Charlie Harris' daughter is in town for a semester teaching acting at the local college while she's between Hollywood gigs. It turns out so is her ex-Charlie Harris' daughter is in town for a semester teaching acting at the local college while she's between Hollywood gigs. It turns out so is her ex-fiancé Connor Lawton, who is also at the college as the writer-in-residence. Charlie is very relieved that his daughter dumped this playwright who is not very nice to anyone. When Connor turns up dead and Charlie's daughter finds the body, she is the prime suspect. Charlie also knows his daughter is hiding something. But he also firmly believes she wouldn't have killed the man. Can he figure out who did kill the unlikable playwright and clear his daughter's name?
This was definitely my least favorite in this series so far. Lawton doesn't die until halfway through the book, and by that time he has plenty of opportunities on page to show just how awful he is. The mystery is convoluted and the writing is clever, but it isn't necessarily a "fun" read.
Notes on content: About 4 minor swears and 2 moderate ones. No sexual content on page, but it talks about how one side character is a star in Hollywood only because of things she can offer male directors on the side and it states this in 2 rather crude phrases. It is mentioned that the dead guy was a womanizer who talked very degradingly to and about women, and it is mentioned he was having an affair with a married woman. Two nonviolent but disturbing deaths (one in the present and one in the past are described), and one throat slitting mentioned but not described. One character likes to smoke cigars, and alcoholic beverages are consumed recreationally throughout while the dead man had a serious drinking problem. The plot involves a child being locked in a cupboard by a babysitter in the past....more
Eunice Holbrook is rather put out behind her widow's veils when the newest client walks into the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency. First of all, she hopeEunice Holbrook is rather put out behind her widow's veils when the newest client walks into the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency. First of all, she hoped never to see the man again. Secondly, he is extremely stubborn, aggravating, and refuses to leave. Thirdly, he wants the agency to find Eugenia Howland, which is extremely inconvenient because she is Eugenia Howland and she isn't so sure she wants to be found. Especially by him. Readers and the rest of the Agency employees will spend the rest of the book figuring out why Eunice ran away from her old life and whether or not the truth really will set her free.
This adventure gets Turano's characters out of NYC for only the third time in the books of hers I've read. I do like the fresh setting. I listened to parts of this on audio and I couldn't tell if it was just the way the narrator read Eunice and Arthur or how Turano wrote them, but they kind of annoyed me in how they constantly argued. So this wasn't my favorite of Turano's books. It still did have its moments of classic Turano humor and made me laugh out loud a few times. Eunice's past involves a grandfather who was a nasty piece of work, which also bumped it down the enjoyment scale for me. I was quite angry with how he manipulated people's lives. Which I guess is a testament to Turano's writing that she can make me loathe a fictional character so much. There is good resolution to everything in the end, and the truth does set many free but it is quite a journey to get there. There's a lot of wrapping up of other side and main characters' stories from this series going on as we go and it almost felt like too much crammed in the edges (though I would have also complained to not have resolution to all of their stories). Not my favorite Turano adventure, but definitely different, a good touch of humor, and the mystery kept me guessing.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. (There's presumption that someone is Eunice's grandfather's mistress but it comes out that that was all a ploy.) A past murder and shooting that resulted in an injury is related with some blood described. Present perilous circumstances arise, but everyone ends up ok. A lot of emotional and psychological manipulation and abuse by the grandfather is related....more
Intriguing premise and we don't have much Christian time travel out there, but the 1914 mom was so horribly manipulative it was seriously stressing meIntriguing premise and we don't have much Christian time travel out there, but the 1914 mom was so horribly manipulative it was seriously stressing me out and once it got to the forced wedding and wedding night I couldn't take it any more. I have too much other stress in my life. The Williamsburg pre-revolutionary war setting was interesting, the method of time travel was very unique, and I was wanting to see how the start of WWI impacted the character. I might revisit this later. We'll see.
Content notes [based on 1st 3rd]: Definite trigger warnings for the manipulative mom who almost kills herself to get her husband and daughter to do what she wants and then blackmails her daughter into a forced wedding, and then the drunk husband insists on wedding night activities. It wasn't super detailed though her distress was very much detailed.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
The mostly wordless adventures of Chewie, the Flerken, and her interactions with various Marvel characters.
