Life continues to be a lot, hence the roundup for June and July, as we are well into August.

I’ve been tearing through audiobooks–I listened to seven Sebastian St. Cyr audio books, which tend to be about ten hours long. On the plus side, I’ve gone through more boxes and gotten rid of more junk AND I made jam.

But I also read new books, including some new releases.

I’ve been borrowing the Veronica Speedwell series from the library, so I had a bit of a wait for the latest book. It wasn’t bad, but I was also glad I didn’t pay list price for it as a new release.

Two other historical mystery series had new releases in June: the Lady Darby and Countess of Harleigh series. I didn’t enjoy these as much as previous books, but that might have been my frame of mind as much as anything.

What I did very much enjoy was the new Shady Hollow book, Juneau Black’s Summers End. That series is simply a wonderful escape from reality.

And I came across The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies (2023) Alison Goodman which, despite dealing with heavy topics was enjoyable. There is (of course) a romantic sub-plot but that was second to the the relationship between the sisters. Oh, and the heroines are twin middle-aged spinsters.

And I want to take a moment to note the cover for Hen Fever, which is a queer Victorian romance with chickens. That cover is gorgeous AND delightful.

Romance

• Hen Fever: A Sapphic Victorian Romance (2022) Olivia Waite 7/10
• Curio (2024) C.S. Poe 6/10

Mystery

• Chronicles of Brother Cadfael series Ellis Peters: One Corpse Too Many (1979) (#2) 9/10, Monk’s Hood (1980) (#3) 9/10, Saint Peter’s Fair (1981) (#4) 8.5/10, The Leper of Saint Giles (1981) (#5) 9.5/10
• Summers End (2024) Juneau Black (Shady Hollow #5) 8.5/10
• A Dangerous Madness (2014) Michelle Diener (Regency London #3) 8.5/10
• The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies (2023) Alison Goodman (The Ill-Mannered Ladies) 8/10
• A Deceptive Composition (2024) Anna Lee Huber (Lady Darby Mystery #12) 7.5/10
• An Art Lover’s Guide to Paris and Murder (2024) Dianne Freeman (Countess of Harleigh Mystery #7) 7/10
• A Grave Robbery (2024) Deanna Raybourn (Veronica Speedwell #9) 7/10
• Corpse at Captain’s Seat (2024) Josh Lanyon (Secrets and Scrabble #8) 6/10

Audiobook

• Sebastian St. Cyr series C.S. Harris narrated by Davina Porter: What Remains of Heaven, Audiobook (2009/2016) (#5) 8.5/10, Where Shadows Dance, Audiobook (2011) (#6) 8.5/10, When Maidens Mourn, Audiobook (2012) (#7) 7.5/10, What Darkness Brings, Audiobook (2013) (#8) 8.5/10, Why Kings Confess, Audiobook (2014) (#9) 8.5/10, Who Buries the Dead, Audiobook (2015) (#10) 8.5/10, When Falcons Fall, Audiobook (2016) (#11) 8/10, Where the Dead Lie, Audiobook (2017) (#12) 8/10, Why Kill the Innocent, Audiobook (2018) (#13) 8/10, Who Slays the Wicked, Audiobook (2019) (#14) 8/10
• An Impossible Impostor Audiobook (2022) Deanna Raybourn narrated by Angele Masters (Veronica Speedwell #7) 6.5/10

Started off with nice run of new and new-to-me books, then that kinda collapsed into audio books and rereads.

Of the new books, Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms by Sarah Wallace, S.O. Callahan was fun. Regency romance, but queer and with fantasy. One characters was demi / gray-sexual and the other aromantic. The world building was very well done and I very much enjoyed the cultural differences between the fae and the humans.

I picked up the Shady Hollow by Juneau Black and finished all the books that have been published, including the two holiday novellas. The stories are fun, and even if I guess the miscreant, the mysteries are still enjoyable.

Alexis Hall  has been reissuing his Spires, including my favorite of his stories, Waiting for the Flood., which includes the companion story he meant to write but hadn’t before, Chasing the Light.

This actually took me awhile to read, because Marius starts off being a jerk to Edwin, and I adore Edwin. But I eventually finished it, and even if it will never be my favorite, Chasing the Light is very good.

