Search
Search results
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated A Christmas Candy Killing in Books
Oct 19, 2022
Sweetly Festive Debut
Identical twins Alex and Hanna have made a life for themselves in a small Montana town, where they have opened Murder and Mayhem, a combination mystery bookstore and chocolate shop. In the time they’ve been here, Alex has become friends with Jane, one of their neighbors. Jane invites Alex over to view a true crime show because she believes that one of their neighbors is the killer still at large at the end of the episode. But when Alex arrives, she finds Jane’s dead body. The police think it was a robbery gone wrong, but Alex wonders if Jane was really onto something. Can she find the killer?
Between the culinary cozy theme and the Christmas setting, I have to give this debut a chance. I’m glad I did. The first couple of chapters had a bit too much background on Alex and Hanna, but once the murder happened, things picked up. I appreciated how the clues were folded into the story. Not that I figured out the killer using them. The characters are good, but they could be a little stronger. Likewise, the setting is good, but could be a little stronger. Both of these are minor complaints since I am definitely ready to visit my new friends and this location again soon. I enjoyed the Christmas timing as well. This is a delicious debut.
Between the culinary cozy theme and the Christmas setting, I have to give this debut a chance. I’m glad I did. The first couple of chapters had a bit too much background on Alex and Hanna, but once the murder happened, things picked up. I appreciated how the clues were folded into the story. Not that I figured out the killer using them. The characters are good, but they could be a little stronger. Likewise, the setting is good, but could be a little stronger. Both of these are minor complaints since I am definitely ready to visit my new friends and this location again soon. I enjoyed the Christmas timing as well. This is a delicious debut.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder in Books
Oct 29, 2021 (Updated Oct 29, 2021)
Enjoy Christmas with The Family
The Belle View Catering Hall is busy with events as Christmas approaches, but Mia Carina gets distracted when the Boldano family asks for her help. Someone has shown up claiming to be Jamie’s long-lost brother. That’s a shock since Jamie didn’t even know he was adopted. Things get even more heated when Mia finds a dead body in her neighborhood. Can she figure out what is going on?
Those new to the series are in for a treat. Yes, this is a different cozy series since we have mobsters as characters and it is set in Queens. Yet these elements don’t overwhelm, and this feels like a cozy series. That’s mostly thanks to the characters, who come across as very real and likeable. In addition to the puzzling mystery, there are multiple sub-plots, which keep things hopping as we read the book. I did feel the climax didn’t quite work. Our questions are answered, but it was just a bit much. There’s plenty of Christmas spirit in this book, including a hilarious sub-plot about a Christmas light display contest. We get seven recipes and a couple of event tips at the end of the book. Fans new and old will enjoy spending this Christmas with Mia.
Those new to the series are in for a treat. Yes, this is a different cozy series since we have mobsters as characters and it is set in Queens. Yet these elements don’t overwhelm, and this feels like a cozy series. That’s mostly thanks to the characters, who come across as very real and likeable. In addition to the puzzling mystery, there are multiple sub-plots, which keep things hopping as we read the book. I did feel the climax didn’t quite work. Our questions are answered, but it was just a bit much. There’s plenty of Christmas spirit in this book, including a hilarious sub-plot about a Christmas light display contest. We get seven recipes and a couple of event tips at the end of the book. Fans new and old will enjoy spending this Christmas with Mia.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated A Book Club to Die For in Books
Nov 3, 2022
Exclusive Book Clubs Lead to Murder
Tru Becket has been invited to speak at the exclusive Arete Society, a book club that has waiting lists to join. In fact, her friend Flossie is one of those waiting to get in, and she has come with Tru in order to plead her case. The meeting winds up being canceled, however, when Tru finds the group’s president dead in the kitchen. The police think that Hazel, this month’s hostess, snapped and killed the victim, but Tru doesn’t think so. Can she come up with an alternative suspect?
This book is a variation on the locked room mystery, and I have come to realize how much I enjoyed those added twists to the story. A couple of things were obvious early on, but overall, this was still a compelling mystery with suspects strong enough to keep you engaged. The series regulars are all here and are fantastic as well. There are some regulars who can get annoying, but they were kept in the background and added to the fun. And this book is fun. I laughed more than I had at the first two. One sub-plot in particular made me laugh every time it popped up. If you are looking for a light mystery, this is one you’ll enjoy.
This book is a variation on the locked room mystery, and I have come to realize how much I enjoyed those added twists to the story. A couple of things were obvious early on, but overall, this was still a compelling mystery with suspects strong enough to keep you engaged. The series regulars are all here and are fantastic as well. There are some regulars who can get annoying, but they were kept in the background and added to the fun. And this book is fun. I laughed more than I had at the first two. One sub-plot in particular made me laugh every time it popped up. If you are looking for a light mystery, this is one you’ll enjoy.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys in Books
Sep 28, 2023 (Updated Sep 28, 2023)
Will Santaland's First Thanksgiving Be a Turkey?