This would have been 5 stars if some of theThe mostly wordless adventures of Chewie, the Flerken, and her interactions with various Marvel characters.
This would have been 5 stars if some of the plot lines had been easier to follow. With the extremely sparse text, some of these definitely require you having background information about the characters to get the humor or even what is happening, even though there are super brief intros to all the characters included (and can we just take a minute to appreciate the summarizing skills, one line intros that sufficiently sum up just about all the Marvel characters!). My 2 favorites were Chewie's misadventures at Doctor Strange's mansion, and Chewie's encounter with Rocket (or more specifically, Rocket's enticing tail). I was disappointed that Chewie and Nick Fury's interaction wasn't more emotive since they have a past.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There's some brief battles depicted....more
Laura Callaway is an orphan who was taken in by her Aunt and Uncle when a child, only for her blood relative Aunt to die shortly thereafter. Her UncleLaura Callaway is an orphan who was taken in by her Aunt and Uncle when a child, only for her blood relative Aunt to die shortly thereafter. Her Uncle has always been kind and welcoming but her new aunt treats her like an unwelcome guest, and not part of the family. Laura feels just as much of a castaway in Cornwall as the things she combs the beaches for that are washed up from the numerous shipwrecks. She has lived there many years, but is still treated like an outsider by most. She spends her time trying to find the owners of the found items, notifying the families of the dead to give them closure, and helping the local healer. When a man is found barely alive after a shipwreck, Laura helps nurse him back to health. But some of the things she's found in the wreckage indicates that at least one person on board the ship might have been a French prisoner of war. Can they trust this recovering man? Is he the enemy?
The settings in this story are what really make it stand apart. The Cornwall idiosyncrasies of smugglers and shipwrecks and the profit to be made off of shipwrecks and those who still speak the local Cornish dialect was interesting and something I haven't read about a lot before. Some of the story also takes place on the Jersey Islands, and I've only ever read one other book set there. And then there are bits that take place in Brittany which Klassen points out in the story had some historic ties to Cornwall, and I've only read a few books about Brittany. Anyway, all of those settings are very unique in their cultures and were interesting to learn more about. The plot itself felt a bit predictable and not quite up to Klassen's usual cleverness but it was still ok. Also, I'm always skeptical about relationships that form in crisis moments, as that may be a temporary strong bond but whether it will last in the day to day moments beyond the crisis is a big question. Read this one for the settings.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond a kiss. There's a knife fight on page, and the events during a ship sinking that resulted in numerous lives lost is recounted as is the recovery of the dead on shore. One man threatens to kill a barely surviving sailor and threatens the person who saves him. Another man just likes going around threatening everyone. One man ends up fatally shot in a scuffle (only minimally described)....more
Willow is reeling. Her grandfather and partner in their forensic genealogy consulting company just died. And then their house burned to the ground witWillow is reeling. Her grandfather and partner in their forensic genealogy consulting company just died. And then their house burned to the ground with her almost in it. Her ex-boyfriend, Austin, heard about her grandfather's death and came running in time to find her in the hospital after the fire, which he discovers is being investigated as an arson. Willow isn't sure about letting Austin back into her life given his reticence to fully open up about his past and feelings, but she needs his FBI agent experience to help her solve her grandfather's last case that has obviously put her in the crossfires of someone too. The weird thing is that it doesn't seem that crazy of a case. A woman dying of cancer hired Willow and her grandfather to find her daughter who was kidnapped as an infant out of the hospital 21 years ago. Can Willow and Austin crack this cold case and find out who would kill to keep this decades-old secret?
