Several Jana DeLeon books--review

Well, I had a lot of time today to wait--and read!  I finished three books in the Miss Fortune series by Jana DeLeon.  They were Reel of Fortune, Swamp Spook, and Fortune Furlough.  I enjoyed them all, having gotten to know the main characters in all of the previous books!

Reel of Fortune--Fortune joins Gertie and Ida Belle in a fishing tournament.  What could possibly go wrong fishing?  Well, when a local drunk and all around pain in the neck ends up murdered, and Ally is the prime suspect, Fortune, Gertie and Ida Belle start investigating to clear her name.

Swamp Spook--Sinful celebrates Halloween in a big way, with a week long celebration.  There is a spooky maze made of hay bales, that is populated with many scary characters--including Fortune as an execution--complete with prop dummy with a detachable head that she "chops" off!  In the middle of the event, there is a break and when everyone returns to the maze, Fortune discovers her prop dummy is now a real murder victim!

Fortune Furlough--Fortune, Gertie and Ida Belle decide they need a vacation and a change of scene, so they go off to Florida to drink and relax on the beach.  Gertie finds herself a gentleman to date on her first night, but his body is discovered the next day.  The local police officer in charge of the case is in a rush to blame someone to look good for a promotion he wants, and he doesn't particularly care if it is the guilty person or not.  He decides Gertie, old and from out of town, is the perfect choice.  Once again, the team investigates to find the real murderer!

Love these books and looking forward to more in the near future!

There three are part of my 2019 Cruising for Cozies Challenge.
Fortune Furlough is also Florida for my Around the States Challenge.

Cave of Bones by Anne Hillerman--review

This is the twenty-second book in the Leaphorn--Chee novels, originally written by Tony Hillerman, and continued by his daughter, Anne Hillerman.   This is the fourth she has written, and I mostly enjoyed it.

Bernie is asked to give a short speech to a group of at-risk teen girls who are on a camping trip, but when she arrives to the campsite, one of the girls is missing.  She turns up shortly after, but one of the leaders who was out looking for her doesn't return.  Bernie sends for a search and rescue group to help locate him,  because he was an experienced hiker, and fears are that he has been injured, and snows are predicted in the next few days.

The missing hiker was also in line to take over the group when the current leader retired, and there had also been some complaints about missing funds, so there are a lot of undercurrents involved.

Jim Chee, on the other hand, is out of town at a seminar, and had been asked by Bernie to check on her younger sister, who was attending  a semester at an art college in the same town as the seminar.  While there, he comes face to face with  someone he had arrested and sent to prison, who is also friendly with Chee's young sister-in-law, which causes Chee to have some worries.

The plot is fairly involved, and interesting. I enjoyed the book. although I still think there is too much talk of their personal lives and drama, but will read more.

This is #15 of my Mount TBR 2019 Reading Challenge (bought 26 Nov 2017), and #28 of my Craving for Cozies Challenge. Also C for my Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge.

Rock with Wings by Anne Hillerman--review

This is the second of the Leaphorn and Chee novels written by Anne Hillerman, part of the series started by her father, Tony Hillerman. 

In this story, a large part of the book is spent on Bernie Chee and her mother and sister.  I thought there was a little too much of this, but I'm hoping this is just to establish Bernie's background in future stories, and won't be so necessary in additional books.

Bernie is the main focus of the stories, although her husband, Jim Chee is involved in a separate investigation, and the story moves from one to the other fairly well. Both Jim and Bernie, in their separate investigations, consult with their mentor, Joe Leaphorn.  While Joe is still recovering from being shot and unable to speak, he is able to use a computer to help his friends out.

I wasn't drawn in by Jim Chee's investigation, and wish it had been more interesting, or more important, or both.  It was almost like an amusing little afterthought to the story.

As for the part of the plot involving Bernie, I found it somewhat interesting, but it was overshadowed by all the personal family drama that was taking place.  That isn't what I'm looking for when I read a mystery.  I also found a couple of the characters totally unbelievable. 

So my view of this book was that it was good, but disappointing.  I really enjoyed the original Leaphorn and Chee novels, and hoped to love these as much. I did not love this one, as I had expected it to be better than the first she wrote (which I did enjoy), and I felt it didn't really improve.  I will read the next in the series, as I already have it, and am hoping that she can capture the feel from the original books a little better.

This is my fourteenth book in my Mount TBR Reading Challenge (bought 10 May 2016), as well as #27 in my 2019 Craving for Cozies Challenge.

Spider Woman's Daughter by Anne Hillerman--review

This is the first in the Leaphorn and Chee novels that is written by Anne Hillerman, daughter of Tony Hillerman, the original author of the series.  I was a little leery of someone taking over the writing of one of my favorite series, even if she was the daughter, but was happy with this book.  She focused more on the viewpoint of Bernie Chee, although both Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee are important parts of the book.

