Merry Christmas!

I know its a bit early, but I'm going to take a break and just enjoy family and friends for the next couple of weeks. (Okay, okay, there are a few books I might get started....)

Merry Christmas and Seasons Greetings however you celebrate!

I wish you peace, happiness and good health for you and your family for the coming New Year.

And...good books! 

Good Bad Girl - Alice Feeney

Alice Feeney's latest book is Good Bad Girl. 

What's it about? From Flatiron Books and Macmillan Audio:

"Twenty years after a baby is stolen from a stroller, a woman is murdered in a care home. The two crimes are somehow linked, and a good bad girl may be the key to discovering the truth.

Edith may have been tricked into a nursing home, but at eighty-years-young, she’s planning her escape. Patience works there, cleaning messes and bonding with Edith, a kindred spirit. But Patience is lying to Edith about almost everything.

Edith’s own daughter, Clio, won’t speak to her. And someone new is about to knock on Clio’s door…and their intentions aren’t good.

With every reason to distrust each other, the women must solve a mystery with three suspects, two murders, and one victim. If they do, they might just find out what happened to the baby who disappeared, the mother who lost her, and the connections that bind them."

My Thoughts:

This is an author I really like. Her writing is so addictive. She's a master of diversion, directing the listener one way without us even aware that's there another path to take. The storyline is wonderfully fresh with no way to guess what's next. I love twists and turns in a book - and there are many in Good Bad Girl (I like that title too). But the last few chapters - I couldn't believe what the last twist was. I went back and listened again to make sure I had heard right. I had. Bravo Alice Feeney!

I chose to listen to Good Bad Girl. There were two narrators - Katherine Press and Stephanie Racine. Their presentations were excellent. The dialogue is easy to understand and is spoken at a good pace. The voices for the various characters are wonderful - matching the mental images I had envisioned. The actions and emotions are believable. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt. 

The Curse of Penryth Hall - Jess Armstrong

It was the beautiful cover of The Curse of Penryth Hall that first caught my eye. As well as that little sticker letting me know that Jess Armstrong's debut has earned the 'First Crime Novel Award from Mystery Writers of America'. I was hooked before I turned a page.

The Great War has ended and Ruby Vaughan has found her niche, working in a rare books store and trying to just enjoy life. When the owner of the shop asks her to deliver a box of books to a small hamlet in Cornwall, she readily agrees, as it will give her a chance to visit her old friend Tamsyn.

Oh, all the bits of a gothic mystery are starting to fall into place - secluded village, a great hall that houses Tamsyn and her husband, old traditions and ways that are adhered to, a death and a search for the who, what and why of a demise. A curse! Delicious! Now, that's what I had expected (it's a favorite genre of mine) but... there was so much more added to the plot. A dash of a possible romance, a serving of other unseen happenings and so much more. Armstrong keeps the reader on their toes. And I quite liked the 1902 time frame. Murder must be investigated with foot leather, interviews, intuition and supposition. 

Ruby is a wonderfully drawn lead character. She speaks her mind - and that mind is very quick and sharp. And she does what she wants to, despite what others might think. She's got a sassy air to her that I quite  like. The supporting cast play their roles very well. But there's one player named Ruan Kivell, who is definitely more than a supporting player. He's a Pellar - a term I had not come across before. Ruan's addition to the main line of the book opens up so many avenues and possibilities. 

I was caught up in the tale, guessing who the culprit was until the last pages. And I quite liked the last bit where everything is accounted for, and what might be next for all of the players. I'd be happy to see Ruby again! See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Curse of Penryth Hall.

The Curse of Penryth Hall - Jess Armstrong

It was the beautiful cover of The Curse of Penryth Hall that first caught my eye. As well as that little sticker letting me know that Jess Armstrong's debut has earned the 'First Crime Novel Award from Mystery Writers of America'. I was hooked before I turned a page.

The Great War has ended and Ruby Vaughan has found her niche, working in a rare books store and trying to just enjoy life. When the owner of the shop asks her to deliver a box of books to a small hamlet in Cornwall, she readily agrees, as it will give her a chance to visit her old friend Tamsyn.

Oh, all the bits of a gothic mystery are starting to fall into place - secluded village, a great hall that houses Tamsyn and her husband, old traditions and ways that are adhered to, a death and a search for the who, what and why of a demise. A curse! Delicious! Now, that's what I had expected (it's a favorite genre of mine) but... there was so much more added to the plot. A dash of a possible romance, a serving of other unseen happenings and so much more. Armstrong keeps the reader on their toes. And I quite liked the 1902 time frame. Murder must be investigated with foot leather, interviews, intuition and supposition. 

Ruby is a wonderfully drawn lead character. She speaks her mind - and that mind is very quick and sharp. And she does what she wants to, despite what others might think. She's got a sassy air to her that I quite  like. The supporting cast play their roles very well. But there's one player named Ruan Kivell, who is definitely more than a supporting player. He's a Pellar - a term I had not come across before. Ruan's addition to the main line of the book opens up so many avenues and possibilities. 

I was caught up in the tale, guessing who the culprit was until the last pages. And I quite liked the last bit where everything is accounted for, and what might be next for all of the players. I'd be happy to see Ruby again! 

The narrator was Emma Love and she was a great choice. She has a very versatile voice. She created voices that were perfect for the characters. The sassy, sure of herself voice for Ruby was just right for the character. The voice for Ruan was low and measured. Supporting characters like the townsfolk, the long time housekeeper of Penryth Hall, and friend Tamsyn all are identifiable by their voice. Love speaks clearly and is easy to understand. The pace is perfect. Love has captured and presented Armstrong's wonderfully. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio sample.

#CrimeTime - Jeneva Rose and Drew Pyne

Jeneva Rose and her husband Drew Pyne have cowritten #CrimeTime. And that's perfect, as this tale is based on actual events that happened in their apartment building.

