Dead Souls by Angela Marsons is
the sixth book in the D.I. Kim Stone series.
Doctor A is a forensic archaeologist who was conducting a training class
when she uncovered a skull at Hayley Green.
She quickly halts the training and contacts the police. D.I. Kim Stone arrives at the scene and
discovers D.I. Tom Travis is there as well.
This location happens to be on the border of two police districts. Kim is told by DCI Woodward (Woody) that it
will be a joint investigation (inter-force collaboration). Kim and Tom will have to work together. Kim will have the challenge of working
without her team. Tom and Kim used to
work together until “the incident” (which Kim refuses to discuss with anyone). Tom has not spoken to Kim since then and she
is unsure why. Kim puts on a brave face
and starts working the case. Doctor A
slowly uncovers the three bodies in the grave.
She is able to discern that the grave was not the original dump
site. Exploring the bones, Doctor A
uncovers bullet holes, animal trap marking, and dog bites. What horror did these three people
incur? Kim and Tom explore the
relationship between the land owners and their renters. It is obvious that they are both keeping
secrets. Will the identity of the victim’s
lead them to the killer? Meanwhile, Kim’s
team is working on a series of hate crimes, and it causes tension between
Bryant, Dawson, and Stacey Jones. Stacey
wants to prove that she is just as good as the others. She can do more than use a computer and starts
her own investigation. Then one of Kim’s
team members is in jeopardy, she uses all the resources available to resolve
the crimes. Can Kim and Tom find the
perpetrators in time and bring Kim’s team member home safely?
Dead Souls is well-written and
has a fast pace. This book engages the reader’s
attention from the first page and holds it until the very end. Kim Stone is a complex and unique
character. We get to know a little more
about her in each book and Kim’s character grows or develops a little more. I appreciated finding out more about Stacey
Jones in Dead Souls. It was also
interesting to see Bryant and Dawson work together (very entertaining). The mysteries in Dead Souls are complex and convoluted
(lots of twists). There are many details
and moving parts. It all comes together
in the end. If you pay close attention,
you can identify the main culprit before the reveal. I give Dead Souls 5 out of 5 stars. If you have not read any of the other D.I. Kim Stone novels, then I suggest you start at the beginning. Otherwise, you will not understand Kim, how
she works, her team, and the team dynamic.
Dead Souls deals with very sensitive and controversial issue. The story dives into hate crimes (racism) and how
people perceive each other. It is hard
to fathom disliking a person based on their race, sexual orientation, or
disability. It is disturbing what people will do in our
society. Dead Souls is an exceptional
novel.
Kris
The Avid Reader
No Charm Intended by Mollie Cox Bryan is the second book in A Cora Crafts Mystery series. Cora Chevalier is getting ready for her four
day “wildcrafting” retreat at Kildare House in Indigo Gap, North Carolina. She checks her phone and discovers a message
stating “I kidnapped her”. Believing it
to be a prank, Cora ignores it. Just as
Cora, Jane and the retreat instructors are leaving for dinner, Officer Glass
arrives to discuss Cora’s text message. It seems that Cora was not the only
person to receive it. It turns out that
Gracie Wyck, a nanny and babysitter, is missing (they suspect kidnapped). Later that evening, Cora and Jane receive a
visit from Gracie’s boyfriend, Paul and his friend, Henry. They are trying to retrace Gracie’s footsteps
in an attempt to locate her. The next
day Paul’s friend, Henry is missing. Cora fears Paul could be next and offers
him a place to stay. When Henry turns up
dead, and Paul becomes a person of interest.
Cora believes Paul to be innocent and starts investigating to prove
it. It turns out that Paul, Gracie and
Henry were all playing the same computer game. Did someone decide to change the
rules of the game? Can Cora and friends
find Gracie in time?
No Charm Intended was not as
enchanting as I was hoping. I enjoy
crafting and love to read cozy mysteries, so No Charm Intended seemed like a
perfect match for me. I did like the
various crafts mentioned in the book, and I was glad instructions were provided
at the end of the book on some of them.
However, I found the mystery uncomplicated and easily solved early in
the book. Some information was repeated
frequently throughout the story (like the author needed filler). No Charm Intended can be read alone. The author provided the background details on
the main character and summarized what occurred in the first book in this
series. I did appreciate how the author
included characters from her A Cumberland Creek Mystery series. I give No Charm Intended 2 out of 5 stars. I found a few items in the story hard to
believe. Cora letting Paul stay in the
house with the retreat guests (and he is a murder suspect). If I was a guest, this would make me
uncomfortable. Jane talks about Gracie’s
kidnapping in front of her five-year-old daughter, London (more than once). London then makes herself ill and begins
having nightmares because she is scared.
