Audiobook review: Corpses and Cauldrons by Allie Katt and Tasha Oakwood Corpses and Cauldrons kicks off the new small town, Witches of Willowbark Cozy Mystery series. Shared in the first person POV of Aurora (Rory), the reader learns how Rory was raised by her grandmother in Boston, away from their magical roots. After Nona passed, she […]
Audiobook review: The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag by Alan Bradley Another whimsical and captivating entry in the Flavia de Luce series pits eleven-year-old amateur detective Flavia against a new puzzling murder and a long-ago death of a young boy that may have a bearing on the famous puppeteer’s demise. Flavia is not just precocious, […]
Audiobook review: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley The eccentric de Luce household is disrupted from their regular pursuits by two arrivals- one bizarre and the other sinister. Murder is the result. The youngest member of the household, Flavia, turns from her favorite chemistry work to solve a crime that points […]
A Murder Most Camp Author: Name Reviewer: Sophia Rose Rating: B What I’m Talking About: A father’s ultimatum to his spoiled trust-fund-baby son leads to a cold case murder mystery, romance, and antics in the wilds of summer camp. Nicolas DiDomizio is not an unfamiliar name for me, and I’ve been meaning to try his […]
Audiobook review: Water Town by Maia Ross I find myself enjoying the Beaver Island Mysteries more with each book. Water Town, the fourth book in this delightful cozy mystery series, opens about one month after the conclusion of the third title. It’s been a fairly quiet and low-key month, with Violet figuring out how to […]
Audiobook review: High and Dry by Maia Ross It’s nearing the end of the summer, and Violet will be heading back to Toronto soon. Irma is determined to make the most of Violet’s remaining days, with lots of time outside. All is going splendidly until Stu, Violet, and Irma discover a body floating in the […]
Audiobook review: The Garden Shop Mystery by Kathleen McKee Picking up several months after the conclusion of the first book in the series, The Garden Shop Mystery opens by bringing listeners up to speed on Sue and Alan’s life as they’ve settled into their home in Aspen Notch. Sue is moving forward with her dream […]
Audiobook review: Dead Calm by Maia Ross Picking up shortly after the conclusion of the first story, Dead Calm presents readers with two apparent mysteries. First, beloved club tennis pro Lucas wants to talk to Irma about some threatening letters he received. Second, the builder of a new condo development on Beaver Island appears to […]
Mince Pies and Murder Author: J.R. Leigh Reviewer: Sophia Rose Rating: B+ What I’m Talking About: Christmas comes to a Cornwall seaside village and with it, a murder. Amateur sleuth, Morwenna Mutton, is on the spot and starts investigating, but soon other inexplicable dangerous events with a sinister Santa start happening, too. This is not […]
No Gifts to Bring Author: Kathleen McKee Reviewer: Jen Rating: C- December’s optional theme: Celebration! What I’m Talking About: Note: After reading the first book in the series for review, I discovered this prequel story. According to the author, No Gifts to Bring was originally as standalone book, but readers fell in love with the […]
Audiobook review: Vitamin Sea by Maia Ross Taking a much needed vacation, Violet is staying with long-time acquaintance Irma at her beautiful home on the wealthy summer vacation spot of Beaver Island, located in Lake Ontario, a couple hours outside of Toronto. When the nephew of her good friend is shot during a jewelry store robbery, […]
The Botanist’s Assistant Author: Peggy Townsend Reviewer: Jen Rating: B What I’m Talking About: Margaret hasn’t had the easiest life, but she’s perfectly content working as a lab assistant for the brilliant Dr. Deaver on his groundbreaking cancer treatment research. However, on her 54th birthday, she discovers Deaver dead and despite being told different, knows […]
Audiobook review: Murder in Aspen Notch by Kathleen McKee Sue and Alan are looking to relocate and settle into retirement and Aspen Notch seems to be the ideal location, especially when the mayor offers Alan the position as interim Police Chief. However, shortly after moving into their new home, Sue discovers the dead body of […]
A Tour to Die For Author: Michelle Chouinard Reviewer: Sophia Rose Rating: B What I’m Talking About: Capri’s back and she’s got a smashing new tour around San Francisco to lead, but the body wasn’t meant to be the main attraction for her tour group. Michelle Chouinard’s A Serial Killer’s Guide to San Francisco last […]
A Dead End Wedding Author: Alyssa Day Reviewer: Jen Rating: B+ September’s optional theme: Friend Squad What I’m Talking About: Now that Jack and Tess are engaged, they decide that they want their wedding right away, leaving only two months for planning. The book opens ten days before their wedding when Ruby, (the mayor and […]