Broken Bones: A D.I. Kim Stone Novel

Hello!  Death at the Midnight Dragonfly by Susan Boles is out today.  It is the third book in A Lily Gayle Lambert Mystery series.  Protected in Darkness by Heather Sunseri is out now.  It is the story of Charley Packstone and sequel to Cut in Darkness (part of the In Darkness series).  

Broken Bones by Angela Marsons is the seventh book in the D.I. Kim Stone series.  Kim Stone is ready to go home, but her car has decided not to start.  She is heading back inside the station house when she finds a baby outside.  Kim quickly calls DS Bryant to the station to assist (who cannot help but call his colleagues).  Kim assigns Stacey and Dawson the abandoned baby case and heads out with Bryant to investigate a new homicide.  Kelly Rowe, a down-on-her luck single mum, was found murdered.  This is just the first in a series of killings of prostitutes who work on Tavistock Road.  It leads Kim to encounter two people from her past.  Meanwhile, Stacey and Dawson are trying to track down the individual who abandoned the baby at the police station.  Their only clue is a Romanian shawl that the baby was wrapped in.  This clue leads them down the trail of the Robertson’s who employees Romanian workers.  Something is not right in that factory and it is hope to Kim’s team to uncover the truth. 

Broken Bones is well-written and captivating.  I was immediately drawn in to the story and I did not want to stop reading.  The story is full of twists (I just loved it).  I found the story to be fast paced with loads of action.  I am glad that more of Kim’s past is revealed in Broken Bones.  In each new book in the series, we get a glimpse into Kim Stone’s history.  I like seeing a softer side of Kim with her dog, Barney.  I also appreciate the banter between Kim and her team members.  Broken Bones does contain British slang and some words are spelled differently (than how we spell them in America).  It does not take away from the story and the meaning of the words can be construed from the text.  There is some foul language in the book (fair warning).  I do not recommend reading Broken Bones as a stand-alone.  Each book in the D.I. Kim Stone series builds upon the previous one.  You need to read the books in order.  It will help you to understand Kim and her team.  I am rating Broken Bones 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it).  The revelation of the murderer was the best part.  It will surprise most readers.  

If you enjoy my reviews, considering joining my blog.  You can sign up via email (at right).  If you belong to Google+, consider adding me to your circle.  I will return tomorrow with my thoughts on Slay Bells Ring by Karen Rose Smith (A Caprice De Luca Mystery).  May each of you have a beautiful day and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Potions and Pastries: A Magical Bakery Mystery

Greetings!  I hope you are having a pleasant day.  Death at the Midnight Dragonfly by Susan Boles will be published on November 10.  It is the third book in A Lily Gayle Lambert Mystery series.  

Potions and Pastries by Bailey Cates is the seventh story in A Magical Bakery Mystery series.  Katie Lightfoot along with her Aunt Lucy and Uncle Ben own the Honeybee Bakery in Savannah, Georgia.  They provide baked goods that have a magical boost.  Ben, Lucy, Katie, and her fiancé, Declan are out walking along the riverfront and see friend Orla Black telling fortunes.  Orla has a message for Katie that she takes as a warning--sacrifice.  What will Katie have to sacrifice?  The next day Katie sees Orla nearby and wishes to get more information from her.  Unfortunately, Orla walks in front of a car and is struck dead before Katie can speak with her.  It looks like an accident, but Katie’s magical awareness tells her something sinister is afoot.  Katie, Declan and the spellbook club work together to find out what happened to Orla.  But what happens when Katie gets close to uncovering the truth?

Potions and Pastries is best enjoyed if you have read the other books in A Magical Bakery Mystery series.  It can be a little confusing (especially in the beginning) when all the various spellbook club members are introduced.  I found this story to be well-written and engaging.  I was drawn into the story and I liked the magical elements.  Potions and Pastries has great characters that you will enjoy visiting in each new installment in the series.  The only downfall for me was the mystery.  I identified the guilty party before the Orla was struck by the car.  I did appreciate the author use of misdirection to lead readers on a merry chase.  Potions and Pastries is a light cozy mystery with magic, humor, family, friends, pets and luscious baked goods.  I am giving Potions and Pastries 4 out of 5 stars.    I look forward to reading the next novel in A Magical Bakery Mystery series.

I will return tomorrow with my review of Broken Bones by Angela Marsons.  May each of you have a remarkable day.  Take care of yourself and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader  

Cremains of the Day: A Tallie Graver Mystery

Welcome!  I appreciate you stopping by today.  Canal Days Calamity by  Jamie M. Blair and A Fatal Collection by Mary Ellen Hughes are out today.  I will be sharing my thoughts on these new cozy mysteries soon!

Cremains of the Day by Misty Simon is the first installment in A Tallie Graver Mystery series.  Tallulah “Tallie” Graver has fallen hard after the dissolution of her marriage to Walden Phillips III.  She is now cleaning homes and working part-time at Graver Funeral Home, the family business.  Tallie left her vacuum at Darla Hackersham’s home and returns to retrieve it.  She discovers feet sticking out of a closet and finds Darla with a knife sticking out of her chest.  This is just the beginning of strange events plaguing Tallie.  Max Bennett, an old friend of Tallie’s brother, has returned to town and seems to be following Tallie.  He is handsome, but it unnerving.  She finds Katie tied up in Gina’s shop and her ex-husband down in the alley.  What is going on?  Tallie needs to unearth the truth before she ends up the next customer at her family’s business.

Cremains of the Day is not what I expected.  I was hoping for a mystery series that centers around the Graver Funeral Home (it would have been unique).  Tallie dislikes the family business and is eager to avoid it (I was eager to avoid her).   I thought the characters lacked development.  The details readers are given on Tallie are mostly about her marriage and what has happened since it dissolved (along with the fact that she really dislikes the family business).  I found her very cliché (another clumsy, down-on-her luck divorcee who does not get along with the local chief of police).  She is newly divorced from a disdainful man whom she let take advantage of her in the divorce settlement (of course).  There is little information given on the town and local businesses.  The mystery is medium level with some nice misdirection. There is mild foul language in Cremains of the Day along with some crude references to Tallie’s ex-husbands privates (they get zapped with a stun gun).   The next book in A Tallie Graver Mystery series is Grounds for Remorse (I will not be reading it).

Thank you for visiting today.  I will return tomorrow with my thoughts on Potions and Pastries by Bailey Cates.  By the way--Why did the turkey sit on a tomahawk?  To hatchet!  May each of you have a splendid day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

The Quiche and the Dead: A Pie Town Mystery

Happy Book Release Day!  Potions and Pastries by Bailey Cates, Eaves of Destruction by Kate Carlisle, A Spoonful of Magic by Irene Radford, In This Moment by Kate Kingsbury, A Bella Flora Christmas by Wendy Wax, Of Spice and Men by Sarah Fox, Stay Calm and Collie On by Lane Stone, A Deadly Eclair by Daryl Wood Gerber and Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano are some of the new releases.  

The Quiche and the Dead by Kirsten Weiss is the first book in A Pie Town Mystery series.  Valentine “Val” Harris opened Pie Town in San Nicholas, California five months prior.  She is finally starting to break even and is happy with her choice to settle in San Nicholas.  Val made a quiche to welcome Heidi Gladstone and her new business Heidi’s Health and Fitness to the neighborhood.  Unfortunately, Heidi is against sugar (and anything with flavor along with Val’s slogan for her business) and shop regular Joe wins the quiche (he made a bet that Heidi would not eat it).  Unfortunately, Joe soon clutches his stomach and keels over.  Officer Gordon Carmichael responds to the 911 call along with Detective Shaw.  It is determined the Joe was poisoned and business grinds to a halt at Pie Town.  Charlene McCree, pie crust maker extraordinaire, believes she is a prime suspect and ropes Val into doing some snooping.  They uncover that Joe liked to investigate local crimes along with his recently deceased friend, Frank Potts.  What had Joe uncovered that got him killed?  It seems that San Nicholas is not the sleepy little town it appears. 

The Quiche and the Dead starts off with a murder in the very first chapter.  I liked the method of murder (poisoning) and the pie shop (it sounded cute).  The main character, Valentine Harris was not appealing.  I found her whiny and unlikeable (her overreaction to each and every encounter with Heidi became annoying).  Charlene is supposed to be a secondary character, but she dominates the book.  She is over-the-top, quirky and a conspiracy theorist.  Charlene goes around town with a lazy cat around her shoulders like it is a fur stole (she states the cat is narcoleptic and would get lonely at home).  It sounds humorous, but after numerous mentions of said cat it starts to become tedious and repetitive.   The mystery was simple and the suspect list was limited.  The killer’s identity can be distinguished early in the story (the person stands out—no clues needed).  The story dragged along towards the end with much speculation and talking (along with more wackiness from Charlene).  There is also flirting between Valentine and Officer Carmichael (Val is getting over a broken engagement). The author failed to adequately set up the backdrop of San Nicholas (we are given scant details).   My rating for The Quiche and the Dead is 3 out of 5 stars (it was okay).   The Quiche and the Dead did not inspire me to want more A Pie Town Mystery novels.  Bleeding Tarts is the next book in A Pie Town Mystery series and it will be out in April 2018.

Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return tomorrow with my thoughts on another book.  Have a wonderful day and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Knit to Kill: A Black Sheep & Co. Mystery

Welcome Back!  A Spoonful of Magic by Irene Radford will be published on November 7.  The story of a kitchen witch and her "magical" family.

Knit to Kill by Anne Canadeo is the first book in A Black Sheep & Co. Mystery series (continuation of Black Sheep Knitting Mysteries).  The ladies are off to enjoy four days on Osprey Island, Maine before Lucy Binger gets married.  Suzanne Cavanaugh’s friend Amy has loaned them a cottage and they are looking forward to a relaxing few days.  The first night, Maggie has agreed to teach a knitting class to Amy’s knitting group.  They witness an argument between Dr. Julian Morton and Derek Pullman.  The next morning during yoga class, they hear sirens.  They find out that Dr. Morton was found dead on the rocks below the cliffs.  Evidence suggests that Julian was pushed to his death.  When Amy’s husband becomes Detective Dunbar’s prime suspect, the ladies discover that Julian had many enemies.  Can they untangle the clues and nab the killer before the end of their weekend?

Knit to Kill is technically the ninth book in the series.  I recommend reading the other books in the series prior to attempting Knit to Kill.  The full backstory (not even last names) of the main characters is not provided in Knit to Kill.  I found the majority of the book devoted to drinking, eating, walking, biking, knitting, talking, more eating, spa treatments, and swimming.  The mystery was a small portion of the story and it was unchallenging.  My rating for Knit to Kill is 3 out of 5 stars.  The killer’s identity can be discerned before Dr. Morton’s body is discovered below the cliffs.  With a lack of action, I found that the story dragged.  I wish there had more investigation and less speculation (and rehashing).  There is a recipe for French toast (mentioned in the book) at the end of the book along with a shawl pattern.  Knit to Kill is a light, breezy cozy mystery that will appeal to many readers.

Thank you for visiting.  I will return tomorrow with another book evaluation.  Before I close--What do you call a running turkey?  Fast food!  May each of you have a remarkable day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Ghost on the Case: A Bailey Ruth Ghost Novel

Salutations!  I hope you are having a very special day.  Did you remember to turn your clocks back?  Canal Days Calamity by Jamie M. Blair will be published on November 8.  It is the second book in A Dog Days Mystery series.

Ghost on the Case by Carolyn Hart is the eighth book in A Bailey Ruth Ghost series.  Bailey Ruth Raeburn, a heavenly emissary, is thrilled when she gets a message from her supervisor, Paul Wiggins to report to Heaven’s Department of Good Intentions.  Wiggins has a new assignment for Bailey Ruth.  She gets to return to Adelaide, Oklahoma (her home town) to help Susan Gilbert.  Susan receives a $100,000 ransom demand for her sister, Sylvie.  She is told to steal the money from her employer’s safe and wait for their return call at midnight—she never gets a call.  The next morning, Susan heads to work and discovers the place crawling with police.  Susan’s boss, Wilbur Fitch was found dead in his study and Susan is at the top of the suspect list.  Bailey Ruth sets out to unearth who knew Susan could open the safe and why they wanted Wilbur dead.  Can Bailey Ruth get Susan set back on the correct path?

Ghost on the Case was an entertaining novel.  Bailey Ruth is a firecracker.  I enjoy her fashion sense, wit, intelligence, and determination.  While Ghost on the Case is the eighth book in the series, it can be read alone.  All the background details on Bailey Ruth are provided in the book.  I found Ghost on the Case to be nicely written and to have a good pace.  I like how Bailey Ruth works with Sam Cobb, the police chief, to solve the case.  There was just the right amount of humor in Ghost on the Case.  My rating for Ghost on the Case is 4 out of 5 stars.  The mystery had some great elements.  I wish, though, it had been a little more challenging.  There was repetition of details regarding the case that I wish the author had eliminated (we do not need reminded so often).  I liked how Ms. Hart included my favorite childhood restaurant (The Spaghetti Warehouse) and several wonderful novels.  I will be continuing with A Bailey Ruth Ghost series.  If you are looking for a light and entertaining cozy mystery, pick up a copy of Ghost on the Case.

