CORAL REEF VIEWS by Vicki Delany is the third book in the Ashley Grant mystery series. The story takes place in the Caribbean on the Victoria and AlbeCORAL REEF VIEWS by Vicki Delany is the third book in the Ashley Grant mystery series. The story takes place in the Caribbean on the Victoria and Albert Islands. It worked as a stand-alone novel for me.
Ashley Grant is a paramedic that now lives and works in the Caribbean. Her Canadian parents visit her, but her recently retired father soon gets bored. He meets and makes friends with Paul McIntosh, another Canadian visiting the islands. When Paul disappears, Ashley’s father, Frank, is determined to find him and Ashley helps him.
Ashley, her boyfriend, and her parents are likeable characters, but there was not a lot of time for character development in this novella. However, their motivations seemed believable, with well-drawn and appropriate emotions and the plot was clear and well-executed. The prose was engaging and readable. The ending was satisfying, but not a surprise. I loved the cover and title, but it did not tie in to the story line.
Overall, this was a good book that was well-crafted and I would recommend it to those that want a short and concise, but entertaining amateur sleuth read.
Thanks to Orca Book Publishers and Vicki Delany for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
LIAR LIAR by Mel Sherratt is the third book in the DS Grace Allendale crime thriller series. The story takes place in England and the author brought tLIAR LIAR by Mel Sherratt is the third book in the DS Grace Allendale crime thriller series. The story takes place in England and the author brought this reader a gripping, intense and intriguing story.
When a young boy falls from a balcony, DS Grace Allendale and her partner DS Frankie Higgins are nearby on another police matter so they are quick to arrive, but no one seemed to see anything and the parents say it was an accident. Grace and Frankie work to find out the truth, but that is more easily said than done. Meanwhile other police-involved incidents happen in the area of the same block of flats.
What is going on? Are the events related or not? Who saw what and who is lying? The plot switches back and forth between two different timelines and this detracted a little bit from the overall flow. However, by the end of the book, it made total sense as to why the author did this. There are lots of twists and turns in this engrossing, shocking, and suspenseful book. Themes explored include murder, assault, family, gambling, deceit, lying, gangs, the criminal underworld, and much, much more.
The characters were compelling and three-dimensional with clear goals. The secondary characters were well-rounded and enhanced the story. The stakes and tension were high throughout most of the story making it a true page-turner.
Overall, I enjoyed this well-written novel and recommend the series to those that enjoy crime thrillers and police procedurals. It is the first book that I have read by this author and I am already looking forward to reading the first two in the series. This is an amazing “new to me” author.
Thanks to Avon Books UK and Mel Sherratt for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
A SPELL FOR TROUBLE by Esme Addison is the first book in the An Enchanted Bay paranormal cozy mystery series. The story takes place in Bellamy Bay, NoA SPELL FOR TROUBLE by Esme Addison is the first book in the An Enchanted Bay paranormal cozy mystery series. The story takes place in Bellamy Bay, North Carolina and the author does a great job of world-building. Alexandra Daniels lost her mother when she was young and recently lost her father. She hasn’t been to visit her aunt and cousins in North Carolina since she was a child. Instead, she has focused on her career in risk management in New York. However, she decides to accept an invitation and visit her relatives and help them for a few weeks in their family business, an herbal apothecary.
Alex is a compelling character that is engaging and someone you can root for. Her goals were clear and proactive enough to influence the plot with believable motivations. The secondary characters were well-rounded and enhanced the story. I was immediately drawn into the story and the vivid descriptions of the seaside town gave me a great sense of the place.
There are a lot of themes woven into this story including murder, marital affairs, secrets, rumors, family rivalries, making wrong assumptions, the importance of family, and much more. While I guessed who the murderer was, there were several twists and turns along the way and one very large surprise.
Overall, I enjoyed this well-written novel and recommend the series to those that enjoy this genre. It is the first book that I have read by this author and I am already looking forward to the next one. I liked how magic was weaved into the plot of this cozy mystery without overwhelming it. This was a solid start to a new series that was engaging and entertaining.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Esme Addison for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
HERO’S HAVEN by Rebecca Zanetti is the eleventh book in the Dark Protectors paranormal romantic suspense series. It worked as a stand-alone novel for HERO’S HAVEN by Rebecca Zanetti is the eleventh book in the Dark Protectors paranormal romantic suspense series. It worked as a stand-alone novel for me and is the second book that I have read in the series this year. However, I believe reading the previous books would likely add to a reader’s enjoyment of the novel.
