The Examiner - Janice Hallett

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

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

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

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

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

Fantastic! A very easy five stars. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Examiner..

The Examiner - Janice Hallett

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt.

Death in the Mayfair Hotel - Fliss Chester

A Bookworm's World is today's stop on the tour for Death in the Mayfair Hotel, the sixth entry in Fliss Chester's - The Cressida Fawcett Mystery series. 

It's Christmas Eve in 1925 London, Cressida Fawcett is at the Mayfair Hotel with her chums and acquaintances - including her wee dog Ruby. The festivities have just begun when Cressida discovers a body. And it's someone she knows...

This is the first book I've read in this series. I was easily able to suss out who was who and some background. 

I really liked the characters. Although she is part of the upper crust, Cressida is keen on helping the local constabulary find out who the culprit is before midnight and the doors are opened. 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 supporting cast was just as good, especially her best friend Dotty.

This setting gives us a large locked room mystery. Chester describes the setting very well and I could imagine  the ballrooms and the down belows. The customs, mindsets, expectations and rules of the time period 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 the Mayfair Hotel has all the bits that make up a cosy tale. A spunky lead that's an amateur sleuth, a dog or cat that helps out, a possible love interest yes, there's one or two of these. And while it's not a small village, the upper crust are the stand ins for that component. A fun read and a lovely cosy. Thanks Fliss Chester!

"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 as well as on X (Twitter)

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Fliss Chester here.

Have a look at what other bloggers have to say!

The Murders in Great Diddling - Katarina Bivald

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Flavor Lab Creations - Dr. Logan Richardson

It might still be drinks on the deck where you live. Or maybe it's the season for warmer fare, or just an everyday drink. No matter where you are, Dr. Logan Richardson, has a number of  suggestions in his new book - Flavor Lab Creations: A Physicists' Guide to Unique Drink Recipes.

Yes, Logan is a scientist, but his writing is interesting, knowledgeable, engaging, funny, and easy to read. I found the 'how' and why' fascinating. That's what makes this book more than just a recipe book. There are info boxes and various facts throughout. Color photos accompany the recipes. Instructions are very clear.

Pumpkin Spice Latte anyone? Buttered Popcorn Soda? Make your own Instant Coffee? Kombucha? And so many more! Great for the curious mixologist in your life. 

(And check out Logan's  YouTube channel for Flavor Lab food.)

Wordhunter - Stella Sands

Wordhunter is the latest book from Stella Sands.

I picked it up as the premise caught my eye. The lead character is Maggie and she is studying to qualify as a forensic Linguist. When the police ask for her help she is thrilled. I did find the 'how to' of this field really interesting. I can see how this could be used as a tool in so many ways.

I wasn't as enamored of Maggie. She's loud, abrasive, she has issues with pills and alcohol and more. I felt like I should be behind her as she's had a hard life in many ways. Losing her best friend was one of those hard ways. Her dialogue and pushy ways annoyed me. As did using that 'c*** word in the first few pages.

Maggie ends up working a second case with the police and is paired up with a Detective. Cue up the fractious relationship. Throw in another crime, no, make that two at least. Maybe three. Perhaps too many threads. 

There is a crack in the door for a follow up to this book. I have to be honest and say that I won't be looking for it. But, see for yourself - read an excerpt of Wordhunter. I also encourage you to check out the other reviews for this book on Goodreads.

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.