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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2508 KP) rated Murder of a Mail-Order Bride in Books

Aug 8, 2022

After Marriage Comes Murder

Long time bachelor Al Little has found a bride thanks to the internet, and he is thrilled that Svetlana is coming to town. Lizzie Hale, owner of the romance bookstore in Tinker’s Cover, Ohio, gets roped into helping make sure their first meeting and their wedding is perfectly romantic. But when Svetlana turns up dead in the middle of the reception, the question becomes, who would want to kill a new comer to town?

This is a strong second book. The plot kept me engaged the entire time. I did guess a couple of plot points early, but there were so many more I didn’t see coming, including the ending. The book is focused on the new characters central to this mystery, and they are all strong. We do have a small core cast of characters who are back, and they are fun. I also enjoy watching Lizzie’s romantic life, which is a great romantic comedy sub-plot. If you are looking for a slight twist on a cozy mystery set up, this is a series you will love.

Kudos

David McK (3731 KP) rated Maskerade (Discworld, #18; Witches #5) in Books

Mar 28, 2021 (Updated Aug 19, 2023)

!!!!!

If I was forced to pick, I would have to say that - speaking personally - I think Terry Pratchett was at the height of his powers in the mid-to-late 90s, before the Discworld books started becoming overly serious.

So, around the time of the likes of 'Lords and Ladies, 'Small Gods', and this one, in other words.

(and I've just realised that 2/3rds of those books quoted concern The Witches Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax)

In this one, and following Magrat marriage to King Verence, the Witches find themselves down to a duo instead of a trio, and - since you can't have a coven of two ("When shall we ... two ... meet again ....") - are in need of a replacement (well, so Nanny Ogg thinks).

Said replacement is the first appearance of Agnes Nitt who, unfortunately (from their perspective) has moved to the city of Ankh-Morpork and joined the Opera.

Cue Pratchett's take on 'The Phantom of the Opera' (which, when I first read this, I'd never actually seen) ...

Kudos

The Right Sort of Man

Allison Montclair

8.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

From debut author Allison Montclair comes an engrossing historical mystery novel set in post-war...

ClareR (6106 KP) rated The Anniversary in Books

May 15, 2023

The Anniversary

Stephanie Bishop | 2023 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery

6.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

This is one of those books where I’m glad I commit to the 30% rule. After the first stave (I read it on The Pigeonhole, so it was split up over 10 days), I wanted to give up. I felt pretty much the same after day 2, but at day 3, I wanted to know what had happened. I wanted the Ruth, and I was all in!

It’s a very introspective book, lots of descriptions of places, people, scenes and above all, feelings. JB has a lot of feelings, although she appears to be in a state of shock for a majority of the novel. I mean, her husband falls off the ship they’re celebrating their anniversary on. Not an ideal situation!

And then the truth starts to come out about the reality of their marriage.

The word “marmite” has been bandied around quite a lot regarding this book, and I’ve come down on the “like it” side. It’s certainly a book that gave me a lot to think about - even when I wasn’t reading it!

Kudos

Merissa (13854 KP) rated Awake in Books

May 24, 2023

Awake

Natasha Preston | 2015 | Thriller, Young Adult (YA)

5.0

(4 Ratings)

Book Rating

This book has all the ingredients for a good Young Adult Thriller, but for me, it just didn't quite work out that way. Perhaps it was the insta-love going on, with marriage mentioned very quickly into their 'relationship'. Perhaps it was the best friend who wasn't a best friend at all that I actually felt sorry for. Perhaps it was the dodgy behaviour of the main characters. I don't know. It just didn't quite work for me. There is also the fact that Scarlett makes a HUGE deal about not remembering anything before she was four, but has no hesitation in talking about it to a complete stranger at the first opportunity.

An interesting premise, with a cult aspect, that just didn't work for me. Try it for yourself though, don't take my word for it!

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 2, 2016