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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Murder at a London Finishing School in Books
Jul 26, 2023 (Updated Jul 26, 2023)
Returning to Their Alma Mater Means Murder
Brit Edwina Davenport and American Beryl Helliwell first met at Miss DuPont’s Finishing School for Young Ladies and forged their decades long friendship there. But now they’ve been hired by Miss DuPont to find out what is going on at the school that is driving down enrollment. The duo aren’t getting far with their investigation when they stumble on a dead body. Have the pranks escalated to murder?
If you look for the dead body to drop early, you might be disappointed with this book. I wasn’t. Between the early investigation and meeting the new characters, there was plenty to keep me engaged. Of course, things kick up a notch when murder enters the story. The ending, while logical, did feel a little rushed, but that was a minor complaint. We don’t see much of the series regulars, although a couple do make cameos. The new characters more than make up for it, and I appreciate how complex they were by the end. Beryl and Edwina grow as a result of visiting some place from their past. The story is set in the 1920’s, and things going on in society infuse the book. If you enjoy historical mysteries or mysteries set in England, you’ll be glad you picked this up.
If you look for the dead body to drop early, you might be disappointed with this book. I wasn’t. Between the early investigation and meeting the new characters, there was plenty to keep me engaged. Of course, things kick up a notch when murder enters the story. The ending, while logical, did feel a little rushed, but that was a minor complaint. We don’t see much of the series regulars, although a couple do make cameos. The new characters more than make up for it, and I appreciate how complex they were by the end. Beryl and Edwina grow as a result of visiting some place from their past. The story is set in the 1920’s, and things going on in society infuse the book. If you enjoy historical mysteries or mysteries set in England, you’ll be glad you picked this up.
Merissa (11961 KP) rated The Ghost is Clear (A Series of Midlife Curses #1) in Books
Apr 21, 2021 (Updated Jul 27, 2023)
THE GHOST IS CLEAR is the first book in the Series of Midlife Curses and it starts off sort of sad. Brooke is fighting a losing battle to save her marriage to a complete jerk who blames her for everything. A series of even more unfortunate events send her back home and then the whole story really picks up.
I thought Brooke was an amazing character. She is no wallflower, even when her body hurts, and she is certainly not afraid of a little elbow grease. She is ably supported by Theo and Mitch, both of whom I want to see more of!
The pace of this book is smooth, taking you from her disastrous anniversary meal, through to the satisfying conclusion. There is a teaser for the next book, which made me smile. I love how Brooke is in her mid-forties, with a body that aches, and the determination to make things happen.
All in all, this was a brilliant read and a fantastic beginning to a new series! I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this book, and I eagerly await the next.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 21, 2021
I thought Brooke was an amazing character. She is no wallflower, even when her body hurts, and she is certainly not afraid of a little elbow grease. She is ably supported by Theo and Mitch, both of whom I want to see more of!
The pace of this book is smooth, taking you from her disastrous anniversary meal, through to the satisfying conclusion. There is a teaser for the next book, which made me smile. I love how Brooke is in her mid-forties, with a body that aches, and the determination to make things happen.
All in all, this was a brilliant read and a fantastic beginning to a new series! I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this book, and I eagerly await the next.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 21, 2021
ClareR (5686 KP) rated The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill in Books
Feb 26, 2022
Grace McGill is a professional death cleaner. She is the person that the authorities call to clean up after a dead body has been found. Usually a dead body that has lain there for months before being discovered. It’s a grim job, but Grace does it with respect and fastidiousness.
Grace is something of a loner. She only seems to have passing contact with those she works with, and her abusive father. In fact, she seems to build more of a relationship with the dead people she cleans up after. Which is how she notices that several of the bodies have something in common. A daisy is near the spot where each of the corpses was found.
One particular person, Thomas Agnew, really affects her. He has lain undiscovered for 5 months, seemingly missed by no one. She collects some photos from his room, hoping to give them to a family member at the funeral, and then notices the piles of newspapers. They are all dated the same day over a period of many years. Something happened on that day, and Grace wants to know what it is.
This book was so well written - unputdownable. It threw a huge curveball as well and the twist, when it came, was totally unexpected. It was macabre, quirky and so different from anything else I’ve read recently. It really is well worth a read!
Grace is something of a loner. She only seems to have passing contact with those she works with, and her abusive father. In fact, she seems to build more of a relationship with the dead people she cleans up after. Which is how she notices that several of the bodies have something in common. A daisy is near the spot where each of the corpses was found.
One particular person, Thomas Agnew, really affects her. He has lain undiscovered for 5 months, seemingly missed by no one. She collects some photos from his room, hoping to give them to a family member at the funeral, and then notices the piles of newspapers. They are all dated the same day over a period of many years. Something happened on that day, and Grace wants to know what it is.
This book was so well written - unputdownable. It threw a huge curveball as well and the twist, when it came, was totally unexpected. It was macabre, quirky and so different from anything else I’ve read recently. It really is well worth a read!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated A Slay Ride Together with You in Books
Sep 25, 2024
Spring Brings Another Murder to Rudolph
Spring in Rudolph, New York, American’s Christmas town, is usually a little show, which means it is the perfect time for Merry Wilkinson’s friends Vicki and Mark to plan their wedding. They’ve even managed to buy the Cole House to move into, but only because it needs a lot of work. However, things aren’t going well at the house since the couple are hearing strange noises in the night. Then, when Merry is visiting, the trio find a dead body. With Mark under suspicion, Merry starts gathering clues. Can she figure out what happened?
