Search
Search results
Some Kind of Truth
8.0
Rate It
Book
Pittsburgh crime reporter, Steve James, returns home to find a mysterious package waiting outside...
Mystery Dark Thriller
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated The Case of the Carnaby Castle Curse in Books
Oct 29, 2025
Is Anty’s Favorite Steward a Killer?
When Anty’s favorite steward, Carnaby, doesn’t return to London from his vacation, Anty sets out to find out what is happening. He is surprised to learn that Carnaby’s family owns a castle. But it comes with a curse that has just carried off the patriarch’s new wife. Or was it murder? Anty is determined to find out and clear Carnaby of suspicion.
This book doesn’t play too much into spooky, but it does have some elements that made it fun to read during October. The mystery is strong with several elements that kept me guessing until the end. As always, I appreciated how the mystery was laid out. The suspects could have been a little stronger, but I did still care about the outcome. The writing took me a chapter to get used to, but once I did, I was easily caught up in the story and laughing at the very dry British humor. No matter what time of the year you read this book, you’ll be glad you picked it up.
This book doesn’t play too much into spooky, but it does have some elements that made it fun to read during October. The mystery is strong with several elements that kept me guessing until the end. As always, I appreciated how the mystery was laid out. The suspects could have been a little stronger, but I did still care about the outcome. The writing took me a chapter to get used to, but once I did, I was easily caught up in the story and laughing at the very dry British humor. No matter what time of the year you read this book, you’ll be glad you picked it up.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated Running on Empty in Books
Mar 7, 2025 (Updated Mar 7, 2025)
Murder Among the Rich
When Lino Pardini dies, Anne McCormack finds herself drawn into the resulting family drama. Meanwhile, her uncle Jack is hoping for a fresh clue or two about what happened to Lino’s previous wife. Then there are the questions around Lino’s death itself. Can Anne help untangle it?
If you pick this book up expecting a typical mystery, you’ll be disappointed. The family drama takes up much of the pages. But that’s not a bad thing. Thanks to the well-developed characters, the story is very compelling. The multiple viewpoints are also used perfectly. Still, the mysteries were wrapped up to my satisfaction. There were a few details that were wrong and bugged me, but they are minor. On the other hand, I am very familiar with the setting, and I loved seeing real places and roads I know popping up in the middle of the fictional locations. Think of this more as a crime drama rather than a mystery and you’ll be pulled in, watching the pages fly by all too quickly.
If you pick this book up expecting a typical mystery, you’ll be disappointed. The family drama takes up much of the pages. But that’s not a bad thing. Thanks to the well-developed characters, the story is very compelling. The multiple viewpoints are also used perfectly. Still, the mysteries were wrapped up to my satisfaction. There were a few details that were wrong and bugged me, but they are minor. On the other hand, I am very familiar with the setting, and I loved seeing real places and roads I know popping up in the middle of the fictional locations. Think of this more as a crime drama rather than a mystery and you’ll be pulled in, watching the pages fly by all too quickly.
Killer Tracks (Misty Pines Mystery #3)
Book
A peaceful retreat. A maze of smoke and murder. Is their remote getaway about to become a death...
Crime Mystery Police Procedural Suspense
Death at the Sign of the Rook
10.0
Rate It
Book
Welcome to Rook Hall. The stage is set. The players are ready. By night’s end, a murderer will...
Detective fiction
Black Water Lilies: A Novel
Shaun Whiteside and Michel Bussi
Book
'Ends with one of the most reverberating shocks in modern crime fiction' Sunday Times This is the...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated #TagMe for Murder in Books
May 6, 2023
Who Tagged Coco’s Neighbor for Murder?
Coco Cline has a new neighbor, unfortunately. Larry Dunmer is in town to conduct an audit, and he has his wife has proved to be horrible neighbors, complaining about anything and everything. Still, Coco knows he will only be in town a few months. So she is surprised when he is killed on the beach one morning. Worse yet, her friend is accused of the crime. Can Coco wade through the suspects to figure out what is really going on?
This book does include some minor spoilers for the first book (nothing like who the killer is), so keep that in mind. However, I love how part of the character development in this book is watching Coco deal with the aftermath of that first case. The set up for this mystery was familiar, but the book didn’t spend a lot of time dwelling on that, instead moving into a strong mystery that kept me guessing until the end. This was helped by strong suspects. I also love how Coco uses in person interactions and the internet to solve the case. A sub-plot with Coco’s boyfriend also kept me turning pages. If you are looking for a great mystery, you’ll want this book to trend to the top of your to be read pile.
This book does include some minor spoilers for the first book (nothing like who the killer is), so keep that in mind. However, I love how part of the character development in this book is watching Coco deal with the aftermath of that first case. The set up for this mystery was familiar, but the book didn’t spend a lot of time dwelling on that, instead moving into a strong mystery that kept me guessing until the end. This was helped by strong suspects. I also love how Coco uses in person interactions and the internet to solve the case. A sub-plot with Coco’s boyfriend also kept me turning pages. If you are looking for a great mystery, you’ll want this book to trend to the top of your to be read pile.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated A Book Club to Die For in Books
Nov 3, 2022
Exclusive Book Clubs Lead to Murder
Tru Becket has been invited to speak at the exclusive Arete Society, a book club that has waiting lists to join. In fact, her friend Flossie is one of those waiting to get in, and she has come with Tru in order to plead her case. The meeting winds up being canceled, however, when Tru finds the group’s president dead in the kitchen. The police think that Hazel, this month’s hostess, snapped and killed the victim, but Tru doesn’t think so. Can she come up with an alternative suspect?
This book is a variation on the locked room mystery, and I have come to realize how much I enjoyed those added twists to the story. A couple of things were obvious early on, but overall, this was still a compelling mystery with suspects strong enough to keep you engaged. The series regulars are all here and are fantastic as well. There are some regulars who can get annoying, but they were kept in the background and added to the fun. And this book is fun. I laughed more than I had at the first two. One sub-plot in particular made me laugh every time it popped up. If you are looking for a light mystery, this is one you’ll enjoy.
This book is a variation on the locked room mystery, and I have come to realize how much I enjoyed those added twists to the story. A couple of things were obvious early on, but overall, this was still a compelling mystery with suspects strong enough to keep you engaged. The series regulars are all here and are fantastic as well. There are some regulars who can get annoying, but they were kept in the background and added to the fun. And this book is fun. I laughed more than I had at the first two. One sub-plot in particular made me laugh every time it popped up. If you are looking for a light mystery, this is one you’ll enjoy.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Cat Who Caught a Killer in Books
Oct 30, 2022
I love cats and I love reading about murder (strange I know!) so even though this book is quite different to what I normally read, I thought I'd give it a go and, overall, it was pretty good.
This is definitely what is called a 'cosy mystery'; it is not offensive or violent. Emily's mother in law dies suddenly and unexpectedly and whilst her death is put down to natural causes, Emily, an ex Police Officer, is not convinced and so sets off to get to the truth along with a talking cat that has adopted her.
I thought I would struggle with the talking cat angle but whilst it was a little absurd at the beginning, it worked really well and, I think, it symbolised Emily's inner voice.
With great characters and a good story line, this is an easy to read mystery. There are twists and turns but, unfortunately, they weren't too much of a surprise so this let it down a little and although the pace was steady, there was a little bit too much description at times which slowed the story down somewhat.
Overall though, I would recommend to those who enjoy a simple, easy to read and inoffensive mystery and my thanks must go to PanMacmillan, Macmillan and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Cat Who Caught a Killer.
This is definitely what is called a 'cosy mystery'; it is not offensive or violent. Emily's mother in law dies suddenly and unexpectedly and whilst her death is put down to natural causes, Emily, an ex Police Officer, is not convinced and so sets off to get to the truth along with a talking cat that has adopted her.
I thought I would struggle with the talking cat angle but whilst it was a little absurd at the beginning, it worked really well and, I think, it symbolised Emily's inner voice.
With great characters and a good story line, this is an easy to read mystery. There are twists and turns but, unfortunately, they weren't too much of a surprise so this let it down a little and although the pace was steady, there was a little bit too much description at times which slowed the story down somewhat.
Overall though, I would recommend to those who enjoy a simple, easy to read and inoffensive mystery and my thanks must go to PanMacmillan, Macmillan and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Cat Who Caught a Killer.
Much Ado About Nauticaling
5.0
Rate It
Book
The bubbly fun of a rom-com meets the irresistible quirkiness of a cozy mystery in this buoyant new...