Cozy Mysteries discussion

Finished my reread of Summer by Edith Wharton, which was a classic group read for this month. As good as I remembered.

Now reading a YA novel, Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter. It’s a combination of romance, action and thriller.

Here's my 4.34 rounded to 4 stars review of An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Mystery / police procedural

Overall, this book was briskly paced, suspenseful, and gripping. This novel should delight those readers who enjoy police procedurals and mysteries that have a strong female lead character.

Just finished Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I really enjoyed it - a totally crazy mystery/thriller. Read it in one day!

My review for The Ship's Midwife by Peta Miller

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just finished a wonderful book, I gave it 5 stars.
Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt by Lucinda Riley. A wonderful ending to this series. Ties everything together. If you read this series you must read this book but read them in order.

Murder Beyond the Grave
James Patterson

My weekend readathon reviews:

One More Time by Mandy Magro

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Let's Play Make-Believe by James Patterson

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Murder in the Meadow by Faith Martin

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Marshlight by Joy Ellis

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 3.23 rounded to 3 stars review of Girls and Their Horses by Eliza Jane Brazier:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This mystery was a slow-burn suspenseful read with plenty of drama as well as great characterization and world-building. However, the book moved back and forth in time and switched points of view between five characters and nine interviews with a police detective. For me, this adversely affected the flow of the novel as well as my overall enjoyment.

My review for The Last Lifeboat by Hazel Gaynor

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My review for The Girl from Venice by Siobhan Daiko

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 4.59 rounded to 5 stars review of The Complete Gardener: A Practical, Imaginative Guide to Every Aspect of Gardening by Montagu Don:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My review for Next Girl Missing by L.A. Larkin

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

My review for The Last Orphan by Kate Hewitt

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

by Jodi Burnett

The Last Necromancer by C.J. Archer

My review for No Footprints in the Bush by Arthur W. Upfield

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finishing up the week with Murder on Madison Square by Victoria Thompson https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 3.28 rounded to 3 stars review of Her Dangerous Journey Home by Lee Swanson:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Historical fiction

Overall, it was entertaining with great characterization and world-building. However, the pacing in the first half was slow and the ending left too many threads open for me. Despite this, it's still an enjoyable read that is entertaining.

Here is my 4.21 rounded to 4 stars review of Ancient Guardian by Katie Reus:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Paranormal romantic suspense

Great characterization and world-building
Fun and entertaining

My review for Making Up Amanda by Rozzi Bazzani

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

As I finally had a weekend with no plans and nowhere to be, I intended to spend it on a hardcover book I don’t want to haul back and forth with me to work. Alas, that didn’t happen. I woke up yesterday feeling tired and achy and out of sorts, and not in the mood for that particular book. Which is okay. Some days are like that. Instead I read three short stories by Guy de Maupassant and three children’s books:

* Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
* Olivia by Ian Falconer
* The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

I confess, the first was to fulfill a reading challenge prompt of a book involving art, after seeing that someone else in the challenge had used it. Children’s books can be an easy way to cross off some prompts.

I also started another book for a classic group read, Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. I wasn’t planning to read this, but stumbled across a copy at work last month, so figured I would give it a shot. I’m about a quarter into it.

My review for Her Deadly Truth by L.A. Larkin

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here is my 3.78 rounded to 4 stars review of The Bone Riddle by Sara E. Johnson:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Forensics Mystery, Police Procedural

Phenomenal world-building and diverse characterization blended with a well-written narrative making this a novel that I advanced through effortlessly. The storyline is compelling in this unsettling thriller that has some alarming moments. The author did a great job of building suspense throughout the story and weaving the threads together.

My review for Summer of Mine by Fiona Lowe

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The last book I read few days ago was set immediately after World War II
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

Here is my review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Tiziana wrote: "The last book I read few days ago was set immediately after World War II
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer [bookcover:The Guerns..."


I loved that book and devoured it in two days, staying up late one night to finish it.

Heather L wrote: "I loved that book and devoured it in two days, staying up late one night to finish it."

It's a very nice book, love all the stories and being in good company with all those character, although it's not among my favorites.
Do you have read "The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan"? It's set during war time, light but even moving atmosphere.
It's a fictional story told through diaries and letters ... it's very beautiful indeed, with even just a little bit of mystery.
If you haven't read it I recommend it to you, I really think you'll like it :-)

I read both of these and loved them. I gave them both five stars, which I don't do too often. I'm hoping to run across another one that's similar. Not too much angst, heartwarming, community.

Meg wrote: " Not too much angst, heartwarming, community."

I love that genre too, I like those books set during the war that highlight feelings of mutual aid, resilience and rebirth after pain.
If they're written with a little bit of good humor it is even better :-)

I already have 2 other books by Jennifer Ryan in my wish-list, a friend recommended me The Kitchen Front and The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle and the plot looks very nice.

Last night I finished Acqua Alta by Donna Leon, set in Venice. I really like the MC, Commissario Brunetti; he's even-tempered, smart and a good guy all around. It was too graphic and violent for me, though, which is why I stretch this series out so much, and why I hop around. The series would appeal to readers who aren't squeamish like me, though, as the author is very good.

Tiziana wrote: "Heather L wrote: "I loved that book and devoured it in two days, staying up late one night to finish it."

It's a very nice book, love all the stories and being in good company with all those chara..."

I had not heard of the The Chilbury Ladies' Choir book, thanks.

Tiziana wrote: "Meg wrote: " Not too much angst, heartwarming, community."

I love that genre too, I like those books set during the war that highlight feelings of mutual aid, resilience and rebirth after pain.
I..."

Thanks, Tiziana, I've added those two books to my wish list!

My review for Kookaburra Cottage by Maya Linnell

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Meg wrote: "Thanks, Tiziana, I've added those two books to my wish list!"

Carrie wrote: "I really loved the Guernsey book and I had never heard of Jennifer Ryan before. I have added all three of her books to my TBR. Thanks for the recommendations, Tiziana!"

Meg and Carrie, you're welcome, it's a pleasure to exchange opinions and suggestions, that's the reason why we all are here, isn't it ? :-)

I've got a slightly early review of A Stolen Child by Sarah Stewart Taylor https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Heather L wrote: "Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson"

I love Harold!!

I just reread Harold's Purple Crayon Treasury, which contains five Harold adventures. I reached for it after finding (and reading) a copy of The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss. Crockett Johnson did the illustrations.

I also like Ellen's Lion. I read through that a few months ago.

** ** ** **

Sometimes kids books are the best!

I recently finished two books by Olivia Sinclair connected in an interesting way.

I first read Deal with the Devil, which started its life as a three-page bonus "excerpt" for readers of Sinclair's book Busted (which I read right after).

In Busted, the hero, Aiden, finds out he's been the model of a romance author's books -- more than 20 at the time. His sister, Linda, loves the author and happened across a old version of one of the books that mentions the hero having a very unusual tattoo, exactly like her brother's and in the same location. After looking at a few other books, she encourages him to read the books. He figures out who's hiding behind the pseudonym "Darla Simone" -- busted!

Olivia Sinclair provided a bonus for readers of Busted, an "excerpt" of the "Darla Simone" book, Deal with the Devil containing the scene with Aiden's tattoo. Fans wanted the whole story so Sinclair started posting it as a serial. Deal with the Devil is that serial compiled and edited for consistency.

So, technically, Deal with the Devil is a rom-com by fictional author Darla Simone as penned by Olivia Sinclair, author of Busted, wherein "Darla Siomone" is, well, busted.

Both books are enjoyable reads, but lacking.

** My Review of Deal with the Devil **
** My Review of Busted **

I am reading A Necessary Evil by Abir Mukherjee, book 2 in the series. Very well written. Set in 1920 India. I recommend reading book 1 first A Rising Man.

Karen wrote: "Sometimes kids books are the best!"

They really are! 😀

Here is my 4.63 rounded to 5 stars review of Taken Girls by Carolyn Arnold:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Gripping police procedural and crime thriller
Book 8 in the Detective Amanda Steele series

My review for The Magpie's Sister by AA Kerri Turner

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Read this week:

* Trolls by Jan Lööf (Amazon/Goodreads incorrectly lists the author as Rolf Lidberg, who was actually the illustrator). Cute children’s book.

* Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, which was one of the classics group’s reads for this month. I wasn’t planning to read it, but then I happened across a copy in excellent condition at a thrift store, so I decided to give it a try. So many questions about what makes some people tick, what makes them do the (sometimes idiotic) things they do. It was good, and it helps me tick off another Popsugar prompt for this year (a book with a map).

Closing out the week with Racing the Light by Robert Crais https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Heather L wrote: "Read this week:

* Trolls by Jan Lööf (Amazon/Goodreads incorrectly lists the author as Rolf Lidberg, who was actually the illustrator). Cute children’s book.

* [book:Into the Wild..."

I fixed that Heather, so Jan will show as the author, and Rolf the illustrator. But it'll take some time to show correctly because of caching..

Thanks, Brenda!

My review for A Scrap of Silk by Virginia King

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Heather L wrote: "Thanks, Brenda!"

You're welcome :)

Here is my 4.54 rounded up to 5 stars review of Dead Man's Wake by Paul Doiron:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

crime thriller and police investigation

Overall, this fast-paced novel was engaging, gripping, and atmospheric with good characterization and great world-building details.

My review for The French Agent by Belinda Alexandra

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Housemaid
I just finished reading this book
Was a good lil break from the sweetness of the cozy books