Wicked Harvest, Book Six

Five of five stars given

“Was it the weather, do you think?” Ed grimaced. “No weather I’ve ever seen can snap cables this cleanly.” “You think someone cut them on purpose, then?” I asked. “I don’t like that explanation one bit,” Ed said, his voice steely, “but that’s what it looks like to me. We’re damned lucky Nick here didn’t get killed.”

The day isn’t off to a good start when it looks as if someone has sabotaged the renovations on the Ulrich house.  Later, the Oktoberfest inaugural of the local brewery’s latest brews culminates in the dead body of one of the two owner-brothers.  Odd mishaps are cropping up all over town too, and Lucy is convinced that they aren’t just coincidences.  Lucy knows that the dullard Sheriff isn’t going to do anything like work a real investigation.   It’s up to her to find out what’s going on!

I’ve loved the Dewberry Farms mysteries – I may have to back track and review the ones before this one!  MacInerney has a genius for creating a vibrant community and endearing characters.   This series is a truly enjoyable read, hustling quickly to the resolution while tossing false trails at you.  Another great tale!

A Zoe Prime Mystery, Book Two

Five of five stars given

Meet Special Agent Zoe Prime.   Zoe has a secret that she shares with almost no one.  Zoe Prime is a synesthete.   In her own words:  “I see numbers everywhere. I understand them intuitively. It’s how I’m able to solve many of our cases. It’s a special ability I have.”

In this second entry into the Zoe Prime Mysteries, we see a person battling demons.  Keeping a part of themself away from those around them.  Craving connections that at the same time they push away.   Struggling to quiet the demons of a childhood of being indoctrinated with “you’re evil”, in order to solve the case at hand before time runs out.

In many ways, while also being very different, Zoe puts me in mind of another favourite heroine.  Genevieve Lenard of Estelle Ryan’s Connection series, taps into her high functioning autism to get to the bottom of heinous crimes.  I find myself more and more drawn to main characters that are not cookie cutter perfect.

A fast-paced crime story, Pierce has written a scenario here that stops hearts while it boggles and intrigues the mind.  Filled with appealing characters, Face of Murder is an excellent read.   I’ll be backtracking to Book One – Face of Death – before I look for Book Three.  I want to know as much of Zoe’s story as possible.   You will as well!

[Many thanks to Booksirens and the author for the opportunity to read a copy of this book.  This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

A Meg Miller Mystery, Book Three

Five of five stars given

“Meg Miller, retired librarian, recently downsized to a cottage, happy with her simple life, was the owner of thousands of acres, a ranch house, guest  house, caretaker’s house, two barns, stables, and a herd of cattle. There were papers waiting for her signature, a formality, the lawyer had said.”

When she arrives at the family inheritance, she is drawn back into memories of dreams and visions and voices that she had experienced since childhood.   Memories exhorting her to find the truth; right a decades old wrong.

This tale fascinated and absorbed me.  As Meg learns about her maternal family and its history, she also learns about and becomes comfortable with her familial gifts.  It’s a fascinating journey, that had me captivated.  She’s at first reluctant, but after a friend gives her a figurative head shake, she realizes and accepts that this is something she needs to embrace.  Moore has written Meg’s coming to terms with her abilities masterfully.

Moore’s story takes her readers along many pathways and side roads before reaching destination.  It includes a trip to a better understanding of her own mother by means of a journal.  A letter.  And an unresolved mystery.  The experience was spell-binding; it made the book one that I was loathe to put down.  I highly recommend it!

[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.   This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own. ]

Pooches, Pumpkins, and Poison

Five of five stars given

“Why would I help you find that out?” “Because whoever killed Traci could have killed you, too. Whether the autopsy results are back yet or not, they will be in a matter of days, and we both know it’s going to show cyanide poisoning, Missy. Had you touched that pumpkin, by, I don’t know, tripping or whatever, you could be dead, too. Do you really want the wrong person going to prison?”

And that’s when things got interesting!

What looks at first as if it might be a vengeful spouse incident, starts looking like it’s a lot more personal and is about Missy herself and her shelter dogs.   Which kicks Missy into investigative gear to get to the bottom of things and protect her pooches!

