Kara Dennison's Blog, page 2

BOOK REVIEW: Murder in Venice

MURDER IN VENICE
by T.A. Williams
Available November 3

Detective/mystery author Dan Armstrong and his faithful dog Oscar have solved a number of mysteries together. As Murder in Venice begins, it looks like the sleuth may get a bit of a break. He's been invited to take part in a murder mystery dinner hosted by film and TV superstar Alice Graceland. The event will feature a number of Hollywood luminaries, but it's not a friendly gathering. The themed event is the lead-in to a planned confrontation between Alice and her Tinseltown peers, giving them an opportunity to atone for their indiscretions before her tell-all autobiography goes to print.

Unfortunately, murder seems to follow Armstrong wherever he goes, and Alice's masked murder mystery dinner in her secluded Venetian home is no exception. A very real murder takes place that night as the scripted mystery is playing out. And since Alice's guest list is made up almost exclusively of people with grudges, the culprit could be just about anyone. Before the weekend is out, more than a little dirty laundry will be aired.

In my previous Armstrong and Oscar mystery review, I noted that my only complaint was a bit of last-minute monologuing to tie up the mystery. Murder in Venice goes down much more smoothly, with exceptional pacing (especially considering the massive cast of "day players"). We also get looks in from Armstrong's own family as he introduces his fiancée to his parents... including his father, who's a bit of an amateur sleuth himself!

The "cozy" of these mysteries boils down to two things: the presence of the extremely good boy Oscar, and multiple descriptions of tantalizing Italian food and drink. While the mystery itself is strong, with multiple twists that figure into the overarching mystery, the atmosphere is where this series really stands out. If you prefer your cozy mysteries a little more sun-drenched, this is the way to go.

TEA PAIRING: Poetic Peach
While it would feel more proper to pair wine with this book, given the many Italian menus described in this book, this breezy peach tea (one of Chapters' summer selections) feels like a perfect fit. Use my code KARA15 to get 15% off this and other teas from Chapters!

BOOK REVIEW: The Periodic Adventures of Señor 105 - Volume 3

The Periodic Adventures of Señor 105 - Volume 3
by Philip Purser-Hallard, Joe Curreri, and Stewart Sheargold
Ebook collection available now
Paperback/ebook available now

After reviewing the first two installments of this series, I was informed by Cody Schell that Volume 3 is where it really hits its stride—where we get a clear view of everything these "periodic adventures" could have been if allowed to continue beyond these nine installments. Having read this third volume, I'm inclined to agree. Where the first was a solid introduction to the characters and the second dipped its toes into more fantastical themes, this third installment solidifies the tone and worldview: an adventure serial that honors its many inspirations while also growing beyond them to create something entirely new.

Philip Purser-Hallard is always a joy to read, and "Horizon" is no exception. In this novella, 105 and Sheila reunite with Lori Flaherty in a transdimensional adventure that imagines a blended alternate history. The alternate world in which our heroes find themselves is the real treat of this story: a unique blending of ancient cultures that makes more sense than it ought to. It's a vivid adventure packed with exciting battles and threads of a bigger, stranger world.

"The Señor 105 Adventure Book" by Joe Curreri is two stories in one. The first introduces master thief Fantastique, going toe-to-toe with 105, Sheila, and Lori as they all vie for a cursed gemstone. This was my personal favorite of the book, and not just because it has a gentleman thief and a giant robot (two of my favorite things). It also gives Lori even more of a chance to shine, which is well deserved. The second story is told from the point of view of the Iguana, a foe of 105 who seems to cheat death over and over in his pursuit of revenge. The upshot is a brilliant twist on the concept of a Saturday morning cartoon villain. Together, these two stories showcase the series's ability to play with, subvert, and spotlight classic themes in adventure serials.

Last but not least is Stewart Sheargold's "Spectrum." The stakes are raised significantly as 105 and Sheila initially believe they are witnessing the discovery of a 106th element. But the truth is far more dire: an alien entity known as the Faceless Man wants to take over the world, and he plans to use Sheila to do so. This adventure sees the return of Mr. Tea and the arrival of Hilda, a brilliant lady with ties to the Faceless Man. In addition to being a rollicking adventure with end-of-season energy, "Spectrum" also has a magnificent guest cast and plenty of room for them to shine alongside the regulars.

This third volume really is a glorious representation of everything Señor 105 can be. While these periodic adventures may not have gone on as long as intended, perhaps the arrival of these new volumes in print will interest more people in continued stories. Either way, this collection as a whole is a grand one.

TEA PAIRING: A Date with Mr. Darcy
Given the multiple burgeoning romances in this edition, as well as Hilda's own tealeaf-based powers, this blend feels like a perfect fit. It's also my favorite in the Chapters catalogue. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and other blends from Chapters!

BOOK REVIEW: The Arcane Gamble of Harvey Walters

The Arcane Gamble of Harvey Walters
by Rosemary Jones
Available October 28

Whether or not you're an Arkham Horror player, Aconyte's tie-in novels are a great way to revisit the setting and lore of the Cthulhu Mythos. The recent Drowned City series, a prequel to the game expansion of the same name, sets the stage for an exploration of R'lyeh through the new adventures of poets, journalists, and academics.

The Arcane Gamble of Harvey Walters picks up where The Nightmare Quest of April May left off: Arkham is battered by storms, monsters lurk in the deep, and a trio of sibyl sisters are in the midst of the eldritch happenings. Garbageman Lefty and reporter Minnie, both returning from the previous installment, are all helping in their own ways, in between sniffing out stolen dynamite and ensuring that rescued dogs get back to their owners. But as Harvey prepares to face the women at the center of Arkham's impending demise, dark knowledge weighs on him: this could very well be his last stand.

The Drowned City trilogy has bridged a variety of settings and motivations, all stemming back to a desire for normality amidst turbulent dreams and visions. This final installment pits brilliant individuals against unknowable power, coloring even the darkest moments of horror with warmth and humanity. This is a fitting end to the trilogy, whether you're a fan of the games or simply enjoying these as their own stand-alone narrative.

TEA PAIRING: Caramel Cabin
Get in the autumn New England mood with this limited edition fall tea, perfect whether the weather is cool and clear or pelting down as an ancient god ascends from the depths (I assume). Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and other teas from Chapters!

BOOK REVIEW: The Periodic Adventures of Señor 105, Vol. 2

The Periodic Adventures of Señor 105 - Volume 2
by Stuart Douglas, Selina Lock, and Jay Eales
Ebook collection available now
Paperback/ebook available October 31

The Periodic Adventures of Señor 105 - Volume 1 (reviewed here) served as a jumping-off point for readers new to the Doctor Who-adjacent Lucha Libre series. Those first three novellas introduced 105, his allies Sheila and Rodrigo (with a hat tip to Iris Wildthyme), and the various themes one was likely to see in his adventures. With those stories firmly under our belts, it's time to get wacky. Or, perhaps, wackier.

This second volume collects three more installments: "Señor 105 and the Secret Santa" by Stuart Douglas, "Green Eyed and Grim" by Selina Lock, and "The Five Faces of Fear" by Jay Eales." These are three names that should be very familiar to regular Obverse readers (and not just because one of them runs the publisher): all three have contributed iconic stories to different corners of Obverse's various franchises, and these are no exception. Across the board, all three stories are more fantastical and more action-packed, with lots more fighting (both in and out of the ring) for 105.

"Señor 105 and the Secret Santa" brings to mind René Cardona's 1959 Santa Claus (appropriate, as Cardona directed one of the El Santo films), with 105 crossing paths with both St. Nick and the Devil. However, this story presents a much more enticing backstory for these epitomes of good and evil, interlaced with more larger-than-life figures. It's a bold story to take on, and yet it ends up extremely satisfying by the end.

"Green Eyed and Grim" throws 105 in the ring for a charity match, but the hero soon finds himself toe-to-toe with literal Grim Reapers. As with the preceding novella, this one does excellent work grounding a familiar figure in (what for many readers will be) unfamiliar lore. The guest cast in particular shines here, as brother and sister reapers Callum and Arella face down the more existential aspect of their job.

Last and most certainly not least is "The Five Faces of Fear," which introduces amnesiac fighter El Futuro. There's plenty of fun to be had meeting old friends of 105 (including a cheeky nod to that one Five Doctors photoshoot). The real joy, though, is in the propulsion forward of a certain secondary character's subplot. The narrative skips around in time, hinting at multiple futures for 105 and his friends... or, potentially, foes.

Where Volume 1 was a friendly on-boarding, Volume 2 is outright cinematic. I'm a big fan of well-written action scenes, and there's plenty of those in this second collection. If the first collection got you on board, the second will keep you around for the long haul.

TEA PAIRING: Candy Cane Forest
Not solely because of the Santa story (okay, kinda because of the Santa story), this limited-edition tea will be a good fit for a read-along. It's a sweet, strong peppermint candy black tea. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and other teas from Chapters!

BOOK REVIEW: Murder at the Wedding

MURDER AT THE WEDDING

by Anita Davison
Available October 26

It's Hannah Merrill's wedding day, and her family are determined to make it perfect. But they couldn't have planned for the vicar to go missing right before the ceremony, only to be found dead in the church crypt. What is initially believed to be a tragic accident turns out to be a poisoning. And as the authorities begin their investigation, so do Hannah and her aunt Violet.

The vicar's tragic death isn't the only surprise at the heart of this marriage. Secret weddings, an earlier death in the family, and a web of family and acquaintances — all with their own strong opinions about the recently deceased — color the investigation. As Hannah digs deeper, she also comes to terms with married life when the world is at war. Even with multiple suspects on the table, each with their own potential motives, the police believe they have their killer. But Hannah and Violet's investigation turns up something that will surprise even the vicar's closest family and friends.

Murder at the Wedding is the latest in a growing line of "Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet" mysteries, and several of their past escapades are referenced throughout the book. While this one feels like it might not be the best book to start on, as it's clear that Hannah's first "case" is one that still hangs over her, Davison wastes no time getting new readers on board with the regulars. Even if this is your gateway into the series, you will warm to these amateur sleuths right away. While it does suffer a bit from some last-minute monologuing, the mystery itself is satisfying when brought to its close.

TEA PAIRING: Picnic at Pemberley

This high-class green tea laced with notes of jasmine and rose is a perfect afternoon brew, and pairs nicely with the cozy, high-class vibes of this mystery. Use my code KARA15 to get 15% off this and more from Chapters Tea & Co.!

TEA REVIEW: Wonderland Tea Party

Butterfly pea flower tea has taken off in recent years for one very obvious reason: it does cool things with color. On its own it's a very mild tea, meaning it does well blended with other things. In particular, there's Chapters Tea & Co.'s new fruit and herbal blend, Wonderland Tea Party.

Before we discuss the flavor, let's discuss the obvious: color. It brews up a deep red-purple and will further change color with the addition of acidic citrus (I recommend a bit of lemon). But if you brew it in a basket infuser in a clear cup or teapot, you can watch the blue of the pea flower billow out into the water before slowly blending in with the rest. This is absolutely one that would work well at a children's tea party and benefits a lot from presentation.

As for flavor, it's a nice benign fruit blend that should go over well with just about anyone. The berry, peach, and cherry flavors balance out nicely together. The hibiscus gives it a tart edge, but not nearly as sharp as overpowering as it ends up in other blends. As with fruit and herbal teas in general, this one benefits from longer steeps and is difficult to "mess up" by leaving it in too long. But longer steeps may bring that hibiscus forward more — so plan accordingly based on what's tastiest to you.
This is definitely a great tea for parties, especially (as previously mentioned) kids' parties, but also any themed or fancy party. I wouldn't recommend adding anything to it but lemon, and then primarily for the color-changing effect. Try it on its own first to see what you think.
Additionally, it's nice to see Chapters' fruit and herbal catalogue growing and gaining more variety. While black teas will always be my favorite, I like having something caffeine-free for later in the day. And considering that many late-day teas have medicinal herbs that can interact with some medications, something that's fruit-based is a great fallback.
As ever, the art for the bag is lovely, depicting a colorful Alice in Wonderland-inspired scene. I'll always be extremely grateful to Chapters for employing talented artists to design their bag art.
Grab a bag of Wonderland Tea Party from Chapters Tea & Co., and use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and other teas!

COMIC REVIEW: The Savage Sword of Conan: Reforged #1

THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN: REFORGED #1
Various contributors
Available October 22
The new Savage Sword of Conan comics from Titan have been a delight to read, and a wonderful on-ramp for new readers. But there's nothing like revisiting the classics, and now the publisher is releasing upgraded — "reforged" — versions of classic comics from yesteryear.
This first issue kicks off with two essential stories in the Cimmerian's lore: "The Frost Giant's Daughter" and "Tower of the Elephant." Whether you're familiar with these classic tales or just now encountering them, this is a fantastic way to see them.
The restorations of the stories are vivid and gorgeous. Atali, the dangerous beauty from whom "The Frost Giant's Daughter" gets its name, bears a striking similarity to Jeanne in Kuni Fukai's Belladonna of Sadness layouts (with the former predating the latter by two years). "The Tower of the Elephant" shows its retro beauty in a different way, evoking a sci-fantasy that will embed (and certainly has embedded) itself deep in the minds of fantasy gamers and writers. Both are very different in style, but vividly restored in a way that preserves rather than attempting to "improve."
Between the two stories are two bonuses. First, Patrick Zircher muses on the appeal of Conan the Barbarian and its adjacency to the hobby of tabletop gaming. These prose musings in various Conan editions from Titan have always been a favorite inclusion of mine, bringing more context to these long-lived stories.
After this comes a lushly illustrated interpretation of Robert E. Howard's poem "Cimmeria." The dark and stormy colors, coupled with a straightforward battle scene, evoke that "land of darkness and the night" described.
While it's always great to see new additions to and interpretations of the canon, we're very fortunate to get these restorations. Thanks to the Reforged edition, new fans can experience that vibrant, in-the-moment excitement decades later. I'm very hopeful about future issues and collected volumes.
TEA PAIRING: Serene SageDon't let the name fool you: this earthy, herby tea is a perfect match for the Cimmerian's adventures. Use my code KARA15 for 15% of this and other teas from Chapters!

BOOK REVIEW: The Periodic Adventures of Señor 105 - Volume 1

The Periodic Adventures of Señor 105 - Volume 1
by Cody Schell, Lawrence Burton, and Blair Bidmead
Ebook collection available now
Paperback/ebook available October 31

While the character is unknown to many save for the most hardcore of Whoniverse enjoyers, Señor 105 occupies an interesting place in my life. I know of his Obverse adventures; I've written one myself. And as someone who was raised on Mystery Science Theater 3000, I have an awareness of the Lucha Libre films (especially those starring El Santo) that inspired him. And while his stories will be most accessible to those who have a foot in one or both of those worlds, it's hardly necessary to be versed in either to enjoy these adventures.

The Periodic Adventures of Señor 105 collects nine novellas from years past into new editions. This first volume contains three: "The Gulf," "The Grail," and "By the Time I get to Venus."

Cody Schell's "The Gulf" features 105 and his friend Sheila — a cluster of sentient helium atoms who travels around in a color-changing balloon — as they investigate new happenings in and around the Chicxulub crater. While this is a fun adventure in and of itself with an excellent guest cast (especially Lori Flaherty, the self-proclaimed "first Canadian Mounted Policewoman"), the real appeal of this novella is in its flashbacks to 105's mentors and origins. This makes an excellent gateway for new readers.

Lawrence Burton's "The Grail" sees 105 and his companions twisted up in the reality-defying goings-on of a small town, overseen by the luchador El Profe. It doesn't take long to realize that this is an unapologetic musing on the state of classic vs. modern Doctor Who and its changing hero — and, by extension, the purpose of "heroes" in media in general. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Burton's take, it is a brisk and exciting read, and one with some really fun visceral imagery toward the close.

Blair Bidmead's "By the Time I Get to Venus" saw new life as one half of The Rise and Fall of Señor 105, another novella from the Obverse 10th anniversary sextet. While there isn't a bad story in the bunch, this was easily my favorite, even on a second read. This and "The Gulf" create nice bookends for this particular volume, offering up scenes from both the past and present of 105.

This first volume is definitely more than the sum of its parts, with these three novellas offering an excellent entry into the world of Señor 105. From flashbacks to training on Venus and the work of his mentors to "present-day" battles, we get to see all sides of character and the series he inhabits right from the jump. You don't need to know Señor 105 already to read this book; you'll know him extremely well by the end.

TEA PAIRING: Beach Reads
While it's hard to pin down just one vibe (he's an element-themed luchador with 105 masks, after all!), this lemonade-like herbal feels like a good match for 105's adventures in this volume, which take him from sunny Mexico to the deserts of Venus. Use my code KARA15 at checkout for 15% off this and other blends!

TEA REVIEW: Headless Horseman

I am a sucker for tea, autumn, and seasonal flavors. So of course, seasonal autumn tea is a must-have for me. Last year, Chapters Tea & Co. introduced two cozy new flavors: Caramel Cabin and Cozy Apple Spice. Both of these are available once again this year, as is a third literary-inspired new flavor: Headless Horseman. And, much like the monster that inspired it, it's moving very quickly.

I was privy to early discussion of this new blend, in particular the Sleepy Hollow-inspired artwork for the bag. As much as I love both the apple and caramel blends (and will be stocking up on them for the season), pumpkin spice is a must.
Now, to be specific: this isn't just "pumpkin spice" as in "the spice that goes in pumpkin pie." The Headless Horseman tea is very full of pumpkin flavor, to the point that it's the first thing you smell when you open the bag. And it's extremely delightful. If you're not a fan of actual pumpkin taste, give this one a miss. But if you, like me, actually like pumpkin in your pumpkin spice things, you will be pleasantly surprised.

When steeped, the pumpkin-forward-ness of the tea actually mellows out a bit, allowing the flavors to blend and even out. The spices are pronounced without being overly strong. So if, for example, the Spice Chai Mélange from Chapters hits a bit too hard, it's nothing as heavy as that. It's got enough flavor to hold up as a latte if you so desire, without having to do anything extra to it. (It can survive with a bit of sugar or syrup, but it's not necessary to make it nice.)
If you want to try this for yourself, you might have to wait a bit. It's understandably already very popular, and thus sold out extremely quickly. As I'm writing this review, they're working on restocking and taking pre-orders for the next batch. If you want something cozy and Halloween-y, definitely put in for a bag or two!
Pre-order Headless Horseman (Limited Edition) from Chapters Tea & Co., and be sure to use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and other bookish teas!

BOOK REVIEW: Thunder's Edge: Echoes of Memory

THUNDER'S EDGE: ECHOES OF MEMORY
by Sarah Cawkwell
Available now

My housemate is more of a board game expert than I am. And the first time I read a Twilight Imperium tie-in book, they described the base game as something that "takes half the day to set up and half the day to play." At first flush, it looks like one heck of a wargaming experience... but not really my thing personally. However, I've found that I like the books, even independent of much knowledge about the games themselves. It's a sprawling sci-fi setting with a massive and ever-changing history, and that appeals.

What I've found I like most about Twilight Imperium novels, and indeed any story based in a sandbox setting, is digging out the human (or personal) stories happening amidst the backdrop of historic events. It's why Honor Among Thieves worked so well as a Dungeons & Dragons movie; and it's why Thunder's Edge: Echoes of Memory works so well as a Twilight Imperium novel.

Our central character is Harrugh Gefhara, a retired leader of the lion-like Hacan race. While trying to escape his war-torn past, he is confronted by a strange being who presents him with a rare artifact. Now, a patchy prophecy leads him to take on a heavy duty that could mean the literal end of the universe should he fail. With help from a variegated crew made up of beings from across the setting's many societies, Harrugh travels to the strange world of Thunder's Edge, where he discovers what the Nekro have in store for the universe — and what he can do to stop it.

Like just about any Twilight Imperium media, Thunder's Edge: Echoes of Memory is heavy with detail; but it's not nearly as dense as previous installments that sought to outline the primary history of the game setting. This volume serves as a prequel to the upcoming Thunder's Edge expansion, which drops on October 24. But even if you don't plan to play, this is still a fun read. This story shines because of its core characters, especially the weary Harrugh and the naive and friendly Titan known as "Junior." We care about these characters, who would otherwise be tiny pieces against a vast backdrop. That zoom-in is what makes this story, and others in the Twilight Imperium series, extra special.

TEA PAIRING: Spice Chai Mélange
The Hacan hail from a desert world and are highly regarded as traders. This spicy caffeine-free rooibos feels like the perfect fit for Harrugh's intergalactic adventures.