October 2026's Reading Summary

Before we fully jump into November, it's time for my October reading summary.  And yes, I got the index updated again this month.

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

 

Essentials of Homicide by Kim Davis (Aromatherapy Apothecary Mysteries #3) – 4

A movie production has come to Oak Creek Valley, but the star of the film in a horrible jerk.  And that’s putting it mildly.  He won’t stop harassing Carissa’s best friend, Ashley.  That is until someone kills him.  With rumors flying that Ashley did it, Carissa sets out to clear her friend.  Can she figure out who really killed the star?

I hadn’t realized how much I love these characters until I picked up this book.  It was great to spend time with them again.  And the new characters were strong and helped pull me into the story.  The plot started well, but it did faulter a little in the second half.  Even then, these are minor issues.  If you are looking for a charming cozy mystery, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

 

Art Attack by James Ponti (The Sherlock Society #3) – 4

The Sherlock Society is thrilled!  They’ve been hired for their first paying case.  A developer wants to have Funky Munky, graffiti artist (or graffiti writer, which is their preferred term), do a mural on their new building.  Just one problem – Funky Munky has kept their identity a secret for the year that they’ve been tagging buildings in Miami.  But it’s hard to turn down the money, so the society takes on the case.  Will they be able to piece together some clues?  Or will Funky Munky remain elusive?

The book took a bit of time to fully set up graffiti culture.  I was glad to see the fact that it is a crime was eventually brought up, even if in passing.  I was impressed with how the characters followed a logical set of clues, and there were some good twists along the way.  Unfortunately, the climax was a bit rushed, including a plot point left dangling.  On the other hand, I continue to love the characters.  Their friendship is great to watch, and I love the fact that the adults are responsible as well.  Overall, I enjoyed it, and I’m sure the target audience will as well.

 

The Case of the Case of Kilcladdich by P.J. Fitzsimmons (Anty Boisjoly #6) – 5

Anty is off to Scotland to be one of the judges in a once a decade contest to determine which of the two villages in the region gets to sell their whiskey under the official label.  But he arrives to the news that one of the distillers has just blown himself up in his still.  Naturally, this peaks Anty’s interest, and he starts investigating.  Did the centuries old rivalry turn deadly?  Does the world’s toughest golf course play a role?  Can Anty investigate while being followed by an increasingly large flock of sheep?

This series is equal parts locked room mystery and laugh-out-loud comedy.  Sometimes, the book can get too witty for its own good, but the balance is perfect here.  I was confused by the case until Anty figured it out, but it made sense when he did.  I thought I was going to struggle to keep the similar names straight, but I found I was able to follow all the key players just fine.  And the wit and banter were clever and fun without being overdone.  Plus, the absurd just added to the fun.  These books work well as standalones.  Don’t hesitate to pick up any book when you are in the mood for a funny mystery.

 

The Cambodian Curse and Other Stories by Gigi Pandian (A Jaya Jones Short Story Collection) – 5

This is a collection of short stories and novellas that feature Jaya Jones as she finds herself involved in some locked room mysteries.  The title story was originally written for this collection and involves a murder and theft at a local art museum.  In another, after being stranded in Denver due to snow, Jaya must figure out who killed an author in the hotel’s library.  She also gets involved in a theft and disappearance at a conference.  A couple of stories star Jaya’s friend Sanjay, and one of Sanjay’s stories finds him trying to solve a murder on an island off the coast of San Franciscos.  There’s also a story featuring Tempest, the main character of the author’s Secret Staircase Mysteries.  In the final story, Jaya must figure out who stole a valuable chess set.

All told there are nine stories in this collection.  I might have been ahead of Jaya a couple of times, but for the most part, I was kept guessing until the end.  And the stories are all fun.  The collection jumps around in Jaya’s life, but there aren’t spoilers for the novels, so anyone new to her world could use this as an introduction.  It’s fun to see many of the characters from the series pop in and out, and the new characters serve the stories well.  I’m glad I’m up to date on Jaya’s adventures and look forward to seeing what she gets up to when the series continues next year.

 

Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival by Traci Hall (Macki Smith Mysteries #1) – 2

Macki Smith has moved back home to Cider Falls and is helping out at her family’s apple orchard.  She’s gotten talked into participating in the apple pie baking contest that happens during the town festival every year.  But the contest winds up getting canceled at the last minute when one of the contestants is found dead in her tent.  Since the murder weapon was Macki’s knife, she becomes the prime suspect.  Can she prove she didn’t do it?

I’ve heard lots of good things about this author over the years, so I decided to give this first book in a new series a try.  I absolutely loved the late summer vibes, and the characters were charming.  I’m sure I’d enjoy the visit to Cider Falls. But the plotting was way off.  It started slowly, too little happened, and the ending was weak.  Plus, there’s a second storyline that takes up a lot of page time before ending unsatisfactorily as well.  The writing was also weak, with too much repetition and detail at times.  While I did love the character and vibes, it won’t be enough to get me to come back for the next book in the series.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book.

 

Death in Luxor by M. A. Monnin (Intrepid Traveler Mysteries #4) – 4

The brand new Grand Egyptian Museum is set to open, but they’ve been getting notes threatening one of their exhibits.  Is someone planning a theft for opening night?  Stefanie Adams and Thomas Burkhardt are heading to Egypt to figure things out.  The suspects are a group of Egyptian history enthusiasts who have the wealth to buy their way out of close inspection when leaving the country.  As theft and murder swirl around them, can Stefanie and Thomas figure out what is truly going on?

This series is a fun meshing of travelogue and mystery.  While the pacing did slow down a time or two, we also got some great scenes on the way to the satisfying conclusion.  And we still hit many major spots in Egypt over the course of the story, making me wish I could travel there.  I also enjoyed the references to Egypt in pop culture.  Stefanie and Thomas continue to be great leads, and I loved seeing them grow again here.  Plus the suspects proved plenty entertaining.  If you wish you could travel more, you’ll be glad you picked up this series.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

 

‘Tis the Season to be Scary by Vicki Delany (Year-Round Christmas Mysteries #9) – 3

Merry’s best friend, Vicky Casey, has been working on a cookbook for the last couple of entries in this series, and it is finally coming out.  But the night before the official book launch, the annual fundraiser for the local hospital is happening.  It’s a big gala at the Yuletide Inn, and everyone is there, including people from out of town.  One of those out-of-town guests is Cynthia, an online reviewer (those evil people!) who has panned Vicky’s new book.  As the evening is winding down, Cynthia falls over and then dies on the way to the hospital.  If Cynthia didn’t die of natural causes, what happened to her?

I debated about continuing the series before ultimately deciding to continue via the library.  Sadly, I once again found it average.  The pacing was off, especially in the middle when some subplots took over.  While I like the series regulars, I want to see some character growth.  I feel like things are staying too much the same.  While I wasn’t bothered by the fact that the cozy Christmas vibes weren’t as plentiful due to it being a Halloween set book, I didn’t like the paranormal element the book introduced, especially since the book relied on it too much.  We do have three delicious sounding recipes at the end.  I’m debating if I want to read any more books in this series.

 

My Father Always Finds Corpses by Lee Hollis (Father/Daughter Mysteries #1) – 3

Former child star Jarrod Jarvis has retired from Hollywood and is now living in Palm Spring.  He’s still morning the death of his husband, Charlie, and their grief has driven a wedge between Jarrod and his daughter, Liv.  But when Liv’s boyfriend is murdered, the two start to investigate.  Will working on the murder bring them closer together?

I’ve wanted to read one of this author’s books for a while, and I settled on this one.  It was a bit more melancholy than I was expecting, but the tone made sense given where the characters start the book.  The plot took a bit to get going, but once it did, the pacing was better.  Still, the climax felt a bit much while still being enjoyable.  I also felt like some of the details weren’t consistent across the book, although that might have been me.  I did like Jarrod and Liv who felt real, and the rest of the cast was just as entertaining.  I will consider picking up another Lee Hollis book, but I won’t be rushing to do so.

 

Death Walked In by Carolyn Hart (Death on Demand #18) – 4

It’s February, and Max hasn’t taken on any clients since what happened to him last summer.  Instead, he’s poured all his focus on restoring the Franklin House to its former glory so he and Annie can move in.  So, when a woman calls Max’s office saying she hid something in Franklin House, Max isn’t interested in hearing more.  Annie, on the other hand, goes to visit the woman only to find her dying.  Is there really something hidden in Franklin House?  Who killed the caller?

It was nice to see this book pick up on a few threads from the previous one, although you don’t need to read the books in order.  Max actually got some growth, which I appreciated.  I did miss most of the regulars, although the main supporting trio still managed to make their usual fun contributions.  I am very frustrated with the lengths we go through to continue having an adversarial relationship with the police, but the mystery itself was solid with a logical climax that I only partially figured out.  It’s always fun to pop over to Broward’s Rock, and this book is no exception.

 

#TreatYourself to Murder by Sarah E. Burr (Trending Topic Mysteries #5) – 5

There has been a string of fires in Central Shores that started around Halloween, and the investigation doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.  But things take a tragic turn in early December when a body is found in the latest fire.  The victim is a young woman who had been living in her car, but had recently gone missing.  Social media influencer Coco Cline was already trying to help find the victim, but when she is asked to help figure out what happened, she doesn’t hesitate.  With the help of her friends and fiancé, she finds that sleuthing and Christmas shopping make a good pairing.  But can she find another killer?

This author has become a favorite, and this book is a great example of why.  We don’t waste any time getting to the plot, and the story never lags on the way to the logical and suspenseful climax.  Coco and her friends are a great team, and I always enjoy spending more time with them.  Given the Christmas setting, I was a bit surprised we didn’t see more of Coco’s family, but they would have slowed things down.  The Christmas vibes are great, and I had fun seeing how those elements helped further the story.  If you haven’t tried one of Sarah’s books, you need to fix that.  Fans of this series are in for a Christmas treat.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

 

Death Down the Aisle by Colleen Cambridge (Phyllida Bright Mysteries #6) – 4

Dr. John Bhatt is getting married to Emily, a woman he met while home visiting in India.  Emily’s family, such as it is, live in Coatesworth Manor, not too far from Mallowan Hall, and the entire staff has been given time off to attend if they wish.  Of course, Phyllida Bright has been involved with helping to plan it, which is why she is on hand to witness some of the dynamics in Emily’s extended family.  While things have been tense, Phyllida doesn’t expect murder, but after the happy couple depart, someone turns up dead.  Can Phyllida figure out what happened?

While the book took a bit of time with the setup, the mystery delivered in spades.  I was turning pages as quickly as possible at one point, and I was surprised by the climax.  This ode to romantic triangles in Agatha Christie’s books did inflict Phyllida’s personal life, which I found annoying.  The returning characters continue to entertain, and I really hope we see something come from what was set up here.  And the suspects developed as the book went along, which made it easy to keep them straight.  Now that I’ve caught up on this series, I am going to have to wait to see what happens next to Phyllida and the rest of the regulars.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book.

September 2026's Reading Summary

Time again for a reading summary since we've reached the end of September 2026.  Had more firsts in new series than I've had in quite a while this month.  And some old favorite series as well.

I've updated the index.

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

 

Murders in the Marquee by Dana Mentink (Murder Most Fowl Mysteries #1) – 5

It’s 1905, and Saul has just landed a new job at the Grand Mallard Marquee.  But, on his first day, he thinks he sees someone fall from an upper floor.  When his new friends, Kitty and Henry, convince him to investigate, they are left with more questions.  There’s also the question of what happened to the man that Saul replaced.  Can the trio figure out what is going on?

