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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated A Christmas Candy Killing in Books
Oct 19, 2022
Sweetly Festive Debut
Identical twins Alex and Hanna have made a life for themselves in a small Montana town, where they have opened Murder and Mayhem, a combination mystery bookstore and chocolate shop. In the time they’ve been here, Alex has become friends with Jane, one of their neighbors. Jane invites Alex over to view a true crime show because she believes that one of their neighbors is the killer still at large at the end of the episode. But when Alex arrives, she finds Jane’s dead body. The police think it was a robbery gone wrong, but Alex wonders if Jane was really onto something. Can she find the killer?
Between the culinary cozy theme and the Christmas setting, I have to give this debut a chance. I’m glad I did. The first couple of chapters had a bit too much background on Alex and Hanna, but once the murder happened, things picked up. I appreciated how the clues were folded into the story. Not that I figured out the killer using them. The characters are good, but they could be a little stronger. Likewise, the setting is good, but could be a little stronger. Both of these are minor complaints since I am definitely ready to visit my new friends and this location again soon. I enjoyed the Christmas timing as well. This is a delicious debut.
Between the culinary cozy theme and the Christmas setting, I have to give this debut a chance. I’m glad I did. The first couple of chapters had a bit too much background on Alex and Hanna, but once the murder happened, things picked up. I appreciated how the clues were folded into the story. Not that I figured out the killer using them. The characters are good, but they could be a little stronger. Likewise, the setting is good, but could be a little stronger. Both of these are minor complaints since I am definitely ready to visit my new friends and this location again soon. I enjoyed the Christmas timing as well. This is a delicious debut.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated The Lessons We Learn in Books
May 21, 2022 (Updated May 21, 2022)
Betty Must Clear Her Friend
As winter reluctantly gives way to spring in March of 1943, Lee Tillotson’s father goes missing. Betty Ahern is surprised that her friend isn’t more concerned, but Lee keeps pointing out how much better his family’s life is without Mr. Tillotson around since the man had become a drunk. That comes back to haunt Lee when his father’s body turns up in the Buffalo River. The police are looking at Lee as a suspect, and Lee is clearly hiding something, even from Betty. Can Betty figure out what is going on?
Since Lee’s family situation has been a subplot in the first two books in this series, this book is able to jump right into the action. The result is a story that never waned. I was hooked from the first page and never wanted to put the book down. I enjoyed getting to see more of the supporting characters in this book, and the development that came with their expanded page time. Likewise, I enjoyed seeing some of the relationship growth from the previous book stick around. I hope it continues in future books. The writing helps pull us into the story, and the historical details are fantastic, as well. This is the strongest book in the series to date, and I can’t wait to visit Betty again.
Since Lee’s family situation has been a subplot in the first two books in this series, this book is able to jump right into the action. The result is a story that never waned. I was hooked from the first page and never wanted to put the book down. I enjoyed getting to see more of the supporting characters in this book, and the development that came with their expanded page time. Likewise, I enjoyed seeing some of the relationship growth from the previous book stick around. I hope it continues in future books. The writing helps pull us into the story, and the historical details are fantastic, as well. This is the strongest book in the series to date, and I can’t wait to visit Betty again.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated A Book Club to Die For in Books
Nov 3, 2022
Exclusive Book Clubs Lead to Murder
Tru Becket has been invited to speak at the exclusive Arete Society, a book club that has waiting lists to join. In fact, her friend Flossie is one of those waiting to get in, and she has come with Tru in order to plead her case. The meeting winds up being canceled, however, when Tru finds the group’s president dead in the kitchen. The police think that Hazel, this month’s hostess, snapped and killed the victim, but Tru doesn’t think so. Can she come up with an alternative suspect?
This book is a variation on the locked room mystery, and I have come to realize how much I enjoyed those added twists to the story. A couple of things were obvious early on, but overall, this was still a compelling mystery with suspects strong enough to keep you engaged. The series regulars are all here and are fantastic as well. There are some regulars who can get annoying, but they were kept in the background and added to the fun. And this book is fun. I laughed more than I had at the first two. One sub-plot in particular made me laugh every time it popped up. If you are looking for a light mystery, this is one you’ll enjoy.
This book is a variation on the locked room mystery, and I have come to realize how much I enjoyed those added twists to the story. A couple of things were obvious early on, but overall, this was still a compelling mystery with suspects strong enough to keep you engaged. The series regulars are all here and are fantastic as well. There are some regulars who can get annoying, but they were kept in the background and added to the fun. And this book is fun. I laughed more than I had at the first two. One sub-plot in particular made me laugh every time it popped up. If you are looking for a light mystery, this is one you’ll enjoy.
Mint Julep Murder
7.0
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One of America's most beloved mystery writers, Carolyn G. Hart, the Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Enfield horror trilogy (books 1-3) in Books
May 1, 2022
75 of 230
Kindle
The Enfield horror trilogy ( Books 1-3)
By Ron Ripley
⭐️⭐️⭐️
In the deep woods of Enfield, an autumn windstorm has unleashed a horror that has been trapped for over 100 years. For decades, the beast and its lair have hungered. Now the people of Enfield have to deal with a supernatural hunter with an insatiable appetite for humans.A hunter that is disturbingly good at what it does.As people start disappearing, Officer Tom Henderson finds himself thrust from the role of a rural police officer into that of a savior. Improbable eyewitness accounts tell him that the beast he has to face is merciless. And now, Tom will discover how deep his courage truly runs.
Well I wasn’t expecting that! I thought I was getting some creepy story out in the woods. What I got was a fully fledged Japanese dragon with an appetite for human flesh and an attitude problem lol. Haha I just wasn’t expecting it. Overall I enjoyed it but found it a little strange I can’t quite put my finger on why! I would have liked a li more on the mythological side to explain it all a little better I think. I do like this author his books always find a way to surprise me.
Kindle
The Enfield horror trilogy ( Books 1-3)
By Ron Ripley
⭐️⭐️⭐️
In the deep woods of Enfield, an autumn windstorm has unleashed a horror that has been trapped for over 100 years. For decades, the beast and its lair have hungered. Now the people of Enfield have to deal with a supernatural hunter with an insatiable appetite for humans.A hunter that is disturbingly good at what it does.As people start disappearing, Officer Tom Henderson finds himself thrust from the role of a rural police officer into that of a savior. Improbable eyewitness accounts tell him that the beast he has to face is merciless. And now, Tom will discover how deep his courage truly runs.
Well I wasn’t expecting that! I thought I was getting some creepy story out in the woods. What I got was a fully fledged Japanese dragon with an appetite for human flesh and an attitude problem lol. Haha I just wasn’t expecting it. Overall I enjoyed it but found it a little strange I can’t quite put my finger on why! I would have liked a li more on the mythological side to explain it all a little better I think. I do like this author his books always find a way to surprise me.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated A Most Efficient Murder (Mr Quayle Mysteries #1) [Audiobook] in Books
Oct 16, 2022
![A Most Efficient Murder (Mr Quayle Mysteries #1) [Audiobook]](/uploads/profile_image/e26/61ec8d3b-92d5-4305-83f4-8b29197b0e26.jpg?m=1665928282)
This is a something a little different to what I normally listen to or read and, I have to say, I quite enjoyed it.
First off, I must commend the narrator, Rafe Beckley, who was absolutely brilliant. He brought the story, the setting and the characters to life and I think if it wasn't for him, this book could have felt a bit flat. The voice for the butler was a particular favourite of mine.
This is a proper old-style, murder mystery. Without the benefit of the modern-day crime fighting techniques, Mr Quayle, along with the police, have a difficult task to discover who the guilty party is from the plethora of dodgy characters any of whom could have been responsible for the body discovered in the gardens of Unsworth Castle but their task is made more difficult due to the many secrets and lies that the suspects want to keep hidden.
I really enjoyed how the story and plot developed and played out; it was fun, engaging and with plenty of twists that kept me guessing and I very much look forward to following this series and can only hope the same narrator is used.
Thank you to BooksGoSocial Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen and share my thoughts of A Most Efficient Murder.
First off, I must commend the narrator, Rafe Beckley, who was absolutely brilliant. He brought the story, the setting and the characters to life and I think if it wasn't for him, this book could have felt a bit flat. The voice for the butler was a particular favourite of mine.
This is a proper old-style, murder mystery. Without the benefit of the modern-day crime fighting techniques, Mr Quayle, along with the police, have a difficult task to discover who the guilty party is from the plethora of dodgy characters any of whom could have been responsible for the body discovered in the gardens of Unsworth Castle but their task is made more difficult due to the many secrets and lies that the suspects want to keep hidden.
I really enjoyed how the story and plot developed and played out; it was fun, engaging and with plenty of twists that kept me guessing and I very much look forward to following this series and can only hope the same narrator is used.
Thank you to BooksGoSocial Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen and share my thoughts of A Most Efficient Murder.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Lover Come Hack in Books
Nov 15, 2022 (Updated Nov 15, 2022)
Killer Hacks
Madison Night thought she and her new friend, Jane Strong, were going to enter the Very Important Projects (VIP) design contest together until she gets a nasty email from Jane. Madison’s attempt to talk to Jane about it doesn’t go well, and a few hours later Jane is dead. The police are looking at Madison as their primary suspect, so she has to balance the contest with figuring out what really happened to Jane. All of this is made harder by a hacker targeting her and others involved in the contest. What really happened?
This book starts out strongly and never really lets up. I held on through the twists and turns and was rewarded with a good climax. It was a little rushed, but that was minor. Another minor complaint was the timeline issues that should have been caught with a good edit. I love Madison and the rest of the supporting cast, so I was happy to visit them again. I’m curious to see what the results of some of the sub-plots here means for the next book in the series. I do wish Madison would trust people in her life more, but again, this is minor. Overall, this was a fun book that kept me entertained from start to finish.
This book starts out strongly and never really lets up. I held on through the twists and turns and was rewarded with a good climax. It was a little rushed, but that was minor. Another minor complaint was the timeline issues that should have been caught with a good edit. I love Madison and the rest of the supporting cast, so I was happy to visit them again. I’m curious to see what the results of some of the sub-plots here means for the next book in the series. I do wish Madison would trust people in her life more, but again, this is minor. Overall, this was a fun book that kept me entertained from start to finish.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Mastering the Art of French Murder in Books
Nov 22, 2023
Chef’s Knife of Crime
Tabitha Knight has decided to live with her grandfather in 1949 Paris as she tries to decide what to do with her life after the end of the war. One of her new neighbors is Julia Child, and the two quickly become friends. After a party at Julia’s apartment one night, one of the guests is killed with Julia’s chef’s knife. Naturally, the police think she did it, but Tabitha knows it had to be someone else at the party. Can she prove it?
While I know little about Julia Child, I did feel what we saw here rang true to her personality. But she is just one of many enchanting characters we meet here, and I can’t wait to see them again. The suspects were strong, and the mystery kept me guessing. I thought I’d picked up on a clue early on, but it turned out to be a red herring that got me. I did feel one aspect of the plot was left up in the air, but the rest was explained to my satisfaction. While there are no recipes in this book, there is tons of talk about food. You’ll definitely be hungry when you read. I’m glad I finally read a book by this author, and I’ll be looking for more.
While I know little about Julia Child, I did feel what we saw here rang true to her personality. But she is just one of many enchanting characters we meet here, and I can’t wait to see them again. The suspects were strong, and the mystery kept me guessing. I thought I’d picked up on a clue early on, but it turned out to be a red herring that got me. I did feel one aspect of the plot was left up in the air, but the rest was explained to my satisfaction. While there are no recipes in this book, there is tons of talk about food. You’ll definitely be hungry when you read. I’m glad I finally read a book by this author, and I’ll be looking for more.
Grounds for Murder
8.0
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When Lana Lewis' best -- and most difficult -- employee abruptly quits and goes to work for the...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Death on the Set in Books
Sep 1, 2022 (Updated Sep 1, 2022)
Cooking Competitions are Killer
After losing her husband and her job, Brenna is back in her hometown trying to rebuild her life. Thanks for a friend who works at a temp agency, she’s landed a job as a production assistant on a cooking competition show being filmed in town. On her first full day of work, she shows up early to find the dead body of one of the contestants on the set. Since Brenna is a suspect, she starts investigating. Can she figure out what really happened?
The book jumps into the main mystery pretty quickly, just giving a brief mention to Brenna’s backstory. Yes, it is expanded on later, but I appreciated that we didn’t get a data dump, which would have been tempting. Unfortunately, the pacing of the mystery was still off; we got more details about Brenna’s job than I really needed. Still, there is a good mystery here, and I appreciated how the climax played out. Also, I liked that Brenna was mostly quick to share with the police anything she learned. There were a couple of continuity issues early on, but those disappeared as the book progressed. Brenna was a charming main character, and she is surrounded by a cast I enjoyed spending time with. There’s definitely potential for this to turn into a fun series.
The book jumps into the main mystery pretty quickly, just giving a brief mention to Brenna’s backstory. Yes, it is expanded on later, but I appreciated that we didn’t get a data dump, which would have been tempting. Unfortunately, the pacing of the mystery was still off; we got more details about Brenna’s job than I really needed. Still, there is a good mystery here, and I appreciated how the climax played out. Also, I liked that Brenna was mostly quick to share with the police anything she learned. There were a couple of continuity issues early on, but those disappeared as the book progressed. Brenna was a charming main character, and she is surrounded by a cast I enjoyed spending time with. There’s definitely potential for this to turn into a fun series.
