(Note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
As another reviewer pointed out, this is not a stand-alone book, but for thos(Note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
As another reviewer pointed out, this is not a stand-alone book, but for those fans of the series, it's a good one, continuing the background story of the swallows as well as the adventures of the bakers who seem to adventure more than bake these days.
The story centers around our adventure bakers working their baking magic at the Air Kingdom when the usual bakers had taken off on holiday (as I recall).
As I alluded, they don't do much baking, instead manage to hang around Imogene's miscreant brother Horace pulling off a caper worthy of Mission: Impossible.
While I found the whole Mission: Impossible scenario a bit incredulous, it does make sense given the context and the revelations at the end of the book.
Be aware that the book ends on a cliff-hangar; so adjust your reading accordingly.
A worthy entry into the series and well worth a read if you enjoy sinking your teeth into a well-written series.
Exit the Milkman is Charlotte's 10th Peter Shandy book and if memory serves me correctly, her last in this series.
It wasn't as much a Peter and HelenExit the Milkman is Charlotte's 10th Peter Shandy book and if memory serves me correctly, her last in this series.
It wasn't as much a Peter and Helen book as it was more of their friend Cat's book as she is the one who finds the erstwhile Milkman.
Unlike previous Peter and Helen books, I wasn't as captivated by the quirky characters but it still ended up being a great read. The book felt as if Charlotte was testing the waters for another series starring Catriona and the state of Maine scenery.
If you've enjoyed the other books in the series, then you'll enjoy this one. However, be warned, I didn't think it was one of her better efforts.
This is the eighth book in the series and, while not one of the best, was still a very enjoyable book and not as sad as book 6.
An acquaintance of AuntThis is the eighth book in the series and, while not one of the best, was still a very enjoyable book and not as sad as book 6.
An acquaintance of Aunt Astrid’s dies a mysterious death and it’s up to the Greenstones to figure out what’s going on.
The ending was very satisfying and the cats play a nice part in bringing the baddies down. I hope that Evelyn becomes a semi-regular character because it would be great to see how she grows up.
Well worth reading. I give it a solid 4/5 stars....more
I believe this is the fourth book I've read featuring the nurse slash sleuth Sarah Keate.
This time, Nurse Sarah is tending to an aristocrat who was acI believe this is the fourth book I've read featuring the nurse slash sleuth Sarah Keate.
This time, Nurse Sarah is tending to an aristocrat who was accidentally shot. Of course, part of the mystery is who shot Bayard and why.
The book is set on a farm in Nebraska but honestly, it could have been set anywhere where it is hot and roses grow since it really didn't feel like the midwest (a place I've actually lived).
Be that as it may, this was a typical Nurse Sarah mystery complete with family intrigue and secrets. Given the set up, I managed to guess whodunit thought that didn't spoil the unraveling the family experienced.
Unfortunately, I didn't feel it was one of the author's best works, it was still enjoyable. If your cup of cozy tea is a slow moving, character rich mystery, then by all means, this is for you.
I generally don't like starting a new series this far in, but the price was right (free) and the plot sounded interesting.
I was not disappointed whatI generally don't like starting a new series this far in, but the price was right (free) and the plot sounded interesting.
I was not disappointed what so ever. Maggie is a spunky American married to a French wine grower, living in France with their two young children.
In this book, the couple go to the funeral of her husband's good friend (a friend Maggie could do without) in England.
This was a solid cozy with really interesting characters and was well-paced. I didn't enjoy the initial scenes in France as much as I enjoyed those in England. But I can easily chalk that up to the fact that I was starting with the eighth book of the series.
I really enjoyed this book and would love to read more in the series as long as the price is right.
Well worth the read if you enjoy English cozy mysteries as I do. I give it four and half stars -- and look forward to more books in the series....more
This is the fourth book in the Grumpy Chicken and the most different in that instead of Ginger being the narrator, the point of view changed between sThis is the fourth book in the Grumpy Chicken and the most different in that instead of Ginger being the narrator, the point of view changed between several of the Scooby Gang in order to propel the story forward.
This wasn't a mystery in the classic sense where there's a dead body and the Scooby Gang would discover whodunit, instead, the story was more about discovering more about the pub.
The story itself seemed a bit shorter than usual given that I finished it so fast (that is, I was surprised when it was over) and I enjoyed it. The story brought up more questions than answers and I look forward to more information about the pub and it's Grumpy Chicken.
