July 2025's Reading Summary

 Welcome to the last day of July.  Time for another reading summary!

I got the index updated.  And the links take you to my full review.

All ratings are on a scale of 1 (bad) to 5 (great).

 

Murder by Moonlight by Julie Mulhern (Freddie Archer #0.5) – 4

Freddie Archer is working as the nightlife columnist for Gotham Magazine in 1925 New York City. She loves her job, but things take a surprising turn when she runs into a boy she knows out on the street. She quickly realizes he’s in great danger trying to earn some money. Can she find a way to help him before it’s too late. 

This is a short story designed to introduce us to the star of author Julie Mulhern’s new series. And it’s a good introduction. I really liked Freddie, and I’m looking forward to spending more time with her. The story was a bit simple, even by short story standards, but it was still entertaining. The story is currently free from the author’s newsletter. It took an hour or so to read. I’m looking forward to spending more time with Freddie, and after reading this story, I’m sure you will, too. 

 

Mistaken Identity Crisis by James J. Cudney (Braxton Campus Mysteries #4) – 3

This book picks up within days of book three ending. Summer session is about to get started, and Kellan is teaching one class on documentary making. He’s also been the official liaison with the man working on the cable car that unites the two parts of the campus. When he goes to check in one morning, he finds the contractor dead. Quint had been friends with Kellen’s younger brother years before. Still, Kellen vows he isn’t going to investigate. But he can’t help but poke around when his brother starts to become a suspect. 

That storyline alone would have been enough for a mystery, but we are also facing some serious developments for the ongoing soap opera storyline, which leads to a book that is overstuffed. While the ending does answer my questions, I felt like it was a bit too convenient. There’s a large cast of characters, and tracking all their relationships takes a lot of concentration and the cast of characters at the beginning. I was glad to see some of the relationships were less contentious here, although one shifted a bit too abruptly for me.  The writing keeps us just a little outside the story as well. I do like Kellen and the rest of the core cast, so I will be continuing to see what happens next to them. Fans will want to see how things play out in this book. 

 

Frightened to Depths by K. B. Jackson (Cruising Sisters Mysteries #3) – 5

When Charlotte and Jane’s cruise ship docks for a couple of days in New Orleans, they run into an old crush of Jane’s. He joins them aboard the ship, along with a band reuniting with a former member. But when that band member is shot with a silver bullet under a full moon, Jane’s new beau looks like a suspect. After all, he is writing a book about New Orlean’s werewolf legend. Will finding the truth cost Charlotte her relationship with her sister?

I was excited to be back with these characters. While some of the supporting cast are in the background, the suspects are strong, and I enjoyed watching the main cast’s relationships grow. I have to give a special shout out to Charlotte and Jane’s relationship since their struggle is well represented. The plot is strong, with plenty to keep us engaged before the logical climax. If this is how these characters sail off into the sunset, I’ll be happy. But I hope they come back for more. 

 

The Cunning Cruise Ship Caper by Sally Carpenter (Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol Mysteries #3) – 4

Sandy’s agent has booked his next job on the comeback trail.  He’s joined by his sister and a band, and his job is to provide two shows a night on a week-long Caribbean cruise.  It should be easy enough, right?  Complicating things is the dead body that Sandy finds in his dressing room the first night of the cruise.  The victim was part of another show on board the ship.  Sandy doesn’t feel like the cruise ship’s security is taking the murder seriously, especially if they consider him a suspect.  Can he figure out what really happened before the cruise ends?

This is another fun mystery with Sandy.  The mystery could have kicked off sooner, but the setup was still entertaining and did set up some subplots.  Once it did get going, we had some nice twists before the logical solution.  I did figure part of it out a little early, but not too much before the big reveal.  I enjoyed watching Sandy develop more here, especially in his relationship with his sister.  And I liked how her blindness came into play in the story.  There was one reference to something that happened after the book is set, but it’s a minor issue.  I’m glad I finally started this series.  If you are looking for a new cozy series, you’ll be glad you picked it up as well.

 

Solid Gold Murder by Ellen Byron (Golden Motel Mysteries #2) – 5

When some guests find real gold flakes at Dee’s motel, it sets off a second gold rush in the area. Among those who show up are Sylvan Burr, a smug tech mogul who is looking to strike it rich again. When someone shoves him down a mine shaft, the question is who didn’t want the man dead. Can Dee figure out what happened?

I love the first book in this series, and I’m happy that this book is a solid follow up. The location is great, one I’d want to visit between murders. The mystery is strong with plenty to keep us guessing. And that’s not to mention several subplots that weave in and out of the story. I do wish we saw more of Jonas, Dee’s new boyfriend, but that’s a minor complaint. The rest of the cast are fun, and the suspects solid. We also get some great laughs. In the way of extras, there are some road trip tips and a recipe. This is another delightful mystery from Ellen Byron. You’ll be glad you picked it up. 

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book. 

 

Murder in the Tattoo Parlor by Elizabeth Perona (Bucket List Mysteries #4) – 3

Francine and Charlotte have agree to go with Joy to her appointment to get a tattoo. Yes, it’s on Joy’s bucket list, but she’s not so sure she’ll actually follow through. They show up for the late-night appointment only to find the tattoo artist dead. The new police chief wants them to stay far away from the case, but Francine can’t help but start investigating. Her biggest surprise is that none of her friends seems that interested in helping with the case since they all have their own distractions. Can Francine figure out what happened? 

