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Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Kneaded to Death in Books
Feb 19, 2018
Ivy Culpepper has come back to her home town of Santa Sofia and is trying to put her life back together after her mother was killed in a hit-and-run accident. When a murder occurs outside the local bakery where Ivy is taking a baking lesson, the three sisters who own the bakery are suspected of the crime. Sure that they wouldn’t kill anyone, Ivy starts investigating on her own.
The author did such a great job with the descriptions that I could almost feel the warmth from the ovens and smell the bread baking in Yeast of Eden. The characters were true-to-life, and the mystery well thought out. This book will leave you hungry – for more of Ivy Culpepper, and for fresh baked bread!
Kneaded to Death is the first book in Winnie Archer’s new Bread Shop Mysteries series.
<i>Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced review copy</i>
The author did such a great job with the descriptions that I could almost feel the warmth from the ovens and smell the bread baking in Yeast of Eden. The characters were true-to-life, and the mystery well thought out. This book will leave you hungry – for more of Ivy Culpepper, and for fresh baked bread!
Kneaded to Death is the first book in Winnie Archer’s new Bread Shop Mysteries series.
<i>Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced review copy</i>
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated War and Peach (Georgia Peach Mystery, #3) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
I really enjoyed the last book in this series, Rest in Peach, but I think War and Peach is even better. When local farmer and mayoral candidate Clem Rogers is found in the debris of his burned-down barn, everyone suspects his political rival Margie of having done away with her competition. Nola Mae is sure that the woman isnt capable of murder, but the rest of her small town dont seem to agree. Sure that an innocent woman is being railroaded, Nola steps in to investigate.
I love the small town feel of this series, and the realistic, down-to-earth people. They could be your neighbors rather than characters in a story, and that might be what keeps drawing me back to Cays Mill. You can jump right in with this book even if you havent read the first 2 in the series, but youll probably want to go back and catch up if you do!
I love the small town feel of this series, and the realistic, down-to-earth people. They could be your neighbors rather than characters in a story, and that might be what keeps drawing me back to Cays Mill. You can jump right in with this book even if you havent read the first 2 in the series, but youll probably want to go back and catch up if you do!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2398 KP) rated Driving Heat (Nikki Heat, #7) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Nikki’s first day as captain doesn’t go as planned when she gets a call about a murder before she even makes it into the office. The victim turns out to be Nikki’s therapist, but the bigger surprise is when video from his office finds Rook, Nikki’s fiancée, going in. What secret is the writer hiding?
Whether a fan of the TV show Castle or not, you’ll find this is another great mystery. The start is a little slow, but once it gets going, the mystery contains plenty of twists and surprises. Nikki and Rook are great characters, but the rest are a bit under served. Of course, the in jokes and references to the show, while certainly not overdone, are an added bonus for fans of the show, but nothing that would ruin the book if you don’t get them.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/10/book-review-driving-heat-by-richard.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Whether a fan of the TV show Castle or not, you’ll find this is another great mystery. The start is a little slow, but once it gets going, the mystery contains plenty of twists and surprises. Nikki and Rook are great characters, but the rest are a bit under served. Of course, the in jokes and references to the show, while certainly not overdone, are an added bonus for fans of the show, but nothing that would ruin the book if you don’t get them.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/10/book-review-driving-heat-by-richard.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2398 KP) rated Demolition Angel in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Three years ago, Carol Starkey lost her partner and lover when a bomb exploded. Heck, she almost lost her life herself, and she has lived with the scars, real and emotional, from it ever since. Now she is tasked with solving the murder of another LAPD bomb squad member killed by a bomb. The ATF thinks it was the work of Mr. Red, a serial bomber. Can Carol catch him?
The mystery itself in this book is strong, and I enjoyed the twists and turns as we went along. However, I had a real problem with Carol. She was a walking cliché of the hard-boiled mystery genre right down to her chain smoking, secret drinking, and hard to like personality. Her character arc was a cliché as well, but I finally did find myself caring about her toward the end of the book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-demolition-angel-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The mystery itself in this book is strong, and I enjoyed the twists and turns as we went along. However, I had a real problem with Carol. She was a walking cliché of the hard-boiled mystery genre right down to her chain smoking, secret drinking, and hard to like personality. Her character arc was a cliché as well, but I finally did find myself caring about her toward the end of the book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-demolition-angel-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Penelope Sutherland is beginning to build her catering company, and landing the job catering the movie her best friend Arlena is starring is in a plum gig indeed. That is until a dead body is found outside the house where the two women live and accidents keep happening to on the set that appear to make Arlena the target. What is going on?
I love movies as well as mysteries, so this combination of the two was right up my alley. It’s a very fun book as well. The pacing was a bit off, but never for very long at a time, and the mystery led up to a great solution. The characters are strong and human, not the over the top characters we can get somethings when movie stars are involved. I’m definitely looking forward to the next in the series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/07/book-review-murder-on-silver-platter-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I love movies as well as mysteries, so this combination of the two was right up my alley. It’s a very fun book as well. The pacing was a bit off, but never for very long at a time, and the mystery led up to a great solution. The characters are strong and human, not the over the top characters we can get somethings when movie stars are involved. I’m definitely looking forward to the next in the series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/07/book-review-murder-on-silver-platter-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2398 KP) rated C is for Corpse (Kinsey Millhone #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
While working out at the gym, PI Kinsey Millhone is approached by a young man who was in a horrific accident 10 months ago take took part of his memory. He doesn’t think it was an accident but attempted murder and he wants Kinsey to find out why someone would want to kill him. She just begun when tragedy strikes. Can she solve this 10 month old puzzle?
