Amateurs Sleuths Archives – Page 5 of 9

The Stolen Letter by Paige Shelton [Book Review]

Posted on April 6, 2020January 16, 2024 by Darinda

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BOOK INFO

Title: The Stolen Letter

Author: Paige Shelton

Publisher: Minotaur

Publish Date: April 7, 2020

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Scottish Bookshop Mystery #5

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

New York Times bestselling author Paige Shelton returns with the next installment of The Scottish Bookshop Mystery series, The Stolen Letter

Delaney Nichols is confident she’s doing what she loves—case in point, just one day after returning from her fabulous European honeymoon, she’s eager to get back to the Cracked Spine, the bookstore where she works. But as she disembarks her bus and hurries toward the shop she and another woman collide, sending a stack of books the woman is carrying to the ground.

Delaney’s hapless victim’s name is Mary, and the two women can’t help but notice that they bear an uncanny resemblance to one another. According to Mary, they both also look like the long-beheaded Mary Queen of Scots. Even stranger, Mary believes she is the reincarnation of the Scottish queen. But peculiar as Delaney’s doppelganger is, she doesn’t have time to dwell on it: on her arrival to the bookshop, she learns the Edinburgh city council wants to close the Cracked Spine, citing code violations, and she’s determined to stop them.

But when Mary’s husband dies in a car explosion—and Delaney learns he was the very member of city council who proposed that the city take a closer look at the bookshop’s construction—she starts to wonder if her meeting with Mary wasn’t an accident. Edinburgh has become as filled with intrigue and deception as any European court, and Delaney is determined to get to the bottom of this royal mystery.

MY REVIEW

The Stolen Letter is the fifth book in the Scottish Bookshop mystery series. The main character, Delaney, is an American woman who relocated to Scotland to work in a unique bookshop, the Cracked Spine. Also, Delaney occasionally helps solve mysteries. She comes across a murder mystery to solve.

I recommend starting with the first book in this series, The Cracked Spine. Each book in the series has a unique mystery, but the relationships between the characters grow throughout Delaney’s time in Scotland.

In The Stolen Letter, Delaney runs into Mary on the way to the bookshop. The women immediately notice they look a lot alike, and Mary says they look like Mary, Queen of Scots. Turns out, Mary knows a lot about the dead Queen, and even believes she is the reincarnated Queen Mary. Delaney is intrigued with Mary, but, unfortunately, Mary’s husband is trying to close down the Cracked Spine. When Mary’s husband is killed, Delaney searches for answers.

An enjoyable cozy mystery series. This book, along with the earlier ones, includes a touch of paranormal in the story. While this isn’t my favorite book in the series, I did find it entertaining. The characters are likable and the story is interesting. Delightful, fun, and quirky.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery Series:

The Cracked Spine
Of Books and Bagpipes
Lost Books and Old Bones
The Loch Ness Papers
The Stolen Letter
Deadly Editions
The Burning Pages
Fateful Words
The Poison Pen

The Body in the Apartment by Judi Lynn [Book Review]

Posted on March 16, 2020January 16, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: The Body in the Apartment

Author: Judi Lynn

Publisher: Lyrical Underground

Publish Date: March 17, 2020

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Jazzi Zanders Mystery #4

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

The charming homes of River Bluffs, Indiana, make perfect projects for house-flipper Jazzi Zanders. Less charming is her hothead brother-in-law, who’s a bit of a fixer-upper himself.
But could he also be a murderer?

Jazzi married her gorgeous contractor Ansel—not his family. But somehow she keeps living with them. So she’s delighted to help Ansel’s brother Radley move out of their home and into his own place, in the same building as his work supervisor, Donovan. But when Donovan is shot and his apartment ransacked following an argument with Ansel and Radley’s older brother Bain, their sibling becomes a suspect—especially after his missing gun turns up as the murder weapon.

Told not to leave town by Detective Gaff, big brother moves in with . . . Jazzi and Ansel. Now Jazzi needs to prove Bain’s no killer, not only to keep him out of jail—but to get him out of their house. What was the killer looking for in Donovan’s apartment? And what will happen to the next person who gets in the way?

MY REVIEW

This is the fourth book in the Jazzi Zanders mystery series by Judi Lynn. Ansel’s brother Radley has decided to stay in town, and Jazzi and Ansel help him move into his new apartment. During the move, Ansel and Radley’s brother Bain shows up to try and convince Radley to return to the family’s dairy farm. Unfortunately, Radley’s friend Donovan, who lives in the same apartment complex, is killed while everyone is there. Bain becomes a suspect. Jazzi helps solve the murder.

I’ve read the previous three books in this series and recommend reading them in order: The Body in the Attic, The Body in the Wetlands, and The Body in the Gravel. They can be read out of order though. The personal stories are continued, but the mystery is standalone for each book.

Jazzi, Ansel, and her cousin Jerod flip houses. I enjoy the idea of a house flipper amateur sleuth, so this cozy series is a good one for me. Jazzi also likes to cook and enjoys hosting meals for her family and friends. She seemed to cook more in this book, and there are a few recipes included at the end of the book. I’m still perplexed why the detective on the cases always includes Jazzi in the investigation, even bringing her to interviews. Still, it’s a fun and entertaining series.

A light, cozy mystery. Likable characters and a good mystery.

I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Jazzi Zanders Mystery Series:

The Body in the Attic
The Body in the Wetlands
The Body in the Gravel
The Body in the Apartment
The Body from the Past
The Body in the Beauty Parlor
The Body in the Trench
The Body in the Buick
The Body in the Wheelbarrow
The Body in Someone Else’s Bed

Revolver Road by Christi Daugherty [Book Review]

Posted on March 10, 2020January 16, 2024 by Darinda

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BOOK INFO

Title: Revolver Road

Author: Christi Daugherty

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Publish Date: March 10, 2020

Genre: Amateur Investigator

Series: Harper McClain #3

My Rating: 5/5

BOOK BLURB

Crime reporter Harper McClain is back on the beat when a troubled musician vanishes in Christi Daugherty’s Revolver Road.

Even in the chill of February, no place touches Harper McClain’s heart like Savannah. She should be walking beneath the historic city’s towering oaks, surrounded by graceful mansions. Instead, she’s hiding miles away on Tybee Island after a mysterious voice on the phone warned her that someone wanted her dead. The call was too specific to ignore. The caller knew everything about her. But that was months ago, and she’s getting tired of being scared.

Her only escape is her work at the newspaper, where the hottest story in town is the disappearance of Xavier Rayne. The singer had a hit album on his hands, and was about to go on tour, but then he walked out of his beachfront home and vanished. The police believe he drowned, but Harper suspects his disappearance may be more ominous than that. Something doesn’t feel right about it.

His bandmates and actress girlfriend say he’s run away before. They expect him to come home. Until a body washes up with two bullet holes in it. Now everyone in Rayne’s life is a suspect. As Harper digs deeper into the case, though, the threats against her own life return. The phone call she received was very real. A killer from her past is coming for her.

Now she must solve two murders, or end up dying on Revolver Road…

MY REVIEW

Crime reporter Harper McClain is back in Revolver Road, the third book in this crime series. Someone wants Harper dead, and she’s been scared into hiding. She’s tired of hiding though, and she believes finding who killed her mother will help solve the mystery of who is after her. For work, Harper is staying busy with the case of missing man Xavier Rayne, a popular musician. Harper works to solve both mysteries.

The mysteries are intriguing. One mystery has Harper digging into the past, and learning the truth about her mother’s murder. The other mystery involves a celebrity that everyone assumes drowned, but Harper suspects there’s more to the story. The characters are well-developed, and I especially like Harper. She is smart, independent, and hard-working. I love settings like Savannah, with such a rich history, the setting is like another character and adds to the enjoyment of the story.

This is one of my favorite mystery series, so I was excited to read this latest book. I’m happy to say, this continues to be an engaging series. I recommend reading this series in order.

Compelling characters. Entertaining story. Atmospheric setting. A recommended read for fans of crime thrillers with strong female protagonists.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Harper McClain series:

The Echo Killing
A Beautiful Corpse
Revolver Road

The Bodies in the Library by Marty Wingate [Book Review]

Posted on October 7, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: The Bodies in the Library

Author: Marty Wingate

Publisher: Berkley

Publish Date: October 8, 2019

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: First Edition Library Mystery #1

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Hayley Burke’s fresh start as the curator of The First Edition Society’s library in Bath, England, is about to take a rotten turn in this charming new mystery series from USA Today bestselling author Marty Wingate.

Hayley Burke has landed a dream job. She is the new curator of Lady Georgiana Fowling’s First Edition library. The library is kept at Middlebank House, a lovely Georgian home in Bath, England. Hayley lives on the premises and works with the finicky Glynis Woolgar, Lady Fowling’s former secretary.

Mrs. Woolgar does not like Hayley’s ideas to modernize The First Edition Society and bring in fresh blood. And she is not even aware of the fact that Hayley does not know the first thing about the Golden Age of Mysteries. Hayley is faking it till she makes it, and one of her plans to breathe new life into the Society is actually taking flight–an Agatha Christie fan fiction writers group is paying dues to meet up at Middlebank House.

But when one of the group is found dead in the venerable stacks of the library, Hayley has to catch the killer to save the Society and her new job.

MY REVIEW

The Bodies in the Library is the first book in a new cozy mystery series by Marty Wingate. The First Edition Library Mystery series features Hayley Burke, the new curator at Lady Georgiana Fowling’s First Edition library in Bath, England. The library is a mystery lovers dream, especially since it contains many Golden Age mysteries. Hayley is attempting to modernize the library; however, she’s hiding the fact that she doesn’t know diddly about the mystery genre.

The cast of characters is quirky and relatable. In addition, Hayley is a likable protagonist – smart, witty, and hard-working. After starting as curator, one of her actions was to open the library up to a group of Agatha Christie fan fiction writers. When one of the members of the group is found dead in the library, Hayley turns amateur sleuth to find the murderer. Hayley is concerned about the image of the library, and she wants to make sure the library’s name is not smeared due to the murder.

In short, The Bodies in the Library is a charming new cozy mystery with entertaining characters and a lovely location. In addition to the mystery, there are some things going on in Hayley’s personal life – she’s got a daughter in college, an ex-husband, and a boyfriend. Hayley looks to be a fun amateur sleuth, and I’m looking forward to following along with in this series. A good read for fans of cozies, especially ones that feature books and libraries.

I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Bibliophile Mystery Series:

The Bodies in the Library
Murder Is a Must

Clarets of Fire by Christine E. Blum [Book Review]

Posted on September 25, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

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BOOK INFO

Title: Clarets of Fire

Author: Christine E. Blum

Publisher: Kensington

Publish Date: September 24, 2019

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Rose Avenue Wine Club Mystery #4

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Wine connoisseur Annie “Halsey” Hall must turn up the heat on a felonious firebug . . .

Halsey and the ladies of the Rose Avenue Wine Club are celebrating with newlyweds Penelope and Malcolm, who are thrilled to be opening their new winery. They’re also partnering with a cherished neighborhood eatery, Rico’s Pizza, which will be serving young clarets from their fall harvest. But as Halsey attempts to savor the bouquet of her Tooth & Nail Cab, a different scent intrudes—smoke. The nearby pizza parlor is going up in flames. As they rush to the scene, Halsey’s rescue dog Bardot pulls a body from the burning building—the pizza delivery driver—but it’s too late.

