Once Upon a Grind by Cleo Coyle

Once Upon a Grind by Cleo Coyle ISBN-13: 9780425270851 Hardcover: 416 pages Publisher: Berkley Released: December 2, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Fairy tale fever has descended on New York City, and Clare Cosi gives her coffee truck a "Jack and the Beanstalk” makeover for a Central Park festival. Clare’s coffee hunter ex-husband contributes a bag of African beans with alleged magical properties.

Clare remains skeptical—until she receives a vision that helps her find a young model’s body in the park’s woods. The police dismiss "sleeping beauty” as the victim of a drug overdose. Then Clare uncovers evidence that points to a roster of suspects, from a wolf of Wall Street to a New York Giant and a wicked witch of the West Side.

Now Clare is really in the woods—with a dangerous predator on her heels and an investigation that leads from a secret Prince Charming club right back to her own NYPD detective boyfriend. If she doesn’t solve this mystery, those magic beans predict an unhappy ending.


My Review:
Once Upon a Grind is a cozy mystery/suspense novel. This novel is the fourteenth in the series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this story didn't spoil the whodunit of the previous books.

The mystery was a clue-based puzzle mystery. Clare has some muddled, dream-like visions (induced by special coffee beans) which contain subtle clues. However, the clues are mainly of the normal sort. I did identify the critical clue which would point to whodunit, but it wasn't until nearly the end that I realized who fulfilled that requirement and the other clues. It's probably possible to catch on earlier, but I think the author had good pacing with revealing the critical clues.

Clare's police friend uses her to help uncover some secrets as an undercover spy (of sorts), so she's placed in suspenseful, potentially dangerous situations. I liked that the heroine was clever and how her boyfriend and ex-husband appreciated her help and supported her.

There was some bad language. There were no graphic sex scenes. Overall, I'd highly recommend this interesting, suspenseful mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Scandal at Six by Ann Purser

Scandal at Six by Ann Purser ISBN-13: 9780425261774 Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: December 2, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Lois Meade has scrubbed her way through the homes in Long Farnden, and she’s not afraid of dusting cobwebs and killing a few bugs. But in her role as amateur sleuth, she’s learning to beware of snakes in the grass . . .

Spring has arrived in Long Farnden and with it, a mysterious infestation. Lois Meade’s daughter has found her village store overrun by insects and reptiles. As Lois looks into the invasion, her investigation leads her to Robert Pettison, a seemingly unhinged zookeeper, and his nephew. The two of them are knee-deep in illegal trade, and they don’t take kindly to Lois poking her nose into their business.

Lois enlists the help of her faithful cleaner Dot Nimmo and police inspector Hunter Cowgill to discover more about Pettison and a suspicious death at the zoo.


My Review:
Scandal at Six is a cozy mystery. This is the thirteenth book in the series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this book didn't spoil the whodunits of the previous novels.

The theme of illegal rare animal trade was an interesting idea, but there actually wasn't much mystery to this story. The "bad guys" are point-of-view characters, so we know from the start who is putting snakes and such in the shop. There are a few deaths where it's implied a certain POV character caused them, but this is never definitively addressed.

The only mysterious death happens at the very end. We have all the clues from previous events, and the solution is quickly uncovered. There were enough clues that I could immediately narrow down the suspects and only one seemed likely--and that was, indeed, whodunit.

There was some bad language. There was no sex. I'd recommend this novel to those interested in the theme and who don't care about the lack of mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Death with All the Trimmings by Lucy Burdette

Death with All the Trimmings by Lucy Burdette ISBN-13: 9780451465900 Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: December 1, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
It may be Christmastime, but thoughts of peace on earth, good will toward men, don’t seem to extend to the restaurant biz. Hayley Snow, food critic for Key Zest magazine, has been assigned to interview Edel Waugh, chef/owner of Key West’s hottest new restaurant. But off the record, Edel reveals someone’s sabotaging her kitchen and asks Hayley to investigate.

Things heat up fast when the restaurant is set on fire—and a body is discovered in the charred wreckage. Amid holiday festivities like the lighted boat parade and visiting relatives who stir up mixed emotions, Hayley needs to smoke out an arsonist and a killer who may turn up the heat on her next…


My Review:
Death with All the Trimmings is a cozy mystery/suspense. It's the fifth book in the series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this book didn't spoil the whodunits of the previous novels.

The story was more of a suspense, with the heroine being shot and a friend getting tied up, than a mystery. There were some clues as to who was involved in the various incidents, but more attention was on the drama of everyone's lives. In the end, I thought they'd forgotten to find the actual murderer. The only mention of whodunit was from one Bad Person accusing another of the murder. We're given practically no clues about the actual murder, so I'd expected at least some police confirmation that they'd found proof against the accused and that it was, indeed, whodunit. Ah, well.

There was some bad language (or, as one of the characters would call it, "naughty language"). There was no sex. I'd recommend this novel to people who enjoy suspenseful, drama-filled books with a focus on awesome food.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Aground on St. Thomas by Rebecca M. Hale

Aground on St. Thomas by Rebecca M. Hale ISBN-13: 978-0425252512 Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: December 2, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Back Cover:
The tropical paradise of St. Thomas is shut down as the FBI seizes control of the island to apprehend government officials on bribery charges. Tourists and locals are stranded until FBI agent Gabe “Friday” Stein can find the missing governor and two senators who have eluded capture.

Innocent of any crime, Senator Julia Sanchez can only escape wrongful arrest with the help of eccentric Senator Bobo. As they try to blend in with increasingly hostile locals and make their trek across the island to safety, Senator Sanchez is only just beginning to realize the extent of the corruption behind the island’s idyllic façade


My Review:
Aground on St. Thomas is a suspense novel set in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This is the third book in the series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, but there appears to be an underlying story that continues through the series. The plot and outcome of the previous novel was also "spoiled" in this one.

The idea behind the story and the action was intriguing. However, there wasn't much mystery to it for the reader since we get POV thoughts and motives from all the major (and some minor) players in this political game. The characters were varied and each had motives of their own, so it was never certain exactly how things would turn out--who would survive physically and politically.

While the pacing was generally good, there was a slow point a few chapters in where each main character stopped to think about his background and what lead up to the action in the previous chapters. It's too bad this wasn't staggered throughout the story instead of done all at once, but the pacing did pick back up nicely after that.

There was no sex or bad language, and the minimal violence was more implied than described. I'd recommend this interesting novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

No Wind of Blame by Georgette Heyer

No Wind of Blame by Georgette Heyer ISBN-13: 9781402218019 Trade Paperback: 364 pages Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark Released: 1939; September 1, 2009

Source: Bought through Half.com.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Tragedy befalls the Carter family following an eventful visit from a Russian prince and a scandalous blackmail letter. The murder of Wally Carter is a bewildering mystery — how does one shoot a man crossing a narrow bridge without being near the murder weapon when it is fired? The analytical Inspector Hemingway reveals his unnerving talent for solving a fiendish problem.


My Review:
No Wind of Blame is a historical mystery set in 1939 in England. The characters were more believable (or less odd) and funnier than in some of Heyer's mysteries. Readers turned off by one of those mysteries might still enjoy this novel.

I did correctly guess whodunit and how simply because I'd just read a suspense novel by another author that used a similar method. The mystery was clever. It had some good "slight of hand" that looked like hidden clues that pointed in another direction so I was kept guessing if I really was right or not. Even the romance didn't turn out quite the way it initially seemed like it would!

There was some bad language and no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this entertaining mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Cousin Kate by Georgette Heyer

Cousin Kate by Georgette Heyer ISBN-13: 9781402217685 Trade Paperback: 317 pages Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca Released: 1968; May 1, 2009

Source: Borrowed from my local library.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Kate Malvern, rescued from penury by her aunt Minerva, hardly knows what to expect at Staplewood - the grand household is so very different from a life spent following the drum in the Peninsular! But surely, other households are more homelike? Kate's uncle lives in one wing, handsome, moody cousin Torquil in another; thought the guests are few, even family dinners are formal. And, when Kate begins to suspect the shocking reason for Minerva's generosity, she has no-one to confide in but cousin Philip - who appears to have taken her in instant dislike...


My Review:
Cousin Kate is a Gothic Regency romance. It's got the screams in the night, locked doors, manipulations, and Gothic-style madness. Though not a light-hearted story, it's like Heyer couldn't let the story descend into a creepy or horror story--just some tense moments full of threat. Which is fine by me! The ending was very sad, but I felt like the author was trying too hard to convince the reader that this really was a happy ending. Also, since Kate is supposed to be world-traveled and not a sheltered miss, I was baffled by how long it took her to even suspect what was wrong at Staplewood.

There was no sex and no detailed descriptions of gory aspects. There was a fair amount of bad language (almost all of it the swearing use of "God"). Overall, this isn't my type of story, but others may enjoy it.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Snow White Red-Handed by Maia Chance

Snow White Red-Handed by Maia Chance ISBN-13: 9780425271629 Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: November 4, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Miss Ophelia Flax is a Victorian actress who has left her company, but she acts her way into a lady’s maid position for an American millionaire. Her new job whisks her off to a foreboding castle in the Black Forest, straight out of a Grimm tale. The vast grounds contain the suspected remains of Snow White’s cottage along with a dwarf skeleton. Then her millionaire boss turns up dead, poisoned by an apple.

Gabriel Penrose is a scholar that believes that fairy tales are based on real events, and he's determined to discover the true history behind the Snow White tale. He needs Ophelia's help, and she needs his as she fights through a bramble of elegant lies so she can prevent a friend from remaining a murder suspect.


My Review:
Snow White Red-Handed is a historical mystery set in 1867 in Germany. Actually, it's more of a suspense novel as Ophelia, Prue, and Gabriel repeatedly walk into danger. Everyone has a hidden motive, and some suspects are willing to kill to get what they want!

The characters were varied, interesting, and generally likable. The mystery was clue-based, but it was such a muddle of motives that anyone could have done it. I was able to figure out several strands of secrets before the heroes, but I didn't know whodunit for certain until right before our heroes. The author did a good job with an interesting concept. I didn't care about the characters enough to get fully engaged in their suspenseful adventure, but other readers may. I enjoyed the story in any case.

There was no sex. There was a very minor amount of bad language. Overall, I'm recommend this interesting mystery/suspense novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

DOGS OF WAR tv series

I was given the opportunity to pre-view the premiere episode of a new reality series on A&E called DOGS OF WAR. The show premieres Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 10PM ET/PT and then moves to Sundays at 10PM ET/PT beginning Nov. 16.

You can view the trailer here: https://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-15cPBPbgs.

Show description: DOGS OF WAR spotlights combat veteran Jim Stanek, who returns home struggling with PTSD. He looked into getting a service dog to help him heal, only to discover how expensive they are, and how long the wait to be paired with one is. So he started his own nonprofit to rescue dogs from kill shelters, train them as service dogs and partner them with struggling veterans at little or no cost.

My review: The premiere episode showed a little about how the dogs were selected and initially trained. The episode followed one man who needed a service dog from his choosing his dog, through them training together, and how things were going after several months. I thought the show did a good job getting across how PTSD effects a person's life and how they view the "normal" world. (Of course, I don't have it so I don't really know how well they did, but it made me feel like I better understood what it was like to have it.) It was positive show that was inspiring to watch.

There was some bad language which was bleeped out in the version I watched; I assuming it's also bleeped out in the actual show. I'd recommend this show to pet lovers and those who want to better understand PTSD.

Mrs. Jeffries and the Merry Gentlemen by Emily Brightwell

Mrs. Jeffries and the Merry Gentlemen by Emily Brightwell ISBN-13: 9780425268094 Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: November 4, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Back Cover:
Orlando Edison is a stockbroker using London’s infatuation with foreign mining ventures to make a fortune. He has curried favor with the nation’s most respected aristocrats, even inviting three influential investors—known as the Merry Gentlemen—to be part of his latest enterprise. Edison is welcomed in the highest circles and moves with ease among the rich and powerful. But a few days before Christmas, he is found murdered.

Inspector Witherspoon and his household are looking forward to the festive season. But they all know their duty, and led by the intrepid Mrs. Jeffries, they plan to see justice served for the holidays . . .


My Review:
Mrs. Jeffries and the Merry Gentlemen is a historical mystery set in Victorian England. This was the 32nd book in the series. You don't need to read the previous books to understand this one, and this book didn't spoil any previous whodunits.

The characters were likable and acted realistically. The household gets off to a slow start due to other interests distracting them from investigating. I liked how Witherspoon did some good investigation on his end and how he's getting better at catching on to clues without help. Of course, I like how the the household helps by collecting vital clues that they're uniquely suited to discover. Team effort!

The mystery was a clue-based puzzle-mystery. I was able to understand what were important leads/clues a little faster than Mrs. Jeffries, but it took longer than normal for me to feel any certainty about whodunit. So the pacing on the clues and leads was good.

There was no sex. There was a minor amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this well-written, engaging mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

False Pretenses by Kathy Herman

False Pretenses by Kathy Herman ISBN-13: 9780781406185 ebook: 389 pages Publisher: David C. Cook Released: January 1st 2011

Source: A free ebook promotional offer.