Another strong entry makes it easy to see why this long running series is so popular. The characters are sharp; in fact, it is a pleasure to see how easily the author creates characters with just a few sentences. The plot moves along well, although I did figure things out a bit before Kinsey did. That’s a minor issue in this enjoyable novel.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-c-is-for-corpse-by-sue.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Another strong entry makes it easy to see why this long running series is so popular. The characters are sharp; in fact, it is a pleasure to see how easily the author creates characters with just a few sentences. The plot moves along well, although I did figure things out a bit before Kinsey did. That’s a minor issue in this enjoyable novel.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-c-is-for-corpse-by-sue.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2398 KP) rated Paint the Town Dead in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Rory Anderson is thrilled about the decorative painting convention coming to Vista Beach, California, her hometown. She’s looking forward to the classes and helping her mom, one of the vendors for the event. However, she is shocked when her friend collapses and dies just as the week is getting under way. The police think it was a tragic accident, but Rory is sure it was murder. Can she prove it?
I love the beach, so the beach town setting is perfect for me. The characters are good, although I did feel they could have been just a little stronger. However, the plot was plenty strong with things progressing at a steady pace all the way to the climax. I was sure I had it completely figured out multiple times only to change my mind a couple of chapters later.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/11/book-review-paint-town-dead-by-sybil.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I love the beach, so the beach town setting is perfect for me. The characters are good, although I did feel they could have been just a little stronger. However, the plot was plenty strong with things progressing at a steady pace all the way to the climax. I was sure I had it completely figured out multiple times only to change my mind a couple of chapters later.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/11/book-review-paint-town-dead-by-sybil.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2398 KP) rated Murder on Astor Place (Gaslight Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Midwife Sarah Brandt is returning to visit a mother and newborn when she learns there has been a death at the home. A boarder was strangled during the night, and it turns out this is the younger sister of someone she knew years ago. Determined to see justice done, Sarah teams up with the very reluctant Frank Malloy, the detective assigned to the case, to find the killer.
This book really does feature two detectives as both Sarah and Frank are active contributers to seeing justice done. The hopping back and forth between them only enhances the story and gives us more twists. All the characters are strong as well, and I truly liked spending time with them, especially the leads. I did feel the climax was over the top, but that is my only complaint with this mystery.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-review-murder-on-astor-place-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This book really does feature two detectives as both Sarah and Frank are active contributers to seeing justice done. The hopping back and forth between them only enhances the story and gives us more twists. All the characters are strong as well, and I truly liked spending time with them, especially the leads. I did feel the climax was over the top, but that is my only complaint with this mystery.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-review-murder-on-astor-place-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Star Trek VI - The Undiscovered Country (1991) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018 (Updated Feb 12, 2018)
One last spin around the Alpha Quadrant for the original crew before they're dispatched to the Starfleet equivalent of a retirement home: the Klingon version of Chernobyl blows up, forcing the bumpy-headed ones to enter peace talks with the Federation; Klingon Gorbachev gets offed and Kirk and McCoy are framed for the murder.
As you can probably tell I've always felt this particular Trek movie to be rather over-rated; it deals with issues of racism and xenophobia but never goes dark enough to properly do them justice. Dramatically it would have been much more interesting if one of the regular characters had turned out to be a traitor, but the Trekkies would have gone berserk (to say nothing of the actor, I expect). Ambles along pleasantly enough, in the end: the studio's insistence on including as many jokes as possible continues to plague the series, and the political allegories are simplistic. Christopher Plummer has fun chewing the scenery as a Shakespeare-loving Klingon warrior.
As you can probably tell I've always felt this particular Trek movie to be rather over-rated; it deals with issues of racism and xenophobia but never goes dark enough to properly do them justice. Dramatically it would have been much more interesting if one of the regular characters had turned out to be a traitor, but the Trekkies would have gone berserk (to say nothing of the actor, I expect). Ambles along pleasantly enough, in the end: the studio's insistence on including as many jokes as possible continues to plague the series, and the political allegories are simplistic. Christopher Plummer has fun chewing the scenery as a Shakespeare-loving Klingon warrior.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2398 KP) rated Pirate Vishnu in Books
Jul 27, 2018
Jaya’s Second Treasure Hunt Hits Close to Home
Jaya Jones has yet to live down the fame of her first treasure hunt when a man walks into her office with a second treasure map. This one appears to have the location of a treasure in San Francisco, but it’s the connection to Jaya’s family that peaks her interest. The map was drawn by her great-granduncle. A dead body only complicates Jaya’s quest. Can she stay alive long enough to learn what is going on?
I always enjoy finding a twist on the murder mystery theme, and this is a good one. The treasure hunt is as important as figuring out who the killer is, and between the two, the pages fly by. The twists get bigger the further into the book we get. I did think one stretched believability just a bit, but it was a minor deal. The characters are strong, and I’m curious where the complications in Jaya’s love life will go.
I always enjoy finding a twist on the murder mystery theme, and this is a good one. The treasure hunt is as important as figuring out who the killer is, and between the two, the pages fly by. The twists get bigger the further into the book we get. I did think one stretched believability just a bit, but it was a minor deal. The characters are strong, and I’m curious where the complications in Jaya’s love life will go.