Category: 5-Stars

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Book Review: Vice and Virtue (A Layla Virtue Mystery #1) by Libby Klein @libbykleinbooks

Vice and Virtue
(A Layla Virtue Mystery #1)
by Libby Klein

Amazon  / B&N / Apple / GP / BB

Layla Virtue, a blue-haired, thirtysomething recovering alcoholic and former cop is trying to reinvent herself in this hilarious and heartfelt mystery.


Layla is taking her new life one day at a time from the Lake Pinecrest Trailer Park she now calls home. Being alone is how she likes it. Simple. Uncomplicated. Although try telling that to the group of local ladies in relentless pursuit of her as their new BFF.Meanwhile, after her first career ended in a literal explosion, Layla’s trying to eke out a living as a rock musician. It’s hard competing against garage bands who work for tacos and create their music on a computer while all she has is an electric guitar and leather-ish pants. But she isn’t in a position to turn down any gig—which is why she’s at an eight-year-old’s birthday party, watching as Chuckles the Clown takes a bow under the balloon animals. No one expects it will be his last…

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

It would have been charming if it weren’t the place where dreams go to die.

Agnes was a prickly woman of retirement age whose hobbies appeared to be telling other people what was wrong with them and sucking on lemons.

There was a poster hanging on the back wall that said JESUS ALREADY KNOWS EVERYTHING YOU DON’T WANT YOUR MOMMA TO FIND OUT.

Miranda was perpetually uptight about most things. Punctuality was just a lone grain of sand on the seashore of her pet peeves.

Let me check the temperature of Hell and get back to you.

I loiter at the diabetic supply store looking for my next sugar momma.

There were two reasons I didn’t hang out with women. They could turn vicious in a pack environment, and I had an aversion to drama.

The world is full of trolls who want to steal your happiness to make up for their own misery.

Apparently, they can’t diagnose that until I’m dead, which sounds like a load of crap telling someone you have a disease that will kill you and we’ll let you know for sure after it does.

My Review:

 

I vastly enjoyed this witty tale. The writing was well-paced, populated with the most quirkiest of characters, and laced together with world-class snark. I had highlighted so many favorite quotes that it was rather painful to pare down the list to include in my review. This was just my first date with the crafty scribe known as Libby Klein, but we are going to be an ongoing item if she can continue to churn out more cleverly penned tales on par with Vice and Virtue. I am eager to see what she conjures up as the next adventure for this tribe of eccentric snoops.

About the Author

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Libby Klein writes ridiculously funny murder mysteries from her Northern Virginia office with a very naughty calico Persian named Miss Eliza Doolittle, and a sweet black Lab named Vader. She can name that tune for 70s and 80s rock in the first few notes, and she’s translated her love of classic rock into her Layla Virtue Mysteries. Libby was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that prevents her from eating gluten without exploding. Because bread is one of her love languages, she includes the recipes for gluten-free goodies in her Cape May based Poppy McAllister series. Most of her hobbies revolve around travel, and eating, and eating while traveling. She insists she can find her way to any coffee shop anywhere in the world, even while blindfolded.

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Book Review: Mystery at Hideaway House (Eve Mallow Mystery #14) by Clare Chase  @clarechaseauthor   @bookouture  @theboldbookclub 

Mystery at Hideaway House
(Eve Mallow Mystery #14)
by Clare Chase

Amazon  / B&N / BB

 

Amateur sleuth Eve Mallow is enjoying a very well-deserved holiday in a charming cottage with her new husband. But murder never takes a break…


Nestled among the trees of a gorgeous country estate, Hideaway House is the perfect place for a holiday – complete with roof terrace, cosy fireplace and four-poster bed. It’s been a labour of love for charismatic Duncan Blake, who shot to fame thanks to his TV shows restoring old buildings, and he’s hoping his hard work will pay off with a good review.Despite her misgivings – Eve can’t be bought! – she packs up Robin and dachshund Gus and heads to Kesham. But from the beginning it’s the holiday from hell. First, she finds a threatening note warning her that Hideaway House has history…

And then Duncan is found dead at the bottom of a ditch.

