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.

May 2026's Reading Summary

 We've rounded the corner on another month, so it must be time for another reading summary.  Here's what I read in May.

No, I didn't get the index updated this month.

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

Between a Roquefort and Hard Place by Linda Reilly (Grilled Cheese Mysteries #7) – 4

It’s been ten months since Carly and Ari got married, and they are happily settling into married life. At her restaurant, she and her employees are working on a grilled cheese competition. But Carly drops everything when she is invited to Peppermint Mansion, the biggest and most mysterious house in the area, to cook a grilled cheese for the elderly owner. The mansion is undergoing renovations, and Ari is handling the electrical. But while Carly is there, the general contractor dies. The police quickly determine it wasn’t an accident and start looking at Ari as their prime suspect. Can Carly clear her husband?

I was happy to see another entry in this fun series. The mystery gets started quickly and kept me engaged with some good suspects and twists on the way to the logical conclusion. We did get to see the supporting characters again, although they blended a bit into each other. Carly and her husband still shone. We also get three more delicious sounding grilled cheese recipes. Fans of the series will be glad they picked this one up. 

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book. 

 

Stakeouts and Strollers by Rob Phillips – 4

Charlie Shaw is trying to juggle being a new father of a six-month-old and a new career as a private investigator, but he’s struggling. While he’s out on surveillance, he meets a teenager who is looking for her father. Charlie can’t help but feel for her, and he decides to take on the case even though she can’t pay him. However, he quickly figures out that he’s brought a lot of danger on his family. Is his client’s father still alive? Can he figure out what is happening before the danger hits too close to home?

When I saw this won Minotaur’s Best First Mystery aware, I knew I had to give it a try. The tone was darker than I was expecting, complete with some language and violence. Still, I did get some laughs, especially from the banter between Charlie and his wife. The plot went in some unexpected directions on the way to the logical climax. The characters were all well developed, and I fell in love with Charlie and his family. I did feel Charlie took some unnecessary risks, especially as a new father. One location in the San Francisco setting was a bit of a stretch, but few will care. Overall, I enjoyed this debut and will be back if we get a sequel. 

 

Murder Most Trivial by Jessica Fletcher and Barbara Early (Murder She Wrote #63) – 4

When Jessica, Seth, Mort, and Mort’s wife, Maureen, take part in a trivia contest at the grand opening of an Irish themed pub in Cabot Cove, they never expect to win, much less that the prize will be a trip to Los Angeles to be contestants on Trivia Pub Live, a new live trivia game show. However, things take a deadly turn when one of the crew is found dead after the first day of tapping. Will the team be able to find a killer and stay in the competition?

My favorite episodes of the show were always the ones in Cabot Cove, but getting to have Seth and Mort on this trip was the next best thing.  Plus, I recognized the niece we were visiting, which made it fun.  The pacing was a little slow at the beginning between the set up and introducing a couple of sub-plots, but once the mystery kicked into gear, it was steady the rest of the way, with plenty of red herrings and clues before we reached the logical climax.  And I really liked how the book ended.  I kept the many suspects straight, although some of the lesser ones faded a bit into the background because they didn’t have that much page time.  I also enjoyed the tour of mystery locations in Los Angeles.  Overall, this is a fun addition to the long running tie-in series.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

 

Murder on the Marlow Belle by Robert Thorogood (Marlow Murder Club #4) – 4

Verity Beresford seeks out Judith Potts when Verity’s husband, Oliver, never returned from the maiden voyage of the Marlow Belle. The boat had been rented by the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society, which Oliver heads. But then Oliver’s body turns up, and Judith can’t help but wonder if Verity was trying to divert suspicion from herself by asking for help. Can Judith and her friends figure out what really happened?

While Judith is the main sleuth, Becks and Susie are still active and contribute a little toward the solution. Becks also gets a strong subplot, and I still laughed at the antics of all three characters. I wasn’t as big a fan at some of the comments that seem to be bashing men. The mystery kept me guessing with strong suspects, but I found the climax weaker than I would have liked. The plot gets Judith involved in the drama group’s latest play, which I enjoyed. And that ending makes me very glad the next in the series is due out in a couple of months. Fans will definitely be glad they picked this book up. 

 

Reckoning at the Riviera Royale by P.J. Fitzsimmons (Anty Boisjoly Mysteries #5) – 4

Anty is off to the French Riviera at the invitation of his mother. They have a strained relationship, but Anty goes because he thinks this will be a good chance to confront his mother over a nagging question about his father’s death. But when he arrives, he discovers there’s been a more recent death. There’s a floating circus on the island where Anty is, but the headliner has been killed, trampled to death by his elephant. The animal is set to be executed for this crime, but Anty isn’t buying it. Can he find the real culprit in time to spare the beast?

I was happy when my schedule allowed me to slip in the next book in the Anty series.  While this is the wildest case he’s taken on yet (pun always intended), the book does take the murder seriously with a good number of suspects and motives leading to the logical climax.  Only Anty and his valet return here, but the rest of the suspects feel real while also maximizing comedic potential.  And yes, the dry wit is still on full display.  At times, it could be tone down, but I was still laughing as I puzzled over the clues.  This book is a circus in the best way possible and fans old and new will be glad they picked it up.

 

Harm Not the Earth by Liz Milliron (Laurel Highlands Mysteries #4) – 4

Jim and Sally follow up on a report and find a dead body in their off hours. Since the death is outside of Jim’s normal patrol area, the man who takes on the case doesn’t welcome his help. But Jim becomes even more determined to figure out what is going on when he realizes he knew the victim, having volunteered with his environmental organization. Then a second victim turns up. Sally jumps in to help, hoping to make sure things are resolved before Jim gets into too much trouble. Can they determine what is going on?

Between the title and the victim, I wasn’t surprised when some of the motives hit environmental issues. Fortunately, the author did a good job of portraying the complexities of the issue while still offering other motives. The plot was complex with several strong suspects and twists that kept me engaged until the logical climax. Unfortunately, there were some snags in the timeline, but nothing that truly impacted the solution. It’s nice watching the beginning stages of Jim and Sally’s relationship here. They are continuing to grow as individual characters as well. I’m glad I have the next in the series already since I enjoyed this one. 

 

My Nightmare is Yours by Diane Vallere (Madison Night #13) – 5

Several years (and many books) ago, Madison worked for Ned and his then wife, Connie, redesigning their house. While Connie and Madison have stayed friends after the divorce, Madison hasn’t had much to do with Ned. But now he is back, wanting to hire her to turn a 1950’s ranch house into a period recording studio as he hopes to transition from music promoter to music producer. Unfortunately, the morning he hires Madison, Madison and Connie find the dead body of young singing sensation Vanessa Wright, one of Ned’s two clients. With the evidence pointing at him, Madison finds herself in a unique position to find the truth. What will she uncover?

While Connie has popped up in multiple books, it’s been a while since we saw Ned. It was nice to see him again. You can jump in here and follow this book without having all the backstory. The mystery was strong with plenty to keep me engaged on the way to the logical climax. And I enjoyed seeing the growth in Madison and her relationships again here. Those familiar with Doris Day’s movies, especially her second one, will spot an Easter egg or two. When you pick up this book, you’ll find it anything but a nightmare. 

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book. 

 

Hollywood Kills edited by Adam Meyer and Alan Orloff – 3

This book, put out to raise funds to help victims of the 2025 Los Angeles wild fires, contains sixteen stories set in and around Hollywood.  Over the course of the series, we meet just about everyone who works in the entertainment business from writers to character actors to caterers to directors to casting directors.  Unfortunately, for all of these people, they are about to find themselves playing some deadly games.  And yes, we do occasionally leave the Southern California area to find murder and mayhem on location.

Being an LA resident, I wanted to get this book to support the cause.  And I enjoyed the stories by Ellen Byron and Wendall Thomas the most, no surprise since I like their books in general.  But, when read back-to-back, these stories overall have a sameness to them.  Not every story, but the majority.  This isn’t to say the stories are poorly written or bad.  I was engaged by the characters as the entertaining plots unfolded.  I think if I had spaced these stories out a bit more, I would have enjoyed the book overall.  So, my recommendation is that you pick up this book and do just that.

 

Welcome to Cozy Town by Marla Cooper – 5

Violet has just inherited a bed and breakfast from a great-aunt she didn’t know she had in a town she’d never heard of before. But, considering she’s in need of a fresh start, the timing is perfect. However, when her first guest is found murdered in his bed, Violet can’t help but wonder what is going on. Especially since everyone in town seems to be taking it in stride. What kind of town has Violet moved to?

The teaser doesn’t really give you a feel for this cozy short story. It is a giant wink and nod to fans of the genre, filled with humor at the tropes we all know. You can’t help but laugh as you read, especially since it is obvious that this all comes from a love of the genre. The mystery is solid. It might be a little out there, but it also works for this story. My only complaint is that the characters are a little thin, but given the page count, I’m being picky. I read the story in about an hour, so it isn’t super long. And, of course, there’s a recipe at the end. Cozy mystery fans must read this story. They will laugh their way through it.

April 2026's Monthly Reading Summary

We've reached the end of the month again!  Time to look back at what I read in April.

I didn't 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.

 

The Maze in the Heart of the Castle by Dorothy Gilman – 4

This book follows Colin, who has recently lost his parents. He’s struggling, as you would expect for any sixteen-year-old who was in that situation. So when a family friend tells him that there is a castle on Rheembeck Mountain that might hold the answer for him, he sets out. When Colin arrives, he learns he will have to journey through a maze in the castle to find what he is looking for. Will he find it?

After reading The Tightrope Walker, I decided I had to track this book down. It is episodic in nature, and that works here, with each complication keeping me engaged. Colin is really the only character we see the entire way through, and we get to see him really grow. The story is an allegory for grieving, and it mostly works. I just felt like it stumbled at the end. Even so, I’m really glad I picked up the book. 

