
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated City of Schemes in Books
Jan 6, 2021
If you haven’t read this series yet, I recommend you read it from the beginning. This book includes some call back to earlier adventures as well as a major spoiler for the previous book. All of that is wonderful for fans, however, as it allows the characters to grow in some great ways. I love Elizabeth, Gideon, and the rest of the regulars, so I enjoyed spending time with them again. Since this is more a caper than a traditional mystery, I enjoy watching the plot unfold in different ways, and it kept me engaged the entire time. I did have an issue with one part of the climax; if Elizabeth’s motives for her actions had been built into the story a bit more, I probably would have been okay with it. I also enjoyed the humor early in the book. Once again, author Victoria Thompson has written a book that pulled me in and only let me go when I reached the final page.

BookInspector (124 KP) rated Dog Share in Books
Jul 1, 2021
The narrative of this novel is pretty easy flowing, and most of the time the characters are sharing their past and present lives and thoughts. The topics discussed in this novel are parenthood, compatibility in relationships, love for dogs, and life in general. I really liked how the author incorporated her life in York and Glasgow in the novel.
The audiobook I listened to was narrated by Cathleen McCarron and Robin Laing, and they have done an amazing job in bringing this book to life. I loved the northern accent, it gave this book a completely different feeling compared to my reading style. I love Scotland, and to hear all the details about nature and the island itself made me want to go there asap. 😀 The ending of this book rounded up the story very nicely.
So, to conclude, I enjoyed listening to this book, It is set in a beautiful environment with very realistic and believable characters, that make me want to have a pet of my own. 🙂 I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great place to travel while reading and who loves dogs, because in this case, Scout brought people together.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2355 KP) rated Sign of Foul Play in Books
Nov 27, 2020
I’ve got to admit, I roll my eyes a bit when I see an earthquake pop up in a story set in California, but I quickly got over that here since it made for an interesting set up to the mystery. There are plenty of twists and surprises to keep us guessing. I did figure a couple of them out early, but I was still plenty surprised when Connor pieced it together at the end. Connor is deaf, which sets her apart from other series leads, and I love seeing how that plays out in the story. She’s a strong main character, and the rest of the cast is wonderful as well. The story edges just a bit toward the outskirts of cozies, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. The book came out in 1998, and it is really amazing how much technology has changed our lives in the past couple of decades. This is a great second in the series, and I’m looking forward to visiting Connor again soon.

Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Perfect Guests in Books
Jan 14, 2021
In 1988, fourteen-year-old Beth arrives at Raven Hall. An orphan, Beth has been chosen to keep Nina Averell, the teenage daughter who lives with her parents there, company. She becomes part of the family, almost feeling as if she belongs there. But then Nina's parents ask Beth to do something strange, forcing her to question everything, and soon nothing will ever be the same. In 2019, struggling actress Sadie Langton takes a job as part of a murder mystery dinner party. She's amazed when she arrives at the location, a beautiful manor called Raven Hall. But once the pretend party starts, Sadie realizes that something seems off--and that their "host" is toying with everyone, including her.
This was an excellent thriller that draws you in immediately and never lets go. Rous gives us an atmospheric tale, with Raven Hall and the Fens practically appearing before your eyes while reading. It doesn't get much better than a creepy book set in a weird, rambling castle, right?
THE PERFECT GUESTS alternates between Beth's story, set in the past; Sadie's, set in the present; and an unnamed voice. Trying to figure out how everyone is interconnected is part of the book's intrigue. I definitely worked some parts out early on--others were a surprise. Still, the result is a very twisty and compelling read.
Overall, this is a page-turner with a fascinating plot. I'm a fan of Emma Rous and her way of sucking the reader into her books. GUESTS sets an atmospheric scene and offers plenty for mystery fans to puzzle out. 3.75 stars, rounded up to 4 here.
I received a copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. It is available on 1/12/2021.

Develop your Personal Leadership
Lifestyle and Health & Fitness
App
Develop your Personal Leadership What if you could open doors to a world of possibilities and...

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Remem-Bear Me (Polar Heat #4) in Books
Sep 1, 2020
Kindle
Remem-Bear Me ( polar heat books 4)
By Terry Bolryder
The papa bear finally gets his mate...
Sam Weston is tired of his son’s clumsy attempts to set him up. They clearly didn’t inherit his talent for matchmaking, and besides, he’s still in love with his fated mate who has been gone for twenty years. But when his sons make an ad to promote their island resort and show off their sexy dad, it somehow draws in the one woman he still wants. Sam thinks he’s dreaming, until he realizes the love of his life has no memory of their lives together.
Joanne Weston knows from the moment she sees Sam that she made the right decision to come to the Caymans after seeing that cheesy ad. For twenty years, she’s been been trying to figure out who she is and recover the memory loss she sustained after a terrible accident. The moment she looks into Sam’s gorgeous blue eyes, she knows there’s something between them that transcends everything. She just needs him to help her remember.
Sparks quickly fly between the two reunited lovers, and Sam is overjoyed to have his mate back in his arms. But as memories from the past creep ever-closer, Sam and Joanne will be presented with the most difficult decision they have ever made. Remain happy but ignorant about the reasons they were separated, or face the truth, no matter how painful it may be?
Awe so a perfect ending to a great little series. Terry Bolryder writes short books but always packed with goodness. This is the last of Polar Heat and I’ve loved getting to know these gorgeous polar bears and their mates. It’s even better now mommas home! Those little cubs are just so so cute! Great if you like shifter books and quick reads

Lost in the Wilderness
Book
"As you drive across the midwest of America, one is in awe of the vast endless landscape. If the...
Photography

Prague
Book
A first novel of startling scope and ambition, Prague depicts an intentionally lost Lost Generation...

A Beautiful Crime
Book
From the author of The Destroyers comes an intricately plotted and elegantly structured (Newsday)...

The Condemnation of Blackness: Race, Crime, and the Making of Modern Urban America
Book
Winner of the John Hope Franklin Prize A Moyers & Company Best Book of the Year “A brilliant work...