And what happened you ask? Well, three armed men broken into the apartment above and took a great deal of drugs, guns and money. Jeneva called the police, who didn't arrive until a second call was made. Worrying about the resident, they went upstairs after the thieves had left. He wasn't there. 

So, that's what the audiobook uses as a starting point, but Rose and Pyne have taken their tale to unexpected places. And people. And more...

#CrimeTime is presented as audiobook - which it is. But I was really thinking radio shows of past days that have sound effects for steps, doors, traffic and more. I think this style immerses the listener deeper into the presentation. 

Now, with such a serious opening, you would expect a serious tale right? Wrong. Nadiya writes crime novels and her half brother Chase is a wanna be social media star. The interactions and dialogue between these two lead characters is laughable throughout the presentation. Chase steals the show IMO. Rose and Pyne come up with a completely unexpected road for Nadiya and Chase to travel on. Other characters (good and bad) are added to that road. And how things finish up is impossible to guess. So, my advice is just go with the flow and enjoy!

Kudos to the two leads, Abelardo Campuzano and Jennifer Damiano. They played off each other really, really well. Campuzano's voice and attitude for over the top character Chase is perfect. Damiano is the voice of Nadiya. Her controlled, lower key voice really works for her character. She's more logical and reasonable, but still has a sharp tongue. The supporting cast all brought their characters to life. It was easy to understand the dialogue and the pace of the reading was just right. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt.   3 hours and 36 minutes. 

Tour stop! Their Lost Souls - Roger Stelljes

I'm a stop on today's tour for Roger Stelljes's brand new book - Their Lost Souls!

This is a first read of Stelljes for me. There are a large number of characters in this series, but the author provides lots of history and detail as to who is who and what has taken place in the past. I easily caught up.

Stelljes has created a great lead with Agent Tori Hunter. She's smart and driven - and has a bit of a dark side when it comes to justice. Braddock - her partner in life - is also her work partner. Stelljes gives his characters (including the supporting players) rich personal lives.

His plotting for Their Lost Souls is unique. A young couple are brutally killed outside their cabin. Who could have done such a thing? The pressure is on from a number of higher ups - they need a result now. A single clue at the cabin catches Tori's interest - and takes her to answers she couldn't have imagined.

I liked it all - the characters, the search for the perpetrators, the quick dialogue, the setting and the continuity! 

"Roger Stelljes is the acclaimed New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of pulse-pounding murder mystery and suspense novels, including the Tori Hunter and McRyan Mystery Series. Roger’s crime thrillers are noted for their fast-paced, yet intricate plots filled with layered and complex characters.

Roger started his first novel in July 2002 while on vacation in Minnesota’s Brainerd Lakes area and has been writing ever since. His debut book, The St. Paul Conspiracy, was nominated in genre fiction for the Minnesota Book Awards along with finalists Brian Freeman and William Kent Krueger. With his follow-up, Deadly Stillwater, where Vince Flynn hailed Roger as a “powerful new thriller voice”, he won the Midwest Independent Book Publishers award for commercial fiction.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Roger still lives there with his family. In addition to his work as an author, Roger is a partner in his law firm. Roger is an avid sports enthusiast and enjoys spending time outdoors boating, attending hockey games, and honing his golf game."

You can connect with Roger on his website, find him on Facebook, also on Instagram as well as on X (Twitter).

The Fourth Rule - Jeff Lindsay

Jeff Lindsay has created some great lead characters in his books. I devoured the Dexter series, but somehow missed the Riley Wolfe series. I've since caught up with the latest entry - The Fourth Rule. This is a series, but can absolutely be read as a stand alone. 

Like Dexter, our lead character Riley lives on the other side of the law - as a thief. But not any old thief. Sometimes its just to see if he can steal the unstealable. And sometimes it's a paid job. The word heist comes to mind and I truly adore heist books and films.

The Fourth Rule is told in first person. The reader feels like Riley is recounting a tale to us and we're privy to all the details.

One of those details are the self made rules that Riley operates under. Number four? "Even if you're the best there is, watch your back. Because somebody better is coming." Riley has an ego, but it's been earned. But - for how much longer? 

Lindsay has a great (and devious) imagination when it comes the heists. I love the details that surround the thefts and the sheer audacity of the attempts. Oh, his disguises as well. Improbable? That's the fun of heist tales - to do what they say can't be done.

I'm going to leave things there as I don't want to provide spoilers. The Fourth Rule was inventive, lots of fun and made for easy, addictive reading. And a great last chapter that hints at the future. Maybe...

See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Fourth Rule. 

Five Bad Deeds - Caz Frear

I love psychological suspense books! If you do as well, you're going to want to pick up Caz Frear's new book - Five Bad Deeds. That cover drew me in before I even turned a page. A house burning down? Hmm...

The residents of Ellen's neighborhood are a friendly bunch, helping each other out with childcare, a friendly face, meals and so much more. 

Or so Ellen thought. She's confused when she receives a note telling her that "People have to learn there are consequences, Ellen. And I’m going to teach you that lesson. Right under your nose." Is it a joke? Who would do something like this?

And that's where things get going. We meet Ellen, her sister, her neighbors, her daughter and a few more - all through their own chapters. So, as readers we have access to that information and we're able to start putting the pieces together ahead of Ellen. But are we really putting them in the right places? 

Frear plays with the reader, providing clues, twists and turns along the garden path to the final whodunit it. One minute I thought I had the who, how and why, only to be proven wrong again the next minute. I love not being able to figure out the answers before the final pages.

Now, the characters. I admit it - although I thought I should like Ellen, I couldn't. Or most of the cast of characters for that matter. I'll let you find out why - but suffice to say - everyone has secrets. Even in the nicest neighborhoods. 

Frear has penned an excellent suspense book. If you too like this genre, Five Bad Deeds is a great choice. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Five Bad Deeds. 

Unnatural Death - Patricia Cornwell

Patricia Cornwell's last few books have been excellent. Her newest book, Unnatural Death, is no exception. This is the 27th entry in the long running Scarpetta series. While the book picks up from the last entry, this book can certainly be read as a stand alone.

