Review: Good as Dead

Good as Dead by Susan Walter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A deadly hit and run. A payoff. And secrets at every turn. Welcome to Good as Dead.

We get several switching perspectives: Holly, who is involved in a hit and run where she loses her husband. Savannah, their teenaged daughter. Evan, the fixer. Jack, Evan's boss. Libby, the nosy neighbor with her own issues. And Andy, the nosy neighbor's wife. Quickly shifting POV and short chapters kept everything moving along, and this read like a movie in the way it played out.

I suspected the ending way early, but I still found it entertaining. 3 solid stars - recommend if you enjoy thrillers.

View all my reviews

Review: Blood Sport

Blood Sport by Dick Francis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This one was a darker plot than a lot of Dick Francis's novels. It holds up very well for a book written in 1967. You could see it happening in today's world, with less smoking and better technology. This time, our everyman hero is Gene Hawkins, a "civil servant" with a very particular set of skills. He is very good at his job, but struggles with depression. To save him from himself, his boss dangles an irresistible case in front of him - three missing stud stallions have vanished without a trace over the past few years. Could they be related? And can they be found? Well, yes, friends, or we wouldn't have a mystery to solve.

Francis gives a pretty honest perspective of Gene's dark thoughts and how he grapples with life and what to do with the one he has. The supporting characters are well-developed, too. Especially Walt, the insurance investigator who joins Gene on his quest to solve the case and recover the funds to his company. This one takes us from England to all across America, and finally back home again. One of my favorites, and we didn't even really go racing. 4 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: In the Darkness

In the Darkness by Karin Fossum
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A new nordic mystery series for me. I liked it even though I think a few things might have been lost in translation. I will spend more time with Inspector Sejer.

A woman and her daughter find a body floating in the river. Instead of calling the police, she calls her father to chat. Because that's not suspicious at all. Ok, Eva. The setting is dark, like all of the nordic noir I've read. Cold, bleak, and stark. Eva is a hot mess, and she makes suspect decisions throughout the entire book. The plot unwinds in a series of time jumps and while I enjoyed the book, I wanted more time to explore Inspector Sejer. I'm hoping he is more of the focus in the next books.

I did not expect several of the twists and it kept me guessing until the end - things I love in my mysteries. A good start to a new author and series for me. Three solid stars.

View all my reviews

Review: An Obvious Fact

An Obvious Fact by Craig Johnson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Henry Standing Bear, I love you and I like you.  Walt, while I hold you in deep admiration, Henry has my whole heart.  

My favorite partners in crime (fighting) are headed to Sturgis.  Guess who is there waiting for them.  Lola.  THE Lola.  She finally makes an appearance, and she's just as crazy as you might expect.  The whole story I was picturing Cha Cha DiGregorio from Grease.  No judgment, Henry.  We all have some skeletons in our closets.  And her son was run off the road on his motorcycle, and he's in a coma.  Walt and Henry to the rescue, mostly.

Lots of plot threads happening with the ATF on the scene, family drama, and the Walt stepping on local law enforcement's toes left and right.  And some laugh out loud dialogue and hijinks, like you expect from Longmire.  I'm vaguely disappointed because we didn't get real answers to a few things and it left my wanting more, but all is forgiven because Henry and Walt are my favorite Wyoming boys.  3.5 stars, but not going to round up because it just didn't quite hit 4 star territory for me.

View all my reviews

Review: The Darkness

The Darkness by Ragnar Jónasson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can't stop thinking about this book. Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir is such an intriguing main character. And the ending blew me away. I will read more by Ragnar Jonasson.

View all my reviews

Review: Endless Night

Endless Night by Agatha Christie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I thought I owned and had read every Agatha Christie book, but somehow I missed this one. It's quite unlike her other work. The first 3/4 of the book is about the main character's relationship, courtship, and marriage, then boom! Typically Christie plot twist. All of the pieces fell together. She really was the master of mystery.

This is seriously one of her most WTF books. Well played, Agatha. I'm still thinking about this one.

View all my reviews

Review: Jackaby

Jackaby by William Ritter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I went in expecting a paranormal Holmes & Watson type romp. I left underwhelmed, yet happy enough to read book 2.

Abigail Rook, newly arrived in America, stumbles into a position with RF Jackaby, observant mystery solver of the strange and paranormal. They make a decent team. I enjoyed Rook's point of view. She's smart, and in the end she saves herself, mostly, and I like that. No shrinking violets here. And there is a hint of romance to come in future books. Not with her boss, because Rook is not a cliché. A decent mystery with a few plot holes but nothing too objectionable. 3 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: Death at La Fenice

Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ah, Venice. City of canals. City of murder. But Commissario Brunetti will get his man in the end.

I like stand-up, moral guys who do the right thing, and Brunetti is the Italian version of my favorite lawman, Walt Longmire. Lawful good is my jam, folks. He solves the crime despite his superiors, red herrings, and roadblocks. I was way off on my assumptions, and I liked the resolution. Well plotted and I enjoyed the details.

New series for me. I like Commissario Brunetti and will definitely continue solving crimes with him.

View all my reviews

Review: Cut & Run

Cut & Run by Madeleine Urban
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I waited WAY too long to start this series. I am sometimes a silly girl.

Ty and Zane. Zane and Ty. Love, love, love them. What's not to love? Smart, witty banter. Two hot guys. FBI protectors with scars both inside and out. And a clever case to solve. I have to admit, I was onto the bad guy, and I still have questions about the motivations, but since Zane is impulsive and rash we will never know.

So glad I read this. Great action, hot romance. Definitely not everyone's cup of tea, but I loved it. 4 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: The Cat Who Went Underground

The Cat Who Went Underground by Lilian Jackson Braun
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Vacation time for Q & the gang. We are going back to the cabin in the woods for the summer.

Qwill and the kitties are "roughing it" in the K cabin. But not really, because Qwill is a freaking millionaire, yo. But he continues to keep it real by staying frugal by eating in diners and riding a mountain bike around. Polly Purebred is living it up in merry old England on a librarian exchange, so Qwill thinks about putting the mack down on various young ladies, but somehow resists. And Qwill decides the historic cabin needs an addition, so he hires some folks off the books and gets the results you would expect. And has all sorts of problems with the plumbing and heating, and of course the young female plumber seems to crush on old man Q. Can't resist those mustachioed bucks, eh? Then a few people disappear, end up dead, and Koko once again solves the mystery while Yum Yum daintily eats from a crystal bowl. Yum Yum, you are dim but pretty.

As usual, three stars. I knew who was guilty from the beginning but was totally wrong about why. On to the next!

View all my reviews

Review: Small Favor

Small Favor by Jim Butcher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Harry, Harry, Harry. You will never change, and that's why I love you so much. More sass. More monsters. And more coins floating around Chicago, harassing Murph and Harry. Luckily they have the knights and wardens to help them fight evil.

Marcone is trouble, and Mab calls on Harry to bail him out. He reluctantly helps his frenemy, because he just can't resist the siren's call of trouble. He gathers his band of merry men and women, and they quest on to save the good people of Chicago. And Ivy. And Marcone. Harry makes some missteps and bad decisions, puts everyone in danger, and barely saves the day, as usual. And he gets his ass kicked as many times as you would expect. But what's that I smell around the corner? Could it be romance? Nah, I feel like Butcher is messing with us. Guess we will see in book 11.

You should try these books on audio. So good! Just like you would think Harry would sound. 3.5 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: Death of a Hussy

Death of a Hussy by M.C. Beaton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The more things change, the more they stay the same. And Hamish changes least of all.

Hamish and Towser, recently relegated to Strathbane after Lochdubh's police station has been closed due to lack of crime. The people of Lochdubh are crafty and make up a bunch of crimes to get Hamish back. Hurray! He returns home to meet newcomers Maggie and her niece, Allison. Maggie is overbearing, conniving, and a bit awful with an insecure center. Allison is a shrinking violet who falls for Hamish. Hoping to light a bit of a fire under Pricilla, I'll allow it.

Maggie is rich, you see, and lords that money over little orphan Allison and four of her former lovers/honeypots. And she's writing quite the risqué account of her sexcapades. Saucy! Then she ends of dead, of course, and Hamish is on the scent to find the killer. No one believes him, but he gets his man, or woman, in the end. He's lazy, but smart, after all. And he gets 3 stars for continuing to bring me back to Lochdubh.


View all my reviews

Review: Mission to Murder

Mission to Murder by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jill, Jill, Jill. You are silly. But I found you less annoying in this book, slightly. Your boyfriend Greg is amazing and is very much like my husband. You need to lock that down, stat.

Jill finds herself smack in the middle of a murder, and is once again the prime suspect. Seriously? I think there are 400 people in this town, and Jill is always stepping in it. Add the Scooby Doo-style wrap up with the villains at the end and I had to deduct a half star.

However, I am a sucker for a quick mystery, so I will of course read book 3. Feel free to judge me! 2 1/2 stars, rounding up to 3 because I love Greg and her dog Emma.

View all my reviews

Review: The Highlander Takes a Bride

The Highlander Takes a Bride by Lynsay Sands
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm a sucker for a kick-ass heroine. No wilting flowers for me, thanks.

Meet Saidh Buchanan. She rides well, shoots well, and talks like a pirate. Sometimes. But sometimes she's a lady. What a paradox! Now meet Greer. Strong, sexy. A big heart under all of those big muscles. He falls for Saidh. She falls for him. But she isn't looking to be strapped to anyone, and I liked that about her. I also love her rowdy brothers, and thought it added a layer of fun to the story. They are ridiculous.

Mystery and intrigue are afoot, and Greer and Saidh look to figure out what is happening in the castle before it's too late. Will they solve the crime? Will they live HEA? You can guess the answer to both questions, and then read to find out if you are right. (Spoiler...you are). 3 stars. I'll go back and read books 1 & 2 as well.

View all my reviews

Review: Angels Flight

Angels Flight by Michael Connelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great entry in the Harry Bosch universe. Man, he's my kind of detective, but he really can't catch a break with his love life. Poor Harry! I love Bosch because he's lawful good, a kind of everyday Joe who fights for justice and just can't keep his mouth shut when things aren't right. He's one of my book boyfriends. Love them smart, gruff, and principled, I guess.

We have a couple of murders. One with a hot shot lawyer who loved suing cops. And a poor innocent lady in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's a complicated plot, and I have to be honest, I guessed way wrong on this one. I was surprised at the twists, so well played, Connelly. Bosch is awesome, and if you aren't reading this series, start at the beginning and get reading. You can thank me later.

View all my reviews

Review: Dumb Witness

Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Agatha, you've done it again. I was WAY off on this one. I guessed 3 times and was wrong for all of them. But not to worry, my friend Poirot was right on target, as usual. I feel a bit like Hastings, in the dark all of the time.

This one involves Poirot and Hastings coming to the case after the crime occurs. A letter delay, the criminal almost off without punishment, until Poirot catches the scent. And like the dog in the book, he doesn't let go.

Good plot (as usual) and some fun twists and turns. 3 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: Ill Wind

Ill Wind by Nevada Barr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

New book, new park. Anna's at my old location, Mesa Verde, so I loved reading this one. I sold a ton of this book in my stores when I worked there. It's interesting to be able to visualize each location while you are in the park. Minus the dead bodies, of course.

Shoved into seasonal housing, prickly Anna is winning friends and influencing people, as usual. But she starts to settle in, and quickly gets embroiled in sabotage for the pipeline threatening to ruin one of my favorite parks, and then murder. I have to admit I thought I had it figured out a couple of times, but was wrong. And then our old Fed Stanton comes, and Anna is off to the sparring races. I'm interested to see where they take this quasi-partnership in book 4.

I love this series because Nevada Barr allows us to armchair travel to our National Parks. They are my among my favorite places. Take care of them, visit them, and leave no trace.

View all my reviews

Review: Mrs. McGinty's Dead

Mrs. McGinty's Dead by Agatha Christie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Poirot, my friend. Together we exercise our little gray cells and solve the case. Always a pleasure. And as usual, you get to the solution before me.

Another Christie mystery where I point the finger in my mind at all of the wrong people. I think I solve the crime over and over, only to be wrong at the end. But luckily for all of us, Poirot was there and saw what we did not.

Mrs. McGinty is dead. Her lodger is accused of the crime, but several other suspects seem to have the big three: motive, means, and opportunity. Can you guess the answer before Poirot? You can't, but don't feel bad, because he's the best. Three stars.

View all my reviews

Review: Curse of the Pharaohs

Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

More adventures with my favorite couple, Peabody and Emerson. If my husband and I were Egyptologists in the late 1800s, we would be them. I love their bickering and unabashed love.

They have returned to Luxor, leaving young Ramses in the care of Emerson's brother and his wife. Not necessarily a call I would have made, but hey, it was a different time. Plus, this is fiction. Superstition, murder, and grave plundering abound, as you might expect if you read the first book. If you didn't, stop reading this review and read book 1 instead.

A fun series! 3.5 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: Still Life with Murder

Still Life with Murder by P.B. Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great start to a new series for me. Historical mystery with a strong, smart heroine. I really liked Nell Sweeney. The story begins with Nell being unexpectedly hired as a governess for the wealthy Hewitt family. Fast forward to secrets, murder, and intrigue with William, the black sheep of the family. The family is in turmoil as the police are convinced they have the right man.

Not to worry, Nell is on the case. The mystery is intriguing and I really enjoyed the relationship between Will and Nell. I thought the ending was satisfying and I immediately went out and got the next book. 4 stars.

View all my reviews