December 2025's Reading Summary

And just like that another year is in the books.  Before we turn the page to 2026, Let's take a look back at what I read in December, shall we?

With everything else going on (in addition to the holidays), I didn't have time to update the index this month.

All ratings are on a scale of 1 (bad) to 5 (great).  The links will take you to my full review.

 

The Body in the Hayloft by Catherine Dilts (Rose Creek Mysteries #3) – 5

Callie’s ranch has been invaded by guests when the Equi X event loses their location at the last minute and Callie’s husband offers the Double C for their use.  Equi X is supposed to celebrate the best of the equestrian community, both the novice and the expert, and some of Callie’s friends and their loved ones are participating.  But when one of the presenter’s cats goes missing, Callie finds herself among those trying to locate the pampered pet.  When Callie finds the pet, she also finds a dead body.  Is it an accident?  Or has the book club found themselves involved in another murder?

It’s been two years since we last got to visit the ladies of the Rose Creek Book Club, but it was worth the wait.  Yes, all the characters we love are front and center here, and I enjoyed getting updates on them and their lives.  They each have their own storyline, which allows them to shine.  It also slows down the mystery a bit, but for the most part, everything is balanced well.  And the mystery has plenty going on to keep us guessing.  I did figure things out just before the characters did, but barely.  And the climax answered any lingering questions I had.  If you want a cozy mystery with a strong community, be sure to check this series out.  Fans will be delighted to return to see how these characters are doing.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

 

A Grave Deception by Connie Berry (Kate Hamilton #6) – 4

Kate Hamilton has found a murder from centuries ago.  An archeological group from a college is working in an area nearby, and they’ve found a very well-preserved body.  Kate and Ivor are brought in to investigate the items found with the body.  The owner of the property where the find was made is very curious and asks Kate to try to find out who this woman was.  But that is complicated when a modern-day murder also takes place.  Kate is well positioned to figure out what is happening.  Can she piece together clues to solve the modern mystery as well?

The characters are the draw for me with this series, and I enjoyed getting to see Kate and Tom’s relationship continue to evolve.  Several of the other regulars were also present, which was nice.  The plot did get derailed briefly a time or two for me, but those who enjoy British history and antiques will enjoy those detours more than I did.  Overall, the plot kept me engaged and lead to a logical climax.  And I learned something about history and antiques along the way.  Fans of the series will be delighted with this new entry.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

 

Murder in Manhattan by Julie Mulhern (Freddie Archer #1) – 3

Freddie Archer is a columnist for Gotham Magazine focusing on fashion and gossip, but when she mentions someone in her column that turns up murdered, the police ask for her help in identifying the victim’s companion.  Not content to just observe and report back, Freddie soon finds herself getting in over her head, especially as the body count starts to rise.  Can she identify the culprit?

I’ve enjoyed some of the author’s other books, but this one was very uneven.  While Freddie’s world of 1925 New York City came alive early on, it really slowed down the plot to the point I was getting annoyed by Freddie and the name dropping of famous people in the book.  Once the story really took off, it got better.  I grew to like Freddie, and I enjoyed seeing her famous friends.  Still, there was a thread that just got dropped on the way to an otherwise logical climax.  There’s a sheen of humor to the story that balances out the more serious moments.  I’ll give this series another try, but hopefully, the next is overall stronger.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

 

No Stone Left Unturned by Annette Dashofy (Detective Honeywell Mysteries #4) – 5

When Detective Honeywell is called to the scene of a robbery turned shooting at a veterinary clinic, the case immediately becomes personal since he knows the man the robbers shot.  But he can’t help but question what happened.  It doesn’t feel like a true robbery but something personal.  Meanwhile, Emma is on hand getting shots from outside the clinic.  Given the connection Honeywell has to the case, Emma starts to dig into the background of the victim to try to see if she can uncover any leads to help.  Will they be able to find the perpetrator before he strikes again?

As with the previous book, this one focuses a bit more on Matthias, although Emma still gets plenty of page time and adds to the mystery.  I enjoyed getting to learn more about the supporting players who populate Matthias’s world.  The suspects may not get too much page time, but that doesn’t hamper the plot at all, which is filled with clues, red herrings, and enough twists to keep the pages turning.  I always had a hard time putting the book down.  I enjoyed watching the characters and their relationships grow out of what happened in the last book, although you don’t need to read the books in order.  Still, with how excellent these books are, you’ll want to read them anyway, so you might as well start with the first.  This book left me anxious for the next in the series.  Annette Dashofy is one of the best mystery writers we have today.  If you aren’t already a fan, fix that today.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

 

The Night Fire by Michael Connelly (Harry Bosch #22, Rene Ballard #3) – 5

When Harry Bosch gets a decades old murder book his late mentor had taken when he retired, Bosch goes to Renee Ballard to help him try to solve the case.  But their first look through the old reports leaves them with more questions than answers.  Meanwhile, Bosch is looking at the case of a murdered judge that the police got wrong.  And Ballard is worming her way into the investigation to a homeless man who died in a fire.

