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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2389 KP) rated Jethro and Joel Were a Troll in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The two-headed troll Jethro and Joel have a problem. While Jethro is quite content to spend his days raising the turnips they love to eat, Joel wants to be terrorizing people. When Jethro finally gives in and allows Joel to have control of their body for one day, what will happen?
I’ve always loved the title of the book, and I still find the story fun. The way he builds up to that final sentence will please adults, and the fast moving story and pictures will entertain the target picture book audience. What surprised me while reading this as an adult is the clear allegory about the dangers of giving in to what you know is wrong. Oh, don’t worry, this is a picture book with a happy ending, and it never slows down the story to lecture us.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-jethro-and-joel-were-troll.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I’ve always loved the title of the book, and I still find the story fun. The way he builds up to that final sentence will please adults, and the fast moving story and pictures will entertain the target picture book audience. What surprised me while reading this as an adult is the clear allegory about the dangers of giving in to what you know is wrong. Oh, don’t worry, this is a picture book with a happy ending, and it never slows down the story to lecture us.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-jethro-and-joel-were-troll.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2389 KP) rated Third Time's a Crime (A Love Or Money Mystery #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Georgia Thornton is back for a third round on a reality TV show – this time working with her boyfriend Scott to solve a cold case. The castle where this show is set is super spooky, but things get very scary when Georgia finds a dead body in the empty swimming pool. Even weirder, the victim drowned. What’s going on?
Between the reality TV show and the case, there is always something happening, although I did feel the other happenings overwhelmed the main mystery a bit at times. Still, the mystery builds to a logical conclusion. The author does a great job of helping us keep all the characters straight while growing Georgia, Scott, and some of the other series regulars. And the reality TV setting is just lots of fun.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-third-times-crime-by-diana.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Between the reality TV show and the case, there is always something happening, although I did feel the other happenings overwhelmed the main mystery a bit at times. Still, the mystery builds to a logical conclusion. The author does a great job of helping us keep all the characters straight while growing Georgia, Scott, and some of the other series regulars. And the reality TV setting is just lots of fun.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-third-times-crime-by-diana.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2389 KP) rated Truth Be Told (Jane Ryland, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Jane is on the scene of a foreclosure when a dead body is found in a bedroom closet. Since the house was supposed to be empty, who is the victim and how did she get there? Meanwhile, a man has confessed to a famous unsolved murder from 20 years ago, but detective Jake is certain the man is lying. Is he really the killer? Why would he confess to a crime he didn’t commit?
The multiple view point approach, which usually works so well, falls flat at the beginning of the book when those breaks keep jerking us around and keep us from getting into the story. Once the story takes off, things really smooth out and I had a hard time putting the book down. The characters, as always, are great.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-truth-be-told-by-hank.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The multiple view point approach, which usually works so well, falls flat at the beginning of the book when those breaks keep jerking us around and keep us from getting into the story. Once the story takes off, things really smooth out and I had a hard time putting the book down. The characters, as always, are great.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-truth-be-told-by-hank.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2389 KP) rated Time's Up (Maisie McGrane Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Maisie is set to follow in the footsteps of some of her older brothers and her father and become a cop. That is until she fails the psych evaluation. So she decides to prove she can handle being hated by becoming a meter maid. But can she really handle the job?
This was a mixed bag. First of all, it is not a mystery. The dead body and who killed him is a poorly handled sub-plot at best. However, the coming of age aspect I did enjoy at times. At other times, it was slow. Likewise, some of the characters never rose above cliché while others were lots of fun. There’s potential for some good stories here, but this book isn’t at that level yet.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-times-up-by-janey-mack.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This was a mixed bag. First of all, it is not a mystery. The dead body and who killed him is a poorly handled sub-plot at best. However, the coming of age aspect I did enjoy at times. At other times, it was slow. Likewise, some of the characters never rose above cliché while others were lots of fun. There’s potential for some good stories here, but this book isn’t at that level yet.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-times-up-by-janey-mack.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2389 KP) rated Caramel Crush (Cupcake Bakery Mystery, #9) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Mel’s college roommate has finally come to collect on a favor that Mel owes her, and Diane wants Mel to deliver break up cupcakes to her ex-fiance. However, the delivery doesn’t go as planned when Mel finds Mike’s body. With the police looking at Diane as the killer, suddenly Mel finds herself with a new favor – keep Diane out of prison.
Who can you not love a book that starts out with break up cupcakes? The story that follows delivers on the promise with plenty of viable suspects and some good twists. I did feel Mel was foolish at the end of the book, but that was my only complaint. All the usual supporting characters are here, and they are their usual charming selves. I just love them! And there is one scene guaranteed to melt your heart.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/04/book-review-caramel-crush-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Who can you not love a book that starts out with break up cupcakes? The story that follows delivers on the promise with plenty of viable suspects and some good twists. I did feel Mel was foolish at the end of the book, but that was my only complaint. All the usual supporting characters are here, and they are their usual charming selves. I just love them! And there is one scene guaranteed to melt your heart.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/04/book-review-caramel-crush-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2389 KP) rated At the Drop of a Hat (A Hat Shop Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Ariana brings one of Mim’s hats in and asks if it can be repaired for her upcoming wedding, Scarlett and Viv are thrilled to take on the challenge. When Scarlett goes to talk to her about it, she finds Ariana kneeling beside a dead body. With the evidence saying Ariana killed the person, Scarlett and Viv step in to prove their new friend is innocent.
