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The Affacombe Affair (Pollard and Toyne #2)
The Affacombe Affair (Pollard and Toyne #2)
Elizabeth Lemarchand | 2018 | Crime, Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A great, old-fashioned, cosy mystery!
I have really enjoyed the first two books in this republished series - I honestly didn’t expect to. It’s such a nice, comfortable read though. The storyline nicely plays out (well, as nicely as a murder can!), the characters are all very likeable (especially Pollard and Toyne), and the way they go about their investigations is really rather interesting. This is not a story set in modern time - it’s set in the 1960s, so before DNA testing and all of the technology that we have today. So the story hangs on old fashioned humans using their brains and experience to work it out. I like these stories a lot, and I’m very glad that Sapere books sent me a copy to read and honestly review!
  
The Cat Who Caught a Killer
The Cat Who Caught a Killer
L T Shearer | 2022 | Crime, Mystery
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I love cats and I love reading about murder (strange I know!) so even though this book is quite different to what I normally read, I thought I'd give it a go and, overall, it was pretty good.

This is definitely what is called a 'cosy mystery'; it is not offensive or violent. Emily's mother in law dies suddenly and unexpectedly and whilst her death is put down to natural causes, Emily, an ex Police Officer, is not convinced and so sets off to get to the truth along with a talking cat that has adopted her.

I thought I would struggle with the talking cat angle but whilst it was a little absurd at the beginning, it worked really well and, I think, it symbolised Emily's inner voice.

With great characters and a good story line, this is an easy to read mystery. There are twists and turns but, unfortunately, they weren't too much of a surprise so this let it down a little and although the pace was steady, there was a little bit too much description at times which slowed the story down somewhat.

Overall though, I would recommend to those who enjoy a simple, easy to read and inoffensive mystery and my thanks must go to PanMacmillan, Macmillan and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Cat Who Caught a Killer.
  
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Merissa (13878 KP) rated The Quid Pro Quo (The Bradfield Trilogy #2) in Books

Jan 7, 2022 (Updated Jul 5, 2023)  
The Quid Pro Quo (The Bradfield Trilogy #2)
The Quid Pro Quo (The Bradfield Trilogy #2)
A.L. Lester | 2021 | LGBTQ+, Mystery, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE QUID PRO QUO is the second book in the Bradfield Trilogy although you could, as I have, read it as a standalone.

It is set in 1920s England where magic comes alive in a not-so-fun way. Walt is the nurse to Sylvia's doctor, and the story starts with them being called to the village duck pond as a body has been found. The mystery unravels as the story progresses, giving you insight into a world 'other' than our own.

This is paced perfectly for a cosy mystery - with questions aplenty until it is all explained nicely and wrapped in a bow. I really want to read books one and three now (even though book three isn't even available yet) just to see where it takes me. The characters are wonderfully relatable and the world is both realistic and nostalgic in a rose-tinted glasses kind of way.

The story and characters held my attention from the beginning and kept me enthralled until the end. Thoroughly enjoyable and absolutely recommended by me.

** 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!
Jan 7, 2022
  
Shifting and Shenanigans (Magical Mystery Book Club #1)
Shifting and Shenanigans (Magical Mystery Book Club #1)
Elizabeth Pantley | 2022 | Mystery, Paranormal
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Paige is a recent divorcee who's great grandma has gone to a better place and left her business the snapdragon Inn to her and her aunt glo. They take the bull by the horns and pack up what they own move across the country to where the Inn is. They discover a few different things about the Inn including the cosy murder mystery book club and how adventurous it can get reading.


Well, what can I say? I think Elizabeth is a Fantastic write and cannot praise her high enough. I thought very highly of her destiny falls series (I recommend that a read as well) and although this is book number 1 in this series I'm already waiting for the next one!


The way her writing just flows I never actually find myself questioning what is and isn't real as it seems like it could be even though I know it's impossible, I never seem to stutter or stop and think hold on a minute I'm just excited to read the next part of the story.


Well done Elizabeth you've got me hooked again!
  
Divorce is Murder (Toby Wong Mystery #1)
Divorce is Murder (Toby Wong Mystery #1)
Elka Ray | 2019 | Contemporary, Mystery, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Divorce is Murder is the first book in the Toby Wong series, and it introduces us to a female, family-lawyer whose client is a blast from the past. Toby had a major crush on Josh Barton when they were young, but bullies made sure it next happened. Now, nineteen years later, she's back where it all began.

I would class this more as mystery than romantic suspense as Toby isn't sure who she wants, although I'm not very clear on why! There is a police officer who is interested in her, he is not a liar and plays no games, but she seems more interested in a crush from nearly twenty years ago who has constantly lied to her. Hmm, I guess you can see who is my favourite, but I'm guessing this is a storyline for further into the series.

There is a great cast of characters - from a psychic, whimsy-loving mom, to the bullies from Toby's childhood. Some of the mystery was obvious (to me) and some of it, not. I thoroughly enjoyed the build up and the climax to this story.

With no errors that disrupted my reading, this was an enjoyable read from beginning to end, and I have no hesitation in recommending it for all fans of cosy murder-mysteries.

* 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!