Modern Crimes: A WPC Lottie Armstrong Mystery

Welcome!  I happen to be a fan of British mystery/suspense novels. Two of my favorite authors are Angela Marsons and M.J. Arlidge. I have now discovered Chris Nickson who has written the historical, mystery novel Modern Crimes.  You can follow Chris Nickson on Amazon and Facebook. Facebook is a great way to get to know your favorite authors, find out when they are releasing a new book, when one of the author's books are on sale, and contests.

Modern Crimes by Chris Nickson is the first book in A WPC Lottie Armstrong Mystery series.  Charlotte “Lottie” Armstrong is a WPC (Women’s Police Constable) in Leeds, England.  It is 1924 and Lottie is one of two female constables at the Millgarth Police Station.  Lottie and her partner, Cathy Taylor are assigned the case of a missing, pregnant eighteen-year-old Jocelyn Hill.  Jocelyn disappeared from Mrs. Allen’s home for unwed girls where she was staying (forced to stay by her mother).  When the case leads them to Ray Coleman, the pair are forced to turn the case over to male detective.  Female constables are only allowed to investigate cases involving women and children.  Lottie gets a great opportunity when she gets to tag along with Constable Tennison to question Mr. Coleman.  It is the first time that a male and female constable have been paired together.  Constable Tennison discovers Lottie’s ability to ask intelligent and probing questions (and to know when a suspect is lying).  This provides Lottie the opportunity to work with CID (Criminal Investigation Division) and Sergeant McMillan.  This case will take Lottie across Leeds from one of the richest homes to an establishment that makes Sgt. McMillan extremely uncomfortable.  Lottie will need to keep her wits about her as she sets out to find the perpetrator and fight against male prejudice.  See how WPC Charlotte Armstrong fares in Modern Crimes.

Modern Crimes is an intriguing story that captured my attention from the very first page and held it until the very end.  The novel is well-written, easy to read, and has a good pace.  I found Modern Crimes to be well researched.  The author did a splendid job at capturing time and place.  I liked that Lottie Armstrong is a strong main character with keen intelligence.  I give Modern Crimes 4.5 out of 5 stars.  Modern Crimes has a good mystery that will keep most readers guessing until the reveal.  The only thing that I found disappointing was the ending (I cannot say more without spoiling it for you).  Modern Crimes is a British novel so it contains British terminology and slang. I cannot wait to read the next book in A WPC Lottie Armstrong Mystery series (The Year of the Gun and it will be out in the fall of 2017). 

I am going to put clean sheets on my bed and then collapse on it.  I have had a rough, tiring day and tomorrow does not look like it will be any brighter (my car battery has died).  I am currently reading Dead Cold Brew by Cleo Coyle (I get a lot of reading done during television commercials). Grimm returns to NBC tonight for the final (sob) season and Sleepy Hollow returns to Fox with a new leading lady. May all of you have a delightful night.  Take care, stay warm and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Towhee Get Your Gun: A Bird Lover's Mystery

I hope everyone had a lovely Thursday.  I spent the day paying bills online and doing housework (as much fun as going to the dentist). If you have not yet read A Beeline to Murder by Meera Lester, this is the time to pick it up.  It is currently $.99 on Amazon.com (always double check the price before purchasing).  

