Friday Fives - Five Series That Do NOT Need to Be Read in Order

I'm taking a bit of a break from my usual Friday Linkups to try something a little different.  I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much.   This year has been all about the series.   While most of the books I read are in series I was never one who had to read a series in order.  Well this year I've been discovering just how important reading a series in order just happens to be!  That said not ever series needs to be read in order and here are 5 that come to mind.

1.  Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot by Agatha Christie - I'm cheating a bit because these are two different series but both are series that can easily be read in any order.  In fact the last book in both series were written in the 1940s but weren't published until the 1970s so Christie didn't even write them in order!  

2.  Miss Silver by Patricia Wentworth - This is pretty much the same as the two above.  Yes it's technically a series but the only connection is that Miss Silver and some of the various detectives show up in every book.  There are some repeat characters but you don't need to know who they are and the mysteries are in no way connected.

3.  Murder, She Wrote by Jessica Fletcher (and which ever author was writing it at the time) - This series is on 50+ books and I have read about 4 of them.  Just like the television show that this is based on where you can watch any random episode and completely understand what's going on you can pick up any book without any issue.  

4.  Krewe of Hunters by Heather Graham - This paranormal romantic suspense series is essentially a series of trilogies that come out every year.  Those trilogies are loosely connected but the only connection between them and the rest of the book is that at least one character in the couple is a member of the FBI's special department of paranormal investigators.

5.  Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse - Now you do want to make sure that Bertie appears in the book but other then that I think you can jump in anywhere- and I do recommend them in audio if you can get them!

Books from the Backlog - A Dark and Stormy Murder

Today I'm linking up with Carole from Carole's Random Life of Books for Books from the Backlog.  I really enjoy the chance to feature a book that's been hiding in the piles of books for far too long!

Goodreads:  A Dark and Stormy Night by Julia Buckley

Blurb:  Camilla Graham’s bestselling suspense novels inspired Lena London to become a writer, so when she lands a job as Camilla’s new assistant, she can’t believe her luck. Not only will she help her idol craft an enchanting new mystery, she’ll get to live rent-free in Camilla’s gorgeous Victorian home in the quaint town of Blue Lake, Indiana.
But Lena’s fortune soon changes for the worse. First, she lands in the center of small town gossip for befriending the local recluse. Then, she stumbles across one thing that a Camilla Graham novel is never without—a dead body, found on her new boss’s lakefront property.

Now Lena must take a page out of one of Camilla’s books to hunt down clues in a real crime that seems to be connected to the novelist’s mysterious estate—before the killer writes them both out of the story for good...

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  While I've read the last couple of books in this series I've never read the first few and I think it would help me enjoy the series even more.

Death Brings a Shadow + Antiques Fire Sale - Mini Reviews

Goodreads:  Death Brings a Shadow by Rosemary Simpson

Blurb:  In spring 1889, Prudence and Geoffrey set sail from New York Harbor on a private yacht bound for Bradford Island, where her friend Eleanor Dickson is to be wed. The Sea Islands along the Georgia coast serve as a winter playground for the likes of the Carnegies, Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Dicksons. Despite her Yankee pedigree, Eleanor is marrying a Southern gentleman, Teddy Bennett, and Prudence is thrilled to be the maid of honor.
But days before the wedding, the bride is nowhere to be found. A frantic search of the island turns up her drowned corpse in an alligator-infested swamp. Prudence is devastated, but as they prepare the body for burial, she and Geoffrey discover evidence of bruising that indicates Eleanor was held under--most dishonorably murdered.
Determined to seek justice for her beloved friend, Prudence begins to investigate with Geoffrey's help and is quickly led into a morass of voodoo spells and dark deeds from the days of slavery. As Prudence and Geoffrey pursue a killer, they soon discover that Eleanor will not be the last to die on Bradford Island ...

My Thoughts:  I really wanted to love this one.  I really enjoyed the previous book and had such high hopes for this one but it didn't really come to be.  The mystery was okay though a bit disjointed but my primary problem was with Prudence herself.  She is completely out of her element and refuses to read the room or take advice from Geoffrey who is on her team and far more familiar with the way things work.  After awhile she just comes off as immature and arrogant.  As well she makes a logic jump that made no sense at all given the knowledge that she had while reaching the conclusion.  Unfortunately, the book is told primarily through Prudence's eyes and by the end I was glad to see the last of her.  I did really enjoy the previous book so I might pick up another book in the series but it definitely won't be one that takes place out of New York.  My Rating: Just Okay

Goodreads:  Antiques Fire Sale (A Trash and Treasure Mystery #14) by Barbara Allan

