I love books featuring SAR or police dogs, and did enjoy those parts of this book. I wasn't impressed by much of the suspense story however - too manyI love books featuring SAR or police dogs, and did enjoy those parts of this book. I wasn't impressed by much of the suspense story however - too many leaps, clearly following a formula - a lady being attacked for no reason, later the home being trashed, no security cameras, the guy with the dog deciding to appoint himself as guardian - although he is not police, just a tech guy who does SAR in his spare time, etc. I don't like the female character 'sensing' that someone is upset when they are actually telling her they are upset. As the lady didn't actually have anything in common with the man, I could not see a relationship forming in real life. Just because a man and a woman spend some time together in a stress situation, it doesn't automatically follow that they will start a relationship.
I would try another book by the author as I enjoyed the hiking aspect, and the rescue dog of course. I read an e-ARC from Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review. ...more
Fans of the original Elvis may love this theme or hate it, but it's original and there's lots of credible detail. An Elvis impersonator is killed, jusFans of the original Elvis may love this theme or hate it, but it's original and there's lots of credible detail. An Elvis impersonator is killed, just after his concert in an old folks' home, and it happens that in his day job he's a police officer, newly promoted to detective.
The detective assigned to this case was briefly the deceased man's work partner, but other than that she plays the role of outsider. She has come from Philadelphia to Mississippi and married here, so she sees the surrounds and warm or unwelcoming people with a fresh eye.
I would have liked more of the outdoor scenery, but the author keeps it tight, taking us only where we need to go. This includes a tour around Graceland, the office of an agency which arranges Elvis gigs, and a meth manufacturer's basic home. You will read the word Elvis many times through this adventure, and there is some dark humour too, aimed at the deceased and his costume rather than at the memory of the King. We uncover more than one sinister activity, and social problems of today.
This author is no stranger to writing about controversy, but if this is what it takes to get people talking, good.
Merged review:
Fans of the original Elvis may love this theme or hate it, but it's original and there's lots of credible detail. An Elvis impersonator is killed, just after his concert in an old folks' home, and it happens that in his day job he's a police officer, newly promoted to detective.
The detective assigned to this case was briefly the deceased man's work partner, but other than that she plays the role of outsider. She has come from Philadelphia to Mississippi and married here, so she sees the surrounds and warm or unwelcoming people with a fresh eye.
I would have liked more of the outdoor scenery, but the author keeps it tight, taking us only where we need to go. This includes a tour around Graceland, the office of an agency which arranges Elvis gigs, and a meth manufacturer's basic home. You will read the word Elvis many times through this adventure, and there is some dark humour too, aimed at the deceased and his costume rather than at the memory of the King. We uncover more than one sinister activity, and social problems of today.
This author is no stranger to writing about controversy, but if this is what it takes to get people talking, good....more
This crime and romance story is for those dedicated to horses and the racing scene in particular; some non-horsey readers may find it an absorbing porThis crime and romance story is for those dedicated to horses and the racing scene in particular; some non-horsey readers may find it an absorbing portrayal of a behind the scenes world they never knew, while others may find it too specific for them. A detective on extended leave from the RCMP is asked to take the upcoming racehorses he trains to a Canadian track and check out the killing of a policeman, undercover. He engages the young female apprentice jockey who was one of the last people to have spoken with the deceased, in the hope that she can give him information. There is a particularly repulsive owner/trainer who is the main suspect, and no other suspect.
There are a few things wrong with the scenario which is why I can't give it more stars. One is that the older trainer making a personal advance to a young female jockey is just morally wrong. He is in a position of power and abuses it. The girl is not a suspect and he is quickly sure that she is not the killer. But he puts her in a position where she thinks she will not get riding work and race rides unless she has sex with the trainer. The man may make reassuring noises about personal matters being separate, but that is what she would expect to hear from a creep.
Another issue is that having sex with a witness in order to get information from her means the police case would be thrown out of court. They are only supposed to use legitimate means to gain information and having sex with a witness, lying or not, is enough to invalidate any data gained. He should have waited to start a personal relationship with a witness until the case was closed. The experienced cop would know this, unless they do things very differently in Canada. Flirt, maybe, flatter, fine. Sex, romance, no.
And thirdly, the trainer has bought betting slips for the horse handler and the jockey. I don't know if this is legal in the racing system of Canada or America, but I strongly suspect jockeys are not allowed to bet there any more than they are in Ireland and UK. There is potentially far too much incentive for a jockey to throw a race or a few jockeys to rig a race. If jockeys benefiting from bets is allowed, some character should be commenting about how weird it is.
Whether an upcoming jockey would go out the night before a big race and drink many shots - called shooters here - seems unlikely to me, but I can't say it wouldn't occur. Jockeys count calories and know they have light bodyweight, making a high alcohol level unwise.
This mystery is quite lengthy, set almost all at the track, but there is a nice change of scene to a ranch and mountain. The horse details are good. I've enjoyed another book by this author more, Studs And Stilettoes, behind the scenes as a film about a horse is being made.
Merged review:
This crime and romance story is for those dedicated to horses and the racing scene in particular; some non-horsey readers may find it an absorbing portrayal of a behind the scenes world they never knew, while others may find it too specific for them. A detective on extended leave from the RCMP is asked to take the upcoming racehorses he trains to a Canadian track and check out the killing of a policeman, undercover. He engages the young female apprentice jockey who was one of the last people to have spoken with the deceased, in the hope that she can give him information. There is a particularly repulsive owner/trainer who is the main suspect, and no other suspect.
There are a few things wrong with the scenario which is why I can't give it more stars. One is that the older trainer making a personal advance to a young female jockey is just morally wrong. He is in a position of power and abuses it. The girl is not a suspect and he is quickly sure that she is not the killer. But he puts her in a position where she thinks she will not get riding work and race rides unless she has sex with the trainer. The man may make reassuring noises about personal matters being separate, but that is what she would expect to hear from a creep.
Another issue is that having sex with a witness in order to get information from her means the police case would be thrown out of court. They are only supposed to use legitimate means to gain information and having sex with a witness, lying or not, is enough to invalidate any data gained. He should have waited to start a personal relationship with a witness until the case was closed. The experienced cop would know this, unless they do things very differently in Canada. Flirt, maybe, flatter, fine. Sex, romance, no.
And thirdly, the trainer has bought betting slips for the horse handler and the jockey. I don't know if this is legal in the racing system of Canada or America, but I strongly suspect jockeys are not allowed to bet there any more than they are in Ireland and UK. There is potentially far too much incentive for a jockey to throw a race or a few jockeys to rig a race. If jockeys benefiting from bets is allowed, some character should be commenting about how weird it is.
Whether an upcoming jockey would go out the night before a big race and drink many shots - called shooters here - seems unlikely to me, but I can't say it wouldn't occur. Jockeys count calories and know they have light bodyweight, making a high alcohol level unwise.
This mystery is quite lengthy, set almost all at the track, but there is a nice change of scene to a ranch and mountain. The horse details are good. I've enjoyed another book by this author more, Studs And Stilettoes, behind the scenes as a film about a horse is being made....more
This unusual western romance centres around an Arizona ghost town. When a young woman inherits land next door to the town, she arrives to inspect. TheThis unusual western romance centres around an Arizona ghost town. When a young woman inherits land next door to the town, she arrives to inspect. The local marshal owns the ghost town now, and he doesn't want to let her in on the fact that he is a werewolf and some other weres use the town as a den. The marshal is also hunting a rogue were who kills cattle and may have killed a human. Not the kind of situation where you can afford to be distracted by romance.
Enjoy. This is suitable for adults or mature teens. I read an e-ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.
Merged review:
This unusual western romance centres around an Arizona ghost town. When a young woman inherits land next door to the town, she arrives to inspect. The local marshal owns the ghost town now, and he doesn't want to let her in on the fact that he is a werewolf and some other weres use the town as a den. The marshal is also hunting a rogue were who kills cattle and may have killed a human. Not the kind of situation where you can afford to be distracted by romance.
Enjoy. This is suitable for adults or mature teens. I read an e-ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review....more
Previously released as A Little Gentle Sleuthing. A crime writer moves to a country cottage and a body is promptly unearthed by her next door neighbouPreviously released as A Little Gentle Sleuthing. A crime writer moves to a country cottage and a body is promptly unearthed by her next door neighbour. I found this just okay, but it is first in a series and has to carry a lot of setting up scene and cast. Take it as a nice readable rural English mystery with the traditional outsider unearthing secrets.
I downloaded an e-ARC from Fresh Fiction and Net Galley.
Merged review:
Previously released as A Little Gentle Sleuthing. A crime writer moves to a country cottage and a body is promptly unearthed by her next door neighbour. I found this just okay, but it is first in a series and has to carry a lot of setting up scene and cast. Take it as a nice readable rural English mystery with the traditional outsider unearthing secrets.
I downloaded an e-ARC from Fresh Fiction and Net Galley....more
This light crime mystery set in the Cotswolds is a re-release and feels pretty dated - not least by some of the stereotypes and attitudes. Those who eThis light crime mystery set in the Cotswolds is a re-release and feels pretty dated - not least by some of the stereotypes and attitudes. Those who enjoyed the first book will probably be happy with more of the same. This mystery has a slower start and the whodunit is not challenging. Our heroine decides to investigate a death, when the man she's getting romantically interested in is a suspect in the case.
I downloaded an e-ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.
Merged review:
This light crime mystery set in the Cotswolds is a re-release and feels pretty dated - not least by some of the stereotypes and attitudes. Those who enjoyed the first book will probably be happy with more of the same. This mystery has a slower start and the whodunit is not challenging. Our heroine decides to investigate a death, when the man she's getting romantically interested in is a suspect in the case.
