{I've Been Reading} The House on Blood Street

The House on Blood Street by Josh Hanson 

You know those over the top horror movies that leave you lying awake at night trying to forget (or at least figure out) what it was you just saw? This book is like that, but with absolutely none of the regret. Jack and Avery know there's something off about the fixer-upper they're buying. For them, that creepy collage in the basement is one of the selling points. When they find weird symbols under the dining room carpet, they're even more entertained. It's no secret their new house has a disturbing history. If you've ever asked yourself why the characters in a haunted house don't just walk out the front door, this gives a different perspective. I -loved- this one. (If, like me, you're not a huge fan of classic Italian horror movies, don't let the comparisons put you off. It's a definite fever dream, but it's never boring.)  

 If Books Could Kill by Kate Eberle 

After wishing she could live in one of her favorite author's romance novels, Roxie Mitchell gets almost exactly what she wanted, complete with an adorable meet-cute moment. Then she finds out that her favorite author is branching out and the plot she's trying to survive is a thriller. This book is all kinds of fun. Midway through, I felt like the plot was dragging but by the last few chapters I was completely invested in the fates of the characters. I'd say more, but I'm trying to avoid spoilers here. 

A Murderer's Guide to Mardi Gras by Ellen Byron

Within the first few pages, I was reminded of why I've read every book in this series as it came out. The characters and setting are absolutely amazing and this is my favorite of the bunch so far. I love the way cozy mysteries give their readers a chance to vicariously experience so many parts of the world and in this one, I got to peek behind the scenes of Mardi Gras parades.  There's an intriguing mystery and lots going on between the characters. I can't recommend it enough, but you might want to start this series at the beginning. 

Plant Lady by Minyoung Kang

I'm not entirely sure how to describe this Korean novel. The publisher has it tagged as horror, but I'd disagree. It's more like a cozy thriller with a few well placed splashes of gore and reminded me of An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good, with a much more likeable protagonist who has a deep respect for houseplants and a strong sense of justice. 

Murder in Season by Rosie Sandler 

Steph and Mouse are at it again, this time planning a community garden for a charming historic village. The residents all have strong opinions and she's not allowed in the locked site without a chaperone, but her temporary roommate is a great cook and she's got big plans for the garden. One section of land has been specifically excluded from the plans and of course that's where they unearth a pair of long buried skeletons (not a spoiler, it's there on the back of the book!) I always enjoy reading about Steph and Mouse. The evolving plans for the garden play a large role in the plot and the parcticipation of various community members means we get more insight into their relationships and who might or might not have motive for murder. 

 

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

{I've Been Reading} Whistle

 

Whistle by Linwood Barclay 

This horror novel is fairly new, but feels like one of those 80s paperbacks with a skeleton on the cover that you used to be able to pick up along with your weekly groceries. If you're nostalgic for those, you'll probably enjoy this one as much as I did. Annie's son finds an old train set in the shed behind the house they're renting and odd things begin to happen. I got easily caught up in the difficulties of Annie's life before the author moved on to other characters who happened to purchase trains. Eventually, we do get back to Annie and her son. It's entertaining and has some creepy moments, even if some of the horror was just plain silly. (Or maybe I'm a bit desensitized after reading so many of these books over the past forty or so years?) 

A Cyclist’s Guide to Poppies & Predicaments by Ann Claire

I can safely say that I'll never be taking a real life bicycle tour, much less a bicycle tour of France. Instead, I'll happily enjoy things like that in travel-themed cozy mysteries, especially this series. Sadie Greene, owner of Oui Cycle, is hoping for a murder free tour with a bridal party. She can deal with an overbearing bride, lots of party games, and even her boyfriend's mother. It's the discovery of a body that has her scrambling. I jumped into this series with the third book and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  I had to guess at some of the back story, but that wasn't a problem. The murder mystery and amazing setting made up for any little details I might've missed by not starting at the very beginning. 

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

 No Roast for the Weary by Cleo Coyle 

I jumped into Cleo Coyle's Coffeehouse Mysteries with the twenty-first book, which actually worked out just fine. Obviously there's a whole lot of backstory between the characters that I've missed out on, but there was just enough explanation to catch me up so I could understand what was going on. In an effort to boost foot traffic at the formerly bustling coffehouse, Clare and her staff decide to offer services that will appeal to writers and other creative types. An old sign up in the attic reveals that, decades earlier, the coffeehouse was home to the Writer's Block Lounge. It's all going great until the tragedy that ended the original writer's lounge rears its ugly head again. Years may have passed, but not everyone has forgotten. Towards the middle of the book, I felt like the plot was dragging a bit, but overall I enjoyed the read. 

Disclosure -- The publisher provided me with an advance review copy. 

{I've Been Reading} Scary Movie Night

The Last to Drown by Noelle W. Ihli

This thriller broke my heart before sucking me in and absoulutely refusing to let me catch my breath. Instead of a rafting trip down the River at the End of the World with her husband, Kaia has switched her non-refundable ticket to a trip for women. They'll be sleeping on the same beach where a rafting group was savagely butchered seven years earlier and some of her travel companions are more excited about the true crime experience than the white water rapids. The killer is dead and buried. That's been confirmed after a made for TV movie stirred up a bunch of rumors. The only danger should be from the river itself....but it's not. I've read a few of this author's other books and liked them well enough, but this one absolutely blew me away. I'm off to download her backlist.   

 Scary Movie Night by Miranda Smith

Tippi is celebrating her birthday at her grandmother's estate, along with her best friends, who have gone all out to make it a night to remember. Everyone is in costume. There's a spread of great food. Classic horror movies are set up in the cinema upstairs. And, along with the gifts she was expecting, there are handwritten birthday cards from someone who wasn't invited. This is a fun locked room mystery (you'll just have to accept that no one drove to the party and there's no phone at the house so they can't leave or call for help.) Excerpts from Tippi's book, What Hitch Taught Me About Life help, keep the movie references going after the first murder stops the festivities and there are lots more movie references if you're paying attention. 

Trad Wife by Carrie Hughes

This is my favorite of the many "trad wife" thrillers I've read so far. Faith, with her five children and daily sourdough bakes, is exactly what you'd expect a succesful influencer to be. Melissa, a social media manager with a podcast, want to get access to the perfect family so that she can expose their secrets. Which is pretty much the formula I've seen in these books so far -- except this time it works extremely well. There are layers of twists and revelations I didn't see coming. It doesn't start with the usual immediate premise that tradwives are to be despised (or at least disapproved of.) Instead, after a prologue that provides just a glimpse of how bad things are going to get,  it gives us a look at Faith and her life and some chances to see her facade slip just a bit. And it builds from there.