Publisher's Book Description, modified:
Zoe Broussard loves the life she and her husband Pierce have built in her beloved Louisiana hometown especially their popular restaurant, Zoe B s. It seems like heaven. But it's about to become hell. A series of anonymous notes is making her life a misery. Zoe has lied to people about her past and who she is, and her lies could leave the business in shambles and tear her marriage apart. Can she find the courage to face her past?


My Review:
False Pretenses is a Christian suspense novel. The story is about a woman who is ashamed of her past and so she took a new identity and began a new life. But now someone is threatening to tell about her past, and she's afraid people will reject her when they discover who she was and that she's lied to them. This is the first book in a series. Some characters are apparently from a previous series, and they talk about past events. That vague information might spoil some of the suspense in that previous series, but I don't actually know if it will.

The suspense is created by relationship tensions and from physical danger. The characters were interesting, varied, and complex. I guessed whodunit and who the blackmailer was long before Zoe caught on, but it was realistic that she wouldn't guess. The story wasn't really about guessing whodunit, anyway, and the suspense was well-handled. The Christian element was mainly provided by a minor character who was wronged by Zoe. This woman showed Christ's love and encouraged Zoe to be honest with her husband and friends--though Zoe didn't take that advice too well.

There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this suspenseful novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Hidden in the Stars by Robin Caroll

As a member of Amazon Vine, I'm able to review books through them, but--as I understand the terms--I'm only allowed to post my review on Amazon. Because I liked this book, I'm posting a description of the book here with a direct link to my review on Amazon.

Hidden in the Stars by Robin Caroll ISBN-13: 9781426773600 Trade Paperback: 218 pages Publisher: Abingdon Press Released: September 16, 2014

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Following an attack that killed her mother and destroyed her future as a gymnast, 21-year-old Sophia Montgomery struggles through her grief and confusion over the attack. Detective Julian Frazier is working hard on the case, but his undeniable attraction to Sophia isn’t helping. Little do they know, the clues to solving the case may be right in front of them, displayed in Sophia’s mother’s “special” quilt design. Who will realize the secret that's been hiding in plain sight?

My Review: Link to my review on Amazon.

Off Kilter by Hannah Reed

Off Kilter by Hannah Reed ISBN-13: 9780425265826 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: October 7, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
After the recent death of her mother and the dissolution of her marriage, thirty-something Eden Elliott is seriously in need of a fresh start. At the urging of her best friend, Eden decides to embark on an open-ended trip to the picturesque village of Glenkillen in the Scottish Highlands to do some hands-on research for her romance novel. But as soon as Eden arrives in the quaint town, she gets caught up in a very real drama…

The town’s sheep shearer is found murdered and the locals suspect Vicki MacBride, an outsider whose father’s recent death left her the surprise heir to his lucrative sheep farm. Eden refuses to believe the affable heiress is a murderer, but can she prove that someone is out to frame her new friend?


My Review:
Off Kilter is a cozy mystery set in Scotland. The author wove vivid descriptions of the landscape and local foods into the story which gave it the feel of a travelogue.

The mystery was clue-based, but there weren't many clues. There were enough suspects who could fit those clues that I wasn't certain of whodunit, but my "increasingly likely" guess did turn out to be correct. Only the main character, her two love interests, and a volunteer cop were developed much in terms of personality and background. However, the characters did act realistically to the various events and the "good guy" characters were generally likable.

There were no sex scenes. There was a minor amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Waking Up Joy by Tina Ann Forkner

Waking Up Joy by Tina Ann Forkner ISBN-13: 9781940296722 Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Tule Publishing Group Released: October 8, 2014

Source: Review copy.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Joy Talley is determined to stop living in the past, but the first step she takes in that direction ends up nearly killing her. In an attempt to remove the last physical evidence of a traumatic past experience from it's hiding place, she falls and ends up in a coma. She is surprised that she can hear people while in her coma, and she's angry that people think she was trying to commit suicide. But they all realize it's a miracle she survived, and she finally wakes up in a spectacular fashion. Will the misunderstandings and pain of the past prevent her from forgiving wrongs and exposing her secret so she can finally find healing?


My Review:
Waking Up Joy is a Christian general fiction novel. The first part of the book was spent with Joy in a coma overhearing things, and it had a slightly comedic feel. We know that something traumatic happened in the past, but we're not told what it is even when the heroine is thinking about it. I don't like it when an author does this as the "big secret" never lives up to all the mystery and it'd make more of an emotional impact if we knew what she was struggling with.

Yet, in a way, it worked in this case. We get clues about what happened, and it was very traumatic. The event happened when she was a teenager and so seemed even bigger to her. Part of the story was her learning that she's not alone in having secrets or a bad past, and she doesn't need to live bound by one traumatic hour.

Joy and the boy who was traumatized along with her act realistically and have a good depth to them. But I felt distant from them rather than highly empathetic because the events that motivated all of their actions were hidden from the reader. Most of the other characters were the comic relief and had very little character development.

A side theme of the story was Joy and her family learning to let go of a heritage that believed in magic trees and charms in addition to God as they realized that it was God doing the miracles to free them from the past. (They still believe that their dead father visits them, though.)

There were no graphic sex scenes though a vaguely described rape does occur in one scene. The was a minor amount of bad language. Overall, if you're okay with stories about traumatic pasts that are the main focus and yet not openly addressed for much of the book, then you'll probably like this book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Murder on the Ile Sordou by M.L. Longworth

Murder on the Île Sordou by M.L. Longworth ISBN-13: 9780143125549 Trade Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Penguin Books Released: September 30, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Judge Antoine Verlaque and his girlfriend, law professor Marine Bonnet, are hoping to enjoy a relaxing holiday at the Locanda Sordou, an opulent hotel that is reopening after decades. They start to make friends with the other guests and enjoy the food, the sea, and having sex. When a guest ends up dead, Verlaque feels he's getting soft--he can't see any of his new friends as murderers, yet the rough sea that day makes an outsider as murderer nearly impossible.


My Review:
Murder on the Île Sordou is a literary travelogue that happens to contain a mystery. It's the fourth book in the series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this one didn't spoil the previous mysteries.

Nearly the whole first half of the book was a description of the vacation and the food. We're given a chunk of background on each character on the island for character development. Even after the murder happens, the story centered around the character's lives and the food.

While there was a subtle hint about whodunit, other subtle hints pointed at other characters. There were some actual clues about the motive which made it easier to guess than whodunit. Even when the Judge felt that he knew whodunit, exactly who he suspected is kept from the reader until we all know whodunit. The book is more for people who love character development and fine food and wine than for mystery-solvers.

There was a sex scene that covered 2-3 pages. There was some bad language, though most of that was in French.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Deceived by Irene Hannon

Deceived by Irene Hannon ISBN-13: 978-0800721251 Trade Paperback: 416 pages Publisher: Revell Released: October 7, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Back Cover:
For three years, Kate Marshall has been grieving the loss of her husband and their four-year-old son in a boating accident. But when she spots a familiar-looking child on an escalator in the mall, she is convinced it is the son she thought was dead.

With police skeptical of her story, she turns to private investigator Connor Sullivan. The former Secret Service agent is dubious but agrees to investigate. Digging into the case he discovers that the incident may have been no accident at all. But if Kate's son is alive, someone is intent on keeping him hidden--and may be willing to go to lethal lengths to protect a sinister secret.


My Review:
Deceived is a Christian romantic suspense novel. It's the third book in a series, but you don't need to read the first two novels to understand this one. This novel did not spoil the storyline of the previous novels.

The characters were likable, realistic, and fairly well-developed. The suspense was more based on a "will the suspected-kidnapper realize he's being investigated and run before they can discover if it really is her son" tension than an ongoing threat of danger. Much of the suspense was relationship-based: will the kidnapper's girlfriend put up with his sudden odd moods and help him? How will the boy react to losing a father he loves? And so on. I liked the realistic portrayal of relationship tensions.

The Christian element was mostly in how the characters treated people and acted rather than by talking about God. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable and intriguing novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Dead Man's Folly by Agatha Christie

Dead Man's Folly by Agatha Christie ISBN-13: 9780425174739 Mass Market Paperback: 240 pages Publisher: Berkley Released: May 1, 2000

Source: Borrowed from the library.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
A garden party on the picturesque estate of Nasse House is interrupted by tragedy - a young Girl Guide, who was supposed to be playing the victim in a murder hunt designed by crime novelist Ariadne Oliver, is found really, truly dead. Then the hostess, the simple-minded Lady Hattie Stubbs, vanishes without a trace. Could there be a connection between the two events? Luckily the great Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is on hand to investigate, but there is far more to these occurrences than meets the eye.


My Review:
Dead Man's Folly is a historical mystery set in 1956 in England (though it was a contemporary mystery when it was written). This mystery was so complicated that even Hercule Poirot couldn't sort out all the clues into their proper places until the end.

It was a clue-based puzzle mystery. I did identify which bits of information were important and I had some ideas about what each clue could mean, but none of my guesses were exactly right. Still, it's possible that someone with a creative imagination could guess it. The characters were interesting, and it was kind of fun to see Poirot unable to see how things fit together even if it meant that I had that trouble, too.

There was no sex or bad language. I'd recommend this mystery to fans of Agatha Christie's novels.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Foundling by Georgette Heyer

The Foundling by Georgette Heyer ISBN-13: 9781402219481 Trade Paperback: 439 pages Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca Released: 1948; September 1, 2009

Source: Borrowed from my local library.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The shy, young Duke of Sale has never known his parents, but he's been well cared for. Gilly has endured twenty-four years of rigorous mollycoddling from his uncle and valet. He doesn't want to hurt the feelings of those who care so deeply for his welfare, but he'd like to know if he has the strength of character and skill to make it on his own.

When Gilly hears of Belinda, the beautiful foundling who appears to be blackmailing his cousin, he absconds with glee. But he has no sooner entered this new and dangerous world than he is plunged into a frenzy of intrigue, kidnapping, adventure, and surprises at every turn.


My Review:
The Foundling is a Regency romance, though it was really more of a coming-of-age adventure. While the beginning had some funny moments, the story didn't really get interesting (and funny) until Gilly "escaped" his protective servants and relatives and started his adventure.

The story had an interesting mix of characters. While some of the characters initially seem similar to those in her other novels, their reactions to events and their adventures were very different. I was never sure of exactly how a situation would work out.

There were no sex scenes. There was some bad language (most of it the swearing using "God"). Overall, I'd recommend this book to Heyer fans.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Darling Dahlias and the Texas Star by Susan Wittig Albert

The Darling Dahlias and the Texas Star by Susan Wittig Albert ISBN-13: 9780425260593 Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: September 3, 2013

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
The ladies of the Darling Dahlias garden club are anything but shrinking violets when it comes to rooting out criminals…

The Texas Star herself—Miss Lily Dare, the “fastest woman in the world”—is bringing her Dare Devils Flying Circus to Darling. She’s also bringing a whole lot of trouble. Dahlias president Liz Lacy learns that Miss Dare has been threatened and her plane sabotaged. Apparently the bold and beautiful barnstormer has made plenty of enemies. And is it possible she may be involved with the husband of one of Darling’s local ladies?


My Review:
The Darling Dahlias and the Texas Star is a historical mystery set in the summer of 1932 in Alabama. It's the fourth book in the series, but you don't have to read the previous novels to understand this one. This novel did not spoil the whodunits of the previous novels.

The historical details were woven into the story without slowing the pacing. The interesting and enjoyable characters and the historical details brought the story alive in my imagination. The mystery was a clue-based puzzle mystery. It's about sabotage, not murder, which was a refreshing change from most mysteries. Whodunit was pretty easy for me to guess, but the other details of the story kept me reading.

There were no sex scenes. There was occasional use of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable historical mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Beneath a Navajo Moon by Lisa Carter

As a member of Amazon Vine, I'm able to review books through them, but--as I understand the terms--I'm only allowed to post my review on Amazon. Because I liked this book, I'm posting a description of the book here with a direct link to my review on Amazon.

Beneath a Navajo Moon by Lisa Carter ISBN-13: 9781426757990 Trade Paperback: 334 pages Publisher: Abingdon Press Released: March 4, 2014

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
The search for a woman who disappeared in 1906 has lead cultural anthropologist Erin Dawson to Cedar Canyon, where the iconic terrain of red rock walls and mesas keep Navajo traditions and maybe criminal evidence well hidden.

Erin's search leads her into the path of tribal policeman Adam Silverhorn. The two fight their feelings for each other even as they become entangled in a dangerous battle. An insidious drug cartel has spawned the recent rise in gang violence on the reservation, and Adam's working to find the meth lab hidden somewhere on the Rez. The gangs are willing to kill anyone who gets in the way of their goals...

My Review: Link to my review on Amazon.

Close-Up On Murder by Donald Bain

Murder, She Wrote: Close-Up On Murder by Donald Bain ISBN-13: 9780451465252 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Signet Released: September 2, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Cabot Cove is being invaded—by Hollywood. One of Jessica’s older novels is being adapted into a big-budget movie. The producer has decided to shoot on location, since the book was loosely based on a murder that shocked Cabot Cove several years earlier.

Unfortunately, everyone on the set seems to have a hidden agenda. A novice director wants his shot at the big time. The lead actress has many unreasonable demands. Her astrologer sees trouble in the stars. And a stranger on the movie lot is stalking Jessica.

When a body is found on the set, a strip of celluloid film wrapped around its neck, there’s a cast and crew of possible suspects. With tensions between locals and the Hollywood horde mounting, Jessica must find the killer before anyone else is left on the cutting room floor.


My Review:
Close-Up On Murder is a cozy mystery. It's the 40th book in the series. You don't have to read the previous novels to understand this one, but it'll be more fun if you have some familiarity with the "Murder, She Wrote" TV show.

If you've watched the TV show, you have a fair idea of what the book is like. The characters were enjoyable and realistic. The mystery was a clue-based puzzle mystery. I had a fair idea of whodunit by the end, but I wasn't certain until about the same time Jessica was, so the pacing of the clues was good.

There was no sex. There was one use of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.

Blooper: In the novel, Jessica picks up a gun at the scene of a crime. I don't know why she didn't give it to the cop; it just disappears.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Peril at the End House by Agatha Christie

Peril at the End House by Agatha Christie ISBN-13: 9780007119301 Paperback: 287 pages Publisher: HarperCollins Released: 1932; 2001

Source: Borrowed from the local library.

Book Description from Amazon:
A young woman who has recently survived a series of very close calls appears to be the target of a dedicated killer—and it’s up to Hercule Poirot to save her life.


My Review:
Peril at the End House is a historical mystery set in 1932 in England (though it was a contemporary mystery when it was written). There were plenty of clues, and it was a clue-based mystery. I fairly quickly caught on to whodunit and even why and how--which is unusual for a Poirot novel. All the clues were there (unlike some Poirot novels where a hidden clue is pulled out at the last moment). There were other strong possibilities, so I don't think the answer was obvious, but I was surprised to get it so completely right for once.

There was no sex and no bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this novel to those who enjoy puzzle-mysteries and Christie fans.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Shear Trouble by Elizabeth Craig

Shear Trouble by Elizabeth Craig ISBN-13: 9780451469502 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Obsidian Mystery Released: August 5, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from the Back Cover:
The Village Quilters of Dappled Hills, North Carolina, are desperate to finish their quilts before an upcoming show. To help, fellow member Posy has opened the back room of her shop, the Patchwork Cottage, for everyone to use. But the ladies are less than thrilled when Phyllis Stitt and Martha Helmsley—members of their rival quilting guild, the Cut-Ups—ask to join them.

Phyllis is hoping to leave the Cut-Ups and join up with the Village Quilters now that Martha’s dating her ex-fiancé, Jason Gore. She’s not pleased when he visits the shop and even more upset when her new shears disappear. After offering to search for them, Beatrice discovers Jason with the shears buried in his unfaithful heart. Now she must sharpen her sleuthing skills to find a killer before someone else’s life is cut short.…


My Review:
Shear Trouble is a cozy mystery. It's the fourth in a series. You don't need to have read the previous novels to understand this one, and the previous whodunits aren't spoiled in this novel.

The main characters were interesting and nice enough, but I had some problems with the mystery. The clues were basically from the heroine asking good questions and getting answers. We're told that a certain person was in the shop, yet later that person was never in the shop. This was a writing mistake, not a character lying (as far as I can tell--pages 216 and 250). I felt like I couldn't trust the clues.

Next, our heroine tells the detective everything she discovers...until she learns that a critical phone call was placed at a certain location. This could be the big break if the detective discovers who the call was made to! But the heroine decides to stay quiet and hope that the very shy gal will change her mind and go tell the police about this major lead. Which she doesn't.

At the end, the heroine has just figured out whodunit when of course whodunit arrives at her house. The heroine is scared whodunit will kill her, yet she lets whodunit inside and asks unnecessary questions that make it clear she knows whodunit is involved in the murder. Er, duh, bad idea. And the heroine has two dogs that are growling at whodunit as they know whodunit is a danger, yet whodunit opens the house door and...the dogs dash outside so they can growl at whodunit from the other side of the door? Huh?

There was no sex or bad language.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Well Read, Then Dead by Terrie Farley Moran

Well Read, Then Dead by Terrie Farley Moran ISBN-13: 9780425270288 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: August 5, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Read ’Em and Eat is known for its delicious breakfast and lunch treats, along with quite a colorful clientele. If it’s not Rowena Gustavson loudly debating the merits of the current book club selection, it’s Miss Augusta Maddox lecturing tourists on rumors of sunken treasure among the islands. It’s no wonder Sassy’s favorite is Delia Batson, who is painfully shy—which makes the news of her murder all the more shocking.

No one is more distraught than Augusta, Delia's relative and best friend. Sassy wants to help any way she can...but Augusta wants her to find Delia’s killer!


My Review:
Well Read, Then Dead is a cozy mystery. The characters were interesting and varied. The heroine avoids conflict and is always trying to soothe over or divert any conflicts. Yet midway through the story, she decides that she needs to go confront a man who scares her, has threatened her, and that she's certain is a murderer...and she's going to do this by herself! Huh? She simply takes the guy's word for it that he's not a murderer. When she tells the police about his alibi, she finds out that the police already knew about it.

Skip ahead to nearly the end. It's a fairly straight forward mystery, and there have been enough clues that I know whodunit. The heroine is still trying to figure it out. She gets a note to met an anonymous person to get more information. She thinks about how she'd be yelling, "No! Don't go" if this was a horror movie, but she still doesn't think this is dangerous. She goes alone, only leaving a message about her whereabouts on the phone of someone who is currently having phone problems. Yeah. You know what happens. Only she doesn't know who tried to kill her. She only succeeds in discovering whodunit by yet again nearly getting killed. Good thing the police arrive in time to save the day!

And, of course, the boyfriend realizes she's making dangerous, foolish decisions in how she's investigating the murder and asks her to stop--and she gets in a huff about him trying to tell her what to do! These poor cozy mystery boyfriends--would the heroines really prefer a fellow who doesn't care if they get themselves killed? Sorry, this novel just hit too many of my pet peeves.

There was no sex. There was a very minor amount of bad language.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Cat, the Vagabond, and the Victim by Leann Sweeney

The Cat, the Vagabond, and the Victim by Leann Sweeney ISBN-13: 9780451415424 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Obsidian Mystery Released: August 5, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
When Clyde the cat travels two hundred miles back home only to find his former owner dead, the story makes national news. While everyone seems eager to tell Clyde’s incredible tale, someone needs to step up to care for him. Because the media attention is creating chaos at the local shelter, cat quilter Jillian Hart agrees to foster the loyal orange tabby, hoping his location is kept secret.

But while the media circus around Clyde continues, Jillian learns the real story behind his owner’s death—he was murdered. Why would an eldery man already dying from a serious illness become a murder victim? As the local police search for an answer, Clyde makes another escape. Jillian is drawn into the case when she finds Clyde has returned to his home again—and he’s found another body...


My Review:
The Cat, the Vagabond, and the Victim is a cozy mystery. It's the sixth in a series. You don't need to have read the previous novels to understand this one, and the previous whodunits aren't spoiled in this novel.

The mystery was a clue-based mystery, and I was able to get a good idea of whodunit and why from those clues. However, one aspect of whodunit was a surprise as the author very successfully managed to misdirect my attention. Well done! The cats were fun (and acted liked cats), and the characters were varied and interesting. The heroine was a nice person who was considerate of others and tried to help others. I liked her.

There was no sex. There was a very minor amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano

Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano ISBN-13: 9781434707017 ebook: 320 pages Publisher: David C. Cook Released: June 10, 2013

Source: A free ebook offer on Christianbook.com.

Book Description from Back Cover:
Hospitality consultant Andrea Sullivan has one last chance to snag a high-profile client or she'll have to kiss her dreams of promotion good-bye. When she's sent to meet Scottish celebrity chef James MacDonald on the Isle of Skye, she just wants to finish her work as efficiently as possible. Yet her client is not the opportunistic womanizer he portrays himself to be, and her attraction to him soon dredges up memories she'd rather leave buried.

For James, renovating the family hotel is a fulfillment of his late father's dreams. When his hired consultant turns out to be beautiful, intelligent, and completely unimpressed by his public persona, he makes it his mission to win her over. He just never expects to fall under her spell. Soon, both Andrea and James must face the reality that God may have a far different purpose for their lives-and that five days in Skye will forever change their outlook on life and love.


My Review:
Five Days in Skye is a Christian romance novel. The beautiful cover and an interest to "see" Skye tempted me into giving the book a chance. We do get a tour of the isle along with Andrea, but the characters and their struggles also pulled me deeply into the story. Both Andrea and James have made poor decisions in love in the past and have deep wounds from betrayal. They haven't really dealt with these wounds and don't intend to...until they meet each other. The story is more about healing broken relationships and past hurts than "romance," though they are physically attracted and enjoy kissing.

I liked that they both realized that physical attraction to one another is nice but not the same as love. So many romance novels promote the idea that if "sparks fly" when the characters kiss then it must be true love. I also liked that they realized they needed to deal with past hurts if this relationship had any chance rather than acting like a new relationship would somehow "patch over" the past so they wouldn't have to face it. Basically, the characters came across as real people.

The Christian element felt realistic and was part of the natural flow of the story. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this refreshing story.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Necessary Measures by Hannah Alexander

Necessary Measures by Hannah Alexander ISBN-13: 9780764225291 Trade Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Released: October 1, 2002

Source: Bought through Half.com.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Illegal drugs are killing the kids of Dogwood Springs--a big city problem that Dr. Grant Sheldon thought he'd left behind when he moved to this small, peaceful town. Distracted by a lawsuit and problems with his mother, he's not able to be there to keep his twin children out of trouble or when Lauren needs him.

Lauren is drawn to Grant and his twins, but she is concerned that her feelings for them conflict with her recent commitment to remain single. A series of tragedies leaves her questioning her reasons for moving to Dogwood Springs. Drawn from real-life experiences, Hannah Alexander interweaves the lives, loves, and spiritual struggles of hospital personnel with the high drama of ER action.


My Review:
Necessary Measures is a Christian medical suspense novel. It's the second book in a series. You don't have to read the previous novel to understand this one, but I'd recommend doing so anyway as it's a good book and you'll enjoy this one even more if you do.

The characters were interesting and complex. The various characters dealt with real issues in realistic ways. There were quite a few viewpoint characters in this novel. All of them had major troubles at the same time, so it felt a little...overwhelming. If I hadn't gotten emotional connected with half of these characters in the previous book, I'm not sure I'd want to stick it out with all of them in this one. There was plenty of suspense--from relationships, a lawsuit, job stress, sleuthing danger, medical emergencies, etc.

The Christian characters' faith affected their decisions and everyday life, and the Christian elements felt like a natural part of the story. Christianity was portrayed in a realistic manner, from how Christians often act to how the non-Christians reacted.

There was no bad language or sex. Overall, I'd recommend this suspenseful novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Look Inside at Amazon.

War of the Roses: Stormbird by Conn Iggulden

Stormbird by Conn Iggulden ISBN-13: 978-0399165368 Hardcover: 496 pages Publisher: Putnam Adult Released: July 8, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Goodreads:
In 1437, the Lancaster king Henry VI ascends the throne of England after years of semi-peaceful regency. Henry is famed more for his gentle and pious nature than his father’s famous battlefield exploits; already, his dependence on his closest men has stirred whispers of weakness at court.

A secret truce negotiated with France to trade British territories for a royal bride—Margaret of Anjou—sparks revolts across English territory. The rival royal line, the House of York, sees the chaos brought on by Henry’s weakness and with it not only opportunity in the monarch, but also their patriotic duty in ousting an ineffectual king. As storm clouds gather over England, King Henry and his supporters find themselves besieged abroad and at home.


My Review:
Stormbird is a historical novel set in France and England from 1443 to 1454 AD. This book is the first in a historical series on the Wars of the Roses.

The time period and the characters were vividly described, immersing me in the story and making me feel like this was how it could have really happened. The characters were complex and realistic, and I always understood why they were acting the way they did. But I didn't like any of them enough to connect/bond/root for them.

The descriptions of life and war at that time were vivid, gritty, and sometimes crude. I'm not sure about how historically accurate this novel is since it's not a time I'm familiar with. I did question some aspects, especially how the marriage-by-proxy was so surprising to the participants.

There was some bad language--and not just "mild" bad words. There was a short sex scene, but it wasn't described in erotic language. There were a number of detailed, gory torture and killing scenes. The scene where an honorable man has his head sawed off while he's still alive just had too much detail for me.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Crime Rib by Leslie Budewitz

Crime Rib by Leslie Budewitz ISBN-13: 9780425259559 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: July 1, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Food Preneurs, a popular TV cooking show, has decided to feature Jewel Bay, Montana in an upcoming episode. But when the show's producer is killed in a hit-and-run accident, gourmet food market owner Erin Murphy has to step in to help organize the main feature--a steak-cooking competition between three of Jewel Bay’s hottest chefs.

