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Lila Maclean is excited to be teaching her first semester as a professor. She’s not so happy with her department chair, however, especially after he shoots down her idea for a course on mysteries and basically tells her to sit down and observe. Walking into a department meeting a couple of hours later, she finds him stabbed to death on a table. With rumors that she knows more than she is saying, she decides to find the killer herself.
This is a fun debut. The college came alive for me, and I really enjoyed the setting. Now that Lila’s co-workers won’t be suspects, I’m looking forward to seeing them grow more as well since I liked most of them. While the book starts out quickly, I did feel the pace lagged a little in the middle before things came together for a logical end.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-semester-of-our-discontent.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a fun debut. The college came alive for me, and I really enjoyed the setting. Now that Lila’s co-workers won’t be suspects, I’m looking forward to seeing them grow more as well since I liked most of them. While the book starts out quickly, I did feel the pace lagged a little in the middle before things came together for a logical end.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-semester-of-our-discontent.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated A Disguise to Die For (Costume Shop Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Margo Tamblyn returns home to help her father with the family costume shop, Disguise DeLimit, in time to put together a bunch of detective costumes for a birthday party. But when the guest of honor is murdered in the kitchen and Margo’s good friend Ebony is the prime suspect, Margo has to put her own detective costume on to find the killer.
This was a fantastic start to a new series. The plot was great with many twists and surprises before we reached the logical conclusion. The characters were stronger and had more depth than many characters in long running series do. And the costume element was just plain fun, as I expected it would be. I can’t wait to revisit these characters again soon.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-disguise-to-die-for-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This was a fantastic start to a new series. The plot was great with many twists and surprises before we reached the logical conclusion. The characters were stronger and had more depth than many characters in long running series do. And the costume element was just plain fun, as I expected it would be. I can’t wait to revisit these characters again soon.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-disguise-to-die-for-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated Truth Be Told (Jane Ryland, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Jane is on the scene of a foreclosure when a dead body is found in a bedroom closet. Since the house was supposed to be empty, who is the victim and how did she get there? Meanwhile, a man has confessed to a famous unsolved murder from 20 years ago, but detective Jake is certain the man is lying. Is he really the killer? Why would he confess to a crime he didn’t commit?
The multiple view point approach, which usually works so well, falls flat at the beginning of the book when those breaks keep jerking us around and keep us from getting into the story. Once the story takes off, things really smooth out and I had a hard time putting the book down. The characters, as always, are great.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-truth-be-told-by-hank.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The multiple view point approach, which usually works so well, falls flat at the beginning of the book when those breaks keep jerking us around and keep us from getting into the story. Once the story takes off, things really smooth out and I had a hard time putting the book down. The characters, as always, are great.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-truth-be-told-by-hank.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated Caramel Crush (Cupcake Bakery Mystery, #9) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Mel’s college roommate has finally come to collect on a favor that Mel owes her, and Diane wants Mel to deliver break up cupcakes to her ex-fiance. However, the delivery doesn’t go as planned when Mel finds Mike’s body. With the police looking at Diane as the killer, suddenly Mel finds herself with a new favor – keep Diane out of prison.
Who can you not love a book that starts out with break up cupcakes? The story that follows delivers on the promise with plenty of viable suspects and some good twists. I did feel Mel was foolish at the end of the book, but that was my only complaint. All the usual supporting characters are here, and they are their usual charming selves. I just love them! And there is one scene guaranteed to melt your heart.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/04/book-review-caramel-crush-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Who can you not love a book that starts out with break up cupcakes? The story that follows delivers on the promise with plenty of viable suspects and some good twists. I did feel Mel was foolish at the end of the book, but that was my only complaint. All the usual supporting characters are here, and they are their usual charming selves. I just love them! And there is one scene guaranteed to melt your heart.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/04/book-review-caramel-crush-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated The Ambitious Card (An Eli Marks Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Eli Marks is filling in for his uncle on a TV show. His job is to watch a psychic and then debunk his act. Eli recognizes several of the man’s tricks as variations on magic and says so. What he doesn’t expect is to find himself the chief suspect in the man’s murder the next morning. Can he conjure up the real killer?
I liked the idea of a magician as the sleuth, however, I felt the magic overwhelmed the mystery. That’s a shame because the mystery was very good and kept me confused until the end. Likewise, the characters were interesting. Hopefully, the mystery/magic mix will be better balanced as the series goes forward.
NOTE: I was given a copy of the audio version of this book. My thoughts are my own.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-ambitious-card-by-john.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I liked the idea of a magician as the sleuth, however, I felt the magic overwhelmed the mystery. That’s a shame because the mystery was very good and kept me confused until the end. Likewise, the characters were interesting. Hopefully, the mystery/magic mix will be better balanced as the series goes forward.
NOTE: I was given a copy of the audio version of this book. My thoughts are my own.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-ambitious-card-by-john.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Winnie’s new Emergency Dessert Squad business has been opened for six weeks, and it is quickly gaining customers. But then the unthinkable happens – someone dies after eating one of Winnie’s desserts. Now the phone has stopped ringing and it looks like Winnie may go out of business. In order to keep her new business running, she needs to find the killer, can she do it?
