False Value, Audio Edition (2020) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Rivers of London) This is the 8th Peter Grant book. After the events of Lies SLeeping, Peter was suspended while the incident (death in custody) was investigated. This book opens with Peter interviewing for a security position with the Serious Cybernetics Corporation (and yes, […]

The Moving Finger (1942) Agatha Christie (Miss Marple) This is the third Miss Marple mystery, and one I’ve reread multiple times, yet this time through I picked up some things I’d not noticed before. Which isn’t unusual, but is fascinating, as things I have learned elsewhere shine a different light upon things I’ve read before. […]

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 […]

The Murder at the Vicarage (1930) Agatha Christie (Miss Marple) This is the first Miss Marple novel. I’d somehow forgotten that it’s told from the point of view of the vicar, and Miss Marple is only a secondary character–even if she does solve the mystery. Miss Marple is a white-haired old lady with a gentle, […]

Calypso, Corpses, and Cooking (2022) Raquel V. Reyes (A Caribbean Kitchen Mystery) I read Mango, Mambo, and Murder and Mia P. Manansala’s Arsenic and Adobo very close together, and have spent the past year confusing the two, because cozy mystery with food and a female lead are what I remembered. To be clear, I liked […]

Blackmail and Bibingka (2022) Mia P. Manansala (Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery) As previously, I finished this story with a slight pang of disappointment. It’s not bad–not at all–but I want it to be just a tiny bit better. I think it was the mystery that was the issue. I guessed pretty quickly who was involved […]

What Abigail Did That Summer (2021) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Shvorne Marks and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Rivers of London) First, this is Abigail’s story. Peter doesn’t make an appearance (although we see Nightingale and hear from Postmartin). Second, this story jumps back and forth in time, opening with Abigail at a police station, and then jumping […]

A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie (2015) Kathryn Harkup Agatha Christie volunteered as a nurse during the first world war, and ended up working at the pharmacy. In order to prepare for the Apothecaries Hall examination Christie was tutored in practical, as well as theoretical, aspects of chemistry and pharmacy. And she […]

A Rare Book of Cunning Device, Audio Edition (2017) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Rivers of London) Just because this is such a fun story. ‘Tell me that wasn’t a spider?’ said Ms Winstanley in a deceptively calm tone. ‘Can’t have been,’ I said. ‘Thank god for that,’ she said. ‘Can’t stand spiders.’ ‘It […]

Lies Sleeping, Audio Edition (2018) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Rivers of London) I picked up a lot I missed the first time around. I remember it being late, and needing to go to bed, but I just need to know more…. So, I caught a lot this time. This is set in 2014, […]

The Furthest Station, Audio Edition (2017) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Rivers of London) This novella falls between Foxglove Summer and The Hanging Tree in the timeline. Although I highly recommend starting at the beginning, because it is outside of the primary story arc of the series, it should be accessible to those unfamiliar […]

The Hanging Tree, Audio Edition (2017) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Rivers of London) Lady Ty has decided to call in her favor. “Peter,” said Lady Ty, “Nightingale is not to know about this— is that clear?” “Crystal,” I said. As soon as she hung up, I called the Folly. Not that he’ll let […]

Adorkable (2020) Shane K. Morton I had some major problems with this story. Let’s start with the biggest one first. Billy’s best friend shows up to the most important class of her freshman year and crushes on the TA. Then, But I did think about asking you out to my fraternity’s mixer this weekend, if […]

Pack of Lies (2022) Charlie Adhara (Monster Hunt) Whine whine whine. I don’t wanna read about Eli, I wanna read more about Cooper and Oliver. (finally picks up book) (devours book) (immediately preorders sequel) Eli is managing the retreat while Cooper and Oliver are on their honeymoon. What could possibly go wrong? Multiple things, including […]

Foxglove Summer, Audio Edition (2015) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Rivers of London) I love this series so much. This book is dedicated to Sir Terry Pratchett OBE, who has stood like a wossname upon the rocky shores of our imaginations— the better to guide us safely into harbor. There are so many subtle […]

Requiem for Mr. Busybody (2020) Josh Lanyon Aaaaand… I accidentally reread this as well. Michael spends a lot of time watching his neighbors. He has large windows, and since he doesn’t go out often, it gives him something to do. I usually woke up at about five-thirty and dealt with all the stuff that was […]

Broken Homes, Audio Edition (2014) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Rivers of London) A lot happens in this book. And there are a couple things I missed the first couple times through (mostly about the ends at the end of the book). As always, the story is a joy. I’d love to stick some […]

The Secret of Bow Lane (2022) Ashley Gardner (Kat Holloway) Set in England in 1882 The Sixth Book in the Below Stairs mystery series finds Kat embroiled in her own mystery. Her husband’s actual wife has come to Kat demanding assistance in discovering treasure Joe supposedly had before he died. Kat has little interest, but […]

