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Hilary’s lack of activity has gotten her in trouble with Captain Blacktooth, and if she wants to retain her title as a pirate, she needs to go on a big quest. When her friend Miss Pimm is kidnapped, she decides to find her. However, is that a quest that Blacktooth will approve?
The plot was a little slow in this one, especially in the middle. The characters were still wonderful, and the humor I loved from the first book was still all over the book as well. Fans of the first will be glad to spend more time with Hilary and her friends.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/09/book-review-terror-of-southlands-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The plot was a little slow in this one, especially in the middle. The characters were still wonderful, and the humor I loved from the first book was still all over the book as well. Fans of the first will be glad to spend more time with Hilary and her friends.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/09/book-review-terror-of-southlands-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Dearly Depotted (A Flower Shop Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Abby is not only doing the flowers for her cousin's wedding, but she's in the wedding as a bridesmaid. But when someone crashes the wedding and then turns up dead, Abby has to set aside the flowers to help clear a friend of the crime.
It's been a couple years since I read this series, and I don't know why I let this book sit for so long. It was fun, and I really like the characters. The plot could use a few more twists and the characters could use a bit more development, but overall it was well worth reading.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-review-dearly-depotted-by-kate.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
It's been a couple years since I read this series, and I don't know why I let this book sit for so long. It was fun, and I really like the characters. The plot could use a few more twists and the characters could use a bit more development, but overall it was well worth reading.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-review-dearly-depotted-by-kate.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Foul Play at the Fair (Celebration Bay, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Liz Montgomery has moved to the town of Celebration Bay to help run the many events and festivals that are a key to the local economy. However, when a juggler is murdered at the harvest festival, her first event, might her career stop before it truly gets going?
The characters were so well developed I was pulled into this book, feeling the weight of each new revelation that Liz uncovered. The result was a rich mystery that I savored while still being pulled to discover who the ultimate villain was. I can’t wait to read more in this series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/09/book-review-foul-play-at-fair-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The characters were so well developed I was pulled into this book, feeling the weight of each new revelation that Liz uncovered. The result was a rich mystery that I savored while still being pulled to discover who the ultimate villain was. I can’t wait to read more in this series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/09/book-review-foul-play-at-fair-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Maple Mayhem (Sugar Grove Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Dani is working to set up a co-op for the syrup harvesters in her area so some of the smaller businesses can stay afloat. But someone has started to sabotage the farms that plan to join. But when murder gets added to the mix, Dani really has to dig in and figure out what is happening.
Despite several rounds of sabotage, this book started out a little slowly with an emphasis on Dani’s love life over the mystery. However, things really picked up in the second half. The characters were great once again, and I enjoyed spending time with them, which kept the first half from dragging too much.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/09/book-review-maple-mayhem-by-jessie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Despite several rounds of sabotage, this book started out a little slowly with an emphasis on Dani’s love life over the mystery. However, things really picked up in the second half. The characters were great once again, and I enjoyed spending time with them, which kept the first half from dragging too much.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/09/book-review-maple-mayhem-by-jessie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust (Flavia de Luce, #7) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Flavia has been sent to Canada and Miss Bodycote’s Female Academy for the fall 1951 term. She is very upset about being sent away from her family in England, but things definitely start looking up when a dead body falls out of her chimney on her first morning there. Who was the corpse? And who at the school is a killer?
Since this book takes place away from Flavia’s normal stomping grounds, it is easy to miss the series regulars. However, this book is filled with wonderful new supporting players. The book starts a little slowly as we are introduced to everyone, but soon we are caught in quite an interesting web that also advances the storyline introduced in the last book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-as-chimney-sweepers-come-to.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Since this book takes place away from Flavia’s normal stomping grounds, it is easy to miss the series regulars. However, this book is filled with wonderful new supporting players. The book starts a little slowly as we are introduced to everyone, but soon we are caught in quite an interesting web that also advances the storyline introduced in the last book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-as-chimney-sweepers-come-to.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Mrs. Pollifax and the Second Thief (Mrs Pollifax #10) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Mrs. Pollifax is off to Sicily after her friend Farrell sends out an SOS. When she arrives and meets up with him, she finds that several cars are following them. Has Farrell seen what he thought he saw? Who is after them, and why? And what does this have to do with the pictures she took before she left?
