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No Saving Throw (A Ten Again Mystery)
No Saving Throw (A Ten Again Mystery)
Kristin McFarland | 2019 | Crime, Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Save a Place for This Debut
Autumn is happy running Ten Again, the gaming store she owns in the small Wisconsin college town where she grew up. Things are going well until one of the regular gamers in the store dies in the mall. Things quickly turn on Autumn and the rest of the gamers, with some of them in particular in the police’s spotlight. But Autumn doesn’t think her gamers, who have become her friends, could really be killers. Can she prove it?

While I’m not much of a gamer, this book still sounded like lots of fun, and I was right. There are some references to geeky things, most of which I got, but if you don’t get the reference, it shouldn’t interfere with your enjoyment of the book. That’s because the mystery is strong, with lots of events and clues to keep the pages turning until we reach the logical and suspenseful climax. The characters are wonderful, and I love how much they care for each other. I also appreciated Autumn’s debates about being involved in the investigation. It felt realistic when she would try to get out before something pulled her back in. I do wish Autumn swore a little less, but that’s my only complaint about this fun debut.
  
*I read this as part of the Innkeeper Chronicles Volume One - Books #1-#3*

This one starts with a bang, almost literally, as a boom bike rides through their small town to deliver a message to Dina. A message from her sister, who she hasn't seen for years, asking for help. Not to mention the arrival of a Hiru, a peaceful race that has been hunted for generations because of their ugly exterior, to the inn seeking sanctuary.

There was a lot of action in this one, it seemed to never stop, and I was getting very eager for everything to come to a head. So many things were going on, I didn't want to stop reading.
Things progressed between Dina and Sean. Old friends showed up to help when things went awry. We had some really cute scenes with little Helen, Dina's niece.

I liked a lot of this book. It is my favourite of the series so far and I cannot wait to continue it to see more of this band of friends and guests.

>P.S. I also feel like I should mention the artwork included in this book. The drawings of Dina and Shaun and Maud and Helen... All amazing.
  
American Homemaker
American Homemaker
John Kaine | 2018 | Mystery, Thriller
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Desperate Housewives meets American Horror Story!
Kim Loomis: American homemaker, social media star, and mortician (alongside her husband, Norman). Unfortunately for Kim, people in her small town just aren't dying quickly enough, so she needs to get...creative.

Melody Morgan: Contract killer on the brink of retirement, or so she thinks. She mistakenly kills a cartel's money man (oops) and is dealing with the fallout.

These are very broad strokes, so as not to spoil anything. There's SO much more going on throughout the story. The other members of the Homemakers Association of Vermont (Brooke, Paige, and Megan) all have their own...issues, let's call them. Are any of these women particularly likable? No, not at all, but for me at least, that didn't take away from the story.
I got an absolute kick out of this book!
(Side note: This may be because I've been watching Why Women Kill (CBS All Access) - although there is WAY more killing happening in this book than on that show. Also, if you're not watching it, why not?)

Fun, smart, and sharply written, American Homemaker has definitely earned its place among my favorite books of the year.

Thank you to the author and BookishFirst for the free copy!