While the motive to get involved with the mystery might be a little weak, I’m glad that Scarlett and Viv poked around because this book is lots of fun. A dash of humor enlivens scenes as we weave through clues and suspects before we reach a logical ending. The characters are continuing to grow. A cliffhanger left me wanting the next to know what happens next.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-at-drop-of-hat-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
While the motive to get involved with the mystery might be a little weak, I’m glad that Scarlett and Viv poked around because this book is lots of fun. A dash of humor enlivens scenes as we weave through clues and suspects before we reach a logical ending. The characters are continuing to grow. A cliffhanger left me wanting the next to know what happens next.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-at-drop-of-hat-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2389 KP) rated A Sticky Situation (Sugar Grove Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
It’s sugaring season, which means Dani Greene is super busy with the sap running, the annual Maple Festival, and the annual visit from her difficult great-aunt. The last things she needs is the body in the town hall basement. The remains are identified as a drifter who came through town 30 years ago and stole cash before he left. Now, Dani is asked to figure out who really took the money. Can she do that without getting in a killer’s crosshairs?
This series has some great characters, and it was a treat to get to visit them again. The new characters are just as strong. The main mystery and some sub-plots weave in and out of each other, and the result is a book I didn’t want to put down.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-sticky-situation-by-jessie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This series has some great characters, and it was a treat to get to visit them again. The new characters are just as strong. The main mystery and some sub-plots weave in and out of each other, and the result is a book I didn’t want to put down.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-sticky-situation-by-jessie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2389 KP) rated A Puzzle to be Named Later (Puzzle Lady #18) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Yankee’s pitcher Matt Greystone moves to town to rehab after a car accident, Cora Felton is thrilled. That is before a therapist’s house is broken into and Cora is asked to solve a puzzle that points to something in the therapist’s files. When a second puzzle shows up on the dead body, she knows she has to figure out what is going on.
Like some others in the series, the mystery is the weak link in this book. The action is quick even if it doesn’t always lead us anywhere. The climax is a bit convoluted as well. However, I read these books for the word play and comedy, and that’s here in spades. I laughed multiple times in the book and smiled throughout. Plus, it’s fun to spend time with the gang again, and I liked the new characters as well.
Read my full review at <a href="https://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-puzzle-to-be-named-later-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Like some others in the series, the mystery is the weak link in this book. The action is quick even if it doesn’t always lead us anywhere. The climax is a bit convoluted as well. However, I read these books for the word play and comedy, and that’s here in spades. I laughed multiple times in the book and smiled throughout. Plus, it’s fun to spend time with the gang again, and I liked the new characters as well.
Read my full review at <a href="https://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-puzzle-to-be-named-later-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2389 KP) rated Berried Secrets (Cranberry Cove, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Monica Albertson has moved to Cranberry Cove to help her half-brother, Jeff, run his cranberry farm. But when a body is found in one of the bogs on the first day of the harvest and the victim is someone who was stealing from Jeff, Monica soon realizes she must save him from being arrested for murder.
The book started out very slowly as it was setting up characters and the location. Unfortunately, I still had a hard time connecting with the characters until the second half. Likewise, the plot does pick up in the second half, but a day that vanishes from the timeline bothered me. The climax was wonderful and the killer a surprise, but overall, the book was just average.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-berried-secrets-by-peg.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The book started out very slowly as it was setting up characters and the location. Unfortunately, I still had a hard time connecting with the characters until the second half. Likewise, the plot does pick up in the second half, but a day that vanishes from the timeline bothered me. The climax was wonderful and the killer a surprise, but overall, the book was just average.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-berried-secrets-by-peg.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2389 KP) rated Death al Fresco in Books
Mar 14, 2018
Corpse in the Kelp
Sally and her friend Eric are taking an outdoor painting class around Santa Cruz. During class one Saturday, Sally’s dog finds a dead body in the kelp. The man was a regular at Sally’s family’s restaurant, and his last few days seem to be connected to his time there. Can Sally figure out what happened before the restaurant’s reputation is ruined?
This book has a good mystery with viable suspects and a couple of good twists to it. It also has some strong sub-plot, which are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they take the focus off the mystery a bit too much at times. On the other hand, they are the perfect showcases for some of the recurring characters, and I enjoyed seeing them again and how they are growing. Overall, I found this a satisfying read.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
This book has a good mystery with viable suspects and a couple of good twists to it. It also has some strong sub-plot, which are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they take the focus off the mystery a bit too much at times. On the other hand, they are the perfect showcases for some of the recurring characters, and I enjoyed seeing them again and how they are growing. Overall, I found this a satisfying read.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.