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A collection of three Christmas novellas set in Maine and starring the series sleuths by the authors. We get two murder by eggnog, and one missing moving truck and winds up with a dead body. Will these mysteries be solved by Christmas?

All three of these stories will get you in the Christmas spirit with a dead body along the way. We do get some time enjoying holiday traditions (recipes included with all three stories), some of them unique to Maine, which is a lot of fun. The mysteries are all good, although the first seems to wander quite a bit before it gets fully engaging. If you are a fan of one of these authors, here is a good way or sample some others while catching up with your favorite sleuth at Christmas time.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-eggnog-murder-by-leslie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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Lindsay (1717 KP) rated Numbers Game in Books

Apr 9, 2019  
Numbers Game
Numbers Game
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A book about Numbers. This book got my attention with it title. It keep me guessing though out the book. We learn about a girl who is the main character named "Treena", and the other main character named "Vance". There seems strange about NORA.

It get even better and better once Treena gets her Rating on Rating day. Though things start to get more complicated and many others things get even more interesting. Though why does she get rating that makes her a Red?

Treena get her second chance to a deal that would get her a Rating reconsideration. So she send to the EPIC. That about what starts to get you to keep guessing going to happen. Is Treena Rating wrong?

Though seem to want her dead after a while. Though we also see a romance form. Though what can all this be about. Why is NORA capturing and killing their own citizens. She and Vance have to figure out what going on and way they want Treena dead. There are may surprises and I do not want to spoil the ending of this book.
  
Downton Tabby
Downton Tabby
Sparkle Abbey | 2015 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dead Body and a Tabby’s Missing Owner
Pet therapist Caro Lamont is spending this morning in her office working on some paperwork, which is why, when Graham Cash asks her to watch his tabby cat, Toria, for a little while, she readily agrees. Cash and his business partner, Jake, have rented an office for their very successful app making business in the building that Caro uses, and Caro has enjoyed getting to know them both.

When Cash doesn’t return in the agreed upon time, Caro begins to get worried. After all, she has afternoon appointments. She decides to take Toria to the house that the business partners share. However, when she arrives, she finds no sign of Cash and Jake’s dead body floating in their pool. What happened to Jake? Is Cash okay? Or is he the killer?

There is plenty happened here, including a visit by Caro’s ex-husband, so the pages fly by. Unfortunately, all the events mean that the mystery could have been a bit stronger. Still, it had some fun twists and surprises before reaching the logical conclusion. The real star here are the characters, both two and four legged. The pets will charm you, and the humans will entertain you. Some are more realistic and help draw you into the story. Others are so over the top that you are certain to laugh. Yet they are perfectly balanced and feel natural interacting with each other. This series is always a light, fun treat, and this entry is no exception.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Murder at Sea in Books

May 31, 2023 (Updated Jun 21, 2023)  
Murder at Sea
Murder at Sea
Various Authors | 2023 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Set Sail for Eight Fun – and Deadly – Cruises
For this entry in the Destination Murders short story anthologies, the writers are sending their sleuths on cruises. Of course, no vacation in this series is without a hiccup and dead body or two. From Norway to Italy and Seattle, and from budget cruise lines to luxury yachts, the sleuths must deal with the unexpected when a killer decides that the sea is the perfect time to strike.

While there are a couple of stories that really stood out, every single one of these eight stories is enjoyable. I can’t think of one I didn’t like. Many of the authors included their series characters here, although you don’t have to know the characters to enjoy what happens. In fact, this reminded me that I really do need to read some of these author’s novels. These stories are long enough that, by the time you’ve read all eight, you’ve read the equivalent of a full-length novel, so there is plenty here to keep you entertained. Each story features a fun twist or two, and the solutions always satisfied. Whether you are looking for a great read for a summer vacation or want something to make you feel like you are on vacation, you’ll be glad you boarded this anthology.
  
The Crossing at Blaisdell Park
The Crossing at Blaisdell Park
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Finn Butler is an amazing director in Los Angeles. His wife Diane is a well accomplished actress in soap operas. After the success of The Crossing at Blaisdell Park, he is now in the process of shooting the sequel. Finn and Diane are also in the process of selling their house, when a dead woman is found by the realtors right before the broker's open. More and more people are turning up dead all over the city and the common denominator in each case is Diane Butler. How is she connected to each of these murders? Will the police be able to find the killer before someone else turns up dead?

I had a lot of mixed emotions about this book. While the story was very interesting and I wanted to know what was going to happen at the end, I didn't find myself running to pick up the book and read it. The beginning of the book started out slowly. After the half way point it picked up a lot more and the end was much better than the beginning. There are a lot of twists and turns throughout this book, that will have you saying WHAAT? But overall the book was just OK for me. I would be interested to read more from this author.