I enjoyed this quite a bit, both because it continued the original feel of the books, with the environment of the area being an important part of the background, and the personalities of the characters being formed by their beliefs and upbringing, as well as an interesting plot that kept my attention.
Looking forward to reading additional books in the series--which I've already purchased.

This is part of my Mt. TBR Reading Challenge, having bought this 06 Dec 2015.  It is also #26 in my Craving for Cozies Challenge.

Twelve Angry Librarians by Miranda James--review

This is another in the Cat in the Stacks Mystery series (the eighth one), featuring Charlie Harris and his Maine Coon cat, Diesel.  In this story, the Southern Academic Libraries Association is holding their annual meeting this year in Athena, Mississippi.  As the interim library director at Athena College, he will have to deliver the welcome speech, which he dreads.

While he is looking forward to seeing some old friends he hasn't seen in a while, he discovers that the keynote speaker is Gavin Fong, his nemesis from college.  Even though it has been 30 years, he finds that Gavin is still annoying in every way, and becomes involved in an argument with him.

When Gavin's body is found, Charlie is then the prime suspect in his murder.  Naturally, Charlie is determined to clear his name, and offer up other suspects to the police.

As with the other books in the series, there are side issues from Charlie's personal life followed in the story, and I enjoy getting to know Charlie's friends and family.  I also find the mysteries to be quite interesting, and enjoyable.  So far, the books I've read in this series have not disappointed me!

This is part of my Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge, # 25.

Death of a Cookbook Author by Lee Hollis--review

The author, Lee Hollis, is one I hadn't read before, and I've has this book for several months, but never got around to reading it until recently.

Hayley Powell is a cook and local food columnist in Seal Harbor, Maine. While attending a local book signing by her idol, Penelope (who lives part time in the area), the star of a TV cooking program, Hayley is invited to Penelope's 4th of July Cook-Off.  This cook-off will be filmed by a TV crew, and shown on Penelope's TV show.

This is a weekend event, and Hayley and the other cooks are staying with Penelope for the weekend. Her first night at the mansion, Hayley develops food poisoning, and while dealing with that, she overhears what she believes to be a murder plot, with the victim her idol, Penelope.

When Hayley tells Penelope, who then shares it with the others, no one believes her.  It is suggested that she may have hallucinated during her bout with the food poisoning.  Even after a death, no one gives any credence to her suspicions, so she begins her investigation.

For whatever reason, this book just didn't grab me.  It was fairly enjoyable, but it was easy to put down and not pick up again.  It took me much longer than usual to finish this, and I was relieved when it was over.  The characters were okay, the plot was nice, there were even a couple of surprises, but this just wasn't something I really thought was great. Probably won't read any more in the series..

This is part of my Mt. TBR Challenge, bought 19 July 2018, read 9 Apr 2019.
It is also book #24 in my Craving for Cozies Challenge.

Death by Committee by Alexis Morgan--Review

Written by Alexis Morgan, Death by Committee is the first book I've read by this author.  The main character, Abby McCree, moves to Snowberry Creek, Washington, to settle her aunt's estate.  Abby is recently divorced, with no job, so she moves into her aunt's house to begin the inventory.  Her aunt, an avid quilter, was an active member of a local quilt guild, and Abby becomes involved with it through her aunt's best friends, also avid quilters.  She also has to deal with a mastiff that needs attention, and her aunt's tenant, who lives in the guest cottage.  Then, a body turns up in her late aunt's garden, wrapped in a quilt.  It is her aunt's rival in the quilt guild, so several members of the guild believe her aunt might be responsible.

The book was okay, but I think I've read too many books lately when a woman ends a relationship, has no job, and returns to a small town she grew up in, and soon after is involved in a mystery--usually a murder.  The suspects always seem to be her or a close friend or family member.  Quite often there is an attractive but stand-offish man around, who usually becomes a romantic interest during the investigation.

I realize this is a winning combination for books, but a little change up to this outline would be a pleasant change, at least for me.

The book was okay, the plot was a little obvious, but there wasn't anything outstanding wrong with it.  Might read another, if I was looking for a quick summer read.

This is part of my Craving for Cozies Challenge.

Birds of A Feather by Jacquelin Winspear--Review

I just recently read the first one in the Maisie Dobbs series, and couldn't wait to read the second.  I read this in one sitting, and really enjoyed it quite a bit, but it somehow felt not quite as good as the first.  But it was still good.

I enjoy that the lead character is a little different than most other private investigators, and I love the setting ( 1920s-1930s in England).  I also find the supporting characters to be well written, and they appear to be well rounded people.

