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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2318 KP) rated Ivy Get Your Gun (Ivy Meadows Mysteries #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Ivy takes on an undercover job at Gold Bug Gulch, where one of the gun fighters has just been shot and killed. As she gets to know the employees at the tourist trap ghost town, she finds plenty of suspects, but was it an accident or murder? Meanwhile, she also trying to land a part in Annie Get Your Gun for a theater company that might really boost her career and keep her relationship with her new boyfriend on track.
Since I’ve loved the first three books in this series, I was expecting to love this one, and I wasn’t disappointed at all. The story moves forward quickly, and the characters are strong. The author finds that perfect balance of comedy without making anything or anyone not feel real. In fact, there’s some real depth to these characters by the end. Throw in the acting, and I completely enjoyed it.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/05/book-review-ivy-get-your-gun-by-cindy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Since I’ve loved the first three books in this series, I was expecting to love this one, and I wasn’t disappointed at all. The story moves forward quickly, and the characters are strong. The author finds that perfect balance of comedy without making anything or anyone not feel real. In fact, there’s some real depth to these characters by the end. Throw in the acting, and I completely enjoyed it.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/05/book-review-ivy-get-your-gun-by-cindy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2318 KP) rated Fudging the Books (Cookbook Nook Mystery, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The Cookbook Nook is celebrating National Chocolate Month while the town of Crystal Cove is celebrating pirates. However, missing doubloons that are to be a prize at the end of the week put a damper on the festivities. That’s nothing compared to what happens when the owner of a cookbook publishing company is murdered. The victim had lived in Crystal Cove and published several residents. But when Jenna’s friend becomes the police’s chief suspect, Jenna begins trying to find someone else who had motive for murder.
This is a strong book in the series. The plot is constantly unraveling pieces as the suspects lie and point fingers at each other. I had no clue where it was all leading until the end. Meanwhile, the characters are continuing to grow and show us new sides, which I love.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/08/book-review-fudging-books-by-daryl-wood.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a strong book in the series. The plot is constantly unraveling pieces as the suspects lie and point fingers at each other. I had no clue where it was all leading until the end. Meanwhile, the characters are continuing to grow and show us new sides, which I love.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/08/book-review-fudging-books-by-daryl-wood.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2318 KP) rated Crushed Velvet (A Material Witness Mystery #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Polyester Monroe is just a week away from reopening the fabric shop she inherited from her great uncle. She’s ordered a special blend of velvet and hired her friend Genevieve’s husband, Phil, to pick it up for her. But when the velvet arrives, it’s not Phil behind the wheel. In fact, he’s dead under the velvet. Worse yet, Genevieve thinks she had something to do with his death. Now Poly will have to add solving a murder to her last minute to do list.
I enjoyed the first in the series, and I enjoyed this one just as much. The characters are unique, strong, and real, and I loved getting to revisit them. The plot has plenty of twists and turns before we reached a logical conclusion. I’m already looking forward to visiting them again.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/08/book-review-crushed-velvet-by-diane.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I enjoyed the first in the series, and I enjoyed this one just as much. The characters are unique, strong, and real, and I loved getting to revisit them. The plot has plenty of twists and turns before we reached a logical conclusion. I’m already looking forward to visiting them again.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/08/book-review-crushed-velvet-by-diane.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2318 KP) rated Farmed and Dangerous (Local Foods Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Winter has settle on Massachusetts, but farmer Cam Flaherty is still very busy. She’s growing food in her hoop house and hoping to land a contract to provide produce during the summer at the local assisted living facility. However, the night that her food is served, one of the residents dies from poison. With local gossip and the police looking at her, Cam must dive in to the mystery to clear her reputation.
The book did start a little slowly, but once the murder takes place, things pick up. I was turning pages as quickly as I could until I reached the satisfying ending. It was great to spend time with these characters again, and the suspects were equally engaging. Be sure to read through the recipes, too, since there is a joke in one of them.
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/2015/06/book-review-farmed-and-dangerous-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The book did start a little slowly, but once the murder takes place, things pick up. I was turning pages as quickly as I could until I reached the satisfying ending. It was great to spend time with these characters again, and the suspects were equally engaging. Be sure to read through the recipes, too, since there is a joke in one of them.
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/2015/06/book-review-farmed-and-dangerous-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2318 KP) rated Murder Most Fowl in Books
Mar 9, 2018
One morning in March, Cam’s neighbor dies at his breakfast table, just hours after his chicken farm his hit by animal rights activists. Wayne was a very nice man, often offering Cam advice on her own heard of chickens. When the man’s daughter turns to Cam for help understanding what happened to him, Cam starts investigating. But can she find the killer?
I always enjoy my time on Cam’s farm, and this book was no exception. The pacing was a tad uneven, but that was only a minor issue. The mystery is still strong, with good clues, red herrings, and a great climax. While a couple of supporting characters sat this one out, the rest of the cast is back and as strong as ever. This will leave you turning pages until you read the end.
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/2016/05/book-review-murder-most-fowl-by-edith.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I always enjoy my time on Cam’s farm, and this book was no exception. The pacing was a tad uneven, but that was only a minor issue. The mystery is still strong, with good clues, red herrings, and a great climax. While a couple of supporting characters sat this one out, the rest of the cast is back and as strong as ever. This will leave you turning pages until you read the end.