I’d fallen so far behind in the Sebastian St Cyr series I needed a complete reread, so I’ve been listening to the audio books.  It’s not that the narrator isn’t good–she is–but her voice is a mismatch for what I want the story to sound like. Not so bad that I’m not enjoying the books, but I do wish the narration more closely matched what my brain expects.

Fantasy

• Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms (2024) Sarah Wallace, S.O. Callahan (Fae & Human Relations: A Regency Fantasy Series) 7.5/10

Mystery

• Regency London by Michelle Diener: The Emperor’s Conspiracy (2012) 8.5/10, Banquet of Lies (2013) 9.5/10
• A Morbid Taste for Bones (1977) Ellis Peters (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael) 8.5/10
• Shady Hollow by Juneau Black: Evergreen Chase (2021) 8.5/10, Phantom Pond (2023) 8.5/10, Twilight Falls (2023) 8/10
• Sebastian St. Cyr Audiobooks by C.S. Harris narrated by Davina Porter: What Angels Fear, Audio Book (2005/2014) 8/10, When Gods Die, Audio Book (2006/2015) 8/10, Why Mermaids Sing, Audio Book (2007/2015) 8/10, Where Serpents Sleep, Audio Book (2008/2015) 8/10
• Lindenshaw Mysteries by Charlie Cochrane: Lock, Stock and Peril (2022) 7/10, And Nothing But The Truth (2024) 7/10

Romance

• Loud and Clear (2016) Aidan Wayne 9.5/10
• Haverston Family by Alissa Johnson: Nearly a Lady (2011) 9.5/10, An Unexpected Gentleman (2011) 8.5/10
• Waiting for the Flood (2015/2024) Alexis Hall (Spires) 9/10

Well, ok, it wasn’t all flowers that kept me from my books, but we’ll focus on the positives here.

However, every book here is a reread, so I think I’ll just leave this as is. I’ve already read some new (to me at least) books for May, so take from April that these are some comfort reads for me.

Fantasy

• Big Bad Wolf Charlie Adhara: The Wolf at Bay (2019) 9.5/10, Thrown to the Wolves (2019) 8.5/10, Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing (2020) 8.5/10, Cry Wolf (2021) 8.5/10 (supernatural, mystery, queer)
• Kilty Pleasures Ella Stainton: Best Laid Plaids (2020) 7/10, Where There’s a Kilt, There’s a Way (2021) 7.5/10 (supernatural, romance, queer)

Mystery

• Lindenshaw Mysteries Charlie Cochrane:  A Carriage of Misjustice (2020)  7/10 (cozy, queer)

Audio

• Blitz, Audio Book (2022) Daniel O’Malley narrated by Moira Quirk (The Rook Files) 9/10 (urban fantasy, mystery)
• An Unexpected Peril, Audio Edition (2021) Deanna Raybourn narrated by Angele Masters 8/10 (historical, mystery)

I read two just-published books this month; both of them were part of historical mystery series I had pre-ordered and was eagerly awaiting.

Both were well-worth the wait.

Lady Ambition’s Dilemma by Jane Steen is the third book in the Scott-de Quincy / Lady Helena Investigates series.

I was a bit nervous about this, once I realized a queer character was involved. I was really pleased not to see (much) homophobia and that the subject was addressed in a way that was appropriate to the time AND appropriate to the characters.

This series has done a very good job with rep, having a neurodivergent secondary character who is as complex as Lady Helena.

Jennifer Ashley‘s Speculations in Sin was also good.

The author did something quite clever–two related novellas came out in the past several months, which put me back into Kat Holloway’s world and eager to read a new full-length book. I have series I love that I’ve fallen seriously behind on, as I’d forgotten details of previous books and hesitated to jump back in.

I read two more Shady Hollow books, which remain delightful, and then forced myself to stop. Sometimes when I read a series straight through, I get burned out, and these books are too delightful for me to let that happen.

Otherwise is was comfort rereads and audio books that would keep moving with tasks I wanted to complete.

Mystery

• Lady Ambition’s Dilemma (2024) Jane Steen (Lady Helena Investigates) 9/10
• Speculations in Sin (2024) Jennifer Ashley (Below Stairs Mystery) 8.5/10
• Shady Hollow Mysteries by Juneau Black: Cold Clay (2017) 8.5/10, Mirror Lake (2020) 8.5/10
• Lindenshaw Mysteries by Charlie Cochrane: Jury of One (2016) 7.5/10, Two Feet Under (2018) 7.5/10
• Honey Mead Murder (2023) Dahlia Donovan (Honey Bear Cosy Mysteries) 5/10

Fantasy 

• The Saint of Steel by Kingfisher: Paladin’s Strength (2021) 8.5/10, Paladin’s Hope (2021) 7.5/10

Romance

• Ravenswood by Talia Hibbert: A Girl Like Her (2018) 8/10, Damaged Goods (2018) 8.5

Audio Book

• Checquy Files by Daniel O’Malley: The Rook, Audio Book (2012) narrated by Susan Duerden 9.5/10, Stiletto, Audio Book (2016) narrated by Moira Quirk 9/10
• Winter’s Gifts, Audio Book (2023) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Penelope Rawlins (Rivers of London) 8/10

February was apparently a month for mysteries, something about puzzles perhaps distracting me from the doldrums.

Lots of rereads (unexpectedly) but there were some new stories in there, including the delightful Mortal Follies, which I’d held off reading. It is an Alexis Hall romp with banter and mystery and (in this case) magic, with an unreliable narrator.

I am that knavish sprite that frights the maidens of the villagery. I am Oberon’s jester—was Oberon’s jester, that’s rather the issue. I am called hobgoblin by some and, contrary to what certain people might have told you, it is not a name I like and you shall not have good luck if you repeat it in my hearing.

I am also your narrator.

Another book I’d had on my TBR for ages and finally got around to reading was Shady Hollow by Juneau Black. Although it is a fantasy, it is really a cozy mystery whose characters just happen to be animals. Suspend your disbelief and dive into this delightful story.

Traditionally, woodland creatures are not big readers, but things changed when Lenore opened the bookshop. “Nevermore,” she said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, “will the town have to do without quality entertainment.”

This month’s audio books were the Shadow Police series, which 1) blows me away every time I read it, 2) has all the trigger warnings for all kinds of terrible things, and 3) really deserved more books.

There are two new romances, one by Cathy Yardley and one by Chloe Liese. I’m discovering that I tend to love everything Chloe Liese writes, and although I want to love everything I read by Cathy Yardley, the stories are not quite as awesome as I want them to be. Likely because Cathy Yardley’s books have a fair amount of sex, which means I do a bit of skimming, which does throw me out of the flow of the story. (As always, this is a me thing, so take that into consideration.) Essentially, I think it’s that  I can skim the boinking bits in Chloe Liese’s stories without losing the flow of what I’m reading, but the same doesn’t hold true for other authors.

Fantasy

• Mortal Follies (2023) Alexis Hall 9/10
• Paladin’s Grace (2020) T. Kingfisher (The Saint of Steel) 8.5/10

Mystery

• Shady Hollow (2015) Juneau Black (A Shady Hollow Mystery) 9/10
• Think of England (2014) J. Charles 9/10
• Proper English (2019) J. Charles 8/10
• Page & Sommers by Cat Sebastian: The Missing Page (2021) 8.5/10, Hither, Page (2019) 8.5/10
• Scott-De Quincy Mysteries by Jane Steen: Lady Helena Investigates (2018) 8.5/10, Lady Odelia’s Secret (2022) 8/10
• The Last Drop of Hemlock (2023) Katharine Schellman (Nightingale Mysteries) 8/10
• The Best Corpse for the Job (2014) Charlie Cochrane (Lindenshaw Mysteries) 7.5/10
• The Christmas Appeal (2023) Janice Hallett 6/10

“He probably thinks the police actually help people.”

“They do,” Vivian said, an edge of bitter humor to her words. “Just not people like us.”

Romance

• Two Wrongs Make a Right (2022) Chloe Liese (The Wilmot Sisters) 9/10
• Ex Appeal (2022) Cathy Yardley (Ponto Beach Reunion) 6/10

Audio

• Shadow Police by Paul Cornell narrated by Damian Lynch: London Falling, Audio Book (2014) 8.5/10, The Severed Streets, Audio Book (2015) 9.5/10, Who Killed Sherlock Holmes? Audio Book (2016) 9/10
• The Early Middle Ages, Audio Book (2004) Philip Daileader (The Great Courses) 8/10

Ridiculous. How is Jan 2024 OVER already?

The weather has been frequently crappy, and I’ve been unmotivated, so a fair amount of reading was done in January.

Just over 50% rereads, which, not really a surprise. And only three and a half books had new-to-me authors, so in that sense I had an idea of what I was getting.

There were two books I actively disliked. Once because it focused on characters I disliked the other because it was all about the boinking and didn’t have enough story to keep my interest.

But I did discover a couple new series, by authors I already liked!

I’d only read Lish McBride’s YA fantasies. Uncanny Romance is a boinking series, but I was easily able to skim those bits and enjoy the story.

I discovered Katharine Schellman’s Lily Adler series last fall and very much enjoyed it, so I decided to try this series, even though it was set in the US–historicals set in the US tend to make me skittish. I don’t like historicals that pretend slavery and segregation didn’t exist, but I have a hard time with stories that go into too much detail about sexism and racism. (I know. It’s ridiculous.)

Last Call at the Nightingale didn’t gloss over the racism and sexism and poverty of the Roaring 20s, but it didn’t dwell on it, hitting a good balance for me. (I know the world has been and continues to be awful for many people. Reading about it in detail puts me into a tailspin I have trouble escaping.) So I’ve got the next book lined up.

I ended up reading three ace romances, two of which had characters with ASD. And I ended up reading them one after another. My favorite of the lot was The Mistletoe Motive, despite the fact I generally dislike “enemies to lovers” as a trope.

Fantasy

• Uncanny Romance by Lish McBride:  A Little Too Familiar (2022) 8/10, Rough Around the Hedges (2023) 8/10
• Socially Orcward (2021) Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey (Adventures in Aguillon) 7.5/10
• Wolf Gone Wild (2020) Juliette Cross (Stay a Spell) 3.5/10

Mystery

• Last Call at the Nightingale (2022) Katharine Schellman (Nightingale Mysteries) 8.5/10
• Mrs. Holloway’s Christmas Pudding (2023) Jennifer Ashley (Kat Holloway Mysteries) 8/10
• Bodies from the Library: Lost Tales of Mystery and Suspense from the Golden Age of Detection (2018) 6/10

Romance

• A Kiss for Midwinter (2012) Courtney Milan (Brothers Sinister) 10/10
• Glass Tidings (2016) Amy Jo Cousins 9/10
• A Christmas Dance (2014) Alissa Johnson 8.5/10
• A Holiday By Gaslight (2018) Mimi Matthews 8.5/10
• The Mistletoe Motive (2021) Chloe Liese 8/10
• Shelter in Garnet Run (2023) Roan Parrish (Garnet Run) 6/10
• Stubbed Toes and Dating Woes (2023) Dahlia Donovan 6/10

Graphic Novels

• Bingo Love (2018) Tee Franklin, Joy San & Jenn St-Onge 7.5/10
• Rivers of London Vol. 10: Deadly Ever After (2022) Ben Aaronovitch, Andrew Cartmel, Celeste Bronfman, Joseph Maria Beroy 3/10

Audio Books

• Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith:  Foxglove Summer, Audio Book (2014) 9.5/10, What Abigail Did That Summer, Audio Book (2021) also narrated by Shvorne Marks 9/10, The Furthest Station, Audio Book (2017) 9/10, The Hanging Tree, Audio Book (2017) 9/10, Lies Sleeping, Audio Book (2018) 9.5/10, False Value, Audio Book (2020) 8.5/10, Amongst Our Weapons, Audio Book (2020) 9/10
• The October Man, Audio Book (2018) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Sam Peter Jackson (Rivers of London) 8.5/10

Apropos only of books, I’ve been putting together two spreadsheets: one for books with queer rep, and the other for those with mental and physical health rep. I’ve moved the to google docs, so I may make them publicly available to view.

We’ll see.

