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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2621 KP) rated Murder on Devil’s Pond in Books
Jul 11, 2024
Murder of the Town Recluse
Hannah Solace has returned to her small town in Vermont to help her sister run a B&B. The only person she’s really reconnect with is Ezra Grayson, the town’s eighty-year-old recluse that most people want to see sell the house he’s lived in most of his life. Then Hannah finds his dead body on the pond that borders the B&B. When she finds herself on the suspect list, Hannah begins to investigate. Is his death related to a secret from the past? Or was one of his heirs, who are staying at the B&B, too impatient to inherit?
I’ll admit, it took me a couple of chapters to fully get pulled into this new world, but once it did, I was fully hooked. The mystery is complex with a variety of motives. I figured one thing out early, but the rest, including the killer, kept me guessing. The characters, including the suspects, grew more complex as I read as well. There are some relationships I’m looking forward to seeing explored further as the series goes along. The environmental themes are well done, and the recipe at the end sounds delicious. This book is a little more on the serious side for a cozy mystery, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. If you are looking for a new series you can dig into, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
I’ll admit, it took me a couple of chapters to fully get pulled into this new world, but once it did, I was fully hooked. The mystery is complex with a variety of motives. I figured one thing out early, but the rest, including the killer, kept me guessing. The characters, including the suspects, grew more complex as I read as well. There are some relationships I’m looking forward to seeing explored further as the series goes along. The environmental themes are well done, and the recipe at the end sounds delicious. This book is a little more on the serious side for a cozy mystery, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. If you are looking for a new series you can dig into, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
Escape of the Grand Duchess
Book
Escape of the Grand Duchess by Susan Appleyard is a gripping historical novel that shatters the...
Historical Fiction Royal Biography
ClareR (6256 KP) rated Coffin Moon in Books
May 17, 2026
Coffin Moon isn’t your run of the mill vampire story, and is a new take on a genre that there has been a lot of books about over the years. It never came across as gratuitously violent, although by it’s nature, there is a lot of violence, and these are people fighting for their lives: it’s a vampire novel after all. Coffin Moon is about grief, revenge, regret and survival.
The story is told through three characters, and almost entirely by Duane Minor, a Vietnam vet, who is still struggling with the horrors that he saw on his tour. Duane embarks on his journey of revenge with his niece, Julia, who has also experienced trauma before her aunt adopted her. They are both searching for John Vadey, the vampire who is to blame for the death of their loved ones. All of these main characters are flawed, and this makes for a sad, melancholy story. Their backstories are well-developed and their actions are believable (within the context of the story, because I would be at home, hiding behind the sofa!). The narrator, Pete Cross, brought these people to life and made it seem all too real, especially the devastating finale. This is a masterclass in the vampire genre.
Keith Rosson is an author I haven’t come across before, and looking at his backlist, it looks as though I have a bit of catching up to do!
The story is told through three characters, and almost entirely by Duane Minor, a Vietnam vet, who is still struggling with the horrors that he saw on his tour. Duane embarks on his journey of revenge with his niece, Julia, who has also experienced trauma before her aunt adopted her. They are both searching for John Vadey, the vampire who is to blame for the death of their loved ones. All of these main characters are flawed, and this makes for a sad, melancholy story. Their backstories are well-developed and their actions are believable (within the context of the story, because I would be at home, hiding behind the sofa!). The narrator, Pete Cross, brought these people to life and made it seem all too real, especially the devastating finale. This is a masterclass in the vampire genre.
Keith Rosson is an author I haven’t come across before, and looking at his backlist, it looks as though I have a bit of catching up to do!
Sun of Blood and Ruin
6.0
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Mexican history and Mesoamerican mythology meet in this thrilling historical fantasy with magic,...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2621 KP) rated A Very Woodsy Murder in Books
Jul 25, 2024 (Updated Jul 25, 2024)
A Sitcom Writer’s Death Isn’t a Laughing Matter
Dee Stern is looking for something new after her career as a sitcom writer declines. When she spots the Golden Motel outside of Majestic National Park, she buys it with her best friend, Jeff Cornetta. Their first guest is Michael Adam Baker, a former co-worker from Dee’s sitcom writing days. She’s less than happy to see him again. But then he’s murdered. With Dee and Jeff both on the suspect list and all reservations cancelling because of the news, Dee has to figure out what happened to save her livelihood. Can she do it?
