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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2621 KP) rated A Killing Way in Books
May 8, 2025 (Updated May 8, 2025)
Tracking a Painting Stolen by a Dead Man
When famed silent film cowboy William S. Hart hires Nate Ross, he is looking for a portrait that was recently stolen from his home. He even knows who stole it. The catch? The thief was killed in a suspicious accident that has deeply divided the community of cowboy actors. Can Nate navigate the controversy and find the painting?
Since I live in the town that William S. Hart called home, I got a kick out of seeing a couple places I know well show in this historical mystery. The plot and pacing were great, and I had a hard time putting down this PI novel. Speaking of being a PI novel, there is a little more content than I might normally read, but it was a small amount. The characters are good overall. A few could be stronger, but fans will be happy to spend more time with everyone. If you haven’t started this fun series yet, fix that today.
Since I live in the town that William S. Hart called home, I got a kick out of seeing a couple places I know well show in this historical mystery. The plot and pacing were great, and I had a hard time putting down this PI novel. Speaking of being a PI novel, there is a little more content than I might normally read, but it was a small amount. The characters are good overall. A few could be stronger, but fans will be happy to spend more time with everyone. If you haven’t started this fun series yet, fix that today.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2621 KP) rated #Throwback for Murder in Books
Jun 4, 2025 (Updated Jun 4, 2025)
Coco Won’t Want to Post This Throwback
It’s been a quiet nine months for Coco Cline and her friends. In that time, the new government office building in Central Shores has been finished, and the city is holding a festival to celebrate. However, Coco’s friend, Charlotte, is shocked when her ex shows up during the festival. She came to town to get away from him. A few minutes after a tense standoff ends, he dies under the suspicious circumstances. With all the evidence pointing to Charolette, can Coco clear her friend?
Once again, Coco is surrounded by a good group of friends, and I enjoyed spending time with them and watching their relationships grow. There isn’t too much with her family this time. The plot started quickly and the pacing never lagged, with several sub-plots to keep us engaged. I did have a couple of niggles with the ending, but they are minor. There are a few laughs as well. If you haven’t read this series yet, do yourself a favor and pick it up today.
Once again, Coco is surrounded by a good group of friends, and I enjoyed spending time with them and watching their relationships grow. There isn’t too much with her family this time. The plot started quickly and the pacing never lagged, with several sub-plots to keep us engaged. I did have a couple of niggles with the ending, but they are minor. There are a few laughs as well. If you haven’t read this series yet, do yourself a favor and pick it up today.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2621 KP) rated Frightened to Depths in Books
Jul 10, 2025 (Updated Jul 10, 2025)
Nothing to Be Frightened About Here
When Charlotte and Jane’s cruise ship docks for a couple of days in New Orleans, they run into an old crush of Jane’s. He joins them aboard the ship, along with a band reuniting with a former member. But when that band member is shot with a silver bullet under a full moon, Jane’s new beau looks like a suspect. After all, he is writing a book about New Orlean’s werewolf legend. Will finding the truth cost Charlotte her relationship with her sister?
I was excited to be back with these characters. While some of the supporting cast are in the background, the suspects are strong, and I enjoyed watching the main cast’s relationships grow. I have to give a special shout out to Charlotte and Jane’s relationship since their struggle is well represented. The plot is strong, with plenty to keep us engaged before the logical climax. If this is how these characters sail off into the sunset, I’ll be happy. But I hope they come back for more.
I was excited to be back with these characters. While some of the supporting cast are in the background, the suspects are strong, and I enjoyed watching the main cast’s relationships grow. I have to give a special shout out to Charlotte and Jane’s relationship since their struggle is well represented. The plot is strong, with plenty to keep us engaged before the logical climax. If this is how these characters sail off into the sunset, I’ll be happy. But I hope they come back for more.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2621 KP) rated Antihero in Books
Mar 13, 2026 (Updated Mar 13, 2026)
Evan Must Control Himself
Evan’s latest call for help comes from a witness. A woman was taken off a New York City subway by four young men. When Evan manages to find the woman, she’s been horribly violated. Evan immediately goes after the men who did this to her, but she makes him promise not to kill them. Will he be able to keep his promise?
While this series is always more violent than what I typically read, this one felt darker than it needed to be. Then again, that might have been what helped me fully feel with Evan’s struggle to find another way to bring justice. I felt one subplot was recycled, but overall, I felt the character development was good. And the supporting regulars were good as always. We even saw a couple who hadn’t been around for the last book or two. And the plot kept me engaged. Other readers like me might want to think twice before picking up this book, but those who enjoy thrillers will love it.
While this series is always more violent than what I typically read, this one felt darker than it needed to be. Then again, that might have been what helped me fully feel with Evan’s struggle to find another way to bring justice. I felt one subplot was recycled, but overall, I felt the character development was good. And the supporting regulars were good as always. We even saw a couple who hadn’t been around for the last book or two. And the plot kept me engaged. Other readers like me might want to think twice before picking up this book, but those who enjoy thrillers will love it.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2621 KP) rated A Thief of Time in Books
Apr 16, 2026
Missing Anthropologist
Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn is dealing with the loss of his wife. He’s been on leave and plans to retire when his leave is over. But when a colleague invites him along to execute a search warrant in an area Joe knows well, he agrees to go along. Only, when they arrive, they learn the woman they are supposed to serve the warrant on has been missing for two weeks. Meanwhile, Officer Jim Chee is trying to find a piece of heavy equipment that vanished on his watch. The trail leads him to dead bodies. How are these cases connected?
