Listen to Me by Tess Gerritsen

 Listen to Me

Book Summary

Mothers know best . . . But who will listen?

Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles are newly plagued by what seems like a completely senseless murder. Sofia Suarez, a widow and nurse who was universally liked by her neighbors, lies bludgeoned to death in her own home. But anything can happen behind closed doors, and Sofia seemed to have plenty of secrets in her last days, making covert phone calls to traceless burner phones. When Jane finally makes a connection between Sofia and the victim of a hit-and-run from months earlier, the case only grows more blurry. What exactly was Sofia involved in? One thing is clear: The killer will do anything it takes to keep their secret safe.

Meanwhile, Angela Rizzoli hasn’t had a decent night’s sleep in all the years since her daughter became a homicide detective. Maybe the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree: Nothing in Angela’s neighborhood gets by her—not the gossip about a runaway teenager down the block and definitely not the strange neighbors who have just moved in across the street. Angela’s sure there’s no such thing as coincidence in her sleepy suburb. If only Jane would listen—instead she writes off Angela’s concerns as the result of an overactive imagination. But Angela’s convinced there’s a real wolf in her vicinity, and her cries might now fall on deaf ears.

With so much happening on the Sofia case, Jane and Maura already struggle to see the forest for the trees, but will they lose sight of something sinister happening much closer to home?

My Thoughts

Listen to Me by Tess Gerritsen is the thirteenth novel in the Rizzoli and Isles series.  I have not read any of the previous books in the series, but I have watched every episode of the television series.  This knowledge allowed me to read Listen to Me.  Listen to Me is an engaging story.  The story is told from Amy, Angela, Maura, and Jane’s point-of-view.  It did take me a little bit of time to adjust to the alternating POV.  It does allow readers to see things from each character’s perspective.  There are a couple of different storylines in the book.  There is the murder of nurse, a nineteen-year-old hit by a car, a missing teen, and Angela Rizzoli is worried about her mysterious new neighbors.  I enjoyed following the various stories and seeing how it all came together in the end.  There are some twists along the way (some expected and other are not).   

The characters are realistic and developed.  I enjoyed learning more about Jane Rizzoli, Angela Rizzoli, Barry Frost, and Maura Isles.  Vince is out of town taking care of his sister, but we get to interact with him through phone conversations with Angela.  The mystery was well-plotted.  I thought it was cleverly done.  I enjoyed the challenge (it was a fun whodunit to solve).  There are good clues to help readers identify the guilty party.  It was great how all the various parts came together.  I thought there was a good reveal and wrap-up.  Jane’s mother, Angela is certainly a busy body.  I would not want her in my neighborhood.  She knows everybody’s business (and if she does not, she will make it her mission to learn it).  Angela is a spunky woman.  I like that Angela is with Vince.  I am glad that I picked up Listen to Me.  It has good characters and a thought-out mystery that makes for an enjoyable reading experience.  Listen to Me is an intriguing mystery with a hit-and-run misfortune, a curious stalker, a slain nurse, new neighbors, a meddlesome mother, baffling burglaries, an absent teen, a marvel of a medical examiner, and a dedicated detective.  

Listen to Me is available from Amazon* (available in kindle, hardcover, and audiobook).  You can find the other Rizzoli & Isles novels here.  Thank you for dropping by today and reading my book review.  Death by Bubble Tea by Jennifer J. Chow is on deck for tomorrow.  It is the debut of the LA Night Market series.  I am heading off to put away the Fourth of July decorations (unfortunately, the inflatables do not roll up themselves).  I also need to switch out my garden flags for the summer themed flags (I could fill two large totes with garden flags).  I can start planning my Halloween display (I go all out for Halloween).  I need to decide whether to go cute or scary.  I did cute last year because there was a two year old living across the street.  I hope that you have a blissful day.  Take care, stay cool, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Lying Club by Annie Ward: Review & Excerpt

 

The Lying Club

Book Summary

From the acclaimed author of Beautiful Bad comes an explosive new novel of revenge, murder and shocking secrets—where the victims aren’t who you might think. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Lucy Foley, and Liv Constantine.

