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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Death at Holly Lodge in Books

Sep 30, 2021 (Updated Sep 30, 2021)  
Death at Holly Lodge
Death at Holly Lodge
Louise R. Innes | 2021 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Who Stashed Santa in the Chimney?
Mimi Levante has recently purchased Holly Lodge, planning to turn it into her home in the UK, and since Mimi’s half-sister, Floria, is Daisy Thorne’s best friend, Daisy is meeting the two women there to check out the property. While they are there, the men working on restoring it make a horrific discovery – someone stuffed a dead man in a Santa suit in the chimney. Who was the victim? And how did he come to be hidden in the chimney?

This is such a great premise for a Christmas set mystery, and it delivered. We get the answer to the questions I posed and so many more by the time the book is over, and the pace is great, delivering clues and red herrings at a steady pace. Daisy and all the regulars are back, and I enjoyed getting to see them again. I especially enjoyed seeing the growth in her relationship with DCI Paul McGuinness. I did find some timeline issues, including a day we got twice in a row, but they were minor. The further I got into the book, the more I caught the Christmas spirit. If you are looking for a fun mystery to get you in the mood for Christmas, this is the book for you.
  
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Merissa (12868 KP) rated Aftermath (Southern Spirits #5) in Books

Apr 19, 2023  
Aftermath (Southern Spirits #5)
Aftermath (Southern Spirits #5)
Bailey Bradford | 2015 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Darren made his appearance as a new waiter in Virginia's cafe. He was extremely skittish and avoided eye contact with pretty much everyone. It's obvious he is on the run, but from what?! In Aftermath we learn his story, and boy, is it a good one. I loved how Darren grew in his self-confidence, once he realised that he actually had people he could call friends, and was helped by Lee. The relationship between these two is hot and romantic.

The other part that I loved about this book is that Connor, our long-term friendly (pesky) spirit, makes a new friend in Stefan. I absolutely adored this side story!

Laine and Severo are the main supporting characters in this book, although Zeke does get a quick mention.

So very well-written, with a smooth storyline and pace. There were no grammatical errors that I found, although as I was completely entranced by this story, I might not have noticed them.

This series is absolutely fantastic and I am thoroughly enjoying every book. I can wholeheartedly recommend both this book and the series as a whole.

* 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 2, 2015
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder in Books

Oct 29, 2021 (Updated Oct 29, 2021)  
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder
Maria DiRico | 2021 | Mystery
8
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Enjoy Christmas with The Family
The Belle View Catering Hall is busy with events as Christmas approaches, but Mia Carina gets distracted when the Boldano family asks for her help. Someone has shown up claiming to be Jamie’s long-lost brother. That’s a shock since Jamie didn’t even know he was adopted. Things get even more heated when Mia finds a dead body in her neighborhood. Can she figure out what is going on?

Those new to the series are in for a treat. Yes, this is a different cozy series since we have mobsters as characters and it is set in Queens. Yet these elements don’t overwhelm, and this feels like a cozy series. That’s mostly thanks to the characters, who come across as very real and likeable. In addition to the puzzling mystery, there are multiple sub-plots, which keep things hopping as we read the book. I did feel the climax didn’t quite work. Our questions are answered, but it was just a bit much. There’s plenty of Christmas spirit in this book, including a hilarious sub-plot about a Christmas light display contest. We get seven recipes and a couple of event tips at the end of the book. Fans new and old will enjoy spending this Christmas with Mia.