Aspenson has created a kick ass accidental sleuth in Missy Kingston.  She is sympathetic, engaging, and completely devoted to seeing things through.  And this story has all the earmarks I look for in an engrossing whodunnit; a couple of plausible red herrings, a few rescue dogs for interest, and a budding romantic interest that will keep at least this avid reader coming back with each new installment.   An excellent read, I am highly recommending!

Death at Cherry Tree Manor, Book One

Five of five stars given

What do you do when you discover your husband is unfaithful?   With a much younger woman?   And you aren’t happy in your job?   Well, if you’re Maddie, you throw over the rotten husband, ignore the floozie, and make a drastic career change.

Meet Madeleine Brooks.  Starting over – newly single, a new learn-as-she-goes career, and a new town to boot!   What she gets up to will have you wishing she’s your new neighbour!

When she qualifies as an estate agent, an estate office in Goring seems the perfect place for Maddie to start over.   Her first potential sale, Cherry Tree Manor seems hell-bent on testing her abilities, and tosses in the mystery of its elderly owner’s disappearance as almost an after thought.  Beryl Fanshaw disappeared without a trace,  but there seems some question as to whether she’s actually dead or . . .

Laidlaw has created a welcoming village inhabited by endearing characters. You’ll love Maddie, and as this is Book One of hopefully many, you’ll be able to spend much time in her company!  This new series from a new-to-me author all ready has me loving Maddie and I can’t wait to read more!  You will too!  It’s easy to get caught up in the tale as it unwinds into an entertaining read. 

[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.   The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. ]

Danger at the Dive Shack, Book One

Four of five stars given

Jesse & Shelby have returned to Palawan for two years so that he can work on his PhD dissertation, but that leaves Shelby at loose ends.  As the adventure unfolds, maybe that’s a good thing?

When one of their fellow guests at the resort dies unexpectedly, suspicions light first on the baker when the victim’s husband accuses her cashew pie of being the culprit.   But as others of her friends start coming under suspicion as well, Shelby does some investigating of her own.

This extremely entertaining tale, set on the beautiful island of Palawan in the Philippines has it all.   Engaging characters that lend a touch of humour while they draw you into the unraveling tale.   Beautiful scenery, puppies and kittens, and a fast moving story line all conspire to make you forget everything else you need to do until the story has reached its not quite unexpected conclusion.

My first Davis book, it definitely won’t be my last.   I’m looking forward to more about Jesse, Shelby, and all the Palawan crew too.  Make sure to check it out!

[I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, and am leaving an honest review of the book.   The opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

Vigilantes for Justice, Book Three
Five of five stars given

When asked by a friend to look into what she thinks might be a Ponzi scheme she’s a victim of, Patricia can find nothing that points to anything untoward.  Reluctantly, when urged, she digs deeper.  As it’s becoming patently clear everything is not what it should be, the man at the head of that scheme is murdered in his home.  When the “murder weapon” is found not far from the scene and proves to be Patricia’s gun, the puzzle gets more perplexing.

Patricia and her team jump into action in a race against time – and a resurfaced nemesis – to clear her name.  In another page turner, Chaput weaves his magic yet again with a plot line that seems all too plausible.  Another entry into this series that I could not put down, this one has made me impatient for the next installment. Highly recommend this whole series!

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I love finding new-to-me authors and I just as much love finding a new series that is already a few books in. Besides making the next book easy to find, it allows me to immerse myself in characters that I really love, and invest myself in their lives. It was just this sort of instant affinity that I found in the pages of Alan Chaput’s Vigilante series. Book One was gifted to me by the author as part of a promotion. Book Three I came across quite by chance and purchased it on sight. Then today, finding myself with time on my hands for pleasure reading, I decided to go in search of Book Two. Which I found on my Kobo site, and which I was able to purchase with points! Don’t you just love loyalty points?!?

But enough about that. This is a series that is uniquely different. Not quite a cozy, yet not really a thriller; it had elements of both. Combined with a large dollop of religious interaction, high society niceties, and the not so nice interference of the darker elements of society, these books are engrossing. Fast paced, definitely page turners. Make sure you have nothing planned when you sit down with one of these, you won’t put it down till it’s done! Promise!

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Savannah Secrets, Book Two

Five of five stars given

A missing husband.  A missing religious relic.  An uninvited rattler in her bed.   And her husband’s wedding band on a red ribbon.   Patricia’s life is quickly put on lockdown, a not unfamiliar though certainly unwelcome experience.