Whispers Under Ground (2012) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Rivers of London) I’m enjoying this reread (relisten) of the Rivers of London series, because I’m paying attention to things I missed earlier, because I didn’t necessarily catch the importance the first time through. But mostly because I adore Peter. So just chalk it up […]

Death at the Deep Dive (2022) Josh Lanyon (Secrets and Scrabble) This is book seven of the Secrets and Scrabble series. However, book six has not yet been published “due to circumstances outside our control”. Luckily, at this point in the series the switch isn’t a problem, since they are written as stand alones (mostly). […]

Moon Over Soho, Audio Edition (2011) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith This book has my hands-down all-time favorite quote. “You can’t die of jazz,” said Dr. Walid. “Can you?” I thought of Fats Navarro, Billie Holiday, and Charlie Parker who, when he died, was mistaken by a coroner for a man twice his real […]

Purloined Poinsettia (2022) Dahlia Donovan (Motts Cold Case Mystery) Motts has been fascinated by cold cases since her childhood best friend was murdered and no one every caught. Recently, she’s discovered that the majority of girls she went to school with have been killed in the interim. Now, as they are slowly closing in on […]

Lock, Stock and Peril (2022) Charlie Cochrane (Lindenshaw Mysteries) Set in early 2021 during the pandemic. What a year 2020 had been, and the start of 2021 wasn’t shaping up that great, either. The pandemic is a part of the story, because it was part of the world at the time, but it is not […]

Give Unto Others (2022) Donna Leon (Commissario Brunetti) This is the 31st Brunetti book. It seems weird this series has been running for 30 years. Partially because at some point she stopped aging Brunetti and his family, so his eldest has been on the cusp of adulthood for more than a decade. This book is […]

Midnight Riot, Audio Edition (2012) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Rivers of London) I’ve finished listened to the Jane Yellowrock and Faith Hunter series, with the exception of the two most recent books I haven’t read, so realizing I had a new Rivers of London book to listen to, I decided to restart the […]

The Rook, Audio Edition (2012) Daniel O’Malley narrated by Susan Duerden This book. People are more likely to cope with the appearance of an animated corpse in a graveyard than one in an ice cream parlor or the changing room of a boutique. They won’t be happy with the appearance of the animated corpse in […]

Spells for the Dead, Audio Edition (2019) Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam Nell is learning how to control her powers as a “plant person” as she calls herself. But she doesn’t understand why she’s called out the death of a famous country singer, whose body whose body is rapidly decomposing–along with the bodies of […]

Renovated to Death (2022) Frank Anthony Polito YA author PJ and his fiance, the actor JP, became starts of the home renovation show, Domestic Partners, and are trying to settle on a house for the next season. Unfortunately, one of the owners of the house the are planning to renovate doesn’t want to sell. And […]

Circle of the Moon, Audio Edition (2019) Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam Nell is recovering from spending several months as flora instead of fauna. The farm had seemingly figured out that if I was a tree, there would be no one to work the soil and it liked me around. Now, as I worked, […]

A Dangerous Deceit (2017) Alissa Johnson (The Thief-Takers) Set in England in ~1872 This is such a marvelous book. Jane, struggles with so many things, and is justifiably terrified of anyone discovering her secret, which makes it one of the few books where it is completely logical for the main characters to keep secrets from […]

A Gift for Guile (2016) Alissa Johnson (The Thief Takers) Set in England in 1872. Esther has finally admitted that she was involved in her father’s schemes–as his teenage henchman. And no one blames Esther for that–except Esther herself. Though he suspected she’d be surprised to hear it, Samuel didn’t hold it against her. She’d […]

A Talent for Trickery (2015) Alissa Johnson (The Thief-Takers) Set in England in 1872 Owen Renderwell, the first Viscount Renderwell and Gentleman Thief-Taker needs to solve a series of crimes. And to do so, he needs the help of a woman he hasn’t spoken to in eight years. A woman who sent all his letters […]

An Impossible Impostor (2022) Deanna Raybourn (Veronica Speedwell) Set in England in 1900. Veronica and Stoker are back in London, when Sir Hugo comes to them to ask a favor: check on his goddaughter, and see if the man claiming to be her brother is truly returned from the dead. He is asking Veronica, because […]

Murder in Pastel (2015) Josh Lanyon Kyle Bari still lives in the home that belonged to his father, the famous painter Cosmo Bari, and makes his living writing mysteries. “That was the summer I got sick. Rheumatic fever.” “ Which left you with a weak heart.” “It was the summer my father disappeared.” Adam MacKinnon […]