Towhee Get Your Gun by J.R. Ripley is the second book in A Bird Lover’s Mystery series.  Amy Simms is the owner of Birds and Bees in Ruby Lake, North Carolina.  After having a frustrating discussion with Paul Anderson about his camper (which is parked in front of Amy’s store), Amy’s cousin Riley enters the shop.  The Theater on the Square (TOTS) is putting on a production of Annie Get Your Gun, but they have been having some difficulties (people injured, thefts of small items, a small fire).  He has just come from the theater where the stage curtain rod gave way and injured two of the actors.  Riley wishes to recruit Amy to play Winnie (keep in mind that Amy cannot sing and it is a musical).  Ava Turner, a movie star who lives locally, has agreed to star as Annie (she played the role on Broadway when she was younger).  A few days later, Amy is at TOTS for a rehearsal.  Amy is on stage with Riley when they hear a shot ring out.  Amy runs towards the back of the theater to find Lou Ferris, the theater manager, trying to get into Ava’s dressing room.  After getting the door unlocked, they find Patsy Klein, Jill-of-all trades, dead in Ava Turner’s dressing room.  There is no one else in the room and there is a prop gun on the floor.  It looks like Patsy committed suicide, but, as we all know, looks can be deceiving.  The police discover that Patsy was stabbed to death and Rhonda, Amy’s cousin and Riley’s fraternal twin, ends up being the prime suspect.  Amy sets out to find the real culprit and clear Rhonda’s name.  In between sleuthing, Amy must deal with her shop, her nosy and annoying second-floor tenant, her new disrupting neighbor, her plans for Seeds for Seniors program, and the town trying to take over her land under eminent domain.  Amy cannot say that life is dull in Ruby Lake.  Will Amy be able to find the real culprit and rescue her cousin, Rhonda from the hoosegow? 

Towhee Get Your Gun is easy to read and has a good pace.  I thought that the author included some good information on towhee’s and rehabilitating injured birds. While Towhee Get Your Gun is the second book in the series, you can read it as a stand-alone (the author gives the reader all the needed background on the characters and what happened in the first novel). I personally thought that there was too much going on in Towhee Get Your Gun.  We have the murder, Amy’s new neighbor, return of Amy’s old boyfriend, a towhee left on the store’s front porch, the Seeds for Seniors project, Amy’s annoying second-floor tenant (I would find a way to toss that woman out of on her posterior), meddling friend, Kate (the meddling friend) and Randy flipping a house, Barbara (Amy’s mother) illness and meddling, and the possibility of romance for Amy with Derek (despite warnings from Derek’s ex-wife).  I am sure that I left something out of that list.  I found Amy a hard character to like.  She runs around town probing the murder (while her mother and friend try to ruin her life and shop) while alienating the citizens of Ruby Lake with her questioning (which comes out accusatory).  I can see why many of the townspeople are not fond of Amy (and she needs them on her side in order to save her home and shop).  You know you do not like a character when you keep hoping the killer will bump her off next.  Amy also over indulges in food and then laments about her appearance (more than once).  I give Towhee Get Your Gun 3 out of 5 stars (okay, but not for me).  I thought the mystery was too simple.  I could identify the killer before anyone had been murdered (one little detail gave away the perpetrator’s identity).  I believe that many readers will be able to figure out all the parts of the puzzle long before the reveal.  Towhee Get Your Gun is the type of cozy mystery for readers that like zany and over-the-top antics (and humor).  The next book in A Bird Lover's Mystery series is The Woodpecker Always Pecks Twice (and then To Kill a Hummingbird). Die, Die Birdie is the first book in the series and is $.99 on Amazon (the sale can end at any time).

I appreciate your visit to read my latest book evaluation.  I am off to watch my shows.  Nashville returns tonight!  I am so glad that CMT picked up this show.  I am currently reading Exposed in Darkness by Heather Sunseri.  I will be back tomorrow to review Modern Crimes by Chris Nickson.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Amish Weddings: Neighbors of Lancaster Couty

Welcome.  We are halfway through the first week of 2017.  I want to ask you what if modern technology gets wiped out overnight (can you imagine no electricity)? That is the premise of Deep Shadows by Vannetta Chapman.  It is the first book in The Remnant series and is currently being offered for $.99 on Amazon. The prequel to the series is Overshadowed (and it is free on Amazon).  Raging Storm, the second book in the series, will be out on January 31.  This is normally not my type of series, but I read Overshadowed and became hooked.  I hope you will take advantage of this sale to try out The Remnant series.