Blurb: That local theater diva of a certain age, Vivian Borne—a.k.a. Brandy’s Mother—is sheriff of Serenity County now, but still hot on the trail of precious antiques. On a tour of the historic Wentworth Mansion, the two dedicated dealers are aglow at the treasure trove of priceless objects . . . never dreaming everything will turn to ashes, hours later.
A charred corpse in the ruins is identified as the mansion’s caretaker, a one-time flame of Vivian’s. But Tony Cassato—Brandy’s beau and Serenity’s Chief of Police—throws cold water on Sheriff Vivian’s suspicions of murder. Then Brandy spots a certain familiar item for sale on the Internet, and Mother suspects the fire is just a smoke screen.
When their doggie detective, Sushi the shih tzu, sniffs out a second body in the woods, Mother and Brandy turn up the heat on a homicidal torcher. Because any killer who takes on the Borne girls is playing with fire.

My Thoughts:  Well this was a zany bit of fun!  I've heard mixed reviews about this series and honestly I can see why.  The writing style is very distinct with fourth wall breaking and a story telling feel that is at times heavily shaded by the speaking character's perspective.  The story feel reminded me a bit of Tonya Kappes' books so if you enjoy her stories I think you'd like this one.  As well for the 14th book in the series I had absolutely no problem jumping in here.  The narrator, Jeanine Bartel, did a fantastic job and enhanced my enjoyment of the story.  The mystery was an entertaining one with some serious hijinks but some solid investigative work.  I'm not sure this is a series I'll seek out to finish or read the backlog of but if I see any books by this author or this narrator on audio I'll definitely give them a try.  My Rating:  Liked It!

Top Ten Tuesday - 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 

 

1.  A Place Like Home by Rosamunde Pilcher - Pilcher is a favorite author and I love her short stories so I had to pick up this new collection of short stories.  Pilcher died in 2019 making this extra special.

2.  Murder Most Fowl by Donna Andrews - I love this series so I have to read the newest book!

3.  The Moon Sister by Lucinda Riley - I was so saddened to hear of Riley's death last week after a long battle with cancer.  This was already on my list to read but now there will be an extra bit of poignancy.

4.  The Secret Staircase by Sheila Connolly - I started this series on a whim last year and am looking forward to picking up the last book.

5.  Murder Most Fair by Anna Lee Huber - I am fully caught up on the Verity Kent series and have enjoyed all the books so I can't wait to pick up this newest one.

6.  The Spy Wore Red by Aline, Countess of Romanones - I read this book years and years ago and really enjoyed it but now that I've read Larry Loftis' biography I need to do a reread!

7.  Latter End by Patricia Wentworth - One of my goals this year is to read all the Miss Silver books in chronological order and this is the next book.

8.  The Stalking by Heather Graham - I always like Graham's Krewe of Hunter books during the summer.  They're creepy and suspenseful but still light reading.

9.   Death in Castle Dark by Veronica Bond -Murder in a castle and the first in a new cozy series.  It looks really fun.

10. The Whole Cat and Caboodle by Sofie Ryan -This is a series I've recently rolled in to my Year of the Series project.  I've read the later books but somehow never read the first few so I'm going to work to fix that.

What are you hoping to read this summer?

Murder, She Wrote: Killing in a Koi Pond - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: Murder, She Wrote: Killing in a Koi Pond (Murder, She Wrote #53) by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran

Rating:  Liked It!
Source: Publisher

Description:  After traveling to Bethesda for a mystery writers' conference, Jessica Fletcher decides she's earned a vacation and takes a train to Columbia, South Carolina, to visit her old college friend Dolores, who has recently married her third husband, Willis Nickens, a wealthy and cutthroat businessman. They've moved into an opulent historic home with plenty of space for guests, and Jessica is ready for a week of shopping, gossiping, and relaxing at the grand estate.

But the morning after she arrives, Jessica discovers Willis facedown in the koi pond, and despite what the police think, she's sure foul play is involved. She hadn't known Willis long, but it's clear to her that he didn't concern himself with making friends. The question isn't if her friend's husband was murdered but by whom.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've been really enjoying this series and was thrilled to see a cozy author taking over.

My Impression:  I was so excited to start this one when I saw a cozy mystery author would be taking over the series.  While I had enjoyed the previous author his work was a little more thriller-y then I expected from Jessica Fletcher.  It was fun but this book mirrored the show more closely in feel.  

In this book Jessica is visiting an old friend who is newly married.  Instead of the charming prince Jessica had heard about the new husband seems to be nothing short of a bully - something everyone but his besotted wife is aware of.  It's not particularly shocking when after a very awkward and unpleasant dinner he is discovered dead in the koi pond.  Suspects are thick on the ground but the local sheriff seems zeroed in on just one - the new bride and Jessica's old friend.  So of course Jessica has to get involved!