I’ll admit, this book took a couple of chapters for me to full get into, but once I did, I loved it.  The main characters came to life, and I loved them and their growing friendship.  The rest of the cast is strong as well.  The mystery had quite a few different things going on.  I figured a thing or two out early, but there were plenty of things I didn’t.  Yet it all made sense at the end.  I also enjoyed the time and place, and I’m already curious to see how a certain famous event that takes place the next year will be handled.  This is a great debut, and I’ve already booked my room for a return visit.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

 

Probable Caws by Donna Andrews (Meg Langslow #39) – 4

When Meg gets a phone call from her dad, she learns that a horse rescue organization in a neighboring county has to move their horses, and Meg’s neighbor and friend Ragnar has agreed to take the horses in.  But they need people to help settle the horses, so she goes over to help.  As the day progresses, Meg begins to learn about the fight between the owner of the farm the horses came from and his brother, who has just inherited half of the farm.  That night, Meg finds a dead body in one of the barns.  Can she figure out who the killer is?

Series like this walk a fine line between giving us information on the hook of the series, in this case animals, and focusing on the mystery.  This one errs on the side of animal talk, which did slow things down.  Don’t get me wrong, there was a good mystery here, with some twists I enjoyed and a logical climax, but it could have been stronger.  The suspects are interesting.  We don’t have the full cast of regulars in town, but those who are in town are their usual charming selves.  The humor didn’t seem as strong either, but there were some laughs and grins.  While not the strongest in the series, it will entertain Meg’s many fans.

 

The Dark Hours by Michael Connelly (Bosch #23 and Ballard #4) – 4

As 2020 wraps up, Renee Ballard is hoping to get a lead on the two men who are attacking women in their homes.  But then she catches a murder case.  Someone died of a gunshot just minutes after midnight, but it doesn’t look like it was a random gunshot.  In fact, the bullet matches a cold case that Harry Bosch worked on but never solved.  Can the two team up to figure out what happened?

Given the setting of this book, the pandemic is still in the background, and other events from that time period are mentioned but not dwelt upon.  While Bosch plays a part, Ballard is the only character we follow here.  While I do like both of them, I do wish they would accept the consequences of their actions when they don’t follow the rules.  Instead, they come across as arrogant, which happens here.  Both cases kept me hooked.  I thought I had one figured out early on, but it turned out I was wrong, and the solutions were logical.  As always, I’m looking forward to seeing what happens to the characters next.

 

Belinda Blake and the Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing by Heather Day Gilbert (Exotic Pet-Sitter Mysteries #2) – 3

Belinda’s a little leery when the owner of a wolf preserve just outside of town contacts her looking for someone to help with chores for 10 days.  But Belinda needs the money, so she agrees.  Her orientation goes fine, but on her first official day, she finds the body of a tour guide inside one of the enclosures.  Did the pack attack the victim?  Or is there a more sinister motive?

After starting this three-book series earlier this year, I decided to try to read the other two books before the end of the year.  Sadly, this one wasn’t as good as I had hoped.  It took the characters quite a while to learn what we knew early on – that they are dealing with a murderer.  We do get a couple of enjoyable twists and a logical climax.  I enjoyed spending more time with Belinda and the other returning characters, but the suspects could have been better developed.  I’m hoping book three will prove to be stronger than this book was.

 

The Pie & Mash Detective Agency by J. D. Brinkworth (Pie & Mash Detective Agency #1) – 3

Jane Pye and Simon Mash are taking an introduction to private investigation class.  Simon might not be taking it seriously, but Jane is determined to solve the practice case their instructor gives them.  It involves a woman named Nellie Thorne who has recently vanished from an area in England.  Over the last few decades, several women with that name have all disappeared without a trace.  Can Jane and Simon solve this urban legend?

The premise sounded fun, so I decided to give it a try.  Overall, I did like Jane and Simon, although they can be a bit immature at times.  Fortunately, they did grow over the course of the book.  Likewise, we met some interesting characters along the way.  But the mystery has too many fits and starts, and I got frustrated.  Having said that, the book does lead to a logical, exciting, and satisfying climax.  While this wasn’t as strong as I would have liked, I am glad I picked it up.  Still, I probably won’t be back for the sequel.

 

Home Sweet Homicide by Rosalie Spielman (Hometown Mysteries #5) – 5

Tessa Treslow had agreed to be a bridesmaid in the wedding of her first love, Joe Ericksson, and her former frenemy Jessie St. John.  With two weeks to go, Tessa thinks things are falling into place until a friend of Jessie’s arrives in town threatening to undo all the planning they’ve done.  But that’s before the body of Jessie’s first ex-husband shows up.  With Jessie and Joe logical suspects, can Tessa figure out what is going on in time to save the wedding?

I didn’t intend to let so long go before returning to this series.  But I am glad I got to revisit the characters since I enjoyed finding out what is going on in their lives.  They are a fun group.  The suspects were strong, and the mystery kept me guessing.  There were some subplots to help draw us further in to the story.  Fans old and new will enjoy this entry in the series.

 

Thicker Than Water by Liz Milliron (Laurel Highlands Mystery #6) – 4

When a college student walks into Sally’s office asking for protection from a man, Sally is willing to help.  But the young woman doesn’t give many details before she disappears.  Two days later, Jim is pulled into the hunt for a missing autistic young man.  While the man is found, he is talking about a “sleeping blue lady” he saw in a nearby shack.  Sure enough, there is a dead young woman there.  And it’s the woman that came to Sally for help.  Sally just can’t let it go, so she starts investigating on her own.  Will the two be able to figure out what happened to the victim?

The plot quickly pulled me in.  I appreciated that, as always, we got just the detail we needed on certain things to bring the story to life without going too far.  There were a good number of twists, but the climax was a little messier than I would have liked.  Still, it did tie everything up.  I loved watching Sally and Jim take another step forward in their relationship while learning from what has come before.  I’m as invested in their relationship as the mysteries in each book.  As always, reading this book is time well spent.

 

Holmes Away from Home by Samantha Larsen (Althea Adler Mysteries #1) – 5

Althea Adler has a complicated relationship with her mother, Irene, but when she gets a postcard from Irene, she thinks it is asking her to break into Sherlock Holmes’s safe.  What she finds there sends her on a quest that lands her at a weekend party in an English estate.  That first night, the earl is murdered.  With the help of William, one of the other guests, can Althea figure out what happened?

