Killer in the Carriage House

Victorian Village Mystery, Book 2

by Sheila Connolly

Here again, is a perfect example of an author with a talent for developing characters that are realistic and highly relatable.  For me, the mystery takes a side seat.  After reading Murder at the Mansion I recall being very excited about the next installment in the series.  As I picked this one up, I couldn’t recall why I was so excited about it.  Just a few pages in, I began to recall.  Her characters and recurring theme began to work their subtle enticement and I found myself hooked again.  Perhaps it’s the overall theme of working in an old house and digging into the past of a town, that interests me.  It appeals to the explorer in me.  The bonus is a strong female character that, as strong as she is, has doubts in herself.  Bringing her hometown back to life is a big responsibility that will take a lot of time and a ton of money.  Kate isn’t exactly sure how to get the ball rolling on the project.  It doesn’t help matters when she discovers the body of a young man in the library, as she begins the task of moving family papers from the house.  Kate didn’t think there was anything of importance left within the boxes since the Clara Barton letters had been removed.  Was she missing something?   Readers who are looking for a series to make them feel comfortable and at home should try this one.   This would be a good series for teens.  Kate is a young woman, who started in on direction and ended up in another direction.  She is a good example of how you show and talk confidence on the outside, but you’re really scared and unsure on the inside.  That you do and will make mistakes but can learn and move on successfully.  

I wish to thank the publisher and NetGalley for their generosity in allowing me access to the Advanced Reader Copy for my honest review.

PUB:  St. Martin’s Press

PUB DATE:  July 9, 2019

ISBN:  9781250135889

Genre:  Cozy Mystery   

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

Westside

by W. M Akers

Tiny mysteries.  That’s what Gilda Carr liked to work at and solve.  Her latest client asked her to locate a glove that was stolen.  It was simple.  So why was she having such difficulty with it?  She didn’t want this case to lead her into something bigger, but she couldn’t stop it. It was the 1920s in her New York city.  A city that was divided by a fence down the center separating the eastside from the westside.  Where each side was ruled by powerful bosses and small gangs and when the sun went down, people disappeared into the darkness never to be heard from again.

I have always been so amazed how authors come up with these diverse and different scenarios.  The world Akers has created for Gilda is a gritty reality that is imaginative and dark.  The dirt, grime and need in this world is fully realized in his narrative.  This is a true genre mashup that delivers on several levels.  He gives us a noirish mystery with a gutsy heroine who truly doesn’t want to do what she knows she must.  However, the world that surrounds her is an alternate New York with a historical setting that is dangerous and subtly changes in the dark where ghostly things materialize.  Where people and things disappear and she needs to discover why.  Creepy and dark, Akers delivers on all layers with excitement and entertainment.  This is a good novel to put into the hands of patrons looking for something different.  Teens will connect with Gilda and her buddies readily.

I wish to thank the generosity of the publisher for providing an Advanced Readers Copy for my honest review.

PUB: Harper Voyager/HarperCollins Publishing

PUB DATE:  May

ISBN:  9780062853998

Genre:  Mystery, Fantasy, Supernatural

Thread on Arrival

by Lea Wait

What makes you pick the next installment of a series?  A continued plotline, the characters, the author?   I find myself going with the last two more and more.  Characters and settings that familiar to me are just as good as comfort food.  Things have been a little tough around my house lately and discovering a new installment of Wait’s Mainely Needlepoint series was like a bowl of mac n’ cheese for me.  Though she addresses tough issues she does it without bashing you over the head with them.  Her books are just a good, satisfying read.  I’ve enjoyed them all and this one doesn’t disappoint.

Ike Hamilton isn’t homeless, but he is living below the poverty level and collects the town’s bottles and cans for cash.  The Haven Harbor Chamber of Commerce see him as an eyesore and not the face they want the tourist to see when they come to town.  When Ike is murdered, some feel it was a petty crime and want to take the quick solution.  Angie wants justice for Ike and for the young man who is being accused.  Little does she know she is about to open many eyes to what is really going on behind the closed doors of Haven Harbor. 

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

PUB:  Kensington Books

PUB DATE:  April 30, 2019

ISBN:  9781496716736

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

The Pandora Room

by Christopher Golden

“Weird shit” indeed!  Christopher Golden is an artist at using mythology and ancient history to bring current and contemporary issues to the forefront without browbeating us with the politics. His characters are realistic and easy to get to know and get comfortable around.  All have flaws or issues they are dealing with but Golden doesn’t drag the story down making them maudlin with them.  As the story comes to its climax, a few dwell on their past decisions, but wouldn’t we all? What Sophie Durand and her team find in the mountains of northern Iraq will use those issues against them.  It’s a wonderous discovery that could give authenticity to the mythological story of Pandora’s box.  As wonderful as this discovery is, a special team of scientist and operatives are dispatched to protect the dig only to find themselves trapped within the subterranean dwelling with an ancient horror determined to unravel their sanity and an all too real battle being fought above them by jihadis who are willing to do anything to get their hands on the find.  Man has been warned over thousands of years about the evils contained within Pandora’s box.  Will the arrogance of modern man be their downfall?  Pick up this one and be prepared to lock-in and join in the battle for human kind.  Golden never fails to deliver on the ‘weird shit.’  ‘Weird shit’ indeed!!!

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

PUB:  St. Martin’s Press

PUB DATE:  April 23, 2019

ISBN:  9781250192103

GENRE:  Horror, Suspense, Thriller