Saddle Up for Murder

Welcome!  It was certainly a close (and disappointing) election. Are you happy or sad over the results?  I had a long drive today and thought I would try an audio book (never tried them before).  I listened to Hide and Seek by M.J. Arlidge.  It is the sixth D.I. Helen Grace novel and it not yet available in the U.S. (except as an audible book).  I just loved it.  The long drive just zipped by while listening to the story.  

Saddle Up for Murder by Leigh Hearon is the second book in A Caron Stables Mystery series.  Annie Carson owns Carson Stables in Washington.  Annie is at home when she notices a young woman coming up the drive.  Ashley Lawton is looking for a job. Unfortunately, Annie cannot afford help at this time.  The next day Annie goes to check on her hay barn and finds Ashley hanging from the rafters.  Who would kill this young woman?  Annie has recently discovered a camping site in her woods.  Could Ashely have been camping out?   Annie discovers that Ashley was also involved with Eloise Carr who recently passed away.   There are questions being raised and Annie is out seeking answers.  It does not help that she has to talk with her half-sister, Lavender.  Annie would rather keep her distance from Lavender, but Annie will do what she must for her investigation.  Join Annie on her latest adventure in Saddle Up for Murder.

Saddle Up for Murder was disappointing for me.    The novel was more about the day in the life of Annie Carson.  I wanted more mystery, less mucking out of the horse’s stalls. The mystery was uncomplicated and easy to solve.  The books pace was slow and I had a hard time liking Annie in this book (she felt she was entitled to information on the case because the body was found on her farm).  I give Saddle Up for Murder 3 out of 5 stars.  If you are looking for a nice book about life on the farm with emphasis on horses with just a touch of mystery, than you will enjoy Saddle Up for Murder. I hope the author readjusts her focus in the next novel (if there is one).

Thank you so much for visiting.  I am off to relax for the evening.  I had to get up five hours early this morning (for an appointment).  I will be back tomorrow with another fantabulous review!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Rhythm and Clues

Happy Election Day!  I do not know about you, but I am very nervous about the results.  I hope all of you took the time to vote.  I vote by mail which I love.  I can take my time going through each item on the ballot.

Rhythm and Clues by Sue Ann Jaffarian is the eleventh book in The Odelia Gray Mysteries.  Odelia Gray is asked to look into the disappearance of Boaz Shankleman by her mother, Grace.  Grace lives at the Seaside Retirement Community.  Her mother and her friend, Art Franklin are sure that that something underhanded has happened to Boaz.  Boaz is more commonly known as Bo Shank, lead singer for the band Acid Storm.  Art and Grace talked with Mona D’Angelo, the manager of the facility, but she was unhelpful.  Odelia thought she had alleviated her mother’s fears, until she gets a late-night call from her mother.  Grace and Odelia’s niece, Lorraine are in jail.  They were arrested for breaking and entering.  There is also the dead body they stumbled upon.  Lorraine came into town after an upsetting break up with her boyfriend, Ethan.  The body is that of Cydney Fox, the band’s new manager.  But Boaz is still missing and no one has been able to reach Art.  Despite being told by the police to stay completely away from the investigation (and by Odelia’s husband, Greg and Odelia’s brother, Clark), the three ladies set out to get answers.  Who killed Cydney?  Where are Art and Boaz?  You can count on Odelia to keep looking until she gets answers.

Rhythm and Clues is the first book I have read in The Odelia Gray Mysteries.  Rhythm and Clues can be read alone.  I felt I was given all the information needed to understand the characters and their background.  The males come across as overprotective.  They are trying to protect their “little women”.  Telling them it was too dangerous for them to investigate the crime.  I had a hard time reading this book.  I was never able to get into the story.  I also did not like any of the characters.  The women were going to do what they wanted to do no matter what (even if they got shot).  It portrays that it is okay for a grandma to run around with a dangerous and illegal knife.  The book reminded me of an episode of I Love Lucy (only worse).  As you can tell, I did not find the book humorous (I am not a fan of screwball comedies).  The book moves at snail’s pace (actually, I have seen snails that go faster than this book).  The author throws too many details, people, and relationships at the reader in the beginning.  I found it confusing trying to keep them all straight.  I give Rhythm and Clues 3 out of 5 stars.  The writer attempted to make the mystery complicated, but the solution was simple (and obvious).  Information is repeated in the novel and, at the end, we are left with a couple of unanswered questions.  Overall, I found the book boring.  I will not be reading any of the other novels in this series.  The Odelia Gray Mysteries are just not for me.  While I did not like this book by Sue Ann Jaffarian, I do recommend her Ghost of Granny Apples series.  

Thank you so much for visiting.  I sincerely hope all of you have a great evening.  I am sure we will all be waiting for the final results (keep your fingers crossed that the results will not make us the laughing stocks of the free world).  I will return tomorrow with my review of Saddle Up for Murder by Leigh Hearon.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Deadly Dog Days

Happy Monday!  I hope all of you have had a delightful day.  Isn't the cover on today's book adorable?  The dogs in the book are not near as cute (they are horrible beasts).  The Cherished Quilt by Amy Clipston comes out later this month.  It is the third book in An Amish Heirloom series.  This is such a heartwarming series.

Deadly Dog Days by Jamie M. Blair is A Deadly Dog Days Mystery (the first one).  Cameron Cripps-Hayman is enjoying the day by the canal in Metamora, Indiana when she spots a hand sticking out of the water. She immediately calls out Sheriff Reins.  The body turns out to be Jenn Berg, a local girl in her 20s.  Cameron finds out that her estranged husband, Ben (also a police officer) has been going out with Jenn (per local gossip).  Everyone in town believes Cameron killed Jenn in a fit of jealously.  Cameron gets her phone bank (people who are serving community service) to help investigate.  Johnna, Anna, Roy, Logan, and Nick are eager to help.  They have dubbed themselves The Metamora Action Agency.  But then Reverend Stroup throws them out of the church basement.  He does not feel he can have a murderer on the premises (he needs to go back to the seminary).  Cameron moves the operation to her home where she gets additional help from Andy, her handyman and budding filmmaker.  Things get a little complicated when Ben’s daughter, Mia (16) comes to visit her father (who is living at the local hotel).  Another guest at Chez Cameron’s.  Then there are the dogs.  Jenn owned five (maybe six) dogs and Cameron agreed to take care of them.  One of them is a biter.  Then Cameron’s sister comes for a visit.  Will Cameron and her group be able to find Jenn’s killer with all this chaos? 

Deadly Dog Days felt more like a rough draft than a finished novel.  At the beginning the author just keeps introducing more and more characters.  We never get any real information about the main characters (just the basics).  The opening is like someone rambling on and on (and you cannot get them to stop).  During the novel, I found information repeated frequently like the author needed filler or she thought the reader was forgetful.   There is also contradictory information.  I give Deadly Dog Days 2.5 out of 5 stars.  The pace of the novel was sluggish.   The mystery was sorely neglected in this cozy mystery.  The author tried to put too much in one book.  I did not mention everything that happened in this novel.  I only listed a few tiny items.  The author made life in Cameron’s house sound like bedlam.  I did not like how the author portrayed the dogs.  The dogs in this novel sound like horrific beasts (I felt bad for the poor things).  They probably need love and training.  I found the mystery portion easy to solve despite the lack of clues.  I prefer less humor and more mystery.  Deadly Dog Days was just not the right book for me.  Deadly Dog Days will be released on Tuesday, November 8 (election day).

Do not forget to vote tomorrow.  Every vote is important especially this year.  I will be reviewing Rhythm and Clues by Sue Ann Jaffarian tomorrow.  May all of you have a heartwarming evening.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

The Devoted

Greetings!  I sincerely hope all of you are enjoying your Sunday. Did you remember to set your clocks back today?  We may gain an extra hour, but it gets dark so early (before 6 p.m.).  I would rather have more sunshine!  If you need a thriller to read tonight (since it's dark), try Blood Lines by Angela Marsons.

The Devoted by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the third book in The Bishop’s Family series.  Ruthie Stoltzfus is seventeen years old and living in Stoney Ridge, Pennsylvania.  Ruthie knows she wants something more.  She even took the GED without anyone knowing.  She is inspired by her aunt, Dr. Ruth Stoltzfus.  Ruthie just needs to figure out exactly what she wants.  Patrick Kelly has come from Canada and is determined to become Amish.  He wants to totally immerse himself in the culture and has given himself thirty days to learn everything he needs to know to become a good Amish person. He has hired Ruthie to teach him Penn Dutch.  Ruthie enjoys spending time with Patrick.  He is different from Luke Schrock, her ex-boyfriend.  Luke does not like seeing Ruthie with someone else.  But Luke is not ready to settle down.  He has too much fun drinking and getting into trouble (which is why he is an ex-boyfriend).  Dr. Ruth is having some problems of her own.  Thanks to her boyfriend, Ed Gingerich she is now out of job.  Dr. Ruth now has the chance to take over Dr. Max Finegold’s practice in Stoney Ridge.  Dr. Ruth ran away from this town when she was younger.  Is she ready to come back?  Will the Amish community accept Dr. Ruth as their new doctor?  Life is never dull for the citizens of Stoney Ridge. 

The Devoted was an enjoyable book to read.  It is a heartwarming novel with enjoyable characters, nice setting, and good messages.  The Devoted cannot be read alone.  In order to understand the characters and their dynamics, you need to read the other novels in the series (otherwise, you will be confused).  The novel is well-written and has a sweet ending.  The Devoted deals with alcolhism, teenage growing pains, illness, love, faith and much more.  Scripture verses are sprinkled throughout the novel to help reinforce the messages (sometimes it is a little preachy).    I give The Devoted 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).  If you enjoy Amish novels, I recommend The Bishop’s Family series.  I look forward to reading more books by Suzanne Woods Fisher in the future. The other novels in The Bishop's Family series are The Imposter and The Quieting.

Thank you for visiting!  I would appreciate it if you would sign up for my blog (at right).  I am off to relax for the evening.  I spent part of my day cleaning the cat's rooms (they are slobs).  Once Upon a Time and Masters of Sex are on tonight. There is also another new Hallmark Christmas movie.  I am currently reading Rhythm and Clues by Sue Ann Jaffarian.  May all of you have a delightful and fulfilling night.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Deck the Hallways

Welcome everyone!  I hope all of you have been enjoying your Saturday. We are having a "cold front" in our area.  It is nice overnight when it dips into the 60s.  During the day it was in the low 80s with a nice breeze. The perfect opportunity to get some work done outside.  

Deck the Hallways by Kate Carlisle is the fourth book in A Fixer-Upper Mystery series.  Shannon Hammer is supervising the Forester House project for Holiday Homebuilders.  They are dividing the mansion into apartments for people in need. The house was donated by Lighthouse Cove Bank and Trust.  Many people are donating their time and services for this special project.  Unfortunately, they have a scrooge in their midst.  Peter Potter, representing the bank, insists on visiting the site every single day.  Mr. Potter is definitely on Santa’s naughty list for the way he manages to antagonize every single person he encounters.  Early one morning Shannon is unable to sleep and heads over to the job site.  Shannon wants to check the progress the butler’s pantry that is being turned into a kitchen.  The door will not budge.  She pushes on it and finds Mr. Potter on the other side with her father’s new axe in his neck.  Jack, Shannon’s father, had a very loud, public argument with Potter the day before.  Someone is trying to frame Jack.  Shannon sets out to find the Grinch that is trying to ruin her Christmas.  Shannon’s stocking is overflowing with trouble.  A troublesome volunteer, a plethora of Santa’s, missing tools, a parade to organize, stolen diamond charm, the return of her beau, and a baby!  Someone left a baby in Shannon’s truck.  Shannon needs to find the baby’s mother and a killer (and someone to take care of said baby).  Will she be able to wrap up her to do list by Christmas Eve?  Join Shannon and friends for some holiday hijinks in Deck the Hallways!

Deck the Hallways was an entertaining novel.  It has engaging characters, good writing and a beautiful setting of Lighthouse Cove, California. There is certainly a lot going on in this book, but the author makes it work.   I give Deck the Hallways 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).  I just wish that more work had been put into the mystery.  It was obvious who would be killed (I think Peter Potter is nastier than Scrooge).  The killer’s identity was as obvious as a wrapped golf club sitting under the tree.  Deck the Hallways can be read alone.  Everything the reader needs to know (about the main characters and town) is provided in the book.  I look forward to visiting Shannon again in Lighthouse Cove in the next A Fixer-Upper Mystery novel.  The other books in A Fixer-Upper Mystery series are A High-End Finish, This Old Homicide, and Crowned and Moldering.  You can follow Kate Carlisle on Facebook and Amazon.

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my review.  I hope you enjoyed it (it was fun to write).  I going to go finish Deadly Dog Days by Jamie M. Blair and eat dinner. I will also be enjoying the new new Hallmark Christmas movie on tonight starring Jamie King (from Hart of Dixie).  May all of you have a fabulous night!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Little Boy Blue

Happy Friday!  I hope everyone is having a lovely Friday.  On Tuesday three new books are being released.  They are Deadly Dog Days by Jamie M. Blair; Rhythm and Clues by Sue Ann Jaffarian; and Maggie Dove's Detective Agency by Susan Breen.  Amanda Flower's latest A Living History Museum Mystery has just been listed on Amazon. The Final Vow is now available for pre-order.  It comes out on May 8, 2017 (it will be here before we know it).

Little Boy Blue by M.J. Arlidge is the fifth D.I. Helen Grace Thriller novel.  Helen Grace and her team are called to a murder at the Torture Rooms (you can guess what type of club it is).  They find the victim wrapped up and his head covered in duct tape.  When the duct tape is removed, Helen recognizes the victim as Jake.  Helen used to visit Jake and partake in his services.  Helen knows she cannot say a word.  She does not want her team to know about her private life.  But then a second victim turns up, and he has a connection to Helen as well.  This is not looking good for Helen, and she should proceed carefully (we know Helen will not).  Then Helen ends up finding another victim with a close connection to her.  Someone has been watching Helen.  Can Helen find this crafty killer?

I had to be very careful with the wording of my review so I do not give away any spoilers.  Little Boy Blue will keep you up until the wee hours of the morning.  I was shocked at the ending (and it has a cliffhanger ending).  As I was reading the novel I could see where things were heading, but I kept hoping for a different outcome.  The hardest thing is I now have to wait for Hide and Seek to come out in the United States.  Little Boy Blue is a well-crafted novel with an engaging main character.  M.J. Arlidge did it again with Little Boy Blue.  I give Little Boy Blue 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it).  Little Boy Blue is not a stand-alone novel.  You really need to read the other books in the series in order to enjoy Little Boy Blue.  If you enjoy novels of suspense, then I recommend reading Little Boy Blue.  The other novel in the D.I. Helen Grace Thriller series are Eeny Meeney, Pop Goes the Weasel, The Doll's House, and Liar Liar.

I appreciate all of you taking time to stop by and read my review.  I will be reviewing Deck the Hallways by Kate Carlisle tomorrow.  I am off to watch MacGyver (I love the new version of this show). May all of you have a delightful, yet relaxing evening.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Eggnog Murder

I hope all of you have had a delightful Thursday.  I spent the day running errands.  The best part of errand day is the delicious pepper steak I pick up from a local Chinese restaurant.  Do you like to treat yourself to something special when you go out?  Tomorrow Blood Lines by Angela Marsons comes out.  It is the latest Detective Kim Stone novel.  If you enjoy suspense thrillers, you will love this series of books.

Eggnog Murder by Leslie Meier, Barbara Ross, and Lee Hollis contains three Christmas cozy mystery stories.  Eggnog Murder by Leslie Meier is set in Tinker’s Cove, Maine.  The Pennysaver is serving eggnog and cookies during the annual holiday stroll.  Dorcas Philpott has a cup of the holiday brew and ends up dead.  Who tampered with the eggnog?  Lucy wants to find the killer and wrap up the investigation so she can enjoy the holidays with her family.

Death by Eggnog by Lee Hollis is a Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery story.  Agatha Farnsworth is the town librarian that people dread talking to because she is extremely grumpy.  At the annual Restaurant Association Christmas Dinner, Agatha enjoys a cup of eggnog.  Unfortunately, it is her last.  Hayley sets out to bag the killer.

Nogged Off by Barbara Ross is set in Busman’s Harbor, Maine.  Julia Snowden ends up with an extra unwanted guest for Christmas.  Julia goes to clean out her apartment and finds her tenant Imogen Geinkes in tears.  Imogen just lost her job and boyfriend.  Julia packs up everything in a truck and takes Imogen to her mother.  The moving truck disappears and is found with Imogen’s ex-boyfriend dead inside.  Julia wants to tie this investigation up quickly so she can enjoy the holiday with her family.

Eggnog Murder contained some cute stories.  They are short and sweet.  They are nicely written and good additions to each series.  I did find the mysteries simple and easily solved.  It is nice to catch up with the characters from the cozy mystery series that I enjoy reading.  I give Eggnog Murder 4 out of 5 stars (I liked them).  You can enjoy the stories even if you have not read the books in each series (you might find some new cozy mystery series to enjoy).  Eggnog Murder will help put you in the mood for Christmas. 

I hope all of you have a delightful evening.  I am off to enjoy my shows (Legends of Tomorrow, Notorious, How to Get Away with Murder, Project Runway).  I will be back tomorrow to review Little Boy Blue by M.J. Arlidge.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader  

Pocketbooks and Pistols by Dorothy Howell

Welcome!  I hope everyone had a great Wednesday.  I spent the day doing chores around the house. I do have to put my kindle away sometimes to sweep, dust and do laundry.  My mother and I have dream of the day we can have someone come in to clean the house from top to bottom.  Wouldn't it be wonderful to have someone come in and clean your home?  You know you have dreamed about it!  

Pocketbooks and Pistols by Dorothy Howell is the twelfth A Haley Randolph Mystery novel.  Haley Randolph only works part-time at Holt’s Department Store so that she can receive an 80% discount at Nouvu, a high-end shop (also owned by the company).  Somehow (Haley cannot remember exactly how it happened) she volunteered to run the new hire orientation that day (Haley had no clue the company had an employee handbook).  Haley is taking the new hires on a tour of the facility. She is showing them the loading dock, and opens the loading doors (not a good idea).  By the dumpster is ex-employee, Asha McLean.  Because of the bad publicity, the owners might close this Holt’s store.  Haley cannot afford to lose her discount especially since she is waiting for her new Mystique bag to arrive at Nouvu.  There will only be a limited number of positions open in other Holt’s for the employees.  In order for Haley to secure one, she needs to win Employee of the Month.  Haley looks up the requirements in the employee handbook, and she is shocked.  She would have to spend actual time helping customers in order to win this award.  Haley decides it would be easier to solve the murder.  If the negative publicity evaporates, the store can stay open.  Plus, Haley will be lauded for solving the crime.  Can Haley find the culprit and keep her job?  She really wants the Mystique bag. 

I am afraid that I did not to enjoy Pocketbooks and Pistols.  I found Haley Randolph to be a vain, superficial, self-centered individual (I did not like her).  She has a lousy work ethic (spends most of her time in the break chugging down chocolate).  I know it is supposed to be funny, but I was not laughing.  Pocketbooks and Pistols can be read as a stand-alone novel (for the most part).  I do not understand why she works at Holt’s Department Store instead of at Nouvu?  Do the employees of Nouvu not get a discount?  I wish that had been explained (maybe it was in a previous book).  The mystery was simple and easy to solve.  I did find that more time was devoted to Haley’s Starbucks addiction (as well as her need for chocolate) than to the solving the murder.  I lost count of the number of times Starbucks was mentioned in the book (more than 24).  The book contained odd sentences.  Haley would say this peculiar rambling sentences with hyphens between each word (made no sense).  I give Pocketbooks and Pistols 3 out of 5 stars (it is okay, just not my type of book). If you are looking for a light, humorous book with just a hint of a mystery, then you would enjoy Pocketbooks and Pistols.  

Thank you for visiting.  I will be back tomorrow to review Eggnog Murder by Leslie Meier, Barbara Ross, and Lee Hollis.  May all of you have a nice, relaxing evening.  I am off to enjoy dinner and prop up my feet. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

All the Little Liars by Charlaine Harris

I hope all of you are having a wonderful Wednesday.  It is hard to believe it is November already.  Do not forget to set your clocks back this Sunday.  Put a reminder on your calendar.

All the Little Liars by Charlaine Harris is the ninth book in the An Aurora Teagarden Mystery series. Aurora is back from her honeymoon and is settling into married life with Robin Crusoe in Lawrenceton, Georgia.  They are both excited about Aurora’s pregnancy (her library gives her a whole three weeks off for maternity leave).  Aurora’s half-brother, Phillip is staying with them.  He could not stay with their father and hitchhiked from California to Georgia to get away from him.  Things are going well until Aurora gets a call from Beth Finstermeyer.  Phillip is out playing with her twins, but Beth has been unable to reach Josh and Joss.  Aurora cannot reach Phillip on his cell phone.  Then they hear that Liza Scott, eleven years old, is also missing.  The four kids were last seen at the soccer field.  When the police check the soccer field, they find a body.  What happened at the soccer field?  Aurora starts asking questions and delving into each families lives.  Then they hear that Clayton Harrison, the town’s charming teen bad boy, has disappeared.  Is his disappearance related to the other kids?  Someone knows the answers, and Aurora is determined to get the answers.

All the Little Liars does not fit in with the other books in this series.  The book is slow paced and the mystery plays out even slower rate.  The mystery can be solved very easily (I was hoping for a real challenge). Aurora being in the early stages of her pregnancy is experiencing morning sickness.  We get to hear about her throwing up (in too much detail).  It was disgusting and totally unnecessary.  I give All the Little Liars 3 out of 5 stars.  All the Little Liars felt more like a rough draft, than a finished novel.  I found that information was repeated and there are a couple of inconsistencies.  I hope Ms. Harris will be back on her game with the next book in An Aurora Teagarden Mystery series.  

Thank you for stopping by and reading my latest review.  I really do appreciate it.  I will return later with my review of Pocketbooks and Pistols by Dorothy Howell.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

The Christmas Club by Barbara Hinske

Welcome!  It is book release day (see my Halloween posting for a list of books) and All Saint's Day.  I love getting new books (yes, I am a book nerd and proud of it).  On November 4 the latest D.I. Kim Stone novel will be released.  It is called Blood Lines.  Each Angela Marsons' novel is better than the last.  If you enjoy thrillers, please take a moment to check out this series.

The Christmas Club is the latest story by Barbara Hinske.  It is 1952 in Cleveland, Ohio.  Verna Lind, a baker, has all of her Christmas Club money in her purse ($30).  As she is departing the bank, she slips on some ice, her purse drops, falls open, and her money is caught up in the wind.  Edward Fuller and Carol Clark stop to help Verna.  The $30 is what Verna has managed to save up during the year to buy present for her family and friends.  Carol assists Verna into the bank while Edward checks out the money situation.  The money is has been blown away, but Edward and Carol replace it from their own funds for Verna.  But that $30 in six $5 bills can make a difference to six lives.  You need to read The Christmas Club to experience the true meaning of Christmas.

The Christmas Club is superbly written.  It is an engaging novel with great characters.  It was amazing how she took the separate characters along with their situations and intertwined them.  It is a sweet, delightful Christmas novel that will have you looking at Christmas in a different way (a very good way).  I give The Christmas Club 5 out of 5 stars (can you tell I loved it).  The Christmas Club is a short story with a big impact. The Christmas Club is available on Kindle Unlimited (great program on Amazon).  Barbara Hinske also writes the Rosemont series.  There are currently four books in the series and they are also available on Kindle Unlimited (Amazon). 

Thank you for visiting.  I am off to eat dinner and then finish a few chores. I will be back tomorrow with my review of Pocketbooks and Pistols by Dorothy Howell.  May all of you have a very special evening. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader