Murder is a Must - Cozy Mystery Review

 

Goodreads:  Murder is a Must (First Edition Library Mystery #2) by Marty Wingate

Rating: Liked It!
Source:  Publisher

Description:  Hayley Burke, curator of Lady Fowling's collection of first edition mysteries, is settling into her position at the First Edition Library in Middlebank House. She's even made progress with Lady Fowling's former secretary, the ornery Miss Woolgar. The women are busily preparing for an exhibition that will showcase Lady Fowling's life and letters. Hayley knows the exhibition is a huge undertaking and decides, against her better judgement, to hire Oona Atherton, her former boss from the Jane Austen Centre to help with the planning.

Oona is known for being difficult, but all seems to be going swimmingly until she and Hayley uncover a one-page letter that alludes to a priceless edition of MURDER MUST ADVERTISE signed by several Golden Age of Mystery authors. Oona feels this book could be the focal point of the exhibition and becomes obsessed with finding it.

When they find clues that appear to point to the book being somewhere in the First Edition Library, Oona is certain she's unraveled the mystery and texts Hayley the good news, but upon arriving back at Middlebank, Hayley finds her old boss dead at the bottom of the stairs. Did her discovery of the rare book get her killed or was it some angry shadow from her past? Hayley must read between the lines to catch a malicious murderer.

Genre:  Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book: I enjoyed the first book and couldn't wait to find out what Hayley was going to be up to next!

My Impression:  I really enjoy Marty Wingate's books and this second entry into the First Edition Library mystery series was no exception.  There's a missing book and a murder and more then a few suspects.  It's suggested that Hayley has bitten off more then she can chew when she suggests an exhibit on Lady Fowling, the founder of the First Edition Library, and that is definitely proven when the timeline gets cut by about 3/4 and a murder is thrown into the mix.  She spends a bit of time flustered and running back and forth and while it was entertaining to read I missed the time spent in the actual library which we had in the first book.

This is a fun easy read with enjoyable main characters in a fascinating setting.  While I can't say it's one that will really stick with me I thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience.  I wasn't sure the whos and the whats until the very end and I couldn't wait until all was revealed.   I'm always somewhat shocked by Hayley's lack of knowledge about classic mystery authors but this one is loosely tied to one I've never read - Dorothy L. Sayers' Murder Must Advertise - and it is one that has definitely jumped up my To Read List! While this is the 2nd book in the series I think you could easily jump in with this one with no issue.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I always enjoy Marty Wingate's books and I can't wait to read the next one in the series.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy cozy mysteries - especially those with a bit of a British twist this is a must read series.
  
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

The Circular Staircase - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads:  The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart

Rating: Really Liked It!
Source: Purchased 

Description:  For twenty years I had been perfectly comfortable; for twenty years I had had the window-boxes filled in the spring, the carpets lifted, the awnings put up and the furniture covered with brown linen; for as many summers I had said good-bye to my friends, and, after watching their perspiring hegira, had settled down to a delicious quiet in town, where the mail comes three times a day, and the water supply does not depend on a tank on the roof. And then -- the madness seized me. When I look back over the months I spent at Sunnyside, I wonder that I survived at all. As it is, I show the wear and tear of my harrowing experiences. I have turned very gray -- Liddy reminded me of it, only yesterday, by saying that a little bluing in the rinse-water would make my hair silvery, instead of a yellowish white. I hate to be reminded of unpleasant things and I snapped her off. "No," I said sharply, "I'm not going to use bluing at my time of life, or starch, either."

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  I feel like I read this ages ago but I remember nothing about it and I wanted to read a book by a classic American mystery author.

My Impression:  Oh this was fun!  Fast paced with a no nonsense main character and her rather dramatic hand wringing companion land in a house filled with strange noises and occurrences and even from time to time a dead body.

