
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 KP) rated Murder Italian Style in Books
Jun 18, 2025
Since we are out of the country, we don’t see most of the usual gang, but the new characters make up for it. We come to care for them enough to make us care about the outcome of this cold case. There are a couple of small things that could have used a little more explanation, but the main questions are answered satisfactorily. We may be in a foreign country, but we still get Samantha’s usual wit and breezy narration. And her love of snack foods takes an Italian turn, which left me hungry. Fans will enjoy this trip abroad. Pack your bags for another fun mystery.
Jane Doe January: My Twenty-Year Search for Truth and Justice
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In the vein of Alice Sebold's Lucky, comes a compelling, real-life crime mystery and gripping memoir...

Emergency Powers (Imogen Trager #3)
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The accidental president is no accident. The investigation that was FBI Agent Imogen Trager’s...
Suspense Thriller Imogen Trager

Lesley (60 KP) rated Rust & Stardust in Books
Aug 9, 2018
Firstly, this book was absolutely beautiful in the face of a terribly ugly subject matter. For once, the blurbs on the book cover were extremely accurate. I do wish I hadn't Googled the real Sally Horner case when I was 90% done with the book, thinking that everything that was gonna happen had already happened. Don't do that. But even having done that, I sat through the last 10% blubbering in public. I was crying on and off during reading the book, as my heart just ached for this poor girl and the cast of characters that saw her light as they came into her life. I fell in love with Sally, and with all the kind souls that surrounded her as she was being abused. Emotionally engulfing, sad but beautiful, this was one of the most unique reading experiences I have ever had. It felt like a massively upgraded In Cold Blood, with an absolutely gripping writing style that will leave you heartbroken and encouraged at the same time. If you read one book this year, consider making it this one.

The Devil at Genesee Junction: The Murders of Kathy Bernhard and George-Ann Formicola, 6/66
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Today you'd call Ballantyne suburban, but back then, at the start of the summer of 1966, it was...

The Shadow of the Wind: The Cemetery of Forgotten Books 1
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A stunning literary thriller in the tradition of Umberto Eco. The discovery of a forgotten book...

Off with His Head / Singing in the Shrouds / False Scent
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Commemorating 75 years since the Empress of Crime's first book, the seventh volume in a set of...
Witchfinder
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A brilliant novel of espionage and betrayal from 'one of Britain's most accomplished thriller...

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 KP) rated Hems and Homicide in Books
Jul 10, 2020
I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about this book, and it is easy to see why. Author Elizabeth Penney has created a wonderful location. Blueberry Cove is the kind of town I’d love to visit. Iris leads a cast of charming characters that I can’t wait to get to know better as the series progresses. While the plot got out to a great start, I did feel it bogged down a bit early on in the book. But once it kicked into high gear, we got some great twists before everything was neatly tied up. Prepare to be charmed when you pick up this book.
