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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2572 KP) rated Murder by Invitation Only in Books
Feb 14, 2026
You Are Invited to a Very Real Murder
Agatha Christie and her husband, Max, are in London, not in their country home, so when a weird invitation to a murder arrives at Mallowan Hall, Phyllida goes in the place of her famous employer. As expected, it turns out the new neighbors have created a murder game they are using to get to know the locals. Their host is playing the victim. Phyllida isn’t that interested and is about to leave when another guest discovers that the victim is actually dead. Suddenly, Phyllida finds herself thrust into a real case, and she is more than ready to figure out what is going on. Can she identify the daring killer is?
Normally, I advise people to read a series in order. In this case, the focus is on the new mystery with only vague references to past cases. And the character arcs are pretty self-contained as well. Not that I’m complaining since I found Phyllida charming as always and the rest of the characters engaging. The book spends as little time as needed setting things up. From there, we are off on a puzzling mystery that surprised up to the page turning climax. I also enjoyed the scenes about the new invention Phyllida brings to the house – a vacuum cleaner. Whether you are a fan of Christie’s works or not, you’ll enjoy this book.
Normally, I advise people to read a series in order. In this case, the focus is on the new mystery with only vague references to past cases. And the character arcs are pretty self-contained as well. Not that I’m complaining since I found Phyllida charming as always and the rest of the characters engaging. The book spends as little time as needed setting things up. From there, we are off on a puzzling mystery that surprised up to the page turning climax. I also enjoyed the scenes about the new invention Phyllida brings to the house – a vacuum cleaner. Whether you are a fan of Christie’s works or not, you’ll enjoy this book.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated I am Pilgrim in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Gripping and thrilling
This book is an entirely unexpected revelation. I've seen the good reviews but just assumed it was yet another run of the mill crime/murder mystery thriller (I may have skim read the synopsis), but I couldn't have been more wrong.
It starts off fairly slowly, but a part of the way in I was hooked. Its a gripping and truly thrilling tale of espionage, terrorism and with a little bit of murder mystery thrown in too. Its well written for the most part and Scott/Brodie/Pilgrim is an interesting and likeable main character. The story itself is so detailed and descriptive, you can't doubt any of it and once it gets going, it really progresses at a very quick pace. The fact that it has links to 9/11 too was also very well done and quite emotional.
My only criticisms are some of the actions of Pilgrim are a little dumb or unbelievable at times, especially considering he's meant to be one of the best. But other than that, this is a fantastic, albeit maybe slightly too long, thriller that really keeps you hooked.
It starts off fairly slowly, but a part of the way in I was hooked. Its a gripping and truly thrilling tale of espionage, terrorism and with a little bit of murder mystery thrown in too. Its well written for the most part and Scott/Brodie/Pilgrim is an interesting and likeable main character. The story itself is so detailed and descriptive, you can't doubt any of it and once it gets going, it really progresses at a very quick pace. The fact that it has links to 9/11 too was also very well done and quite emotional.
My only criticisms are some of the actions of Pilgrim are a little dumb or unbelievable at times, especially considering he's meant to be one of the best. But other than that, this is a fantastic, albeit maybe slightly too long, thriller that really keeps you hooked.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2572 KP) rated A Souffle of Suspicion in Books
Jul 11, 2018
Crush Week, Sweets Fest, and Murder
Things are hopping at Bistro and Maison Rousseau. Tourists have flocked to the Napa Valley for Crush Week and the first Sweet Treat festival is being hosted on the grounds of the hotel. Mimi is thrilled that both hotel and restaurant are booked solid for the week. Things take a deadly turn when Renee, the festival organizer and sister of Mimi’s head chef Camille, is found murdered in Camille’s kitchen. Who had a reason to murder the woman?
It was nice to return to the Napa Valley with Mimi as our host. The book starts out strongly. While I did feel the pace lagged a time or two, these were minor issues. The puzzle was very good with some clues coming into play late in the mystery that I had completely missed, yet they helped make the resolution completely believable. I did have trouble buying Mimi’s relationship with her friend and police chief Tyson, but the rest of the characters were great. The food left me drooling, so the recipes are the back are a welcome addition to this fun mystery.
It was nice to return to the Napa Valley with Mimi as our host. The book starts out strongly. While I did feel the pace lagged a time or two, these were minor issues. The puzzle was very good with some clues coming into play late in the mystery that I had completely missed, yet they helped make the resolution completely believable. I did have trouble buying Mimi’s relationship with her friend and police chief Tyson, but the rest of the characters were great. The food left me drooling, so the recipes are the back are a welcome addition to this fun mystery.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Hercule Poirot #4)
7.6
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In the village of King's Abbot, a widow's sudden suicide sparks rumors that she murdered her first...
Christmas Caramel Murder (Hannah Swensen, #20)
7.7
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Christmas normally descends on Lake Eden, Minnesota, as gently as reindeer alighting on a...
Cozy mystery
I Know What You Bid Last Summer (Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery #5)
10.0
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Sherry Harris presents the fifth installment of this charming, bestselling cozy mystery series! One...
The Dark Angel
9.5
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In this highly atmospheric mystery, Ruth Galloway—“a captivating amateur sleuth” (Louise...
mystery series fiction
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2572 KP) rated The Ducal Detective in Books
Apr 25, 2024
Jacqueline Starts Her Reign Solving a Murder
Jacqueline Arienta Xavier has just been crowned Duchess of Saphire after the death of her parents in an accident. Since she is still mourning them, she is struggling to adjust to her new duties. Then she gets word that her parents’ death may have been murder. Not knowing who to trust, can she figure out what happened to them?
This is a fun novella that introduces a mystery series with a light fantasy setting. Considering all that the novella has to do, it’s impressive how it balances it in the short length it has. I was immediately drawn to Jacqueline, and I loved what we saw of her here. I also really liked the rest of the characters. The world was fun, and I hope we get to explore it further as the series goes along. For the length of the story, the mystery was good with enough twists to keep us engaged on the way to a logical climax. I appreciated the balance we got in tone between the sadness Jacqueline is experiencing and the lighter scenes. I can’t wait to make a return visit to this series.
This is a fun novella that introduces a mystery series with a light fantasy setting. Considering all that the novella has to do, it’s impressive how it balances it in the short length it has. I was immediately drawn to Jacqueline, and I loved what we saw of her here. I also really liked the rest of the characters. The world was fun, and I hope we get to explore it further as the series goes along. For the length of the story, the mystery was good with enough twists to keep us engaged on the way to a logical climax. I appreciated the balance we got in tone between the sadness Jacqueline is experiencing and the lighter scenes. I can’t wait to make a return visit to this series.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2572 KP) rated In the Event of Murder in Books
Aug 22, 2024
More Event Than Murder
It’s the final week of the year, which means it is time for the annual fundraiser for the library in Silvercrest, Colorado. Like the rest of the town, Emma Starrs is thrilled that the cast of Chasers, the popular mystery TV show, is coming to town to headline the events. However, when murder threatens the event, Emma is asked to step in and help make sure the gala on New Year’s Eve goes off without a hitch. Can she do that?
It's been a couple of years since the first book in this series came out, so I wasn’t sure how much I’d remember about the characters. Fortunately, I was able to slip back into their world without too much effort. Sadly, the mystery was disappointing. The emphasis was more on the planning for the event, and those scenes grew repetitive. We did reach a solution, but parts of it felt forced to me. On the other hand, the characters were charming. I really did enjoy seeing Emma and her family and friends again. I wanted to like this more than I did, but it was mixed for me.
It's been a couple of years since the first book in this series came out, so I wasn’t sure how much I’d remember about the characters. Fortunately, I was able to slip back into their world without too much effort. Sadly, the mystery was disappointing. The emphasis was more on the planning for the event, and those scenes grew repetitive. We did reach a solution, but parts of it felt forced to me. On the other hand, the characters were charming. I really did enjoy seeing Emma and her family and friends again. I wanted to like this more than I did, but it was mixed for me.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2572 KP) rated Death in St. George’s in Books
Aug 13, 2024 (Updated Aug 13, 2024)
Failed Vacation, but Fun Case
Stefanie and Thomas are taking a week’s vacation in Bermuda. At least that was the plan. They’ve hardly arrived when they get pulled into a case. A bracelet that had recently been uncovered in a dig on the island was stolen. Stefanie and Thomas agree to join the dig for a day in hopes they can figure something out. But then a murder happens. Will they figure things out?
The mystery started well, and I was intrigued. Unfortunately, I did find the pacing was uneven as our leads spent quite a bit of time theorizing. Still, there was a strong mystery underpinning the book, and I was impressed when I reached the end. I love Stefanie and Thomas, so I enjoyed spending more time with them even if a sub-plot involving their relationship made me roll my eyes. The suspects became strong characters by the end of the book. I’ve definitely got some sights I want to see if I ever make it to Bermuda in person. Until then, I enjoyed this virtual vacation with murder.
The mystery started well, and I was intrigued. Unfortunately, I did find the pacing was uneven as our leads spent quite a bit of time theorizing. Still, there was a strong mystery underpinning the book, and I was impressed when I reached the end. I love Stefanie and Thomas, so I enjoyed spending more time with them even if a sub-plot involving their relationship made me roll my eyes. The suspects became strong characters by the end of the book. I’ve definitely got some sights I want to see if I ever make it to Bermuda in person. Until then, I enjoyed this virtual vacation with murder.
