Books from the Backlog - A Murder of Magpies

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 Murder of Magpies by Judith Flanders

Blurb:  It's just another day at the office for London book editor Samantha "Sam" Clair. Checking jacket copy for howlers, wondering how to break it to her star novelist that her latest effort is utterly unpublishable, lunch scheduled with gossipy author Kit Lowell, whose new book will dish the juicy dirt on a recent fashion industry scandal. Little does she know the trouble Kit's book will cause-before it even goes to print. When police Inspector Field turns up at the venerable offices of Timmins & Ross, asking questions about a package addressed to Sam, she knows something is wrong. Now Sam's nine-to-five life is turned upside down as she finds herself propelled into a criminal investigation. Someone doesn't want Kit's manuscript published and unless Sam can put the pieces together in time, they'll do anything to stop it.
With this deliciously funny debut novel, acclaimed author Judith Flanders introduces readers to an enormously enjoyable, too-clever-for-her-own-good new amateur sleuth, as well Sam's Goth assistant, her effortlessly glamorous mother, and the handsome Inspector Field. A tremendously entertaining read, this page-turning novel from a bright new crime fiction talent is impossible to put down.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf: I read and enjoyed the second book in this series and thought "Wow - I bet I'd have enjoyed this way better if I had read the first book".  So I purchased the first book and the promptly forgot about it.

From Cradle to Grave - Cozy Historical Mystery Review

Goodreads:  From Cradle to Grave (A Royal Spyness Mystery #19)

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

Description:  Georgie may not have much in common with your average new mother, but she does have one a new nanny she despises. Knowing she must find a nanny more suited to her young son, Georgie travels to London to see her old friend ZouZou, only to find her about to depart for a funeral, after the unexpected death of a young man. It quickly becomes clear there’s more than one mysterious death around town, when another friend, Georgie Gormsley, reveals he’s just returned from the funeral of a school friend, who seemingly drowned while swimming. And then Georgie's best friend, Belinda, receives a telegram informing her that the son of family friends has died tragically. It begins to seem like too much of a coincidence to Georgie. Yet the victims didn’t seem to have any connection to one another.

Georgie returns to ZouZou, who puts the final nail in the coffin—she’s sure that the deaths were not an accident and begs Georgie to solve the case. As Georgie begins investigating, she can’t help worrying that her own husband, Darcy, may be next. She begins to suspect there might be a serial killer at work and as she delves deeper into the case, realizes that the young men may all share a link to a crime many years ago. Will Georgie solve the murders before it’s too late for Darcy, and manage to find the perfect nanny all at the same time?

Genre: Mystery - Cozy Historical

Why I Picked This Book:  I've read the most recent books in this series and am enjoying catching up on the earlier books so of course I had to pick this one up!
 
My Impression:   I felt a bit sorry for Georgie in the beginning of this.  She basically wants to be left alone with her family at her home in the English countryside.  Things are quickly turned on their ear when a formable woman appears at the door to be the nanny to Georgie's 7 month old son James.  Soon after,, the reason for the nanny appearing in the first place also turns up a the door.  Georgie isn't the most outspoken confident person and Nanny and Fig most definitely are so I couldn't help but feel sorry for her as she tried to stand up for what she actually wants while trying not to offend anyone.  I did kind of want to shake Darcy for not being more supportive.

In all the household chaos the mystery kind of sneaks in as the death of one young man after the other gets mentioned and bit by bit begins to stack up.  It's an interesting concept and proves to be an interesting mystery.  I enjoyed how Georgie gets involved as well as more time with ZouZoe who we haven't seen very much of in the last few books.  I also love what the author has done with Queenie who was easily one of my top 5 least favorite cozy mystery side kicks.  She has a valuable role in the household but is only a side character in Georgie's life and normally the chaos she unleashes impacts some of the unlikable characters visiting the house (in this case Fig and Nanny).  

I really enjoyed this book and wasn't sure how any of the various plots would work out.  There is a lot about Georgie's life which as a long time reader of the series I really enjoyed but may be a bit much if you start the series with this one.  If you're starting the series from the beginning just remember while Fig doesn't get better Queenie most definitely does.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series and finishing up the books in the middle of the series that I've missed.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I've enjoyed everything I've read by this author and am looking forward to reading more.

Would I Recommend this Book?  I recommend this series but do recommend starting earlier in the series 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. *

Ten Books I Want To Read By The End of The Year

Today's Top Ten Tuesday Topic over at That Artsy Reader Girl is Modern Books That I Think Will Be Classics.  Honestly, I don't think many of the books I read will become classics though I'm very curious to see what everyone has on their lists.  Instead, I'm going to do a topic I've seen bouncing around on blogs and on YouTube - Ten Books I Want to Read By the End of the Year.  I can't believe we are coming towards the close of 2025 and to be honest I am not ready!  I'm iffy on what goals I'm going to complete as I've had a weird year with reading slumps or slowdowns.  That doesn't mean I haven't been looking at my shelf and library shelves and bookstore shelves and thinking about books I want to read though!  Here are 10 I'd like to get read by the end of the year.

1.  Shady Hollow by Juneau Black - I have a few books in this series and it looks wonderfully fall-ish.

2.  The Belle of Bellgrave Square by Mimi Matthews - I read this a few years ago and read the first book in the series earlier this year which made me want to continue with the series and reread this second book.

3.  We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida - I picked this one up earlier this year and really want to read it.  It sounds like a nice cozy read.

4.  The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst - The first book by this series was one of my favorite reads last year and I'm so looking forward to reading this one.

5.  A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey - I love this author and this one looks fantastic.

6.  The Woods are Waiting by Katherine Greene - I read another book by this author and really liked it and this one looks super creepy.

7.  Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn - I liked the first book in this series and I really enjoy everything I've read by this author.  I'm curious to see how the author continues this storyline.

8.  The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor - This was the first book that brought this author on my radar but somehow while I've read lots of other books by this author I still haven't read this one.

9.  Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams - I read the second book in this trilogy earlier this year which kind of ended on a cliffhanger so I need to read the third book.

10. Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher - This has been on my end of the year reading list for several years so hopefully this is the year.

What are some books you want to read by the end of the year?

The Seven Rings - Romantic Suspense Review

Goodreads:  The Seven Rings (The Lost Bride Trilogy #3) by Nora Roberts

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

Description:  Long ago, Arthur Poole built a grand house overlooking the turbulent ocean, in a Maine village that bore his name. Today, Sonya MacTavish lives in that house—a manor that has been cursed for generations. Within its walls, she has witnessed the deaths of seven brides and the thefts of seven wedding rings. And now, to break the curse and banish a malevolent spirit once and for all, a difficult task must be completed.

After Sonya, her boyfriend, Trey, and their friends are forced to hear, see—and feel—the suffering of the house’s many ghosts as their torment is reenacted by the evil presence, their bond only strengthens and their anger is renewed. Refusing to let her spirit be broken, Sonya searches each room for clues to her ancestors’ hidden story, putting the picture together, unearthing small treasures, and uncovering the moments of joy that existed among the sorrows. She’s determined to bring light to this haunted place—to fill it with people, with life and hope, once again.

But the enemy in the black dress continues to hover, to come at her in frightening forms. They may be illusions—but illusions can be powerful enough to wound and kill. She feeds on fear, and lies are her weapon. This dark-hearted witch wants to be mistress of Poole Manor, at any cost. And Sonya will need to fight a battle across two realms to finally take possession of the house on the clifftop—and of her own future…

Genre:  Romance - Paranormal Suspense

Why I Picked This Book:  I have loved this trilogy and have been so looking forward to this book.

My Impression:  I have thoroughly enjoyed the first two books though I do feel that my family failed me a bit because at no point have I inherited a haunted family manor with a boatload of (mostly) helpful ghosts.  Each of the first two books have ended on a cliffhanger and I have been highly anticipating how Sonya, Cleo, Trey, and Owen were going to defeat the truly awful Hester Dobbs.  

I enjoyed spending more time with the four main characters, their pets, and the ghosts that inhabit the historic old house.  I really enjoyed that we got to know Colin a little bit more and that Sonya is increasingly making the house her own.  The story is compelling and I enjoyed watching as they figured out how to fight the evil Hester Dobbs.  

