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Ricki’s Past, Family, and a Christmas Murder
Ricki James-Diaz is thrilled her parents are in town for Christmas. She’s hoping that she and her mom and use the time to track down more of Ricki’s birth family. But when one of her mom’s former co-workers is killed right after Ricki meets her, murder takes center stage. As more of Ricki’s family and friends come under suspicious, she can’t help but jump in. Will she find the killer?
It was great to be back with Ricki and her family and friends. They are a fun bunch, and we met some new characters I hope we see again. There are some spoilers for previous books’ ongoing storylines, but they are minor. There are several subplots in addition to the main mystery, so I was never bored. Yet everything was balanced well and we reached a satisfying climax. I did find a couple of small things that should have been caught by an edit, but they are minor. I loved the Christmas setting of the book for both the humor and the coziness it brought. And we get some appropriate recipes at the end of the book. Whether you read this book now or save it for December, you’ll be glad you read it.
It was great to be back with Ricki and her family and friends. They are a fun bunch, and we met some new characters I hope we see again. There are some spoilers for previous books’ ongoing storylines, but they are minor. There are several subplots in addition to the main mystery, so I was never bored. Yet everything was balanced well and we reached a satisfying climax. I did find a couple of small things that should have been caught by an edit, but they are minor. I loved the Christmas setting of the book for both the humor and the coziness it brought. And we get some appropriate recipes at the end of the book. Whether you read this book now or save it for December, you’ll be glad you read it.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2633 KP) rated The Girl with the Dragonfruit Tattoo in Books
Feb 6, 2026 (Updated Feb 6, 2026)
Plum Yacht to Catch Another Killer
Plum Lockhart gets a surprise reunion with a friend she hasn’t seen in years. The friend is traveling with a group on an expensive yacht, and Plum finds herself on board one night catching up. But a couple of days later, one of the servants from the yacht is dead and the police are making an unusual request. Will Plum use her new connections to go on the yacht and investigate the death? Plum agrees just as the yacht takes off for their next destination. But with everyone seeming to have a motive, can she find the killer?
I’d struggled with the first in this series since I didn’t find Plum likable. I’m happy to say that island living has been good for her, and I enjoyed her and the returning characters here. The suspects were also distinct and helped draw me in despite some uneven pacing early on. I get why it happened, however. The ending was a bit less than I like, but I did find my questions answered. Sadly, this appears to be the final book in the series. I’m glad I stuck with it. If you need a tropical getaway, I suggest you give this series a chance.
I’d struggled with the first in this series since I didn’t find Plum likable. I’m happy to say that island living has been good for her, and I enjoyed her and the returning characters here. The suspects were also distinct and helped draw me in despite some uneven pacing early on. I get why it happened, however. The ending was a bit less than I like, but I did find my questions answered. Sadly, this appears to be the final book in the series. I’m glad I stuck with it. If you need a tropical getaway, I suggest you give this series a chance.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2633 KP) rated Something Whiskered in Books
Feb 11, 2026
Meeting the New In-Laws is Murder
Charlie and Helen Louise are on their honeymoon to Ireland, with Disel along for the trip. They’ve timed their arrival at the castle Helen Louise’s family own to coincide with her uncle’s 100th birthday. However, as they arrive, her uncle, a baron, plunges to his death. Naturally, the family is devastated. There are also questions, like what was the baron doing up there since he hated heights. When the family asks Charlie to do a little poking around, he reluctantly agrees. But his investigation leads to secrets that could hurt the family. Will Charlie find out what lead to the baron’s death?
I’ve struggled a bit with the last couple of books, so I got this one from the library. Sadly, this wasn’t a return to form. Since the book takes place in Ireland, I missed the regular characters who weren’t here. But I did find the new characters fun and good suspects. The mystery starts out on the dark side for a cozy, but I was soon caught up in the puzzle. Sadly, the ending was anti-climactic, even for this series, and one plot point was left unaddressed. Fans will still be glad they picked up this book. Hopefully, the series will get stronger again soon.
I’ve struggled a bit with the last couple of books, so I got this one from the library. Sadly, this wasn’t a return to form. Since the book takes place in Ireland, I missed the regular characters who weren’t here. But I did find the new characters fun and good suspects. The mystery starts out on the dark side for a cozy, but I was soon caught up in the puzzle. Sadly, the ending was anti-climactic, even for this series, and one plot point was left unaddressed. Fans will still be glad they picked up this book. Hopefully, the series will get stronger again soon.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2633 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 (2633 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 (2633 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 (2633 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 (2633 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 (2633 KP) rated Stuff to Spy For in Books
Jan 24, 2025
Spying, Even Accidentally, Can Be Deadly
When Skip Moore lands a sale for a company looking to upgrade their security system, he thinks he’s finally made the big time. He even gets his best friend, James Lessor, a job on the installation team. Then Skip is offered a couple of extra assignments with big paydays. What could possibly go wrong? A suspicious death for starters. Then there are things that aren’t adding up, and evidence that someone is spying on them. Can the pair figure out what is going on?
This series is a mixed bag for me, and this book was no exception. I appreciate the friendship between Skip and James, but the ideas and James leads them into make me smack my head sometimes. I appreciate some of the humor, but other bits make me cringe. The plot was compelling, but the ending was rushed. And a key scene makes little sense (why are the characters there?). Then there’s also the needless tease in the opening. Yet, I plan to keep going forward with this series. If you pick the book up, keep in mind that it came out in 2009, which explains some of the dated technology. If the premise sounds interesting pick up the series. Otherwise, you can skip them.
This series is a mixed bag for me, and this book was no exception. I appreciate the friendship between Skip and James, but the ideas and James leads them into make me smack my head sometimes. I appreciate some of the humor, but other bits make me cringe. The plot was compelling, but the ending was rushed. And a key scene makes little sense (why are the characters there?). Then there’s also the needless tease in the opening. Yet, I plan to keep going forward with this series. If you pick the book up, keep in mind that it came out in 2009, which explains some of the dated technology. If the premise sounds interesting pick up the series. Otherwise, you can skip them.
The Kraken's Queen (Grym Hollow #3)
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For the past five years, all Erin has known is pain. But no longer. With the help of Grym...
Fantasy Romance