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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2658 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 (2658 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
Pickled Pink in Paris (Julia Fairchild #3)
Book
A major business deal is disrupted by murder. But a young physician has the key to the case... A...
Cozy Mystery
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2658 KP) rated Murder of a Mail-Order Bride in Books
Aug 8, 2022
After Marriage Comes Murder
Long time bachelor Al Little has found a bride thanks to the internet, and he is thrilled that Svetlana is coming to town. Lizzie Hale, owner of the romance bookstore in Tinker’s Cover, Ohio, gets roped into helping make sure their first meeting and their wedding is perfectly romantic. But when Svetlana turns up dead in the middle of the reception, the question becomes, who would want to kill a new comer to town?
This is a strong second book. The plot kept me engaged the entire time. I did guess a couple of plot points early, but there were so many more I didn’t see coming, including the ending. The book is focused on the new characters central to this mystery, and they are all strong. We do have a small core cast of characters who are back, and they are fun. I also enjoy watching Lizzie’s romantic life, which is a great romantic comedy sub-plot. If you are looking for a slight twist on a cozy mystery set up, this is a series you will love.
This is a strong second book. The plot kept me engaged the entire time. I did guess a couple of plot points early, but there were so many more I didn’t see coming, including the ending. The book is focused on the new characters central to this mystery, and they are all strong. We do have a small core cast of characters who are back, and they are fun. I also enjoy watching Lizzie’s romantic life, which is a great romantic comedy sub-plot. If you are looking for a slight twist on a cozy mystery set up, this is a series you will love.
Shadows of Frenchmen (A Jonathan Gray, M.D. Mystery #2)
Book
On a frosty Sunday morning in February, Dr. Jonathan Gray, Coroner of Orleans Parish, faces a...
Mystery Medico-Legal Thriller
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2658 KP) rated Two Truths and a Murder in Books
Aug 19, 2026
Truth: This is Another Good Mystery
Phyllida is back in Listleigh and surprised when she is invited to a dinner party a neighbor is throwing. But the favor she is asked gets forgotten when another guest announces she’s witnessed a murder. The next morning, her sister is found run over by a car. Did the killer get the wrong sister?
I got excited when I realized this book was riffing on one of the few Agatha Christie novels I’ve actually read. Of course, it takes the premise and goes off in some other directions. It took me a little while to get into the story, but I did get hooked before we reached the logical climax. This book builds on some developments from the previous one, which I liked. And I enjoyed getting to know the new characters and spending time with the returning ones. The historic details are fun as well. While Agatha Christie fans will especially enjoy this series, anyone who loves a good mystery will be glad they picked it up. And that’s no lie.
I got excited when I realized this book was riffing on one of the few Agatha Christie novels I’ve actually read. Of course, it takes the premise and goes off in some other directions. It took me a little while to get into the story, but I did get hooked before we reached the logical climax. This book builds on some developments from the previous one, which I liked. And I enjoyed getting to know the new characters and spending time with the returning ones. The historic details are fun as well. While Agatha Christie fans will especially enjoy this series, anyone who loves a good mystery will be glad they picked it up. And that’s no lie.
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 (2658 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.