I was surprised by how the issue of depression was portrayed in No Charm Intended. Mollie Cox Bryan made it sound
like a mental illness and people with the disease are unreliable (crazy, unbalanced). Jane becomes worried that harm could have
come to her daughter because the babysitter suffered from depression. She felt she should have been warned (because
she would not have hired the woman). Depression
comes in many forms (including hereditary) and can easily be managed with
medication. Most of the book is written
in the third person, but Jane’s sections were in the first person. I did not enjoy reading Jane’s segments and
quickly tried of her issues (regarding her ex-husband in particular). Jane is my least favorite person among the
main characters. I am not sure I can
continue with A Cora Crafts Mystery series. Macrame Murder is the next book in this series and it will be available on August 29.
I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to read my review. I will be reviewing Dead Souls by Angela Marsons on Sunday. I hope you have a fun filled day! Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
It's Friday! Congrats on making it through another week. Dead Souls by Angela Marsons it out today. It is a wonderful and complex novel that I thoroughly loved reading! Angela Marsons did it again. She never fails to deliver. If you enjoy suspense/thriller novels, you really should look into Angela Marsons D.I. Kim Stone novels.
A Good Day to Buy by Sherry Harris is the fourth book in A Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery series. Sarah Winston is helping Verne and Velma Spencer
downsize their collections for a move to Florida. Today is garage sale day, and Velma keeps
trying to reclaim items. Her husband,
Verne takes her inside, and Sarah gets ready to bargain. Later in the morning, a customer attempts to
enter an off-limits area in the garage that Sarah has cordoned off with
sheets. Behind the sheets, Sarah
discovers the couple on the floor. Verne is dead, but Velma still has a pulse. Through the back door of the garage, Sarah
sees a man fleeing into the woods. After
giving her statement to the police, Sarah is home enjoying a Fluffernutter
sandwich (marshmallow Fluff and peanut butter) when there is a knock at the
door. It is Sarah’s estranged brother,
Luke who is twitchy and acting cagey. He
needs a place to stay and asks Sarah not to tell anyone that he is there
especially C.J. (Chief of Police and Sarah’s ex-husband/current paramour). Luke tells Sarah that he is an investigative
reporter working on a story. Luke stays
a short time, but he is soon gone without a word. When Luke’s fingerprints turn up in the Spencer’s
garage and he becomes a “person of interest”, Sarah knows she must take action. Sarah finds a notebook of Luke’s in the couch
that contains a list of names. Sarah
hopes that Luke’s research will lead her to him. She knows her brother did not hurt the Spencer’s. Now, she has to prove it and then explain her
deception to C.J. Sarah will need to stay
alert and on her toes, because she is not the only person trying to find Luke!
A Good Day to Buy is nicely
written and has a good pace (and flow).
A Good Day to Buy can be read alone.
The needed background information on Sarah is provided in the book (and
she has a complicated history). There
are some wonderful descriptions of antiques in the book. I love vintage items and there are several objects
described that I want to own. I give A Good Day to Buy 4 out of 5 stars. I am not a fan of the romance in this
series. I was very disappointed to see
Sarah take up with her ex-husband again (I preferred her with Seth). He strikes me as a self-centered individual,
and he does not seem happy with the new Sarah (who she has become since the
divorce). I believe Sarah is with him
because it is comfortable, easy, and familiar.
It will be interesting to see what happens between C.J. and Sarah in the
next book. The murder mystery was
complex and a delight to solve. I
believe many readers will be stumped by this one. The secondary storyline regarding veterans was
shocking (spoiler). There are some handy
garage sale tips at the end of the book.
I enjoyed A Good Day to Buy better than the previous book in the series. I was especially grateful that Ms. Harris cut
down on the Fluffernutter sandwich references (makes me queasy just thinking
about them). I was surprised by the
cliffhanger ending (and disappointed). I
hope the author will resolve the issue early in the next book and not drag it
out (sorry, but I do not want to spoil it for anyone). Tagged for Death ($2.99 on Amazon--Kindle), The Longest Yard Sale ($1.99 on Amazon--Kindle), and All Murders Final! are the first three books in the series.
Thank you for your visit and I hope you have a great Friday. I will be sharing my thoughts on No Charm Intended by Mollie Cox Bryan on Saturday. I have to go put a new cat play center together. The cats have destroyed their last one (they have had it for a year). Cats love climbing and sharpening their nails! Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
Hello! I want to thank everyone who enter What the Bishop Saw Contest. I put all the names in a hat box and had my mother draw out the winning slip. The winner is Paula. Congratulations! The Hidden Thread by Liz Trenow will be out on May 1. Liz Trenow is the author of The Forgotten Seamstress. Love and Death in Burgundy by Susan C. Shea and Your Killin' Heart by Peggy O'Neal Peden will be released on May 2. So many books and not enough reading time!