Amish Weddings by Leslie Gould is the third book in Neighbors of Lancaster County series.  Lila and Zane announce that they are going to be married in one month in October 2015.  Rose Lehman (18), Lila’s sister, has been dating Rueben Byler and was hoping they would wed first.  But then Lila is in a terrible buggy accident and suffers a broken pelvis, ruptured spleen, and bruised organs.  Lila will be recovering from her injuries for months.  Lila and Zane’s wedding is postponed, and Rose is enlisted to help with Lila’s care (Lila did not wish to enter a rehab facility).  Tim Lehman, Rose and Lila’s father, is preoccupied with Beth Yoder, the local schoolteacher.  Beth’s husband left the Amish and divorced her.  The Amish, though, marry for life (they are in a holding pattern).  While Tim is inattentive and Lila recuperating, Rose has an opportunity for a little exploration.  Rose never took her rumspringa when she was sixteen.  Trevor Anderson, an Army friend of Zane’s, comes to town and flirts with Rose. Rose is disgruntled with Rueben’s high standards and starts sneaking out to spend time with Tyler.  Will Rose remember the teachings of the Amish church?  While Lila is recovering, she begins to think about her birth father, Butch Wilson.  Lila believes that Tim does not care for her the same way he does Rose and Trudy (his natural children).  Lila begins a search for Butch Wilson much to her Daniel’s, her twin brother, dismay.  Shani Beck goes above and beyond for the family during this time.  But Rueben does not like the Beck family spending so much time with the Lehman’s.  He feels that the Beck’s are a bad influence.  It is going to be a rough couple of months for the Lehman’s, Beck’s, and Byler’s.  Come join them in Amish Weddings to see how it all turns out. 

I found Amish Weddings to be very well-written and an engaging novel. My attention was captured from the very beginning.  While Amish Weddings is the third book in the series, you can read it alone (you will be confused at first though).  I do, though, recommend reading the first two books in the Neighbors of Lancaster County series (they are very good).  By reading the first two books (Amish Promises and Amish Sweethearts), you will get to know the various characters (it will help you keep them all straight and see them grow up).  Amish Weddings has a good pace, nice setting, and interesting characters.  I give Amish Weddings 4.5 out of 5 stars.  I knew that the one character was going down the wrong path (making very bad decisions), but I did like reading to see how the storyline would play out.  The ending is expected, but I did find it pleasurable (it will make you smile).  It was nice to see what happened to all the characters the readers have come to know and love through the series.  There is quite a bit going on in Amish Weddings.  I found it, though, easy to keep track of the characters and their storylines (I did not tell you about all the characters in the summary above).  I am sad to see the series end, but I look forward to reading more books by Leslie Gould in the future.

I have some exciting (for me) news to share with you this evening. I am very honored to have been picked for Amy Clipston's Bakery Bunch (her review team).  Ms. Clipston only picked thirty-three people for her team this year, and I am very lucky to be one of them.    I am going to relax for the evening and finish reading A Fatal Twist by Tracy Weber.  May all of you have a good night.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Fudge and Jury: A Bakeshop Mystery

Happy Tuesday!  I am featuring Ellie Alexander's latest novel Fudge and Jury today.  The other books in A Bakeshop Mystery series are Meet Your Baker, A Batter of Life and Death, On Thin Icing, and Caught Bread Handed.  You can follow Ms. Alexander on Amazon and Facebook.

Fudge and Jury by Ellie Alexander is the fifth book in A Bakeshop Mystery series.  It is March in Ashland, Oregon, and Torte is getting ready for a remodel and Ashland’s Annual Chocolate Festival.  Jules and her mother, Helen have finally saved up enough money for new ovens.  Before the ovens will be installed, the place will get a paint job (as well as a new register and inventory system installed).  Torte is also preparing chocolate samples and cakes for the festival.  Torte is one of the four showcase vendors.  One of the other showcase vendors is Evan Rowe of Confections Couture.  Evan states that he will be making a big announcement during the festival.  Evan then proceeds to go around and sample the other vendors wares (and making derogatory comments).  After sampling Unbeatable Brownies (and condemning the baker’s brownies), he proceeds to taste one of Torte’s delicacies.  Evan then begins to choke.  Jules recognizes the signs of an allergic reaction and asks if anyone has an EpiPen.  Before Evan’s assistant, Carter turns up with Evan’s EpiPen, Evan passes away.  Evan was allergic to nuts, but there were no nuts in the sample he tried of Torte’s (but their samples are confiscated). Jules knows it was not Torte’s products that killed Evan (they are very careful in the bakery) and sets out to find out who had it in for Evan (Santa’s naughty list is shorter).  Jules also needs decide if she wants to expand Torte.  Helen and Jules have a great opportunity, but is this the right time?  Jules, Helen and the Torte gang are in for a very busy three days in Fudge and Jury.

