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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated Villains’ Realm in Books
Jun 6, 2024 (Updated Jun 6, 2024)
Enchantment Creating New Lands
Disney’s CEO has completely changed his mind about opening a Villains’ Realm in each park. The man was opposing it because it was a clear threat, giving the villains a foothold. But now, he’s greenlit them, and constructions has started immediately. In order to stop them from being completed, Eli and his friend Blair are going to have to team up with Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother. Can they stop it in time?
If you haven’t been following this saga, you’ll probably be lost trying to follow what is happening. Fans will want to read this book since it sets up the next book. Unfortunately, it falls into middle book trap. We don’t get any real battles with the villains, just stand offs. The climax is abrupt and the story just kind of stops. As usual in the series, the characters are thin as well. Plus some editing left me confused a couple of times. On the positive side, it’s always fun to watch the Kingdom Keepers interacting with Disney characters, and I enjoyed seeing a lot of the action taking place at the California parks. I’m curious to see where things are going, so I’ll be back for the conclusion.
If you haven’t been following this saga, you’ll probably be lost trying to follow what is happening. Fans will want to read this book since it sets up the next book. Unfortunately, it falls into middle book trap. We don’t get any real battles with the villains, just stand offs. The climax is abrupt and the story just kind of stops. As usual in the series, the characters are thin as well. Plus some editing left me confused a couple of times. On the positive side, it’s always fun to watch the Kingdom Keepers interacting with Disney characters, and I enjoyed seeing a lot of the action taking place at the California parks. I’m curious to see where things are going, so I’ll be back for the conclusion.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated A Fashionably French Murder in Books
May 1, 2025 (Updated May 1, 2025)
Tabitha Must Find a Well Dressed Killer
Tabitha Knight, who grew up learning both French and English, is making some money tutoring various people in French. She’s now landed a job as a translator for a diplomat’s wife who is looking to buy an haute couture dress for her daughter’s upcoming wedding. Their first stop is Maison Lannet, where they are treated to a fabulous fashion show. But when Tabitha realizes she left her gloves behind, she finds the designer dead. Can she figure out what happened?
It was nice to be back in 1950 Paris, once again seeing what life was like for people trying to rebuild their lives after the war. Yes, Julia Child has a strong presence in this book again, so there is lots of talk about French cuisine. So expect your mouth to water. The pacing of the mystery was a bit uneven, thanks in part to a couple of subplots, but I appreciated some of the twists we got along the way. The characters are fun as always, and I am curious to see where one storyline will go in the next book. All told, anyone interested in Julia Child or life in Paris in 1950 will be glad they picked up this book.
It was nice to be back in 1950 Paris, once again seeing what life was like for people trying to rebuild their lives after the war. Yes, Julia Child has a strong presence in this book again, so there is lots of talk about French cuisine. So expect your mouth to water. The pacing of the mystery was a bit uneven, thanks in part to a couple of subplots, but I appreciated some of the twists we got along the way. The characters are fun as always, and I am curious to see where one storyline will go in the next book. All told, anyone interested in Julia Child or life in Paris in 1950 will be glad they picked up this book.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated Murder at Cottonwood Creek in Books
Nov 26, 2025 (Updated Nov 26, 2025)
Uncovering Fossils and Murder
Stella and Lyndy are in Montana visiting Stella’s mother and the dig site where Lyndy’s father is spending the summer of 1906 looking for fossils. Not too long after the couple arrives, the night watchman for the dig dies. While the local coroner is quick to rule it an accident, Stella thinks there might be more to it. If she is right, how can Lyndy and Stella prove it?
It was natural that Stella and Lyndy would wind up in the US at some point instead of England, where the earlier books were set. This different setting allowed us to see a different side of Lyndy. Between that and the continuation of character arcs from earlier in the series, I liked the character growth we got. Sadly, many of the regulars didn’t make the trip, and I did miss them. The new characters, while good suspects, weren’t the same. The mystery is a bit uneven, partially because it tries to do a bit too much. I did have one issue that I didn’t feel was resolved, but overall, I was satisfied with the ending. While this may not be the best book to jump into the series with, it is one that fans will still enjoy.
It was natural that Stella and Lyndy would wind up in the US at some point instead of England, where the earlier books were set. This different setting allowed us to see a different side of Lyndy. Between that and the continuation of character arcs from earlier in the series, I liked the character growth we got. Sadly, many of the regulars didn’t make the trip, and I did miss them. The new characters, while good suspects, weren’t the same. The mystery is a bit uneven, partially because it tries to do a bit too much. I did have one issue that I didn’t feel was resolved, but overall, I was satisfied with the ending. While this may not be the best book to jump into the series with, it is one that fans will still enjoy.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated Too Much Stuff in Books
Feb 4, 2026
Will Skip and James Find the Key to Gold?
Skip More and James Lessor are about to get their second client for their PI business thanks to Skip’s girlfriend, Em. The client claims to be the great granddaughter of a man who was in possession of a shipment of gold in 1935 right before a hurricane slammed into the Florida Keys. In the resulting chaos, the gold was lost. Even if the client is telling the truth, can the duo find it? Oh, and there’s the small matter that the last PIs hired to find the gold vanished six months ago.
I’ve been determined to finish this series since it’s been on my radar for a while. Turns out, I really enjoyed this one. The plot isn’t a traditional mystery. While a couple of side stories could have been better developed, it all holds together well. I also appreciated that Skip and James weren’t as dumb and immature as the previous book. That’s still part of their characters, but it was more balanced with their deductions on this case. And I also liked Em’s dynamic with the two. Finally, the language was toned downs. If this holds true going forward, I’ll enjoy the rest of the series.
I’ve been determined to finish this series since it’s been on my radar for a while. Turns out, I really enjoyed this one. The plot isn’t a traditional mystery. While a couple of side stories could have been better developed, it all holds together well. I also appreciated that Skip and James weren’t as dumb and immature as the previous book. That’s still part of their characters, but it was more balanced with their deductions on this case. And I also liked Em’s dynamic with the two. Finally, the language was toned downs. If this holds true going forward, I’ll enjoy the rest of the series.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated The Queen of Poisons in Books
Feb 18, 2026
Who Poisoned the Mayor?
This new case starts when Suzie Harris goes to a planning meeting. She just wants to get the lay of the land since she has a new side hustle she is going to need the board’s approval for before she can start. But, to everyone’s horror, the mayor keels over dead just as the meeting is starting. Suzie quickly calls her friends Judith Potts and Becks Starling. With the newly promoted Tanika Malik’s grudging approval, the trio start trying to figure out just how the killer managed to poison the mayor. But everyone they talk to say he was a great guy. Who would want him dead?
There are a few things that don’t quite work with how the police would normally behave or how long test results take, but I don’t mind. That’s because I’m having fun along the way. The three leads are fun, and I’m smiling or laughing through much of the book. The plot is another good puzzle with credible suspects. I thought I had things figured out a couple of times, but I was impressed with how the clues had been layered in. The climax was a bit over the top, but it answered most of our questions. I’m hoping to get to the next soon.
There are a few things that don’t quite work with how the police would normally behave or how long test results take, but I don’t mind. That’s because I’m having fun along the way. The three leads are fun, and I’m smiling or laughing through much of the book. The plot is another good puzzle with credible suspects. I thought I had things figured out a couple of times, but I was impressed with how the clues had been layered in. The climax was a bit over the top, but it answered most of our questions. I’m hoping to get to the next soon.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated Listen, Do You Want to Know a Secret in Books
Mar 30, 2024
Listen, This Secret is Disappointing
Dot Morgan has been the secretary at a local radio station for several months. She enjoys the job, although she’d be happier if they played top ten hits like the Beatles instead of the old crooners. Then one day, a strange woman comes in and accuses Dot’s boss of killing his first wife. When that woman is murdered a couple of days later, Dot can’t help but wonder if it was true. Can she find the truth?
This sounded like an intriguing mystery, and I enjoyed the first two, so I was looking forward to reading this one. Sadly, it disappointed. The mystery was very underdeveloped, and the climax just left me with a new question. Instead, the book felt more like a soap opera, focusing on the love lives of the characters, both series regulars and new. While I did like the sub-plots involving returning characters, the other storylines didn’t really interest me. Meanwhile, we also got some lectures on how things were at the time. A little bit would have been appropriate, but it got to be too much. In the end, unless you are a diehard fan of the series, I recommend you skip this one.
This sounded like an intriguing mystery, and I enjoyed the first two, so I was looking forward to reading this one. Sadly, it disappointed. The mystery was very underdeveloped, and the climax just left me with a new question. Instead, the book felt more like a soap opera, focusing on the love lives of the characters, both series regulars and new. While I did like the sub-plots involving returning characters, the other storylines didn’t really interest me. Meanwhile, we also got some lectures on how things were at the time. A little bit would have been appropriate, but it got to be too much. In the end, unless you are a diehard fan of the series, I recommend you skip this one.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated A Collection of Lies in Books
Jun 19, 2024
Working Honeymoon Turns Deadly
Kate Hamilton and her new husband, DI Tom Mallory, are on their honeymoon in Devon, but they’ve been asked to see if they can prove the providence of a dress that has been recently donated to a local museum. The dress is supposed to belong to a woman who was suspected of murder back in 1885, but nothing was ever proved. They’ve hardly started when someone shoots a gun at a fundraiser for the museum. A couple days later, a dead body turns up. Are these events related?
This book is a tale of two halves. The first half is uneven, with too much time spent on antiques and history for my tastes. However, the second half really picks up, with a nail-biting scene and plenty of twists. The solution is logical, although it felt a bit rushed to me. I did miss the rest of the regulars, but I enjoyed seeing more of Tom, and the new characters are good. Fans will be happy to hear it appears we’ve found a solution for an ongoing storyline as well. If you are new to the series, I recommend starting with an earlier book. Fans will find their patience rewarded with this one.
This book is a tale of two halves. The first half is uneven, with too much time spent on antiques and history for my tastes. However, the second half really picks up, with a nail-biting scene and plenty of twists. The solution is logical, although it felt a bit rushed to me. I did miss the rest of the regulars, but I enjoyed seeing more of Tom, and the new characters are good. Fans will be happy to hear it appears we’ve found a solution for an ongoing storyline as well. If you are new to the series, I recommend starting with an earlier book. Fans will find their patience rewarded with this one.
Just a Little Fling (Just a Little #3)
8.0
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Nico Nico is all about living his best life, trading the drama of relationships for the thrill of...
Contemporary MM Romance Daddy / Little Romance Age Play
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated A Killing in Costumes in Books
May 9, 2025
Memorabilia to Die For
Jay and Cindy were on their way to a successful career in Hollywood until their marriage ended when they both realized they were gay. Now, a couple of decades later, they are opening a Hollywood memorabilia shop in Palm Springs. Things are off to a slow start until aging actress Yana Tosh contacts them about selling her collection of Hollywood costumes. She’s talking to a larger auction house as well, and when Cindy and Jay’s competition dies, they quickly find themselves suspects. Can they clear their names?
This book has been on my radar for a while, and I’m glad I finally picked it up. The writing did make it hard to get into the story originally, but soon I was hooked on the mystery. There were several good twists and surprises on the way to the logical climax. Jay and Cindy share lead character duties, and they lead a cast of characters I enjoyed getting to know. And I smiled at the many references to classic movies, tv shows, and stars of the screen. We also get talk about classic musicians. At this point, this is looking like a standalone novel, but if a sequel does pop up, I’d be happy to visit Cindy and Jay again.
This book has been on my radar for a while, and I’m glad I finally picked it up. The writing did make it hard to get into the story originally, but soon I was hooked on the mystery. There were several good twists and surprises on the way to the logical climax. Jay and Cindy share lead character duties, and they lead a cast of characters I enjoyed getting to know. And I smiled at the many references to classic movies, tv shows, and stars of the screen. We also get talk about classic musicians. At this point, this is looking like a standalone novel, but if a sequel does pop up, I’d be happy to visit Cindy and Jay again.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2498 KP) rated Murder Italian Style in Books
Jun 18, 2025
Samantha Sleuths in Style on a New Continent
Samantha and her husband thought his father was treating them to a vacation to visit family friends in a small Italian village over New Years. When they arrive, however, they learn that Samantha’s ability to solve crime has been requested. Twenty-six years ago, a murder occurred in the village, and their hostess’s boyfriend has been serving time for the crime ever sense. While reluctant at first to figure out what happened, Samantha soon becomes intrigued. Can she overcome the language barrier to find the truth?
Since we are out of the country, we don’t see most of the usual gang, but the new characters make up for it. We come to care for them enough to make us care about the outcome of this cold case. There are a couple of small things that could have used a little more explanation, but the main questions are answered satisfactorily. We may be in a foreign country, but we still get Samantha’s usual wit and breezy narration. And her love of snack foods takes an Italian turn, which left me hungry. Fans will enjoy this trip abroad. Pack your bags for another fun mystery.
Since we are out of the country, we don’t see most of the usual gang, but the new characters make up for it. We come to care for them enough to make us care about the outcome of this cold case. There are a couple of small things that could have used a little more explanation, but the main questions are answered satisfactorily. We may be in a foreign country, but we still get Samantha’s usual wit and breezy narration. And her love of snack foods takes an Italian turn, which left me hungry. Fans will enjoy this trip abroad. Pack your bags for another fun mystery.