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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 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 (2352 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.

Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Murder Your Darlings (Algonquin Round Table #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
When the members of the Algonquin Round Table gathered for lunch, the last thing they expected to find was the dead body of a theater critic under their table. From Round Table, to speakeasy, and all over the city of New York, Dorothy Parker has to chase down a murderer before the police try to pin the crime on her or one of her gang. She has plenty of help from her friends Peter Benchley and a visiting Billy Faulkner.
The mystery was good, and the characters were larger than life, but there were so many characters that it did get a little confusing at first. Once I figured out who everyone was though, I really enjoyed it. I loved the banter between Dorothy and Peter they reminded me a bit of Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn in Bringing Up Baby. I highly recommend this one if you enjoy a little humor with your mystery.
Several members of the historical Algonquin Round Table are featured or make at least a brief appearance in this story. To read more about them, visit the <a href="http://www.algonquinhotel.com/story/round-table/">Algonquin Hotel's Website.</a>
The mystery was good, and the characters were larger than life, but there were so many characters that it did get a little confusing at first. Once I figured out who everyone was though, I really enjoyed it. I loved the banter between Dorothy and Peter they reminded me a bit of Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn in Bringing Up Baby. I highly recommend this one if you enjoy a little humor with your mystery.
Several members of the historical Algonquin Round Table are featured or make at least a brief appearance in this story. To read more about them, visit the <a href="http://www.algonquinhotel.com/story/round-table/">Algonquin Hotel's Website.</a>

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 KP) rated L.A. Requiem (Elvis Cole, #8) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Elvis Cole and Joe Pike are asked to find Karen Garcia, a former girlfriend of Pike’s. Her father is concerned, but the police aren’t taking him seriously. Unfortunately, her body turns up, and Cole and Pike find themselves working the case. With Pike’s connection to the victim and interacting with his former co-workers in the LAPD, the partners find themselves in a tough situation. How will the events of the past influence the current investigation?
I’ve long complained that the main characters, especially Pike, felt too flat as characters. This book goes a long way to filling us in on Pike, although the result was a little cliché, which may just be a factor of the book’s age. The story was strong and kept moving forward quickly, although a few things go glossed over at the end, and Crais can’t help himself – he has to stick in a due ex machina. The love letter to LA at the end is beautifully written, especially for those of us who live here. Overall, a good book well worth reading.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-l-requiem-by-robert-crais.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I’ve long complained that the main characters, especially Pike, felt too flat as characters. This book goes a long way to filling us in on Pike, although the result was a little cliché, which may just be a factor of the book’s age. The story was strong and kept moving forward quickly, although a few things go glossed over at the end, and Crais can’t help himself – he has to stick in a due ex machina. The love letter to LA at the end is beautifully written, especially for those of us who live here. Overall, a good book well worth reading.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-l-requiem-by-robert-crais.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 KP) rated A Killer Kebab (Greek to Me Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
With the restaurant closed for the season and most of her family out of town, Georgie figures now is the perfect time to do some much needed renovations on the restrooms. But Georgie comes back to find a dead body in the rubble of one of the bathrooms. The victim is her divorce lawyer, and the police are quick to arrest a former employee of the restaurant. While Russ is not a nice man, Georgie doesn’t think he’s a killer. But what happened to the victim?
With many of the series regulars out of town, it falls to a minor character from the previous books to step up. That’s not a problem since I really enjoyed getting to know Brenda better. The plot twists in some surprising directions, although I do have a couple of niggles with it. The book ties in some of the on going series plot threads, so it is best to read them in order to fully appreciate this book.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/06/book-review-killer-kebab-by-susannah.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
With many of the series regulars out of town, it falls to a minor character from the previous books to step up. That’s not a problem since I really enjoyed getting to know Brenda better. The plot twists in some surprising directions, although I do have a couple of niggles with it. The book ties in some of the on going series plot threads, so it is best to read them in order to fully appreciate this book.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/06/book-review-killer-kebab-by-susannah.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 KP) rated A Perfect Manhattan Murder in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Nic and Nigel Martini are back in Manhattan for the Broadway premier of their friend Patty’s play. While Nic is happy to see Patty and their mutual friend Harper, she is less enthused about seeing Harper’s husband Dan, a Broadway critic who is as boorish in real life as his reviews are harsh. The morning after the play’s premier, Dan is found dead, and the police quickly zero in on Harper as their prime suspect. Nic is certain that her friend is innocent, but can she prove it?
Once again, we are treated to a fantastically fun story. We get to know Dan and meet the suspects before he dies, which means we don’t waste any time diving into questioning suspects. I didn’t see the ending coming at all. The characters are a little on the thin side, but I don’t mind. The quips and banter flies fast here, and I was constantly laughing. This series continues to be a wonderful homage to The Thin Man.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-perfect-manhattan-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Once again, we are treated to a fantastically fun story. We get to know Dan and meet the suspects before he dies, which means we don’t waste any time diving into questioning suspects. I didn’t see the ending coming at all. The characters are a little on the thin side, but I don’t mind. The quips and banter flies fast here, and I was constantly laughing. This series continues to be a wonderful homage to The Thin Man.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-perfect-manhattan-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 KP) rated Bitter Harvest (A Greenhouse Mystery #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
This October is proving to be a busy one for Megan Sawyer. Not only is it harvest season on her farm, but the town of Winsome is putting on an Oktoberfest celebration, and her restaurant is one of the major sponsors. Things take a deadly turn when one of the local pub owners is killed in a freak accident. Only Megan doesn’t think it was an accident. When the police are quick to rule out the possibility of murder, it’s up to Megan to figure out what is really happening.
I loved the first book in the series and was anxious to return to Winsome and the characters. This book didn’t disappoint in the least. The characters continue to be strong, and the growth between books as well as the growth here was nice to see. The new characters were just as strong. Megan’s personal life provided a nice sub-plot while leaving plenty of time for the murder investigation, which included some great twists and turns.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-bitter-harvest-by-wendy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I loved the first book in the series and was anxious to return to Winsome and the characters. This book didn’t disappoint in the least. The characters continue to be strong, and the growth between books as well as the growth here was nice to see. The new characters were just as strong. Megan’s personal life provided a nice sub-plot while leaving plenty of time for the murder investigation, which included some great twists and turns.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-bitter-harvest-by-wendy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.