In this story, a rich man comes to Maisie to find his adult daughter, who is missing.  He's not overly concerned, as she has run away from his home before, but he wants her found and returned home.  He's overbearing, and demands quick results.

During Maisie's investigation, she discovers information that concerns her, and she fears that the woman may be in danger, and is running for her life.

Good book, looking forward to starting the next one in the series.

This is #22 of my Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge.

Arsenic and Old Books by Miranda James--Review

This is the sixth book in the Cat in the Stacks Mysteries series.  I've really enjoyed the previous ones, and this one is also a winner in my book.  The series features Charlie Harris and his Maine Coon Cat, Diesel.  There are several recurring characters that are often mentioned in the books, and I look forward to hearing about them in each book.

Charlie is a librarian at a college, and when the local mayor, Lucinda Beckwith Long, comes by with some Civil War era diaries from an ancestor, that she wishes to donate, Charlie is thrilled about the diaries.

Then he is accosted by a young women who wants access to them immediately, but Charlie explains they have to be examined and evaluated before they will available.  She accepts that, but is unhappy.  Then one of the teachers wants immediate access, and she wants exclusive access, as she feels the diaries will help her to get tenure.  Charlie turns her down, too, but she goes to the mayor, a long-time friend, who agrees she can have exclusive access for a limited time, after Charlie has had time to check them out.

While examining them, a slow process, he leaves the diaries in his office while he goes out to lunch.  When he returns, they are missing.  The police and the mayor are notified, and Charlie feels awful.  He feels it is his fault, and he should make an effort to help in the investigation.

The plot drew me in, and kept me interested throughout the story. There were several surprises, and other crimes that happen before the final reveal.

I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

This book is #21 of my Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge.

The Fala Factor by Stuart Kaminsky--Review

This is the ninth book in the Toby Peters series, and I've enjoyed all of the books in this series that I've read.  In this one, Toby is hired by Eleanor Roosevelt to find the real Fala, as she suspects that the dog in the White House at that moment is an imposter.

Toby begins his investigation, and almost immediately runs afoul with his brother, a captain in the police department, when he discovers a fresh dead body.  Between his bouts with his brother, dealing with his deaf landlady, finding the dog, and worrying about possible political plots, he has his hands full, even with the help of his friends, Gunther and Jeremy.

The book is set during World War II, and little touches throughout the book remind you that it was a different time, with different values and different ideas.  As always, I enjoyed this little trip back into a slightly time-frame.  The plot is filled with twists, and famous people of the era are mentioned, or even occur as a character in the story.

This is number 20 in my Craving for Cozies Challenge, and is also part of my Mount TBR Reading Challenge, as this was first purchased on 2 December 2013.

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear--Review

This is the first in the Maisie Dobbs series of books, and the first that I've read.  I enjoy books that are set in the early 20th century, and this starts off in the late 1920s, in London, England.  The main character, Maisie, is opening a new private investigation office, and gets her first client.  She is a little different type of investigator.  She doesn't want to just solve the problem, she wants to make everyone involved to be in a good place after she is done.

During the investigation, there is a long flashback to her childhood, and how she obtained the training she needed for her profession.  The flashback helped the reader to understand her character quite a bit, as she is rather odd for the time, and different from other detectives I've read.

The story was interesting, and I enjoyed it enough to finish it in one sitting.  Already have the second one in the series, so will be reading it soon.

This is part of my Mount TBR (bought 13 Feb 2016) Reading Challenge, as well as # 20 in my Craving for Cozies and my Alphabet Soup--Authors Challenges.

Death by Eggnog by Alex Erickson--Review

I've had this one for a while, and decided I should finally read it.  As the title suggests, the events take place during the Christmas season.  The main character, Krissy Hancock, owns a bookshop/cafe in Pine Hills, Ohio, and takes a week off of work, leaving her employees to run the shop.

Her plans were to spend go home and spend the holidays with her father, when he lets her know he's going to spend the time with his new girlfriend and her family.  She is invited, but decides to stay home, instead.

Her employees tell her not to come back to work, as she needs a break, but she doesn't know what to do with herself.  A friend suggests she volunteer for the Christmas play that is put on every year, as they are short of participants.  She agrees, and becomes an elf.  At the rehearsals, she discovers her ex-boyfriend is also in the play, along with his new girlfriend.  She is long over him, so she doesn't really care, although he is a little annoying.

During one of the rehearsals, someone is murdered.  The number one suspect is her ex, Robert.  While she admits he is a king-sized jerk, she doesn't think he is capable of murder.  He and his current girlfriend both ask her to do some investigating, as they are afraid he'll be convicted of something they both swear he didn't do.  Krissy reluctantly agrees.

I read the entire book, but mostly just to finish it.  It wasn't bad, but it just wasn't one of those books you just can't put down.

This book is part of several of my 2019 Reading Challenges--The Craving for Cozies Challenge, my Alphabet Soup Challenge, and the Alphabet Soup--Authors Challenge.

Fixin' to Die by Tonya Kappas--Review

This is the first book in this series that I've read, and is the first in the series.  I've had this one for a while, but just never got around to reading it.  Probably because it involves a ghost.  I'm not really a big fan of this type of story, but that being said, while there are several of this type of book that I've read and enjoyed, they just don't call out to me as strongly as other books in my TBR piles.

On to the story.   Kenni Lowry is sheriff of Cottonwood, Kentucky, elected after the death of the former sheriff, her grandfather.  There has been very little crime since she's become sheriff, so she feels she is doing a pretty good job, until one of the local doctors is murdered, and on the same day, there is a major jewelry store robbery.

Knowing she is a little out of her depth, she asks for an investigator to be sent out to assist her. While under all this stress, she becomes aware of her grandfather's ghost, who wants to help with the murder of his longtime friend.  She also discovers that he has been helping her out all along, by scaring all the criminals out of town.  She is not sure if the ghost is real, or a figment of her imagination because of the stress.  She also becomes aware that the investigator sent to help is an attractive man, which her friends also become aware of, which just adds to the stress.

I found this book to be pretty well written, I liked the characters in the book, and there were a couple of interesting plot twists.  Will be reading more.

This book is part of my Alphabet Soup--Authors, Craving for Cozies, Alphabet Soup, and Mount TBR (bought 12 Mar 2018) Reading Challenges. 

Introducing Gertrude, Gumshoe by Robin Merrill--Review

This is the first in the series, and as the title suggests, it introduces us to Gertrude, who decides to become a "gumshoe".

Gertrude is an older woman living on disability living in a trailer park with many cats.  When one of her cats is missing, she goes door to door looking for it.  She discovers the cat in the care of two children in one of the other trailers. They young children are waiting for their mother, who hasn't come home from work, and they are getting worried.

Gertrude starts snooping around the trailer, trying to find a way to contact the mother, and discovers one of the mother's secrets.  Gertrude decides to find the mother and make sure she is all right.  While checking for the mother, she discovers a crime, and decides to investigate, in spite of the police.

She drags one of her other neighbors into her investigations, because he has a car and she needs rides.  He also tries to discourage her from butting into the police investigation. She, of course, doesn't listen.

I thought the book was only okay, and since I have a couple of other of the books in the series, I will probably read another one to see if I like it better.  My main problem with the book is that Gertrude wasn't very likable, she was a bit selfish and egotistical, and pretty pushy.

This book fits into several of my reading challenges--Mount TBR (bought 4 Jan 2018), Craving for Cozies, and Alphabet Soup.

The Winter Mystery by Faith Martin Review

For some unknown reason, this is the first book in this series that I've read, but it is the second book in the series, and I have the first one, too.  I should have read the other one first, not that this wasn't a good book on its own, it just bothers me when I read out of order.  Oh, well.

Jenny Starling, the lead character, is a cook.  She takes a temporary job as a cook over the Christmas holidays for an isolated farm family.  She discovers she doesn't have cell phone coverage there, but decides it is only for two weeks.

There is a lot of tension in the family, which Jenny becomes aware of.  Then, just before Christmas, they are snowed in, and Jenny discovers the body of a member of the family.  She walks out to the nearest phone, and calls the police.  When they arrive, they begin their investigation, although the main investigator feels a little out of his depth.  When Jenny gives her name, the investigator recognizes it as a person who has helped the police solve other mysteries, and asks for her help.

It turns out there are a very limited number of suspects, because of the snow and lack of footprints.  It reminds me of the classic locked room mysteries I've always loved.

While I enjoyed the book, it wasn't perfect.  I never really understood why everyone stayed on the farm when they were so unhappy, for one thing. In spite of this, I enjoyed this book, and intend to read more of the series (especially the first one). 

This counts towards my Craving for Cozies Challenge, and the Alphabet Soup Challenge.

Silence of the Library by Miranda James Review

This is a part of the Cat in the Stacks mystery series.  I've read several and have enjoyed them all.   Charlie Harris and his Maine Coon cat, Diesel, are great characters! The series takes place in Athena, Mississippi, a small town boasting a local college.  Charlie is a librarian there, and also volunteers at the local library.

When the Head Librarian at the local library decides feature  Favorite Childhood Mysteries during National Library Week, she turns to Charlie, who has a large collection he inherited from his aunt, to loan books for their display.  When she discovers that one of authors from that era is still alive, and living not far from Athena, she sets up an appointment to ask her to be a featured speaker at the event.  She invites Charlie and Diesel to accompany her to the appointment, as the author, Electra Barnes Cartwright (EBC), is a favorite of Charlie's.

