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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2631 KP) rated The Jig is Up in Books
Aug 22, 2024
Kate Must Dance Fast to Find a Killer
When Kate Buckley gets a text from her sister, Colleen, she packs up her daughters and heads home to Shamrock, a town that has become an Irish themed tourist destination. Before Kate can find out what is wrong with Colleen, the two find the dead body of Colleen’s best friend, Deirdre, who was a famous Irish dancer. Kate finds herself drawn into the mystery of what happened. Can she solve the case?
I’m a little surprised we haven’t seen an Irish touristy town as a series theme before now. While I did feel things and characters could have been a bit more fleshed out, I enjoyed what we got here. The theming is fun and made me smile multiple times. The characters are, likewise, charming, and I am looking forward to getting to know them better. The mystery got off to a strong start, and the book kept me engaged, even with some things that might have annoyed me in lesser hands. You’ll dance through this debut and be left anxious for the encore.
I’m a little surprised we haven’t seen an Irish touristy town as a series theme before now. While I did feel things and characters could have been a bit more fleshed out, I enjoyed what we got here. The theming is fun and made me smile multiple times. The characters are, likewise, charming, and I am looking forward to getting to know them better. The mystery got off to a strong start, and the book kept me engaged, even with some things that might have annoyed me in lesser hands. You’ll dance through this debut and be left anxious for the encore.
Toxic B!tch
10.0
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Book
She wasn’t the girl I meant to text. But she might be the one who ruins me. I thought I was...
Dark Contemporary Romance Suspense Serial Killer
Diversion (Probation Case Files #3)
Book
Phoenix probation officer Casey Carson could use a change of scenery to clear her head and make some...
Contemporary Mystery
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2631 KP) rated Sovereign Sieged in Books
Apr 16, 2026
Hiding Out Is a Disappointment
Jax has been traveling for the last couple of books, so she is looking forward to returning to her country of Saphire as she prepares for the upcoming war council. But she has only been home a few hours before something happens that makes her think she isn’t safe even in her own castle. Fleeing to a fortress in her kingdom, she surrounds herself with people she can trust. But when a murder happens, Jax has to figure out who among those present is a killer.
As always, this series needs to be read in order to properly understand the events here and avoid spoilers. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the strongest entry in the series. The pacing was off, with the murder coming late. I also pieced much of it together early. A subplot carried over from the previous book, and I didn’t enjoy it at all. Still, I do enjoy spending time with these characters and am anxious to see what happens to them next.
As always, this series needs to be read in order to properly understand the events here and avoid spoilers. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the strongest entry in the series. The pacing was off, with the murder coming late. I also pieced much of it together early. A subplot carried over from the previous book, and I didn’t enjoy it at all. Still, I do enjoy spending time with these characters and am anxious to see what happens to them next.
Harm Not the Earth
8.0
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When Southwest Pennsylvania's summer rains flood the Casselman River, State Police Trooper Jim...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2631 KP) rated Fondant Fumble in Books
Jun 11, 2024
Murder Stings a Bakery Opening
Two players for the Arizona Scorpions NFL team have opened the newest franchise of Mel’s bakery across town. While she is enjoying teaching them about what it takes to run the business, others don’t seem so happy about it. In fact, the team’s owner makes a scene at the bakery’s opening. The next morning, he’s found dead in the new bakery. Can Mel find the killer?
I love the characters in this series, and it was great to check on them again. The new characters are just as charming. The mystery could have used a few other suspects and another couple of twists. What we have is good, but it could have been stronger. On the other hand, I thought I knew where a subplot was going early on, but I was delighted to be surprised. It became one of my favorite parts of the book. The humor is great as always, and we get more cupcake recipes as well. Fans of this series will gobble it up as quickly as I did.
