The Murder Show - Matt Goldman

The Murder Show is Matt Goldman's new novel

Our lead character is Ethan Harris. Ethan has run a TV crime fiction program for three successful years. But the higher ups have rejected the fourth year case he’s chosen. He’s going to have to come up with something really good to change their minds.  And he thinks he has - there’s an unsolved mystery in his own town. It’s an old one, but it has a personal connection. The victim was one of Harris‘s best friends in high school.

I must say, I really enjoy cold cases. They are more difficult to solve and different methods have to be used. There’s another layer to The Murder Show. Ethan has to face what he did in the past, and if he can redeem himself in present day. Both layers pace the book.

I chose to listen to The Murder Show. The reader was Dan Bittner and he did a great job. Bittner was perfect for this character. He’s got a bit of smooth operator in his voice. He was very easy on the ears. He enunciate well and the pace of reading was right on. He has created and used voices that bring the characters to life. He doesn’t simply read, he performs. A new author for me to follow and a new narrator to follow as well. Well done.

This is Not a Game - Kelly Mullen

Kelly Mullen is a successful executive producer. She's adding 'author' to her accomplishments, with her debut novel - This is Not a Game.

The first few chapters are very busy. We meet our protagonists -Mimi and Addie. Mimi is Addie’s grandma. No matter their age, they are both keen amateur sleuths. I really enjoyed their relationship, their dialogue and their methods. Addie’s background in video games is unusual, but it really works for this plot.

A stormy night on an island manor, the electric is out… and there’s a body. This is most definitely a locked room mystery. The manor had lots of rooms that have to be found to see them. Secret rooms are one of my favorite finds. 

There’s a myriad of supporting characters. One brings that last needed part of a cosy read…..two dachshunds please. There are lots of connections between the guests. Some freely answer questions but others outright lie. Mullen has done a job with parceling out clues. Truthfully? I never guessed who it was until the reveal.

This is a wonderful debut. Read an excerpt of This is Not a Game. I wonder if we’re going to see more of Mimi and Abbie?

Death in an English Village - Fliss Chester - Book Tour!

I only 'met' Cressida Fawcett in the previous book (6), from author Fliss Chester. I really enjoyed Cressida as the main character, as well as the supporting cast, the plotting, the settings and dialogue. All of it!

I settled in with a pot of tea, a coverlet, and my pup, read to turn the first pages of the new seventh entry - Death in an English Village. Cosys always make me feel like I am catching up with old friends!

Cressida heads home for a visitor with her parents. And that's where she finds the body...

Although she is part of the upper crust, Cressida is keen on helping the local constabulary find out who the culprit is. This isn't the first time she's helped them. She's smart, curious, and determined. I liked puzzling over the clues with her.The customs, mindsets, expectations and rules of the time period, 1926, are part of the setting - and the plot. There were a number of choices for the 'whodunit'. Chester gives us that and some red herrings on the way.

Cosy mysteries are my 'get away from it all, escapist' reads. Death in an English Village was just that!

"Fliss Chester lives in Surrey with her husband and writes historical cozy crime. When she is not killing people off in her 1940s whodunnits, she helps her husband, who is a wine merchant, run their business. Never far from a decent glass of something, Fliss also loves cooking (and writing up her favourite recipes on her blog), enjoying the beautiful Surrey and West Sussex countryside and having a good natter."

You can find Fliss on Instagram at https://flisschester.co.uk/

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Fliss Chester at https://www.bookouture.com/fliss-chester.

Check out what other bloggers thought of

 Death in an English Villager.

Witness 8 - Steve Cavanagh

If you like suspense/thriller fiction - you need to pick up Witness 8 from Steve Cavanagh.

“Something is wrong with Ruby Johnson.” I’m going to let you find out what’s wrong with Ruby. She’s the catalyst for what happens next…

And next brings in an absolutely fabulous group of characters. Driving things is Eddie Flynn - a con man who passed the bar. Supporting characters includes Kate, his partner, Harry, a retired judge, a private detective, an assassin, and many more. And the other side has just as many questionable employees.

Do you read ‘heist’ books, or movies? I do. I love the twists, turns and hoodwinking. That’s the same feeling I got in the first couple of chapters of Witness 8. I couldn't put it down. Cavanagh's plotting is so darn good. He juggles a number of threads and I was so happy that I couldn't predict how things would end. And there's a door that's been ajar...

I'll be hunting down more great reads from Steve Cavanagh. An easy 5 stars!

The Maid's Secret - Nita Prose

Have you read any of the 'Maid' books from author Nita Prose? The latest is The Maid's Secret, releasing April 08/25. And it's one I can't recommend enough.

And it's probably my favourite. Why? Molly is such a wonderful character. She works at the upscale Regency Grand Hotel as a maid. "Every day of work is a joy to me." 

Now, the other thing you need to know about Molly is that she struggles with social skills and often can't read the nuances of interactions - facial and conversational. Her beloved Gran, now deceased, left her with routines and rules to help navigate a world that Molly doesn't fully 'get'. And it has helped - Molly has made friends, has a job with more authority and last but not least - a man she loves.

Throughout the previous books there have been hints as to Gram's past. In The Maid's Secret, those revelations finally see light. Gram has left Molly the answers she's been looking for. At the same time, there a mystery to solve. And a connection that is surprising. Prose weaves all of this together in a way I couldn't have imagined. I stayed up late - I just had to know what the last pages would bring. A satisfying ending and this "...the final thrilling instalment in Nita Prose's bestselling Molly the maid series." But I'm sure Nita Prose has many more stories to tell.

The Other People - C.B. Everett

I always check out the cover of a book before starting to read. I liked what I saw on C.B.'s Everett's new book - The Other People.

Nine adults and a child in a big old house.....

"Ten strangers. An old dark house. A killer picking them off one by one. And a missing girl who’s running out of time…And then there was one."

I liked the Christie reference in the beginning of the book, but it didn't last long. That warm cozy tone of Christie is gone.

The unknowing is frightening for the ten. Tempers flare as they go exploring the house. But, the house is never the same for any of them. I didn't like any  of them all - except for the child. The behavior of the nine didn't make sense to me - they wandered around eating, getting a good nap in and more. I was frustrated with their lackadaisical efforts. Oh, and don't go down to the basement. A 'beast' lives there.

The final revelation is certainly one I could one never have predicted. And it changed what I had thought. But sadly, it came too late for this listener. Clever though.

The narrators were Kaffe Keating and Heather Long. The did a good job of creating voices for the numerous players. I'm sure that they both would have read the book before beginning to record. It would them a chance to understand the plot and the trip to that huge twist at the end of the book. The pair did a really good job of presenting the book. They spoke clearly. Keating read for the 'beast' in the basement and his was notably funny at times! Listen to an audio excerpt.

The Other People - C. B. Everett

I always check out the cover of a book before starting to read. I liked what I saw on C.B.'s Everett's new book - The Other People.

Nine adults and a child in a big old house.....

"Ten strangers. An old dark house. A killer picking them off one by one. And a missing girl who’s running out of time…And then there was one."

I liked the Christie reference in the beginning of the book, but it didn't last long. The Other People has a darker feel - no cozy here!

The unknowing is frightening for the ten. Tempers flare as they go exploring the house. But, the house is never the same for any of them.

I disliked all of the characters - except for the child. The behavior of the nine doesn't make sense - they wander around eating, getting a good nap in and more. Not quite the reactions I would have expected. Oh, and don't go down to the basement. 

The final revelation is certainly one I could one never have predicted. And it changed what I had thought. Very clever, but sadly it came too late for this reader. Read an excerpt here. 

Nobody's Fool - Harlan Coben

Did you get a chance to read Fool Me Once - the last book from Harlan Coben? It introduced us to Sami Kierce. He’s a great lead character and he’s back in Nobody’s Fool!

This latest focuses on a piece of Sami’s past. This is what Harlan Coben does so well - he takes a seemingly impossible event and drops the lead right into it all. And it takes the reader along for the journey. I always get lost in his tales. His storytelling is so good!

There’s a great lineup of supporting characters as well. I like the way Sami thinks. I enjoy the snappy dialogue. With all of these players you just know that someone is lying. The one place that Sami doesn’t lie is at home - to his wife Molly. I really liked her. 

The plotting is just so good. I hated turning the last page but then I saw it. I have my fingers crossed that there’s another Sami on the way!

The Unlucky Ones - Hannah Morrissey

Hannah Morrissey's latest book is The Unlucky Ones - the fourth entry in her Black Harbor series. 

We met Hazel in the first book. She was a night transcriber for the police department in Black Harbor. She fled from  everything - her lover, her husband, her job, the crime and the pull of the dark water at the bridge. Eight years have passed and Hazel needs answers. But she doesn't know what the questions are. There are a number of characters from book one returning in this latest. 

The setting is dark and dangerous. Menacing and gritty. Morrissey has done a wonderful job bringing it to life. Grit lit.

Just as good is the plotting. It could have been ripped from the crime section of the newspaper. But Morrissey puts her own stamp on things. I had no idea what would happen next.

I really, really hope we see Hazel again. And if that's not in the cards - Black Harbor again. A five star listen for me.

The audio version of The Unlucky Ones was performed by Angela Dawe and Robb Moreira. They both created excellent voices that were easily discernable. Moreira's voice has growly tones the fits the character. Dawe's voice is velvety and low, driving the listener to pay attention. Both are easy to understand. They bring the emotions and the action of the plot to life. An excellent presentation of an excellent book.     Run time 9 hours and 39 minutes.

The Unlucky Ones - Hannah Morrissey

The Unlucky Ones is Hannah Morrissey's new book and the fourth entry in her Black Harbor series.

 

We met Hazel in the first book. She was a night transcriber for the police department in Black Harbor. She fled from  everything - her lover, her husband, her job, the crime and the pull of the dark water at the bridge. Eight years have passed and Hazel needs answers. But she doesn't know what the questions are. There are a number of characters from book one returning in this latest. 

The setting is dark and dangerous. Menacing and gritty. Morrissey has done a wonderful job bringing it to life. Grit lit.

Just as good is the plotting. It could have been ripped from the crime section of the newspaper. But Morrissey puts her own stamp on things. I had no idea what would happen next. I couldn't put the book down.

I really, really hope we see Hazel again. And if that's not in the cards - Black Harbor again. A five star read for me.

The Last Trip - Kiersten Modglin

The Last Trip is new from Kiersten Modglin

Sadie is very pregnant when she and boyfriend Cal decide to have one last weekend away, before they are parents. But, things don't go quite like Sadie had imagined. And the house owners....and the visitor..... (I had more than one shiver.)

Modglin builds on those first chapters with more odd incidents and happenings from Sadie's point of view. Cal has a voice as well. The rest of the book is told from She and Him and the time frame jumps from now and then. At first I couldn't understand why the characters didn't have their names on their chapters. You'll see. There's are so many twists and turns in this book - right down to the last page. I love a good twisty tale and Modglin definitely gives us that.

I chose to listen to The Last Trip. The narrators were Abigail Reno and Jay Myers. They both did great jobs of presenting Modglin's work. Each used voices that matched their character's. Reno's voice has a low gravelly tone that is perfect. Myers' voice for Cal is great - he's the perfect partner and his voice reflects that. There's a great plot in this novel and they both embrace it; their voices change with the action and emotions. They are clear speakers and are easy to understand. Great performance.

Run time is 5.0 hours.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave - Elle Cosimano

Elle Cosimano has just released Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. This is the fifth entry in this wonderfully fun series.

Finlay is the lead character and you can’t help but like her. She’s an author, a mom and somehow - a reluctant investigator. Finlay and her nanny/sidekick Vero aren’t interested in investigating another case. But, it’s right across the street they live on. Add in two small kids, a young computer whiz, an ex-husband and a hunky policeman to the mix. And let’s not forget the grumpy old woman across the street.

Well, while there are bodies popping up in every book, it’s funny with ridiculous situations that will have you laughing out loud. I hope that Cosimana has more plans for Finlay! The plot was a good one and there's some truth in it.

If you have enjoyed Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, you will love this series. Evanovich herself has provided a blurb on the front cover! 

I chose to read this book. Angela Dawe was the reader again - which is a really good thing. The continuity is appreciated. She has created believable voices for each and every character. And I have vivid mental pictures of each player based on those voices. She captures the actions, the emotions, the danger and more, with her inflections, tones, speed etc. She speaks clearly and is easy to understand. An excellent presentation of a wonderful book!

10 Hours, 18 Minutes

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave - Elle Cosimano

Elle Cosimano has just released Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. This is the fifth entry in this wonderfully fun series.

Finlay is the lead character and you can’t help but like her. She’s an author, a mom and somehow - a reluctant investigator. Finlay and her nanny/sidekick Vero aren’t interested in investigating another case. But, it’s right across the street they live on. Add in two small kids, a young computer whiz, an ex-husband and a hunky policeman to the mix. And let’s not forget the grumpy old woman across the street.

Well, while there are bodies popping up in every book, it’s funny with ridiculous situations that will have you laughing out loud. I hope that Cosimana has more plans for Finlay! The plot was a good one and there's some truth in it.

If you have enjoyed Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, you will love this series. Evanovich herself has provided a blurb on the front cover! 

The Undoing of Violet Claybourne - Emily Critchley

The Undoing of Violet Claybourne is Emily Critchley's new novel.

I always look at the cover of a book before I turn the first pages. I really liked this cover, it has a distinct Gothic feel to it. The images and the colours and tones used beckoned to me.

The first part is set in 1938. Gillian Larking attends a girl's boarding school in England. Gillian is quite lonely and unhappy at the school. She’s unsure when the new girl, Violet Claybourne, is to be her roommate. Violet is a bit different, but the two end up quite happy together. Gillian is thrilled to be asked to spend the Christmas holidays with Violet's family. She can’t wait to meet her mother, father and two sisters.

And this is where the good stuff starts. A crumbling manor, an atmosphere that is confusing, and a family that’s not as Gillian had imagined. Still though, she’d be very happy to be part of the family.

Emily Greeley does a fantastic job with what came next. Her plotting is excellent! Lots of twists and turns. And her characters? Oh my gosh, I can’t even….! And just when I thought we were finished we’re brought into current day and that was such a surprise turn as well! Kudos to you Emily Critchley!

This is my first read of Emily Critchley, and it certainly won’t be the last.

Murder at the Loch - Dee MacDonald - Blog tour!

Murder at the Loch is the newly released and second entry in Dee MacDonald's "Ally McKinley Mystery series". I have read the first book (Murder in the Scottish Highlands) and really enjoyed it. 

Dee MacDonald gives us a a wonderful lead character with Ally.  She’s recently retired, but she’s full of vim and vigor. She moved herself to a small village in the Scottish Highlands, took a chance and turned a historical building into a cosy B&B. She’s made friends, has customers, got a dog and met the local veterinarian - who is just about her age. Oh, and did I mention that there’s a large castle and an Earl?

Abby is by nature curious, and that has served her well since she arrived at the village of Locharran! The supporting players are mix of personalities and bring much to the stories.

The setting is ready and the main character is ready. What else do we need? A great mystery is the answer to that question - and we have a great one from MacDonald. Almost every resident is a suspect. I enjoyed Abby‘s investigation, throwing in my two cents. I guessed the whodunit in the last chapters and the journey there was really great! This was a perfect curl up for a rainy reading day. I'll be looking for the next book!

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 connect with Dee on Facebook and on Twitter. Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Dee MacDonald here. And ... see what other readers thought about Murder at the Loch!

  

The Lost and the Found - Kevin Fagan

I usually read fiction, but I've found myself becoming more and more interested in non fiction. What is happening, changing, challenging and so much more. What can we do? What is needed?

Kevin Fagan has been boots down for the last twenty plus years, covering homelessness and all that comes with that. He has spent extensive time on the street as a reporter and himself as a young man.

The subtitle says it all - "A True Story of Homelessness, Found Family and Second Chances". We meet Rita and Tyson and are privy to the life stories of these two unhoused people. And yes, drugs do seem to be inexorably tied to being homeless.

Does anyone get out of that life? You'll have to read or listen to the book to find that answer. And all the questions, ideas and strategies that arise with this narrative. See the person. 

Fagan's writing is excellent. I chose to listen to The Lost and the Found. The narrator was Sean Patrick Hopkins and he did a fantastic job of presenting Fagan's work. His voice is easy on the ears and he speaks clearly. His voice moves with the narrative and he captures the tone of the book as it unfold. Hear for yourself - listen to a excerpt of the Lost and the Found.   7.5 hours

Famous Last Words - Gillian McAllister

Gillian McAllister's new book is "Famous Last Words".

I always take a good look at the cover of a book before I start to read or listen. The words here lean to the right and feel rushed. Maybe an on the run tale? When you’re turning the last few pages, you’ll see how clever that title is.

Camilla’s maternity leave is up and she’s heading back for work today. She’s more than a little upset that her husband has gone off to work without saying goodbye or have a great first day. Or anything. But when she walks through to her office, the police are there to take her to a building where…her husband has taken three people hostage. Camilla doesn’t know what to say or do. Her husband couldn’t do something like this…Or could he?

This was such a great opener, I was so curious! There’s a great twist right after this introduction. The narrative moves from past and present. We’re privy to Camilla‘s thoughts and another character who was at the kidnapping. Love, hope and grief are explored with a keen eye. Very believable and well written. But for me, that slowed down the initial movement and action I had thought this book and plot would be using. But, I was still curious and needed to know what would happen in the end. This is most definite a character driven tale. 

I chose to listen to Famous Last Words. The narrator was Emilia Fox and she did a great job with interpreting and presenting McAllister's work. Her voice is low with a undertone of velvet that's pleasant to listen to. She speaks clearly and enunciates well. She has captured the emotions of the characters with her voice. A good performance.

Something in the Walls - Daisy Pearce

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Daisy Pearce's new book is Something in  the Walls.

You might be wondering why I included such a large picture of the cover. Well, I wanted to make sure that you could see what’s behind the lath. Did you see the eye? Creepy!

Mina is a newly graduated child psychologist. What she needs to finish her degree, is hours. She thinks she’s found the perfect situation. She gets her hours, the family will benefit from it and Sam, a journalist, will get a great story. They head for a remote village in Britain. Mina will be staying with the family.

Alice is a 13 girl who believes she’s being haunted by a witch. And it doesn’t take Mina long to realize things aren’t as they should be. Oh my gosh, the characters gave me the shivers more than once. The villagers all seem to  believe the same thing. 

Pearce’s prose are just fantastic. She slowly and carefully builds a tale that is hard put down. And just wait for the final chapter…

I chose to listen to Something in the Walls. The narrator was Ana Clements and she did a fantastic job. She provided voices for each character and I built mental images of them using those. She enunciated well and is easy to understand. Her presentation of Pierce’s work was so good, using her voice quiet, loud, menacing, fearful and so much more. And for me, one that I didn’t want to be listening to at night with my creaky floors. You never know...

The publisher compares Something in the Walls to The Haunting of Hill House. I agree.

The Quiet Librarian - Allen Eskens

Allen Eskens is hands down one of my favourite authors. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy of his latest - The Quiet Librarian.

Hana works as a librarian and she keeps to herself. She dresses to hide, always with a sweater. When a police detective shows up and asks to speak to her, she knows that her past has finally caught up with the here and now. Someone knows who she is and what she's done.

Eskens interviewed survivors of the Bosnian War of 1990 who came to Minnesota as refugees. Their stories are woven into Eskens' fictional characters as well as time and place. 

Eskens excels at storytelling. The concept, the setting, the history and ... Hana. The mystery was so well drawn - I was truly on the edge of my chair. The book is told in now and then chapters, guaranteed to keep up for 'just another' chapter. And no word of a lie, I had to put the book down many times as the danger overwhelmed me. I wanted a certain ending for Hana. Did I get one? You'll have to find out yourself. A brilliant read! 

Cold as Hell -Kelley Armstrong

I aways get excited when I see that Kelley Armstrong has a new book out. Especially when it's a Haven's Rock novel! The third entry, Cold as Hell, has just arrived. And I feel like I’m settling down with old friends. What’s happening?!

Haven’s Rock is a hidden village up in the Yukon, for those who don’t want to live in a regular town…or can’t. 

 Armstrong has given her lead characters rich personal lives that are always moving forward. I am just as curious about their personal lives as I am in the newest mystery. Detective Casey and her husband Sheriff Dalton are the law in Haven's Rock. 

The book is told from Casey’s point of view. The reader is privy to her thoughts and investigative skills. There's been a horrific murder and it looks to be one of the residents that is the culprit. But who? Armstrong's mysteries are not easy to solve. And a blizzard is not going to make things any easier.

I find that some stories are even better in a audio format. That's the case for this title for me. The narrator was Thérèse Plummer and she did a great job. The voice matched the mental image I'd created for Casey. She has an interesting undertone to her voice that works. She's pleasant on the ears and enunciates well. Voices have been created for other characters including males that are believable and recognizable.  Plummer captured and presented the story very well!

10 hours and 6 minutes