Then one of the contending cooks is found dead. With all the drama going on behind the scenes, it’s hard to figure out who didn’t have a motive to off the contestant. To keep the town’s reputation from crashing and burning on national television, Erin will have to grill some suspects to smoke out the killer.


My Review:
Crime Rib is a cozy mystery. It's the second book in the series. You don't need to read the previous book to understand this one, and this book didn't spoil the previous whodunit.

The mystery was clue-based, and there were plenty of clues and several suspects. The reader isn't told the critical clue that narrows the suspect list down to whodunit until we get a cozy-plot based clue that pretty much does it instead. The heroine doesn't even realize the significance of this critical clue until after she's confronted by whodunit.

The heroine was generally a nice person, but I don't really like heroines who justify breaking and entering in order to gain clues. The other characters were interesting and varied. There were some nice details about locally-made foods.

There was a minor amount of bad language. There was no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this mystery novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Grace Against the Clock by Julie Hyzy

Grace Against the Clock by Julie Hyzy ISBN-13: 9780425259672 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: July 1, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
The town clock is in desperate need of repair, and a benefit to raise money to restore the beautiful timepiece is being held at Marshfield Manor. Grace Wheaton, the mansion’s curator and manager, is on hand to help the event run smoothly.

When one of the organizers collapses on stage during the festivities, Grace suspects something was going on behind the scenes. The victim never left the room, yet the murder must have happened while he was at a crowded party with no enemy in sight. Grace must track down the secrets of the past before the murderer strikes again.


My Review:
Grace Against the Clock is a cozy mystery. It's the fifth book in the series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this one didn't spoil the whodunits in the previous books.

This mystery had less involvement at the Manor and more time on the renovations on Grace's historic house. I enjoyed the characters and how Grace is growing as a person. The mystery was clue-based, but there weren't enough clues to firmly say it was one person and not another until Grace discovers the final clue. There was enough information to put whodunit on a suspect list, though. The story thrived on discovering how the murder was accomplished as much as on trying to discover whodunit.

There was no sex and no bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting, well-written novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Earth Girl by Janet Edwards

Earth Girl by Janet Edwards ISBN-13: 9780007443499 Paperback: 358 pages Publisher: Harper Voyager Released: August 16, 2012

Source: Borrowed from my local library.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
In 2788, only the Handicapped live on Earth. While everyone else portals between worlds, 18-year-old Jarra is among the one in a thousand people born with an immune system that cannot survive on other planets. Sent to Earth at birth to save her life, she has been abandoned by her parents. She can’t travel to other worlds, but she can watch their vids, and she knows all the jokes they make. She’s an ‘ape’, a ‘throwback’, but this is one ape girl who won’t give in.

Jarra invents a fake background for herself – as a normal child of Military parents – and joins a class of norms that is on Earth to excavate the ruins of the old cities. When an ancient skyscraper collapses, burying another research team, Jarra’s role in their rescue puts her in the spotlight. To make life more complicated, she finds herself falling in love with one of her classmates – a norm from another planet.


My Review:
Earth Girl is a young adult science fiction novel. Jarra started out with some issues. She wanted to get people to see her for who she really is and then confront them with their prejudices about "Handicapped" people. Only she gets to know the students from other worlds and starts to like them despite her own prejudices. She's stuck in a piles of lies. How could her new friends ever trust or like her once the truth comes out?

The world-building is worked naturally into the story and created a complex and interesting future without getting too bogged down in how everything worked. However, when I started re-reading the novel, I realized that I could skim over a good bit of the story because there was a lot of worldbuilding. The details brought the world vividly alive in my imagination, but they didn't need to be read twice.

The suspense came from the physical danger of the job and the relationship tensions. The characters were complex and reacted realistically to events. Jarra had a believable but unexpected coping reaction near the middle of the book. I wasn't initially sure that I liked the twist, but it worked out satisfactorily.

Some sex was implied. There was one instance of swearing and a minor amount of made up bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Mrs. McGinty's Dead by Agatha Christie

Mrs. McGinty's Dead by Agatha Christie ISBN-13: 9780062074089 Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks First Released: 1951

Source: Borrowed from my local library.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Mrs. McGinty died from a brutal blow to the back of her head. Suspicion falls immediately on her shifty lodger, James Bentley, whose clothes reveal traces of the victim’s blood and hair. Yet something is amiss: Bentley just doesn’t seem like a murderer.

Could the answer lie in an article clipped from a newspaper two days before the death? With a desperate killer still free, Hercule Poirot will have to discover whodunit before someone else dies.


My Review:
Mrs. McGinty's Dead is a historical mystery set in 1951 in England (though it was a contemporary mystery when it was written). I thought it was humorous what Poirot had to "suffer" through to solve this mystery. He had to stay with a very unorganized and unskilled-at-cooking family. Mrs. Oliver's situation was also funny.

On the other hand, I found the mystery confusing. The whodunit and how was complicated. Especially in the case of the first murder, it didn't seem to me that it was realistic that whodunit would have gone unnoticed. However, the clues were all there, even though the major ones might only be understood by the English of 1951. I certainly was left thinking, "Huh? I don't know anyone who did that" over something Poirot thought "everyone knows" (relating to names). Ah, well, learned something new.

There was no sex. There was a very minor amount of explicit bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this novel to Agatha Christie fans.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Thread End by Amanda Lee

Thread End by Amanda Lee ISBN-13: 9780451467393 Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Obsidian Mystery Released: June 3, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Embroidery shop owner Marcy Singer can’t wait to see the new exhibit at the Tallulah Falls museum on antique tapestries and textiles, including beautiful kilim rugs. But her enthusiasm quickly turns to terror when, the day after the exhibition opens, she discovers a dead body behind her store wrapped up in a rug from the exhibition. The rug isn't the only piece missing from the exhibition, either!

Along with her boyfriend, Detective Ted Nash, Marcy must unravel an intricate tapestry of deception to find a desperate killer.


My Review:
Thread End is a cozy mystery. It's the seventh in a series, but you don't need to read the previous books to understand this one, and this book didn't spoil the whodunits of the previous mysteries.

The mystery was clue-based. It was a unique idea to have the art thief dead yet the art still stolen. I started suspecting whodunit about halfway through, but I only started feeling confident of whodunit shortly before the heroine realized who it was. The characters were interesting, and the heroine and her boyfriend were generally nice characters with a sense of humor.

