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mystereity's reviews
1164 reviews
Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Marty Wingate
4.0
Book 3 of the Potting Shed Mystery has Pru heading to Edinburgh, Scotland for a temporary job authenticating a newly discovered journal by Archibald Menzies, a noted 18th century botanist. Trouble starts with her colleague, Iain, whose disapproval and snide comments about how she got her job lead to tension and arguments between the two. When Iain is found dead, Pru finds herself under suspicion and begins investigating to clear her name.
The plot was very good; lots of twists and turns and suspicious people. The whole wedding planning was a little over the top, I had a hard time believing that a 50 year old woman would have so much trouble picking out a dress that she had to have her friend take care of all of the details. And all the fawning over the details with the detective investigating the murder was also a bit weird. I don't know, I think subtracting the whole wedding planning and the wedding itself wouldn't detract from the story in the least. It was cute and all, but a little too much drama considering it was a pair of late-middle-agers getting married and not a blushing 20 year old virgin.
Overall, very good and enjoyable but not without its detractors.
The plot was very good; lots of twists and turns and suspicious people. The whole wedding planning was a little over the top, I had a hard time believing that a 50 year old woman would have so much trouble picking out a dress that she had to have her friend take care of all of the details. And all the fawning over the details with the detective investigating the murder was also a bit weird. I don't know, I think subtracting the whole wedding planning and the wedding itself wouldn't detract from the story in the least. It was cute and all, but a little too much drama considering it was a pair of late-middle-agers getting married and not a blushing 20 year old virgin.
Overall, very good and enjoyable but not without its detractors.
Charms & Witchdemeanors by Amanda M. Lee
2.0
This series is hit or miss for me. Most of the books are so fantastic that I read them in one sitting, unable to put them down.
This isn't one of them. In fact, the first 1/3 of the book was so inane, I considered abandoning it (and the series) altogether. The immature griping and sniping between Bay, Clove and Thistle is just annoying. They're all in their late 20s and having meltdowns because Clove moved in with her boyfriend. And she's not moving to China, she's moving a mile down the road. Give me a break! I'm not sure what the point of the asshole FBI agent was. He didn't add anything to the story, he was just another annoying character trying their hardest to get me to stop reading the book.
Read the rest of my review on my blog
This isn't one of them. In fact, the first 1/3 of the book was so inane, I considered abandoning it (and the series) altogether. The immature griping and sniping between Bay, Clove and Thistle is just annoying. They're all in their late 20s and having meltdowns because Clove moved in with her boyfriend. And she's not moving to China, she's moving a mile down the road. Give me a break! I'm not sure what the point of the asshole FBI agent was. He didn't add anything to the story, he was just another annoying character trying their hardest to get me to stop reading the book.
Read the rest of my review on my blog
The Madness of Mercury by Connie di Marco
3.0
Cute cozy mystery with a great premise, suspenseful plot and great characters and an action packed ending.
Read this review and more at Mystereity Reviews
Julia, an astrologer, becomes a target of harassment from a religious group called The Prophet's Temple. After doing a reading for a client's elderly aunt, she learns that the other aunt is being wooed into joining the cult. Much bad mojo ensues, throwing everyone into danger.
I liked the premise of an astrologer doing the investigating. I mean, who would be any better chart out instances where evil could cross your sign, or even portents of harm? I'd sign up for that, except it probably costs a lot.
I got bored with the all the harassment and intimidation by the whack job cult after awhile. It was just too much filler and it really bogged down the book. In fact, I had to skip a few chapters in the middle of the book because it got so repetitive and boring. I did enjoy the action-packed ending, though, it made up for the plodding story in the middle of the book.
Overall, a cute read with interesting characters and a great plot, just a little too much filler.
Read this review and more at Mystereity Reviews
Julia, an astrologer, becomes a target of harassment from a religious group called The Prophet's Temple. After doing a reading for a client's elderly aunt, she learns that the other aunt is being wooed into joining the cult. Much bad mojo ensues, throwing everyone into danger.
I liked the premise of an astrologer doing the investigating. I mean, who would be any better chart out instances where evil could cross your sign, or even portents of harm? I'd sign up for that, except it probably costs a lot.
I got bored with the all the harassment and intimidation by the whack job cult after awhile. It was just too much filler and it really bogged down the book. In fact, I had to skip a few chapters in the middle of the book because it got so repetitive and boring. I did enjoy the action-packed ending, though, it made up for the plodding story in the middle of the book.
Overall, a cute read with interesting characters and a great plot, just a little too much filler.
The Woman in Blue by Elly Griffiths
5.0
See the full review and more on my blog Mystereity Reviews
An ethereal vision of a woman in blue in a graveyard one night leads to the body of a beautiful young model found dead in a ditch. DI Nelson and his crew find themselves in a new investigation to find who is strangling blonde women in the medieval pilgrimage town of Little Walsingham. At the same time, Ruth is contacted by an old university friend who requests Ruth's help in tracking down the author of several threatening letters
I really enjoyed this latest installment in the Ruth Galloway series. The main plot, the murders of two blond women, tied in with the sub-plot of the threatening letters so well that it was impossible to see a connection at first. All the clues were there, neatly woven into the story so well that you didn't realize until much later how pertinent they were.
And just what did Nelson say to Ruth at the end?!
An ethereal vision of a woman in blue in a graveyard one night leads to the body of a beautiful young model found dead in a ditch. DI Nelson and his crew find themselves in a new investigation to find who is strangling blonde women in the medieval pilgrimage town of Little Walsingham. At the same time, Ruth is contacted by an old university friend who requests Ruth's help in tracking down the author of several threatening letters
I really enjoyed this latest installment in the Ruth Galloway series. The main plot, the murders of two blond women, tied in with the sub-plot of the threatening letters so well that it was impossible to see a connection at first. All the clues were there, neatly woven into the story so well that you didn't realize until much later how pertinent they were.
And just what did Nelson say to Ruth at the end?!
The Book Club Murders by Leslie Nagel
5.0
See my full review (and more!) on my blog Mystereity Reviews
Fantastic book! I first heard about this book from Wanderlust's fantastic review and couldn't wait to read it. I thoroughly enjoyed The Book Club Murders, so much so that I turned around and read it again, just to see if I could pick up all the things I missed!
Great characters and a fast-paced plot sucked me in right from the the first chapter. Guileless Charley and intense Marc are equally matched in the strong-willed and stubborn department. While I thought their romance was a bit overwrought, it was cute and softened the story a little.
And the plot! Full of red herrings, surprise twists and fast-paced action, it kept me guessing until the very end. I loved how all the red-herrings were a plot thread in themselves, from Ronnie's problems to Wilson's secrets. The Agathas and their secrets and tragedies added just the right amount of drama to give the plot lots of depth and dimension. I have to ask, though: who shot the video at the crime scene? Did they ever investigate it? Perhaps it will be in the next book...
Overall, an exceptional mystery and I can't wait for the next book in the series! I definitely recommend this book as a must read.
Thank you so much to Random House-Alibi and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Fantastic book! I first heard about this book from Wanderlust's fantastic review and couldn't wait to read it. I thoroughly enjoyed The Book Club Murders, so much so that I turned around and read it again, just to see if I could pick up all the things I missed!
Great characters and a fast-paced plot sucked me in right from the the first chapter. Guileless Charley and intense Marc are equally matched in the strong-willed and stubborn department. While I thought their romance was a bit overwrought, it was cute and softened the story a little.
And the plot! Full of red herrings, surprise twists and fast-paced action, it kept me guessing until the very end. I loved how all the red-herrings were a plot thread in themselves, from Ronnie's problems to Wilson's secrets. The Agathas and their secrets and tragedies added just the right amount of drama to give the plot lots of depth and dimension. I have to ask, though: who shot the video at the crime scene? Did they ever investigate it? Perhaps it will be in the next book...
Overall, an exceptional mystery and I can't wait for the next book in the series! I definitely recommend this book as a must read.
Thank you so much to Random House-Alibi and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
A Memory of Muskets by Kathleen Ernst
5.0
See this review and more at Mystereity Reviews
A Memory of Muskets, book 7 in the Chloe Ellefson series, a heart-wrenching tale of Roelke's ancestors is finely woven into a riveting modern mystery. When a Civil War re-enactor is found dead at Old World Wisconsin, Roelke is plunged into yet another murder investigation. With nothing to identify the dead man, the investigation stalls and another Civil War re-enactor is shot to death at Milwaukee's German Fest. Roelke works to piece together the pieces and find a killer. Throughout the book, the tragic story of Roelke's ancestors unfolds as Roelke and Chloe purchase the Roelke homestead, which has been in his family since the time of the Civil War.
The plot was really well crafted; I had no firm suspects (although I hoped Petty guilty of the murders.) and the ending did come as a surprise. The characters continue to grow and gain some dimension and have become a solid unit.
What I really loved was the the Roelke family history. There was a lot I could relate to with this book; I have been working on my family's German genealogy over the last few months, so I guess I felt a certain kinship with the story. It certainly brought much enjoyment for me reading it, as it could just as easily have been my own history. I'm woman enough to admit that I did cry at the end of the book. When I said a heart-wrenching story, I wasn't kidding.
