Marble Hall Murders - Anthony Horowitz

A new book from Anthony Horowitz is such a treat. I think he is such a talented author. His new book, Marble Hall Murders is so very clever!

Marble Hall Murders gives us a book inside a book again. Editor Susan Ryeland returns as well. She’s out of work so she’s agreed to work with Eliot, a new author on Pund’s Last Case. After a reading, she’s found similarities and deliberate clues to a death in Eliot’s family. Was it an accident or a murder…?

I dove into the book and honestly forgot that I was lost in the manuscript. Scrambling out, I was still in a fictitious tale. I adored the fictional Detective Pund. He reminded me of Hercule Poitou in his methodology and mannerisms.

For those of you that are like me and try to solve the mystery before the final pages - I wasn’t able to do it. There’s twists, turns, red herrings, and more it kept me guessing till the last pages. Absolutely recommended for those who love 'old school' mysteries, where the answers are in deduction, not DNA.

Parents Weekend - A Novel by Alex Finlay

Parents Weekend is the new book from Alex Finlay. I've read and enjoyed his previous titles and I knew I was going to enjoy Parents Weekend.

Why? Well...first is the lead character - FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller. She's brilliant and is always a step ahead. I really enjoy how she finds the next steps. 

The plot is a good one - five college kids are missing - and one is already dead. And another reason to hunker down - the book is told from multiple view points - and it's hard to put the book down. And of course some are lying, leaving out pieces of their accounts and more... Piecing everything in time is Keller's goal.

Alex Finlay keeps the suspense up on every page. Parents Weekend reads like a movie. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Parents Weekend.

The Mystery of the Crooked Man - Tom Spencer

The Mystery of the Crooked Man, is from Tom Spencer.

From the publisher: "Meet Agatha Dorn, cantankerous archivist, grammar pedant, gin afficionado and murder mystery addict. When she discovers a lost manuscript by Gladden Green, the Empress of Golden Age detective fiction, Agatha's life takes an unexpected twist. She becomes an overnight sensation, basking in the limelight of literary stardom.

But Agatha's newfound fame takes a nosedive when the 'rediscovered' novel is exposed as a hoax. And when her ex-lover turns up dead, with a scrap of the manuscript by her side, Agatha suspects foul play.

Cancelled, ostracized and severely ticked off, Agatha turns detective to uncover the sinister truth that connects the murder and the fraudulent manuscript. But can she stay sober long enough to catch the murderer, or will Agatha become a whodunnit herself?"

The narrator was Claire Warrillow and she did a great job of 'playing' Agatha. Warrillow's voice has a low tone that draws the listener in. She has created the perfect voice for Agatha - distaining and conveying her haughtiness. I enjoyed her machinations, but never bonded with her. She is a great personality for an anti protagonist. And her snarky comments are darkly funny.

I also found the descriptions of finding the manuscripts and how to look after them.

I liked Spencer's work, but didn't love it. I found myself putting it up and down too many times.

The Inheritance - Trisha Sakhlecha

I saw that Sophie Hannah had given Trisha Sakhlecha’s latest book - The Inheritance - a thumbs up. I enjoy Hannah’s work and if she liked this one, I was sure I would also. Well, the truth is I loved this book!

The book is set on a private island owned by the Agarwal family. They've gathered to celebrate Raj and Shalini's 40th anniversary. Their three adult children also have another item on the agenda...

Sakhlecha does a wonderful job of creating her characters  - I could easily imagine them. Did I like them? My opinion changed with every revelation.

Sakhlecha carefully drops hooks as the book progresses. Events are alluded to, but not fully detailed. Under that veneer of civility are old hurts, secrets, anger, loss and more. 

More than one character is given a voice and the reader is privy to their thoughts - and actions. I applaud the plotting and the end. I totally did not see that coming!

 A great read. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Inheritance.   

A Death in Diamonds - S. J. Bennett

I was thrilled to see that S. J. Bennett had added a new mystery to her series, Her Majesty the Queen Investigates. The fourth entry is A Death in Diamonds.

Now, the first three books in this series were set in current time. This latest takes us back to 1957 and the Queen, as she settles into her new role. Therefore, if you’re new to this series, you can count this book as number one. I hope that makes sense!

The young queen is sure that someone within her offices is trying to sabotage her decisions, her appearances and her political interactions. And when a double murder has tendrils that may include the Queen, she knows she needs someone she can count on....