This was a fun read with lots of yummy food descriptions and even more interrogations.  I did guess who the killer was and why but I enjoyed the read enough that that didn't bother me.  The secondary characters are a bit flat and I would have enjoyed a bit more of an explanation as to what was going on between the killer and victim.  However, this was such a fun fast paced read that these felt like pretty minor issues.  I'm really hoping that Moran continues with this and I'm especially looking forward to one set in Cabot Cove!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I'm really looking forward to the next book!

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy cozy mysteries - and especially if you are familiar with the television show - I think you would really enjoy this read.

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

Life with Leukemia (And Some Reading) June 13

It's Sunday Post time!  This is hosted by the awesome Caffeinated Book Reviewer and gives us all a chance to recap our week.

This has been a bit of a stressful week.  One of Will's counts came back wonky so he didn't get IV chemo but at this point it's not really anything to worry about.  These kids get so much medicine over so long of a time that sometimes their bodies need a rest and that's what was most likely going on here.  Because he didn't get the IV chemo and just has been doing oral chemo he's actually feeling pretty good and there are no symptoms that anything more serious is going on which is good.  We are on week 35 and the fact that means there are best case scenario 85 weeks to go is wearing on us a little.  They told us when Will was first diagnosed that it's a marathon not a sprint and that's really hitting home right now.  The long term treatment is why the cure rate is so high so I feel guilty feeling worn out by all of it.  We also have gotten bad news about 2 families we've met over all this.  One learned their child has had a relapse at week 114 and the other got unbelievably bad news.  Both had the same diagnosis as Will so it's hit us pretty hard even though his treatment is going great.  It's brought home that anything can change on a dime I think.

I've been trying to keep myself distracted so in between video games with Will I've been playing GeoGuessr and it's been a nice distraction.  Basically it drops you down anywhere in the world using Google Maps and you can kind of move around to figure out where you are.  Then you guess and it tells you how close you were.  I've been weirdly close and crazy off but it's been fun.  I only do 1 game a day which is 5 maps because any more and you have to pay for it but it's been a nice bit of distraction.  I've also been reading and feel like I've managed to avoid the slump I felt was coming on last week.

Currently:

Reading:  The Listening House by Mabel Seeley and House of Many Shadows by Barbara Michaels

Listening:  Hitting the Books by Jenn McKinlay - I've read this but don't remember it at all so I thought I'd listen to it before I marked this series done.

I'm still not watching much other then YouTube though really I've mostly been listening to audio books and not watching anything.  I miss getting into a really good show or movie but it hasn't been happening lately.

Have a great week and happy reading!

Murder with Mirrors - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Murder with Mirrors by Agatha Christie

Rating: Really Liked It!
Source: Purchased

Description:  A man is shot at in a juvenile reform home – but someone else dies…

Miss Marple senses danger when she visits a friend living in a Victorian mansion which doubles as a rehabilitation centre for delinquents. Her fears are confirmed when a youth fires a revolver at the administrator, Lewis Serrocold. Neither is injured. But a mysterious visitor, Mr Gulbrandsen, is less fortunate – shot dead simultaneously in another part of the building.

Pure coincidence? Miss Marple thinks not, and vows to discover the real reason for Mr Gulbrandsen’s visit.

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  I'm rereading all the Miss Marple books this year and this was the next book in line!

My Impression:  This is one of the Miss Marples I don't really remember much about but I think should be on the under appreciated titles list.  Miss Marple is visiting an old friend, Carrie Louise, at her estate which is also a rehabilitation center for juvenile delinquents.  Carrie Louise thinks she is offering an old friend of limited means a bit of a break from financial worries and plenty of relaxing surroundings and good food.  What Carrie Louise doesn't know is that Miss Marple has been sent by another old friend who feels that something is amiss in Carrie Louise's world but doesn't know precisely what.  And obviously, Miss Marple is the one for figuring out just what is going on!

This is an interesting read and clearly a plot that Christie had a bit of fun with.  There's a lot of family tension and more then a few possible suspects as well as more of a few theories as to just what is going on.  This is the kind of situation where Miss Marple really shines.  She's imbedded in the household and all the possible suspects are available for chatting.  It's really quite fun to watch her in action.  When it all comes out I think most readers will be quite surprised at just how it was all managed.   

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Of course!  I've already got the next one ready to go!

Would I Recommend this Book?  I would!  Miss Marple books can be read in just about any order and since this one takes place away from her home it's especially easy to just jump in here.