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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Copy Cap Murder (Hat Shop Mystery, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Scarlett Parker is thrilled to be going to her first Bonfire Night hosted by her friend Harrison’s firm. However, when the time comes to burn the straw man of Guy Fawkes, the group realizes it is actually Win, Harrison’s office rival who had come on to Scarlett earlier that night. Harrison becomes a suspect, and Scarlett must figure out what is happening to keep her friend from taking the fall.
This is another fun entry in a great series. The characters and their relationships continue to grow, and I love seeing the next chapter of their lives. The multitude of suspects made for a great mystery, and I was surprised when everything was revealed at the end. And yes, we do get some news on the cliffhanger at the end of the last book as well.
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/2016/01/book-review-copy-cap-murder-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is another fun entry in a great series. The characters and their relationships continue to grow, and I love seeing the next chapter of their lives. The multitude of suspects made for a great mystery, and I was surprised when everything was revealed at the end. And yes, we do get some news on the cliffhanger at the end of the last book as well.
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/2016/01/book-review-copy-cap-murder-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Slayed on the Slopes (Pacific Northwest Mystery #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Meg is hoping that a feature on the winter training of the new Ridge Rangers will impress her editor at Northwest Extreme. However, when she arrives high up on Mount Hood, she finds tension in the group. As she is wondering if she will even have a story, and a murder occurs. Suddenly, she wonders if she will even survive the weekend.
The problem with the book is it takes too long for the weekend to even start. The beginning was slow, and the ending dragged on too long as well. Some of the series regulars felt shoehorned into the book, but I was happy to see them since I like them, and I appreciated the advancement on the series storylines. Honestly, I do love the characters, and once the mystery got going it was pretty good. I just hope that the pacing issues are ironed out as the series progresses.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-slayed-on-slopes-by-kate.html">Carstairs Considers</a>
The problem with the book is it takes too long for the weekend to even start. The beginning was slow, and the ending dragged on too long as well. Some of the series regulars felt shoehorned into the book, but I was happy to see them since I like them, and I appreciated the advancement on the series storylines. Honestly, I do love the characters, and once the mystery got going it was pretty good. I just hope that the pacing issues are ironed out as the series progresses.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-slayed-on-slopes-by-kate.html">Carstairs Considers</a>
Amy-Faye and her friends have formed a book club in their town of Heaven, Colorado. The morning after they meet to discuss The Maltese Falcon, Amy-Faye goes to meet with a member only to find that member dying from poison. The police rule is a suicide, but Amy-Faye is certain it was murder. With the help of the other Readaholics, she starts poking around. But what secrets will they uncover?
There were a lot of characters introduced early on, and I had a hard time keeping them straight early on. However, as I began to get into the story, their different personalities made it easy to distinguish them. The plot was strong with great twists and a couple of good sub-plots. I was surprised by the ending, and set the book down wanting the next already. I can’t wait for the sequel.
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-readaholics-and-falcon.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
There were a lot of characters introduced early on, and I had a hard time keeping them straight early on. However, as I began to get into the story, their different personalities made it easy to distinguish them. The plot was strong with great twists and a couple of good sub-plots. I was surprised by the ending, and set the book down wanting the next already. I can’t wait for the sequel.
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-readaholics-and-falcon.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated The Skeleton Takes a Bow (Family Skeleton Mystery #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Georgia has reluctantly agreed to let Sid, her best friend the skeleton, star in the play at her daughter’s high school. Okay, star might be the wrong word since Sid’s skull is playing the part of Yorick in Hamlet. Either way, he’s excited to get out of the house. However, when he is accidently left at the school overnight, he hears a murder. With no body, the police won’t take Georgia seriously. Can Sid and Georgia track down the killer when they don’t know who the victim is?
This is a fun dip into the light end of the paranormal spectrum since Sid is the only paranormal element in the book. The plot is different from a normal cozy, and as a result appears to wander a bit at the beginning, but the author uses all those elements in the end before bringing us to a logical climax. Meanwhile, the characters are fun, charming, and fully fleshed out. Yes, even Sid.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-skeleton-takes-bow-by-leigh.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a fun dip into the light end of the paranormal spectrum since Sid is the only paranormal element in the book. The plot is different from a normal cozy, and as a result appears to wander a bit at the beginning, but the author uses all those elements in the end before bringing us to a logical climax. Meanwhile, the characters are fun, charming, and fully fleshed out. Yes, even Sid.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-skeleton-takes-bow-by-leigh.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Murder Most Finicky (Pawsitively Organic Mystery, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Stan has been summoned to Rhode Island to work with a group of master chefs. Sheldon Allyn is hoping to put together an impressive dinner that will convince investors who give his business money, and if he succeeds, Stan will get the money to expand her gourmet pet food business. When Stan and the others arrive at their secret location, they find out of the chefs beat them there only to be murdered. As the weekend begins to fall apart, can Stan figure things out?
Since this book takes place in Rhode Island instead of Stan’s usual local, many of the series regulars only get cameos. That was my only complaint with this great book. The new characters are lots of fun, and even the brief time we spend with the series regulars seems some growth in them. The mystery is very strong with lots of moving pieces. I didn’t have it all put together until the end myself.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-murder-most-finicky-by-liz.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Since this book takes place in Rhode Island instead of Stan’s usual local, many of the series regulars only get cameos. That was my only complaint with this great book. The new characters are lots of fun, and even the brief time we spend with the series regulars seems some growth in them. The mystery is very strong with lots of moving pieces. I didn’t have it all put together until the end myself.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-murder-most-finicky-by-liz.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Murder with Ganache (Key West Food Critic Mystery, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Hayley's family is coming to town for her best friend's wedding, but things get off to a rocky start with her teenage step-brother. When he goes off to explore on his own and disappears, the family begins to panic. Will they find him? What might he have gotten into?