Obviously, there is plenty here to keep the reader engaged.  We bounced between the two characters, which helps us get to know them and get updates on the people in their lives.  All the characters are great.  This one does introduce a storyline I’m not going to enjoy in future books.  The plot balances both characters well, and brings things to a satisfactory climax.  It does rely on convenient things happening a time or two, but I had so much fun I didn’t really mind.  These are police procedurals, and the content reflects that, so keep that in mind before you pick up a book in the series.  But if you are looking for a book that will be impossible to put down, you’ll be glad you chose anything from this author.

 

At Death’s Dough by Mindy Quigley (Deep Dish Mysteries #5) – 4

It’s the beginning of February, and Delilah O’Leary is finding the quiet season is quieter than she planned on. She’s hoping for a full restaurant on Valentine’s Day to help carry her through to tourist season again. On one of the restaurant’s days closed, Delilah and her great aunt go out ice fishing, and they make an unexpected discovery - a dead body under the ice. The victim was dressed for scuba diving, but who would dive in the lake in the middle of the winter?

The premise definitely caught my attention, although I found the pacing was uneven. Yes, I could tell the story was being set up, but it felt a bit random to me for a while. Once things really got going, I was hooked, with plenty of excitement, especially in the final quarter. And we did reach a logical conclusion. The characters continue to shine, and I especially appreciated seeing Delilah growing while building her relationship with her boyfriend. And we get another four recipes to enjoy at the end. If you enjoy culinary cozies, you’ll find yourself grabbing all the slices in this series.

 

Home for the Homicides by Rosalie Spielman (Hometown Mysteries #4) – 4

It’s the middle of December, and New Oslo has been subjected to some pranks in the last few days, but things are about to escalate.  First, Tessa Treslow and her aunt Edna find a man who was car jacked and left on the side of the road.  Then, various businesses in town are being vandalized.  But when a murder victim is found at the sight of a fire, Tessa really steps up her sleuthing.  Can she figure out who is responsible before things take a second deadly turn?

It was great to visit the characters during the Christmas season.  I loved how the season was incorporated into the plot.  Due to the nature of the crimes, it takes a while to zero in on definite suspects or motives, but the book always feels like it is moving forward.  Having said that, the ending isn’t as definitive as I normally like, but it worked in this case.  I struggled with some character ages (feel like we should have had an additional generation in there).  On the other hand, we got to meet more of Tessa’s family, and I really loved spending time with them.  They all felt real.  And I enjoyed catching up with our friends in town as well.  Fans will enjoy this holiday offering.  And if you haven’t found this fun series yet, I recommend you fix that today.

Five Golden Wings by Donna Andrews (Meg Langslow #38) – 4

Meg and her mother are helping to organize two weddings for two of Meg’s younger cousins set to take place the Saturday before Christmas. Unfortunately, these young women are constantly feuding, so the weddings are taking place back-to-back, even though they are sharing the venues. The two brides bring nothing but drama in the days leading up to their events, and that’s before Meg finds the wedding photographer dead. Unfortunately, the suspect list is long, including members of the bridal party. Can Meg figure out what happened?

Reading the Christmas set entries in this series has become a Christmas tradition for me. Even when the plot doesn’t involve Christmas explicitly, there is still more than enough holiday cheer to make it feel festive. The mystery itself was a little weak, but things made sense in the end. And the weddings provided plenty to keep me engage, including many laughs. It’s always wonderful to spend time with these characters. If you are looking for a fun Christmas cozy, you’ll be glad you picked this one up. 

And then, I finished the year with three rereads.  I didn't do new reviews so enjoy these briefer thoughts.  The linked reviews are definitely fuller. 

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare – 5

Kit Tyler has arrived in colonial Connecticut to live with a family she doesn't know. Her only friend in the village seems to be the local outcast, accused of being a witch. Will Kit ever adjust to her new life?

This is an engrossing novel that pulls you in and keeps you turning the pages. Even after multiple rereads, I still can never put it down. The characters are great, too.

 

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare – 5

The story of Daniel, a teen at the time of Christ who is consumed by his hatred of the Romans. But as he cares for his sister and encounters Jesus, will his life change? I loved this book when I read it in 8th grade, and every time I read it, I'm pulled in all over again. Amazing and powerful.

 

The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare – 5

Not as intricate as Elizabeth George Speare's better known books, but this tale of Matt's coming of age in the frontier days of Maine is still a great read. Not to be missed by kids and adults alike.