When investigators determine a rag soaked with gasoline in a bottle from the winery started the blaze, police suspect both the pizza parlor owners and Penelope and Malcolm of arson and murder. With her friends’ business and freedom at stake, it’s up to Halsey to smoke out the real arsonist—before somebody else gets scorched . . .

MY REVIEW

Clarets of Fire is the fourth book in the Rose Avenue Wine Club Mystery series by Christine E. Blum. A neighborhood pizza place is burned. The fire was arson, and someone was killed in the blaze. The prime suspects are owners of a local winery. Halsey and her friends in the Rose Avenue Wine Club are on the case to clear their friends and find the guilty party.

A light and fun cozy mystery, especially good for wine lovers. The entertaining group of friends adds to the fun of this series. However, I always find Bardot, Halsey’s dog, to steal the show.

A solid mystery with charming characters. Clarets of Fire can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading the series in order. I have read the previous three books, and look forward to reading more in this series.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Rose Avenue Wine Club Mystery Series:

Full Bodied Murder
Murder Most Fermented
The Name of the Rosé
Clarets of Fire

Murder in the First Edition by Lauren Elliott [Book Review]

Posted on September 23, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Murder in the First Edition

Author: Lauren Elliott

Publisher: Kensington

Publish Date: September 24, 2019

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery #3

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Addie Greyborne is preparing for the holidays at her bookstore in seaside New England—but a winter storm is coming, in more ways than one…

Addie’s getting into the spirit for the upcoming Charity Auction—especially since she’s got an 1843 copy of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol to donate. Her former colleagues at the Boston Public Library have confirmed that its worth runs toward the high five figures, which should help with the new pediatric wing. Her mood darkens, though, when a visitor from the past appears—Jonathan Hemingway, the father of her late fiancé. His presence stirs up sad memories for Addie, but also has her fuming when Jonathan, true to his womanizing ways, runs off for a lunchtime liaison with Teresa Lang, who’s in charge of the auction.

Soon after, Addie heads to Teresa’s office at the hospital—and finds the poor woman’s dead body. What she doesn’t find is her valuable first edition. What sort of Scrooge would steal from sick children and commit murder in the process? As a Nor’easter bears down and a mystery emerges about Jonathan’s past, Addie must find out if she can appraise people’s motives and characters as well as she can appraise rare books…

MY REVIEW

Addie Greyborne is back for book three in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series by Lauren Elliott, Murder in the First Edition. Addie donates a valuable book to a local charity auction. When Addie discovers the organizer of the event is dead and the donated book is missing, she investigates to discover who could be behind the murder and theft.

I’ve read the first book in this series, Murder by the Book, but haven’t yet read the second book, Prologue to Murder. As with most series, this one is probably best read in order. Murder in the First Edition can be read as a standalone though.

I enjoy Addie’s book store and the small town atmosphere. This is one of my favorite settings for a cozy mystery. The fact that the mystery revolves around a missing book only adds to my enjoyment. The mystery involves Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, and proves to be a valuable item for the local charity auction. Addie uses her knowledge of books to find the book thief.

The mystery is a standalone from the previous books, but Addie’s personal story continues. In this book, she is reunited with someone from her past – her late fiancé’s father. She doesn’t really trust him, and this plays a big part of the story. Plus, Addie has a couple of local men interested in her, but she’s having a hard time moving on and starting a new romance.

A delightful cozy mystery. I enjoyed Murder in the First Edition, and plan to go back and read book 2 in the series. This is a cozy mystery series I look forward to keeping up with. Good for fans of cozies who enjoy bookish themes set in a small town.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery Series:

Murder by the Book
Prologue to Murder
Murder in the First Edition
Proof of Murder
A Page Marked for Murder
Under the Cover of Murder
To the Tome of Murder

The Body in the Gravel by Judi Lynn [Book Review]

Posted on September 23, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: The Body in the Gravel

Author: Judi Lynn

Publisher: Lyrical Underground

Publish Date: September 24, 2019

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Jazzi Zanders Mystery #3

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

Even in a lovely town like River Bluffs, Indiana, flipping houses can be a challenge. Especially when there’s the proverbial skeleton in the closet—and a literal corpse in the driveway . . .

House-flipper Jazzi Zanders has her work cut out for her. Her latest flip, which she co-purchased with her fiancée Ansel and cousin Jerod, is a three-story fixer-upper that’s more of a droopy-downer. One corner of the house is sinking and needs to be jacked up with a new cement foundation. That costs money. And causes headaches. And creates a work environment that’s not only hostile, it’s downright deadly . . .

Jazzi knows it’s a tough job. Which is why she hired Darby to lay the cement. But when Darby gets into a fiery argument with the furnace man—and then never shows up to lay gravel for the driveway—Jazzi starts to wonder if the rumors about Darby are true. Did he kill his wife and son and bury them in the yard like some folks claim? When Darby’s dead body comes pouring out of a gravel truck, murder upstages the real estate market as her biggest concern . . .

MY REVIEW

House-flipper Jazzi is back for the third book in the Jazzi Zanders Mystery series by Judi Lynn. Jazzi, her fiancé Ansel, and her cousin Jerod have a new project with a big home that requires a lot of work. One of their first tasks involves repairing the cement foundation and redoing the driveway. They contract with Darby, a cantankerous old man, for the cement work. When Darby turns up dead, Jazzi is on the case to find the killer.

I’ve read the previous two books in this series and recommend reading them in order: 1) The Body in the Attic, 2) The Body in the Wetlands. That said, they can be read out of order. The personal stories are continued, but the mystery is standalone for each book.

For me, this series is an okay cozy read. The writing is a bit clunky and I sometimes shake my head with the characters dialogue and actions. Still, I find it entertaining. My biggest fault with this series is how the detective on the case always involves Jazzi and asks for her help in solving the case. It’s a fictional story though, so I can gloss over that absurdity and enjoy the mystery. Mainly, I enjoy cozy mysteries with house flipper protagonists, so I’ll keep reading this series.

A light, cozy mystery. Likable characters and a decent mystery.

I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Jazzi Zanders Mystery Series:

The Body in the Attic
The Body in the Wetlands
The Body in the Gravel
The Body in the Apartment
The Body from the Past
The Body in the Beauty Parlor
The Body in the Trench
The Body in the Buick
The Body in the Wheelbarrow
The Body in Someone Else’s Bed

Buried in the Stacks by Allison Brook [Book Review]

Posted on September 12, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Buried in the Stacks

Author: Allison Brook

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Publish Date: September 10, 2019

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: The Haunted Library Mysteries #3

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Librarian Carrie Singleton is building a haven, but one of her neighbors is misbehavin’. Can resident spirit Evelyn help Carrie catch the culprit who made her a ghost?

In winter, the Haunted Library is a refuge for homeless townspeople. When a group purchases a vacant house to establish a daytime haven for the homeless, Carrie offers the library as a meeting place for the Haven House committee, but quickly learns that it may be used for illegal activities.

As the new Sunshine Delegate, Carrie heads to the hospital to visit her cantankerous colleague, Dorothy, who had fallen outside the local supermarket. She tells Carrie that her husband tried to kill her–and that he murdered her Aunt Evelyn, the library’s resident ghost, six years earlier.

And then Dorothy is murdered–run off the road as soon as she returns to work. Evelyn implores Carrie to find her niece’s killer, but that’s no easy task: Dorothy had made a hobby of blackmailing her neighbors and colleagues. Carrie, Evelyn, and Smoky Joe the cat are on the case, but are the library cards stacked against them?

MY REVIEW

Buried in the Stacks is the third book in The Haunted Library Mysteries series by Allison Brook. In this latest book, Carrie sleuths to solve the murder of her coworker Dorothy. Dorothy wasn’t a very pleasant person to be around, but as the new Sunshine Delegate, Carrie made an effort to be nice. When Carrie suspects foul play, she wants to find the killer. Plus, Dorothy was the niece of Evelyn, the library ghost.

I’ve read the previous two books in this series and have enjoyed each one. I do recommend reading this series in order, since it helps to know everyone’s backstory. Still, this could be read as a standalone if you don’t get the chance to read the first two books, Death Overdue and Read and Gone.

A charming cozy mystery with a touch of the supernatural. The supernatural part concerns the library ghost, Evelyn. A friendly ghost who only Carrie can see. I have found Evelyn doesn’t play a big role in these books, but it’s a unique way to include a character.

Great setting with the haunted library and plenty of quirky characters. Recommended to readers of cozy mysteries. A delightful read.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in The Haunted Library Series:

Death Overdue
Read and Gone
Buried in the Stacks
Checked Out for Murder
Death on the Shelf
Dewey Decimated
Overdue or Die

Fatal Cajun Festival by Ellen Byron [Book Review]

Posted on September 11, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Fatal Cajun Festival

Author: Ellen Byron

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Publish Date: September 10, 2019

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Cajun Country Mystery #5

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Ellen Byron cranks it up to eleven in the fifth fast and funny Cajun Country mystery.

Louisiana B&B owner Maggie Crozat kicks up her heels at a country music festival–but she’ll have one foot in the grave if she can’t bring the killer of a diva’s hanger-on to heel.

Grab your tickets for Cajun Country Live!, the pickers’ and crooners’ answer to the legendary New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Maggie Crozat, proprietor of the Crozat Plantation B&B, plans to be in the cheering section when her friend Gaynell Bourgeois takes the stage with her band, Gaynell and the Gator Girls.

The festival’s headliner, native daughter Tammy Barker, rocketed to stardom on a TV singing competition. She has the voice of an angel…and the personality of a devilish diva. But Maggie learns that this tiny terror carries a grudge against Gaynell. She’s already sabotaged the Gator Girls’ JazzFest audition. When a member of Tammy’s entourage is murdered at the festival, Tammy makes sure Gaynell is number one on the suspect list.

Gaynell has plenty of company on that list–including every one of Tammy’s musicians. Posing as a groupie, Maggie infiltrates Tammy’s band and will have to hit all the right notes to clear her friend’s name.

MY REVIEW

Fatal Cajun Festival is the fifth book in the Cajun Country Mystery series by Ellen Byron. Maggie Crozat and her family and friends are back in another fun book for this series. When mysteries happen in Pelican, LA, Maggie is quick to help investigate and find the guilty party.

In this book, a local festival is happening in Pelican. Tammy, a singer, returns to her hometown of Pelican to headline the festival. Tammy holds a grudge against Gaynell, one of Maggie’s friends. Along with Tammy are her manager and band members. When Tammy’s manager is killed, Gaynell becomes a suspect, and Maggie sleuths to prove Gaynell’s innocence.

I have now read three books in this series, and have enjoyed each one. I plan to go back and read the books I skipped. The mysteries for each book are standalone stories, but the personal events happening with the characters is a continuing storyline.

Fun characters in a delightful setting. I love the quirkiness and Southern charm of Pelican and its residents. An entertaining read for fans of cozy mysteries.

I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Cajun Country Mystery Series:

Plantation Shudders
Body on the Bayou
A Cajun Christmas Killing
Mardi Gras Murder
Fatal Cajun Festival
Murder in the Bayou Boneyard
Cajun Kiss of Death

Treacherous Strand by Andrea Carter [Book Review]

Posted on September 2, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Treacherous Strand

Author: Andrea Carter

Publisher: Oceanview Publishing

Publish Date: September 3, 2019

Genre: Amateur Investigator

Series: Inishowen Mysteries #2

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Perfect for mystery readers who enjoy character driven mysteries, with a strong female protagonist and a powerful sense of place

A woman’s body washes up on a remote beach on the Inishowen Peninsula. Partially clothed, with a strange tattoo on her thigh, she is identified as Marguerite Etienne, a French woman who has been living in the area. Solicitor Ben (Benedicta) O’Keeffe is consumed by guilt: for the second time in her life Ben has failed someone who needed her, with tragic consequences. When local sergeant Tom Molloy dismisses Marguerite’s death as the suicide of a disturbed and lonely woman, Ben cannot let it lie. Ben uncovers Marguerite’s strange past as a member of a French doomsday cult, which she escaped twenty years previously, but not without leaving her baby daughter behind. Disturbed by what appears to be chilling local indifference to Marguerite’s death, Ben pieces together the last few weeks of the French woman’s life in Inishowen. What she discovers causes her to question the fragile nature of her own position in the area, and she finds herself crossing boundaries—both personal and professional—to unearth local secrets long buried.

Treacherous Strand is the second in a series of mysteries set in the fictional town of Glendara on the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal with amateur sleuth, solicitor Ben O’Keeffe. These atmospheric and immersive mysteries are being adapted as elevision series to be filmed in Inishowen.

MY REVIEW

Treacherous Strand is the second book in the Inishowen Mysteries series by Andrea Carter. Ben (Benedicta) O’Keeffe is back with another mystery in the small town of Glendara. When Marguerite, one of Ben’s clients, ends up dead, Ben believes the death to be suspicious. The more Ben uncovers about Marguerite’s life, the more she believes Marguerite was killed.

An atmospheric amateur sleuth story. Ben is an attorney living in a small Irish town. It is a very close-knit community, where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Ben moved to the town several years earlier, and is still considered an outsider. She doesn’t know the family histories and the stories from the town’s past. She’s learning though. With her work and occasional sleuthing, she’s picked up a lot of info about some of the locals.

I recommend reading the first book in this series, Death at Whitewater Church, before this one. While the mystery and some of the characters are new, the recurring characters have a history that progresses between books.

This book reads almost like a cozy mystery – small town, quirky characters, and an amateur sleuth. There is a little romance thrown in, but the story focuses more on the mystery than Ben’s love life. An enjoyable read for fans of cozies with atmospheric settings.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Inishowen Mysteries series:

Death at Whitewater Church
Treacherous Strand
The Well of Ice
Murder at Greysbridge
The Body Falls
Death Writes

The Book Supremacy by Kate Carlisle [Book Review]

Posted on June 10, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: The Book Supremacy

Author: Kate Carlisle

Publisher: Berkley

Publish Date: June 4, 2019

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Bibliophile Mystery #13

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

In the latest in this New York Times bestselling series, San Francisco book-restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright investigates a mysterious spy novel linked to a string of murders…

Newlyweds Brooklyn and Derek are enjoying the final days of their honeymoon in Paris. As they’re browsing the book stalls along the Seine, Brooklyn finds the perfect gift for Derek, a first edition James Bond novel, The Spy Who Loved Me. When they bump into Ned, an old friend from Derek’s spy days, Brooklyn shows him her latest treasure.

Once they’re back home in San Francisco, they visit a spy shop Ned mentioned. The owner begs them to let him display the book Brooklyn found in Paris as part of the shop’s first anniversary celebration. Before they agree, Derek makes sure the security is up to snuff—turns out, the unassuming book is worth a great deal more than sentimental value.

Soon after, Derek is dismayed when he receives a mysterious letter from Paris announcing Ned’s death. Then late one night, someone is killed inside the spy shop. Are the murders connected to Brooklyn’s rare, pricey book? Is there something even more sinister afoot? Brooklyn and the spy who loves her will have to delve into the darkest parts of Derek’s past to unmask an enemy who’s been waiting for the chance to destroy everything they hold dear.

MY REVIEW

The Book Supremacy is the 13th book in the Bibliophile Mystery series by Kate Carlisle. In this latest addition to the series, Brooklyn and Derek are on their honeymoon when Brooklyn finds the perfect gift for Derek – a first edition James Bond spy novel. When they return home, they visit a spy shop owned and operated by an old friend of Derek. The shop is celebrating it’s first anniversary and the owner asks to display the spy novel. Being a spy shop, security is top notch, so Brooklyn and Derek loan out the book. Soon after it goes on display, someone attempts to steal it and commits murder in the process. Brooklyn is on the case to sleuth and discover who is after the book and why.

As mentioned, this book falls later in the series. I’ve only read the first book in this series, Homicide in Hardcover, so I’ve missed out on a good portion of the books. Anyway, this one was easy to follow and could be read as a standalone. I enjoyed this book and the first one in the series, so it’s a series on my list to go back and catch up on.

I love that this series focuses on books, and the main character, Brooklyn, is a bookbinder and interested in books both professionally and personally. A great series for book lovers who enjoy cozy reads. Likable characters, fun plot, and entertaining setting. Light and charming.

I received a digital copy of this book from Penguin’s First to Read program in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Bibliophile Mystery Series:

Homicide in Hardcover
If Books Could Kill
The Lies that Bind
Murder Under Cover
One Book in the Grave
Peril in Paperback
A Cookbook Conspiracy
The Book Stops Here
Ripped From the Pages
Books of a Feather
Once Upon a Spine
Buried in the Books
The Book Supremacy
The Grim Reader
Little Black Book
The Paper Caper
The Twelve Books of Christmas

Something Borrowed, Something Mewed by Bethany Blake [Book Review]

Posted on May 29, 2019January 15, 2024 by Darinda

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BOOK INFO

Title: Something Borrowed, Something Mewed

Author: Bethany Blake

Publisher: Kensington

Publish Date: May 28, 2019

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Series: Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery #5

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

Daphne Templeton’s sister Piper is getting married—and their mother is getting carried away. She insists on hiring Sylvan Creek’s top event planner, Abigail Sinclair, who proposes an Independence Day theme complete with Statue of Liberty-inspired bridesmaid dresses. With all the bickering among the families, Daphne’s glad her only duty right now is pet-sitting for Abby’s cat, Ms. Peebles. But there are some fireworks coming that aren’t part of the ceremony. The Poconos will never be the same…

At a tension-filled dress fitting, the abrasive wedding planner is found strangled by a garter—a weapon both borrowed and blue. Now Daphne’s services are required not just for organizing the big day, but for figuring out whether one of the in-laws is an outlaw…

MY REVIEW

Daphne Templeton returns in Something Borrowed, Something Mewed, the fifth book in the Lucky Paws Petsitting mystery series by Bethany Blake. In this latest book, Daphne’s sister Piper is getting married. Their mother insists on hiring a wedding planner who plans an extravagant wedding. When the wedding planner is found strangled with a garter, Daphne sleuths to find the killer.

Something Borrowed, Something Mewed is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone. I’ve only read one other book in this series, but I do plan to go back and read the others. It’s a cute cozy mystery series that has a small town setting, fun characters, and plenty of animals. Daphne is accompanied by her basset hound, Socrates, on her adventures. For the cat lovers out there, Daphne also has a cat and her pet sitting job in this book is for a cat.

One of the characters in this book is named Dorinda, so I thought that was cool. Not the same spelling as my name, but close enough. What made it even better was Dorinda’s mother’s name was Beverly. That’s my mother’s name. Weird coincidence.

A cozy mystery with humor and romance. A fun series for fans of cozy mysteries, especially cozies involving pets. I look forward to reading more of this series.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery Series:

Death by Chocolate Lab
Dial Meow for Murder
Pawprints & Predicaments
A Midwinter’s Tail
Something Borrowed, Something Mewed
Of Mutts and Murder