Kay Scarpetta is the Chief Medical Examiner for Virginia. This time around, Kay is sent to the woods and to a deserted mine in North Virginia. Two bodies have been found, as well as something very curious in a mine shaft. Kay is not sure why the Feds have taken over the case and the autopsy, but she has no choice but to follow orders.

The recurring characters all return in Unnatural Death. Sidekick Pete Marino is always by Kay's side. He hasn't changed much over the years and is one of my favorites. Niece Lucy grows more and more enigmatic with every new book. Kay's husband Benson has his own secrets. Lesser characters are just as well drawn - and are very easy to be separated into 'good and bad'. I applaud Kay's ability to hold her tongue - but her inner dialogue lets it all out.

I was truly blown away by some of the technology being used by the Secret Service and other agencies.  Kay's methods and tools in the autopsy suite are just as technologic. In the 'about the author' notes, Cornwell mentions that her interests include space-age technologies, threats to contemporary life, artificial intelligence and more. Those interests are woven into the plot of Unnatural Death. 

There's no way to predict where the plot is going to go. There's lots of action, suspense and unexpected turns. Cornwell held my attention right down the last pages. 

A great entry that I quite enjoyed. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Unnatural Death.

 I received a free copy of a book from the publisher. This in no way affects my opinion of the book. 

The Mystery Guest - Nita Prose

Oh, I was so excited to hear that Nita Prose had written a second book featuring Molly - her absolutely wonderful protagonist. The Mystery Guest has just released.  

We met Molly in the first book - The Maid. Molly works at the upscale Regency Grand Hotel as a maid. "Every day of work is a joy to me. I was born to do this job. I love cleaning. I love my maid's trolley, and I love my uniform." She is now the Head Maid. 

You're going to absolutely love Molly - her innocence, her upbeat attitude, her manner of speaking and those rules and sayings that guide her life. And then there's Gran. Even though she is gone, her presence is felt throughout the book. (It made me miss my Gran too!) The supporting cast of players is just as wonderful. Molly has made friends who very much care for her. But there's always a rotten apple in the barrel.

And of course, there's a mystery to be solved.  History seems to be repeating itself when a guest lecturer dies in front of the audience at the hotel. Molly might have the inside track with this latest murder - and I'll let you discover how. In addition to her own curious mind, Molly and her Gran were faithful fans of Columbo - and read every Christie novel. Tools that she'll put to good use. That's if Detective Stark will listen to what Molly knows.

Prose tells The Mystery Guest in a past and present timeline - one of my favourite storytelling styles. Readers will get to learn more about Molly's past and her Gran. Yes, I needed a tissue more than once.

What more could you want - characters you'll be rooting for, a murder mystery, and some insightful thoughts about love, loss and life. Prose's writing will keep you turning page after page late into the night. Heartily recommended! See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Mystery Guest. I really, really hope there will be a third book!

Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the review copy. This in no way afflicts my thoughts. All opinions are mine. 

The Mystery Guest - Nita Prose

Oh, I was so excited to hear that Nita Prose had written a second book featuring Molly - her absolutely wonderful protagonist. The Mystery Guest has just released.  

We met Molly in the first book - The Maid. Molly works at the upscale Regency Grand Hotel as a maid. "Every day of work is a joy to me. I was born to do this job. I love cleaning. I love my maid's trolley, and I love my uniform." She is now the Head Maid. 

You're going to absolutely love Molly - her innocence, her upbeat attitude, her manner of speaking and those rules and sayings that guide her life. And then there's Gran. Even though she is gone, her presence is felt throughout the book. (It made me miss my Gran too!) The supporting cast of players is just as wonderful. Molly has made friends who very much care for her. But there's always a rotten apple in the barrel.

And of course, there's a mystery to be solved.  History seems to be repeating itself when a guest lecturer dies in front of the audience at the hotel. Molly might have the inside track with this latest murder - and I'll let you discover how. In addition to her own curious mind, Molly and her Gran were faithful fans of Columbo - and read every Christie novel. Tools that she'll put to good use. That's if Detective Stark will listen to what Molly knows.

Prose tells The Mystery Guest in a past and present timeline - one of my favourite storytelling styles. Readers will get to learn more about Molly's past and her Gran. And yes, I needed a tissue more than once.

What more could you want - characters you'll be rooting for, a murder mystery, and some insightful thoughts about love, loss and life. Prose's writing will keep you listening to chapter to chapter late into the night. Heartily recommended! I really, really hope there will be a third book!

The narrator was Lauren Ambrose and she did a fabulous job of giving Molly a voice. I was worried that the narrator's voice wouldn't 'be right' for Molly. I was very happy to be proven wrong. Ambrose captures Molly's character perfectly. Ambrose's voice is easy on the ears. She speaks clearly and enunciates well. She does a wonderful job of presenting Prose's work. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of the Mystery Guest.

There Should Have Been Eight - Nalini Singh

I adore 'locked room' mysteries. I think that author Nalini Singh does as well! Her new novel - There Should Have Been Eight - starts out with a get together of old friends - minus one.

What else does a locked room tale need? A 'been in the family for decades' old pile. Complete with hidden rooms. Oh, and it has a burned out wing. And....it's also way out on it's own, far from the village. Mobile signal? Good luck with that. A perfect setting. Loved it.

Our lead character is Luna. She her own issues, but isn't ready to share with the others just yet. She's also a photographer which works well for this character. I really liked her personally, her way of looking at things, her thoughts, and her decisions. The others are a mixed bag with many of them now coupled up. Lots of personalities. 

Singh tells her book in a now and then timeline fashion. Again, a style I like and appreciate. Readers  glean bits and bobs from the both time frames. Do they match? Do they remember it? Has someone got their own agenda? Who can we trust as readers? For me, they're all suspects. I started to narrow down my choice for 'whodunit' as the end drew near. I was (happily) surprised by a great gotcha. 

