MURDER OF THE CAT'S MEOW A Scumble River Mystery by Denise Swanson. ISBN: 978-0-451-23781-1. Skye is convinced that her house is haunted and her fiance will never be able to stay there. She is determined to get the ghost out, so Wally can move in. But before that happens, she is called to the bowling alley where a riled up contestant is choking a cat show judge for insulting his feline. The scuffle is broken up but the next morning the judge is found dead. Now Skye has to put her sleuthing skills to the test. Cat style. Skye is a likeable character who seems like everyones best friend. This is a witty read that will leave you cracking up.
Rating: 3.0
LAST WOOL AND TESTMENT A Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery by Molly MacRae. ISBN: 978-0-451-23782-8. The first in a new series! Kath Rutledge has taken over her departed grandmother's fabric store, the Weaver's Cat. Upon arriving to town, Kath finds out there has been a murder and her grandmother was the prime suspect. Before she can clear Ivy's name, Kathy encounters a looming presence in the form of a gloomy ghost. It turns out this spectator wants to solve the murder from beyond and Kath is more than willing to let him try. A great beginning to a new series that focuses on family and friendship. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book. A solid read.
Rating: 3.0
Reviewed by: Kathy Fisher
Friday, September 28, 2012
September Mystery reads
The Sept reads were great this year. There are so many good ones to choose from! Here are a few recaps of those I finished recently.
These are Berkley releases:
BUFFALO BILL'S DEAD NOW A Wind River Mystery by Margaret Coel. ISBN: 978-0-425-25271-0. If you enjoy Native American themed books, this one is for you. The regalia of Chief Black Heart in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show are being returned to his people. But the cartons are empty and art collector Trevor Pratt believes theives stole them in route. Vicky and Father John think Trevor knows more than he is telling and when he winds up dead, they know their instincts were correct. While trying to track down the stolen goods, they will also have to untagle a weave of lies that have tied two Arapaho familes together. This is a fast paced, emotional story that will entrance the reader from beginning to end.
Rating: 4.0
THE DARLING DAHLIAS AND THE CONFEDERATE ROSE by Susan Wittig Albert. ISBN: 978-0-425-24776-1. A small town mystery story set in the south during the Depression era, the Darling Dahlias are an eclectic group of women who stand beside each other through thick and thin. Mostly thin during this time. When one of their own is thought to be the source of a theivery at the bank, each one closes ranks to protect her. The strength of families during this time is amazing and those of us that live now, could learn a thing or two about stretching our resources, standing up for a true cause, and protecting those we care most about. A good solid read.
Rating: 3.0
DEATH WITH A BOW An Accessories Mystery by Grace Carroll. ISBN: 978-0-425-25156-0. Things have not been stellar for Rita lately. Her job is great but her love life is at a stand still. And then the upscale botique she works at hires a new sales girl. Who is all that in a neat and tidy package. Shoved in the back room to answer phones, Rita is not happy. But is she mad enough to kill? Some think so when she is the one to find the new girl dead on the sales floor. Rita better start with a good sales pitch, and fast! This is a cute read with a lot of fun fashion advice. A breath of freshness in the mystery world.
Rating: 4.0
WALL-TO-WALL DEAD A Do-It-Yourself Mystery by Jennie Bentley. ISBN:978-0-425-25556-8. Avery and her partner, Derek, are fixing up a cute little condo. They bargained for a quick flip, not a nosey neighbor. When the busybody ends up dead, Avery suspects foul play and soon everyone is a suspect. It seems some people have deep secrets. But are any of them worth killing over? Hopefully Avery finds out before she ends up on the receiving end. A sweet mystery with a little romance added in. The characters all mesh together well and are fun to learn more about.
Rating: 3.0
DEATH WHERE THE BAD ROCKS LIVE A Spirit Road Mystery by C.M. Wendelboe. ISBN: 978-0-425-25611-4. FBI agent Manny Tanno thought he had left his tribe and the reservation behind him years ago. But now, he finds himself back at the beginning and knows you can never fully escape your past. In Badlands National Park, there is a place that was used as a bombing range. The Lakota refer to it as the Stronghold. Sixty five years later, the Sioux tribe would like any remaining ammunition defused in the Stronghold. When the company finds human remains near a live bomb, Tanno and the tribal police are called to investigate. As the body is removed, two more are found. The remains are close together but happened years apart. What really happens in the Stronghold? Tanno has to delve back into his own past to find out what is going on in the present. A strong read about the intricate tribal lives on a reservation. The insight into these proud, magnificent people is rewarding. Tanno is a down to earth hero. This story will suck you in quickly.
Rating: 4.5
MURDER UNMENTIONALBE A Sweet Nothings Lingerie Mystery by Meg London. ISBN: 978-0-425-25157-7. Emma abandoned her life as a big city fashionista to help her aunt Arabella breathe new life into her old store, Sweet Nothings. As she settles back into Paris, Tennessee, Emma begins to breathe easily. Until her old life collides with her new one in the form of her ex. When he is found dead inside the door of Sweet Nothings, Emma will need to put on her pantyhose and figure out what is going on. A neat story about vintage unmentionables and the betrayal of a friend.
Rating: 3.0
TREACHEROUS TOYS A Renaissance Faire Mystery by Joyce and Jim Lavene. ISBN: 978-0-42525158-4. Jessie Morton is back at the Renaissance Faire Village working as an apprentice to the new toy maker. But when Chris Christmas is found dead just hours after her arrival, Jessie's holiday plans begin to melt away. It's just like her to try to unwrap a mystery. This series is so much fun! A world away from the world, at the Villiage, people live their jobs. The reader never knows what is going to happen, who is going to show up, or what secrets will be revealed. A lively read!
Rating: 4.0
HOW TO TAIL A CAT A Cats and Curios Mystery by Rebecca M. Hale. ISBN: 978-0-425-25129-4. An albino alligator is loose in San Francisco, which is exciting news. But Rupert and Isabella have better things to do. Who cares that they are cats, they have a more important job such as helping to look into the mysterious Steinhart brothers. They were 1900's era benefactors who provided hte orignal funding for hte alligator's aquarium. And to get to the bottom of it, Oscar's niece needs to follow the money, even when it leads to unsavory places. This is a fun read where the cats help solve the mysteries unearthing the biggest clues. A good read for cat lovers everywhere.
Rating: 3.0
All books reviewed by Kathy Fisher
These are Berkley releases:
BUFFALO BILL'S DEAD NOW A Wind River Mystery by Margaret Coel. ISBN: 978-0-425-25271-0. If you enjoy Native American themed books, this one is for you. The regalia of Chief Black Heart in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show are being returned to his people. But the cartons are empty and art collector Trevor Pratt believes theives stole them in route. Vicky and Father John think Trevor knows more than he is telling and when he winds up dead, they know their instincts were correct. While trying to track down the stolen goods, they will also have to untagle a weave of lies that have tied two Arapaho familes together. This is a fast paced, emotional story that will entrance the reader from beginning to end.
Rating: 4.0
THE DARLING DAHLIAS AND THE CONFEDERATE ROSE by Susan Wittig Albert. ISBN: 978-0-425-24776-1. A small town mystery story set in the south during the Depression era, the Darling Dahlias are an eclectic group of women who stand beside each other through thick and thin. Mostly thin during this time. When one of their own is thought to be the source of a theivery at the bank, each one closes ranks to protect her. The strength of families during this time is amazing and those of us that live now, could learn a thing or two about stretching our resources, standing up for a true cause, and protecting those we care most about. A good solid read.
Rating: 3.0
DEATH WITH A BOW An Accessories Mystery by Grace Carroll. ISBN: 978-0-425-25156-0. Things have not been stellar for Rita lately. Her job is great but her love life is at a stand still. And then the upscale botique she works at hires a new sales girl. Who is all that in a neat and tidy package. Shoved in the back room to answer phones, Rita is not happy. But is she mad enough to kill? Some think so when she is the one to find the new girl dead on the sales floor. Rita better start with a good sales pitch, and fast! This is a cute read with a lot of fun fashion advice. A breath of freshness in the mystery world.
Rating: 4.0
WALL-TO-WALL DEAD A Do-It-Yourself Mystery by Jennie Bentley. ISBN:978-0-425-25556-8. Avery and her partner, Derek, are fixing up a cute little condo. They bargained for a quick flip, not a nosey neighbor. When the busybody ends up dead, Avery suspects foul play and soon everyone is a suspect. It seems some people have deep secrets. But are any of them worth killing over? Hopefully Avery finds out before she ends up on the receiving end. A sweet mystery with a little romance added in. The characters all mesh together well and are fun to learn more about.
Rating: 3.0
DEATH WHERE THE BAD ROCKS LIVE A Spirit Road Mystery by C.M. Wendelboe. ISBN: 978-0-425-25611-4. FBI agent Manny Tanno thought he had left his tribe and the reservation behind him years ago. But now, he finds himself back at the beginning and knows you can never fully escape your past. In Badlands National Park, there is a place that was used as a bombing range. The Lakota refer to it as the Stronghold. Sixty five years later, the Sioux tribe would like any remaining ammunition defused in the Stronghold. When the company finds human remains near a live bomb, Tanno and the tribal police are called to investigate. As the body is removed, two more are found. The remains are close together but happened years apart. What really happens in the Stronghold? Tanno has to delve back into his own past to find out what is going on in the present. A strong read about the intricate tribal lives on a reservation. The insight into these proud, magnificent people is rewarding. Tanno is a down to earth hero. This story will suck you in quickly.
Rating: 4.5
MURDER UNMENTIONALBE A Sweet Nothings Lingerie Mystery by Meg London. ISBN: 978-0-425-25157-7. Emma abandoned her life as a big city fashionista to help her aunt Arabella breathe new life into her old store, Sweet Nothings. As she settles back into Paris, Tennessee, Emma begins to breathe easily. Until her old life collides with her new one in the form of her ex. When he is found dead inside the door of Sweet Nothings, Emma will need to put on her pantyhose and figure out what is going on. A neat story about vintage unmentionables and the betrayal of a friend.
Rating: 3.0
TREACHEROUS TOYS A Renaissance Faire Mystery by Joyce and Jim Lavene. ISBN: 978-0-42525158-4. Jessie Morton is back at the Renaissance Faire Village working as an apprentice to the new toy maker. But when Chris Christmas is found dead just hours after her arrival, Jessie's holiday plans begin to melt away. It's just like her to try to unwrap a mystery. This series is so much fun! A world away from the world, at the Villiage, people live their jobs. The reader never knows what is going to happen, who is going to show up, or what secrets will be revealed. A lively read!
Rating: 4.0
HOW TO TAIL A CAT A Cats and Curios Mystery by Rebecca M. Hale. ISBN: 978-0-425-25129-4. An albino alligator is loose in San Francisco, which is exciting news. But Rupert and Isabella have better things to do. Who cares that they are cats, they have a more important job such as helping to look into the mysterious Steinhart brothers. They were 1900's era benefactors who provided hte orignal funding for hte alligator's aquarium. And to get to the bottom of it, Oscar's niece needs to follow the money, even when it leads to unsavory places. This is a fun read where the cats help solve the mysteries unearthing the biggest clues. A good read for cat lovers everywhere.
Rating: 3.0
All books reviewed by Kathy Fisher
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Christian Police Romance reviewed
ABDUCTED
Janice Cantore
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
ISBN# 978-1-4143-5848-2
August 2012
Christian Romance
Second in the series, ABDUCTED follows officer Carly Edwards as she adjusts to refocusing on her new relationship with her ex-husband, Nick. Also added, she has to figure out what's going on with her best friend and roommate, Andi, who seems to have some anger and resentment towards Carly. As new Christians, she and Nick have focused on trying to get close again, but instead he starts pulling away, seemingly because of his injury. Now Carly's partner, Joe, and his wife have their baby kidnapped from the hospital. As Carly tries to find the baby, she connects with reporter Alex, who while nice enough and a good friend, keeps asking her out. Carly has to look toward God for guidance and faith that things will happen as they are meant to, even at the bleakest moments.
Not having read the first one, there was the unfortunate side-tracking of trying to piece things together from the first book (Nick's affair that led to their divorce) and other less major events, but it wasn't enough to detract from the story. Face paced and full of emotional turmoil for Carly, it is a nice romance, mixed in with a little police-drama, that makes for a good Christian read.
Reviewed by: Jennifer Jones
Rating: 3
Janice Cantore
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
ISBN# 978-1-4143-5848-2
August 2012
Christian Romance
Second in the series, ABDUCTED follows officer Carly Edwards as she adjusts to refocusing on her new relationship with her ex-husband, Nick. Also added, she has to figure out what's going on with her best friend and roommate, Andi, who seems to have some anger and resentment towards Carly. As new Christians, she and Nick have focused on trying to get close again, but instead he starts pulling away, seemingly because of his injury. Now Carly's partner, Joe, and his wife have their baby kidnapped from the hospital. As Carly tries to find the baby, she connects with reporter Alex, who while nice enough and a good friend, keeps asking her out. Carly has to look toward God for guidance and faith that things will happen as they are meant to, even at the bleakest moments.
Not having read the first one, there was the unfortunate side-tracking of trying to piece things together from the first book (Nick's affair that led to their divorce) and other less major events, but it wasn't enough to detract from the story. Face paced and full of emotional turmoil for Carly, it is a nice romance, mixed in with a little police-drama, that makes for a good Christian read.
Reviewed by: Jennifer Jones
Rating: 3
Thursday, September 13, 2012
THE DARK EARL
THE DARK EARL
Virginia Henley
Signet Eclipse
ISBN: 978-0-451-23600-5
August 2012
Historical Romance
Thomas Anson is forced to watch as the home he loves is auctioned off to the highest bidder to pay for the debts of his father. Watching this he vows to restore his home at Shugborough no matter what it takes. In comes Harriet, the answer to his prayers. Harriet (nickname Harry) comes with a rather large dowry and is very attractive. Harriet however, only wants to marry for love. She is searching for the love that her parents have and will settle for nothing less. As time progresses Thomas begins to fall for Harriet but can he convince her that his love is the real deal?
This was my first read from Virginia Henley and I was not disappointed. The cover alone is tempting. Thomas was a little frustrating at times because he was very focused on restoring his home and lets that get in the way of his relationship with Harriet. If you like historical romances then you will like this book.
Reviewed by Tasha Taylor
Rating: 3
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
August read: THE BRIDE WORE PEARLS
THE BRIDE WORE PEARLS
Liz Carlyle
Avon Publishing
ISBN# 978-0-06-196577-7
After the death of her husband, Lady Anisha Stafford leaves India and returns to London with her two sons. She comes to be with her brother, who is a member of the secretive St. James Society. Rance Welham, the Earl of Lazonby, is sent to meet her and the chemistry between them is sizzling. Rance is trying to clear his name of murder, even though he's been cleared by the courts, he feels he needs to clear his name in public opinion. Rance knows he cannot have Anisha, because being seen with him would ruin her, but Anisha has other plans.
I would recommend the reader begin with one of the previous books before reading this one, or it could get confusing. Slow paced and delicately intertwined with mystery, this one sometimes gets bogged down. I found myself putting this down quite often and having a hard time getting back into it. Fans of Carlyle might enjoy this one, but it was a hard one for me to get through.
Reviewed by: Jennifer Jones
Rating: 2
Liz Carlyle
Avon Publishing
ISBN# 978-0-06-196577-7
After the death of her husband, Lady Anisha Stafford leaves India and returns to London with her two sons. She comes to be with her brother, who is a member of the secretive St. James Society. Rance Welham, the Earl of Lazonby, is sent to meet her and the chemistry between them is sizzling. Rance is trying to clear his name of murder, even though he's been cleared by the courts, he feels he needs to clear his name in public opinion. Rance knows he cannot have Anisha, because being seen with him would ruin her, but Anisha has other plans.
I would recommend the reader begin with one of the previous books before reading this one, or it could get confusing. Slow paced and delicately intertwined with mystery, this one sometimes gets bogged down. I found myself putting this down quite often and having a hard time getting back into it. Fans of Carlyle might enjoy this one, but it was a hard one for me to get through.
Reviewed by: Jennifer Jones
Rating: 2
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