A Dark and Snowy Night by Sally Goldenbaum

A Dark and Snowy Night
by Sally Goldenbaum

ISBN-13: 9781496729408
Hardback: 304 pages
Publisher: Kensington
Released: September 27th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Winter in Sea Harbor is a feast for the senses—crackling bonfires, the scent of snow in the salty air, carols ringing out on the village green. This year, the Seaside Knitters have a sackful of obligations in addition to their usual Christmas preparations. Cass, juggling the stresses of running her lobster fishery, has finally found a nanny for her active toddler. Molly Flanigan seems practically perfect in every way—until she suddenly disappears, taking Cass’s beloved rescue mutt with her.

Meanwhile, the holidays are kicking off in style at Mayor Beatrice Scaglia’s holiday party, where a well-dressed crowd admires the mayor’s sumptuous new home and the celebrity chef catering the event. An additional treat for Ben and Nell Endicott at the festive affair is reconnecting with a dear college friend, Oliver Bishop. But it’s not just reunions and the appetizers that are to-die-for. Before the party-goers can toast the beginning of Sea Harbor’s festive season, the chef—and young wife of the Endicott’s old Harvard friend—is found dead.

Izzy, Birdie, Nell, and Cass must remove suspicion from those they love and bring a murderer to justice—and keep Sea Harbor’s holiday magic from vanishing into the chill winter air.


My Review:
A Dark and Snowy Night is a cozy mystery. It's the 16th book in a series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this novel didn't spoil the whodunit of the previous novels. However, there were a lot of characters to keep track of if you just jump in at this point. The characters spent a lot of time at the beginning thinking about their relationships, so it took a bit to get into more active scenes.

The characters were interesting and acted in realistic ways. This was a clue-based puzzle mystery, though the author withheld the final clues from the reader (so the sleuths knew more than the reader) until the big reveal. However, I correctly guessed whodunit at about halfway through and then guessed why even before the characters were told that information, so this didn't really prevent whodunit from being guessable.

There were only a couple uses of bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this 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.

Millstone of Doubt by Erica Vetsch

Millstone of Doubt
by Erica Vetsch

ISBN-13: 9780825447143
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Kregel
Released: September 20th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Regency London. Caught in the explosion of the Hammersmith Mill in London, Bow Street Runner Daniel Swann rushes to help any survivors only to find the mill's owner dead of a gunshot. While the owner's daughter, Agatha Montgomery, mourns his death, it seems there are more than a few people with motive for murder. Daniel must dig through all the suspects as quickly as he can, because the clock is ticking until his mysterious patronage--and his job as a runner--comes to an end.

Lady Juliette Thorndike is Agatha's bosom friend and has access to the wealthy London ton. She should be in a perfect position to help with the case, but her instructor in the art of spy craft orders her to stay out of the investigation. She quietly helps, nonetheless. When another murder is found at the mill, Daniel and Juliette are in a race to find the killer before his time runs out. It seems to Daniel that, like his earthly father, his heavenly Father has abandoned him to the fates.


My Review:
Millstone of Doubt is a Christian romance with a mystery set in 1816 in England. This is the 2nd book in the series, but you don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one. This book spoiled quite a lot about the previous book so you may wish to read them in order.

The story seemed mostly about Juliette falling in love, helped along by Daniel finding reasons to hold her closely and his giving her a deep, passionate kiss. While I liked them both, I don't understand why she's so attracted to him over the kind, supportive German noble. She mainly seemed drawn to Daniel because he knew her spy-in-training secret and he got physical with her (the thrill!). Juliette and Daniel spent some time together doing spy craft, and she helped gather information for his case, including the biggest clue.

There wasn't much of a mystery. Daniel's supposed to be a clever detective, but he overlooked several potential suspects. He spent a lot of time distracted so he delayed reading the collected evidence, including the Big Clue. Things weren't particularly difficult to figure out, from whodunit to who that pushy widow was to why Juliette's best friend's fiancé didn't like Daniel. Though that last might be simple only because I read too many novels. I suspected whodunit from the moment we met that person, who kept on acting suspicious until the Big Clue pointed Daniel in the right direction.

