The Devastaters by Donald Hamilton review

First published in 1965, this is the ninth in the Matt Helm series. This story takes Helm to England and Scotland, an interesting background for the events taking place.


A body is found in Scotland, and the cause of death is bumonic plague.  The victim is an agent, and is the third agent to be found dead.  Helm is sent to find the scientist causing the deaths.  There is a lot of exciting events, and interesting characters, including a reunion of sorts for Helm.

Enjoyable story, but then, I usually enjoy reading Matt Helm novels. 


This is # 31 of 48 for my 2015 Mt. TBR reading challenge. Bought June 8, 2014, read June 28, 2015.

The Menacers by Donald Hamilton review

The eleventh in the Matt Helm series, this was published in 1968. I've read several books in this series, and usually enjoy them, including this one. 

Helm is sent to Mexico, because of reports of UFOs attacking people.  He is assigned as protection to one of the witnesses, and told to bring her to the U.S. at Los Alamos.  Most importantly, she is not to get into the hands of the Russians.  If that seems likely, he will have to kill her.

I was a little concerned when I saw this was about UFOs that the series was taking a weird turn in the direction of Science Fiction, but as it turned out, it didn't.  Enjoyed reading this one!


Bought Nov. 13, 2014, finished July 4, 2015.  # 30 of 48 in my 2015 Mt. TBR reading challenge.

The Case of the Buried Clock by Erle Stanley Gardner review

First published in 1943, this story includes references to the war, but not as a major part of the mystery.  The twenty-second of the Perry Mason stories, it is well written and interesting.

In this story, a man, Jack Hardisty, embezzles money from the bank his father-in-law, Mr. Blane, owns.  When he is found dead, the most obvious suspect is the man's wife, Millicent, especially as she had been seen in the area.  Mr. Blane hires Perry Mason to protect his daughter.

Along the way a buried clock is discovered, there is an interesting, but confusing, discussion of sidereal or star time, Perry Mason actually becomes confused, and the murderer is discovered.  All in all, a pretty good read.

This is part of my 2015 Mt. TBR Challenge, # 29 of 48. Bought Dec. 12, 2014, finished July 2015.

Several books in the Asey Mayo series by Phoebe Atwood Taylor, review

Having discovered Phoebe Atwood Taylor and her Asey Mayo series, and finding several available fairly inexpensively online, I ordered as many as I could find, and spent the next few months reading them.  I enjoyed them all, and like the Asey Mayo character with him down-home common sense approach.  A quick view of the books in the series I've read (in addition to the ones I actually wrote separate reviews for).

Deathblow Hill--published in 1935 the sixth in the series.  Two branches of the Howes family are at odds with each other, because of a lost fortune.  When a body is discovered, Asey comes to the rescue to solve the crime.

The Tinkling Symbol--seventh in the series, also published in 1935.  People across the bay see Dave Truman walk out of his home and put a gun to his head.  But to everyone's surprise, when his body is discovered, he has been stabbed to death.  Asey has to figure out what is going on, and who the murderer is.  This book had several amusing scenes, and I particularly enjoyed this book.

Crimson Patch--the eighth in the series, published in 1936 is a little different than the others.  Asey is not called in to find a murderer, but to find out why all of the neighbors are harassing newcomers Steve and Betsey Damon, and their uncle Myles, especially as they live in a home so remote, you can't get to without a boat.  Of course, before Asey can get out there to investigate, there is a murder.

Out of Order--published in 1936 is the ninth in the series.  Asey is vacationing in Jamaica when he receives strange telegrams from Bill Porter, so he drops everything to head back to Cape Cod to check it out.  While out in a snowstorm, he seeks shelter at Harper Dixon's home, where he and several other people are locked into a bathroom by someone unknown, and when they are released, they discover a dead body. Asey is on his own while he investigates this murder, which is difficult as many of the probable suspects were locked up with Asey at the time.

Figure Away--the tenth in the series was published in 1937.  A distant cousin, Winston Mayhew, selectman in Billingsgate, calls on Asey and wants to hire him to assure that Old Home Week goes off without a hitch.  Asey agrees, but there is a murder during the opening fireworks.

I've read several more, and will write mini-reviews as soon as I can, but first I have some reviews to do for my Mt.TBR challenge!

Sandbar Sinister by Phoebe Atwood Taylor reveiw

The fifth in the Asey Mayo series, published in 1934, it follows the usual formula for an Asey Mayo book.  An older lady somehow gets involved with Asey in solving a crime, and the story is told from her viewpoint.

Penelope Colton has lost all her money because of the Stockmarket Crash, and has a job as a department store clerk.  One of her friends insists that Penelope join her on Cape Cod and stay at her home, called Sandbar.  Somehow she becomes the acting housekeeper for her friend, and a houseful of family and friends become guests. 

