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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Meet Your Baker (A Bakeshop Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
After years at sea, Jules Capshaw has returned to Ashford, Oregon. While she figures out what to do with her life, she is helping her mother with Torte, the family bakeshop. But she’s hardly back in town before she meets Nancy Hudson. Nancy is a new member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival board, and she is obnoxious, picking fights with everyone she meets. When Jules finds Nancy one more in Torte’s kitchen, there are quite a few suspects. But with the police focuses on Jules’s friends, she starts to investigate herself in order to find out the truth. Can she do it?
I’ve long heard of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and I’d love to go sometime. Until that happens, this is a great alternative. The characters are wonderful and already fully formed, although I do feel like part of Jules’s backstory isn’t strong enough for her actions. But that’s probably just me. The plot is good, although it was a little weak at the end. Still, everything is wrapped up in a logical way.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-meet-your-baker-by-ellie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I’ve long heard of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and I’d love to go sometime. Until that happens, this is a great alternative. The characters are wonderful and already fully formed, although I do feel like part of Jules’s backstory isn’t strong enough for her actions. But that’s probably just me. The plot is good, although it was a little weak at the end. Still, everything is wrapped up in a logical way.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-meet-your-baker-by-ellie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Pop Goes the Murder (Popcorn Shop Mystery #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
While Rebecca has tried to distance herself from her ex-husband, famed TV chef Antoine, she can’t turn him away when he comes to town to do a segment on her popcorn shop POPS. However, Rebecca’s meeting with Antoine’s assistant Melanie turns into a shock when she finds the woman electrocuted in her bathtub. When the police go from suicide to murder, Rebecca thinks they’ve picked the wrong suspect. Can she find the right one?
I enjoyed the first book in this series, and I was delighted with this one as well. Several of the characters I liked in the first weren’t around much here, but the characters we did see again or meet for the first time or than made up for it. The plot was strong, with plenty of suspects to choose from. I did figure things out a bit early, but that wasn’t an issue since I was having so much fun.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-pop-goes-murder-by-kristi.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I enjoyed the first book in this series, and I was delighted with this one as well. Several of the characters I liked in the first weren’t around much here, but the characters we did see again or meet for the first time or than made up for it. The plot was strong, with plenty of suspects to choose from. I did figure things out a bit early, but that wasn’t an issue since I was having so much fun.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-pop-goes-murder-by-kristi.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Assault and Buttery (A Popcorn Shop Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Rebecca Anderson’s popcorn shop is under renovation, which is how she finds a mysterious diary in the kitchen’s wall. She is trying to figure out who the writer was when someone dies after eating her popcorn – popcorn that was poisoned. Her attempts to clear her reputation and save her business end with her in prison for impeding a police investigation. What’s going on? Will Rebecca get out of jail?
This book has a unique first half as we get flashbacks to what landed Rebecca in jail. It absolutely works; I was engaged the entire way through and the plot comes together perfectly at the end. There’s some fun humor, although a couple of scenes that were supposed to be funny irritated me. Likewise, I didn’t feel the repercussions of the jail plot twist were adequately dealt with. We didn’t see quite as much of the series regulars, but I did enjoy what we saw. And the new characters were wonderful.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-assault-and-buttery-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This book has a unique first half as we get flashbacks to what landed Rebecca in jail. It absolutely works; I was engaged the entire way through and the plot comes together perfectly at the end. There’s some fun humor, although a couple of scenes that were supposed to be funny irritated me. Likewise, I didn’t feel the repercussions of the jail plot twist were adequately dealt with. We didn’t see quite as much of the series regulars, but I did enjoy what we saw. And the new characters were wonderful.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-assault-and-buttery-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated A Measure of Murder (A Sally Solari Mystery #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
With trying to juggle working at two restaurants, Sally doesn’t have time for anything else in her life, yet when her friend Eric tells her that his community chorus is doing Mozart’s Requiem, she tries out. Kyle, the lead for the tenors, is snarky to everyone at the auditions, but it is a surprise to everyone when his body is found during the first rehearsal. The police think it was an accident, but Sally isn’t so sure. When Kyle’s girlfriend asks Sally to look into it, she starts to find plenty of motives for murder. But was it really murder?
