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Review for January 2020 Theme: Serious About Series
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Thin Ice - Paige Shelton
Alaska Wild series Book #1
4★
A good story with an unusual location but I thought that in the end there were still more questions than answers. Since this was the first book in the series hopefully the next one will provide more answers.
Book 1 of an new series
Silence - Thomas Perry
Jack Till series Book #1
3★
I don't believe that it was his best book.but it was still enjoyable. Some of the characters need more depth and more information about who they were and why they did some of the things they did. For example: Are there really husbands that make bargains to go off to the other side of the country with paid female surrogates? Do said surrogates hang around for years waiting in case they get a chance to go off with the husband...who actually brings the kids with him??? I also would have liked to have known why the bad guys were so eager to kill Wendy although there were times that I would have happily killed her for them. Oh...where in the world do you find a "tango-dancing assassin"? Not a bad book but not as good as The Butcher's Boy.
Book 1 of a new series
Mod
Grace Takes Off – Julie Hyzy – 2.5**
Book four in the Manor House Mystery series has Grace and her boss and benefactor, Bennett Marshfield, traveling to Italy to visit one of Bennett’s long-term friends. Grace is getting on my nerves. She has the worst taste in men and, despite her “experience” solving crimes, never seems to pick out the culprit early enough to avoid more danger. Oh well, cozy mysteries are still my reading snack food of choice.
My full review HERE
by Scott ReintgenThe Nyxia Triad book #1
5 stars
Even though this is an old favorite I loved it even more the second time around. The characters truly blend together and the plot has almost more twists than I know what to do with. I absolutely love the sadistic nature of the entire story.
Full Review HERE
The Girl in the Woods - Gregg Olsen
Waterman & Stark series Book #1
4★
What begins as the mysterious discovery of a foot wearing pink nail polish quickly escalates into so much more. As Kendall Stark, the sheriff’s detective, and Birdy Waterman, the local pathologist, begin their investigation things seem odd but not as odd as they will become. I had read this book when it first came out but had forgotten most of it. One good thing about ageing is that you get to often be surprised over and over again:) If you like well thought out crime novels with well developed characters who all manage to be reasonable…rational… and entertaining…you should like this book as well as Gregg Olsen’s others.
Mod
The Little Beach Street Bakery – Jenny Colgan – 3***
This is a lovely chick-lit romance novel. Things don’t do smoothly for our heroine, but love will win in the end. It was a fast and enjoyable read full of colorful characters. First in a series set in the tidal coastal island off Cornwall coast.
My full review HERE
I dont know if this is technically considered part of the A Child Called "It" series, but it is the fourth book he has written about his abusive childhood. Too Close to Me: The Middle-Aged Consequences of Revealing a Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer
3 stars
I so wanted Dave to have a happy life after being rescued from a childhood of horrific abuse by his mother, but alas, this is not to be. He continues to struggle with relationships (2 failed marriages and still estranged from his brothers). I gave this book 3 stars because of the repetition of telling us about his abusive mother, which he has told us in his other books, although if you haven't read A Child Called It, you maybe dont already know about this. There were very little uplifting moments and he dwells too much on the people that dont believe he is telling the truth and his difficulties with getting his book published. If he writes another book, I hope he has found peace and happiness in his life.
Mod
Around the World In 80 Days – Jules Verne – 4****
One of the books in Verne’s series of “Extraordinary Voyages” begins when Phileas Fogg accepts a wager at his gentleman’s club. What a delight! I’ve seen movie adaptations, but the book is so much better. (Although, of course, there are some racial stereotypes that grate on the modern reader’s sensibilities.)
My full review HERE
Series--The Life Coach Mysteries #1)
3 stars
Cat Cooper finds herself divorced, so she sells her Marketing firm and moves to east Hampton where she becomes a life coach. To add more drama in her life she finds herself living in a neighborhood with a mean girl named Heather. Things turn ugly and Cat along with her best friend Gilley try and solve what happened.
Cat Cooper is the Sister of Abby Cooper from the Psychic Eye Mystery series and her best friend Gilley comes from the Ghost Hunter Mystery series. This is a fast moving story that kept my attention. If you have read the other books you have an idea of Cat and Gilley's personalities and this does help a bit on how they are going to react to situations.
