Category: Mystery

Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Next Girl Missing by L.A. Larkin

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  • Title: Next Girl Missing
  • Author: L.A. Larkin
  • Series: A Sally Fairburn Crime Thriller #1
  • Genre: Thriller, Mystery
  • Main Character: Sally Fairburn
  • Other Characters: Paul Fairburn, Bryan Topham, Detective Clark, Detective Richard Foster, Aiden Foster, Theo Durrant,
  • Stars: 5

This is the first book I have read by this author and I will be reading more. I loved it from the very first word to the very last. I was so captivated by it that I just couldn’t put it down.

Saly is a former cop now working as a victim’s advocate. She lost her daughter five years ago and is still reeling from that. She is divorced from a controlling abusive husband and now her main focus is her 14-year-old son. Additionally, the memory of 6 girls who were abducted from her community 4 years ago still haunts her.

They convicted Theo Durrant for a series of crimes and they suspect him of being the poster killer who is responsible for the disappearance of the six girls. Imagine Sally’s shock when Theo requests that she go to the prison to visit him because he has information about the Poster killer. She wasn’t going to go until she saw a poster of herself. This really upset her since the poster killer always put up a poster of each girl before he took her. When she goes to visit him, Theo claims he is not the poster killer, but he knows who is. He won’t tell her who it is, but he gives her two hints. When Theo is later killed in prison, she realizes her own life could be in danger. The local cops reopen the cold case. When there is a stalker who won’t leave her alone and her son also becomes a target, she is determined to find the poster killer before he kills again.

During Sally’s search for the truth, other secrets are revealed.

This book is exciting and keeps you guessing from the very first page. It takes the reader on a roller coaster ride until the killer is revealed. There is a lot of action and suspense with an ending I didn’t see coming.

If you love a great suspense with a surprise ending, you will love Next Girl Missing.

Happy Reading,

Fiction, Mystery

While She Slumbered by Pamela Frost Dennis

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  • Title: While She Slumbered
  • Author: Pamela Frost Dennis
  • Series: Murder Blog Mysteries #5
  • Genre: Mystery
  • Takes Place: 
  • Main Character: Katy
  • Other Characters: Nina, Donna, Michelle,
  • Stars: 4

This is the fifth book in the series, and I have to admit that I didn’t like it as much as I enjoyed the first four. I didn’t dislike it: it just didn’t hold my interest as well as the previous books.

In this story, Katy worries about Nina, her elderly neighbor. Donna, Nina’s niece, visited to take care of her and Katy hasn’t seen or heard from Nina since Donna arrived. When Katy would go over there, Donna would always claim Nina was sleeping. In an effort to figure out what was going on, Katy began spying on Nina’s home because she was growing increasingly suspicious. She believed Donna had wronged Nina in some way. Since there was no proof of a crime, she was unable to receive much assistance from the authorities, so Katy used all of her sleuthing abilities to solve the case.

Donna is a mystery author as well, so Katy starts reading her works. It appears that what Donna is describing in her books and what is taking place at Nina’s house are related.

The amount of time it took to learn Donna and Nina’s situation took way too long. Like in the previous books, there were some humorous moments, but it felt like it went on forever. The ending wa a surprise. I enjoy a good mystery and attempt to solve it every time. This author does have a way of twisting a story so it is a bit more difficult to figure the ending.

If you decide to read this book, I would love to know your thoughts.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Mystery

Was it Murder by Pamela Frost Dennis

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  • Title: Was It Murder
  • Author: Pamela Frost Dennis
  • Series: Murder Blog Mysteries #4
  • Genre: Mystery
  • Main Character: Katy
  • Other Characters: Grandma Ruby, Bill, Diane
  • Stars: 5

This is another great book in the Murder Blog Mystery series. I love the way that author can weave some humor in the otherwise dramatic story.

This book takes Grandma Ruby and Katy to England where Ruby’s sister, Edith, passed away suddenly. While taking her dog for a walk. Edith evidently slipped on some ice on her steps and died. Ruby is beside herself with grief and needs to go to England immediately to take care of Edith’s home and finances. Katy wasn’t about to let Ruby go by herself so she goes to help.

It took them a little longer to travel to England than they had anticipated because their flight kept getting delayed. The author nevertheless managed to inject humor into the plot despite all the stress brought on by the delays.

Even from across the ocean, Katy often finds herself in life-threatening situations. It is almost immediately apparent that someone in the community does not want them there. Ruby and Katy begin to suspect there is a problem in the small English community as a result of the deaths of several citizens and the vandalism of Edith’s cottage. Some of the citizens of this community are not as they seem.

