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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated The Self-Working Trick (and Other Stories) in Books

Feb 2, 2022  
The Self-Working Trick (and Other Stories)
The Self-Working Trick (and Other Stories)
John Gaspard | 2022 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Eli Faces Crime in This Short Story Collection
For the eighth book in the Eli Marks series, author John Gaspard decided to present a short story collection. While two have been previously released, the rest of the twelve stories here are new. Over the course of this collection, Eli must help his ex-wife and her new husband figure out what happened in a bizarre murder/suicide case. Eli finds himself being questioned by the police when someone who gave him a one-star review is found dead. Eli finds himself being sent in by the police to perform magic for a man who refuses to come out of his house. And Eli and his uncle Harry figure out what happened to a man shot in front of a crowd on Halloween night.

While a couple of the stories don’t feature a crime, they still give us a great chance to see Eli in action and let us get some insight into his character. The rest of the stories feature a crime, often with a perfect puzzle that only makes sense when Eli uses his knowledge of the principles of magic to solve it. If you want to be fooled by magic, you’ll be happy to know that these principles are discussed in such a way that the solution to the mystery makes sense, but the specifics of how a trick works aren’t ruined. I love that. Fans will love getting these small glimpses of what else Eli has been up to between the big cases we’ve already read about. If you are new to the character, you’ll find the information you need to follow these cases with nothing from the regular novels spoiled. Most importantly, these stories are fun, with a few laughs along the way as well. This is a completely enjoyable short story collection.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated No Virgin Island: A Sabrina Salter Mystery in Books

Mar 9, 2018  
NV
No Virgin Island: A Sabrina Salter Mystery
C. Michele Dorsey | 2015
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sabrina Salter has escaped a past in Boston, hoping to enjoy her new life in St. John. However, trouble finds her in the US Virgin Islands when she arrives to clean one of the villas she maintains only to find the tenant dead in the outside hammock. Will the police see her as the prime suspect? Can she live through something like this again?

While the setting may be a paradise, the tone is more somber given Sabrina’s past. I enjoyed the juxtaposition and getting to know the strong characters. The plot unfolds differently than I am used to in a mystery, but everything we need to solve the crime is there, and we get two very dramatic and satisfying climaxes.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-no-virgin-island-by-c.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Trixie Belden and the Pet Show Mystery (Trixie Belden, #37) in Books

Mar 9, 2018  
TB
Trixie Belden and the Pet Show Mystery (Trixie Belden, #37)
Kathryn Kenny | 1985
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
When Trixie learns that the local birds are having trouble finding food, she thinks it is the perfect project to keep the Bob-Whites busy during an especially harsh winter. They quickly decide to put on a pet show to raise funds. But someone disagrees. Who is out to sabotage the show?

Most fans of the series focus on the elements that seem out of place – Mart working on a computer and the Sleepyside mall. However, I still like this book. The plot seems weak for an entry in the series, and the crime is a little forced, but that’s my only complaint. There are some good opportunities for character growth, and the story is still fun overall.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-pet-show-mystery-by-kathryn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Reading Up a Storm (Lighthouse Library Mystery #3) in Books

Feb 21, 2018  
RU
Reading Up a Storm (Lighthouse Library Mystery #3)
Eva Gates | 2016
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Reading Up a Storm focuses more on characters outside of the library staff than the first two novels in the series, and Lucy has a new friend in this one who is accused of murder. Of course she doesn't trust that the police will see past her friend Stephanie's apparent motive for the crime, and is soon getting herself into trouble asking questions and trying to solve the case by herself. She probably figured it out long before I did, but it was gratifying to find that the killer was the person I suspected, for once.

And for those of you who enjoy a little romance with your cozy mystery - I love where the author has taken the romantic triangle that was developing in the first two books. I can't say anything more without spoilers, but I was very pleased with the outcome.