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ClareR (6238 KP) rated This Is Why We Lied in Books
Sep 24, 2025
I’m so glad that I got a copy of this to read from NetGalley (yes, I’m late!), as I’ve become a huge fan of Will Trent and Sarah Linton. Will and Sarah have married and at the start of the book they’re hiking in to a remote, yet exclusive, wilderness holiday destination in Georgia. They’re incognito - neither of them wants to be a police officer or a doctor for a few days. But of course, things never run smoothly for this couple, and a murder is soon needing their attention.
This is like the outdoor version of a closed room mystery - all of the suspects are on site. Yet still I was left completely flummoxed. The backstory of some of the characters adds to the confusion and explains a lot!
TIWWL is pretty gruesome, and covers subjects of sexual assault of far too many of the main characters, drug addiction and domestic violence. Karin Slaughter never shies away from these topics. This isn’t for the faint-hearted.
Nevertheless, I loved it. But when will Will and Sarah manage to have a stress free honeymoon?! 🤷🏼♀️
This is like the outdoor version of a closed room mystery - all of the suspects are on site. Yet still I was left completely flummoxed. The backstory of some of the characters adds to the confusion and explains a lot!
TIWWL is pretty gruesome, and covers subjects of sexual assault of far too many of the main characters, drug addiction and domestic violence. Karin Slaughter never shies away from these topics. This isn’t for the faint-hearted.
Nevertheless, I loved it. But when will Will and Sarah manage to have a stress free honeymoon?! 🤷🏼♀️
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Murder in the Graveyard in Books
Oct 16, 2025
Watch Out for the Extra Body
Just in time for Halloween, we get this fun collection of murders set in and around graveyards. In addition to the unexpected dead body or two, we also get involved in revenge, teenage parties, amnesia, family feuds, and an escaped convict. Many of these stories are set around Halloween, although a few take place at other times of the year. And yes, a couple lean into the spooky, but it always fits the story, so I didn’t mind.
Many of these authors featured their series stars. I’ve read many of those novels, so it was fun to spend time with them. For those who I haven’t met outside of these short story collections, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything with the stories we got here. Each story was fun, taking me about half an hour to read. With nine stories, we get plenty of content. I was smiling through most of them, even laughing some. And the stories kept me engaged from start to finish.
Whether you read this book now or open it in a different season of the year, you’ll enjoy these stories.
Many of these authors featured their series stars. I’ve read many of those novels, so it was fun to spend time with them. For those who I haven’t met outside of these short story collections, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything with the stories we got here. Each story was fun, taking me about half an hour to read. With nine stories, we get plenty of content. I was smiling through most of them, even laughing some. And the stories kept me engaged from start to finish.
Whether you read this book now or open it in a different season of the year, you’ll enjoy these stories.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Murder on the Marlow Belle in Books
May 15, 2026 (Updated May 15, 2026)
Murder is Dramatic
Verity Beresford seeks out Judith Potts when Verity’s husband, Oliver, never returned from the maiden voyage of the Marlow Belle. The boat had been rented by the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society, which Oliver heads. But then Oliver’s body turns up, and Judith can’t help but wonder if Verity was trying to divert suspicion from herself by asking for help. Can Judith and her friends figure out what really happened?
While Judith is the main sleuth, Becks and Susie are still active and contribute a little toward the solution. Becks also gets a strong subplot, and I still laughed at the antics of all three characters. I wasn’t as big a fan at some of the comments that seem to be bashing men. The mystery kept me guessing with strong suspects, but I found the climax weaker than I would have liked. The plot gets Judith involved in the drama group’s latest play, which I enjoyed. And that ending makes me very glad the next in the series is due out in a couple of months. Fans will definitely be glad they picked this book up.
