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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2568 KP) rated Murder in the Graveyard in Books

Oct 16, 2025  
Murder in the Graveyard
Murder in the Graveyard
Various Authors | 2025 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Watch Out for the Extra Body
Just in time for Halloween, we get this fun collection of murders set in and around graveyards. In addition to the unexpected dead body or two, we also get involved in revenge, teenage parties, amnesia, family feuds, and an escaped convict. Many of these stories are set around Halloween, although a few take place at other times of the year. And yes, a couple lean into the spooky, but it always fits the story, so I didn’t mind.

Many of these authors featured their series stars. I’ve read many of those novels, so it was fun to spend time with them. For those who I haven’t met outside of these short story collections, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything with the stories we got here. Each story was fun, taking me about half an hour to read. With nine stories, we get plenty of content. I was smiling through most of them, even laughing some. And the stories kept me engaged from start to finish.

Whether you read this book now or open it in a different season of the year, you’ll enjoy these stories.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2568 KP) rated Framed for Murder in Books

Feb 5, 2025  
Framed for Murder
Framed for Murder
Marla A. White | 2024 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Can Mel Clear a Frenemy?
Former police officer Mel O’Rourke is trying to settle into her new life running a B & B in the mountain town of Pine Cove. But then her past walks in. Poppy Phillips is a thief that Mel spent time trying to arrest when she was an officer. Poppy is looking for help since she stumbled over a body, and she is afraid the police will think she did it. The fact that Poppy was there committing a burglary does complicate things. Can Mel clear her? Does she want to?

I picked up this book thinking it was the first in a series. There is a novella that introduces some of the characters, and this book has major spoilers for that story. I also found the language in this book to be much worse than I wanted to read. The mystery was good, although I found some things bumped me, like police jurisdiction. It just didn’t seem logical, although maybe there is something I was missing. On the other hand, I really did like the characters and the relationships they were forming. Overall, this was a mixed bag for me.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2568 KP) rated The Tell-Tale Homicide in Books

Sep 10, 2025  
The Tell-Tale Homicide
The Tell-Tale Homicide
Daphne Silver | 2024 | Mystery
3
3.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Tale of the Poor Sequel
Juniper Blume has moved to Rose Mallow to work from the Calverton Family and their personal library. However, on her second day, she finds a dead man inside clutching a rare early edition of Edgar Allan Poe – one that was missing from the library. Can Juniper figure out what is going on?

I enjoyed the first, but this one was a real let down. The book needed a serious edit. Most obnoxious to me with the multiple blatant timeline issues. They, along with some other things, left me wondering if the suspicious behavior I was observing was poor editing or something I was supposed to pick up on. The pacing was uneven, and a storyline involving the future of the town was wrapped up too easily. There was an element of the climax that was never explained. And some politics of the day pop up, making me roll my eyes. I did still enjoy my time with the returning characters. Well, most of them. (And don’t get me started on how that character behaved.) I see others have really enjoyed this book, so maybe it’s me, but I can’t recommend it.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2568 KP) rated Frozen Stiff Drink in Books

Apr 1, 2026  
Frozen Stiff Drink
Frozen Stiff Drink
James J. Cudney | 2020 | Mystery
3
3.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Murder During a Snowstorm
As this book opens, Wharton County is bracing for a late winter storm that is supposed to dump quite a bit of snow on them. Before the storm buried them for good, the local magistrate dies under suspicious circumstances. But with his beloved Nana D missing, that’s all Kellan is able to think about. Until his brother becomes caught up in the murder investigation. Can Kellan help his family?

I came into this book hoping it would improve on the previous book, but it didn’t. The writing still keeps us outside the story, including summarizing conversations. There are many glitches, timeline and otherwise, that should have been caught with a good edit. While there is a lot going on, I still felt the pacing lagged, although the end did wrap things up well. The supporting players could use a bit more personality, especially considering how many there are and the complex connections. Still, I do like Kellan, and that makes me want to know what happens after the cliffhanger. If you aren’t already a fan, don’t pick up this entry.
  
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Merissa (14003 KP) rated Midnight Sun (Arctic Love, #3) in Books

Dec 17, 2018 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)  
Midnight Sun (Arctic Love, #3)
Midnight Sun (Arctic Love, #3)
T.T. Kove | 2014
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received this book from NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.

This is Frey's story - we've had Andreas and Varg's and now it's time for the 'quiet' twin. I have been enjoying this series. It's light but still manages to convey emotions and connections. I have been intrigued by Frey's story with the snippets we have already heard so I was looking forward to reading it. Unfortunately for me, this one seemed to fall a bit flat. I don't know if it's because of the short length, although this didn't seem to be a problem with the other books, or what. For me, the bare bones of the story was there but the meat was missing. It felt like the story was just skimmed over, rather than allowing the reader a bit more of an explanation and chance to digest.

I still liked the story and feel that Frey and Jørgen make a brilliant pair but I also feel a bit sorry that their story wasn't as good as I thought and hoped it would be.


December 18, 2018