Search

Search only in certain items:

Death of a Halloween Party Monster
Death of a Halloween Party Monster
Lee Hollis | 2023 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Cold Costumed Corpse
This story features Lee Hollis’s series star Hayley Powell, who is hosting a Halloween party at her new restaurant. However, the night ends in horror when the body of the high school music teacher is found in the freezer. Is one of Hayley’s friends a killer?

I don’t read this series, just the novellas when they are part of an anthology I want to read, but I found myself feeling right at home partying with these characters from the beginning of this story. I did figure out one aspect of the story early on, but there were several more, including the identity of the killer, that I hadn’t pieced together until Hayley did. It’s a twist on a locked room mystery, which is always fun. The ending was great and kept me turning the pages. There are also some recipes to enjoy while you read or at a party you are hosting this Halloween.

NOTE 1: This is a novella, so expect something shorter than a typical novel before you pick it up.

NOTE 2: This novella was originally in the Halloween Party Murder anthology. If you’ve already read it there, you don’t need to buy it again here.
  
HG
His Game: The First Time
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
🔞🔞🔞🔞


23 of 220
Kindle
His Game: The First Time
By Tirzah M.M. Hawkins
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Trigger warning and crap content

Rachel's your average teenage girl, fresh out of high school, excited about the secret trip her boyfriend surprised her with. She's been waiting forever for him to pop the question.

However, John isn't your average teenage boy. And his idea of a fun trip is far from a proposal.

John's growing into his tastes. Tastes for things unmentionable in polite society. Read this coming-of-age story about how a violent artist got his start.
Each book in the His Game series is a standalone story and can be read in any order.

So I read His Game: The woods as an arc a while ago and I just needed to read this one too this is how John starts his game and it’s a pretty twisted tale. This is not for everyone it’s graphic and dark. It’s always hard to say I liked these kind of books but when they are well written and provoke a response that the author sets out to achieve then they are worth the read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
  
40x40

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 KP) rated Wedding Bride and Doom in Books

Nov 27, 2024 (Updated Nov 27, 2024)  
Wedding Bride and Doom
Wedding Bride and Doom
Mary Karnes | 2023 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fatal Flowers
When Kate Ludlow's marriage ended, she packed up her teenage daughter and moved from Southern California back to her hometown in Connecticut. She also went about turning her part time gig as a wedding planner into a full business, hustling to prove herself to her new customer base. The florist she works with the most is Lori-Sue, which can be awkward since the two have a history dating back to high school. So when Kate finds Lori-Sue's body one day, she also finds herself the prime suspect. Naturally nosey, Kate gets involved. Can she clear her name?

This debut sounded fun, so I was looking forward to it. It starts out well, with Kate finding the body quickly. However, the further I went into the book, the more I struggled with it. The plot seemed disjointed at times, but connections are made at the end. Meanwhile, we learn things late in the book about Kate that would have been nice to learn earlier. Finally, the climax only works because Kate is stupid. On the other hand, I really did like the characters, and the cliffhanger is intriguing. Still, I think I will probably pass on the sequel, unfortunately.
  
40x40

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 KP) rated The Chalice of the Gods in Books

Jan 15, 2024 (Updated Jan 15, 2024)  
The Chalice of the Gods
The Chalice of the Gods
Rick Riordan | 2023 | Children
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Percy Has an Extra College Entrance Requirement
Percy Jackson is now a senior in high school, but in order to get into college, he has a special requirement – letters of recommendation from three gods. And to get them, he has to go on quests, of course. The first comes from Ganymede who is missing the special goblet he uses to serve the gods. Can Percy find it before the next big feast?

It’s been years since I read any of the Percy Jackson books, so I wasn’t sure how easily I’d slip back into his world. I needn’t have worried. The book focuses on a smaller cast of characters, which made it easy, and I enjoyed spending time with them again. The story is episodic at times, but I was always engaged, dying to know what would happen next even if the stakes were a little smaller than in other books. I’d forgotten just how funny the books could be, and I was smiling and laughing throughout. Yet we also got some wonderful character moments that were very emotionally satisfying. I’m so glad I picked up this book, and other fans of Percy will be glad they picked it up, too.
  
Scoop Me Up (Love in Maplewood #7)
Scoop Me Up (Love in Maplewood #7)
Riley Long | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
SCOOP ME UP returns to Maplewood for the seventh story in this series. This time, we have a non-binary school teacher, who longs to own his own ice-cream shop, and a business consultant in town to spend time with his daughter, who ends up not being as straight as he thought he was.

As with all the books I have read in this series, it is low angst, with a high dose of sweetness, charm to spare, and a whole town to rally round when your backs are against the wall. There were parts of this that confused me, as I thought decisions had already been made and conversations had. Maybe that was me reading more into parts than I should have done, but it did jolt me out of my zone whenever I hit them.

Anyway, this was a sweet story with some great ice-cream names and a wonderful supporting cast. If you like this series, then I have no doubt you will like this instalment.

** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 13, 2025