The Beloved Hope Chest by Amy Clipston is the fourth book in An Amish Heirloom Novel series. Mattie Fisher’s daughters have slowly
uncovered clues to her secret as they delved into her hope chest. Mattie gathers Veronica, Rachel, and Emily
and starts sharing the story that has she kept hidden for twenty-eight years. It takes her back to February of 1989 to a
life she had before she met their father, Leroy. It is an emotional tale that brings back many
memories and reminds her of a sad period in her life. Pull up a chair to Mattie Fisher’s table and
listen to her story in The Beloved Hope Chest.
The Beloved Hope Chest is a
well-written novel that ties all the threads together from the previous three
books. Readers find out how the items
the daughters found in the hope chest fit into Mattie’s journey. The novel had a good pace, great characters,
and a picturesque setting. I sat down to
read The Beloved Hope Chest and was quickly drawn into the story. I did not stop reading until I finished the
book (I was up quite late that night). I
give The Beloved Hope Chest 5 out of 5 stars.
Important issues addressed in The Beloved Hope Chest are love, faith,
trusting God, forgiveness, power of prayer, and the importance of communication
between couples. The Beloved Hope Chest is
not a stand-alone novel. You need to
read The Forgotten Recipe, The Courtship Basket, and The Cherished Quilt prior
to The Beloved Hope Chest. It is the
only way you will understand what is happening in this final book in An Amish Heirloom Novel series. While reading The Beloved Hope Chest, your emotions will be on a roller coaster. I found some parts of the story to be heartbreaking. The ending is touching. I provided only a brief summary of the book
so I would not reveal any spoilers. I
hope others will enjoy The Beloved Hope Chest as much as I did. The Beloved Hope Chest will be available on May 9.
I hope you enjoyed my review. I am catching up on book review work today (which means sitting at a desk, posting reviews, and copying links). I will return on Friday with my thoughts on A Good Day to Buy by Sherry Harris. I hope all of you have a lovely day. Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
Welcome! Dead Souls by Angela Marsons will be released on April 28. It is the sixth book in the D.I. Kim Stone series. If you like to read thrilling crime novels, then I highly recommend this series. I have loved each and every book in this series. Kim Stone is one character you will not forget.
Trumpet of Death by Cynthia Riggs
is the thirteenth book in A Martha’s Vineyard Mystery series. It is September in West Tisbury and Victoria
Trumbell is enjoying a nature walk in Sachem’s Rock with her tenant, Zach Zeller.
Victoria points out various mushrooms to
him including the black trumpets which are very rare and expensive (aka trumpets
of death). Later that day, Zach visits
his troublesome girlfriend, Samantha Eberhardt to break up with her. Unfortunately for Zach, it does not go
well. Zach remembers the black trumpet
mushrooms, picks them, and delivers them to Samantha. Samantha, who is not fond of mushrooms, gives
them to her father, Bruno Eberhardt.
Bruno is thrilled with the delicacy and plans a dinner party around
them. Zach is invited to the party and
is shocked to see black mushrooms on the menu.
Zach ends up fleeing the party.
Victoria and her young friend, Robin are walking to the softball field
when they discover a body on the bicycle trail.
The police discover it is Samantha Eberhardt, and Zach ends up a prime
suspect. Despite Zach trying to make
Samantha sick with the mushrooms, Victoria knows that Zach would not commit
murder. Victoria sets out to find the
real killer and prove Zach’s innocence. Can
Victoria find the murderer before he claims another victim?
Trumpet of Death has a
fascinating main character. Victoria is
ninety-two years old and seems to know everyone in her town. She is a feisty, intelligent, and quite
active for someone her age. Trumpet of
Death has good writing and a nice pace. There
is some humor in the book (just the right amount and right type) that will have
readers laughing. I enjoyed the
descriptions of the town. I give Trumpet of Death 4 out of 5 stars. I appreciated
the mysteries complexity (such a rarity in cozy mysteries). I believe many readers will be surprised at
the culprit’s identity. I did find some
information repeated a few times throughout the book (such as peoples full
names, where they worked, and their occupation). I thought Zach was lacking in
intelligence. For someone his age, he
seems very dense (maybe it was the drugs).
I would recommend reading earlier books in A Martha’s Vineyard Mystery series (at least the first book) before Trumpet of Death. It would give you a better understanding of
Victoria and the town dynamics. I
thought the book had a good ending that wrapped up all the loose ends. Trumpet of Death is a book that many cozy mystery readers will appreciate. Trumpet of Death is available in hardcover and ebook.