Three women. Two bodies. One big lie…

A tangled web of lies draws together three women in this explosive thriller of revenge, murder and shocking secrets.

At an elite private school nestled in the Colorado mountains, Natalie, an office assistant, dreams of having a life like the school moms she deals with every day. Women like Brooke—a gorgeous heiress, ferociously loving mother and serial cheater—and Asha, an overprotective mom who suspects her husband of having an affair. Their fates are bound by the handsome assistant athletic director Nicholas, whom Natalie loves, Brooke wants and Asha needs.

But when two bodies are carried out of the school one morning, it seems the tension between mothers and daughters, rival lovers, and the haves and have-nots has shattered the surface of this isolated, affluent town—where people stop at nothing to get what they want.

About the Author

Annie Ward is the author of Beautiful Bad. She has a BA in English literature from UCLA and an MFA in screenwriting from the American Film Institute. Her first short screenplay, Strange Habit, starring Adam Scott, was an official selection of the Sundance Film Festival and the Grand Jury Award winner at the Aspen Film Festival. She has received a Fulbright scholarship and an Escape to Create artist residency. She lives in Kansas with her family.

Author Links

Author Website

Twitter: @_annie_ward

Facebook: @anniewardbooks

Goodreads

My Thoughts

The Lying Club by Annie Ward has two murders occurring at the elite Falcon Academy where reputation is everything.  Rich parents send their entitled children to this prestigious school which will set them up to get into an elite college.  Lies abound in this story.  The Lying Club is told from several points-of-view.  It did take me awhile to adjust the changing viewpoints.  The key is to try and figure out which are lies and which are truths.  Who could have committed such heinous crimes?  The beginning of The Lying Club is a little slow as the story (the characters, the setting, and the plot) is laid out.  The author provides plenty of detail which allows readers to visualize the characters and the scenes.  We get to meet the various characters (rich parents, bratty teenagers, staff tired of dealing with both parents and the students).  The pacing picks up in the second half where there is more action and a twist or two.  It is a disturbing story that delves into dark areas.  Annie Ward combines dysfunctional characters with drama, revenge, lies, deceit, secrets, and murder into one twisty tale called The Lying Club.

Excerpt

Prologue

THE NECKTIE OF her ex was still clasped in her hand when Natalie woke. Her head was pounding, and her mouth tasted bad, like she’d fallen into bed without brushing her teeth. She had a horrible, cloudy feeling that she’d done something regrettable, but in that moment, she couldn’t remember what it was.

She wasn’t at home. Instead, she was upright, a seat belt crossing her chest. In front of her was the windshield of her own car, coated in a sheet of frost, and her I LOVE COLORADO! key chain was dangling from the ignition.

Natalie realized then that she’d blacked out. It had happened before, when she was much younger, and the memory of that awful awakening hit her with an electrifying jolt. After a frantic inspection, she concluded that all her clothes were on and nothing seemed torn or altered. She slipped the tie into her coat pocket.

Yanking the rearview mirror toward her face, she saw that her hazel eyes were huge, the pupils tiny pinpoints, and her mascara was smudged. A chapped crack ran down the bottom of her lower lip, but there were no other bruises or cuts. It didn’t appear that she’d crashed into a building or a tree. There were no sirens.

She rolled down her window, and a thin wall of ice collapsed into the car, dampening her plaid skirt. It was almost dark outside.

Work. She was at work. Across the snowy parking lot, she could see the back door to the east wing of the private school where she was an administrative assistant in the front office.

Pulling on her stocking cap and opening the car door, Natalie noticed footprints, slightly softened by snowfall, leading from her car to the rear exit of the school’s gym. Another set of identical prints returned from the door to the car, but not in a straight line. They zigzagged, and there was a large compression in the snow, just about the size of a small person like her. Gingerly, she lowered one boot into the first of the prints to make sure it was a match. It was. It seemed likely that the body-shaped spot in the snow was an indication that she’d fallen, and a quick pat down of her coat confirmed that it was wet.

