{I've Been Reading}

 

Dead Post Society by Diane Kelly 

The latest in the House-Flipper mystery series centers around a former boarding school that's being revived as a retirement community. In the center of the sprawling property is an old Victorian house that's been boarded up since the deaths of the Head Master and his wife. (And now I'm wondering if Blogger allows me to say "murder suicide" especially when the whole situation is fictional....) Whitney and Buck jump at the opportunity to save the house, which was originally scheduled for demolition, with plans to repurpose it as a boutique hotel. The plot unfolds at a leisurely pace with lots of time spent in the buildings of the old school, which gives the reader plenty of chances to vicariously explore old buildings. Because the crime was forty years ago, there's little sense of urgency. It all combines into an enjoyable read, especially if you've already spent some time with these characters and want to revisit them. 

Murder Bears Fruit by Rosie Sandler 

I've read all four of the books in this series and it's always fun to spend some time with Steph and Mouse.  This time around she's updating the landscaping of a newly rennovated luxury hotel where quite a few of the guests are permanent residents. Of course there's a murder for her to solve and gardening to be done. The subplot involving Steph's ex husband will raise some questions for readers who are starting the series with this book, but it's not a major part of the plot. And the whole series is available on Kindle Unlimited, so you can start with the first book or jump in with this one. 

Disclosure -- The publishers provided me with advance review copies. 

{I've Been Reading} When the Wolf Comes Home

 When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy 

This is the wildest, most  wonderful horror novel I've read in absolutely ages! I skipped the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book because sometimes I find myself distracted from the story while I'm expecting that awful thing I was warned about. It's a gory book. Seriously awful things happen, but most of it is too cartoonish and over the top to be upsetting.... there are other, more subtle, more upsetting things hiding in these pages. It uses ideas from some of my favorite stories in the genre, but telling you which ones would involve spoiling the fun and that's the LAST thing I'd want to do.

Serial Killer Games by Kate Posey

It takes one to know one and when Delores sees the new office temp, she's thrilled. Jake Ripper just has to be a serial killer. The book alternates between the two of them, giving the reader odd glimpses of what Delores and Jake are hiding from each other and  the rest of the world. They think they know what they're getting into...but they're wrong. It reminded me of You, with a much more cheerful slant, and although I enjoyed most of it, my interest started to wane a bit as the story went on. 

Disclosure -- The publishers provided me with advance review copies. 

{I've Been Reading} The Lady on Esplanade

The Lady on Esplanade by Karen White

I picked this one up without realizing that it was the third in a series, let alone that it was a spin off from another series. That didn't stop me from absolutely loving it -- thank goodness for skillfully written backstory! -- but I got the impression that these might be best read in order. I'll be headed down to our little local bookstore as soon as they're open, hoping to find the earlier books. If I could get my hands on them today, I'd be plunging right in, but I'm still just a little too stubborn to pay as much for an ebook version as the paperback costs. What I wasn't expecting, beyond the great plot and well-developed characters, was such a creepy paranormal element. The ghosts absolutely permeate the book. I'm used to cozies where the ghosts are helpful, or maybe a bit annoying. These ghosts are serious business and there are a lot of them, some involved in this mystery, some from the character's pasts. 

Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney 

The most vocal critic of the Asquith family's plans to convert Ravensea Castle into a bed and breakfast is found dead in the knot garden the morning after their first guests arrive. My favorite thing about this new series is the setting. I might've expected a haunted casstle to be forbidding, but this one is a joyous place where Nora and her sister grew up.  (I'm hoping we'll find out more about the dungeon in a future book.) I also love the way Nora deals with their resident ghost. 

Death at the Door by Olivia Blacke 

I loved all three of the Record Shop Mysteries by the same author. This one has a completely different tone (it reminded me a bit of the Hayley Randolph mysteries by Dorothy Powell.) Ruby has practically stepped into Cordelia's life, living in the apartment where the other woman died, working at the jub she just held....and solving a murder with Cordelia's ghost. I found the book cute and entertaining, especially watching the two of them struggle to communicate, but at times it felt like the plot was meandering around in circles.  

The Kidnapping of Alice Ingold by Cate Holahan

This book was a lot more substantial than I expected it to be. Within the first couple of chapters, the author had painted a clear picture of the conflict between Alice and her mother. The quote at the beginning hints that there's more behind this kidnapping than just a ransom demand. It's very political, and very bleak. I found myself much more concerned about the state of the actual world we live in than I was about the fictional characters. The pace slows midway through, but picks up again and I'm glad I made it all the way through. There are some interesting details at the end.  

Scone Cold Dead by Maddie Day 

The latest in a long running series, this one starts out with a new customer at Pans 'N Pancakes who seems a little bit off and has history with quite a few of Robbie's customers. Before long, the man is found dead in a field and Robbie is juggling a murder investigation, getting ready for new baby, and running her restaurant. She's definitely not one of those cozy mystery protagonists who seems to never actually work! I liked this one. It's a fun read with some interesting twists. And the whole series is available on Kindle Unlimited. 

Disclosure -- The publishers provided me with advance review copies. 

{I've Been Reading} Ouija & Haints in the Silent City

 Ouija & Haints in the Silent City by Jane Elzey

How often do you dive into a cozy mystery series because a title or cover art is catchy, or because there's something in the book's description that intrigues you? I jumped into this one with book five and, while I could tell I was missing out on a ton of backstory from previous books, it was still a great read. The book itself is set in the present day, but the mystery that Amy and her friends are confronted with happened in 1924. I loved the atmosphere created by the author, the history that fills ever page (there's a TON of historical detail, but it's all interesting stuff and I was unfamiliar with a lot of it) and the characters themselves. And all because I thought reading a mystery that involved old ouia boards might be fun! The whole series is available on Kindle Unlimited. 

Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin by Sarah Graves 

This is the first book I've read in this series and I've got a LOT of questions about the main character's backstory (and will be tracking down the earlier books just as soon as I get a chance.) There's just enough detail about Jake and her family that I wasn't completely lost, and the author builds such an amazing sense of place -- both the Maine coast and the dilapidated houses that play a major part in the plot -- that I couldn't put it down. I love reading about busy, happy, slightly stressed families. 

Five Golden Wings by Donna Andrews 

I've only read four books in this long running series, but it's quickly become a favorite. If you enjoy the chaos of Meg's extended family, this one definitely won't disappoint. Two cousins have scheduled competing weddings on the same day, in the same church, as close to Christmas as they possibly could. With snow in the forecast, three golden eagles in the inn's lobby, ugly dresses and uglier hats, vandalism at the local graveyard... not to mention the eventual murder... I love how positive Meg and her loves ones always are, even when they've got plenty of reasons not to be. 

Strangers in the Car by C. M. Ewan

Fast paced and tightly plotted, this thriller is everything I love about the genre. Two couples cross paths on an isolated dark road and what starts out as a reluctant act of kindness immediately spirals into a nightmare. Chapters alternate between two characters and immediately start building suspense. I coudn't put it down! 

The Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens

I  think I've read and enjoyed almost every book by Chevy Stevens. (Still Missing is the book that got me started on  a domestic thriller kick years ago.) Set in 1976, this one got off to an absolutely great start. I loved the premise and the characters, but as the book progressed, the pacing slowed and I lost that sense of urgency that keeps me turning pages. It's still a good read, but not my favorite of the author's books. 

Disclosure -- The publishers provided me with advance review copies.