I hate to admit it. And yet I must. I skimmed an Agatha Christie novel.
I've read several of her books. In fact, her dark Egyptian tale, 'Death comes aI hate to admit it. And yet I must. I skimmed an Agatha Christie novel.
I've read several of her books. In fact, her dark Egyptian tale, 'Death comes as the end" is among my top 50 books ever. But there is no way for me not to say the truth. I was bored. I skimmed most if it. I did not like it.
There wasn't anything wrong with this book at all. It's a cozy mystery, a "who done it."
The murder takes place on a train and is witnessed by another person on another train.
I read straight through to about 20 percent or so but it was not keeping my attention.
I wish it were possible to talk oneself into liking a genre. I have had this issue before with cozy mysteries. I try to read one, almost always I take to skimming.
I really don''t know why but I just do not care for the genre.
This cozy and sweet and interesting and -- it just did nothing for me.
Much of it was told, not shown. I also have to say that the book I referenced above, the one I adore, is much more my style.
I happen to adore historical mysteries ,particularly those taking place in exotic locations like Egypt.
I did want to see who done it. But that didn't even interest me all that much. I cannot give ANYTHING by her less than a three and I've no doubt fans of this genre will love and have loved this.
I think I'll give up on the cozy mystery genre....more
Am I the only person in the world who isn’t into the Sherlock Holmes stories?
There is nothing whatsoever wrong with this book. I was just bored. I hatAm I the only person in the world who isn’t into the Sherlock Holmes stories?
There is nothing whatsoever wrong with this book. I was just bored. I hate to think it’s that simple but it really just comes down to that. I’ve never been able to get drawn into the Sherlock Holmes franchise.
Perhaps that is because I’ve never really been a cozy mystery fan with the exception of Nancy Drew. I really like stories that are a little more forbidding, A little more dark.
I love Edgar Allan Poe and in terms of current mysteries I love books like gone girl and verity.
I did not however love this book as much as I tried. Sometimes you can try and try but a book may just not be for you. Such was the case with me. I really wish I could get into the Sherlock Holmes franchise and see just what it is that thrills and delights people....more
"Some women take up tennis. I dabble In private investigation. Doesn’t burn up near the calories, unfortunately."
Killer Fudge (A Callahan Garrity Shor"Some women take up tennis. I dabble In private investigation. Doesn’t burn up near the calories, unfortunately."
Killer Fudge (A Callahan Garrity Short Story) by Kathy Hogan Trocheck
My review:
It would be impossible for me not to have a fondness for this nifty little story. Usually I do not read cozy mysteries. They just ate not a genre I love. But I happened to see this book and what can I say? Who wouldn't want to read a book with "fudge" in the title?
So..to say as little as possible..lest I give away the story...this is a cozy "short story" that can be read in about 30 minutes. It involves a sassy young woman trying to solve a case and obviously you know fudge plays a role. What kind of a role? Not for me to say.
I did rather enjoy this story which I read right before I went to sleep. It was well written and I very much like the main protagonist. She has a great with and it was just a fun little story.
It did make me hungry tho ugh. T hat is my only complaint. And it really is not the writer's fault. I happen to love all things fudge, especially chocolate fudge cookies. (Yum!). But still I went to sleep longing for fudge.
"No bird soars to high If he soars with his own wings. _William Blake
The Preening Peacock by Lisa Shea
My review:
Utterly enchanting. This is a short sto"No bird soars to high If he soars with his own wings. _William Blake
The Preening Peacock by Lisa Shea
My review:
Utterly enchanting. This is a short story, part of a series and this luscious book is the first installment. It is delightful.
Rosalinda, a soulful and lovely woman is our main character. No.I .take that back. She is ONE of our main characters. The other main characters are the animals in the zoo where this lovely little story takes place.
This story is for ANIMAL LOVERS! So calling all Animal people, Zoo people..this is your story! I am one of those people and when I saw this little book, I was taken by the title (I adore Peacocks) and the plot, which I am not going to share here. Suffice to say, it's short, whimsical and there is a mystery involved but it's not scary.
