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 […]
A Carriage of Misjustice (2020) Charlie Cochrane (Lindenshaw Mysteries) Adam and Robin are married, but since their wedding was during the school year, they’re putting off their honeymoon. Which is good because Robin is requested for a secondment in Hartwood, which means Robin and Pru will be staying at a hotel for the duration. A […]
Old Sins (2019) Charlie Cochrane (Lindenshaw Mysteries) Back from vacation, Robin and Adam are trying to decide about wedding plans, and taking Campbell for a walk, when they hear a shot and discover a dead dog. This not a common occurrence, and the difference between gun laws in the US vs UK is fascinating. “Somebody […]
Two Feet Under (2018) Charlie Cochrane (Lindenshaw Mysteries) Adam has just started as deputy headteacher at a new school when Robin is called out for a murder–this time at an archeology site. “It’s not one of those routine ‘found a body; we’re pretty sure it’s from the time of Cromwell, but we have to call […]
Jury of One (2015) Charlie Cochrane (Lindenshaw Mysteries) Adam and Robin are now an item, living together although Robin still hasn’t sold his flat. Then Robin is called to a secondment to investigate a murder in a nearby town, where the locals are tied up in a serial slasher case. Robin said having to explain […]
The Best Corpse for the Job (2014) Charlie Cochrane (Lindenshaw Mysteries) Needed a cozy series, and nothing new was working for me, so I went back to this series. Adam is part of a group interviewing applicants for the headteacher position in his school. Back again. Same classroom, same panel, same anticipation of death by […]
The Gorgon Agenda (2023) Lisa Shearin (SPI Files) I seem to have forgotten much of the previous book. But now I check the publication date, I bought it a the end of March 2021, so, yeah, that explains it. The Aegis–the mythical shield with Medeusa’s head head embedded in the center, has been stolen from […]
Who Killed Sherlock Holmes? (2016) Paul Cornell narrated by Damian Lynch (Shadow Police) This series always blows me away. ‘I won’t tell you!’ she shouted. ‘I can!’ Kevin insisted, pointing at himself. The stormtrooper paused awkwardly again. He obviously had as little idea as she did what Kevin’s weird willingness to help was about. Lacey […]
The Severed Streets (2015) Paul Cornell narrated by Damian Lynch (Shadow Police) Riots are breaking out across London. The police are voting on a walkout. And someone has just killed an important MP in a locked car in the middle of one of those riots. The DCI’s expression grew even more nonplussed. ‘Why are you […]
London Falling, Audio Book (2014) Paul Cornell narrated by Damian Lynch (The Shadow Police) Pretty much all the trigger warnings for this book: child death, child harm, gore, violence, serial killer.. This series is so dark, and yet its darkness doesn’t bother me, possibly because it’s almost over the top. “You know what you get […]
Amongst Our Weapons, Audio Edition (2022) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Rivers of London) This is the most recent Rivers of London / Peter Grant book, and now I’m all caught up and have to find something else to listen to. I sped through this when I read it in the spring, so I […]
Tales from the Folly: A Rivers of London Short Story Collection, Audio Edition (2020) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by: the author, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Ben Elliot, Felix Grainger, Sam Peter Jackson, Alex Kingston, Shvorne Marks, and Penelope Rawlins PART ONE: THE PETER GRANT STORIES The Home Crowd Advantage: set between Rivers of London and Moon Over Soho […]
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, […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 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 […]
Grilled Cheese and Goblins: Adventures of a Supernatural Food Inspector (2018) Nicole Kimberling This books is simply a delight. I mean, supernatural food inspector. What more could I want? Keith was momentarily too stunned by the idea that the vampire realm had a publishing industry to think of a follow-up question. Gunther saved him. I […]
Curse on the Land (2016) Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam Nell Ingram is now officially a member of PsyLEDs Unit 18. She’s finished he training at Spook School and is officially a problem. This is the story with the underground working and the slime mold and things coming to a head with Paca and […]
A Carriage of Misjustice (2020) Charlie Cochrane (Lindenshaw Mysteries) Alas, I am now all caught up with this series. Robin and Adam are newlyweds, but since it’s midterm, it’s back to work for both of them until they can take a proper honeymoon over summer break. Unfortunately, Robin is seconded to Hartwood to lead up […]
The Beat Goes On: The Complete Rebus Stories (2015) Ian Rankin ‘Dead and Buried’ © 2013 ‘Playback,’ ‘The Dean Curse,’ ‘Being Frank,’ ‘Concrete Evidence,’ ‘Seeing Things,’ ‘A Good Hanging,’ ‘Tit for Tat,’ ‘Not Provan,’ ‘Sunday,’ ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ ‘The Gentleman’s Club,’ ‘Monstrous Trumpet’ from A Good Hanging (And Other Short Stories, Featuring Inspector Rebus) © […]
Two Feet Under (2018) Charlie Cochrane (Lindenshaw Mysteries) Adam Matthews and Robin Bright are settling into their new jobs: Adam is deputy headmaster at a new school and Robin is Chief Inspector at Abbotston (the nick that had all the issues in the last book). When Robin is called out to a body found at […]
Jury of One (2016) Charlie Cochrane (Lindenshaw Mysteries) Inspector Robin Bright had been meant to be enjoying the weekend with his partner Adam Matthews, but a murder has him and his team called in while the Abbotston team tries to deal with a serial killer. It’s a cozy mystery, and just what I was in […]
Riccardino (2020/2021) Andrea Camilleri translated by Stephen Sartarelli (Inspector Montalbano Mystery) Andrea Camilleri died in 2019. He had written this book and sent it to his editor, to be published after his death. This is the final novel with Inspector Montalbano as its protagonist. I first started writing it in July 2004 and finished it […]
Hexbreaker (2016) Jordan L. Hawk (Hexworld) Set in New York City in 1897. Tom Halloran escaped the death of his family–and his own imprisonment–and became a city cop. But hiding the fact he is a witch is about to become difficult. Hexbreaking was too rare a skill. If anyone found out, they’d want to know […]
Who Killed Sherlock Holmes? (2016) Paul Cornell (Shadow Police) The third–and seemingly final–book of the Shadow Police series. The story opens with a bank robbery. ‘I won’t tell you!’ she shouted. ‘I can!’ Kevin insisted, pointing at himself. The stormtrooper paused awkwardly again. He obviously had as little idea as she did what Kevin’s weird […]
The Severed Streets (2014) Paul Cornell (Shadow Police) When the Secretary of the Treasury is killed violently and inexplicably, Quill’s group is certain the case falls to their remit–even if they are the only ones who know it. ‘We’ve been given access to … advanced sensor … techniques, the details of which we can’t go […]
London Falling (2012) Paul Cornell (Shadow Police) Me, to myself. “I haven’t read the Shadow Police series in awhile”. Also me, “It’s really dark.” “I know it’s dark! I read it and listened to it!” “Are you sure you’re up for that right now?” (stomps off in a huff to read London Falling.) Oh. Yeah. […]
Death of a Hollow Man (1989) Caroline Graham (Chief Inspector Barnaby) Inspector Barnaby’s wife belongs to the local theater group, so we start during the early rehearsals, and interestingly (for a police procedural) the murder doesn’t happen until opening night (about 40% into the book). So not only do you have to figure out who […]
Madison Square Murders (2021) C.S. Poe (Memento Mori) Everett Larkin works for the Cold Case Squad. And even among that group he’s considered odd. But he’s good at his job, even if he is often a bit overly emotional. I was initially distracted by the appearance of Neil Millett, Sebastian Snow’s ex, and someone I’m […]
Transient Desires (2021) Donna Leon (Commissario Brunetti) Two young American women were left on the dock outside the hospital–one with serious injuries. What happened? Why were they abandoned? These and other questions lead Brunetti and his fellow officer Griffoni to find out what happened to the women–and more importantly, why. This is another of the […]
The Cook of the Halcyon (2019/2021) Andrea Camilleri translated by Stephen Sartarelli (Inspector Montalbano) A factory clothing leads to protests, and the owner doesn’t seem to be suffering any losses, what with all the fancy cars and fancy women in his life. And then the Commissioner seems to be gunning to get Montalbano out of […]
Tales from the Folly: A Rivers of London Short Story Collection (2020) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by: the author, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Ben Elliot, Felix Grainger, Sam Peter Jackson, Alex Kingston, Shvorne Marks, and Penelope Rawlins PART ONE: THE PETER GRANT STORIES The Home Crowd Advantage The Domestic The Cockpit The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Granny King […]
All the World’s an Undead Stage (2018) Angel Martinez (Offbeat Crimes) “Best stay elevated,” Carrington murmured when Tim climbed out of his house to stare at him. How Tim managed to look surprised when he had no facial features was one of the mysteries of the universe. “We decided to call it a zorpse,” Kyle […]
Jackalopes and Woofen-Poofs (2017) Angel Martinez (Offbeat Crimes) “Kinda wish I could take you with me, Mom,” Wolf mumbled around a bite of toast. “I wish I could go too, sweetie. But then all the other officers would want to take their moms and the poor board of inquiry members at State probably wouldn’t survive.” […]
Feral Dust Bunnies (2017) Angel Martinez (Offbeat Crimes) While he did hiss and snort, Krisk never spoke a word, probably because his mouth and throat weren’t the right shape for it. They got by, communicating in gestures and texts, and after four years, they understood each other damn well. Dinner. “Yeah, I’m almost done here.” […]
Skim Blood and Savage Verse (2017) Angel Martinez (Offbeat Crimes) How could he have even thought about not celebrating his thirty-fifth birthday? Especially if it meant it gave her an excuse to invite all the old money and local officials to the affair. And outside? Of course it had to be outside. The weather in […]
The Pill Bugs of Time (2016) Angel Martinez (Offbeat Crimes) “Should get an Odo bucket,” Vikash murmured. “A what?” Kyle chuckled into his coffee. “Seriously, Carr? You never watched Deep Space Nine?”” It was the first time Vikash had experienced Greg’s particular talent being useful. He heard emotions, but only negative ones and only avian […]
Lime Gelatin and Other Monsters (2016) Angel Martinez (Offbeat Crimes) Between them, in the chair a suspect would take while he was being booked, was a leather jacket. Not odd if the jacket had behaved normally and stayed draped over a chair arm like a good, proper jacket, but this one was sitting up with […]
What Abigail Did That Summer (2021) Ben Aaronovitch (Rivers of London) Set concurrently with Foxglove Summer. Abigail Kamara learned discovered what magic is, and now that she knows, she’ll do anything to learn it–including taking and mastering Latin. If you’ve read the Rivers of London books, you already know just how marvelous Abigail is. I […]