Principles of Spookology (2020) S.E. Harmon (The Spectral Files) Rain Christiansen is back home, working with his partner Daniel McKenna in the newly created PTU, an offshoot of the cold crimes unit, except that they get their leads through the cold cases through Rain’s talking with ghosts. Unfortunately, the ghosts won’t leave Rain alone, and […]

Secret at Skull House (2020) Josh Lanyon (Secrets and Scrabble) This second mystery finds Ellery still working to keep his inherited book store open, but at least the local theater group is putting on a production of one of his screen plays. Then the news breaks: someone has purchased Skull House! That someone is moving […]

The Body in the Library (1942) Agatha Christie (Miss Marple) The second Miss Marple book has both Miss Marple and Sir Henry Clithering. One of the things I always loved Agatha Christie books is how descriptive they can be. The gay, laughing expression on his face was wiped off as though by a sponge from […]

P.S. I Spook You (2019) S.E. Harmon (The Spectral Files) Couple of things to note, start with the fact this is self published, so parts of it are a little rough. Not typos or anything, but there story could have been tightened up in a few places where I got confused or felt like I […]

Family Matters (2018) Angel Martinez (Brandywine Investigations) This is two books and a short story. The first story is about Dionysus and Leander (the Minotaur of the cover. (with a KILT. Which is PERFECT.)) The second story is a short story about a young woman stumbling upon Artemis and the muses in the forest. “That’s […]

Gumption & Gumshoes (2013) Alex Kidwell August Mendez moved to the city in the hopes of following his dreams, and when he gets the opportunity he decides to try. A sense of freedom surged through me, that euphoric realization that I was staring at a whole weekend of nothing but cheese curls and old movies, […]

Who Speaks for the Damned (2020) C.S. Harris (Sebastian St. Cyr) Set in London in 1814 I have loved this series since the start, and generally adore her writing. However. Third Person Omniscient POV does NOT WORK if you are hiding a person’s gender. It just DOESN’T. It is stilted and kludgy and what you’re […]

Dead in the Shop (2018) Dahlia Donovan (Grasmere Cottage Mystery) Valor and Bishan are struggling after the events of the last book. Someone is trying to kill them–has killed people around them–and they don’t understand why. And that’s one of the interesting things about this story–that there isn’t really a good why. Don’t get me […]

Dead in the Pond (2018) Dahlia Donovan (Grasmere Cottage Mystery) The first book ended with Valor and Bishan learning their beloved housemaster from Harrow–and a note that book two was going to end on a cliffhanger. So I bought book two AND book three, because I wasn’t going to be messing around when cliff hangers […]

Dead in the Garden (2018) Dahlia Donovan (Grasmere Cottage Mystery) This is a cozy mystery, set in England, and is both adorable and has an amazingly diverse cast of characters. Valor and Bishan are shocked and distressed to discover a dead body in their yard. But it becomes even more distressing when Bishan is arrested […]

Naked Once More (1989) Elizabeth Peters (Jacqueline Kirby Mysteries) How old is this book? This old. Jacqueline proceeded on her way, pleased but wondering how the young officer had known who she was. She couldn’t be the only handsome middle-aged lady with green eyes and auburn hair driving a car with New York plates and […]

The Guilt of Innocents (2006) Candace Robb (Owen Archer) Set in England in 1372 Although this story is about the murder of a dockworker, beneath and beside that the story is about children. It’s about Jasper, Lucie & Owen’s adopted son, who is finally coming to accept Lucie and Owen as his parents, even while […]

A Stroke of Malice (2020) Anna Lee Huber (A Lady Darby Mystery) Set in Scotland in 1832 Kiera and her husband Sebastian Gage are spending the holidays at Duchess of Bowmont’s Twelfth Night party, when a group stumbles upon a dead body. Although it’s suspected that the decayed body is the husband of the Duchess’s […]

Rivers of London: The Fey and the Furious (2020) Ben Aaronovitch, Andrew Cartmel, Lee Sullivan I find the comics for this series frustrating. I found the story interesting, but the execution wasn’t all I wanted it to be, I mean, why precisely, were the fey doing all this? It didn’t make a lot of sense […]

Small Vices, Audio Edition (1997) Robert B. Parker narrated by Burt Reynolds It’s been more than two decades, so this review is going to be completely full of spoilers, because I want to talk about the many reasons why I love this book so very much. So if you haven’t read it, well, you’re missing […]

Death in Kew Gardens (2019) Jennifer Ashley (Kat Holloway) Set in London in 1881 Kat Holloway and the rest of the staff have been working hard, since Lady Cynthia’s aunt keeps refusing to hire a new housekeeper. Unfortunately, the woman she finally hires is a complete nightmare. When the gentleman next door is murdered, everything […]

The Cross-Legged Knight (2003) Candace Robb (Owen Archer) Set in York, England in 1371. The Bishop of Winchester, William of Wykeham, failed to bring home Sir Ranulf Pagnell from France, so how he has to bring home the knight’s heart–and deal with the family accusing him of stealing part of the ransom and other improprieties. […]

A Dangerous Madness (2014) Michelle Diener (Regency London) Set in London in 1812 Miss Phoebe Hillier has been prepared to follow her father’s dying wish and marry Sheldrake, but when he tells her he is ending their betrothal and leaving the country she is as much relieved as she is horrified. “No. I’m . . […]

Scandal Above Stairs (2018) Jennifer Ashley (Kat Holloway Mysteries) Set in London in 1881 Kat Holloway is still cook at Lord Rankin’s house, even though he has retired to the country, Lady Cynthia remains, and to give her countenance, her aunt and uncle are living with her. Kat and the rest of the staff may […]

The Emperor’s Conspiracy (2012) Michelle Diener (Regency London) Set in London in 1811. Charlotte Raven was rescued as a child, and although she leads a somewhat unorthodox life, she tries very hard to be the perfect lady for Lady Howe, who saved he from the stews. This always surprised her, Catherine’s willful habit of seeing […]

Banquet of Lies (2013) Michelle Diener (Regency London) Set in England in 1812. After reading Death Below Stairs I wanted to re-read a favorite of mine that also features a woman working as a cook in historical Britain. Every time I read this I love it a little bit more–there is just so very much […]

Death Below Stairs (2018) Jennifer Ashley (Kat Holloway) Set in London in 1881. I read the novella A Soupçon of Poison awhile ago, and when I didn’t find a novel immediately, forgot about it. Kat Halloway has just taken a position as cook for Lord Rankin. She is relatively young for her position, but sought […]

A Spy for the Redeemer (2002) Candace Robb (Owen Archer) Set in Wales and York in 1371 Owen is still in Wales seeing over the tomb of his father-in-law. But when the sculptor is killed, Archdeacon Rokelyn all but demands that Owen look into the death, which leads Owen to further wonder where his loyalties […]

Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing (2020) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) Cooper Dayton and Oliver Park are trying to buy a house. Well, Oliver is looking at houses and Cooper is horrified at how much money Oliver wants to spend. So what do you think of this place?” Park asked. Cooper bit his lip. “What do […]

Trace Elements (2020) Donna Leon (Commissario Guido Brunetti) Book 29 of the Commissario Guido Brunetti series. Brunetti and Griffoni go to a hospice because a dying woman wants to talk to them. Her husband recently was killed in a car accident, and she seems to be telling them that he was killed. Brunetti finally accepted […]

Murder at Pirate’s Cove (2020) Josh Lanyon (Secrets and Scrabble) HOORAY! A cozy mystery! Ellery Page was surprised to inherit a bookstore and home from a great-aunt he didn’t even know he had, but he wanted to make a new start for himself, so he’s trying to make it work. Unfortunately, work is what it’s […]

False Value (2020) Ben Aaronovitch (Rivers of London) The 8th Rivers of London book. It’s been two years since the last book about Peter (although there have been comics) and although I was impatient, I didn’t mind, because my assumption was it was taking a long time so he could get it right (rather than […]

A Gift of Sanctuary (1998) Candace Robb (Owen Archer) Set in Wales in 1371 Owen, Geoffery Chaucer, and Michaelo are accompanying Sir Robert, Owen’s father-in-law, in pilgrimage to St. David’s in Wales. Owen and Chaucer are to also going to Wales for the Duke of Lancaster to determine if the steward at Cydweli Castle is […]

Known Devil (2014) Justin Gustainis (Occult Crimes Unit Investigation) Alas, the end of the Occult Crimes Unit Investigation series. Just three books, but they’re fun ones. Stan and Karl are taking their coffee break when a pair of elves attempt to hold up the diner where they are having their coffee. What makes no sense […]

The Monuments Men Murders (2019) Josh Lanyon (The Art of Murder) Jason West is supposed to be in the same state as his lover (and BSU agent) Sam Kennedy. Jason is working on a case of art looted by American soldiers during WWII. “The van Eyck was originally stolen from a cathedral in Belgium. Most […]

Thrown to the Wolves (2019) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) Cooper has spent the past several months recuperating, and being taken care of by Oliver, who has been on suspension (both the result of Cooper’s visit home to see his father and brother). Every official communication was carefully uninterested about the private lives of their […]

The Wolf at Bay (2018) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) Cooper Dayton and Oliver Park and working things out as partners for the BSI, but Cooper isn’t quite sure how things are working out on the personal front. Neither seems capable of talking about how the feel, and both have a lot they need to […]

The Wolf at the Door (2018) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) Agent Cooper Dayton discovered the existence of the supernatural in the worst possible way–by almost being killed by it. Werewolves were not just in books and movies, cartoons and games. They were real and they had “come out” five years ago to governments around […]

