Magic Shifts (2015) Ilona Andrews Book 8 of the Kate Daniels series finds Kate and Curran living in the suburbs, forbidden from the Keep grounds for 90 days after Curran stepped down as the Beast Lord. Jim is now the Beast Lord, Dali his mate and co-alpha, and now shifting power and alliances are happening–but […]
Magic Strikes (2009) Ilona Andrews This book opens with one of my favorite scenes. An old woman is atop a telephone pole, and the Order is called to get her down. I trotted into the dark entrance to the apartment, where five members of the McSweeney family crouched in the gloom. “Tell me again why […]
Magic Bites (2007) Ilona Andrews This is another series that I’ve fallen behind reading. Unlike Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty series, these books are still coming, but I’m two books behind on my reading, and I’ve forgotten some major points, so I figure it’s time to re-read. Magic returned to the world, destroying much technology as it […]
Low Midnight (2014) Carrie Vaughn Book thirteen and all that’s left is the finale. This is NOT a Kitty book, this is a Cormac and Amelia book. Amelia had insisted on putting magical protections on the laptop, a protective rune here and an arcane mark there. Cormac wasn’t sure electronics worked that way, that magic […]
Kitty Goes to War (2010) Carrie Vaughn Book 8–since I was starting to lose track. The story opens with the radio show. After hearing about it more times than might be coincidence, Kitty asks about strange and/or supernatural events that happened at or around Speedy Marts. And gets more information than she expected. She also […]
Kitty and the Silver Bullet (2008) Carrie Vaughn Cormac is in the clink. Kitty and Ben are trying to settle into the new pack of two. Then everything comes crashing down when Rick shows up asking Kitty to help him overthrow the supernatural power structure in Denver, followed by a call from Kitty’s father that […]
Kitty Goes to Washington (2006) Carrie Vaughn The second Kitty book finds her taking her show on the road after being forced out of Denver, and the getting called to Washington to testify before a Senate hearing. One of the best things about this book is the contrast between Alette the vampire and Senator Duke, […]
Kitty and The Midnight Hour (2005) Carrie Vaughn I’ve got the last Kitty book still waiting to be read, so I’m going to (hopefully) selectively re-read to get caught back up with the story. It’s funny, I’ve re-read this before, but every time I forget precisely how complex the story and characters are. After all, […]
Who Killed Sherlock Holmes? (2016) Paul Cornell (Shadow Police) This is the third Shadow Police book, and finds the group in sad shape. The three other members of his team were standing apart from one another, looking off in different directions, like they were an indie band posing for an album cover. Quill is troubled […]
Princeless, Vol 2: Get Over Yourself (2014) Jeremy Whitley and Emily Martin Fun! Although not quite as good as the first. Adrienne has rescued herself and has now decided to rescue the rest of her sisters–even if said sisters are not quite sure they need rescued. Boy is Adrienne’s older sister Angelica irritating. Part of […]
Black Skies (2009/2012) Arnaldur Indridason translated by Victoria Cribb This story is set parallel to the previous, Outrage and the detective is Sigurdur Óli. I decided to buckle down and finally read this. There are several different threads to this story, which made it easier for me to read once the story got going. First, […]
Outrage (2008/2011) Arnaldur Indridason translated by Anna Yates Erlunder has taken a leave of absence and headed east to where he grew up, leaving Elínborg in charge of a bloody murder–a murder where the victim is found in possession of Rohypnol and clearly had sex shortly before he died. This is an interesting book on […]
Voices (2003/2006) Arnaldur Indridason translated by Bernard Scudder A hotel worker is found dead in the tiny closet in which he lived in the hotel. His drawers are down and he has been stabbed repeatedly. ‘Is he up or down?’ Erlendur asked. ‘Up or down?’ the fat manager puffed. ‘Do you mean whether he’s gone […]
Jar City (2000/2004) Arnaldur Indridason translated by Bernard Scudder Inspector Erlendur works for the Reykjavík police, and he and his colleagues are called to an apartment where and old man was murdered. The elder son, 9 years old, was not as cautious as his father and quick as a flash he was in the neighbour’s […]
Full Dark House (2003) Christopher Fowler Bryant & May met during the bombing of London during WWII, when May joined the force and was set to the Peculiar Crimes Unit, where Bryant was the lead detective. The story starts in the modern day, when the PCU office has been blown up and it is believed […]
A Fantastic Holiday Season: The Gift of Stories (2014) edited by Kevin J. Anderson & Kieth J. Olexa I picked this collection up solely for the Patricia Briggs story, but once I saw some of the other authors, read through the stories that interested me (but skipped the ones that didn’t grab me after a […]
Black Seconds (2002/2007) Karin Fossum translated by Charlotte Barslund I read a bunch of Inspector Sejer mysteries a couple years ago, but when I picked this one up and realized that the murder victim was going to be a child, I went to something else. So there’s your upfront warning. The victim is a child. […]
Bone Crossed (2009) Patricia Briggs The fourth Mercy Thompson book takes place immediately following the events of the third book, continuing the final scene in that book, and–more importantly–fixing one of the biggest problems of that book: Mercy acting as if everything was okay. Although it makes for difficult reading, I really do love that […]
Blood Bound (2007) Patricia Briggs The second Mercy Thompson books finds Mercy helping the vampires–specifically Stefan, who is a friend of sorts. The Mistress of the City knows what Mercy is, but believes Stefan that Mercy is no threat to the local seethe, and so accepts Mercy’s place in the city (although Mercy still has […]
Midnight Taxi Tango, Audible Version (2016) Daniel José Older, read by the author The second Bone Street Rumba book is as much about Kia as it is about Carlos, and that’s one of the things I especially love about it. Kia is a teenage girl, bored with school, tired of being cat-called, and working for […]
The Dragon Conspiracy, Audible Version (2015) Lisa Shearin, narrated by Johanna Parker This is another audio book I finished earlier in the fall and forgot to review. The second SPI files book finds Makenna and Ian at a Gala opening at the Met, displaying a collection of rare gems that will soon be up for […]
Broken Soul, Audible Version (2014) Faith Hunter, read by Khristine Hvam I actually finished this a couple months ago, but forgot to review it. Oops! Leo has agreed to Jane’s exorbitant sum for security for the visit of the European Vampire council. Derek Lee has become Leo’s new Enforcer, and is having issues with some […]
Curse on the Land (2016) Faith Hunter This is the second Soulwood book, set in the same reality as the Jane Yellowrock series, but not featuring Jane (although she does make appearances). Nell Ingram is tied to the land. She’s not a witch (she doesn’t test as one anyway) but she can do things that […]
A Voice in the Night (2012/2016) Andrea Camilleri translated by Stephen Sartarelli Inspector Montalbano is turning 58 and not in the least happy about it. From that moment on, he was going to stop taking public transportation, for fear that some young person might give him his seat upon seeing him. Then it occurred to […]
Without a Summer (2013) Mary Robinette Kowal Set in Alternate Regency England in 1816, during the Year without a Summer. The third Glamourist History finds Jane and Vincent back in London, with a new commission and with Melody as a visitor, in the hopes she’ll find a husband. There were some interesting bits about Glamour […]
Glamour in Glass (2012) Mary Robinette Kowal Set in alternate Regency England in 1815. Following their marriage, Jane and Vincent have come to the attention of the Prince Regent, and commissioned to create a Glamour for his ballroom, which makes them even more popular, so it is a surprise when they leave for the Continent […]
Shroud for the Archbishop (1995) Peter Tremayne Set in Rome in 664. The second Fidelma mystery finds Fidelma and Eadulf in Rome, where Eadulf is secretary to Wighard, Archbishop designate of Canterbury and Fidelma is to present various items to the Bishop of Rome. Again, Fidelma suffers culture shock as she sees the restricted rights […]
Absolution By Murder (1994) Peter Tremayne Set in England in 664 I’d read these years and years ago, and had been looking for the eBook versions to go on sale, but no joy, so I broke down and bought the first two ebooks. Sister Fidelma follows the Celtic Christian tradition, but more importantly to the […]
The Confession of Brother Haluin (1988) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1143. Brother Haluin came to the abbey as a novice, and as a brother did penance beyond what it was believed he owed. But there are some born to do penance by nature. Maybe they, lift the load for some of us who […]
The Hermit of Eyton Forest (1987) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1142. The 14th Brother Cadfael book sees the Civil War still causing problems, and sees further reversals between the two contestants for the throne. Back at the Abbey, Cadfael has a new helper, another young novice. “Yes, I should think he might do […]
The Rose Rent (1986) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1142. The 13th Brother Cadfael mystery revolves around a property that had been donated to the Abbey by a widow, with an unusual stipulation. One white rose from that bush in her old garden, to be delivered to her on the day of Saint Winifred’s […]
The Raven in the Foregate (1986) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1141. The 12th Brother Cadfael mystery finds a new priest come to the local parish–a priest sent by bishop Henry of Winchester. Although he is educated and pious, it soon becomes clear that he is not well suited to being a parish priest. […]
An Excellent Mystery (1985) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1141. The town of Winchester has been destroyed in the war between Maud and Stephen, and the people–as well as the Benedictine brothers and nuns–have scattered across the country to wherever they can find refuge. Two monks arrive at the Abbey of Saint Peter and […]
The Sanctuary Sparrow (1983) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1140. The seventh Brother Cadfael mystery begins with a mob howling for the blood of a young man chased into the abbey, seeking sanctuary. They claim a man has been killed, and want vengeance. The abbot holds no truck with violence in the sanctuary, and […]
The Virgin in the Ice (1982) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1139. It is winter, and along the border with Wales, this time can be deadly, especially for the poor or travelers caught unaware. When bandits leave a Benedictine brother for dead in the cold, Brother Cadfael is called to come help, due to […]
The Leper of Saint Giles (1981) Ellis Peters Set in England in 1139. I found I hadn’t purchased book four, so I skipped to book five of the Brother Cadfael series. Brother Mark has gone to Saint Giles, to minister to the lepers there, and Brother Cadfael misses his former assistant, but does get to […]
Monk’s Hood (1980) Ellis Peters
Blood of the Earth (2016) Faith Hunter We met Nell Ingram in the Jane Yellowrock short story “Off the Grid.” (In the anthology Blood in Her Veins). She is a very interesting character, and I can see why the author wanted to spend more time with her. Nell has escaped from the cult in which […]
A Vigil of Spies (2008) Candace Robb Set in England in 1373 Archbishop Thoresby of York is dying. He has lived far longer than most people in his time and place, and now he finishing all the little things left undone in the time he has left. Perhaps he was a foolish old man, but […]
The Cross-Legged Knight (2006) Candace Robb Set in England in 1371. Lucie has been recovering from a fall that caused her to lose the baby she was carrying, and as she recovers she struggles not only with a darkness that has fallen upon her, as well as Owen’s protectiveness, which makes her feel worse. Lucie […]
A Spy for the Redeemer (2002) Candace Robb Set in Wales and Yoak in 1371. Owen has not yet left Wales. He is finishing his mission for the Duke of Lancaster and making sure his father-in-laws tomb is finished, but he is also wondering what would change if he chose to stay and fight for […]
The King’s Bishop (1996) Candace Robb Set in England in 1367 Sir William of Wyndesore’s page is found in the icy moat of Windsor Castle, and although the death doesn’t look natural, the page is hurriedly buried, even though many blame Ned Townley, Lancaster’s spy, who fought with him the night before. Owen is sent […]
The Lady Chapel (1994) Candace Robb Set England in 1365. The second Owen Archer mystery finds Owen and Lucie married–her now the Apothecary and him her apprentice. When a mercer (a trader in textiles) is murdered and his had left in the room of his business partner, Archbishop Thoresby sends Owen to search out why […]
The Hell Screen (2003) I.J. Parker I was trying to figure out what I was in the mood to read, when I stumbled across The Hell Screen and remembered that I have the Lord Sugawara Akitada mysteries. Akitada is returning to the capital after receiving notice that his mother is dying. On his way he […]
A Gift for Guile (2016) Alissa Johnson Set in London in 1872 This is the second book in the Thief-Takers series, and follows the second sister, Esther, and the private investigator, Samuel Brass. Esther has sneaked into London, and is caught at underground by the Samuel Brass, who ruins the meeting she was getting ready […]
Black Arts, audible version (2014) Faith Hunter, narrated by Khristine Hvam I really enjoy listening to this series. The narrator does a good job with the story and the characters. In Black Arts the story begins with Evan Trueblood storming Jane’s house, demanding to know where Molly is. Jane doesn’t know, and it take her […]
The Grendel Affair, Audible version (2013/2014) Lisa Shearin, narrated by Johanna Parker This is a really fun series. Mac Frasier has moved from her little town in the south to New York City, but instead of making it as a reporter, she’s now working for SPI (Supernatural Protection & Investigations) when they discovered she was […]
Montalbano’s First Case and Other Stories (2008 (except where noted) / 2016) Andrea Camilleri translated by Stephen Sartarelli Montalbano’s First Case Fifty Pairs of Hobnailed Boots Neck and Neck Fellow Traveler Dress Rehearsal Amore The Artist’s Touch (1998) Montalbano’s Rice Fritters As Alice Did The Pact Mortally Wounded Catarella Solves a Case (1999) Being Here […]
The Dark Side of The Road (2015) Simon R. Green I have an off-and-on relationship with Simon Green’s stories. Some I love very much (Nightside) while others, I just can’t get into (The Secret Histories). But finding it on sale, I decided to give this new book a try. Ishmael Jones lives under the radar, […]
Shadow Rites (2016) Faith Hunter It’s the final days before the witch-vampire conclave, and preparations for the conclave are supposed to be finishing, but as with all group projects, problems keep popping up. The first problem is an attach on Jane. Then things start to spiral out of control from there. Molly and Evan and […]