Who doesn’t want them there and is trying to scare them into leaving? Who could be vandalizing their property? Why did several people die? Was Edith’s accident really an accident? These are questions that will be answered when you read this book.

I genuinely believed I had the mystery figured out. I did manage to figure out a portion of it, but it was much more complex. This author has a way of weaving a story with a lot of twists and turns so the ending is always a surprise. I just love all the characters in this series. There are so many facets to Katy and Ruby, and just when you think you understand them, something unexpected happens.

If you love a good mystery with lots of twists & turns, and surprises and don’t mind a few curse words scattered about, you are going to love this mystery series.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Mystery

Better Dead than Wed by Pamela Dennis

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  • Title:  Better Dead than Wed
  • Author: Pamela Frost Dennis
  • Series: Murder Blog Mysteries #2
  • Genre: Mystery
  • Main: Character: Katy
  • Other: Characters:  Grandma Ruby, Samantha, Heather, Chad, Lisa, Josh, Emily
  • Pets:  Labrador Retriever  named Daisy & a Tabby cat named Tabitha
  • Stars:  5

This book was equally as fantastic as the first. The characters have a lot of depth. The way this author describes everything makes you feel as though you know the characters.

Once again Katy finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery.  As Katy is working on her graphic design business and trying to make enough money to p ay her bills, her estranged half-sister shows up,  and she has a secret. What secret could Katy’s mom be keeping? Katy’s best friend Samantha talks Katie into joining a book club with her and there is a quirky cast of characters who also have their share of secrets.  Of course, Katy has to blog about all of it.

This book has lots of twists and turns &  a lot of secrets with a surprise ending.

Katy has a stalker who just happens to be her ex-husband Chad who she likes to call Chad the Cad. He is really a deadbeat with a pregnant wife and a girlfriend. There are lots of drama, secrets and surprises and somebody gets shot.

I could not put this book down. I was engrossed with it from the very first word till the last. I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next. I love all the characters, especially Katy and Grandma Ruby. Some of the lines they say are priceless.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Mystery

Coins & Cadavers by Pamela Frost Dennis

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  • Title:  Coins & Cadavers
  • Author: Pamela Frost Dennis
  • Series: Murder Blog Mysteries #3
  • Genre: Mystery
  • Main: Character: Katy
  • Other: Characters:  Grandma Ruby, Samantha, Heather, Josh,
  • Pets:  Labrador Retriever  named Daisy & a Tabby cat named Tabitha
  • Stars:  5

As we follow Katy and her blog through another adventure, this author provides yet another excellent read. Katy has a habit of getting herself into situations from which it seems hard to escape, and they always seem to involve murder.

This book follows Katy as she attempts to get rid of pests in her attic and, in the process, discovers a wooden chest concealed behind the attic wall. She is adamant locating the actual owner of the chest, but because it appears to have been in her home for decades, the owner is probably no longer alive. The chest is hers, everyone reassures her. Katy always tries to do the right thing, so she makes the decision to look into who owns this chest and the circumstances behind its concealment in her attic.

In the meantime, The ‘Viking’, Katy’s hot PI neighbor, is on a stakeout to nab a cheating husband. Grandma Ruby arranges for Katy to tag along. Could things get hot and steamy?

Grandma Ruby, one of my favorite characters, is not without her own secrets. She wants Katy to help her by trying to find out what happened to her bigamist, great-great-grandfather. In the course of her investigation, Katy discovers a long-lost relative she didn’t know existed. Could Katy end up in an unsafe scenario as a result of her discovery?

Another item buried in Katy’s attic is discovered by Katy and her dad. Could it be another treasure? Or something else? You will have to read to find out.

As with all the books in this series, there Is a lot going on and katy Is sure to blog about it. I am addicted to this series and can’t wait to read the next installment.  Even though there is always a murder in these books, the author has a way of adding humor to the situation. Katy always has the best intentions but she always finds herself in sticky situations. She is funny and has the biggest heart. I could see her as my best friend and everyone should have a grandma like Ruby.

If you love a good mystery, with lots of twists and turns, surprises, quirky characters, a hot PI neighbor and a dose of humor thrown in you, will love this series.

I love to learn new words and I learned a new one in this book:
Numismatics – The study or collection of coins, paper currency and medals.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Mystery

Dead Girls Don’t Blog by Pamela Frost Dennis

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  • Title: Dead Girls Don’t Blog
  • Author: Pamela Frost Dennis
  • Series: Murder Blog Mysteries #1
  • Genre: Mystery, Suspense
  • Main Character: Katy McKenna
  • Other Characters: Phillip Hobart, Granma Ruby, Samantha, Marybeth
  • Pets: a dog named Daisy and a cat named Tabitha
  • Stars: 5

I must start out by saying I loved this book. This is the first book I have read by this author but it won’t be the last. It is suspenseful, funny, dramatic and everything in between.