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

The only good thing about a cold is that I spend more time on the sofa, reading.

Despite my mental state, I managed to read a bunch of new-to-me books, as well as five books that had been published in 2022 or 2023.

First and best, I am continuing to enjoy Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series, repeatedly forcing Michael to listen to passages that especially amuse me. I mean, how can you not take delight in this?

(Person), being a professional to his bones, has insisted on being buried naked. He knows that any self-respecting murderer would leave as few clues in the grave as possible.

I was also delighted by The Bookshop and the Barbarian by Morgan Stang, which had a similar feel to Legends and Lattes, despite being a different book, and in fact this book all but name-checks it.

The other book I want to mention is the first of Chloe Liese ‘s Bergman Brother’s series. I picked up and read the second book, Always Only You, because it had a female protagonist with ASD, and enjoyed it, but put off reading other books in the series, for no reason other than Michelle Brain. This book’s main male character has severe hearing loss, and I was done for after reading the opening notes.

This story also includes a main character who is late-deafened. As of this book’s revision, expansion, and republication on August 21, 2021, its portrayal has been informed by the consulted experience and critique of a late-deafened authenticity reader. I hope I have given these subjects the respect, care, and sensitivity they deserve.

She rewrote much of the book to make the Deaf representation better.

That is amazing and I will now set out to read everything she has written, because of it.

There were lots of rereads as well. I’m rereading Freya Marske‘s Last Binding series as I wait for the third book to come out (November! — I just realized THREE books I’m impatiently waiting for come out within a week of each other: A Power Unbound (The Last Binding), Barbacoa, Bomba, and Betrayal (A Caribbean Kitchen Mystery), and System Collapse (The Murderbot Diaries) (MURDERBOT!))

So September was a decent reading month, although I could really have done without the cold.

Fantasy

• The Bookshop and the Barbarian (2023) Morgan Stang 9/10
• A Marvellous Light (2021) Freya Marske (The Last Binding) 8.5/10
• Occult Crimes Unit Investigation by Justin Gustainis: Evil Dark (2012) 8/10, Known Devil (2014) 8/10

Romance

• Only When It’s Us (2020) Chloe Liese (Bergman Brothers) 8/10
• Donut Fall in Love (2021) Jackie Lau 7.5/10
• His Grandfather’s Watch (2012) N.R. Walker 7/10
• Gouda Friends (2022) Cathy Yardley (Ponto Beach Reunion) 7/10

Mystery

• Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman: The Man Who Died Twice (2021) 9/10, The Bullet That Missed (2022) 9/10
• Murder Most Actual (2021) Alexis Hall 8/10
• Jacqueline Kirby by Elizabeth Peters: The Seventh Sinner (1972) 7.5/10, The Murders of Richard III (1974) 7/10, Die for Love (1984) 7/10
• A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons (2022) Kate Khavari (Saffron Everleigh) 6.5/10
• The Body in the Back Garden (2023) Mark Waddell 6/10

Audio Book

• Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson, Audio Book (2014) Patricia Briggs narrated by Lorelei King and Alexander Cendese 8/10
• Alpha & Omega by Patricia Briggs narrated by Holter Graham: Cry Wolf, Audio Book (2009) 8/10, Hunting Ground, Audio Book (2009) 8/10
• The Phoenix Illusion, Audio Edition (2018) Lisa Shearin narrated by Johanna Parker (SPI Files) 7/10

Life is still ridiculous, but I did take a bit of time off to hike–and to read.

I’ve had trouble focusing–not a tremendous surprise–so I’ll need to go back and reread the new releases I’d been waiting for at some point when I’m a little less distracted. In other words, take those ratings of 7 with a grain of salt–I need a book to draw me in and not let go, and that these books didn’t do that is on me, not necessarily them.

There were some very good stories however. I finally got around to reading Richard Osman‘s Thursday Murder Club, which I loved.

Tania got me the Murderbot short story, Compulsory, which I didn’t even know was being published, and I’m eagerly awaiting the next story that comes out this fall. (MURDERBOT!)

Although it didn’t pull me in, I still enjoyed Anna Lee Huber‘s most recent Lady Darby book. It’s comforting to drop into familiar places with known characters.

To keep me moving, I’ve been listening to a lot of audio books.

I just finished the last recorded SPI Files book, (She self-published the next two stories, so no audio version) and had to struggle to figure out what I wanted to listen to next.  (We merged my parent’s audible account with ours, so when I browsed today, I kept seeing books my parents listened to, which was weird.)

Other than that, lots of rereading. Favorites, to pull me out of my own head and allow me to escape.

Mystery

• The Thursday Murder Club (2020) Richard Osman (Thursday Murder Club) 9/10
• Come Unto These Yellow Sands (2011) Josh Lanyon 9/10
• A Fatal Illusion (2023) Anna Lee Huber (Lady Darby) 8/10
• Against the Currant t (2023) Olivia Matthews (Spice Isle Bakery) 5/10

Fantasy

• Child of a Rainless Year (2005) Jane Lindskold 9/10
• Hard Spell (2011) Justin Gustainis (Occult Crimes Unit Investigation) 8/10
• A Queer Trade  (2016) K.J. Charles (Rag and Bone)  7.5/10
• That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human (2023) Kimberly Lemming (Mead Mishaps) 7/10
• Once a Rogue (2023) Allie Therin (Roaring Twenties Magic) 7/10

Romance

• Lancaster Stories by C.S. Poe: Kneading You (2016) 7.5/10, Joy (2017) 9/10
• Garnet Run by Roan Parrish: Better Than People (2020) 8/10, Best Laid Plans (2021) 8/10, The Pride of Garnet Run  (2022) 7/10
• Teacher of the Year (2023) M.A. Wardell (Teachers in Love) 6.5/10

Science Fiction

• Compulsory (2023) Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries) 8.5/10

Audio Books

• A Dangerous Collaboration, Audio Book (2019) Deanna Raybourn narrated by Angèle Masters (Veronica Speedwell) 8/10
• SPI Files by Lisa Shearin narrated by Johanna Parker: The Grendel Affair, Audio Book (2014) 8/10, The Dragon Conspiracy, Audio Book (2015) 8/10, The Brimstone Deception, Audio Book (2016) 8.5/10, The Ghoul Vendetta, Audio Book (2017) 8/10

The past two months have been hellish.

To sum up: my mother died unexpectedly and my brother and I have been dealing with all the things.

So I read nothing by comfort reads for several weeks, and have been slowly reading some of the new releases I had been looking forward to.

Fantasy

A Matter of Magic (1988) Patricia C. Wrede (Mairelon the Magician) 9/10

Cecelia and Kate series by Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer
Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot (1988) 8/10, The Grand Tour: Or, The Purloined Coronation Regalia (2004) 8/10, The Mislaid Magician: or Ten Years After (2006) 8/10

Supernatural Fantasy

Big Bad Wolf series by Charlie Adhara
The Wolf at Bay (2019) 8.5/10, Thrown to the Wolves (2019) 9/10, Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing(2020) 10/10, Cry Wolf(2021) 10/10

Mystery

Mystery on the Menu: A Three-Course Collection of Cozy Mysteries (2023) Nicole Kimberling 8.5/10
The Deadliest Fall (2023) Charlie Cochrane 7/10
A Newlywed’s Guide to Fortune and Murder (2023) Dianne Freeman (Countess of Harleigh 7.5/10

Romance

Jericho Candelario’s Gay Debut (2018) R. Cooper 10/10

Science Fiction

The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells
All Systems Red (2017) 9.5/10, Artificial Condition (2018) 9.5/10, Rogue Protocol (2018) 10/10, Exit Strategy(2018) 10/10, Network Effect (2020) 10/10, Fugitive Telemetry (2021) 9.5/10

Audio

Small Vices, Audio Book (1997) Robert B. Parker narrated by Burt Reynolds (Spenser) 10/10
Blitz, Audio Book(2022) Daniel O’Malley narrated by Moira Quirk (The Rook Files) 10/10
A Treacherous Curse, Audio Book (2018) Deanna Raybourn narrated by Angèle Masters (Veronica Speedwell) 8/10
Alex Verus series by Benedict Jacka narrated by Gildart Jackson
Veiled, Audio Book (2015) 7/10, Burned, Audio Book (2016) 5/10

A majority of rereads again this month, however, I did read some new books, finishing up Charlie Cochrane‘s Cambridge Fellows series, and the most recent Secrets and Scrabble book, which although just published, comes before the 7th book, which was published last fall.