Santaland is getting ready to celebrate their first Thanksgiving. Castle Kringle has imported a live turkey for their holiday meal, but the weekend before the big day, he vanishes. Then, one of Santa's cousins dies at a potluck to kick off Thanksgiving week. Can April Claus figure out what is going on?
I love this series, and this latest entry didn't disappoint in the least. It did take a bit for the entire book to get going since there are several storylines that need to be introduced. But once it got going, it was like a turbo charged sleigh with so much going on you couldn't put the book down. I did have a couple of pieces figured out early, but there was still plenty I didn't know about that surprised me at the end. The characters are charming as always, and I'm curious where some of the growth will lead in future books. The humor just adds to the charm. This is a cozy mystery first and foremost with some light fantasy in it, and the mix works perfectly. If you are looking for a holiday series, you'll be glad you gave this series a chance. If you are already a fan, you'll be thankful for this latest book.
I love this series, and this latest entry didn't disappoint in the least. It did take a bit for the entire book to get going since there are several storylines that need to be introduced. But once it got going, it was like a turbo charged sleigh with so much going on you couldn't put the book down. I did have a couple of pieces figured out early, but there was still plenty I didn't know about that surprised me at the end. The characters are charming as always, and I'm curious where some of the growth will lead in future books. The humor just adds to the charm. This is a cozy mystery first and foremost with some light fantasy in it, and the mix works perfectly. If you are looking for a holiday series, you'll be glad you gave this series a chance. If you are already a fan, you'll be thankful for this latest book.
Victor (Tangled Tentacles #2)
JP Sayle and Lisa Oliver
10.0
Rate It
Book
Kidnapped and abused, Azim is losing hope. Can his fated mate save him body, mind, and soul? Azim...
Paranormal MM Romance Series
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Panty Raid in Books
Apr 28, 2022
Combining Work with Pleasure. And Murder.
Samantha Kidd and her fiancé, Nick Taylor, are in Las Vegas for a working vacation. Samantha has been sent to attend a lingerie show, but the couple have arrived early to enjoy some time away. However, things take a turn when Nick runs across his friend Marc Rico when they are checking into the hotel. Nick starts acting funny before revealing a dark story from his and Marc’s past. The next morning, Samantha finds a dead body across the street from their hotel. Can she figure out what is happening?
This book captured my attention early and never let go. I enjoyed the creative clues and red herrings Samantha had to navigate on the way to the solution. There are one or two things about the climax that we have to deduce for ourselves, but they are minor. Since Samantha and Nick are out of town, they get plenty of page time, and I enjoy seeing their relationship continue to grow. Not to mention how Samantha is maturing. The rest of the cast is good, and there is a reappearance of a recurring character here. There’s also plenty of humor, and I was laughing and grinning the entire way through. If you are looking for a fun mystery, this book is a winner.
This book captured my attention early and never let go. I enjoyed the creative clues and red herrings Samantha had to navigate on the way to the solution. There are one or two things about the climax that we have to deduce for ourselves, but they are minor. Since Samantha and Nick are out of town, they get plenty of page time, and I enjoy seeing their relationship continue to grow. Not to mention how Samantha is maturing. The rest of the cast is good, and there is a reappearance of a recurring character here. There’s also plenty of humor, and I was laughing and grinning the entire way through. If you are looking for a fun mystery, this book is a winner.
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Monster Inside (Shadow Pact #1) by River Starr in Books
Apr 29, 2022
Aisling has been held captive for the past 10 years of her life by a vampire community she has been fed on as well as other unmentionable torment's. She manages to escape with the help from Mrak who is living inside her helping bring and end to the vampire trafficking.
This story has been well written. I did find myself getting frustrated with the secrets being kept by Mrak against Aisling she's help him as much as he's helped her, so why keep secrets!
The description of the battles are very colourful and very heated as are the intimate scenes. I found myself getting quite angry at Mrak in some points with the secrets that were being kept but after his explanations, I could understand it, Didn't like it but understood it. It almost seemed at times that it was an abusive relationship and that there were control issues and lots of manipulation and again found myself frustrated of Aisling being made to do things she had specifically asked not to be done.
I'm intrigued on what is going to happen next with the way the story fades out but cannot wait to find where the journey takes the couple. Its a series i will be following to the end.
A Fantastic read with lots of action
This story has been well written. I did find myself getting frustrated with the secrets being kept by Mrak against Aisling she's help him as much as he's helped her, so why keep secrets!
The description of the battles are very colourful and very heated as are the intimate scenes. I found myself getting quite angry at Mrak in some points with the secrets that were being kept but after his explanations, I could understand it, Didn't like it but understood it. It almost seemed at times that it was an abusive relationship and that there were control issues and lots of manipulation and again found myself frustrated of Aisling being made to do things she had specifically asked not to be done.
I'm intrigued on what is going to happen next with the way the story fades out but cannot wait to find where the journey takes the couple. Its a series i will be following to the end.