This was my introduction to the series, and I'm regretting that. I really enjoyed this book. The plot was great and completely pulled me in. While the characters could have been a little better introduced to those of us who don't know the series, I didn't have too much of a hard time getting them all figured out. The ending could have been a little smoother, but everything was explained by the end. I'm going to have to go back and read the earlier books in the series.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-review-murder-with-ganache-by-lucy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This was my introduction to the series, and I'm regretting that. I really enjoyed this book. The plot was great and completely pulled me in. While the characters could have been a little better introduced to those of us who don't know the series, I didn't have too much of a hard time getting them all figured out. The ending could have been a little smoother, but everything was explained by the end. I'm going to have to go back and read the earlier books in the series.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-review-murder-with-ganache-by-lucy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Raspberry Danish Murder in Books
Mar 21, 2018
Baking Overwhelms Murder - Again
Hannah is trying to deal with her new husband, Ross, having vanished while still getting her cookie shop ready for Thanksgiving. Then P.K., Ross’s assistant at the station, dies in a car accident. The police quickly determine that P.K. crashed because of poisoned candies he ate that were sent to the station. Was he the intended target? Or was Ross? Who sent the poisoned candies? Is this why Ross disappeared?
As you can see, there is plenty here for a good mystery. Instead, we get an average mystery. Much of the book is taken up with talking about food and baking, used to introduce the almost 30 recipes spread out over the story. There are some good twists in the mystery and the story of Hannah’s life, but the mystery especially is short changed and the ending feels rushed. The characters are fun as always. Longtime fans will still want to visit Hannah, but this is not going to draw new readers to the series.
As you can see, there is plenty here for a good mystery. Instead, we get an average mystery. Much of the book is taken up with talking about food and baking, used to introduce the almost 30 recipes spread out over the story. There are some good twists in the mystery and the story of Hannah’s life, but the mystery especially is short changed and the ending feels rushed. The characters are fun as always. Longtime fans will still want to visit Hannah, but this is not going to draw new readers to the series.
Merissa (12887 KP) rated The Mating (Law of the Lycans #2) in Books
Mar 26, 2018
The Mating (Law of the Lycans #2) by Nicky Charles
In The Mating we meet Kane and Elise. Kane we have heard mentioned in Bonded, but Elise is a new character. They get together for political reasons, although Elise had a boyfriend. However, once she spends time with Kane, she finds she is thinking less of Bryan than she thought she would. Mix into the story a woman who wants what Elisa has, an oil company who wants to drill, a half-brother with murder on his mind, and you get a great story.
I found The Mating to be very well-written, with plenty of characters to like and dislike. Although at times, I really REALLY wanted the other characters to catch onto what was going on, it still played a part of the story, and I just had to wait until they caught up. With a steady pace, and some steamy times too, this book was thoroughly enjoyable, and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I found The Mating to be very well-written, with plenty of characters to like and dislike. Although at times, I really REALLY wanted the other characters to catch onto what was going on, it still played a part of the story, and I just had to wait until they caught up. With a steady pace, and some steamy times too, this book was thoroughly enjoyable, and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Telling Tails (Second Chance Cat Mystery #4) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
When Sarahs friend Rose decides to personally deliver a purchase from the shop, she sees what she believes is a murder being committed. Minutes later she is knocked unconscious. The police refuse to believe she saw anything, and assume that she either imagined it or her head injury may be causing her to believe she saw something she did not. Sarah and Roses other friends come together to help her find the truth.
This was a great cozy, full of family, friends, cats, and clues. Its a large cast of characters to keep track of, but each one has their place in the story and helps to create a feeling of community. You can jump right in with this book and have no trouble following the story or characters, but I do plan to go back to the beginning so I can get the full story on some of the interpersonal relationships. Plus, Im always a sucker for a cover with a cat on it!
This was a great cozy, full of family, friends, cats, and clues. Its a large cast of characters to keep track of, but each one has their place in the story and helps to create a feeling of community. You can jump right in with this book and have no trouble following the story or characters, but I do plan to go back to the beginning so I can get the full story on some of the interpersonal relationships. Plus, Im always a sucker for a cover with a cat on it!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Independence Slay (Celebration Bay, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The town of Celebration Bay puts on a spectacular Independence Day event with a reenactment of a Revolutionary War battle. Okay, so the battle never took place, but it’s still a fun event that locals and tourists alike love. However, this year, a murder takes place at the event, and the town’s event coordinator has to determine who killed the victim and even if the victim was the intended target before the town completely turns on the charming teen who appears to be the only suspect.
I love this small town and how the books always put me in the mood for the holiday that is being celebrated. The supporting players from pervious books aren’t a strong presence here, but the new characters definitely make up for that fact. I do wish one series regular would grow a bit more. The plot is strong with plenty of surprises and twists along the way.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-independence-slay-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I love this small town and how the books always put me in the mood for the holiday that is being celebrated. The supporting players from pervious books aren’t a strong presence here, but the new characters definitely make up for that fact. I do wish one series regular would grow a bit more. The plot is strong with plenty of surprises and twists along the way.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-independence-slay-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.