{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.