A young girl, Lindsay, was gang raped, kidnapped and killed 15 years ago and now the killer is eligible for parole. Because Katy is so outraged that they could release a murderer from prison after only 15 years, she starts a petition asking the parole board to reject his release.

I really enjoy how the story brings us back to the crime’s scene in 1996 so we can see exactly what happened before returning to the present. That aids in the reader’s comprehension of both what transpired and Katy’s current state of mind. Could her interference get her killed?

Katy is a fantastic protagonist. She is a three-dimensional character who is humorous, ambitious, and often gets herself into trouble. She gives off a genuine impression of being a great friend. Then there is the guy next door who always seems to show up when she needs him.

Grandma Ruby may be my favorite character. Everyone wishes they had a grandmother like her. She is eccentric, humorous, and adores her granddaughter. In addition, she is always trying to play matchmaker which frustrates Katy. Of course, there are pets. Daisy, Katy’s labrador, captured my heart immediately and then there is the cat she adopted.

Compared to other books I’ve read, this one is a little more graphic, but it wasn’t horrible at all. You better believe I wouldn’t have finished it if it were horrible. It also has a few swear words, but nothing offensive. It seems to make the situation seem more realistic by fitting the facts. None of this changed the plot in the slightest. I simply bring it up so you won’t be shocked when you read it.

If you love a good suspense novel with lots of twists and turns, a protagonist you adore, along with additional quirky characters & pets, you are going to love this book. I highly recommend it!

Quote for the day: s

“A foolish man tells a woman to stop talking, but a wise man tells her that her mouth is extremely beautiful when her lips are closed.”

Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery

Instant Karma by Kay Bratt

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  • Title: Instant Karma
  • Author: Kay Bratt
  • Series: Hart’s Ridge, GA
  • Genre: Small town mystery
  • Takes Place:  Hart’s Ridge
  • Main Character: Faire, Brian, Taylor, Jo, Corbin, Della Ray
  • Other Characters: Cate, Anna, Eldon
  • Pets: Dog named Diesel and a bird named Baby
  • Stars: 5

This is the 5th book in the Hart’s Ridge Series and it does not disappoint. I loved this book from beginning to end. It kept me engaged and I just had to know how it all turned out.

Faire, a widow in the community, decides to take in a boarder because she is having financial difficulties. Brian, her new border, at first seemed like a really nice guy. Do things really look as they do? How is Faire going to handle this border? What mysteries does he possess? Will Faire lose her home?

Meanwhile, we learn more about Jo’s story. Struggling to be a single mom, Jo just wants what is best for her son. Kyle has some behavior issues, so Jo signs him up for theater. He is not thrilled, to say the least. He ends up doing the best he can and wows everyone, especially Jo. A couple of guys from Jo’s past show up in her life, so she has some decisions to make

Taylor’s family has established an animal rescue, under Cate’s leadership. Even though Taylor is less involved than the others because she is a local police deputy, the entire family is involved.

Taylor stopped seeing Sam until she could deal with some demons from her past that she is battling.

This is a story of family, love, forgiveness, community, and supporting others. It is heartwarming and there is a mystery to solve. I think you will love this book as much as I did.

Happy Reading,

Fiction, Mystery

Family Secrets by Shawn Mcguire

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  • Title: Family Secrets
  • Author: Shawn Mcguire
  • Series: Whispering Pines
  • Genre: Mystery
  • Takes Place: Whispering Pines, WI
  • Main Character: Jayne O’Shea
  • Other Characters: Tripp, Sheriff Brighten, deputy reed, Morgan
  • Pets: Meeka, Jayne’s West Highland White Terrier
  • Stars: 3

This is the first book I have read by this author. It is the first book in the Whispering Pines Mystery Series. Since this book was also categorized as a cozy mystery, I wasn’t prepared for some of the graphic content. In terms of graphics, it wasn’t too horrible, just a little more than I had anticipated.

Jayne O’Shea was a detective who left her position as a result of a tragedy that she found difficult to overcome. She also ended her relationship with her boyfriend shortly after he proposed. He had political aspirations and she struggled to imagine herself as a politician’s wife. She really liked being a detective.

Jayne’s Grandmother recently passed away and her parents asked her to travel to Whispering Pines to take care of her grandmother’s house and prepare it for sale. There was only one issue: the house had been vandalized and her dog had discovered a dead corpse in the backyard when she arrived.

Although Jayne hadn’t intended to employ her investigative abilities when she arrived, the Sheriff’s lack of interest in finding the crime forces her to do so. The more she investigates, she continues to learn secrets, adding to the number of potential suspects.