Fudge and Jury is an easy novel to read and it is nicely written.  While it is the fifth book in the series, it can be read alone.  The story has a good pace and interesting characters (especially Lance).  Ashland sounds like a lovely town.  I relished the description of the Elizabethan looking buildings and the theater (the town is known for the Shakespeare plays performed).  There are numerous accounts of chocolate treats provided in the book (so many that if they were excluded this would be a novella instead of a full-length novel).  I give Fudge and Jury 3 out of 5 stars.  The mystery was uncomplicated.  I could identify the killer and method of murder very early in the story (right after the guy hit the floor).  The murderer’s method of killing was unique which I really appreciated (has not been used before in any of the mysteries I have read).  I was extremely disappointed and disgruntled that the storyline with Carlos, Jules estranged husband, was not resolved in Fudge and Jury.  It is long past time to wrap up the story of Carlos and Jules (Carlos needs to go).  I am tired of Jules mooning over Carlos’ voice, his appearance, his food, etc.  (it is just too sappy for a mystery novel).  I sincerely hope that Ms. Alexander will conclude this particular subplot in the next novel in the series which is A Crime of Passion Fruit (June 2017).

I hope you enjoyed my review.  I am going to go relax for the evening.  I have had a migraine since yesterday (the weather is changing in our area).  I am finishing up The Elusive Elixir by Gigi Pandian.  Take care, have a great evening and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

The 4th Man: An FBI Profiler/Detective D.D. Warren Story

Welcome, Fellow Readers!  Tomorrow is the first book release day of 2017.   Amish Weddings by Leslie Gould, Fudge and Jury by Ellie Alexander, Pop Goes the Murder by Kristi Abbott, Assault and Beret by Jenn McKinlay (last book in the series), Telling Tails by Sofie Ryan and Towhee Get Your Gun by J.R. Ripley are a few of the new books being released on January 3.

The 4^th Man by Lisa Gardner is An FBI Profiler/Detective D.D. Warren Story.  Sergeant Detective D.D. Warren is a Boston homicide detective working cold cases.  Her latest case is the murder of Jaylin Banks that occurred at a local Boston college ten years ago.  Jaylin had been found in one of the stairwells by a campus security guard.  The police have no physical evidence of the killer and there was little violence involved.  The only thing that was missing was Jaylin’s dirty white keds.  Their only hope is getting a confession from one of their suspects.  Warren has brought in the top three suspects to be questioned by profiling expert, Pierce Quincy and his wife, Officer Rainie Connor.   If one of these three men did not commit the crime, then it is the unknown fourth man.  Will they finally get justice for Jaylin Banks by identifying her killer?

The 4^th Man is well-written, has a good pace, and is very easy to read.  I appreciate the characters and their method of interrogation and investigation.  The 4th Man is a very (extremely) short story that can be finished in about 30 to 45 minutes (depending on how fast you read).  The mystery is interesting (unique) and most people will be surprised the killer’s identity.  I give The 4^th Man 4 out of 5 stars.  I wish the story had been just a little longer.  I felt that the whole story was too rushed.  A preview of Lisa Gardner’s next book, Right Behind You, is included (and it is very good).  You can follow Lisa Gardner on Facebook and Amazon.

I hope everyone had a good day and that you will have a nice, relaxing Monday evening.  I have a few more chores to finish before I settle down to watch Shadowhunters that returns to FreeForm tonight (previously ABC Family).  I will return tomorrow to provide another book review (I am dependable).  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

The Workhouse Children

Happy New Year!  The beginning of 2017.  I hope your year has gotten off to a good start.  If you enjoy reading Amish novels, Amish Weddings by Leslie Gould comes out Tuesday (January 3). It is the final book in Neighbors of Lancaster County series.

