Died in the Wool

by Melinda Mullet

I have reviewed several books in the Whiskey Business series and enjoyed them all.  Died in the Wool is the best by far.  Mullet’s plots get more intricate and in depth as she adds to the series.  In this fourth offering, photojournalist turned distiller, Abi Logan has been approached to help a women’s shelter by donating wool from her sheep rescue. (Don’t ask just read.) She likes the women of the shelter and when one of them ends up dead, she can’t resist the pleas for help from a board member.  This storyline has so many plotlines it seems Mullet can’t possibly tie them up nicely, but she does.  It’s evenly paced, and the characters are all fully detailed.  As with all cozies, there are threads from previous books, but it’s not necessary to have read them.  However, I believe it will be enough to have readers want to go back and start from the beginning just to enjoy the entire adventures of Abi. 

 I thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me access to the electronic Advanced Reader’s Copy for my honest review.

PUB:  Random House/Alibi

PUB DATE:  June 18, 2019

ISBN:  9781984817174

Genre:  Cozy Mystery,

Ghost of Hollow House

by Linda Stratman

It’s 1872 and Mina Scarletti’s good friend has been invited to visit Hollow House by Mr. Honeyacre and his wife Kitty.  The Honeyacres are hoping Ms Scarletti can help them with a little problem of a haunting that is making Kitty ill.  Mina is skilled at ferreting out impostor mediums and hauntings.  What she doesn’t expect is the arrival of her nemesis with a young photographer in tow who seems determined to woo her.  Stratman’s protagonist is a strong-willed woman in a society that expects much but allows little in the women of the time.  Mina suffers from scoliosis and manages to buck a society that says women need a man to be vital.  She leads a full of life while dealing with the pain and discomfort of the disease.  This is not deep literature, but a good escape read that teens who are dealing with scoliosis will be able to easily identify themselves in this strong woman’s position.

I thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me access to the electronic Advanced Reader’s Copy for my honest review.

PUB:  Sapere Books

PUB DATE:  May 24, 2019

ISBN:  9781913028404

Genre:  Historical Mystery

The Woman Who Spoke to Spirits

by Alys Clare

One thing I hate about reading a book in a series, especially when it’s the first one, is having to wait for the next installment.  That is the case with this new series.  I’ve not read anything by Alys Clare until The Woman Who Spoke to Spirits.  I tend to read books placed within the Regency, Victorian or later time period.  However, after reading this first installment in the World’s End Bureau, which does take place in a Victorian time frame, I just might have to jump out of my comfort zone and look up some of her other works.  Clare introduces us to Lily Raynor who is the soul owner and proprietor of the World’s End Bureau.  Lily’s reputation as reliable and discrete keep her busy and when she hires on Felix Wilbraham as an office assistant, she doesn’t realize what an asset she has acquired.  When Ernst Stibbins walks in the door frightened someone is trying to kill his wife, Felix readily accepts the case.  Lily has been hired by a Lord to check into the background of an actress who has been stepping out with his son. Together, Lily and Felix begin working the two cases not knowing they are headed into something bigger than they even imagined. 

For me, the heart of this story is the dynamic of these two people coming together and finding companionship, friendship and solace in each other.  Clare artfully builds their personalities and gives us a glimpse of the background that forged the personalities.  She does hint at a major Incident in Lily’s background. but she doesn’t hurry to reveal it.  This is my favorite book this year, so far.  It was a highly enjoyable read for me and I just wanted it to keep going.  You are immediately at ease with characters that she wants you to be comfortable with and uneasy with the more questionable without beating you over the head with their wicked ways. There are a few that you wonder what happened to them and others you know for sure Clare will bring up in later books.  At least this reader hopes that will happen.  I will be talking about this book to anyone who will listen.  Adults and teens alike.  I hope this series is a long running one.  I want the next one NOW!

#TheWomanWhoSpoketoSpirits      #NetGalley

I wish to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me access to the electronic Advanced Readers Copy for my honest review.  All opinions are mine.

PUB:  Severn House

PUB DATE:  June 1, 2019

ISBN:  9780727888686

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Mystery