Sign up
Search
Advanced search settings

Search only in certain items:

Search results
All (3320)
Content
People
Apps
Books
Orbs
Movies
Music
Podcasts
Shows
Tabletop Games
Tech
TV
Video Games
YouTube Channels
Videos
40x40

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Root of All Evil in Books

May 23, 2025  
Root of All Evil
Root of All Evil
Liz Milliron | 2018 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Drugs and Scandal
State Trooper Jim Duncan is concerned when he hears a notorious drug dealer has been spotted in Fayette County again. He’s determined to catch the man this time. Meanwhile, his friend Sally Castle, an ADA, is shocked to find a coworker murdered in his office one Monday morning. Sally can’t stay on the sidelines with the case hitting so close to home. The pair quickly see a connection between events. But can they figure out what happened?

I’ve been meaning to pick up this series for a while since I’ve enjoyed other books from this author. While this is her debut novel, it’s not the first story with these characters. I do wish this book had more introduction to the characters, but we did get to know them pretty well over the course of the story. Jim and Sally share point of view duties, which helps. The pacing seemed a little uneven in the middle, but that’s a minor complaint. I did feel one of the characters could have been smarter as the climax neared, but the wrap up did answer all of my questions. Since this is a police procedural, it will have more content than the lighter books I often read. Now that I’ve started this series, I’m hoping to get to visit the characters again soon.
  
40x40

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Stakeouts and Strollers in Books

May 8, 2026 (Updated May 8, 2026)  
Stakeouts and Strollers
Stakeouts and Strollers
Rob Phillips | 2026 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Low on Sleep. High on Crime
Charlie Shaw is trying to juggle being a new father of a six-month-old and a new career as a private investigator, but he’s struggling. While he’s out on surveillance, he meets a teenager who is looking for her father. Charlie can’t help but feel for her, and he decides to take on the case even though she can’t pay him. However, he quickly figures out that he’s brought a lot of danger on his family. Is his client’s father still alive? Can he figure out what is happening before the danger hits too close to home?

When I saw this won Minotaur’s Best First Mystery aware, I knew I had to give it a try. The tone was darker than I was expecting, complete with some language and violence. Still, I did get some laughs, especially from the banter between Charlie and his wife. The plot went in some unexpected directions on the way to the logical climax. The characters were all well developed, and I fell in love with Charlie and his family. I did feel Charlie took some unnecessary risks, especially as a new father. One location in the San Francisco setting was a bit of a stretch, but few will care. Overall, I enjoyed this debut and will be back if we get a sequel.
  
40x40

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Six Sweets Under in Books

Feb 9, 2023  
Six Sweets Under
Six Sweets Under
Sarah Fox | 2023 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This Debut Isn’t as Sweet as I’d Hoped For
Becca Ransom has returned home to Larch Haven, Vermont, and has taken over the chocolate making in her family’s chocolate shop. She is loving being around her family and friends again, but she isn’t as happy to see that Archie Smith is still being obnoxious in town, opposing just about everything. When he is found floating in the canals in town, everyone is shocked to learn it is murder. When Becca’s grandfather becomes the prime suspect, can Becca figure out what really happened?

I’ve been wanting to try a book by this author for a while, so I figured the start of a new series was the perfect time to do that. Plus, I can’t resist a chocolate theme. That aspect made me drool. However, the mystery could have been stronger. We got more theorizing than clue gathering, although Becca did still reach a logical solution. Speaking of Becca, I really appreciated how mature she was, realizing her own fault in one particular sub-plot. And I loved her and the rest of the regulars. Likewise, the setting in fantastic – I’d go visit in a heartbeat if it were real. While I wish the plot were stronger, I’m planning to visit again when the sequel comes out.
  
40x40

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated How to Book a Murder in Books

Dec 10, 2021 (Updated Dec 10, 2021)  
How to Book a Murder
How to Book a Murder
Cynthia Kuhn | 2021 | Mystery
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Murder Mystery Night Ends with Real Murder
Emma Starrs is looking for ways to expand her family’s bookshop, and she is hoping she can help plan some events that will bring in much needed money. Unfortunately, her first event is for Tabitha Baxter, and old childhood nemesis who hasn’t matured much since they last interacted. Emma is hoping to survive the night, but then she finds a dead body. With rumors that Emma or Emma’s aunt Nora, who was a guest at the party, are responsible for the murder circling around town, can Emma figure out what really happened?

I was pleasantly surprised at who the victim was, and it allowed some great additional conflict for Emma. The pacing did stumble a few times, but overall, this was a fun book that kept me engaged. It helped that some of the sub-plots had me laughing. One did get over the top at times, but it was still fun. There were a plethora of suspects, and they were introduced in group scenes, but as the book progressed, we got to know them better. The main characters really stood out, and I enjoyed meeting them here. The climax was creative and wrapped things up well. This is a fun debut, and I’m looking forward to finding out what happens to Emma next.
  
40x40

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Up to No Gouda in Books

Jun 16, 2022 (Updated Jun 16, 2022)  
Up to No Gouda
Up to No Gouda
Linda Reilly | 2022 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Gouda Debut
After losing her husband, Carly Hale has moved back to Balsam Dell, Vermont, and followed her dream by opening Carly’s Grilled Cheese Eatery. Her new business is threatened when the building it is in is bought by her high school boyfriend, Lyle Bagley. Lyle wants her to move out so he can turn it into a clothing boutique for his fiancée. The day after Lyle makes his announcement, he is found behind Carly’s restaurant. When her server becomes the prime suspect, Carly starts investigating. Can she figure out what really happened?

What lover of culinary cozies could resist a book featuring grilled cheese as the hook? Not me! I’m glad I picked it up. The cast is filled with some unique characters for a cozy mystery – or at least a slight twist on the normal characters we’d see, and I really enjoyed that. Carly herself is an entertaining and engaging lead character. The pacing was slow a few times, but overall, this was a solid mystery with plenty of suspects and a couple of nice twists on the way to a surprising conclusion. And yes, you’ll find three grilled cheese sandwich recipes at the end to satisfy your cravings. I will definitely be returning to find out what Carly gets up to next.