While Sally’s motive for looking into the murder is a little weak, the rest of the book is strong. We get plenty of motives and strong suspects. I thought I had everything figured out early, but by the end I was questioning myself. The returning characters are a lot of fun, especially Sally and Eric, who we got to know even better here.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-review-measure-of-murder-by-leslie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
While Sally’s motive for looking into the murder is a little weak, the rest of the book is strong. We get plenty of motives and strong suspects. I thought I had everything figured out early, but by the end I was questioning myself. The returning characters are a lot of fun, especially Sally and Eric, who we got to know even better here.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-review-measure-of-murder-by-leslie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Toasting Up Trouble (Dinner Club Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
J.J. Tanner is an event planner by day and an aspiring chef by night. As part of her event planner job, she’s hired local chef Antonio Marcotti to cater an Italian themed party. But Antonio is a bit egotistically, and after he ignores the contract, he and J.J. get into a fight. Only the next morning, J.J. returns to clean up after the party to find that Antonio is dead. With the police looking at her and a friend in the local dinner club she’s joined as suspects, J.J. needs to find the real killer.
This debut got off to a bit of a slow start, but once the murder happened, it picked up. There were some good twists and surprises before we reached a logical ending. The characters who got a decent amount of page time were well developed, and I’m betting we’ll get to know the rest better in future books in the series.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/07/book-review-toasting-up-trouble-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This debut got off to a bit of a slow start, but once the murder happened, it picked up. There were some good twists and surprises before we reached a logical ending. The characters who got a decent amount of page time were well developed, and I’m betting we’ll get to know the rest better in future books in the series.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/07/book-review-toasting-up-trouble-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated By Cook or by Crook (A Five-Ingredient Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Val Deniston is hoping to turn her gig at the athletic club snack bar into a catering gig, but when she shows up to meet with Nadia, she finds the woman stabbed on her kitchen floor. With the police focusing on Val’s cousin, she needs to sort through the suspects and find out who had the perfect recipe for murder.
What intrigued me the most about this book was the five refrain, I knew there would be five suspects and five clues. I was wondering how the author would pull it off without having to fill page time. She did it beautifully. There was always something happening that kept me engaged, and the way she pulled things together at the end was brilliant. I did have a bit of a hard time warming up to the characters, and the data dump early on didn’t help, but by the end I had grown to like them. I can’t wait to meet up with them again in another book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-by-cook-or-by-crook-by-maya.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
What intrigued me the most about this book was the five refrain, I knew there would be five suspects and five clues. I was wondering how the author would pull it off without having to fill page time. She did it beautifully. There was always something happening that kept me engaged, and the way she pulled things together at the end was brilliant. I did have a bit of a hard time warming up to the characters, and the data dump early on didn’t help, but by the end I had grown to like them. I can’t wait to meet up with them again in another book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-by-cook-or-by-crook-by-maya.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
It’s time for Homestead Days in the town of Broken Boot, Texas, and the big draw this year is up and coming country singer Jeff Clark, who happens to be the ex of Josie Callahan’s best friend Patti. At the opening night concert, the two seem to be reconnecting, but the next morning, Josie finds Jeff dead in Patti’s living room. Naturally, the police think Patti makes a great suspect, and with pressure to wrap the case up quickly, they aren’t looking for many other suspects. That means it is up to Josie to clear her best friend. But can she do it?
This is a fun second entry in the series. I did find the book needed another pass to truly smooth out a few of the scenes, but it was still definitely worth reading. The characters are unique for a cozy and truly so much fun. The plot gives us great suspects and twists right until the can-only-happen-in-Texas climax.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/11/book-review-good-bad-and-guacamole-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a fun second entry in the series. I did find the book needed another pass to truly smooth out a few of the scenes, but it was still definitely worth reading. The characters are unique for a cozy and truly so much fun. The plot gives us great suspects and twists right until the can-only-happen-in-Texas climax.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/11/book-review-good-bad-and-guacamole-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated The Uninvited Corpse in Books
Mar 28, 2018
You Are Invited to a New Series
Food and lifestyle blogger Hope Early is settling back into her home town of Jefferson, Connecticut, and she is enjoying reconnecting with family and friends. One chance to do that is at her friend’s garden party to celebrate that friend’s new gardening book. However, Peaches McCoy, an ambitious real estate agent, crashes the party. Peaches isn’t well liked in town, but Hope is surprised to find Peaches’ body before the event is over. With the police zeroing in on Hope’s sister, Hope sets out to find the real killer. Can she do it?
This book doesn’t waste much time before jumping into the garden party. That’s both good and bad since it means it isn’t long before Peaches dies, but it also means we meet the suspects and series regulars in a hurry. It took me a little time to keep them all straight, but as their personalities came through, I was able to remember who they all were. The plot does slow down in the second half, but everything comes together for a great climax. This looks like the start of a fun series.
This book doesn’t waste much time before jumping into the garden party. That’s both good and bad since it means it isn’t long before Peaches dies, but it also means we meet the suspects and series regulars in a hurry. It took me a little time to keep them all straight, but as their personalities came through, I was able to remember who they all were. The plot does slow down in the second half, but everything comes together for a great climax. This looks like the start of a fun series.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Dandelion Dead (A Natural Remedies Mystery #4) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
I jumped in at the middle again this is book #4 in the series, but the first one that I read. Although some characters did share a history, I had no problem figuring out who was who, or how they related to each other, so you dont have to have read the earlier books to enjoy this one.
Cafe owner Willow, her animal rescuer boyfriend Jackson, and winemaker (and Willows ex-boyfriend) Simon are a great team. Each brings a unique set of qualities to the table, and they work well together.When Lily, one of Willows employees, is accused of murder as well as a second attempted murder, the police are convinced that theres no need to look for other suspects. The three friends decide to investigate on their own, both to keep Lily out of jail, and to stop the real killer from finishing the job he started.
Dandelion Dead is a fun read, both for the mystery and the info on edible plants and natural remedies.
<i>NOTE: I was provided with a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.</i>
Cafe owner Willow, her animal rescuer boyfriend Jackson, and winemaker (and Willows ex-boyfriend) Simon are a great team. Each brings a unique set of qualities to the table, and they work well together.When Lily, one of Willows employees, is accused of murder as well as a second attempted murder, the police are convinced that theres no need to look for other suspects. The three friends decide to investigate on their own, both to keep Lily out of jail, and to stop the real killer from finishing the job he started.
Dandelion Dead is a fun read, both for the mystery and the info on edible plants and natural remedies.
<i>NOTE: I was provided with a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.</i>
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Murder in Court Three (Flick Fortune and Baggo Chandavarkar, #3) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
***NOTE: I received a free review copy of this book from NetGalley***
The body of Farquhar Knox, QC, has been found in courtroom number three, pierced through the heart with an arrow. It's up to DI Flick Fortune and her team to find the killer. Things are made all the more difficult when a Chief Superintendent shows up on their suspect list, and the local paper implies that the very pregnant Flick and her department may not be up to the task at hand.
This was a very enjoyable read. It's the third in a series of traditional police procedurals from author Ian Simpson, but the first one that I had read. I was worried after seeing the long list of characters included at the beginning of the book that I might feel lost or have trouble keeping everyone straight, not having read the two previous books. This was not the case, however, and Simpson does a good job of making his characters distinct and recognizable. A very well-written mystery with several sub-plots and lots of red herrings, I would recommend Murder in Court Three to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.
The body of Farquhar Knox, QC, has been found in courtroom number three, pierced through the heart with an arrow. It's up to DI Flick Fortune and her team to find the killer. Things are made all the more difficult when a Chief Superintendent shows up on their suspect list, and the local paper implies that the very pregnant Flick and her department may not be up to the task at hand.
This was a very enjoyable read. It's the third in a series of traditional police procedurals from author Ian Simpson, but the first one that I had read. I was worried after seeing the long list of characters included at the beginning of the book that I might feel lost or have trouble keeping everyone straight, not having read the two previous books. This was not the case, however, and Simpson does a good job of making his characters distinct and recognizable. A very well-written mystery with several sub-plots and lots of red herrings, I would recommend Murder in Court Three to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.