Sign up
Search
Advanced search settings

Search only in certain items:

Search results
All (3325)
Content
People
Apps
Books
Orbs
Movies
Music
Podcasts
Shows
Tabletop Games
Tech
TV
Video Games
YouTube Channels
Videos
40x40

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2652 KP) rated Malibu Burning in Books

May 4, 2024 (Updated May 4, 2024)  
Malibu Burning
Malibu Burning
Lee Goldberg | 2023 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Is Arson Covering Another Crime?
Former US Marshal Andrew Walker has joined the LA Sheriff arson investigators just as wild fires are breaking out all over the county. His partner, veteran Walter Sharpe, is picking up on clues that these fires are arson and not accidents. But Walker thinks there is a larger motive behind them. If he is right, what other crimes might be happening?

If you need to read a book that takes place in chronological order, this isn’t the book for you since the book jumps back pretty often in the first two thirds to show us how the criminals came together and set up their plan. These jumps are always easy to follow, although I do think there is a small timeline glitch at one point. The final third takes place in the same day and it is hot page turning action. One aspect of the climax didn’t sit well with me, but I think that’s more about me. Walker and Sharpe can be a bit cliché, but they become more developed as the book proceeds. As usual for this author, some of his humor doesn’t work for me, and this isn’t one of my cozies, so keep that in mind when you pick it up. Overall, this is a great new series debut from a reliably enjoyable author.
  
40x40

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2652 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 (2652 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 (2652 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.