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This was a fun read with a unique setting, and was a great start to a new series. When Maddie and her pal Adele find a body in the Paranormal Museum, I expected ghosts galore. There is a paranormal element to the story, but it has more to do with an historical crime rather than the modern one. One mystery keeps Maddie and her friends busy during the day, and the other helps her decide whether to stay in town and run the Paranormal Museum or keep looking for work elsewhere. I enjoyed both stories, and the cast of characters, from Maddie's friends and family, to the two police officers handling the murder case, and then the attractive neighbor next door. I'm looking forward to reading more about the museum, Maddie, and her friends.
Note: I received a free copy from the author and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Note: I received a free copy from the author and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Class Reunions Are Murder (A Poppy McAllister Mystery #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
This, the first book in the Poppy McAllister series, was a five star read for me. Maybe even 6. I loved Poppys continual inner monologue. I loved the way I could actually relate to her. I loved the way she learned to believe in herself. I loved Fig! It was refreshing to have a cat in a cozy series who was so completely self-absorbed and cat-like.
A well-thought-out mystery to top it all off kept me engrossed enough to finish this book in a single sitting. If you enjoy a clever, humorous mystery with a loveable protagonist that you just want good things to happen to, go get yourself a copy of Class Reunions Are Murder. You will not be disappointed.
<i>Note: Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a free copy of the book.</i>
A well-thought-out mystery to top it all off kept me engrossed enough to finish this book in a single sitting. If you enjoy a clever, humorous mystery with a loveable protagonist that you just want good things to happen to, go get yourself a copy of Class Reunions Are Murder. You will not be disappointed.
<i>Note: Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a free copy of the book.</i>
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Murder on Wheels (A Tourist Trap Mystery, #6) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
I love a protagonist who feels like someone I could be best friends with, and that's exactly how I felt about Jill Gardner. She isn't afraid to eat cheesecake, tacos, and fries, she reads everything from romance novels to stories about dragons, and she isn't afraid to (or doesn't know when not to) speak her mind. I'd also love to quit my day job and work at Coffee, Books, and More!
This is another new-to-me series that I enjoyed so much I will be going back to the beginning to get caught up. It was full of believable characters, a touch of romance, and just enough personal drama to keep Jill on her toes. The mystery kept me guessing, and the solution did not disappoint. If you enjoy cozies, be sure to check out Murder on Wheels!
NOTE: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is another new-to-me series that I enjoyed so much I will be going back to the beginning to get caught up. It was full of believable characters, a touch of romance, and just enough personal drama to keep Jill on her toes. The mystery kept me guessing, and the solution did not disappoint. If you enjoy cozies, be sure to check out Murder on Wheels!
NOTE: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2353 KP) rated Stalking The Angel (Elvis Cole, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
PI Elvis Cole is hired to find an ancient Japanese manuscript. The trail leads him to the Japanese mafia and down a path of other crimes, including brutal murder.
Part of my reaction to this book was purely personal – it is darker than I normally read. Still, the bleakness did bother me. Even so, I found the plot uneven, especially when it slowed way down two thirds of the way through for a segment that felt like a lecture. The characters became more real as the book went along, but they started out as stiff types as well. Maybe I’m just expecting too much since I know how popular the series is, but I feel like, my complaints about the darkness of the book aside, it still could have been better.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/10/book-review-stalking-angel-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Part of my reaction to this book was purely personal – it is darker than I normally read. Still, the bleakness did bother me. Even so, I found the plot uneven, especially when it slowed way down two thirds of the way through for a segment that felt like a lecture. The characters became more real as the book went along, but they started out as stiff types as well. Maybe I’m just expecting too much since I know how popular the series is, but I feel like, my complaints about the darkness of the book aside, it still could have been better.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/10/book-review-stalking-angel-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Jcadden76 (64 KP) rated Small Town Murder in Podcasts
Jun 15, 2018
Great research (2 more)
The hosts are amazing
They put a funny spin on a serious topic
Humor about murder - who would have thought.
This podcast may not be for the faint of heart but I love it. James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman are the hosts of this show. The two comedians lend their wit and humor to a serious topic and it works. They are upfront with the fact that they are in no way making fun of the victims but they are going to be humorous in their discussion of the topic.
Now, when they say Small Town, they are not kidding, they are legit talking about tiny towns with weird murders, lots of murders or somewhere in between.
This is a podcast that you need to give a shot. Give it the 3 episode challenge and see if this long-form podcast doesn't find a place on your playlist.
Now, when they say Small Town, they are not kidding, they are legit talking about tiny towns with weird murders, lots of murders or somewhere in between.
This is a podcast that you need to give a shot. Give it the 3 episode challenge and see if this long-form podcast doesn't find a place on your playlist.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2353 KP) rated It’s Your Party, Die If You Want To in Books
Apr 13, 2018
Two Parties and a Murder
Party planner Liv McKay is busy with two parties before Halloween, but she’s making time for a retreat for the women business owners of Dixie, Tennessee. However, the first night, the group’s president is found murdered. Morgan Robison wasn’t well liked around town for multiple reasons, not the least of which is her reputation as a husband stealer. But why did she push someone at the retreat too far?