But who wanted to demolish the building expert? Was it his keen apprentice, who was working for free? His wife, who gave up her dreams to follow his? Or the owner of nearby Kesham Hall, whose relationship with Duncan was on decidedly rocky foundations?

Brick by brick, Eve gathers her a missing murder weapon, a long-lost daughter, and the secret sabotage of Duncan’s plans. But can she nail the killer before she digs herself into a deadly hole?

A completely gripping English cozy mystery, full of charm and puzzling clues, perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Agatha Christie and Emylia Hall.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

He looked at Eve as though she was something he’d just sneezed into a tissue.

He wore a smart suit but still managed to look slightly dishevelled. His hair stuck out at odd angles and his glasses looked as though they’d been dropped recently and possibly sat on.

My Review:

 

This was a complicated and well-plotted mystery that kept me looping around in circles. I was chasing my tail as I pondered so many suspects and what seemed to be red herring clues. Ms. Chase is a clever one and may well be an evil genius, as I marveled at how well she dovetailed all her brilliantly scattered pieces together in a realistic fashion.

Clare Chase writes classic mysteries. She aims to take readers away from it all via some armchair sleuthing in atmospheric locations.

Her debut novel was shortlisted for Novelicious’s Undiscovered Award, as well as an EPIC award post-publication, and was chosen as a Debut of the Month by LoveReading. Murder on the Marshes (Tara Thorpe 1) was shortlisted for an International Thriller Writers award.

Like her heroines, Clare is fascinated by people and what makes them tick. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in settings as diverse as Littlehey Prison and the University of Cambridge, in her home city. She’s lived everywhere from the house of a lord to a slug-infested flat and finds the mid-terrace she currently occupies a good happy medium.

As well as writing, Clare loves family time, art and architecture, cooking, and of course, reading other people’s books.

 

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Book Review: The Secretary Volume II by Britney King  @britneyking_ @enticingjourney

The Secretary Volume II
by Britney King

 

Amazon / B&N / Apple / BB

 

For fans of Severance and The Girl Before, The Secretary Volume II is a razor-sharp psychological thriller where ambition is a trap, power is a game, and saying “yes” could cost everything.


“I’ve been watching you. Waiting for you. And now, it’s your turn.”There’s no escaping Shergar Corp.

Lena Blackwell wanted a fresh start. A new city. A new job. A clean slate.

Then she met Gillian Martin.

Polished. Poised. Perfect. A little too perfect—like she’s rehearsing lines someone else gave her. Like she isn’t real anymore.
And Ellis Harrison is the reason why.

Shergar Corp’s founder. The man who built everything. The man who decides who lives and who vanishes. He doesn’t make threats. He makes people disappear.

Then Lena finds the note.

Do you have what it takes to be in my world? Check yes or no.

It reads like a dare.

It functions like a death sentence.

The deeper she digs, the more the walls close in. The more she resists, the more she loses—her past, her choices, her way out.

Because Gillian once stood where Lena stands now. And if Lena isn’t careful, one day, someone new will stand where she is.

Holding the same note.
Reading the same words.
Asking the same question.

And then?

They’ll bury what’s left of her.

Bestselling author Britney King pulls you into Shergar Corp—a place where ambition is a trap, memories are rewritten, and saying yes might be the last choice you ever make…

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

The conference room is cold, expensive, controlled. The kind of place where even oxygen probably has to get approval before it circulates.

Looked like she was about to glitch out of reality.

I should have known. He’s an attorney. If lying was a sport, he’d have corporate sponsorships.

Sleek. Cold. Minimal. A shrine to architectural restraint. The kind of place where even the fruit bowl has performance anxiety.

You seemed like the safest bad idea I could find.

My Review:

 

This twisty tale kept me on edge from start to finish. Even the little pea in my brain was nervous and deeply disturbed by what was scrolling through my gray matter. I fell into an oddly compelling yet prickly vortex by writing that was taut with tension, as were each of the uniquely complicated, unctuous, and despicable characters. I despised them, deeply, yet I couldn’t put my Kindle down. I ripped through this book in a day and caught myself wanting to hiss at any disruption to my rapt perusal. This crafty wordsmith has done me in, yet again.