I like the premise of this mystery. There aren't many books featuring forensic genealogists. The mystery was rather complex too, and took many twists and turns. I understood Willow and Austin's baggage that they are both individually dealing with, but it made things between them a bit too melodramatic for my taste at times. The Christian element of this mostly involves characters praying as they face tough times. If you like twisty cold case investigations with a couple who are getting a second chance to work things out between them after they failed once before, then snatch this up. Also recommended for those who like exploring the Jackson Hole area of Wyoming where the trail leads them.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond a kiss. Three killings by shootings are briefly described. One fatal hit and run very simply described, a house-destroying fire that causes lung distress is intricately described, a couple abductions and threats, a car crash causes a broken arm, some nonfatal gunshot wounds minimally described, grief and PTSD is being wrestled with a lot by main characters, abusive alcoholic father in the past comes up a lot, kidnapping of a baby, and a woman is dying of cancer....more
A collection of comics about transitioning from being in schooling to full "adult" life, and also just being an introvert, bookworm, and person livingA collection of comics about transitioning from being in schooling to full "adult" life, and also just being an introvert, bookworm, and person living with/around/near other people.
I really enjoy Sarah Andersen's subtle humor, and how she expresses everyday thoughts and experiences so honestly but humorously. Or how she points out just how ridiculous some circumstances are (like announcing how great a burger you eat if you did it live instead of via social media ...more
In modern Indiana Delaney Coleman is helping her family resolve her grandfather's estate. It has been pretty hard, and it becomes more difficult when In modern Indiana Delaney Coleman is helping her family resolve her grandfather's estate. It has been pretty hard, and it becomes more difficult when a family from Italy claims that some of his estate belongs to them. Delaney can't believe it. But it eventually turns out it is just one little suitcase with cherries on it they want, and they are going to pay for Delaney to personally bring it over to Rome. Very curious, Delaney agrees. In the years leading up to WWII Julia Bradbury was just making it big as a ballerina when war threatens. She wants to sign up to become a radio operator but her former ballerino co-star has signed her up to work as good will dancers without consulting her. She's soon headed for La Scalla, but she wants to be doing something more. Court is a man with no direction in the years leading up to WWII. He's returned to Indiana to help his dad only to find his dad has given up on him and his trouble-finding tendencies. Is there any redemption for a guy like him? In 1943 multiple lives cross at a hospital in Rome. Sacrifices will be made, lives will be lost while countless others will be saved and the ripples will echo down through history.
Cambron is an expert of tying together multiple story lines in one neat bundle by the end of the book. This one is a touching story of people who lacked direction and found it eventually with God's help, of God bringing together the right people at the right time, redemption, and a highlight of real doctors and a real hospital that helped save Jews in Rome during WWII at great risk to themselves. It was so interesting to learn of these clever and daring hospital workers who invented a plague to hide Jews right under the Nazi's noses in WWII. Recommended for Christian historical romance fans and WWII story fans.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond a kiss. (One unwed pregnancy is a part of the story.) A failed marriage because of unfaithfulness is part of the story without any details. One past attempted but foiled assault is brought up. Deaths in WWII, some fatalities on page but minimal gory details. Two characters have drinking problems in their pasts....more
As WWII comes to the Netherlands we follow 4 women as they face what comes their way. Lena is a pastor's daughter who loves her quiet life on the farmAs WWII comes to the Netherlands we follow 4 women as they face what comes their way. Lena is a pastor's daughter who loves her quiet life on the farm. She knows she struggles to trust God with those she loves and wrestles with her own desire to order their lives herself. The war will cause her to confront her trust issues in ways she never dreamed of, letting her husband and children and herself get involved in the resistance efforts, and hiding people all over their farm. Ans is Lena's eldest and has always chafed under their little life on the farm and the dreary church they go to. She goes to the city of Leiden to work for Eloise Huizenga. Eloise suffers from melancholy and is haunted by her experiences in WWI. Ans' job is to be a companion to Eloise when her husband is at work at the university. In an effort to keep her melancholy at bay Eloise likes to go 110%, and keeps Ans hopping from one museum or cafe to another. In her rare down time, Ans meets a young policeman. But as the shadows of war creep toward Leiden Eloise's tenuous mental health is in danger, and Ans and her boyfriend find themselves being pulled in opposite directions. Miriam and her father decided it was time to leave Germany after her cousin Saul was beat up one night just for being a Jew. After months in a refugee camp, her father's professor friend in Leiden helps him find a position at his university. But Miriam has fallen in love with one of the other refugees in the camp, Avi. Will they be able to find each other again? While Miriam waits for news, Ans and Eloise help her settle in to her new city. But soon the Nazis she and her father ran away from move into their new country. How will each woman deal with their fears and anxieties and crises of faith during the war?
This was a rich read faith-wise. Austin has realistically portrayed what kind of wrestling with God women at various stages of their lives would do in the face of the Nazi invasion and the dangers to themselves and their loved ones. She has them wrestle with very relevant things for readers in any time, and causes you to really think about how much you trust God and what you do with your worries. I knew that many people who went into WWII had gone through WWI, but this had me contemplating just how traumatic that must have been for so many of them. We have people legitimately traumatized by 1 pandemic right now, while that generation dealt with not only a pandemic but a devastating world war and the loss of life with it, food shortages from that, then a decade later an economic depression, and then a decade later a second world war. I really, really can't fathom that kind of hardship. It had me realizing how blessed my generation and my parents' generation has been in much of the Western world. Which I knew as head knowledge before, but this story really helped sink in heart-wise. This is a moving and beautiful story of WWII.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond a kiss. One lady becomes a prisoner and is forced to disrobe in front of guards (no description beyond stating that). Deaths in the war are mentioned, but none really described on page. The heaviness of the numbers of deaths in the past war and current war is conveyed. Primitive conditions of refugee camps and even more primitive/harsh conditions of Nazi prison camps are described. Eloise suffers from what they called melancholy at that time (a combo of PTSD & depression). She has medicine she takes, she has coping mechanisms that help, and Ans and her husband help her. It is represented respectfully, and with a lot of care and tenderness, especially for the time period (though not out of the realm of possibility for the time period)....more
Daphne Beekman is trying to solve her writer's block for her latest Montague Moreland mystery novel one night when she gets interrupted by an after hoDaphne Beekman is trying to solve her writer's block for her latest Montague Moreland mystery novel one night when she gets interrupted by an after hours visitor at the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency. Fellow mystery writer Herman Henderson has come seeking help because he is pretty sure someone is trying to kill him. However, much to Daphne's frustration, he can't think of one single person who'd want to harm him. So she, Ann, and Pinkerton Agent Cooper have to go undercover at a days long party Herman's grandmother is throwing at her estate on the Hudson to play matchmaker where they'll see if they can root out who is out to harm Mr. Henderson.
You're never in doubt going into a Turano book who is going to end up with whom. The fun is seeing the mystery solved (which is very much NOT obvious at the beginning) and the hilarity that ensues along the way. This one also addresses women's rights and their agency during the turn of the century, with some applications to today. There are Christian themes woven throughout, and I loved the growth of several characters in trusting God that was incorporated very seamlessly. Daphne is a very fun blundering heroine to follow around. Turano had fun dreaming up scrapes for her to get into. The mystery kept me guessing for a good chunk of the book (though I did figure it out before Daphne & gang). And overall, a delightful romcom/mystery with Christian elements.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sex scenes. There is an attempted assault that is thwarted and one in the past also thwarted before anything can happen. Readers who are triggered by that, or domineering men and power imbalance relationships should avoid this one. It is dealt with very well, but it is talked about quite a bit at the end. There's some attempted violence and a fist fight, but the worst injury is a bloody nose. A past ship sinking that resulted in deaths is a big part of some characters' pasts....more
Ben Calix is sure he did nothing wrong in his latest assignments, even if the mission did go south, he was possibly exposed to the plague, and his conBen Calix is sure he did nothing wrong in his latest assignments, even if the mission did go south, he was possibly exposed to the plague, and his contact turned out to know his real name. But it wasn't anything bad enough for the Company to sever ties with him. But that is clearly what is going on as Ben goes from one contact to the next and finds out there's a price on his head, people he considered to be on his side are now trying to kill him, he's been framed for murder, and he is on the run trying to get answers with a neighbor who is too friendly for her own good and got caught up in his mess. Can Ben prove to the Company that he is still on the good guys' side and clear his name by figuring out what the Leviathan corporation has planned?
This read like a Bourne movie minus any swearing. I actually didn't even realize it had any parallels to Job until I read the author's note. Then I definitely saw the parallels, but they were so artfully and cleverly done they didn't jump out until thinking about it in hindsight. I did notice certain conversations with biblical principals or philosophical discussions that mirrored Scripture occasionally, but they were also cleverly woven in and didn't come off as preachy or anything. I could totally see this being made into a modern spy thriller. It kept you turning pages. There's a high action chase all across Western Europe into the US for the truth. There's just enough character building along the way, and enough mystery to keep you guessing. I enjoyed James R. Hannibal's middle grade that I've read, and it turns out he writes excellent adult fiction too. Highly recommended to those who enjoy spy thrillers, especially those who would rather not have any swearing or sexual content in their spy thrillers.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond a few kisses. There are injuries and deaths along the way in the adventure from plague to gun shot wounds to frostbite to explosions. ...more
Grace is the daughter of an American movie star, but she's been trying to keep that a secret for years. She was raised by her loving grandparents who Grace is the daughter of an American movie star, but she's been trying to keep that a secret for years. She was raised by her loving grandparents who were much better at parenting than her fame and self-obsessed mother. Under her grandparents loving care, she learned to love God and desire to care for others. Which is why she's been in France for the past couple years with the AFSC first helping Spanish children refugees of the civil war, and now helping French Jewish children who are refugees of WWII. Her latest job is not going well as the Nazis are right on their heels. In 2003 Addie has come to Oregon looking for a miracle. The man who became like a father to her after her tumultuous childhood is dying unless he can find a blood relative who is a match for a bone marrow transplant. Charlie is being stubborn and won't tell them anything about his family, so Charlie's wife Emma and Addie have decided to send Addie to search the place where his family owns land in Oregon. But Charlie's past is convoluted and contains secrets he and others would much rather remain buried. And while she hunts for Charlie's family, Addie must wrestle with her own recent and past burdens.
I don't know if there was a call or challenge put out a couple years ago for authors to write about the AFSC, but I'd never heard of this Quaker aid group before this year and now I accidentally read 2 books in a row about them that came out just recently. Not that I'm complaining. They did amazing things for many people and deserve to be highlighted. Still, with all the WWII books out there what are the chances?! (The other book was Bluebird by Sharon Cameron if you are wondering.) This was a powerful read about the power of Christ's work in turning lives around, redemption and forgiveness for the past, and hope that prayers we may not see answered actually have or will be. Though the book starts off in WWII, only about 1/6 of it happens then. Half is spent in the 2003-2004 time period, and 2/3 of the past are spent in the years directly after WWII finding out what happened to Grace, her family, and some of the refugee kids after the war. It all ties together exceedingly well by the end, and those who cry at happy/sad endings will likely want a tissue box. I pretty much never cry, and I felt myself on the verge of tears at a couple points at the end of this. It was just so touching and heartfelt. Dobson has written a book that definitely brings glory to God for the way He can transform lives and reminds readers you may never fully know the impact you have on others. Highly recommended for Christian romance (which is rather light as the emphasis is more on the individual development of characters and their impact on each other)/historical/family story fans.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond a kiss. A marriage broken up by an affair is mentioned quickly. There's WWII chase scenes (with some implied deaths), a man suffering PTSD and reliving memories of WWII and Vietnam, and some mischievous teens who start fires and attack two people (minimally and so quickly described it was kind of hard to figure out what really happened till later). Two people possibly die of suicide or accidents (1 isn't described, the other ingests something poisonous). Smoking, drinking, and drug addiction/use of 2 adults and 2 rebellious teens. 2 of these get help to get out of these things....more
Jason is an employee of the Phone Company, the highest law in the solar system thanks to their first contact with aliens. When he lands on one of the Jason is an employee of the Phone Company, the highest law in the solar system thanks to their first contact with aliens. When he lands on one of the platforms in the outer parts of the system he has one case to investigate, but the death of an alien ambassador requires him to step in and examine that case too. Through his investigations readers get to learn about the skills of a cytonic from the perspective of one of the first humans to learn about and develop his abilities.
I am definitely glad I read this after Cytonic. It was better to read about the skills after learning about them with characters in the Skyward series. I think it made it more fun to read this and think, oh, that platform has been around since that time and that skill when fully developed is capable of that! (I'm being vague to avoid spoilers in either story.) This is just 78 pages on the Kindle, so it is a pretty quick read, but the mystery elements were developed just enough to have a fun little twist to them too.
