Killing Trail by Margaret Mizushima

Killing Trail by Margaret Mizushima ISBN-13: 9781629533810 Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: Crooked Lane Books Released: December 8, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
When a young girl is found dead in the mountains outside Timber Creek, life-long resident Officer Mattie Cobb and her partner, K-9 police dog Robo, are assigned to the case that has rocked the small Colorado town.

With the help of Cole Walker, local veterinarian and a single father, Mattie and Robo must track down the truth before it claims another victim. But the more Mattie investigates, the more she realizes how many secrets her hometown holds. And the key may be Cole's daughter, who knows more than she's saying.

The murder was just the beginning, and if Mattie isn’t careful, she and Robo could be next.


My Review:
Killing Trail is a K9-detective mystery. Officer Mattie Cobb is learning to trust her dog and pick up on what he's telling her. Since she's going to run the local high school's anti-drug program, she also has to move beyond her past as a foster kid and rebellious teenager. Cole Walker is very busy with his veterinarian practice which has led to his wife leaving him and their daughters. Add to that pain, his teenage daughter's friend has been murdered. He struggles to be there for his daughters while dealing with his own pain.

The characters were realistic and likable. Robo is a well-trained working dog who loves his job, so don't expect a "cutesy dog." The author clearly put a lot of effort into getting the K9 and vet parts correct. These details made the story feel real without slowing the pace.

The crime was a clue-based, puzzle mystery. About halfway through, I had two strong suspects. Mattie soon picked up on the more obvious one. I could understand why she didn't suspect the other one despite various clues also pointing that way. The story keep my interest to the exciting, action-packed end as I wanted to see how it all played out.

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

Rend the Dark by Mark Gelineau, Joe King

Rend the Dark by Mark Gelineau, Joe King ISBN-13: 9781944015022 Paperback: 78 pages Publisher: Gelineau and King Released: Oct. 15, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, My Take:
The village of Groveland Down is safe from the dark creatures of legendary times. A Warden investigating recent disappearances expects to find human bandits as the cause. He spots the signs of something far worse, though: creatures of nightmares that can hide among humans by wearing our skin. He calls in the Order of Talan, whose warriors can clearly see or sense the Demons of the broken night.

Ferran and Mireia use their abilities to hunt these Demons to protect humankind. They willingly face death to protect strangers who don't always believe the Demons still exist. Evil lurks in or near the village, yet Ferran and Mireia can't spot any Demons among the villagers. The monsters are horrible enough in their true forms, but not knowing when evil might strike might be worse...


My Review:
The authors designated this story as both fantasy and horror genre. I don't normally read horror stories, but I liked their other stories so much that I decided to give this short story/novella a chance.

Rend the Dark is a high-suspense fantasy with a dark, monster theme and heroic characters. The suspense was built through ever-increasing danger and the character's reactions to facing the horror of the Ruins (demons, monsters). The world-building was worked naturally into the story so the reader understands what's going on but without slowing down the action or breaking the tension.

The characters were developed enough that we can understand why each reacted to the situation the way they did. Their reactions differed and showed each as an individual. Though faced with a dangerous and overwhelming situation, they each find--in their own way--their courage and a reason to fight on.

There was no sex or bad language. There was some gore, but the sense of horror was conveyed more by the characters' reactions than by dwelling on gruesome descriptions. Overall, I'd recommend this quick read to fans of monster stories and darker-themed, high-suspense fantasy.


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.

Faith and Moonlight by Mark Gelineau, Joe King

Faith and Moonlight by Mark Gelineau, Joe King ISBN-13: 9781944015060 Paperback: 90 pages Publisher: Gelineau and King Released: Dec. 15, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Roan and Kay are orphans. A fire destroyed their home, but they have a chance at a new life at the School of Faith. The school trains Razors--warriors that can tap into the power of the First Ascended. They're given a month to tap into that power or they will be kicked out.

As Roan excels and Kay fails, their devotion to each other is put to the test. They swore they would face everything together. When the stakes are losing the life they’ve always dreamed of, what will they do to stay together? What won’t they do?


My Review:
Faith and Moonlight is a young adult fantasy novella. It follows the common theme of teens going to a special school and trying to find their place in it, but it also hints at a lot going on that isn't fully evident yet.

The characters were interesting and complex. Kay might have a unique talent of her own, but it's not the talent needed to become a Razor. She wants to stay with Roan, but she wants to do what's right. She doesn't want him to be forced to chose between staying with her or becoming a Razor. This creates a relationship and moral tension throughout the story.

The Razor aspects of the fantasy world were developed nicely. I could always follow what was going on, and the world-building didn't slow down the action. My only complaint is that there's a scene missing between Kay's answer and the last scene. The whole story was leading up to it, so I found it mildly confusing for the scene to be skipped. I presume we'll be told precisely what happened in a future story, though.

There was a very minor amount of bad language. There was no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting, quick read to fans of young adult fantasy.


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 Most Howl by Krista Davis

Murder Most Howl by Krista Davis ISBN-13: 9780425262573 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: Dec. 1, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Back Cover:
Holly Miller is delighted her grandmother has finally left the Sugar Maple Inn to take a well-deserved vacation. It means Holly’s in charge, but running the inn might be more challenging than she realized. Wagtail’s throwing a weekend-long murder mystery game to draw in tourists during the slow season, the inn has a full house, and a blizzard is on the way.

Trouble is unleashed the night the game begins, when the storm blows in and the lights go out. It gets worse the following morning when Holly’s Jack Russell terrier, Trixie, discovers a body—one that’s actually dead. Now Holly, her calico kitten Twinkletoes, and Trixie must play by the rules and find one dirty dog...


My Review:
Murder Most Howl is a cozy mystery. It's the third book in a series. You don't need to read the previous books to understand this story, and this book didn't spoil the previous ones.

The main characters and the pets were charming, as usual. The mystery was clue based. There was a "murder mystery weekend" mystery going on at the same time as the real murder investigation, not to mention a pet adoption and pet antics. If something could go wrong, it seemed like it did. It took a bit of concentration to keep track of who was who and what clues went to want. Whodunit didn't come as a surprise, but I wasn't sure until nearly the end.

There was no sex or bad language. 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.

A Reaper of Stone by Mark Gelineau, Joe King

A Reaper of Stone by Mark Gelineau, Joe King ISBN-13: 9781944015008 Paperback: 90 pages Publisher: Gelineau and King Released: Sept. 15, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, My Take:
Elinor grew up hoping to live the tales of old, but the reality of serving the king is far different from what she expected. The nobles are corrupt and willing to kill anyone who gets in their way.

As a King’s Reaper, Elinor--and the engineers with her--pull down the unneeded stone keeps in the Marches. An old noble line has died, so Elinor will also perform a ceremony to transfer her current assignment to a new noble. Only, the old line might not be gone...

She faces a hard choice: to stand for justice against the odds even though she believes it will do no lasting good or survive by playing by the rules of the world she lives in.


My Review:
A Reaper of Stone is a heroic fantasy novella. It reminded me of the wonderful heroic fantasy I read as a kid, not the dark, depressing stuff that is so common these days.

The characters were interesting, heroic, and played well off each other. The fantasy world was developed nicely for the length of the story and gave an idea of the depth there is to this world. I could always follow what was going on, but the world-building didn't slow down the action. I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading future stories by these authors.

There was a fair amount of bad language (cursing words). There was no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this fun, quick read to fans of heroic fantasy.


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.

Best Left in the Shadows by Mark Gelineau, Joe King

Best Left in the Shadows by Mark Gelineau, Joe King ISBN-13: 9781944015046 Paperback: 80 pages Publisher: Gelineau and King Released: Nov. 15, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
A Highside girl. Beaten. Murdered. Her body found on a Lowside dock. A magistrate comes looking for answers. For justice.

Alys trades and sells secrets among the gangs and factions of Lowside. She is a daughter of the underworld. Bold. Cunning. Free. When an old lover asks for help, she agrees. For a price.

Together, they travel into the dark heart of the underworld in search of a killer.


My Review:
Best Left in the Shadows is a short story--a fantasy that contains a mystery. A well-born girl is found dead in the slum area, so a well-born magistrate comes looking for answers. He's guided around by a low-born gal with whom he has a romantic past. They're an interesting contrast to each other--one is idealistic, the other very practical. Both can fight well, and they get the chance to do it. They ask questions, follow clues, and unravel the truth.

The characters were interesting, varied, and played well off each other. The fantasy world was reasonably well developed for a short story, and I could always follow what was going on even though I was unfamiliar with this world. I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading future stories in the Alys series.

There was a fair amount of bad language (half of it relating to excrement and the other half cursing words). There was no sex. I was surprised and pleased by their depiction of a brothel, which focused on the people, not their sexual appeal. Overall, I'd recommend this fun, short 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.

Murder at Whitehall by Amanda Carmack

Murder at Whitehall by Amanda Carmack ISBN-13: 9780451475695 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Obsidian Mystery Released: Dec. 1, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Back Cover:
1559. The Twelve Days of Christmas at Whitehall Palace will be celebrated as a grand affair. But there are those who wish to usher in the New Year by ending Queen Elizabeth’s reign....

Despite evenings of banquets and dancing, the European delegates attending Her Majesty’s holiday festivities are less interested in peace on earth than they are in fostering mistrust. Kate, the queen’s personal musician, hopes she can keep the royal guests entertained.

But then Queen Elizabeth receives a most unwanted gift—an anonymous letter that threatens to reveal untoward advances from her beloved Queen Catherine’s last husband, Thomas Seymour. Tasked with finding the extortionist, Kate has barely begun investigating when one of Spain’s visiting lords is found murdered. With two mysteries to unravel and an unsettling number of suspects to consider, Kate finds herself caught between an unscrupulous blackmailer and a cold-blooded killer.


My Review:
Murder at Whitehall is a historical suspense set at Christmas time in 1559 in England. It's the fourth book in a series, but you don't need to read the previous books to understand this story. However, it did spoil events from the previous books.

The historical details brought the time period vividly alive in my imagination. The main characters were likable and reacted realistically to events. The suspense came from the physical danger to Kate and other main characters.

There were several mysterious things that needed to be resolved, including a murder. There were some clues as to what was going on. The whole plot was only uncovered, though, when whodunit confessed to it all.

There was no sex. There was a minor amount of swearing. Overall, I'd recommend this intriguing historical 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.

Guilty as Cinnamon by Leslie Budewitz

Guilty as Cinnamon by Leslie Budewitz ISBN-13: 9780425271797 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: Dec. 1, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Springtime in Seattle’s Pike Place Market means tasty foods and wide-eyed tourists, and Pepper’s Spice Shop is ready for the crowds. With flavorful combinations and a fresh approach, she’s sure to win over the public. Even better, she’s working with several local restaurants as their chief herb and spice supplier.

Business is cooking, until one of Pepper’s potential clients, a young chef named Tamara Langston, is found dead, her life extinguished by the dangerously hot ghost chili—a spice Pepper carries in her shop. Pepper must use all her senses to find out who wanted to keep Tamara’s new café from opening—before someone else gets burned…


My Review:
Guilty as Cinnamon is a cozy mystery. It's the second book in the series. You don't need to read the previous novel to understand this one, and this story didn't spoil the previous whodunits.

The mystery was clue-based, and it was complex enough to make putting the clues together more challenging. The heroine asked good questions and did a good job of following up on leads. The main characters were interesting and likable. But I'm getting a little tired of ghosts showing up in cozies even in a "maybe it was, maybe it wasn't" capacity. Then again, I never was a paranormal fan.

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

The Stitching Hour by Amanda Lee

The Stitching Hour by Amanda Lee ISBN-13: 9780451473844 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Obsidian Mystery Released: November 3, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Marcy Singer’s embroidery shop, the Seven-Year Stitch, is one year old so she's holding an anniversary party. Aside from the Halloween decorations and festive stitching kits and patterns, Marcy’s got all sorts of celebratory swag, including Seven-Year Stitch key rings and goodie bags.

Unfortunately, her new neighbors might spoil the revelry. An eccentric couple has opened a haunted house next door, and all that screaming will certainly scare off customers. But there’s even more to be frightened of after a local waitress is found dead on the sidewalk with mysterious markings on her neck—and one of Marcy’s key rings beneath her.


My Review:
The Stitching Hour is a cozy mystery. It's the ninth in a series, but you don't need to read the previous books to understand this one.

The mystery was clue-based. Whodunit was one of my suspects from the start, and I was pretty certain who it was about two-thirds of the way through. The heroine assumed innocent reasons for suspicious behavior, so she didn't catch on to whodunit until she had already put herself in a dangerous situation. The characters were interesting and enjoyable. The heroine and her boyfriend were nice and had a sense of humor.

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.

The Hundred Gifts by Jennifer Scott

The Hundred Gifts by Jennifer Scott ISBN-13: 9780451473240 Trade Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: NAL Released: Oct.27, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
With the holidays around the corner, empty-nester Bren Epperson realizes that for the first time in decades, she has no large family to cook for, no celebration to create. Her daughter has moved to Thailand, her son has ditched college to backpack around the world, and her husband has disappeared into the basement to indulge his midlife crisis.

So Bren starts teaching a holiday cooking class. But Virginia Mash, the old lady living upstairs, bursts in complaining of the noise, the smells, and the mess. Rather than retaliate, Bren suggests that the class shower Virginia with kindness—that they give her one hundred gifts. So they embark on the plan to lift a heart.


My Review:
The Hundred Gifts is women's fiction. From the book description, I expected a feel-good story of a generous, loving Empty Nester finding new activities and friends to fill her life. Instead, Bren was very insecure, resentful, and judgmental. Even the gift idea was suggested by someone else, and Bren realized that she was doing it for selfish reasons. While the cooking class scenes were fun, the cooking-class-group scenes only took up about fifty pages.

The characters came across as realistic, complex people, and the story felt like it could really have happened. So the writing was good. If there had been more scenes of the cooking class and seeing friendships bloom instead of being told about it, I probably would have enjoyed the book. Instead, we see Bren being torn down by her family, fighting with her husband, and being seduced by her husband's best friend. Everything she tried failed. Even with Virgina, it's all heartbreak. Depressing reading, though things do turn around by the end.

There was a fair amount of bad language of all types. There were no graphic sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this book to women going through midlife crisis or empty nest troubles and who want to read about someone struggling with it, too.


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.

Rising Darkness by Nancy Mehl

Rising Darkness by Nancy Mehl ISBN-13: 9780764211591 Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Bethany House Released: Nov. 3, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Sophie Wittenbauer left her strict Mennonite hometown under a cloud of shame and regret. After a rough childhood, her teenage poor choices harmed others, leaving her with no choice but to change her life. Her entry-level writing job at a newspaper puts her in the right place at the right time to overhear office gossip about a prisoner who has information on a decades-old unsolved crime. While the other reporters write off the tip as the ravings of an angry criminal, Sophie can't ignore it because she knows the name of this prisoner from her old life.

Upon learning from the man that one of the other suspects is hiding out in the Missouri town of Sanctuary, she takes on a false identity to investigate and meets the young pastor of a local church--the very man she'd loved as a troubled teenager. As she gets closer to finding the suspect, will the truth of her own past come out before she discovers the identity of the criminal--or the very person she's seeking puts a fatal stop to her investigation?


My Review:
Rising Darkness is a Christian romantic suspense novel. It's the third book in a series. You don't need to read the previous books to understand this story, but this book did spoil an event (though not whodunit) of a previous one.

The focus of the story was on the hurt caused by abuse in Sophie's past and how she finds healing in Sanctuary through a correct understanding of God. There were many comments about God worked naturally into the flow of the story. The author wasn't afraid to talk about tough issues. I liked the main characters and how they showed Christ's love to Sophie.

I felt like Sophie could have been more fully developed (and a smidgen more likable) at the beginning, though. For example, we're told she's a neat freak due to growing up in filth. My mom had the same experience, and I can think of a number of small actions Sophie could have done to bring home this aspect of her personality. But Sophie didn't do much beyond wash dishes for her hostess. About halfway through, though, the character was developed enough that I was more engaged by her story.

Sophie was a good researcher, but she didn't look beyond the obvious. There's a twist at the end. It probably won't be a huge surprise if you've been thinking through what's gone on regarding the investigation. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this 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.

Murder on St. Nicholas Avenue by Victoria Thompson

Murder on St. Nicholas Avenue by Victoria Thompson ISBN-13: 9780425278970 Hardback: 320 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: November 3, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Return to nineteenth-century New York City... Family friend Mrs. O’Neill was delighted when her daughter Una wed the seemingly wealthy and charming Randolph Pollock. She didn’t wonder why such an affluent man would want to marry a poor Irish girl, no matter how pretty she was. But now Mrs. O’Neill has a problem.

Pollock’s servants have found their employer bludgeoned to death with Una cradling his body. Rendered mute by the horror of her husband’s death, Una cannot explain what happened, so the police have charged her with murder and locked her away in the Tombs to await trial. Mrs. O’Neill would like Frank Malloy to investigate the case and save Una, yet with Frank and Sarah still on their honeymoon, it’s up to the other members of their newly formed household to do some detective work.


My Review:
Murder on St. Nicholas Avenue is a historical mystery set in New York city in 1898. It's the eighteenth book in the series, but you don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one and this story didn't spoil the previous whodunits.

With the two main sleuths away on their honeymoon, it's up to their helpers to solve the mystery. It was fun to get to know these characters better. They apply what they've learned in the past to ask good questions and follow up on clues. It's a clue-based mystery. I had a good idea of whodunit about halfway through but figuring out some of the details took longer. I was surprised that there was a question which they kept bringing up which had an obvious (to me) possible answer which they overlooked until nearly the end. Otherwise they did a good job at considering the possibilities.

There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this fun and interesting 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.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Deadlock by DiAnn Mills

Deadlock by DiAnn Mills ISBN-13: 9781414389950 Paperback: 416 pages Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers Released: Oct. 1, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Two murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a serial killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder?

That is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for her new assignment in violent crimes but anxious about meeting her new partner. Special Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he has a reputation for being a maverick. Plus, their investigative styles couldn’t be more opposite: he operates on instinct, while she goes by the book.

When hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences threaten to leave them deadlocked. But an attempt on their lives turns up the heat and brings them closer together, and a third victim might yield the clue that will help them zero in on a killer. This could be the case of their careers . . . if they can survive long enough to solve it.


My Review:
Deadlock is a Christian romantic suspense. It's the third in a series. You don't need to read the previous books to understand this one, and this story didn't spoil events in the previous books.

The main characters were likable and determined. They had to learn how to work together, which was difficult because they had very different approaches to solving crimes. By the end of the case, they were starting to know each other and be friends and partners. The story didn't really strike me as a romance, but more a lead up to romance. Personally, I prefer this type of story over "love-hate at first sight."

As for the mystery, I expected experienced agents to be more cynical, but they generally assumed the best about a person until proven otherwise. The author maintained a delicate balance between making little forward progress while having them constantly following up leads. Still, there were a few times I wondered why someone didn't follow up on the "minor" leads sooner since we're told many people are working on the case. The suspense mainly came from harassment and physical danger to the main characters.

Bethany and Thatcher were Christians. They tried to live out their beliefs, and Bethany dealt with feeling anger when God didn't do things the way she wanted Him to. This was worked into the natural flow of the story and addressed issues that all Christians face at some point. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable 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.

The Traitor by Sydney Horler

The Traitor by Sydney Horler ISBN-13: 9781464204975 ebook: 280 pages Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press Released: 1936; Nov. 3, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
August 1918. On his way to the Western Front, Captain Alan Clinton spends a night in Paris with a young Frenchwoman, Marie Roget. Marie steals British military secrets that Clinton had with him – with disastrous consequences.

Seventeen years later. The central European state of Ronstadt is ruled by the ruthless dictator Kuhnreich, and Europe is inching towards another war. Clinton’s son Bobby travels to Europe as the political situation grows tenser, and seems dangerously close to repeating the sins of his father. Only his girlfriend can prove his innocence. This new edition of The Traitor gives contemporary readers a long overdue chance to rediscover an early thriller that is plotted with dash and verve – a novel that helps to explain the author’s phenomenal popularity in his own time.


My Review:
The Traitor is a spy thriller that was originally written in 1936. It's set in 1918 and 1935 in England, France, and "Ronstadt" (Germany). The reader knows who the bad guys are, so we watch as first the father and then the son fall prey to the schemes of the evil spies. It's like watching a train wreck or a movie where you shout, "no, don't open that door!" I personally prefer uncertainty over a feeling of doom. I would have enjoyed not knowing for sure and guessing along with Bobby about what's going on. Ah, well. It had plenty of tension.

The first parts of the story were Alan and then Bobby getting caught in the enemy's trap. The last part was a trial against Bobby, who is accused of being a traitor. Bobby's girlfriend is smart, determined, and trustworthy. I loved her. She has a piece of evidence that might prove Bobby's innocence, but first she has to figure out how to unlock its secret. Will she figure it out in time and reveal the true traitor? I found Bobby and Alan to be likable, too, so I was rooting for them. They were naive, not stupid or careless.

There was a fair amount bad language. There were no sex scenes. I'd recommend this thriller to those who enjoy the feeling of doom in their stories.


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.

The Humbug Murders by L.J. Oliver

The Humbug Murders by L.J. Oliver ISBN-13: 9781476792347 Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages Publisher: Pocket Books Released: October 27, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Ebenezer Scrooge considers himself a rational man. That changes when he’s visited by the ghost of his former boss and friend, Fezziwig, who warns him that three more will die then Ebenezer himself unless he first gets to the bottom of a vast conspiracy. Scrooge discovers that someone scribbled “HUMBUG” in blood on the floor nearby Fezziwig's body.

Scrooge must clear his name, protect his interests, and find out who killed his last true friend before the “Humbug Killer” strikes again. Scrooge is helped by Charles Dickens, a spunky sidekick named Adelaide, plus the Artful Dodger, Fagin, Belle, and Pickwick.


My Review:
The Humbug Murders is a suspense novel set in London in 1833 during the week before Christmas. The idea of Scrooge as a detective intrigued me, but I found none of the characters to be likable. Everyone was in it for what they'd gain for themselves and most were also rude and crude. The only way Scrooge was better than the villains was that he objected to women being abused by men. The story was grim and dark. It contained vice, torture, and abuse. Scrooge got beaten and tortured with nearly every attempt he made to uncover the truth, though happily for him it had no lasting effect.

The author made little effort to stay within historical fact. In reality, London streets were slick when damp and crowded even at night. The chase scene between a steam bus and a horse carriage should not have occurred on an empty street. Also, steam buses weren't used as roaming, widely available public transportation in London at that time. They could only go about 24 mph and a horse gallops 25-30 mph on average, so the horses should have won.

In the story, the police acted like detectives (though technically they weren't allowed to do so before 1842), they carried whistles (though they used hand rattles until 1884), and everyone carried a gun (though the police didn't regularly do so at this time). At times, the story seemed like a cross between steam punk fantasy and a gangster movie.

The author also had a dark house with one gas lamp on. That gas lamp was picked up and walked downstairs (even though gas is piped to the lamp, so they couldn't be moved). Police without lamps apparently search the entire house in the dark. These errors are found in the ARC, so they might be fixed in the final edition. But historical errors permeated the story, so don't expect historical accuracy.

There was some bad language. Every sort of vice was encountered, but the sex, drugs, abuse, torture, and violence were not described in gory detail. This book might appeal to fans of dark historical fantasy.


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.

Silent Nights by Martin Edwards

Silent Nights Edited by Martin Edwards ISBN-13: 9781464204999 Paperback: 298 pages Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press Released: November 3, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
This book introduces of readers to some of the finest Christmas detective stories of the past. Martin Edwards’ selection blends festive pieces from much-loved authors with one or two stories which are likely to be unfamiliar even to diehard mystery fans. The result is a collection of crime fiction to savor, whatever the season.


My Review:
Silent Nights is a collection of 15 short stories with a Christmas setting and which were written in the Golden Age of crime fiction. There were a few clue-based puzzle mysteries (including one containing a chess problem to work out) and a couple suspense stories. Most were mysteries where the detective knows what's going on but no one else does, so he shows off how clever he is. While the stories were well-written, I prefer mysteries where I can puzzle out whodunit for myself. My favorite story was "A Problem in White" by Nicholas Blake.

Overall, there was a minor amount of bad language; some stories had none. There was no sex. I'd recommend this collection to those who enjoy the "reveal" as much as the challenge of mysteries.

The included stories are:
"The Blue Carbuncle" by Arthur Conan Doyle
"Parlour Tricks" by Ralph Plummer
"A Happy Solution" by Raymund Allen
"The Flying Stars" by G.K. Chesterton
"Stuffing" by Edgar Wallace
"The Unknown Murderer" by H.C. Bailey
"The Absconding Treasure" by J. Jefferson Farjeon
"The Necklace of Pearls" by Dorothy L. Sayers
"The Case is Altered" by Margery Allingham
"Waxworks" by Ethel Lina White
"Cambric Tea" by Marjorie Bowen
"The Chinese Apple" by Joseph Shearing
"A Problem in White" by Nicholas Blake
"The Name on the Window" by Edmund Crispin
"Beef for Christmas" by Leo Bruce


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.

Return to Christmas by Kathi Macias

Return to Christmas by Kathi Macias ISBN-13: 9781596694422 Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: New Hope Publishers Released: Oct. 5, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Former Marine Chet is having a hard time adjusting to civilian life. He doesn't need help. He needs employment. He doesn't have issues. The little boy his wife's friends adopted who has attachment disorder has issues. But there is something about that little boy that draws him. Will the events leading up to this Christmas be able to melt his soldier heart or will he spiral into a dark depression?


My Review:
Return to Christmas is Christian fiction. Chet knows his wife doesn't want to work, but he can't seem to get a steady job. He often stays at home with their 3-year-old while his wife works. He feels like a failure as a bread winner. He refuses to take any opportunities to go to college or otherwise improve his chances of getting a job. Since his wife doesn't complain, he's mean to her in an attempt to make her hate him. He starts binge drinking so he's not even watching out for his kid anymore. The wife draws strength from God to love her husband, but she can see all the things he should be doing and can't understand why he won't.

Frankly, Chet came across as mainly having an ego (perception of self-worth) issue, yet everyone thinks he'd get better if only he'd go into PTSD counseling. He did have a few nightmares, and he's afraid to make new friends due to losing friends while in the military. However, the point that he kept going on about was his inability to get a steady job and how that made him feel like a failure as a husband and father. He got worse until, in the last chapters, he suddenly realized his need for Jesus and immediately decided to go to counseling, etc. He didn't even know why he had lost his faith. I felt like the author avoided providing potential answers to hard issues except looking to God as the first step (which is important).

I liked the kids, but I had a hard time feeling sympathy for Chet. Unfortunately, when an author spends the whole book with a person stuck in a downward spiral, a sudden complete turn-about doesn't feel realistic to me. There was no bad language or sex.


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.

Faux Paw by Sofie Kelly

Faux Paw by Sofie Kelly ISBN-13: 9780451472151 Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Obsidian Mystery Released: October 6, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Normally, the arrival of an art exhibition at the Mayville Heights library would be cause for celebration. But thanks to the overbearing curator and high-tech security system that comes with it, Kathleen Paulson’s life has been completely disrupted. Even her cats, Owen and Hercules, have been affected since their favorite human doesn’t seem to have a spare moment to make their favorite fish crackers.

Late one night, Kathleen stops by the library and finds the curator sprawled on the floor—and the exhibition’s most valuable sketch missing. Now Kathleen, her detective boyfriend Marcus, and her clever cats have to sniff out a murderous thief, before anyone else has a brush with death.


My Review:
Faux Paw 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. This story might mildly spoil an event in a previous mystery (though I've already forgotten what it was! lol).

This was a clue-based puzzle mystery with some complexity to it. The hero and heroine followed the clues, and whodunit is guessable. The heroine and hero were intelligent, nice people. I always understood why they acted as they did. While one cat can walk through walks and the other can become invisible, they're otherwise normal though intelligent cats. Their actions helped draw attention to clues, but mostly they provided humor with their antics.

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

Floral Depravity by Beverly Allen

Floral Depravity by Beverly Allen ISBN-13: 9780425264997 Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: October 6, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Back Cover:
As the co-owner of the Rose in Bloom Flower Shop, Audrey Bloom knows how to put together unique wedding bouquets, but this one takes the cake. The daughter of a local historian is getting married in a medieval-themed, hand-fasting ceremony, and Audrey is responsible for providing period-accurate blooms.

But making sure she gets her roses right turns out to be the least of Audrey’s problems. Shortly after the vows are exchanged, the father of the groom suddenly drops dead. When Audrey discovers the man’s death stems from monkshood poisoning, it’s a clear-cut case of murder. Now, faced with a suspect list that rivals the guest list, Audrey needs to root out the toxic killer.


My Review:
Floral Depravity is a cozy mystery. It's the third book in a 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.

It's a clue-based puzzle mystery. About halfway through, I'd noticed enough subtle clues that I felt certain I knew whodunit. I only became more certain, but the two people reading the story with me were surprised. I liked the main characters. They were nice but sometimes made mistakes. They also learned from their mistakes. Most of the action took place at a semi-remote medieval encampment, which led to plenty of funny moments. Audrey has several relationship issues that she also had to resolve.

There was no bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this 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.

Death on the High Lonesome by Frank Hayes

Death on the High Lonesome by Frank Hayes ISBN-13: 9780425274309 Trade Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: October 6, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Back Cover:
Virgil knows that his sleepy hometown is starting to reflect the times, in good ways and bad. It still comes as a shock when his deputy is almost killed by the body of a woman falling from the highway overpass onto his car. A woman who had been fleeing for her life…

Then longtime resident Velma Thompson is found dead on her porch—her husband missing. To search for the man, Virgil saddles up and heads to the High Lonesome, the rugged mountains above their ranch. And on a wind-swept mesa, he’ll find the first clues that point to a killer whose body count has only just begun


My Review:
Death on the High Lonesome is a mystery novel that sometimes had the feel of a Western. It's the second book in a series, and I'd recommend reading the series in order. It's as much about the character's personal lives as about solving the mystery. Some parts of the first mystery were spoiled in this one as people dealt with the aftereffects from what happened.

This was a clue-based mystery. I had a good idea of whodunit before Virgil figured it out. The story was full of suspense from physical danger and relationship tensions, so it wasn't just about finding clues. The characters came across as realistic, complex people who were dealing with what life threw at them. There was a sad undertone to the story, but the characters were nice enough people that it was interesting to read their story.

There were no graphic sex scenes. There was a fair amount of bad language and a minor amount of crude language. Overall, I'd recommend this 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.

Trouble on the Thames by Victor Bridges

Trouble on the Thames by Victor Bridges ISBN-13: 9781464204937 Paperback: 234 pages Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press Released: Oct. 6, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Owen Bradwell is a courageous naval officer who returns to England in the 1930s. He believes that his career is over because he has become colour-blind but with Nazi Germany an increasing menace, the authorities cannot do without Bradwell, and he is assigned a special mission.

A former acquaintance of Bradwell’s has been trapped into betraying his country’s secrets by a Nazi agent. Bradwell is sent to spy on the spy, and travels down the Thames on a surveillance trip under cover of a fishing weekend. Things soon take an unexpected turn, and Bradwell finds himself in the company of a dead man, and a pretty young interior decorator called Sally.


My Review:
Trouble on the Thames is a spy thriller set in the 1930's in England, and it was written in 1945. The story was well-written and has elements that give it an enduring appeal, so I was surprised it hadn't been reprinted more often.

While Owen is our main viewpoint character, we also follow several bad-guy characters. Each character had their own plans and motives, and this created twists just when you think things might be wrapping up. The characters were engaging and came across as real people, and the setting was vividly described. This brought the story to life in my imagination. Though the romance happened quickly, I could see why they liked each other and their personalities were a good fit.

There was a fair amount of bad language. There was no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this fun book to fans of spy versus spy stories.


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.

The Sans Pareil Mystery by Karen Charlton

The Sans Pareil Mystery by Karen Charlton ISBN-13: 9781503947825 Paperback: 322 pages Publisher: Thomas & Mercer Released: October 6, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
On a cold February night in Regency London, a dark curtain falls on the Sans Pareil Theatre following the death of April Clare, a promising young actress, whose body is found in mysterious circumstances. Detective Stephen Lavender and his dependable deputy, Constable Woods, quickly discover that nothing is quite as it seems. As successive mysteries unfold, they soon realize that it is not only the actors from the Sans Pareil who are playing a part.

With the Napoleonic War looming dangerously across the Channel, this is a time of suspicion and treachery. Following the clues from the seedy back streets of Covent Garden up through the echelons of society, Lavender and Woods begin to fear that the case is much bigger than they’d dared imagine.


My Review:
The Sans Pareil Mystery is a mystery/suspense novel set in February 1810 in London. It's the second book in a series, but you don't need to read the first to understand this one. Some events from the first novel are spoiled, but not the mystery.

The characters were interesting and had realistic reactions to events. It was a clue-based mystery. Lavender came across as suitably clever, though I was able to solve the mysteries before he did. After Lavender solved the murder of the actress, the story turned into a suspense/thriller. The suspense came from physical danger and relationship tensions (as Lavender's choice of bride wasn't well accepted).

The politics and people of 1810 were a strong part of this story, and the historical details made the story feel unique to that time period. Yet the author sometimes chose not to stay strictly with historical facts. For example, Lavender used "Detective" as his title, but the word wasn't invented for another twenty to thirty years. The main focus of the Bow Street Runners was to capture known criminals and prevent crime, but this story makes it sound more like a modern police force. The pistols of the time were large, required loading right before use, and were prone to accidental firing and misfiring...none of which you'd guess from this story. But most people won't notice or care about the historical details she changed.

There was a fair amount of bad language. There were no sex scenes. 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.