Bennett has done a fabulous job of drawing the Queen in the early years of her reign. She is kind, gracious, wise, highly intelligent, well-spoken and observant. Her inner dialogue is a treat to read and her sense of humor is dry, as are her observations about her Royal family.  The relationship between the Queen And  Prince Phillip is lovely and loving. Bennett is respectful in her depictions.

I really enjoy the settings, both the castles and out on events etc. And yes, there are corgis!

The case is wonderfully drawn and is much more convoluted that new readers might have expected.  Parts of actual events and cases have been woven into Bennett's book. I think she's done an excellent job. I appreciate not being able to figure out things easily. Makes reading much more fun.

I chose to listen to A Death in Diamonds. The reader was Samantha Bond and she did a great job  presenting Bennett's work. She has a lovely gravely tone to her voice that suited the Queen character. Others were just as perfect for the supporting players. The English accents rang true. Bond's voice is clear and is easy on the ears. She captures the emotions and action in the plot with reading. An excellent performance.

12 hours and 19 minutes

A Death in Diamonds - S. J. Bennett

A Death in Diamonds is the fourth entry in S. J. Bennett's wonderful "Her Majesty The Queen Investigates".

I was thrilled to see that S. J. Bennett had added a new mystery to her series, Her Majesty the Queen Investigates. The fourth entry is A Death in Diamonds.

Now, the first three books in this series were set in current time. This latest takes us back to 1957 and the Queen, as she settles into her new role. Therefore, if you’re new to this series, you can count this book as number one. I hope that makes sense!

The young queen is sure that someone within her offices is trying to sabotage her decisions, her appearances and her political interactions. And when a double murder has tendrils that may include the Queen, she knows she needs someone she can count on....

Bennett has done a fabulous job of drawing the Queen in the early years of her reign. She is kind, gracious, wise, highly intelligent, well-spoken and observant. Her inner dialogue is a treat to read and her sense of humor is dry, as are her observations about her Royal family.  The relationship between the Queen And  Prince Phillip is lovely and loving. Bennett is respectful in her depictions.

I really enjoy the settings, both the castles and out on events etc. And yes, there are corgis!

The case is wonderfully drawn and is much more convoluted that new readers might have expected.  Parts of actual events and cases have been woven into Bennett's book. I think she's done an excellent job. I appreciate not being able to figure out things easily. Makes reading much more fun.

Shell Games - Bonnie Kistler

I was excited to hear that Bonnie Kistler had a new book out. I really enjoyed her previous book - The Cage. But I have to say that this new novel - Shell Games - is even better!

Have you heard the phrase "Shell games" before? "A shell game is a swindle, a fraud, especially one in which items or information are shifted around in a secret manner to avoid detection." Meet Kate, her daughter Julia and her extended family. Oh, did I mention that Kate is very, very rich? Huh uh.....she is.

And how about the word gaslighting? "To manipulate someone using psychological methods into questioning their own sanity or powers of reasoning."  

Well, I was totally caught up from the first few pages. We meet all of the characters and I started to slot each of the into their 'place' in the plot. And....they changed their narrative, their standing, their loyalty and more. Just when I thought I had the answer to the whodunit, someone changed their story. I loved being unable to find the answer all the ways to the last pages. (Truly, the last two pages)

Kudos to Bonnie Kistler - a clever writer! See for yourself - read an excerpt of Shell Games. 

Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency - Josie Lloyd

Josie Lloyd's newest book is Miss Beeton's Murder Agency. It was wonderfully fun to read!

In the author's notes, Josie reveals that this is her first 'cosy' book. Well, she's done a great job in gathering and creating all the requisite pieces needed for a cosy. 

The biggest need is for a lead character. Ours is Alice. She's the owner of The Good Household Management Agency - it provides a myriad of fully vetted staff for just about anything you could think of. She's very easy to like. And she has a dog named Agatha - after Agatha Christie of course. The core supporting cast is just as well drawn. The friendship between Jinx and Alice is well written. 

It's easy to find the "baddies", but are we sure we've got the right person? The ah-ha took me right down to the final pages and explanations. 

What else? Ahh yes there is! A possible romance with a member of the local constabulary? The same copper who warned her away from sticking her nose into the case.

And lastly a lovely cosy set of vintage recipes handed down to Alice. "...her Victorian ancestor the very famous Isabella Beeton - she of the Book of Household Management." Those recipes are included!

I really enjoyed this cosy! See for yourself - read an excerpt of Miss Beeton's Murder Agency. I'll be watching for book two in this series. 

I Died on a Tuesday - Jane Corry

I Died on a Tuesday by Jane Corry has just released.

I was hooked by the time I finished the first chapter in Jane Corry’s new book. That first chapter takes place 20 years ago and we witness a horrific crime. We are then whisked to present day and the characters we will come to know. But, are we really going to get to know them? It seems that every character is hiding something ~ a lie, not the truth. Even the characters that I thought were 'good', are up to something.

Everything seems to stem from an eighteen year-old cyclist who was hit by a vehicle, 20 years ago.  I wondered how Corry was going to connect the two time frames, and what would come with that.

I really enjoy not knowing how a book is going to play out. Corry lays clues in front of us, but that changed many times, as well. She takes us right to the last pages tying up ends. A fitting finish.

I chose to listen to 'I Died on a Tuesday'. There was a cast of four readers - Anna Burnett, Joshua Riley,  Sophie Alfred and Roy McMillan. They all did a wonderful job of bringing Corry’s book to life. I often find that I am more immersed in a story when I listen to it - and that was the case with I Died on a Tuesday. Everyone spoke clearly and was easy to understand. Each of them has dived into their roles and provided us with a voice that matched the characters. They also capture the emotion and danger of the plot. A wonderful presentation of a very good read. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt.

11 hours and 59 minutes

I Died on a Tuesday - Jane Corry

I was hooked by the time I finished the first chapter in Jane Corry’s new book - I Died on a Tuesday

That first chapter takes place 20 years ago and we witness a horrific crime. We are then whisked to present day and the characters we will come to know. But, are we really going to get to know them? It seems that every character is hiding something ~ a lie, not the truth. Even the characters that I thought were 'good', are up to something.

Everything seems to stem from an eighteen year-old cyclist who was hit by a vehicle 20 years ago. I wondered how Corry was going to connect the two time frames, and what would come with that.

I really enjoy not knowing how a book is going to play out. Corry lays clues in front of us, but that changed many times as well. She takes us right up to the last pages tying up ends. A fitting finale. I quite enjoyed this book and would pick up another title by this author. See for yourself - read an excerpt from I Died on a Tuesday.

A New Lease on Death - Olivia Blacke

Olivia Blacke caught me off with the the first few pages of her new novel -  A New Lease on Death. Well, with the title and the image on the cover, you might have an inkling of what you’re going to find inside…

Ruby moves into a Boston apartment that’s advertised as fully finished. It is, but the last tenant died in the bathtub. And all her items are still there. There’s another death and Ruby decides to investigate as the police don’t seem to think it  is a crime.

 

I really liked Ruby as our lead character. She’s determined to do the right thing. But along the way she gets herself into some sketchy situations. Our supporting player is Cordelia and she’s a bit harder to get to know. She doesn’t talk much in the beginning of the book but things change for her too. And we know much more about her life as the book progresses.

A New Lease on Death is a mix of amateur detecting, supernatural elements, friendship and doing the right thing. I enjoyed the detective parts. I did wonder about Rudy's reasoning for and the impetus for her jumping in both feet. The who dunnit was a good one and it was one I hadn’t considered. Nicely done.

A New Release on Death is also setting up everything for a new novel using these characters. And there’s a burning question that I would love to know the answer to. All in all, it was an entertaining story. See what you think - read an excerpt of A New Lease on Death.

The Treasure Hunters Club - Tom Ryan

When I was young I loved maps. (And I still do). I would trace the lines on the map, marking the final destination. I kept also kept copious lists of places that my family's station wagon drove through. And yes, I dreamed about finding a map to a treasure chest. I'm still looking - and I've found a treasure in Tom Ryan's new book - The Treasure Hunters Club.

There is so much to love in this book. I loved the setting by the sea, and the town of Maple Bay. The legend of the pirate's booty draws in quite a few tourists. As well as a number of permanent residents.

Ryan tells this wonderful tale with three main characters - Peter, Cass and Dandy (she's my favorite!). Each of the three have their own voice. There's a wealth of supporting players from the present and the past. 

Who's telling the truth? Who are lying? Is the legend of the pirate plunder true? 

Ryan kept me on my toes the entire way to the final ah hah! There's a twist that is epic! Things did not turn out as I had thought they would. And I adore being wrong! 

Get comfy in your favourite reading spot - you're not going want this one down. Bravo Tom Ryan!

Dead Tired - Kat Ailes

Dead Tired is the second book in Kat Ailes' Expectant Detectives Series.

I read the first book and quite enjoyed it. Dead Tired revisits Alice and her mommy/amateur sleuth friends. The babes are growing up and are mobile now. And the moms are looking for a few hours of catch up sleep. Why not chain themselves to trees in an eco protest?! Yes, they got a few winks...but there's an extra body when they wake up - one that's quite dead.

Ailes is a fun writer. She has a small child and I imagine she draws on her own experiences for these books. Alice is a great lead character and I liked her. The supporting cast are a mixed bunch and it makes things much more interesting.

Dead Tired is a cosy murder mystery. All the pieces are there - a small village, quirky players, a dog named Helen, enthusiastic amateur detectives, and a police dept that Alice thinks needs some help. There are lots of red herrings along the path to the final aha moments. Another fun, light hearted read from Ailes. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Dead Tired.

The Examiner - Janice Hallett

Janice Hallett is a brilliant writer! I was so excited about her latest book - The Examiner. I just knew it would be another fantastic listen. (It was!) 

A group of six artists comprises the inaugural group of students hoping for a masters in art degree. They're a very mixed bunch but all are eager to take the course. And their professor is thankful for having the funding to run the program. But...

Oh, there's a fabulous but! Each student has their own agenda - and that's the fun of this book. Can you suss out what everyone is up to?

Hallett reprises the epistolary style of writing that I adore. The book is told through emails, coursework, texts, message boards, essays and their inner dialogue. The listener is the quiet seventh student, hearing everything that is going on and trying to put the pieces together. 

Good luck with that! The plotting is absolutely brilliant in my opinion. The clues are sometimes right there to see, while other times they're longshots. Hallett throws in more than one twist and turn on the way to the final 'aha'. Fantastic! A very easy five stars.

I've said it before - I sometimes find myself more immersed in a story by listening. That was the case with The Examiner. A cast of six narrators was used in this production. Each one was perfect for the role they were playing. They used accents, speed of talking, tones, emotions and more to bring Hallett's work alive.  It was easy to know who was speaking. And yes, I felt like was part of the students. Brilliant. 

Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt.

The Murders in Great Diddling - Katarina Bivald

Oh, I got a laugh when I read the title of Katarina Bivald's newest book - The Murders in Great Diddling.

But really, this small village isn't living up to to it's name. Run Down might be a better descriptor.

And author Berit Gardner is looking for a story to tell. She's in Great Diddling when an explosion kills a man in the library...

... and that death spurs on the villagers to use the event as.. well....an event that might just save the village and the residents. They are indeed a quirky bunch. But there may be some who have their own plans.

This is the perfect tale for booklovers. Amongst the shenanigans (which had me laughing outload), there are many truths about why and how we can't without them. 

 

I chose to listen to The Murders in Great Diddling. The reader was Helen Lloyd. She did a wonderful job in presenting Bivald's work. There many characters in the book. Lloyd gives each a different voice and they suited the players. She captures the action and emotions with her voice rising and falling, low and rising. Her voice is easy on the ears, clear and easy to understand. Her accent is lovely. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of The Murders in Great Diddling.

What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust - Alan Bradley

I let out a squeal when I discovered that Alan Bradley had written a new Flavia de Luce book - What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust. The titles are always quite enigmatic and it's fun seeing how they fit the story.

Now, this is number eleven in this series. You could read it as a stand alone, but you'd be depriving yourself of an addicting series! And some context. 

Flavia is a 'young woman' now, but she is still the irrepressible ten year old we met in the first book in the series. I love her inner dialogue, her running feud with her sisters and now her young cousin, her joy in solving cases ahead of the constabulary, tinkering in her laboratory and working with her poisons. Still riding her beloved bicycle Gladys that was her mothers. I could go on and on about this absolutely wonderful lead character. As a ten year old myself I always wanted to be a certain character in a mystery. But I think being Flavia would a lot more interesting!

So, a great character, now how about the mystery found in every book? Just as good! They're always well written and are satisfying. Bradley brings forward happenings and clues from the last book and weaves them into the current book. Whoa! I did not see the plotting going where it did in this latest! The whodunit was surprising and satisfying but left the door open for more. Please Alan Bradley!

See for yourself - read an excerpt of What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust.

Murder in the Scottish Highlands - Dee MacDonald

A Bookworm's World is a stop today on the tour for the first book in Dee MacDonald's new series - Murder in the Scottish Highlands.

I read many genres, but I've always got a cosy mystery on the go. They're my "escape from it all" reads. 

 Ally McKinley has just retired to a wee village and opened a B and B in a restored building. It's all as she hoped. Right up to the moment she sees the murdered man in her courtyard...

And you  know what's coming don't you? Yes, Ally decides to work on the 'case' herself.

  

All the elements are here for a wonderful cosy. A small village where 'things like this don't happen', A number of quirky (and nosy) villagers, some quite handsome ones too, an amateur sleuth, a dog and a good plot. 

I enjoyed Ally as a lead character in this new series. I definitely want to see what happens next in little Locharran. 

I think Dee MacDonald's own life adds much to this series - She grew up in the Highlands and has run a B and B for ten years. 

Aged 18, Dee arrived in London from Scotland and typed her way round the West End for a couple of years before joining BOAC (forerunner of British Airways) in Passenger Services for 2 years and then as a stewardess for 8 years. She has worked in Market Research, Sales and at the Thames TV Studios when they had the franchise.

Dee has since relocated to Cornwall, where she spent 10 years running B&Bs, and only began writing when she was over 70! Married twice, she has one son and two grandsons.

You can find Dee on Facebook as well as on X. See what some others thought as well. 

The Dark Wives - Ann Cleeves

The Dark Wives is Ann Cleeves' latest (11th), in her wonderful Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope series. And yes - the television series is based on this character.

The setting is northeastern England and plays a part in the mystery. The details paint vivid mental images of the setting. 

Josh works at a home for troubled teens. He is found dead outside the building - and one of the teens is gone. And then there's another death...

Vera is on the case and is joined by Joe and Rosie, who is new to 'the patch.' I adore Vera - she says what she things, she doesn't tolerate fools, marches to her own piper and never gives up. She is determined to bring the missing teenage home. Her methods are often not by the book. 

The premise and plot is imaginative and multi faceted. I didn't figure out the answers 'til the final pages. An excellent tale. 

And a wonderful listen. I find I am more immersed in a story when I listen to it. That was the case with The Dark Wives. The narrator was Janine Birkett and she was a great choice. I believe she was the lone reader. She has come up with believable and suitable voices for all of the players using accents, speed, tone, and more. She conveys the action, the mood and much more with her performance. Excellent! 

Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt. 

11 hours and 50 minutes

What Have You Done?- Shari Lapena

I always pick up Shari Lapena's new book without reading the flyleaf - I just know it will be another great read And that was true with What Have You Done?

Fairhill Vermont is the small town the book takes place in. It's small enough that people don't lock their doors. Right up to the day the most popular girl in school was found dead in a farmer's field.

And trusting Fairhill inhabitants start looking at their neighbours with different eyes.

I really liked how Lapena unfolded the path to the final answers. Certain characters are given their own voices/chapters. Some of them will surprise you. And you'll be surprised with some of the connection. Is there enough information there for the reader to make a decision on the who and the why? Well, I made decisions - but got it wrong. Which I enjoyed! I read a lot of murder mysteries and this was a fantastic entry that kept me reading until late in the night. 

See for yourself - read an excerpt of What Have You Done.

Fire and Bones - Kathy Reichs

Yay! A new novel Temperance Brennan from Kathy Reichs! Fire and Bones has just released - and it's a hot read!

I've read every Tempe book and I'm always eager to see what her next case will be about. This time Tempe is headed to Washington to help identify fire victims and add her expertise to the investigation. And Tempe can't walk away when she comes across clues pointing to a much bigger operation.

I really enjoy Tempe as a protagonist. She's got a rich personal life that has progressed over the course of all 23 books in the series. She's dogged in her search for the answers and justice as a forensic anthropologist. Kathy Reichs herself is a certified forensic anthropologist. Her cases and writing have the details that tell you it's the real deal. I quite enjoy Tempe's inner dialogue as well!

The cases are always interesting. There's lots of history is this latest - and no way to predict how or what will come next. (I like the twist in the final chapter!) 

Her counterpart in this latest is journalist Ivy Doyle. Can Ivy be trusted with what's going on behind doors. I wasn't a fan of this character in the beginning, but... 

An excellent entry in this long running series. See for your self - read an excerpt of Fire and Bones.