Natalie stepped out of her car and squinted into the wind. Her legs felt weak, as if she’d just returned from one of her longer runs.

She retraced her own tracks, leading to the school. The sky was changing color from a grayish stormy dusk to night, and it struck Natalie, who loved art, that the swirling white flurries between her and the stars resembled a monochrome Van Gogh painting. Snow-capped peaks surrounded her on all sides. Down the mountain was the town center. Lights twinkled. Houses, vacation condos, and old-timey shops were piled like Christmas gifts on top of one another alongside a dark and twisting river.

The heavy back door was ajar. When she tugged on it, it groaned, scraped, and opened. Heart pounding, she went in.

During school hours, the sports pavilion would have been filled with the sound of bouncing basketballs, laughter, whistles, and sneakers squeaking on the gym floor. Now, there was distant, droning pop music playing up on the mezzanine, but no one was singing along or dropping weights to the floor with a crash.

Natalie walked with slow, hesitant steps over to the double doors that opened onto the basketball courts.

Normally those doors stood propped open by gray rubber wedges. Now they were closed, but each had a rectangular window. Natalie curled her hand and made a cup for her eyes.

It took a second to see anything at all. The court was dim, aglow only from the small green emergency lights situated over the doors and in the corners of the room. Her eyes were adjusting. Something was there.

She jumped away from the door as if the glass had burned her skin. Her hands flew up to cover her mouth. A scream almost escaped, but she stopped it in her throat with a choking noise.

Not far from the door was what looked like a crumpled pile of clothes and broken body parts, motionless in the middle of a spreading pool of blood.

What the hell did I do?

The security lights in the Falcon Academy parking lot flickered. It was early Monday morning and still dark. A beat-up Pathfinder left tracks in the snow as it swerved into a spot re-served for employees.

Harry Doyle climbed out and used his heel to squelch a cigarette into the ground. He grabbed a battered baseball cap from the dashboard and plopped it on his head, holding down what little was left of his hair. After slamming the driver’s door shut, he looked up at the sky, which was turning pink and orange to the east. An enormous blanket of fluffy white covered the parking lot. Last night had been the first big storm of the season, and some parents would call their kids in sick so they could hit the slopes with their friends.

The sixty-eight-year-old custodian shuffled towards the rear entrance of the sports pavilion. The automatic fluorescents in the back hallway glowed a sickly yellow. He hummed as he plodded down the hall to the boys’ changing room, where he put his lunch and jacket away in his locker before going to the storage closet. Harry grabbed the fiberglass handle of the deluxe wet mop and hauled it, and the bucket, out into the corridor toward the basketball courts. Pushing past the double doors, he activated all nine light switches with a swipe of his hand. The bulky, caged gymnasium overheads burst to life with a buzz.

“What the hell?” he exclaimed, dropping the mop.

The handle clattered against the maple wood planks. “Oh dear God.” The words came out strangled.

Harry scrambled for his phone in a zippered compartment of his slacks.

“Hello?” he managed to say, after dialing 911. He was having trouble breathing. “The Falcon Academy. Off Highway 70. Just west of Blackswift. Oh Jesus. Jesus Mary and Joseph. We need help. There’s a lot of blood.”

Are you ready to read The Lying Club?  The Lying Club is available from Amazon*, Harlequin, BookShop.org, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Powell’s.  You can find Annie Ward's other novels here.  A couple of other novels that were published today are:  Curfew by Jayne Cowie, Burning Hope by Wendy Roberts, and French Braid by Anne Tyler.  Tonya Kappes has just released Barista Bump Off which is the eleventh A Killer Coffee Mystery.   Thank you for visiting today.  I will be back tomorrow with Curfew by Jayne Cowie.  I hope that you have a joyful day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Murder at a Scottish Social by Traci HallMur

Murder at a Scottish Social

Book Summary

Sweater shop owner Paislee Shaw puts the yarn in Nairn, but a killer has put poison in some Scottish shortbread cookies . . .