Everything is going well, until some rabid fans descend on Athena.  The head of the EBC fan club is thrilled to find out EBC lives nearby and will be attending, as she has never met her in person.  Two fervent collectors want to impose on her to increase the value of their collections, and a publisher wants to get his hands on some unpublished manuscripts so he can publish them.

Then, someone is murdered, and there are several possible murderers.  Charlie gets involved in the investigation, and learns several bits of information that are shared with him because of friendships, and being in the right place at the right time.  He, of course, passes them along to the Detective in charge of the investigation.  There are more twists and turns, but at the end, Charlie helps to discover who the real murderer is.

This was an entertaining book, and I enjoyed it.  I actually sped through it, and read it in one sitting.  I suspected who the murderer was early on, but that didn't distract from the delightful story.  I will continue reading this series.

This was the fourteenth book I've read for my Craving for Cozies Challenge, as well as the letter J for my Alphabet Soup--Authors Challenge. 

Southern Spirits by Angie Fox Review

This is the first in a new to me series, Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries.  It features Verity Long, who has moved back to her hometown (Sugarland, Tennessee), inherited her grandmother's house, got engaged to a member of a prominent local family (the Wydells), found out her fiance was a cheating  jerk, and broke the engagement the day of the wedding, followed by going to the reception he was still having to smash the cake in his face in front of everyone.

As revenge, the Wydell family sued her for the expensive wedding which they had insisted on, and won.  After selling off everything she owned, with the exception of her grandmother's house, she is still left $20,000 in debt, and may be forced to sell the house.

Due to her washing out a small, dirty vase that no one at her auction had purchased, and dumping the water into her garden, she becomes saddled with a ghost whose remains had been in the vase (which turned out to be his urn). The ghost is that of a 1930s gangster, who is mouthy, sarcastic, and unsurprisingly, has the morals of a gangster.

She and the gangster, Frankie, make a trip out to one of his old hangouts on the outskirts of town, where Verity is caught by Ellis Wydell, police chief and brother to her ex-fiance, who owns the property.  He eventually discovers she has some connection to the afterlife, and hires her to get rid of whatever ghost is haunting his property, because he is trying to convert it to a restaurant and can't afford all of the damage the ghost is causing.

As he has offered her $20,000, and she'll be able to pay off her debt without selling her grandmother's house, she accepts. She finds that there are several ghosts resident  in the old speakeasy, from several eras in time, but only one is in a violent destructive mood.

This is an interesting but light read.  I'm not really a big fan of paranormal books, but I enjoyed this one.  I will probably read more in the series, but not sure I would make an effort to search them out.

This is number 13 of my Craving for Cozies Challenge.

Murder at the Mortuary by Lee Strauss Review

This is number five in the Ginger Gold series.  As are most of the others I've read in this series, it is set in 1920s England. When Ginger's friend, Haley Higgins, who is studying to be a doctor, finds a body in the mortuary without the papers it should have, and the body was a murder victim When Ginger discovers she knew the victim, she gets involved in solving the mystery, at the behest of the victim's father who hires her as a private detective.

Scotland Yard Inspector Basil Reed is once more involved in the investigation, and once more suggests that Ginger leave the investigating to him.  As Ginger is miffed at the Inspector, she chooses (as usual) to do as she wants, although she does keep the Inspector informed after the fact. 

Haley takes a more prominent role in this story, which I enjoyed. She was concerned that something sketchy was happening at the Mortuary, which was part of  college she was attending to become a doctor.

There were several possible suspects to keep you guessing. There was also a lot of background tension as Inspector Reed had reunited with his estranged wife, leaving Ginger and her feelings for him somewhat confused and hurt.

While I enjoyed this mystery, I didn't like it as much as the others I've read.  It may be because the Mafia was involved, or possibly that Ginger became a professional detective, which seemed out of character for a woman of her high society position.

I'll be reading more of this series, but I'm going to take a break of a month or so before starting up again.

This is number 12 of my Craving for Cozies Challenge.

Not a Creature was Purring by Krista Davis Review

This is the fifth book in the Paws and Claws Mystery Series by Krista Davis.  It is set in Wagtail, Virginia, which has reinvented itself from a sleepy little town to a super pet friendly vacation hot spot.  Everything in town caters to the pets, with stores being pet friendly, and many of them selling pet related items.


Holly Miller returned to Wagtail in the first book of the series to help her grandmother, her "Oma", after Oma had been involved in an accident and needed someone to run the Sugar Maple Inn for her.  While there, Holly becomes involved in a murder investigation.