This series has such a fun premise, and the punny names that Winnie uses for her desserts are a delight. Just as much fun are the characters. They’re a bit unusual for a cozy series, but I appreciate them for that. The plot is strong as well. I saw a few plot points coming, but others caught me by surprise.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-silence-of-flans-by-laura.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This series has such a fun premise, and the punny names that Winnie uses for her desserts are a delight. Just as much fun are the characters. They’re a bit unusual for a cozy series, but I appreciate them for that. The plot is strong as well. I saw a few plot points coming, but others caught me by surprise.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-silence-of-flans-by-laura.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated Scam Chowder (A Five-Ingredient Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Val Deniston’s grandfather is hosting a dinner party with a secret agenda. He’s hoping to confront Scott, a man who scams retirees out of their savings. However, before the confrontation can take place, Scott gets sick and leaves. The next day he is dead from poison. With the other dinner guests as suspects, Val must figure out what happened before the police arrest her grandfather.
The mystery in this book is very strong. I thought I could discount some of the suspects early on, but by the end, I felt they all could have done it. Yet, when the killer was revealed, it made perfect sense with clues pointing to his or her identity. I do wish that Val’s grandfather wasn’t so harsh to her, but the rest of the characters and their relationships are strong, and I’m anxious to see what happens to them next.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-scam-chowder-by-maya.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The mystery in this book is very strong. I thought I could discount some of the suspects early on, but by the end, I felt they all could have done it. Yet, when the killer was revealed, it made perfect sense with clues pointing to his or her identity. I do wish that Val’s grandfather wasn’t so harsh to her, but the rest of the characters and their relationships are strong, and I’m anxious to see what happens to them next.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-scam-chowder-by-maya.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated Berried Secrets (Cranberry Cove, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Monica Albertson has moved to Cranberry Cove to help her half-brother, Jeff, run his cranberry farm. But when a body is found in one of the bogs on the first day of the harvest and the victim is someone who was stealing from Jeff, Monica soon realizes she must save him from being arrested for murder.
The book started out very slowly as it was setting up characters and the location. Unfortunately, I still had a hard time connecting with the characters until the second half. Likewise, the plot does pick up in the second half, but a day that vanishes from the timeline bothered me. The climax was wonderful and the killer a surprise, but overall, the book was just average.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-berried-secrets-by-peg.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The book started out very slowly as it was setting up characters and the location. Unfortunately, I still had a hard time connecting with the characters until the second half. Likewise, the plot does pick up in the second half, but a day that vanishes from the timeline bothered me. The climax was wonderful and the killer a surprise, but overall, the book was just average.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-berried-secrets-by-peg.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Lindsay (1717 KP) rated Three Days to Forever (Mac Faraday Mystery, #9) in Books
Feb 15, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
The author has you guessing from beginning to end. It's action packed along with a mystery through out. Laura Carr gives you what you look for in a mystery along with a little romance.
What up with all the Navy and military doing though out the book? Mac and Archie had been dealt with getting ready for their wedding. They're a family secret and what could that be?
Somehow Mac Faraday and David and Cameron are targeted along with Archie mother. There's a killer on the loose and they want something Mac Faraday has.
The terrorists wants to claim on a few members. They attempt to kidnap a woman. There seems to have a mishap at every turn. Will Murphy and the navy be heroes? This is a book is worth reading and getting the other books in the series would be worth buying. If you enjoy mystery or crime and detective books. This may be your cup of tea.
What up with all the Navy and military doing though out the book? Mac and Archie had been dealt with getting ready for their wedding. They're a family secret and what could that be?
Somehow Mac Faraday and David and Cameron are targeted along with Archie mother. There's a killer on the loose and they want something Mac Faraday has.
The terrorists wants to claim on a few members. They attempt to kidnap a woman. There seems to have a mishap at every turn. Will Murphy and the navy be heroes? This is a book is worth reading and getting the other books in the series would be worth buying. If you enjoy mystery or crime and detective books. This may be your cup of tea.
Dana (24 KP) rated Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery in Books
Mar 23, 2018
This was a very sad and true tale about the disappearances of women in the North Eastern coast of America. If you know me, you will know I love true crime stories. I don't know why, I just find them so interesting and compelling. That being said, this one was incredibly sad. These women who were abducted, killed, and buried without any feeling for their lives or their families lives is heinous and callous. The fact that these women's killer still has yet to be found is just as horrifying. I am definitely planning on looking into these murders more, not really to see if I can help, because I don't think I can. But I would like to see if there is more information that can be gathered on it.
To the friends and families involved, I hope you are able to find peace in knowing your childrens' stories are getting out into the world. Thank you for sharing their stories.
To the friends and families involved, I hope you are able to find peace in knowing your childrens' stories are getting out into the world. Thank you for sharing their stories.