Opening her shop Cashmere Crush and making a new home for herself, her son Brody, Gramps, and their black Scottish terrier Wallace in the beautiful Scottish village of Nairn is a dream come true. So Paislee is happy to give back by donating a luxurious cashmere sweater for an auction to raise money for the Nairn Food Bank. She’s less happy to make the acquaintance of a clique of competitive moms at the charity event, who treat a baking contest like it’s life or death. It turns out to be the latter for Queen Bee Kirsten Buchanan when a peanut-laced shortbread cookie triggers her fatal nut allergy.

 

Who would poison Kirsten? How about half the town? But when Paislee’s pal Blaise is suspected, the sweater-selling sleuth leaps into action to unravel the mystery. Along with gruff but handsome DI Mack Zeffer, she has to sort through a batch of suspects without becoming this cookie-cutter killer’s next target . . .

My Thoughts

Paislee Shaw has agreed to share a table with her friends, Lydia, and Blaise at the fundraiser to support the Nairn Food Bank.  Drama starts before Paislee arrives when the Queen Bee of the mom clique from the local elite school, Kirsten Buchanan puts their table at the back of the room next to the loo.  The theatrics continue as Kirsten and her worker bees shoot barbs at Blaise who has decided their crowd is not for her.  When Kirsten ends up dead after sampling a cookie, Kirsten’s friends are quick to point the finger at Blaise.  Paislee puts away her knitting needles and dons her sleuthing cap in order to find the guilty party.  

Murder at a Scottish Social by Traci Hall is the third A Scottish Shire Mystery.   It is best to read this series in order so that you can get to know the and understand their relationships.  I thought the story contained good writing with a slower pacing.  There is an interesting cast of Scottish characters.  Paislee, Brody, Lydia, Gramps, and Wallace the dog are back along Detective Inspector Zeffer.  We get to meet Blaise O’Connor, her husband, and son.  I did have a hard time with the Scottish brogue.  It was in the previous books, but it seemed more pronounced in this one.  I had such a hard time deciphering the words that I got a migraine.  The whodunit had several suspects, a red herring, and direct clues.  If you catch the clues, you should find solving this mystery a cinch. Paislee did not do much sleuthing in this story.  She was, though, on the receiving end of nasty potshots.  I was turned off by the mean women group.  Their nastiness was off-putting (and reminded me of high school).    When not knitting or working at the shop, Paislee must deal with an issue regarding her son, Brody.  Unfortunately, that means dealing with the problematic headmaster.  Gramps, as always, provides humor.  I liked how the author emphasized the need for the food bank in the community.  The fundraiser was wonderful the way people came together to raise money for the cause (if you can overlook the cruel female clique).  Murder at a Scottish Social is a Scottish whodunit with a cookie contest, a cruel clique, nasty nuts, an elusive Epi-pen, a pilfered piece, remarkable knitwear, and a dedicated detective. 

Murder at a Scottish Social is available from Amazon*.  The first two books in A Scottish Shire Mystery series are Murder in a Scottish Shire (on Kindle Unlimited) and Murder in a Scottish Garden.  You can find Traci Hall's other novels here.  Follow Traci to get updates when she has a new release.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will be back tomorrow with The Lady of Galway Manor by Jennifer Deibel.  I hope that you have go maith (good) day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Stolen Ones by Angela Marsons

Stolen Ones 

Stolen Ones

25 years ago he took a girl. Today he takes another.

One August afternoon, eight-year-old Grace Lennard skips into the garden of the childcare centre she attends and vanishes into thin air. Rushing to the scene of Grace’s disappearance, Detective Kim Stone finds a chilling piece of evidence: the engraved heart bracelet belonging to Melody Jones – the little girl who was taken from a playground exactly twenty-five years ago.

Hours before, Steven Harte had walked into Halesowen police station and confessed to having information that would lead Kim to Melody. And he told Kim she’d have a more urgent problem to deal with first. Now Kim must play Steven’s twisted game if she’s to find Grace alive.

With only twenty-four hours to make every second of Steven’s interrogation count, and scan his behavior for hidden clues, Kim and her team soon link Steven to the abduction of several vulnerable girls – two were kept for a year and then released, unharmed – but where are Melody and the others?