For my taste, there was too much paranormal activity involving witches, fortune tellers, and spells. Because I’m not a big fan of the paranormal, I suppose I should have read more about the book before I started it. The majority of the people in the town appeared to be Wiccans. I didn’t even know What Wiccans were and had to look it up. In case you don’t know, the definition I read is: “Wicca, the largest of the modern Pagan, or Neo-Pagan, religions. Its followers, who are called Wiccans, typically identify as witches and draw inspiration largely from the pre-Christian religions of Europe.”

With the exception of Tripp, who I liked, it features some odd characters. If I had been in a town with all of them, I definitely would have fled. Jayne met Tripp, a man who was camping at the campground, after she discovered the body on her first day there. He and Jayne became instant friends

There just seemed to be some elements missing. For example, The vandalism of her grandparents’ home never seemed to be fully resolved, and other elements of the plot appeared to be missing. It wasn’t a huge surprise as to who killed the young girl, but it was surprising as to why. I just couldn’t figure out why this individual killed her or what their goal was. The explanation just didn’t make sense as to why her! It would have made more sense if he had killed another character in the book.

Another individual in the book was poisoned and sent to the hospital; however, we were never told if he survived or not. Because I don’t want to spoil it I won’t reveal who.

Jayne started out by giving a physical description of each person she encountered, giving the impression that she was a detective trying to remember how they looked.

Although there were a few plot gaps that distracted me, overall I really liked the book and wanted to keep reading to find out who did it and how.

If you read this book, please let me know what you think.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Women's Fiction

Seaside Bookclub by Meredith Summers

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  • Title: Seaside Bookclub
  • Author: Meredith Summers
  • Series: Lobster Bay #6
  • Genre: Women’s fiction
  • Takes Place: Lobster Bay, Maine
  • Main Character: Bunny, Sam, Liz, Jane, Andie, Mr Smith
  • Other Characters: Claire, Maxie, Rob, James
  • Stars: 5

This is the 6th book of the Lobster Bay series. I love that each book in this series seems to bring different characters in the quaint town of Lobster Bay to the forefront. Sam is a retired detective who lost the most important part of his life when his wife passed. He has struggled to find a reason to get up in the mornings. If it wasn’t for his dog Dooley, he probably wouldn’t have founod the motivation to leave the house, that is until he met Bunny.

The friends of Lobster Bay decided to start a bookclub where they meet each month at Tides, the Inn that Jane and Andie own. The first book is a mystery and Bunny, a feisty widow, has really gotten into it. So much so, she starts to suspect that a guest at the Inn, Mr. Smith, is a killer. Sam’s detective skills come alive when he witnesses Bunny lurking around and following Mr. Smith. They decide to team up to see just what Mr. Smith is up to. Could they have a killer staying at the Inn?

Jane is getting suspicious as to why Andie and Mike were spotted at the local hardware store and then at the Inn. She knows they are hiding something, but what could that be. She has her suspicions, and it scares her a bit.

Then over at the bakery, Claire is making dog treats that she is calling Beach Bones. The thing is, that some of her customers are telling her that someone in another town is also selling dog treats by the same name. Claire has her daughter checking on trademarks as she is puzzled and wonders if someone has stolen the name from her. Will Claire be able to continue selling her Beach Bones?

This was a great book with a few mysteries. I loved it and highly recommend this sweet Women’s fiction.

Quote:

“Keeping memories is good, but don’t let them overshadow everything you’re doing now. Don’t let old memories prevent you from moving on to make new ones.”

Happy Reading,

Cozy Mystery, Mystery

Amused to Death by Ashley Albi

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  • Title: Amused to Death
  • Author: Ashley Albi
  • Series: Scarlett James Cozy Mystery #2
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Takes Place: Spirit Lake, Iowa
  • Main Character:
  • Other Characters: Gabe, Justin, Ellie, Bree, Zoey, Della, Lucas, Nathaniel, Sydney, Bert, Jack
  • Stars: 5

The second book in the Scarlett James Cozy Mystery series was just as good as the first. Scarlet once again finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery, so of course, she has to play amateur sleuth.

Gabe, the Chief of Police and Detective Sydney are investigating the suspicious death of a young girl thought to be a runaway. In addition to Scarlet’s amateur detective skills, her gal pals must put their sleuthing skills to use.. As the plot unfolds, a twist reveals who the murderer is and the motive for committing such a heinous crime. This book kept me on the edge of my seat from the beginning to the very end.

This is definitely a ‘can’t put down’ read. I read most of it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. I recommend reading the first book in the series, Death is Better at the Lake, before reading this one, because there is another mystery in the book that is ongoing.

This was my second read by this author, and I look forward to reading more.