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/2016/05/book-review-murder-most-fowl-by-edith.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2318 KP) rated Copy Cap Murder (Hat Shop Mystery, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Scarlett Parker is thrilled to be going to her first Bonfire Night hosted by her friend Harrison’s firm. However, when the time comes to burn the straw man of Guy Fawkes, the group realizes it is actually Win, Harrison’s office rival who had come on to Scarlett earlier that night. Harrison becomes a suspect, and Scarlett must figure out what is happening to keep her friend from taking the fall.
This is another fun entry in a great series. The characters and their relationships continue to grow, and I love seeing the next chapter of their lives. The multitude of suspects made for a great mystery, and I was surprised when everything was revealed at the end. And yes, we do get some news on the cliffhanger at the end of the last book as well.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-copy-cap-murder-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is another fun entry in a great series. The characters and their relationships continue to grow, and I love seeing the next chapter of their lives. The multitude of suspects made for a great mystery, and I was surprised when everything was revealed at the end. And yes, we do get some news on the cliffhanger at the end of the last book as well.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-copy-cap-murder-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2318 KP) rated Slayed on the Slopes (Pacific Northwest Mystery #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Meg is hoping that a feature on the winter training of the new Ridge Rangers will impress her editor at Northwest Extreme. However, when she arrives high up on Mount Hood, she finds tension in the group. As she is wondering if she will even have a story, and a murder occurs. Suddenly, she wonders if she will even survive the weekend.
The problem with the book is it takes too long for the weekend to even start. The beginning was slow, and the ending dragged on too long as well. Some of the series regulars felt shoehorned into the book, but I was happy to see them since I like them, and I appreciated the advancement on the series storylines. Honestly, I do love the characters, and once the mystery got going it was pretty good. I just hope that the pacing issues are ironed out as the series progresses.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-slayed-on-slopes-by-kate.html">Carstairs Considers</a>
The problem with the book is it takes too long for the weekend to even start. The beginning was slow, and the ending dragged on too long as well. Some of the series regulars felt shoehorned into the book, but I was happy to see them since I like them, and I appreciated the advancement on the series storylines. Honestly, I do love the characters, and once the mystery got going it was pretty good. I just hope that the pacing issues are ironed out as the series progresses.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-slayed-on-slopes-by-kate.html">Carstairs Considers</a>
Amy-Faye and her friends have formed a book club in their town of Heaven, Colorado. The morning after they meet to discuss The Maltese Falcon, Amy-Faye goes to meet with a member only to find that member dying from poison. The police rule is a suicide, but Amy-Faye is certain it was murder. With the help of the other Readaholics, she starts poking around. But what secrets will they uncover?
There were a lot of characters introduced early on, and I had a hard time keeping them straight early on. However, as I began to get into the story, their different personalities made it easy to distinguish them. The plot was strong with great twists and a couple of good sub-plots. I was surprised by the ending, and set the book down wanting the next already. I can’t wait for the sequel.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-readaholics-and-falcon.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
There were a lot of characters introduced early on, and I had a hard time keeping them straight early on. However, as I began to get into the story, their different personalities made it easy to distinguish them. The plot was strong with great twists and a couple of good sub-plots. I was surprised by the ending, and set the book down wanting the next already. I can’t wait for the sequel.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-readaholics-and-falcon.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2318 KP) rated The Skeleton Takes a Bow (Family Skeleton Mystery #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Georgia has reluctantly agreed to let Sid, her best friend the skeleton, star in the play at her daughter’s high school. Okay, star might be the wrong word since Sid’s skull is playing the part of Yorick in Hamlet. Either way, he’s excited to get out of the house. However, when he is accidently left at the school overnight, he hears a murder. With no body, the police won’t take Georgia seriously. Can Sid and Georgia track down the killer when they don’t know who the victim is?
This is a fun dip into the light end of the paranormal spectrum since Sid is the only paranormal element in the book. The plot is different from a normal cozy, and as a result appears to wander a bit at the beginning, but the author uses all those elements in the end before bringing us to a logical climax. Meanwhile, the characters are fun, charming, and fully fleshed out. Yes, even Sid.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-skeleton-takes-bow-by-leigh.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a fun dip into the light end of the paranormal spectrum since Sid is the only paranormal element in the book. The plot is different from a normal cozy, and as a result appears to wander a bit at the beginning, but the author uses all those elements in the end before bringing us to a logical climax. Meanwhile, the characters are fun, charming, and fully fleshed out. Yes, even Sid.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-skeleton-takes-bow-by-leigh.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2318 KP) rated Murder Most Finicky (Pawsitively Organic Mystery, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Stan has been summoned to Rhode Island to work with a group of master chefs. Sheldon Allyn is hoping to put together an impressive dinner that will convince investors who give his business money, and if he succeeds, Stan will get the money to expand her gourmet pet food business. When Stan and the others arrive at their secret location, they find out of the chefs beat them there only to be murdered. As the weekend begins to fall apart, can Stan figure things out?
Since this book takes place in Rhode Island instead of Stan’s usual local, many of the series regulars only get cameos. That was my only complaint with this great book. The new characters are lots of fun, and even the brief time we spend with the series regulars seems some growth in them. The mystery is very strong with lots of moving pieces. I didn’t have it all put together until the end myself.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-murder-most-finicky-by-liz.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Since this book takes place in Rhode Island instead of Stan’s usual local, many of the series regulars only get cameos. That was my only complaint with this great book. The new characters are lots of fun, and even the brief time we spend with the series regulars seems some growth in them. The mystery is very strong with lots of moving pieces. I didn’t have it all put together until the end myself.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-murder-most-finicky-by-liz.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.