The Secret Library Mysteries, Book One

five of five stars

On first reading Tall Tails Secret Book Club, I thought we might be in a period piece. It soon becomes obvious that’s not the case, though Thornbury House does have a certain “bygone days” aura about it.

When LauraLee arrives for her new position on housekeeping staff, she quickly learns that not all is what it seems. She stumbles upon a library that has no books. She works for a demanding, cantankerous employer. There are certain people and events that should never be mentioned. AND there’s a secret library where a regular meeting of a SECRET Book Club takes place. When you pair this up with a vengeful widow, a dead chauffeur, and a missing crown, you start to find mystery and intrigue at every turn.

James has created a cast of quirky characters and though you may not initially want to like them, you can’t help but be drawn in and love them all in the end.

An excellent read and an excellent start to a new series, I’m looking forward to getting into Book Two.

check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Tall-Tails-Secret-Library-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B08LCMSPN2/

[I was fortunate to receive an Advance Reader Copy of the book from the author with no obligation to review. The opinions contained herein are entirely my own and given freely.]

Mitzy Moon Mysteries, Book Eleven

Five of five stars

Oh myyyyyyy!!!

Silvertale has done the impossible with #11!  Mitzy Moon’s Hopes & Slippery Slopes is a stunner!  I’m already anxiously awaiting finding out how she tops this one in #12!

But let’s talk about the storyline.  It will come as NO surprise that Mitzy is embroiled with yet another dead body.  But this one leaves her with a not-so-little something extra.  The victim has a young son, who now needs a soft place to land.  And Mitzy, having been there, is determined to ensure his life doesn’t take the turn hers did so long ago.  Although that came out of left field, it’s also a welcome addition to the tale.  I really like this whole new spin and the direction it takes.  It leaves lots of interesting stuff to come in future installments. But it also – to me at any rate – brings Mitzy’s story full circle, fulfilling a desire that she may not even have realized she had. I know it’s what I wanted for her. I sure made me feel good!

Then Sheriff Too-Hot-To-Handle finds out – rather abruptly and NOT from Mitzy – about MM’s secrets, and almost-Canada becomes just that much chillier.  She knew it would come to this and those around her are not too shy to say “you shoulda” to press their advantage, especially Silas.

Before I forget, there’s a wedding in almost-Canada; Jacob marries his lady, and the whole town turns out to celebrate, even Paulsen is on tap.

Hopes & Slippery Slopes is aptly titled; there are a few slopes of the slippery variety that show themselves and make the unfolding tale all the more intriguing.  Another one of those books I read in one sitting.  The characters in this series have, by now, become friends, and the addition of characters that just may stick around is SO intriguing.

Don’t miss Silvertale’s new story, and if you haven’t visited almost-Canada yet, don’t you think it’s about time?

Meantime, pick up #11 here:  https://www.amazon.com/Hopes-Slippery-Slopes-Paranormal-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B08LZSCXL8/

[I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of the book from the author, with no obligation to review.  The opinions expressed herein are given voluntarily and are entirely my own.]

A Christmas Cozy Mystery, Book One

Five of five stars

So here’s the thing, I’m not really a reader of holiday-themed books.  Like holiday-themed movies – think Hallmark Christmas Romances – they simply don’t entice me.  That said, when an author whose books you follow avidly asks you to read her Christmas story – you do, because, well, good writers are people you support, period!

Enter Mona Marple and Christmas Corpse.  Book One of the Christmas Cozy Mysteries.

Meet Holly Wood – yep, her parents definitely had a sense of humour, her sister is named August.

Holly is a doctor who generally does locum duties for various holidaying doctors, and she likes it that way.  On the last day of her current contract – just days before Christmas – she is leaving the surgery somewhat later than usual, in the midst of a snowfall, and has an accident.  After briefly blacking out, she awakens to find an elderly lady with her, trying to help.  Her saviour ultimately takes Holly home with her to oversee the recovery once she hears that no one is waiting for Holly at home.

A highway exit Holly had never noticed before, a quaint village that just seems too magical to be real, and suddenly Holly’s life pre-accident is appearing rather empty.

Within hours of arriving, there’s a dead body.  Her Good Samaritan is accused of the murder.  And Holly feels compelled to work with the woman’s son and the affable police chief to get to the bottom of it!