About the Author

Britney King lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, children, two dogs, one ridiculous cat, and a partridge in a pear tree.

When she’s not wrangling the things mentioned above, she writes psychological, domestic, and romantic thrillers set in suburbia.
Without a doubt, connecting with readers is the best part of this gig. You can find Britney online here:

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Book Review: Must Have Been Love by Carrie Elks   @CarrieElks

Must Have Been Love
 by Carrie Elks

 

 

Amazon / B&N / BB

Enemies by day. Electric tension by night. Welcome to small town chaos.

Inheriting a rundown bar from the father who abandoned me should be my chance to start over.

Instead, it puts me directly in the path of Hudson Fitzgerald—single dad, small town royalty, and the most insufferable man I’ve ever met. He’s rich, broody, and way too good-looking for my peace of mind.

Oh, and he wants me gone.

But I didn’t come here just to tuck my tail and run away. I came to prove I’m not the hot mess everyone thinks I am. Even if that means going head-to-head with Hudson every single day.

He thinks I’m chaos in a crop top. I think he’s a control freak with a stick where the sun doesn’t shine. But beneath all that tension is something else. Something electric.

And when he kisses me? Let’s just say, for a man who claims he doesn’t do messy, he sure knows how to make a mess of me.

I was only supposed to be here long enough to fix up my bar. I never meant to fall for the man who runs this place like he owns it.

But in a small town like this, love has a way of sneaking up on you.

Fans of enemies-to-lovers, forbidden kisses and grumpy billionaires won’t want to miss this small town romcom packed with laugh-out-loud banter and smouldering tension!

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

She stands out like a sore thumb in the sea of pastel princesses, because she’s wearing some kind of dark brown leather bodice, laced so tightly it pushes her breasts up that I swear she’s a breath away from a wardrobe malfunction.

If I thought my heart was pounding before, it’s pretty much launching itself on a suicide mission against my ribcage now.

You don’t strike me as somebody who cares if things are a good idea…

And I promise that no matter how many storms we face, I’ll be your calm in the chaos, your partner in every adventure, and the one who loves you so deeply that even songs can’t do it justice. Forever and always, you’ll be my melody, my magic, and my everything.

My Review:

 

This is such a fun read that I didn’t even mind the angsty part, and I generally despise angst. I adored this couple; they were hot stuff, like atomically combustible hot. The characters were likable yet significantly flawed. Each storyline was engaging, well-paced, cleverly amusing, and provided a significant contribution to the plot. What more could a reader ask for?

 

Carrie Elks writes contemporary romance with a sizzling edge. Her first book, Fix You, has been translated into eight languages and made a surprise appearance on Big Brother in Brazil. Luckily for her, it wasn’t voted out. Carrie lives with her husband, two lovely children, and a larger-than-life black pug called Plato. When she isn’t writing or reading, she can be found baking, drinking an occasional (!) glass of wine, or chatting on social media.

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Book Review: Quietly Yours (Quiet Love Book 3) by L.H. Cosway   @l.h.cosway @greyspromo

Quietly Yours
(Quiet Love Book 3)
by L.H. Cosway 

 

Amazon  / BB

 

Ada Rose never expected to find herself homeless in her thirties. Then again, she also never thought she’d encounter a man as heartless as Jonathan Oaks. Her job managing a care home for the elderly is a struggle and the sudden death of her father and stepmother, who she had been living with— has thrown her world into disarray. The house is left to Jonathan, her stepmother’s estranged son, and he wants Ada gone ASAP.

In fact, he’s given her a week to pack her things and move out.

As a resident in the home, Ada knows she has certain rights, but her pride gets the better of her. If Jonathan wants her gone, then she’ll go, and finding herself out of options, she resorts to sleeping in her car. But she’s a survivor and has gotten through a lot worse.

After a week and still finding no apartments in her price range, Ada is getting desperate. She receives a call from Jonathan requesting that she come collect some of her late father’s belongings. She doesn’t expect him to be there when she drops by, and after he takes one look at Ada’s possessions stuffed into her car, she’s filled with a sense of shame. Resentment, too, because he’s the very reason her life has been upended.

