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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2631 KP) rated The Scam in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The unlikely duo of criminal Nick Fox and FBI Agent Kate O’Hare are after a casino owner who is knowingly helping launder money that goes to terrorists. But as their con is set in motion, things quickly spiral out of control. Will they be able to turn their target into an FBI asset?
These books are always light, fun reads and this book is no exception. The characters could have more depth, but they are developed enough to keep my interest, and the crew that Nick and Kate always pull together is half the fun. The twists and plentiful and the ride is fun. I’m very anxious to get my hands on the next in the series.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-scam-by-janet-evanovich-and.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
These books are always light, fun reads and this book is no exception. The characters could have more depth, but they are developed enough to keep my interest, and the crew that Nick and Kate always pull together is half the fun. The twists and plentiful and the ride is fun. I’m very anxious to get my hands on the next in the series.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-scam-by-janet-evanovich-and.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2631 KP) rated Time's Up (Maisie McGrane Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Maisie is set to follow in the footsteps of some of her older brothers and her father and become a cop. That is until she fails the psych evaluation. So she decides to prove she can handle being hated by becoming a meter maid. But can she really handle the job?
This was a mixed bag. First of all, it is not a mystery. The dead body and who killed him is a poorly handled sub-plot at best. However, the coming of age aspect I did enjoy at times. At other times, it was slow. Likewise, some of the characters never rose above cliché while others were lots of fun. There’s potential for some good stories here, but this book isn’t at that level yet.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-times-up-by-janey-mack.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This was a mixed bag. First of all, it is not a mystery. The dead body and who killed him is a poorly handled sub-plot at best. However, the coming of age aspect I did enjoy at times. At other times, it was slow. Likewise, some of the characters never rose above cliché while others were lots of fun. There’s potential for some good stories here, but this book isn’t at that level yet.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-times-up-by-janey-mack.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2631 KP) rated Vanilla Beaned (Cupcake Bakery Mystery, #8) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Mel, Angie, and Tate are in Vegas to meet with their first potential franchise partner. After the first bakery location blows up when they go to visit it, the trio begin to suspect that someone is out to sabotage the franchise. But are they after our trio or the potential new owner?
While the book is set in Vegas, we still get plenty of time with the series regulars and movement on several key on going stories. The mystery is focused a bit more on the why of the sabotage instead of the who done it, and I liked that change of pace in the plot. The pages turned all too quickly, and it’s going to be a long wait until I can visit these friends again.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-vanilla-beaned-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
While the book is set in Vegas, we still get plenty of time with the series regulars and movement on several key on going stories. The mystery is focused a bit more on the why of the sabotage instead of the who done it, and I liked that change of pace in the plot. The pages turned all too quickly, and it’s going to be a long wait until I can visit these friends again.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-vanilla-beaned-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2631 KP) rated A Sticky Situation (Sugar Grove Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
It’s sugaring season, which means Dani Greene is super busy with the sap running, the annual Maple Festival, and the annual visit from her difficult great-aunt. The last things she needs is the body in the town hall basement. The remains are identified as a drifter who came through town 30 years ago and stole cash before he left. Now, Dani is asked to figure out who really took the money. Can she do that without getting in a killer’s crosshairs?
This series has some great characters, and it was a treat to get to visit them again. The new characters are just as strong. The main mystery and some sub-plots weave in and out of each other, and the result is a book I didn’t want to put down.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-sticky-situation-by-jessie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This series has some great characters, and it was a treat to get to visit them again. The new characters are just as strong. The main mystery and some sub-plots weave in and out of each other, and the result is a book I didn’t want to put down.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-sticky-situation-by-jessie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2631 KP) rated A Churn for the Worse (An Amish Mystery, #5) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The peaceful summer in Heavenly, Pennsylvania, is ruined when one of the Amish farmers is murdered. Was he targeted because he is Amish? Or was it part of a string of burglaries hitting that part of town? Claire and Jakob will have to work together to find out.
Once again, we are transported to the town of Heavenly and get to spend time with characters we have come to love. The growth in the characters and their relationships we see here is absolutely amazing. The mystery is good as well. I thought I had it figured out, but I only had a small portion of it figured out. If you like this series, you’ll love this book. And if you have yet to start this series, fix that today.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-churn-for-worse-by-laura.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Once again, we are transported to the town of Heavenly and get to spend time with characters we have come to love. The growth in the characters and their relationships we see here is absolutely amazing. The mystery is good as well. I thought I had it figured out, but I only had a small portion of it figured out. If you like this series, you’ll love this book. And if you have yet to start this series, fix that today.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-churn-for-worse-by-laura.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2631 KP) rated Scene of the Brine (Pickled & Preserved Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Coverdale is all talking about the Porter family who has just moved into town. Unfortunately, they arrive with the family accountant in tow, and Dirk Unger is not a nice man at all. When he is poisoned and the son of a friend becomes the prime suspect, Piper must jump in and figure out what really happened.
The book took a bit to get going, but once it did I was fully on board. I do like these characters, and it was great to see them again. The plot took some unexpected twists on the way to a creative climax, and I read the second half in one day so I could find out what was happening.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-scene-of-brine-by-mary.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The book took a bit to get going, but once it did I was fully on board. I do like these characters, and it was great to see them again. The plot took some unexpected twists on the way to a creative climax, and I read the second half in one day so I could find out what was happening.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-scene-of-brine-by-mary.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Maggie is trying to deal with what she saw and learned in Berlin while training future spies to help England during World War II. But when a friend gets in trouble, Maggie snaps out of her depression to help. Meanwhile, Japan and the US are not finding any common ground in November of 1941.
Fans of the series will appreciate the character development we get here with Maggie and some other series regulars. It feels like a slower book than normal, but it was needed and I never felt my interest waning. Maggie and the others take a back seat to the lead up to Pearl Harbor at times, but I found that part just as interesting, and I don't know how the author could have played it any differently for this series.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-prime-ministers-secret.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Fans of the series will appreciate the character development we get here with Maggie and some other series regulars. It feels like a slower book than normal, but it was needed and I never felt my interest waning. Maggie and the others take a back seat to the lead up to Pearl Harbor at times, but I found that part just as interesting, and I don't know how the author could have played it any differently for this series.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-prime-ministers-secret.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2631 KP) rated Feta Attraction (Greek to Me Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Georgie’s husband goes missing, she doesn’t think much of it. Spiro has done that several times since he came out of the closet. However, when he doesn’t show up for an appointment, she begins to worry, and the strange notes she is receiving aren’t helping. However, finding the body floating in the St. Lawrence River really makes her start to investigate. What is going on?
There are lots of threads at the start of this book, but they soon begin to weave into one coherent story. Georgie helps hold things together, too; she is such a likable main character, you can’t help but root for her to get a happy ending. I really enjoyed this debut and think it looks like the start of a fun series.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/01/book-review-feta-attraction-by-susannah.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
There are lots of threads at the start of this book, but they soon begin to weave into one coherent story. Georgie helps hold things together, too; she is such a likable main character, you can’t help but root for her to get a happy ending. I really enjoyed this debut and think it looks like the start of a fun series.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/01/book-review-feta-attraction-by-susannah.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Mask of Shadows in Books
Jul 10, 2018
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
When I first read the description of Mask of Shadows I knew I had to read it. It sounded absolutely fascinating and something just a little bit different than the normal Fantasy Young Adult novels on the market. The first thing that stood out to me was the gender fluid nature of the main character. It was well done. I loved the openness of this book and the fact that it wasn't highlighted too much. I loved how different Sal was and how the gender fluidity was there but more realistic in a sense.
The plot was intense and it kept my attention. I loved how it was Hunger Games meets Game of Thrones meets Selection. It was interesting to read and it had some twists and turns that had me on my toes.
Ultimately, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy and adventure.
When I first read the description of Mask of Shadows I knew I had to read it. It sounded absolutely fascinating and something just a little bit different than the normal Fantasy Young Adult novels on the market. The first thing that stood out to me was the gender fluid nature of the main character. It was well done. I loved the openness of this book and the fact that it wasn't highlighted too much. I loved how different Sal was and how the gender fluidity was there but more realistic in a sense.
The plot was intense and it kept my attention. I loved how it was Hunger Games meets Game of Thrones meets Selection. It was interesting to read and it had some twists and turns that had me on my toes.
Ultimately, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy and adventure.
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated The Abyss Surrounds Us in Books
Jan 23, 2020
<b><i>I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i></b>
For the last few months, every time the question, "What is your latest favorite read?" popped up on Twitter, I always answered the question with The Abyss Surrounds Us. All anyone needs to know about Skrutskie's lovely debut novel is the combination of sea monsters and pirates. (I personally didn't mind the LBGT element in the book, because it doesn't play a huge part in the story and most certainly doesn't overshadow the main plot.)
Also, cutest sea monster ever – I can't even imagine such cuteness being monstrous. I want one of my own. (So long as I'm not getting eaten. Everyone else is um… fair game.)
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/mini-reviews-part-1-emily-skrutskie-marie-lu-and-others/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
For the last few months, every time the question, "What is your latest favorite read?" popped up on Twitter, I always answered the question with The Abyss Surrounds Us. All anyone needs to know about Skrutskie's lovely debut novel is the combination of sea monsters and pirates. (I personally didn't mind the LBGT element in the book, because it doesn't play a huge part in the story and most certainly doesn't overshadow the main plot.)
Also, cutest sea monster ever – I can't even imagine such cuteness being monstrous. I want one of my own. (So long as I'm not getting eaten. Everyone else is um… fair game.)
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/mini-reviews-part-1-emily-skrutskie-marie-lu-and-others/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>