This book sets up some storylines I’m sure we will follow over the course of the series while focusing on the murdered earl.  That story includes plenty of twists on the way to the logical climax.  Althea and William share viewpoint character duties, and I really do love them both, even if the chemistry between them was a bit much a couple of times.  The suspects are also well drawn and really kept me guessing as I read.  I’m already anxious to find out what happens to Althea and William next.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

 

Old Habits Die Hard by Melissa Westemeier with Mariana Damon (Nun the Wiser Mysteries #1) – 2

Sister Bernadette retired from teaching and her life as a nun, but she’s found herself living in The Abbey: Senior Living, the sight of the school where she taught for years now renovated into senior apartments. The residents are becoming a close-knit community, which is why, when the body of one of the residents is found, it upsets everyone. Especially since it doesn’t appear to be the obvious natural causes. The detective assigned to the case is AJ Lewis, one of Bernadette’s former students. Can the pair crack the case and figure out what really happened?

This series sounded promising, and the book started well. But then it stalled. The revelations and twists were few and far between. Part of that is that Sister Bernadette, while a viewpoint character, doesn’t add much to the story. Some, but not enough. Detective AJ is better at advancing the story, but even then, it’s slow. Which is a shame because they were both good characters. Also be away there is some foul language, something I wasn’t expecting for a series featuring a retired nun. This debut just didn’t work for me. 

 

Mrs. Claus and the Fatal Figgy Pudding by Liz Ireland (Mrs. Claus Mysteries #7) – 4

December is always busy for April Claus, wife of Santa.  But this year, a baby elf is left at the castle with a note asking April to take care of the baby.  While she tries to track down the baby’s family, she is also involved in the current stage production of A Christmas Carol, and one of the actors is poisoned during a rehearsal.  Can April solve both mysteries?

I am always thrilled when a new entry in this series finds its way to me.  The pacing was off in this book, but both storylines did reach satisfying conclusions.  The characters continue to charm, and I loved catching up with them again.  The new cast are just as strong.  And I couldn’t help but laugh and smile as I read.  Whether new to the series or a fan from the beginning, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

August 2026's Reading Summary

Another month is in the books, so it's time again for another reading summary.  Here's what I read and reviewed in August.

And I was able to get the index updated this month.

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

 

Talking God by Tony Hillerman (Leaphorn and Chee #9) – 3

Joe Leaphorn has been asked to help with a dead body that was found near the train tracks just outside the Navajo reservation.  While he is only asked to help find any evidence around the body, he can’t help but work more on the case when no one can come up with the identity of the victim.  Meanwhile, Jim Chee is asked to arrest Henry Highhawk for desecration of a grave and then fleeing across state lines.  It should have been as simple as arresting Henry at the ceremony where he shows up.  But Chee feels something else is going on.  Is he right?

This book didn’t completely work for me.  Leaphorn and Chee spent too long on parallel paths when we knew their stories were going to intersect.  Additionally, the action moves from the Navajo reservation to Washington DC, but the reservation location is a big factor in what works well for these stories.  Finally, I’m really hoping we’ve put this particular part of Chee’s romantic life to bed once and for all.  Don’t get me wrong, I do still like Leaphorn and Chee here, and when the stories combine, we get a great climax.  But this is a book strictly for fans of the series.

 

A Taste for Murder by Matt Baker – 3

DCI Joe Mottram is spending the summer in Capri with his teenage daughter, Angelica, visiting his in-laws in hopes to deal with his grief over losing his wife.  But he gets pulled into a case when an English businesswoman falls to her death on one of the cliffs.  Is it murder?

I wasn’t sure from the title, but this is a police procedural, not a cozy.  Having said that, there is plenty of talk about food.  The mystery itself is strong, with some good twists.  It also falls into some cliches, so I saw some things coming early.  The issue was that the book really wasn’t very focused.  Dealing with grief was as big a storyline as the mystery, although the grief storyline got a weak climax.  There are three viewpoint characters, which was at least one too many.  The characters are mostly good, but one has a twist part way through that really doesn’t feel supported by the rest of the book.  While the main mystery is wrapped up, a subplot leads to a cliffhanger that isn’t enough to get me to come back.  We also had conversations partially summarized, which was very weird as I was reading.  Others seem to enjoy this book, but it wasn’t for me.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

 

Hell Hath No Fury by Annette Dashofy (Detective Honeywell Mysteries #5) – 4

Both Emma and Matthias are on leave from their jobs to recover from their injuries, so when Emma’s best friend, Eric, calls saying that Emma’s drug addict sister, Nell, has come home, Emma and Matthias take off to help.  But it isn’t long before Emma’s sister gives them the slip again, and the developer who is trying to get his hands on Emma’s family property turns up murdered.  With Eric the prime suspect and Matthias well outside his jurisdiction, can he help?  Or will his efforts make things worse for everyone?

Since this book picks up right after the previous book, there are references to the events of that book but no blatant spoilers.  Emma may be a bit more in the spotlight here, but Matthias still gets a chance to shine as well.  I also enjoyed getting to know Eric and Nell better as well as meet some great new characters.  I did find one of the subplots a bit weak.  But the main mystery was great and kept me guessing until we reached the suspenseful climax.  As always, this is a police procedural, so adjust your expectations when you pick it up.  Annette Dashofy continues to write great books.  If you aren’t reading her, you are missing out.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

 

A Murderer’s Guide to Mardi Gras by Ellen Byron (Vintage Cookbook Mysteries #5) – 4

Mardi Gras season has hit the city.  It’s the first since Ricki moved, and she’s gotten caught up in the fever.  It helps that her boyfriend, celebrated chef Virgil Morel, is being named the king of the Krewe of Chew, so many of their friends from Bon Vee are joining them.  However, the captain of the krewe is an egotistical bully.  And those are his good qualities.  After leaving one of the events, Ricki and Virgil stumble upon his dead body.  The victim’s wife is the police’s prime suspect, but Ricki has become friends with the woman, and she doesn’t believe it.  The problem is, the number of suspects in the krewe are numerous.  Can Ricki figure out what really happened?

While a lot happens here, I didn’t feel the pacing of the mystery was a strong as it could be.  But this is a fun mystery, and I loved the climax when I got there.  I knew very little about Mardi Gras, but that’s fine since Ricki was learning right along with me.  I enjoyed meeting the new characters and got a kick out of some of the antics of the regulars.  Developments in the ongoing storyline helped me really get to know some of the regulars better.  This is another entertaining cozy from Ellen Byron that will entertain you whether you already love Mardi Gras or are new to the season.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

 

Serving Up the Truth by Debra Klein (Amanda Knightly Mysteries #1) – 4

Amanda is known in her town for her smiles behind the deli counter of the local market.  But even her patience is tried one day by a rude customer who ultimately buys nothing.  But that night, the customer is killed and a family friend is arrested for the crime.  Can Amanda figure out what really happened?

The writing took a couple of chapters to smooth out, but I get it, all the character introductions can be hard.  Once we got into the mystery, it got much better.  The mystery was solid, although I did figure a couple of things out early on the way to the logical climax.  Amanda is a different series lead since she is happily married with two young adult children.  I loved that difference and what it brought to the story.  I’m glad I picked this book up and hope we get to visit Amanda again.

 

Two Truths and a Murder by Colleen Cambridge (Phyllida Bright Mysteries #5) – 4

Phyllida is back in Listleigh and surprised when she is invited to a dinner party a neighbor is throwing.  But the favor she is asked gets forgotten when another guest announces she’s witnessed a murder.  The next morning, her sister is found run over by a car.  Did the killer get the wrong sister?

I got excited when I realized this book was riffing on one of the few Agatha Christie novels I’ve actually read.  Of course, it takes the premise and goes off in some other directions.  It took me a little while to get into the story, but I did get hooked before we reached the logical climax.  This book builds on some developments from the previous one, which I liked.  And I enjoyed getting to know the new characters and spending time with the returning ones.  The historic details are fun as well.  While Agatha Christie fans will especially enjoy this series, anyone who loves a good mystery will be glad they picked it up.  And that’s no lie.

 

City of Promises by Victoria Thompson with Ellen Thompson (Counterfeit Lady #8) – 4

Frank and Sarah Malloy approach Gideon Bates in his job as an estate attorney.  Their daughter, Catherine, has recently gotten engaged, and they fear her fiancé is just out to swindle her out of her trust fund, which she has recently gotten access to.  While there is nothing that Gideon can do legally to help protect the young woman, his wife, reformed conwoman Elizabeth, is quite willing to see what she can do.  Is Catherine under the sway of a conman?  Will the combined cast of characters be able to protect her?

Anyone familiar with the late Victoria Thompson’s mysteries will recognize this as a crossover between her two series.  And they will love every page.  The Gaslight characters don’t just have cameos but play a major part in the story.  Most importantly, everyone feels like themselves, and I loved seeing where those characters are in twenty years.  I also enjoy seeing the Counterfeit Lady characters again.  I do wish the plot were a little better, but that’s been an overall complaint with this series.  I need more cat and mouse.  But I did still find the story fun.  If you are a fan of Victoria’s books, you’ll be as happy as I am that her daughter has picked up the mantel.

 

Harrowed Heir by Sarah E. Burr (Court of Mystery #10) – 4

As this book opens, Jax is barely healed from the wounds she received in the previous book, but she is setting out to the Dutchy of Hestes to claim the vacant throne.  When she arrives, Jax learns that the nearby Academy has just unearth a centuries old document that indicates that Hestes’s throne might belong to another.  Naturally, she goes to investigate, but things get complicated quickly when she arrives.  Who is behind the chaos?  What does the document mean?

Once again, this book is best read in order since the series is more of a saga instead of individual mysteries at this point.  The politics helped keep us entertained while Jax travels to the location for this new mystery, and comes into play once the mystery really kicks off.  I was hooked on my way to the climax.  We don’t see all the series regulars, but I can understand why.  There just isn’t space for all of them.  The suspects could have been a little stronger, but I had them straight by the end.  One of the annoying storylines I thought was over in the previous book isn’t yet, which really disappoints me.  I hope the other annoying storyline is building to something, but only time will tell.  Those who are up to date on Jax’s journey will enjoy this next entry.

 

Legally Blind Luck by James J. Cudney (Braxton Campus Mysteries #7) – 3

Summer is just starting, and in the break before Kellan starts to teach a summer course, he is helping with an exhibit of African artifacts that is setting up on campus temporarily.  However, moments before the official opening, Kellan stumbles on another dead body.  He’s also hearing about a talisman that might be cursed.  Is it on campus?  What does its legend have to do with the current murder?

Yes, this book does address the cliffhanger from the previous book, and it ties into the plot of this one.  The entire thing was a bit of a stretch, but it mostly worked for me.  The soap opera feel of the series is still intact here, for better or worse.  The characters sniping at each other was cut down, which I appreciated, but the cast is still very large.  The summarization of dialogue continues to annoy me.  And either I missed a couple of things or the attention to detail was lacking.  Still, fans of the series will be happy they picked up this book.

July 2026's Reading Summary

It's time for July's reading summary.  I didn't get the index updated this month, so I'll try again in August.

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

 

Murder at Ochre Court by Alyssa Maxwell (Gilded Newport Mysteries #6) – 4

It’s July of 1898, and Emma Cross has spent the last year in New York City working for the Herald.  Sadly, she is still relegated to the society column.  And that’s what has brought her back to Newport – she is covering the biggest social event of the season, the coming-out ball of Cleo Copper-Smith.  But the night ends in shocking fashion, when someone is electrocuted.  The electrician who worked on the cottage is a friend, so Emma dives in to help clear him when people accuse him of shoddy work.  With a variety of motives, can Emma figure out the truth?

As I was reading, I couldn’t help but think about the reactions to new technology today and how some characters were reacting to the new technology of electricity for houses.  I appreciated how that played into the mystery, providing just one motive that kept me engaged.  As is often the case, I felt like the mystery was a little too complex when we got to the ending.  While things made sense, there was a bit too much exposition.  But I expect that at this point.  I am tiring of the love triangle, so I am hopeful that this particular storyline is wrapping up.  Overall, I do like the characters and love seeing them grow as the real and fictional rub elbows so seamlessly.  I’m already looking forward to my next trip to Newport.

