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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Better Late Than Never in Books

Jun 26, 2020  
Better Late Than Never
Better Late Than Never
Jenn McKinlay | 2016 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A Late Clue
Lindsay Norris has declared an overdue book amnesty day for the Briar Creek Public Library, but even she is surprised when a book that was checked out twenty years ago is returned. Further research indicates that it was checked out by Candice Whitley on the day she was murdered – a crime that remains unsolved. Why was this book returned now? Will it help solve this cold case?

I was intrigued by the premise of this book as soon as I learned what it was. I was rewarded with a well-executed mystery that provided clues and red herrings that kept me guessing until I reached the suspenseful climax. The romantic triangle that has been going on for the last few books appears to have wrapped up here, but it looks like everyone will be staying in town, which I am very happy about since I just love these characters. We got a few new regulars here, too, and I’m looking forward to getting to know them better. This book included plenty of laughs and grins, so if you are looking for a light, fun murder mystery, this is the book to check out.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Hallowed Out in Books

Aug 17, 2022  
Hallowed Out
Hallowed Out
Barbara Ross | 2022
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Haunted Tour Ends in Mystery
Julia Snowden has gotten roped into an effort to bring some tourists to town during October via a haunted homes tour. One of the stops is Gus’s restaurant where a rumrunner was killed by gangsters during Prohibition. An actor has been brought in to help with the reenactment, but the night of the first tour, he is shot when the lights go out. Who did it?

It truly is wonderful to revisit the characters, no matter how briefly it might be. The plot is strong, and the characters we meet along the way are just as strong. I didn’t see the twists of the mystery coming, and the ending caught me by surprise. There is a delightful sub-plot as well that kept me grinning. And there’s a recipe or two at the end.

NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Haunted House Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Halloween trip to Maine.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Dearly Deleted in Books

Dec 21, 2023  
Dearly Deleted
Dearly Deleted
Sarah E. Burr | 2023 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Killing at Christmas
Winnie Lark is staying in Copper Bay for Christmas, in fact, she’s playing host to her family. She’s nervous about her strained relationship with her parents and all of them fitting in her cottage. But before they even arrive, another murder happens in town. Her friend Owen is hosting a bestselling mystery author at his bookstore, but after the signing, Owen finds a dead body behind his store. Can Winnie save his reputation?

This book doesn’t waste any time before jumping into the mystery, and it kept me guessing until we reached the end, which took me by surprise. I fell in love with the characters in the first book, and that continued here. I also liked seeing how naturally Winnie’s relationship with her brother has developed. I did feel one sub-plot got a little short changed, but I did like how it was resolved. The Christmas setting is fun, and there are some great scenes in the second half of the book. If you can work this book in before Christmas, you’ll be rewarded. But no matter what time of the year you read it, you’ll be glad you did.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Engaged to Die in Books

Jul 30, 2025  
Engaged to Die
Engaged to Die
Carolyn Hart | 2003 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Announcement Postponed by Murder
This book opens in January, and it involves a family that owns an art gallery on the island of Broward’s Rock. They are gearing up for an opening for a well-respected artist, but Virginia, the owner, is also going to use it to announce her engagement to a much younger man, much to her step children’s dismay. Naturally, Annie Darling is going to be there with her husband, Max. But when the time comes for the announcement, it gets postponed, and soon after, a dead body is discovered. Will Annie solve the latest mystery?

While I was reading this book, I was enjoying it. But as I thought about it later, I started to have issues. The subplot was front loaded, giving us more time before the mystery really got started. The ending felt rushed, with no explanation of how Annie fingered the killer, which means I’m struggling a little to see how it all makes sense. And one relationship had to devolved for us to get the usual antagonist relationship Annie has with the local police. Fans will still enjoy this visit with the characters even if it isn’t the strongest.