As Holly does her best to find the culprit, she is also learning about this magical place and the people who live here.  And feeling as if she might not want to leave.  You won’t want to leave either.

A great first volume in a new series, Christmas Corpse is also a bit different.  It is a seasonal series, and though Marple promises a new adventure for these amiable characters – it will be but once a year!  I’m not sure I can wait that long; having been captivated by Holly, I’m anxious to read more.  I highly recommend it!

Get your copy here:  https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08N52YW53

[I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the author, with no obligation to review.  The opinions expressed herein are given freely and entirely my own.]

Five of five stars

This boxed set is a great opportunity to dig right into this entertaining, always surprising series, right at the start! Since the set gives the first three in the series, I’ll do a little bit for each of the three, trust me, these are GREAT reads, I’m so glad I found them!

Fries & Alibis, Book One

When you inherit a bookshop in “almost-Canada” . . . there’s nothing to stop you from deciding to “venture off to great lakes and mysterious harbors.”
I met Mizithra Achelois Moon in the first few pages of this new series, and honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d warm up to her. Before the end of the chapter, however, I’d definitely changed my mind.
Just hours after arriving to claim her inheritance, Mitzy finds herself arrested for the murder of a stranger she soon learns was her grandfather! Enter the mysterious Silas, the almost fatherly Odell, and the mischievous caracal called Pyewacket. As unlikely a set of sleuth’s assistants as you’d ever want to meet; soon to be joined by the otherworldly presence of Mitzy’s Grams – or Ghost-ma. What they uncover as they dig deep into both the current murder and a seemingly related one from years ago will keep you turning pages and falling head over heels for Silvertale’s characters and the small sleepy town of Pin Cherry Harbour.

Tattoos & Clues, Book Two

Mitzy is at it again. Amid dreams of a deeper “relationship” with Sheriff Erick, Mitzy finds herself drawn into another investigation with long roots in the past. Erick had, of course, cautioned her to stay out of “police business”, but when Odell – her first real friend after arriving unannounced in Pin Cherry Harbor – begs her to get to the bottom of his brother’s death, she just can’t say no.
Enter a couple of near-death situations, Pyewacket sending in the B-team to save her, and her ever-growing and developing “powers”, and we have the perfect recipe for mayhem and adventure. Silvertale doesn’t disappoint!

Wings & Broken Things, Book Three

There’s no murder this time . . . but there was a theft, and the thief saw another crime in progress.
And Mitzy – much to Sheriff Harper’s chagrin – is on the case!
And . . . what does Rory Bombay have up his sleeve? Mitzy has her work cut out for her in more ways than one in this third entry to the Mitzy Moon Collection! An intriguing mystery, with characters near and dear to my heart. Always a page-turner; the engaging inhabitants of Pin Cherry Harbor draw you into yet another mystifying event.

“You are the most irritating mammal in the universe, Pyewacket. And I think I love you.” I think I do as well. I wonder if my dachshund would welcome a caracal fur-sibling?

Grab this set as soon as you can; I can promise you exciting reading. And like me, you’ll be wanting to move to Pin Cherry just so you can eat at Myrtle’s and hear all the gossip!
https://www.amazon.com/Mitzy-Moon-Mysteries-Books-1-3-ebook/dp/B08P2F7FLX/

[I received pre-publication copies of these books from the author with no obligation to review. This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

HomeSwappers Mysteries, Book Three

Five of five stars

An Aero Island Christmas Mystery – as do the previous HomeSwapper Mysteries – is made all the more interesting because the sights of this island community, are unique, and described in enough detail to bring it all alive for the reader, but not so much as to detract or distract.

Add to that these wonderfully drawn characters – Dora and Etta.  These two ladies are among my favourite cozy sleuths.  With her acerbic observations, Etta never misses a chance to dig, BUT I sense in this one that there may be a softening.  Toward both Dora and Leon.  Her introspection as she questions whether perhaps Dora might have it right, her “amiable and sociable” demeanor in some of the passages, when she is as enraptured as Dora at some of the sights they visit; these all seem to be pointing to a perhaps more open Etta.  I like her as she is, of course, but these glimpses serve to make her more endearing.

When Licio gives Leon almost human feelings and thoughts, she makes him a genuinely engaging character.  I’m not sure if I simply didn’t notice it in the first books, but it definitely stood out in this one.  He’s not merely “the dog”, he’s a contributing part of their little family, and that makes for a great addition to the story.  Who doesn’t like a story where the dog is a key character, after all?