The Workhouse Children is a debut novel by Lindsey Hutchinson.  It is 1901 in the small town of Bilston (which is in the industrial West Midlands).  Cara Flower’s grandmother, Henrietta Selby, has just passed away, and left Cara very well off (house and money).  Her grandmother left a letter for Cara giving her the task of looking for any lost relatives and to care for them.  This is puzzling to Cara who believed she had no other family.  Cara had been raised by her grandmother, and she would never speak about Cara’s parents.  It turns out that Cara’s mother, Elizabeth married someone inappropriate causing an estrangement.  Martin Lander, the family solicitor, suggests that Cara check the Bilston workhouse.  Cara is shocked by the conditions in the workhouse and how it is managed by the Master and Matron (Fred and Ada Tulley).  She does, though, find her thirteen-year-old brother, Charlie.  There is a sister, Daisy, but Fred Tulley had sold her as a servant (and pocketed the money).  It seems Fred and Ada are doing everything possible to run the workhouse cheaply so they will have extra money (so they can live comfortably).  Cara sets out to empty the workhouse and make it obsolete (after finding Daisy).  But the local Magistrate of Bilston, Joseph Purcell (as well as the Tulley’s) is not happy with Cara’s plans.  Will Cara succeed with her mission?  Will Cara be able to find out what happened to her parents and why they did not raise her?

The Workhouse Children is nicely written and easy to read.  I did find The Workhouse Children to be an uplifting, sweet story (unrealistic, but a good read).  It would be lovely if there were more people like Cara in this world.  I did enjoy reading how Cara tackled the problem of the workhouse and discovered her family history.     I give The Workhouse Children 3.5 out of 5 stars.   I did find that the author would sometimes go into a little too much detail with her descriptions (it bogs down the story).  The Workhouse Children is a British novel so it contains British expressions and slang (must of them can be figured out).  I did find some information to be repeated (do authors think we forget things one chapter to the next). The story is told from different viewpoints which can be confusing (I wish the author had stuck with the third person point-of-view).  The Workhouse Children could do with a little editing (just a little too long).  The Workhouse Children is a good first book and the story will linger in your mind long after you finish it (and it's only $1.99 on Amazon). Ms. Hutchinson’s next book The Wives’ Revenge which will be out this summer (July 1).  You can follow Lindsey Hutchinson on Amazon and Facebook.

I will return tomorrow to review The 4th Man by Lisa Gardner. May all of you have a lovely, relaxing evening.  The Librarians is on tonight as well as the final Hallmark Christmas movie of the season.  It is called A Rose for Christmas with Rachel Boston. I will be reading Forgotten Boxes by Becki Willis during the commercials.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

My Valentine with bonus story of Little Shoes and Mistletoe

Happy New Year's Eve!  I will be enjoying a quiet evening at home with my mother and my babies (the cats and dogs).  My fur babies will be huddling under my bed as the fireworks go off in our neighborhood (poor little things).  How are you enjoying your New Year's Eve?

My Valentine by Tracie Peterson is a Christian romance novel that also contains Little Shoes and Mistletoe by Sally Laity.  My Valentine starts in January 1835 in New York City.  Darlene and her father, Abraham Lewy live and work in the Old Slip district (near the docks).  Abraham has a fine tailoring shop that is patronized by Dennison and his son, Pierce Blackwell.  Pierce has just returned to New York after being in Europe for the last three years (mostly to avoid his stuffy, snobbish Aunt Eugenia).  Pierce and Darlene are instantly attracted to each, but Darlene knows there is no chance of romance between them.  They are not only separated by social classes, but also by religion.  Darlene is a Jewess and Pierce is a Christian.  One day she happens to overhear her father and Dennison talking about religion.  Dennison is explaining some aspects of Christianity to Abraham.  When Darlene questions her father, he states he is seeking the truth.  Abraham wants to make sure he has made the right choice.  This is the start of trouble for the Lewy family with their neighbors (they live in a Jewish neighborhood).  As Abraham learns more about Christianity, he shares it with Darlene. What choices will the Lewy’s make?  Is there a chance of a future between Darlene and Pierce?

Little Shoes and Mistletoe by Sally Laity is set in Manhattan in 1898.  Eliza Grace Criswell has left her family home in Harrisburg to live with her Aunt Phoebe Harper in Harper House.  Eliza was jilted by her fiancé, Weston Elliot.  Eliza is hoping for a fresh start with her Aunt Phoebe.  Phoebe introduces Eliza to Micah Richmond, a member of Faith Community Church.  Micah bears an uncanny resemblance to Weston Elliot.  Micah is a social worker with Child Placement Services.  He is devoted to his work and Phoebe helps by providing funds.  Micah is engaged to Annabelle Dumont, who does not care for Micah’s profession.  After Eliza gets a glimpse at the troubles facing orphaned children in New York City, she wants to help.  Eliza convinces Aunt Phoebe to open up the home to orphaned children (until they find permanent placement).  Micah wishes Anabelle was more like Eliza in her feelings towards the children and others needing assistance in the tenements.  Is Anabelle the right person for Micah? 

I found My Valentine to be nicely written and contained good characters.  It is, though, very heavy in scripture, religious practices, and prayer.  The romance is very subtle with the conversion (from Jewish to Christianity) being the primary focus of the story.  I found the story to be very heavy or bogged down. It was difficult to get through.  The pace was just very slow. I did enjoy reading about Abraham’s journey towards the Christian religion, and My Valentine has a lovely ending.  Little Shoes and Mistletoe was a sweet story.  It was easy to read and well written.  I liked the characters, the setting, time period, and the ending.  The religious aspect is much lighter in Little Shoes and Mistletoe.  I found it to be an uplifting novella.  Both stories contain good morals and life lessons that readers can apply to their lives.  I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars (My Valentine gets 3 stars and Little Shoes and Mistletoe gets 4 stars).  My Valentine will be out tomorrow (January 1, 2017)!

I appreciate you taking the time to visit. I am currently reading Towhee Get Your Gun by J.R. Ripley.  I hope all of you have a wonderful New Year's Eve.   Take care, stay safe and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

A Pinch of Poison: A Lady and Lady's Maid Mystery

It is the last Friday of 2016!  I have been enjoying our one day of cool weather today.  I find it glorious, but my mother is huddling in her bed under a mound of blankets (which is why we live in Florida).  Alyssa Maxwell writes A Gilded Newport Mystery series and A Lady and Lady's Maid Mystery series.  Murder Most Malicious is the first book in A Lady and Lady's Maid Mystery series and is currently $2.99 o Amazon. You can follow Alyssa Maxwell on Amazon and they will email you updates on her latest releases. Alyssa Maxwell can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

A Pinch of Poison by Alyssa Maxwell is the second book in the A Lady & Lady’s Maid Mystery series.  It is April in 1919 in Little Barlow.  Lady Phoebe Renshaw is at a charity luncheon at Haverleigh School for Young Ladies.  Phoebe has helped organize this event (along with the help of her lady’s maid, Eva Huntford) to help raise items and funds to help war veterans (Relief and Comfort for Veterans and their Families).  The young ladies at the school helped collect the items, and they prepared the luncheon for today’s guests.  The girls bring out the desserts and Zara Worthington presents the headmistress, Miss Henrietta Finch, with a Madeira cake.  Several minutes later, Miss Finch starts choking and clutching at her throat.  The nurse is called but Miss Finch collapses before Nurse Delacy can arrive.  Chief Inspector Isaac Perkins and Constable Miles Brannock are called to scene. It is suspected that Miss Finch has been poisoned.  Lady Phoebe assists with the questioning of the scholars while Eva helps with the staff.  It turns out that Miss Finch was not well liked because of her progressive ideas (she was a suffragist and wanted the girls to learn mathematics as well as other unladylike subjects).  Phoebe sets out to find the guilty party with help from Eva, Major Lord Owen Seabright, and Constable Brannock.  The killer, though, does not wish to be caught and will go to great lengths to stay free.  Will this investigation be Phoebe’s undoing?