Being a wealthy investment banker, Ada anticipates Jonathan’s disdain for her situation but it never comes. Instead he mentions a vacant apartment he owns and offers to rent it to her for a reasonable price. Not willing to look a gift horse in the mouth, Ada accepts his offer. But what she doesn’t realise is that the apartment is right next door to Jonathan’s, and becoming his neighbour means getting to know him a whole lot better.

Quietly Yours is book #3 in L.H. Cosway’s Quiet Love Series and can be read as a standalone.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

It felt like thorns were cinching around my heart, pricking the tender organ and squeezing tighter and tighter until I couldn’t stand the pain.

If this was what hell felt like, people were right to fear it.

I’m pretty sure that boy came out of the womb and immediately began flirting with the midwife.

My brain shut off, like an electricity grid suddenly losing power. One minute, it was a map of switched on, glowing lights, and the next, darkness. No connections were going through.

Regrets were a problem for tomorrow.

My Review:

 

This series had an excellent start with Quiet Types, and miraculously just gets better and better. I can’t wait to see what she does next. The writing is emotive, engaging, easy to fall into, and is populated with flawed yet likable and hardworking characters I’d enjoy knowing and would be proud to have as a friend.

 

 

About the Author

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L.H. Cosway lives in Dublin, Ireland. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books. She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories. L.H. is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

 

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Series Book Review:  Finlay Donovan Series by Elle Cosimano  @ellecosimano 

#1 Finaly Donovan is Killing It

 

#2 Finaly Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead

#3 Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun

#3.5 Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank

#4 Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice

# 5 Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

#1 Finaly Donovan is Killing It

Shame wasn’t a color that existed in Theresa’s wardrobe.

…certain things about motherhood had always eluded me, and cooking had been one of them. Apparently, marriage had been the other.

#2 Finaly Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead

Not because I wanted to kill Steven. I mean, I did, I guess. Some days. Most days. Definitely whenever he opened his mouth.

My heart raced as I ducked into the passenger side and locked the door. I stared at the dashboard, unable to form words. The exterior of the car was a giant phallus, and the interior looked like Darth Vader’s bathroom.

#3 Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun

“The child is holding very still. I think he might be up to something.” I wrinkled my nose. Zach was definitely up to something. “He’s grunting and his face is turning red. I think he’s possessed.”

It was only a month into the new year, and I was throwing my third resolution into the fire like a cheap champagne flute.

#3.5 Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank

Darren was all clumsy hands and overly optimistic tongue. It was a little like playing Whac-A-Mole with a clingy octopus with boundary issues. It was obvious he wasn’t keeping any big secrets in his pants.

Her mother was a tiny whirlwind. A five-foot-two-inch wrecking ball of unfiltered honesty and brutal determination. She was unstoppable, like the Terminator,

Javier Romero had the most disarming smile Vero had ever seen, but he could also turn bad assery into a full-time job.

#4 Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice

“A parley?” he said, rubbing his watering eyes. “Who do you think you are, Jack Sparrow? This isn’t Pirates of the Caribbean.”

I leaned back against the wall between our rooms, sliding down it until I was sitting on the carpet. It was tacky and smelled like cigarettes and despair.

…that man has a very sexy voice. I think my panties are wet, and at my age, that’s really saying something. Put me on speaker.

Poker’s all about faking it, Finn. After eight years being married to Steven, you’ve got plenty of experience with that.

The woman pointed a long black fingernail at a chalkboard sign. PSYCHIC READINGS $ 25. PALM. TAROT. CRYSTAL BALL. “You want a reading?” she asked, affecting an accent that sounded a lot like my agent doing an impression of Count Chocula.

“There’s a very reasonable explanation for this,” I said calmly. “We just don’t know exactly what it is yet.”

# 5 Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave

I’d made some observations after all the time I’d spent with my mother and Mrs. Haggerty over the last few weeks, and getting old seemed a little like going through adolescence backward.

“Why won’t he keep his pants on?” my father asked. “Probably something to do with the apple and the tree.

He couldn’t get out of here fast enough. The guy laid enough rubber in the street to outfit the whole tire department at Costco.

