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Ava Oosterling is setting up a fudge shop in part of her grandfather's tackle store. But when a visiting actress is found dead with a piece of Ava's fudge in her mouth, she's got to find the killer before she is arrested for murder.

The book was going along okay, although Ava could be a bit annoying. But then at the half way point, there was a twist that made no sense, and Ava went off the deep end. I wanted to like this debut, but it was another disappointment.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-review-first-degree-fudge-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
MM
Mr. Monk Gets on Board (Mr. Monk #17)
Hy Conrad | 2014
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
When Natalie decides to attend a business conference on a cruise ship, she is surprised when Monk tags along. She's almost talked him into leaving when she over hears a murder plot. Can they stop it? Can they prove who the killer is?

A couple of times, this book got a little lost in the fun of Monk on the cruise ship, just like the series. And just like in the series, I enjoyed those moments. The mystery was still strong and the characters were great as always.

Read my full review at <a href="carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-review-mr-monk-gets-on-board-by-hy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Bed and breakfast owner Natalie Barnes finds the dead body of her part time employee in a cranberry bog. While the police rule it a suicide, Natalie doesn't think so. Meanwhile, her ex-fiancee has come to try to win her back. I love these characters and the plot was good. My only complaint is that one possible motive for the murder was almost exactly the same as in the first in the series. And since this is second in the series, that is disappointing.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-dead-and-berried-by-karen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Christmas in Key West is anything but peaceful when sabotage at a new restaurant in town leads to murder, and Hayley is right in the middle trying to figure out what is happening.

There are several sub-plots that overshadow the main mystery at times, but the book was always entertaining with characters I love. Things do come together for a logical climax. Overall, this was an entertaining book.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/12/book-review-death-with-all-trimmings-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
AA
And a Puzzle to Die On (Puzzle Lady #6)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Puzzle Lady Cora Felton is hiding from her birthday by digging into a 20 year old murder. Why is someone interested in the case now? Is the real killer behind bars? The plot contains plenty of twists, but I felt the ending was overly convoluted. There was plenty of word play, which is why I read the series, so I loved that. Those who read for the cross word puzzles might be disappointed to learn they are unrelated to the mail plot. Personally, that didn't bother me.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-and-puzzle-to-die-on-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
The Puzzle Lady is back and dealing with stolen chairs, charges of plagiarism, and being framed for murder. And to think she was complaining about being bored. I was impressed with how everything was tied together in the end. My only real complaint here was that the witty banter between characters I normally love had too much of an angry tent to it for the first half of the book. Still, there were plenty of laughs. Now, if only Dennis would die soon I'd really be happy.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-you-have-right-to-remain.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Blackberry Burial (A Berry Basket Mystery #2)
Blackberry Burial (A Berry Basket Mystery #2)
Sharon Farrow | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
<i>NOTE: I voluntarily read and reviewed a free copy provided to me by the author.</i>

Marlee and friends are back in the 2nd Berry Basket Mystery, and I enjoyed this one even more than the first. While surveying a possible starting location for the annual road rally, Marlee finds the body of a girl missing for 20 years hidden in the overgrowth. Can she catch a killer when the murder happened so long ago?

I enjoy reading about Marlee and her friends, and I would love to visit Oriole Point. With such a great combination of characters, setting, and suspense, I’m already looking forward to book #3.
  
Purr M for Murder (Cat Rescue Mystery, #1)
Purr M for Murder (Cat Rescue Mystery, #1)
T.C. LoTempio | 2017 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sydney returns home to North Carolina to help plan an even intended to keep the animal shelter where her sister Kat works afloat. A local bully threatens to do whatever it takes to stop the event, and Kat yells at him that it will be the last thing he will ever do. Since he is found dead not long after, Kat becomes suspect number one, and Sydney goes to work to prove her sister’s innocence. This well-paced mystery kept me in the dark right up to the end. Purr M for MURDER is the first in what looks to be a great new series.
  
Georgie manages to get a trip to Nice in the middle of winter to try to find something stolen from the palace. But then a second theft and a murder put her in danger. Can she find her way out of it? As always, Georgie and her family and friends are a delight to be around. Also as always, this book takes forever setting things up before the plot really gets going. I enjoy the series, but I wish the mystery got moving sooner.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-naught-in-nice-by-rhys.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
WG
World's Greatest Sleuth!
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Cowboys Old Red and Big Red are summoned to the World's Fair in Chicago to compete in a competition to discover who is the best detective in the world now that Sherlock Holmes has vanished. But the stakes are raised when someone involved in the competition turns up dead the second morning. Can Old Red figure out why the murder took place? I always enjoy spending time around these brothers in the 1890's, and this book was no exception. The story is strong as are the characters. Another fun read.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-worlds-greatest-sleuth-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.