Thank you for reading my latest book evaluation. I will be reviewing The Beloved Hope Chest by Amy Clipston tomorrow. I am off to take my mother to the beauty salon. I hope you have a very nice day. Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
Sweet Tea and Spirits by Angie Fox is the fifth book in The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries. Verity Long is enjoying a quiet moment with
her boyfriend, Ellis Wydell when she receives a phone call. The call is from the Sugarland Heritage
Society and the caller says, “I need you” and “There’s been a murder”. Ellis is then dispatched to investigate a break
in at the same location. He finds the
building locked up tight, but the security alarm was set off. Verity becomes the laughingstock of the town
when no body was found (gossip spreads quickly in Sugarland). Verity talks Frankie into loaning her his
power (after some bartering), and they set off to explore the heritage
society. The heritage society building
was once a Home for Wayward Widows and Orphans run by Mother Mary Cooper. Verity is greeted by Julia Harper Youngblood,
the newly elected president of the Sugarland Heritage Society. She recently ousted Verity’s arch nemesis,
Virginia Wydell (happy dance for Verity).
It is immediately obvious that ghosts are on the premises, and they are
having fun with the society’s displays.
Julia hires Verity to explore the spirit activity and pays her in cash
(which puts Frankie in a jovial mood).
As Verity is leaving the heritage society, she gets roped into becoming
a member. Frankie has gotten himself
into hot water with Mick “The Angel Maker”, and he needs to go on the lam
(Verity finds the perfect spot for him).
Verity returns to the heritage society that night to talk to the ghosts
who inhabit the house and finds Julia dead at the bottom of the stairs. While the officer on scene believes it is an
accident, Verity knows she was murdered.
Verity wants to find Julia’s killer, and she will need a little ghostly
help to accomplish it. Verity is
surprised when she gets some assistance from an unexpected source. In her spare time, Verity needs to get Mick “The
Angel Maker” to forgive Frankie and find out why Frankie is looking so spiffy (and
acting strangely). Just another normal
week for Verity in Sugarland, Tennessee.
Join in on the fun by reading Sweet Tea and Spirits!
Sweet Tea and Spirits is a
humorous novel. You will find yourself
laughing frequently at Verity and Frankie’s antics. The book is well-written and engaging. The characters are endearing and quirky
(especially Frankie). I highly recommend reading the other books in
the series before starting Sweet Tea and Spirits. It will help you to understand Verity’s
financial situation, her relationship with Frankie, and why she became a ghost
hunter. I have found each book in the
series is better than the previous one.
I give Sweet Tea and Spirits 5 out of 5 stars. Sweet Tea and Spirits is jam packed, but it
all ties together for one hilarious and sweet story. There is an unexpected romance, ghostly horse
racing (and gambling), an unexpected alliance, and a historical home with a
surprising history. The mystery is more
complicated than past whodunits in the series, but it is still easily
solved. It is nice to see Verity’s
character develop as she explores the supernatural and as her relationship with
Ellis deepens. It was also nice to see
change in Frankie. It was unexpected and
amusing. I will impatiently wait for
Angie Fox’s next book in The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries. The other books in the series are Southern Spirits (free on Amazon), The Skeleton in the Closet, The Haunted Heist, and Deader Homes and Gardens.
I appreciate your visit today! I am off to do some yard work while we are enjoying some cooler weather. I will return tomorrow to review Trumpet of Death by Cynthia Riggs. I hope you have a remarkable day! Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
Greetings! Wendy Wax has a new novel coming out tomorrow. It is the fifth book in Ten Beach Road Novel series and called One Good Thing. I have added it to my TBR pile. I am curious to see what happens in the series.
Rachel’s Dream by Lisa Jones Baker
is the third book in Hope Chest of Dreams series. Rachel Kauffmann is eighteen years old, and
her hope chest contains her journal with her secret dreams for her life. Rachel loves the family horse Cinnamon and is
worried about her. Her father calls out
the new vet Dr. Jarred Zimmerman. Jarred
is instantly attracted to Rachel’s sweet, caring nature and glass half full
attitude. Rachel appreciates Jarred’s love
for animals and his caring personality. Cinnamon
is very ill and Rachel prays for his recovery.
She is grateful for Jarred doing everything possible to save the
horse. Rachel and Jarred get to know
each other when Jarred visits to check on Cinnamon. Rachel learns that Jarred has not gotten over
a tragic incident when he way four years old.
It forever changed Jarred. Rachel
encourages him to contact his parents to resolve the matter. Jarred is amazed at Grace’s faith and optimism. The pair are quickly falling for each other,
but the path to happiness is not a smooth one.
If they are to have a future together, God will show them the way.
Rachel’s Dream is easy to read
and ties in nicely with the other two books in the series. I had trouble with the character of Rachel. She is eighteen, but Rachel comes across as a
starry eyed young teenager (a young idealistic twelve or thirteen-year-old
girl). I found the romance between
Rachel who seems so naïve and young having a romance with a man in his late 20s
or early 30s (I am guessing since Jarred’s age is not mentioned) was off-putting. Rachel wants her horse to get better no
matter what. I can understand having
faith and praying for a miracle, but not letting a horse suffer for months (I
dislike seeing animals hurting and in pain). I wish there were more miracles in the world,
but it is hard to keep the faith with all the violence in our society. I also doubt a practical farmer would keep
paying vets bills for that length of time.