Evil Games - Angela Marsons
D.I. Kim Stone series Book #2
5★
I loved everything about the first book, [Silent Scream], where we first met D.I. Kim Stone and her team that functions like a well oiled machine. Kim is such an interesting character. She sees things in black or white… there are no shades of grey. If someone is guilty they are guilty regardless of the circumstances. Kim believes in the system and that people should be held accountable for their crimes. The subject of this one was almost unbelievable…at least you hoped that it wasn’t possible…yet Angela Marsons made it work beautifully. In Alex…she has created the perfect adversary…one that the reader will love to hate…one who pushes Kim’s buttons and leads her into danger…which she can see but can’t avoid. The way they played off each other was very clever and made Alex a very chilling character. Kim Stone is going to find a permanent home on my bookshelf.
Koren wrote: "I dont know if this is technically considered part of the A Child Called "It" series, but it is the fourth book he has written about his abusive childhood. [book:Too Close to Me: The..."
I consider it to be a series book.
The Empty Bed – Nina Sadowsky
The Burial Society series Book #2
4.5
I found Catherine and her mysterious network to be impressively connected and intriguingly motivated. I thought the plot line that the Burial Society rescues people that find themselves in dangerous situations was fascinating and the author has build on this theme to produce an exciting, well done story. Catherine herself is an outstanding character that excels in empathy and efficiency. The short chapters make for easy reading and the action defies logic. It’s a whirlwind adventure through Hong Kong. I understand this is book#2 in the series so I will be looking for book #1. Some of the background from the first book would have gone a long way in aiding with understanding some of this one.
I received an advance copy of this book from Chronicle Books in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are entirely all my own.
The Doll's House - M.J. Arlidge
Helen Grace series Book #3
5★
Ruby wakes up in a strange room. Her captor calmly explains that no one is looking for her. No one wants her. Except him. When the body of a woman is found buried on a secluded beach, Detective Helen Grace is called to the scene. She knows right away that the killer is no amateur. The woman has been dead for years, and no one has even reported her missing. But why would they? She’s still sending text messages to her family. Helen is convinced that a criminal mastermind is at work: someone very smart, very careful, and worst of all, very patient. But as she struggles to piece together the killer’s motive, time is running out for a victim who is still alive.
I don't know how I missed this one since I've read all the others. Glad I discovered it and corrected that mistake. I can't say that any one of the Helen Grace books is my favorite since I loved them all but this one comes very close to holding that place of honor. As usual in this series there is a serial killer in the story and this time he has Ruby...but she wasn't his first. A body has also been found buried on the beach that is at least 3 years old and has been determined that it is more of his work. No one has been real concerned about the missing girls since they were getting text messages on a regular basis. It's a good story and well told with enough excitement to keep the reader involved in the search and race against time.
Mod
Here Today, Gone Tamale – Rebecca Adler – 2**
First in a series, starring former big-city reporter Josie Callahan, who’s helping her Aunt and Uncle in their TexMex restaurant while trying to figure out her own next move. As cozies go, this is okay, but the plot is weak. I did like a number of the supporting cast, including her pet long-haired Chihuahua, Lenny. But I was irritated beyond words that the publishers and/or author didn’t bother to use the proper spellings / alphabet for Spanish words that are used – e.g. Senora vs Señora. That’s just lazy. And it lost a full star because of that.
My full review HERE
Mod
The Accidental Further Adventures of the Hundred-Year-Old Man – Jonas Jonasson – 3.5***
The scenarios are every bit as ridiculous, outlandish, and unbelievable as in the first book, but I just love the way Allan just “goes with the flow.” It’s a fast, fun, romp of a novel that had me giggling in places.
My full review HERE
The Magpie Tree - Katherine Stansfield
Cornish Mystery series Book #2
4.5★
Loved the atmosphere of this story. It created a dark and macabre atmosphere that any spooky mystery lover could appreciate. The woods are dark and mysterious and the sounding of a bell when danger arises could be that of the long dead St. Nectan...or simply the warning bell from the nearby slate quarry that blasting is about to take place. Beautiful descriptions throughout as we follow Anna and Shilly to a hidden valley where magic has spirited away a child. The story draws heavily on folk tales and your vivid imagination. The only thing I found a bit taxing was the use of Cornish phrases that were unfamiliar to me. This is the second book in the Cornish Mystery series and I am off to find the first book.
Mod
Scent To Her Grave – India Ink – 2.5**
Beginning of a new series starring Persia Vanderbilt, who runs the local bath and body store in Gull Harbor, WA. I liked the basic premise and Persia's skill with scents and botanicals. I also liked the slow-burn potential romance. On the other hand, the mystery was a little weak IMHO and the ending seemed rushed.
My full review HERE
Mod
An Irish Country Doctor – Patrick Taylor – 4****
Taylor tells the tale of a young physician learning the ropes from an older, wiser, well-established practitioner in an Irish village, in the mid-1960s. I’ve heard this described as “James Herriot for people” and I think that’s a perfect description. Some scenarios are quite humorous, and others are tender and heartfelt. A very entertaining book.
My full review HERE
Mod
The Diva Haunts the House – Krista Davis – 3***
Book five in the cozy series featuring Domestic Diva Sophie Winston and her rival Natasha. There’s no lack of suspects, and plenty of costumed vampires around to confuse everyone from the police to the amateur sleuths. I like the decorating tips at the beginning of each chapter. And the recipes at the end were a nice addition. All told, an entertaining cozy mystery.
My full review HERE
Series- A Dog's Purpose Puppy Tales
5 stars
Ellie is trained from a early age to become a search and rescue dog. This wonderful heartwarming story is narrated by Ellie herself and through her eyes you see love, joy and bits of horror. and she is not just saving strangers she is saving her handlers, Jakob and Maya too. Great book for preteens, young adults and adults.
by Cindy Woodsmallbook 3 in the Sisters of the Quilt series
from my library's catalog: When Hannah Lapp reluctantly returns to the Old Order Amish community that she grew up in in order to help her sister, she is torn between her new life and love in the outside world and life in the community with her first love.
my thoughts: An enjoyable read about a young woman who left her Old Order Amish community. The story focuses on the main character being caught between her Amish roots and the modern community she was forced to find a life in. I enjoyed the character development of Hannah as she realizes who she truly is as an independent woman.
by Anne Ricebook 2 in the Songs of Seraphim series
2 stars
from my library's catalog: In fifteenth century Rome, Toby O'Dare, a recently retired government assassin, receives a visit from the angel Malchiah. The heavenly figure instructs O'Dare to solve a grisly murder. But during the investigation, O'Dare discovers that the city is being haunted by an ancient demon and that solving the murder may have disastrous consequences for all of Rome.
my thoughts: I enjoyed the historical aspect of the story when Toby visits Rome. But, I really wasn't interested in the rest of the story. I think what I liked most were the descriptions of Rome, because the rest of the story fit too easily together. Toby arrives and everything magically seemed to fall into place perfectly. I struggled to keep my attention on the story.
by Elizabeth Georgebook 12 in the Inspector Lynley series
4 stars
from my library's catalog: An isolated beach on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel is the scene of the murder of Guy Brouard, one of Guernsey's wealthiest inhabitants and its main benefactor. Forced as a child to flee the Nazis in Paris, Brouard was engaged in his latest project when he died: a museum in honor of those who resisted the German occupation of the island during World War II. It is from this period of time that his murderer may well have come. But there are others on Guernsey with reason to want Guy Brouard dead: his wives, his business associates, his current mistress, the underprivileged teenagers he mentored--any of whom might have harbored a secret motive for murder. As family and friends gather for the reading of the will, Deborah and Simon St. James find that seemingly everyone on the history-haunted island has something to hide. And behind all the lies and alibis, a killer is lurking. In order to bring this person to justice, the St. James must delve into Guernsey's dark history--both past and present--and into the troubled psyche of someone who may have exacted retribution for the most unspeakable crime of all. In A Place of Hiding, bestselling novelist Elizabeth George marks new territory in the darker landscapes of human relationships. She tells a gripping, suspenseful story of betrayal and devotion, war and remembrance, love and loss...and the higher truths to which we must all ultimately answer.
my thoughts: This book started off slowly and it took a while to hold my interest. I should have trusted in Elizabeth George because she never fails to capture my attention with an unexpected twist. This book was no exception. I could have used more Thomas Lynley in the story, but I was happy with what I got. Deborah St. James annoyed me through most of the book, but I still enjoyed the read.
Mod
The Milagro Beanfield War – John Nichols – 5*****
In a New Mexico valley the power is held by one man and his company; they own most of the land and virtually all the water rights. Until one day, Joe Mondragon decides to cut a trench in the irrigation ditch, diverting some of that water onto his late father’s beanfield. I've had this book on my TBR "radar" for a bajillion years and I don't know why I waited so long to read it. I really liked it a lot! The quirky characters, the message, the humor, the pathos, and the landscape all made this an especially moving book for me.
My full review HERE
Mod
Hannah’s Dream – Diane Hammond – 3.5***
This was a heartwarming story and I really enjoyed it. But then, if a book has an elephant in it, I’m bound to be a fan. I really liked Sam, his wife Corina, and Neva Wilson, the young zookeeper who comes to help care for Hannah. And I loved Hannah!
My full review HERE
In A House of Lies - Ian Rankin
John Rebus series Book #22
4.5★
I have been a long time fan of the Rebus series but for some reason have missed a couple of issues. This one comes a couple of years after the 2 that I have yet to read but I often read out of order. I found my hero, John Rebus retires and not in the best of heath. Something new for John and a bit worrisome for the reader since I began to wonder if Ian Rankiin was planning to close out this series. I also found that another character, Michael Fox was being highlighted more...that was also disturbing since I never cared for this character from the first time he stuck his head in one of John's cases. I cringed a bit as this older version of Rebus keeps trying to edge in... get inf...and drop tips....but we can see that he's still got the right stuff. Hopefully Rankin will have his heart in the right place and keep John Rebus going.
One Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service - Rhys Bowen
Her Royal Spyness series #11
4 stars
This is another fun, charming episode in this series. A great tonic to the more serious non-fiction books I've been reading lately.
This time, as Georgie is leaving to visit Belinda in Italy, the Queen asks her to attend a gathering at a villa where the Prince of Wales will be. Unfortunately, also attending are some of Hitler's and Mussolini's men. Blackmailing, secret meetings, and murders ensue...
- The Poacher's Son- Paul Doiron
Mike Bowditch series - #1
4+ stars
This series was recommended to me because I've liked C.J. Box (also with game wardens) and William Kent Krueger. Like those, the characters are interestingly flawed and nature is essential.
Mike Bowditch is finally a game warden in northern Maine, a job he's always wanted, but then he sits some serious road bumps. His long-time girlfriend didn't seem to want to live as a poor game warden's wife, a bear is attacking homes, a big corporation plans to replace forest with houses, and his father (a rather violent bear of a man) is accused of murder and goes on the run. Mike, sure his father wouldn't set up a planned murder, is soon battling with law enforcement, old acquaintances, and himself.
Gallows View - Peter Robinson
Inspector Banks #1
4+ stars
I really enjoyed this introductory mystery novel about Inspector Alan Banks and will definitely continue. No time to discuss now.
Sins of the Fathers - J.A. Jance
J.P. Beaumont # 24
4 stars
Another J.A. Jance mystery that kept me reading. This one, back with JP Beaumont, is better than some of the latest I've read from her.
J. P. Beaumont is asked to find a young woman who recently gave birth, left her daughter at the hospital, and disappeared. Her estranged father has come to Seattle to take care of his granddaughter and find his daughter. It gets complicated.
As usual, Jance's mystery is basically a police procedural...this time a private investigator procedural. With help from police, neighbors, DNA specialists, lawyers, a mission reverend and others, Beaumont works through the cases.
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Books mentioned in this topic
Sins of the Fathers (other topics)Gallows View (other topics)
The Poacher's Son (other topics)
On Her Majesty's Frightfully Secret Service (other topics)
In a House of Lies (other topics)
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Our January theme:
Start, resume or end a series
The theme was suggested by SouthWestZippy.
Be sure to let us know how your book fits the theme if it's not evident from the book title / description.
Enjoy!
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