Murder from A to Z

Mystery Bookstore #11

By V.M. Burns

ISBN 9781496750822

Author’s Website: Vmburns.com

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Synopsis:

When Michigan bookshop owner and historical mystery author, Samantha Washington, and her sister, Jenna, agreed to host a class for seniors on estate planning, they didn’t plan on discovering shady doings at Shady Acres Retirement Village . . .

Nana Jo has volunteered her lawyer granddaughter, Jenna, to teach estate planning to retirees—with Sam providing her bookshop as the venue. But during the seminar, entitled Getting Your Ducks in Order, it quickly becomes clear someone’s up to Fowl Play. When elderly Alva Tarkington, accompanied by her niece, sits down for a consultation, Sam realizes the woman’s frequent blinking is actually Morse Code—S.O.S. The sisters get her alone, and Alva tells them she believes her life is in danger and must change her will . . .

Unfortunately, Alva is found dead the next day—seemingly from natural causes. But Nana Jo and the sisters suspect otherwise. In between penning her latest historical mystery, set in 1939 as England declares war on Germany and Lady Elizabeth Marsh pursues stolen paintings and a traitor, Sam teams up with the senior sleuths of Shady Acres to search for motives—beginning with Alva’s family. They soon learn not everyone is who they say they are, and someone is more than qualified to teach a class on cold-blooded murder . . . (from Goodreads)

Review:

Without exception, each cozy/historical mystery in this series is consistently better than the one prior! This gave me hours of pure enjoyment and suspense! Some of Sam’s (Samantha’s) big dreams have come true. As a relatively young widow, she is living the dream that she and her late husband nurtured. She owns a mystery bookstore, turned the huge loft into an apartment, and wrote and published the first in a series of historical British cozy mysteries. Sam never thought she could fall in love again. She and Frank, a restaurateur, will marry in two months.

Market Street Mysteries is growing into the pages of local readers. She also offers beneficial classes to the community. The current class offered the opportunity to learn about estate planning. Sam’s pit bull – uh, sister – Jenna is an attorney who is very knowledgeable about the subject, and is leading the class. Those attending include Sam’s grandmother, Nana Jo, and her friends from Shady Acres, a Senior living community where Nana Jo, Ruby, Dorothy, and Irma live. Frank, Sam’s fiancé, Jo, and her friends are like one big family, despite the age differences. The sense of community and kinship between the various ages is greatly appealing in this series.

One guest had her head bowed, seemingly out of it. After everyone left except the lady – Alva – and the woman who brought her there – Bethany – Alva looked up, caught Sam’s eye, and blinked, in Morse code, SOS. Sam caught on quickly and sent Jo take the younger woman with Alva out of the room. Alva began to interact as a fully functional woman, despite her earlier appearance. Alva needed help from Jenna, and handed her what she called an addendum to her will, to process urgently before “they” succeeded in killing her. This is one of the more poignant scenes in the book, the lengths Alva went to in order to alter her final wishes. Bethany was the wife of Carl, Alva’s great-nephew and only living relative. Jenna offered a free half-hour consult to Bethany and her husband, hoping to learn more about Alva and her potential killers.

Jenna and Sam went to Alva’s home the next morning, but Alva had died. Even before her body was removed, Carl and Bethany were trying desperately to find her will.

The detective with whom they helped find several murderers was on vacation. Brad “Stinky” Pitt, the king of ill-fitting polyester shirts and suits, caught the eye and heart of Frank’s mother, Dr. Camilla Patterson. She is a brilliant, stylish, renowned surgeon, and they were taking their vacation time together.  In desperation, Sam called her future mother-in-law, who volunteered Brad’s help to them to get an autopsy done. Alva, a former artist, had been poisoned.

This excellent mystery kept me engaged from the first page, and my fascination grew from there. The case had many strands to follow, and plot twists were as dramatic as hairpin curves. Alva’s addendum opened much speculation among her heirs!

A second mystery enhances the present-day murder. Sam, whose first book baby was in the world, worked on her next novel. Writing fiction helped her clear her mind. This novel has its own mystery, set in England during WWII. Stolen paintings and murder were intriguing, especially in light of Alva’s estate.

The characters are a blast to follow! Sam, Nana Jo, and their friends from Shady Acres have a long history together. Their dry wit and vague resemblance to the Golden Girls gave this reader much to laugh at. Their love for each other and for solving mysteries is a treasure and an adventure. Each of the regulars could easily step off the page to “real life”. The short-term characters, including Alva, Bethany, and Carl, are described per their roles and become easily recognizable.

There was much more going on than Alva’s murder and inheritance. Sam found herself chatting with an FBI agent, an art appraiser, and the local museum owner, as well as the two ladies hired to help Alva. I was happy to figure out one tiny section of the puzzle while Sam did the heavy lifting to put everything together. There were definitely surprises of the depth of the deceptions. I am all-in for the next mystery in this series, and highly recommend this and others in the series!

Resurrection Walk

The Lincoln Lawyer, Book #7

Harry Bosch Universe, Book #38

By Michael Connelly

ISBN# 9780316563765

Author’s Website: michaelconnelly.com

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Review

After getting a client off, who was serving time for a crime he didn’t commit, Mickey has a new lease on life.  He loved the feeling of the resurrection walk and would do just about anything to experience that feeling again. 

“nothing could ever beat the resurrection walk — when the manacles come off and the last metal doors slide open like the gates of heaven, and a man or woman declared innocent walks into the waiting arms of family, resurrected in life and the law.”

Now, Mickey is receiving letters from prisoners all over claiming to be innocent that want Mickey to prove it.  He tasks his half-brother, Harry Bosch, to go through the letters and find the needle in the haystack; a true innocent. 

What Harry finds is Lucinda Sanz.  She was accused of killing her ex-husband, Roberto, a police officer, on her front lawn after a heated argument.  After looking into the case, they discover that Roberto wasn’t the squeaky-clean hero everyone believed him to be.  He was a part of a sheriff’s gang, a gangster with a badge.  And, if Mickey’s hunch is right, Lucinda was set up to take the fall.  She has always maintained she was innocent, but was talked into taking a plea deal by her incompetent lawyer.  She has served five years of her sentence while her mother raises her son.  And, it’s up to Mickey to set her free once and for all.

I always enjoy the Lincoln Lawyer books, and this was no exception.  It doesn’t knock your socks off, but it held my interest and was a quick read.  Although I found this ending to be rather abrupt.

I enjoyed watching the case unfold and seeing just how corrupt the police department was in this novel.  And, seeing how Mickey could uncover it all.  The judge in this case, did make it a bit difficult throwing out the things that proved Lucinda’s innocence the most.  However, Mickey and his team were determined and persevered.

I think we’re really starting to see Mickey evolve as a person and a lawyer.  In the beginning of the series, he didn’t care, or even want to know if his clients were innocent.  He just wanted to get them off of whatever they were accused of and would use any technicality he could to achieve that.  Now, he’s working to free the falsely imprisoned. And, at the end of this novel, it looks like he’s about to make a huge change in his life.  I’m curious to see what he ends up doing next. 

I was curious about a couple of things in this book, though.  One, I couldn’t understand how Bosch had such a problem helping Jennifer clear her teenage nephew’s name, but had no qualms helping free Lucinda when the cases were so similar.

Then there is Maggie.  It seemed like she and Mickey were getting back together at the end of The Law of Innocence.  And then I start reading this book, and she’s pretty much nonexistent until she shows up to help the state in this case.  And, being a bit dirty in the process.  I’m glad to see Mickey call her out on it too.  I just thought it was so odd that there was no explanation as to what just happened between them in the space between these two books though.  I am glad he no longer cares what she thinks of his actions though.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I’m just curious to see the next chapter in Mickey’s life.  Hopefully, it’ll be something he can be really proud of but is also entertaining to read.

Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy

Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy, Books #1-10

By Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson & Robin Wasserman

ISBN# 9781481443265

Cassandra Clare’s Website: cassandraclare.com

Sarah Rees Brennan’s Website: sarahreesbrennan.com

Maureen Johnson’s Website:  maureenjohnsonbooks.com

Robin Wasserman’s Website:  robinwasserman.com

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Review

This book takes place after Cassandra Clare’s final installment of The Mortal Instruments series, City of Heavenly Fire.  If you have not read that far into the series, I’d turn away from this review now, as there are bound to be spoilers ahead.

Simon is a human again, with most of his memories gone.  He is trying to figure out who he is, but can’t help, but to have feelings about not being who all his friends remember him to be.  He must wade through his life trying to figure out how to become a new Simon without truly knowing who he was before.  And, he must try to figure out how to bridge the gap between those two versions of himself.

Simon has decided to join the Shadowhunter Academy and start his journey into the process of Ascension.  It starts out as a way to get away from everybody who looks at him with disappointment for not being the Simon they used to know.  However, he truly starts to find himself at the Academy and he sees a future where he can help make a change from inside the very Clave itself.  Be the change for a better tomorrow!

Throughout the series, I’ve never been much of a fan of Simon.  I always found him to be a bit whiny and downright obnoxious, at times.  So, I didn’t have high expectations going into this book.  However, I will say this story really just seemed to work.  Maybe it was the help of Clare’s author friends that truly brought out a new side of Simon.  Or maybe it was always going to be that way.  Regardless, if felt like watching him grow and change right before our eyes.  And, I truly enjoyed his transformation.