The story takes place in several fantasy worlds as well as several western USA states including Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah. Haven Daly dreams of a tormented man every night and thinks she can talk to him. During the day, she paints him and has even got a showing of her art in a gallery. Meanwhile, Quade Kayrs has experienced pain, torture, and isolation for lifetimes. He keeps his sanity through visions of a beautiful woman. Haven is a strong, independent woman who doesn’t easily succumb to heavy-handed protectiveness. Much to her amazement she is also an unusual blend of species making her a target for multiple groups. Meanwhile, Quade is dealing with new technology, family reunions, and a woman who won’t do as he demands.
The story had me hooked quickly and the tension and action as well as the romantic sparks did not let up throughout the book. The main characters are compelling and well developed with clear goals and motivations. The story delivers on the promise of its opening scenes and includes demons, vampires, steamy romance scenes, species hybrids, fae, humor, enemies, other dimensions, murder, kidnappings, brotherhood, vows, family, adoption, humor, the expected alpha males, and so much more.
Overall, I enjoyed this well-written novel and recommend the series to those that enjoy this genre. The plot was engrossing, fast-paced, action-packed, entertaining and thought-provoking. The world-building was intriguing and very visual. The ending was satisfying and intense. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
Thanks to Kensington Books / Lyrical Underground and Rebecca Zanetti for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
THE VANISHING ANGLE by Linda Ladd is the fifth book in the Will Novak thriller series. It worked as a stand-alone novel for me and is only the second THE VANISHING ANGLE by Linda Ladd is the fifth book in the Will Novak thriller series. It worked as a stand-alone novel for me and is only the second book that I have read in the series, but I believe reading the previous books would likely add to a reader’s enjoyment of the novel.
The story takes place in several states along the east coast of the USA and in Quebec, Canada. Will Novak is a private detective that has sailed his boat up the Potomac River to meet his girlfriend Lori Garner for dinner followed by two weeks of sailing. Lori currently works at the Pentagon and both of them are veterans. However, Will is kidnapped, drugged and taken to a farm in Virginia; and this is just the beginning of the adventure.
The story had me hooked by the end of the first chapter and the tension and action did not let up throughout the book. The main characters are compelling and someone you can root for and they are well developed with clear goals and motivations. The story delivers on the promise of its opening scenes. Themes explored include espionage, drug trafficking, corruption, murder, lies, deceit, child abuse, child trafficking, abuse of power and much more.
Overall, I enjoyed this well-written novel and recommend the series to those that enjoy thrillers. The plot was engrossing, moving and thought-provoking. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
Thanks to Kensington Books / Lyrical Underground and Linda Ladd for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
A MYSTERIOUS MIX UP by J.C. Kenney is the third book in Allie Cobb cozy mystery series. The novel takes place in Indiana. It worked as a stand-alone nA MYSTERIOUS MIX UP by J.C. Kenney is the third book in Allie Cobb cozy mystery series. The novel takes place in Indiana. It worked as a stand-alone novel for me, but I believe reading the previous books would likely add to a reader’s enjoyment of the novel. I rated this one 3.5 stars and rounded up to 4 stars.
In this story, Allie Cobb returns home from a book conference and is looking forward to time with her cat Ursula (Ursi), her boyfriend Brent and his dog Sammy. Brent managers the installation of genealogy departments in libraries around the state and volunteers at the local library as well. The librarian, Vicky Napier, has been Allie’s mentor since she was in school. Allie and Brent find Vicky almost dead on the library floor. Who would want to kill her when she is ready for retirement? Allie feels she has to find the culprit, especially when Brent is on the police suspect list. While trying to solve the case, she is also looking for an intern to help her in her literary agency and finds time to visit friends and family.
The writing is appealing and entertaining. Allie feels three-dimensional and has clear goals with believable motivations. The secondary characters were well-rounded and enhanced the story. There are several red herrings, but I did determine the real culprit ahead of the book reveal. Several themes are explored in this book including murder, the difficulties of running a small business, small town dynamics, friendship, family, and much more.
I enjoyed this well-written novel and recommend this series to those that enjoy cozy mysteries that include small towns and pets. This is the first novel that I have read by this author, and I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
Thanks to Kensington Books / Lyrical Underground and J.C. Kenney for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
RIVER OF LIES by R.M. Greenaway is the fifth book in the B.C. Blues Crime series. The novel takes place mainly in North Vancouver, Canada. It worked aRIVER OF LIES by R.M. Greenaway is the fifth book in the B.C. Blues Crime series. The novel takes place mainly in North Vancouver, Canada. It worked as a stand-alone novel for me, but I believe reading the previous books would likely add to a reader’s enjoyment of the novel.
In this story, the North Shore RCMP brave the February wind, rain and cold to solve the murder of a young woman at the Riverside Secondary School as well as the disappearance of a young child during a dinner party. While Constable JD Temple focuses on the school murder, Constables Dave Leith and Cal Dion work the kidnapping.
The writing is engrossing and polished and I found myself mentally and emotionally involved with the characters in the story. There are a lot of characters that had very distinct flaws and a few that had virtues, but they all felt real and three-dimensional. The plot is complicated and had lots of twists and turns in this police procedural. As the story evolves, more layers are added to the mystery. Many themes are explored in this book including murder, relationships, drug use, deception, family, lying, secrets, custody battles over children and much more. While the school murder and the child’s disappearance are resolved in the book, there are other issues that are left open for future books. There are a lot of characters in this book and reading the series in order would likely help readers in this regard.
I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written novel and recommend this series to those that enjoy complicated police procedurals. This is the first novel that I have read by this author, and I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
Thanks to Dundurn Press and R.M. Greenaway for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
WICKED COWBOY WOLF by Kait Ballenger is the third book in the Seven Range Shifters series. The novel takes place mainly in Montana and Idaho and the fWICKED COWBOY WOLF by Kait Ballenger is the third book in the Seven Range Shifters series. The novel takes place mainly in Montana and Idaho and the first chapter drew me into the story of Jared Black and Maeve Gray.
In this story the wolf shifters work as ranchers. Jared was cast out of his pack for a crime he did not commit. Now he is known as Rogue, a shifter known to be a criminal. Maeve wants to save her species from the vampires. The two enter into an uneasy alliance.
This book has plenty of action as well as some humor to offset some of the darker scenes. It also has several steamy and passionate scenes. The attraction between Rogue and Maeve was front and center throughout the book. However, there is also suspense, deception, adventure, battles and much more. The characters are compelling and someone you can root for. They felt real and three-dimensional with believable motivations. Additionally, they reacted to events in a plausible manner. The descriptions were vivid and gave a clear sense of time and place.
I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written novel and recommend this fast-paced book to those that enjoy paranormal romance with some suspense and adventure. I look forward to reading other books in this series.
Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and Kait Ballenger for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
BLOOD & ASH by Deborah Wilde is a well-written urban fantasy detective book with a side of romance. It is book one in the Jezebel Files series.
This sBLOOD & ASH by Deborah Wilde is a well-written urban fantasy detective book with a side of romance. It is book one in the Jezebel Files series.
This story mainly takes place in Vancouver, Canada where some people have magic and others don’t. Ashira Cohen is the only female private investigator in Vancouver and she works on non-magical cases. When she takes on a missing person case, she feels it will be an easy case. However, she is attacked and hits her head. A hidden tattoo is revealed and, much to her amazement, she finds that she has supernatural powers. Added to this there are multiple abductions, an evil mastermind organization and a need to work with Levi, the leader of the magic community.
This book is described as a snarky urban fantasy detective series. I agree that it delivers on this, but it is much more than that. It has a strong protagonist, complex mysteries to be solved, likeable secondary characters, great world building and some steamy romance. The main characters are someone you can root for and they definitely have distinct voices. The relationships between the characters are believable. There is plenty of action as well as some humor to offset some of the darker scenes. The romance has potential as the series develops.
I recommend this fast-paced book to those that enjoy urban fantasies with both mystery and a bit of romance. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. I also want to check out this author’s Nava Katz series.
Thanks to Te Da Media / Xpresso Book Tours and Deborah Wilde for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
HEMS & HOMICIDE by Elizabeth Penney is a well-written cozy mystery. It is book one in the Apron Shop series.
This story takes place in and around BlueHEMS & HOMICIDE by Elizabeth Penney is a well-written cozy mystery. It is book one in the Apron Shop series.
This story takes place in and around Blueberry Cove, Maine. Iris Buckley moved back to her home town when her grandfather was ill. With his death, she decides to stay home and she and her grandmother Anne decide to open a local store Ruffles and Bows to complement Iris’ online retail endeavor. She sells hand-made aprons and they are adding hand-made and vintage linens to the inventory for the store. While starting the retail space renovation a skeleton is found in the basement. Anne recognizes a scarf on the skeleton that belonged to an old friend. When a second body shows up in the store, Anne becomes a prime suspect.
Iris and Anne are both likeable characters and the secondary characters enhance the story and add depth to the story. The author did a great job in depicting the small town atmosphere without making the situations feel contrived. There are plenty of red herrings in the story line along with a fast pace. It was certainly an entertaining read. This book contains plenty of themes ranging from murder, family relationships, romantic relationships, small towns, business start-ups, friendship, and much more.
I recommend this book to those that enjoy cozy mysteries with a hint of romance. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. I also want to check out this author’s other series.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Elizabeth Penney for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
SECRETS AND DECEPTIONS by Lorelei Confer is a well-written romantic suspense novel and is book three in the Saddle Creek series. It worked well as a sSECRETS AND DECEPTIONS by Lorelei Confer is a well-written romantic suspense novel and is book three in the Saddle Creek series. It worked well as a stand-alone novel.
This story takes place in and around Saddle Creek, Wyoming. Avri Lawrence and Dillion Davidson were high school sweethearts. While Avri heads to college to become a lawyer, Dillion enlists in the military and leaves her broken-hearted despite his promise to return. He returns four years later and they are still attracted to each other, but both of them have also changed and both have secrets. However, when Avri’s life is threatened, she wonders if Dillion will help her.
Avri and Dillion are compelling and complex characters and definitely a couple you can root for. They felt real and three-dimensional and both had flaws and virtues. Their motivations were believable and the secondary characters were well-rounded and contributed to the story rather than detracting from it. The story has a lot of tension and several intense scenes.
Themes weaved into this novel include PTSD, picking up relationships after several years, feelings of betrayal and abandonment, trust, long-term friendships, communication, and much more.
Overall, I was fully engaged from the beginning and hoping for a happily ever after ending. Does it happen or do they go their separate ways?
I recommend this book to those that enjoy their romance with some suspense. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Thanks to Backlit PR and Lorelei Confer for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
1/21/2020 Update: It is now 2 weeks prior to publication and I can now post my review here.
THE MUSEUM OF DESIRE by Jonathan Kellerman is the 35th book1/21/2020 Update: It is now 2 weeks prior to publication and I can now post my review here.
THE MUSEUM OF DESIRE by Jonathan Kellerman is the 35th book in the Alex Delaware series. This is a favorite series of mine and this installment did not let me down.
Los Angeles Police Lieutenant and psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware team up again when four people are found dead and strangely displayed in car at a vacant mansion in Bel Air. Multiple causes of death and a lot of twists, turns and blind alleys make for a great police procedural.
The story grabbed me right away and kept me turning the pages. The interactions between the characters are always great. In this case, several detectives also worked on the case and added to the depth of the plot. The characters felt real and three-dimensional. The characters acted in a plausible way.
This story was very complex and takes a look at the dark side of art, of homelessness, and of a demented mind. Other themes include revenge and violence. There are some graphic scenes depicted and there is some exploration of detectives dealing with the aftermaths of violence. The ending was dramatic and unexpected.
Overall, this was a page-turner that kept me engaged throughout. I recommend this book to those that enjoy great police procedurals and those that enjoy this series. While not absolutely necessary, I would recommend reading the series in order to gain more insight into the characters and their growth over time.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Books and Jonathan Kellerman for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Review to come around 1/21/2020 (two weeks prior to publication per publisher's request)....more
COLD HEART CREEK by Lisa Regan is the seventh book in the Detective Josie Quinn series. This book worked well as a standalone novel for me, but the prCOLD HEART CREEK by Lisa Regan is the seventh book in the Detective Josie Quinn series. This book worked well as a standalone novel for me, but the previous books would likely add more background and show character evolution over time.