In this book, the fifth, Holly has relocated permanently, and now is part owner of the Inn, and has been involved in several other investigations in the intervening books, and this is no exception.  A man staying at the Inn is found in town, dead, discovered by Holly and her dog, Trixie. He was murdered, and the suspects are numerous, including most of his family, who he had insisted stay at the Inn to celebrate Christmas.  Holly's Aunt Birdie is also one of the suspects.

One member of his family is his granddaughter, Norma Jeanne, who has just become engaged to Holly's long time friend (and secret crush) Holmes Richardson, who is also in Wagtail.  This creates a lot of tension for Holly, as she doesn't really like Norma Jeanne, but wants her friend to be happy.  Needless to say, Holly gets involved investigating, so she can prove her Aunt didn't do it, and ends up finding out several surprising things during her investigations.

This is a fun Christmas read, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.  I enjoy reading about Wagtail, and the Christmas setting just adds to the enjoyment.  Finished it quite quickly, and it left me in a good holiday mood (even though I didn't read it until February)!

This is part of several reading challenges I've signed up for, including Alphabet Challenge (letter N), the Alphabet Challenge--Author (Letter D) and  number 11 in my Craving Cozies Challenge.

Murder at Feathers & Flair by Lee Strauss Review

 

This is the fourth mystery in the series, and I fear I have become addicted. I love that it is set in the 1920s in England (but so different from Agatha Christie's 1920s England) and while the heroine is rich enough to ignore many of the rules of the era, she is smart and experienced enough to get away with it. The books remind my of Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher's mysteries: same era, same youngish, rich, smart and fearless heroine, different countries.

In this book, Ginger Gold has opened her dress shop, and the fashionistas of high society are coming in.  During a special event, someone is murdered.  Scotland Yard Inspector Basil Reed is once more investigating, and of course, so is Ginger. Ginger is also asked by her sister-in-law, Felicity, to investigate the disappearance of her friend and fellow actor, Angus Green.

As I've come to expect in this series, it is well written, with interesting characters, and many different possible suspects.  It is a very enjoyable read, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series!

This is part of my Craving for Cozies Challenge, number 10.

Murder at Bray Manor by Lee Strauss Review

The third in the Ginger Gold Mystery series.  Ginger has decided to stay in England, and open a dress shop called Feathers & Flair. As the shop opens, Ginger receives a letter from her young sister-in-law, Felicity, urgently asking her to come to Bray Manor. Apparently, Felicity's grandmother thinks the Manor has become haunted because things are going missing, or moved.  Torn between opening her new shop, the appeal from Felicity, and her own feelings about the Manor, she now receives a phone call from Felicity that sends her and her friend, Haley, to Hertfordshire the next morning.

After arriving at her late husband's former home, she finds that his sister and grandmother have opened the Manor to the public, renting rooms to local groups for meetings to help keep the Manor going.

The next night there is a charity dance at the Manor, and Ginger finds that Felicity's new love interest is Captain Smithwick, someone Ginger knows from her secret past, but doesn't like or trust.  The next morning, a young woman's murdered body is found.  Once again, Ginger is drawn into investigating a murder, as is Scotland Yard Inspector Basil Reed, and the suspects are numerous.

Once again, I enjoyed reading this mystery.  As are the other books in the series, it is set in the 1920s, with the fashion, transportation and attitudes of the time frame.  Looking forward to the next few books in the series, which I have already purchased.

This is number 7 of my Mount TBR Challenge, as well as number 9 for my Craving for Cozies Challenge.

Murder at Hartigan House by Lee Strauss Review

This is the second in the Ginger Gold Mystery Series, and I found it to be as enjoyable as the first.

This series takes place in the early 1920s, and this book is takes place in England, where  she has returned to settle her father's estate.  Ginger, also known more formally as Lady Gold, is a young widow, her husband killed during the first World War. 

After arriving at Hartigan House, her family estate, a body is discovered, inside a room that her father had ordered to remain locked before he left England for America.  Actually, it is more of a skeleton than a body, and is wearing the remains of an evening gown.  As Ginger uncovers more information, she becomes worried that her late father may have been involved in the woman's death.

Basil Reed, the Scotland Yard Inspector that Ginger had met on the ship while traveling from America to England, is again called in to investigate.  Ginger, of course, proceeds to investigate on her own, with the help of her friend, Haley. 

I found this to be interesting, and I'm looking forward to reading more books in the series.

This is part of my Mount TBR Reading Challenge, as well as the Craving for Cozies Challenge.