A quiet two-year-old was rarely a good thing. Last time Zach had been alone and quiet in the bathroom, he’d been finger-painting the walls with his own poop.

‘He’s a really good cop!” Vero called out over the women as they started to argue. “The best! He’s like John McClane in Die Hard, but with better hair. And a lot more backup!”

My Review:

 

I gleefully bounced in my chair and frequently laughed aloud while I inhaled this amusing and cleverly penned series. I loved every well-chosen arrangement of words. Elle Cosimano is absolutely brilliant, and her Finaly Donovan creation is a gift. Poor Finaly, she was a semi-successful writer who had an ex-husband who couldn’t keep it in his pants and a toddler who refused to keep his pants on, or toilet train. Finaly was a hot mess.

Her adventures started with an inadvertent slip of paper on a Panera tray, which eventually led her to helping various women living in difficult situations who were “seeking a specialist with a certain skill set.” Finaly didn’t actually have the skill set, but she and Vero, her ever helpful nanny, kept managing to accidentally kill bad people, some they were supposed to, others just had the bad luck to die in their vicinity.

The engaging storylines were active, eventful, smartly plotted, and populated with a colorful cast of oddly compelling characters, many of whom were unlikable, yet quirkily and knowingly drawn. I downed six in a row and finished the last one hoping there are more to come.

Elle Cosimano is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, an International Thriller Award winner, and an Edgar® Award nominee. Her acclaimed young adult novels include Nearly Gone, Holding Smoke, The Suffering Tree, and Seasons of the Storm. Elle’s debut novel for adults, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, kicked off a witty, fast-paced contemporary mystery series, which was a PEOPLE Magazine Pick and one of New York Public Library’s Best Books of 2021. In addition to writing novels for teens and adults, her essays have appeared in The Huffington Post and Time. Elle lives with her husband and two sons in Virginia.

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Book Review:  The Seaside Murders (The Secret Detective Agency #2) by Helena Dixon @NellDixon  @Bookouture

The Seaside Murders 
(The Secret Detective Agency #2)
by Helena Dixon

Amazon  / B&N / BB

 

A pretty seaside town, a body on the beach, and a boatload of clues. Can super-sleuth Miss Jane Treen solve the mystery?

England, 1941: When Jane Treen is summoned to her boss’s office at the end of a long day, she smooths down her tweed skirt and makes them both another strong pot of coffee. Brigadier Remmington-Blythe slides a folded copy of the evening newspaper towards her, with one small article circled in red ink. A body has been found on an English beach in the little seaside town where she grew up, and he wants her to investigate.

Jane is used to managing secret agents and spies, but she is now part of The Secret Detective Agency, England’s answer to solving the most mysterious murders. Making her way to the coast and brimming with curiosity, she’s heartened that shy and handsome codebreaking genius Arthur Cilento will be joining her to help her wade through the fishy goings-on. Although Jane doubts he will appreciate her bringing her beloved one-eyed cat, Marmaduke…

Together, Jane and Arthur drop anchor in her crumbling childhood home overlooking the sandy beach where the body was found. Surrounded by potential suspects, their eyes are on a devious doctor, an eccentric artist, and a secret sweetheart. But as Jane and Arthur are searching for the truth, those giving evidence start to clam up. One thing seems sure: they need to reel in the killer before they’re out of their depth…

Can The Secret Detective Agency triumph again, or will they meet their watery end at high tide?

If you love twisty crime novels, top-secret intrigue and the very best of Golden Age mysteries, then you will adore Helena Dixon’s totally gripping cozy novel, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Verity Bright!

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Arthur thought Captain Prudhoe looked rather as if someone had just pulled the pin from a grenade right in front of him.

Personally, Arthur thought Jane was at her most terrifying when she was being nice to people.

Mr Briggs placed his hands behind his back, reminding Arthur of a rather plump, prosperous pigeon about to commence strutting.

I suppose it was too much to hope for that you had snagged a man at last. I swear, Janey pie, you couldn’t catch one even if I gave you a net.

This is none of your business, and if you breathe one word of anything that you might see or hear tonight, then I swear I shall never speak to you ever again. I’ll also tell the press your real age.

My Review:

 

This cozy historical series has been a fun diversion from the intense thrillers I’ve been reading of late. The murder mysteries are confounding, unpredictable, and exceptionally well-plotted between lashings of humorous observations and the sneakily wry descriptions this crafty scribbler provides for her quirky characters. I enjoyed getting to know them better and am looking forward to more of their adventures.

About the Author

 

Helena Dixon is the author of the best-selling Miss Underhay murder mystery series and lives in Devon. Married to the same man for over thirty-five years, she has three daughters, a cactus called Spike, and a crazy cockapoo. She is allergic to adhesives, apples, tinsel, and housework. She was the winner of The Romance Prize in 2007 and Love Story of the Year 2010 as Nell Dixon.

 

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Book Review: Hot Shot (Roseville Ramblers #2) by Staci Hart  @imaquirkybird

Hot Shot
(Roseville Ramblers #2)
 by Staci Hart

Amazon  / B&N / BB

 

Never thought I’d agree to a marriage of convenience to my hot, firefighter ex boyfriend.
Especially after he casually informs me we’ve been married for ten years.

Ten years ago, Wilder and I were so in love that we got married in Vegas for one night only before leaving for college on different sides of the world. He was supposed to mail the annulment papers.

Problem is, he didn’t.
Worse? He didn’t tell me.
Not even when I came back to town to marry another man.

But now he needs my help, and I can’t say no. All I have to do is have to pretend in front of the whole town like we’re married. Hold hands. Kiss. Not throw myself at him when he looks at me like I’m the only woman in the world.

My body might remember him, but the rest of me isn’t ready. Because I’m just learning how to find myself, and if I get wrapped up in Wilder’s world, I’ll lose more than my heart—I’ll lose everything.

Again.

 

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Her laughter is like hearing an old song my heart forgot.

My major organs are playing checkers.

I wonder absently if a human jaw can unhinge like a snake. Molly’s tonsils are on full display.

All I need are more hours in the day and more days in the week. The thought doesn’t burst my bubble, but it definitely springs a leak.

My Review:

 

This one sizzled with atomic sensual heat and had my Kindle steaming up – or was that from my panting breath? I had to turn up all fans to high and keep libation on hand to stave off dehydration. I adore Staci Hart, she has a wicked sense of humor and was either blessed with a crafty storytelling gene or has a pen blessed by pixies. I covet her main character Wilder, he is the perfect book boyfriend. And BTW, I tried out her ingenious ten-second hugs, and they do work.

About the Author

 

 

Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life — a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can’t forget that. She’s also been a mom, with three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She’s been a wife, though she’s certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She’s also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she’s been drinking whiskey. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, sleeping, gaming, or designing graphics.

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Book Review: Death at Inishmore Castle (Mercy McCarthy Mystery #3) by Lucy Connelly  @candace_havens @bookouture

Death at Inishmore Castle
(Mercy McCarthy Mystery #3)
by Lucy Connelly

Amazon  / B&N  / BB

A grand castle, a glass of Irish whiskey, a good book by the fire… and a rather mysterious murder?

Historic Inishmore Castle is opening its doors for the first time, hosting a charming weekend of whiskey tasting and soda bread baking. Sisters Mercy and Lizzie McCarthy are badly in need of a break, but their relaxing trip takes a decidedly unrestful turn when Mercy finds fellow guest Father Brennen slumped over the desk in the library… Did he have one glass too many or did someone want him dead?

Even more curiously, Mercy swiftly learns that the priest was no priest at all. So why was he searching through dusty old journals? Can the legend of Inishmore’s lost treasure possibly be true?

Mercy’s suspicions of foul play are confirmed when another of their party is found drowned in the lake at the edge of the manor’s estate. It can’t be a coincidence! Someone in this idyllic Irish castle is up to no good and Mercy is determined to find out who’s behind it, accompanied by her reluctant fellow sleuth and beloved dog Mr. Poe.

With a host of frightened guests and worried staff, and a storm closing in, Mercy soon has more suspects than bedrooms in the castle. Could it be the unconvincing nun, the busybody birdwatcher, or are the owners hiding something sinister? When Mercy realises there are secret passages in the walls, she thinks she might have cracked the case… but will she track the killer down, or will Inishmore be her resting place forever more?

A completely delightful Irish cozy mystery, full of warmth and wit. Fans of Agatha Christie, Carlene O’Connor, and Faith Martin will love Mercy McCarthy!

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I’d say I will never do it again, but you’ve met me. I tend to be impulsively curious when things like this happen.

Mr. Poe yawned so big he almost fell over. It was way past his bedtime. He would sometimes try to drag Lizzie by her pajama legs upstairs if she stayed up late watching television. He was a dog with a schedule.

In Shamrock Cove, everyone knew your business, sometimes before you did. It was one of the town’s many quirks.

We didn’t hesitate to run toward the scream, which probably says so much about Lizzie and me regarding danger. We would most definitely be killed early on in any horror movie.

My Review:

 

This has been such a fun series, and each installment just gets better. The mysteries are well-plotted and expertly paced, the writing is smart, highly amusing, unfailingly engaging, and easy to follow, while the characters are quirky and well-fleshed out. And I absolutely adore Mr. Poe, the smartest crime-solving dog in the world. He deserves his very own superhero cape!

About the Author

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Bestselling author Candace Havens has published more than 25 books. Her novels have received nominations for the RITA’s, Holt Medallion, Write Touch Reader Awards and National Reader’s Choice Awards. She is a Barbara Wilson Award winner. She is the author of the biography Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy and a contributor to several anthologies. She is also one of the nation’s leading entertainment journalists and has interviewed countless celebrities from George Clooney to Chris Pratt. Candace runs a free online writing workshop for more than 2000 writers and teaches comprehensive writing classes.
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Book Review: A Recipe for Murder (A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery #21) by Verity Bright  @BrightVerity  @Bookouture 

A Recipe for Murder
(A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery #21)
by Verity Bright

Amazon  / B&N / BB

Cream cakes, cucumber sandwiches, apple tarts and… poison? Lady Swift is trying to plan the menu for her wedding, until murder strikes in kitchens across the village!

Lady Eleanor Swift’s marriage to dashing Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon is just days away. There’s a lot to organise from the dress to the catering, including, of course, the all-important wedding cake.

But Eleanor is heartbroken when their chef, apple-cheeked Annie Tibetts, dies of poisoning. And as the doctor confirms her death wasn’t an accident, accusations fly around the whole community.

With more of the village struck down by the poison, Eleanor must unmask a killer who seems intent on spreading chaos amongst her nearest and dearest. Everyone is accusing their neighbour… and Eleanor is in a pickle as the seating plans for the wedding fall apart. But she soon has bigger fish to fry when the source of the poison is traced to a trusted establishment in town. Eleanor is certain they are being framed and that sabotage is afoot…

And when a sample of poisoned wedding cake is delivered anonymously to Hugh working at his station miles away in Oxford, Eleanor realises that while she has been planning for the future, her past has been catching up with her. Eleanor must race across the countryside to save her love from certain death. Can Eleanor find the proof in the pudding and save Hugh in time? And will the poisoner finally get their just desserts?

A gripping and totally twisty historical cozy mystery set in an English village. Fans of T.E. Kinsey, Catherine Coles and L.B. Hathaway won’t be able to put this down.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

The woman’s curiosity was sparked as fiercely as if he’d held a burning torch to it. She leaned in conspiratorially, so much so that she tripped over her own slippered foot.

…rumours have been streakin’ round the village like hornets with their tails afire.

I love you, Eleanor. With all my heart. And I always will. Grow old with me, my love. In my arms, forever.

My Review:

 

I continue my ongoing love affair with the smooth and vastly enticing word skills of the author combo of Verity Bright. I adore their amusing and brain-tickling murder mysteries and every one of their endearing and cleverly constructed characters. I would never have guessed that the cranky and uptight police detective introduced in the first installment would become such an adorable and swoony romantic.

About the Author

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Verity Bright is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing partnership that has spanned a quarter of a century. Starting out writing high-end travel articles and books, they published everything from self-improvement to humor before embarking on their first historical mystery. They are the authors of the fabulous Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, set in the 1920s.