Some random elements start this book out, but they all fall into place fairly early, leaving us to enjoy the usual fun ride where Mrs. Pollifax is concerned. Unfortunately, the climax is a bit rushed and weak as a result. Still, these characters are great, and any fan of the series will be delighted to spend the time with them again.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/09/book-review-mrs-pollifax-and-second.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Some random elements start this book out, but they all fall into place fairly early, leaving us to enjoy the usual fun ride where Mrs. Pollifax is concerned. Unfortunately, the climax is a bit rushed and weak as a result. Still, these characters are great, and any fan of the series will be delighted to spend the time with them again.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/09/book-review-mrs-pollifax-and-second.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Red Velvet Revenge (Cupcake Bakery Mystery, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The summer heat is killing business for Fairy Tale Cupcakes, so when Mel and Angie get an offer to sell cupcakes at a rodeo in the mountains, it seems like a great idea. However, when someone is shot at the opening parade, they begin to wonder what they’ve landed in the middle of this time.
I found the first quarter of this book very slow since it sets up several things that could have been handled in a few pages or a couple of chapters max. Once the story does get started, it moves along at a great clip, however. The characters, both old and new, are wonderful, and the climax actually made me tear up.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-red-velvet-revenge-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I found the first quarter of this book very slow since it sets up several things that could have been handled in a few pages or a couple of chapters max. Once the story does get started, it moves along at a great clip, however. The characters, both old and new, are wonderful, and the climax actually made me tear up.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-red-velvet-revenge-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated True Stories in Books
Mar 9, 2018
This collection of 10 non-fiction stories feature stories of shipwreck and bear attack from the 1800’s, the life of Blues musician Muddy Waters, and growing up with six older brothers in Vietnam. Personally, I want to start exploring creeks like the guy who wrote the last chapter here.
I don’t normally read non-fiction, but I enjoyed all 10 of the stories here. They were entertaining, which is what it takes to keep me reading. Middle school guys will love it, and anyone looking to learn something in an entertaining fashion will enjoy it.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book, but no review was requested or promised. My thoughts are my own.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/09/book-review-guys-read-5-true-stories.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I don’t normally read non-fiction, but I enjoyed all 10 of the stories here. They were entertaining, which is what it takes to keep me reading. Middle school guys will love it, and anyone looking to learn something in an entertaining fashion will enjoy it.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book, but no review was requested or promised. My thoughts are my own.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/09/book-review-guys-read-5-true-stories.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
When Trixie learns that the local birds are having trouble finding food, she thinks it is the perfect project to keep the Bob-Whites busy during an especially harsh winter. They quickly decide to put on a pet show to raise funds. But someone disagrees. Who is out to sabotage the show?
Most fans of the series focus on the elements that seem out of place – Mart working on a computer and the Sleepyside mall. However, I still like this book. The plot seems weak for an entry in the series, and the crime is a little forced, but that’s my only complaint. There are some good opportunities for character growth, and the story is still fun overall.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-pet-show-mystery-by-kathryn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Most fans of the series focus on the elements that seem out of place – Mart working on a computer and the Sleepyside mall. However, I still like this book. The plot seems weak for an entry in the series, and the crime is a little forced, but that’s my only complaint. There are some good opportunities for character growth, and the story is still fun overall.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-pet-show-mystery-by-kathryn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated The Baker Street Jurors (Baker Street Letters, #5) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Nigel has been roped into jury duty, and he’s landed on the high profile case of a cricket star who is accused of killing his wife. But one of the jurors is using some very familiar phrases. And accidents seem to happen to the other jurors. What is going on?
I’ve enjoyed the letters to Sherlock aspect of the earlier books in the series. In this book, that played a very small part of the story, so small it almost didn’t really matter. The mystery and the court case were interesting, but the plot was still a little weak. Fans of the series will enjoy spending time in this world, but the earlier books were more creative.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-baker-street-jurors-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I’ve enjoyed the letters to Sherlock aspect of the earlier books in the series. In this book, that played a very small part of the story, so small it almost didn’t really matter. The mystery and the court case were interesting, but the plot was still a little weak. Fans of the series will enjoy spending time in this world, but the earlier books were more creative.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-baker-street-jurors-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.