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Anatomy of Evil (Barker & Llewelyn, #7)
8.0
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In London of 1888, Private Enquiry Agent Cyrus Barker takes on his biggest case ever—the attempt...
Mystery Thriller
The Last Titan
9.0
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On the run from the government and a local gangster, Daniel White thought things could not get any...
Picture this (Birds of a Feather #3)
10.0
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Life just keeps slapping Mary in the face. She had it rough growing up, and when it finally looks...
Contemporary Fantasy Romance
Crackdown 3
Video Game
Crackdown 3 retains the core gameplay of Crackdown and Crackdown 2, featuring a number of different...
Chips in a Bag: Classy Mr. Murray
Book
A heartwarming love story blended with elements of deception, love lost, suspense and redemption. In...
Contemporary Mystery Romance
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2484 KP) rated Tropical Depression in Books
Nov 12, 2021 (Updated Nov 12, 2021)
Racing a Hurricane to Solve a Murder
Sabrina Salter has returned to St. John from a disastrous vacation to New England to find out that one of the seasonal employees she and her business partner, Henry, have hired has been murdered. The police are looking at Henry as the killer since the weapon had his initials on it. As the fallout from Sabrina’s vacation shows up on the island, Sabrina tries to find a killer. With Hurricane Irma bearing down on the island, can she do it?
Yes, there is a lot going on in this book, but it all fits together perfectly. Honestly, I can’t imagine this book without any of the elements. We get a logical conclusion to the mystery, and the other storylines allow the characters to grow. I did find some of Sabrina’s behavior a little irritating, but it also allowed for some good development. There were more typos than there should be in the book. Since this is more a traditional mystery, there is a smattering of foul language. Both are worth noting only in passing. The book makes good use of changing the point of view character to fully develop the characters and tell the story. Overall, I loved getting to spend time with Sabrina again. I’m hoping we get to see how she is fairing after the events of this book soon.
Yes, there is a lot going on in this book, but it all fits together perfectly. Honestly, I can’t imagine this book without any of the elements. We get a logical conclusion to the mystery, and the other storylines allow the characters to grow. I did find some of Sabrina’s behavior a little irritating, but it also allowed for some good development. There were more typos than there should be in the book. Since this is more a traditional mystery, there is a smattering of foul language. Both are worth noting only in passing. The book makes good use of changing the point of view character to fully develop the characters and tell the story. Overall, I loved getting to spend time with Sabrina again. I’m hoping we get to see how she is fairing after the events of this book soon.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2484 KP) rated Secrets and Scents in Books
Mar 1, 2023 (Updated Mar 1, 2023)
Unexpected Surprise in the Storeroom
Best friends Kelli and Jo are thrilled that the opening day for their new book and candle shop, Reading Makes Scents, is finally here. However, the celebration hits a bad note before it can even get started when Kelli finds a stranger unconscious in their storage area. Who is he? Why was he attacked? Does it have anything to do with the prophecy they found weeks before in their building?
While I normally skip paranormal themed stories, I made an exception here, and I’m glad I did. It does employ a narrative technique I dislike (early multi-chapter flashbacks), bet there is a good story here. I got quite caught up in it near the end, in fact. The story is a bit different from what I normally read, but it worked well. The paranormal elements are light, and they are a fun addition to the story. I loved Kelli, Jo, and their love interests. The rest of the cast are fun as well, and the town where the action takes place was delightful. The book is on the short side, so keep that in mind. As a bonus, there’s a recipe at the end. If you are looking for something light and fun, this book is for you.
While I normally skip paranormal themed stories, I made an exception here, and I’m glad I did. It does employ a narrative technique I dislike (early multi-chapter flashbacks), bet there is a good story here. I got quite caught up in it near the end, in fact. The story is a bit different from what I normally read, but it worked well. The paranormal elements are light, and they are a fun addition to the story. I loved Kelli, Jo, and their love interests. The rest of the cast are fun as well, and the town where the action takes place was delightful. The book is on the short side, so keep that in mind. As a bonus, there’s a recipe at the end. If you are looking for something light and fun, this book is for you.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2484 KP) rated Pearls Gone Wild in Books
Nov 23, 2021
Retail at Christmas is Killer
It’s the week before Christmas, and Samantha Kidd is looking forward to a relaxing week off from work and the return of her boyfriend from Italy. That’s before her friend, Cat, calls upset. Cat is eight months pregnant, but her husband just announced he needs some space. Things get even worse when Cat and Samantha interrupt a burglary at Cat’s boutique only to discover her husband’s body behind the counter. Can Samantha figure out what is going on?
If you are familiar with the series, you’ll know what to expect here. We get another plot with plenty of surprises to keep us engaged the entire time. I did feel the resolution left a few things out, but it was a minor issue overall. The characters, both new and returning, are fantastic. There is some humor in the book, but it mixes well with the more serious elements, and we get some nice growth in Samantha. This book is a little edgy for a cozy, but it’s nothing too bad. Christmas is more in the background than in some cozies set during the season. Both of these are worth nothing only in passing. If you are as behind on this series as I am, you are in for a treat when you pick up this book.
If you are familiar with the series, you’ll know what to expect here. We get another plot with plenty of surprises to keep us engaged the entire time. I did feel the resolution left a few things out, but it was a minor issue overall. The characters, both new and returning, are fantastic. There is some humor in the book, but it mixes well with the more serious elements, and we get some nice growth in Samantha. This book is a little edgy for a cozy, but it’s nothing too bad. Christmas is more in the background than in some cozies set during the season. Both of these are worth nothing only in passing. If you are as behind on this series as I am, you are in for a treat when you pick up this book.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2484 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.
Merissa (13780 KP) rated Winter's Heart in Books
Aug 4, 2021 (Updated Jul 17, 2023)
WINTER'S HEART is a standalone novella about a prophecy, a girl, and a tiger. Who doesn't love a story like that?
Whilst there are romantic elements to this story, it isn't the only part. Lisa has been foretold for years as the saviour of the village, even though she has no magic to show for it. When killings start happening, it appears the white tiger is back and Lisa must kill it. Of course, it's not that simple.
I read this book in one sitting and enjoyed most of it. There didn't seem to be any punishment (or explanation) for Herk's behaviour towards Lisa and it was just glossed over after she had a 'word' with him.
The rest of it was better. I loved the descriptions of the village and the forests, especially that of the tiger. I would love to see a follow on from this story, seeing how Lisa and Elijah get on and how their budding romance develops.
A quick coffee break book that I definitely recommend.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 4, 2021
Whilst there are romantic elements to this story, it isn't the only part. Lisa has been foretold for years as the saviour of the village, even though she has no magic to show for it. When killings start happening, it appears the white tiger is back and Lisa must kill it. Of course, it's not that simple.
I read this book in one sitting and enjoyed most of it. There didn't seem to be any punishment (or explanation) for Herk's behaviour towards Lisa and it was just glossed over after she had a 'word' with him.
The rest of it was better. I loved the descriptions of the village and the forests, especially that of the tiger. I would love to see a follow on from this story, seeing how Lisa and Elijah get on and how their budding romance develops.
A quick coffee break book that I definitely recommend.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 4, 2021