I’ve also moved onto books in the Alex Verus series I hadn’t read before–although honestly I remember little of the books I had read.

Many of my rereads were Ace romances, including Loud and Clear, Blank Spaces, Three Stupid Weddings,  An Island For Two, and The Rat-Catcher’s Daughter. Several of the others were romances with toxic families, including Family Man and Bee Cave Magic or romances with differently-abled or neurodivergent characters, like Loud and Clear, It Takes Two to Tumble, and The Lawrence Browne Affair, which all drew my back for different reasons.

Also, after reading several mysteries that were not what I was hoping them to be, I reread the Page & Sommers series and restarted the Big Bad Wolf series.

Mystery

• Page & Sommers by Cat Sebastian
  Hither, Page (2019) 8.5/10, The Missing Page (2022) 9/10
• Cambridge Fellows by Charlie Cochrane
  Lessons for Suspicious Minds (2013) 7/10, Lessons for Idle Tongues (2015) 5.5/10, Lessons for Sleeping Dogs (2015) 6/10
• Lament at Loon Landing (2023) Josh Lanyon (Secrets and Scrabble) 6/10

Fantasy

• The Wolf at the Door (2018) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) 8.5/10
• An Island For Two (2022) Ophelia Silk 7/10

Romance

• Loud and Clear (2016) Aidan Wayne 9.5/10
• It Takes Two to Tumble (2017) Cat Sebastian (Seducing the Sedgwicks) 9/10
• And Everything Nice (2016) Ada Maria Soto 9/10
• Love, Marriage, and a Baby Carriage (2016) C.S. Poe 9/10



• Blank Spaces (2016) Cass Lennox (Toronto Connections) 8.5/10
• The Lawrence Browne Affair (2017) Cat Sebastian (The Turners) 8.5/10
• Family Man (2013) Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton 8/10
• Bee Cave Magic (2020) Kelly Fox 8/10
• Three Stupid Weddings (2018) Ann Gallagher 7.5/10
• The Rat-Catcher’s Daughter (2019) K.J. Charles (Lilywhite Boys) 7.5/10
• Team Phison (2017) Chace Verity 7/10
• Saying The Right Thing (2017) Aidan Wayne 6/10
• Medium, Sweet, Extra Shot of Geek (2019) R. Cooper 6/10

Audio Book

• A Perilous Undertaking, Audio Book (2017) Deanna Raybourn narrated by Angèle Masters (Veronica Speedwell) 8/10
• Alex Verus series by Benedict Jacka narrated by Gildart Jackson
  Taken (2014) 7/10, Chosen (2014) 8/10, Hidden (2014) 7/10

Not that we had a lot of rain. But excluding the first two years of the pandemic, my April reading was about average for me.

April is a rough month for me, so it was almost all rereads. Which is fine, as I like dropping into stories and worlds where I’d been happy before.

Does not, however, do anything for my insanely large TBR.

Interestingly (to me), the books I gravitated towards this month weren’t (for the most parts) highly rated favorites, but instead were stories that hit a specific mood. Lots of cozy mysteries, but also romances that leaned heavily towards normal, every day people finding love and acceptance.

So don’t think that an average rating means those books aren’t worth reading–instead see them as stories that might have some flaws, but got the feelings of comfort and self-acceptance just right.