A Fantastic read with lots of action
Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder in Books
Apr 29, 2022
I had only read the short prequel, Kill Joy, to this book which I sat and read in one go and this one didn’t disappoint me.
Following Pip trying to prove that Sal Singh didn’t murder his girlfriend Andie Bell five years earlier was thrilling and had me guessing the whole way through. Every time I settled on a suspect, Pip did the same and then I was somehow talked back out of it with fresh evidence and clues that Pip had found. It definitely had my brain working!
I loved the way that it wasn’t just Pip’s story that had all of the focus, I loved that mingled in with the story, we had Pip’s logs, diagrams, messages and emails that gave more and more evidence and also made it exactly like we were having a sneak peek into her project for school.
Holly Jackson’s writing was so easy to read and I love that she didn’t make it obvious who the real killer was and that even towards the end of the book there were a couple of twists that shocked and surprised me. It was a very entertaining book and it didn’t seem like it was a debut novel at all.
I will definitely be continuing on with the series as I can’t wait to find out what happens to Pip!
Following Pip trying to prove that Sal Singh didn’t murder his girlfriend Andie Bell five years earlier was thrilling and had me guessing the whole way through. Every time I settled on a suspect, Pip did the same and then I was somehow talked back out of it with fresh evidence and clues that Pip had found. It definitely had my brain working!
I loved the way that it wasn’t just Pip’s story that had all of the focus, I loved that mingled in with the story, we had Pip’s logs, diagrams, messages and emails that gave more and more evidence and also made it exactly like we were having a sneak peek into her project for school.
Holly Jackson’s writing was so easy to read and I love that she didn’t make it obvious who the real killer was and that even towards the end of the book there were a couple of twists that shocked and surprised me. It was a very entertaining book and it didn’t seem like it was a debut novel at all.
I will definitely be continuing on with the series as I can’t wait to find out what happens to Pip!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Vinyl Resting Place in Books
Mar 16, 2023 (Updated Mar 16, 2023)
Vinyl May Not be Dead, but Somebody Is
Juni Jessup and her sisters have opened Sip and Spin Records, a combined record store and coffee shop, on the site of the one that their family used to own before records stopped selling. The night before their official opening, they are throwing a party, but things turn tragic afterward when Juni finds a dead body in their storage closet. When their uncle is arrested for the crime, Juni and her sisters don’t hesitate to put their shop up to get him released on bail. But then he vanishes. Can the three of them figure out what is really going on in time to save their shop?
I really enjoyed this debut. The plot takes off in a couple of different directions, and I enjoyed that creativity. I did feel it slowed down a little in the middle, but it picked up again for a fantastic climax. You can feel the history between Juni and her sisters, and I loved their relationships. There are other fun series regulars, and the suspects fit into the book perfectly. I also enjoyed the humor running through the book. The setting, a small town just outside of Austin, Texas, was charming as well. I can’t wait to revisit Juni and the rest of the characters again soon.
I really enjoyed this debut. The plot takes off in a couple of different directions, and I enjoyed that creativity. I did feel it slowed down a little in the middle, but it picked up again for a fantastic climax. You can feel the history between Juni and her sisters, and I loved their relationships. There are other fun series regulars, and the suspects fit into the book perfectly. I also enjoyed the humor running through the book. The setting, a small town just outside of Austin, Texas, was charming as well. I can’t wait to revisit Juni and the rest of the characters again soon.
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated A Valentine's Breakfast in Bed (Mariana Books Rhyming #6) in Books
Feb 17, 2022
A Valentine's Breakfast in bed is a sweet story. It shows how the kids love their parents by making breakfast in bed on this special day. This book is excellent for showing love and showing that Valentine's day is for all types of love. Children will learn that Valentine's day is not just for the couple but for all those that we love.
This story is well done. The family in this story is a different one and different ethnicity. I enjoyed that as the author wants to show diversity. This one is good for this book and still has a black history month relation. I do not know if that stood to be that. I love that he has done so. It can stand shown that way and what this memorable holiday in the middle of February is all about.
The pictures are colorful. The story is mainly set on the two children making breakfast for their parents for this special day. They show it by making a few breakfast food for them. How will they enjoy the day with their mom and dad?
This book also will help children learn rhyming and some kindness and love. Parents will enjoy having this book along with the rest of the series on their bookshelves. They can read along with their children.
This story is well done. The family in this story is a different one and different ethnicity. I enjoyed that as the author wants to show diversity. This one is good for this book and still has a black history month relation. I do not know if that stood to be that. I love that he has done so. It can stand shown that way and what this memorable holiday in the middle of February is all about.
The pictures are colorful. The story is mainly set on the two children making breakfast for their parents for this special day. They show it by making a few breakfast food for them. How will they enjoy the day with their mom and dad?
This book also will help children learn rhyming and some kindness and love. Parents will enjoy having this book along with the rest of the series on their bookshelves. They can read along with their children.