A Pinch of Poison was an engaging book.  I liked the characters as well as the setting (and time period).  I liked Phoebe’s attitude, determination and inquisitive mind.  I summarized the main storyline, but there are other situations happening as well (Julia, Phoebe’s sister, is being particularly secretive).  I found A Pinch of Poison to be nicely written and had a good, steady pace.  I give A Pinch of Poison 4.5 out of 5 stars (I enjoyed it, but I was able to solve the mystery).  There is a good moral lesson contained within the storyline.  The mystery was complicated, but it can be solved if the reader pays careful attention to the clues (one in particular).   I think many people will be surprised by the culprit which is the sign of a well-crafted mystery.  While this is the second book in the series, you can enjoy it as a stand-alone.  The author provides the needed information for the reader (you will not be lost).  I eagerly anticipate the next novel in the A Lady & Lady’s Maid Mystery series. 

I hope all of you had a lovely day and have an equally delightful night.  I am going to enjoy dinner (we are having sausage chili which is perfect for a cool evening) and continue watching the Downton Abbey marathon (I wish the show had not ended).  I am currently reading The Guests on South Battery by Karen White. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

 

Custom Baked Murder: A Pawsitively Organic Mystery

I hope everyone has had a good Thursday.  I am still fighting this awful cold, so I took it easy today. I am reading Amish Weddings by Leslie Gould while lounging in bed.  After all the hustle and bustle before Christmas, I think all of us deserve a nice rest.  Today I am featuring A Pawsitively Organic Mystery series by Liz Mugavero.  The books in the series are Kneading to Die; A Biscuit, A Casket; The Icing on the Corpse, and Murder Most Finicky.

Custom Baked Murder by Liz Mugavero is the fifth book in A Pawsitively Organic Mystery series.  Kristan “Stan” Connor is working hard on getting everything ready for the opening of her shop, Pawsitively Organic Pet Patisserie and Café, in three months (in December before Christmas) in Frog Ledge, Connecticut.  Stan is running late for her mother’s engagement party when her sister, Christine shows up at her home with her daughter, Evangeline in tow.  Christine has left her husband, Michael and wishes to stay with Stan (like she has a choice in the matter).  Stan is really running late now and quickly changes for the party.  Stan is going with her boyfriend, Jake McGee (who owns McSwigg’s).  The four of them end up arriving an hour late to the party (Stan was hoping they could skip it altogether).  Patricia Connor, Stan and Christine’s mother, greets them (with a comment about their tardiness), but her fiancé, Tony Falco is not present.  Patricia failed to tell Stan about some of guests she invited (people she would like to avoid).  Richard Ruse, Stan’s ex-boyfriend, along with some of her old co-workers including Eleanor Chang.  Tony, the town’s newly elected mayor, hired Eleanor to be his “executive coach”.  Eleanor has an abrasive personality, and she seems to make enemies wherever she goes (she is particularly hard on her daughter, Monica).  Stan is upstairs with her sister, Caitlyn.  Caitlyn stops to freshen up in the ladies room and lets out a scream upon entering the room.  There is Eleanor Chang strangled with a scarf with Patricia’s diamond ring between her teeth.  Richard Ruse ends up being the main suspect when he stumbles out of the woods in a disheveled and drunken state.  Stan will not let Richard be railroaded for a crime he did not commit (just because Tony wants everything wrapped up quickly and quietly).  Stan sets out to find Eleanor’s killer and clear Richard’s name.  Things are made a little complicated by Christine’s ex-lover, Kyle McLeod arriving in town.  He is determined to woo Christine and win her back.  Then there is the matter of Patricia and her meddling in Stan’s shop design.  Stan knew it was a bad idea to let her invest.  Life is never dull in Frog Ledge.  Join Stan on her latest adventure in Custom Baked Murder.