Historical details were woven into the story. Some aspects were highly researched, but there were also little things that weren't right for the time period, like Daniel being called a detective before the word was even invented.

The Christian element was that Daniel felt abandoned by his father and therefore felt God must have abandoned him, too. A friend pointed out how God had taken care of him and why it's not reasonable to judge God by a human father's behavior. There was no sex or 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.

Because I Could Not Stop for Death by Amanda Flower

Because I Could Not Stop for Death
by Amanda Flower

ISBN-13: 9780593336946
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Released: September 20th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
January 1855 Willa Noble knew it was bad luck when it was pouring rain on the day of her ever-important job interview at the Dickinson home in Amherst, Massachusetts. When she arrived late, disheveled with her skirts sodden and filthy, she'd lost all hope of being hired for the position. As the housekeeper politely told her they'd be in touch, Willa started toward the door of the stately home only to be called back by the soft but strong voice of Emily Dickinson. What begins as tenuous employment turns to friendship as the reclusive poet takes Willa under her wing.

Tragedy soon strikes and Willa's beloved brother, Henry, is killed in a tragic accident at the town stables. With no other family and nowhere else to turn, Willa tells Emily about her brother's death and why she believes it was no accident. Willa is convinced it was murder. Henry had been very secretive of late, only hinting to Willa that he'd found a way to earn money to take care of them both. Emily offers to help, only to realize that some very high-powered people will stop at nothing to keep their profitable secrets.


My Review:
Because I Could Not Stop for Death is a mystery set in 1855 in Massachusetts and Washington DC. Willa's too timid to really investigate the murder, but Emily's bold, curious, and wants justice for Willa. Emily's used to getting her way and had a certain disbelief that anyone would harm her family. Together, they asked questions, poked around, and found clues as to why Willa's brother was murdered. It's a clue-based puzzle mystery, though I didn't think it was very difficult to figure out whodunit once they uncovered what Willa's brother had been doing. Historical details about the time and the Dickinson's lives were woven into the story and brought it alive in my imagination. The main characters were interesting and likable.

There was no sex or 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.

Whiskers and Lies by Sofie Kelly

Whiskers and Lies
by Sofie Kelly

ISBN-13: 9780593200018
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Released: September 13, 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Baker Georgia Tepper has been hired to provide delicious and spooky cupcakes for the Reading Buddies Halloween Party at the library, and she and Kathleen are meeting to finalize the menu of festive confections. Unfortunately, once Georgia's former mother-in-law ambushes her at the library and threatens Georgia with legal action, the afternoon of fun is soured.

When Georgia's litigious in-law is later found dead and the friendly baker is implicated, Kathleen is eager to help prove her innocence. Luckily, Kathleen and her intrepid magical cats, Hercules and Owen, have solved their fair share of mysteries. As a result, she knows that in life as well as crime solving, it is all relative, but with hard work, she can make sure the right criminal is booked.


My Review:
Whiskers and Lies is a cozy mystery. This is the 14th book in the series. You don't need to read the previous books to understand this one, and this book didn't spoil the mysteries in the previous books.

It's a clue-based mystery. Kathleen is intelligent and knows how to ask questions without being pushy or accusing. I correctly guessed whodunit based on the question (also asked in the book) of who would most benefit from the death. It took Kathleen a little longer as she figured out the full motive and sequence of events along with whodunit. The cats are intelligent and have cat abilities (disappearing and getting out of places) taken to a magical degree. Their actions drew attention to clues but they also provided humor with their antics. They're also acting more and more human-level intelligent as the series goes on.

There was no sex. There were just a few uses of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this fun 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.

Fallout by Carrie Stuart Parks

Fallout
by Carrie Stuart Parks

ISBN-13: 9780785239857
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Released: September 13th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In the dusty farming community of LaCrosse, Washington, art teacher Samantha Williams manages to save her students when an SUV crashes into the school. Authorities discover that the driver in the school accident was shot right before the crash, and the survivor explains that they had been called in to help with the investigation of two sets of skeletal remains that were recently discovered. Samantha quickly becomes enmeshed in strange events, which turn ominous with the discovery of blackmail, murder, an abandoned town, and a secret government project.