There was a bit more filler than necessary which is what kept this from being an absolute win for me.  I have really enjoyed this trilogy and am a bit sad that my time at Lost Bride Manor has come to an end though I have enjoyed the ride!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course!  I'm looking forward to whatever Roberts publishes next and have a few of her past books on deck to reread.

Would I Recommend this Book?  I would absolutely recommend this trilogy but this is definitely one that needs to be read in order.

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

Friday Fives - TBR Jar Pick Reviews

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 I wanted to add a bit of randomness and work on getting through more books I've been neglected so I started two TBR jars - one for physical books on my shelves and one for audio books.  Here are 5 books I've picked from my audio book jar and what I thought of them.

1.  Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams - I enjoy Beatriz Williams but this was not the book for me.  I gave it a couple of tries and finally DNF'd at about 11%.  I found I just didn't care.

2.  All the Stars in Heaven by Adriana Trigiani - This author has been on my TBR for at least a decade but I probably wouldn't have picked it up if I hadn't pulled it at random.  It's the story of a young Loretta Young navigating the world of 1930s Hollywood mostly seen through the perspective of her secretary.  It was interesting and I loved seeing Spencer Tracy on the page as well as the other Hollywood stars.  This wasn't a standout but I enjoyed it and will definitely try more from this author.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

3.  Veil of Night by Linda Howard - This was a fun listen with a good premise.  It read a bit like a 1990s romantic suspense (it was published in 2011 - I double checked) which was fun.  The male main character is the worst and it would have had a much higher rating if not for him.   My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

4.  Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena - What a terrible group of people and what a fast paced compelling thriller.  I'm glad I finally tried this author and I will definitely be reading more from her. My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

5.  Flea Market Magic by Bella Falls -  This was a cute and fluffy paranormal cozy mystery.  The main character was a bit annoying but I liked the quirky cast of characters.  The main issue I had was with how the ending was resolved.   My Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)

Books from the Backlog - The Woman Who Spoke to Spirits

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

Goodreads:  The Woman Who Spoke to Spirits by Alys Clare

Blurb:  London, 1880
When accounts clerk Ernest Stibbins approaches the World's End Investigation Bureau with wild claims that his wife Albertina has been warned by her spirit guides that someone is out to harm her, the bureau's owner Lily Raynor and her new employee Felix Wilbraham are initially sceptical. How are the two private enquiry agents supposed to investigate threats from beyond the grave?

But after she attends a seance at the Stibbins family home, Lily comes to realize that Albertina is in terrible danger. And very soon so too is Lily herself..

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I have no memory of picking this one up but it looks really good!  I have no idea why I haven't read it yet.

Reading For Fun - Emily Wilde's Encylopaedia of Faeries

The last few years I've made a list of 10 books - 5 books off my shelf, 5 books from the library - that I'm really wanting to read.  There's no real rhyme or reason.  I just go through my library list and my shelves and pick the books that are calling to me.  Here is one that I've read recently.

Goodreads:  Emily Wilde's Encylopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

Blurb:  Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world's first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people. She could never make small talk at a party--or even get invited to one. And she prefers the company of her books, her dog, and the Fair Folk.
So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk. Nor does she care to spend time with another new arrival: her dashing and insufferably handsome academic rival Wendell Bambleby, who manages to charm the townsfolk, get in the middle of Emily's research, and utterly confound and frustrate her.

But as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones--the most elusive of all faeries--lurking in the shadowy forest outside the town, she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery: Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, she'll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all--her own heart.

My Thoughts:  I wanted to love this one.  I'd heard such great things about it and I had loved The Grace of Wild Things by this author.  It wasn't bad and I did enjoy the last half but getting there was a bit of a slog for me.  I wasn't interested in any of the characters (except Shadow, Emily's dog) or Emily's research.  I had a hard time feeling invested in the story or the characters.  While I did enjoy the last half and was interested in how everything worked out this isn't a series I plan on continuing with.  I will read more from this author but that is based off the previous book I read.  I know this is a pretty unpopular opinion, but this one wasn't a win for me.  My Rating: Just Okay (2.5 Stars)