I thought this series had concluded years ago, so I was pleasantly surprised to see the authors have self-published a couple of additional entries. I’d forgotten about a storyline that enters the paranormal realm that I wasn’t a fan of, yet I’m curious where it is going in the next in the series. While the plot started well, Francine spends a lot of time going in circles. Parts are obvious early, yet the climax still feels rushed. On the other hand, I still enjoy the characters and liked spending time with them again. I’ll probably pick up the next just to see where the story is going. The authors do have me curious about that. 

 

Killer Kung Pao by Vivien Chien (Noodle Shop Mysteries #6) – 5

All Lana Lee wanted on that particular Friday night was to leave work to go hang out with her boyfriend, Detective Adam Trudeau. Instead, she witnesses an auto accident in the parking lot of Asia Village. When the participants, June Yi and Millie Mao, start threatening each other, Lana wonders what is behind their animosity. 

But the next morning, Lana’s hair appointment gives her a ringside seat as the two start to go at it again in the shopping center’s salon. Then Millie is electrocuted. The whispers that June is guilty begin almost immediately, but Lana thinks that’s too easy. She may not personally like June, but she doesn’t want to see the woman sent to prison for a crime she didn’t commit. Can Lana find the truth?

I started this book on a holiday weekend, so I didn’t have as much reading time as normal. I felt like it started a little slowly, but that might have been me. Either way, when Lana started investigating, I was hooked, as she tried to find viable suspects and motives. The ending made perfect sense. I liked getting to see more of the supporting players since we were in Asia Village for much of the action. We get growth in a couple of them, a scene that left me laughing hard, and a subplot that I can’t wait to see where goes. It’s easy to see why this series is so popular. Hopefully, I can get to the next one soon. 

 

Murder at Rough Point by Alyssa Maxwell (Gilded Newport Mysteries #4) – 4
It is September of 1896 and Emma cross has been asked to cover an artist retreat happening at Rough Point, a mansion owned by Frederick Vanderbilt. When she arrives, Emma is surprised by some of the people included in the retreat. But even more surprising is the death of one of the artists at the base of the cliffs. It looks like it could be an accident, or even suicide. But something about the incident doesn’t sit right with Emma. Could it be murder?

This is the first time a book in the series is set off season, and I found I missed the real-life characters we’d gotten to know, although we did get updates on them. Due to that, the focus is on the cast of new characters and the mystery. I liked the clues and red herrings, although another subplot or two to break things up would have been nice. The one we did get allowed Emma to grow, which was nice. And an ongoing storyline got more complicated here. Overall, I enjoyed this and am looking forward to seeing what comes next.

 

Death Comes to Marlow by Robert Thorogood (Marlow Murder Club #2) – 5

It’s been six month since our first visit to Marlow, and Judith is enjoying the hyphenation that comes in January. But when she gets invited to a pre-wedding celebration from Sir Peter, she decides to attend. She invites Suzy as her plus one, and Becks is there since her husband, the vicar, is performing the wedding. However, part way through the party, there’s a loud crash from inside the house. Judith is among those who rush in to discover Sir Peter’s body inside his locked study, crushed to death. All the evidence makes it look like it was a tragic accident, but Judith thinks there is something suspicious about it. Can she figure out what really happened?

This is a great locked room mystery. I thought I had things figured out, but I was wrong on the who and the how. Yet all the clues were there. I also enjoyed seeing the characters again and watching them and their relationships grow. The suspects were strong as well. The humor wasn’t as strong as the first book, although there were still some grins and laughs to be had. I’m glad I already have book three in this fun series. 

 

Engaged to Die by Carolyn Hart (Death on Demand #14) – 3

This book opens in January, and it involves a family that owns an art gallery on the island of Broward’s Rock. They are gearing up for an opening for a well-respected artist, but Virginia, the owner, is also going to use it to announce her engagement to a much younger man, much to her step children’s dismay. Naturally, Annie Darling is going to be there with her husband, Max. But when the time comes for the announcement, it gets postponed, and soon after, a dead body is discovered. Will Annie solve the latest mystery?

While I was reading this book, I was enjoying it. But as I thought about it later, I started to have issues. The subplot was front loaded, giving us more time before the mystery really got started. The ending felt rushed, with no explanation of how Annie fingered the killer, which means I’m struggling a little to see how it all makes sense. And one relationship had to devolved for us to get the usual antagonist relationship Annie has with the local police. Fans will still enjoy this visit with the characters even if it isn’t the strongest. 

 

Resort to Murder by Annie McEwen (Northwoods Mysteries #1) – 4

When her life takes an unexpected turn, Emmy Cooper heads to visit her family who runs a resort on the shores of a lake in Wisconsin. When she arrives, she learns that a developer is trying to buy up her family’s land and surrounding land to build a mega resort. While no one is interested in selling, he isn’t taking no for an answer. When he turns up dead on Emmy’s family’s property the morning after a public fight with Emmy’s father, he looks like the prime suspect. Can Emmy clear her dad?

I’ve been hearing lots of good things about this series, and I can see why. The setting is wonderful. It’s one of those places I’d love to visit between murders. The cast of characters are fantastic as well. You can tell just how much they all care for each other. The plot was strong, too, and kept me guessing until we reached the logical climax. Unfortunately, the dialogue was often summarized for us, which pulled me out of the book. I’m still looking forward to visiting this new group of friends again soon.