Rinehart's style walks a thin line between Gothic and streamlined, as well as practical and overwrought making it entertaining without ever feeling overdone.  The mystery really had me guessing up until the end though I must admit I did figure out a part of it early on.  My only complaint is that there are a decent number of minor characters that aren't particularly developed and at times it could be difficult to keep track of who was who.  She did offer a quick explanation if it's needed but it did pull me out of the story a time or two.  

Given this was published in 1908 it had a fresh feeling that kept me engrossed and enjoying it.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I have several more Mary Roberts Rinhart books on my shelf and I can't wait to dig into them!

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy classic mysteries like Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers then I really recommend this book.

Murder, She Wrote: Murder in Season - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: Murder, She Wrote: Murder in Season (Murder, She Wrote #52) by Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land

Rating: Really Liked It!
Source: Publisher

Description:  With work on the reconstruction of her beloved home almost complete, Jessica Fletcher is in high holiday spirits, spearheading the annual Christmas parade and preparing for her nephew Grady and his family to come to town. The only thing dampening the holiday cheer is the discovery of two sets of bones on Jessica’s property: one set ancient, the other only about a year old. It’s concluded that they were both placed there during the reconstruction, and Jessica suspects that, despite the centuries between them, the remains might be connected.

Soon tabloid reporter Tad Hollenbeck arrives in Cabot Cove to write a story about what he calls “the murder capital of the country.” But when Tad himself is murdered, Jessica speculates that his arrival, his death, and the discovery of the bones are all somehow linked.

As Jessica digs deeper to find the connection between the bones and Tad’s murder, everything seems to come back to a mystery that has long plagued Cabot Cove. If she wants to solve the case, she’ll need to delve into her beloved town’s dark history, or else this holiday season may be her last....

Genre:  Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I love spending more time with Jessica Fletcher and this might just be the most Christmas-y cover I've seen this year!

My Impression:  I'm always up for spending time with Jessica Fletcher but I must admit - the books that take place in Cabot Cove are especially my favorite.  This was lots of fun with the town history getting dug up (literally and figuratively).  Seth and Mort were definitely front and center as was Harry McGraw (who in my head is and will always be Jerry Orbach) and we even got Grady and family.  There's lots of Christmas cheer with plays and parades but of course, this being Cabot Cove, the bodies are dropping like flies.  The pacing is fast and fun with lots of questions and theories.  I thought I had it figured out a time or two only to second guess myself or form a new theory.

The only thing that dampened my enjoyment a bit of this mystery is the lack of the "Why" question being fully answered.  I know the who and the general why and am good with both but felt like it needed a bit more development.  It feels a little bit like the author learned last minute that his 300 page book really could only be 250 and he had to do some last minute editing.  

If you are looking for a fun and cozy holiday mystery this is one that can't be missed.  Don't let the fact that this is number 52 scare you off as I think you can easily jump right in for a bit of Cabot Cove fun.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  Jessica Fletcher is one of my favorite fictional characters and I think I enjoy the books almost as much as I do the show.  I've really been enjoying trying out the earlier books and am looking forward to the next one in the series.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy cozy mysteries this is a series you really must try - especially if you enjoy the show!

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

A Murder Between the Pages + 2 More Cozy Reviews

Goodreads:  A Murder Between the Pages (A Main Street Book Club Mystery #2) by Amy Lillard

Description:  A 50 year old missing person's case and a modern day mystery collide with the help of the Sugar Springs, Mississippi book club.

My Thoughts:  This one wasn't for me.  It might have helped if I had read the first book in the series but I'm pretty sure this wouldn't be one of my favorite series regardless.  Reading it kind of felt like listening into a conversation over the course of multiple days.  I kind of knew who everyone was and I was curious to find out what happened next but I was a bit iffy on exact details and never really got as much information in the conclusion as I wanted.  Rating:  Not For Me

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

Goodreads:   Gluten for Punishment (A Baker's Treat Mystery #1) by Nancy J Parra

Description:  Opening up a gluten free bakery in the heart of wheat country seems a bit risky and when a wheat farmer is murdered right outside her store Toni Holmes realizes just how risky it was!  Especially when the threats keep coming.