I give it 3.5 stars -- looking forward to the next book....more
I started reading this series with the 7th book (see previous review; as much as I loathe starting books that far into the series, the price was rightI started reading this series with the 7th book (see previous review; as much as I loathe starting books that far into the series, the price was right), which I really enjoyed, and this was the first book in the series introducing us to Auntie Lee, her family and restaurant.
As with the first book that I read, I was immersed in the culture of Singapore, but I thought the author did a better job on that score with the previous book. Even with that in mind, it was a really solid mystery and one that had taken my by surprise with the reveal.
This book would appeal to those readers who enjoy a nice, leisurely stroll through an exotic local, never mind drool when reading about all those delicacies that Aunty Lee whips up.
Another solid 4 stars -- I hope more of the books come down in price so I can buy them!...more
This is the third book of the Grumpy Chicken Irish Pub Series and it was just as good as the previous two books reviewed previously.
It wasn't a mysterThis is the third book of the Grumpy Chicken Irish Pub Series and it was just as good as the previous two books reviewed previously.
It wasn't a mystery in the true sense of "there's a dead body and we have to find out who-dun-it." Instead, Ginger's ex-husband is almost killed while visiting her for business reasons and of course, Ginger needs to find out what it's all about.
We really didn't get to see the Grumpy version of the Scoobie gang in action, but it did have all the gang thwarting the bad guy in the end.
If you've enjoyed the previous two books, you'll definitely enjoy this one.
I give it four stars -- another worthy entry in the series!...more
(Note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
The wedding day has arrived and our intrepid Scooby gang is there to work alo(Note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
The wedding day has arrived and our intrepid Scooby gang is there to work along side the Fire Kingdom bakers to create the special cake for the special day.
Unlike other books in the series, we actually don't see much of the Scooby gang or their baking, instead, the story focused on the two main ladies of the hour: Imogene and Princess Shaday (one could say that a third lady could be considered Maple since it's become obvious she has to make a choice between her two suitors).
While Princess Shaday was previously presented as aloof and beautiful, we really get to see what lies beneath her royal mask. Imogene, on the other hand, remains conflicted and the events of this book drive her conflict even deeper.
This was a very satisfying book in the entry, and while many series lose steam around book 5, this one is seriously keeping my interest. Can't wait for the next book!
4.5 strong stars! A worthy entry in the series....more
(Note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Generally, I don't like coming in the middle of a long-running series and fra(Note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Generally, I don't like coming in the middle of a long-running series and frankly, noting that this was #14 in the series, I wasn't sure that I was going to enjoy the book.
Despite my initial trepidation, I enjoyed this book more than I had expected. I'm really not a big fan of Detective/PI mysteries but as Winter in Oregon showed no signs of abating, the promise of Miami sun and shine beckoned me.
I really enjoyed the characters and the mystery/plot was very well done. I liked the idea that the stories occurred over a contiguous period of time and there was more than one mystery to be solved.
Because this sub-genre of mysteries isn't quite my bag, I don't see myself reading any further in the series, but if sunshine, fast cars, private investigators are your kind of mysteries, most definitely, take advantage of this book.
I give this book a solid 4 paws -- well worth reading but give yourself plenty of time, this is a long book!...more
Set in a small town in Tasmania, this is a really solid cozy mystery mixed with a heavy dose of paranormal towards the end of the book.
I really enjoyeSet in a small town in Tasmania, this is a really solid cozy mystery mixed with a heavy dose of paranormal towards the end of the book.
I really enjoyed the characters especially Dell, the owner of the Inn and her son Kevin who is on the police force.
If I had any quibbles about the book is was the fact that there were a few obvious lose ends that will obviously be picked up in subsequent books. I really don't like when authors do that in that I think it's cheating the reader, but that aside, I give this book a solid 4 stars -- well worth reading on a lazy Sunday afternoon....more
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is one of many hospitals dedicated to taking care of children, which as more than oneHospital (Plume)
by Lee Gutkind
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is one of many hospitals dedicated to taking care of children, which as more than one doctor put it, aren’t simply small adults.
The author introduces us to various patients and because they are so young, their parents, their struggles and triumphs. The author also delves into the background of hospital tightly interspersed with those of the health professionals.
While this was an interesting book, it was a tedious book. It took me forever to read because I just wasn’t overly motivated to read it.
When I checked the author credits at the end of the e-book that listed his previous works and I realized that I had read one of his other books, “Many Sleepless Nights.” Unfortunately, I don’t have a review written of it because I read it years ago in hardcover, but I remember having the same feeling I had with this book. It was an OK read and not really worth reading again.
With that in mind, I give this book 3/5 stars. I won’t say it’s not worth your time especially if you are interested in the history of hospital medicine, I just wouldn’t go out of my way to read it....more
After reading that turkey of a book, Murder at Macbeth, I was presented with the opportunity to read another mystery set across the pond.
So I thought.After reading that turkey of a book, Murder at Macbeth, I was presented with the opportunity to read another mystery set across the pond.
So I thought.
I honestly thought that "A Frosty Mug of Murder," billed as an Irish Pub mystery, was actually set in Ireland. I happily began reading and the dialogue didn't quite match that of what I knew was Irish. In fact, it came off as down-right.... "American."
And then the truth was revealed. It was indeed set in an Irish Pub... in the southern United States. Once I'd gotten over the shock, I was pleasantly surprised to read a really fun mystery featuring the Ginger who runs her father's pub located ins a very small town in the deep-south, haunted by a seriously grumpy chicken (we think but as Ginger points out, hasn't been proved), who manages to solve the mystery accompanied by a motley group that makes the original Scooby gang look down-right mundane.
Both books are great and if you are inclined to read both, start with #1 as #2 follows immediately after.
I give both books a solid 4.5 paws -- a really fun, light read for cold February evenings....more
I had expected to read a mystery with the Scottish Play as the background but what I read was a notch above a really bad fan-ficThis book bit.
Totally.
I had expected to read a mystery with the Scottish Play as the background but what I read was a notch above a really bad fan-fic.
I will give the author some kudos, the two lead characters were interesting but the rest? Blarg. Besides, I've been to England, London in fact, spent three years watching Sky News and BBC and I can tell you that the English dialogue was from no where. Same with the southern dialogue having spent 4 years in the south.
The mystery itself was pretty bad and the solution (given what I know about the subject) just didn't make any sense.
This is one book I would say skip it. And honestly, I am so sorry that I paid 99c for this.
1.5 stars -- read only if you get it free and maybe not even then....more
I adore books that explore a different culture or place on the globe and still delivers a great mystery.
This book does just that.
Set in modern SingapoI adore books that explore a different culture or place on the globe and still delivers a great mystery.
This book does just that.
Set in modern Singapore, Auntie Lee is an older widow lady who manages a neighborhood restaurant (almost like a deli) who solves mystery on the side.
This is a totally delightful mystery, delving into Singaporean society, and it left me wanting to try some of the dishes that Auntie Lee gleefully described.
I would love to read the rest of the books in the series, however, I have this problem with paying more that $3 per book for a book I'm going to finish in less than a few days. I will snap them up if I see them on sale.
My first encounter with Dr Meador’s work was reading True Medical Detective Stories, reviewed [here]. As you’ll read, I wasn’t really all that thrilleMy first encounter with Dr Meador’s work was reading True Medical Detective Stories, reviewed [here]. As you’ll read, I wasn’t really all that thrilled in that he was no Berton Roueché (who is), but it was well-worth the read as a snack-food book.
This time, the vignettes were written by other health professionals, outlining interesting cases and for the most part, were well-worth the read. Some of the essays were well-done or interesting, some were neither.
This was a perfect read for post-lunch reading (which is the time I put aside in reading science books as opposed to the cozy mysteries I tend to read during the evening hours). And I would recommend it if you enjoy short writings about interesting medical cases.
I’ll give this book 3.9 stars – well worth reading as long as you don’t pay full price. ...more
(Note: This time, I wasn't given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
The book opens up with our intrepid Scooby Gang making way thro(Note: This time, I wasn't given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
The book opens up with our intrepid Scooby Gang making way through the snow to London when they encounter a detour to a town with a hidden past.
As opposed to her other books, the actual mystery in this book wasn't as good as the other ones, but the author makes up for it by clearing up the mystery of one of the main characters.
For those of you who have read any mystery series, coming in with book #4 isn't a good idea. Ideally, you really want to start with #1 and read forward. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.
This is the first book I've read of this series and I enjoyed it.
I thought of it as Agatha Christie with a healthy dose of snark.
Miss Seeton is an artThis is the first book I've read of this series and I enjoyed it.
I thought of it as Agatha Christie with a healthy dose of snark.
Miss Seeton is an art teacher who inherits a cottage in a small English village, full of characters straight out of a typical English cozy mystery.
If I had any qualms it was the way that the character point of view would suddenly change without any kind of indication of a PoV change. Other than that small qualm, this was a great cozy mystery, full of snark. I don't have any plans to read anymore books, but if one fell my way, I certainly wouldn't refuse.
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