This book was made up of ten short stories, but together they made up one big tale, two years at the Shadowhunter Academy.  I really loved the cover; they made Simon a lot sexier than I ever imagined him.  He’s got a bit of a John B from Outer Banks vibe to him.  And, I enjoyed the comic-style illustrations at the beginning of each story, too. 

I thought having guest speakers come into the Academy and speak to the students was a smart way to introduce flashbacks so we could get backstories on the characters’ pasts.  And, learn a little bit more about the Shadowhunters’ history.  And, of course, we got a reunion with characters we love.

We met a lot of new characters in this book.  At first, I didn’t care for most of them.  However, some of them really grew on me as the story progressed.  George and Marisol were definitely my favorites.  I liked George from the beginning, but Marisol was quite the surprise.  I really enjoyed watching her torment poor Jon.

There was a big change for a certain couple we love in this book, but this story also housed a tragedy that made my heart hurt a bit.

If you have enjoyed this series, you should definitely give this book a chance, even if you were like me, and didn’t care for Simon.  I’m really hoping that we will see some of these characters again and see them all grow into adulthood and beyond.

Eleanor and the South Beach Murders

Eleanor Roosevelt Mystery #2

By Ellen Yardley

ISBN 9781496750105

ellenyardley.com

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Synopsis:

For fans of Colleen Cambridge, S.K. Golden, Jacqueline Winspear, and Ashley Weaver, a brilliant 1950s Cold War historical mystery featuring the former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt’s indispensable assistant as an equally resourceful sleuth. As the duo become entangled in a deadly international mystery connected to famous performer Josephine Baker, can Kay trust her own instincts before it’s too late?

Miami, 1951. With a flurry of UN engagements bringing Mrs. Roosevelt to vibrant South Beach, Kay Thompson is thrilled to escape the post-Christmas blues in Washington, DC—and distance herself from the sting of her recent breakup with private investigator Tim O’Malley. The dizzying sights and sounds of Miami reach their peak at the Copa City Club, where a late-night meeting with singer Josephine Baker reveals a troubling Baker’s bold stand against segregation has made her a target.

Josephine dismisses the threats. But Rosaleen—her cautious young assistant with big dreams—is deeply afraid. That’s why it’s a stunning shock when a dead man turns up in Josephine’s dressing room and Rosaleen is the one arrested for his murder. Determined to exonerate her new friend, Kay realizes it will mean facing conspiracies and prejudices that reach into the darkest corners of American society still haunted by the horrors of World War II.

Now, tangled in a high-stakes murder case with lives and legacies on the line, Kay joins forces with Mrs. Roosevelt and her former flame to confront the sinister forces lurking just beneath Miami’s glittering Art Deco surface. But when a killer’s scheme comes into sharp focus, Kay must act swiftly in a quest for justice that proves far more dangerous than she ever bargained for . . .

Review:

If you are looking for a cleverly executed historical mystery that includes real people and events along with the fictitious, look no further. This is an exceptional historical mystery, as is the first one in the series, “Eleanor and the Cold War”. (Each can be read as a standalone). Set in Miami during the last week of 1951, it immediately pulled me into the era and events and held my attention. Included are some actual events, and fictional examples of events and challenges faced by many Americans, past and present. The harshness of segregation laws and the growth of the KKK were of particular note in this mystery.

Among the real people who are in this novel, the most well-known is Eleanor Roosevelt, former first lady and widow, and Josephine Baker, a well-known jazz singer and dancer in the mid-1900s. Being a sleuth, however, was not one of Mrs. Roosevelt’s many true accomplishments.

Josephine was a talented Black woman, born in poverty in the US and relocated to France as a young woman. She was invited to perform there, and went to further her career. She loved France and stayed there, without restrictions of race or color, and returned to America for concert tours.

During World War II, Ms. Baker had worked with the French Resistance, was a spy and smuggler of critical information, and sang to the troops. In addition, she performed at concentration camps that had been liberated, for the many prisoners who were too weak and ill to leave. Josephine and Eleanor were both very strong, highly respected women of their time. 

Eleanor was a well-known Human Rights activist and a delegate to the United Nations. She was instrumental in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She was in Miami with her temporary secretary, Kay, during that last week of 1951 to participate in the conference of the American Association for the United Nations.

Josephine learned that Eleanor was in town, and invited her to her performance and the party in her dressing room afterwards. The two women became good friends. Kay, Eleanor’s secretary, spent a brief time with Rosaleen, Josephine’s assistant, but Rosaleen was busy with many things. Rosaleen worked to save for tuition for her second-year law school studies. This Black woman’s life would change dramatically that week; life for any of the ladies would never be the same.

Kay and Eleanor attended Josphine’s performance and party a second night, and Kay paid special attention as she saw the guests, including those suspected of being in the Klan. The next morning, Josephine was in tears at the door of Eleanor’s suite. Rosaleen was in jail for murder. She returned to the dressing room to get something after the party, and found a man inside the locked dressing room, and a pistol that had just been fired and thrown inside. The killer slammed and locked the door, trapping Rosaleen inside the room. The murdered man was white, extremely wealthy, with connections who would make sure she received the death sentence. As a black woman, she was automatically guilty without a trial, even without gun shot residue on her hands or clothing or her prints on the handgun.

When Rosaleen was finally released from jail, two subsequent murders occurred, and Rosaleen implicated in both. When Eleanor was in the conference, Kay was snooping around and listening in on conversations that put a bullseye on her life. Her ex-boyfriend, Tim, was in town to help protect Josephine, and was concerned with the risks Kay took.

This is an amazing novel and mystery! There were so many possible suspects, it was a challenge to follow each mystery thread to identify a potential killer. The end held huge surprises that I didn’t see coming.  I highly recommend this novel, and this series, especially for readers who enjoy mid-century history.

Buried in a Book

A Cozy Bookshop Mystery #2

By T.C. LoTempio

ISBN 9781448315284

tclotempio.net

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Synopsis:

Bookshop owner Charley James is plunged into a mystery involving a rare book worth killing for in this new Cozy Bookshop Mystery by award-winning and national bestselling author T.C. LoTempio.

No treats but lots of tricks and murder!

Retired thriller author and current bookshop owner Charley James is preparing for Halloween in her small hometown of Austin, Pennsylvania—what she isn’t prepared for is discovering the body of a woman at the local inn.

Charley recognizes the stranger as a suspicious customer who popped in just to hide a rather peculiar book at her store—did she already know she was about to lose her life for it?

Pursuing this mysterious case, Charley can’t seem to stay out of trouble, and no one knows this better than Detective Hottie, Ian Grant. But Charley has a mind of her own and, together with cat Poe, sets off on another puzzle-riddled quest, unaware that the killer might be someone she knows . . . (From Goodreads)

Review:

This clever cozy mystery was a thoughtful, breathtaking, challenge! It offers an eclectic cast of characters, a sleuth with a secret identity, and plot twists that were totally unexpected! This talented author is adept at designing and flawlessly executing an excellent cozy mystery. Each character fits into the whole for a suspenseful result. A handsome detective is always a plus, especially when the protagonist is in one of my happy places – a book store.

Charley James returned to her hometown of Austin, Pennsylvania when she retired from writing her best-selling thrillers series. She guarded her identity closely, not wanting anybody to recognize her alter ego. After Zane’s business partner was murdered, Charley accepted Zane’s offer of using the late partner’s half of their leased storefront, choosing to take over the woman’s bookstore, Mainely Mysteries.

Jeffrey, a well-dressed customer entered the bookstore. He was a rare book dealer with a special request for one of his clients. He heard that one was for sale from a private collector in the area. The book detailed the works of Edgar Allan Poe, with a special focus on tales made into movies and performed in by Vincent Price. Jeffrey didn’t know the name of the book or the author.

Charley accepted Jeffrey’s business card in case she found a copy. She was a fan of Poe, having named her beautiful black cat Poe. She and her assistant, Mandy, found the name of the book, “A Compendium of Poe, Complete Works plus Stories Adapted for the Screen”. They did not find any offered for sale.

One of Charley’s friends, Phyllis, heard about Jeffrey and the book from a mutual customer. Phyllis owned Jumpin’ Beans, the local coffee shop, and often heard the hottest gossip. She had seen a copy of the book at an estate auction a few years earlier. Phyllis wanted a particular trunk. Maddie, the winning bidder, found it tucked inside the trunk with other items when perusing her treasure. With the exception of the autographs of Vincent Price and Boris Karloff, the book was like new! Maddie took pride in adding rare or first edition books to her collection. A local retired professor who still lectured at various colleges wanted to buy it from her, but Maddie refused to take less than $25,000.

That afternoon, a tour bus delivered several women to the bookstore. A lone woman Charley hadn’t seen before was looking around. Instead of a purse, she carried a white plastic bag. She claimed to be a window shopper, and used the restroom before disappearing.

After the store closed, feline Poe found something near the Edgar Allan Poe table. He led Charley to a bottom shelf, where something in a plastic bag was stuffed behind shelved books. It was a copy of THE Poe book! With autographs! Page 77 was very carefully removed by snipping threads of the binding. Why was the book, and that missing page, so important?

