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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2518 KP) rated Puzzle Me a Murder in Books

Aug 2, 2024  
Puzzle Me a Murder
Puzzle Me a Murder
Roz Noonan | 2024 | Mystery
3
3.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Missing Pieces
Alice Pepper enjoys having her friends over to work on puzzles most nights. Among the group is her childhood best friend Ruby Milliner. When Ruby arrives home from a business trip early, she catches her husband with his mistress. The next morning, Ruby’s husband is dead, and the police are looking at Ruby as their prime suspect. Alice jumps in to find the killer. But does she have all the pieces to solve this puzzle?

Despite the fact that I’m not much of a jigsaw puzzle guy, I thought this sounded like a fun premise for a series. Sadly, I was wrong. I didn’t feel like the characters ever went beyond being types, and it felt like they had too many interests or skills in their background. It felt like the author was checking boxes instead of making well rounded characters. There wasn’t attention to detail, so these things bumped me out of the book. The novel could have lost 60 pages without losing anything, the pacing was that off. And the climax, while logical, seemed abrupt to me. I really did want to like it more, but I won’t give this series another chance.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2518 KP) rated Catering to the Dead in Books

Nov 19, 2025  
Catering to the Dead
Catering to the Dead
Kim Davis | 2025 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Who Took the Day of the Dead Literally?
Emory Martinez is providing the cupcakes for a Dia de los Muertos party. She’s also helping out her sister, who is providing the rest of the food. But as Emory is cleaning up after the event, she finds a member of the Mariachi band under the dessert table. She doesn’t consider this a case she needs to get involved in until the hosts keep trying to point the finger at her. Can she find another killer?

When I saw we were getting a new entry in this series, I jumped at a chance to read it. While the setting may not be traditionally cozy, I really enjoy it. And the characters help pull us in. I enjoyed spending time with Emory and her family and friends as always. The pacing was a little off early, and the end left me with a minor question, but overall, the mystery was enjoyable. Plus we get nine recipes and two craft ideas. Whether new to the series or a longtime fan, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
  
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David McK (3752 KP) rated The Artful Dodger - season 2 in TV

Apr 6, 2026 - 7:33 PM  
The Artful Dodger - season 2
The Artful Dodger - season 2
2026 |
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
TV Season Rating
I don't know why more isn't being made of this show
(edit: I mean why it's not better known that it is, not that they aren't making more. Maybe they are, maybe they're not.)

This picks up from the end of season one of the show, with Dr Jack Dawkins (aka The Artful Dodger of the title) about to be hanged for a crime he didn't commit at the end of season one.

Spoiler alert: he isn't.

The main love-across-the-social-divide story of Jack and Lady Belle continues throughout this season, although more time here also seems to be given to who were, effectively, side characters in the first season: in particular, to Lady Belle's sister Fanny (who has perhaps the best arc of the season).

Alongside that, we have the continuing effort of Fagin to finagle his way to wealth and the exploration of the surgery of the time, with Dr Sneed coming more into his own and whilst a new detective in Port Victory is on the hunt for a serial killer who he believes to be Dr Dawkins ...
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2518 KP) rated Engaged to Die in Books

Jul 30, 2025  
Engaged to Die
Engaged to Die
Carolyn Hart | 2003 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Announcement Postponed by Murder
This book opens in January, and it involves a family that owns an art gallery on the island of Broward’s Rock. They are gearing up for an opening for a well-respected artist, but Virginia, the owner, is also going to use it to announce her engagement to a much younger man, much to her step children’s dismay. Naturally, Annie Darling is going to be there with her husband, Max. But when the time comes for the announcement, it gets postponed, and soon after, a dead body is discovered. Will Annie solve the latest mystery?

While I was reading this book, I was enjoying it. But as I thought about it later, I started to have issues. The subplot was front loaded, giving us more time before the mystery really got started. The ending felt rushed, with no explanation of how Annie fingered the killer, which means I’m struggling a little to see how it all makes sense. And one relationship had to devolved for us to get the usual antagonist relationship Annie has with the local police. Fans will still enjoy this visit with the characters even if it isn’t the strongest.