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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2623 KP) rated Death On Demand (Death On Demand, #1) in Books
Sep 15, 2020
Crime Writer Murdered
Annie Lawrence has inherited the Death on Demand mystery bookstore on Broward’s Rock off the coast of South Carolina. She has allowed the bookstore to continue to be used by a group of mystery writers on Sunday nights. On this particular Sunday night, one of them is murdered, and Annie becomes the chief suspect. Good thing that her not-quite-ex, Max Darling, is on the island to help her clear her name. But can they do it?
While I’ve read other books by the author, I have yet to dive into this series. I’m glad I finally took the plunge. The mystery is complex with a good puzzle and lots of twists before everything is resolved. Annie and Max are strong and fantastic lead characters. The suspect could have been a bit stronger, although they got better as the book went along. The references to other mystery authors and novels was a lot of fun, although occasionally it did feel like it was a bit much. There was more foul language than I am used to in a cozy mystery. The setting, essentially a resort community, was fantastic. This book came out in 1987, so some things were dated, but just keep that in mind when you pick up the book and you’ll be fine. Now that I’ve visited the store, I will definitely be back.
While I’ve read other books by the author, I have yet to dive into this series. I’m glad I finally took the plunge. The mystery is complex with a good puzzle and lots of twists before everything is resolved. Annie and Max are strong and fantastic lead characters. The suspect could have been a bit stronger, although they got better as the book went along. The references to other mystery authors and novels was a lot of fun, although occasionally it did feel like it was a bit much. There was more foul language than I am used to in a cozy mystery. The setting, essentially a resort community, was fantastic. This book came out in 1987, so some things were dated, but just keep that in mind when you pick up the book and you’ll be fine. Now that I’ve visited the store, I will definitely be back.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2623 KP) rated Her Dying Day in Books
May 19, 2023 (Updated May 19, 2023)
What Really Happened to Greer Larkin?
Documentary graduate student June Masterson has finally hit upon the perfect topic for her final project – the disappearance twenty years ago of Greer Larkin. Greer had burst onto the mystery scene with six well received books before she disappeared, never to be seen again. With the principles in Greer’s life agreeing to talk to June, she fantasizes about solving the case, making for the perfect end to her documentary. Can she do that? Will she even finish it in time?
I struggled with part of this book – a subplot in June’s life that I truly didn’t like. I can understand her choices, but still, it bothered me. I did appreciate the character growth we got. And the mystery itself was very well done. It kept me guessing all the way to the satisfying ending. There was one aspect that was left opened, but it could propel a follow up book. This book has some content that definitely keeps it from being a cozy; it’s honestly a little hard to place outside of just plain mystery. If you enjoy an engaging mystery, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
I struggled with part of this book – a subplot in June’s life that I truly didn’t like. I can understand her choices, but still, it bothered me. I did appreciate the character growth we got. And the mystery itself was very well done. It kept me guessing all the way to the satisfying ending. There was one aspect that was left opened, but it could propel a follow up book. This book has some content that definitely keeps it from being a cozy; it’s honestly a little hard to place outside of just plain mystery. If you enjoy an engaging mystery, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
Her Ladyship's Ring (The Harmony Duprie Mysteries Book 2)
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Harmony Duprie is back, and so is trouble in Oak Grove. When a man is murdered in the back yard...
Oak Grove Her Ladyship's Ring The Harmony Duprie Mysteries fiction mystery cozy mystery
Burdened Bloodline
8.0
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What's a little blood among brothers? Reeling from the deadly events at Ogdam Oasis, Duchess...
Murder on Cape Cod
10.0
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A Cape Cod shop owner and her book club must find a crafty killer in this charming new series from...
Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass
7.0
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When exotic pet-sitter Belinda Blake moves into a carriage house in tony Greenwich, Connecticut,...