Normally, I enjoy this series, but this entry didn’t work for me. The story was too slow to get going. While things did pick up once we found the body, including giving us some great suspects, it wasn’t satisfying. Having said that, my questions were answered at the end. Since this is set in spring, it didn’t have quite the usual Christmas cheer, but I think that’s on me more than anything. The series regulars were still fantastic, and I did enjoy getting to see them again. And we got three recipes that Vicki has been working on for her cookbook. Fans of the series will be happy to check in on the characters, but everyone else can pass this one by.
Normally, I enjoy this series, but this entry didn’t work for me. The story was too slow to get going. While things did pick up once we found the body, including giving us some great suspects, it wasn’t satisfying. Having said that, my questions were answered at the end. Since this is set in spring, it didn’t have quite the usual Christmas cheer, but I think that’s on me more than anything. The series regulars were still fantastic, and I did enjoy getting to see them again. And we got three recipes that Vicki has been working on for her cookbook. Fans of the series will be happy to check in on the characters, but everyone else can pass this one by.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Marcella - Season 2 in TV
Apr 18, 2018
As gripping as series 1
The second series of Marcella sees the slightly manic, depressed, blackout-prone detective investigate the appearance of a child's dead body in the walls of a house being renovated. Following further child abductions or bodies and strange aspects of their killings, the case starts to look like something occult.
The plot includes many more characters and twists and turns than series 1 - many characters and their lives are introduced with tenuous connections to the plot which make you think they could be involved.
The series was gripping throughout and headed to a satisfying conclusion, though with a very unusual twist at the end.
The plot includes many more characters and twists and turns than series 1 - many characters and their lives are introduced with tenuous connections to the plot which make you think they could be involved.
The series was gripping throughout and headed to a satisfying conclusion, though with a very unusual twist at the end.
Lindsay (1717 KP) rated Mr. Miracle (Angelic Intervention, #10) in Books
Feb 8, 2018
I just loved this book. I love all of Debbie Macomber Books. I would have read the other nine books that go in this series. The way I read her books I can get though a few of them in a week.
Harry has a lot to learn about being in a human body for the first time. He has to deal with several different emotions and helping his charge and the other student in his classroom. He need to help Addie does not what to do when she runs into Erich. Harry his the college teacher where Addie has enrolled. He is help Addie and prompt her to help out.
Harry has a lot to learn about being in a human body for the first time. He has to deal with several different emotions and helping his charge and the other student in his classroom. He need to help Addie does not what to do when she runs into Erich. Harry his the college teacher where Addie has enrolled. He is help Addie and prompt her to help out.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Chalk Man in Books
Mar 2, 2018
Unnerving thriller with lots of different threads
While elements of this psychological thriller seem far-fetched, there's something ghoulish and almost Stephen King-like in its approach.
Following the narrative of Ed, the teacher recounts his childhood with his friends and the time they found the dismembered body of a young woman. In the meantime, chalk drawings keep appearing, and take a life of their own.
While the ending is startling and worth listening to the finish, at times the back and forth narrative from past to future becomes convoluted and can be hard to keep track, let alone concentrate. A good thriller, but with a lot of loose ends.
Following the narrative of Ed, the teacher recounts his childhood with his friends and the time they found the dismembered body of a young woman. In the meantime, chalk drawings keep appearing, and take a life of their own.
While the ending is startling and worth listening to the finish, at times the back and forth narrative from past to future becomes convoluted and can be hard to keep track, let alone concentrate. A good thriller, but with a lot of loose ends.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Dead and Berried (Gray Whale Inn Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Bed and breakfast owner Natalie Barnes finds the dead body of her part time employee in a cranberry bog. While the police rule it a suicide, Natalie doesn't think so. Meanwhile, her ex-fiancee has come to try to win her back. I love these characters and the plot was good. My only complaint is that one possible motive for the murder was almost exactly the same as in the first in the series. And since this is second in the series, that is disappointing.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-dead-and-berried-by-karen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-dead-and-berried-by-karen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Gluten for Punishment (A Baker's Treat, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Toni Holmes is opening a gluten free bakery in the small Kansas town where she grew up. She's expecting a little trouble from the local wheat farmers, but someone throws wheat filled balloons during the grand opening. Then a dead body is found outside her front door.
I liked Toni and the rest of the characters. However, I found the plot frustrating because events doubled for any real clues or twists. Poor editing left in several major mistakes as well. I won't be going further with this author.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/04/book-review-gluten-for-punishment-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I liked Toni and the rest of the characters. However, I found the plot frustrating because events doubled for any real clues or twists. Poor editing left in several major mistakes as well. I won't be going further with this author.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/04/book-review-gluten-for-punishment-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Hot, Shot, and Bothered (Lilly Hawkins, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
TV news shooter Lilly Hawkins is filming the wildfire burning out of control near Bakersfield when a body is found in a lake. When it turns out to be someone she knows and she doesn't buy the story of how she died, Lilly sets out to find the killer. I missed the supporting cast from the first book, although I still enjoyed my time with Lilly. Decent mystery, too. My biggest issue was actually the fire - hit a little too close to home for me.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-hot-shot-and-bothered-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-hot-shot-and-bothered-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.