It was great to be back in Dixie with Liv, her best friend Di, and the rest of the characters I met in book one. They are all fun to be with, and I love their various relationships. The suspects are good, although the mystery gets derailed by party planning at times. Despite the weak pacing, there are some good twists and clues, and Liv picks up on the key clues in to time solve the mystery.
It was great to be back in Dixie with Liv, her best friend Di, and the rest of the characters I met in book one. They are all fun to be with, and I love their various relationships. The suspects are good, although the mystery gets derailed by party planning at times. Despite the weak pacing, there are some good twists and clues, and Liv picks up on the key clues in to time solve the mystery.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated The William S Club in Books
Jul 12, 2018
Okay, it is official... I am putting this book in my "did not finish" pile. Rohypnol, rape, murder, and horrible writing/characters these are a few of my least favorite things. I haven't put a book in this list in well... forever. I am creating a "did not finish" shelf just for this book.
1st, the characters are 1 dimensional. I made it to page 90 and I just had to stop reading. The characters fell very flat.
2nd, this book reads like a high schooler's wet dream. There is the threat of rape, rape, and well... lots of sex.
3rd, I felt like the writer decided to add "big words" just to feel like a good writer. It felt like the writer had to use a thesaurus constantly.
I really wanted to like this book. It is suspense/romance which is my favorite genre but it just fell flat.
1st, the characters are 1 dimensional. I made it to page 90 and I just had to stop reading. The characters fell very flat.
2nd, this book reads like a high schooler's wet dream. There is the threat of rape, rape, and well... lots of sex.
3rd, I felt like the writer decided to add "big words" just to feel like a good writer. It felt like the writer had to use a thesaurus constantly.
I really wanted to like this book. It is suspense/romance which is my favorite genre but it just fell flat.
Loz Hughes (80 KP) rated Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Books
Jul 14, 2018
By far my favorite Harry potter book.
Contains spoilers, click to show
Ive always found this book to be my favorite out of the whole series purely because Harry finds some family...his godfather, whom after a convoluted storyline he realises isnt set out to murder him. Its the only book where I feel he actually has a few happy moments in his life and is discovering who he is and achieves a bit of character stability. I love how the story handles the introduction of Sirius and displays the political and media spin that happens in the background (between the bad reporting on the daily prophet and ministry of magic). Also the trio (Harry, Ron and hermoine) seem to have solid bonds of friendship grow tighter in this storyline.
ClareR (5885 KP) rated The Dark Lake in Books
Sep 5, 2018
One to watch for.
A debut thriller that really kept me on the edge of my seat. Rosalind Ryan, a local Drama and English teacher, is found dead in the lake at a local nature reserve. Gemma Woodstock, a local Detective Sergeant, is put on the case. Except Gemma has a history with Rosalind, and she has a lot of other personal baggage.
I enjoyed this. They're all very human characters with lots of faults, sometimes unpleasant ones: but I liked that. I liked that the murderer wasn't at all obvious (to me, anyway!) and had me guessing right up to the end, and the whole reason for the murder was a shock, and at the same time, understandable.
I will keep an eye out for future novels by this author, particularly in this series. I really do think that she'll be one to watch out for in the future.
I enjoyed this. They're all very human characters with lots of faults, sometimes unpleasant ones: but I liked that. I liked that the murderer wasn't at all obvious (to me, anyway!) and had me guessing right up to the end, and the whole reason for the murder was a shock, and at the same time, understandable.
I will keep an eye out for future novels by this author, particularly in this series. I really do think that she'll be one to watch out for in the future.
MoMoBookDiary (20 KP) rated Murder in the morning in Books
Oct 1, 2018
MoMo Book Diary recommends ‘Murder in the Morning’ which is the second of the Melissa Craig cozy mystery series by Betty Rowland.
Having enjoyed the first Melissa Craig instalment I was eager to get into the follow up. I found this instalment, which begins where the previous book concluded, to be more entertaining than the first. However, this could be due to reading them both in order and in the same week – I would definitely suggest reading them in order and together as I did.
Whilst the book focuses on a new crime the characters involved were developed in the first instalment and I assume will continue through the ongoing series.
This series will be enjoyed by those who enjoy Midsomer Murders, Agatha Raisin and Father Brown type of mystery!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Having enjoyed the first Melissa Craig instalment I was eager to get into the follow up. I found this instalment, which begins where the previous book concluded, to be more entertaining than the first. However, this could be due to reading them both in order and in the same week – I would definitely suggest reading them in order and together as I did.
Whilst the book focuses on a new crime the characters involved were developed in the first instalment and I assume will continue through the ongoing series.
This series will be enjoyed by those who enjoy Midsomer Murders, Agatha Raisin and Father Brown type of mystery!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book.