January 2026's Reading Summary

We are already a month into 2026!  Time's flying again as always.  But that means it is time for a reading summary.  Sadly, I didn't get the index updated again this month.  I'll have to make sure I do that next month.

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

 

Whine and Dine by Marc Jedel (Redwood Country Mysteries #2) – 3

It’s been a few months since Andy Shirley solved a murder in his new community of Monte Rio. Now, it’s October, and Andy has settled into his new life a little. He’s still trying to avoid making friends, so when the owner of a souvenir shop in town is found dead in her shop, he doesn’t intend to get involved. That is until the young woman who handles his plumbing, someone he’s become friendly with, begs him to get involved. It seems the police think her friend, who works at the store, is guilty. Can Andy figure out what happened?

I found the first just okay, and I was hoping some of those issues were just set up and the second would be smoother. Sadly, that didn’t happen. There is just a bit too much going on, which meant the mystery was choked out. The suspects could have been stronger. The climax, while answering all our questions, wasn’t enjoyable. Unfortunately, Andy still hasn’t thawed at all either. I do love the setting, since I grew up near there. And the puns are always welcome. I’m not sure that these will be enough to compel me to read any further in the series. 

 

A Spy in Saigon by Nancy Cole Silverman (Kat Lawson #4) – 5

It’s August of 2000, and Kat is heading to Vietnam.  Given her age and the time, this is filled with mixed emotions for her since the Vietnam War impacted her personal life.  But now, the country is once again opening up to foreigners, and Kat is there to cover what the country is like now.  At least that’s the cover.  She’s actually there to make a drop off and pick up with a jeweler in Ho Chi Minh City.  However, while she’s in the store, the contact is murdered in front of her.  Now, Kat has no idea what to do.  In a country where she is constantly watched, can she still get the information she came for?

This series has always been a cross between a traditional mystery and a light spy story.  This entry really leans into the spy part of the series, and it is wonderful.  We jumped into the story very quickly, and I always had a hard time putting the book down until I reached the satisfying ending.  While this is the fourth in the series, it reads like a standalone.  Still, we get some nice character development for Kat, and the rest of the characters come to life wonderfully.  The book is definitely of the specific time and place as Kat deals with the results of the Vietnam War and what that means to her 25 years later.  This is a fantastic entry in this series.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

 

Lime and Punishment by Cathy Wiley (Fatal Food Festival Mysteries #5) – 5

Jackie Norwood and her friends have landed in Maverick Key, one of the smaller of the Florida Keys, for their key lime festival. Everyone is happy to be there since it is February. But Jackie is disturbed to find out that two bar owners have been killed in the last few weeks. She was hoping for a more relaxed festival this time, however, it looks like murder has followed her once again. But it’s only after she runs into her high school band teacher and learns he’s the prime suspect that Jackie decides she must investigate. Can she clear her friend of the crime?

This book sets up the story as quickly as possible and then delivers a mystery filled with plenty of twists, great suspects, and red herrings along the way to the logical climax. All of Jackie’s friends are present, and they continue to provide the cozy core of these travel stories. I love how some relationships continue to evolved. We also get a nice dose of puns and other humor. There are plenty of key lime based recipes, and not all of them dessert. I was thrilled to be back for Jackie’s latest adventure. Fans new and old will find plenty to enjoy here. 

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book. 

 

Heaven Has No Rage by Liz Milliron (Laurel Highlands Mysteries #2) – 4

It’s been a few months since we last checked in on State Trooper Jim Duncan and Assistant Public Defender Sally Castle. In that time, things have been awkward between them. But first Jim is called to the scene of a fire. Was the dead body inside an accidental victim? Who even was he? Then Sally starts getting creepy notes. Does she have a stalker?

This book does a good job of building on the first book but without any spoilers. It’s nice to watch Jim and Sally continue to build their relationship. I love them and the other characters we are getting to know. One of the storylines was stronger than the other, but both kept me engaged with plenty happening, good suspects, and a climax that kept me turning pages. While this isn’t a cozy, the violence and language is kept to a minimum. I’m hoping I can get to the next book soon. 

 

Death of the Party by Carolyn Hart (Death on Demand #16) – 4

Annie Darling is taking a break to head to the smaller, private island of Golden Silk when her husband, Max, is hired to help find a killer. A year ago, media mogul Jeremiah Addison died when he fell down the stairs of his mansion. At the time, only his sister-in -law knew it was something more than an accident. But now, she’s inviting the guests from the weekend back, and she’s hoping that Max will be able to help her find the killer despite his insisting that this is a job for the police. With Annie tagging along, can they determine which guest turned it into a killer party?

When a series moves the setting, it’s always risky. In this case, the risk paid off. Yes, I missed the other regulars, but Annie and Max really got to shine, and the suspects got more time to develop. The mystery was a little slow getting going, but once it did, I was along for every twist. The ending was a bit abrupt, but it did answer my questions. I did miss the references to other mystery novels, but I loved that we didn’t see more of Annie being furious with the police. Any other fans who haven’t gotten to this book yet will be happy with this entry. 

 

Skinwalkers by Tony Hillerman (Leaphorn and Chee #7) – 5

Lt. Joe Leaphorn is baffled by three seemingly unconnected murders on the Navajo reservation. He has no evidence that they are connected, but something makes him think they are. Then Officer Jim Chee’s trailer is shot up, and he barely escapes. As the two start working together, they must find a connection. Can they?

I’ve been waiting for these characters to team up, and this book was worth the wait. Author Tony Hillerman likes this kind of plot, and he’s a master at it. Leaphorn and Chee are different enough that they will play off each other well going forward. They split time as the viewpoint characters well. The rest of the characters aren’t quite as well developed as the leads, but they work for their part in the story. I’m anxious to see what case these two characters take on next.

 

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull (Fablehaven #1) – 4

When Kendra and Seth’s parents need to take a trip, they arrange for the pair to stay with their grandparents. You might think that sounds ideal, but Kendra and Seth barely know their grandparents, who live in the middle of nowhere in Connecticut. But slowly, the siblings begin to discover there is more to their grandparents’ property. What does the revelation mean?

My nephew loves this series, and when he gave me this book for Christmas, I had to give it a try. As I expected going in, the set up felt a little slow to me, although I’m not sure how it could have been accomplished any faster. But the second half? I couldn’t read it fast enough. I appreciated that the story mostly wrapped up here while still leaving things opened for the next in the series. I like the characters, although I did find Seth annoying at times. Still, I liked where he and Kendra ended up. I’d be opened to a return visit to see what happens next to the characters. 

 

Michelangelo’s Ghost by Gigi Pandian (Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mysteries #4) – 5

Jaya Jones has gotten a tantalizing email from an old mentor. Dr. Lilith Vine has found an obscure Renaissance artist she thinks was not only a protege of Michelangelo, but someone who traveled to India, incorporating that culture into his work. His name and work have been lost to history, but Jaya can’t help but be intrigued at the possibility. After a death under suspicious – at least to Jaya – circumstances, she travels to Italy in hopes of finding the man’s long-lost work. But can she find a centuries old trail?

I let too long go between reading books in this series, but it was nice to be back in Jaya’s presence.  The story grabbed me quickly and I was hooked the entire way through.  This is different from a typical murder mystery, and I was on board for it.  I loved how it all came together at the end and how some clues had been woven in early.  The characters were interesting, and I need to read more soon to find out about what happens next to them.  Fans of the author’s new Secret Staircase series will enjoy some references to those characters thanks to a crossover character.  This is a fun book that will keep the pages turning.