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Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Charity Shop Detective Agency in Books

Dec 11, 2022  
TC
The Charity Shop Detective Agency
Peter Boland | 2022 | Crime, Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Every now and again I like to take a break from the usual hard-hitting, dark and gritty crime thrillers I usually read and immerse myself into something a little more sedate and The Charity Shop Detective Agency hit the spot perfectly.

I absolutely fell in love with the three main characters in this story - Fiona, Partial Sue and Daisy ... oh and not forgetting Simon Le Bon! Despite being retired, they have the skills and insight needed to assist in bringing the perpetrator to justice. There is a supporting cast of equally excellent characters that all added to and had their place within the story.

The plot is engaging and had some great twists and turns that kept me guessing and on my toes. The pacing was perfect for me and felt right for the story.

Highly recommended to those who enjoy a cozy mystery with believable characters and I can't wait for the next in the series ... sign me up!

Many thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Charity Shop Detective Agency.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2506 KP) rated Death Checked Out in Books

Oct 29, 2024 (Updated Oct 29, 2024)  
Death Checked Out
Death Checked Out
Leah Dobrinska | 2022 | Mystery
5
6.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Who Helped Greta’s Neighbor Check Out?
Greta Plank has moved to Larkspur, Wisconsin, for a fresh start. She’s loving her job as the director of the local library, and she’s become close friends with her fellow librarians. She’s even become friends with her neighbor, the town recluse. Unfortunately, she finds his dead body after work one day. But what she thinks is an accident the police label murder. Even worse, they think she is the prime suspect. Can she clear her name?

I thought this book sounded good, so I was looking forward to reading it. The initial set up was good, and I was getting cozy vibes from the characters and the setting. Sadly, that didn’t continue as the book progressed. I did like Greta’s arc, but the rest of the characters stayed pretty flat. The mystery did have some surprises, but I had things figured out very early. It’s not that the book is bad, but it’s not good either. This is one to pick up only is something in particular about the premise appeals to you.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2506 KP) rated Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots in Books

Jan 4, 2024  
Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots
Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots
Leslie Meier | 2010 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Missing Child at Christmas
Lucy Stone gets involved when a four-year-old boy is kidnapped in her community. With no clues to go on, Lucy begins to think that something much larger is happening. Is she right?

Even though I don’t normally read this series, I didn't have any trouble jumping into the characters here. There was enough explanation of who people were that I could follow along. The bits about those I assume are series regulars didn't mean quite as much to me, but I enjoyed meeting everyone. This is on the serious side of the cozy spectrum, and the atmosphere was carried perfectly throughout the story. Lucy did seem to jump to one conclusion, but since she was proved right with evidence later on, I can't call it a major flaw. There are two recipes at the end of this story to enjoy later. This is probably my favorite of the stories I’ve read from Leslie Meier.

NOTE: This is a novella, roughly 100 pages along.

NOTE 2: This was originally published in the anthology Gingerbread Cookie Murder.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2506 KP) rated Sugarplum Dead in Books

Jul 27, 2024  
Sugarplum Dead
Sugarplum Dead
Carolyn Hart | 2000 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Can Annie Catch a Killer at Christmas?
Annie gets a surprise this Christmas when her father, Pudge, walks into her store. He’s on the island because his ex-sister-in-law has summoned the family together. Annie winds up on hand when she makes an announcement that upsets everyone. The next night, someone dies and Pudge becomes the prime suspect. But Annie doesn’t think he’s the killer. Is she right?

This book seemed to wander a bit with the set up, and I was wondering when it was going to get to the point. But when it did, it was great with several twists that surprised me and an ending that wrapped everything up well. We didn’t see as much of many of the regulars, but Laurel has some fantastic scenes. We also get to know some of the suspects better than is often the case. The Christmas element was subdued, but the references to other mystery authors and books was toned down, which was great. This is another book that fans of cozy mysteries will love.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2506 KP) rated Five Golden Wings in Books

Dec 23, 2025  
Five Golden Wings
Five Golden Wings
Donna Andrews | 2025 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dueling Weddings and Murder at Christmas
Meg and her mother are helping to organize two weddings for two of Meg’s younger cousins set to take place the Saturday before Christmas. Unfortunately, these young women are constantly feuding, so the weddings are taking place back-to-back, even though they are sharing the venues. The two brides bring nothing but drama in the days leading up to their events, and that’s before Meg finds the wedding photographer dead. Unfortunately, the suspect list is long, including members of the bridal party. Can Meg figure out what happened?

Reading the Christmas set entries in this series has become a Christmas tradition for me. Even when the plot doesn’t involve Christmas explicitly, there is still more than enough holiday cheer to make it feel festive. The mystery itself was a little weak, but things made sense in the end. And the weddings provided plenty to keep me engage, including many laughs. It’s always wonderful to spend time with these characters. If you are looking for a fun Christmas cozy, you’ll be glad you picked this one up.