I love the characters in this series, and it was great to check on them again. The new characters are just as charming. The mystery could have used a few other suspects and another couple of twists. What we have is good, but it could have been stronger. On the other hand, I thought I knew where a subplot was going early on, but I was delighted to be surprised. It became one of my favorite parts of the book. The humor is great as always, and we get more cupcake recipes as well. Fans of this series will gobble it up as quickly as I did.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2631 KP) rated The Tale of the Tenpenny Tontine in Books
May 16, 2025
Tickle Your Funny Bone with this Tale
Anty is developing a reputation for solving sticky problems, so a friend reaches out to him when two relatives die in a duel. Since a family fortune is on the line, who dies first is important. However, Anty has hardly looked at the scene before he realizes it was murder. Considering the victims were found in a locked room, how did the killer pull it off?
I’ve got to make time to read this series faster, because this was another wonderful entry. The mystery was sufficiently puzzling with plenty to keep me engaged. And we reached a logical climax that explained the how and the who. The characters are a little thin, but that is in service to the comedy. The laughs come from a very dry British wit and plenty of sarcasm. I was laughing on page one, and smiling or laughing the rest of the way through the book. If that’s what you are in the mood for, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
I’ve got to make time to read this series faster, because this was another wonderful entry. The mystery was sufficiently puzzling with plenty to keep me engaged. And we reached a logical climax that explained the how and the who. The characters are a little thin, but that is in service to the comedy. The laughs come from a very dry British wit and plenty of sarcasm. I was laughing on page one, and smiling or laughing the rest of the way through the book. If that’s what you are in the mood for, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2631 KP) rated The Case of the Carnaby Castle Curse in Books
Oct 29, 2025
Is Anty’s Favorite Steward a Killer?
When Anty’s favorite steward, Carnaby, doesn’t return to London from his vacation, Anty sets out to find out what is happening. He is surprised to learn that Carnaby’s family owns a castle. But it comes with a curse that has just carried off the patriarch’s new wife. Or was it murder? Anty is determined to find out and clear Carnaby of suspicion.
This book doesn’t play too much into spooky, but it does have some elements that made it fun to read during October. The mystery is strong with several elements that kept me guessing until the end. As always, I appreciated how the mystery was laid out. The suspects could have been a little stronger, but I did still care about the outcome. The writing took me a chapter to get used to, but once I did, I was easily caught up in the story and laughing at the very dry British humor. No matter what time of the year you read this book, you’ll be glad you picked it up.
This book doesn’t play too much into spooky, but it does have some elements that made it fun to read during October. The mystery is strong with several elements that kept me guessing until the end. As always, I appreciated how the mystery was laid out. The suspects could have been a little stronger, but I did still care about the outcome. The writing took me a chapter to get used to, but once I did, I was easily caught up in the story and laughing at the very dry British humor. No matter what time of the year you read this book, you’ll be glad you picked it up.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2631 KP) rated Buried in Shamrocks in Books
Feb 25, 2026
Can Kate Make Her Ex an Ex-Suspect?
Kate Buckley and her daughters are back in Shamrock for the summer. They’ve arrived just in time for the Great Shamrock Fair. But then Kate finds out her ex-husband is in town with his band to perform at the event. And his new fiancée is in town, too. But when she winds up dead, the pressure is on to find the killer before it dampens the fair. Can Kate keep her ex-husband out of jail?
I was glad we got a return visit. Once again, the town and characters are charming. And I enjoyed getting to see some of the characters and their relationships grow. The mystery does have some pacing issues, but it does reach a logical climax that I really enjoyed. A couple of the subplots felt like they could have given us a bit more here while still leaving things open for the next book. But the characters made the pages fly by all too quickly. You’ll find them charming as well.
I was glad we got a return visit. Once again, the town and characters are charming. And I enjoyed getting to see some of the characters and their relationships grow. The mystery does have some pacing issues, but it does reach a logical climax that I really enjoyed. A couple of the subplots felt like they could have given us a bit more here while still leaving things open for the next book. But the characters made the pages fly by all too quickly. You’ll find them charming as well.