There is a murder, and then a second body is discovered, and with all of the friends and family staying there, there are more than enough suspects.  This keeps Asey and Pen busy trying to figure out who the murderer is.

While the story follows the basic formula Taylor set up for the series, I still enjoyed the mystery, and reading how Asey goes about solving it.

Mystery of the Cape Cod Tavern by Phoebe Atwood Taylor reveiw

This is the fourth of the Asey Mayo series, published in 1934.  Elspeth Adams, middle-aged spinster from Boston, travels to Cape Cod to help her nephew Mark.  He is in love with Anne Bradford, and they are both staying with Anne's stepsister, Eve Prence, who owns and runs Prence's Tavern, a famous retreat for writers.

While they are staying there, Eve tells people that she is afraid for her life, that someone wants to kill her, and she suspects Anne, as Anne is her heir.  There are a couple of minor incidents that Eve feels proves her contention that someone is after her, but the others feel she is making too much of them.  Of course, Eve is then found stabbed to death, and Asey decides that Anne didn't do it, so he has to find the real murderer, with the help of Elspeth and Mark, and in spite of the local police.

I enjoy reading the Asey Mayo stories, and I like the setting of the 1930s, and discovering occasionally some ideas and statements that would be totally politically incorrect in today's society, but were accepted way back then.

Spinsters in Jeopardy by Ngaio Marsh review

Published in 1954, it is the seventeenth in the Roderick Alleyn series of books by Ngaio Marsh.  This is the third book by this author that I've read.  The first one, Colour Scheme, was just okay, although I felt the second half was better than the beginning.  The second I read was Enter A Murderer, which I actually enjoyed quite a bit.

This one falls in between those two books, in my opinion.  I liked it a little better than Colour Scheme, but not nearly as much as I liked Enter A Murderer.  I'm really not sure why. 


In this story, Alleyn is sent undercover to France to investigate a drug ring.  His wife, Troy, and son, Ricky, accompany him for a vacation, knowing that Alleyn will have to leave them to fulfill his assignment. 

However, on the train ride en route to their destination, a fellow traveler (an English spinster) has an appendicitis attack, and the Alleyns come to her aid.  The only available doctor is a member of the drug ring, and Alleyn uses this as a way of infiltrating the Chateau where everything takes place.

The story seems to rely a little too heavily on stereotypes, and there seemed to be a lot of coincidences cropping up.


# 28 of 48 in my 2015 Mt. TBR reading challenge.  Bought in 2014, finished June 2, 2015.

Enter A Murderer by Ngaio Marsh review

This is the second of the Roderick Alleyn series of mysteries, published in 1935.  While attending a play with his friend, they see one of the actors shoot one of the other actors.  While this was supposed to happen during the scene, it was not supposed to be done with real bullets and real blood.

The actor who dies, Arthur Surbonardier, is not popular, and feels that the main role should have been his.  The actor who pulled the trigger, Felix Gardener, is a nice-guy, popular with the other actors, and the one who is playing the role that Arthur lusted for.  The two men were also vying for the affections of one of the actresses, Stephanie Vaughn.

As Alleyn had actually witnessed the murder, he is the person chosen to solve the murder. Who was responsible for the real bullets?

This was an interesting story, and I enjoyed reading it.  Looking forward to more books by Ngaio Marsh.

This is #27 of 48 in my 2015 Mt. TBR reading challenge.

Bought 2014, finished June 10, 2015.

The Diva Digs Up Dirt by Krista Davis review

This is number six in the Diva Mystery series, but the first I've read.  It was published in 2012.

Sophie Winston is an event planner in Alexandria, Virginia. Her nemesis is Natasha, a TV craft person who apparently spends her time trying to outdo Sophie, but wants to be friends.  Oh, and Natasha's boyfriend is Sophie's ex-husband, Mars.

Sophie also has a boyfriend, Wolf, and it is Wolf who gets her involved in this mystery.  Sophie goes to Wolf's house to surprise him by planting a rosebush, but digs up a purse belonging to Ann, Wolf's wife who disappeared years ago.  Sophie is also stalked by Ann's mother, Mona.  She is also trying to plan an event for Roscoe, where everything seems to be going wrong.

As you can imagine, there are a lot of things going on in this story!  But it isn't as confusing as it sounds, and is actually a pretty good mystery.  I enjoyed it, and plan on reading some of the earlier books in the series.

This is #26 of 48 in my 2015 Mt. TBR reading challenge.  Bought early 2014, finished March 15, 2015.

Black Widower by Patricia Moyes review

This is the thirteenth book in the Henry Tibbetts mystery series, published in 1975.  This is only the second book in the series that I have read, the first being Falling Star, which was one of the earlier books.

Sir Edward Ironmonger is the Tampican ambassador to the United States.  He and his wife, Mavis, are throwing a party at the embassy for the diplomatic corps in Washington, D.C.  Mavis is not considered an asset to Sir Edward, because although she is beautiful and her husband is devoted to her, she drinks too much,  and isn't very bright.

After Mavis insults one of the visiting dignitaries, she is hustled off to her room.  A few hours later, she is discovered dead.  Chief Inspector Henry Tibbetts of Scotland Yard is called in to solve the murder.

This book had a lot of plot twists and turns, and was an enjoyable read.  However, I didn't like it as much as Falling Star, I'm not sure why.

This is part of my 2015 Mt. TBR reading challenge, #25 of 48.  Bought 2014, finished June 3, 2015.





I'm trying to catch up on all of my book reviews, but I'm so far behind I don't know how long it is going to take!  Over the last few days I've written around eight reviews for my reading challenge, and another three that aren't part of the challenge, and I've got at least 15 other books I've read for the challenge, and at least 30 that wouldn't count for the challenge.  And I'm still reading. 

Pedigree to Die For by Laurien Berenson review

This is the first in the Melanie Travis mystery series, published first in 2004.  Melanie is a teacher, and single mother to her young son, Davey.  Her summer starts off pretty badly--her summer job falls through, her boyfriend has left her, and her Uncle Max has a heart attack and dies.  Then her Aunt Peg (Max's widow) calls her because one of their expensive pedigreed poodles is stolen.

Aunt Peg convinces Melanie to investigate by going undercover at dog shows.  Melanie, and the reader, finds out that there is a lot more to showing dogs than just showing up, a quick brush, and a walk around the arena.

The mystery was okay, and the story was okay.  Maybe a little too much information about raising dogs and dog shows.

If I come across any other books in the series, I'll probably give them a try.  I would imagine that there won't be so much dog show information as in the first book in the series, where it is being introduced.  I hope.

Bought June 7, 2014, finished Mar. 17, 2015. 
This is #24 of 48 in my 2015 Mt. TBR reading challenge.

The Cat Next Door by Marian Babson review

One of Marian Babson's cat mysteries, this book was published in 2003.  I've read several other of her books, and while the cat mysteries are enjoyable, I really prefer the Trixie and Evangeline books I've read.

In this story, Margot returns to England after having been in America for 18 months, and finds her cousin,Chloe, about to be tried for Claudia's murder, Chloe's twin sister.  While a cat is featured on the cover, the cat isn't a major character.

There is a lot of family introduced in the story, and it isn't as good as the other books I've read by Babson, although it certainly isn't horrible. It moves a little slowly and the characters aren't very sympathetic, but is okay for a light read.

This is #23 of 48 in my 2015 Mt. TBR reading challenge.  Bought Oct 15, 2014--read Mar. 6, 2015.

Death Pays A Visit by Elizabeth Spann Craig review

This is the seventh in the Myrtle Clover series, published in 2014.  I've read the others, and enjoyed them.

Myrtle is a feisty older lady who no longer drives (or at least shouldn't), with a rather conservative friend and neighbor, Miles, who is constantly dragged into her investigations. Myrtle lives across the street from the sheriff in town, who also happens to be her son, and who is constantly trying to talk her into living at Greener Pastures, a retirement home (for her own good, of course).

The beginning of this mystery is when Wanda Alewine, a psychic that Myrtle and Miles have had dealings with before, comes to Myrtle's house late one night, to tell her someone is going to be murdered at the Greener Pastures retirement home.  Wanda pushes Myrtle to investigate and prevent the murder.


Unfortunately, Myrtle doesn't prevent it, but instead investigates it to find out who the murderer is.

As in all of the other stories in the series, this is a pretty light, amusing mystery, not too hard to solve, but quite enjoyable nonetheless.

This is #22 of 48 in my 2015 Mt. TBR reading challenge.  Bought 2014, finished April 27, 2015.

Antiques Slay Ride by Barbara Allen review

This book was published in 2013, and is apparently a "filler" story between longer novels in the series.  I haven't read any of the others, so perhaps the longer books would have appealed to me more than this one did.

I can't say I really disliked this book, but I didn't really like it, either.  There were some amusing parts, including the banter between the main characters, mother and daughter.

One of the things that threw me off was the characters knowing they were in a book, and referring to it during the story.  This seemed to make it harder to really get into the story line.

I might try one of the longer books if I run across them, but I'm not going to make an effort to look them up.

This is part of my 2015 Mt. TBR reading challenge, #21 of 48 (bought Nov 2014, read Apr. 15, 2015).

Several Books by Margery Allingham reviewed

I bought several books by Margery Allingham, and sat right down and read them one after another.  I really enjoy this author! 

Police at the Funeral--published in 1931.  One of his college friends asks Albert Campion to help out his fiancee, who's uncle is missing.  After the uncle's body is discovered, another member of the family is found dead, and Campion investigates the murders.  Interesting story, with a lot of surprise, especially the ending.   Good book!

The Beckoning Lady--published in 1955.  Albert Campion and his family are visiting Pontisbright, when "Uncle William" Faraday is discovered dead.  Another body is found, an Inland Revenue man, which causes suspicions to fall on Minnie and Tonker, who are in the midst of planning their annual Garden party, a major event in the village.  With the help of Magersfontein Lugg and DCI Charles Luke, Campion investigates.  Another excellent read!

Traitor's Purse--published in 1941.  Albert Campion wakes up in a hospital bed, and doesn't remember anything.  He has suffered a head wound and developes amnesia.  All he knows is that there is something important he has to do, and it involves the number 15. After overhearing a conversation outside his room, he suspects he has attacked a policeman, and so escapes from the hospital. 

He is followed, by a woman who appears to want to help him, and calls him Campion. Intent on keeping everyone from knowing he can't remember anything, he becomes involved in solving a murder, and then in another criminal investigation.  Interesting in many different ways, really enjoyed this.

The Fashion in Shrouds--published in 1938.  Albert Campion's sister, Valentine, is best friends with Georgia Wells, a famous actress.  When he discovers a skeleton that  turns out to be Richard Portland-Smith, former fiance of Georgia, who had disappeared three years before.  There is a death, and Val is suspected of trying to kill Georgia, who has taken away Val's boyfriend.  Campion investigates to protect his sister's reputation, and solve the mystery.  Another good story. 

Looking forward to reading more in this series of books about Albert Campion!

Murder at Monticello by Rita Mae Brown review

This is the third in the Mrs. Murphy series, published in 1994.

I've read a couple of other books in the series as I've come across them, and generally enjoyed them some.  The main human character is Mary Minor Haristeen, known to everyone as Harry.  She has a cat, Mrs. Murphy, and a corgi named Tee Tucker.  While they don't actually talk to people, their thoughts are featured throughout the story.

In this book, Harry and her friend Miranda are visiting Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, a local attraction.  While there, a body is discovered.  It appears the man was murdered around 1803, and who he is and who killed him and buried the body becomes a main part of the story.  Of course, recent events also contribute another mystery to be solved.

This wasn't a bad book, just not one of my favorites. If I run across other books, I'll probably read them, but I'm not going to make any effort to find them.

This is number 20 of 48 in my 2015 Mt. TBR reading challenge.  Bought 2014, read June 10, 2015.

Case of the Blonde Bonanza by Erle Stanley Gardner review

First published in 1962, this is one of the later Perry Mason novels.  Mason is not as rough as he was in the very early books in the series, but still is a fighter for his clients.

In this story he meets Diane, an attractive young woman who is eating huge lunches.  It happens that she has a contract that pays her to gain weight, to become a full figured model.  Perry becomes suspicious of the way the contract is written, and begins his investigation.  Along the way, the body of the promoter who gave the contract to Diane is discovered, murdered.

The story isn't as fast paced as I would prefer, but it is an enjoyable read. Not my favorite Perry Mason book, but not bad.

This is number 19 of 48 in my 2015 Mt. TBR reading challenge.
Bought 2014, finished March 15, 2015.

Gator Bait by Jana DeLeon review

Way behind on getting my reviews written, but I have been reading a lot!!  I'm going to make an effort to catch up on at least my Mt. TBR challenge book reviews in the next week or two.  I'm going to have to write approximately 30 just for the summer reading I've done!  So I'm going to start right now!

This is the fifth in the Miss Fortune series, and is as enjoyable as the first 4 were.  I haven't found any of the books by Jana Deleon to be anything less than a wonderful experience so far.

Fortune Redding, while pretending to be a librarian sorting through her late aunt's house, is in reality a CIA assassin, who is hiding in Sinful, Louisiana to avoid a gun runner who has put a price on her head.  Fortune  finally goes out on a first date with Deputy Carter LeBlanc, but shortly thereafter he becomes a missing person, and it is discovered someone someone had shot him and left him for dead in the bayou.

With the assistance of Ida Bell and Gerty, longtime residents and friends of her late "aunt", who are also much more than they seem, Fortune decides to hunt down the people responsible for Carter's  injury, while maintaining her cover.

Once I started, I couldn't seem to find a place to stop, so read the book in one sitting. I usually read for an hour or so before I go to sleep, so this meant I stayed up quite late to finish it.  As in the other books in this series, I found myself laughing out loud in several places.  Somehow, I managed to resist the urge to wake my husband to read a few  really funny parts out loud to him (well, after the first time, anyhow).

Bought this book Dec 12, 2014, finished  May 2, 2015.  Number 18 in my 2015 Mt. TBR challenge.