Suspense is the name of the game in this book. It kept me interested and and invested from first page to last! I would happily pick up another book from Nalini Singh. See for yourself - read an excerpt of There Should Have Been Eight.

The Other Half - Charlotte Vassell

The Other Half is Charlotte Vassell's debut novel. 

The publisher uses 'cozy' in their description of the book. And the cover image seems to bear that out. Well, yes, but not quite the way I had expected. There are no older sleuths and their cats on the way to the village fete when they discover a body under a hedge. But that's where all of my expectations went out the window. Instead it is Detective Caius Beauchamp who finds the corpse on his morning jog. 

Caius and his sidekicks DS Matt Cheung and DC Amy Noakes are on the job. Where their inquiries takes them is to the the homes and lives of the upper echelons of society. And as much Caius hates to admit it, he is drawn to how the half lives.

And that's where Vassell takes out her sharpest pen and starts skewering the upper classes. I do have to say the dark humor was quite amusing. 

But I found the case itself is darker and well, more than a little sad. Money, power and more define the upper level. It was quite easy to dislike them.

I chose to listen to The Other Half. The narrators were Imogen Wilde, whom I've listen to in the past. She has a very versatile voice and easily captures the characters. Her posh tones were perfect for this plot. She speaks clearly and is easy to understand. I thought she did a great job of presenting Vassell's work. The other narrator was Michael Muyunda, who is a new to me performer. He has a wonderfully rich tone to his voice. The tone is lower and calls on the listener to pay attention so as not to miss anything. I think he has the perfect voice for Detective Caius Beauchamp. The speed of his reading varies and I ended up turning the speed down to .09, which worked well for me. I think I enjoyed the audio performance more than I would have enjoyed a printed copy. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of The Other Half. 

Murder in a Country Village - F.L. Everett

Murder in a Country Village is the second book in F.L. Everett's wonderful Edie York Mystery series.

What makes it such a wonderful series? Well, all the elements that I quite enjoy are there. Set in the years of WWII, the keep calm and carry on attitude, a plucky female protagonist, a mystery, a crime, an excellent crew of supporting characters - and a dog.

Manchester, London England. Edie is the local newspaper's obituarist. Which is good, but what she'd love to be is a crime reporter. On a ramble with her friend Ethel, they come across a body - and it's someone Ethel knows. Accident or deliberate?

Edie just can't help herself - she starts asking questions. And soon enough, DCI Louis Brennan is called upon. 

I really enjoy this type of investigation. Answers, clues, secrets and more are found by interviews, conversations, hunches and instinct. So much more interesting than DNA matches etc. 

Edie is such a great lead character and the reader can't help but behind her. Urging her on and sometimes shaking your head at some of her choices. But, it's her curious nature, her kindness and zest for life that makes her such a great protagonist. The supporting cast from the first book return - Lou, Annie her roommate, Lou's friend Arnold and Marple the dog. Everett gives her players personal lives that move forward. Yes, there's some romance afoot for some. 

Everett has done a really good job of bringing her setting to life. She gives us detailed locales, food, businesses, the war and much more.

The first book, set the place and introduced the characters. With this second entry there's much more to the crime, the investigation and the characters. See for yourself - read an excerpt. I will be watching for the third book! 

It Ends at Midnight - Harriet Tyce

Harriet Tyce's novel - It Ends at Midnight - actually opens with the ending.

'It's New Year's Eve and the stage is set for a lavish party in one of Edinburgh's best postcodes. It's a moment for old friends to set the past to rights - and move on. The night sky is alive with fireworks and the champagne is flowing. But the celebration fails to materialise. Because someone at this party is going to die tonight. Midnight approaches and the countdown begins - but it seems one of the guests doesn't want a resolution. They want revenge."

It Ends at Midnight opens with a good hook, guaranteed to catch and keep your attention. While we know there will be a murder, we don't know who, where or why. Tyce uses a now and then timeframe to tell her tale.

Sylvia is the lead character. She is a solicitor and aspires be more in her professional life and and have more in her personal life. But there's something in her past that she has hidden for years. If it is exposed, she could lose everything she has or wants. I admit, I didn't like Sylvia at all. Although, she makes for a good unreliable protagonist. She has selective memories from her past and she drinks until she blacks out. She's got a desperate air about her. One that leads her into some iffy situations. She does not see things the way the reader can. Someone is neatly walking her down the garden path. And I still couldn't like her. Her naivety seems to be at odds, given her profession life. She makes some serious choices that you just know are going to turn out badly - both then and now.

Also along for the walk are a number of red herrings for the reader to take note of. Tyce gives us a number of 'suspects' to choose from. My first guess was proved right  in the end. 

What was not mentioned in the synopsis of the book is the sexual content of the plot. Gentle readers, take note that there are many triggers in this novel. Read an excerpt of excerpt of It Ends at Midnight 

Class - Stephanie Land

Star studded tell-alls are of no interest to me. Instead I find myself invariably drawn to memoirs of everyday people. The struggles and the triumphs - and real life.

Stephanie Land's first book, Maid, was a runaway bestseller. I thought it was a fantastic read. I was eager to turn the first page of Land's new book - Class.

Land's desire to be a writer and the love she has for her daughter were the driving forces in pursuing that goal.  Class brings us the next chapter - life while raising a young child, working as a cleaner, attending a four year college, homework, hunger, childcare and more. All from the under the poverty line.

Land's determination is so inspiring. She gets knocked down but keeps getting up. Trying to find her way through the byzantine agencies that seem to contradict each other. Facing judgment at school, at work and in society. Being judged as a mother and a woman by those who have no idea what she's struggling with. Now, that's not everyone, but there are enough.

I like the honesty of Land's work and not making it all 'pretty'. I don't think memoirs can be rated or judged. Each of us has their own way of doing things, achieving goals and living. I appreciate Stephanie Land's sharing of her journey. So far. I wonder if there will be another chapter? See for yourself - read an excerpt of Class. Definitely recommended. 

