More July Reviews

Here are a few Berkley Mystery releases for the month of July:

CLOAKED IN MALICE A Vintage Magic Mystery by Annette Blair. ISBN: 978-0-425-25143-0 July 2012  There is nothing Maddie loves more than fabulous vintage clothes, but the visions she gets while touching them are starting to wear her down. But when a beautifully dressed girl comes into her shop claiming to not know who she is, Maddie isn't about to turn her away. It must be because she looks so much like her friend Dolly Sweet. When Maddie touches Paisley Skye's childhood cloak, she is given the view of a horrible kidnapping and murder. What Maddie does next reveals more than her clothing.

CLOAKED IN MALICE is a page turning thriller. A wonderful addition to this series, Annette Blair once again finds the perfect mix of paranormal and real life mystery. This book will lead you on dead ends, twisting roads, and unbelievable endings. I enjoyed every single page. This story is a must have for the summer months.

Reviewed by: Kathy Fisher
Rating: 4.0



MURDER FOR CHOIR A Glee Club Mystery by Joelle Charbonneau. ISBN: 978-0-425-25137-9 July 2012.  A first in a new series release! Even as a struggling opera singer, Paige Marshall has never seen anything like the competition of a high school show choir. As their new coach, she is getting an icy reception from students who doubt her skills. Her best male singer is suspected of killing the coach of their schools fiercest rival choir. For Paige to clear his name, she will have to sort through the suspects and try to avoid the person who wants her to go out on a sour note.

MURDER FOR CHOIR is a new series that starts off in an intriguing way. There is a lot of the story that can be gotten into, with Paige's history, and her meshing with her current position. This story line has more paths than a spider vein. Paige is a super slueth who is not afraid to put herself in danger in order to get to the bottom of things. A few times I could feel my heart pumping to see if she would escape a harrowing situation. I am eager to see how this series pans out.

Reviewed by: Kathy Fisher
Rating: 3.0


RED VELVET REVENGE A Cupcake Bakery Mystery by Jenn McKinlay. ISBN: 978-0-425-25138-6 July 2012. It may be summertime but the sales at Fair Tale Cupcakes are below zero. The owners Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura are willing to try anything. So when local legend Slim Hazard offers them the chance to sell their cupcakes at the annual Juniper Pass Rodeo, they are in. But not every one is as sweet as Slim, including star bull rider Ty Stokes. Mel and Angie are trying to steer clear of him, but when his dead body is found facedown in the hay, it's a whole different rodeo.

RED VELVET REVENGE will leave you hungry for a treat and more of the likeable characters. This story line flows like buttercream frosting. With each step forward in figuring out the mystery, Mel and Angie are met with obstacles that they graciously dodge. It is like reading about your best friends without having to get your hands dirty. Plus with the yummy recipes, this one is a winner!

Reviewed by: Kathy Fisher
Rating: 4.0


MURDER ON THE HALF SHELF A Booktown Mystery by Lorna Barrett. ISBN: 978-0-425-24775-4 July 2012. Stoneham, New Hampshire, has a lot of cute little shops like Tricia's but is lacking in bed and breakfasts. Pippa and Jon Comfort's Sheer Comfort Inn opens in a week and the couple has offered some locals a free night as a trial run. And boy does it become a trial. Pippa is murdered and her husband Jon, is actually Harry Tyler, a man Tricia loved and has believed was dead for the past twenty years. Now Harry is the main suspect, but Tricia doesn't believe he is capable of murder. Even though he has led a life of lies, it appears Pippa was not an innocent bystander.

MURDER ON THE HALF SHELF is full of surprises. This story line will not disappoint you for a great summertime read. The hilarious relationship between Tricia and her sister, Tricia finding another dead body, and then the shock of seeing Harry alive will keep you intrigued throughout the pages. Reading this one will not leave you disappointed.

Reviewed by: Kathy Fisher
Rating: 4.0