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Amy-Faye and her friends have formed a book club in their town of Heaven, Colorado. The morning after they meet to discuss The Maltese Falcon, Amy-Faye goes to meet with a member only to find that member dying from poison. The police rule is a suicide, but Amy-Faye is certain it was murder. With the help of the other Readaholics, she starts poking around. But what secrets will they uncover?
There were a lot of characters introduced early on, and I had a hard time keeping them straight early on. However, as I began to get into the story, their different personalities made it easy to distinguish them. The plot was strong with great twists and a couple of good sub-plots. I was surprised by the ending, and set the book down wanting the next already. I can’t wait for the sequel.
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-readaholics-and-falcon.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
There were a lot of characters introduced early on, and I had a hard time keeping them straight early on. However, as I began to get into the story, their different personalities made it easy to distinguish them. The plot was strong with great twists and a couple of good sub-plots. I was surprised by the ending, and set the book down wanting the next already. I can’t wait for the sequel.
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-readaholics-and-falcon.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Out of Circulation (Cat in the Stacks, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Charlie Harris has joined the Friends of the Library board in time for their annual Christmas fundraiser. Unfortunately, he’s walked into a feud that has been going on for years between the elderly Ducote sisters and Vera Cassity, who likes to think of herself as a bigger deal in town than she is. The night of the gala, Vera takes a tumble down the stairs and breaks her neck. With the sheriff looking at Azalea, Charlie’s housekeeper, he needs to figure out what really happened.
As a fan of the Southern Ladies series, I was quite anxious to read the book that introduced the Ducote sisters. They are as much fun here as they are in their own series. We get to see a different side of a couple of series regulars as well, which I really enjoyed. The plot was strong and kept me going until the surprising yet logical conclusion.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-out-of-circulation-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
As a fan of the Southern Ladies series, I was quite anxious to read the book that introduced the Ducote sisters. They are as much fun here as they are in their own series. We get to see a different side of a couple of series regulars as well, which I really enjoyed. The plot was strong and kept me going until the surprising yet logical conclusion.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-out-of-circulation-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Lee Ann (116 KP) rated Opposition (Lux, #5) in Books
Mar 13, 2018
It's always weird when you finish a series of books. When it's a standalone novel, it's easier to let go of a set of characters, but with a series - especially when they go past the typical three - you spend so much time with the characters, they become a fixture for a while.
When I started the Lux series, I wasn't sold on it. I'm not a huge fan of YA novels at the best of times. Daemon amused me enough to keep me interested, though, so I slogged through the first and second books and hit the third... and that's when it captured me. Something clicked and the story became more than just a "yeah, it's not bad," to "holy shit, gimme more!"
Opposition has its issues. There are a couple of things I think could have been done better, but overall, a fantastic book which ties up the series nicely.
... and I've been informed today (and pre-ordered) that Luc is getting his own book in October this year (2018) so there's that!
When I started the Lux series, I wasn't sold on it. I'm not a huge fan of YA novels at the best of times. Daemon amused me enough to keep me interested, though, so I slogged through the first and second books and hit the third... and that's when it captured me. Something clicked and the story became more than just a "yeah, it's not bad," to "holy shit, gimme more!"
Opposition has its issues. There are a couple of things I think could have been done better, but overall, a fantastic book which ties up the series nicely.
... and I've been informed today (and pre-ordered) that Luc is getting his own book in October this year (2018) so there's that!
ClareR (5879 KP) rated Two Steps Forward in Books
Mar 30, 2018
I feel like a walk....
Zoe's husband has died suddenly in LA, Martin has recently gone through an acrimonious divorce in England. They both find themselves on the Camino de Santiago, a 2,000km pilgrimage, in order to find themselves (or in Martins case, to see a walking cart!). They meet a lot of new friends and, of course, each other. I rally didn't think I'd like this, but I was hooked after the first couple of chapters. I think the details about the walking and accommodation at the start rally helped to set the scene. The scenery was beautifully described, and I really liked all of the characters (even the seemingly unlikeable ones).
There's loads of humour, I laughed a lot, and near the end I found myself becoming quite emotional.
The start may have been slow, but it gathered momentum, and I really felt as though the pace drew me in to the story.
A thoroughly enjoyable book!
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this!
There's loads of humour, I laughed a lot, and near the end I found myself becoming quite emotional.
The start may have been slow, but it gathered momentum, and I really felt as though the pace drew me in to the story.
A thoroughly enjoyable book!
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this!
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Gone Without a Trace in Books
Feb 21, 2018
When Hannah returns home one day to find all traces of her boyfriend, Matt, have vanished, she is determined to figure out what has happened. While I was at times just as invested in figuring things out as Hannah was, at other times I felt frustrated with her for making what seemed to be foolish choices. Never having been in such a situation though, I cant say how I would react, so I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt and stuck with it even when I wanted to shout at her. Im glad I did the resolution was just as unexpected as I had hoped it would be.
Once it gets going, the story moves along at a good pace with very little downtime, and I read it in just a couple of sittings. Hannah may not be my favorite protagonist in the recent spate of thrillers with a twist, but the story is an enjoyable one, and I will definitely be on the lookout for the next book from Mary Torjussen.
Once it gets going, the story moves along at a good pace with very little downtime, and I read it in just a couple of sittings. Hannah may not be my favorite protagonist in the recent spate of thrillers with a twist, but the story is an enjoyable one, and I will definitely be on the lookout for the next book from Mary Torjussen.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated I is for Innocent (Kinsey Millhone #9) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Five years ago, Isabelle Barney was murdered on the day after Christmas. While her estranged husband was acquitted of the crime, her ex-husband is now suing him in civil court in a wrongful death case. Kinsey has been hired to help the lawyer win the case, taking over from a PI who just died. His notes were a mess, so she is completely retracing his steps. But as she goes, she begins to wonder just who committed the murder. Is she helping the court case, or hurting it?
Kinsey is back in top form in this book. The plot twists all over the place before coming to a perfectly logical climax. Henry and Rosie are involved in a very fun sub-plot that provides some laughs. The suspects are strong, and we meet a couple of new supporting characters since Kinsey has had to move her office.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-i-is-for-innocent-by-sue.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Kinsey is back in top form in this book. The plot twists all over the place before coming to a perfectly logical climax. Henry and Rosie are involved in a very fun sub-plot that provides some laughs. The suspects are strong, and we meet a couple of new supporting characters since Kinsey has had to move her office.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-i-is-for-innocent-by-sue.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated H Is for Homicide (Kinsey Millhone, #8) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Over the last couple of months, Kinsey has become friends with Parnell, an investigator at California Fidelity. So, she is shocked when Parnell is shot in the parking lot. With no leads, the case begins to fade, and even Kinsey is given a new case to investigate Bibianna for potential insurance fraud. Her plan is to get close to Bibianna and confirm the fraud, but Bibianna has secrets that complicate Kinsey’s plans. What will happen next?
This book starts well with an interesting first half, but then the second half really bogs down. The climax is almost anti-climactic in fact, and a huge change to Kinsey’s life is dashed off in a sentence. Furthermore, insurance fraud is the focus more than the homicide, which is disappointing for the “H” entry in the series. It’s not a bad book, but it’s definitely the weakest in the series to date.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/09/book-review-h-is-for-homicide-by-sue.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This book starts well with an interesting first half, but then the second half really bogs down. The climax is almost anti-climactic in fact, and a huge change to Kinsey’s life is dashed off in a sentence. Furthermore, insurance fraud is the focus more than the homicide, which is disappointing for the “H” entry in the series. It’s not a bad book, but it’s definitely the weakest in the series to date.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/09/book-review-h-is-for-homicide-by-sue.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated A Palette for Murder (Aurora Anderson Mystery #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Vista Beach is in the middle of a heatwave, and thieves are taking advantage of people leaving doors and windows open. It looks like Rory has stumbled on the aftermath of one such burglary when she finds her neighbor, Willow, dead on her kitchen floor. But the police aren’t buying robbery as a motive, and they focus on Rory’s friend Dawn as the killer. Can Rory learn the truth?
Naturally, it turns out that Willow had a number of secrets, and those kept the pages turning until we reached the end. I did figure things out a bit early, but my jaw still literally dropped at a couple of the twists along the way. The characters are good enough to make us care about the outcome, but they could still be a bit more developed. Still, this is a fun book that flew by all too quickly.
NOTE: I received an ARC.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-palette-for-murder-by-sybil.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Naturally, it turns out that Willow had a number of secrets, and those kept the pages turning until we reached the end. I did figure things out a bit early, but my jaw still literally dropped at a couple of the twists along the way. The characters are good enough to make us care about the outcome, but they could still be a bit more developed. Still, this is a fun book that flew by all too quickly.
NOTE: I received an ARC.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-palette-for-murder-by-sybil.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Killer Cocktail in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Nic and Nigel have recently discovered some home movies from the production of A Winter’s Night, a huge movie from 20 years ago famous not only for the wonderful story but the behind the scenes drama, including the death of the original star. They are the talk of the Oscars, but a break in convince the couple that there is someone on those tapes someone doesn’t want seen. Can they figure out what that is?
This is a second delightful romp with a modern day homage to The Thin Man, not that you need to be familiar with the original to enjoy this book. The book includes portions of the tapes that have been found, and since they introduce us to the suspects and motives, they are important. I thought I had things figured out early on, but I turned out to be wrong. The characters are a lot of fun, and the banter kept me grinning if not laughing outright.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/06/book-review-killer-cocktail-by-tracy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a second delightful romp with a modern day homage to The Thin Man, not that you need to be familiar with the original to enjoy this book. The book includes portions of the tapes that have been found, and since they introduce us to the suspects and motives, they are important. I thought I had things figured out early on, but I turned out to be wrong. The characters are a lot of fun, and the banter kept me grinning if not laughing outright.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/06/book-review-killer-cocktail-by-tracy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Bear Witness to Murder in Books
May 30, 2018
Oktobearfest is Off to a Murderous Start
It’s October, and the town of Silver Hollow is getting ready for their Oktobearfest, a teddy bear themed Oktoberfest event for the entire family. Things are kicking off with a kid and teddy bear friendly tea that Sasha Silverman is helping with. She’s trying to avoid her high school nemesis, Holly Parker, when Holly’s assistant Gina interrupts the tea to announce she is suing the mayor. The next morning, Sasha finds a dead body. Despite vowing to stay out of it, she finds herself pulled into the investigation. Will she learn the truth?
There is a lot going on here, and it really pulled me into the story. I finished the book in just a couple of days, in fact. I kept switching what I thought was going on, but when we reached the climax, everything made perfect sense. I did catch a major timeline issue, however, something that always annoys me. The main characters, both series regulars and suspects, are strong and really drew me into the story as well.
There is a lot going on here, and it really pulled me into the story. I finished the book in just a couple of days, in fact. I kept switching what I thought was going on, but when we reached the climax, everything made perfect sense. I did catch a major timeline issue, however, something that always annoys me. The main characters, both series regulars and suspects, are strong and really drew me into the story as well.