Class - Stephanie Land

Star studded tell-alls are of no interest to me. Instead I find myself invariably drawn to memoirs of everyday people. The struggles and the triumphs - and real life.

Stephanie Land's first book, Maid, was a runaway bestseller. I thought it was a fabulous read. I was eager to listen to Land's new book - Class.

Land's desire to be a writer and the love she has for her daughter were the driving forces in pursuing that goal. Class brings us the next chapter - life while raising a young child, working as a cleaner, attending a four year college, homework, hunger, childcare and more. All from the under the poverty line.

Land's determination is so inspiring. She gets knocked down but keeps getting up. Trying to find her way through the byzantine agencies that seem to contradict each other. Facing judgment at school, at work and in society. Being judged as a mother and a woman by those who have no idea what she's struggling with. Now, that's not everyone, but there are enough.

I like the honesty of Land's work and not making it all 'pretty'. I don't think memoirs can be rated or judged. Each of us has their own way of doing things, achieving goals and living. I appreciate Stephanie Land's sharing of her journey. So far. I wonder if there will be another chapter? I hope so! Definitely recommended. 

I listened to Class. What a treat it is to listen to an author read their work. Even more so when the book is a memoir. All the emotions, reactions, thoughts, situations etc. were lived by Land. The listener can feel and appreciate that intimacy as she reads. She speaks clearly and odd as it sounds - for me, her voice matched her image.  I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I often find I often feel much more immersed in a book when I listen. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of Class. 

The Last List of Mabel Beaumont - Laura Pearson

What a wonderful find Laura Pearson's novel was! The Last List of Mabel Beaumont is a heartwarming - and heartbreaking tale. 

Mabel and Arthur were married for sixty two years. I say were, as Arthur has passed away. Arthur loved list and when Mabel comes across a cryptic note, she knows it is for her. All is says is 'Find D."

Dot was Mabel's best friend for years, until.....

The answer to that - and other revelations are found in Mabel's memories. She is determined to finally bring her life, good and bad, to light.

A group of other women are with her on the journey to find Dot. They're of all ages and stages of life and are given rich personal lives as well. With every step, the years fall away and the past is finally addressed for Mabel. The other women are also on journey of their own. Pearson tackles a number of issues with this group.  

There's so much to enjoy about this novel. Friendships, hard times, being true to yourself, love, loss, grief and more. I had an inkling of what might be ahead and was proven right in the end. No matter, it's the journey that makes this such a great listen.

I choose to listen to The Last List of Mabel Beaumont. The reader was Penelope Freeman and she did a wonderful job presenting Pearson's work. The voice for Mabel was perfect - somewhat querulous at times. But she still has a bite when needed. She provides distinct and different voices for all of the other characters, making it very easy to know who is talking. She speaks clearly and enunciates well. The speed is just right. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt. 

A wonderful listen!   11 hours

The Manor House - Gilly Macmillan

I've really enjoyed Gilly Macmillan's previous books and knew I was settling in for another great read with her latest - The Manor House.

When Tom and Nicole win the lottery, they give up their starter home, and instead they build Nicole's dream house - in a very wealthy neighborhood. 

What's that saying? Money is at the root of all evil? Match that avarice with a nod to one of Hitchcock's best movies and you've got an idea about what you'll find inside Macmillan's novel.

But Macmillan has made this idea her own. More than once, she completely caught me off guard with a twist, an unexpected development, red herrings,  reveals I couldn't have imagined. 

The characters are so well drawn! You'll have your favorites and your ones to loath. But are they each telling the truth? Are they really what they present to the world?

The Manor House was a great, page turning read for me. Really well done! See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Manor House.

The Woman With A Purple Heart by Diane Hanks - Release week!

If you enjoy historical fiction, especially WWII, you're going to want to pick up a copy of Diane Hanks' just released debut novel - The Woman With A Purple Heart. 

And if you're wondering - the answer is yes' The book is "Based on the breathtaking true story of Lieutenant Annie Fox, the first woman to be awarded the Purple Heart for combat as a result of her heroism at Pearl Harbor"

Here's more from Source Landmarks: 

"In November 1941, Annie Fox, an Army nurse, is transferred to Hickam Field, an air force base in Honolulu. The others on her transport plane are thrilled to work in paradise, but Annie sees her new duty station as the Army's way of holding the door open to her retirement. But serving her country is her calling and she will go wherever she is told.

On December 7, Annie's on her way to work when the first Japanese Zero fighter plane flies low over Hickam's Parade Ground. The death and destruction that follow leave her no time to process what's happening. She rallies her nurses, and they work to save as many lives as they can. But soon their small hospital is overwhelmed. Annie drives into Honolulu to gather supplies, nurses, and several women who will donate blood. However, the nurses are Japanese Americans, and the blood donors are prostitutes. 

Under Annie's leadership and working together in unexpected ways, they make it through that horrific day, when one of the Japanese American nurses and Annie's friend, Kay, is arrested as a suspected subversive. As Hickam tries to recover, Annie works to find her friend and return Kay to her family. But Annie's love for her country is put to the test. How can she reconcile the American bravery and resilience she saw on December 7 with the prejudice and injustice she witnesses just a few months later?" Sounds like a great read! See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Woman With A Purple Heart.

"Diane Hanks was inspired to write The Woman With A Purple Heart because she first saw the name Annie Fox when she was a medical writer working on a project about VA’s Annie App, which is used to send text messages to veterans about self-care. Hanks discovered the app was named after Lt. Annie Fox, and she considered it a shame that the first female recipient of the Purple Heart was not widely known. Thus, The Woman With A Purple Heart was born."

"Diane Hicks has a BFA and MA in Creative Writing from Emerson College in Boston, MA. She was first published in an anthology of short stories titled How the Weather Was when she was in graduate school; then she took a detour in

screenwriting. The detour lasted a few decades and resulted in several honors that

included winning the PAGE International Screenwriting Award Grand Prize with a drama pilot, in addition to one of her screenplays being featured on the prestigious Black List and making the inaugural GLAAD List. The Woman With A Purple Heart is based on Diane’s screenplay titled Hickam." You can find Diane on Facebook.

Resurrection Walk - Michael Connelly

I eagerly await each new book from Michael Connelly. He's hands down one of my favorite authors. And then...I finish it far too quickly. I couldn't put down Resurrection Walk. It's one heck of a page turner.

While the cover is labelled as a Lincoln Lawyer book, it also features Harry Bosch. Harry is now working for his half brother, Mickey Haller, as a part time investigator. Haller is coming off of a big win and has Harry vetting requests for another 'Resurrection Walk' case. 

This is not a jury case, instead Mickey is presenting his case to only one person - a Federal judge. The stakes are high, as is the tension. And the other is are just as determined. Connelly's courtroom legalese is detailed and is presented and written so readers understand what's going on. The courtroom machinations, the ups and downs of rulings and Mickey's plans are fascinating to read. 

Connelly's characters' personal lives are always moving forward. Familiar supporting players, Cisco, Lorna, Maggie Fierce, Maddy and more, make cameo appearances. It's been hard to see Harry age and take a lesser role. I think of him as an old war horse. It was different to see him on the defense side of the table instead of the prosecution. Mickey may be making some changes as well. Only the next book will tell. 

An absolute addicting, can't put it down book! More please. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Resurrection Walk. 

The Beautiful and the Wild - Peggy Townsend

The Beautiful and the Wild is Peggy Townsend's newly released novel. 

This descriptor caught my eye - "The dangers of Alaska aren't limited to storms, starvation, and grizzly bears. Sometimes the most dangerous thing is the person you love." 

My preconceived idea of what path Townsend's plotting would take was oh so wrong. Which I was quite happy with! It's refreshing to come across a narrative I hadn't expected.

Our lead character is Liv. She's likeable and readers will immediately be behind her. That first chapter is a doozy! There's a supporting cast in the 'now' chapters that will have you shaking your head. But the premise is not so far from reality. 

Liv's tale is told from a now and then narrative. And again, my perspective on Liv changed with each 'then' revelation. There's more to Liv than you'd think. What impact will that past have on the present? Townsend does a great job of ramping up the tension and danger with every chapter in the present. 

It was easy to imagine the setting with Townsend's detailed descriptions. 

Bottom line? I really enjoyed The Beautiful and the Wild. The past and present storytelling style is one of my favorites and Townsend did a great job of keeping my curiosity piqued in both narratives. I couldn't put the book down! And I thought the ending was perfect. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Beautiful and the Wild. 

Christmas Presents - Lisa Unger

I love the time of the year when seasonal titles start popping up. And especially when it's a favorite author.  Christmas Presents is Lisa Unger's gift to readers this season!

Madeline was the only survivor of a serial killer that terrorized her town years ago. A man was convicted. But, now an author turned podcaster wants to reopen the case. He stops into Madeline's bookstore asking for her participation, as other women have gone missing.

As always, I was immediately caught up in Unger's premise. A past and present timeline is used, which I always enjoy as well. We're with a teenage Madeline as she gets close to what the reader knows is danger - in many ways. And with her in the presents as she tries to remember what she has forgotten. She's a likeable character that's easy to get behind. Unger does a great job presenting the two ages of Madeline. 

There's a good cast of supporting players that gives the reader a wide variety of choice for 'whodunit.' Some red herrings kept me guessing until the final pages. 

The bookshop is a wonderfully drawn setting - and I'd been quite happy to browse the shelves and displays! This book might be a great gift for yourself!

And what makes this a Christmas novella? Well, the timeframe is the days building up to Christmas. An unknown person has left Madeline a gift on her porch every Christmas for many years. And what about the person dressing up as Santa ahead of time?

While marketed as a seasonal read, those who enjoy murder mysteries will enjoy this book anytime. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Christmas Presents.

224 pages.

When I'm Dead - Hannah Morrissey

Hannah Morrissey's third book, When I'm Dead, takes us back to the town of Black Harbor. But, this latest book can absolutely be read as a stand alone.

Black Harbor is the setting of Morrissey's books, dark, grim, foreboding, dusty and dirty from the coal mine backdrop. A place that everyone wants to leave. As much as Black Harbor is the setting it seems to also be a character - with its own agenda. Here's one example - but there are many more.

"He knows the haunting air belongs to Forge Bridge which isn't far from here, its rusted rungs and railroad ties groaning and whispering, beckoning people to its edge." Shivers! I love how Morrissey has blended this into the entire narrative.

Return readers like myself will be happy to see that Investigator Nikolai Kole returns in this third entry. He's an excellent lead - determined to do the best he can, knowing that his window of leaving is getting smaller and smaller. Other characters from the first two books take larger roles. They too are well drawn. The reader is privy to their thoughts on the crime, the why, the self rumination. This plays a key part of Morrissey's intricate plotting. I also liked how tendrils from the first two books have insinuated themselves into this book. 

Morrissey's writing is unsettling and so addicting. There's no way to predict where the plot is going to go. There are many many choices for the final whodunit. I thought I had solved the case, only to be proven wrong. I love being proved wrong.

A gritty, dark tale that's another five star read for me from Morrissey. See for yourself - read an excerpt of When I'm Dead. I'm hoping there are more stories to be told from Dark Harbor. #WHENIMDEAD

Dirty Thirty - Janet Evanovich

Can you believe it? Janet Evanovich's latest book Dirty Thirty is the 30th book in her long running Stephanie Plum series!

The Plum books are my choice for some escapist, light hearted, comfort listening that doesn't take itself serious at all. Familiarity is another draw for me - I know who, and what, I'm going to find. 

Our lead character Stephanie works as a bounty hunter for her cousin Vinny in Trenton, New Jersey. This time around, Stephanie is tracking down two possible jewelry thieves. 

Stephanie is easy to like, with a good sense of humor. The supporting cast includes sidekick Lula, a big hearted former hooker. The banter between Stephanie and Lula is always fun. Lula has taken a bigger role in later books and has a case of her own to settle. Stephanie's Grandma Mazur (my fave) is often involved in whatever is going on.

The real question though, is who Stephanie will settle down with! For thirty books she has vacillated between Trenton police detective or private security firm owner Ranger. There may be an answer this time - or maybe not. (I will definitely be picking up #31 to see what happens next!) 

I chose to listen to Dirty Thirty. I'm so happy that Lorelei King is again the reader. She's been the voice of this series for many years. The continuity is wonderful as it feels like jumping right back into life in the 'Burg'. King has a very versatile and expressive voice. She has created different voices for the characters and it's quite easy to know who is speaking. The voice for Stephanie is pretty calm, no matter what's going on. Lula however is always big and loud. Grandma Mazur's has a perpetually happy voice, always seeing the bright side. Each of the love interests have distinct voices as well. Babe. There's many more and they all fit the mental images I've created for all the players. King speaks clearly, she is easy to understand and her pace of delivery is just right. She brings the action, emotions and calamities of the plot to life with her voice, changing up the tenor and tone to match what's going on. A great performance. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of Dirty Thirty.

(PS. The cases are usually pretty light hearted, but I do have to say I didn't find the 'dog house situation' funny at all.)

The Last Close Call by Laura Griffin - Release week!

It's release week for Laura Griffin's new novel - The Last Close Call!

What's it about? From the publisher, Berkley:

"A talented genetic analyst and a detective who’s haunted by an elusive cold case team up in the new standalone romantic suspense from New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin.

 

Forensic genealogist Rowan Healy has made a name for herself by helping investigators trace the family trees of violent criminals who have eluded justice for years. But the pressure of police cases left her burned out, and she’s shifted her focus to helping adoptees find their biological parents. 

 

Austin detective Jack Bruner has spent his career successfully tracking down vicious criminals—with the notable exception of the West Campus Rapist, a meticulous offender in Texas who has never been identified. When the latest two victims come to light, Jack sees his target is escalating his violent behavior—and only with Rowan’s help does he stand a chance of cracking this case.

 

Moved by Jack’s dedication and the brutal details of the attacks he lays out, Rowan agrees to help. When her ground-breaking DNA research sheds new light on the criminal’s background and helps them zero in on a search radius, Rowan and Jack must race against the clock to find a ruthless killer who’s growing bolder the longer he evades the law." (The Last Close Call contains sensitive subject matter including sexual assault.)

See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Last Close Call. 

Photo: © Kathy Whittaker Photography

"Laura Griffin is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty books and novellas. She is a two-time RITA Award winner, as well as the recipient of the Daphne du Maurier Award."

You can connect with Laura on her webpage, find her on Facebook, as well as on X at https://twitter.com/Laura_Griff.

The Christmas Appeal - Janice Hallett

The Fairway Players theater group returns! I absolutely adored Janice Hallett's mystery, The Appeal. I was thrilled to discover that Hallett has written a Christmas novella, again starring the myriad members of the troupe. 

The Christmas Appeal is written in one of my favorite storytelling methods - epistolary. The entire novella is told only through emails, messages, police reports and more, just as The Appeal was. There's a large group of players, but it's easy to keep track of who's who. There's also a handy list at the beginning of the book. 

The group is constantly bickering amongst themselves. The battle for leadership has spanned many years. The level of 'snark' is off the charts and me laughing out loud more than once - and that's hard to do! Things go wrong more than once, but the 'can do' attitude is the group's motto. Each and every characters has a chance to 'speak'. And yes, I had my favorites (looking at you Sarah-Jane). It was easy to imagine being in the midst of the group.

Is there a crime? Of course there is, but I'll let you discover what it is. Clues are dropped all the way to opening night and are slowly revealed from differing viewpoints. Two law students and a retired lawyer are going through all of those missives, also looking for the final answer! I felt like I was in an Agatha Christie novel, trying to ferret out the damning piece of evidence, ready to point my finger with a satisfied ah ha! Well, point I did, but at almost every character along the way. 

Hallett is such a clever, clever writer! Her writing is addictive and so very entertaining. Perfect as a stocking stuffer for yourself  and/or a friend! 

AND Janice Hallett's new novel - The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels - releases on January 24, 2024. I can't wait!!

The Exchange - John Grisham

Have you ever wondered might happen to a character if there was a follow up tale? John Grisham's new novel, The Exchange, brings back lead character Mitch McDeere from 'The Firm.'

Nobody does legal thrillers like Grisham - I picked up this new title without even looking at the synopsis.&

Mitch has avoided Mississippi and all that happened there for fifteen years. He's now a partner in a large, wealthy firm in New York. They literally have thousands of offices across the world. And it is one of those far flung offices that desperately needs Mitch's skill set...

Now, you certainly don't have to read The Firm to enjoy The Exchange. Grisham provides lots of background in the first few chapters. I actually thought the plot was going to be similar to that first book. But it wasn't. Instead Grisham takes Mitch on a world wide search for answers. Without giving much away, this plotline seems ripped from newspaper headlines. 

I like Mitch as a lead character - and his wife Abby just as well. She has a significant role in this latest book. The novel is populated by a number of supporting characters - but it's hard to tell who is backing Mitch and who's have their own agenda.  

Grisham's background as both a lawyer and a politician add so much to his storytelling. There's a sense of urgency with every page turned and the tension is palpable with each situation and emotion. There is a lot of detail around some the agencies, legal machinations and more. I must admit, some of it was a bit too much for me.

Overall, another great read from Grisham. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Exchange. 

As I turned the last page, I wondered if there's perhaps a third book for Mitch???

The Christmas Guest - Peter Swanson

Is it too early to start reading Christmas tales? Umm- no! I happily picked up Peter Swanson's yuletide novella, The Christmas Guest. 

Ashley Smith is far from home and is thrilled to be asked to spend Christmas at her British classmate's family home - Starvewood Hall. And she's even more thrilled when she meets Emily's handsome brother Adam. But...it's not quite the perfect Christmas Ashley had imagined.

I loved the setting - an old, cold family manor that has seen better days. But that's the charm of it for Ashley. Other Gothic devices are present as well - spooky woods, a small village, a pub, secretive hosts and more.

Much of Ashely's storytelling for Ashley is done through her 'dear diary'. She's a faithful scribe. I was a little complacent as I started the novella and finished part one. Part two brings a completely unexpected (but quite appreciated) plotline to The Christmas Guest! I'll let you discover what I mean!

The Christmas Guest is the perfect stocking stuffer for a friend or relative who loves mysteries and murder. Or for yourself! Read an excerpt of The Christmas Guest. (112 pages) And be sure to read the author's note at the end of the novella - Why I Wrote the Christmas Guest. 

Murder by Degrees - Ritu Mukerji

 Murder By Degrees is Ritu Mukerji's debut novel.

I was immediately intrigued by the publisher's description."

For fans of Jacqueline Winspear and Charles Todd, Murder by Degrees is a historical mystery set in 19th-century Philadelphia, following a pioneering woman doctor as she investigates the disappearance of a young patient who is presumed dead."

Dr. Lydia Weston is an ideal protagonist - intelligent, tenacious, determined and no stranger to the derision heaped on her by ignorant naysayers. Not surprisingly they're mostly men. I liked her from the get-go. She adroitly makes her way, teaching other women and practicing in a women's hospital. I admit I was somewhat surprised at the depth of knowledge of the human body and procedures at this time in history.

The supporting cast is a mixed bunch - those who are supporting and others who would like to see her fail. And....many who could be the answer to the whodunit. 

I quite enjoy period mysteries for the skills that must be employed in an investigation - using interviews, intuition, seeing the connections and evidence and more rather than immediate answers from computers etc. It makes for a more personal read. Mukerji has done that and given us a multi layered crime to solve.

Murder By Degrees benefits from Mukerji's love of mysteries and her knowledge as she is a practicing doctor.  

Gabra Zackman was the reader for Murder By Degrees. Her voice has movement to it - she brings emotions and action to her reading. She speaks clearly and is is easy to understand. Zackman creates different and identifiable voices for the many characters, males and females. I did end up turning the speed down a notch. I would rather savour the reading, rather than rush through it. She does a great job of presenting Mukerju's work. Hear for yourself - listen to  an excerpt of Murder By Degrees.

Murder By Degrees is a really good debut and I'm hoping that its the first in a series. 

Murder By Degrees - Ritu Mukerji

Murder By Degrees is Ritu Mukerji's debut novel.

I was immediately intrigued by the publisher's description."

For fans of Jacqueline Winspear and Charles Todd, Murder by Degrees is a historical mystery set in 19th-century Philadelphia, following a pioneering woman doctor as she investigates the disappearance of a young patient who is presumed dead."

Dr. Lydia Weston is an ideal protagonist - intelligent, tenacious, determined and no stranger to the derision heaped on her by ignorant naysayers. Not surprisingly they're mostly men. I liked her from the get-go. She adroitly makes her way, teaching other women and practicing in a women's hospital. I admit I was somewhat surprised at the depth of knowledge of the human body and procedures at this time in history.

The supporting cast is a mixed bunch - those who are supporting and others who would like to see her fail. And....many who could be the answer to the whodunit. 

I quite enjoy period mysteries for the skills that must be employed in an investigation - using interviews, intuition, seeing the connections and evidence and more rather than immediate answers from computers etc. It makes for a more personal read. Mukerji has done that and given us a multi layered crime to solve.

Murder By Degrees benefits from Mukerji's love of mysteries and her knowledge, as she is a practicing doctor.

Murder By Degrees is a really good debut and I'm hoping that its the first in a series. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Murder By Degrees.

One Puzzling Afternoon - Emily Critchley

One Puzzling Afternoon is Emily Critchley's new novel. I quite liked the cover, it looks like a puzzle.

Edie Green is fifteen years old when we meet her in 1951. She's waiting for her friend Lucy at the train station. But Lucy never shows up - anywhere. Now, in 2018, Edie is 84, and she's certain she has seen Lucy. She needs to find her. But...

"It's there at the back of my mind, a persistent, anxious flutter, like a moth trapped under glass: there is something I should know, something I need to remember."

Critchley had given us an unreliable narrator in Edie. It's heartbreaking to watch and listen to Edie trying to hold on to her thoughts and memories before they are gone. Dementia has touched my family and I think Critchley has done a wonderful job portraying this insidious condition, from not just Edie's point of view, but from her family and friends as well. There's a good cast of supporting players. I quite liked her granddaughter Amy.

And then there's the mystery of whatever happened to Lucy. Can Edie hang on to her memories long enough to find the clues? I had an inkling about what the final pages might bring us, but I was only partially right - and surprised at the rest. 

One Puzzling Afternoon is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. A wonderful read on so many levels. See for yourself - read an excerpt of One Puzzling Afternoon.

Summers at the Saint - Mary Kay Andrews - Cover Reveal!

Yes, you read that right! Mary Kay Andrews does indeed have a new book coming out!

Drumroll, please! I'm thrilled to help @Mary Kay Andrews reveal the cover for next summer's book!

Behold SUMMERS AT THE SAINT! I'm so excited for this one, especially since she did not have a new summer book this year. 

The book will be out everywhere from @St. Martin's Press on May 7, 2024, but is officially available for pre-order now. Find more info about the book and pre-order links here:

https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/summers-at-the-saint/

#summersatthesaint #summerbeginswithmka