Samantha has long tried to forget the tragedy of her past, but the links here can't be ignored. Yet these are secrets that others are determined to keep buried, and they’ll use any means necessary to stop Samantha’s search for truth.


My Review:
Fallout is a suspense novel. Samantha had a traumatic past. Only she couldn't really remember what happened because she was so young. She's learned to cope through art, reading children's stories, and learning odd facts and survival skills. Samantha's asked to help a forensic artist create a drawing of the skeletal remains, and she's drawn into the investigation. She realized from the start that it wasn't clear if she or the driver of the SUV was the target of the shooter. Her random skills and knowledge helped keep her alive, and she's smart enough to piece together what's going on.

The love interest, Dutch, was an ex-firefighter who quit because of survivor's guilt and became a forensic artist. He struggled to forgive himself for the death of a friend who was attempting to save him. Dutch was supportive of Sam, and they worked well together.

The characters were interesting. The suspense came from a killer trying to harm those investigating the crimes. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this exciting 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.

Worthy of Legend by Roseanna M. White

Worthy of Legend
by Roseanna M. White

ISBN-13: 9780764237201
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: September 13th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
After a summer of successful pirate-treasure hunting, Lady Emily Scofield and her friends must hide the unprecedented discoveries they've made, thanks to the betrayal of her own family. Horrified by her brother, who stops at nothing to prove himself to their greedy father, Emily is forced to take a stand against her family--even when it means being cut off entirely.

Bram Sinclair, Earl of Telford, is fascinated with tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table--an interest he's kept mostly hidden for the last decade. But when a diary is unearthed on the islands that could lead to a secret artifact, Bram is the only one able to piece the legends together.

As Bram and Emily seek out the whereabouts of the hidden artifact, they must dodge her family and a team of archeologists. In a race against time, it is up to them to decide what makes a hero worthy of legend. Is it fighting valiantly to claim the treasure or sacrificing everything in the name of selfless love?


My Review:
Worthy of Legend is a Christian romance set in 1906 in the Isles of Scilly (Britain). It's the 3rd book in a series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this novel didn't spoil the whodunit of the previous novels. However, there were a lot of characters to keep track of if you just jump in at this point.

Emily tries to show God's love to her father and brother even though they want nothing to do with her. Or, rather, they're set on punishing her until she submissively does whatever they ask. Bram soon comes to see the great value of this honorable, loving woman. He's always loved Arthurian legend and would love to be her knight, but he's afraid that his desire to be her rescuer may not be enough to sustain a marriage later. He built her up and helped her to stand on her own, and she helped the group discover the Arthurian weapon hidden on the Isles.

All of the characters were complex, realistic people, and I cared about what happened to them. Historical details were woven into the story. Suspense came from the race to secure the treasure and the danger they faced as Emily's brother became increasingly violent. The characters grew in their faith and learned that mercy is most needed by the ones who least deserve it. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable historical romance with a 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.

Healing Hazel by Jennifer Moore

Healing Hazel
by Jennifer Moore

ISBN-13: 9781524422189
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Released: September 8th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Hazel Thornton has one great ambition: to help the sick and wounded as a nurse. But that dream can never become a reality. After a devastating childhood trauma, she has spent her life battling fits of panic that make it impossible to finish her studies. Everything changes, however, when a trip to Spain to visit her father for Christmas takes a perilous turn that derails her plans and immediately plunges her into the dangers of a brutal war.

With single-minded focus, she springs into action to help her fellow travelers. To ensure their continued care, she begins work at a Spanish hospital alongside Dr. Jim Jackson, a man whose only emotion seems to be wariness of his new assistant. Armed with gifts of support from each of her dearest friends, a group that dubs themselves the Blue Orchid Society, Hazel embarks on a journey of hope and healing to battle the demons of her past with the help of the doctor who has captured her heart.


