Sleep Like a Baby

An Aurora Teagarden Mystery

by Charlaine Harris

Opening a new Aurora Teagarden mystery is like greeting an old friend after a long absence.  Upon discovery of this series, I consumed the first four in one weekend.  It was so much fun.  Was I excited Harris has revisited the series?  DUH!!  Now Aurora (Roe to her friends) and Robin have dipped their toes into parenthood.  As Robin flies off to an author’s award ceremony, Roe comes down with the flu and she is in desperate need of assistance with baby Sophie.  Roe wakes in the middle of the night to the highly unhappy wailing of her daughter only to discover her help is absent, there’s a body in her backyard and a storm is brewing.  Luckily Roe’s much younger, brother is available to help out.  On top of this mess, her mother’s new husband and Roe’s friend, John has had another heart attack and is in the hospital.  How is Roe going to get through this mess and still find her way around new motherhood? 

Harris is one of those authors that is versatile in her story telling.  She bounces from one storyline to the next.  Vampires, ghosts and murders.  One protagonist that you don’t want to meet in a dark alley and one struck by lightning.  Her characters are varied and she doesn’t often shy from bumping a few off.  If you are a fan of her Sookie Stackhouse series, you might want to give some of her other series a try.  I will give you fair warning, they are nothing like that one.  Each series stands alone.  What is life but a challenge, no?  Go on.  You know you want to. 

I wish to thank the publisher for generously providing an Advanced Reader’s Copy through NetGalley for my honest review.

Pub Date:  September 26, 2017

Pub: St. Martin’s Press

ISBN:  9781250090065

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Turkey Trot Murder

by Leslie Meier

We all want to believe that living in a small town will protect our children and keep our family and friends safe.  No drugs, no gangs, no murder.  Everyone gets along and you never need to lock your doors.  Lucy Stone is discovering that drugs are being sold at the nearby community college. Lucy stone is surprised when she learns of a drug problem on the campus of the community college.  Could this be what led Alison Franklin to mistakenly tread on the thin ice that led to her death?  Alison’s dad, the wealthy Ed Franklin, is blaming the influx of immigrants and targeting the new owner Rey Rodriguez and ‘his kind.’  Lucy’s afraid that things are changing in her little town and not for the better.  Not willing to leave things alone, Lucy is determined to figure out who is responsible for the trouble brewing in her town.

In her 24^th installment of the Lucy Stone series, Meier turns to the headlines and brings them into the town of Tinker’s Cove.  I don’t normally pick up books that rip themes from the well-trod news but Meier gives her protagonist a backbone and initiative to step up and create change and understanding of these pivotal issues.  She doesn’t get on a soap box and brow beat the issues.  They are treated fairly and diplomatically and wraps it up in a nice little cozy mystery.  Oh, don’t think for a minute that this isn’t gritty.  It has grit and substance but you will walk away with a good feeling of justice being served and friends uniting.

I want to thank the publisher for providing an advanced reader’s copy through NetGalley for my honest review.

Pub:  Kensington Publishing

Pub Date:  September 20, 2017

ISBN:  9781496710307

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Jane Unlimited
by Kristin Cashore

 "If anyone ever invites to you to Tu Reviens, promise me that you'll go." At the time Aunt Magnolia had asked this of Jane, she thought it was an odd request but relented.  Tu Reviens was one of the many places her former tutor, Kiran Thrash, called home.  Now her beloved aunt was dead and Kiran has invited her to Tu Reviens.  With nothing but her memories and her umbrellas, Jane accepts the invitation embarking on an adventure that only she can figure out where she wants it to end.

It has been a long wait for the next novel from Kristin Cashore and it has been well worth it.  Once again Cashore's skill at world building and her ability to entwine everyday life within them shines. Her new book offers adventures for everyone, not just Jane.   Is it a mystery, science fiction, fantasy, contemporary character/life story?  Cashore's fans will either be completely satisfied or utterly disappointed.  However, fans of true storytelling will extol the wonders of this new novel.  There is something for everyone in this story and the ending is truly satisfying.  

ISBN:  9780803741492

Publisher:  Penguin Group/Penguin Young Readers Group-Kathy Dawson Books

Publication Date: September 19, 2017

I want to thank the publisher for generously providing an Advanced Reader's Copy for my honest review. 

Doom with a View

A Merry Ghost Inn Mystery #2

by Kate Kingsbury

Sometimes you just need a light, fun book to take your mind off the news, your schedule and life in general.  Doom with a View hit the spot for me.  The second installment of the Merry Ghost Inn Mysteries.  The story isn’t heavy handed or dark.  Yes, there is a murder but it’s not overly described or gruesome.  The victim happens to be a curmudgeon and not popular with his other traveling companions.  Melissa and her grandmother, Liza, are not happy as this is yet another mishap to hit their B & B and they were hoping their reopening after a fire almost ended their endeavor into the hospitality field would go a little smoother.  Their run-ins with the local constabulary are anything but helpful.  However, they have a week to get to the bottom of the killing and they must stay out of the way of the lackluster detective assigned to the case.  There is mild romance, delicious recipes, and many quirky characters.  This isn’t heavy reading, nor deep thoughtful writing.  It is just a fun, delightful story.

I wish to thank the publisher for generously providing an Advanced Reader’s Copy through NetGalley for my honest review.

Pub: Crooked Lane Books

Pub Date: September 12, 2017

ISBN:  9781683312352

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Big Decisions

I’ve tried to keep my reviews ‘professional’ using the lingo professionals use when they talk about the books they read.  I’m not getting paid by journals and publishers to read and talk about their products.  Nor am I a person who spouts vindictively about any books I read.  I’m not going to pretend to find everything I read fits into my little shelf of preferred reading.  However, a person took the time to put those words onto paper to tell a story.  It may not float my boat, but there is someone out there who will enjoy it.  I like to find things that I can talk to people about and get them excited about the book even if I’m not. 

When I talk to people about what I’ve read, I don’t use the professional phrases.  I’m not a professional editor or publisher.  I’m just someone who loves to read books and talk about books.  I will admit that I don’t usually read what is popular.  For me, popular fiction is too realistic and deals with situations that, I personally, don’t wish to spend my relaxing, reading time jumping into.  A majority of people read what is popular.  I prefer to read something that I have discovered on my own but isn’t too intense. That’s just me.

On that note, you won’t find a lot of bells and whistles on my blog.  It’s not flashy.  It’s not really that pretty.  You will find odd and non-mainstream titles that I will talk about.  I might include the odd semi-popular title but whether they are included or not,  I hope you find something that will interest you.  

The Body on Baker Street

 A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery

by Vicki Delany

As owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, Gemma Doyle finds herself scrambling to provide enough seating for a book signing by the well-known popular author, Renalta Van Markoff.  Though her high selling books are a page above those torrid bodice rippers, Gemma is excited to be hosting the author. Her best friend and co-owner of the attached Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Shop has offered to close for an hour to help provide seating area for the event.  The book signing stands to be one of Gemma’s most popular events yet.  The local dedicated Sherlockian, Donald Morris, attends and proceeds to challenge Renalta and her audacity to publish such stories about the popular sleuth.  As the group proceeds to line up for the signing, Renalta Van Markoff falls face down upon the signing table.  Donald is their primary suspect but Gemma knows Donald couldn’t have killed Renalta.

Vicki Delany’s Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery has a winner in this sophomore release for the series.  The characters are realistic and the story is believable.  It has a quick pace and doesn’t lag.  This is a great addition to the series and I’m sure fans will be eagerly awaiting the next installment.

