{I've Been Reading}

Probable Caws by Donna Andrews 

I jumped into the Meg Langslow mystery series with the 34th book (Let it Crow, Let it Crow!)  Despite the fact that I was missing years and years of backstory, I immediately fell in love with Meg and her wonderful extended family. I was excited to see that the newest book takes us back to Ragnar's castle and Meg's blacksmithing -- and the crows! Fifty rescue horses have been displaced from the farmland where they were being cared for and everyone is on hand to get them safely situated in Ragnar's barns and pastures. The horses are settling in well, but there's plenty of conflict between their caregivers and (of course) a body discovered in a barn in the middle of the night... All of the best elements of this series come together in a fast paced read with a satifying mystery at its center. 

The Women in White by Sarah Pekkenen

I absolutely loved this book! It has so many elements that appealed to me, especially the 1960s setting and parapsychology experiments. Dual timelines alternate between four young college students being tested for psychic abilities and Riley, a young woman who has accepted as job as caretaker for Betty, an elderly woman who really doesn't seem to need her services. Betty's house is a time capsule that she hasn't left in years. When she asks Riley to help her contact her old friends, it quickly becomes obvious to the reader that something happened back in 1964 and the tension gradually builds until you start to fear just how bad it's going to be. By the end, I was gripping the edges of my phone. Quotes at the beginnings of the chapters remind us that this kind of research was a real thing.

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

{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.