They locked it in Zane’s home safe. A note inside the bag was written on the local motel’s stationary, so they stopped to ask the woman if the book was hers. The desk clerk recognized her description, rang her room with no response, and they left a note. Charley saw the room number he dialed, and they found the room door ajar. It was the plastic bag lady – dead.

While awaiting the police, Charley did a quick snoop. The woman had two sets of ID, the one in her wallet showing Janice. She also found a stash of real gemstone jewelry that looked valuable, and newspaper clippings of Vincent Price.

Officer “Barbie”, Charley’s school nemesis, arrived and they told her almost everything. She left out the part about the book to explain to Detective Ian Grant (aka Detective “Hottie”). He would stop by and pick it up soon. Charley’s store was broken into and every book was tossed. Charley began to ask questions, met Maddie, and learned that Janice worked for her for a while. She was allowed peruse Maddie’s special book, kept locked in a glass case.

I thought highly of several characters and townspeople, each one defined by their conversations and actions.  I even patted myself on the back when I guessed the truth about one of the possible suspects. It was challenging, as several were not who they claimed to be. Charley and Zane were exactly who they said they were, with the exception of Charley’s pen name and prior occupation.

The end was perfect, and the false names and backgrounds were revealed. The significance of this rare book was explained and the bad guys were caught. I was happy that Charley and Zane made a huge contribution to the case, as I really enjoy them and look forward to visiting them again. I highly recommend this cozy mystery!

Flawless

Chestnut Springs, Book #1

By Elsie Silver

ISBN# 9781728297002

Author’s Website: elsiesilver.com

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Review

Rhett Eaton is well known in the rodeo world as a fearless bull rider.  He’s won two World Championships and is well on his way to a third.  Most bull riders retire long before they reach Rhett’s age, and his body is showing that he’s not as young as he once was.  However, Rhett loves to ride and doesn’t know what he’d do if he did hang up his spurs.

However, Rhett can be a bit of a loose cannon, which has gotten him into trouble with his sponsors and fans.  He got caught on tape talking about how much he hates milk, when he has a milk sponsorship. And, he punched a pushy paparazzi that was dogging him about the milk incident.

Now, his agent has assigned him a babysitter to keep him out of trouble until after the World Championship.  Summer is going to live and travel with him for the next few months.  Oh, and Summer is his agent’s daughter.  Rhett’s agent has made it clear she’s off limits, but what happens when two hearts run wild right toward each other and it just feels right?

This is the first book I’ve read from this author.  It did feel a bit forced in the very beginning, but after that, I found the book really enjoyable.  I can understand Rhett’s milk sponsorship dropping him after the video came out, but I thought the other backlash he received was a bit over-the-top.  His own fans quit supporting and cheering for him!?!  Over not liking milk?

I really loved Rhett’s family.  The way he and his brothers rib each other was fun, and I assume we will see more of them as they get their own books, which I’m sure they already have since I’m coming to the series late. Little Luke was adorable too, and could relate to Rhett’s babysitter woes.

Summer’s family was the polar opposite though.  She had a great relationship with her dad, which was enjoyable to read as well.  However, her stepmom and sister seemed to despise her for things that were out of her control.  And, don’t even get me started on her ex.  I was happy when Rhett stood up for her since nobody else ever seemed to. 

“You are not a burden. You are not a waste of time. You are very wanted. And anyone who makes you feel you’re anything less deserves Rhett Eaton’s fist to their face. Or yours. You can hit back too, you know? I’ll bail you out every fucking time.”

The teasing between all the different characters in this book was fun and I enjoyed the text conversations we got at the beginning of each chapter. 

“Rhett: Can you fuck off now?

Beau: Sadly, no. You’re stuck with me forever. Don’t die out there tonight!

Rhett: What if that was the last thing you ever said to me?

Beau: Then I’d think to myself: if only Rhett had listened to my good advice.”

I don’t feel the title of this book was all that fitting though.  All the characters seemed pretty flawed, in their own ways.

This was an entertaining story and a quick read.  And the guy on the cover really reminds me of Mutt from Schitt’s Creek. I will definitely be adding the rest of the series to my TBR (to be read) pile.  I have a hankering to see some cowboys now. 

“You wear the hat, you ride the cowboy.”

Caught Bread Handed

A Bakeshop Mystery

By Ellie Alexander     

ISBN 9781250088031 

Author’s website: elliealexander.co

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra                   

Summary:

Welcome to Torte—a friendly, small-town family bake shop where the oven is heating up as high as the body count…

Jules Capshaw is still chewing over her husband Carlos’s return to Ashland, Oregon. Could there be too many cooks in the kitchen? Whatever is stirring between those two will have to wait. Despite the Oregon Shakespeare Festival being dark for the winter, the bakeshop is bustling, the dough is rolling, and there’s no rest for the weary…especially when murder is thrown into the mix.

When Mindy Nolan, the owner of a new restaurant in town, turns up dead, the batter at hand thickens. Jules knows that there was bad blood between Mindy and others in town, and tracking down the killer could prove to be an unwelcome treat. And to top it all off, there’s Carlos, who is pleading—with those delicious dark eyes and sexy Spanish accent—for Jules to take him back. Is home where the heart is or will she make a fresh start…and risk getting burned? (Goodreads)

Review:

As I continue on my quest to read the entire “A Bakeshop Mystery” series, I am dutifully happy to report that I am enjoying this fourth book, Caught Bread Handed, as much as the first three books in the series! I am enthralled with not just the actual mystery of ‘whodunit’ but with the progression of the character development of the Ashland community. These friends and neighbours of Jules have depth (as does she). I think that is what is keeping me so engaged and wanting to continue this series with a vengeance, maybe even more than Jules amateur sleuthing prowess.

This installment of A Bakeshop Mystery series is based on a new restaurant coming to Ashland – right in the downtown core, and it is sorely lacking the Shakespearian vibe that the rest of the shops have. With its flashing lights, it does not fit in right from the beginning. Now if it had opened in the college area – all would have been fine. Unfortunately, the owner, Mindy Nolan did not seem to care. And that may well have been the reason for her demise! And as I have come to know, Jules will not be able to let the local constabulary solve this on their own. Jules will conduct her own discreet (and sometimes not so discreet) investigation herself.

No big surprise, but in due time, the reader will learn of ‘whodunnit’. I however was surprised that I was not able to figure it out before the big reveal. Maybe next time J, or not. Either way – I am truly enjoying reading this series. I am not putting a lot of detail about this part of the cozy mystery read as I feel it is imperative that each reader go through the sleuthing journey themselves and discover what they may without my intervention.

With this book, I found the character development of the townsfolk of Ashland leading the people to become more near and dear to me. The Jules and Carlos dynamic is further developed. Jules is truly stuck between a rock and a hard place. She loves Carlos but she is finding it VERY hard to forgive him for not telling him about his son. We do read that her feelings are deep and conflicted:

“I glanced across the plaza and shook my head. Carlos was at the Merry Windsor chatting with a bellboy in a green-and-gold stripped uniform. Of course. I couldn’t escape him. I wasn’t sure I wanted to.”

Here is hoping that she eventually comes to accept why Carlos kept his son a secret, though it does seem that she has eased up towards the end of the book, when Carlos leaves and returns to the cruise ship. I shall patiently look forward to future books in the series to continue their story.

We see that the staff at Torte are just as invested in the success of Torte as the owners (Jules and her mother) are themselves. By the way – I so want to taste one of Andy’s delectable coffee concoctions as they all sound wonderful.

As what seems to be a pattern, Caught Bread Handed, is a truly engaging cozy mystery with, of course, a death, sleuthing by an amateur, a bit of a love story… and what I also like … interesting recipes that one can try for themselves. I cannot wait to further my Ashland adventures in the next installment Fudge and Jury, book 5 in the A Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander.

Death Doesn’t Bargain

Deadman’s Cross, Book #2

By Sherrilyn Kenyon

ISBN# 9780765385710

Author’s Website: sherrilynkenyon.com

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Review

*Beware of possible spoilers*

This book picks up where the previous installment, Deadmen Walking, left off.  After Vine took Cameron, Kalder sacrificed himself to get her back.  Now he’s trapped there, being tortured, while the Deadmen scramble to find a way to save him.  And, Vine has somehow found his brother that Kalder was accused of killing.  What’s worse than being tortured?  Watching your baby brother being tortured because of you.

Thorn is able to free Kalder, and his debt has been paid therefore, he is no longer bound as a Deadman.  Unfortunately, Thorn was not able to save his brother.  So, imagine Kalder’s surprise when Kalder finds him nearly drowning in the sea.  Everyone fears it’s a trick, but Kalder can’t turn his back on the boy he raised.

Vine is back with a vengeance in this book.  However, it’s not Devyl she’s after this time.  She has her eyes set on Kalder and his love interest, Cameron.  And, she has some powerful allies to help her get the job done.  Can Kalder and the Deadmen thwart her plans and save the day once again?

I find this series is a little difficult to read with similar character names (Kadar and Kalder, as an example) and the various races and demons that I can’t keep straight.  And then there are Hell-hunters and Hellchasers, which are also confusing.  Some of these chapters drag on for so long, clocking in at 40-to 50-page chapters.  Thankfully, there are some small chapters too.  Sometimes, you really do need a palette cleanser when dealing with the big chapters though.

Despite all that, I found myself really enjoying Kalder and Cameron’s budding romance.  It had a sweet innocence to it that I really enjoyed.  Neither of them thought very highly of themselves and were amazed at how the other treated them.  Cameron especially found it difficult to imagine the hot merman actually found her attractive.  I did like this romance much better than Devyl and Mara’s, which seemed a bit forced.

Kalder seemed to possess every known power, ranging from those of his people all the way to that of a goddess, even.  Yet, he seems to get defeated rather easily at the end of this book.  I guess love really does make you vulnerable.

Speaking of the ending …  We did not get a clear resolution on this one.  Vine’s schemes have put more people in danger and could very well end the world, as we know it.  The Deadmen will have to set sail to another adventure to solve this problem.

Overall, I found this book to be decent once you get past all the things I’ve already mentioned that make this hard to read.  And, it’s nice getting some glimpses from other characters from the crossovers of Kenyon’s various series set in this world.  I especially enjoyed seeing my favorite grumpy surfer, Savitar!  It was like a little family reunion.

I do hope we get a little more of Kalder and Cameron’s romance in the next book too.  I felt it got cut a bit short with what was going on, in the end.

Murder at the Summer Cheese Festival         

Silver Springs Mysteries #1

By Jodie Morgan       

ISBN: 9781923587007

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra                   

Summary:

Laura Evans thought trading her high-stress Boston restaurant career for small-town Vermont charm would bring peace. Instead, she finds herself knee-deep in cheddar and conspiracy when a body turns up at the General Store after a pre-festival cheese tasting ahead of the Summer Cheese Festival. And her boss Maggie is made the prime suspect.

The festival is less than two weeks away and with the store’s reputation threatened, Laura can’t stand by and watch her new life crumble like aged parmesan. With the help of her observant landlady, Evelyn Chan, she discovers beneath the town’s picture-perfect surface lies a complex web of rivalries, family secrets, and scandals.

And when there’s an entire festival’s worth of suspects, she must separate friend from foe before it’s too late… (Goodreads)

Review:

Murder at the Summer Cheese Festival is the first book in the Silver Springs Mysteries series as well as the first book by Jodie Morgan that I have read. While not super wowed by the story, I enjoyed the read well enough to finish the book. I usually do finish cozy mysteries as they are good, fun escapism.

The book begins with the annual cheese festival a mere two weeks away. Laura Evans, a new resident of Silver Springs (previously from Boston where she had a highly stressful restaurant career) is working in the Silver Springs General Store café. The slower pace suits Laura just fine – until a food critic (Jeremy Blackwood) who is in town for the cheese festival is found dead on the property near the general store! And the prime suspect for this murder is none other than Laura’s boss – Maggie. This is because many years earlier, Jeremy had written a bad review, which nearly tanked the general store and eatery. Laura, along with her landlord Evelyn Chan, take it upon themselves to try and solve the murder and clear Maggie’s name before the end of the cheese festival.

Laura and Evelyn ferret out the list of possible suspects and begin the process of working through that list. This is where I tended to get a wee bit bored as the pace seemed occasionally VERY slow.  The journey to the end was filled with meeting many local townspeople – many of whom had some sort of unpleasant interaction with Jeremy, thus muddying the potential suspect pool! However, in true cozy mystery style, the amateur sleuths persevere and eventually figure out ‘whodunit’.

I found that the transition from one scene to the next was very abrupt at times (even one day to the next in the storyline was abrupt). This tended to make following the storyline periodically difficult.

The festival setting allowed this reader to take part in the festival through reading about the tastings, demonstrations, and some behind-the-scenes prep. It made me feel as if I was there! I very much enjoyed learning about the various types of cheeses

As this was the first book in the series, I may give this author another read in the future.

Cross

Dark Kingdom, Book #4

By Shantel Tessier

ISBN# 9798467646695

Author’s Website: shanteltessier.com

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Review

*Beware of Spoilers*

Cross first laid eyes on Alexa at Titan and Emilee’s wedding.  However, Grave was quick to deem her off-limits since she’s best friends with his girlfriend, April.  Grave didn’t want the trouble a random hookup between Cross and Alexa would cause in his own relationship.  Cross has behaved for his best friend’s sake … until now.

Cross and Grave run into Jasmine and Alexa at the Airport.  The guys know the things that can happen to women there and Grave refuses to leave them unprotected while he fights.  So, Cross gets assigned babysitting duty.  And, when it’s time to leave Grave asks Cross to give Alexa a ride home.  Something he is more than willing to do.  However, his car isn’t the only thing she ends up riding.  And, what do you know?  One night just isn’t enough.

Cross doesn’t want to upset Grave though, so he and Alexa keep their little fling a secret as they keep hooking up again and again and again.  Cross quickly realizes that he doesn’t want to let Alexa go and that he will eventually have to come clean to Grave.

“This woman is my damnation. I’ve always known I was going to hell; now I know it’ll be her who sends me there. Because I will do absolutely anything for her. She doesn’t even have to ask.”

Then, tragedy strikes, and shortly after, Cross realizes that Alexa’s life is in danger.  He will do whatever it takes to protect his queen, whether she approves or not.  A King has to do what Kings do after all, and nobody will take what belongs to him.

“The road to being a King is paved with dead bodies. Eventually, our sins will catch up with us and demand a payment for all the carnage we leave behind. They can have my Kingdom, but they will never touch my Queen. I will set fire to the world and watch it all burn, me included, before I let her pay for my sins.”

I enjoyed the romance between Cross and Alexa.  I like how open and honest he was with her.  He never seemed to beat around the bush, even if he told her things she wouldn’t approve of.  I think he actually may be the most protective of all the Kings.  Or maybe he was just given more of an opportunity to prove it.

Cross’s parents completely sucked, though.  I felt so bad for him and the horrible childhood he had.  His dad deserved the ending he got, and so much worse.  And, for a mom to allow that too.  My heart broke for poor Cross, and I’m glad he grew into a better man than his dad could have ever dreamed of being.

I also really enjoyed the cover of this book, with the lit match in his mouth.  It seemed so fitting for Cross, honestly.

The girls who lunch thing gets a bit repetitive, though, now that we’re into book four.  The lunches all seem to be about the same, and there were a lot of lunches in this story.

I felt the ending was a bit rushed in this one.  Everything comes together, and they reveal everything in a hurry, and then the book is just over.  I would have liked the book to have been a bit longer, just to avoid that rush and just ease into things a bit more.

I enjoyed this book, but I’m sad to say this is my least favorite of the books I’ve read from this author.  I think a big reason for that is that she did Grave and April so dirty in this one.  They have been my favorite couple up to this point, and Tessier blew their happily ever after to smithereens.   They’re still together, but they struggled in this one. Everything else about their happy ending just got completely blown up.   I really hope she makes up for that in Bones’s book.  Bones is Grave’s brother after all so we can expect to see him in it anyway.

Please give me a happy Grave-y.  He’s my favorite.

Overall, this was still an enjoyable read, I just wish it didn’t come at another couple’s expense, when it didn’t need to.

The Mysterious Death of Junetta Plum

Harriet Stone Mystery #1

By Valerie Wilson Wesley

ISBN 9781496752499

Author’s website: valeriewilsonwesley.com

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Synopsis:

At the darkly glamorous height of the Roaring 20s, an independent Black intellectual and her bi-racial foster child are immersed in the vibrant world of the Harlem Renaissance – and a shocking murder on Striver’s Row – in this thrilling Jazz Age mystery for reader of Nekesia Afia, Jacqueline Winspear, Avery Cunningham’s The Mayor of Maxwell Street.

1926: Harriet Stone, a liberated, educated Black woman, and Lovey, the orphaned, biracial 12-year-old she is bound to protect, are Harlem-bound, embarking on a new, hopefully less traumatic chapter in their lives. They have been invited to move from Connecticut by Harriet’s cousin, Junetta Plum, who runs a boardinghouse for independent-minded single women.

It’s a bold move, since Harriet has never met Junetta, but the fatalities of the Spanish flu and other tragedies have already forced her and Lovey to face their worst fears. Alone but for each other, they have little left to lose—or so it seems as they arrive at sophisticated Junetta’s impressive brownstone.

Her cousin has a sharp edge, which makes Harriett slightly uncomfortable. Still, after retiring to her room for the night, she finally falls asleep—only to awaken to Junetta arguing with someone downstairs. In the morning, she makes a shocking discovery at the foot of the stairs.

What ensues will lead Harriet to question Junetta’s very identity—and to wonder if she and Lovey are in danger, as well. It will also tie Harriet to five strangers. Among them, Harriet is sure someone knows something. What she doesn’t yet know is that one will play a crucial role in helping her investigate her cousin’s murder . . . that she will be tied to the others in ways she could never imagine . . . and that her life will take off in a startling new direction . . . (From Goodreads)

Review:

What a great, suspenseful first in this new series! The setting is Harlem, in New York City. Harriet and Lovey moved there in 1926, during the Harlem Renaissance. It was very different from Hartford, Connecticut, where Harriet and her biracial foster child, Lovey, moved from.

Life was difficult for many families, especially after millions died from the Spanish Flu. Lovey’s mother passed, and Harriet’s father brought Lovey home to care for. Within a few years, only Harriet, at 26, and Lovey, twelve, were left of the family.