My Thoughts:  This was a cute read and while it did take me a bit to warm up to Toni I did come to like her and her crazy family as well as her friend Tasha and assistant Meghan.  The mystery wasn't one that kept me guessing but it was enjoyable and had a twist or two I didn't fully expect.  Once the pacing cleared the initial setup of the series in general it really gained traction and proved to be an enjoyable read.  It probably isn't a standout read for me but I did enjoy it and would pick up the next book in the series.  Rating:  Liked It

Goodreads:  Crewel World (A Needlecraft Mystery #1) by Monica Ferris

Description:  Betsy's reunion with her sister, Margot, is cut short when Margot is murdered in her needlework store.  Determined to find justice for her sister Betsy is pulled into Margot's world and into the world of needlework.

My Thoughts:  Another cozy that had a bit of a slow start that paid off in the end.  I'm thinking both this book and the book above suffered from being the first book in the series.  Some of the pacing is lost due to setup and given that the murder usually occurs pretty early on the characters aren't exactly at their best which makes them a touch difficult to warm up to at first.  I ended up really liking Betsy and very much sympathized with her grief over her sister.  I also very much enjoyed watching her learn to do needlework and her struggle with knitting had me laughing a time or two.  The mystery was very entertaining and while it's another that wasn't the most memorable it is one that I'm planning to seek otu the 2nd book.  Rating: Liked It

Curtain - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Curtain by Agatha Christie

Rating: Like It
Source: Purchased

Description:  Arthritic and immobilized, Poirot calls on his old friend Captain Hastings to join him at Styles to be the eyes and ears that will feed observations to Poirot's still razor sharp mind. Though aware of the criminal's identity, Poirot will not reveal it to the frustrated Hastings, and dubs the nameless personage 'X'. Already responsible for several murders, X, Poirot warns, is ready to strike again, and the partners must work swiftly to prevent imminent murder.

Poirot’s final case, a mystery which brings him and Hastings back to Styles where they first solved a crime together.

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  I'm always rereading Agatha Christie's books and it was time for Poirot's final case.

My Impression:  I have such mixed feelings about this book.  While it was the last book that was published while Christie was alive it was written in the 1940s which I feel was really her peak writing time. It's definitely one in which the less you know going in the better.  It's hard not to spoil it but it's worth avoiding full blurbs and anything else if you possibly can.  But I can't say I really enjoy this one - in fact the changes to Hastings and Poirot make me sad.  I don't mind the age - Miss Marple gets very physically frail in her later books and this doesn't bother me in the slightest - but I do mind just how unhappy they seem and their reunion doesn't really seem to make them any happier.  

The mystery itself is cleverly done using Christie's house party trope and a wide variety of characters that seemingly have no connection.  For most of the book I was just as lost as Hastings and chased more then a few red herrings trying to figure out just who the mysterious X really was.  

If you are a Christie fan this is one you cannot miss because it is Poirot's last case but it will never be one I just simply have to reread.    

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Christie is probably my favorite author of all time and while this isn't a favorite it doesn't deter me from picking up her book.  

Would I Recommend this Book?  With reservations.  It's a must read for Poirot fans however.  

Fishing for Trouble - Cozy Mystery Review

 

Goodreads:  Fishing for Trouble (Alaskan Diner Mystery #2) by Elizabeth Logan

Rating: Liked It
Source: Publisher

Description:  Something fishy is going on at a local seafood processing plant, and Charlie Cooke is on the hook to solve the case in this new Alaskan Diner Mystery.

Summer has come to Elkview, Alaska, bringing twenty hours of sunlight every day, not to mention a surge of tourists and seasonal workers. Chef Charlie Cooke is eager for a busy yet relaxing season, but when a young man working a summer job at the local fish processing plant dies moments after walking into the Bear Claw Diner, she’s quickly swept into the investigation.