 I wish to thank the publisher for generously providing an Advanced Reader’s Copy for my honest review

ISBN:  9781683312994

Publisher:  Crooked Lane Books

Pub Date:  September 12, 2017

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Death Distilled:

A Whiskey Business Mystery

by Melina Mullet

As a world renown photojournalist, Abigail Logan hasn’t really felt ‘at home’ anywhere.  Now, as she looks around the small town of Balfour she feels it.  Since she inherited the distillery, Abbey Glen, from her uncle along with his country home she is feeling the stirrings of wanting to put down roots. Her best friend has arranged a tour of her distillery for visiting dignitaries on short notice and she learns a stranger has been asking for her around the village. Yes, her plate is full and soon the bodies are piling up. 

Successful, smart and sassy.  Mullet’s protagonist has always come up with three words that fit the people who she comes in contact. These are my words for Abigail (Abi to her friends).  This is a strong sophomore edition of this series.  The story is filled with colorful characters, both dangerous and likable.  The plot is skillfully woven within the village life and the operations of the distillery.  This novel has a lot of meat on its bones.  So far, all I can locate is an ISBN for the ebook.  I sincerely hope that this will be released in a print edition.  I have read many titles that were in print and should just be ebooks. This is not one of them. Mullet’s Whiskey Business series is well written and highly entertaining and deserves a print copy. 

I wish to thank the publisher for generously providing an Advanced Reader’s Copy through NetGalley for my honest review.

Pub:  Random House / Alibi

Pub Date:  September 5, 2017

ISBN:  9780399179068 ebook

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

The Missing Masterpiece

by Jeanne M. Dams

Dorothy and Alan have planned a trip to Normandy to help their friend launch her first art gallery showing with a trip to Paris and Mont-Saint-Michel afterwards.  However, Dorothy finds herself traveling alone as Alan is forced to stay behind nursing a broken ankle.  Dorothy is forced to travel ahead and soon finds herself involved in one mystery after another.  All seem to revolve around a possible missing piece of music penned by Abelard.   By the time Alan arrives, Dorothy is fully involved in a situation that will need many heads to unravel.

This is the first time I’ve read anything by Jeanne M. Dams.  I found the story engaging and the main protagonist easily relatable.   I enjoy a good mystery that involves lost manuscripts and ancient, historical sights.  Dams involves all of these elements and wraps them up with interesting players within a beautiful backdrop we would all love to visit.   The threads of the story come together nicely.  Those who like their mysteries solved without heart stressing palpitations will enjoy this.   

I wish to thank the publisher and NetGalley for generously providing an Advanced Reader’s Copy  for my honest review

ISBN: 9780727887184

Pub:  Severn House Publishing

Pub Date:  September 1, 2017 

Genre:  Mystery

Death Shall Come

A Country House Murder Mystery featuring Ishmael Jones

By Simon R. Green

“Death shall come on swift wings to whoever desecrates this tomb.  .  .”

The Colonel has contacted Ishmael and asked that he join him and his wife, at the opening of a sarcophagus long hidden and believed contain the mummy of the first Cleopatra.  The unveiling will take place at the isolated Cardavan estate.  There are no security personnel on site, only electronic.  There are nine attendees at this scheduled unveiling, mostly family members.  What can go wrong?  

This fifth installment of mysteries involving Ishmael Jones is a true mix of genres, my first Ishmael Jones novel and my first reading of a Simon R. Green novel.  I was highly intrigued with the premise as it had an Agatha Christie feel to it.  Green’s skill at mixing up genres is atmospheric, entertaining and a lot of fun.  Did I mention creepy, suspenseful and fully intense?  It’s nice that the story isn’t bogged down with a ton of techno babble.  He gives you just enough information to keep you moving through the story, leaving you with enough curiosity to consider the other Ishmael Jones novels.  It moves rapidly and there are obvious holes within the ‘telling’ as there would be in Ishmael’s world.  This series is right up teens alley.  They love books that take liberties and look at situations differently.  Looking for a rapid ride of a story? I heartily invite you to jump right in.  

I wish to thank the publisher for generously providing an Advanced Reader’s Copy through NetGalley for my honest review.

Pub:  Severn House

Pub Date: September 1, 2017

ISBN:  9780727887214

Genre:  Mystery/Sci-fi