A letter arrived from Junetta Plum, a cousin of Harriet’s father who she never heard of. He never spoke of his family, or his life before he was freed from slavery by the great Harriet Tubman. Harriet was named after her, but could she ever be as courageous as her namesake? It was time to find out.

Junetta invited Harriet to move to her brownstone, inherited from her late husband. She took in boarders, single women trying to “make a way in this hard old world.” She even paid for their train fare.

Junetta met and welcomed them at the beautiful Penn Station. She said she had plenty of time to tell them about their side of the family. But the next morning, Junetta was lying at the foot of the grand staircase, dead, in a pool of blood. Perhaps what Harriet thought was a nightmare really happened – a scream, a doorbell, an argument?

While awaiting the police, Harriet and Lovey talked with Tulip, Junetta’s housekeeper and cook. Junetta had been like a sister, a daughter, and a best friend to Tulip. The only thing Tulip and the boarders knew about Harriet and Lovey was that Harriet was family and to treat her well. The boarders were polite, each with a distinct personality, but trusted nobody.

The coroner thought Junetta’s death was an accident or suicide, and closed the case. The truth, according to Detective Elias Hoyt, the only Black man at his precinct, was that the police didn’t care about the deaths of Black people. Even if they lived in an upper-class neighborhood, as Junetta had.

The next-door neighbors visited, Emanuel Henderson, and his wife, “Theo” (Theodosia). Mr. Henderson was Junetta’s attorney, and would discuss her will with Harriet later. They were an older couple, kind and helpful. Within a few days, Theo’s younger sister, Edwina, took Harriet out for an evening on the town.

One of the boarders, Reola, left without a word. Days later, she was found dead on the street. Without help from the police, Harriet was determined to get to the bottom of Junetta’s and Reola’s deaths. There were many secrets to unearth – dark, unspeakable secrets in what was now Harriet’s house.

My favorite person is Harriet. Theo, the solicitor’s wife, was a close second. We learn a great deal about Harriet, including her fears and heartaches. Tulip and the boarders kept their real selves hidden from Harriet and Lovey, except one boarder intent on befriending Lovey. Tulip clearly had secrets. There was a quiet young man there, Gabriel, with severe burn scars on one hand and arm. If Junetta only rented to women, why was he there?

I appreciated learning about the “new” Harlem, including brief, interwoven historical events, music enjoyed by Harriet and Edwina, and what life was like in the mid-1920s. The author shared insight into the lives of Black people, barely sixty years after slavery ended, and the effects of Prohibition.

Harriet’s search for truth and justice was a challenge! It seemed almost impossible for anyone to find the killer(s). Would she be encouraged by the life of her father’s liberator to be bold without rocking the boat? Overall, this was a fabulous, suspenseful mystery, and I am looking forward to Harriet’s new job. I highly recommend this!

Consequences

Consequences, Book #1

By Aleatha Romig

ISBN#  9780988489127

Author’s Website:  https://www.aleatharomig.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Claire Nichols was just rolling with the punches and trying to survive.  She saw her dream of becoming a meteorologist become a reality only to crash and burn, to no fault of her own.  Her news station was bought out about a year ago and her job was eliminated.  She hasn’t been able to find another job in her field, so she is trying to make ends meet by bartending at the Red Wing. However, she has acquired extensive debt.

Then, she meets a man that will change her life forever.  Anthony Rawlings is handsome, powerful, and rich.  He came into the Red Wing and flirted with her, of all people.  He insisted on talking to her after her shift, and she felt safe since they agreed to meet inside the Red Wing.  Anthony said he could solve her financial problems, if she worked for him.  He had them both sign a Red Wing napkin like it was a contract.  She felt silly, but went along with it.  

Days later, Anthony calls her up for a date and she agrees.  They have a lovely time and she goes to his hotel for dessert.  

Then, she wakes up in a strange place, covered in bruises.  She quickly learns that Anthony has kept his promise about taking care of her financial problems, but it has cost her her freedom.  He has locked her up in a posh room in his mansion.  She must stay there until he deems she has paid for her 215 thousand dollars of debt.  They have a signed contract after all, written on a Red Wing napkin.  Here, every action has a consequence.  Some good, some bad.  And, appearances are everything.  Claire must learn to navigate her new reality and keep Tony’s dark abusive persona at bay.  When she follows the rules, she earns more privileges, but when she displeases Tony there are heavy consequences to pay.  

Over time, Claire learns to navigate her new life and even starts to love Tony’s good side.  However, she lives in fear of his dark side emerging.  Can Claire overcome her current situation and shift the consequences into her own favor?

I’m going to start this review off with full disclosure.  I tried to read this book several years ago, and did what I rarely ever do, and DNF’d it.  I’ve seen a lot of people saying this book is really good.  And, I have much more dark reading under my belt these days, so I decided to give it another go.  I did pay for it after all. And, it did go better this time.  However, it still is not one I’d ever recommend to others.

Claire is thrust into a horrible situation where she is at the mercy of a cruel, abusive man.  He’s not above beating or raping her because he feels she has been bought and paid for and that equals consent.  The scenes in this book are not graphic, but gives you enough to make it clear what happened.

Anthony is a rich man and a local celebrity.  He graces the pages of the gossip magazines whenever he goes anywhere public.  And, now Claire graces those pages with him.  Public failure is not an option if Claire wants to survive unscathed.  

I honestly don’t understand how she grows enough love for him to agree to marry him.  This was shortly after he had beaten her into a coma.  It took her two months to recover and this was right after she had recovered.  He was so remorseful though….gah!

“It made Claire feel so much better knowing that even though she’d almost died, appearances were maintained.”

I went into this book thinking it was a dark romance, but it turned out having no real romance and it had felt more like a psychological drama.  Tony set everything in her life into motion, it seems, and he was definitely a pro at playing the long game.

I think this book would have been more enjoyable, if it had been cleaned up a bit.  It droned on and on and on.  The same stuff over and over as Claire wanted to do certain things, but had to find a way to get approval from Tony.  Tony getting upset over the simplest of things and forcing consequences on Claire.  Not to mention, the details of daily life for them and all the business trips just became so repetitive and boring.  This book could have probably been cut down to half the size, without losing any real storyline.  It appears this was the author’s first book though, so hopefully this has improved in works since it was written.

I didn’t particularly care for this story.  However, with that twist at the end, thoughts of the book have stayed in my mind since I completed it.  So, I assume, it has done its job.  There are more books in the series so I will have to decide if the rest of series is worth pursuing.  

Murder in an Irish Churchyard
Irish Village Mystery #3
By Carlene O’Connor
ISBN 9781496753694
Carleneoconnor.net

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Synopsis:

Bestselling author Carlene O’Connor’s third novel in the acclaimed Irish Village Mystery series is now available in trade paperback! The village of Kilbane in County Cork, Ireland, has a new garda—and her first case is a grave matter indeed.

It’s official! Siobhán is now Garda O’Sullivan, and her five siblings couldn’t be prouder. While brother James runs Naomi’s Bistro, Siobhán is doing her part to keep the village safe. Of course, Kilbane is pretty quiet compared to a place like Dublin, where Macdara Flannery has gone to be a detective sergeant. Good for him, but she still misses him.

Then one night the local priest summons Siobhán to the church cemetery. There’s a dead man in the graveyard—aboveground. He’s a stranger, but the priest has heard talk of an American tourist in town, searching for his Irish ancestor. A detective sergeant is dispatched from Dublin to assist with the case, and as fate would have it, it’s Macdara. After his parting, things are awkward between them, but they have to work together. They learn the victim was from Dublin—Dublin, Ohio, that is. And when his extended family arrives from the States, the plot thickens. Siobhán begins to dig for a motive among the gnarled roots of the family tree. But as long-buried secrets are unearthed, she and Macdara will need to stay two steps ahead of the killer or end up with more than one foot in the grave. (Goodreads)

Review:

This is another outstanding, complex mystery in the Irish Village Mystery series. So many things are exciting in this novel, set primarily in Kilbane, Ireland. The characters, especially Siobhan, her five siblings, and Macdara are defined beautifully through their actions and conversations. I could almost picture them working at the family restaurant, Naomi’s Bistro, named after Siobhan’s mother.

Siobhan is now a garda (guardian of the peace, police officer) in Kilbane. When not working at the station, Siobhan worked at Naomi’s Bistro. She and her older brother, James, cared for their four younger siblings since their parents’ death. When Siobhan had told the former Garda Macdara Flannery that she was accepted at the college, he ended their potential romance. He accepted a promotion to Detective Sergeant in Dublin, and moved there.

At shortly after 1 AM of Siobhan’s first day as a garda, hours before she was due at the station, Father Kearney came to the bistro. He found a dead body in the church cemetery. Siobhan insisted that he call the emergency number, but the priest trusted Siobhan more than those at the station.

Father Kearney had heard a gunshot from his rooms from the direction of the cemetery, looked out, and thought he saw someone run away. He ran out, but the man who was shot had died. Firearms are seldom seen in Kilbane; surprisingly, even the gardai do not carry guns. The priest told Siobhan that twice recently, he saw someone at the cemetery that he did not recognize. The stranger was a tall woman with long gray hair, stomping around like a madwoman in very high heels. The person running away that night was too far from him to see if a man or woman.

The snow was accumulating; Siobhan only put on a coat over her pajamas and walked to the cemetery. The dead man had been shot at close range. His lapel bore an American flag pin. A piece of cream-colored paper with writing on it was almost covered. She took photos before the snow could bury evidence or footprints, noting also the man’s position and what it appeared he was pointing to.

Her new boss, Garda Reilly, made his displeasure with Siobhan known when he arrived. They should have called for police first. She should not have gone there with Father Kearney. He gave her a verbal warning, to be documented in her file. The assigned Detective Sergeant would arrive from Dublin and handle it when he arrived. Still wearing pajamas? Go! Home!

Macdara Flannery was sent to handle the investigation. Siobhan had mixed feelings. She had missed him! He said he could work with her only if they never spoke of the past. Siobhan appreciates his inclusion of her as he investigates, despite the pain of their breakup. She genuinely likes investigating, seeking to get justice for the murdered man. Each clue, each interview, led to more unanswered questions and suspects.

I truly enjoyed this cozy mystery! I continue to learn about Ireland through the O’Sullivan’s, including Siobhan’s love of this beautiful place. How, in Kilbane, people ride scooters or bicycles, or walk to their destination unless they are going out of town. I appreciated a little history and seeing the ruins of the abbey again. I was impressed to see the mention of Michael Collins, from the early 20th century.

Solving why, and by whom, the deceased, Peter Mallon, was killed in a cemetery on a cold, snowy night was the stuff of sleepless nights. Peter had been working on his family’s genealogy, as his great grandparents had come from Ireland during the famine and established the family restaurant in America. A portion of its profits had always been used to feed the hungry. He was having a documentary made of their findings, as both he and his wife were excellent researchers. Just as he had found something “explosive”, his life was cut short. His family members and the videographer were valid suspects. There were twists that changed the suspect list radically, until the explosive twist was revealed. This is a memorable mystery, with completely unexpected solutions and a satisfying ending. I highly recommend this cozy mystery!

Tangled Loyalties

Mafia Lords of Sin, Book #1

By Ajme Williams

ISBN# 9798324879945

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Evelyn is the youngest daughter of Don Matteo Rossi, head of the Rossi mafia.  Evelyn feels that her father doesn’t trust her to do anything for the family, and just keeps her as his spoiled princess.  He only trusts her older sister, Shana.  However, Shana’s husband left her holding the bag on his crimes.  She’s in jail and he’s in the wind.  Their kids are left at the Rossi’s without either parent.

There are two other Mafia families in New York.   The Rossis have decided to enter into a treaty with the De Lucas to keep the Montegnas from encroaching on their territories.  Of course, Evelyn had no idea that meant she would have a surprise wedding sprung on her.  She had to marry Alessandro De Luca so everyone could see the families as united.  She’s always found Alessandro sexy, but never expected to be forced to marry him.

Alessandro screams power from every pore, and his scars only add to his deathly appeal.  He quickly takes charge and does what is needed, to protect those he loves and his wife.

It becomes apparent that someone is after him, and they’re willing to take innocents out to get to him.  Alessandro pushes Evelyn away.  Being with him puts her in danger.  However, it leaves an opening for his unknown enemy to strike at him.  Now, he must find his wife and end this threat once and for all.

This is the first book I’ve read from this author.  I never know how that will go.  In this case, it went rather well.  I enjoyed the story and absolutely flew through this book.  

I really enjoyed Alessandro, the Howard Beach Butcher.  He’s the future Don of the De Luca family.  And, he lives up to his reputation as underboss and as the butcher.  However, it doesn’t stop him from taking time to fall in love with a mafia princess.

I found Alessandro and Evelyn’s relationship to have come together a little too quickly for people that were forced to marry.  A dreaded case of insta-love.  However, we’ll look past the unbelievability of that as it’s truly my only complaint about this book.  That and the whole misunderstanding from overhearing a few words on a phone call.  Talk to the woman, Alessandro instead of going off the handle in your own head.  Otherwise, I did really love this couple.  They were good for each other.  She calmed his rage, and she welcomed the monster that lives inside him.  He seemed to give her purpose that her family never did.  And, they do enjoy a little kink together too.  Speaking of, not sure I believe him about having an unused playroom …

I found this whole world quite interesting honestly.  The two mafia families we met and of course Dimitri.  I liked seeing how they worked together especially when one of La Familia was in danger.

I look forward to reading more of this series and maybe getting to meet that third mafia family as well.

Newlyweds Can Be Knocked Off 

An Amish Matchmaker Mystery #6

By Amanda Flower

ISBN 9781496737502

amandaflower.com

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Synopsis:

After two decades as a widow, Millie Fisher, Amish matchmaker, quilter, goat tender, and sleuth is now a 60-something newlywed! But when she adds snowbird to her list amid the chill of an Ohio winter, murder finds a way to follow . . .

After years on her own, Millie has been busy adjusting to married life once again. Meanwhile, her best friend, Lois Henry, is still salty that Millie didn’t have a big wedding where she could get dressed up and be maid of honor. But there’s a way Millie can make it up to with a dreary January upon them, it’s the perfect time for a girls’ trip to the Amish community in sunny Pinecraft, Florida. Oft-divorced Lois is decidedly not Amish, but she thinks it will be a hoot.

With the blessing of her sweet husband, Uriah, Millie agrees to go. On the tour bus that transports Ohio’s Amish snowbirds to Florida every year, Millie and Lois strike up a friendship with a young woman traveling alone. She reminds Millie of her beloved niece, and Millie takes her under her wing. But even before the end of their first day in Florida, tragedy strikes.

Millie and Lois find their new friend dead on the beach, seemingly drowned. But who would want to hurt the sweet young woman? Is there a murderous snowbird among them? Or was it someone vengeful from her past? Clearly, vacation time is over for Millie and Lois, and it’s time to dive beneath the surface to hook a killer . . . (From Goodreads)

Review:

It was pure delight to visit Millie and Lois in Holmes County, Ohio again! We were almost immediately whisked onto a bus headed for Pinecraft, Florida, where many Amish spend part of their winter to escape the winter storms.

Millie and Uriah, both widowed, recently married in a small Amish gathering. Millie and her best friend from childhood days, Lois, have very different lifestyles, including their weddings. Millie and Uriah are Amish, and Lois is Englisch, yet their friendship has only deepened through the decades. Lois is easily seen in a crowd due to her colorful hair and attire. She has a kind heart and a strong personality. Their differences blend well, and it is a joy to see them together.  Lois gifted Millie and herself with a week-long trip to Pinecraft. Uriah encouraged her to go, and he bravely offered to care for her goats.

Caroline, a young Amish woman, sat in the row of seats across the aisle from Millie and Lois. Lois slept most of the trip. Caroline was also a newlywed, and didn’t know how to sew, almost unheard of for an Amish woman. They chatted, and Caroline learned a couple stitches and quilting basics from Millie. Caroline lived in Pinecraft and briefly visited Ohio after they wed. Cainan, her husband, had a scooter shop that he began from scratch.

Late the next evening, Millie tried to catch up with Caroline when the bus emptied, wanting to take her to lunch while they were in town. When she did find Caroline, she was having a disagreement with Cainan. They left, and Millie hoped to see her around town.

In the morning, Millie awoke early, eager to see her very first sunrise over the ocean. And it was incredible! Amazing! Everything and more than she could have imagined! Her infectious joy soared from the pages to this reader’s heart!

As they walked along the beach, they heard something they thought was unique to Holmes County. Juliet, the lovely wife of Reverend Brook in Ohio, was running in high heels across the beach, calling “Stop that pig!” Jethro, Juliet’s polka-dotted emotional support pig, dashed ahead of her. Used to capturing her goats, Millie was able to get Jethro.

Reverend Brook and Juliet were in Pinecraft for a conference for pastors and their wives, held at a nearby resort. Moments later, Millie had to chase Jethro again as he ran to see what looked like a shoe under the pier. Carolyn, back in town less than twelve hours, had clearly been murdered. Devastated and not at all put off by the detective’s warning, Millie would do what she had done several times in Ohio. With Millie’s help, she would find who killed this sweet young bride.

This mystery has so many twists! They learned who Caroline really was, met her young, now widowed husband and primary suspect, her friends, and her unwelcoming in-laws. It sounded as if someone had tried to kill Caroline before her trip, also. Secrets closely held slowed their progress. It sounded as if someone had tried to kill Caroline before her trip, also. The clock was ticking towards their return, and they feared that someone else could be killed.

The author shares several Amish proverbs as easily as she designs amazingly delightful characters and pets. She brings them to life, mixes in a few little quirks, and serves up an Ohio community that I would love to visit. The arrival of several people from Harvest, in Pinecraft, sweetened and challenged the investigation! Those familiar with this series will appreciate watching Lois and Millie pig-sit Jethro, and how Millie’s Bishop Yoder and his wife, Ruth ended up in Pinecraft, much less sharing their cottage! I highly recommend this cozy mystery and series to those who appreciate Amish cozy mysteries, lifelong friends, much humor, suspense, and two unstoppable mature sleuths.

Chaotic

L.O.R.D.S., Book #7

By Shantel Tessier

ISBN# 9798279008674

Author’s Website:  https://shanteltessier.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

*Beware of possible spoilers*

“Good and evil. Heaven and hell. Crazy and sane. Why not be both?”

Eve was created for one reason … to be used.  In a world where most men see no real value in women, only to slake their bodily urges and to have their children, Eve had little worth to her father.  He wanted boys, and got her instead.  And, he makes her pay for that every day of her life.

The daughter of a founder and a Spade brother, her father thought she’d at least make a decent breeder.  And, that was what she was raised for.  To be the Spade brothers’ personal breeder.  However, Eve fought her father every step of the way and she proved to be useless, in his eyes.  So, he sold her off to Dollhouse so she could be used by whoever was willing to pay for it. 

After a year of being trained and tortured at Dollhouse, she was saved by the only man she calls Dad.  Now she tries to lead a normal life, but she can’t escape the horrors of her past.  And, she tries to get revenge on the Lords who hurt her by killing as many as she can.

“My woman is such an angry angel. This is what my version of heaven would look like if I ever had the chance to see it—beautiful chaos.”

Kashton fell in love with the bleach-blond beauty he saw on the yacht on the night of his junior year initiation.  He saved her from being raped, by killing the man.  Luckily, it’s who he was supposed to kill anyway, although he didn’t realize it at the time.  He only wanted to save her.  He would have taken her with him; except she snuck away before he could.

It’s been six years and he never stopped thinking of Eve.  Imagine his surprise, when he and Haidyn go to pick up a prisoner at the cathedral and she’s there, stitching up their charge.  Now Kash is obsessed and he won’t stop until she is his, wearing his ring and taking his name.

However, Kash doesn’t know the life that Eve has led; the horrors she’s had to endure.  He must prove to her that she is worth everything, even if it costs him his very life.

“Did you bake me a cake?” His blue eyes search mine before glancing at my lips.

“I poisoned it.” I give him an innocent smile, batting my lashes. Spending my afternoon baking him a cake just to shove it in his face was totally worth it.

Lifting his hand, he licks the icing off the ends of his tatted fingers. “Hmm. It’s delicious, angel. Poison and all.”

I’ve been waiting for what seems like an eternity for this book.  I couldn’t wait to delve in.  I will say that this one didn’t draw me in as quickly as these novels usually do.  It was still good though, just not as good as some of the others.

I do struggle with these girls that had such a horrible life and the ‘hero’ proving they love them by doing the same as those that abused them.  Kash wasn’t nearly as bad as Sin was in his book though.  Thankfully.  You could tell Kash truly loved Eve as the book progressed.  And this book was heartbreaking at times.  It had me bawling like a baby there for a while.

“You asked me if I had a life, and I said I was looking at it. You are what I’m looking at, angel. You’re who I see when I close my eyes at night, and you will be the last person I see before I leave this world. I’m going to spend every day I have left devoting my life to you because you are the one I want.”

And, it’s not all rainbows and puppy dogs inside the halls of Carnage (imagine that!).  There was definitely a rift between the ladies of Carnage and I was here for it.  Ashtyn was being a total brat, so I was happy to see someone that was willing to call her on her crap.

And, of course I still love Haidyn and enjoyed ‘seeing’ him again.  I loved the gifts Kash gave him too.

Of course, the Lords’ world continues to get worse (at least for the women) the further we get into the series.  The things Eve’s own father did to her was horrifying.  

I still really enjoy the series though and can’t wait to read the next installment, when it comes out … which will be awhile since this one *just* released. So, …. we wait.

Title: A Very Novel Murder

Series: The Novel Detectives 

By:  Ellie Alexander

ISBN: 9781837001170 (ISBN10: 1837001170)

ASIN: B0FCN1X28J

Website: https://elliealexander.co/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra                   

Summary:

Opening a detective agency above her beloved bookstore seems like the perfect business plan—until Annie Murray’s first case involves a suspicious death right on her doorstep.

June Munrow, an elderly resident of Annie’s home town, Redwood Grove, is convinced that young Kelly Taylor’s recent drowning wasn’t the tragic accident everyone believes it to be. Despite the police ruling, June is determined to prove there’s more to the story and hires the Novel Detectives to uncover the truth.

As Annie delves into Kelly’s life, she discovers a tangled web of secrets involving Kelly’s complicated relationships, a peculiar landlord, and her mysterious roommate. Everyone connected to Kelly seems to be hiding something, and the deeper Annie digs, the more puzzling the case becomes.

With her trademark blend of curiosity and compassion, can Annie piece together the clues and solve her first official case—before she gets into deep water herself? (Goodreads)

Review:

In this new series by Ellie Alexander, The Novel Detectives, we actually see a continuation (from A Secret Bookcase Mystery Series) of the lives of Annie Murray and Fletcher Hughes in Redwood Grove. They are in partnership and starting a detective agency while also running (and owning) the Secret Bookcase bookstore.

It appears that the new detective agency has not one, but two cases to start the business off!  

The detective agency’s first case is for Caroline, owner of Artifacts, a small boutique in the village square and girlfriend of Hal Christie – the original owner of the bookstore. 

“Hal has long believed that he’s Agatha Christie’s long-lost grandson… He believed the world’s most prolific and popular mystery writer – to this day – had intentionally retreated from the spotlight to give birth. According to his research, the timing lined up with his mother’s adoption.”

What Caroline hires the agency to find out the providence of a brooch. Caroline found it 

“in an old box of Hal’s things while we were cleaning his closet to make space for some of my clothes. When I asked him about it, he said it belonged to his mother….A few days later, when I was looking into Hal’s mother’s adoption dates and when Agatha went missing, I found this….”

Caroline positioned her screen to show a picture of Agatha – three days before she disappeared. And lo and behold – it looks like she was wearing the same ring.

So Caroline hopes to find out if the ring that Hal has is indeed the same as the one in the picture of Agatha Christie.

Second – Kelly Monroe is discovered dead in her bathtub by her roommate. While the police have classified this death as an accident or suicide – it is not a death by nefarious means. Kelly Monroe’s neighbour – June Munrow however does not believe it was an accident or suicide and hires Annie and Fletcher to prove her theory that someone murdered Kelly. 

Annie’s past criminology professor, Dr. Caldwell, is the current police detective in Redwood Grove and she is onboard with Annie further investigating Kelly’s death and has given Annie and Fletcher all the information that the police department has on Kelly’s death.

I found the path that Annie and Fletcher attacked their cases very methodical and each had their own area of expertise within the process. It was easy to follow what they were doing as they were uncovering many clues.  With respect to Kelly’s death – as the case progressed, we were introduced to many potential suspects, if it were indeed a murder and not an accident or suicide. The journey was convoluted and had a number of twists and turns (of which I of course will not spill – so you can read about it yourself). It did indeed take me almost to the end to figure out the particular’s of Kelly’s death – just the way I like my cozy mysteries! 

One thing that was a wee bit disappointing was the lack of involvement of Liam (Annie’s boyfriend) and Annie’s BFF Pri. But I suspect as the series continues – we might get more of a glimpse of them…hopefully as they became beloved characters in The Secret Bookcase Mystery series.

The cover art is an eye pleaser and includes a cat on the cover, which is always good (at least in my opinion )

If you have read any previous books by Ellie Alexander and you have previously enjoyed … then you will know that A Very Novel Murder will most likely be an enjoyable read as well (at least I did). Just grab your favourite libation, pull up a chair and get reading! Once I started this book – I could not put it down! I cannot wait for the next book in the series -> A Death in the Dark.

The Frozen People

Ali Dawson #1

By Elly Griffiths

ISBN 9780593834374

Author’s website: ellygriffiths.co.uk

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Omar

Summary

Some murders can’t be solved in just one lifetime.

Ali Dawson and her cold case team investigate crimes so old, they’re frozen—or so their inside joke goes. Nobody knows that her team has a secret: they can travel back in time to look for evidence.

The latest assignment sees Ali venture back farther than they have dared before: to 1850s London to clear the name of Cain Templeton, an eccentric patron of the arts. Rumor has it that Cain is part of a sinister group called The Collectors. Ali arrives in the Victorian era to another dead woman at her feet and far too many unanswered questions.

As the clock counts down, Ali becomes more entangled in the mystery, yet danger lurks around every corner. She soon finds herself trapped, unable to make her way back to her beloved son, Finn, who is battling his own accusations in the present day.

Could the two cases be connected? In a race through and against time, Ali must find out before it’s too late.

Review

Ali Dawson is part of a special Criminal Investigation Department (CID), a small team that is investigating cold cases, which, as some might joke, are also the most frozen. Her team, the Department of Logistics, time-travels to gather evidence and close cases that have no new leads, and the criminal is still unknown.

While it is a strange and secret concept, Ali and her team have time-traveled a couple of times and have managed to close cases. The technology that allows them to time-travel is new, and the dangers are possible, but a new case has popped up, and it involves traveling even further into the past, and this time, Ali is going by on her own.

The Department of Logistics, also known as the “Frozen People”, consists of Geoff Bastian, the department’s director, Serafina “Jones” Pellegrini, the inventor of time-travel technology, and Buddhika “Bud” Sirisema, a brilliant Physicist who was a student of Jones. Dina is a Computer Forensics Investigator, and John and Ali, who are CID officers. 

The Frozen People was an interesting read; the summary of the book is a great hook that pulls the reader.  As it mentions, Ali gets stuck in the past, and the story centers around her team, finding a way to bring her back, and her looking into the murder case that had happened as she arrived.  

