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Nightcrawling
10.0
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When there is no choice, all you have left to do is walk. Kiara Johnson does not know what it is...
Trigger warning: sexual assault Trigger warning: rape Trigger warning: underage sex
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2492 KP) rated A Stolen Child in Books
Jun 21, 2023
Murder and Kidnapping
Maggie D’arcy has completed her training and has officially joined the Garda in Ireland. While she waits for an opportunity to be promoted to detective, she is on patrol and is called to the scene of a murder. Not only does Maggie recognize it as an address she had been to a few days before after a domestic disturbance call, she also realizes that the victim had a toddler who is now missing. On loan to the detectives for this case, can Maggie find the child in time? Will her knowledge of the neighborhood help?
Maggie has been on quite a journey in this series, and it’s nice to see this natural step in her career. The plot starts strongly. While it does get a little uneven in the middle, things pick up when we get to several logical twists at the climax. I liked how Maggie’s knowledge of the neighborhood where the crime took place played an important part of the plot. The suspects come to life, and it is nice to see Maggie’s relationships grown, both personally and professionally. As a police procedural, this is a bit darker than the cozies I typically read, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. If you are looking for a solid police procedural set in Ireland, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
Maggie has been on quite a journey in this series, and it’s nice to see this natural step in her career. The plot starts strongly. While it does get a little uneven in the middle, things pick up when we get to several logical twists at the climax. I liked how Maggie’s knowledge of the neighborhood where the crime took place played an important part of the plot. The suspects come to life, and it is nice to see Maggie’s relationships grown, both personally and professionally. As a police procedural, this is a bit darker than the cozies I typically read, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. If you are looking for a solid police procedural set in Ireland, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
Hunt In The Night (Blood and Bonds #3)
10.0
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Book three in the Blood and Bonds series Hunting killers is Mason’s job. But falling for a...
Lost Boy (The Les's Bar #5)
BA Tortuga and Jodi Payne
8.0
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Lost Boy is an opposites attract, smaller top, size difference romance featuring a strong but gentle...
Contemporary BDSM MM Romance
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2492 KP) rated The Night Fire in Books
Dec 18, 2025
An Old Case and Two Modern Ones Heat Up
When Harry Bosch gets a decades old murder book his late mentor had taken when he retired, Bosch goes to Renee Ballard to help him try to solve the case. But their first look through the old reports leaves them with more questions than answers. Meanwhile, Bosch is looking at the case of a murdered judge that the police got wrong. And Ballard is worming her way into the investigation to a homeless man who died in a fire.
Obviously, there is plenty here to keep the reader engaged. We bounced between the two characters, which helps us get to know them and get updates on the people in their lives. All the characters are great. This one does introduce a storyline I’m not going to enjoy in future books. The plot balances both characters well, and brings things to a satisfactory climax. It does rely on convenient things happening a time or two, but I had so much fun I didn’t really mind. These are police procedurals, and the content reflects that, so keep that in mind before you pick up a book in the series. But if you are looking for a book that will be impossible to put down, you’ll be glad you chose anything from this author.
Obviously, there is plenty here to keep the reader engaged. We bounced between the two characters, which helps us get to know them and get updates on the people in their lives. All the characters are great. This one does introduce a storyline I’m not going to enjoy in future books. The plot balances both characters well, and brings things to a satisfactory climax. It does rely on convenient things happening a time or two, but I had so much fun I didn’t really mind. These are police procedurals, and the content reflects that, so keep that in mind before you pick up a book in the series. But if you are looking for a book that will be impossible to put down, you’ll be glad you chose anything from this author.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2492 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.
tapestry100 (306 KP) rated Snotgirl, Vol 1: Green Hair Don't Care in Books
Aug 2, 2017
Originally reviewed on http://www.frommybookshelf.com
I picked this up on a whim (I find that I really enjoy most Image titles), and what started out as a seemingly fluff story about fashion bloggers and their rather shallow lives takes a surprising turn into something more... sinister? A mysterious "resurrection", possible supernatural elements, a stalker, a police investigation into the possible death of the possibly resurrected friend, and another possible murder. Or is it all just an allergy drug-induced hallucination? We'll have to wait until the next collected edition to find out more, but needless to say I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly intrigued to find out what happens next.
I picked this up on a whim (I find that I really enjoy most Image titles), and what started out as a seemingly fluff story about fashion bloggers and their rather shallow lives takes a surprising turn into something more... sinister? A mysterious "resurrection", possible supernatural elements, a stalker, a police investigation into the possible death of the possibly resurrected friend, and another possible murder. Or is it all just an allergy drug-induced hallucination? We'll have to wait until the next collected edition to find out more, but needless to say I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly intrigued to find out what happens next.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2492 KP) rated Dead and Berried (Gray Whale Inn Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Bed and breakfast owner Natalie Barnes finds the dead body of her part time employee in a cranberry bog. While the police rule it a suicide, Natalie doesn't think so. Meanwhile, her ex-fiancee has come to try to win her back. I love these characters and the plot was good. My only complaint is that one possible motive for the murder was almost exactly the same as in the first in the series. And since this is second in the series, that is disappointing.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-dead-and-berried-by-karen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-dead-and-berried-by-karen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2492 KP) rated The Two Minute Rule in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Max Holman has just been released from prison when he gets the news that his estranged son, a police officer, has been murdered. When the official story doesn't add up, Max begins poking around. But is he in over his head?
Another of Crais' stand alone novels, I found this one rather disappointing. The plot was a little too obvious. And, as a completely personal issue, the language also bothered me. On the other hand, the characters were great and compelled me further into the story.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-two-minute-rule-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Another of Crais' stand alone novels, I found this one rather disappointing. The plot was a little too obvious. And, as a completely personal issue, the language also bothered me. On the other hand, the characters were great and compelled me further into the story.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-two-minute-rule-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Katie Guinn (34 KP) rated Two Girls Down: A Novel in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Kylie and Bailey Brandt vanish from a shopping mall parking lot while their mother is buying a birthday present. Single mom Jamie quickly realizes that the overworked local police department is not the best option for finding her daughters, so she hires former bounty hunter Alice Vega, famous for finding missing people. Vega partners up with ex-cop/private investigator Max “Cap” Caplan to find the sisters. The result is a tense, twisty ride that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved Alice Vega, she reminded me of Lisbeth Salander: tougher than battery acid, but completely awkward at personal interaction. I’m really looking forward to more books featuring her character.