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A secret binds them together, the truth will unravel them. Jenny Ocean’s life is already on...
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Joshua Tree in Books
Jul 17, 2024
Being Window Dressing Can Be Dangerous
When a ranger dies while participating in a bull riding event, everyone chalks it up to a tragic accident. Everyone except for the man’s family, who is threatening to sue Joshua Tree National Park, where he works, as well as local law enforcement. So Jack Prester is sent out to poke around a little and back up the official investigation. Basically be window dressing. However, it isn’t long after Jack arrives when he finds a whole lot more going on that could shed new light on the death. Can he figure out what is going on?
Once again, it was great to be spending time with these characters. The plot drew me in and kept me turning pages. There were a couple of things I might not like from another author, but this author pulled them off while answering all my questions. The characters, both new and returning, are wonderful. I was surprised at the bit of language in the book, mainly because most of the time when it showed up, it didn’t feel appropriate. But that’s a minor issue. Overall, I continue to love the author’s use of language. It’s almost poetic at times, but never gets in the way of the story. This is another great entry in a great series.
Once again, it was great to be spending time with these characters. The plot drew me in and kept me turning pages. There were a couple of things I might not like from another author, but this author pulled them off while answering all my questions. The characters, both new and returning, are wonderful. I was surprised at the bit of language in the book, mainly because most of the time when it showed up, it didn’t feel appropriate. But that’s a minor issue. Overall, I continue to love the author’s use of language. It’s almost poetic at times, but never gets in the way of the story. This is another great entry in a great series.
Something Whiskered
5.0
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A dead baron, an Irish castle, and an unexpected ghost . . . Charlie Harris, Helen Louise Brady, and...
Birth of the Black Orchids
5.0
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When the Christmas grand opening to his small-town enterprise is crashed by a killer, will this...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated The Key to Deceit in Books
Aug 10, 2024 (Updated Aug 10, 2024)
Unlocking a Spy Ring
Ellie McDonnell is happy when Major Ramsey walks back into her life with another case he needs help with. A young woman has recently been found in the Thames, and she was wearing a bracelet locked to her wrist. Ellie successfully takes it off, but what the two find inside just leads to more questions. Soon, they realize they are on the trail of spies for Germany. Can they find them to stop them in time?
I enjoyed the first in the series, and I was happy to see the second one is just as fun. Ellie has a logical reason to be involved in the case, and the story unfolded in a logical way while keeping me fully hooked until we get to the suspense climax. On the other hand, I’m already frustrated by the love triangle, especially since I suspect I know where it is going to wind up, and I’m not going to be happy about it. The characters are loads of fun, probably because most of them are on the shady side of the law, and I enjoyed spending time with them. I also appreciated how real history from 1940 was woven into the book. Overall, I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to the third.
I enjoyed the first in the series, and I was happy to see the second one is just as fun. Ellie has a logical reason to be involved in the case, and the story unfolded in a logical way while keeping me fully hooked until we get to the suspense climax. On the other hand, I’m already frustrated by the love triangle, especially since I suspect I know where it is going to wind up, and I’m not going to be happy about it. The characters are loads of fun, probably because most of them are on the shady side of the law, and I enjoyed spending time with them. I also appreciated how real history from 1940 was woven into the book. Overall, I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to the third.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Crime and Parchment in Books
Oct 3, 2024 (Updated Oct 3, 2024)
Family and Lost Books
Rare books librarian Juniper Blume is surprised when she gets a message from her ex-brother-in-law claiming he has found a clue to where the covers for the Book of Kells might be. She’s even more surprised to see he thinks they are in the small Maryland town of Rose Mallow. But Juniper is also intrigued, so she returns, even if it means dealing with some complicated family relationships. But when she goes to the meeting, she finds a dead body. Can she figure out what is going on?
This book received lots of praise when it came out, and I can see why. There’s a lot packed into the beginning, but I was able to follow it, and it pulled me into the story. It did make the book feel a little slower later, but maybe that was just my expectations. I was definitely intrigued the entire way through, and the ending answered my questions. I also appreciated that the author did a good job of making us believe that the treasure hunt Juniper found herself on was believable. The characters were good, and the subplot involving Juniper and her family felt realistic. I liked how that played out. I’m looking forward to seeing what is next for these characters soon.
This book received lots of praise when it came out, and I can see why. There’s a lot packed into the beginning, but I was able to follow it, and it pulled me into the story. It did make the book feel a little slower later, but maybe that was just my expectations. I was definitely intrigued the entire way through, and the ending answered my questions. I also appreciated that the author did a good job of making us believe that the treasure hunt Juniper found herself on was believable. The characters were good, and the subplot involving Juniper and her family felt realistic. I liked how that played out. I’m looking forward to seeing what is next for these characters soon.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated A Rogue’s Company in Books
Jun 7, 2025 (Updated Jun 7, 2025)
Good Novel, but Not Good Mystery
It’s August 1946, and Lord Bainbridge has returned from his latest trip to Africa. That means that Gwen’s life has once again turned complicated as she attempts to wrestle her life back from her father-in-law. Lord Bainbridge is insisting that Gwen’s six-year-old son is ready to attend the boarding school that the Bainbridge men attend, and she doesn’t have custody to stop him. Can she figure out how to get control of her life back?