 

The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts by Robert Thorogood (Marlow Murder Club #5) – 5

This book picks up exactly where the last book ends, which means Judith has just been accused of killing her husband by her step-daughter, who just showed up at Judith’s front door.  Meanwhile, someone has killed a big football star who lived in Marlow, and Tanika seems to be trying to get Judith, Becks, and Suzie involved in the case.  Why is she doing that?  Can the ladies solve the case and help Judith at the same time?

After that cliffhanger at the end of book four, I was anxious to read this book, and it didn’t disappoint.  The book juggles the two storylines well, and I was engaged the entire time.  The suspects helped keep me confused.  I did feel the ending was a bit convoluted, but the more I read and thought about it, the better it seemed to me.  While Judith is the focus, Becks and Suzie get plenty of page time as well.  And I laughed the entire way through at the character’s reactions and antics.  While new fans might not want to start here, established fans will love every page.

 

Death on the Back Nine by Caleb Wygal (Myrtle Beach Mysteries #6) – 3

Clark Thomas’s brother is coming for a visit.  He hasn’t seen Bo in several years.  One thing Bo wants is to play golf on one of the fantastic golf courses throughout the area.  Clark arranges for the two of them to join Detective Moody for a round early one Saturday morning.  But, the foursome directly ahead of them isn’t the most fun to follow around the course.  When they get to one hole with a wicked dogleg, one of that foursome hits their ball into the woods…and never returns.  Someone has hit him with a golf club.  With Clark on the spot and Moody’s partner out of town, the mayor asks Clark to help out.  Will he be able to find the killer?

The mystery in this book was solid, but it needed some good editing.  We got too much set up, and there were other passages that could have been shortened or removed.  The subplots got short changed as well.  There was also too much foreshadowing.  But the mystery kept me confused until Clark figured it out.  And I do continue to like him.  We get a cliffhanger to lead us into the next book which will resolve a major ongoing storyline, and I’m anxious to see what is going on there.

 

Strong Medicine by Steve Hockensmith (Holmes on the Range #8) – 5

It’s the summer of 1894, and brothers Old Red and Big Red have traveled to Galveston, Texas. They aren’t on an official case, but they have gone down to help their friend Olivia Pertwee.  Her family has suffered from a blackmailer, but their business partner just died in a fire in his warehouse.  Is someone out to destroy the family’s business?

It’s always a pleasure to pick up a book in this series.  I found the suspects perfect for keeping me confused, but I really liked the growth we saw in the brothers.  I did figure out part of the plot out early, but the rest kept me guessing until the logical climax.  This series isn’t a cozy series, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine.  I laughed so often, both at the relationship between the brothers and the antics of the suspects.  As always, I am looking forward to seeing where the author will take us next.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

 

Lie Down with Dogs by Liz Milliron (Laurel Highlands Mysteries #5) – 5

Jim Duncan has finally made the switch from patrol to investigations, and he and his new partner have landed a case on his first day.  The dead body has been in the house for a few days before it is found, but they also find a greyhound in a cage in the background.  Meanwhile, Sally Castle is making the leap from the public defender’s office to a private law firm.  Her first client is an accountant accused of taking money from a greyhound nonprofit.  As Sally and Jim investigate, will they find that their cases connect?

There are plenty of changes afoot in this book, and I enjoyed how that changes provided some added storylines.  All of this let us get to know Jim and Sally even better without losing the supporting players I’ve come to love.  The story is strong and kept me engaged all the way to the logical climax.  In fact, I wasn’t complaining when I got to read the second half in one day.  I even learned a bit more about greyhounds.  If you aren’t yet reading Liz’s books, you are really missing out.

 

All Aboard for Murder by Ellen Byron (Golden Motel Mysteries #3) – 5

Every October, the community of Goldsgone, which is near Dee’s motel, celebrates the birthday of Angus Sprockles, the man who made sure they got designated a historic landmark.  Of course, they are also celebrating Halloween.  Among the events is a Halloween themed fundraiser for the historic society on the railroad that Angus’s only living heir runs.  But the event ends with Moses Sprockles dead.  It originally looks like an accident, but there are things that don’t add up.  Dee’s father had become friends with Moses, and he asks Dee to poke around even though this murder doesn’t appear to have anything to do with her motel.  Can Dee find the killer?

This series continues to be so much fun.  The plot is strong, with several subplots strengthen the story.  The California setting and the Hollywood elements add to the fun for me.  I love the cast of characters no matter how much page time they get, and I appreciated how one relationship moved forward.  Everything did reach a logical climax.  And the story had appropriate autumn vibes with a fun Halloween element included as well.  At the end, we get a road trip tip and a bonus recipe. I also smiled and laughed at the character’s antics and a few of the scenes.  All told, this is another winner you’re sure to enjoy.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

 

Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass by Heather Day Gilbert (Exotic Pet-Sitter Mysteries #1) – 4

Belinda has just moved from New York City to Greenwich, Connecticut, where she is renting the carriage house behind the Carrington estate.  And she is currently pet-sitting the python of one of her clients.  But she’s barely settled in when she finds a young woman dead in the flower bed outside her cottage.  The victim was a friend of the handsome Stone Carrington the Fifth.  With the body being so close to her new home, Belinda starts to investigate.  Will she figure out what happened?

I have quite a few books from this author, so I thought I’d start with this three-book series.  Despite the quick start, I thought the first couple of interview scenes were a little short, but the book got over that.  The ending was a little weaker than I would have liked, but it did answer my questions.  I like Belinda, and the rest of the cast were developed well.  I’m hoping to see where the series goes next soon.

 

The Glass Thief by Gigi Pandian (Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mysteries #6) – 5

Jaya Jones is thrilled when her favorite author, Rick Coronado, asks her to look at his new manuscript.  The chapters she receives are about a murder in a locked room in a haunted mansion and a missing statue.  Her instincts that there is more to the story prove accurate when she starts making connections to a murder that happened seven years ago.  But another death ups the stakes.  Can Jaya separate fact from fiction and find the killer and the missing statue?

If that description seems a bit complicated, don’t worry, the book lays everything out very easily.  There are multiple twists that up the stakes along the way.  It takes some concentration, but things do make sense at the end.  While I do wish we saw more of one of the supporting characters, I really liked a subplot involving Jaya’s personal life.  While the book is set at Christmas, the holiday vibes are minimal.  The new characters are good for their roles in the book.  I felt like I was traveling along with Jaya as we visit Paris and Cambodia before the story is over.  This is another page turning novel that is hard to put down.

 

Dead Days of Summer by Carolyn Hart (Death on Demand #17) – 3

As this book opens, Annie thinks the biggest problem she is facing is keeping the surprise birthday party she is planning for Max a secret, especially given how Laurel, Max’s mother, keeps thinking for herself.  But that’s before Max vanishes.  He’d taken a new case that Monday afternoon, and he let Annie know he’d be home late.  But he never comes home.  The search uncovers a dead body.  What does it mean?  Where is Max?

Being a fan of the series, the premise pulled me in right away.  Sadly, it stalled out in the middle before picking up again for the third act.  Even so, one major question I had was left unanswered.  The series regulars were their usual charming selves, even getting a laugh or two from me at times.  One character undergoes a transformation here that fit his personality from earlier in the series better.  The suspects don’t get much page time until the end, but they are good for the page time they have.  There are hardly any references to other mysteries; I hope we get more in the following books.  While this won’t be my favorite in the series, it is one that fans will still be glad they read.

 

“Robber Crabs” by Joan Druett (A Wiki Coffin Short Story) – 2

The story (and I use that term loosely) takes place before the series and finds Wiki in the South Pacific of the 1830’s looking to make his way to America.  As a 19-year-old, he’s now at the bottom of the pyramid on his new ship, something that makes him willing to jump ship after a stop at Christmas Island.  What might happen before he does?

You’ll notice the issue with that teaser.  And that’s the problem with the story.  Nothing really happens.  The little bit that Wiki figured out, I figured out early on myself, and there are some things that were left opened.  Meanwhile, we don’t really get to know anyone else in the story.  Half of the length here is a teaser for book five in the series.  There’s a bit of sailing history that is interesting, but that’s about it.  Don’t use this as a sample of the series, and most series fans can skip it.

June 2026's Reading Summary

We are half way through 2026.  A little scary, isn't it?  But that means it is time for the monthly reading summary for June.  And, after a couple of months, I did get my index updated this month.

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

 

One Final Turn by Ashley Weaver (Electra McDonnell #5) – 3

Ellie McDonnell is getting ready to head to Portugal.  The country is neutral, and it is where people are expecting her cousin to head now that he’s rumored to have escaped.  The hope is that they can rescue these escapees and gain information on the route they took to escape, keeping it open for others.  While Major Ramsey is also on the mission, he isn’t in charge, which is a good thing since he has recently fired Ellie.  But once they’ve arrived, will they be able to get beyond the tension between them to complete their mission?

I was anxious to read this book after the cliffhangers we got at the end of book four.  The mission of this book gets off to a slow start with some repetitive action due to the focus on Ellie and Ramsey’s romance.  Sadly, I found it even more toxic than it had been previously.  When the mission picks up in the second half, I was hooked.  Fans will be satisfied with the resolution we get in this final book in the series.  I know I was.  That includes the storyline about Ellie’s parents.  I’m not sorry I read the series, I just wish I could have gotten behind the romance.

 

The Lady from Burma by Allison Montclair (Sparks and Bainbridge Mysteries #5) – 3

Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge’s latest client is unusual.  She wants them to find a wife for her husband.  You see, she’s dying from cancer and knows he will be alone without the help of the Right Sort Marriage Bureau.  But when she is found dead, Iris begins poking around to find out what happened to her.  Meanwhile, Gwen is focused on her court date to get her life back.

When this series is balancing the mystery with the main character’s storylines, it is wonderful.  But that’s not what we got here.  While there were some fun twists late in the book, it was too slow early on.  Iris isn’t given much in her personal life here, but she does a good job of driving the mystery.  The conclusion does tie things up, but I’m not sure I completely bought it.  Still, fans of the series will be happy to see what is happening with the characters.

 

Hot Stuff by Don Bruns (Stuff Series #6) – 4

When Skip is out with his girlfriend, Emily, at a fancy restaurant, the sous chef is stabbed. Emily and the victim, Amanda, had been friends, and she had set Amanda up with James on a couple of dates. The owner of the restaurant doesn’t trust the police to solve the case, so he hires Skip and James to go under cover in the kitchen to figure out if someone on the staff killed Amanda. But Emily is hiding something about Amanda. Can Skip and James solve the case without driving a wedge between Skip and Emily?

Over the course of the series, the characters have slowly matured, and that continues here, especially for Emily. A couple of the supporting players could have been a little stronger, however. After some initial pacing issues, the plot was solid and built to a logical conclusion. While not a cozy, the content wasn’t too bad overall. I enjoyed this one and am looking forward to seeing how this series wraps up. 

 

Crown of Chaos by Sarah E. Burr (Court of Mysteries #9) – 5

The war council is finally happening, and Jax is happy to be able to present the evidence of the treason that has been happening in the realm.  But even before the council gets started, Jax learns of betrayal among those she thought were allies.  The first session ends with no progress, but things only get worse when a fire and a murder complicate things.  Can Jax figure out what is happening?  Or is she in over her head?

The last few books have been building to this one (so don’t start here), and I was on board from the start.  The political intrigue and the murder mystery work well together, for a book I couldn’t put down until we reach the page turning climax.  We don’t see all of the regulars, although we do get some updates on them.  I am hoping that one storyline I haven’t been enjoying is heading toward a climax based on what happens here.  And I’m finding Jax a bit arrogant; I’m curious to see where that goes in future books.  And I will be picking up the next soon.  Fans of the series will be just as hooked as I was.

 

Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes – 3

You’ve never heard of McMasters, the secret college that teaches adults of all age how to get away with deleting someone, what we uninitiated would call murder.  This book, presented as an instructional book for those of us who can’t attend the university, has three case studies from three students in the 1950’s.  They all need to delete their bosses for various reasons.  Will they learn enough to help them?

