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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2398 KP) rated Hot Pot Murder in Books
Jun 14, 2023
Shocking Ending to a Festive Meal
Yale Yee and her cousin Celine are celebrating Thanksgiving with a local association of Asian restaurant owners. Since Yale’s father has been a member for years, she knows most of the members, but she’s still surprised at the tensions bubbling beneath the surface at the hot pot celebration. Then the group’s president dies when he goes to plug in an extension cord. The police start looking at it as murder, and Yale can’t help but get involved in trying to figure out what really happened. If it was murder, can she prove it?
I enjoyed meeting Yale and Celine in the first book in this series, and I’m happy to say they were fantastic once again. Not only does their relationship with each other grow, but they also grow individually, which I enjoyed watching. While the suspects could be a tad stronger, it’s a minor point, and I enjoyed spending time with the rest of the returning characters. The mystery is strong with several great twists, and I loved the way the climax played out. While the majority of the action takes place in a fictional neighborhood in L.A., I enjoyed it when we visited some real parts of the city. There are also two recipes at the end of the book. If you are looking for a cozy with a bit of a different setting and strong leads, you need to check out this series.
I enjoyed meeting Yale and Celine in the first book in this series, and I’m happy to say they were fantastic once again. Not only does their relationship with each other grow, but they also grow individually, which I enjoyed watching. While the suspects could be a tad stronger, it’s a minor point, and I enjoyed spending time with the rest of the returning characters. The mystery is strong with several great twists, and I loved the way the climax played out. While the majority of the action takes place in a fictional neighborhood in L.A., I enjoyed it when we visited some real parts of the city. There are also two recipes at the end of the book. If you are looking for a cozy with a bit of a different setting and strong leads, you need to check out this series.
Murder at the Breakers
9.0
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For fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age, explore the dark side of the alluring world of America’s 19th...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2398 KP) rated The Raven Thief in Books
Jan 25, 2024 (Updated Jan 25, 2024)
Who Made the Impossible Possible?
Tempest Raj’s family’s specialty construction company has just finished a project for a family friend. Lavinia Kingsley wanted to redesign a space her ex-husband had used. She’s planning an open house followed by a séance, overseen by Tempest’s friend Sanjay, to ceremonially get her ex out of her life. However, when the lights come on in the middle of the séance, the group finds Lavinia’s ex’s very real body on the table in their midst. With the police looking at her grandfather, Tempest jumps into the case. But she realizes there are four impossible things that she needs to figure out in order to solve the case. Can she figure out not only who did it, but how?
I’m not sure why I didn’t get to this book sooner, but I’m glad I finally did. I was quickly hooked, and the locked room aspect really added to the plot. The complications and twists just made the book harder to put down, but I was completely satisfied when I turned the last page. I fell in love with the characters even more here, as well. We get some advancement to the overarching storyline related to Tempest’s family, which made me glad the next book is coming soon. There are even three recipes at the end. If you haven’t read this book yet, fix that today.
I’m not sure why I didn’t get to this book sooner, but I’m glad I finally did. I was quickly hooked, and the locked room aspect really added to the plot. The complications and twists just made the book harder to put down, but I was completely satisfied when I turned the last page. I fell in love with the characters even more here, as well. We get some advancement to the overarching storyline related to Tempest’s family, which made me glad the next book is coming soon. There are even three recipes at the end. If you haven’t read this book yet, fix that today.
Merissa (13194 KP) rated Some Kind of Truth in Books
Apr 19, 2024
SOME KIND OF TRUTH is a dark mystery crime thriller about a reporter on the search for truth. Steve James has gone through his own trauma that is similar to that of the girl on the USB stick he anonymously receives. After receiving the approval of his editor, he goes to small-town USA - Hanover if you want the particulars - to find out just what happened.
This was a good story that had me turning the pages, even as I suspended reality. Steve, and the local journalist helping him, Amy, go around the town and surrounding areas, going into houses, and making discoveries that should have been reported to the police.
There were a few errors that I spotted, just as Lance Corporal Lewis Brenner changing to Lance Corporal Kyle Brenner and Private Lewis Lomax. They weren't enough to spoil my reading but they were noticeable.
Steve was a sympathetic character to begin with, but his constant musings about drink and alcohol became monotonous, even knowing the reasons why he used them as a crutch. He can see things others might miss, although he is not infallible.
A dark and gritty story that I can definitely recommend.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 13, 2024
This was a good story that had me turning the pages, even as I suspended reality. Steve, and the local journalist helping him, Amy, go around the town and surrounding areas, going into houses, and making discoveries that should have been reported to the police.
There were a few errors that I spotted, just as Lance Corporal Lewis Brenner changing to Lance Corporal Kyle Brenner and Private Lewis Lomax. They weren't enough to spoil my reading but they were noticeable.
Steve was a sympathetic character to begin with, but his constant musings about drink and alcohol became monotonous, even knowing the reasons why he used them as a crutch. He can see things others might miss, although he is not infallible.
A dark and gritty story that I can definitely recommend.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 13, 2024
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2398 KP) rated White Elephant Dead in Books
May 23, 2024
Rummaging for Blackmail Secrets
Broward’s Rock is getting ready for the Women’s Club’s annual white elephant sale. When Kathryn Girard disappears with the club van while out collecting donations, Annie’s friend and best customer, Henny Brawley, heads out after her. But then no one hears from Henny. Annie and her husband, Max, start searching for her. They find the van with Kathryn’s body in the back and Henny’s car nearby. The new police chief thinks that means Henny much have killed Kathryn. But Annie knows better. The real question is, why would anyone want to kill Kathryn? And what happened to Henny?
It isn’t long before Annie and Max realize blackmail is involved, and it adds an interesting layer to this mystery. As usual, I found the suspects a bit flat, and I had a hard time remember who was who. Likewise, one aspect of the plot is just dropped, and I wish it had been fully developed. Still, things came together for a logical climax. I’m catching more of the references to other mystery books, but I still find there are too many of them, so they can get annoying. The series regulars are in fine form, and they gave me plenty of laughs. Most of my issues with the book are regular problems for me in the series, but I still enjoy the books. If you are a fan who hasn’t read this book yet, you’ll enjoy it, too.
It isn’t long before Annie and Max realize blackmail is involved, and it adds an interesting layer to this mystery. As usual, I found the suspects a bit flat, and I had a hard time remember who was who. Likewise, one aspect of the plot is just dropped, and I wish it had been fully developed. Still, things came together for a logical climax. I’m catching more of the references to other mystery books, but I still find there are too many of them, so they can get annoying. The series regulars are in fine form, and they gave me plenty of laughs. Most of my issues with the book are regular problems for me in the series, but I still enjoy the books. If you are a fan who hasn’t read this book yet, you’ll enjoy it, too.
Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles (Babs Norman Hollywood Mystery #1)
3.0
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Asta, the dog from the popular Thin Man series, has vanished, and production for his next film is...
Humour Mystery Historical
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2398 KP) rated Til Death in Books
Oct 17, 2024 (Updated Oct 17, 2024)
Will Death Keep Zoe and Pete from Their Wedding?
With two weeks until their wedding, Zoe Chambers and Pete Adams are trying to juggle final prep with some puzzling cases. In Zoe’s case, it’s a friend from high school who died under mysterious circumstances with no clues after the autopsy. Meanwhile, Pete is reopening a case he solved nine years ago. A man was convicted of killing his wife, but the conviction has been overturned. Pete got it right the first time, didn’t he?
If you are new to the series, I don’t recommend you start here. Aside from the spoilers for the previous book (and they can’t be avoided), you also get some conclusions for several ongoing story arcs. However, fans will be hooked from the beginning. Zoe, Pete, and the gang are as fantastic as always, and I appreciated the growth we got. There is a lot going on here, so I never wanted to put the book down, but the mystery is always front and center and comes to a logical conclusion. Since these are police procedural, there’s a little more language and violence than in a cozy, but they are kept to a minimum. A couple of threads are left for the next book, so I can’t wait to see where things go for our characters next. Fans will delight with this book. If that isn’t you yet, fix that today.
If you are new to the series, I don’t recommend you start here. Aside from the spoilers for the previous book (and they can’t be avoided), you also get some conclusions for several ongoing story arcs. However, fans will be hooked from the beginning. Zoe, Pete, and the gang are as fantastic as always, and I appreciated the growth we got. There is a lot going on here, so I never wanted to put the book down, but the mystery is always front and center and comes to a logical conclusion. Since these are police procedural, there’s a little more language and violence than in a cozy, but they are kept to a minimum. A couple of threads are left for the next book, so I can’t wait to see where things go for our characters next. Fans will delight with this book. If that isn’t you yet, fix that today.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2398 KP) rated Welcome Home to Murder in Books
Jan 17, 2025
Retired From the Army Doesn’t Mean the End to Dead Bodies
Tessa Treslow left her hometown in Idaho as soon as she graduated from high school. She’s now spent over twenty years in the army and is ready to retire. Since she still doesn’t know what she is going to do with the rest of her life, she agrees to return to New Oslo for an extended visit. While reuniting with her parents and aunt, she senses that there is something they are keeping from her. But she learns more in the more horrific way when she and her aunt find a dead body in the garage her aunt runs. The police, in the form of Tessa’s high school boyfriend, feel that her family has the perfect motive. Can Tessa figure out what really happened?
This series debut has been on my radar for a while, and I’m glad I finally got to pick it up. It has some twists on the familiar cozy tropes, and I enjoyed those. There is a depth to the characters I appreciated, and I also liked that we got details about Tessa and the others over the course of the book without any data dumps. The mystery had a few pacing issues in the middle, but overall, it was good with plenty of red herrings and a logical climax. I’m looking forward to seeing what else Tessa can find in her hometown.
This series debut has been on my radar for a while, and I’m glad I finally got to pick it up. It has some twists on the familiar cozy tropes, and I enjoyed those. There is a depth to the characters I appreciated, and I also liked that we got details about Tessa and the others over the course of the book without any data dumps. The mystery had a few pacing issues in the middle, but overall, it was good with plenty of red herrings and a logical climax. I’m looking forward to seeing what else Tessa can find in her hometown.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2398 KP) rated Waters of Destruction in Books
Apr 3, 2025
Last Call for the Bartender
It’s been a few months since we last checked in with Valerie and Kristen, and in that time, they’ve completed their move to Hawai’i. While they are trying to settle into their new life, Valerie agrees to help out their friend Sachiko who needs a bartender at the restaurant she manages. The old bartender has disappeared, but when his body turns up, the police start looking at Sachiko as a suspect. Can Valerie figure out what really happened to him?
Since Valerie and Kristen were fighting in the first book, I had trouble buying into their relationship. I’m happy to say they were getting along better here, and I enjoyed spending more time with them. The rest of the characters were great as well, and I hope we see many of them again. The plot appeared to be wandering a bit at the beginning, but everything came into play on the way to the surprising climax. Some of the characters do use Pigeon English, but I didn’t have trouble following their dialog. There is a glossary in the back if you want to learn more as well as five recipes to enjoy after you’ve finished. The setting came to life, and it was the next best thing to getting to visit myself. This is a fun second book for when you want a tropical retreat filled with murder.
Since Valerie and Kristen were fighting in the first book, I had trouble buying into their relationship. I’m happy to say they were getting along better here, and I enjoyed spending more time with them. The rest of the characters were great as well, and I hope we see many of them again. The plot appeared to be wandering a bit at the beginning, but everything came into play on the way to the surprising climax. Some of the characters do use Pigeon English, but I didn’t have trouble following their dialog. There is a glossary in the back if you want to learn more as well as five recipes to enjoy after you’ve finished. The setting came to life, and it was the next best thing to getting to visit myself. This is a fun second book for when you want a tropical retreat filled with murder.