While the narrative takes place in two different timelines, it still does a good job of keeping the reader guessing what is going to happen. In the past, we also met Cain Templeton, a wealthy philanthropist, who was accused of the murder of three women, but his descendant, the Justice Minister Isaac Templeton, believes he is innocent.

Given the rise of crime-solving and cold cases TV shows, the topic of time-traveling to solve cases was entertaining. In the book, it’s a bit complicated, and it is not all that well explained how they time-travel. Basically, Jones has found a way to bend the atoms of a specific space to open a gate that pulls a person back in time, later that same gate in the same space pulls them forward. 

The Frozen People is the first book in the series of Ali Dawon by author Elly Griffiths. While some parts of the story get resolved, others are left unresolved, and new problems arise that will be solved in the following books. Most of all, the women’s murderer in 1850’s may be still free in the present day.

If you are a fan of crime novels and who did it genre, then I recommend the Frozen People. Time travel to solve cold cases might be the main root of this story, but like any other tale, it is not that easy.

Murder Pays a Call

Keri Armstrong Mysteries, Book #1

By Nancy J. Cohen     

ISBN:  9781952886362 

Website: nancyjcohen.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra                   

Summary:

When personal concierge Keri Armstrong swings by her favorite client’s mansion to drop off groceries, she expects a heartfelt chat along with a cup of tea—not Fiona Sullivan dead in bed and her room ransacked. Though police chalk it up to a botched robbery, Keri isn’t so sure. Whispers around town suggest Fiona wasn’t as adored as Keri had believed, and many of the philanthropist’s so-called friends in affluent Sunny Grove, Florida seem glad she’s gone.

Keri refuses to let Fiona’s memory be reduced to malicious gossip. Armed with a keen eye, insider access, and a fully charged tablet, she sets out to uncover the truth. Soon her file of suspects grows faster than her to-do list. Between sneaky neighbors, resentful relatives, and tight-lipped charity board members, Fiona left behind a trail of frenemies who’d happily skip her memorial brunch.

As Keri digs deeper, she discovers her late mentor had a gift for extracting people’s secrets and using them like fine china—carefully storing them until they could serve a purpose. But Fiona also kept a few skeletons in her own walk-in closet. Now, with danger creeping closer, Keri must race to crack the case before her number comes up next… and Murder Pays a Call. (Goodreads)

Review:

What a wonderful start to a new series. Murder Pays a Call is the first book in the Keri Armstrong Mysteries series.  I have read three books in Ms. Cohen’s Bad Hair Day series and I must say – I really enjoyed this new book and series (hopefully it will continue for awhile). I suspect at least in part it is that I am starting the series from book one

Keryn (Keri) Armstrong runs a personal concierge agency in Sunny Grove, Florida, with a large number of clientele. I believe this occupation of Keri’s will definitely lend itself to her being in many people’s lives and privy to loads and loads of information, which should bode well for an amateur sleuth

Fiona Sullivan is a favourite client of Keri’s. Fiona is a top influencer, mentor, and a dear friend.  Unfortunately, she is found dead when Keri drops by with Fiona’s groceries. This has definitely thrown Keri off. The police figure it is a robbery gone wrong, but Keri does not. So with her access to people, their homes, and the fact that people talk around her (after all – as the ‘hired help’, Keri is “invisible”). So Keri sets out to listen and learn about Fiona. While Keri idolized Fiona, this is not so in Fiona’s world – in fact – there are many people who were definitely not a fan of Fiona! As Keri works through her potential suspect list, names are added as well as taken off. Here is hoping Keri can figure out ‘whodunit’ before the suspect puts Keri in their crosshairs!

Having read many cozy mysteries, I was pleasantly surprised to read that the main protagonist ran a personal concierge agency – certainly a departure from the cozies I have been reading. That definitely added a new element and kept this formulaic genre a wee bit fresher and interesting

There are numerous characters in this book that brought hutzpah to the storyline – especially Purdy. Purdy is a bit sassy (in a good way) with Keri, and this is surprising since Keri is his boss. But I quite enjoyed the banter between the two. And when Keri needed emotional support after discovering Fiona’s body – Purdy was there.

Murder Pays a Call kept me captivated throughout, and I was pretty well in the dark as to ‘whodunit’ until the end, given the sufficient number of suspects and twists and turns throughout the book – just the way I like my cozy mysteries.

An auspicious beginning to a new series, and I can’t wait to continue the journey with Keri. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, then Murder Pays a Call should be added to your reading pile for future fun and enjoyment.

Murder at the Scottish Games

Scottish Shire Mystery #7

By Traci Hall

ISBN 9781496754677

Author’s website: tracihall.com

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Synopsis:

The Highland Games have taken over the quaint seaside village of Nairn, Scotland—and the life of sweater shop owner, knitting enthusiast, and busy single mom Paislee Shaw…especially when a killer enters the competition!

Paislee Shaw is no stranger to managing tricky tangles, but mid-August spins her world into more chaos than she ever could have imagined. Between her teenage son’s moody antics, friends making life-changing decisions, and the looming Nairn Highland Games, evenings with fellow crafters of the Knit and Sip crew are her one escape. But when she joins the games’ organizing committee, Paislee is instantly plunged into a whirlwind of clashing personalities and scandalous mishaps . . . 

The festivities unravel faster than a dropped stitch when heavy throwing competitor Artie Whittle is accused of cheating—and his ill-tempered father is found murdered the next day. With Artie unconscious and pegged as the prime suspect, Paislee and DI Zeffer team up to untangle the truth. Navigating a cast of unusual suspects—from jealous judges to grudge-holding locals—Paislee must weave together clues hidden amidst caber tosses, kilts, and a killer who only plays to win . . . (From Goodreads)

Review:

The engaging characters pulled me into this delightful cozy mystery set in the seaside village of Nairn, Scotland. Especially after reading this series, I would love to see Scotland. The festivals and competitions have been particularly interesting. The late summer days, temperatures, the beauty of the Moray Firth, and the games made it sound so inviting!

Spending time with Paislee, her son Brody, and her grandfather, Angus, was a pleasure. Paislee is a hard-working single mom and owner of a yarn and bespoke items shop. Her son, Brody, has reached the awkward age of thirteen, and her grandfather, Angus, was resisting a visit to the doctor for what was diagnosed as pneumonia. I met several of the characters in prior books, such as Lydia, Paislee’s bestie, Meri, who prefers bagpipe events and groups, and Detective Inspector Mack Zeffer, who has been at the local police station for several years. Most of Nairn residents and many tourists would be at the Nairn Highland Games.

Brody entered one of the games, but was injured just before it began. His bones have ached from “growing pains”, his height had shot up and he hadn’t yet adapted to his larger feet. Brody is beginning to notice – and be noticed by – girls. Other participants, organizers, and observers made for an eclectic, quirky gathering of all ages.

Rhona, one of Paislee’s shop assistants, had been dating Artie, a competitor in the games, for several months. Rhona’s mother, Petra, wanted her to date someone with a better background and financial position, but Artie already captured her heart.

There were spats amongst the committee members who organized the games. Then, someone called in an anonymous tip that there could be doping – steroid use – at the games, further causing organizers to be on edge.

The caber toss was the last game Artie entered. When he wasn’t working or doing chores, he practiced. A lot. Someone, however, sabotaged his ability to compete. The tree resin in his jar that helped grip the smooth caber was switched out with a slippery substance, preventing him from the firm hold required. On his last caber throw, it broke and flew in a direction that could have hurt or killed his mother, Gemma, and other fans. He and his father, Joseph, had made the caber, so he was accused of cheating on its materials. Joseph, who constantly bullied Gemma and Artie, spewed ugly insults to Artie.

Monday morning, Paislee gave Rhona a ride to Artie’s, since he had missed their Sunday date. They found both Artie and Joseph covered in blood. Artie was unconscious, and Joseph was dead. Had Artie finally snapped and killed his father? Did Gemma, after seeing Joseph dance suggestively with a woman he was having an affair with? Few people were fond of Joseph, but who else would be angry enough to murder him?

Artie, suffering a head wound requiring emergency surgency, finally regained consciousness to learn that he was the primary suspect in Joseph’s death. Rhona was absolutely certain Artie was innocent, as was his mother. Rhona knew all about murders Paislee had helped solve in the past, and asked for her help to find who really killed him. Paislee would help as much as she could squeeze into her over-busy life. Along with her yarn shop, Paislee made many cashmere knit goods to sell at Ramsey Castle gift shop. Brody’s new school term had started, at a different school. And Detective Inspector Zeffer asked her a question about the secret she most closely guarded, and he wouldn’t stop prying. For the first time since she was pregnant with Brody, she had let down her guard to possibly have more than a friendship with a man…but he crossed a boundary and she told him to never talk to her again.

This was an intriguing and challenging mystery, with red herrings I quickly threw back into the firth. It was difficult to determine just one suspect with a man who was disliked by most of the community. Who would gain by his death? His wife and son would, purely by the peace in their home. Paislee had few leads, and the police had little evidence. The author’s writing wastes no words on inconsequential events or conversations. It is intense, and it is excellent. The ending and resolutions were satisfying, and I highly recommend this cozy mystery and series, especially to those who appreciate needle crafts, Scotland, a potential romance, and highly engaging characters.