Murder on the S.S. Rosa by Lee Strauss Review

Murder on the S.S. Rosa is the first in the Ginger Gold series.  Until this one, I had never read any of the books, although I had a couple in my TBR pile

This story took place in 1923, and Ginger Gold is traveling on the S.S. Rosa from Boston to England to settle her late father's estate, with her friend (formerly her late father's nurse, who is traveling to England to become a doctor). Ginger is a young widow, her husband killed during the first World War.  She was born and lived in England until her father remarried an American woman, and moved with them to Boston when she was still a child.  Her father was quite well to do, and her husband was a Lord, so she is a member of High Society, both in Boston, and in England when she returns. 

When a body is discovered, Ginger becomes involved in the investigation, as she is considered a suspect by Basil Reed, a fellow passenger who just happens to be a Scotland Yard Inspector.  While Basil is not happy about her investigating, she shares her information with him, and he observes that she is intelligent, resourceful, observant (and has some special skills that the Official Secrets Act prevent her from mentioning).

I enjoyed this short book, and the characters in it, although Ginger does have a high opinion of herself, and isn't overly concerned with rules.

This book qualifies for several Challenges--The Mount TBR Challenge, the Craving for Cozies Challenge, and the Alphabet Soup--Author Challenge.

Murder on the Orient (SS) by C.A. Larner

 This is the second in the Agatha Christie Book Club series, but the first that I've read. The Book Club is from Australia, and one of the members, Dr. Anders Bright, is asked to fill in as doctor on a ship, which has sailed from England and is heading for New Zealand.  The ship is the SS Orient, a replica of a early 1900s ship that used to make the trip between England and Australia and New Zealand. He suggests to the club that they may want to join the ship, as many people are disembarking at Sydney, and the rest of the trip is a very reasonable price.

The members agree, including his girlfriend, Alicia, and her sister, Lynette.  Alicia is hoping for some romance on board, but Anders seems to be avoiding her, claiming he is working and can't take time for her.  But Alicia is determined to enjoy the trip, in spite of Anders.  She and her group meet several quirky characters on board, including a group of sisters, and an older gentleman who cruises extensively.

An older woman dies on board, which is sad, but doesn't dampen the spirits of the passengers until another person ends up missing overboard.  Then another body is discovered.  Alicia and the rest of the book club decide to investigate, because of their experience investigating (apparently from the first book), and their expertise in solving mysteries in books.

While I did enjoy this book, I feel I would have enjoyed it a bit more if I'd read the first one before starting this one.  I may find the first one and read it to see if it would have made a difference.

This is number 6 in my Craving for Cozies Challenge, and the letter L for Alphabet Soup--Authors Challenge.

Aunt Dimity's Christmas by Nancy Atherton Review

Aunt Dimity's Christmas is number 5 of the Aunt Dimity series. A little background on the series overall.

Lori, the main character, never met her Aunt Dimity (not actually a relative, but her mother's best friend when she was in London during World War II). However, her mother told her stories about Aunt Dimity's adventures, and Lori always thought she was just a character her mother had made up.  She also had a stuffed rabbit named Reginald, made by her Aunt Dimity.
Lori was totally surprised when she found out Aunt Dimity was a real person, who had passed on in England, and left her a cottage in England, and a small fortune.  When she (and her stuffed toy, Reginald) went to the cottage, she discovered a blank book, and was shocked when writing appeared on the pages--written by the late Aunt Dimity, who apparently was able to communicate from the afterlife.   After reading what Aunt Dimity wrote, the words would fade away until the next time.

In this book, Lori wants to go all out and celebrate an American Christmas with her husband, father-in-law, and toddlers in their English cottage. She has a lot of plans because she wants everything to be perfect. Her plans hit a bump when she and her husband find a tramp in their yard during a blizzard, unconscious and half dead. After arranging for him to get help, Lori discovers she is compelled to check up on him, and learn more about him.

She finds this to be difficult and time consuming, but can not stop.  She makes several interesting discoveries about her visitor, and also about herself.

I've read several of the books in this series, and enjoyed them.  This was no exception.

This was part of my 2019 Mount TBR Reading Challenge, bought Dec 29, 2018.
It is also is part of my Craving for Cozies Challenge, and is A for the Alphabet Soup Challenge and Alphabet Soup Authors Challenge.

Twelve Slays of Christmas by Jacqueline Frost Review

The Twelve Slays of Christmas is the first in a  series.  The main character is Holly White, who has returned to her hometown of Mistletoe, Maine, after her fiance cancels their wedding just before Christmas.  While staying there, she helps her parents run their Christmas tree farm.  One of their biggest money makers was sponsoring "Reindeer Games" during December.  This draws visitors from all around New England.  When a body is discovered in one of their displays, the farm is shut down, as well as "Reindeer Games".  While waiting for the police to allow the farm to reopen, Holly starts her own investigation to speed things along, mush to the dismay of the new police chief.