When it comes to light that the murder of an acquaintance is more than likely connected, Patricia knows that it’s time to take matters into her own hands.   With the help of her stalwart Meredith, she starts looking for the answers that will bring Trey home.

Another powerful tale of subterfuge and back alley deals, that has the reader breathlessly turning page after page.   We find ourselves hurtling through shocking alliances and deceptions until finally we stand at resolution.   I enjoyed this second installment in the Vigilante series as much as the first one, and I already have Book Three queued up and ready to go!

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Savannah Sleuth, Book One

Five of five stars given

The upper echelon of Savannah society.  Organizations that work behind the scenes to keep Savannah’s streets safe.  When one of their own is mysteriously murdered, they all come together to solve the baffling crime.   And they all become potential targets!    They close ranks, bunker up, call in favours; and then the Holy See gets involved.   Chaput weaves an intricate tale of murder, intrigue, and betrayal; at the root of which is a monetary legacy large enough to overcome any scruples.   But will this betrayal go unpunished?  It’s a race against time as we breathlessly read on to see which side comes out the victor.

I found this novel hard to put down!   “One more chapter!” quickly turned into five, then ten; until finally the last page arrived.   An excellent story, masterfully written!   I’ve found a new-to-me author that has already been added to my “must read” list.   I was extremely happy to find that this is only Volume One; and I’m now off in search of the rest of this writer’s booklist.   I cannot recommend reading this strongly enough!

[I received a copy of this book from the author, for an honest review of the book.   The opinions expressed herein are my own.]

Dot Com Girls, Book Two

Five of five stars given

When Nell Newbery literally stumbles into a “staircase saviour” with a British accent, she is running late for a lecture but intrigued too.  That she agrees when later he invites her to grab a bite, comes as a total shock.  But there’s just something about this drop-dead gorgeous economics professor that has all her defences on stand down.

This is my first Peggy Jaeger read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  This writer is a master at a comfortable friendly style that conveys you along as if on a massive adventure.   And the exploits of her engaging characters are an adventure indeed!   Fun, fast moving, with more than a touch of the unexpected; Nell’s narrative kept me reeled in all the way to the end.  An end that came all too soon!  This is a book you’ll want to give your undivided attention to!

[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book, in conjunction with the Winter Games Reader Challenge.   The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.]

Redclaw Origins, Book One

Five of five stars given

“Marriage is a contract one enters with good intentions. It helps if you like the other person involved, though.”  So said Em, during her lunch with Rhett; a lunch that would prove to be the catalyst for a drastic change in the trajectory of Rhett’s life.

It’s clear once Rhett arrives in the Redclaw offices that something is off.   Hired despite the fact that she’d shown up for her interview at the wrong place, a place that had no intention of hiring anyone; Rhett wastes no time in learning that Redclaw is not at all what it seems.  Hurtling into her first “assignment” with the agency, Rhett soon learns just what it is about Redclaw that’s different.

Dean’s story is compelling and masterful.  With characters that are not only  interesting but captivating, she ensures that you’re invested in their stories.  And are hooked until the very last page.   It’s a bumpy ride for sure, full of twists; but it’s a ride you won’t want to miss.   Bishop Takes Knight is an unputdownable tale that takes the paranormal and makes it matter of fact.  I’m glad I took a chance on this book – it’s a bit of a departure for me.  But 2020 is all about expanding my horizons in reading.   I highly recommend you pick this one up too. 

[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book, in conjunction with the Winter Games Reader Challenge.   The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.]

A Beachside Books Magical Cozy Mystery, Book Six

Four of five stars given

A quick read, this was one of the few times that the ultimate solution was one I had reached as well.  The sixth Lester & Thomas collaboration makes a good story with interesting characters, a touch of magic, and a ghost. 

When Paige left Comfort Cove Texas to visit her boyfriend in Boston, she expected a sweet romantic Valentine’s weekend and a timely return to her bookstore.  Instead, she’s quickly embroiled in a murder and has been set up to be the main suspect.  Told not to leave Boston, she cancels her return flight and digs in to find the real story.  Follow along on the latest adventure as Paige, with the help of the victim’s ghost, a potion, and a timely intervention, finally gets to the truth of the matter.

[Many thanks to BookSprout and the author for the opportunity to read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.  The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.]