 

Murder, Local Style by Leslie Karst (Orchid Isle Mysteries #3) – 4

In an attempt to make some new friends, Valerie Corbin decides to follow her interest in orchids and join the orchid society. Since so many of the members are in her neighborhood, it will be a big boost to her social life. Valerie’s first meeting is right before a fundraiser for the society, and she gets roped into helping prepare the food. But, no good deed goes unpunished, and the morning after the event, it appears that a bout of food poisoning has hit many of the attendees. Then the society’s president dies from an especially bad case of the food poisoning, and the police get involved. Could it be murder?

I enjoy getting to visit Hawai’i fictionally, and this was no exception. The location came to life and made me want to visit. I do wish that the characters were a little stronger, but that’s a minor point. The mystery was good with multiple suspects and twists and kept me guessing until we reached the logical climax. We get recipes at the end inspired by local favorites. This mystery tinged with local flavor will keep you entertained. 

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book. 

 

Fair Warning by Michael Connelly (Jack McEvoy #3) – 5

Jack McEvoy is now reporting for a consumer protection website, far from the crime beat he’s covered for most of his career. However, his crime instincts kick in when two detectives come to question him about the death of a woman he had a one-night stand with. Even though murder isn’t what his employer covers, Jack begins investigating. He finds some other deaths that sound similar from other parts of the country. But what potentially connects the victims might make this a story his website would cover. Can he convince his editor? If so, can he find another serial killer?

When this book first came out, I remember being intrigued by the premise, and I liked finally getting to see it play out even if I wasn’t sure I completely bought it a time or two. Still, I was on board for every twist and turn on the way to the climax. The occasional view point changes increased the suspense. We only have a couple of returning characters, but the entire cast came to life. Jack’s protection of his story got a little old, but that’s probably because I’m not a reporter. Likewise, his lamenting the state of journalism bugged me since it didn’t look at the entire picture. Still, these were minor issues in a book that kept me engaged the entire way through. Buckle up and hold on when you pick this one up. 

 

Big F@!king Deal by Lawrence Allan (Jimmy Cooper Mysteries #2) – 4

This book picks up exactly where the previous one ended. Jimmy has just made headlines for the right reason - successfully solving a case. The headlines bring someone from his past back into his life - his father, who just vanished over a decade ago. But Jimmy has no time to worry about what his father wants since one of the wealthiest families in LA has hired him to find their college age son who has been kidnapped. The kidnappers have given them until Friday to put the ransom together. Can Jimmy find the young man before time runs out?

I loved the first book in the series, and I enjoyed this one, too. The plot wasn’t quite as strong, but it kept me turning the pages the entire way through. The cast is good, but Jimmy really shines. I loved the humor, especially Jimmy’s observations in the first-person narration. As the title implies, this isn’t a cozy, but the language and violence are used well and aren’t excessive. I’m hoping to get to the third soon. 

 

Sovereign Sieged by Sarah E. Burr (Court of Mystery #8) – 3

Jax has been traveling for the last couple of books, so she is looking forward to returning to her country of Saphire as she prepares for the upcoming war council. But she has only been home a few hours before something happens that makes her think she isn’t safe even in her own castle. Fleeing to a fortress in her kingdom, she surrounds herself with people she can trust. But when a murder happens, Jax has to figure out who among those present is a killer. 

As always, this series needs to be read in order to properly understand the events here and avoid spoilers. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the strongest entry in the series. The pacing was off, with the murder coming late. I also pieced much of it together early. A subplot carried over from the previous book, and I didn’t enjoy it at all. Still, I do enjoy spending time with these characters and am anxious to see what happens to them next. 

 

A Thief of Time by Tony Hillerman (Leaphorn and Chee #8) – 4

Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn is dealing with the loss of his wife. He’s been on leave and plans to retire when his leave is over. But when a colleague invites him along to execute a search warrant in an area Joe knows well, he agrees to go along. Only, when they arrive, they learn the woman they are supposed to serve the warrant on has been missing for two weeks. Meanwhile, Officer Jim Chee is trying to find a piece of heavy equipment that vanished on his watch. The trail leads him to dead bodies. How are these cases connected?

The title of this book caught my attention years ago, so I was glad to finally get to it. I enjoyed the slow yet natural progression of Leaphorn and Chee’s working relationship. I did find Chee’s personal subplot a bit repetitive. The pacing of the plot slowed down a couple of times, but by the time we reached the end, I was completely hooked. Overall, this book makes it easy to see why the author has so many fans. 

 

The Ninja’s Illusion by Gigi Pandian (Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mysteries #5) – 4

Jaya has a week off for Thanksgiving break, and she is heading to Kyoto, Japan, where her best friend, Sanjay, is appearing in a televised magic event along with a Japanese star. And Jaya is hoping to connect with a local professor who has just reached out for her help about a trading ship lost to history. Jaya has only been there for a few hours when she realizes a mysterious Ninja is following her. The magician that Sanjay is working with is keeping a secret close to his vest. Then, Sanjay and Jaya find a body at the bottom on an embankment. Can Jaya figure out what is going on in time to keep Sanjay safe?

This book emphasized magic a bit more than treasure hunts, but that element was still here. Either way, outside the pacing once or twice, I enjoyed this book. That included the bit of history we learned along the way. Sanjay annoyed me a little at times, but I understood where he was coming from most of the time. The rest of the cast were great, and I enjoyed the updates we got on the characters. If you haven’t picked up this book yet, you’ll enjoy it. 

 

The Bush Tea Murder by Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier (Caribbean Island Mystery #1) – 3

Naomi Sinclair is a culinary journalist living her dream with her job at EAT TV hosting a show where she gets to interview chefs. When a potential new show investigating culinary related cold cases is presented to her, she immediately thinks of a famous case on her native St. Thomas. Four decades ago, the owner of a tea company on the island was killed while locked in her office. It’s the perfect case for her potential pilot. But will she be able to solve it? 

The premise and setting appealed to me, so I decided to give this one a try. Sadly, the structure let it down. We get a series of short stories that tie in to the overall mystery only slightly. They feel like side quests. We also have a framing story of Naomi talking about all of this to executives of her TV network. When I realized how different the structure would be, I tried to give it a fair shot, but it truly didn’t work for me. On the other hand, I loved the characters and the setting, and the writing brought them both to life wonderfully. Also, keep in mind that there’s a bit of foul language for what I would have otherwise considered a cozy. If the next in the series has a more traditional structure, I would definitely read it. 

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book. 

 

Blues in the Dark by J.R. Sanders (Nate Ross #5) – 5

It’s 1939, and Nate Ross’s latest client is Audrey Chase, one of the biggest movie stars.  Her sister has been kidnapped, and the ransom demand is small.  Audrey paid it, but her sister wasn’t returned as promised, and now she wants Nate to find her sister and return her safely.  Given that this is Hollywood, Nate is wondering if this is more of a publicity stunt than a real crime, but the pay is good, so he takes the case.  He quickly finds that, if he gets it wrong, this case will have deadly consequences.  Can he figure out what is really going on?

This is another fun book in a series I always enjoy.  It hues close to my impression of PI novels from the 1930’s.  Nate and the few series regulars are fun, and the new characters did a good job of keeping me engaged.  The plot included plenty of surprises, and I could not wait to get to the logical climax.  While not focused on the studios of the era, I still felt like I was back in 1930’s Los Angeles.  Now comes the wait for Nate’s next case.

 

In the Spirit of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge (An American in Paris Mystery #4) – 3

One March afternoon, Tabitha Knight is returning home from Julia Child’s when she sees a strange woman leaving the house where Tabitha lives. It turns out that she is a medium, and her warning to Grand-pere has left him shaken. But the next night, when Tabitha’s messieurs are hosting a dinner for the seven other members of their old resistance network, the evening ends with a murder. Should Tabitha be taking the warning seriously?

I tend to avoid the paranormal in the books I read, and I was disappointed to see it was a major part of this book. Worse yet, it really slowed down the beginning of the mystery. Fortunately, we did get a decent mystery with some good twists and a nice climax. And the book, at least the ARC I read, could never decide which part of March the story was set in. However, I was interested to see what happened to the characters next. And I appreciated the look at what life was like in the resistance in Paris during World War II. All told, this was a mixed bag that fans of the series will still appreciate. 

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book. 

 

Death on Cozumel Island by Cindy Quayle (Claire O'Keefe #1) – 3

Claire O’Keefe is planning a destination bachelorette party of her best friend to Cozumel, hoping to get some diving in around the pre-wedding festivities.  But her diving is less than ideal thanks to an obnoxious fellow diver.  When someone kills him after a dive, Claire is surprised to learn a dive guide she really likes is the suspect.  Can she find evidence to clear his name?

Being a lover of all things aquatic, this book attracted my attention when I first heard about it several years ago.  But I just got a chance to read it.  Sadly, it needed another couple of drafts to polish things up.  The pacing was way off until we reached the final third of the book.  Claire was pretty selfish at times, and her actions didn’t always make sense.  The writing was rough at times as well.  However, the descriptions of the diving were enough to make me want to plan a trip myself.  Hopefully, the series gets better as it goes along.

March 2026's Reading Summary

It's that time again.  We've entered April, so it's time for a reading summary.  No foolin', here's what I read in March.

And yes, I did get the index updated this month.

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

 

Europa by James Ponti (City Spies #7) – 5

Since the City Spies have relocated from Scotland to London, it means they can get some special training from those higher up in MI-6. The first such session involves looking at a coded message the agency has recently gotten. The City Spies quickly realize that the agents who had looked for it missed one thing - the targets are in Paris. But which of the potential targets is the real one? Can the team figure it out in time?

This is another excellent book in the series. While I didn’t feel there was a spotlighted character, each did get a moment to shine and grow, and the team shone as a whole. The plot slowed down a time or two early on, but it was never for long. Instead, I got caught up in the action multiple times. And the humor continued to make me smile and laugh. I also appreciated that the code brought in Renaissance painters and Shakespeare without really slowing things down. This is another book that all ages will enjoy. 

 

Pompeii, Paccheri, and Panic by Traci Andrighetti (Pasta and Piazza Mysteries #0.5) – 3

Giada Adair, is going through a painful divorce and has taken a job as a tour guide in Italy in an attempt to rebuild her life.  She and her best friend have headed over before her first official tour to do a little research in Pompeii.  But her trip takes an unexpected turn when an ancient lamp just unearth from Pompeii disappears and Giada finds herself implicated.  Worse yet, a young woman dies in front of Giada, and she becomes a suspect.  That is, unless she was the intended victim.  Giada is going to have to channel her cousin Franki if she wants to get out of this alive.

I’ve been wanting to try this author for a while, so I decided to jump in with this novella introduction to a spin off series.  I enjoyed the main characters, and I found the suspects strong.  Likewise, the plot was perfect for a novella and kept me engaged until the suspenseful and logical climax.  But I found the Italian and Italian accents a bit off putting.  Which yes, makes me lazy since we have a glossary at the end.  And it fits with a book set in Italy.  I also found the (ancient) potty humor disgusting at times.  Others?  I was laughing.  I fully own both of these issues are me issues.  Others won’t have them.  But, as a result, I’ll probably give the author another try with her earlier series instead of jumping into the first in this series.

 

Murder at Chateau sur Mer by Alyssa Maxwell (Gilded Newport Mysteries #5) – 5

It’s July of 1897, and Emma is covering a polo match when she witnesses a strange scene – a young woman with a less than stellar reputation is insisting that she must talk to Senator Wetmore’s wife. The next morning, Emma is summoned to the Wetmore’s residence - Chateau sur Mer. The young woman from the day before is lying dead in their entry way. Emma has developed a reputation based on her past exploits, and Mrs. Wetmore wants Emma to investigate so that the whiff of scandal won’t haunt her family forever. But what is the victim’s connection to the wealthy family?

The book does a good job of putting us back in Emma’s world while also setting up the mystery.  While there are great twists, I did feel a few things were rushed at the climax.  Still, everything did make sense.  I appreciated the updates we got on Emma and the other regulars, both real people and fictional characters.  Speaking of which, I love how the two types rub elbows seamlessly.  In fact, I was surprised to learn a couple I thought pure invention were real.  Be sure to read the author’s notes at the end to find out the facts that support this fiction.  As always, the summer setting gave me some relaxed vibes, and I felt like I was transported back in time.  If you are looking for a fun historical series, this is one to check out.

 

Vanished in the Crowd by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles (Molly Murphy #22) – 3

It’s September of 1909 and New York City is bursting at the seams as an estimated two million visitors are in town for a celebration or the three hundredth anniversary of Henry Hudson’s discovery of the Hudson River. Some of those visitors are staying with Molly’s dear neighbors Sid and Gus. However, one of those women never arrives. No one seems to know where she is; even her husband doesn’t know. So Molly agreed to try to find her. But in a large city overflowing with people, where can she even start?

I’ve been a fan from the beginning, but like other recent entries, I struggled with this one. Daniel is his usual self, with the typical “character development.” The plot is uneven, and I pieced things together early. And the theme of the book turned into more of a lecture with repeated scenes about it. Mind you, I agree that the way women were treated in the early 1900’s wasn’t good. But lectures on it is not what I was looking for here. On the other hand, the majority of the characters are their usual charming selves. Fans of the series will still want to pick this one up. And they’ll be extremely anxious to pick up the next one as well. 

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book. 

 

Antihero by Gregg Hurwitz (Orphan X #11) – 4

Evan’s latest call for help comes from a witness. A woman was taken off a New York City subway by four young men. When Evan manages to find the woman, she’s been horribly violated. Evan immediately goes after the men who did this to her, but she makes him promise not to kill them. Will he be able to keep his promise?

While this series is always more violent than what I typically read, this one felt darker than it needed to be. Then again, that might have been what helped me fully feel with Evan’s struggle to find another way to bring justice. I felt one subplot was recycled, but overall, I felt the character development was good. And the supporting regulars were good as always. We even saw a couple who hadn’t been around for the last book or two. And the plot kept me engaged. Other readers like me might want to think twice before picking up this book, but those who enjoy thrillers will love it. 

 

Death at Tidal Creek by Caleb Wygal (Myrtle Beach Mysteries #5) – 4

Clark Thomas is slowing building a relationship with Andrea, who has just opened a business next door to his bookstore. So when two people are found dead near the garbage bins at Tidal Creek Brewery, near where Andrea lives, Clark takes note, especially when one of the is the president of Andrea’s HOA. But it’s only when Andrea finds herself involved in the HOA that Clark fully gets involved. It turns out the late president was up to some shady business. Is that why he was killed? 