Then small bones are discovered in the grounds of a local park, and Kim fears the worst.

Kim may think she’s close to convicting a killer, but the case is about to get even more complex. Steven is hiding one final explosive truth and he’s not the only one. Dr Alex Thorne – the evil woman Kim did her best to keep behind bars is about to reveal a shocking secret to Kim that will hit her where it hurts the most. Kim knows she must put aside her own demons to save Grace and find the other missing girls in time. But can Kim untangle Steven’s web before any more innocent lives are lost?

An edge-of-your-seat thriller that will leave your heart in your mouth. You will be totally hooked on the utterly addictive, number one, multi-million-copy bestselling Detective Kim Stone series.

My Thoughts

Stolen Ones by Angela Marsons is the 15^th A Detective Kim Stone Crime Thriller.  While you can read each book as a standalone, I recommend reading the series in order.  It will allow you to understand the characters and what they have endured.  I cannot believe this is the fifteenth tale.  It seems like it was just last year that I discovered Silent Scream.  Stolen Ones is different from the other novels in this series.  In this case, the guilty party is known.  He walks into the police station and asks to speak with Kim Stone.  He claims to have information.  We get to interact with the guilty party and discover the motive.  It is about the psychology behind the person’s motives as well as analyzing body language, eye movements, etc.  Kim and her team are also dealing with a missing little girl.  To find her, Kim must play a sophisticated game of cat and mouse.  Kim must modify her behavior if she is to find the missing girl and put the guilty party behind bars.  Kim’s arch nemesis, Dr.  Alex Thorne is bothering her once again despite being locked up behind bars.  Alex has a plan, and she has spent time preparing it as well as obtaining what she needs to enact it.  Alex has uncovered a secret that she knows Kim would like to learn.  If Kim wants the information, she must do something for Alex in return. 

Stolen Ones is well written with developed, realistic characters.  I have enjoyed getting to know Kim and her team.  Kim is the focus of Stolen Ones.  The team is present busily doing their work and we get small snippets of Barney as well.  The author captures the setting of Halesowen.  She provides good descriptions of the various areas without being overly detailed.  I find the pace a little slower in the beginning with it picking up as the story progresses.  The mystery was fascinating.  I could feel Kim’s frustration in dealing with the bad guy.  He will only speak with Kim, and he has done his research.  Kim must alter her behavior and questioning style if she is to succeed.  It depends on how many mysteries you have read on whether or not you see the plot twist coming.  Stolen Ones is a compelling novel that will have you staying up late to see how it turns out.  I wanted to let you know that there is a significant amount of foul language in the story.  I am eager for the next Detective Kim Stone Crime Thriller.  Stolen Ones is a captivating crime novel with a missing moppet, a cold case, a wily wrongdoer, a true-blue team, a slippery psychiatrist, and a dedicated detective inspector.  

A confusing cold case for Kim's team

Stolen Ones is out today and it is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other novels in the Detective Kim Stone Crime Thriller series here.  Follow Angela Marsons on Amazon to get updates on her latest releases.    Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  An Amish Baby for Christmas by Vannetta Chapman is planned for tomorrow.  It is 8th book in the Indiana Amish Brides series.  I am off to put the finishing touches on my Thanksgiving decorations outside.  I have my turkey inflatables set up, I have lights, and now I have cute little signs to put up.  Do you decorate the outside of your home for Thanksgiving?  I would love to hear from you (pictures are encouraged).  I hope that you have an upbeat day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Fallen by Linda Castillo

 Fallen

Book Summary

In New York Times bestselling author Linda Castillo’s new thriller Fallen, a rebellious Amish woman leaves the Plain life, but the secrets she takes with her will lead Chief of Police Kate Burkholder down a dark path to danger and death.

When a young woman is found murdered in a Painters Mill motel, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is shocked to discover she once knew the victim. Rachael Schwartz was a charming but troubled Amish girl who left the fold years ago and fled Painters Mill. Why was she back in town? And who would kill her so brutally?

Kate remembers Rachael as the only girl who was as bad at being Amish as Kate was—and those parallels dog her. But the more Kate learns about Rachael's life, the more she's convinced that her dubious reputation was deserved. As a child, Rachael was a rowdy rulebreaker whose decision to leave devastated her parents and best friend. As an adult, she was charismatic and beautiful, a rabble-rouser with a keen eye for opportunity no matter who got in her way. Her no-holds-barred lifestyle earned her a lot of love and enemies aplenty—both English and Amish.

As the case heats to a fever pitch and long-buried secrets resurface, a killer haunts Painters Mill. Someone doesn’t want Rachael’s past—or the mysteries she took with her to the grave—coming to light. As Kate digs deeper, violence strikes again, this time hitting close to home. Will Kate uncover the truth and bring a murderer to justice? Or will a killer bent on protecting a terrible past stop her once and for all—and let the fallen be forgotten?

My Thoughts

Fallen by Linda Castillo starts off with a bang courtesy of a horrific, bloody murder.  Even seasoned Police Chief Kate Burkholder has a hard time with the crime scene at the local motel.  The victim turns out to be Rachael Schwartz whom Kate babysat as a child.  Rachael left the community and became Englisch when she was seventeen.   Rachael is the type of person who did not pull any punches.  She pulled pranks, got into mischief, and managed to annoy most of the people she encountered.  Rachael still did not deserve to die in that manner.  Kate with help from John Tomasetti sets out to find Rachael’s killer.  The characters in this series are complex, developed, and realistic.  I especially enjoy Kate and John’s relationship.  They are cute together and John understands Kate.  I like the mix of Englisch and Amish.  The mystery was well-done.  It was well-plotted and a delight to solve.  I enjoyed following Kate as she followed the clues, questioned suspects, and consulted with Tomasetti.  There are subtle clues that can aid readers in identifying the guilty party.   I did find the amount of violence (this one was a little extreme) and foul language to be a turn off (not enough to stop reading though).  Fallen is the thirteenth A Kate Burkholder Novel.  For those who are new to this series, Fallen can be read as a standalone.  Personally, I have found it beneficial to read the series in order.  Fallen is a complex whodunit with a motel murder, a rowdy rulebreaker, disappointed parents, severe violence, a cruel killer, and a committed chief of police.  

Fallen publishes Tuesday, July 6 and can be obtained from Amazon*.  The other A Kate Burkholder Novels can be found here.  Follow Linda Castillo on Amazon to get updates on her latest releases.  Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  Tomorrow I am featuring Danielle Steel's latest release Nine Lives.  I hope that all of you have a carefree day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Irish Parade Murder by Leslie Meier

Happy St. Patrick's Day 

Book Summary

Irish Parade Murder by Leslie Meier has Lucy Stone and her family grieving the loss of Bill Stone Sr.  On Lucy’s’ first day back at work after returning from the funeral in Florida, she learns that her boss, Ted Stillings has been acting strangely.  According to Phyllis, The Pennysaver’s receptionist, he has been meeting with people off-site.  Lucy soon learns that changes are coming to the newspaper and they include a new reporter, Rob Callahan.  Rob is interested is in stories that make a big splash which means he has no interest in interviewing the local candidates for the grand marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Gilead.  Lucy also interviews a woman puppeteer who wishes to participate in the parade, but the woman is denied for a flimsy reason which has Lucy’s reporter radar pinging.  Before Lucy can delve further, Rob is arrested for murdering a corrections officer.  Lucy may not be a fan of the eager reporter, but she knows that he is no killer.  She has a hunch that Rob is being set up, and Lucy believes she knows who is behind it.  Lucy will need to watch her step, or she could be the next one hauled off in handcuffs.  