I appreciate you stopping by and reading my latest review.  I am going to spend my day relaxing, reading and watching Christmas movies.  Make sure you take time out of your busy schedules for yourself.  I will return tomorrow with my thoughts on Knit to Kill by Anne Canadeo.  By the way--What key has legs and cannot open doors?  (prepare to groan)  A Turkey!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Thread the Halls: A Mainely Needlepoint Mystery

I hope you are having a pleasant and relaxing Saturday.  Potions and Pastries by Bailey Cates will be released on November 7 along with Eaves of Destruction by Kate Carlisle.

Thread the Halls by Lea Wait is the sixth book in A Mainely Needlepoint Mystery series.  Angie Curtis is looking forward to a quiet Christmas in Haven Harbor, Maine with her family, friends, and boyfriend, Patrick West.  Then Patrick gets a call from his mother, Skye West that she is returning for Christmas and bringing some movie people with her.  Patrick needs help getting Aurora (their estate) prepped for Christmas in two days (there goes Angie’s quiet Christmas).  The Mainely Needlepoint group help Patrick prepare for the holidays including custom embroidered little pillows for Skye’s guests.  After the guests arrive, Patrick and Skye are taking a walk when they discover one of the actor’s dead in the snow.  Was it an accidentally killing by a hunter or was it deliberate?  Then Patrick eats poisoned cookies and Angie is blamed.  She is determined to find the culprit and get her Christmas back on track!

Thread the Halls is nicely written and has a nice pace which makes it a quick read.  The emphasis in Thread the Halls is on Christmas, friendship, food and family.  The murder does not occur until the 25% mark in the story.  There is little investigation in the book and it is child’s play to solve.  There might as well be a giant neon arrow pointing to the culprit.  There is a little surprise near the end that some readers might not anticipate.  It was interesting to read about various Maine Christmas traditions including the Christmas boat parade (we have a similar one in my area).  My rating for Thread the Halls is 3 out of 5 stars.  Thread the Halls can be a standalone book.  All the pertinent details are included in this installment.  I was not a fan of Patrick West (or his mother) in this book.  He assumed his money would get him everything he wanted done (which is mentioned several times).  I did tire of the repetition of information.  The same details are repeated throughout the book. I would have preferred more substance and less fluff.  If you are looking for a light cozy mystery that is big on Christmas spirit, then check out Thread the Halls.  

I appreciate you visiting today.  I will be featuring Ghost on the Case by Carolyn Hart next time.  May you have a heartwarming day!  By the way--Why do turkeys say "gobble gobble"?  Because they never learned good table manners.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

That Last Weekend: A novel by Laura DiSilverio

Hello!  A Fatal Collection by Mary Ellen Hughes will be published on November 8.  Amy Clipston's A Place at Our Table will be released on November 14. 

That Last Weekend is a suspense novel by Laura DiSilverio.  Laurel Muir, Dawn Infanti, Geneva Frost and Ellie Ordahl are surprised when they received a tangerine colored envelope with an invitation to a weekend at Chateau du Cygne Noire near Asheville, North Carolina.  They have not been back since the “event” ten years prior.  Laurel is hoping to finally get answers as to what happened that night.  The second morning, Laurel goes to check on Evangeline and discovers her dead.  The four friends agree to remain at the B&B until the truth is revealed.  Laurel works with Sheriff Judah Boone to get the answers they need.  Did one of her friends commit the crime or was it someone working at the chateau? 

That Last Weekend is a slower paced novel that had extreme difficulty getting into.  There are five main characters and the POV switches between four of them (Laurel, Geneva, Dawn, and Ellie).  The transitions between POV were abrupt (rough).  It would take a moment to realize that the POV had switched to a different character and figure out which one was talking now.  That Last Weekend did not have real suspense until the last ten percent of the book.  I wish the rest of the novel had the same pace and life as this section (my attention was finally captured and it was held until the end).  Many readers will be surprised with the outcome of the main mystery.   I was happy that the author included a good twist (only the best armchair sleuths will figure this one out).  My rating for The Last Weekend is 3 out of 5 stars.  I wish the author had told the story from Laurel’s point-of-view and had ramped up the pace in the first half of the book with more action.  

Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return tomorrow with another book review.  By the way--Why can't you take a turkey to church?  They use FOWL language!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Murder on the Toy Town Express: A Vintage Toyshop Mystery

Welcome!  Broken Bones by Angela Marsons will be out on November 3.  It is the seventh book in the D.I. Kim Stone series.  Each book in this fast paced series is better than the previous (and must be read in order).

Murder on the Toy Town Express by Barbara Early is the second novel in A Vintage Toyshop Mystery series.  Liz McCall and her father, Hank are heading to the East Aurora Train and Toy Show with items from their vintage toyshop, Well Played.   They arrive to discover that their booth is next to Craig’s Comics owned by Craig McFadden (who tormented Liz all through childhood).  Craig is running around is a caped crusader outfit excited about an announcement he will be making and soon appears up on the catwalk.  Unfortunately, Craig plunges to his death and it is believed he was injured in a publicity stunt that went awry.  Later that night, Craig dies in the local hospital and the police discover that Craig’s death was not so innocent.  Hank and Liz are on the case helping local Police Chief Ken Young.   Can they uncover the killer before the train and toy show departs town?

Murder on the Toy Town Express is nicely written and has a good pace.  I found it easy to read and I liked the descriptions of the vintage toys (and treats).  I would suggest starting with Death of a Toy Soldier before embarking on Murder on the Toy Town Express.  Otherwise, you might be a little lost in the beginning.  There are some humorous puns in the story that will cause readers to giggle.  I wish, though, the author had not put a love triangle into the story, and I thought too much time was devoted to romance.  Though, it does look like one of the love interests may have a secret.  The mystery was not complicated and the killer can be identified early in the story (insert disappointed sigh).  I kept hoping for a good, unexpected twist.  My rating for Murder on the Toy Town Express is 4 out of 5 stars.  I like the characters (especially Hank), the toy store, the town, and the great toys.  There is one revelation that provided a laugh out loud moment (involves My Little Pony).  I do find that some details are overlooked or not provided (like Maxine’s last name). I appreciate that Hank and Liz work with the police on the investigation.  I will be continuing with A Vintage Toyshop Mystery series. 

I appreciate you visiting and reading my latest review.  By the way--What do you get when you cross a turkey and a banjo?  A turkey that can pluck itself!  Have a delightful day and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

A Dangerous Legacy: An Empire State Novel

Happy All Saints Day!  I hope you had a haunted Halloween with lots of sweet treats!  The Murderess by Jennifer Wells is out today.  It is a historical mystery novel that takes readers from 1913 through 1941.

A Dangerous Legacy by Elizabeth Camden is the first book in An Empire State Novel series.  It is 1903 in New York City where Lucy Drake works as a telegraph operator for the Associated Press and she lives with her brother, Nick.  The AP’s rival news agency Reuters (located in the same building) has a new man at the helm, Sir Colin Beckwith.  Colin is attracted to Lucy, but he needs an heiress for a bride. Colin has a Whitefriars, a family estate, to maintain and it takes money (especially since it is falling down with disrepair).  Lucy and Colin slowly develop a friendship.  Lucy’s family has been in a heated forty-year legal battle with relatives, and Colin has the means to assist her family gain some valuable information.  But, someone does not like Colin nosing around and will do what it takes to put an end to it.  What have Colin and Lucy stumbled into? 

A Dangerous Legacy is well-written and has great characters.  The author always creates such delightful, well-developed characters.  The mystery captured my attention.  I wish it had been slightly more challenging to solve.  The book has a fast pace and an interesting premise.  I had not read about news agencies prior to this novel and I found it fascinating.  There is just the right amount of humor in the story.  There are some definite laugh out loud moments.  The book has romance, intrigue, suspense, humor, homing pigeons, Morse code, bad guys, and so much more.  Ms. Camden did a wonderful job at capturing the era in A Dangerous Legacy.  My favorite line in the book was “broken free of a dangerous legacy”.  I give A Dangerous Legacy 5 out of 5 stars.  This is one of those books that I started around 9 p.m. and I stayed up late to finish it.  I could not put it down.  I am eager to read the next book in An Empire State Novel series.

Thank you for visiting today.  May each of you have a special first day of November.  By the way--Why did the police arrest the turkey?  They suspected fowl play!  I will see you tomorrow.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader