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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2633 KP) rated Birth of the Black Orchids in Books

Mar 25, 2026  
Birth of the Black Orchids
Birth of the Black Orchids
M. R. Dimond | 2021 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Two Cozy Stories Introduce Us to a Fun New Trio
This book is really two separate longish short stories that introduce us to JD Thomas and his friends Dianne Cortez and Johnny Ly. They have moved into a mansion in the town of Beauchamp, Texas. They have separate rooms upstairs and are opening businesses downstairs, lawyer, accountant, and vet. Days before Christmas, they hold an open house to show off the renovations and promote their businesses. Might something go wrong? Then, a couple of weeks later, a neighbor they are supposed to be helping vanishes. Where might she have gone?

I really did love meeting these characters. You can feel the bonds of friendship between them. However, the mystery in neither story is super strong. The Christmas setting of the first story helps with the cozy vibes. And if you are looking for those vibes, you won’t be disappointed to pick up this book.
  
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ClareR (6256 KP) rated The Hill in the Dark Grove in Books

May 29, 2026  
The Hill in the Dark Grove
The Hill in the Dark Grove
Liam Higginson | 2026 | Fiction & Poetry, Horror
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I listened to The Hill in the Dark Grove on Xigxag, narrated wonderfully by Richard Elflyn - he knew just when to ramp up the suspense!

What starts out as a harmless story of an elderly couple eking out an existence as Welsh hill farmers, becomes menacing when Carwyn discovers a prehistoric ruin in one of the fields on their land. He becomes consumed by the need to excavate. His wife Rhian, starts to realise that her husband is not well - he’s becoming a frightening, obsessed stranger.

The ancient stones that he digs up, take on a life of their own, influencing Carwyn, making him sick. This is a really spooky, unnerving book - there are some seriously scary parts later in the book, and probably best not read before bed (although the dreams are interesting!).

I loved this, and I can’t wait to see what Ian Higginson has in store for us next!
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2633 KP) rated Player Elimination in Books

Nov 13, 2025  
Player Elimination
Player Elimination
Shelly Jones | 2025 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Who Eliminated Wren’s Landlord?
Wren Winters is running the game story she and her late husband started in a small college town. Her biggest issue is her landlord, who is talking about doing something new with her building despite the fact that he uses the game store to try out new solo games himself. But one morning she arrives at the store to find the police there. Someone has murdered her landlord. But who?

I’ve gotten back into games the last couple of years, so I was hoping this would be a good cozy mystery with that theme. Sadly, it needed just a bit more. There is one character who uses they/them pronouns that I found distracting, but that’s probably mostly on me. Overall, the characters were a little flat. The mystery was uneven, although the ending was good. Even the games Wren and her friends played didn’t give us the details I was hoping to enjoy. Sadly, I don’t think I’ll continue this series.