This story takes place in and around Denton, Pennsylvania. When a park ranger finds two bodies near Cold Heart Creek, Detective Josie Quinn and her boyfriend, Lieutenant Noah Fraley and many others from the Denton police force work the case. When combing the area, a third sleeping bag is found and the team is not only looking for cause of death for the couple, but looking for the third person that was camping with them.
Josie and Noah are compelling characters and someone you can root for. They felt real and three-dimensional and definitely had both flaws and virtues. Their motivations were believable and the secondary characters were well-rounded and contributed to the story rather than detracting from it. There were plenty of plot twists and turns as well as red herrings. While the romantic relationship between Josie and Noah was weaved into the plot, it did not detract from the story line.
Themes weaved into this novel include domestic violence, PTSD, a strange commune, murder, caverns, heat, rain, kidnapping and much more. This was a complicated case and Josie and the team had to cut through the lies in order to find the truth.
Overall, I was hooked immediately in the first chapter and the pages kept turning. The novel kept me engaged throughout. I recommend this book to those that enjoy thrillers, great police procedurals and those that enjoy this series. While not absolutely necessary, I would recommend reading the series in order to gain more insight into the characters. I look forward to the next book in this series.
Thanks to Bookouture and Lisa Regan for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
THE SEEKING SERUM by Frank L. Cole is the third and final book in the Middle grade children’s fantasy Potion Masters series. I rated this one 3.5 starTHE SEEKING SERUM by Frank L. Cole is the third and final book in the Middle grade children’s fantasy Potion Masters series. I rated this one 3.5 stars and rounded down to 3 stars. The only reason that I rounded it down is that this is the only book in the series that I have read and I was completely lost in the beginning of the book. There are terms and categories of people that are unique to this fantasy world that were not initially apparent. As the book goes on, the reader gains the necessary knowledge, but it was somewhat bewildering to someone that had not read books one and two.
Our main protagonist is Gordy Stitser, an eighth-grade student with the ability to make potions. He and his family are hiding since his evil grandfather stole the Vessel which is the source of power for all potion masters. So, this is a fight of good versus evil with Gordy and his school friends playing major roles in the effort for good.
The plot is interesting and the goals of the characters are clear. Their interactions and motivations are believable and well-drawn. The battle scenes are described well and are mind-boggling. The scenes progress in a compelling manner with effective transitions.
Overall, this book was unique and interesting and I enjoyed it. The mechanical inventions and potions not only played a major role in the story, but were original and even somewhat strange. I would definitely recommend this book to those that enjoy this genre with the caveat that they read the series in order.
Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and Frank L. Cole for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
VERSE AND VENGEANCE by AMANDA FLOWER is the fourth book in the Magical Bookshop Mystery series. This is a cozy paranormal mystery series that centers VERSE AND VENGEANCE by AMANDA FLOWER is the fourth book in the Magical Bookshop Mystery series. This is a cozy paranormal mystery series that centers on a magical bookshop, Charming Books, and its owner Violet Waverly.
Violet’s grandmother is the town’s mayor and has arranged a bike race as a fundraiser for an Underground Railroad museum. Violet and her boyfriend, Police Chief David Rainwater, are participating in the race when they find private investigator Joel Redding dead. Violet works to identify the killer while keeping the bookstore’s magical capabilities a secret from David. The bookstore communicates with her through a book by Walt Whitman. There are several potential killers and the motive for the murder stays unclear throughout most of the novel.
The characters fit well into the quaint town and include a crow named Faulkner and a tuxedo cat named Emerson as well as Grandma Daisy and many others. Additionally the relationships between the characters do not come across as contrived. There are plenty of internal and external conflicts that are well defined for the main characters. The scenes progressed in a realistic manner and the author did a great job of world-building that gives the reader a clear sense of the fictional town of Crystal Springs, New York.
If you like cozy paranormal mystery books, bookstores, and Walt Whitman then you will likely enjoy this story as much as I did. I only wish I could go into Charming Books and explore the books that would find me while I was there. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Amanda Flower for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
THE MINT JULEP MURDERS by Angie Fox is the eighth book in the Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries series. This is a cozy paranormal mystery series, but thTHE MINT JULEP MURDERS by Angie Fox is the eighth book in the Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries series. This is a cozy paranormal mystery series, but this novel was much darker than previous ones.
Our protagonist is Verity Long and she can see, converse, and interact with ghosts. Additionally she has a gangster ghost housemate (Frankie) and a boyfriend (Ellis) that is a police officer. Together they visit the Mint Julep Manor, a haunted asylum undergoing renovations. One of the resident ghosts supposedly is from Frankie’s past and possibly has information that would allow Frankie to regain his memory, discover who killed him, and therefore help him move on. However, events never go as planned. Add a storm, water over the bridge, lack of electricity, no cell phone coverage and murder and what do you get? A well-written novel with more depth and darkness than many books in this sub-genre.
The story is fast-paced and pulls the reader into the story. The characters are compelling and believable (within the context of a paranormal setting). Additionally the relationships between the characters do not come across as contrived. There are plenty of internal and external conflicts that are well defined for the main characters. There are many plot twists and red herrings. The scenes progressed in a realistic manner and the author did a great job of world-building that gives the reader a clear sense of the old asylum.
Underlying the fictional story there was an underlying theme of how different people in authority at old mental hospitals thought of and treated patients. Additionally, there was some information on the type of “treatments” used many years ago and even some bizarre reasons that patients were even admitted.
I recommend that those that are interested in this series read most of the books in order. This one can be read as a stand-alone but does refer back to occurrences in previous books. Additionally, the characters grow over the course of the series. If you like cozy paranormal mystery books, then this may be a series that you would enjoy.
Many thanks to Author Collective 20 – Moose Island Books and Angie Fox for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
A LONGER FALL by Charlaine Harris is the second book in the new Gunnie Rose series. This series spans several genres including urban fantasy, western,A LONGER FALL by Charlaine Harris is the second book in the new Gunnie Rose series. This series spans several genres including urban fantasy, western, alternate history, and thriller with magic adding another level.
The story begins with our protagonist Lizbeth Rose (Gunnie Rose) on a train heading from Texoma to the country of Dixie with a new gunnie crew guarding a crate they need to deliver in Sally, a town in Dixie. By the end of the first chapter there has been an explosion and the train has been derailed near their destination. What started as an easy protection job has now evolved into something else. Lizbeth’s friend from book one, Eli Savarov shows up shown after the train derailment and they join forces to continue the mission. Both Lizbeth’s weapons expertise and Eli’s magic are needed to help them succeed. Who are their friends and who are enemies?
Dixie has some very old-fashioned beliefs that women should be wearing dresses, not pants. Additionally, this book takes on the underlying themes of racism and social stratification. There is not quite as much action in this book as in book one in the series, but there is still plenty of it as well as a couple of slightly steamy, but not graphic scenes.
Charlaine Harris is one of my favorite authors and she did not let me down with this unique addition to the new series. The worldbuilding is fantastic and the characters are compelling. Lizbeth's motivations are believable and well-drawn and the secondary characters were well-rounded and enhanced the story. Lizbeth is a strong, and capable female protagonist. The plot twists were believable but several were unexpected. The story moved at an appropriate pace. The scenes were well described and gave me a clear sense of place.
I recommend that those that are interested in this series read the books in order. The first book in the series explains the alternative history aspect that is not fully explained in book two. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you like blended genre books, then this may be a book that you would enjoy.
Many thanks to Saga Press / Gallery and Charlaine Harris for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
SNOW CREEK by Gregg Olsen is the first book in a new series featuring Detective Megan Carpenter and largely set in and around Port Townsend and Snow CSNOW CREEK by Gregg Olsen is the first book in a new series featuring Detective Megan Carpenter and largely set in and around Port Townsend and Snow Creek, Washington. The novel is a police procedural with a lot of suspense.
The story begins with an interesting hook and never lets up. Then Ruth Turner meets with Detective Megan Carpenter and claims her sister has been missing for over a month. Megan believes that an investigation is warranted and finds Ida’s teenage children alone and worried in their secluded farmhouse above Snow Creek. When a body is found a few days later, Megan works to identify and catch the killer. But more is going on that meets the initial eye. Additionally, Megan is still coping with secrets from her childhood when she had a different name. Can she cope with her memories and still solve a murder?
The characters are compelling as well as memorable and Megan is definitely someone you can cheer for. Her character feels real and three-dimensional. She is likeable and relatable. The secondary characters are well-rounded and the relationships are believable.
This book is fast faced and I did not want to stop reading it even when it was very late and I needed to sleep. The author does a great job of worldbuilding and gives the reader a vivid sense of the place and people of Snow Creek. The plot is complex with several different story lines. The main plot as well as many of the auxiliary story lines are wrapped up with some twists and shocks. However, there are a few open items that will likely play into future books in the series.
This is the only book that I have read by this author but I am looking forward to the next book in the series. What a great start to a new series. It is fresh and unique. I believe those readers that enjoy crime fiction and police procedurals with a little something extra will enjoy this book.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Gregg Olsen for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
AN ALE OF TWO CITIES by Sarah Fox is the second book in the Literary Pub Mystery series. It worked as a stand-alone novel for me. This is a cozy mysteAN ALE OF TWO CITIES by Sarah Fox is the second book in the Literary Pub Mystery series. It worked as a stand-alone novel for me. This is a cozy mystery series that centers on a literary-themed pub, the Inkwell, and its owner Sadie Coleman. The pub serves food and drink that have book pun names and the shelves in the pub are full of Sadie’s book collection.
The story begins as Sadie and the town of Shady Creek, Vermont gear up for the annual Winter Carnival. Sadie has only been in town for six months and is looking forward to all of the events. Her pub is hosting a literary quiz, but there are many events planned. When a famous chef that grew up in the town comes back to compete in the ice sculpture competition and is later found dead by Sadie, tensions and accusations arise. Many people had reasons to despise the chef and the pursuit of the killer’s identity unfolds with lots of twists and turns.
Sadie is a strong and intelligent protagonist. She wants to help support the town and her friends and employees. She is definitely someone you can cheer on as her investigations unfold to ensure that the real killer is found. At the same time, her pub puts together an impromptu team for the hockey competition, she is training for the snowshoe race, hosting book club meetings and participating in other carnival events. This was a fun read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The plot twists were believable and the characters were well defined. The author did a great job of bringing the winter setting and the town to life. There is even a bit of a romance forming to add to the enjoyment without detracting from the mystery.
If you like cozy mystery books, then you will likely enjoy this story as much as I did. For those that like cocktails, there are even a few recipes for literary-themed drinks at the end of the book. I look forward to reading the next novel in this series.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Sarah Fox for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
THE SNOW KILLER by Ross Greenwood is the first book in a new series featuring Detective Inspector John Barton. The novel is a combination of genres. PTHE SNOW KILLER by Ross Greenwood is the first book in a new series featuring Detective Inspector John Barton. The novel is a combination of genres. Part of it is historical mystery, part contemporary police procedural, and part an insight into a serial killer’s mind.
The novel is set in and near Peterborough in the United Kingdom, a place where the author was born and later visited many times. This lent authenticity to the sense of place. The opening scene starts fifty years ago when a family is gunned down in the snow. However, a teenager survives, takes revenge a few years later and becomes known as the Snow Killer. However, the case goes cold and is forgotten by most. Fifty years later, murders start again that are somewhat similar in style to the revenge killings. Has the Snow Killer started killing again or is this a copycat Snow Killer? The novel is told from the alternating points of view of two very different individuals, DI Barton and the Snow Killer.
The characters are compelling and their motivations seem believable and well-drawn. The reader gets insight into DI Barton’s family life as well as his team members working to solve the contemporary murders. The descriptions are vivid and give a clear sense of time and space. The insight and perspective of the Snow Killer is disturbing. The ending has a twist that I did not see coming until late in the book.
This is the only book that I have read by this author but I am looking forward to the next book in the series. What a great start to a new series. I believe those readers that enjoy police procedurals with a little something extra will enjoy this book.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and Ross Greenwood for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
Loading...
