The House of Memory: A Pluto's Snitch Mystery

Thank you for stopping by today.  Carolyn Haines is the author A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery series, Fear Familiar series, The Pluto's Snitch series and Familiar Trouble.  Fans of her work can like her author page on Facebook, follow her on Amazon and Goodreads.  You can find out more information about Ms. Haines and her books on her website (http://carolynhaines.com/).  You can also sign up for her mailing list on her website.

The House of Memory by Carolyn Haines is the second book in The Pluto’s Snitch series.  Raissa James and Reginald Proctor are traveling toward Montgomery on a steamship for their latest case. Raissa and Reginald are partners in the Pluto’s Snitch PI Agency that specializes in the occult.  Zelda Sayre (aka Mrs. F. Scott Fitzgerald) needs their help with her friend, Camilla Granger.  Camilla is engaged to marry David Simpson.  David was showing Camilla their new home when she became violent and attacked with him a knife. Camilla has no memory of the event.  After a second incident, Camilla agreed to be admitted to Bryce Hospital.  Camilla’s overbearing mother, Maude Granger will soon take drastic measures if Camilla’s situation is not rectified.  While staying in Montgomery, Raissa hears about the rash of young women who have gone missing in the area and later are found deceased—and the deceased want Raissa’s help!  What caused Camilla to attack her fiancé and who is hurting these young women?  Tag along on Raissa and Reginald’s latest case in The House of Memory.

When I started reading The House of Memory, I was drawn into the story.  After a while, though, my interest started to wane.  The pace of the novel slackened and the numerous details bog down the story.  An irritation (to me) is the constant repetition of information.  The details of the cases are repeated over and over (it is odd, though, that we are never told what year it is).  There are some good ideas present, but I just felt it needed some work (nothing a little rewriting and a good editor couldn’t fix).  My rating for The House of Memory is 3 out of 5 stars.  The mystery of the missing girls was straightforward and identifying the culprit was a snap.  I did appreciate the mystery behind Camilla’s odd behavior.  I do wish the author would have Raissa embrace her gift (and learn more about it).  It feels like she is flirting with the paranormal, but is not sure if she wants to make a commitment.  The House of Memory is the second book in the series, but it can be read alone.  The author rehashes what occurred in The Book of Beloved. At the end of The House of Memory, we are given a glimpse at Raissa and Reginald’s next case.  The House of Memory is available on Kindle Unlimited.

I hope you have found my review helpful.  I am currently reading The Forgotten Family of Liverpool by Pam Howes.  May you have a incredible day.  I will be sharing my thoughts on 30 Second Death by Laura Bradford (A Tobi Tobias Mystery).  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Familiar Trouble: A Familiar Legacy Novel

Greetings!  I had the best surprise this weekend.  A neighbor that I have not met before saw me outside and asked if I owned a calico cat.  Miss Penny, our long haired calico, disappeared almost a year ago from our yard (an escapee), and I was never able to find her (despite my walking and driving around calling her name).  She has been two houses down this entire time!  Miss Penny lucked out finding such kind people to take care of her.  My mother and I are thrilled to have her home.  

Familiar Trouble by Carolyn Haines is the first book in Familiar Legacy series.  Tammy Lynn owns the Book Basket in Wetumpka, Alabama where she lives with her cat, Trouble.  Tammy is at Rook’s Vantage stargazing when she hears a noise.  She walks over, investigates and is attacked by a person in black.  Tammy ends up unconscious. When she awakes, she finds that all four tires of her vehicle have been slashed.  Deputy Aiden Waters transferred to Wetumpka six months prior.  He is on the trail of the Silk Stalking Killer (SSK) who killed his wife.  Debby Caldwell, a local bank worker, has disappeared and Trouble has found a vital clue near where Tammy was attacked.  Did Tammy interrupt SSK the night before?  Aiden has begun to care for Tammy and now her life is threatened. He does not want to lose another woman he cares about to this serial killer. Trouble puts his detective skills to work to help Aiden and Tammy catch the elusive SSK.  

Familiar Trouble is a spin-off of the Familiar series by Carolyn Haines.  In this series, we are introduced to Trouble, Familiar’s son who is a fan of Sherlock Holmes.  I thought Familiar Trouble was an easy to read cozy mystery.  I enjoyed the sections written in Trouble’s point-of-views.    I found them entertaining and would have enjoyed more.   My rating for Familiar Trouble is 3 out of 5 stars. I felt, though, that the characters lacked depth.  The author did not provide enough background detail on Tammy Lynn (more detail is provided on Trouble than Tammy).  The mystery idea was interesting, but I identified the killer before the first body turned up.   There is a small suspect pool and one individual stood out.  It would have been better if the author had included more action and had upped the suspense factor.  The romance factor is prominent and moves quickly.  I found many details repeated several times throughout the story (like the author was padding the story).  If you are burnt out and looking for a little light reading, then take a look at Familiar Trouble.  The next book in the series is Trouble in Dixie by Rebecca Barrett.  It turns out (I found this out after I read the book) that each book in the Familiar Legacy series is being written by a different author (and seem to have different main characters--Trouble is the one constant).

I appreciate you reading my latest review.  I am currently reading The Dream Keeper's Daughter by Emily Colin (it is way too long).  May each of you have a wonderful day.  I will be reviewing A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White next time.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader