November was a mix of reading new releases (FIVE! FIVE new releases!) and rereads (relistens, mostly) with almost no backlist first reads.

I (like everyone else) was impatiently awaiting the new Murderbot story by Martha Wells and it did not disappoint. It’s set immediately after Network Effect so lots of Murderbot and ART.

I was also very excited about the conclusion to Freya Marske‘s conclusion to the Last Binding trilogy. I knew it was going to be about Lord Hawthorn, and we knew Alston had tragedy in his history, with the death of his twin and the loss of his magic, but he was such an arrogant ass in previous books, I was worried about him being sympathetic. I needn’t have worried–it was marvelous.

I’m all caught up on the Lily Adler series, so sadly I must wait for a new entry, but I do have another entry in Morgan Stang’s Lamplight Murder Mystery, which is a silly gaslamp/steampunk series.

I was disappointed by the two new mysteries. I have been tepid about the  Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries, and was glad I borrowed it from the library.

I had high hopes for the latest Caribbean Kitchen Mystery, but either I utterly failed to focus or the story needed tightened–particularly the ending, which felt as if part of the resolution was left hanging. I’ll read the next one (if there is one) but I probably won’t pre-order and might wait for a price drop.

After finishing my listen of Patricia Briggs’ Alpha & Omega series (I didn’t like Wild Sign any better the second time around) I started a relisten of Robert B. Parker‘s Spenser series, which is fun, especially since I’m skipping the books I don’t care much about. I love the look back at the 70s and 80s I’ve been getting, especially as Spenser pays attention to details. (Acid washed jeans!)

I can’t believe it’s December and the year is almost over. It’s been a long, rough several months, but I’m pushing through, and remain glad I have the escape of lovely stories.

Mystery

• Murder at Midnight (2023) Katharine Schellman (Lily Adler) 8.5/10
• Barbacoa, Bomba, and Betrayal (2023) Raquel V. Reyes (A Caribbean Kitchen Mystery) 6/10
• Murder and Mamon (2023) Mia P. Manansala (A Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery) 5/10

Fantasy

• Last Binding by Freya Marske: A Restless Truth (2022) 5/10, A Power Unbound (2023) 8.5/10
• Murder at Spindle Manor (2022) Morgan Stang (Lamplight Murder Mysteries) 8/10

Romance

• A Kiss for Midwinter (2012) Courtney Milan (Brothers Sinister) 9/10
• Served Hot (2015) Annabeth Albert (Portland Heat) 5.5/10

Science Fiction

• System Collapse (2023) Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries) 8.5/10

Audio Books

• Spenser series by Robert B. Parker narrated by Michael Prichard: Mortal Stakes, Audio Book (1975/2009) 8/10, Promised Land, Audio Book (1976) 8/10, The Judas Goat, Audio Book (1978) 7.5/10, Looking for Rachel Wallace, Audio Book (1980) 8/10, Early Autumn. Audio Book (1981) 8/10, A Savage Place, Audio Book (1981) 8.5/10, The Widening Gyre, Audio Book (1983) 8/10, Valediction, Audio Book (1984) 7/10, Ceremony, Audio Book (1982) 6/10
• Wild Sign, Audio Book (2021) Patricia Briggs narrated by Holter Graham 5/10

I listened to a lot of audio books this month–they keep my brain busy while I do boring things like cleaning, or  exercising. And when it’s a good book, I’ll exercise just a little longer to finish a section.

Additionally, I read 5 (FIVE) new books! Two of which were published in October! Yes, they were novellas, but that makes it even better, because I adore well-written shorter fiction. (and by well written I don’t mean just out-takes from a series, but stories that stand on their own. So kudos to Ian Rankin writing and excellent stand-alone novella.

PLUS, I discovered a new series, Katharine Schellman’s Lily Adler Mysteries, which have all kinds of representation and are fun reads (plus good mysteries).

Unbeknownst to me, a new Rivers of London novella came out rencetly–thanks to Tania for both telling me about it AND getting it for me. Winter’s Gifts is about FBI agent Kimberly Reynolds, not Peter Grant, and I was wondering if I wanted to spent time with her.

SPOILER: I did.

Couple of rereads, as I flailed around trying to figure out what I was in the mood for, but I didn’t much seem to be in the mood for those books either.

Ah well, can’t win ’em all.

Mystery

• Lily Adler Mysteries by Katharine Schellman
  The Body in the Garden (2020) 8/10, Silence in the Library (2021) 9/10, Death at the Manor (2022) 8/10
• The Rise: A Short Story (2023) Ian Rankin 8/10
• Naked Once More (1989) Elizabeth Peters (Jacqueline Kirby) 8/10
• The Price of Lemon Cake (2023) Jennifer Ashley (Below Stairs Mysteries Novella / Kat Holloway) 7.5/10

Romance

• Ever After Always (2021) Chloe Liese (Bergman Brothers) 8.5/10
• Role Playing (2023) Cathy Yardley 8/10
• Mrs. Martin’s Incomparable Adventure (2019) Courtney Milan (The Worth Saga) 7/10
• Finders Keepers (2018) N.R. Walker 6/10

Fantasy

• Winter’s Gifts (2023) Ben Aaronovitch (Rivers of London) 8/10
• Four Walls and a Heart (2023) Celia Lake (Charms of Albion) 5/10

Audio Books

• Alpha & Omega series by Patricia Briggs narrated by Holter Graham
  Fair Game, Audio Book (2012) 9/10, Dead Heat, Audio Book (2015) 8.5/10, Burn Bright, Audio Book (2018) 7.5/10
• The Thursday Murder Club, Audio Book (2020) Richard Osman narrated by Lesley Manville (Thursday Murder Club) 9/10
• A Murderous Relation, Audio Edition (2020) Deanna Raybourn narrated by Angele Masters (Veronica Speedwell) 7.5/10