretty decent romances.  It'd be fun to read it again without knowing how everything was going to play out.

9.  Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica George Day - I really enjoyed this middle grade series and would love to meet the Castle for the first time again.

10. The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell - I loved every moment of this thriller.  It's not one I'd reread but I enjoyed the reading experience so much I'd love to experience that again.

O, Deadly Night - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  O, Deadly Night (A Year Round Christmas Mystery #8) by Vicki Delany

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

Description:  It’s Christmastime in Rudolph, New York, which means it’s time for the December Santa Claus parade. This year, shop owner Merry Wilkinson has decided to decorate her float as Santa’s elves' workshop and invites her landlady, Mabel D’Angelo, to help supervise the excited children playing the elves. But when Mrs. D’Angelo doesn’t show up, Merry begins to worry.

Worry quickly turns into frustration when Mrs. D’Angelo reveals she was delayed by new neighbors moving in. As the center for all things gossip, Mrs. D’Angelo is determined to introduce the new arrivals to the neighborhood. As the days pass, Mrs. D’Angelo notices strange things about the newcomers, but Merry, busier than an elf in Santa’s workshop, has little time for matters that really don’t concern her. But things turn from jolly to downright concerning when Mrs. D’Angelo disappears, and Merry is forced to admit that something might be terribly wrong.

With family and friends counting on her during this stressful holiday season, it is up to Merry to make sure this Christmas doesn’t end up wrapped in blood red.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've been reading and enjoying this series since the beginning and I'm always a fan of a series that features a giant dog.

My Impression: I really liked the premise of this one.  Merry's landlady, Mabel D'Angelo, has been a somewhat annoying character throughout the entire series.  I was really glad to see her getting a bit more character development and her own story.  

The book starts out with Mrs. D'Angelo at her most annoying.  A new neighbor has moved in across the street and Mrs. D'Angelo has failed to find out anything about them or even meet them.  Merry is trying to avoid her until it becomes clear that Mrs. D'Angelo has gone missing.  Merry is too caught up in preparing for the holiday in America's Christmas town to try to get involved in the investigation but despite her best intentions she is pulled in.

I liked the story but it didn't feel like there was quite enough of it to merit the length of the book.  I'm a big fan of slice of life cozies but there were times it felt repetitive or a dragged a bit.  A number of details are repeated multiple times to multiple people and it feels like we spend a lot of time without making much progress or learning more information.  

I love the community of Rudloph and the cast of characters who are in Merry's life - with the exception of Jackie who as far as I can see has no redeemable features and is probably my least favorite side character.  The food mentions are enough to make me want to find the nearest bakery immediately and I can't help but get a bit of Christmas spirit every time I pick up a book in this series.  This was, overall, a fun read though not the fastest paced.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I would!  I enjoy this author and this series so even though this wasn't my favorite I look forward to spending more time in Rudolph - or any world this author creates.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you're a cozy fan I would definitely recommend this series but I would start with an earlier book 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. *

Towards Zero - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: Towards Zero by Agatha Christie

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

Description:  One of Agatha Christie’s own ten favorite novels, Towards Zero puts Superintendent Battle and Inspector Leach on the case as they investigate the murder of an elderly widow.

What is the connection among a failed suicide attempt, a wrongful accusation of theft against a schoolgirl, and the romantic life of a famous tennis player?

To the casual observer, apparently nothing. But when a house party gathers at Gull’s Point, the seaside home of an elderly widow, earlier events come to a dramatic head. As Superintendent Battle discovers, it is all part of a carefully laid plan—for murder.

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  This was the October pick for the Read Christie 2025 Challenge.

My Impression: I really enjoy this mystery.  The 1940s was one of Christie's best writing decades and this is definitely a fun one.  The main setup involves Neville Strange staying at his godmother's house with his current wife and his ex-wife as well as an assortment of servants and family friends.  Things are a more than a bit tense with current and past underlying tensions.

The book opens with a few vignettes that at the time seem unrelated.  The first is a man attempting suicide and the second is Superintendent Battle's daughter getting in trouble at school.  There is also a group of solicitors talking shop about previous court cases.  

The mystery is an intriguing one and one the less you know going in the better.  Superintendent Battle is one of Christie's underrated characters and he really shines here - especially in the scene with is daughter.  His mention of Poirot also made me very happy and it's a story I would hope he would tell Poirot as I think Poirot himself would have been pleased.  

This is Christie at her most twisty and most British-ness.  I didn't love the last minute romance though I am fully rooting for an unexpected one that showed up.  I can see why it was one of Christie's favorites.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Of course!  I'm already looking forward to the November read.

Would I Recommend this Book?  I would!  This is an underrated Christie and it feels so very Christie-ish it's a great introduction and just a solid read. 

Friday Fives - Five Short Reviews for Series I'm Currently Reading

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.  I'm working on catching up on series and decided to put a few reviews of them all together here.

1.  To Err is Cumin by Leslie Budewitz - I really enjoy this series.  The more books I've read the more I've come to enjoy spending time with Pepper, her dog Arf, and the whole cast of characters at Pike Place Market.  The mystery here was an unusual one as Pepper accidentally ends up with an envelope of money that seems to have come from nefarious sources - a fact that is backed up when a body is found.  This definitely kept me guessing and I enjoyed the read from start to finish.  This had caught me up on the series though another book is coming out this summer so I'm looking forward to picking that one up.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

2.  Hot Button by Kylie Logan - Serious collectors can make for a strange cast of characters and that is definitely the case with the button convention going on in this second book in the Button Shop series.  I know nothing about buttons other than I liked playing with the ones shaped like animals and flowers in my grandmother's sewing room when I was little but this was still a fun read that I really enjoyed.  I liked Josie as the main character and her retired police detective uncle as well as her maybe boyfriend and current police detective sidekick.  There was a lot going on in this one that kept me guessing and enjoying every page.  I'm glad I already have the next book on my shelf and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

3.  Picked to Die by Sheila Connolly - This series was one of my intros to cozy mysteries at least a decade ago.  I really loved the early books but as the series has gone on the less engaged with them I've gotten.   I like Seth and his family and Meg is okay as the lead character.  I do dislike Bree quite a bit. I get her frustration at times but she's flat out rude.  The mystery in this one was okay.  The solution made sense and the story is a bit unexpected if anti-climatic.  I'm at the point in this series where I'm missing a book or two in the series and my library doesn't have the next book so I need to decide if I'm going to hunt down the next book or skip it.  Based off this book I didn't like it enough to go hunt the next book down and buy it so I skipped it but I do like the series enough to finish the books that I do own.  My Rating:  Liked It (3 Stars)

4.  A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander - This is the second book in the Lady Emily historical mystery season.  In this book Lady Emily has come to terms with her husband's death but is having some trouble fitting into society as a widow and is perpetually shocking her mother.  The mystery involved a potential claim to the French throne and a number of possibly connected thefts.  Lady Emily kind of annoyed me as I get wanting to stay true to herself but she didn't seem to fully understand the potential for consequences in a world where she has lived her entire life.  I did like the way her character is developing and thoroughly enjoyed the mystery, however.  I'm looking forward to picking up the next book in the series.  My Rating: Rally Liked It (4 Stars)

5.  Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos by Donna Andrews - I love the most recent books in this very long running series and am slowly making my way through the earlier books.  This wasn't my favorite.  I do love Meg at a festival and the anachronism police made me laugh.  I also liked an early glimpse of Faulk and as usual Meg's dad makes me smile anytime he's on the page.   The mystery was a good one as usual and there were plenty of suspects and motives.  I did find Meg a bit annoying in this book.  She just seems prickly and indecisive and I didn't care for how she treated Michael.  I know this gets worked out as the series goes on but I just found some of her behavior a little jarring.  I'm looking forward to the next one in the series though and hopefully Meg is back to her familiar ways.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

Books from the Backlog - Dying to Remember

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:  Dying to Remember by Karin Kaufman

Blurb:  Weary of her ordinary life in ordinary Smithwell, Maine, Kate Brewer jumps at the chance to help an elderly neighbor, Ray Landry, investigate an unsolved murder. But Ray’s memories of the killing are at odds with the official report, and most people in town would rather forget about the tragic event. When Ray’s investigation turn deadly, past and present collide and Kate must act quickly to uncover the truth.

As Kate hunts for clues, she makes a discovery that will change her life forever. It seems that Ray’s talk about fairies in the woods of Smithwell was more than just talk—and reality isn’t quite the ordinary thing Kate imagined it to be. Can she and her new sleuthing partner, a determined little fairy named Minette, solve two murder cases before a third body shows up?

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  Not only is this incredibly seasonally appropriate but it sounds really cute.  I picked this up on a whim but still haven't read it.

Death on a Scottish Train - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Death on a Scottish Train (Scottish Isle Mystery #4) by Lucy Connelly

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

Description: Dr. Emilia McRoy, an American in Scotland, has a killer in sight in the fourth installment of the Scottish Isle mystery series, perfect for fans of Paige Shelton and Connie Berry.

Summer is coming to a close on beautiful Sea Isle in Scotland, and Dr. Emilia McRoy is celebrating one year since her big move. With a weeklong festival to end the season, the town gathers for a magical ride on the newly refurbished Storyteller’s Train but the launch’s success is dampened by an unexpected death.

What appears to be a case of deadly allergies is soon revealed as murder. As Emilia, her assistant Abigail, and the local constable Ewan McGregor unravel the mystery, the killer sets their murderous intentions on them.

If they want to survive, they will need the help of all of their friends, before they become the latest victims.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

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

My Impression:   We are back in Sea Isle for a 4th adventure in this series that is somewhere between a cozy and a more standard mystery.   I really enjoy the characters and seeing how their personal lives evolve.  Abigail is just a delight and I am really rooting for her relationship with Henry.  Emilia needs a bit of a shaking because of course Ewan is interested in her but it's fun watching them figure things out.  

Emilia is a good main character.  She's a very competent doctor and while she does take chances it doesn't feel like they're ridiculous chances.   Since she is the coroner there are also reasons for her to be involved in the investigation.  

This was a solid mystery with an unlikable victim and more than a few people who potentially wanted him dead.  There were a couple of lines that I would have liked to see more followed up on but the mystery itself was solved in a satisfying and rather dramatic fashion.  

I very much enjoyed this book and looked forward to picking it up each and every time.  I'm looking forward to the next book and am hoping that we have some digging into Emilia's family in a future book.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I already have the first book in another series by her and am looking forward to the next book in this series.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy mysteries this is a great series.  It can be read as a stand alone but it is probably better when read as part of the series.  

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