While there is room for improvement, I basically liked this book.  While I did figure out who the murderer was, it took me a while to do so.

This is one of my books for the 2019 Mount TBR Reading Challenge. Bought Dec 15, 2018.
It is also part of my  2019 Craving for Cozies Challenge, as well as T--for Alphabet Soup Challenge, and F--for Alphabet Soup Author Challenge.

Kangaroos and Killings by Susan Harper review

This is book eight in the Flight Risk Cozy Mystery Series, but the first one I've read.  It was a quick read, and enjoyable, for the most part.
Kendall McDonald is a flight attendant, who meets an elderly woman, Pauline, who was formerly a flight attendant. They hit it off, and Pauline invites Kendall to join her on an around-the-world trip.  They are also accompanied by Pauline's little dog, Dot.  In this book, they are spending time in Australia.
They decide to go on a wildlife tour in the Outback being led by a celebrity wildlife expert.  While in the middle of nowhere, they discover the tour leader dead, having been bitten by several poisonous snakes.
This was an enjoyable read, although I can't understand how Pauline manages to take her dog through customs in several countries without any trouble. That made it a bit unbelievable for me.


This is part of a couple of the Reading Challenges I'm participating in.
 
This is K for the 2019 Alphatbet Soup Challenge .

It is book number 3 for the 2019 Craving for Cozies Challenge.

It is also book number 3 for the 2019  Alphabet Soup--Authors Challenge

Murdered Borrowed, Murder Blue by Stephanie Blackmore Review

This is the third book in the Wedding Planner Mysteries, but the first I've read.  I really enjoyed this book.
Mallory Shepard and her sister, Rachel, run a B and B, and plan weddings.  They are forced to overbook themselves by Mallory's ex-fiance's mother, Helen, someone who Mallory didn't like, but who had done her a huge favor, and insisted on calling it in.  She wanted them to put on the Winter Ball for a local, but expensive, boarding high school, just days before a large celebrity wedding they were planning.  To add to the stress, the wedding was going to be filmed for a reality show featuring weddings, from the planning stages, to the actual ceremony.
Another factor in the stress was that Helen insisted on dictating how the Ball was going to be, while out of town, and not even on the Committee for the Ball.  Mallory was put in the spot of doing what Ginger, the headmistress, and the Committee wanted, while trying to keep Helen unaware of how her plans were being ignored.
When Helen arrived, she was enraged that her plans hadn't been followed, and also that the headmistress wanted to make the school co-ed, to keep it solvent.
The Winter Ball seemed to be going off okay, until Ginger, the headmistress, who was also the Maid of Honor in the celebrity wedding, was murdered.  Mallory gets involved in trying to solve the crime.

The characters in this book were interesting, and the plot  was well thought out for the most part.  I enjoyed it quite a bit, and look forward to reading other books in this series.

This is M for the 2019 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge.
It is also book #2 in the 2019 Mount TBR Reading Challenge (bought 25 Dec 2018).
It is also book #2 in the Craving for Cozies 2019 Reading Challenge.
This is B for the 2019 Alphabet Soup Author's Edition Challenge

Princess Elizabeth's Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal Review

 
I've enjoyed both of the books I've read in this series. In this one, Maggie is dismissed from the physical training school that is required to become a behind the lines spy. Instead, she is assigned as a Maths tutor to the young Princess Elizabeth, although in reality, she is there to protect the princess from being kidnapped. 

Maggie has to investigate a murder, finds her handler to be a disappointment, and tries to determine who wishes to do harm or kidnap the princess. In this book she faces some of her shortcomings, learns some difficult news, and still does her best to protect the princess. 

I found this to be interesting, and a nice read. It is set in World War II, and you get a nice feel for the time period, although I found a couple things questionable, especially when a character says something is "so last week". That didn't seem likely to have been said in that time frame, and it threw me off for a few seconds. But overall, it was an interesting book.

This book applies to the Alphabet Soup Challenge 2019--the letter P.
The Craving for Cozies 2019 Challenge-- # 1. Maggie Hope Cozy Mystery Series
 2019 Mt. TBR Challenge. I bought this book on June 11, 2018, and read it January 3, 2019

2019 Reading Challenges

 

I'm signing up for a couple of challenges this year.





The first is the 2019 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge by Dollycas.












The second one is Craving for Cozies 2019 Reading Challenge, also by Dollycas
I will be trying for Famished – 26 – 51 Cozy Mysteries.



















 
The third one is Mount TBR 2019 Reading Challenge by My Reader's Block.  I will be striving for the Mt. Blanc level, which is 24 books.

















 
The fourth Challenger is the 2019 Alphabet Soup Author Edition Reading Challenge.