As always, this book had great beach vibes. I’m curious how the love triangle storyline is going to get resolved. We did get some good growth in Clark, interesting new characters, and a couple more tantalizing clues to his wife’s murder. The main mystery was good. I figured out a piece early but didn’t have it all put together. The ending was a bit exposition heavy as always, but my questions were answered. If you are looking for a beach vibe mystery, this is the book, and series, for you. 

 

Fatal Fried Rice by Vivien Chien (Noodle Shop Mysteries #7) – 4

Lana Lee has decided to do something about not being able to cook Chinese food by signing up for a class at a local continuing education school. She is hoping to keep her class a secret, but that becomes much harder when she returns after class to find the instructor stabbed in the back. With the detective assigned to the case certain that Lana is responsible, she must figure out what happened. But with the victim a stranger, can Lana learn anything about her?

The problem with this book is that Lana really has no connection to the victim. It takes quite a while before we start getting any leads on suspects and motives. Once that happens, the book picks up, and we reach a logical climax. Fortunately, Lana and the rest of the regulars are their normal charming and entertaining selves. I enjoyed checking in with them as always. Fans will still be glad they picked up this book. 

 

Birth of the Black Orchids by M. R. Dimond (Black Orchid Enterprises #1) – 3

This book is really two separate longish short stories that introduce us to JD Thomas and his friends Dianne Cortez and Johnny Ly. They have moved into a mansion in the town of Beauchamp, Texas. They have separate rooms upstairs and are opening businesses downstairs, lawyer, accountant, and vet. Days before Christmas, they hold an open house to show off the renovations and promote their businesses. Might something go wrong? Then, a couple of weeks later, a neighbor they are supposed to be helping vanishes. Where might she have gone?

I really did love meeting these characters. You can feel the bonds of friendship between them. However, the mystery in neither story is super strong. The Christmas setting of the first story helps with the cozy vibes. And if you are looking for those vibes, you won’t be disappointed to pick up this book. 

 

Broken Trust by Liz Milliron (Laurel Highlands Mysteries #3) – 5

Jim has been called to the scene of a murder in the office of a local mining company. The victim is Lonnie Butler, a friend of his – in fact he and Sally helped Lonnie get the job just a few months ago. Despite the fact that Jim’s sister and her two kids are coming for a visit, Jim can’t help but keep investigating. Unfortunately, one of Sally’s current clients has come up as a suspect in the case. She doesn’t feel she can share what she knows without crossing ethical lines, so she starts trying to figure out what really happened to Lonnie. Will the case come between them? Will they still be able to find Lonnie’s killer?

The mystery was good, with strong suspects that kept me engaged even when I began to suspect where the mystery was going. The wrap up was strong. The relationship issues were a very strong subplot. While one small aspect made me roll my eyes, the main issue was well done. I like that they both made mistakes and were both right, and their friends called them out for it. Meanwhile, I hadn’t realized how much Sally needed a friend until she got a new one here. If you haven’t read this book yet, you are in for a treat. Trust me. 

 

Frozen Stiff Drink by James J. Cudney (Braxton Campus Mysteries #6) – 2

As this book opens, Wharton County is bracing for a late winter storm that is supposed to dump quite a bit of snow on them. Before the storm buried them for good, the local magistrate dies under suspicious circumstances. But with his beloved Nana D missing, that’s all Kellan is able to think about. Until his brother becomes caught up in the murder investigation. Can Kellan help his family?

I came into this book hoping it would improve on the previous book, but it didn’t. The writing still keeps us outside the story, including summarizing conversations. There are many glitches, timeline and otherwise, that should have been caught with a good edit. While there is a lot going on, I still felt the pacing lagged, although the end did wrap things up well. The supporting players could use a bit more personality, especially considering how many there are and the complex connections. Still, I do like Kellan, and that makes me want to know what happens after the cliffhanger. If you aren’t already a fan, don’t pick up this entry. 

 

Vengeance in Venice by Erica Ruth Neubauer (Jane Wunderly Mysteries #7) – 5

While Jane and Redvers got married several months ago, they are now taking the time for a proper honeymoon in September of 1927.  They are looking forward to relaxing days exploring the city and eating the delicious cuisine.  Which is when Aunt Millie and her new husband crash the trip.  Millie has gotten the two couples an invitation to a party hosted by her friend Clara Morton, who turns out to be quite the eccentric.  Jane and Redvers are hoping to slip away early, but their plans are scrapped when a dead body is found in the garden.  When a friend that Jane has just reunited with becomes the prime suspect, honeymoon plans get put on hold to solve this latest murder.  Can Jane free her friend?

Someday, I want to visit Venice, but traveling with Jane was the next best thing.  I felt like I was there with her and the fun group of suspects.  There were plenty of secrets and twists along the way to a satisfying climax, although a couple of things didn’t wrap up quite as well as I would have liked.  Aunt Millie is a hoot as always.  And Jane and Redvers get plenty of time to shine.  I love their relationship, and I had to laugh with them several times as I read reading.  Anyone looking for a light historical mystery will be glad they picked this one up.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book.

