Review: The Hidden Staircase

The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nancy sticks her nose in everyone's business and saves the day, round 2. Once again, she's with her friend Helen Corning, with no sign of George and Bess. Helen is a good friend, and up for most anything, but really is there to serve as a plot device to showcase Nancy how brave and clever Nancy is at every turn.

Helen's great grandmother's old mansion is haunted, naturally, as all good old mansions are. Nancy and Helen go to stay with her and Helen's mother, catch the ghost, and solve the mystery. But wait, Nancy's amazing father, Carson Drew, is wrapped up in a land dispute and is in grave danger. You better believe both cases are connected, friends. Of course they are, and Nancy is there to solve them both, find the hidden staircase, and save the day (and her father). Nancy stays clever, kind, and beautiful as always, and we are on to book 3. Three crime-solving stars.



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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.

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Review: The Secret of The Old Clock

The Secret of The Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
My rating: 3 of 5 stars 

 
Where it all began. Nancy sticks her nose in everyone's business and saves the day. Spoiler, the rest of the series is going to follow this formula.

Nancy almost runs over a young girl, chases down some robbers, and gets involved with a missing will. I'm going to give you three guesses where it's hidden, guys, and the first two don't count. She gets captured, breaks out, nearly gets captured again, and saves the day. Did we expect anything else?We don't get any Bess & George, but don't worry, they are coming soon. Plenty of Carson Drew, father of the year, and Hannah Gruen, the best surrogate mother around.

These books are silly but I loved them growing up. I review them all so you don't have to. You're welcome.


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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.

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World Passport 2022

 

It's time for a fresh year of exploring the world through books.  This year I am taking a new approach.  I have broken up the globe into 12 different regions, and I will look for books that are set in those areas in the corresponding month.  Follow my travels here: World Passport

Review: A Bucket of Ashes

A Bucket of Ashes by P.B. Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A satisfying end to the series.  I'm a marshmallow and love that HEA.

Life can never be simple and straightforward for my girl, Nell.  She is still in love with Will, and dealing with the consequences from the end of book 5.  Her past comes up to stare her straight in the face: Duncan, Dr. Greaves, and her estranged brother, Jamie.  The mystery isn't a particularly mysterious one, but we do get most things tied up in a bow and I am satsified that my favorite governess will go on to live happily ever after.  Girl, you deserve it after all you have been through in life.  

Sad to see this series end, but happy with the epilogue and the hope for the future.  4 stars.

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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.

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Review: Cruel Winter

Cruel Winter by Sheila Connolly
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Maura, I think I might be done with you. Your utter lack of curiosity, your failure to grow as a person, and your complete cluelessness about being an adult is wearing on my last nerve. Seriously. You inherit a pub, but don't have the curiosity to explore it from top to bottom? Here it is, 9 months later, and you are all, "I've never been in the basement. I had no idea we had a working kitchen. What could possibly be in these rooms upstairs?" You are dumb. You have two men interested in you but you try to turn a blind eye. Grow a pair and let them know you aren't interested, for pete's sake, or go out with one of them, or both of them, but stop acting like a doe-eyed innocent, you dolt. You have no clue how to run the pub, you know nothing about the music scene, but just stumble along, letting life happen for you.

Also, this case was ridiculous and Maura is ridiculous, and how it all played out is ridiculous. You'll get one more chance with book 6, but if you can't show some character growth, I'm packing my bags and leaving Ireland.

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Review: Sailing to Love

Sailing to Love by Barbara Cartland
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I actually didn't hate this one. Good job, Babs. 

The heroine was spunky and smart, although you have to forgive the patented Mary Sue formula of all of Cartland's romances. I liked the hero, too. And their friendly sidekick. 

Maybe I'm just in a good mood today, but I'm giving this one three stars.

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Review: I Will Not Die An Unlived Life: Reclaiming Passion and Purpose

I Will Not Die An Unlived Life: Reclaiming Passion and Purpose by Dawna Markova
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"It is not the events in our lives that determine who we become, but the meaning we choose to place on those events." - Victor Frankl

I have read this book three times, and I always walk away both centered and inspired. One woman's simple exploration of what her life means, Markova experiences it all; trials, joys, the bitter with the sweet, and shares her journey to living a life of passion and purpose. I found it inspiring and, in a weird way, calming. It was a reminder that I can have exactly what I want out of life, and to slow down and appreciate what I have. 

She designs an acronym for LIVE to guide her when she is at a crossroads in life:
L: What do I love?
I: What are my inner gifts and talents?
V: What do I value?
E: What are the environments that bring out the best in me?

In doing so, she stays true to her personal path. Part self-help, part memoir, Markova lays her soul bare for the reader and reminds you to look at the good and move towards the life you want. 

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