Tag: Mystery

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!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery, Women's Fiction

Death is Better at the Lake by Ashley Albi

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  • Title: Death is Better at the Lake
  • Author: Ashley Albi
  • Series: Scarlet James Cozy Mystery Series #1
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Takes Place: Spirit Lake, Iowa
  • Main Character: Scarlet James
  • Other Characters: Jasper Hall, Gabe, Justin, Julie, Ellie, Lily, Bree, Zoey, Della,
  • Stars: 5

Death is Better at the Lake is the first book in the Scarlet James Cozy Mystery Series. This is the first book I have read by this author and, I have to say, I am hooked. I love her writing and the mystery she weaves.

Scarlet is a literary agent in Chicago and she just broken it off with her boyfriend because of his betrayal. She got an urgent phone call that her grandmother, who practically raised her, has fallen, so she immediately heads home to Spring Lake, Iowa. While her grandmother is in the hospital, Scarlet stays at her house and gets together with some long time girlfriends.

She is worried about her grandmother but still able to enjoy her friendships with her girlfriends, that is until her ex shows up. She immediately puts him in his place and he leaves. Everything is going fine until her ex ends up dead and Scarlet is the prime suspect. Scarlet is determined to prove that she didn’t kill her ex.

I really loved all the characters in this story. The author has really developed the characters in such a way that I can really picture them. The protagonist is a strong independent woman who is determined to prove she is innocent.

The author will take you on lots of twists and turns until the Climax of the book. If you love a good cozy mystery with lots of twists and lovable characters, you will love this book. I can’t wait to read the next book.

Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Women's Fiction

Borrowed Time by Kay Bratt

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  • Title: Borrowed Time
  • Author: Kay Bratt
  • Series: Hart’s Ridge #4
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Takes Place: The small quaint town of Hart’s Ridge in the Blue Ridge mountains
  • Main Character: Taylor Gray, Anna
  • Pets: Diesel who is shared by Taylor and Sam
  • Stars: 5

This is the 4th book in the Hart’s Ridge series. Once again, we visit Taylor Gray’s dysfunctional family. This time the focus is on Anna, whose husband has left her and has secrets of his own that will begin to unfold. We see a different side of Anna who is becoming a bit more human and relatable. She is learning how to get out from underneath a controlling husband and finding out that she really didn’t know the man she was married too.

While we are visiting Anna, Taylor has a new mystery of her own. Her friend Sissy has disappeared, and no one seems to know what happened to her. I have loved Taylor since book one of this series. She is strong and independent and when she is working on a case, she is determined to solve it. This story is no different except that it involves a close friend so it hits a little to close to home. It has become personal. This story takes a few twist and turns before we reach the climax. I did find the mystery a little too predictable, I kept waiting for another solution but it didn’t happen. Other than this I found the book to be very good.

The ending might have you a bit teary eyed. It is very emotional so have your tissues ready. If you like a whodunit and a family who, through everything, are closer than ever, then you will love this book. I recommend this entire series and I can’t wait until book #5.

Happy reading,

Fiction, Mystery, Women's Fiction

Savannah Sisters by Lulie Roberts

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  • Title: Savannah Sisters
  • Author:Lulie Roberts
  • Genre: Fiction, Mystery
  • Takes Place: Savannah, GA
  • Main Character: Louisa
  • Other Characters: Devon, Henry, Winter
  • Stars: 5

This is the first book I have read by this author and I will be reading more. This is a good story about family secrets and how to maneuver your life when secrets have been kept from you your entire life.

Louisa is planning her wedding with her fiance Henry. She loves her fiance but she isn’t sure she wants the big webbing and she is afraid to tell him. Her grandfather died years ago and she loved him with all of her heart. It was hard for her to move past that. Now her grandmother has died suddenly and she has to go to Savannah to take care of the funeral and her house. Louisa was raised by her grandparents and never knew her real parents. Her best friend goes with her to help her in Savannah but she tends to push her fiance away. Louisa struggles with trust.

There are some big secrets that have been kept from Louisa so now that she is all alone in the house where she grew up, she is determined to find out these secrets.

Why was she raised by her grandparents? What happened to her real parents? There are the secrets her grandparents have kept from her? Will Louisa and Henry get married? The author takes us on a few twists and turns until all these answers are revealed.

Once I got into the book, I couldn’t stop reading. I had to know all of these answers. I recommend this book to anyone who likes family drama and a good mystery about family secrets.

Fiction, Mystery

In My Life by Kay Bratt

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  • Title: In My Life
  • Author: Kay Bratt
  • Series: Hart’s Ridge #3
  • Genre: Mystery
  • Takes Place:  Hart’s Ridge
  • Main Character: Taylor Gray
  • Other Characters: Lucy, Sam, Cate, Anna, Jo, Shane
  • Pets: Diesel, Brand
  • Quote: “Make your words sweet. You may have to eat them someday.”
  • Stars: 5

Kay Bratt comes through again with the 3rd book in the Hart’s Ridge Series. I am really loving this series.

In this book, Taylor’s mother, Cate is looking for a job. Even though she has been exonerated, a felony is still on her record so she is having trouble finding someone who is willing to hire her. Taylor has an idea that the people who own the tree farm, just might give her a chance so Taylor drives her over there. When they arrive, the owner’s son, is there to greet them. As he goes back to the house, Taylor hears him yell. They find his brother has been shot to death. Then in the garage, Taylor finds Amos (the owner of the tree farm) has also been shot & killed execution style along with an employee who is also dead.

Now Taylor is dealing with a triple homicide. Who in the little town of Hart’s Ridge could have committed such a heinous crime!!