Buying Samir by Kimberly Rae

Buying Samir by Kimberly Rae ISBN-13: 9781606829523 Paperback: 160 pages Publisher: BJU Press Released: October 21, 2014

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Jasmina, who was rescued by missionaries in Capturing Jasmina, leaves safety to search for her brother Samir. She finds him but discovers he is now working with the men who once enslaved them. When Jasmina tries to free a group of girls Samir helped recruit, she puts all their lives in peril.


My Review:
Buying Samir is Christian, young adult fiction. This short book is the second in a series and continued Jasmina's story from Capturing Jasmina. I'd recommend reading the series in order so you'll better understand Jasmina's past and her current relationships.

In the first story she understood what prostitution meant enough to risk serious injury to escape before she was trapped. Then she helped rescue several women from prostitution. It seemed odd how naive she was in this book as to why the lustful looks of men made her uncomfortable or why pretty girls were being lured in by her brother.

Through Jasmina's story, we learn more ways that people are lured in and human trafficked in India (and elsewhere). Parts of the story were exciting, but Jasmina was more passive than usual while she figured out what was going on with the "modelling" business. I'd expected this to be more about Samir's story, but it's not. It's Jasmina coming to terms with how human trafficking has destroyed her family.

I think this series is a good way to introduce teens to other cultures and important issues. Overall, I'd recommend this novella.


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.

On This Foundation by Lynn Austin

On This Foundation by Lynn Austin ISBN-13: 9780764209000 Paperback: 416 pages Publisher: Bethany House Released: Oct. 6, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
When news that the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire, Nehemiah, Jewish cupbearer to King Artaxerxes in Persia, seeks God's guidance. After fasting and prayer, he's given leave to travel to Jerusalem and rebuild the city wall, not anticipating all the dangers that await him on his arrival.

The leaders of the surrounding nations become his fierce enemies, plotting to assassinate him and halt the work. A drought, meanwhile, has left the country impoverished, many families resorting to selling their children as bondservants just to keep from starving.

Capturing the rebuilding of the wall through the eyes of a number of characters, On This Foundation is a powerful exploration of faith in the midst of oppression, and hope that, in spite of appearances, the gracious hand of God is upon those who believe.


My Review:
On This Foundation is biblical fiction set when Nehemiah was sent as governor to Jerusalem. This is the third novel in a series, but you don't need to read the previous books to understand this one.

The story was told through the eyes of three viewpoint characters. Nehemiah was given a backstory to explain his desire to get those walls up. He faced danger and temptation in the process of achieving his goal. Chana was the daughter of one of the leaders of Jerusalem. She's grieving because her betrothed was recently killed due to the lack of security, and she needed to heal and learn to trust God again. Nava was the daughter of a farmer who is deeply in debt due to the drought, so she became a bondservant to the rich noble over the area. She fought her bitterness over her lot and fear at the special attention shown to her by her master's devious eldest son. Even though I knew some of what was going to happen, I was still in suspense about how things would all work out.

The characters felt like real people with strengths and weaknesses, and loves and sorrows. I felt like it really could have happened like this. Cultural background information was seamlessly worked in to bring the story alive and give insight into the Bible verses it's based off of. The religious elements were worked into the natural flow of the novel and mainly showed how God was at work throughout the story.

There was no bad language or sex scenes. Overall, I'd highly recommend this well-written, insightful 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.

The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher by Donald Bain

The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher by Donald Bain & Renee Paley-Bain ISBN-13: 9780451477361 Hardcover: 288 pages Publisher: Obsidian Released: October 6, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Joe Cooper is ill and convinced he’s about to die. He wants real estate agent Eve Simpson to sell his house so he can give the proceeds to his grandson. But not only is the building in deplorable physical condition and filled with old books, it's also rumored to be haunted.

When Joe’s premonition becomes a reality, Dr. Seth Hazlitt is not so sure the man died of natural causes. As Jessica tries to get to the bottom of Joe Cooper’s death, a medium hired by Eve Simpson attempts to rid the house of the alleged apparition. But if Jessica isn’t careful, she may be the one who joins the ranks of the dearly departed.


My Review:
The Ghost and Mrs. Fletcher is a cozy mystery. This is the forty-fourth book in the series. You don't have to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this one doesn't spoil the whodunit of previous novels.

As much as I enjoy Jessica Fletcher as a character, she sure was nosy in this one. Though that did mean she had all the information she needed when she realized it was related to the mystery... Anyway, there were plenty of clues, and it was a puzzle-style mystery. I figured much of it out before the end, but there was a twist I didn't expect (which fit the clues as well as my guessed scenario). It was an enjoyable puzzle, though not a very happy ending.

The ghost referred to in the title had a very minor role, but the gal called in to get rid of the "friendly ghost" played a much larger role. There was no sex. There was a very minor amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this fun, clean 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.

The Santa Klaus Murder by Mavis Hay

The Santa Klaus Murder by Mavis Hay ISBN-13: 9781464204951 Paperback: 254 pages Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press Released: Oct. 6, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
A classic country-house murder mystery. Aunt Mildred declares that no good could come from the Melbury family gathering at their country residence Flaxmere for Christmas. When Sir Osmond Melbury, the family patriarch, is found dead on Christmas Day by a guest dressed as Santa Klaus, the festivities are plunged into chaos.

Nearly every member of the party stands to reap some sort of benefit from Sir Osmond’s death, but Santa Klaus, the one person who seems to have every opportunity to fire the shot that killed him, has no apparent motive. Members of the family have their private suspicions about the identity of the murderer, creating an atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion...and a headache for the detective who needs to know information that the family is hiding.


My Review:
The Santa Klaus Murder is a mystery novel set in England in 1935. The first chapters, which cover the days leading up to the murder, are reports written by various members of the family. Each described what happened on a certain day and why certain people would or would not have a motive to kill. Once the murder occurred, the story was written primarily from the viewpoint of the detective. I enjoyed this format as it allowed us to get into the thoughts of several characters and better understand the family dynamics.

There were clues, and many of them were in those reports about the days leading up to the murder. The detective didn't get these reports until later, so the reader had the advantage of knowing more information. Using this information, you can quickly identify the few, actual suspects. Then it was simply a matter of narrowing down who was involved. The detective steadily followed up the clues he found, but he had a harder time of it. Almost everyone was hiding things from him. The mystery kept me curious until the end even though I had most of it worked out before the detective.

There was no sex. There was a minor amount of bad language and a few uses of name calling (referring to a person as a certain equine animal). Overall, I'd recommend this mystery to those who enjoy old-style puzzle-mysteries with interesting formats.


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.

Vendetta by Lisa Harris

Vendetta by Lisa Harris ISBN-13: 9780800724177 Trade Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Revell Released: October 6, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description:
Nikki Boyd joined the Tennessee Missing Persons Task Force to help others. The case of her own missing sister is still unsolved after ten years. Though Nikki is spending a day off to mourn her best friend's death, her boss asks her to determine if a newly missing girl is lost or been kidnapped.

The girl has been kidnapped, but Nikki also learns that her sister-in-law is in the hospital and may lose her baby. Nikki soon realizes that the current case may be connected to her sister's long-ago kidnapping. The kidnapper deliberately leaves clues behind to lead her on a futile chase. Nikki's guilt and grief over her sister's kidnapping resurfaces as she races to save another girl from dying at the hands of a killer.


My Review:
Vendetta is a Christian suspense novel. It's the first in a series, but it read like we should already know these characters. For example, Liam is mentioned but we don't learn he's Tyler's son until pages later. The main characters were nice people, but only Nikki and Tyler were developed much. The suspense was created by many different sources of physical danger and emotional stress. However, two things kept me from immersing in the story.

First, Nikki should not have been the lead investigator on this case. Consultant, yes. Leader, no. She was an emotional wreck due to several different stressors hitting all at once. She wasn't thinking clearly or acting rationally. She knew she shouldn't do this action for this reason, but then she did it anyway. She realized she was being manipulated, yet she allowed herself to be manipulated anyway. When it was clear she was too personally involved, someone else would have taken the lead position. Others could have done that position and even done it better. Yet no one did.

Second, the kidnapper could have achieved his end goal with a much simpler plan. His highly-complex plan could have been thrown off course at any time, and he was rational enough that this should have occurred to him. I realized this even before the end, so it began to feel contrived for the sake of creating suspense.

The Christian element was some "help me!" prayers and a discussion between Nikki and Tyler about how they both blame God for not saving a loved one. 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.

The Scent of Secrets by Jane Thynne

The Scent of Secrets by Jane Thynne ISBN-13: 9780553393903 Trade Paperback: 448 pages Publisher: Ballantine Books Released: September 15, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Amazon:
Actress Clara Vine is half-British, half-German. She uses her unique access to the upper echelons of pre-war Nazi society to spy for her native Britain. Clara is asked by British intelligence to get close to Eva Braun and glean as much as she can about the Führer’s plans.

Clara has already established friendships with several high-ranking Nazi wives, but Hitler keeps his "secret" girlfriend obsessively hidden. Eva is a fan of Clara's work, though, and sent her a fan letter. When they meet, Eva offers to make a custom perfume for Clara--a hobby of Eva's. But her new friendship draws attention and danger.

From the gilded halls of the decadent City of Light to the cobbled, quaint streets of Munich, and even to the chilling, rarefied air of the Berghof, Hitler’s private mountaintop retreat, Clara flirts with discovery at every turn—and a dangerous, devious plot unfolds.


My Review:
The Scent of Secrets is a spy thriller set in 1938 mainly in Germany. It's the third book in a series, but you don't need to read the previous books to follow this one. This book didn't spoil the previous plots. In fact, I didn't even realize it was a part of a series until I started writing this review. It explains something that puzzled me, which is why Clara stayed in Germany even though she was suspected as a spy and in danger. If the series is to continue, though, then she has to stay.

The suspense came from the ongoing threat of getting caught spying. The story was rich in historical detail. At times, it was a history lecture with detailed descriptions of a place, policy, or scandal. I enjoyed this detail, but you'll find it slow if you want your spy thrillers full of fast-paced action. The main characters were interesting and had complex motives behind their actions. Clara was brave and could be caring and clever. But she was also manipulative, which I guess is good in a spy.

There was a minor amount of bad language. Sex occurred, but there were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this novel to those interested in this period of history.


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.

The White Shepherd by Annie Dalton

The White Shepherd by Annie Dalton ISBN-13: 9780727885210 Hardcover: 256 pages Publisher: Severn House Released: Oct. 1, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Anna Hopkins’ daily walk through Oxford’s picturesque Port Meadow is rudely interrupted one autumn morning when her white German Shepherd, Bonnie, unearths a bloodsoaked body in the undergrowth. For Anna it’s a double shock: she’d met the victim previously. Naomi Evans was a professional researcher who had told Anna she was working on a book about a famous Welsh poet, and who offered to help Anna trace Bonnie’s original owner.

From her conversations with Naomi, Anna is convinced that she was not the random victim of a psychopathic serial killer, as the police believe. She was targeted because of what she knew. With the official investigation heading in the wrong direction entirely, Anna teams up with fellow dogwalkers Isadora Salzman and Tansy Lavelle to discover the truth.


My Review:
The White Shepherd is a suspense novel set in Oxford, England. The author did an awesome job of making it clear why the characters acted as they did. Anna isn't always a nice person. She's still struggling after a tragedy in her past and has trouble making friendships. I still cared what happened to her because I could see her struggling between her wants and her fears.

The author gave glimpses into the complex motives of even minor characters. Awesome dog, too. Ironically, it's the death of Naomi--a woman whom Anna thought might become a friend--that is a catalyst for Anna finally making some strong friendships.

Anna and her friends followed up on each new clue as to who killed Naomi, ran into false leads, and tried again. People unexpectedly died or went missing...but is it murder or something less sinister? I had a fair idea of whodunit and why about halfway through so I was not surprised by what Anna finally discovered. However, the author kept me firmly pulled into the story until the end because I wanted to know what happened with the characters.

The crime scenes were not described in a graphic, gory way, but they still felt vivid because of how the people viewing the scene reacted to it. There was no sex, mainly because Anna cannot let herself be vulnerable enough around others to allow such intimate contact. There was a fair amount of bad language of all kinds. The mystery that started with Naomi's death is wrapped up by the end, but the story did end with a "cliff hanger" of an unexplained but important Google alert going off. Overall, I'd recommend this complex 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.

The Cactus Creek Challenge by Erica Vetsch

The Cactus Creek Challenge by Erica Vetsch ISBN-13: 9781630589271 Trade Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Shiloh Run Press Released: July 1, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description:
For the annual Cactus Creek Challenge, two male contestants switch jobs for a month as a fundraiser event. The one who does the best job wins money for his cause. But this year, two women are a part of the contest. Schoolteacher Cassie Bucknell switches jobs with Sheriff Ben Wilder while the owner of the bakery switches jobs with the man who owns the livery stables.

Ben is challenged by some mischievous twins and a silent girl among his students. Cassie sees excelling as a sheriff as a chance to catch Ben's attention. She's loved him since she was a child, but he still sees her as a little kid. But trouble is coming that might be more than even Cassie can handle.


My Review:
The Cactus Creek Challenge is a humorous romance set in 1888 in a small town in Texas. The humor came from the many funny situations the four contestants faced in their new jobs. I liked the romance between the baker and the stable owner as it progressed slowly and made sense. Each had to build their trust in one another and overcome their reservations about marrying again.

We're told that Ben was nice in the past; he simply didn't realize Cassie was a grown woman now. Well, he was very dense when it came to women, but even Cassie began to doubt Ben was worth winning after a while. He belittled her, dismissed her abilities, wouldn't take her seriously even after she proved her worth, and didn't respect her as a person. Since we never saw what he was like before the contest, I had a hard time liking him. In her turn, Cassie refused help even when she needed it because she wanted to prove Ben wrong. She finally realized her pride was making a mess of things and added maturity to her cleverness. Ben also found some humility. They did a lot better when working together than when fighting each other.

The story wasn't deeply historical or Christian. The Christian element was a few, brief prayers and a few hymns sung to quiet a horse. There was no bad language and no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this novel to fans of humorous romance 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.

Cinderella Six Feet Under by Maia Chance

Cinderella Six Feet Under by Maia Chance ISBN-13: 9780425271636 Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: September 1, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Variety hall actress Ophelia Flax’s plan to reunite her friend Prue with her estranged—and allegedly wealthy—mother, Henrietta, is met with a grim surprise. Not only is the marquise’s Paris mansion a mouse-infested ruin, but Henrietta has inexplicably vanished, leaving behind an evasive husband, two sinister stepsisters, and a bullet-riddled corpse in the pumpkin patch decked out in a ball gown and one glass slipper—a corpse that also happens to be a dead ringer for Prue.

Strangely, no one at 15 rue Garenne seems concerned about who plugged this luckless Cinderella or why, so the investigation is left to Ophelia and Prue. It takes them through the labyrinthine maze of the Paris Opera and down the trail of a legendary fairy tale relic.


My Review:
Cinderella Six Feet Under is a historical mystery set in 1867 in Paris. This is the second book in the series. You don't need to read the first book to understand this one, but you might understand Penrose's interest in Ophelia better if you read them in order. (They don't exactly get along in this book because Ophelia has trouble accepting his help.) This novel didn't spoil the previous whodunit.

Ophelia was a master of disguise with only some greasepaint, a wig, padding, and her acting skills. While there was some humor, the interactions between the main characters weren't as enjoyable as in the first book. Some of the relationship tensions felt forced to get a certain result. And though we're given a specific date for these events, the date appears to have no significance to the events in the book. It could as easily been set "sometime in the Victorian era."

The mystery was clue-based and guess-able. I got much of it figured out before Ophelia, but the mystery aspect still held my interest until the end. There was no sex. There was a minor amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this novel to those who'd enjoy the fairy tale tie-in.


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 Z Murders by J. Jefferson Farjeon

The Z Murders by J. Jefferson Farjeon ISBN-13: 9781464204913 Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press Released: Sept. 3, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Richard Temperley arrives at Euston station early on a fogbound London morning. He takes refuge in a nearby hotel, along with a disagreeable fellow passenger, who had snored his way through the train journey. But within minutes the other man has snored for the last time – he has been shot dead while sleeping in an armchair. Temperley has a brief encounter with a beautiful young woman, but she flees the scene.

When the police arrive, Detective Inspector James discovers a token at the crime scene: a small piece of enamelled metal. Its colour was crimson, and it was in the shape of the letter Z. Temperley sets off in pursuit of the mysterious woman from the hotel, and finds himself embroiled in a cross-country chase – by train and taxi – on the tail of a sinister serial killer.


My Review:
The Z Murders is a suspense novel set in England. It was originally written in 1932, and this is a reprint edition. I enjoyed the Detectives on this one, but the characters were not developed very much. The story was mostly people running around following each other while other people were killed for mysterious reasons. The story was told from several viewpoint characters, but mainly by Richard.

The author seems to like having his main male character fall in love at first sight with an extraordinarily beautiful woman. Though Richard realized he was acting foolishly about the girl, this story pushed it to the edge of reason. A briefly glimpsed girl is a witness--or suspect--for the first murder. The police want to question her, but she disappears. Only Richard knows what she looks like. Rather than tell the police, he follows the girl in an effort to get her to trust him and let him help her. The police follow Richard. As so started the merry chase.

I'm more into puzzle mysteries rather than tense chases, but the story kept my interest. There was no sex. There was some bad language. I'd recommend it to fans of tense chases and men being silly about beautiful women.


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.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Truth Be Told movie

"Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Truth Be Told" is a Hallmark Movies & Mysteries which will show this Sunday on Sept. 13, 2015. The main characters are a bit socially awkward, which creates a mild comedy aspect, but they're devoted to getting dead letters delivered. It's a family-friendly, fun story. Here's the description:

"Signed Sealed Delivered" is a comedic drama series that follows the lives of postal workers who transform themselves into an untraditional team of detectives to track down intended recipients of undeliverable mail. Their missions take them out of the office into an unpredictable world where redirected letters and packages can save lives, solve crimes, reunite old loves and change futures by arriving late but somehow on time.

In "Truth Be Told" the beloved POstables Eric Mabius (“Ugly Betty”), Kristin Booth (“Orphan Black”), Crystal Lowe (“Smallville”) and Geoff Gustafson (“Primeval: New World”) are on mission to uncover the truth from a war torn letter about a soldier missing in action while Oliver gets an unexpected visit from his estranged father (Gregory Harrison) that shakes him to his core.

The next "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" original world premiere movie in the franchise, "Signed Sealed Delivered: The Impossible Dream" will air on Sunday, October 4 at 9pm ET/PT, 8C on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

Bathsheba by Angela Hunt

Bathsheba by Angela Hunt ISBN-13: 9780764216961 Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: Bethany House Released: September 1, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
After sending his army to besiege another king's capital, King David sees Bathsheba, a loyal soldier's wife, and forces himself on her. Her resulting pregnancy forces the issue. The king murders her husband and adds her to his harem. Bathsheba struggles to protect her son while dealing with the effects of a dark prophecy on the king's household. Combining historical facts with detailed fiction, Angela Hunt paints a realistic portrait of the beautiful woman who struggled to survive the dire results of divine judgment on a king with a divided heart.


My Review:
Bathsheba is Biblical fiction. The author clearly spent a lot of time researching the biblical text and learning about the culture behind the story. She wove this information into the story to help explain the "why" behind certain scenes. The author carefully followed what we're given in the biblical record but filled out the story with what can reasonably be inferred from that record. Having carefully studied the story previously, I agree with the direction she took the story for the very reasons she gave at the end.

The story is about a woman struggling to deal with what life threw at her, who matures through the pain, and who finds peace. The story followed Bathsheba's life from her marriage to Uriah to David's death. Bathsheba is devastated by her rape, but what could she do? He's the king! The loss of her husband and firstborn child force her to struggle with her faith and with forgiving David. Her life is impacted by David's decisions, and so are her fellow wives and David's sons. The characters and their reactions to the various situations felt realistic. The main characters had both good and bad traits, and the author suggested reasons why they acted the way they did.

There was no bad language. The sex (and rape) scenes were not physically detailed, but it was clear from the lead-up what happened. Overall, I'd highly recommend this as one of the best biblical fiction I've read in a while. It's accurate enough you could even use it as Bible study companion as it showed events from much of David's reign in order and prompts you to think about how those events impacted the people involved.


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 Amazon's Look Inside feature.