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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2318 KP) rated Murder with Ganache (Key West Food Critic Mystery, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Hayley's family is coming to town for her best friend's wedding, but things get off to a rocky start with her teenage step-brother. When he goes off to explore on his own and disappears, the family begins to panic. Will they find him? What might he have gotten into?
This was my introduction to the series, and I'm regretting that. I really enjoyed this book. The plot was great and completely pulled me in. While the characters could have been a little better introduced to those of us who don't know the series, I didn't have too much of a hard time getting them all figured out. The ending could have been a little smoother, but everything was explained by the end. I'm going to have to go back and read the earlier books in the series.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-review-murder-with-ganache-by-lucy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This was my introduction to the series, and I'm regretting that. I really enjoyed this book. The plot was great and completely pulled me in. While the characters could have been a little better introduced to those of us who don't know the series, I didn't have too much of a hard time getting them all figured out. The ending could have been a little smoother, but everything was explained by the end. I'm going to have to go back and read the earlier books in the series.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-review-murder-with-ganache-by-lucy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2318 KP) rated Raspberry Danish Murder in Books
Mar 21, 2018
Baking Overwhelms Murder - Again
Hannah is trying to deal with her new husband, Ross, having vanished while still getting her cookie shop ready for Thanksgiving. Then P.K., Ross’s assistant at the station, dies in a car accident. The police quickly determine that P.K. crashed because of poisoned candies he ate that were sent to the station. Was he the intended target? Or was Ross? Who sent the poisoned candies? Is this why Ross disappeared?
As you can see, there is plenty here for a good mystery. Instead, we get an average mystery. Much of the book is taken up with talking about food and baking, used to introduce the almost 30 recipes spread out over the story. There are some good twists in the mystery and the story of Hannah’s life, but the mystery especially is short changed and the ending feels rushed. The characters are fun as always. Longtime fans will still want to visit Hannah, but this is not going to draw new readers to the series.
As you can see, there is plenty here for a good mystery. Instead, we get an average mystery. Much of the book is taken up with talking about food and baking, used to introduce the almost 30 recipes spread out over the story. There are some good twists in the mystery and the story of Hannah’s life, but the mystery especially is short changed and the ending feels rushed. The characters are fun as always. Longtime fans will still want to visit Hannah, but this is not going to draw new readers to the series.
Merissa (12669 KP) rated The Mating (Law of the Lycans #2) in Books
Mar 26, 2018
The Mating (Law of the Lycans #2) by Nicky Charles
In The Mating we meet Kane and Elise. Kane we have heard mentioned in Bonded, but Elise is a new character. They get together for political reasons, although Elise had a boyfriend. However, once she spends time with Kane, she finds she is thinking less of Bryan than she thought she would. Mix into the story a woman who wants what Elisa has, an oil company who wants to drill, a half-brother with murder on his mind, and you get a great story.
I found The Mating to be very well-written, with plenty of characters to like and dislike. Although at times, I really REALLY wanted the other characters to catch onto what was going on, it still played a part of the story, and I just had to wait until they caught up. With a steady pace, and some steamy times too, this book was thoroughly enjoyable, and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I found The Mating to be very well-written, with plenty of characters to like and dislike. Although at times, I really REALLY wanted the other characters to catch onto what was going on, it still played a part of the story, and I just had to wait until they caught up. With a steady pace, and some steamy times too, this book was thoroughly enjoyable, and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Telling Tails (Second Chance Cat Mystery #4) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
When Sarahs friend Rose decides to personally deliver a purchase from the shop, she sees what she believes is a murder being committed. Minutes later she is knocked unconscious. The police refuse to believe she saw anything, and assume that she either imagined it or her head injury may be causing her to believe she saw something she did not. Sarah and Roses other friends come together to help her find the truth.
This was a great cozy, full of family, friends, cats, and clues. Its a large cast of characters to keep track of, but each one has their place in the story and helps to create a feeling of community. You can jump right in with this book and have no trouble following the story or characters, but I do plan to go back to the beginning so I can get the full story on some of the interpersonal relationships. Plus, Im always a sucker for a cover with a cat on it!
This was a great cozy, full of family, friends, cats, and clues. Its a large cast of characters to keep track of, but each one has their place in the story and helps to create a feeling of community. You can jump right in with this book and have no trouble following the story or characters, but I do plan to go back to the beginning so I can get the full story on some of the interpersonal relationships. Plus, Im always a sucker for a cover with a cat on it!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2318 KP) rated Independence Slay (Celebration Bay, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The town of Celebration Bay puts on a spectacular Independence Day event with a reenactment of a Revolutionary War battle. Okay, so the battle never took place, but it’s still a fun event that locals and tourists alike love. However, this year, a murder takes place at the event, and the town’s event coordinator has to determine who killed the victim and even if the victim was the intended target before the town completely turns on the charming teen who appears to be the only suspect.
I love this small town and how the books always put me in the mood for the holiday that is being celebrated. The supporting players from pervious books aren’t a strong presence here, but the new characters definitely make up for that fact. I do wish one series regular would grow a bit more. The plot is strong with plenty of surprises and twists along the way.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-independence-slay-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I love this small town and how the books always put me in the mood for the holiday that is being celebrated. The supporting players from pervious books aren’t a strong presence here, but the new characters definitely make up for that fact. I do wish one series regular would grow a bit more. The plot is strong with plenty of surprises and twists along the way.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-independence-slay-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2318 KP) rated F is for Fugitive (Kinsey Millhone, #6) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Seventeen years ago, the murder of a teen shocked the small community of Floral Beach. The young man who confessed to the crime broke out of prison a year later, but he’s been recaptured and Kinsey has been hired to prove his innocence. With the trails cold, she has her work cut out for her, and it seems everyone in town is hiding a secret. Can she learn the truth of what happened all those years ago?
One again, we are off on a wild ride that only gets wilder as we go along. Since we spend almost the entire book outside of Kinsey’s normal stomping grounds, the cast of characters are all new, and they are fantastic. Everything comes together for a great and logical ending, and I’m curious to see how the growth Kinsey experienced here will translate in the next in the series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-f-is-for-fugitive-by-sue.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
One again, we are off on a wild ride that only gets wilder as we go along. Since we spend almost the entire book outside of Kinsey’s normal stomping grounds, the cast of characters are all new, and they are fantastic. Everything comes together for a great and logical ending, and I’m curious to see how the growth Kinsey experienced here will translate in the next in the series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-f-is-for-fugitive-by-sue.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2318 KP) rated I is for Innocent (Kinsey Millhone #9) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Five years ago, Isabelle Barney was murdered on the day after Christmas. While her estranged husband was acquitted of the crime, her ex-husband is now suing him in civil court in a wrongful death case. Kinsey has been hired to help the lawyer win the case, taking over from a PI who just died. His notes were a mess, so she is completely retracing his steps. But as she goes, she begins to wonder just who committed the murder. Is she helping the court case, or hurting it?
Kinsey is back in top form in this book. The plot twists all over the place before coming to a perfectly logical climax. Henry and Rosie are involved in a very fun sub-plot that provides some laughs. The suspects are strong, and we meet a couple of new supporting characters since Kinsey has had to move her office.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-i-is-for-innocent-by-sue.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Kinsey is back in top form in this book. The plot twists all over the place before coming to a perfectly logical climax. Henry and Rosie are involved in a very fun sub-plot that provides some laughs. The suspects are strong, and we meet a couple of new supporting characters since Kinsey has had to move her office.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-i-is-for-innocent-by-sue.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2318 KP) rated A Palette for Murder (Aurora Anderson Mystery #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Vista Beach is in the middle of a heatwave, and thieves are taking advantage of people leaving doors and windows open. It looks like Rory has stumbled on the aftermath of one such burglary when she finds her neighbor, Willow, dead on her kitchen floor. But the police aren’t buying robbery as a motive, and they focus on Rory’s friend Dawn as the killer. Can Rory learn the truth?
Naturally, it turns out that Willow had a number of secrets, and those kept the pages turning until we reached the end. I did figure things out a bit early, but my jaw still literally dropped at a couple of the twists along the way. The characters are good enough to make us care about the outcome, but they could still be a bit more developed. Still, this is a fun book that flew by all too quickly.
NOTE: I received an ARC.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-palette-for-murder-by-sybil.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Naturally, it turns out that Willow had a number of secrets, and those kept the pages turning until we reached the end. I did figure things out a bit early, but my jaw still literally dropped at a couple of the twists along the way. The characters are good enough to make us care about the outcome, but they could still be a bit more developed. Still, this is a fun book that flew by all too quickly.
NOTE: I received an ARC.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-palette-for-murder-by-sybil.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2318 KP) rated Death Crashes the Party (Liv And Di In Dixie Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Liv McKay is working with some clients to plan an anniversary party for them when they find two dead bodies in their garage. The murder victims worked at the trucking company Liv’s father-in-law owns. Soon, rumors are swirling about Liv’s family, and the police are uncovering some things that are upsetting the family. Liv and her best friend Di Souther start their investigation to find out what is really happening. Can they figure it out?
This was a very enjoyable debut with some twists on the usual cozy set up, which I really enjoyed. Liv is a fantastic main character, and Di is a wonderful sidekick. I did feel they were a bit passive early on, but that soon changed and they threw themselves headlong into solving the mystery, which featured plenty of surprises and twists. Throw in a bit of humor, and you have a winner. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-death-crashes-party-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This was a very enjoyable debut with some twists on the usual cozy set up, which I really enjoyed. Liv is a fantastic main character, and Di is a wonderful sidekick. I did feel they were a bit passive early on, but that soon changed and they threw themselves headlong into solving the mystery, which featured plenty of surprises and twists. Throw in a bit of humor, and you have a winner. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-death-crashes-party-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2318 KP) rated Murder on St. Mark's Place (Gaslight Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
One of midwife Sarah Brandt’s clients goes into early labor due to the shock of learning her sister was murdered. Knowing that the killer will never be caught, Sarah begins to investigate, enlisting police sergeant Frank Malloy to help her. The victim spent her evenings with a variety of men, so the suspect list is quite long. Are there too many suspects, or can Sarah and Frank find the killer?
This book does a fabulous job of taking us back to the summer of 1896 in New York City and introducing us to girls who would give out favors in exchange for nice things they couldn’t afford on their salaries. That adds a somber note to the book; one that gives it depth. The characters are equally deep, and I loved seeing Sarah and Frank move forward in their personal lives. I did figure out a twist or two early, but the book kept surprising me until the end.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/04/book-review-murder-on-st-marks-place-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This book does a fabulous job of taking us back to the summer of 1896 in New York City and introducing us to girls who would give out favors in exchange for nice things they couldn’t afford on their salaries. That adds a somber note to the book; one that gives it depth. The characters are equally deep, and I loved seeing Sarah and Frank move forward in their personal lives. I did figure out a twist or two early, but the book kept surprising me until the end.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/04/book-review-murder-on-st-marks-place-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.