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. 

This is Why We Lied - Karin Slaughter

Karin Slaughter is hands down one of my favorite authors. I get so excited when a new book comes out. This is Why We Lied has just released and is the latest in the Will Trent series.

Will and Sara are taking some time off up at an off the grid mountain resort run by a family. There is a lot of friction within the family. And then there's a scream in the night. And Will and Sara have to switch to work mode...

Oh my gosh! I truly could not put the book down. Slaughter has come up with a truly gut wrenching plot. Everyone lies and Will has to figure who is behind the murders. I always appreciate a 'closed room' scenario. The trip to the final pages has surprises, red herring's and twists and turns. There's no way to figure out the whodunit before the last pages.

I really like the four main characters in this series. Slaughter keeps their personal lives moving forward. Will and Sara relation is well written. Amanda's hard as nailing personality that runs over anything in her way or telling her no. Faith is funny, I aways enjoyed her out look.

While I couldn't stop reading, sometimes had to wait to turn the page. Some of the characters had me talking out loud - telling what I thought of them. And it wasn't nice. 

Another excellent entry in this series. Can't wait for the next one! Gentle readers - there are a number of triggers. Read an excerpt of This is Why We Lied.

 

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

The Wedding People - Alison Espach

I read some really great reviews for Alison Espach's new novel - The Wedding People - and thought I'd give it a go. I was glad I did. 

The book goes deeper than I expected and explores many things - love, loss, family, friends, self and so much more. It's delivered with a sharp and sometimes dark but funny voice of our protagonist Phoebe.

She arrives at a luxury hotel ready to settle in when she is told a wedding has taken over the whole hotel for a week and they don't have a room for her. Phoebe is not going to take no for an answer. She has plans. As does the bride...

I chose to to listen to The Wedding People. The reader was Helen Laser and did a fab job. She speaks clearly and her voice is pleasant to listen to. She has created voices for the lead characters that were just perfect. Phoebe's is matter of fact, modulated and absolutely fit the mental picture I had created for the character. The bride's voice is stressed and louder, mirroring her emotional state. The conversations between the two are filled with truths. Laser captures the nuances of Espach's book with her voice.

A great listen. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt.

Someone in the Attic - Andrea Mara

Have you ever heard a noise in your house - one you brushed away? And then it returns and...is that?...

That's the premise for Andrea Mara's new novel - Someone in the Attic! Are you hooked like I was? That premise opens so many ways for the book to evolve.  

Julia, her children and ex husband have moved back to Ireland from the US. They're looking for a fresh start for their daughter - the why isn't revealed for quite a while. Some of the the new neighbours a bit odd.

Being back in Ireland gives Julia the opportunity to catch up with old friends. It's great to see them, but it also brings up some uncomfortable history. 

I wondered how Mara was going to tie the myriad of threads all together. Lots of ah ha as you get closer to the final pages.

 

An inventive and addicting read! See for yourself - read an excerpt of Someone in the Attic.

Close Knit - Jenny Colgan

Oh, I absolutely adore Jenny Colgan's books! Her latest release is Close Knit.

What a wonderful cover - the colours drew me in.

One of the things I really like about Jenny Colgan's novels, is that a good many of them are interconnected. Characters from the previous book will appear and welcome new players. Or there will be a mention of others further back. It feel like catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.

Knitting plays a big part of Close Knit. (But you knew that from the book title right?) I need to find my needles and start to knit!

Our lead character is Gertie. She is shy, quiet, and looking for more from life. I'll let you discover what she finds. You're going to love what happens! Other characters have their own moments and chapters. The reader is privy to their inner thoughts. I loved Jean - she is Gertie's mom. And the antics of her and her merry band of knitters had me laughing out loud.

The book is set on a small island in the very north of Scotland. The description took my breath away.

Close Knit is just as I thought it would be. A tale that had me laughing, hoping, wondering, imagining and more. I love getting lost in one of Jenny Colgan's books. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Close Knit.

Worst Case Scenario - T.J. Newman

T.J. Newman was a flight attendant before she turned her hand to writing. She writes what she knows. Her previous two books, Falling and Drowning, were runaway bestsellers and you'll also be seeing those titles as major motion pictures! Having read both of those first books, I was eager to read her newly released third book Worst Case Scenario. 

There's a plane on each book cover, as you can see. This time around it's a nuclear power plant and the damage done when a passenger plane comes down.

I enjoy the way that Newman builds a core cast of characters that drive the book forward. And that they're all quite different - nuclear experts, firemen, everyday folks stepping up and so many more. Newman gives the core group detailed personal lives - and how that will affect what happens.

That detailing also covers the plot in terms of how the nuclear plant runs and what can be done to avert disaster. I'll leave it you to discover the rest of the plot... 

I turned the last page and wondered and how much was fiction and how much was fact. I adamantly believe that this is not as farfetched as you might imagine. 

This was another addicting read from Newman. I'll be looking forward to the next book.

See for yourself - read an excerpt of Worst Case Scenario.

I Need You to Read This - Jessa Maxwell

Jessa Maxwell's debut novel - The Golden Spoon - was wonderful. But, her newest - I Need You to Read This - is stellar!

Alex Marks is bored with her copyright job. She lives a small life. Reading the Dear Constance advice column is something she does faithfully - until the writer is murdered. On a whim, Alex applies for the job and then...

Wow, I don't want to give any more! The plotting is fresh and fantastic.

 I enjoyed listening to the letters and the questions - and what solutions are offered. The other staff in the office are a bit off, but she can deal with that. However, someone is now sent her a warning - in a letter of course. And about 3/4 of the way done, I stopped and rewound to make sure I was hearing right. I was, but I was completely caught off guard. I love being unable to predict what is coming.

I chose to listen to I Need You to Read This. I've said it many times before, but I sometimes find myself more immersed in a tale that's in audio format. This was the case with this book. The reader was Carlotta Brentan and she did a wonderful job of presenting Jessa Maxwell's work. Brentan has created a different voice for each character, female, male and all ages. She speaks clearly and enunciates well. She captures the plot, the action and the dialogue very well with her voice. 

An excellent book and a great performance. I'll be watching for Maxwell's next book!

Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of I Need You to Read This.

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish - Paula Brackston

I loved the cover of Paula Brackston's new book - The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish. The colors and motion highlights caught my eye - and then I saw the ring of keys. I was hooked.

The time frame and setting is one I always enjoy - England in the1800's. The dialogue is written as if it was in that time frame and transports the reader to the time and place. 

Our protagonist is Hecate Cavendish - a young woman who has just been hired  as an Assistant Librarian in a chained library. I loved her enthusiasm, her awe, and her joy being surrounded by so many ancient books and maps. She is warned to confine her tasks to what is been assigned. But there is one map that she is drawn to time and time again. And then...

Oh, I'm going to let you discover what the the 'and then' might bring! I thought it was a fabulous plot - one that kept me engaged and eager to see what the next chapter would bring. The sub plot is for Hecate and her personal life - which adds much to the plot.

There's action, suspense, romance, duty and so much more. It's a magical read - and you know what magic brings don't you...? Evil...

This is the first book in a new series from Brackston. The ending of the book was satisfying, but the door is just waiting for the second book. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish.

The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish - Paula Brackston

I loved the cover of Paula Brackston's new book - The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish. The colors and motion highlights caught my eye - and then I saw the ring of keys. I was hooked!

The time frame and setting is one I always enjoy - England in the1800's. The dialogue is written in that time frame and transports the listener to the time and place. 

Our protagonist is Hecate Cavendish - a young woman who has just been hired as an Assistant Librarian in a chained library. I loved her enthusiasm, her awe, and her joy being surrounded by so many ancient books and maps. She is warned to confine her tasks to what is been assigned. But there is one map that she is drawn to time and time again. And then...

Oh, I'm going to let you discover what the 'and then' might bring! I thought it was a fabulous plot - one that kept me engaged and eager to see what the next chapter would bring. The sub plot is for Hecate and her personal life - which adds much to the plot.

There's action, suspense, romance, duty and so much more. It's a magical listen - and you know what magic brings don't you...? Evil...

This is the first book in a new series from Brackston. The ending of the book was satisfying, but the door is just waiting for the second book. 

The audio book of The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish was performed by Marisa Calin. She did a wonderful job with her presentation. She has a rich and full voice that moves up and down within a single sentence. There's a bit of a gravelly tone that works well in this book. The voice she has for Hecate suits perfectly. She speaks clearly and enunciates well. She has captured the plot, the characters and the action very well. Her English accent works so well with this book. This was an excellent performance. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of The Haunting of Hecate Cavendish.

The Antique Store Detective - Clare Chase

The Antique Store Detective is a new series from Clare Chase. I always prefer to start with the first entry of a new series and happily settled in to meet Bella!

The lead character is Bella Winter. She's opened up a new antique store in the village of Hope Eaton. She's settling in nicely - until she's the one who comes across the body of a known resident. The local constabulary is very busy - and from Bella's viewpoint, could use a little help. Who better but herself! With a few helpers that is.

We meet many of the villagers as Chase builds her setting, population and plot. Which provides for a long list of suspects, including some of those working with Bella! You do have to be on your toes with who is at the top of the list as some residents are on it more than once.

All the elements are here for a 'cozy'. Small village, Cuthbert the cat, an amateur detective, clues and red herrings, a light tone, and maybe a romance? We'll have to see about that possible romance - and what the next 'case' will bring.

Clare Chase writes classic mysteries. Her aim is to take readers away from it all via some armchair sleuthing in atmospheric locations.

Her debut novel was shortlisted for Novelicious’s Undiscovered Award, as well as an EPIC award post-publication, and was chosen as a Debut of the Month by LoveReading. Murder on the Marshes (Tara Thorpe 1) was shortlisted for an International Thriller Writers award. 

Like her heroines, Clare is fascinated by people and what makes them tick. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in settings as diverse as Littlehey Prison and the University of Cambridge, in her home city. She’s lived everywhere from the house of a lord to a slug-infested flat and finds the mid-terrace she currently occupies a good happy medium.

As well as writing, Clare loves family time, art and architecture, cooking, and of course, reading other people’s books. You can find Clare's website and blog at www.clarechase.com

One Big Happy Family - Jamie Day

The first thing I noticed on the cover of Jamie Day's new book was the lovely pastel beach chairs. But, then I looked at that stormy background - and that small print. One Big Happy Family may not be the truth...

The Precipice Hotel is about to change hands as George Bishop has died. His three daughters are gathering to hear the will read. It's been years since they've seen each other...

Okay, so far we've got three women who don't see eye to eye. A odd lawyer with the will. And from the cover - a bad storm coming. Isolated hotel. Limited staff - and that would be Charley. She's our protagonist. And some other supporting characters. I thought that all the pieces for a 'locked room mystery' were in place.

I liked the setting very much - especially the library room and there are many more rooms. Charley is worried about what this change of ownership would mean to her circumstances. I liked her early in the book, but found a number of her actions were questionable as the book progressed. 

I'm all up for twists and turns and a plot that keeps the reader guessing. But for me, this plot just asked too much of the reader. I found it to be too far-fetched in places and repetitive in others. 

Still, it was an entertaining book for the beach. See for yourself - read an excerpt of One Big Happy Family. 

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.

Fire and Bones - Kathy Reichs

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

I've read or listed to 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...

I often find myself more immersed in a book when I listen. The voices bring the book alive. I was very happy to see that Linda Emond was the reader. She has narrated at least the last ten books in the series. The continuity is great as she has become the voice of Tempe for me, matching my mental image. She has an interesting voice - there's a slight gravelly undertone and it rises and falls within a single sentence punctuating a point, reaction or emotion. A voice that carries an authoritative tone when needed. And a voice that matches the age of the character. Emond speaks clearly, enunciates well and is easy to understand. She does a great job with the French phrases as well and excellent performance.

An excellent entry in this long running series. Hear for yourself - listen to an an audio excerpt.

Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder - Kerryn Mayne

I liked the cover on Kerryn Mayne's debut novel Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder. But I loved the story I found inside.

Lenny likes having things in their place, schedules, eating the same things every week, having her students' lessons done far in the future and playing Scrabble every night with Monica. Monica from the television show Friends. To be fair, Lenny plays Monica and her tiles.

"She found tremendous peace in this level of organization, which was as close to happiness as Lenny Marks ever planned to be. Happiness, she knew, was unstable and quite unreliable."

And that was good enough until Lenny decides she needs a friend. Why not start with her co workers? I had a lot of anger when the some of those co workers were not very nice!

Between that, her neighbor needing help and the cheerful grocery manger, Lenny's carefully constructed gates start to show cracks. 

Now you might think you've guessed what's behind those gates, but there's much more than I imagined. 

Mayne has added a clever way for Lenny to keep her anxiety at bay. She creates anagrams mentally using a word that just was used in an uncomfortable interaction. And the anagrams created speak to what's happening. 

This was an easy five star for me. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder,

Night Watching - Tracy Sierra

Wow! Night Watching is a debut novel from Tracy Sierra.

I live in an older house and know which stair riser is the squeaky one, which door won't stay shut, which faucet drips and so much more. I know all of those sounds and they belong. 

In Night Watching, an unnamed mother wakes up at midnight, in a snow storm and hears boots on the stairs - and she knows it is not her husband. Her two children are in their bedrooms. What to do?! I'm going to let you find out who is on the stairs and what happens next...

Oh, this is a terrifying tale. I really didn't want to read it alone at home at night. Sierra gives us bigger goose bumps with the lack of violence. It's so much more with the threat of what might transpire.

My attention never wavered and I had to know what would happen next.  Kudos to Tracy Sierra. I can't wait to see what she writes next. See for yourself - read an excerpt from Night Watching.

The Seaside Sisters - Pamela Kelley

Are you looking for a beach read? Yes? Perfect! Pamela Kelley has a new book out called The Seaside Sisters - and it takes place in Chatham, Cape Cod in the summer!

 

Hannah has had great success with her first book. But she's having trouble with the follow up book. Her personal life and health are not in a good place either. When her Aunt invites her to come for the summer, she jumps at the opportunity.

Hannah is the lead character and is quite likable - as is the case for most of the characters. There are players from all ages and stages of life. Kelley gives them all 'issues' to be worked through. And the endings for all are satisfying.

The settings are well drawn and detailed. The bookshop was my favorite. :0) There's quite a few  restaurants and a number of get togethers. The food and drink are detailed as well.

 

The book is somewhat predictable, but that was the draw for me - a book I could take my time with.

The perfect book to tuck in your beach bag! See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Seaside Sisters.

Welcome to Glorious Tuga - Francesca Segal

Oh. my gosh. I turned the first few pages of Welcome to Glorious Tuga - and I knew I wouldn't be able to put Francesca Segal's book down until I turned the last page!

Why you ask? Well the wonderfully imagined setting was somewhere I wanted to be. A very, very small island that's more than a bit of a paradise.

There's a large group of characters and there is list of their names and connections at the front of the book, but I found that I really didn't need to refer to it. The characters are just as richly described as the setting. I easily picked up on who was who. People do come and leave, and everyone has a place and job on the island. Charlotte is one of those coming in - she'll be studying the gold coin tortoises in the jungle. 

And the plotting? Excellent! As readers, we're privy to everyone's inner thoughts and actions. And we're unable to point them in the right direction. (Or what we think is right). Segal also gives us a yes, no, maybe so romantic subplot.

What's also wonderful is the caring on the island. Everyone knows your business, but for the most part, that's not a bad thing. I hated to leave Tuga - I wanted to sit in the sun and watch the waves roll in. 

Definitely recommended - read an excerpt of Welcome to Glorious Tuga.

Storm Warning - David Bell

Do you ever look at the cover of a book in your TBR pile and immediately choose it for your next read? I just did! 

I was looking for an 'action' read, if you know what I mean. David Bell's latest book, Storm Warning, was the perfect choice.

Ten people are the last residents who live in a crumbling building on a barrier island in Florida. That's not the last thing they need to worry about - a hurricane might be headed their way. And ... I'm going to let you find out what else could might happen to these folks...

There's a great lead character in Storm Warning. Jake's just an ordinary guy trying to do the right thing for everybody - and stay alive. The supporting characters are a mixed bag - you'll have fun guessing if everyone is telling the truth. 

The setting is really easy to imagine and Bell's descriptions paint vivid images for the reader.

The plotting is good and imaginative. I did see one element coming early - but this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Storm Warning. 

And I can absolutely see this book as a movie. It's got a vintage Brice Willis feel to it.