My Review:
Healing Hazel is a romance set in 1873 in Spain. Jim lost his brother in the American Civil War and now works for the Red Cross in Spain. When he comes upon a well-dressed Hazel at the site of a train wreck, he misjudges her. However, she's had some nursing training and proves her usefulness. Jim pushes his team to take their medical help closer to the fighting in hopes of saving even more civilians and fighters. If only he'd been able to save his brother... But he ends up putting Hazel and his team in danger.

After the initial misjudgment, Jim respected Hazel, allowed her to work as a nurse, and took the time to teach her further skills. Hazel panicked when in crowded, confined spaces, so she struggled to overcome this so she could help others. They grew to care about each other. There was some suspense due to the danger they were sometimes in and the pressures of trying to save lives. Historical details about medical procedures, the war, and such were woven into the story. While blood and surgery were mentioned, any "gore" was not really graphically described. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this novel to fans of historical romance.


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.

Dangerous Beauty by Melissa Koslin

Dangerous Beauty
by Melissa Koslin

ISBN-13: 9780800740177
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: September 6th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Liliana Vela hates the term victim. She's not a victim, she's a fighter. Stubborn and strong with a quiet elegance, she's determined to take back her life after escaping the clutches of human traffickers in her poor Mexican village. But she can't stay safely over the border in America--unless the man who aided in her rescue is serious about his unconventional proposal to marry her.

Meric Toledan was just stopping at a service station for a bottle of water. Assessing the situation, he steps in to rescue Liliana from traffickers. If he can keep his secrets at bay, his wealth and position afford him many resources to help her. But the mysterious buyer who funded her capture will not sit idly by while his prize is stolen from him.


My Review:
Dangerous Beauty is a Christian romantic suspense novel. The main characters were likable, honorable people who reacted realistically to events. I cared about what happened to them. Meric believed he would become a cruel, selfish man like his (unknown) father if he didn't keep strict control over his emotions and actions. He worked undercover to save sex-trafficked women only to happen across Liliana, who had escaped her captors but was about to be recaptured. He helped her escape but also married her to continue to protect her. He's unfailingly kind and considerate, helping her through her trauma. She's not only beautiful and resilient but very smart, quickly adapting to living in America. But she also wants to help save others like her as well as help her guilt-ridden husband--if he'd only tell her why he feels so guilty.

Meric and Liliana supported and brought out the best in each other. Meric completely respected Liliana and her decisions while also doing his best to keep her safe. They had to work through some misunderstandings and learn more about each other. The suspense remained high due to several attempts to recapture Liliana and because the bad guy tried to frame Meric as a criminal in order to get her away from his protection.

The Christian part was mostly brief mentions of how Liliana's faith helped her through everything she experienced. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I would recommend this enjoyable, exciting 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.

A Good Dog's Guide to Murder by Krista Davis

A Good Dog's Guide to Murder
by Krista Davis

ISBN-13: 9780593436950
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Released: September 6, 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Visitors are arriving in droves to spend Thanksgiving in the mountains of pet-friendly Wagtail, Virginia. Many of them are bringing dog and cat gingerbread houses to enter in the contest that will be held in the new convention center. Wagtail resident Orly Biffle bequeathed the land to the town in his will, provided that they not cut down the grand old oak tree on the property. Orly's children are mighty miffed that they didn't inherit the prime piece of property overlooking the lake.

Holly notices that Trixie and Twinkletoes, her calico kitty, are fixated on the big oak tree. Trixie barks at it as though she thinks it's a corpse! Just as contestants are spicing up their sweet gingerbread creations, the majestic tree drops an enormous limb. The mayor declares that the tree is dangerous and must come down. When a bulldozer churns up some roots, the tree falls over on its own accord revealing a body inside the trunk! Everyone suspects Orly hid the body, but who's the dead man and why was he killed? Trixie and Twinkletoes now have to help Holly sniff out a killer.


My Review:
A Good Dog's Guide to Murder is a cozy mystery. It's the eighth 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 short chapters from the dog's viewpoint added nothing to the story and could have been easily cut.

The mystery was clue-based. Holly gathered information about missing people and narrowed down who might be the murdered man in the tree. She asked questions about relationships and possible motives. The critical clues needed to determine whodunit were not provided until the end, so it's not really a puzzle mystery. The characters were interesting and engaging. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this fun 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.