No animals die in this book but the mystery does involve Peacock feet and one or two nasty people working at the zoo. I do feel I must mention that.
I love how vividly the birds and all the animals are described, particularly the Peacocks. I love how at ease Rosalinda is with the animals and how at home she is there and how free spirited she is. She is a Peacock whisperer!
I love the Peacocks, these colorful visions of beauty. I think if you love animals and zoos this is a must read....more
The murders had stopped. They never knew why, just as they had never found out who had committed them, and Blades still wondered whether he deserved tThe murders had stopped. They never knew why, just as they had never found out who had committed them, and Blades still wondered whether he deserved to continue in his job.
Death Waits for No Lady (Inspector Blade, #2) by James Andrew
I sometimes try to stretch my reading by reading genres I am not into.
I always hope it works in that I will discover a new genre!
It did not work here.
Yorkshire set cozy mystery where the Mistress of a large estate is murdered and there are many suspects. It could be any of the servants, a lover, her brother, someone else.
And the Inspector Blade is also trying to solve another series of murders from the past.
Great for cozy mystery fans. It is a well written and fun book that will keep you on your toes.
I just am not into this genre. I made it to 30 percent and then skimmed. It is a slow moving book and for me, I dislike cozy mysteries because I do not feel the tension so..
Not at all for me but others may like. I think I will stick with Genres I know I like for now.
"You walk through the door, or you don't. Those are your only choices."
The Murder List by Hank Phillippi Ryan
The Murder List, a legal thriller and mys"You walk through the door, or you don't. Those are your only choices."
The Murder List by Hank Phillippi Ryan
The Murder List, a legal thriller and mystery, is a good book.
It just isn't MY kind of book.
I knew pretty early on this one was not for me but frankly? I read on because certain elements were interesting.
Without getting into a deep plot review on this one..The main narrative concerns a married couple, Jack and Rachel. He is a defense attorney. She is hoping to join him soon.When she becomes a lawyer.
But for first assignment is one her husband does not like. It is to work with the DA. And Jack has lost cases to the DA and cannot stand her. No way, does he want his wife working there.
In spite of this, Rachel does indeed show up. And surprise! A murder case..an unsolved one..surfaces that happens to involve a former co worker of Rachel's.
I have not even scratched the surface on this one. I did not love it. I am simply not a big reader of police procedurals or this type of legal drama.
But I liked the back story..Rachel was, at one time, working in politics and fancied her boss. And he showed up in the middle of the night one day to give her..a necklace? And then just vanished.
That was interesting to me in a sort of "House of cards" way. I am a political junkie so mysterious and dark Political books always catch my attention.
The back story will intersect with the present one.
In spite of the mild fascination with the back story..I did not connect with the main story and found myself skimming. It was..or seemed..overly long and as stated, it just is not the type of book I love.
There is a twist that is superb and I would recommend it to people who enjoy cozy police procedurals more than I do....more
"Lainey peered into those eyes. They were pools of kindness surrounded by a rough and haggard terrain".
When Innocence Falls (Wills Creek, #1) by Donna"Lainey peered into those eyes. They were pools of kindness surrounded by a rough and haggard terrain".
When Innocence Falls (Wills Creek, #1) by Donna Marie Lanheady
So I think I need to add a category for "cozy mysteries".
When Innocence falls, is about a college girl who gets a job in a small town in Colorado working for the local Newspaper.
While there, she inadvertently stumbles upon a secret involving an orphanage and the tragic death of a small boy that happened many years ago.
It isn't that this book is bad or even not good. However, I went into it thinking it was a dark mystery thriller and it really is not like that at all.
This is, to some extent "cozy". The charm of the small town is evident immediately and described in lovely prose. We have all been to small towns like this (and some have been fortunate enough to live in them!). These are the towns where you know every face you see coming toward you and where you bump into your neighbors at the local market. There is so much charm in that.
But the story itself was a little thin for me. I wish there had been more meat to it. Nothing really feels exciting or suspenseful. Even the one small "scary" happening involving a menacing note almost feels like a walk in the park.
I have always loved the state of Colorado so it was nice to read about this tiny storybook town. But the mystery and intensity I look for really was not there and there are also so many people in it for a relatively short book.
If it is thrillers you are after, this is not the book for you. However..that being said..it is a sweet and cozy story that will be sure to appeal to fans of cozy mysteries. I am not someone who reads much of that genre so it really was not for me. However, fans of the genre will most likely find this delightful as it is so cozy you may feel like sipping hot chocolate or sweet tea while reading it.
I would give this a solid three stars and recommend it to fans of cozy mysteries.
PS: Wow. I must have mentioned the word "cozy' about half a dozen times!...more
Cute and fun read about a Paparazzo (female named Grace) who discovers a dead body in the hotel she is staying at. Turns out the guy who has died is hCute and fun read about a Paparazzo (female named Grace) who discovers a dead body in the hotel she is staying at. Turns out the guy who has died is her ex boyfriend. But she has no idea what his body is doing in her hotel closet. Neither do we.
This was really funny. It is described as a cozy mystery but it has some Black Humor in it as well (Think the movie: "Very bad things"). That made it right up my ally! And that also makes it a bit more fun to read because let's face it black humor can be really fun sometimes. And some aspects to this short book are actually pretty funny, as in laugh out loud funny.
This can be enjoyed as long as one does not take it to seriously. Grace's mom was my favorite character and reminded me a bit of Joan Rivers. There is no rhyme or reason to anything that happens but it's a fun little book to wind down with after reading many long and dark novels. I enjoyed it....more
I have never read any of the other stories about Micah. This was a fun short story about a blind date gone horribly wrong. I actuallyreview to follow.
I have never read any of the other stories about Micah. This was a fun short story about a blind date gone horribly wrong. I actually enjoyed it..it is Pithy and amusing..but just wish it had been a bit longer as it was over in the blink of an eye. I guess that's why they call it a short story....more
"Holy shit." She swallowed hard. "I've won the lottery."
Burn by Linda Howard
My review:
I love Linda Howard’s books so this one was disappointing .
This "Holy shit." She swallowed hard. "I've won the lottery."
Burn by Linda Howard
My review:
I love Linda Howard’s books so this one was disappointing .
This book is about Jennifer Redwine, A young hard-working girls who works for the local meat packer in Kansas. Then she wins the lottery. No spoilers here… Not yet anyway… The premise is actually very interesting as is Jennifer.
I mean let’s face it there are not to many of us who will win the lottery and I’ve often wondered what it would mean if I did or if people I know did. What would that mean for us? How would our lives change? How would we change?
I’d like to say I found the answers in this book but I did not. And now here come: Spoilers!
The book really didn’t tell me anything about Jennifer nor did it really answer any of these questions. Instead the book jumps forward in time and we find that Jennifer has become beautiful successful and of course rich. Very , very rich. The book then more soon to a crime drama with a love story interspersed taking place on a boat. Not exactly what I expected.
While there was nothing inherently wrong with this book, I think that the central premise was so intriguing that it could’ve been a really great one and it stayed with Jen’s life and the ramifications of winning the lottery.
One kind of thinks that’s what it’s going to do in the beginning as we see her friends reactions to her good fortune. We see how differently people start to treat her because of her newly found wealth. I should stress that the beginning of this book is a five.
I was baffled by the big jump in time. And the crime story..the mystery..wasn't all that interesting. Burn turns into a romantic suspense book but it wasn't suspenseful and all I could feel was let down that we do not know what happened in the months after Jenna won the lottery. LOL. I just wanted the book to go back in time and start over, with a different focus. I was extremely frustrated.
I had never read A Stone Barrington book before. I decided they are not for me.
This was not bad and I chose it because it seemed a political mystery aI had never read A Stone Barrington book before. I decided they are not for me.