Rachel’s strong faith and belief in miracles is a lovely trait. I wish I had such strong convictions. Rachel also knew what she wanted from life,
and she was very unwilling to compromise.
Rachel’s dreams mostly involve getting married and having a houseful of
children (which she mentions many times throughout the book). Of course, this does go with the Amish
society as it is portrayed in novels (nevertheless, it really goes against my
feminine beliefs). It once again
showcases Rachel’s youthfulness. The religious
aspect was medium level with the focus on prayer (also mentioned are faith and
God’s plan for our lives). I give Rachel’s Dream 2 out of 5 stars (I just found it lacking). I found the storyline or plot to be flimsy
(weak) and unrealistic. Jarred talks
about joining the Amish faith, but the practicalities of this decision are not
discussed (would he be allowed to keep his practice for example). I did find repetition of information
throughout the story (the same details were repeated over and over). It seemed like filler to lengthen the length
of the book. Rachel’s Dream is my least
favorite book in the series. I think Rachel’s Dream would do better with a younger audience (it reminds me of books I read as
a young teen). While Rachel's Dream is the third book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone. Rachel's Dream will be released on April 25.
Thank you for reading through my review. I know it was a little longer today. I will be sharing my thoughts on Sweet Tea and Spirits by Angie Fox tomorrow. May you have a marvelous Monday. Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
Welcome fellow readers! I hope you are having a nice, relaxing Sunday. Amy Clipston has a new novel releasing on May 9. It is The Beloved Hope Chest which is the fourth book in An Amish Heirloom series. It is a lovely story that nicely wraps up the series.
The Librarians and the Mother Goose Chase by Greg Cox is the second book in The Librarians trilogy. Eve Baird along with Cassandra Cillian, Jake
Stone, and Ezekiel Jones have just returned to the Library annex in Portland, Oregon
after another successful mission. They
are all off to relax when the Clippings Book (and the Librarians miniature
versions) start acting up. A professor
in Northumberland wakes up inside a pumpkin, a tree trimmer in Miami gets
carried away by a freaky wind, a librarian in Ohio found three mice without
eyes in her kitchen (and she attacked them with a butcher knife), and Mother
Goose’s Magic Garden, an amusement park, is about to be demolished. Jenkins believes that the 1918 Mother Goose
Treaty has been broken. In the 1700s
Elizabeth Goose created a spellbook that ended up getting published. The Librarian at that time rounded up all the
copies except one which remained with the family. It ended up getting divided into three
sections for the three different factions of the Goose family in 1918. It seems that a descendant has decided to
stage a coup and claim all three copies to enact a horrible spell. Stone, Cassandra, and Ezekiel each take a
different clipping and set off. Eve and
Jenkins have their hands full in the Library.
Mother Goose’s magic has set off the goose that lays the golden
egg. They need to catch it and return it
to its cage before more magical items start acting up. Just another typical day for the Librarians
and their Guardian! Join Eve, Ezekiel,
Stone, Jenkins and Cassandra on another magical adventure in The Librarians and the Mother Goose Chase.
The Librarians and the Mother Goose Chase is bewitching. Greg Cox
captured the quirky character’s personalities perfectly (for those of you who
watch the show) as well as the Library.
I could just envision the Library from the written descriptions. I found the book to be well-written,
engaging, and entertaining. I thoroughly
enjoyed the humor in this story. I found
myself laughing out loud many times while reading The Librarians and the Mother Goose Chase (especially when Jenkins was trying to capture the goose and Eve
with Dead Man’s Chest). The book has a
fast pace that never slacks. The
description of Mother Goose was spot on from the children’s books. I give The Librarians and the Mother Goose Chase 5 out of 5 stars. I do wish,
though, that the mystery had not been so easy to solve. One clue was all I needed to identify the responsible
party. Others not used to reading mysteries, will enjoy the twist! The book is written with four
points-of-view (Cassandra, Stone, Ezekiel, and Eve) which works for this
book. It is not confusing or
complicated. If you have not watched the
show or the movies, you can read the book.
The author provides the backstory
needed. I think it does help, though, to
have watched the show. As I read the
book, I could picture it in my head. I
have not had the opportunity to read The Librarians and The Lost Lamp (first
book in trilogy), but I have moved it to the top of my TBR pile. The Librarians and the Mother Goose Chase will be available on April 25.
Kris
The Avid Reader
Murder is for Keeps by Elizabeth J. Duncan is the eighth book in A Penny Brannigan Mystery series. Penny Brannigan is sketching at Gwrych Castle
in Llanelen, North Wales. She is working
on a series of painting for an upcoming auction to raise funds to help restore
Gwrych Castle and the grounds. Penny is
preparing to leave for the day when she notices a flash of red. Penny follows the trail into the old kennels
where she finds a body. The victim turns
out to be John Hardwick, a landscape architect, who was volunteering at the
castle. The next day Penny is at The
Llanelen Spa that she co-owns with Victoria Hopkirk, when she is approached by Christina
Hardwick, John’s wife. Christina has
heard of Penny’s reputation as an amateur sleuth and would like to hire Penny
to investigate John’s death. Penny with
the help of recently retired, Gareth Davies (former Detective Chief Inspector)
starts asking questions. Gareth can
provide some background details on the castle.
His grandmother, Annie worked at the castle as a seamstress, and he has
a box of photos and a beautiful needlepoint.
When they return to the castle they meet Lane Hardwick, the victim’s
son. Not long after speaking with Lane,
he disappears. Then another body is
found in the gardens at Gwrych Castle.
This victim has been dead for over ninety years. Penny discovers that the castle has a
colorful history and looking into the past will help solve the mystery of John’s
death. Join Penny on her latest
sleuthing adventure in Murder is For Keeps.
I thought Murder is for Keeps to
be nicely written. It has a good pace
and can be finished in a couple of hours. The location is unique, and I appreciated the
pleasing descriptions of the area. I do
wish the author would provide a pronunciation guide (for people’s names and
locations). Murder is for Keeps may be
the eighth book in the series, but it can be read alone. The author provides the necessary background
details on Penny. I like the character
of Penny Brannigan and her friends. I
give Murder is for Keeps 3.5 out of 5 stars.
The various mystery components are interesting, and I like how the
author tied them together. I just wish,
though, that the identity of the killer had not been so transparent (nor the
location of the missing marble staircase).
Murder is for Keeps is a cozy mystery that I believe many readers will
enjoy. It has just the right blend of
mystery and cozy (with a subtle romance element). Murder is for Keeps will be released on May 2.
Thank you for your visit. I am off to do some much needed clearing out. It is always good to go through and get rid of unneeded items. If we have not used it in a year, then out it goes (this does not include books)! I will be back tomorrow to review The Librarians and the Mother Goose Chase by Greg Cox. May you have a pleasant and uneventful day! Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
Upon A Spring Breeze by Kelly Irvin
is first book in An Every Amish Season Novel series. Bess Weaver is twenty years old and has been
married for a year to Caleb. Bess is
pregnant with their first child. They
have been living with Caleb’s parents while Caleb builds their home. Bess is waiting for Caleb to return home
after spending the day helping his best friend, Aidan Graber. Bess hears the door and expects Caleb to come
walking through it. Instead, it is
Aidan with a troubled, distraught expression on his face. A truck hit Caleb’s buggy on the slick roads and
Caleb died in Aidan’s arms. Bess cannot
believe she lost her husband so soon and is struck down with grief. Bess’ parents arrive from Haven, Kansas for
the funeral. They want Bess to return
with them, but Bess does not wish to leave Jamesport, Missouri. Aidan feels that the accident is his fault
because Caleb had run an errand for him.
Aidan cares for Bess (has for many years), and he promised Caleb he
would watch out for her. Bess gives
birth to a boy that she names Joshua. Weeks
later Bess is at the local nursery purchasing flowers when she meets Dusty
Lake. He is a friendly, knowledgeable
employee, and he actually makes Bess laugh (first time since Caleb’s death). Bess decides to get a job. A few days later, Bess is applying for a
position at the Heartland Bed and Breakfast.
The new owners are Minerva and Gavin Lake, Dusty’s parents. But some people do not approve of Bess’ job
or her new friend. Bess’ fate is no
longer her own thanks to Bishop Freeman. Bess will be leaving town unless someone finds
a good reason for her to stay in Jamesport!
Upon A Spring Breeze is nicely
written, has a good pace, and a good storyline.
The religious aspect is light to medium.
Emphasis is placed on having faith and the power of prayer. The setting of Jamesport, Missouri sounds
lovely, and I did appreciate the main characters (especially Bess). I could understand Bess’ grief having lost my
own father recently. The overwhelming
feeling of grief does not go away overnight.
On top of that, Bess had a new and very fussy baby. Her hormones and emotions are all over the
place. I felt that her family and friends
should have been more understanding and patient (instead of critical). I give Upon a Spring Breeze 3 out of 5
stars. I had trouble with the male
authority figures in the story. I could
never live in such a male dominated society.
I could not believe that Bess did not get to decide the fate of the
farmland she owned with Caleb. When she
made a male friend, it was considered inappropriate. She was forced to give up her job (a woman’s
place is in the home and not near eligible Englisch men). I could not believe that the Bishop wrote to
her father regarding her “behavior” (Bess is a widow with a child). The Bishop would not allow Aidan to accept
the government assistance allowed for the loss of his chickens. How is he supposed to restart his
business? I cannot help but wonder if
this is how it truly is in the Amish culture.
I sincerely hope not (can you tell this book riled me up). The ending was sweet, but it was
expected. I did not enjoy Upon A Spring Breeze as much as other books I have read by Kelly Irvin (for example The Bliss Creek Amish series and The New Hope Amish series).
I appreciate you visiting today and reading my latest book review. I will be sharing my thoughts on Murder is For Keeps by Elizabeth J. Duncan tomorrow. May you have a cheery Friday! Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
What the Bishop Saw by Vannetta Chapman is the first book in The Amish Bishop Mysteries. Bishop Henry Lapp lives in San Luis Valley,
Colorado. Henry is awakened with news of
a fire at nearby Vernon Frey’s house.
When Henry arrives at the scene, he finds out that Vernon did not
survive. It is disturbing to find out
that the fire was set deliberately.
Henry is asked to write a list of people who might have wished to harm
Vernon. Within days a second fire breaks
out at a construction site in town. Sam
Beiler spots the fire and calls 911.
Turns out that Sam also called in Vernon’s fire. Sam is soon arrested for arson and the
murder of Vernon. Henry visited Vernon
the day before the fire, and he has a gift that could assist the
investigators. Henry has not used his
talent in fifteen years. But it seems
the time has come to use his God given gift once again. It could provide a helpful clue that will
lead to the arsonist. Unfortunately, the
fire bug is not finished and Henry’s workshop becomes the next target. Meg Allen, the arson investigator, works with
Henry and the Amish community to ferret out clues. Will they be able to identify the arsonists
before he claims more victims?
What the Bishop Saw is
well-written and is easy to read. The
book has a good pace. The story has
engaging characters. My favorite are
Henry Lapp and Emma Fisher. They are
adorable and nicely complement each other. They both have loving hearts and you
can tell how much Henry cares for the people in his community. It was good to see growth in the characters
by the end of the book. I loved the
subtle, slow paced romance between Henry and Emma. I appreciated the author’s unique
setting. I have not read an Amish novel
set in Colorado previously. I found the
scripture and prayer quotient to be medium level (it goes well with the book). I give What the Bishop Saw 4 out of 5
stars. The mystery was interesting,
though, readers can easily identify the culprit based on the clues. There is a little suspense near the end that
will have readers on the edge of their seats.
I did feel that the book was a little long and some information was
repeated. I liked the epilogue. It was a good ending to the story. What the Bishop Saw is the beginning of a
delightful series. What the Bishop Saw is currently available in Kindle format and will be out on May 1 in paperback.
Would you like to win a copy of What the Bishop Saw? Vannetta Chapman was kind enough to offer a copy for a giveaway! Leave a comment along with your email to win! I will pick a winner on April 25! UPDATE: The contest is now over! Thank you for entering! I am off to run the sweeper and dust. When you have dogs and cats, sweeping is a constant household chore! I will be back on Friday to review Upon a Spring Breeze by Kelly Irvin. May each of you have a lovely Thursday. Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
Welcome! I am featuring Lucinda Berry today. You can follow this author on Facebook and Amazon. Amazon will send you an email when she releases a new book. Ms. Berry's other novels are Phantom Limb and Missing Parts. All three of the books are available on Kindle Unlimited (great program).
Appetite for Innocence by Lucinda Berry is a new psychological thriller. Ella
Stevenson was out on her evening run when he captured her. She knows better than to talk to strange men,
but she did it anyway. Now she must find
a way to escape. Sarah is responsible
for the new girls. She helps them adjust
to being prisoners in the basement (in a way).
Paige is a fellow prisoner and soon fills Ella in on why she was
picked. Their captor only wants young
female virgins. But how does he
know? Ella soon discovers that it is
impossible to escape the soundproofed basement.
But she does discover that there is one way to escape, but she must bide
her time. One night her patience is
rewarded and Ella flees. Police soon
arrive at the compound, but only two of the girls make it out alive. Ella is thrilled to be reunited with her
mother. The FBI are assigned the case
and have many questions for Sarah and Ella.
Their abductor has alluded the authorities and the house is
destroyed. The authorities will need
every bit of information they can obtain from the girls to catch the man
responsible. Just when life starts
getting back on track, something unexpected happens.
Appetite for Innocence has a fast
pace and contains good writing. I
thought the characters were well developed.
They girls reminded me of real teenage girls. Appetite for Innocence is a creepy novel with
graphic details (fair warning). It is
hard to read what it happening to the girls in the book (I had to keep
reminding myself that it is fiction). I
did not, though, feel the suspense (I did feel the eeriness and the creep
factor). The way it was presented made
it seem more matter of fact than spine tingling (at least for me). Appetite for Innocence captured my interest
and it was held through most of the novel (you will want to see what happens
next). The reason my attention was not
captured completely is the book jumps between Sarah and Ella along with past
and present. A reader must note at the
beginning of each chapter the character and whether it is past or present. I give Appetite for Innocence 4 out of 5
stars. I kept hoping for a surprise
twist instead of the ending I anticipated.
I did like the books message about being careful about the information
that is shared on social media sites. You never know who can access your
personal information and how they will use it.
Appetite for Innocence is a disturbing novel that will captivate
readers. Lucinda Berry is a new author
for me. I will have to check out her
other works.
I will be reviewing What the Bishop Saw by Vannetta Chapman on Thursday. I must go rake some leaves. I am finally starting to see my yard. I have encountered a tiny little bee problem though and these bees mean business (which is not good for me since I am allergic to them--good thing I have a supply of Epi-pens). Wish me luck! Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
Hello! I wanted to share my review of this lovely devotional with you. The Beautiful Word 365 Devotional
has a page for each day of the year. It
is a lovely hardcover book (slightly padded cover) with a decorative cover
(which is what captured my attention). The
book measures 8 ¼” by 6”. The devotional
is divided into months with a page for each day. Each page has a scripture to read, discussion
on the verse, and a prayer. On each two-page
spread there is a pretty artwork on the far left and the space for journaling
or writing notes at the right. The pages
are made of nice quality glossy paper.
Perfect for writing notes in pen, and they will not bleed through (no
room for coloring). Using this
devotional is a good way to start each day.
I appreciate the color illustrations and the book setup. Each devotion is short but meaningful. I am very happy with The Beautiful Word 365 Devotional. I do wish that they had
included a ribbon bookmark. It is the
only thing lacking in this attractive book.
This devotional would make a great gift to female friends and family
members.
Kris
The Avid Reader
The Decorator Who Knew Too Much by Diane Vallere is the fourth book in A Madison Night Mystery series. Madison Night and her boyfriend, Hudson James
are heading to Palm Springs for two weeks.
It is going to be part getaway and part work. Hudson has agreed to help his brother-in-law,
Jimmy work on his dream project. Jimmy
wishes to create a midcentury modern strip mall and Madison is the perfect
decorator to assist him. Their visit,
though, is fraught from the very beginning.
Their car is sideswiped as they near Jimmy and Emma’s home. The next day, Madison arrives at the job site
and her hat falls into the Whitewater River.
As she bends over to retrieve it, she sees a body floating under the
surface of the water. Before the police
arrive, the corpse disappears. Madison
goes on a sketching excursion and ends up getting attacked. She arrives at the house to discover that
Jimmy is upset with her. He lost a day
of work. The next morning, Jimmy vents
his frustration. Madison and her dog, Rocky
decamp to a local motel. This is not the
trip that Hudson had planned for them. Madison has been having a tough time since her
last brush with danger in Texas. She has
been suffering from nightmares and is having to rely on sleeping pills. It is recommended she consult a therapist and
is given the name of Dr. Albert Hall. Madison
leaves him a message, but she soon discovers that he is no longer taking
patients. The missing river victim is
found in a quarry by hikers. The victim is none other than Dr. Hall. Madison starts delving into the case and
finds it more complex than it first appeared.
She has all these various pieces of information. Madison will need to shift them around and
fit them together to get the complete picture.
Can Madison figure out the identity of the culprit before it is too
late?
The Decorator Who Knew Too Much
is part of a series and some parts of the story are a little confusing if you
have not read the previous novels. While
the author provides details on why Madison loves vintage fashions, midcentury
modern design and Doris Day, details what has caused her PTSD are lacking. I did find The Decorator Who Knew Too Much to
be easy to read (good pace/flow) and nicely written. I liked the authors writing style and the humor she injected into the story. I appreciate Madison’s love of vintage
fashions (her clothes sound unique and beautiful). I give The Decorator Who Knew Too Much 3 out
of 5 stars. The mystery comes across as
complex, but I thought the identity of the perpetrators easy to uncover. In the beginning of the book, it states that
Madison and Hudson are going on vacation.
This is mentioned more than once, but then we are told that they will be
working. How is this a vacation? Is it
because they are in a different city? I
was curious how Madison, a decorator, could assist on a project that has not
been started. I found some information
to be repeated a few times throughout the book (Madison’s love of Doris Day,
vintage fashions, and her dog, Rocky).
The book is written from Madison and Tex’s (Captain Tex Allen) point-of-views. I was not a fan of this format. Tex’s sections did not enhance or help the
story (for the most part). I prefer
novels that are told from one person’s perspective or from the third
person. Personally, I believe Tex and
Madison would make a great couple.
Hudson is not the best partner for Madison with her love of sleuthing. At the end of the book, readers are left with
some unanswered questions. I wish the
author had provided a better recap of the offender’s actions. Fans of the A Madison Night Mystery series (also known as A Mad for Mod Mystery series) will enjoy this latest installment. I think I will go back and read the earlier novels in this series.