A Bride’s Guide to Marriage and Murder (2022) Dianne Freeman (Countess of Harleigh Mystery) Set in London in 1900. I’ve been picking up books, then putting them down, and noe and Murder and it was precisely what I was in the mood to read. It’s a cozy mystery. This is book five. Main character is […]

Peach Cobbler Murder (2005) Joanne Fluke (Hannah Swensen) This is the 7th Hannah Swensen book. I think I’m going to drop this series for a bit. I like the mysteries–and I very much liked the set-up for this one. But her romantic dilly dallying is grating on my nerves. To be clear–I am perfectly fine […]

Sugar Cookie Murder (2004) Joanne Fluke (Hannah Swensen) This was a locked-room of sort, with everyone (mostly) trapped in a single location due to a blizzard. It also had a lot more recipes than previous books–including non-desserts. As always, I was amused by how dated the technology made parts of the story seem. Andrea sounded […]

Fudge Cupcake Murder (2004) Joanne Fluke (Hannah Swensen) Book 5. When the sheriff turns up dead, Hannah’s brother-in-law is accused of killing his political opponent and since Andrea is stuck on bed-rest, it’s up to Hannah to find the killer quickly–before her brother-in-law drives her sister crazy. I’ve got some other news, too.” “What’s that?” […]

Lemon Meringue Pie Murder (2003) Joanne Fluke (Hannah Swensen) This is the 4th book in the series and since I couldn’t find it on sale, I borrowed it from the library. First, this book is almost hilarious not set in current times. You really need a cell phone, Hannah.” “I don’t want a cell phone.” […]

Amongst Our Weapons (2022) Ben Aaronovitch (Rivers of London) It’s been two years since the previous full Rivers on London book, although in between we had a story set in Germany, comics, short stories, and Abigail’s novella. And I am GREAT with all that. Did I want to know what was happening with Peter? Of […]

The Vanishing Type (2022) Ellery Adams (Secret, Book, & Scone Society) One of the things I particularly like about this story is the variety of the characters within. And that those traits don’t define the characters: Sheldon is ace but also Hispanic and Jewish and someone who suffers from chronic pain, and also someone who […]

Blueberry Muffin Murder (2002) Joanne Fluke (Hannah Swensen) A cute cozy mystery with lots of delicious baked goods. The heroine has a major “not like other girls” feel, but it is an early book. I was amused as all get out reading some of the passages that specifically dated the book. I mean: There was […]

A Perilous Perspective (2022) Anna Lee Huber (Lady Darby Mystery) Set in Scotland in 1832 The tenth Lady Darby book finds Kiera and Sebastian are in Scotland for the wedding of her friend Charlotte to her cousin Rye. Trouble comes with Kiera realizes that several of Lord Barbreck’s paintings are most likely forgeries. If the […]

Strawberry Shortcake Murder (2001) Joanne Fluke (Hannah Swensen) It doesn’t seem like 2001 was that long ago, but it was really a different world. “Yes, Mother.” Hannah stretched out the phone cord and walked over to the cupboard that held Moishe’s food. Once the warm-up was complete, Vera used Lucy’s mouse to click on the […]

The October Man, Audio Version (2019) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Sam Peter Jackson (Rivers of London) London isn’t the only city with magic. I ended up in the Abteilung KDA because I didn’t talk myself out of it fast enough, and because the Director has a vile sense of humour. I ended up learning magic […]

An Unsuitable Heir (2017) KJ Charles (Sins of the Cities) Set in England in 1873. I have complicated feelings about this story, and I’m pretty sure they’re all on me and not the story. “What does he do?” Pen paused. “He didn’t say, actually. We mostly talked about, well, me.” “No wonder you think he’s […]

An Unnatural Vice (2017) KJ Charles (Sins of the Cities) Set in England in 1872 Although we were introduced to Nathaniel in the previous book, my favorite character by far is Justin. Justin used innuendo and throaty moans in the same way he used stolen information and a fanatical level of planning: as weapons. What […]

An Unseen Attraction (2017) KJ Charles (Sins of the Cities) Set in London in 1873 The first book in the Sins of the City series. they said the eyes were the windows to the soul, and Clem didn’t feel comfortable peering into people’s windows. “Most people,” Clem said carefully, “most people think that I shouldn’t […]

Come Unto These Yellow Sands (2011) Josh Lanyon Something about this book works perfectly to pull me out of my head. Part of it is that Swift is a reformed screw-up who knows how and why he messed up, but also how easy it could be for him to fall of the wagon. Physical violence […]

Homicide and Halo-Halo (2022) Mia P. Manansala (A Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery) Lila Macapagal is supposed to be getting ready for the opening of the cafe she is opening with her best friend. But instead she is guilted into judging the Miss Teen Shady Palms Beauty Pageant, which she won as a teenager. And, of […]