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Teetotaled (Discreet Retrieval Agency, #2) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
I love historical fiction set in the 1920s, so I was really excited to get an early copy of Teetotaled to check out. It did not disappoint! The heroine, Lola, has a very dry, sarcastic sense of humor which I adored, and this book kept me chuckling all the way through.
The mystery in Teetotaled was just as entertaining. It kept me guessing, and the cast of suspects and supporting characters made me feel like I was watching a BBC production of Jeeves and Wooster.
Cozy mystery fans as well as historical fiction aficionados who dont mind a dose of humor are sure to enjoy this book!
<i>Note: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.</I>
The mystery in Teetotaled was just as entertaining. It kept me guessing, and the cast of suspects and supporting characters made me feel like I was watching a BBC production of Jeeves and Wooster.
Cozy mystery fans as well as historical fiction aficionados who dont mind a dose of humor are sure to enjoy this book!
<i>Note: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.</I>
A Mistake of Murder (Jan Christopher Mysteries #3)
Book
Was murder deliberate - or a tragic mistake? January 1972. The Christmas and New Year holiday is...
Cozy Mystery Murder Mystery
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2623 KP) rated The Gift of the Magpie in Books
Dec 13, 2020
Who Used a Helping Hand to Murder?
This year at Christmas, the churches in Caerphilly, Virginia have started a Helping Hands for the Holidays charity event, and Meg is right in the thick of it, organizing and helping. One of their projects is helping Harvey the Hoarder declutter and fix up his house before the county is called to intervene. Day one goes pretty well, but when Meg shows up for the second day, she finds him lying in a pool of blood in the garage. Are the rumors of a treasure hidden in the house true? Did that get Harvey killed?
I always enjoy visiting Meg, and this book was no exception. The sub-plots involving her large family slow down the main mystery early on, but as a fan of the series and the characters, that’s a minor complaint. Once the mystery gets going, it is strong with several good suspects and twists before we reach the great climax. The sub-plots still weave in and out of the main mystery, and I really enjoyed them and the Christmas spirit they give us. I didn’t find this book quite as funny as some of the others, maybe because it left me contemplating which side of the hoarder or collector line I’m on. If you are looking for an entertaining mystery set at Christmas, there’s still time this year to cozy up to the fire and enjoy this mystery.
I always enjoy visiting Meg, and this book was no exception. The sub-plots involving her large family slow down the main mystery early on, but as a fan of the series and the characters, that’s a minor complaint. Once the mystery gets going, it is strong with several good suspects and twists before we reach the great climax. The sub-plots still weave in and out of the main mystery, and I really enjoyed them and the Christmas spirit they give us. I didn’t find this book quite as funny as some of the others, maybe because it left me contemplating which side of the hoarder or collector line I’m on. If you are looking for an entertaining mystery set at Christmas, there’s still time this year to cozy up to the fire and enjoy this mystery.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated A Deadly Éclair (A French Bistro Mystery, #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
Mimi Rousseau is preparing for a celebrity wedding at her bistro and inn, but before things can really get underway, her mentor and financial supporter is found dead on the premises. With him gone, Mimi is under no obligation to repay the funds he had lent her to get her business started, so that makes her look mighty suspicious in the eyes of the law. Afraid that shell lose both her business and her freedom, Mimi decides to get to the bottom of things.
Daryl Wood Gerber (aka Avery Aames) is one of my favorite cozy authors, so I jumped at the chance to read the first book in her new mystery series. I was not disappointed. Good food, great friends, and plenty of intrigue keep this story moving along. Its a well-plotted mystery with lots of delicious sounding recipes included at the end. Culinary cozy fans will not want to miss this one.
<i>NOTE: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book.</i>
Daryl Wood Gerber (aka Avery Aames) is one of my favorite cozy authors, so I jumped at the chance to read the first book in her new mystery series. I was not disappointed. Good food, great friends, and plenty of intrigue keep this story moving along. Its a well-plotted mystery with lots of delicious sounding recipes included at the end. Culinary cozy fans will not want to miss this one.
<i>NOTE: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book.</i>