The title of this book caught my attention years ago, so I was glad to finally get to it. I enjoyed the slow yet natural progression of Leaphorn and Chee’s working relationship. I did find Chee’s personal subplot a bit repetitive. The pacing of the plot slowed down a couple of times, but by the time we reached the end, I was completely hooked. Overall, this book makes it easy to see why the author has so many fans.
The title of this book caught my attention years ago, so I was glad to finally get to it. I enjoyed the slow yet natural progression of Leaphorn and Chee’s working relationship. I did find Chee’s personal subplot a bit repetitive. The pacing of the plot slowed down a couple of times, but by the time we reached the end, I was completely hooked. Overall, this book makes it easy to see why the author has so many fans.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2621 KP) rated Sovereign Sieged in Books
Apr 16, 2026
Hiding Out Is a Disappointment
Jax has been traveling for the last couple of books, so she is looking forward to returning to her country of Saphire as she prepares for the upcoming war council. But she has only been home a few hours before something happens that makes her think she isn’t safe even in her own castle. Fleeing to a fortress in her kingdom, she surrounds herself with people she can trust. But when a murder happens, Jax has to figure out who among those present is a killer.
As always, this series needs to be read in order to properly understand the events here and avoid spoilers. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the strongest entry in the series. The pacing was off, with the murder coming late. I also pieced much of it together early. A subplot carried over from the previous book, and I didn’t enjoy it at all. Still, I do enjoy spending time with these characters and am anxious to see what happens to them next.
As always, this series needs to be read in order to properly understand the events here and avoid spoilers. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the strongest entry in the series. The pacing was off, with the murder coming late. I also pieced much of it together early. A subplot carried over from the previous book, and I didn’t enjoy it at all. Still, I do enjoy spending time with these characters and am anxious to see what happens to them next.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2621 KP) rated Death on Cozumel Island in Books
Apr 30, 2026
Is This a Series Debut to Dive into?
Claire O’Keefe is planning a destination bachelorette party of her best friend to Cozumel, hoping to get some diving in around the pre-wedding festivities. But her diving is less than ideal thanks to an obnoxious fellow diver. When someone kills him after a dive, Claire is surprised to learn a dive guide she really likes is the suspect. Can she find evidence to clear his name?
Being a lover of all things aquatic, this book attracted my attention when I first heard about it several years ago. But I just got a chance to read it. Sadly, it needed another couple of drafts to polish things up. The pacing was way off until we reached the final third of the book. Claire was pretty selfish at times, and her actions didn’t always make sense. The writing was rough at times as well. However, the descriptions of the diving were enough to make me want to plan a trip myself. Hopefully, the series gets better as it goes along.
Being a lover of all things aquatic, this book attracted my attention when I first heard about it several years ago. But I just got a chance to read it. Sadly, it needed another couple of drafts to polish things up. The pacing was way off until we reached the final third of the book. Claire was pretty selfish at times, and her actions didn’t always make sense. The writing was rough at times as well. However, the descriptions of the diving were enough to make me want to plan a trip myself. Hopefully, the series gets better as it goes along.
Highway Blue
8.0
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In front of me the long length of the road wound out, wound out and wound on under hot sky. And I...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2621 KP) rated Murder in the Air in Books
Jun 6, 2024
High Flying Murder
This year, the Destination Murders authors are taking to the air. Yes, we get some murders on planes, but we also have a zipline, hot air balloon, blimp, and a couple of fun ones I’m going to let you discover for yourself. We travel to Costa Rica, Las Vegas, Vermont, and Tennessee in these stories that find murder an unwelcomed traveling companion.
As always with these collections, the author lineup has changed slightly. For the authors who are returning, I look forward to catching up with their sleuths whether I’ve read books with these characters or not. I do have to remind myself these are short stories, so the stories aren’t quite as complex. They’re still fun, overall (one ended abruptly), and I’m glad I took the time to read them. These eight stories combine for the equivalent of a full novel, so you are getting your money’s worth. Pack this for your next vacation, but maybe read it when you are on the ground.
As always with these collections, the author lineup has changed slightly. For the authors who are returning, I look forward to catching up with their sleuths whether I’ve read books with these characters or not. I do have to remind myself these are short stories, so the stories aren’t quite as complex. They’re still fun, overall (one ended abruptly), and I’m glad I took the time to read them. These eight stories combine for the equivalent of a full novel, so you are getting your money’s worth. Pack this for your next vacation, but maybe read it when you are on the ground.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2621 KP) rated Fondant Fumble in Books
Jun 11, 2024
Murder Stings a Bakery Opening
Two players for the Arizona Scorpions NFL team have opened the newest franchise of Mel’s bakery across town. While she is enjoying teaching them about what it takes to run the business, others don’t seem so happy about it. In fact, the team’s owner makes a scene at the bakery’s opening. The next morning, he’s found dead in the new bakery. Can Mel find the killer?
I love the characters in this series, and it was great to check on them again. The new characters are just as charming. The mystery could have used a few other suspects and another couple of twists. What we have is good, but it could have been stronger. On the other hand, I thought I knew where a subplot was going early on, but I was delighted to be surprised. It became one of my favorite parts of the book. The humor is great as always, and we get more cupcake recipes as well. Fans of this series will gobble it up as quickly as I did.
I love the characters in this series, and it was great to check on them again. The new characters are just as charming. The mystery could have used a few other suspects and another couple of twists. What we have is good, but it could have been stronger. On the other hand, I thought I knew where a subplot was going early on, but I was delighted to be surprised. It became one of my favorite parts of the book. The humor is great as always, and we get more cupcake recipes as well. Fans of this series will gobble it up as quickly as I did.