Notes on content: No language issues that I remember. No sexual content. There's a murder involved in the mystery but it isn't gorily described. Some cytonic ability battles.
Irene has taken over as editor of the Progress, PA newspaper while her father is headed off to the frontlines of WWII. She knows she can do this…well,Irene has taken over as editor of the Progress, PA newspaper while her father is headed off to the frontlines of WWII. She knows she can do this…well, most of the time. But others are giving her a little push back about being a woman in charge. One of her headaches is Moe, a reporter on staff. When he doesn’t show up for his assignment, she’s miffed and sure he went to follow his “next big story” instead of doing his job. But when he still hasn’t shown up for a whole day she starts to worry and goes to check his house. She finds Moe there, but very much dead. The coroner says it was an accident, but Irene finds a note to her in Moe’s things saying if he ended up dead it wasn’t an accident. Being a journalist, Irene can’t just let this go and starts to try and figure out what Moe was investigating that could have gotten him killed.
This totally felt like it could have been a script for a 40s black and white film. (Obviously, it would’ve had to star Barbara Stanwyck as Irene.) It takes a little while for Irene to puzzle out what Moe was on the trail of, and in the meantime we get to know a good chunk of the town and learn what running a paper and life is like in the 1940s. The author obviously did a good bit of research with all the 1940s brand names for food and appliances that are seamlessly woven in. I did like that in a rather rare thing for the mystery genre, Irene has a very close relationship with the police chief who is her fiancé’s father. They actually share information willingly, instead of constantly being at odds as is much more common in mysteries. Once things started being revealed it felt painfully obvious what Irene was missing still, but it did allow a friend to show some guts so we’ll forgive it. If you like 1940s black and white mysteries, or mysteries with journalist head sleuths, snatch this up.
Notes on content [based on the ARC]: About 5 minor swears. No sex scenes or anything. 2 male characters are portrayed as playboys who just chase women around. There’s some double meaning talk in a girls’ chat that isn’t spelled out for readers. Some racist hate crimes are happening in town against Jews. A beating, factory accident that results in a shattered leg, and a fire that results in injuries are all part of the story. Two murders, one non-bloody and one only vaguely described.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more
When Mimi and her sister Alice notice another teacher slumped over in her car at Alice's school, they quickly call the police. Unfortunately, Alice waWhen Mimi and her sister Alice notice another teacher slumped over in her car at Alice's school, they quickly call the police. Unfortunately, Alice was the last person to see Helen alive and she was the teacher who should have gotten the pink slip instead of her last semester, so Detective Brown has zeroed in on Alice as his top suspect. Eager to clear her sister's name, Mimi is on the case. Of course, Marshmallow is there to help, and Nimbus the little kitten spotted in the parking lot near Helen's car is as well. While chasing down leads on who would have wanted Helen dead, Mimi is also trying to find out if Nimbus has an owner, keep her business running, and tactfully help her parents out as their relationship seems to be on shaky grounds of late. Nimbus' arrival has Marshmallow sharing more of his backstory, why he is able to communicate with Mimi, and why Nimbus is in danger.
I liked this one even more than the first book in the series. I don't know if it is the double kitten cuteness, if Mimi's investigation style seems more natural and less cringe-inducing now, or if it is the genuine sisterly love between Mimi and Alice, or what. But it was a lot more fun. The backstory for Marshmallow is interesting and gives this series a scifi flavor instead of fantasy. I like the bits about Malaysia and Malaysian food and culture that get woven in as Mimi talks to her Mom. I was very happy with how her parents' thing was resolved. Mimi's relationship with Josh is still growing and he gets regular appearances along the way. The mystery kept me guessing and was well done. Overall, a delightful cozy mystery with sassy kitties to make you smile and plenty of Malaysian food references to make you hungry.
Notes on content: Maybe 10 minor swears. No sexual content beyond a kiss. One death and one other attempted murder (neither bloody). Animal test subjects is a part of Marshmallow's back story....more
Written as if a travel guide to "Quaint English Villages", the author and illustrator introduce readers to the common places to visit in English villaWritten as if a travel guide to "Quaint English Villages", the author and illustrator introduce readers to the common places to visit in English villages and manor houses, and the people you are most likely to encounter. Each place and person comes with a warning about the fatal hazards common to them.
This is a quick little humorous read poking fun at tropes in British murder mysteries. If you have read or watched a fair number of such mysteries, you will likely appreciate the humor and the all-too-true realities of fictional English villages and your survival chances. My favorite entry was the Village Fête, so very, very funny because it nails every single appearance of a village fête in such stories. This was true for many of the other places and characters, but I felt that entry was pure genius. Hand this to your favorite British murder mystery armchair sleuth. They will find it simply charming.
Notes on content: One swear. There's a bare butt on one page. It is mentioned one lady has 7 lovers and 2 other lady characters are identified as 2 of the 7, no sexual details at all. And in case you didn't gather by the title, death and murder come up a fair bit. The illustrations frequently involve red dripping weapons or feet sticking out of things....more
Mimi Lee has just opened her own pet grooming shop in the Hollywood area hoping to cater to the wealthier pet owners in L.A. But starting a new busineMimi Lee has just opened her own pet grooming shop in the Hollywood area hoping to cater to the wealthier pet owners in L.A. But starting a new business and building a clientele is not easy. Her benefactor is doing her best to recommend friends, and through them Mimi starts to notice similar problems in puppies coming from one particular breeder. But the day after she reports him, he ends up dead and Mimi is the detective's prime suspect. She decides that to clear her name she needs to do some of her own sleuthing. And she has a most unusual partner. Her sister gave her a big fluffy white rescue cat she dubbed Marshmallow, and it turns out Marshmallow can talk. But only to Mimi. At first Mimi doesn't know what to do with her new feline that causes her to question her sanity, but it turns out when investigating a crime it can come in handy to have a partner who can speak to the animals. Can Mimi and Marshmallow figure out who really killed the breeder before Mimi goes down for the crime?
I was afraid that the talking cat elements would make this feel cheesy, but since Marshmallow only talks to Mimi (and telepathically at that) and since Chow wrote Marshmallow in a very convincing cat voice, this actually felt like a very realistic mystery. It is actually easy to forget there are any fantasy elements. Marshmallow is snarky and temperamental, and I can totally picture cats I've known talking just like him. Oh, and I loved his additions to the story. Don't get me wrong. Mimi is likable, and a fairly pleasant sleuth to follow around. I liked the elements of her Malaysian-American heritage that are woven into the story. Malaysian characters are few and far between in American lit, let alone in the mystery genre. Being in Thailand, I know several students and teachers who will absolutely love the fact that we'll soon have a Malaysian American character on the shelves, and will gobble up Mimi's Ma's phrases. The mystery definitely kept me guessing. The LA aspects were done very authentically (I lived in the area for a few years) and I loved the fact that she actually had Marshmallow and Mimi cold outside in a couple scenes! No one ever admits that LA can get chilly, but it totally does from Nov-Mar. The development of a little romance for Mimi with the lawyer was done cutely, and those elements felt like this was a blend of mystery and Hallmark movie. I'll definitely be looking to add more of the Sassy Cat Mysteries to our library very soon, and I want to check out more of Jennifer J. Chow's other books too. Hand this to cat lovers who like cozy mysteries and those who are looking for Malaysian American characters.
Notes on content: No language issues that I remember. No sexual content beyond a tiny kiss. A murder is mentioned but absolutely no gory details. Animal abuse/neglect is part of the story, but genetic defects and poor living conditions are the worst described and there's a happy ending for all the animals....more
Terciel is the Abhorsen in training. He doesn't feel like he's ready for the role, and sometimes even wonders if it is the right role for him. But he'Terciel is the Abhorsen in training. He doesn't feel like he's ready for the role, and sometimes even wonders if it is the right role for him. But he's been training since his parents and sister died and the bells came to him. He and his great-aunt Tizanael (the current Abhorsen) meet one of their biggest challenges when they respond to an emergency south of the Wall in Ancelstierre. Elinor and her family's household thought her mother severely ill. But she's been taken over by one of the Dead and an ancient, strong Dead has designs on Elinor. Unbeknownst to her, the scar on her forehead isn't a scar, it is a Charter mark, and she's from a very old magical family of the Old Kingdom. And someone wants her blood to tear down Charter stones. Tizanael is feeling too old for this showdown, but she must rally and help Terciel take down this evil before it severely threatens the safety of the Old Kingdom.
It's been a long, long time since I read Sabriel sometime close to when it originally came out. I wouldn't have bothered with the 6th in a series without reading 2-5, but this is a prequel really. I only vaguely remember this world, but Nix does a good job of reintroducing it for even those brand new or who forgot a lot. I generally admire Nix's world building. He's a very imaginative writer who comes up with creative worlds. This world is no different. Nix is also a pretty brave writer. He isn't afraid to kill off characters, and with very little warning. The fatalities in this are much more realistic than most fantasies because of that bravery. But that is a double-edged sword. There are a couple characters I started to enjoy and then he killed them off. I really struggled with the awkward sexual content in this. Yes, we know Terciel and Elinor are going to eventually have Sabriel, and they are both just entering adulthood, but I was not a fan of the way Nix went about building their relationship for the readers. It felt really awkward, immature, and shallow. I wasn't convinced they would stick together. I also struggled with Terciel. He comes off pretty whiny for a lot of this, and I didn't particularly enjoy spending time with him. I did like Elinor's stint at the boarding school and could've happily spent the whole book there. Rating this is challenging. I respect the world building and liked some aspects and didn't like others. I guess I'll go with a middle 2.5 rounded up to 3. I don't particularly see myself ever rereading it or heartily recommending it to anyone. Serious Old Kingdom fans who can handle the content are the most likely readers. The ending is a bit tragic and left a bad taste in my mouth.
Notes on content: Just a couple minor swears. There's a vision with sexual content alluded to, and an awkward conversation between Terciel and Elinor before they go to bed together. There's a book Elinor gets her hands on at the school that is all about sexual activity and it is talked about a little. The Clayr are pretty free in their relationships and Terciel has a couple awkward conversations with a few of those ladies. There are brutal, violent fight sequences with several fatal wounds, several graphically described. The Dead attacks can be pretty disturbing and sudden and a little creepy....more
A young man finds a kitten who needs a home, takes it home, and learns how to care for a cat (though the cat also has exceptional abilities in caring A young man finds a kitten who needs a home, takes it home, and learns how to care for a cat (though the cat also has exceptional abilities in caring for him).
This is cute little mini adventures with a young man new to having a pet. The cat has some rather unusual abilities (like being able to take the man his lunch when he forgets it). A fun little cozy escape read.
Lana is trying to learn how to cook Chinese on the down low. She signs up for a class at the local community college, but after the first class Lana rLana is trying to learn how to cook Chinese on the down low. She signs up for a class at the local community college, but after the first class Lana returns to the classroom to pick up her shopping list for class #2 and finds the instructor dead. The detective decides that with Lana's past experiences and her detective boyfriend, she knows too well how to get away with murder and she's exasperatingly his number one suspect. In order to clear her name, Lana realizes it may be up to her to find out the truth since this detective seems to have already decided she's guilty. But this is the first time she's investigating a crime outside of her circle of acquaintances and it is a whole different ball game.
I was afraid that this one was going to be annoying with Detective Bishop hounding Lana at every turn, but he only sporadically shows up. Kimmy gets to help Lana more on this investigation, with sometimes humorous results. I was frustrated to see Lana backtracking in her trust of her boyfriend and his advice, but I think she's learned her lesson again. I did figure out who done it before Lana, but my guess of motive was wrong. Another enjoyable sleuthing adventure with Lana and family. I'm frustrated that Lana's sister's full secret didn't get revealed in this one yet. Waiting on #8 now. This series is a great cozy mystery contemporary read for those who like food, Asian American sleuths, and Ohio settings.
Notes on content: About 5-7 minor swears and 2 moderate ones. No sex scenes. An affair is important to the plot, but absolutely no details. Some quick kisses. A description of a photo of a man and woman kissing. One murder by stabbing (extremely minimally described, not even any blood mentioned). Another very perilous event results in some injuries (not described beyond being painful)....more
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