While the motel and the areas where the action takes place are all fictional, anyone familiar with the Sierra Nevada mountains will pick up on the inspiration for the setting. Between that and the motel itself, I was completely charmed and wanted to go visit in real life. The characters we meet are a bit eccentric even for a cozy but also just as delightful. Dee’s background as a sitcom writer provides some good laughs and adds to how Dee views the events. The mystery sets itself up well so it can really get going once Michael is killed. I was hooked and surprised by the logical conclusion. While not a full-blown culinary cozy, there are a couple of recipes at the end. I was utterly charmed by this debut and am already booking my return visit.
While the motel and the areas where the action takes place are all fictional, anyone familiar with the Sierra Nevada mountains will pick up on the inspiration for the setting. Between that and the motel itself, I was completely charmed and wanted to go visit in real life. The characters we meet are a bit eccentric even for a cozy but also just as delightful. Dee’s background as a sitcom writer provides some good laughs and adds to how Dee views the events. The mystery sets itself up well so it can really get going once Michael is killed. I was hooked and surprised by the logical conclusion. While not a full-blown culinary cozy, there are a couple of recipes at the end. I was utterly charmed by this debut and am already booking my return visit.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2621 KP) rated Fair Warning in Books
Apr 9, 2026
Finding a Killer is Consumer Protection
Jack McEvoy is now reporting for a consumer protection website, far from the crime beat he’s covered for most of his career. However, his crime instincts kick in when two detectives come to question him about the death of a woman he had a one-night stand with. Even though murder isn’t what his employer covers, Jack begins investigating. He finds some other deaths that sound similar from other parts of the country. But what potentially connects the victims might make this a story his website would cover. Can he convince his editor? If so, can he find another serial killer?
When this book first came out, I remember being intrigued by the premise, and I liked finally getting to see it play out even if I wasn’t sure I completely bought it a time or two. Still, I was on board for every twist and turn on the way to the climax. The occasional view point changes increased the suspense. We only have a couple of returning characters, but the entire cast came to life. Jack’s protection of his story got a little old, but that’s probably because I’m not a reporter. Likewise, his lamenting the state of journalism bugged me since it didn’t look at the entire picture. Still, these were minor issues in a book that kept me engaged the entire way through. Buckle up and hold on when you pick this one up.
When this book first came out, I remember being intrigued by the premise, and I liked finally getting to see it play out even if I wasn’t sure I completely bought it a time or two. Still, I was on board for every twist and turn on the way to the climax. The occasional view point changes increased the suspense. We only have a couple of returning characters, but the entire cast came to life. Jack’s protection of his story got a little old, but that’s probably because I’m not a reporter. Likewise, his lamenting the state of journalism bugged me since it didn’t look at the entire picture. Still, these were minor issues in a book that kept me engaged the entire way through. Buckle up and hold on when you pick this one up.
Stakeouts and Strollers
8.0
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Amateur private investigator and new dad Charlie Shaw gets more than he bargained for when he agrees...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2621 KP) rated A Plus One for Murder in Books
Dec 10, 2021
A Friend in Death
Emma Westlake has been talked into trying a new business as a paid companion for those who might need one. One of her first clients is Brian Hill, a local writer and conspiracy theorist. He wants Emma to be his cheering section at a local open mike night. When he dies not too long after starting his poem, Emma realizes he comments about there being people in the audience who wanted to kill him weren’t jokes. Feeling a sense of loyalty to Brian, Emma tries to figure out what happened to him. Can she do it?
As the first in a new series, this book has to balance setting up the premise of the series with giving us a good mystery. It does a good job of doing just that, and I was engaged the entire time. Naturally, the plot gets stronger the further we go into the book until we reach the logical climax. I did find one of the characters a little overbearing, but that was my only complaint. On the whole, I am already falling in love with the characters in the book, and it made me reflect on the friendships I have in my life. I also enjoyed the humor throughout the book. I laughed several times along the way. A new series from Laura Bradford is always reasons to rejoice, and this book proves why once again.
As the first in a new series, this book has to balance setting up the premise of the series with giving us a good mystery. It does a good job of doing just that, and I was engaged the entire time. Naturally, the plot gets stronger the further we go into the book until we reach the logical climax. I did find one of the characters a little overbearing, but that was my only complaint. On the whole, I am already falling in love with the characters in the book, and it made me reflect on the friendships I have in my life. I also enjoyed the humor throughout the book. I laughed several times along the way. A new series from Laura Bradford is always reasons to rejoice, and this book proves why once again.
Death in a Blackout
8.0
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The first in a brand-new WWII historical mystery series introduces WPC Billie Harkness - a female...