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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2676 KP) rated Listening Woman in Books
Aug 24, 2024
Solving a Stalled Case
Joe Leaphorn is tackling several cases that have grown cool over the last few months. At the forefront is the case of the double murder or an old man and a teenage girl who were murdered near the man’s hogan. The only witness is the teenager’s aunt, a listening woman, who is blind. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have much she can add to the case, but Joe follows the few pieces she has given him. Will that be enough for him to figure out what really happened?
I wasn’t surprised when the various cases Joe was investigating played into this case, but I did feel like things were a little unfocused early on. Still, everything came together well, and the last third is a page turning thriller. While I like Joe, we still know very little about him or his personal life. Likewise, the rest of the cast isn’t fully developed, but they are real enough given the page time they have. I do appreciate how Joe balances the Navajo myths versus the reality of police work. It’s easy to see why these books are so well loved, and I’m glad I’ve picked them up.
I wasn’t surprised when the various cases Joe was investigating played into this case, but I did feel like things were a little unfocused early on. Still, everything came together well, and the last third is a page turning thriller. While I like Joe, we still know very little about him or his personal life. Likewise, the rest of the cast isn’t fully developed, but they are real enough given the page time they have. I do appreciate how Joe balances the Navajo myths versus the reality of police work. It’s easy to see why these books are so well loved, and I’m glad I’ve picked them up.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2676 KP) rated A Trace of Poison in Books
Aug 14, 2025
Murderous Mystery Fete
The local mystery writers are hosting a Murder Fete to raise funds for the local orphanage, and they have convinced Agatha Christie to invite some of her famous friends. The weekend will include talks about the craft of mystery writing, author signings, and a short story contest where the winner gets a publishing contract on both sides of the Atlantic. However, the opening night’s cocktail reception ends with a murder. Since Phyllida is helping make sure the event is a success, she’s on hand. Can she solve a second real life murder?
Those who fell in love with the main characters in the first book in the series will be glad to be spending more time with them and seeing how their relationships develop. The supporting players and suspects could have been stronger. That means, the mystery could have been stronger as well, although there were some twists that kept me entertained. And things made sense once Phyllida had solved things. While the mystery could be stronger, this is still an entertaining book that will please mystery fans, especially fans of Agatha Christie.
Those who fell in love with the main characters in the first book in the series will be glad to be spending more time with them and seeing how their relationships develop. The supporting players and suspects could have been stronger. That means, the mystery could have been stronger as well, although there were some twists that kept me entertained. And things made sense once Phyllida had solved things. While the mystery could be stronger, this is still an entertaining book that will please mystery fans, especially fans of Agatha Christie.
Diamond In The Ruff (Wiggle Butt Manor #1)
Book
Charlie Calderbank always dreamed of being a cop, but a medical issue forces her out of the academy...
Cozy Mystery
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2676 KP) rated Murder at Rough Point in Books
Jul 30, 2025
Murder Makes a Retreat Rough
It is September of 1896 and Emma cross has been asked to cover an artist retreat happening at Rough Point, a mansion owned by Frederick Vanderbilt. When she arrives, Emma is surprised by some of the people included in the retreat. But even more surprising is the death of one of the artists at the base of the cliffs. It looks like it could be an accident, or even suicide. But something about the incident doesn’t sit right with Emma. Could it be murder?
This is the first time a book in the series is set off season, and I found I missed the real-life characters we’d gotten to know, although we did get updates on them. Due to that, the focus is on the cast of new characters and the mystery. I liked the clues and red herrings, although another subplot or two to break things up would have been nice. The one we did get allowed Emma to grow, which was nice. And an ongoing storyline got more complicated here. Overall, I enjoyed this and am looking forward to seeing what comes next.
This is the first time a book in the series is set off season, and I found I missed the real-life characters we’d gotten to know, although we did get updates on them. Due to that, the focus is on the cast of new characters and the mystery. I liked the clues and red herrings, although another subplot or two to break things up would have been nice. The one we did get allowed Emma to grow, which was nice. And an ongoing storyline got more complicated here. Overall, I enjoyed this and am looking forward to seeing what comes next.
Aphrodite in Phoenicia Rogerson’s book is a woman wronged. Is it common knowledge that Aphrodite isn’t your run of the mill goddess? I won’t say why, but she’s a bit special in this, and it sets her apart from the other gods and goddesses on Mount Olympus. Whatever she lacks in powers, she makes up with her ability to talk men into doing what she wants by using her femininity and cunning.
And I don’t blame her for one minute.
She comes across as an incredibly likeable character, while the other gods, and in particular Zeus, really are not.
Aphrodite is written in such an approachable way, and I particularly enjoyed the humour. Her relationships with other gods and Titans, her role in fate, and her frequent return to it long after it had been passed on to others, were fascinating. Aphrodite’s relationships with Zeus, Hephaestus, Ares and her son Eros gave a human slant to her life, which was messy, complicated and full of mistakes she couldn’t avoid making.
I’ve never watched any of the Real Housewives programmes, but I imagine that a series from Mount Olympus would feature A LOT of Aphrodite!
And I don’t blame her for one minute.
She comes across as an incredibly likeable character, while the other gods, and in particular Zeus, really are not.
Aphrodite is written in such an approachable way, and I particularly enjoyed the humour. Her relationships with other gods and Titans, her role in fate, and her frequent return to it long after it had been passed on to others, were fascinating. Aphrodite’s relationships with Zeus, Hephaestus, Ares and her son Eros gave a human slant to her life, which was messy, complicated and full of mistakes she couldn’t avoid making.
I’ve never watched any of the Real Housewives programmes, but I imagine that a series from Mount Olympus would feature A LOT of Aphrodite!
Origin Exposed (Descended of Dragons #2)
8.0
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A Dangerous Secret In fiery redhead Stella Stonewall’s new world magic and shape-shifters are...
Fantasy Romance Young Adult
Six Feet Deep Dish
9.0
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Fresh mozzarella, tangy tomato sauce, and murder: the perfect recipe for a delicious first entry in...
The Land of God (The Two Daggers #2)
Book
Pain. His sister’s screams. And a beautiful face in the jeering crowd. When Henri of Maron woke,...
Historical Fiction 13th Century Medieval
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2676 KP) rated A Deadly Bone to Pick in Books
Feb 23, 2022
Unfortunately, I Have a Bone to Pick with This Debut
Molly Madison and her dog have relocated to Pier Point, California, and she is looking forward to starting all over. However, she has not completely unpacked before a dog she is dog sitting uncovered a hand in the sand of a nearby beach. With the police looking at Molly as a suspect because of a scandal in her past, she has to figure out what is going on. But if she doesn’t even know her neighbors, can she do that?
I picked up this book because of the Southern California setting, and I loved that. Even though Pier Point is fictional, I could easily picture it. I also enjoyed meeting Molly and the rest of her neighbors. They are slightly eccentric, but not so over the top that they didn’t still feel real. There are plenty of dogs, and they are equally charming. Unfortunately, the pacing of the book is very off. It was slow in the beginning, focusing on Molly settling into her new life. The ending, while logical, was rushed. That kept me from fully enjoying what was a promising debut.
I picked up this book because of the Southern California setting, and I loved that. Even though Pier Point is fictional, I could easily picture it. I also enjoyed meeting Molly and the rest of her neighbors. They are slightly eccentric, but not so over the top that they didn’t still feel real. There are plenty of dogs, and they are equally charming. Unfortunately, the pacing of the book is very off. It was slow in the beginning, focusing on Molly settling into her new life. The ending, while logical, was rushed. That kept me from fully enjoying what was a promising debut.
Murder of a Mail-Order Bride
9.0
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When real life starts mimicking the plot of one of the romance books that line the shelves in her...