February 2026's Monthly Reading Summary

 I'm kicking off March with my reading summary for February.  Yep, we are another month into the year already.

I got the index updated this month!  Been too long since I could say that.

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

 

Too Much Stuff by Don Bruns (Stuff Series #5) – 4

Skip More and James Lessor are about to get their second client for their PI business thanks to Skip’s girlfriend, Em. The client claims to be the great granddaughter of a man who was in possession of a shipment of gold in 1935 right before a hurricane slammed into the Florida Keys. In the resulting chaos, the gold was lost. Even if the client is telling the truth, can the duo find it? Oh, and there’s the small matter that the last PIs hired to find the gold vanished six months ago. 

I’ve been determined to finish this series since it’s been on my radar for a while. Turns out, I really enjoyed this one. The plot isn’t a traditional mystery. While a couple of side stories could have been better developed, it all holds together well. I also appreciated that Skip and James weren’t as dumb and immature as the previous book. That’s still part of their characters, but it was more balanced with their deductions on this case. And I also liked Em’s dynamic with the two. Finally, the language was toned downs. If this holds true going forward, I’ll enjoy the rest of the series. 

 

The Girl with the Dragonfruit Tattoo by Carrie Doyle (Trouble in Paradise! #3) – 4

Plum Lockhart gets a surprise reunion with a friend she hasn’t seen in years. The friend is traveling with a group on an expensive yacht, and Plum finds herself on board one night catching up. But a couple of days later, one of the servants from the yacht is dead and the police are making an unusual request. Will Plum use her new connections to go on the yacht and investigate the death? Plum agrees just as the yacht takes off for their next destination. But with everyone seeming to have a motive, can she find the killer?

I’d struggled with the first in this series since I didn’t find Plum likable. I’m happy to say that island living has been good for her, and I enjoyed her and the returning characters here. The suspects were also distinct and helped draw me in despite some uneven pacing early on. I get why it happened, however. The ending was a bit less than I like, but I did find my questions answered. Sadly, this appears to be the final book in the series. I’m glad I stuck with it. If you need a tropical getaway, I suggest you give this series a chance.

 

Something Whiskered by Miranda James (Cat is the Stacks Mysteries #17) – 3

Charlie and Helen Louise are on their honeymoon to Ireland, with Disel along for the trip. They’ve timed their arrival at the castle Helen Louise’s family own to coincide with her uncle’s 100th birthday. However, as they arrive, her uncle, a baron, plunges to his death. Naturally, the family is devastated. There are also questions, like what was the baron doing up there since he hated heights. When the family asks Charlie to do a little poking around, he reluctantly agrees. But his investigation leads to secrets that could hurt the family. Will Charlie find out what lead to the baron’s death?

I’ve struggled a bit with the last couple of books, so I got this one from the library. Sadly, this wasn’t a return to form. Since the book takes place in Ireland, I missed the regular characters who weren’t here. But I did find the new characters fun and good suspects. The mystery starts out on the dark side for a cozy, but I was soon caught up in the puzzle. Sadly, the ending was anti-climactic, even for this series, and one plot point was left unaddressed. Fans will still be glad they picked up this book. Hopefully, the series will get stronger again soon. 

 

Burdened Bloodline by Sarah E. Burr (Court of Mystery #7) – 4

Jax, her husband Perry, and their closest friends are looking for a way to get home safely before the fallout from the last book really hits. Their best option is to go to Perry’s home duchy, where his father is the duke. But their arrival finds them feeling less than settled. Perry’s father is behaving strangely. And Perry’s oldest brother, the next in line, is less than welcoming to the reforms that Jax wants to institute across the realm. The party can’t help but wonder if they are truly safe. And that’s before they find themselves embroiled in yet another shocking murder. 

If you aren’t already a fan of this series and are up to date, don’t pick up this book. It starts just after the last one ended, and as such, it has some major spoilers. That also means it starts a little slowly wrapping up some things that we didn’t really need wrapped up here. But once it gets going, I was fully invested. Political intrigue plays a heavy part of the plot, and I loved it. I saw a couple of things coming early, but others took me completely by surprise. It all works because I love Jax and the rest of the core cast so much. I’m already plotting when I can revisit these characters again to find out what happens next. 

 

Murder by Invitation Only by Colleen Cambridge (Phyllida Bright Mysteries #3) – 5

Agatha Christie and her husband, Max, are in London, not in their country home, so when a weird invitation to a murder arrives at Mallowan Hall, Phyllida goes in the place of her famous employer. As expected, it turns out the new neighbors have created a murder game they are using to get to know the locals. Their host is playing the victim. Phyllida isn’t that interested and is about to leave when another guest discovers that the victim is actually dead. Suddenly, Phyllida finds herself thrust into a real case, and she is more than ready to figure out what is going on. Can she identify the daring killer is?