Custom Baked Murder is full of quirky, fun characters (even the animals have great personalities).  I found Custom Baked Murder to be an easy and enjoyable book to read.  I like the small-town setting and various townspeople.  There are some definite laugh out loud moments as well as some “oh my” areas.  It was nice to catch up with Stan’s family and friends in Frog Ledge.  I am happy to see Stan’s relationships with Jake, Patricia, and Caitlyn developing over the course of the series (and especially in Custom Baked Murder).  I give Custom Baked Murder 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I found the murder to be one that could be quickly solved by the reader (or an avid mystery reader who loves to solve the puzzles presented in the books).  One clue is the key to solving the murder (it’s like there is a big, neon arrow pointing to the killer).  There are other small clues in the book that will help the reader discover the culprit’s identity.  I wish the mystery had been a little more complicated (more difficult to figure out the killer’s identity).  I found the two words “long story” repeated frequently throughout the book.  I am also curious about Stan’s trust fund that was mentioned again in Custom Baked Murder.  I did not understand why Stan did not tap into this money to finance Pawsitively Organic Pet Patisserie and Café.  Why did Stan need investors (Jake and Patricia)?  It is mentioned that Stan wanted to live on her own (working) and not rely on her trust fund (I am curious).  If you enjoy reading well-written, humorous cozy mysteries with entertaining characters, then read Custom Baked Murder.

I appreciate you reading my latest book evaluation.  I am going to put on my pj's and climb back into bed (the cold has to go away soon).  PBS is showing Downton Abbey from the beginning starting tonight at 9 p.m. (I just love this show). I am going to enjoy the marathon.  I hope everyone has a good night.  Take care, stay warm and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Iced Under: A Maine Clambake Mystery

Welcome!  I am featuring Barbara Ross, writer of A Maine Clambake Mystery series, today.  Ms. Ross has written Clammed Up, Boiled Over, Musseled Out, Fogged Inn, Iced Under and Eggnog Murder (along with Leslie Meier and Lee Hollis).  Readers can follow Barbara Ross on Amazon (they will let you know when she releases a new book) and Facebook.

Iced Under by Barbara Ross is the fourth book in A Maine Clambake Mystery series.  It is February in Busman’s Harbor, Maine.  Julia Snowden is on her way to her mother’s house and stops to pick up the mail.  There is a package for Jacqueline, Julia’s mother.  Upon opening it, they discover a beautiful necklace inside with a note that states “For Windsholme” (the old family summer home that recently suffered fire damage).  The necklace is called the Black Widow (contains a rare black diamond) and has been missing for almost a hundred years.  There is no return address on the package and, as far as Jacqueline knows, she has no other family.  Julia starts delving into her family history (hoping to find family for her mother) which sends Julia on a journey to Boston.  It turns out that Julia and Jacqueline do have family, but one member just passed away.   Jacqueline is to receive a nice inheritance from this lost relative (Hugh) but others are not happy about this revelation.  Julia gets to meet new relatives, find out one of them is deceased, her sister is about to have her baby, a big snow storm is about to descent upon the area, and then the police show up.  It turns out that Hugh did not die of natural causes.  The suspect list is limited to the people inside Hugh’s home.  Which one of them did in poor Hugh?  Then an attempt is made on the matriarch’s life just after she stated she was going to change her will!  Julia needs to flee and then find the culprit before the killer strikes again.  Will Julia be successful?  Join Julia on her latest escapade in IcedUnder.

Iced Under is my favorite book in the series.  I enjoyed Julia’s search into her family history and how the Black Widow disappeared in the 1920s.  I wish the mystery behind the matriarch’s attempted murder had been as puzzling (easily solved).  Hugh’s death is also easily figured out (one question will give you the answer).   Iced Under is well-written and has a good pace.  While Iced Under is the fifth book in the series, it can be read alone.  The author provides the needed information on the characters and previous books for the reader to catch up.  I liked that we get to know more about Julia’s ancestors and her mother’s history.  I found the history of ice very interesting (did not realize that it was such a cut-throat business). I found Iced Under a nice change of pace from the other books in the series.  It was nice to get away from the family business.  I give Iced Under 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).  I did feel that the ending was too abrupt.  There needed to be a little more to the last chapter or an epilogue.  I will be reading the next book in A Maine Clambake Mystery series. 

I appreciate you visiting!  I am currently reading Fudge and Jury by Ellie Alexander.  We are preparing for a one day of cold weather in our area! It will actually be down in the 40s overnight (good sleeping weather). May all of you have a great evening (only a few left in 2016).  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader