Smashbomb

Search

Search results

All (5000)

Content

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2478 KP) rated Death in St. George’s in Books

Aug 13, 2024 (Updated Aug 13, 2024)

Failed Vacation, but Fun Case

Stefanie and Thomas are taking a week’s vacation in Bermuda. At least that was the plan. They’ve hardly arrived when they get pulled into a case. A bracelet that had recently been uncovered in a dig on the island was stolen. Stefanie and Thomas agree to join the dig for a day in hopes they can figure something out. But then a murder happens. Will they figure things out?

The mystery started well, and I was intrigued. Unfortunately, I did find the pacing was uneven as our leads spent quite a bit of time theorizing. Still, there was a strong mystery underpinning the book, and I was impressed when I reached the end. I love Stefanie and Thomas, so I enjoyed spending more time with them even if a sub-plot involving their relationship made me roll my eyes. The suspects became strong characters by the end of the book. I’ve definitely got some sights I want to see if I ever make it to Bermuda in person. Until then, I enjoyed this virtual vacation with murder.

Kudos

The Mars House

Natasha Pulley

9.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

When an apocalyptic dust storm engulfs Mars, cutting off power to the capital, a refugee and a...

Ravished by the Rhubarb (The Rhubarb Effect #3)

JP Sayle and Sue Brown

8.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

A feisty omega, an arrogant alpha, how will they survive locked together in a small room? One by...

MM Paranormal Romance Shifters Weird and Wacky series

Tailored Truths (Silver Sampler #2)

Nancy Jardine

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Is self-supporting success enough for Margaret Law or will her future also include an adoring...

Historical Fiction Family Saga Women's Fiction

Map of My Escape

Cheryl Reed

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

The shooting of a homicide detective is captured on film by a mysterious figure from a second-floor...

Detective Mystery

Merissa (13749 KP) rated You Otter Know (Part of: Double-Booked for the Holidays) in Books

Nov 24, 2025

YOU OTTER KNOW is part of the Double-Booked for the Holidays series, and it is a cabin by a river that is double-booked in this story. Both Bodhi and River were looking forward to a quiet Christmas, away from well-meaning but repetitive mothers and loud family time. Instead, they have a Christmas that is both sweet and steamy, with a missing desk clerk and surprise gift baskets left on the porch.

You may want to hold onto your hat for this one, as the pacing is FAST. In twelve or thirteen chapters, you get an entire year, a pregnancy, and a relationship from meeting to marriage; all at breakneck speed.

I would have preferred a little more show and less tell, but it's a cute, easy read that begins and ends at Christmas. If you're not looking for anything more than that, then this is the one for you.

** 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!
Nov 24, 2025

Kudos

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2478 KP) rated At Death’s Dough in Books

Dec 18, 2025 (Updated Dec 18, 2025)

A Frozen Valentine’s Day

It’s the beginning of February, and Delilah O’Leary is finding the quiet season is quieter than she planned on. She’s hoping for a full restaurant on Valentine’s Day to help carry her through to tourist season again. On one of the restaurant’s days closed, Delilah and her great aunt go out ice fishing, and they make an unexpected discovery - a dead body under the ice. The victim was dressed for scuba diving, but who would dive in the lake in the middle of the winter?

The premise definitely caught my attention, although I found the pacing was uneven. Yes, I could tell the story was being set up, but it felt a bit random to me for a while. Once things really got going, I was hooked, with plenty of excitement, especially in the final quarter. And we did reach a logical conclusion. The characters continue to shine, and I especially appreciated seeing Delilah growing while building her relationship with her boyfriend. And we get another four recipes to enjoy at the end. If you enjoy culinary cozies, you’ll find yourself grabbing all the slices in this series.