This was not bad and I chose it because it seemed a political mystery and I love politics and sometimes like mysteries.
This was a bit to light for me. I sped through it but I had thought it would be more dark and sort of like Joseph Finder book. Nothing wrong with this one but not what I was looking for....more
"She'd run the distance of several cottages when she stopped short. Had it really been a baby? Could it have been a doll, perhaps? She looked back ove"She'd run the distance of several cottages when she stopped short. Had it really been a baby? Could it have been a doll, perhaps? She looked back over her shoulder. Yes, she was certain it had been a real, human baby".
Summer's Child by Diane Chamberlain
First, might I say..wonderful cover art! I would give a star for that alone!
That being said I didn't like this as much as I expected although it was an interesting read all the same. It was not as ethereal as I expected.
But it has several good points to recommend it.
It is an easy and fast beach side reading which isn't a bad thing. And I enjoyed reading about the mysterious baby on the beach and the family who takes her in.
It also takes place on North Carolina's outer banks.The setting is spectacular. This is perhaps the perfect light summer read. It is engrossing.
I would say this is a pretty quick read and it was just a bit to "cozy" for me and more of a romance novel, in my mind, then a really tense mystery.
But that being said, it is a solid three star read and is absolutely not a bad book.
"Probably the most important thing you need to know about me is that I want to be a cop."
Murder at Dolphin Bay (Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery #1) by Ka"Probably the most important thing you need to know about me is that I want to be a cop."
Murder at Dolphin Bay (Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery #1) by Kathi Daley
Kailani Pope is a free spirited, fun loving resident of Hawaii. It is her most fervent desire to be a police officer. Her dad became cop. Her Grandpa became a cop. All her brothers are cops. So, yes, becoming a cop is her dream.
And in the touristy area she lives in, Kailani comes upon a murder.
This could be her time. If she can only solve the murder before her brother cop does, her crime skills will be recognized and she will be taken seriously.
This was a fun "cozy mystery" that is not scary in the slightest. And that was one of the issues for me. Because as breezy and lighthearted as this story was, "cozy" mysteries are not usually my jam. I prefer dark mysteries. I prefer edgy over cozy.
That doesn't mean it's not a fun little romp. I loved the setting. I adore beach setting in my mysteries. I also became quite fond of our protagonist, who is a fun and gutsy character (I do mean character!) It was a light and fun read.
So even though it is not really my genre, still there is much to like about this book and I would recommend it to cozy mystery lovers. I do not happen to be a big fan of that genre but to someone who is, they will most likely like this. It takes place as I said, in Hawaii and the characters are fun. The pace of the book is fun and fast and it wasn't a bad read in the slightest....more
“She’s got the face of an angel and the soul of a pit bull–piranha hybrid.” ― Mary Kay Andrews, The Weekenders
Ha! Everybody loved t his! Every one but“She’s got the face of an angel and the soul of a pit bull–piranha hybrid.” ― Mary Kay Andrews, The Weekenders
Ha! Everybody loved t his! Every one but yours truly here who cannot figure it out.
I tried. I really did
But I was really really bored. I can’t really say a lot about this book because I started to skim and then stopped reading altogether and then started skimming again… I really don’t like not finishing a book although I do have a list of DNF'S.
But the thing that puzzled me about this book is that it’s bestseller because I missing something here. I am still trying to figure out what.
It was way too slow moving for me. Also given that the whole story has a beach location I expected I would maybe be transported there. I adore books that have the ability to transport the reader to the location. And I do like books that are very atmospheric.
But I didn’t get any of that with this one. It wasn’t scary in the slightest. Cozy mystery perhaps? I think it may have been more of a book that would appeal to cozy mystery fans and I am not an excessive reader of the genre so as a result this was not a book I really liked all that much.
But also missing was the element of fun. OK..I guess this book just wasn't for me. I do occasionally adore Women's fiction but the slow pace, unrealistic story line and just overall generic feel put me off. Cannot say I was a fan of this one. ...more
“Because 'You're perfect just the way you are,' is what your guidance counselor says. And she's an alcoholic.” ― Libba Bray, Beauty Queens
Of all the b“Because 'You're perfect just the way you are,' is what your guidance counselor says. And she's an alcoholic.” ― Libba Bray, Beauty Queens
Of all the books I have read in my lifetime, there will always be those few books that the world loves that a few people WISH they could adore but just do not. This is one of those books for me.
And it was a DNF.
I was prepared to LOVE it but I just could not . I had a problem even getting 50 pages in honestly.
It isn't that it was awful. Actually..at first..I loved the audacious with and the fun of the book. Bu t it got old.
it is just I do not think it was the book for me. After awhile, I did not find the funny aspects of this book..well..funny. It felt more annoying to me. And I had a tough time with all the side stuff and the print on the bottom of every page which I found distracting.
Then there were all the beauty queens. For me..they all had the same voice. I could not tell them apart.
At the end, I skimmed a bit but the whole love plot with the pirates did not get me either. I admit I read this in a strange way. I'd pick it up, out it down, go back to it.
I did give up on it at some point.
A bunch of beauty queens lost in the woods..I did think it was a great premise. And I see reviews on here from people who loved it. I could just not get into it at all. So much happening and none of it hooked me. Wrong book for this reader....more
“The suffragettes didn't starve themselves for the vote, so that you girls could starve yourselves for a man.” ― Liane Moriarty, The Hypnotist's Love “The suffragettes didn't starve themselves for the vote, so that you girls could starve yourselves for a man.” ― Liane Moriarty, The Hypnotist's Love Story
This book is different I must say. I have never read anything about a Hypnotist before.
This is the story of Ellen, a mischievous and free spirited hypnotist. This is the tale of her relationship with her boyfriend Patrick and the book is also about the field of hypnotherapy itself. There are several stories going on here. People who do not believe in this concept are trying to put Ellen out of business and simultaneously Ellen's kind and ordinary new boyfriend Patrick is being stalked by his all adoring ex.
I wish I could have loved this book. Although it was fun and I did enjoy some aspects of it, the book moved at an extremely slow pace and there were times I was a little bored. I did like the Hypnotist and she was much fun to read about. This is a case where I liked the leading character but the book itself did not grab me. The Hypnotist herself is gutsy and a heck of alot of fun but I did think it was overly long and there were one to many sub plots for me.
I think it is perfect summer beach reading. In spite of the fact that I personally did not love it, if one is in the mood for a light and beachy type of read, this would be perfect. ...more
"In a nutshell, the Wyman Method was my therapy for guys who got mute at the dinner table and guys who interrupt in business meetings and guys who tel"In a nutshell, the Wyman Method was my therapy for guys who got mute at the dinner table and guys who interrupt in business meetings and guys who tell entirely to many jokes about women's breasts. It was my cure for the common cad".
Female Intelligence by Jane Heller
I adore Jane Heller and count "Name Dropping" as one of my all time favorite books but this one was a let down.
I loved it at first. It has the same light playful tone as Name Dropping and after reading many dark books, it is a breath of fresh air to read Heller.
Lynne is a linguist who trains men and women in the art of communication. She teaches them to talk to each other and to be "givers, not takers".
People count on Lynn to help them and she is kn own as THE relationship guru. She has a relationship of her own built on trust and communication and that is how it should be.
Until she overhears a conversation between the love of her life..and his lover.
So this was great..at first. It was four or five star Chick Lit. But then the book lost me.
Where I started spacing out, was after she kicks her cheating boyfriend out . Turns out..that isn't really the plot. She then gets involved in another romance and there is mystery involved and it just delves into cliches.
I really wanted to keep focused on the talk show host and the boyfriend. I think it was on its way to being a 5 star book for me but it went off the rails into such other territory..I was let down.
Still love some of her books but this was such a let down..going from 4.5 stars to 2 just like that. Oh well....more
Bren fall in love with the sea.
>
Books:
cozy-mystery
(18)
Loading...