The Magician Murders (2019) Josh Lanyon Jason West is in DC for a training session (and to spend time with his boyfriend Sam Kenendy) when a hit and run puts him in the hospital. Sam takes Jason out to Wyoming where his mother lives so Jason can recuperate and they two can have some time […]

Noble Hops (2019) Layla Reyne (Trouble Brewing) Nic and Cam are ready to settle down in their relationship but nothing can remain calm for the two of them. In this case, Nic’s estranged father has been found dead, and it’s good odds he was murdered by DUncan Vaughn, the gangster who has been threatening Nic […]

Craft Brew (2018) Layla Reyne (Trouble Brewing) Dominic Price and Cameron Byrne have been serious about each other for months, but Nic is so afraid that the gangster who holds his (estranged) father’s debts will go after anyone Nic cares for, so he and Cam have kept their relationship quiet. “Did Vaughn take out insurance […]

The Riddle of St. Leonard’s (1997) Candace Robb Setin England in 1369 The plague has come again to York, and people are taking whatever measures they can to protect themselves. Aromatic fires burned everywhere to ward off the pestilence, creating a fog in some of the passageways. Continuous Masses were said for the people, and […]

Imperial Stout (2018) Layla Reyne (Trouble Brewing) Dominic “Nic” Price has been a lot of things: SEAL, JAG, and now assistant US attorney. But he didn’t think he’d particularly been in love, until he meets Cameron Byrne, the FBI’s kidnap and rescue expert. Cameron Byrne has played the field for as long as he’s been […]

The Monet Murders (2017) Josh Lanyon Jason West and Sam Kennedy have been calling each other semi-regularly, but haven’t met up since the end of their last case, where Sam said he wanted to try things with Jason. When Jason is (unexpectedly) called out to a murder scene, Sam is there and pretty much tells […]

The Art of Theft (2019) Sherry Thomas Charlotte Holmes has been taking a break from consulting after her last case. But when Mrs. Watson’s old friend asks for help, Charlotte, Livia, and everyone else is drawn into a heist. I’ve had a request for this from the library since it came out, so when it […]

Dim Sum Asylum (2017) Rhys Ford Roku MacCormick is part of the Chinatown Arcane Crimes Division, and things are not going well for him. He lost his love and his daughters, and there is nothing in his life anymore but following in his mother’s footsteps and trying to be order to a deeply disordered place. […]

The King’s Bishop (1996) Candace Robb Set in England in 1367. We see that Owen still struggles with his allegiance to Thoresby. “Why did you accept the posts if you meant to go into a rage whenever he called upon you?” Owen met Lucie’s eye and said simply, “It seemed an honour at the time.” […]

Murder by the Seaside (2013) Julie Anne Lindsey (Patience Price Mysteries Series) Patience Price liked her job working HR for the FBI, but when she’s let go, she decides to move back home to Chincoteague Island to put her counseling degree to work. But the day she moves back, her ex-boyfriend is accused of murder […]

Evil Dark (2012) Justin Gustainis I am enjoying my re-read of this series. Pretend that there’s a file folder somewhere, a big, thick one, labeled Real Bad Ideas. There’s at least three things I can think of that belong in there – inviting a werewolf for a moonlight stroll, telling a witch she’s got a […]

All the World’s an Undead Stage (2018) Angel Martinez The final book in the Offbeat Crimes series. This completes Carrington Loveless and Erasmus Graham’s story arc, as well as the overall story arc o just WHY is everything so weird in Philadelphia. We also get resolution for other characters, including Vance. “He has seemed more, […]

Jackalopes and Woofen-Poofs (2017) Angel Martinez This story splits between Jason and Alex’s point-of-view. Most of the 77th has to go to State Paranormal to face an inquiry as to the events of the previous book, where an arcane working was destroyed in the hopes it would stop the attacks by the feral dust bunnies […]

Feral Dust Bunnies (2017) Angel Martinez This is one of my favorite stories in the collection. Alex Wolf is a member of the 77th. His partner is a giant lizard of unknown origin, but his own origin might be odder. “Are you all right, sweetheart?” Mom stopped on her way past his room with a […]

Skim Blood and Savage Verse (2017) Angel Martinez Carrington Loveless is my least favorite character in this series, but on a second read-through, I have a little more compassion for him, since his parents are pretty awful. How could he have even thought about not celebrating his thirty-fifth birthday? Especially if it meant it gave […]

The Pill Bugs of Time (2016) Angel Martinez What do I love about this story? “Should get an Odo bucket,” Vikash murmured. “A what?” Kyle chuckled into his coffee. “Seriously, Carr? You never watched Deep Space Nine? My problem with this story is that I really hate time-travel stories. Time travel, dystopia, hard SF. REALLY […]

Lime Gelatin and Other Monsters (2016) Angel Martinez I started several books and immediately dropped them, so since this series has been in the back of my mind, I decided to re-read, even though it’s been less than a year since I first read it. Kyle Monroe was a normal cop until a run in […]