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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Pretty Lentil Liars in Books
Oct 9, 2024
Can Jackie Find the Truth in a Town of Liars
Jackie Norwood has landed in Holland, Washington, for their lentil festival. It quickly becomes evident that the organizer has exaggerated how big the crowds will be, but Jackie wonders what else the organizer is hiding after she receives a note claiming the organizer is a constant liar. Then she hears about the teen who vanished on prom night twelve years ago. Can Jackie find the truth about what happened that night?
I was thrilled to be back in Jackie’s presence for this book. The set up was fun, and I quickly got caught up in the story. I thought I had the villain pegged early on, but I turned out to be wrong. Still, everything made sense when I was done. The characters are great, new and old alike. One of the supporting characters gets a chance to shine, and I liked the growth we saw for Jackie. We also get some humor, including puns, which I enjoyed. There are 10 recipes at the end featuring lentils, from the traditional soups to the more creative. If you are looking for a great book that is a fast read, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
I was thrilled to be back in Jackie’s presence for this book. The set up was fun, and I quickly got caught up in the story. I thought I had the villain pegged early on, but I turned out to be wrong. Still, everything made sense when I was done. The characters are great, new and old alike. One of the supporting characters gets a chance to shine, and I liked the growth we saw for Jackie. We also get some humor, including puns, which I enjoyed. There are 10 recipes at the end featuring lentils, from the traditional soups to the more creative. If you are looking for a great book that is a fast read, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
Ricki’s Past, Family, and a Christmas Murder
Ricki James-Diaz is thrilled her parents are in town for Christmas. She’s hoping that she and her mom and use the time to track down more of Ricki’s birth family. But when one of her mom’s former co-workers is killed right after Ricki meets her, murder takes center stage. As more of Ricki’s family and friends come under suspicious, she can’t help but jump in. Will she find the killer?
It was great to be back with Ricki and her family and friends. They are a fun bunch, and we met some new characters I hope we see again. There are some spoilers for previous books’ ongoing storylines, but they are minor. There are several subplots in addition to the main mystery, so I was never bored. Yet everything was balanced well and we reached a satisfying climax. I did find a couple of small things that should have been caught by an edit, but they are minor. I loved the Christmas setting of the book for both the humor and the coziness it brought. And we get some appropriate recipes at the end of the book. Whether you read this book now or save it for December, you’ll be glad you read it.
It was great to be back with Ricki and her family and friends. They are a fun bunch, and we met some new characters I hope we see again. There are some spoilers for previous books’ ongoing storylines, but they are minor. There are several subplots in addition to the main mystery, so I was never bored. Yet everything was balanced well and we reached a satisfying climax. I did find a couple of small things that should have been caught by an edit, but they are minor. I loved the Christmas setting of the book for both the humor and the coziness it brought. And we get some appropriate recipes at the end of the book. Whether you read this book now or save it for December, you’ll be glad you read it.
Death at Tidal Creek
7.0
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Book store owner and coffee slinger, Clark Thomas, finds himself involved in another murder...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Stuff to Spy For in Books
Jan 24, 2025
Spying, Even Accidentally, Can Be Deadly
When Skip Moore lands a sale for a company looking to upgrade their security system, he thinks he’s finally made the big time. He even gets his best friend, James Lessor, a job on the installation team. Then Skip is offered a couple of extra assignments with big paydays. What could possibly go wrong? A suspicious death for starters. Then there are things that aren’t adding up, and evidence that someone is spying on them. Can the pair figure out what is going on?
This series is a mixed bag for me, and this book was no exception. I appreciate the friendship between Skip and James, but the ideas and James leads them into make me smack my head sometimes. I appreciate some of the humor, but other bits make me cringe. The plot was compelling, but the ending was rushed. And a key scene makes little sense (why are the characters there?). Then there’s also the needless tease in the opening. Yet, I plan to keep going forward with this series. If you pick the book up, keep in mind that it came out in 2009, which explains some of the dated technology. If the premise sounds interesting pick up the series. Otherwise, you can skip them.
This series is a mixed bag for me, and this book was no exception. I appreciate the friendship between Skip and James, but the ideas and James leads them into make me smack my head sometimes. I appreciate some of the humor, but other bits make me cringe. The plot was compelling, but the ending was rushed. And a key scene makes little sense (why are the characters there?). Then there’s also the needless tease in the opening. Yet, I plan to keep going forward with this series. If you pick the book up, keep in mind that it came out in 2009, which explains some of the dated technology. If the premise sounds interesting pick up the series. Otherwise, you can skip them.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Death Comes to Marlow in Books
Jul 30, 2025 (Updated Jul 30, 2025)
Locked Room Murder on the Eve of a Wedding
It’s been six month since our first visit to Marlow, and Judith is enjoying the hyphenation that comes in January. But when she gets invited to a pre-wedding celebration from Sir Peter, she decides to attend. She invites Suzy as her plus one, and Becks is there since her husband, the vicar, is performing the wedding. However, part way through the party, there’s a loud crash from inside the house. Judith is among those who rush in to discover Sir Peter’s body inside his locked study, crushed to death. All the evidence makes it look like it was a tragic accident, but Judith thinks there is something suspicious about it. Can she figure out what really happened?
This is a great locked room mystery. I thought I had things figured out, but I was wrong on the who and the how. Yet all the clues were there. I also enjoyed seeing the characters again and watching them and their relationships grow. The suspects were strong as well. The humor wasn’t as strong as the first book, although there were still some grins and laughs to be had. I’m glad I already have book three in this fun series.
This is a great locked room mystery. I thought I had things figured out, but I was wrong on the who and the how. Yet all the clues were there. I also enjoyed seeing the characters again and watching them and their relationships grow. The suspects were strong as well. The humor wasn’t as strong as the first book, although there were still some grins and laughs to be had. I’m glad I already have book three in this fun series.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Lime and Punishment in Books
Jan 14, 2026
Murder Leaves a Tart Taste on This Festival
Jackie Norwood and her friends have landed in Maverick Key, one of the smaller of the Florida Keys, for their key lime festival. Everyone is happy to be there since it is February. But Jackie is disturbed to find out that two bar owners have been killed in the last few weeks. She was hoping for a more relaxed festival this time, however, it looks like murder has followed her once again. But it’s only after she runs into her high school band teacher and learns he’s the prime suspect that Jackie decides she must investigate. Can she clear her friend of the crime?
This book sets up the story as quickly as possible and then delivers a mystery filled with plenty of twists, great suspects, and red herrings along the way to the logical climax. All of Jackie’s friends are present, and they continue to provide the cozy core of these travel stories. I love how some relationships continue to evolved. We also get a nice dose of puns and other humor. There are plenty of key lime based recipes, and not all of them dessert. I was thrilled to be back for Jackie’s latest adventure. Fans new and old will find plenty to enjoy here.
This book sets up the story as quickly as possible and then delivers a mystery filled with plenty of twists, great suspects, and red herrings along the way to the logical climax. All of Jackie’s friends are present, and they continue to provide the cozy core of these travel stories. I love how some relationships continue to evolved. We also get a nice dose of puns and other humor. There are plenty of key lime based recipes, and not all of them dessert. I was thrilled to be back for Jackie’s latest adventure. Fans new and old will find plenty to enjoy here.
imPerfect Magic (The imPerfect Cathar #1)
8.0
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After hundreds of years of dying, you'd think I would've perfected it by now... One moment I'm a...
Supernatural Dark Humor Mystery Suspense
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Arbor Day Can Be Deadly in Books
May 4, 2023
It All Started on Arbor Day
Sho is on indefinite leave from his job as a nurse. In an effort to clear his head, he goes to visit his sister Jenny, who has just opened a diner in Bluebonnet Hills, Texas. He’s arrived in time for the Arbor Day festival, but he sees some strange things happening. And then he meets Levi Blue, an actor in town trying to get an update on the construction of his fan museum. When Levi drags Sho into the investigation, what will the two of them uncover?
This is a prequel novella that introduces the characters and sets up the premise of the series. Since I’ve read other stories with the characters, I already knew part of what we learned here, but I still enjoyed seeing everyone meet for the first time. The pacing is a little off because of the set up, but there is plenty of story here. In fact, there’s almost too much, but it does come to a logical climax. There’s plenty of humor and some serious issues as well, and the two are balanced perfectly. If you are looking for a fun, you’ll be glad you picked up this prequel.
This is a prequel novella that introduces the characters and sets up the premise of the series. Since I’ve read other stories with the characters, I already knew part of what we learned here, but I still enjoyed seeing everyone meet for the first time. The pacing is a little off because of the set up, but there is plenty of story here. In fact, there’s almost too much, but it does come to a logical climax. There’s plenty of humor and some serious issues as well, and the two are balanced perfectly. If you are looking for a fun, you’ll be glad you picked up this prequel.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated A Little Class on Murder in Books
Apr 7, 2022
Annie Finds Murder in College
When Annie is asked to teach a class on The Three Grand Dame of the Mystery for the journalism department at the college in Chastain, she quickly warms to the idea. Her enthusiasm is only dimmed slightly when she sees the tension in her fellow faculty members and who decides to crash her class. However, when the student paper starts printing stories that lead to deaths, Annie and her new husband, Max, begin to investigate. Can they figure out what is going on?
This is the book where the series seems to finally be finding the right mix. There is plenty of humor, and I laughed quite a bit. The characters are still on the thin side, but they work to keep us engaged and entertained. We get plenty of references to other writers and characters, mostly the three authors Annie is teaching in her class (Christie, Sayers, and Rinehart), but they never overwhelm or feel like a list dropped into the story. And the mystery weaves all around, keeping us guessing until the end. There is still more foul language than in a typical cozy, but as long as you know this, you’ll be fine. I hope this mix continues as the series goes forward.
This is the book where the series seems to finally be finding the right mix. There is plenty of humor, and I laughed quite a bit. The characters are still on the thin side, but they work to keep us engaged and entertained. We get plenty of references to other writers and characters, mostly the three authors Annie is teaching in her class (Christie, Sayers, and Rinehart), but they never overwhelm or feel like a list dropped into the story. And the mystery weaves all around, keeping us guessing until the end. There is still more foul language than in a typical cozy, but as long as you know this, you’ll be fine. I hope this mix continues as the series goes forward.
