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Mission to the Volga
Ahmad Ibn Fadlan, Tim Severin and James Montgomery
Book
"A compelling account which is, among other things, the earliest first-hand description of travel...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2593 KP) rated Strangled Eggs and Ham in Books
Jun 27, 2019
Tension Leads Someone to Resort to Murder
Summer may be winding down in South Lick, Indiana, but tensions are on the rise thanks to the proposed resort on the edge of town. Some residents want the jobs it would bring, but others, like Robbie’s Aunt Adele, don’t want the increased traffic and impact on the environment. When a dead body turns up on the proposed construction site, Robbie’s restaurant, Pans ‘N Pancakes, becomes gossip central once again. Can Robbie gather enough clues to solve this case?
The book takes a little time setting up the characters and motives before the murder takes place, but once the murder happens, things are off and running. Robbie combines what she learns while working at her restaurant with sleuthing outside of work hours to reach the logical conclusion. I appreciated how both sides of the resort issue were presented fairly because both sides did have views that needed to be heard. Part of that comes from well-rounded suspects. The series regulars are as fantastic as always; I enjoy spending time with them. If the book leaves you hungry, you’ll be happy with the five recipes at the end. Spending time with Robbie is always a pleasure and this book is no exception.
The book takes a little time setting up the characters and motives before the murder takes place, but once the murder happens, things are off and running. Robbie combines what she learns while working at her restaurant with sleuthing outside of work hours to reach the logical conclusion. I appreciated how both sides of the resort issue were presented fairly because both sides did have views that needed to be heard. Part of that comes from well-rounded suspects. The series regulars are as fantastic as always; I enjoy spending time with them. If the book leaves you hungry, you’ll be happy with the five recipes at the end. Spending time with Robbie is always a pleasure and this book is no exception.
Trophy Hunt
Book
It's an idyllic late-summer day in Saddlestring, Wyoming, and game warden Joe Pickett is fly-fishing...
Gore in the Garden (Washington Whodunit #5)
8.0
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Book
After her boss narrowly escaped political defeat, Kit Marshall is settling into life as a busy...
Mystery
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2593 KP) rated Deadly Summer Nights in Books
Sep 15, 2021
Relaxing Summer Murder
Elizabeth Grady is starting the second summer running the Haggerman’s Catskills Resort, which her mother has inherited. She is hoping things will go smoothly this year, but that’s before she finds the body of one of their guests floating in the lake. The local sheriff thinks the victim was a communist. With rumors swirling around the resort, and guests threatening to leave, Elizabeth has to step in and figure out what really happened before the resort is ruined. Can she do it?
As much as I loved the book, I found the mystery to be rather week. We get too much about life at the resort for it to have the time to be fully developed. However, it’s hard to complain since resort life sounds fabulous. I’m not ready for summer to be over, and I enjoyed dreaming about spending time on the lake with nothing to do. The book is set in the 1950’s, and I felt like I was transported back in time as well. The characters are as charming as the setting, and I want to see more of them. I enjoyed this book enough that it won’t be my only visit to Haggerman’s.
As much as I loved the book, I found the mystery to be rather week. We get too much about life at the resort for it to have the time to be fully developed. However, it’s hard to complain since resort life sounds fabulous. I’m not ready for summer to be over, and I enjoyed dreaming about spending time on the lake with nothing to do. The book is set in the 1950’s, and I felt like I was transported back in time as well. The characters are as charming as the setting, and I want to see more of them. I enjoyed this book enough that it won’t be my only visit to Haggerman’s.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2593 KP) rated Once Upon a Murder in Books
Feb 21, 2024
Not as Strong as the First Book
It’s 1784, and spinster Tiffany Woodall is hoping to put the chaos and intrigue of the last few months behind her. However, when she finds a dead body on her way to work at the castle one morning, she knows that isn’t going to happen. When the local bookseller, the man Tiffany loves, is accused of the crime, she can’t help but get involved. Can she figure out what happened?
The first book in this series was one of my favorites of last year. This book wasn’t as good, but it was still enjoyable. As with the first book, the mystery takes a backseat at times. However, here the other storylines weren’t as compelling. This is especially true of the romance. I was glad it wasn’t dragged out too much and I bought it in a way I wouldn’t in other series, but I wasn’t as invested in it. When the murder really kicks in during the second half, I was more fully on board, and I love how that was resolved. Likewise, I still loved all the characters and did enjoy seeing what happened to them. Fans of the first will want to pick this up. If you missed the first, you’ll definitely want to start there.
The first book in this series was one of my favorites of last year. This book wasn’t as good, but it was still enjoyable. As with the first book, the mystery takes a backseat at times. However, here the other storylines weren’t as compelling. This is especially true of the romance. I was glad it wasn’t dragged out too much and I bought it in a way I wouldn’t in other series, but I wasn’t as invested in it. When the murder really kicks in during the second half, I was more fully on board, and I love how that was resolved. Likewise, I still loved all the characters and did enjoy seeing what happened to them. Fans of the first will want to pick this up. If you missed the first, you’ll definitely want to start there.
Five Golden Wings
8.0
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Book
Two of Meg’s cousins, members of Mother’s vast Hollingsworth clan, are getting married, and both...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2593 KP) rated Harm Not the Earth in Books
May 22, 2026 (Updated May 22, 2026)
Murder of Environmental Activists
Jim and Sally follow up on a report and find a dead body in their off hours. Since the death is outside of Jim’s normal patrol area, the man who takes on the case doesn’t welcome his help. But Jim becomes even more determined to figure out what is going on when he realizes he knew the victim, having volunteered with his environmental organization. Then a second victim turns up. Sally jumps in to help, hoping to make sure things are resolved before Jim gets into too much trouble. Can they determine what is going on?
Between the title and the victim, I wasn’t surprised when some of the motives hit environmental issues. Fortunately, the author did a good job of portraying the complexities of the issue while still offering other motives. The plot was complex with several strong suspects and twists that kept me engaged until the logical climax. Unfortunately, there were some snags in the timeline, but nothing that truly impacted the solution. It’s nice watching the beginning stages of Jim and Sally’s relationship here. They are continuing to grow as individual characters as well. I’m glad I have the next in the series already since I enjoyed this one.
Between the title and the victim, I wasn’t surprised when some of the motives hit environmental issues. Fortunately, the author did a good job of portraying the complexities of the issue while still offering other motives. The plot was complex with several strong suspects and twists that kept me engaged until the logical climax. Unfortunately, there were some snags in the timeline, but nothing that truly impacted the solution. It’s nice watching the beginning stages of Jim and Sally’s relationship here. They are continuing to grow as individual characters as well. I’m glad I have the next in the series already since I enjoyed this one.
The Low Road
8.0
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Book
In 1828, two young women were torn apart as they were sentenced to transportation to Botany Bay....
Women's Fiction Historical Fiction LGBT+
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2593 KP) rated Hurricane Heist in Books
Oct 1, 2025 (Updated Oct 1, 2025)
Hurricane Uncovers a Heist from History
This book finds the Sherlock Society about to head back to school after a fantastic summer. But their return to school gets delayed by a few days when a hurricane hits the city. In the aftermath, a body is found at a nearby hotel. When it is identified as a man who disappeared in another hurricane 60 years before, Alex and Zoe’s grandpa is intrigued. He knew the man back then, and he never bought the story from the time that the man was involved in a jewelry heist. Can the Sherlock Society figure out what happened all those years ago?
After an exciting opening chapter from the climax, this book flashes back, a technique I don’t like. In this case, it was worse since the book took longer than it should have to set up the main mystery. Once it did, I was hooked on the story. The ending was a bit rushed, but that was a minor complaint. I loved the characters and the character moments felt like they grew out of what we learned about them in the first book. Plus, we met some new characters I hope pop up again. Despite the slow start, I enjoyed this book overall.
After an exciting opening chapter from the climax, this book flashes back, a technique I don’t like. In this case, it was worse since the book took longer than it should have to set up the main mystery. Once it did, I was hooked on the story. The ending was a bit rushed, but that was a minor complaint. I loved the characters and the character moments felt like they grew out of what we learned about them in the first book. Plus, we met some new characters I hope pop up again. Despite the slow start, I enjoyed this book overall.
