Die for Love (1984) Elizabeth Peters (Jacqueline Kirby) First, I love the reminders of a world past. Jacqueline began to fear she would miss her plane. When she remonstrated, he said cheerfully, “Oh, there’s plenty of time,” and indeed they reached the gate several seconds before the loudspeaker announced the last call for Flight 576. […]
The Murders of Richard III (1974) Elizabeth Peters (Jacqueline Kirby) “No. It’s been dated to about 1580. Like most of the other portraits of Richard, it was probably copied from a lost original. The only one that might be a contemporary portrait is in the Royal Collection. When it was X-rayed recently, the experts found […]
The Bullet That Missed (2022) Richard Osman (Thursday Murder Club) The gang are back together (they were never apart, actually) and have decided to look into the murder of a young newscaster, partially because it is an interesting case (no body was ever found) and partially because Joyce wants to meet the man she worked […]
Known Devil (2014) Justin Gustainis (Occult Crimes Unit Investigation) Karl hadn’t complained about taking the damaged elf to the hospital. He wouldn’t be allowed to take part in any interrogation, anyway. The Supreme Court had ruled in Barlow v. Maine almost forty years ago that anything a suspect said in the presence of a vampire […]
Murder Most Actual (2021) Alexis Hall Clue, but with a married lesbian couple. (N)ext to the real log fire sat an equally real, although substantially less loggish, gentleman dressed in a manner that might have been called natty at around the time people used the word natty, but which now read more as hipsterish. Mr […]
Evil Dark (2012) Justin Gustainis (Occult Crimes Unit Investigation) There’s just something about an over-the-top supernatural police procedural. 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 Marvellous Light (2021) Freya Marske (The Last Binding) Set in England in 1908 Another time period I love–not yet modernity, but some of the trappings are starting to appear. A chauffeur was not needed. Robin referred vaguely to friends of his who owned motorcars and had taught him the knack of it in Hyde […]
A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons (2022) Kate Khavari (Saffron Everleigh) Set in England in 1923 Saffron Everleigh a research assistant in University College London, and very few people believe she earned and deserved her degree and position (Because: 1923). Safforn feels she owes everything to her mentor, Dr Maxwell, so when a woman […]
The Seventh Sinner (1972) Elizabeth Peters (Jacqueline Kirby) This was written in 1972, and is a product of those times–but not horribly so. (T)he long white scar on his forearm was the result of a bayonet cut acquired during the Six Days’ War, and Ted was already respected in academic circles for his research on […]
The Man Who Died Twice (2021) Richard Osman (Thursday Murder Club) This series is just fun, After the adventures of the last book, Joyce has perhaps become a little bored. “Do you think a dog might be good company?” asks Joyce. “I thought I might either get a dog or join Instagram.” Ibrihim also has […]
The Phoenix Illusion, Audio Edition (2018) Lisa Shearin narrated by Johanna Parker (SPI Files) I’d forgotten that this story is a bit all over the place. It eventually gets where it’s going, but it seemed to wander places solely for Rake to shower Mac with presents. Aside from that tho. As much as I wanted […]
Once a Rogue (2023) Allie Therin (Roaring Twenties Magic) Set in New York in 1925 I wish I’d been better able to focus, because I love Allie Therin’s stories. In fact, I was hoping that the story would allow me to focus on something outside of myself. The failing is mine, not the story’s. I’ll […]
Come Unto These Yellow Sands (2011) Josh Lanyon It would be nice to believe in something like God. To believe some higher power with a greater purpose was concealed behind the violence and chaos. Max grunted. “Did you see any other possibilities?” “I didn’t let myself look for them.” He couldn’t afford this. Couldn’t afford […]
The Thursday Murder Club (2020) Richard Osman (Thursday Murder Club) At a luxury retirement home, every Thursday, meets the Thursday Murder Club, where the four members look into unsolved crimes and try and figure them out to their satisfaction. There is Ron. Back in the days when he was in the papers, they called him […]
The Ghoul Vendetta (2017) Lisa Shearin narrated by Johanna Parker (SPI Files) My grandma Fraser had always told me I had “little dog syndrome”— small size, big attitude, delusions of toughness. I appreciated Ian’s training efforts in that area as well as hand-to-hand combat, but I’d pretty much gotten as good as I was going […]
A Dangerous Collaboration, Audio Book (2019) Deanna Raybourn narrated by Angèle Masters (Veronica Speedwell) Set in England in 1888. Lord Rosemorran had behaved with his characteristic good-natured vagueness, offering money to fund the venture and raising objections only when he realized his sister’s absence would mean taking care of his own children. “In my well-being. […]
Hard Spell (2011) Justin Gustainis (Occult Crimes Unit Investigation) This is the city – Scranton, Pennsylvania. My name’s Markowski. I carry a badge. Also a crucifix, some wooden stakes, a big vial of holy water, and a 9 mm Beretta loaded with silver bullets. I put a vial containing fresh crushed garlic in my shirt […]