There were no sex scenes. There was a very minor amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Tempest in a Teapot by Amanda Cooper

Tempest in a Teapot by Amanda Cooper ISBN-13: 9780425265239 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: June 3, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
When her fashionable Manhattan restaurant goes under, Sophie Taylor retreats to her grandmother’s cozy shop, Auntie Rose’s Victorian Teahouse, where serenity is steeped to perfection in one of her many antique teapots. The last thing Sophie expects is a bustling calendar of teahouse events, like her old friend Cissy Peterson’s upcoming bridal shower.

Not everyone is pleased with the bride-to-be’s choice of venue—like Cissy’s grandmother, who owns a competing establishment, La Belle Epoque, and has held a long-simmering grudge against Rose for stealing her beau sixty years ago. Tensions reach a boiling point when Cissy’s fiancé’s mother dies while sampling scones at La Belle Epoque. Now, to help her friend, Sophie will have to bag a killer before more of the guest list becomes a hit list…


My Review:
Tempest in a Teapot is a cozy mystery. I almost didn't read past the prologue as I wasn't sure I'd like the heroine, but I'm glad I gave it a chance. The characters acted realistically and were more developed than in most cozy mysteries. The heroine was a mature person and someone I enjoyed reading about. I liked that she was logical and thought out all the possibilities rather than just assuming the obvious.

The mystery was a clue-based puzzle mystery. I had some strong suspicions about how everything was connected, but I wasn't sure of exactly whodunit until the big reveal. Not many authors can give enough clues to make things guessable and still keep me uncertain until the end, so excellent job! I look forward to reading more of this author's mysteries.

There was no sex. There was some bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this complex mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Bath Tangle by Georgette Heyer

Bath Tangle by Georgette Heyer ISBN-13: 9780061002045 Mass Market Paperback: 379 pages Publisher: Harper Released: 1955; June 28, 1996

Source: Bought through Half.com.

Book Description, my take:
Lady Serena Carlow's eccentric father left her a fortune when he died, but in a Trust controlled by the man she jilted, Ivo, the Marquis of Rotherham. In order to get her rightful money, she must marry a man that Ivo approves of! The two are more likely to quarrel as both have strong wills and tempers, so her money seems forever out of her reach.

Then Serena's first love, a man who worships her and gives in to her every whim, bumps into her in Bath. Based on their heady, romantic reunion, Serena decides she could be happy married to him. Since Ivo separated them the first time, Serena is surprised that he makes no objection to the match. But Ivo has also chosen a bride--a meek, young girl who loves only his title.

It slowly becomes clear that each couple is an ill-suited match, each better suited to another. But it's too late...isn't it?


My Review:
Bath Tangle is a Regency romance. At first, I didn't think I'd like this novel much because the apparent "romantic couple" had genuine quarrels that even they decided wouldn't lead to a happily married life together. Both had tempers and were used to speaking their minds.

But as each makes a romantic match with another (as in, "oh, how romantic sounding! Of course you should marry!"), the story explores how a romantic match doesn't necessarily create a good match. There were others so obviously better suited to each person's upbringing and temperament. Yet now each felt stuck in a commitment made in the throes of romantic feeling, or temper, or gratification.

So the story is about coming to appreciate good qualities in others and about what makes a good match in a marriage. As usual, Heyer did a good job at bringing out how people really act and the humor of the situations.

There was no sex. There was some bad language--almost all of it a swearing use of "God." Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: A link to Amazon so you can read an excerpt using Look Inside.

Board Stiff by Elaine Viets

Board Stiff by Elaine Viets ISBN-13: 9780451419101 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Obsidian Mystery Released: May 6, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Husband and wife PI team Helen Hawthorne and Phil Sagemont are about to find out murder is no day at the beach….

There’s a dark cloud over Sunny Jim’s Stand-Up Paddleboard Rental business on Florida’s Riggs Beach—especially after one of his clients is killed in a tragic paddleboarding mishap. Sunny Jim is sure it was no accident, and he hires Helen and Phil to find the murderer.

As the couple investigates, they discover dark undercurrents of corruption behind the cheerful facades of the beachfront businesses. But the sands of time are running out, and if they don’t catch the killer soon, Sunny Jim won’t be the only one to go under….


My Review:
Board Stiff is a cozy mystery. This book was the twelfth in a series, but this story did not spoil the mysteries in the previous books. This series does have an ongoing mystery, though, that is solved in this book. All the needed background to that mystery was given in this story, so you don't need to read the previous books to understand what is going on.

I was initially very intrigued by the paddleboarding mystery as it could have been a complex and clever mystery. While they know who is likely whodunit for many of Sunny Jim's troubles, they don't know for sure who's paying whodunit or who the murderer is.

But about midway through, the ongoing blackmailing mystery sidetracked the main mystery until it was all about the conflict that this blackmailing created between Helen and Phil. They started acting like little children and messed up big time on their main investigation because they were so busy squabbling. My opinion of Phil went from "eh, okay guy" to "throw that catch back!" though I did see why his rejection was very upsetting for Helen. If you don't mind drama, you'll probably like the book more than I did.

There were no graphic sex scenes. There was a fair amount of explicit bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this mystery to fans of the series who don't mind drama.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Silenced by Dani Pettrey

Silenced by Dani Pettrey ISBN-13: 9780764211959 Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Bethany House Released: May 6, 2014

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
A relaxing day of rock climbing takes a disturbing turn when Kayden McKenna's route leads her face to face with a dead climber. Is it a terrible accident or something sinister? When the case is handed to the overburdened sheriff, he turns to Jake Westin. With Jake's past now revealed, he's ready to use his talent for investigation again--but he could never prepare for where the case will take him.

Kayden and Jake soon realize that the death was no accident. And worse, it seems the killer is on to them. When strange things begin happening in Yancey, Jake is terrified that once again his world may put someone he loves in danger. But the truth is far worse than he could ever imagine.


My Review:
Silenced is a Christian romantic suspense novel. It's the fourth in a series, but you don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one and this one didn't spoil the suspense storylines of the previous novels. However, the romance apparently did start in a previous novel.

The rock climbing aspect of the story was interesting. The mystery did have clues that made whodunit guessable (without being obvious), but the murder mystery was pretty quickly solved. Much of the story was about a case from Jake's past that isn't quite as wrapped up as he thought. This created the physical-danger suspense.

I liked how we're allowed to see why Kayden is resisting a relationship with Jake, and it's a believable reason. I never understood why Jake fell in love with Kayden because we're told she had been mean to him, but I presume this was explained in a previous book. I was okay with the relationship without knowing because he seemed to know exactly what Kayden was like (reserved, a risk taker, etc.) and accepted her for who she was.

The Christian element was mainly a few prayers and then a brief (but profound) comment by Jake at the end relating to Kayden's fears. So the book wasn't "preachy." There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this suspenseful novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.