There are enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat; Aero Island kept me awake through the night till it was done, as Licio’s stories always seem to do.  I was off in pursuit of what turned out to be the wrong suspect.  I had suspected the culprit actually, but not as the mastermind.  Another great whodunnit, to keep us on our toes.  I highly recommend this newest installment.  It reads well as a standalone, but don’t miss the other adventures if you haven’t yet read them!

Pick up your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/8832249235/

[I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of the book from the author, with no obligation to review.  The opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

Mitzy Moon Mysteries, Book Ten

Five of five stars

Silvertale doesn’t pull any punches with this latest entry into the entertaining exploits of one Mitzy Moon.  Disaster has struck in almost Canada!  While admiring one extra special law enforcement officer’s attributes on the broomball field, she sees a different side of the sheriff as he gets into it with members of the opposing team.

But, a few hours later, Sheriff Too-Hot-To-Handle is under arrest on suspicion of the murder of one of those team members, and Mitzy switches into high gear to prove to Paulsen that she’s on the wrong track . . . AGAIN!

Can “Darcy Brown” uncover the truth quickly enough to rescue Erick from being on the wrong side of the holding cells without his help?

Is it possible that Mitzy and Paulsen are on the same side this time?

Lies & Pumpkin Pies lays it all out there, with even Silas taking an active part in the investigation – what could possibly go wrong?

Silvertale had me fooled to the end, I certainly didn’t expect some of these twists and turns, but the final outcome was rather fitting, I think.

Another great read, totally unputdownable; I read it ONE afternoon!  I highly recommend it.  And if – for some reason – you haven’t traveled to almost Canada to meet all the inhabitants yet, trust me – you can read Lies & Pumpkin Pies easily as a stand-alone, but you’ll soon be so drawn in that the other nine will be next on your TBR! Don’t miss this one!

Get your copy – and the others in this series – here:  https://www.amazon.com/Lies-Pumpkin-Pies-Paranormal-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B08GJZ6V6Y/

[I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of the book from the author, with no obligation to review.  All opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

A Charleton House Mystery, Book Five

Five of five stars

Reading a Charleton House adventure always makes me feel as if I’m getting an authentic slice of old England – even though it’s set in the present day. Adams’ snippets and peeks into the workings of an old English Castle are spot on; she does her research well and thoroughly and we are the beneficiaries of that diligence.

Adams’ writing style has always drawn me into the action, this particular phrase – Charlton House seemed to be at sail on a sea of mist – had even this aphantasic reader seeing the image!

In this episode, we find that Joe has moved on with Ellie, with Sophie trying to make people understand that she really is ok with that. She really is though, and Joyce is proving to be a valuable “assistant” in her sleuthing, so life seems to be smooth sailing.

Until it isn’t. There’s a skeleton found in the pub basement. Only it’s not a recent one. And the current Duke’s ancestor may have been involved in something nefarious. Then there are poison winterberries found in the mulled wine. And suddenly Sophie and crew are delving into life at the time of a previous incarnation of the pub to see if she can make sense of the skeleton. Is there a connection to the berries?

An interesting development in this volume too, DS Harnby seems almost happy to have Sohpie’s input! Has the tide turned?

All in all, Mulled Wine and Murder is a great addition to the Charleton House series, I was through it in less than a day. Which is good and bad, since now we wait IMPATIENTLY for the next installment of “The Life and Times of Sophie Sleuth”. [my nomenclature there!] I highly recommend this one, and if you’re new to the series, you’ll be happy to know it stands alone perfectly well. But do read the others, I guarantee you’ll enjoy them all!

Find Mulled Wine and Murder – and the others – here: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08NFJNYV9/

[I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of the book from the author, with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

So a question for the class . . .

When deciding what to read next, do you read reviews, and if so, how much do they affect your choices?

sorry, second question . . .

When the reviewer says “quick read”, does that make you more or less interested in reading it?

corollary question . . .

If the reviewer says they stayed up all night to finish it, does THAT make you more or less interested?

I’m looking forward to seeing your thoughts, these are just some of the things that make me go “hmmmmm” . . .

Fog Ladies: Family Matters [Marriage can be deadly]

San Francisco Cozy Mysteries, Book Two

Five stars

They’re back and they’re getting into it again!

“Because you can count on them like the early morning fog.”  —  Frances Noonan

That is how Mrs Noonan explains the nickname these ladies have given themselves.  In a more expanded description, San Francisco weather is a constant you can count on, and so are the Fog Ladies.

These ladies are wonderful!  Caring, nurturing, feisty, and ready to pitch in with whatever is needed – well, most of them are – and opinionated, as you would expect ladies “of a certain age” to be.  In Fog Ladies One [Old age can be deadly], we met these five ladies and their young friend Sarah – an intern.  We watched as they solved a murder, and we patiently waited till they came back for more.  And come back they did!

With their no-nonsense approach, these ladies can cut to the chase and come to almost the right conclusions.  But they get there in the end, and they sure beat me to the punch! 

McCormick has created a cast of characters that is engaging, endearing, and entertaining.  The interaction between these five causes me many a chuckle.  I love them.  The suspense created, the many threads of side stories, the climax to the conclusion, all weave together to showcase a talented writer who pulls you into an unputdownable read.

I highly recommend this book, in fact – though the books do standalone extremely well – I recommend getting caught up with book one also, and then settling in for what will become one of your favourite cozy mystery series’!

[I was fortunate in receiving an ARC copy of this book from the author but was in no way required to write a review.  The opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

Fog Ladies [Old age can be murder]

San Francisco Cozy Mysteries, Book One

Five stars

When her elderly neighbours start dying, Sarah is convinced it’s a function of old age.  But not so The Fog Ladies!  Determined to prove that their neighbours are victims of a dastardly plot, they are off in search of clues that will trap the miscreant.  That they pull Sarah in along the way is only what’s necessary.

An easy, quick read; I found Fog Ladies to be highly entertaining too!  My first venture into McCormick’s work, will certainly not be my last.  She has a way with writing a narrative that completely occupies your mind.  I hope to see much more of these ladies in future books!

[Many thanks to Voracious Readers and the author for the opportunity to read a copy of this book. I was not required to write a review. The opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

Get your copy of both books here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FNR367C
[I have no affiliation with the link or the author.]

Cerberus Tactical K9, Book Two

Five stars given

Caleb Hansen – call sign Ridge – has been watching his friendship with Harper Katz – who is hiding some secrets – grow since they first met in March.  In the midst of a bomb cyclone in Virginia.  When she hired Iniquus to rescue her boss.

Though it’s been mostly long-distance, they are FINALLY spending time together again in DC.

When things take a turn in Quinn’s books, they don’t fool around.  Harper is a curvy girl – thanks Fiona for a curvy character with vulnerability, depth, and mystery – who runs eight miles in an hour.  On a run the morning she’s supposed to be meeting up with Ridge, she comes across and thwarts a kidnapping.  Because she’d been on the phone with Ridge while running, Iniquus is quick on the follow-through and they get the “bad guy” – good job Zeus! – and save the little girl.  And that’s just Chapter One!

We’ve met both Ridge & Harper in Book One of the Cerberus Tactical K9 series, so this one felt like seeing old friends again.  Watching their relationship develop – will she let it? – adds a layer of cheering from your best friend’s corner.  But don’t doubt it, Protective Instinct lives up to its title.  There are more bad guys, but the good guys stand at the ready to do battle. The bad guys are devious, the good guys are determined, the hard part is in watching from the edge of your seat, while you pray that the right side overcomes.

AND there’s puppits!!! Beautiful Tactical K9s, trained in search and rescue, trained to “get the bad guy”, but also just big puppies when it’s time to relax. I’m not sure who I love more in this series, the human characters, or the dogs!

Usually, I love Quinn’s characters – well, except for the obvious bad guys – but this is one time that a supposed good person rubbed me the wrong way.  Harper’s boss is someone that I really won’t miss if she never turns up in another book!  That a character can do that speaks to me of the skill with which they’re drawn.  The relationship between the two main characters is heartwarming, while at the same time frustrating.  They both have some learning to do about trust.  Can they do it?  While dodging life-threatening events?

Though Protective Instinct is Book Two in this new Quinn series, it reads well as a stand-alone, but I guarantee that you’ll want to catch up with Book One and the rest of Iniquus World as well!

[I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the author, with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are given voluntarily and are entirely my own.]

The book – as with all of the Iniquus World series’ – is available on Amazon [I have no affiliation] here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JQ9F6SC/
So go get it!!!