I downloaded an e-ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review....more
I enjoyed this story of a lady who has overcome serious illness and is now a lone parent of her sulky kids, back in the town she left for better thingI enjoyed this story of a lady who has overcome serious illness and is now a lone parent of her sulky kids, back in the town she left for better things. She intends to build a house but there's a squatter camping out on her site. The biker guy claims he played there - on his family's land - as a kid, and he wasn't aware it had been sold. Maybe some mixup or something more like negligence, given that the lady's ex handed the site to her as part of the divorce settlement.
The people come across well, as grounded, realistic individuals, with all the usual issues and hopes as well as family baggage. We see them take a sensible approach to the legal matters and unravel the ownership of the land as they get to know each other better and find their feet in the town.
The small town is also well populated with interesting and varied people, from unusual occupations to crusty old timers, which may be because it is part of a series. I found this adult romance book well written and it addresses issues for cancer survivors with straightforward but tactful language.
Merged review:
I enjoyed this story of a lady who has overcome serious illness and is now a lone parent of her sulky kids, back in the town she left for better things. She intends to build a house but there's a squatter camping out on her site. The biker guy claims he played there - on his family's land - as a kid, and he wasn't aware it had been sold. Maybe some mixup or something more like negligence, given that the lady's ex handed the site to her as part of the divorce settlement.
The people come across well, as grounded, realistic individuals, with all the usual issues and hopes as well as family baggage. We see them take a sensible approach to the legal matters and unravel the ownership of the land as they get to know each other better and find their feet in the town.
The small town is also well populated with interesting and varied people, from unusual occupations to crusty old timers, which may be because it is part of a series. I found this adult romance book well written and it addresses issues for cancer survivors with straightforward but tactful language....more
Excellent gardening mystery about restoring an old classic garden in the Cotswolds. The American garden designer Pru has married an English police offExcellent gardening mystery about restoring an old classic garden in the Cotswolds. The American garden designer Pru has married an English police officer and they stay in a B&B near the big house. Thus they meet villagers, eat local foods and are on hand for the discovery of a body.
The mystery is a traditional one with a cast of colourful suspects, but most of us will be reading for the garden design and descriptions which make the story come to life in glorious colour. Enjoy. You don't need to have read the previous books, but treat yourself to them anyway.
I read an e-ARC through Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review. ...more
This is a tale of time travel for YA readers. Starting in New Shanghai at the end of this century, the tale follows young Engella who zips herself awaThis is a tale of time travel for YA readers. Starting in New Shanghai at the end of this century, the tale follows young Engella who zips herself away from pursuers, travelling blind through space and time. She arrives in Scotland, a nice touch, and the adventure continues. We don't get told a lot of her story so I am glad the author says he has expanded the short into a novel. I for one would like to read more. One niggle I noticed is that I've never seen clotted cream for sale in Scotland, just the West Country, but maybe the provider needs to be considered, and it could even be a crafty tip from the author that all is not as it seems.
I downloaded an e-copy from Instafreebie. This is an unbiased review.
Merged review:
This is a tale of time travel for YA readers. Starting in New Shanghai at the end of this century, the tale follows young Engella who zips herself away from pursuers, travelling blind through space and time. She arrives in Scotland, a nice touch, and the adventure continues. We don't get told a lot of her story so I am glad the author says he has expanded the short into a novel. I for one would like to read more. One niggle I noticed is that I've never seen clotted cream for sale in Scotland, just the West Country, but maybe the provider needs to be considered, and it could even be a crafty tip from the author that all is not as it seems.
I downloaded an e-copy from Instafreebie. This is an unbiased review....more
I always enjoy these K-9 suspense stories. This year's linked series of romance and crime stories by different authors, has to introduce all the cast I always enjoy these K-9 suspense stories. This year's linked series of romance and crime stories by different authors, has to introduce all the cast and their dogs, which can feel top-heavy, but mainly the tale follows a chocolate Labrador and handler, who is a male FBI agent. They are experienced at detecting a body underwater, a technique which I've read about in a memoir by an Irish mountain rescue dog trainer. Called upon after a body is reportedly dumped in a Wyoming river, they end up protecting the witness to the dumping, who is a female schoolteacher with a young child.
As the books are inspirational expect good behaviour on the part of the adults and a strong moral compass. This is also packed with danger and action so hold onto your hat. If you like smart, highly trained dogs you will love this book and I recommend checking Terri Reed's other works.
I downloaded an ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.
Merged review:
I always enjoy these K-9 suspense stories. This year's linked series of romance and crime stories by different authors, has to introduce all the cast and their dogs, which can feel top-heavy, but mainly the tale follows a chocolate Labrador and handler, who is a male FBI agent. They are experienced at detecting a body underwater, a technique which I've read about in a memoir by an Irish mountain rescue dog trainer. Called upon after a body is reportedly dumped in a Wyoming river, they end up protecting the witness to the dumping, who is a female schoolteacher with a young child.
As the books are inspirational expect good behaviour on the part of the adults and a strong moral compass. This is also packed with danger and action so hold onto your hat. If you like smart, highly trained dogs you will love this book and I recommend checking Terri Reed's other works.
I downloaded an ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review....more
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