My Thoughts

Irish Parade Murder by Leslie Meier is the 27^th A Lucy Stone Mystery.  I have been enjoying Lucy Stone’s adventures since the beginning.  Lucy is a part-time reporter with The Pennysaver in Tinker’s Cove, Maine where she lives in a quaint farmhouse with her husband, Bill plus her two youngest children, Sara and Zoe.  The family is devastated when Bill’s father passes away.  They all go to Florida for the funeral and comfort Edna, Bill’s mother.  Lucy returns to work to find Ted is making changes at The Pennysaver.  Ted has brought on a new reporter, Rob Callahan who is interested in making a name for himself quickly.  Rob forgets that Tinker’s Cove and Gilead are small towns (gossip travels faster than the speed of light and small-town politics are at play).  Rob finds himself in hot water when he is charged with the murder of a local corrections officer.  Lucy may not be a fan of her rival, but she is not going to let him be railroaded.  Lucy has another mystery to solve at home.  A woman claims to the daughter of Bill’s father and provides a DNA report.  Lucy and Bill are worried the woman is a scam artist. They also cannot find Bill Sr.’s will, which could lead to devastating consequences.  Irish Parade Murder is a lively cozy mystery.  This latest A Lucy Stone Mystery reminds me of the earlier books in the series.  The whodunit involving Rob was multifaceted.  I had a good time following the investigation.  Lucy delves into the local Irish Catholic community where values have not changed in fifty plus years (things move slowly in Rome).  I thought Irish Parade Murder was well-written with developed characters and a charming, small town setting.  I look forward to Lucy Stone’s next adventure.  Irish Parade Murder is a spirited cozy mystery with political plotting, rival reporters, a DNA dilemma, step dancing sisters, an AWOL will, and happy green hair. 

Irish Parade Murder can be obtained from Amazon* along with the other novels in A Lucy Stone Mystery series.  Irish Parade Murder can be borrowed through Kindle Unlimited.  Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  I hope that you have a lucky day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

A Deadly Chapter by Essie Lang

Book Summary

A Deadly Chapter by Essie Lang has Shelby Cox waking up to a thudding against her houseboat.  She investigates and finds a man floating facedown in the water.  This is not the first time Shelby has found a body since returning to Alexandria Bay, New York.  When Shelby is shown a picture of the victim, she recognizes the man from the castle bookshop.  He had been in two different times looking for a woman.  When the victim’s daughter arrives in town seeking answers, Shelby begins searching for answers.  Shelby uncovers some good suspects and some interesting leads.  She needs to be careful, though, or Shelby could end up the next victim.

My Thoughts

A Deadly Chapter by Essie Lang is the 3^rd novel in A Castle Bookshop Mystery series.  You can read A Deadly Chapter on its own if you are new to the series.  I thought A Deadly Chapter was easy to read with developed characters.  I enjoy the description of the castle bookshop and of Alexandria Bay.  I love Shelby’s houseboat (if I did not own so many books, I would love to live on one).  Shelby is happy in Alexandria Bay with house home, job, Aunt Edie, and her boyfriend, Zack Griffin.  The whodunit is mixed bag for me.  The mystery was thought out with subtle clues and several suspects.  The problem for me was that I could identify the guilty party at the beginning of the book.  I wish the mystery had been more of a challenge to solve.  Shelby was originally going to stay out of the case (you knew that would not last long), but unanswered questions bothered her.  Then the victim’s daughter comes town needing answers.  Shelby is soon knee deep in the case.  She does not even let an injury slow her down.  A Deadly Chapter is a busy book.  Shelby’s boyfriend, Zack Griffin gets a promotion, and it will mean big changes for him.  What does it mean for Shelby?  Shelby’s mother disappeared from her life when she was a child and now she is back in town.  Can Shelby handle seeing Merrily?  Plus, Shelby is busy helping to organize a mystery event with the library.  What does the future hold for Shelby?  You will need to read A Deadly Chapter to find out.  I would have liked more focus on the whodunit and less on Shelby’s personal life.  A Deadly Chapter is a lively cozy mystery with a chummy cat, a perturbed police chief, a crafty killer, a disturbed daughter, and a busy bookstore.  

A Deadly Chapter can be obtained from Amazon*.  The first two books in A Castle Bookshop Mystery series are Trouble on the Books and Death on the Page (ebook is currently $2.99 on Amazon).  Thank you for reading my review today.  Tomorrow I am discussing Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke.  It is the 27th A Hannah Swensen Mystery.  I hope that each of you have a cheery day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.