Normally, I advise people to read a series in order. In this case, the focus is on the new mystery with only vague references to past cases. And the character arcs are pretty self-contained as well. Not that I’m complaining since I found Phyllida charming as always and the rest of the characters engaging. The book spends as little time as needed setting things up. From there, we are off on a puzzling mystery that surprised up to the page turning climax. I also enjoyed the scenes about the new invention Phyllida brings to the house – a vacuum cleaner. Whether you are a fan of Christie’s works or not, you’ll enjoy this book. 

 

The Queen of Poisons by Robert Thorogood (Marlow Murder Club #3) – 4

This new case starts when Suzie Harris goes to a planning meeting. She just wants to get the lay of the land since she has a new side hustle she is going to need the board’s approval for before she can start. But, to everyone’s horror, the mayor keels over dead just as the meeting is starting. Suzie quickly calls her friends Judith Potts and Becks Starling. With the newly promoted Tanika Malik’s grudging approval, the trio start trying to figure out just how the killer managed to poison the mayor. But everyone they talk to say he was a great guy. Who would want him dead?

There are a few things that don’t quite work with how the police would normally behave or how long test results take, but I don’t mind. That’s because I’m having fun along the way. The three leads are fun, and I’m smiling or laughing through much of the book. The plot is another good puzzle with credible suspects. I thought I had things figured out a couple of times, but I was impressed with how the clues had been layered in. The climax was a bit over the top, but it answered most of our questions. I’m hoping to get to the next soon. 

 

The Big Boat to Bye-Bye by Ellis Weiner (Pete Ingalls, PI #2) – 4

Pete Ingalls has a new client - the producers of a puppet TV show for kids. Someone has gotten a hold of the very adult gag reel and is blackmailing them. As Pete investigates, he finds a dead body. Can he solve both crimes?

This is a different series since Pete is not who he thinks he is. All that is set up in the first book, and we don’t get the background here. It does play into the philosophizing we get in the book, but that should have been cut back. The main plot is good with some great twists. The ending is a bit convoluted, but it does work. The book has a lot of humor, which made me laugh at times and made me cringe at others. Overall, I’m glad I finally pulled this off my shelves and read it. 

 

Buried in Shamrocks by Lisa Q. Mathews (Irish Bed and Breakfast Mysteries #2) – 4

Kate Buckley and her daughters are back in Shamrock for the summer. They’ve arrived just in time for the Great Shamrock Fair.  But then Kate finds out her ex-husband is in town with his band to perform at the event.  And his new fiancée is in town, too.  But when she winds up dead, the pressure is on to find the killer before it dampens the fair.  Can Kate keep her ex-husband out of jail?

I was glad we got a return visit.  Once again, the town and characters are charming.  And I enjoyed getting to see some of the characters and their relationships grow.  The mystery does have some pacing issues, but it does reach a logical climax that I really enjoyed.  A couple of the subplots felt like they could have given us a bit more here while still leaving things open for the next book.  But the characters made the pages fly by all too quickly.  You’ll find them charming as well.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

 

Locked in Pursuit by Ashley Weaver (Electra McDonnell #4) – 4

It’s been three months since Ellie McDonnell’s last mission with the Major Ramsey, a mission that turned dark.  It’s now January of 1941, and Ellie sees an article in the paper about a robbery that feels wrong to her.  Something is off, especially when none of her contacts have heard anything about it.  Ramsey takes her concern seriously enough to uncover two other odd robberies.  The connection?  The victims were on a recent flight from Lisbon.  What or who was on that plane?  Can Ellie and Ramsey get the prize first?

This series has some strong ongoing storylines, so you’ll want to be up to date before you pick up this book.  Especially since the early part of the novel spends time on those storylines.  That part was a little contemplative for my taste, but things do pick up as the new adventure kicks into high gear.  I’m still not a fan of the romantic triangle, but I did enjoy the new story and a character we met along the way.  The regulars were charming, too.  This book sets up the final book with a couple of cliffhangers, and I really can’t wait to find out what is going to happen next.  Fans will enjoy this next chapter in Ellie’s life.

 

The Unkept Woman by Allison Montclair (Sparks & Bainbridge #4) – 5

When Iris Sparks returns to her apartment one night after work, she is shocked to find an unexpected visitor.  It’s someone she is less than happy to see, especially since she thought the person was out of her life for good.  After quickly going to the Bainbridge’s for the night, she thinks things are behind her again – until a body is discovered in her living room.  Who was the victim?  And who committed the murder?

If you have yet to meet the ladies of The Right Sort Marriage Bureau, I don’t suggest you start here.  Despite the prologue, which has a scene two days before the story really starts (yep, still hate that literary technique), the book takes some time getting into the mystery.  Instead, we get some updates in the ongoing soap opera infused storylines.  But, as a fan, I was there for it.  Things only pick up once the murder happens.  Despite my focus on Iris in the teaser, Gwen gets plenty of her own moments to shine, and the plot couldn’t have been solved without both of them.  And they continue to be two compelling leads I can’t wait to spend more time with soon.  Fans looking to catch up will be as hooked on this entry as I was.