Overall, a another solid entry into the Chloe Ellefson series and I can't wait to read more. This book can be read as a standalone, but would be better appreciated if the series was read in order.
A Memory of Muskets, book 7 in the Chloe Ellefson series, a heart-wrenching tale of Roelke's ancestors is finely woven into a riveting modern mystery. When a Civil War re-enactor is found dead at Old World Wisconsin, Roelke is plunged into yet another murder investigation. With nothing to identify the dead man, the investigation stalls and another Civil War re-enactor is shot to death at Milwaukee's German Fest. Roelke works to piece together the pieces and find a killer. Throughout the book, the tragic story of Roelke's ancestors unfolds as Roelke and Chloe purchase the Roelke homestead, which has been in his family since the time of the Civil War.
The plot was really well crafted; I had no firm suspects (although I hoped Petty guilty of the murders.) and the ending did come as a surprise. The characters continue to grow and gain some dimension and have become a solid unit.
What I really loved was the the Roelke family history. There was a lot I could relate to with this book; I have been working on my family's German genealogy over the last few months, so I guess I felt a certain kinship with the story. It certainly brought much enjoyment for me reading it, as it could just as easily have been my own history. I'm woman enough to admit that I did cry at the end of the book. When I said a heart-wrenching story, I wasn't kidding.
Overall, a another solid entry into the Chloe Ellefson series and I can't wait to read more. This book can be read as a standalone, but would be better appreciated if the series was read in order.
A Ghostly Gift by Angie Fox
5.0
See this review (and more!) at Mystereity Reviews
A short and sweet read, A Ghostly Gift has a touch of humor, a sleazy ghost bar, and a heartwarming tale that will hit you right in the feels.
After reading the 4th book in this fantastic series, I vowed to catch up with all the other books. A Ghostly Gift is a very short story (it took me a half hour to read) set just after the first book. Verity's sister, Melody asks her for a favor; a friend's resale shop is being terrorized by a ghost and she needs Verity's help to get rid of the ghost before anything valuable is broken. With gangster ghost Frankie by her side, Verity goes to investigate and uncovers a long lost secret: a dead WWII soldier needs help to find his old sweetheart.
This was heartwarming and a little sad; my heart went out to the poor soldier and his lost love, who have spent decades mourning their lost love. When they were eventually reunited, it made me a little teary. I'm a sucker for this kind of thing.
Overall, an excellent short story in a fantastic series, and highly recommended for paranormal mystery fans.
A short and sweet read, A Ghostly Gift has a touch of humor, a sleazy ghost bar, and a heartwarming tale that will hit you right in the feels.
After reading the 4th book in this fantastic series, I vowed to catch up with all the other books. A Ghostly Gift is a very short story (it took me a half hour to read) set just after the first book. Verity's sister, Melody asks her for a favor; a friend's resale shop is being terrorized by a ghost and she needs Verity's help to get rid of the ghost before anything valuable is broken. With gangster ghost Frankie by her side, Verity goes to investigate and uncovers a long lost secret: a dead WWII soldier needs help to find his old sweetheart.
This was heartwarming and a little sad; my heart went out to the poor soldier and his lost love, who have spent decades mourning their lost love. When they were eventually reunited, it made me a little teary. I'm a sucker for this kind of thing.
Overall, an excellent short story in a fantastic series, and highly recommended for paranormal mystery fans.
Deader Homes and Gardens by Angie Fox
5.0
See my full review on Mystereity Reviews
A spooky tale of a haunted mansion, evil spirits, and Egyptian curses will leave your poor nails bitten to the quick in this exciting paranormal cozy mystery.
Verity Long has given up her graphic design business to become a full time ghost hunter. With gangster ghost Frankie by her side to lend her his power to The Other Side, Verity awaits her first ghost hunting job. When Lee, the last heir to the very haunted Rock Fall mansion, calls her in to investigate, Verity has to battle a murderous spirit hell bent on keeping the secrets of Rock Fall from being uncovered.
I could not put this down and read this in one evening. I can't remember the last time I read a cozy mystery with this much depth, it reminded me of the early Ghost Hunter books by Victoria Laurie; a scary baddie, lots of thrills & chills, a sprinkling of horror, a dash of humor, and and that creepy kind of suspense that raises the hair on the back of your neck.
