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After being forced to form a book club with her feuding neighbors, Bea is shocked to find the owner of the local Chinese restaurant dead behind his cash register. With events that are mirroring their first book, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, Bea and the reading group must figure out what the clues mean to find the killer.
The pace seemed off at times, although part of that was setting up the characters and the series. There was still plenty of time for some great twists that would have made Christie herself proud. Throw in some good characters and a nice dose of humor and you've got a winning series debut.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-review-mayhem-at-orient-express-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The pace seemed off at times, although part of that was setting up the characters and the series. There was still plenty of time for some great twists that would have made Christie herself proud. Throw in some good characters and a nice dose of humor and you've got a winning series debut.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-review-mayhem-at-orient-express-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2336 KP) rated Decanting a Murder (A Sommelier Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Katie Stillwell lives for wine, so when her best friend, Tessa, gets her an invitation to Frontier Winery’s 100th anniversary party, Katie gladly accepts. The night ends with tragedy when Katie finds the owner murdered. With Tessa missing, Katie must figure out what is really going on. Can she do it?
I’m not a wine drinker, but I completely enjoyed this debut. Tessa could be a bit much at times, but I liked her at others. I was bothered by how much the detective included Katie in the investigation, but overall I completely enjoyed this book. The story moved forward quickly, and Katie is a great main character. I can’t wait to revisit her.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-decanting-murder-by-nadine.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I’m not a wine drinker, but I completely enjoyed this debut. Tessa could be a bit much at times, but I liked her at others. I was bothered by how much the detective included Katie in the investigation, but overall I completely enjoyed this book. The story moved forward quickly, and Katie is a great main character. I can’t wait to revisit her.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-decanting-murder-by-nadine.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2336 KP) rated Queen of Hearts (Her Royal Spyness Mysteries, #8) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Georgie is off to America with her mother, actress Claire Daniels. But their Atlantic crossing is marred by a jewel thief and a possible murder that only Georgie witnesses. And the danger follows them when they hit America and head to Hollywood of the 1930's.
Despite the number of miles the characters cover, the plot holds together well and we still get to see many of the series regulars, who were charming as always. Being an entertainment junky, I enjoyed this fictional look at old Hollywood and seeing the real people who made cameos over the course of the book. All told, another great read in a fun series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/08/book-review-queen-of-hearts-by-rhys.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Despite the number of miles the characters cover, the plot holds together well and we still get to see many of the series regulars, who were charming as always. Being an entertainment junky, I enjoyed this fictional look at old Hollywood and seeing the real people who made cameos over the course of the book. All told, another great read in a fun series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/08/book-review-queen-of-hearts-by-rhys.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2336 KP) rated Frozen Heat (Nikki Heat, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Nikki arrives at her newest case, she's puzzled by how the woman wound up in a freezer truck. But then she finds a clue that links this woman with the cold case of her mother's murder. Will she finally solve that mystery as well as solving this current one? As a fan of the show, I was surprised they went here before they resolved the parallel plot on the show. But fans don't need to worry because this book goes off in a completely different direction. There are lots of twists to keep you entertained. Sadly, the writing is still poor, but you can still get through it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-frozen-heat-by-richard.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-frozen-heat-by-richard.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2336 KP) rated Fifth Shades of Greyhound in Books
May 31, 2018
Who Was Killed at the Party?
Pet therapist Caro Lamont is attending a fundraiser for a local greyhound rescue organization. However, the evening ends unexpectedly when a man crashes into Caro and then falls down dead at her feet. No one seems to know who he was, but someone must. Who was he? Why did someone want him dead?
This book wastes little time jumping into the murder, and it really doesn’t slow down after that. The book is filled with laughs, coming from some absurd situations and some eccentric characters. Yet the core cast of characters are still serious enough that we can care about them and the outcome. Caro finds plenty of clues and red herrings on her way to a logical solution to yet another fun mystery.
This book wastes little time jumping into the murder, and it really doesn’t slow down after that. The book is filled with laughs, coming from some absurd situations and some eccentric characters. Yet the core cast of characters are still serious enough that we can care about them and the outcome. Caro finds plenty of clues and red herrings on her way to a logical solution to yet another fun mystery.
Kristin (149 KP) rated Murder Red Ink in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
I personally loved "Ghosts of San Francisco" and I'm an avid reader of anything having to do with Jack the Ripper, so when I was given the opportunity to read and review "Murder Red Ink," there was no way I could pass it up. And once again, Mr. McGhee does not disappoint!
This book involves a very interesting take on the Ripper murders, and it kept me engrossed from beginning to end. There were many times I had to put it down because of that pesky thing called "life," but I just didn't want to, and that's how you know a book is awesome.
Wonderful novel, tantalizing plot and theories, and another great story from this author. Keep 'em coming! =)
5 stars
I personally loved "Ghosts of San Francisco" and I'm an avid reader of anything having to do with Jack the Ripper, so when I was given the opportunity to read and review "Murder Red Ink," there was no way I could pass it up. And once again, Mr. McGhee does not disappoint!
