The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz

 The Shop on Hidden Lane

Book Summary

New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz dives into an enthralling new romantic suspense novel filled with deeply entrenched grudges, psychic dangers, and a conspiracy that threatens not only two families but also the entire paranormal community.

The Harper and the Wells families have regarded each other with deep suspicion for four generations. The Harpers have been known to offer their psychic talents for less-than-legal purposes, and the powerful Wells clan has a reputation for playing both sides of the street. But for all the years of history and distrust between them, there is a mysterious pact binding the two. They share the responsibility for protecting a long-buried and very dangerous secret.

Sophy Harper and Luke Wells are shocked to learn that her aunt and his uncle have been sleeping together—and now they are both missing. Not only that, but the last traces of them are at the scene of a murder soaked in negative paranormal energy. Clearly, someone is willing to kill to obtain the secret their families have been charged with protecting. Despite their mutual distrust, which, as far as Sophy is concerned extends to Luke’s hellhound of a dog, they both know that the terms of the pact must be honored.

Their investigation uncovers a psychic trail leading to a bizarre desert art colony where nothing is as it seems. But Luke and Sophy are concealing a few secrets, too. By a strange twist of fate, a Harper and a Wells have no choice but to trust each other and the fierce attraction that is binding them as surely as the pact between the families.

My Thoughts

The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz was not up my alley.  I have been reading this author’s novels since I was teen, and this is the first time that I did not want to finish one of Jayne Ann Krentz’s books.  It would have been helpful if the blurb had specified the type of creature (demon) that Sophy Harper is (I would not have requested the book if I had known).  There is quite a bit going on in the story that includes a murder, two missing people, feuding families, and antagonistic main characters.  I did not connect with any of the characters including Sophy and Luke.  Some characters are introduced only at the end, while others appear sporadically throughout the chapters. 

I found the foreshadowing to be heavy handed which is unusual for this author.  The suspense was lacking much to my dismay.  I wanted a thrilling mystery and suspense, but I did not get it with The Shop on Hidden Lane.  The pacing was slow and there was too much going on.  My favorite character was Bruce, the dog/ hellhound.  I kept putting down The Shop on Hidden Lane, and I was reluctant to pick it back up.  I was happy when I turned the last page of The Shop on Hidden Lane.

The Shop on Hidden Lane is available from Amazon*.  If the blurb appeals to you, I suggest you download a sample of The Shop on Hidden Lane.  As they say, not every book is for every reader.   Jayne Ann Krentz (contemporary) also writes under the pen names Amanda Quick (historical) and Jayne Castle (futuristic).  Thank you for joining me today.  On Thursday, January 8, I am featuring Shielded by the Cowboy by Connie Queen tomorrow.  It is the first book in the Thunder Ridge Justice series.  

Guess who has returned to my porch?  Mama Duck along with two little ducklings.  It is unusual for a duck to have babies in the winter.  Mama Duck is taking good care of the little ones.  She surprised me the other day.  I came out of my bedroom to find Mama Duck and her ducklings in the house.  I thought the ducklings were too small to get up the steps.  This is what happens when I forget to put food out for them.  We are having some nice weather which gives me an opportunity to get the porch furniture put together (two rockers, a table, a cat tree--for my cat, Dickens, and a cat house--will go outside the porch for the neighborhood cats).  I hope that you have pleasant day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links.

The Devil in the Details by Vicki Delany

 The Devil in the Details

Book Summary

The game is once again afoot in Vicki Delany’s eleventh Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery, when birthday festivities end in freezing-cold murder.

Gemma Doyle is excited about celebrating Jayne Wilson’s big day. It’s supposed to mark not only the birthday of Jayne, her partner in crime, but also that of the Great Detective himself. Following the festivities at the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, Gemma heads for the Blue Water Café, the site of Jayne’s party. To make things even better, Jayne’s wedding is only a week away.

But the much-anticipated affair quickly turns to disaster with the presence of the bride and groom’s respective exes in attendance and other unruly guests. With drama at every corner, Gemma and Jayne take a break on the chilly deck overlooking the ocean when they spot the body of a party attendee floating in the water below.

As Detective Ryan Ashburton takes a closer look at the guest list, Jayne’s wedding is in peril, especially when it is revealed that her fiancé, Andy, is a prime suspect. With the police closing in and more lives on the line, it’s up to Gemma to keep Andy from prison and save Jayne’s wedding day from ruin.

My Thoughts

The Devil in the Details by Vicki Delany is not what I expected.  The story started with too much information.  The author introduces Gemma, Jayne, Ashley, Great Uncle Arthur, Ryan, along with other characters and animals.  The town is described as well as the bookshop, tearoom, Uncle Arthur’s home (where Gemma resides as well), and the Blue Water Café run by Jayne’s fiancé.  Jayne's birthday party is that evening at the Blue Water Café, and we learn all the details. With her wedding in a week, Gemma also shares the latest updates.  The content is excessively detailed and progresses at a slow pace.  

The mysteries were straightforward (at least I thought so).  On the first death, Gemma waffles between suicide, accident, and murder.  However, she investigates it as a murder.  Gemma, as usual, keeps details from the police.   The ending felt unsatisfying, serving mainly to prove Gemma was correct.  The narrative moved slowly, with minimal action and recurring information.  The Devil in the Details is the eleventh A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery, it can be read as a standalone.  Clearly, I didn't find The Devil in the Details enjoyable—a letdown, especially since I had high expectations for this story.

The Devil in the Details is available from Amazon*.  While The Devil in the Details was not up my alley, I enjoyed the previous book in the series which is The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime (Kindle version currently on sale for $2.99).  Vicki Delany also writes under the pen name Eva Gates and Eva Gates has Whose Body in the Library coming out on June 9.  It is the thirteenth A Lighthouse Library Mystery.  Thank you for dropping by today.  I will return on Wednesday, January 7 with The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz.  Have you set a reading goal for 2026?  It was the hot topic on Facebook this weekend.  Personally, I feel that it does not matter how many books that you read as long as you read.  It should be about finding stories that resonate with you, so that you have a fulfilling reading experience (quality instead of quantity).  I hope that you have an upbeat day.  Take care, stay warm, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links.