Cozy Mysteries discussion
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When You’re Not Reading a Cozy
Here's my 4.34 rounded to 4 stars review of An Evil Heart
by Linda Castillo:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mystery / police procedural
Overall, this book was briskly paced, suspenseful, and gripping. This novel should delight those readers who enjoy police procedurals and mysteries that have a strong female lead character.
Just finished Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I really enjoyed it - a totally crazy mystery/thriller. Read it in one day!
I just finished a wonderful book, I gave it 5 stars. Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt
by Lucinda Riley. A wonderful ending to this series. Ties everything together. If you read this series you must read this book but read them in order.
Murder Beyond the GraveJames Patterson
My weekend readathon reviews: 
One More Time by Mandy Magrohttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Let's Play Make-Believe by James Pattersonhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Murder in the Meadow by Faith Martinhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Marshlight by Joy Ellishttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here is my 3.23 rounded to 3 stars review of Girls and Their Horses
by Eliza Jane Brazier:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This mystery was a slow-burn suspenseful read with plenty of drama as well as great characterization and world-building. However, the book moved back and forth in time and switched points of view between five characters and nine interviews with a police detective. For me, this adversely affected the flow of the novel as well as my overall enjoyment.
Here is my 4.59 rounded to 5 stars review of The Complete Gardener: A Practical, Imaginative Guide to Every Aspect of Gardening
by Montagu Don:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review for
No Footprints in the Bush by Arthur W. Upfieldhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finishing up the week with
Murder on Madison Square by Victoria Thompson https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here is my 3.28 rounded to 3 stars review of Her Dangerous Journey Home
by Lee Swanson:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Historical fiction
Overall, it was entertaining with great characterization and world-building. However, the pacing in the first half was slow and the ending left too many threads open for me. Despite this, it's still an enjoyable read that is entertaining.
Here is my 4.21 rounded to 4 stars review of Ancient Guardian by Katie Reus:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Paranormal romantic suspense
Great characterization and world-building
Fun and entertaining
Mod
* Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
* Olivia by Ian Falconer
* The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
I confess, the first was to fulfill a reading challenge prompt of a book involving art, after seeing that someone else in the challenge had used it. Children’s books can be an easy way to cross off some prompts.
I also started another book for a classic group read, Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. I wasn’t planning to read this, but stumbled across a copy at work last month, so figured I would give it a shot. I’m about a quarter into it.
Here is my 3.78 rounded to 4 stars review of The Bone Riddle
by Sara E. Johnson:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Forensics Mystery, Police Procedural
Phenomenal world-building and diverse characterization blended with a well-written narrative making this a novel that I advanced through effortlessly. The storyline is compelling in this unsettling thriller that has some alarming moments. The author did a great job of building suspense throughout the story and weaving the threads together.
The last book I read few days ago was set immediately after World War II The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
Here is my review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer [bookcover:The Guerns..."
I loved that book and devoured it in two days, staying up late one night to finish it.
Heather L wrote: "I loved that book and devoured it in two days, staying up late one night to finish it."It's a very nice book, love all the stories and being in good company with all those character, although it's not among my favorites.
Do you have read "The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan"? It's set during war time, light but even moving atmosphere.
It's a fictional story told through diaries and letters ... it's very beautiful indeed, with even just a little bit of mystery.
If you haven't read it I recommend it to you, I really think you'll like it :-)
I read both of these and loved them. I gave them both five stars, which I don't do too often. I'm hoping to run across another one that's similar. Not too much angst, heartwarming, community.
Meg wrote: " Not too much angst, heartwarming, community."I love that genre too, I like those books set during the war that highlight feelings of mutual aid, resilience and rebirth after pain.
If they're written with a little bit of good humor it is even better :-)
I already have 2 other books by Jennifer Ryan in my wish-list, a friend recommended me The Kitchen Front and The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle and the plot looks very nice.
Last night I finished
Acqua Alta by Donna Leon, set in Venice. I really like the MC, Commissario Brunetti; he's even-tempered, smart and a good guy all around. It was too graphic and violent for me, though, which is why I stretch this series out so much, and why I hop around. The series would appeal to readers who aren't squeamish like me, though, as the author is very good.
Mod
It's a very nice book, love all the stories and being in good company with all those chara..."
I had not heard of the The Chilbury Ladies' Choir book, thanks.
Tiziana wrote: "Meg wrote: " Not too much angst, heartwarming, community."I love that genre too, I like those books set during the war that highlight feelings of mutual aid, resilience and rebirth after pain.
I..."
Thanks, Tiziana, I've added those two books to my wish list!
Meg wrote: "Thanks, Tiziana, I've added those two books to my wish list!"Carrie wrote: "I really loved the Guernsey book and I had never heard of Jennifer Ryan before. I have added all three of her books to my TBR. Thanks for the recommendations, Tiziana!"
Meg and Carrie, you're welcome, it's a pleasure to exchange opinions and suggestions, that's the reason why we all are here, isn't it ? :-)
I've got a slightly early review of
A Stolen Child by Sarah Stewart Taylor https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Heather L wrote: "Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson"I love Harold!!
I just reread Harold's Purple Crayon Treasury, which contains five Harold adventures. I reached for it after finding (and reading) a copy of The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss. Crockett Johnson did the illustrations.
I also like Ellen's Lion. I read through that a few months ago.
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**Sometimes kids books are the best!
I recently finished two books by Olivia Sinclair connected in an interesting way.I first read Deal with the Devil, which started its life as a three-page bonus "excerpt" for readers of Sinclair's book Busted (which I read right after).
In Busted, the hero, Aiden, finds out he's been the model of a romance author's books -- more than 20 at the time. His sister, Linda, loves the author and happened across a old version of one of the books that mentions the hero having a very unusual tattoo, exactly like her brother's and in the same location. After looking at a few other books, she encourages him to read the books. He figures out who's hiding behind the pseudonym "Darla Simone" -- busted!
Olivia Sinclair provided a bonus for readers of Busted, an "excerpt" of the "Darla Simone" book, Deal with the Devil containing the scene with Aiden's tattoo. Fans wanted the whole story so Sinclair started posting it as a serial. Deal with the Devil is that serial compiled and edited for consistency.
So, technically, Deal with the Devil is a rom-com by fictional author Darla Simone as penned by Olivia Sinclair, author of Busted, wherein "Darla Siomone" is, well, busted.
Both books are enjoyable reads, but lacking.
** My Review of Deal with the Devil **
** My Review of Busted **
I am reading A Necessary Evil
by Abir Mukherjee, book 2 in the series. Very well written. Set in 1920 India. I recommend reading book 1 first A Rising Man.
Mod
They really are! 😀
Here is my 4.63 rounded to 5 stars review of Taken Girls
by Carolyn Arnold:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Gripping police procedural and crime thriller
Book 8 in the Detective Amanda Steele series
Mod
* Trolls by Jan Lööf (Amazon/Goodreads incorrectly lists the author as Rolf Lidberg, who was actually the illustrator). Cute children’s book.
* Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, which was one of the classics group’s reads for this month. I wasn’t planning to read it, but then I happened across a copy in excellent condition at a thrift store, so I decided to give it a try. So many questions about what makes some people tick, what makes them do the (sometimes idiotic) things they do. It was good, and it helps me tick off another Popsugar prompt for this year (a book with a map).
Heather L wrote: "Read this week:* Trolls by Jan Lööf (Amazon/Goodreads incorrectly lists the author as Rolf Lidberg, who was actually the illustrator). Cute children’s book.
* [book:Into the Wild..."
I fixed that Heather, so Jan will show as the author, and Rolf the illustrator. But it'll take some time to show correctly because of caching..
Mod
Heather L wrote: "Thanks, Brenda!"You're welcome :)
Here is my 4.54 rounded up to 5 stars review of Dead Man's Wake
by Paul Doiron:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
crime thriller and police investigation
Overall, this fast-paced novel was engaging, gripping, and atmospheric with good characterization and great world-building details.
The HousemaidI just finished reading this book
Was a good lil break from the sweetness of the cozy books
Cozy Mysteries
Books mentioned in this topic
What You Don't Know (other topics)Letters in Blue (other topics)
Hard Sun (other topics)
Legends & Lattes (other topics)
The Last Orphan (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Sandi Wallace (other topics)Heather Reyburn (other topics)
J.B. Turner (other topics)
Travis Baldree (other topics)
Carly Schabowski (other topics)
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Now reading a YA novel, Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter. It’s a combination of romance, action and thriller.