Soon, through her best friend Annie Jensen, Charlie learns that another student worker at J and M Processing has disappeared, leaving more questions and fewer answers. The near-endless sunlight gives plenty of time to search for clues, but Charlie will have to work with Annie and local reporter Chris Doucette to net the killer before anyone else gets hurt.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I enjoyed the first book and was curious to see what happened next with Charlie, Chris, Annie, and the Bear Claw crew.

My Impression:  I was so glad to get back to Elkview, Alaska and see what the next chapter held for Charlie and everyone else at the Bear Claw.  It didn't disappoint.  Characters from the first book are settling into their lives and Chris and Charlie are still dancing around in a will we/won't we situation but in a grownup non-angsty way.  And of course it is always good to see what hijinks Charlie's indulged cat Benny is up to.

This was an entertaining read with a focus on the fish processing industry and a bit of Charlie's past showing up to confront her.  I enjoyed the Alaskan setting and following along with Chris and Charlie as they investigate just what is going on at J and M Processing.

What kept this from being a home run for me is a pacing issue with the unraveling of the mystery.  The book is never a slow read but it does feel we go large stretches of time with no new information and then in the last 20 pages or so everything is revealed which can get a bit confusing.  I'd love to see the information laid out a bit slower so that I would feel more invested in the outcome of the mystery.

While I didn't find this book flawless it was a fun read with a great setting and likable characters.  I'm looking forward to seeing more from Elkview, Alaska.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I would.  I really think this series has so much potential and  I'm hoping the mystery pacing improves.

Would I Recommend this Book?  I would definitely recommend this series if you enjoy a good cozy mystery.  

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

Broadcast 4 Murder - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Broadcast 4 Murder (A Sophie Kimball Mystery #7) by J.C. Eaton

Rating:  Really Liked It!
Source: Publisher

Description:  Phee's mother Harriet is going to be a star! At least, that's how the Sun City West retiree describes her chance to host a live radio program of her book club's Booked 4 Murder Mystery Hour on Arizona's KSCW. But instead of chatting about charming cozies, Harriet ends up screaming bloody murder over the airwaves after discovering the body of Howard Buell, the station's programming director, in a closet--with a pair of sewing shears shoved into his chest.

The number one suspect is Howard's ex-girlfriend Sylvia Strattlemeyer who believed she was going to host a sewing talk show before Harriet was offered the spot. But not only do the fingerprints found on the scissors not match Sylvia's, they belong to a woman who passed away twenty years ago at the age of ninety-seven. Now, with the whole town on pins and needles, it's up to Phee to stitch together enough clues from the past to uncover the identity of a killer in the present...

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  This is a favorite series and of course I had to pick up the latest book!

My Impression:  I will never turn down a visit to Sun City West and as expected this was jammed full of hijinks, gossip, rumors, snowbirds, and pre-dawn visits to the dog park.  What was unexpected is that it's Phee herself who is leading quite a bit of the hijinks and taking a more active role in the investigation without her well-intentioned and eccentric mother pushing her along.   While enjoyed seeing Phee taking a more active role she did jump to some conclusions that I just didn't quite follow and seemed to have pretty gaping holes.  At one point Marshall states that she is definitely her mother's daughter and I couldn't help but agree!

The mystery is quite intriguing and I very much enjoyed the investigation even with some of Phee's jumping to conclusions at times.  I also loved visiting with the characters - especially Augusta who seemed to have a bit more page time in this book.  While this wasn't my favorite mystery in this series it was still lots of fun and was a delight to read.

If you enjoy a cozy mystery with quirky characters but also a solid mystery that doesn't trend towards silly then this is the perfect series for you!

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

Would I Recommend this Book?  Absolutely!  This is one of my favorite cozy series and one I think most cozy readers would love.

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