Paula Longhurst's Blog, page 2

Library Game Gigi Pandian

Team Secret Staircase are working on a bequest; The Harold Gray Library will be a treasure trove of classic mysteries for the public to enjoy but there are complications. Someone is sabotaging the project, a nosy neighbour has started a petition against the building ever opening, Ivy has fallen for Cameron, the newphew of the deceased and Tempest Raj? The former stage magician is having mixed feelings about the imminent departure of Gideon, who is headed to France for a stonemason's internship - this project will be his last - for now.

On the eve of Hidden Creek's Summer Stroll a rehearsal for the mystery play written by Tempest and Ivy is derailed by a murder but then the body doesn't seem to want to stay put. Tempest finally convinces Detective Blackburn to investigate, landing Sanjay (The Hindi Houdini) in the role of main suspect. Could Tempest's close friendship with Sanjay be clouding her judgment or is there a most ghostly explanation.

This is book 4 in the series (Christmas Caper is a Novella so I'm not counting it here.) If you are new to this series start with Under Lock and Skeleton Key.

A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage, Asia Mackay

Haze and Fox are the perfectcouple, think Mr. and Mrs. Smith just killing really bad men. Until Haze fallspregnant with Bibi and they get into a suburban rut of play dates and thestraight jacket of nine to five.

A series of mistakes by Haze and Fox’s soullessparents trying to steal Bibi away could bring everything crashing down. Cantheir marriage survive without them killing each other?

The Collaborators, Michael Idov

A geopolitical thriller with a sly sense of humour and a touch of Slow Horses to it. Ari Falk is too young for burnout but the failed exfil of an anti-Kremlin blogger could be the last straw and anyone close to the CIA op is being systematically wiped out. 

Maya Obrendt’s financier father just drowned himself in the Med. Seeking answers the former actress gets entangled - with Falk. The combo of civilian and spy threatens to expose a U.S cabal that would rather stay hidden. It’s a wild ride you’ll root for Ari and Maya but I want an Operation Flea Collar book next!

Deadly Animals, Marie Tierney

Ava Bonney is a grittier versionof Flavia De Luce. It’s the 1980s and fourteen year old Ava’s obsession withanimal anatomy causes her to stumble across the body of a classmate.

Kids are going missing in her north Englandvillage and Ava is determined to investigate alongside the local police, evenif it means phoning in tips and preserving evidence. Ava is convinced that akiller has been hiding in the village for years - a wolf in sheep’s clothingyou might say.

The Last One at the Wedding, Jason Rekulak

It’s the wedding of the year andFrank Szatowski’s going to be walking his estranged daughter Maggie down theaisle in a lavish three day shindig as she weds the son of a tech billionaire.Frank, his sister Tammy and her foster child Abigail travel to New Hampshirewhere Osprey Cove - Maggie’s world - awaits.

But something feels off to Frank, alien,twisted. He’s worried for his daughter and he has good reason to be.

What Time The Sexton’s Spade Doth Rust, Alan Bradley

The daughter of Buckshaw returns to defend Mrs Mullet whom Inspector Hewitt believes poisoned - albeit accidentally- a local man.

Flavia, ignoring orders not to investigate uncovers means motive and opportunity - unfortunately all point to her housekeeper. With Dogger at her side and Undine hanging off her leg Flavia sets after who she believes to be the real culprit, Asterion. 

We Solve Murders, Richard Osman

If you google ‘who is Francois Loubert’ the results will range from ‘international money smuggler’ to ‘scary killer who uses ChatGPT in emails’ Loubert is using influencers as mules and then having them killed. He/she is also trying to pin these murders on Amy Wheeler, whose current assignment is bodyguard to a famous novelist who used a Russian mobster as a character in her latest book and didn’t bother disguising him. After an attempt on her life. Amy, with colourful client in tow ropes in her widower father-in-law Steve. He’s a retired copper who has buried himself in the tiny hamlet of Axley, deep in the New Forrest.

The world is about to come knocking and it’s armed and dangerous and full of private jets and Van Halen fans.

If you loved the Thursday Murder Club’s quartet you’re going to fall for Amy and Steve, hard.

The Wrong Hands: The Next Detective Miller Novel, Mark Billingham

DS Declan Miller returns, stillpartnered with Xiu, unorthodox as ever, his foxtrot could use some work andfive months on Dec’s no closer to solving his wife Alex’s murder althoughAlex’s ghost still pops in for a chat in the evenings.

But life goes on and at Blackpoolstation an undercover police operation is derailed when the target’s briefcaseis stolen from the gents loos. It does result in crime boss Wayne Cutlerreceiving a concussion so, that's a plus.

Miller is enjoying the fallout from ‘Toiletgate’when Alex’s daughter Finn asks him for a favour, involving some stolen goodswhich turn out to be rather er perishable.
If you missed the first Miller novel The Last Dance go and grab it in paperback.

Moonbound, Robin Sloan

From the author of Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore and Sourdough comes an engaging story about a hard subject. What happens after the end of the world?

The height of Earth’s civilizationwas the Anth, the pinnacle of human evolution the creators of the chroniclers,and the dragons.

Thirteen thousand years later young Ariel findsa warrior’s tomb but it isn’t just her sword he takes with him. He awakens ournarrator and then the adventure really begins; peopled with wizards and knights, acoffee shop of memories, recyclers, a council of beavers and manymany Clovis the robots. Not to mention a very angry trash talking sword and ohyeah dragons, on the moon.

Assassins Anonymous, Rob Hart

Mark was ‘The Pale Horse’ a real-lifeJohn Wick, his god-like status a drug; until he quit and joined a twelve stepprogram in New York City for recovering assassins.

He’s nearing his first year of nonlethality when the past comes calling. Now he has to bounce from Singapore toLondon and back to home whilst attempting to find out who wants him dead and withoutkilling anybody else in the process.

Will he slip?
Note - this thing moves like an express train and the reason for Mark entering AA is truly heart breaking. Also you'll learn box breathing - which is a very useful skill.