This book involves a very interesting take on the Ripper murders, and it kept me engrossed from beginning to end. There were many times I had to put it down because of that pesky thing called "life," but I just didn't want to, and that's how you know a book is awesome.
Wonderful novel, tantalizing plot and theories, and another great story from this author. Keep 'em coming! =)
5 stars
Lesley (60 KP) rated A Double Life in Books
Aug 10, 2018
Beautiful, tense thriller!
I have never read a book by Flynn Berry before. I was absolutely blown away by this book, and so sad that it had to end.
A young woman is always on the lookout for her father, who murdered her nanny and attempted to murder her mother before fleeing the country. His tight-knit, powerful group of friends and classmates is her best bet for finding out what really happened, and where he went. She follows them, tries to infiltrate their lives anonymously, and get answers. The story is told in alternating timelines - then and now. The way it unfolded was fascinating, had a great pace, and ended up being surprisingly emotional in the end. I can't wait to read more of Berry's books!
A young woman is always on the lookout for her father, who murdered her nanny and attempted to murder her mother before fleeing the country. His tight-knit, powerful group of friends and classmates is her best bet for finding out what really happened, and where he went. She follows them, tries to infiltrate their lives anonymously, and get answers. The story is told in alternating timelines - then and now. The way it unfolded was fascinating, had a great pace, and ended up being surprisingly emotional in the end. I can't wait to read more of Berry's books!
Sue (5 KP) rated Cut, Crop & Die (Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-n-Craft Mystery, #2) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
book description:
All it took was one scone. When the hot-tempered (and widely hated) hobbyist Yvonne Gaynor eats a tainted pastry at Kiki's scrapbooking crop party, it triggers an allergy that leads to Yvonne's death. Even worse, the police suspect foul play when they realize that someone tampered with the treats and swiped the victim's allergy medication.
An expert at stealing design ideas, Yvonne had enough enemies to fill a memory album. Soon, the scrapbooking community pins her murder on Kiki's friends and our ace scrapper finds herself dealing with anti-Semitic threats at the shop, a quarrelsome pre-teen daughter at home, a meddlesome mother-in-law, and constant financial pressure. Despite help from the handsome yet annoyingly coy Detective Detweiler, Kiki has her work cut out for her in solving the crime.
All it took was one scone. When the hot-tempered (and widely hated) hobbyist Yvonne Gaynor eats a tainted pastry at Kiki's scrapbooking crop party, it triggers an allergy that leads to Yvonne's death. Even worse, the police suspect foul play when they realize that someone tampered with the treats and swiped the victim's allergy medication.
An expert at stealing design ideas, Yvonne had enough enemies to fill a memory album. Soon, the scrapbooking community pins her murder on Kiki's friends and our ace scrapper finds herself dealing with anti-Semitic threats at the shop, a quarrelsome pre-teen daughter at home, a meddlesome mother-in-law, and constant financial pressure. Despite help from the handsome yet annoyingly coy Detective Detweiler, Kiki has her work cut out for her in solving the crime.
Sue (5 KP) rated Smugglers & Scones (Moorehaven Mysteries, #1) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
I am a fan of cozy mysteries and when the opportunity to read this book fell into my lap I, of course, jumped at the chance.
The main character is Pippa and she runs Moorehaven, which is a quirky bed-and-breakfast that had been the home of a world-famous mystery writer. The B&B attracts writers who want to find their own fame of writing crime novels.
The book was filled with some mystery, a little suspense, a possibility of a love connection, funny situations, and of course a murder to solve. This was a fun new mystery and I feel other readers like myself will be jumping at the chance to read more in the series.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book.
The main character is Pippa and she runs Moorehaven, which is a quirky bed-and-breakfast that had been the home of a world-famous mystery writer. The B&B attracts writers who want to find their own fame of writing crime novels.
The book was filled with some mystery, a little suspense, a possibility of a love connection, funny situations, and of course a murder to solve. This was a fun new mystery and I feel other readers like myself will be jumping at the chance to read more in the series.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book.
Sue (5 KP) rated Better Off Read (Bookmobile Mystery #1) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
Cleo Watkins is a septuagenarian librarian that is hoping to save her storm-damaged library, but all hopes are lost when the primary beneficiary is found murdered. Unfortunately, Cleo’s best friend Mary-Rose and her grandson Ollie become the prime suspects.
Cleo takes to the road in her repurposed school bus turned bookmobile and is on a mission to stop the young mayor from permanently closing her beloved library and solve the murder.
The cast of characters in this book are delightful; 70 something Cleo is all heart, her best friend Mary-Rose is full of spunk, close friend Henry is a complete gentleman, and Rhett Butler (the cat) is full of cat mischief.
This was a fun cozy mystery to read and I do hope the author makes a series out of it.
Cleo takes to the road in her repurposed school bus turned bookmobile and is on a mission to stop the young mayor from permanently closing her beloved library and solve the murder.
The cast of characters in this book are delightful; 70 something Cleo is all heart, her best friend Mary-Rose is full of spunk, close friend Henry is a complete gentleman, and Rhett Butler (the cat) is full of cat mischief.
This was a fun cozy mystery to read and I do hope the author makes a series out of it.