I’d heard about this book for a while, and finally remembered to get it from the library.  Parts of it were fun, like the word play.  However, that didn’t carry on throughout the book, at least for me.  My biggest gripe is that trying to juggle three students made it hard to focus on and remember who all the players were in all three stories.  I think taking out one of the students would have helped.  Still, I did have fun with this book.  I’m glad I finally gave it a chance.

 

Lost and Clowned by Dana Mentink – 5

Pi Steely is the business manager for her uncle’s traveling circus.  They are spending their Christmas break in a small California coastal town, putting on a rare holiday performance while there.  The next morning, Pi finds a body on the beach.  The police think the someone in the troop could be responsible.  As Pi begins to dig in, she finds secrets from the past that might be related.  Can she figure out what is going on?

The characters are grounded for a circus setting; in fact, the book is a bit more serious in tone than I was expecting.  It took me a bit to get all the characters straight, but I was soon able to.  Pi felt a bit immature to me a time or two, but it was minor.  Likewise, the pacing stalled a couple of times, but nothing that lasted long.  There were some good surprises and twists along the way to the logical climax.  I enjoyed the Northern California setting.  This appears to be a rare cozy standalone, but if we get a sequel, I will gladly revisit these characters.  Those looking for an unusual cozy will be glad they picked this one up.

 

Murder Takes the Stage by Colleen Cambridge (Phyllida Bright Mysteries #4) – 4

A producer is interested in turning one of Agatha Christie’s stories into a play, so housekeeper Phyllida Bright has reluctantly returned to London.  She’s hoping she can stay in the rented house supervising the household staff.  But that’s before Archibald Allston is found dead in an armchair on stage, and Phyllida is asked to figure out if foul play was involved.  She grows more suspicious when the actor playing Benvolio in a production of Romeo and Juliette is bludgeoned to death on the balcony the next day.  Can Phyllida discover what is happening before another death occurs?

Fans will know we’ve been given hints about Phyllida’s past before, but we get some answers in this book, which I enjoyed.  Enough of the staff come along for the trip, so that part feels like a normal part of the series.  And I’m curious to see what some of the developments mean for future books.  The mystery was a little focused on events over actual deduction, but there was still enough here to keep me entertained.  The ending, while being a little over dramatic, was also satisfying.  Fans will be happy with this entry in the series.

 

Murder by Design by Lee Goldberg (Edison Bixby #1) – 4

Edison Bixby is a brilliant detective who sees patterns others don’t is seemingly innocent “accidents.”  But a brain injury has left him with a poor filter.  Enter Wally Nash, a struggling actor who is his new assistant.  Their first case involves a woman who fell down an in-construction staircase in a mall.  Bixby quickly determines that it was murder. But can he find the killer?

The set up with these characters provides plenty of opportunities for comedy, and I enjoy much of it, although at times, it didn’t quite land.  Still, I enjoyed getting to know them.  While Bixby says some stuff he shouldn’t, I actually expected him to be pushing a few more boundaries.  And I am ready to move into his house!  The mystery kept me entertained, although I did feel the ending was a little weaker than it could be.  Overall, I enjoyed this new series and look forward to reading more about these characters.

 

The Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly (Mickey Haller #6) – 4

Mickey is heading home after celebrating a rare win one night when he is pulled over.  He’s only annoyed until the cop starts insisting that he needs to open the trunk on Mickey’s car.  When he does, he finds a dead body inside.  While the victim was one of Mickey’s former clients, he hadn’t had contact with the man for several years.  Booked on murder charges, Mickey must win the case of his career.  But a not guilty won’t be good enough.  He needs to prove he is innocent to restore his reputation.  With his usual team behind him, can he do it?

I’ve been anxious to get to this book since it first came out.  I just had to get to the author’s books that come before this one first.  This one does have some serious spoilers for an early Mickey Haller book.  I was hooked from the beginning, and the pace never let up.  However, I did find Mickey’s opponents a bit weaker than they could have been, constantly doing the dumbest thing possible.  I’m also tired of the yo-yo with all of the author’s characters’ love lives.  Much of the book takes place in early 2020, and the coming pandemic adds to the intensity as the story goes along.  However, the political comments felt out of place to me.  Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I’m glad I have finally reached it.

 

The Quirky Quiz Show Caper by Sally Carpenter (Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol Mysteries #4) – 4

One Monday, Sandy stops by a small local theater to talk about an upcoming appearance and to talk to his brother, Warren, who moonlights at the theater’s organist when he’s not teaching at a nearby college.  As Sandy is going to leave, he stumbles on a dead body in the building’s basement.  The victim turns out to be one of Warren’s students, and the evidence seems to be pointing to Warren.  Can Sandy find the killer before his brother goes down for a crime he didn’t commit?

Yes, I am teasing the right book. There is a quiz show, but it comes late to the story.  I wasn’t bored waiting to get there, and it did tie into the bigger mystery.  When we got to the climax, my questions about the plot were answered, but the way the villain tried to silence Sandy didn’t make any sense.  I like how we are slowly getting to know the people in Sandy’s life as the series progresses.  We get to see him in a different light as a result.  The characters were all good.  Yes, there were some obvious flaws to me, but overall, I enjoyed this book.

 

Pour Choices by Adrian Andover (Mixology Lounge Mysteries #2) – 5

It’s been a few months since Reece Parker opened Subplot, his literary themed speakeasy, and he’s trying new things to hopefully bring in customers.  One such experiment is a comedy night with standup comic Meghan Spencer.  The night appears to be a success, but the next morning, Reece’s best friend finds Meghan floating in the river.  In order to make sure his friend doesn’t wind up convicted of the crime, Reece jumps into the case.  But can we find the truth amidst all the lies?

The suspects do a great job of confusing things, and I had no idea exactly what was going on until we reached the end.  Once we did, everything made perfect sense.  I was a bit surprised at just how happy I was to be revisiting the characters and setting.  They were just as charming and cozy as I remembered.  I’d definitely love to visit Subplot if I could.  Reece’s new relationship with Julian wasn’t super surprising, but it is sweet.  Fans of the first will definitely enjoy this one as well.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.