The plot surrounds the Treadwell family, who died mysteriously after a cache of Ancient Egyptian treasures were brought home after a dig in the early part of the 20th century, was excellent, very well written with lots of red herrings and plot twists. The ghosts were the stars of this book, from the mute little girl, Charlotte to the scarred Governess to Frankie, the gangster who blackmails Verity into allowing a gangster get-together in her back yard in return for his help. Complete with flapper girls, a jazz band and a spectral craps table, it sounded like the kind of happening party anyone would want to be caught dead at. I loved the descriptions of the grounds at the mansion, a beautiful abandoned garden left to grow wild. My Secret-Garden-obsessed self was in heaven. I'd love to explore something like that (but without the evil ghosts, thanks)
While there are references to previous books, they don't distract from the plot, so this can be read as a standalone but you will want to read the other books after reading this one!
Overall, an exceptional cozy mystery for any time of year, but especially good for a Halloween read.
I was provided an advanced copy of the book by Season Publishing, Moose Island Books and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review
A spooky tale of a haunted mansion, evil spirits, and Egyptian curses will leave your poor nails bitten to the quick in this exciting paranormal cozy mystery.
Verity Long has given up her graphic design business to become a full time ghost hunter. With gangster ghost Frankie by her side to lend her his power to The Other Side, Verity awaits her first ghost hunting job. When Lee, the last heir to the very haunted Rock Fall mansion, calls her in to investigate, Verity has to battle a murderous spirit hell bent on keeping the secrets of Rock Fall from being uncovered.
I could not put this down and read this in one evening. I can't remember the last time I read a cozy mystery with this much depth, it reminded me of the early Ghost Hunter books by Victoria Laurie; a scary baddie, lots of thrills & chills, a sprinkling of horror, a dash of humor, and and that creepy kind of suspense that raises the hair on the back of your neck.
The plot surrounds the Treadwell family, who died mysteriously after a cache of Ancient Egyptian treasures were brought home after a dig in the early part of the 20th century, was excellent, very well written with lots of red herrings and plot twists. The ghosts were the stars of this book, from the mute little girl, Charlotte to the scarred Governess to Frankie, the gangster who blackmails Verity into allowing a gangster get-together in her back yard in return for his help. Complete with flapper girls, a jazz band and a spectral craps table, it sounded like the kind of happening party anyone would want to be caught dead at. I loved the descriptions of the grounds at the mansion, a beautiful abandoned garden left to grow wild. My Secret-Garden-obsessed self was in heaven. I'd love to explore something like that (but without the evil ghosts, thanks)
While there are references to previous books, they don't distract from the plot, so this can be read as a standalone but you will want to read the other books after reading this one!
Overall, an exceptional cozy mystery for any time of year, but especially good for a Halloween read.
I was provided an advanced copy of the book by Season Publishing, Moose Island Books and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review
Death Comes to the Fair by Catherine Lloyd
5.0
See this and all of my reviews at Mystereity Reviews
I've enjoyed this historical mystery series from the start, and each book is better than the last. In Death Comes to the Fair, Robert is impatiently awaiting his wedding to Miss Lucy. Acting as a judge at the harvest fair's vegetable contest, Robert awards most of the prizes to Ezekial Thurrock, angering many villagers. When Thurrock is later found dead, Lucy begins to suspect that his death wasn't an accident. Was he killed by an angry villager? Or is his death connected to a decades old feud?
The suspenseful plot was enjoyable and tricky; there's a whole village of suspects, including the victim's brother, whose claims against the Kurland land and the story behind it were a great subplot. The plot unwound steadily up to an action packed ending, where Lucy proves herself a resourceful and stubborn woman, and I look forward to watching how Robert and Lucy spar once married - and their future investigations!
This book can be read as a standalone, or as an entry into the series, but I definitely recommend starting from the beginning, as there are some plot threads that run through the books.
Overall, Death Comes to the Fair is an excellent historical mystery that will appeal to fans of regency era stories.
Thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for providing an advance copy of the book in return for my honest review
I've enjoyed this historical mystery series from the start, and each book is better than the last. In Death Comes to the Fair, Robert is impatiently awaiting his wedding to Miss Lucy. Acting as a judge at the harvest fair's vegetable contest, Robert awards most of the prizes to Ezekial Thurrock, angering many villagers. When Thurrock is later found dead, Lucy begins to suspect that his death wasn't an accident. Was he killed by an angry villager? Or is his death connected to a decades old feud?
The suspenseful plot was enjoyable and tricky; there's a whole village of suspects, including the victim's brother, whose claims against the Kurland land and the story behind it were a great subplot. The plot unwound steadily up to an action packed ending, where Lucy proves herself a resourceful and stubborn woman, and I look forward to watching how Robert and Lucy spar once married - and their future investigations!
This book can be read as a standalone, or as an entry into the series, but I definitely recommend starting from the beginning, as there are some plot threads that run through the books.
Overall, Death Comes to the Fair is an excellent historical mystery that will appeal to fans of regency era stories.
Thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for providing an advance copy of the book in return for my honest review