Those following this series will be absolutely hooked by this storyline. I was anxious to see how it was going to play out. But this is a mystery series, and the mystery was lacking, starting too late with some key elements feeling forced or rushed. Don’t worry, Gwen’s business partner, Iris Sparks, gets plenty of page time and some nice development, and all the usual supporting players are here. We also get the usual banter that makes me laugh. The paperback I bought recently contains a bonus short story that I feel like was pieced together from a subplot in the previous book, but I don’t remember for sure. While the mystery may have been weak, fans will still be glad they picked up this book. I’ll be continuing on with the series soon.
Those following this series will be absolutely hooked by this storyline. I was anxious to see how it was going to play out. But this is a mystery series, and the mystery was lacking, starting too late with some key elements feeling forced or rushed. Don’t worry, Gwen’s business partner, Iris Sparks, gets plenty of page time and some nice development, and all the usual supporting players are here. We also get the usual banter that makes me laugh. The paperback I bought recently contains a bonus short story that I feel like was pieced together from a subplot in the previous book, but I don’t remember for sure. While the mystery may have been weak, fans will still be glad they picked up this book. I’ll be continuing on with the series soon.
Pumped (Mars Fitness #3)
10.0
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Love is co-parenting with my worst enemy. Owen Everest is an irresponsible, delinquent,...
Contemporary MM Romance Enemies-to-Lovers Grumpy/Sunshine
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Ranch Dressing in Books
Apr 4, 2025
Murder Down on the Ranch
Samantha Kidd’s father-in-law is interested in buying a dude ranch in New Jersey, so Samantha joins him and her husband on a trip to meet the current owner and check it out in depth. She is so out of her element that she must borrow jeans for the trip, but she is doing her best to be supportive and stay in the background. Their first night there, Samantha finds the owner dead in the barn. Can she get the rest of the staff to warm up to her enough to solve the crime?
This book really builds on the growth we’ve seen in Samantha over the last couple of books, which I appreciated. You could jump in here without any spoilers, but you won’t appreciate the character arc as much. I also appreciated that this allowed Samantha’s relationship with her husband to really shine. Meanwhile, the new characters were entertaining. The mystery kept me confused until we reached the logical climax. I laughed as always as I was reading. Trixie Belden fans will enjoy an Easter egg in this book. Now that I’ve caught up on this enjoyable series, I can’t wait for the next book to come out. If you aren’t caught up yet, now’s the time to fix that. You’ll enjoy the time spent doing so.
This book really builds on the growth we’ve seen in Samantha over the last couple of books, which I appreciated. You could jump in here without any spoilers, but you won’t appreciate the character arc as much. I also appreciated that this allowed Samantha’s relationship with her husband to really shine. Meanwhile, the new characters were entertaining. The mystery kept me confused until we reached the logical climax. I laughed as always as I was reading. Trixie Belden fans will enjoy an Easter egg in this book. Now that I’ve caught up on this enjoyable series, I can’t wait for the next book to come out. If you aren’t caught up yet, now’s the time to fix that. You’ll enjoy the time spent doing so.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Death of the Party in Books
Jan 28, 2026 (Updated Jan 28, 2026)
Will This Party Be the Death of Someone?
Annie Darling is taking a break to head to the smaller, private island of Golden Silk when her husband, Max, is hired to help find a killer. A year ago, media mogul Jeremiah Addison died when he fell down the stairs of his mansion. At the time, only his sister-in -law knew it was something more than an accident. But now, she’s inviting the guests from the weekend back, and she’s hoping that Max will be able to help her find the killer despite his insisting that this is a job for the police. With Annie tagging along, can they determine which guest turned it into a killer party?
When a series moves the setting, it’s always risky. In this case, the risk paid off. Yes, I missed the other regulars, but Annie and Max really got to shine, and the suspects got more time to develop. The mystery was a little slow getting going, but once it did, I was along for every twist. The ending was a bit abrupt, but it did answer my questions. I did miss the references to other mystery novels, but I loved that we didn’t see more of Annie being furious with the police. Any other fans who haven’t gotten to this book yet will be happy with this entry.
When a series moves the setting, it’s always risky. In this case, the risk paid off. Yes, I missed the other regulars, but Annie and Max really got to shine, and the suspects got more time to develop. The mystery was a little slow getting going, but once it did, I was along for every twist. The ending was a bit abrupt, but it did answer my questions. I did miss the references to other mystery novels, but I loved that we didn’t see more of Annie being furious with the police. Any other fans who haven’t gotten to this book yet will be happy with this entry.