Against the Currant (2023) Olivia Matthews (Spice Isle Bakery) I wanted to love this story. Cozy mystery! Bakery! Female heroine! Instead, I found myself skimming to finish so I could start something else. Mostly I skimmed anything that wasn’t dialog, then once a section of dialog was finished, I’d start skimming again. My first problem […]
The Brimstone Deception (2016) Lisa Shearin narrated by Johanna Parker (SPI Files) I didn’t envy Kylie her job right now. Actually, I’d never envied Kylie’s job. I was a horrible liar and even worse at hiding how I felt when around people I didn’t like. “Just know that if he ever hurts you—” “Honey, you’re […]
The Dragon Conspiracy (2015) Lisa Shearin narrated by Johanna Parker (SPI Files) (T)he sprinkles on the squashed cupcake of my evening. (S)omewhere a charmer was missing his snake. If you were smart, you lived your life and treated the people who were in your life— those who were important to you, those you loved— as […]
The Grendel Affair (2014) Lisa Shearin narrated by Johanna Parker (SPI Files) Being able to clear a line of beer cans from an old washer would never save anyone’s life, and I’d never actually heard of a deer taking a hunter hostage and using him as a shield while being hoisted into a helicopter. So […]
A Fatal Illusion (2023) Anna Lee Huber (Lady Darby) Set in England in 1832 This book picks up immediately after the events of the previous book. Kiera and Gage are rushing to Yorkshire after receiving a message that Lord Gage had been shot. Lord Gage isn’t dead, but he is also much unchanged despite having […]
Small Vices, Audio Book (1997) Robert B. Parker narrated by Burt Reynolds (Spenser) Since my name was anathema at Pemberton, I had to employ guile. I called the alumni office and said my name was Anathema and I was with the IRS. “We have an income tax refund for Ms. Glenda Baker, which has been […]
The Deadliest Fall (2023) Charlie Cochrane Set in England in 1947. The war is over but things are still settling back down. When Leslie Cadmore runs into Marianne Sibley, he is reminded how much he misses his best friend and lover (and Marianne’s twin), but still is unsure whether Patrick was involved in the death […]
Blitz, Audio Book (2022) Daniel O’Malley narrated by Moira Quirk (The Rook Files) “Our physicists are terrifically excited by the implications, but then, they’re in a state of almost constant excitement here. We’ve had to schedule enforced naps for all the scientists on Kirrin Island to keep them from working until they keel over.” Responsible […]
A Newlywed’s Guide to Fortune and Murder (2023) Dianne Freeman (Countess of Harleigh) Set in England in 1900 Frances and George are more than ready for their Honeymoon, however, George has an assignment, and Frances has been asked to help present the niece of Lady Winstead to society. However, upon seeing the health of Lady […]
Cry Wolf (2021) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) Any resemblance to actual persons or events is coincidental. Though if you do know of a criminal plot involving werewolves that has taken place at any of these locales, that is a coincidence I would love to know about. “Seriously, I wasn’t that new. And he wasn’t […]
Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing (2020) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) “So, let me get this right, on a scale from one to ten you’re rating this place a natural disaster? Is that higher or lower than— what did you call the place across town?” Park tapped his chin theatrically. “Oh right, the first monstrosity you’d […]
Fugitive Telemetry (2021) Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries) The bag had lights but turning them on would just be stupid plus I didn’t really want to see what was happening. Targets Two and Four had been giving very convincing descriptions of their cargo route. Clearly they had taken some effort to get their stories straight. […]
Thrown to the Wolves (2019) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) There are many ways to grieve— no one way less valid than the others “Being open isn’t easy for either of us. Shit, maybe not for anyone. But I work on it because, to me, you’re worth it. And you know what, Oliver? I’m worth […]
The Wolf at Bay (2019) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) “You’ve been standing here staring at that flower shop for fifteen minutes. So is it for her birthday or anniversary, or are you making up for a fight? Because I’ve been married for thirty-two years, and believe me, there are different bouquets for different occasions.” […]
A Treacherous Curse, Audio Book (2018) Deanna Raybourn narrated by Angèle Masters (Veronica Speedwell) Set in England in 1888 Stoker blushed furiously. “For the love of God, put that thing away.” “I cannot imagine why you are so bashful on the subject of the male genitalia of Homo sapiens when you are the only one […]
Mystery on the Menu: A Three-Course Collection of Cozy Mysteries (2023) Nicole Kimberling After rereading Grilled Cheese and Goblins I was wishing I had more mysteries by Nicole Kimberling when LO! I see she has a new mystery coming out! I can preorder it! DONE! As with her other books, this was a series of […]
Veiled, Audio Book (2015) Benedict Jacka narrated by Gildart Jackson (Alex Verus) My problem is that I was mostly listening to this while cleaning and organizing, and I got focused on my task, so I fear I missed some details. But didn’t care enough to go back and relisten to the bits I was foggy […]