Mystery

• Sins of the Cities by K.J. Charles
  An Unseen Attraction (2017) 9/10, An Unnatural Vice (2017) 8/10
• Gethsemane Brown by Alexia Gordon
  Murder in G Major (2016) 8/10, Death in D Minor (2917) 8/10, Killing in C Sharp (2018) 8/10, Fatality in F (2019) 8/10, Execution in E (2020) 7.5/10
• Paper Cuts (2023) Ellery Adams (A Secret, Book, and Scone Society) 6/10

Romance

• Agents of Winter (2022) Ada Maria Soto (The Agency) 8.5/10
• Color of You (2017) C.S. Poe (A Lancaster Story) 8/10
• Not So Cookie Cutter (2019) Aidan Wayne 8/10
• Candy Hearts (2020) Erin McLellan (So Over the Holidays) 7.5/10
• Vincent’s Thanksgiving Date (2014) R. Cooper 7/10

Fantasy

• Making Love (2017) Aidan Wayne 7.5/10
• Gumption & Gumshoes (2013) Alex Kidwell 7/10

Audio Books

• Alex Verus series by Benedict Jacka narrated by Gildart Jackson
  Fated, Audio Edition (2012/2013) 7.5/10, Cursed, Audio Edition (2014) 7.5/10

Every fantasy book I read (excluding the audio book) was a new read.

Every other genre was  all rereads with the exception of Deanna Raybourn‘s A Sinister Revenge.

Just that kind of month apparently.

Although I gave it an average rating, I need to reread Allie Therin‘s  Liar City before I feel like I can give it a true rating, because I lot happened, and I am certain I missed lots of things as I tried to figure out what was going on. Because we were dropped right in and had to pick up the workd building as we read. I like books like that (Paul Cornell’s London Falling jumps immediately to mind) but I tend to miss a lot of details on my first read, as I’m focused on figuring out what is going on.

If you’ve been reading the Veronica Speedwell series, A Sinister Revenge leans heavily on some of the events from the previous book.

Which I had almost completely forgotten. So there was a bit of a mental scramble to remember what had happened.

Honestly, I’m still not sure how I feel about Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies. Serial killer PoV is hard for me to get into.

If you haven’t read K.D. Edwards Tarot Sequence, I don’t recommend starting with The Eidolon. It is a novella which gives us the events of The Hourglass Throne, only from the teens’ perspectives. I really like this series, but I don’t think this is necessarily a good jumping in spot, simply because you’re missing so much from Rune’s story. That said, I really want to know what happens with Quinn after this story.

Aside from that, lots of comfort rereads. I realized I have reread Michelle Diener‘s Regency London series almost every year since 2016 (skipping 2018 for some unknown reason). And I’ve reread Jericho Candelario’s Gay Debut, Nearly a Lady, and Joy five or more times. So that may tell you something about those books.

~Fantasy~

The Eidolon (2023) K.D. Edwards (Magnus Academy) 8.5/10

Liar City (2023) Allie Therin (Sugar & Vice) 7/10

Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies (2022) Misha Popp (Pies Before Guys) 7/10

Baking Up a Magical Midlife by Jessica Rosenberg
Bitter, Sweet, Magic (2022) 7/10, Sweet & Sour Spells (2023) 6/10

~Mystery~

Regency London by Michelle Diener
The Emperor’s Conspiracy (2012) 8.5/10, Banquet of Lies (2013) 9.5/10, A Dangerous Madness (2014) 8.5/10

Grasmere Cottage Mystery by Dahlia Donovan
Dead in the Shop (2018) 8/10, Dead in the Pond (2018) 8/10, Dead in the Garden (2018) 8/10

Lindenshaw Mysteries by Charlie Cochrane
The Best Corpse for the Job (2014) 7/10, Jury of One (2015) 7.5/10, Two Feet Under (2018) 7.5/10, Old Sins (2019) 8/10, A Carriage of Misjustice (2020) 7.5/10

A Sinister Revenge (2023) Deanna Raybourn (Veronica Speedwell) 7/10

~Romance~

Jericho Candelario’s Gay Debut (2018) R. Cooper 9.5/10

Nearly a Lady (2011) Alissa Johnson (Haverston Family) 9/10

Joy (2017) C.S. Poe (A Lancaster Story) 8.5/10

Hottie Scotty and Mr. Porter (2016) R. Cooper 8.5/10

The Agency by Ada Maria Soto
His Quiet Agent (2017) 9.5/10, Merlin in the Library (2018) 8/10

~Audio Book~s

The Lies of Locke Lamora (2009) Scott Lynch narrated by Michael Page (Gentleman Bastards) 8/10

A Curious Beginning (2015) Deanna Raybourn narrated by Angèle Masters (Veronica Speedwell) 8/10