While Judith is the main sleuth, Becks and Susie are still active and contribute a little toward the solution. Becks also gets a strong subplot, and I still laughed at the antics of all three characters. I wasn’t as big a fan at some of the comments that seem to be bashing men. The mystery kept me guessing with strong suspects, but I found the climax weaker than I would have liked. The plot gets Judith involved in the drama group’s latest play, which I enjoyed. And that ending makes me very glad the next in the series is due out in a couple of months. Fans will definitely be glad they picked this book up.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Something’s Guava Give in Books
Feb 27, 2025 (Updated Feb 27, 2025)
Death on the Beach
New York transplant Plum Lockhart is beginning to get some traction for her new villa brokerage agency on the Caribbean Island of Paraiso. However, trouble comes knocking in the form of her former colleague Gerald who insists Plum go help out his boss’s daughter who is being held by the resort’s security. Plum regrets getting involved when Arielle is found murdered the next morning. Now Gerald is insisting that Plum help him solve the crime, and he’s shown up in person. Will Plum solve the case before her patience with Gerald runs out?
I struggled a bit with the first book in the series, but I’m glad I gave the series a second chance. Plum was a much better, more relatable character. Gerald still annoyed me, but the rest of the cast were fun and did a good job of keeping me guessing. The mystery was strong. A couple things seemed a little rushed, but overall it was good and reached a logical solution. Reading this book made me want to hop a plane for a tropical resort. I’ll definitely book time for the final entry in the series.
I struggled a bit with the first book in the series, but I’m glad I gave the series a second chance. Plum was a much better, more relatable character. Gerald still annoyed me, but the rest of the cast were fun and did a good job of keeping me guessing. The mystery was strong. A couple things seemed a little rushed, but overall it was good and reached a logical solution. Reading this book made me want to hop a plane for a tropical resort. I’ll definitely book time for the final entry in the series.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Homicide in the Indian Hills in Books
Mar 26, 2025 (Updated Mar 26, 2025)
Death by Tiger? Or Murder?
Jane and Redvers head to India. The trip is part honeymoon and part work as Redvers is supposed to attend political meetings. While there, Jane befriends a woman who winds up dead just a couple of days later. The death is ruled death by tiger, but Redvers has another cause – murder. Can they figure out what really happened.
I enjoyed this trip to India in 1927. The country and time really came to life for me. Jane and Redvers are the only returning characters, and it was nice to spend time with them again. This also means you can jump in here if you want to. The new characters are a mixed bag, but they are strong enough to pull us into the story. The mystery kept me intrigued until we reached the logical and suspenseful climax. Those who missed the electronic only Christmas novella from a year and a half ago will be happy to see it included here as an extra. Anyone looking for some travel with their historical mystery will be glad they picked up this series.
I enjoyed this trip to India in 1927. The country and time really came to life for me. Jane and Redvers are the only returning characters, and it was nice to spend time with them again. This also means you can jump in here if you want to. The new characters are a mixed bag, but they are strong enough to pull us into the story. The mystery kept me intrigued until we reached the logical and suspenseful climax. Those who missed the electronic only Christmas novella from a year and a half ago will be happy to see it included here as an extra. Anyone looking for some travel with their historical mystery will be glad they picked up this series.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated People of Darkness in Books
Apr 3, 2025
Introducing Jim Chee
It seems an odd assignment. Jim Chee is asked by a rich man’s wife to locate an old box her husband cherished. Only she doesn’t know what is in it. And she doesn’t want him to involve the local police. She’s even hiring him off the books. The more Chee begins poking around, the more questions he gets. And every person who tells him to stop just makes him more curious. What will he uncover?
Knowing that Jim Chee becomes the other main character in this series, I was happy to finally get to meet him. The set up has several different elements, and even knowing they’d come together, it seemed like a bit too much. But by the end I was impressed with just how it all connected. There was one character that was a bit of a page hog, but overall, I thought the cast was good and I wish I thought a couple of them were coming back. I also enjoyed how Navajo culture played into the story. I’m looking forward to spending more time with Jim Chee again soon.
Knowing that Jim Chee becomes the other main character in this series, I was happy to finally get to meet him. The set up has several different elements, and even knowing they’d come together, it seemed like a bit too much. But by the end I was impressed with just how it all connected. There was one character that was a bit of a page hog, but overall, I thought the cast was good and I wish I thought a couple of them were coming back. I also enjoyed how Navajo culture played into the story. I’m looking forward to spending more time with Jim Chee again soon.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated O, Deadly Night in Books
Oct 16, 2025
Suspicious New Neighbors
It may be busy season, aka December, but Merry’s landlord at home is distracted by the new neighbors who have moved in. Mrs. D’Angelo hasn’t been able to meet them, and as the center of the town’s gossip mill, that doesn’t sit right. And, she keeps noticing weird things going on at the house. Merry’s too busy to give it too much attention. That is, until Mrs. D’Angelo disappears. Was she right about something strange going on across the street?
Being the Christmas lover I am, I’ve generally enjoy this series. And, once again, I did find the setting charming and the characters fun to spend time with. However, there were repetitive passages that should have been edited out or condensed. The pacing was off in general, not helped by Merry’s passive attitude toward the mystery, and Merry was pretty stupid at the end, even though she did figure things out. If the descriptions of food make your mouth water, you’ll be happy to find there are a couple of recipes at the end. Sadly, for me, this was a mixed bag.
Being the Christmas lover I am, I’ve generally enjoy this series. And, once again, I did find the setting charming and the characters fun to spend time with. However, there were repetitive passages that should have been edited out or condensed. The pacing was off in general, not helped by Merry’s passive attitude toward the mystery, and Merry was pretty stupid at the end, even though she did figure things out. If the descriptions of food make your mouth water, you’ll be happy to find there are a couple of recipes at the end. Sadly, for me, this was a mixed bag.
The Deception
6.0
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Murders past and present will unite a couple against their enemies—or tear them apart forever—in...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Cheddar Late Than Dead in Books
Apr 20, 2023 (Updated Apr 20, 2023)
There Falls the Groom Down the Stairs
Carly Hale is surprised when Dawn and Klarissa walk into her restaurant. While she knew them in school, she hasn’t seen them since she’s been back in Balsam Dell, Vermont. The chance encounter winds up with Carly catering Klarissa’s wedding shower. But the day of the shower is filled with more tension than Carly expected. Things only get worse when the groom crashes the party. A little while later, Carly finds him at the bottom of the stairs, dead. Who would want to kill him?
This book starts off quickly, introducing us to suspects and conflict before the murder happens, then gives us some great twists that kept me reading. The climax logically resolves things, although I did have a couple of small niggles with the ending. It was great to see the characters again, and I like how their relationships are growing. There are some great new characters, including strong suspects. Meanwhile, the book introduces us to grilled cheese donuts, including a recipe in the back. If you are hungry for a fun cozy, pick this one up.
This book starts off quickly, introducing us to suspects and conflict before the murder happens, then gives us some great twists that kept me reading. The climax logically resolves things, although I did have a couple of small niggles with the ending. It was great to see the characters again, and I like how their relationships are growing. There are some great new characters, including strong suspects. Meanwhile, the book introduces us to grilled cheese donuts, including a recipe in the back. If you are hungry for a fun cozy, pick this one up.
Merissa (14025 KP) rated Redeem (The Caelian Cycle #2.5) in Books
May 5, 2023
OK, so I will admit before even starting my review that I am biased towards Kian. I love him!!! He is brilliant in every way so I was ecstatic to receive this ARC. I was not disappointed as Donnielle Tyner has managed to make her voice 'male' and completely believable. You learn things about Kian's past that are only alluded to, which help make him a more rounded character, giving me a new understanding of him and his behaviour.
Although this is a novella, it covers a fair amount of time so be prepared for a couple of 'time jumps' as you read through. You don't feel like anything of importance is missed out though, and the reading flows.
With a smooth pace, well-written and with no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this is a wonderful addition to The Caelian Cycle, and I can't wait for the next book to come along! Highly recommended.
* 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!
Feb 10, 2016
Although this is a novella, it covers a fair amount of time so be prepared for a couple of 'time jumps' as you read through. You don't feel like anything of importance is missed out though, and the reading flows.
With a smooth pace, well-written and with no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this is a wonderful addition to The Caelian Cycle, and I can't wait for the next book to come along! Highly recommended.
* 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!
Feb 10, 2016