A Matter of Magic (1988) Patricia C. Wrede (Mairelon the Magician) “(B)hey’re mixing magic at random, from the sound of it. Half of it’s Welsh, half of it’s Scottish, and half of it’s cribbed from someone’s classical education, with a few things that are entirely out of someone’s imagination thrown in for good measure. They’ll […]
Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot (1988) Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer (Cecelia and Kate) Set in England in 1817 (Horace Walpole is by no means Aunt Charlotte’s favorite author, but the opportunity to hire the genuine Mayfair town house he genuinely died in for the Season has given her a new […]
A Perilous Undertaking, Audio Book (2017) Deanna Raybourn narrated by Angèle Masters (Veronica Speedwell) Set in England in 1887 We’re continuing to listen to this series in the car, and Michael continues to enjoy it. We meet Lady Wellingtonia. “In my day, chairs were not for comfort. They were to keep your bottom from touching […]
Blank Spaces (2016) Cass Lennox (Toronto Connections) Flirting? Good God. Calorie-conscious and delusional. Vaughn knew how to pick them. He set the spoon down. “I’m not flirting with you.” “Really.” Jonah’s voice dripped with disbelief. “You don’t call putting food in my mouth flirting?” “No, actually. I share food with my eating companions regularly.” Vaughn […]
The Missing Page (2022) Cat Sebastian (Page & Sommers) Set in England in 1948 James is called to Cornwall for the reading of the will of an uncle he hasn’t seen for decades. When Leo returns from his latest mission, he doesn’t like this discovery at all. The more Leo thought about it, the less […]
Lessons for Sleeping Dogs (2015) Charlie Cochrane (Cambridge Fellows) Set in England in 1921 Jonty and Orlando are asked to look into what seems to have been a double suicide–a man who suffered debilitating paralysis and the doctor who treated him. The case touches on two things neither much wants to discuss: the war, and […]
The Wolf at the Door (2018) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf) Werewolves, but not quite how most popular culture described them. The Trust had explained werewolves had always existed, living amongst humans, but due to persecution had slipped quite intentionally into hiding and mythology. I really like her take on werewolves, and the world building […]
Lament at Loon Landing (2023) Josh Lanyon (Secrets and Scrabble) This is the sixth book, and accidentally came out after the seventh. However, since it’s a cozy series, that wasn’t a serious issue. Now that summer is over, Ellery is starting to worry the bookstore isn’t going to remain in the black until the tourists […]
Hither, Page (2019) Cat Sebastian (Page & Sommers) Set in England in 1946. Mrs Hoggett is dead, and although her death was certainly suspicious, there is nothing directory pointing to murder. None of the witnesses could suggest a possible motive, nor did any of them think Mrs. Hoggett had enemies. Leo had actually laughed out […]
Lessons for Idle Tongues (2015) Charlie Cochrane (Cambridge Fellows) Set in England in 1910. Jonty and Orlando are given another case to solve when Adriene’s cousin asks them to look into a matter for a friend. An unexpected and possibly suspicious death. When they go to investigate they find a lord shut away from society, […]
Lessons for Suspicious Minds (2013) Charlie Cochrane (Cambridge Fellows) Set in England in 1909. NOTE: This story goes back in time, probably set after Lessons in Trust (book 7) and is set before the war–and all the changes that caused to the characters and the world. Jonty and Orlando go with Jonty’s parents to visit […]
Paper Cuts (2023) Ellery Adams (A Secret, Book, and Scone Society) A couple has opened a tea shop in town, and when Nora and her friends visit, she discovers one of the owners somehow seems to know her–and is distraught by the fact. There were a surprising number of editing and continuity errors in this […]
Gumption & Gumshoes (2013) Alex Kidwell Chinchilla shifter. I wanted to shift. I didn’t often, because seriously, what would be the point? None of us did. Personally, I was just really hooked on the opposable thumbs thing that I had as a human. But right then, I wanted to be smaller. I feel like I […]
An Unnatural Vice (2017) K.J. Charles (Sins of the Cities) Justin stayed upstairs until he heard the door shut. Some people would call it flagrant physical cowardice to leave a twelve-year-old girl to deal with a large enraged man, and those people would be absolutely right, but Justin would have bet the house that Nathaniel […]
An Unseen Attraction (2017) K.J. Charles (Sins of the Cities) Look me in the eyes, boy! had been a constant refrain at school, but they said the eyes were the windows to the soul, and Clem didn’t feel comfortable peering into people’s windows. Rowley had thought at first the beast had no name; it had […]
Execution in E (2020) Alexia Gordon (Gethsemane Brown) “If you don’t want me to see your fingers crossed behind your back,” she pointed to his semi-transparent hand visible through his semi-transparent torso, “you should dial up your density.” Ty reminded her of the husband in one of those twisted domestic suspense novels with “Girl” in […]