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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2593 KP) rated Lady Darling Inquires After a Killer in Books

Oct 10, 2025 (Updated Oct 10, 2025)  
Lady Darling Inquires After a Killer
Lady Darling Inquires After a Killer
Colleen Gleason | 2025 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Hunting a High Society Killer
While Lady Darling, a rich widow of a certain age, enjoys her life in the country, she agrees to spend the season in London to be chaperone for a friend’s daughter. But when their host turns up dead at the first dinner party they attend, Lady Darling decides to investigate. Can she find the killer?

Having enjoyed some other books this author has written, I was looking forward to this one. I felt the book was over written, which is often the case with the author, but it was a bit more than some of her others. The story took a little time to get going, but once it did, I enjoyed it and was along until we reached the logical end, although it did feel like there was a leap or two. Lady Darling is lots of fun and I did enjoy getting to know the rest of the cast. My biggest issue was something in Lady Darling’s backstory. I can understand the justification for it, but it still didn’t sit right with me. Plenty of people are enjoying this book, so if the time and place appeal, give it a chance and see what you think for yourself.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2593 KP) rated The Fly on the Wall in Books

Apr 6, 2024  
The Fly on the Wall
The Fly on the Wall
Tony Hillerman | 1971 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
When a Reporter Becomes the Story
John Cotton is working late one night at his job as a political reporter at the state capital when another reporter comes in bragging about having just gotten a huge story. Just a few minutes later, that other reporter is dead. John begins trying to figure out what the story might be, but when another reporter is killed, he can’t help but wonder if the story he’s pursuing is deadly.

Those most familiar with Tony Hillerman because of his books set on the Navaho reservation will find this political thriller is quite a departure. Heck, it isn’t even set in the southwest, although we do get a memorable scene there. As a thriller, it took a bit to get going, but once we did, I was hooked with several edge of your seat scenes. John is the only character we truly get to know; it would have been nice to get to know some of the others better. The book originally came out in 1971, and it shows. Parts are definitely dated. None of these complaints are reasons to skip the book. If you pick it up and give it a chance, you’ll find yourself enjoying it.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2593 KP) rated The Vinyl Detective - Written in Dead Wax: 1 in Books

Feb 10, 2022  
The Vinyl Detective - Written in Dead Wax: 1
The Vinyl Detective - Written in Dead Wax: 1
Andrew Cartmel | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
There’s a Good Story Here, but You Have to Search for It
He joking called himself the Vinyl Detective, but that brought a beautiful woman to his door. Her employer wants him to track down a very rare jazz record. Considering the fee he would get, he quickly agrees to the job. However, when a dead body turns up and someone starts following him, the question becomes will he find the record? Or is it even worth it?

I was amused to discover after I’d finished the book that we never do get the main character’s name. However, reading the book, it never felt awkward, especially with the first-person narration. And that didn’t lessen the character at all. In fact, he leads a great cast that I enjoyed spending time with. Unfortunately, the plot was slow and repetitive. There were some good twists and complications, but they were too few. Plus, we were left with some questions that needed to be answered. On the other hand, I really did enjoy the banter between the characters; this had me chuckling and laughing as I read. I was curious about the series, but I doubt I will be back for more.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2593 KP) rated Murder at the Marina in Books

May 25, 2023  
Murder at the Marina
Murder at the Marina
Janet Finsilver | 2019 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Heritage Festival Brings Murder
Kelly is taking an afternoon to see the boat that her friends, Ivan and Rudy, own. But the tour never happens when she finds a dagger covered in what looks like blood on the boat. While neither of the brothers own it, they do recognize it from their past. A few days later, the owner of a Russian merchandise store turns up dead on their boat as well. What is going on? Does it have to do with the Russian Heritage Festival taking place in town?

I love it when background characters get a chance to shine, which is what happens here. I was intrigued from the beginning and couldn’t wait to see how it would all play out. Unfortunately, I did feel the climax was abrupt, and therefore weaker than it could have been. While the suspects are appropriately shady, the rest of the cast is charming, which is no surprise to fans of the series. I really do love these characters. As always, I enjoyed spending time in a fictional version of the area where I grew up. If you are looking for a fun cozy series, be sure to check this one out.
  
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Cee-Lo Green recommended De La Soul Is Dead by De La Soul in Music (curated)

 
De La Soul Is Dead by De La Soul
De La Soul Is Dead by De La Soul
1991 | Alternative, Hip-hop, Rap
7.1 (8 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I love Three Feet High And Rising as well - I could have taken up two slots! De La Soul are just one of my all time favourite groups, and happen to be personal friends of mine as well. Three Feet High... was a more manic album, there were all kind of little bits and pieces of things that I love, and songs like 'Can You Keep A Secret'. But De La Soul Is Dead was a reaffirmation; they were typecast as hippies and they resented that, similar to how the Goodie Mob were typecast as being country - we may have been Southern, but we weren't country. There's something defiant about it. This is when they were concentrated, and not random and manic like Three Feet..., which is great as well - but this is streamlined, but still just as alternative and experimental. And a lot more effective."

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