Shane’s prime suspect in the triple homicide, is the owners other son Danny. He is the one who found his brother shot so Shane’s money is on him. Taylor just can’t believe that Danny would kill his brother, his father and his best friend. There are other unlikely suspects but they continue their investigation to find a killer.

While Taylor & Shane are investigating a triple homicide, Cate finds a job at the humane shelter. She worked with dogs at the prison so this job is a perfect fit for her and she loves it.

There is a lot going on in this story. Besides the murder and Cate’s new job. Against Taylor’s advice, Lucy moves into a houseboat with her son, Cate dognaps an abused dog, & Taylor has 2 men who are interested in more than friendship with her. And could Cate possibly find love.

As will all of the author’s books, she knows how to keep the reader engaged and wanting more. I just can’t put her books down and this one is no different. Each book is even better and I am drawn into these characters.

I recommend this series to anyone who likes a good mystery with suspense, family dynamics, dogs and a little romance thrown in.

When you read this book, there is a link at the end to download a bonus story about Suki and Ian. If you remember, they are the ones that were going to take Lucy’s baby. We never really found out what happened to them after Lucy left that hotel. Read this bonus book to find out.

Leave me a comment and let me know how you liked this book.

Happy Reading!

Mystery

Lucy in the Sky by Kay Bratt

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  • Title: Lucy in the SKy
  • Author: Kay Bratt
  • Series: Hart’s Ridge #2
  • Genre: Mystery
  • Takes Place:  Hart’s Ridge, New York City
  • Main Character: Taylor Gray, Lucy Gray
  • Other Characters: Cate, Ian, Sam, Jorge, Suki, Jackson, Anna, Jo, Cecil
  • Pets: Diesel (previously known as Bernard)
  • Quote: “Time is too slow for those who wait and too swift for those who fear”
  • Stars: 5

This is the second book in the Hart’s Ridge Series and I think I liked this one even better than the first. I couldn’t put it down.

In this book, we find out more about Lucy If you remember from book one, Lucy stole $1000 from Taylor’s emergency fund and disappeared. In this book, we find out that Lucy followed her dream to visit New York City and the Diesel building where John Lennon once lived.

While homeless, Lucy is mistaken as a dog walker for a rich family who lives in the Diesel building. She decides she needs a little bit of money so she pretends to be the dog walker. This leads her to meet Ian (his wife is the dogs rich, stuck up owner). After meeting Ian and being offered a job, she thinks her dream has come true since she is now living in the Diesel building. Lucy has a secret that Ian finds out about and he has agreed to help her by offering her $50,000 in return. Lucy thinks she has hit the big time and agrees to let Ian help her. But are things really as it seems. Usually if something looks too good to be true, it usually is. Lucy finds her in a predicament that she isn’t sure how to get out of. Lucy might also find love but will her involvement with Ian destroy this?

In the mean time, Taylor is in the middle of another investigation. This time it involves her family and her past. She finds out that her dad has been sending money to an inmate in a Montana prison. Imagine her shock when she finds out who. Taylor always wondered why they left Montana, now she is going to find out that answer. What she thought was her past wasn’t exactly true. We find out about the backstory of what really happened in the fire that kills her mom and baby brother. She also meets another unexpected family member. Her investigation takes her to Montana. She has asked for time off from work so she could investigate which is causing friction at her Job.

Then there is Sam, the first owner of Diesel. Taylor was determined to track down Diesel’s original owner so she could find out his backstory. She always thought that Diesel looked sad and she wants to try to find out why. Will Taylor lose Diesel to Sam? You will have to read the book to find out.

If you love a good story that includes a great mystery with unexpected twists and turns, then you are going to love Lucy in the Sky. This author really knows how to engage a reader and keep their interest. This is definitely a “can’t but down’ book.

Happy reading!

Mystery

Hart’s Ridge – Kay Bratt

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  • Title: Hart’s Ridge
  • Author: Kay Bratt
  • Series: Hart’s Ridge Mystery #1
  • Genre: Mystery
  • Takes Place: The small quaint town of Hart’s Ridge In the Blue Ridge mountains
  • Main Character: Taylor Gray
  • Other Characters: Molly, Shane, Clin
  • Pets: Taylors dog named Bernard
  • Stars: 5

A young 4 year old girl walks into a gas station alone. She is dirty, her hair is a mess and she is afraid. Why is this girl alone and where is her mother? Sheriff’s deputy Taylor Gray makes it her mission to find out where this little girl came from and why is she alone. She tries to get her to talk but the only thing she says is that her name is Molly.

Hart’s Ridge is the first book in the Hart’s Ridge series and just like the author’s other books, this one does not disappoint. It takes place in a small quaint town of Hart’s Ridge, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia. It is about a strong woman working in a man’s world and working hard just to get them to take her seriously. Taylor is from a dysfunctional home and spent her life in and out of foster care. She is also the oldest of 4 girls and practically raised her sisters. When she aged out of the foster care system, she went to the police academy and now she is the only woman at the sheriff’s department among chauvinistic, misogynistic men. She has to fight tooth and nail just to get the men in the department to take her serious.

Taylor takes Molly to a foster home where she lived at one time. It is run by Della Ray and she knows Molly will be safe and loved there. Della Ray agrees to let the little girl stay with her. In the mean time Taylor goes on the hunt for Molly’s family.

Things really get complicated when the Sheriff brings someone from Taylor’s past to head up the case. What is there past and will they be able to work together to solve this mystery?

So between dealing with her dad, her sisters, especially the youngest one, the new guy heading up the case, and fighting to be a part of this case to find out what happened to Molly’s family, this story takes a lot of twists and turns. I really thought I had it figured out and I didn’t. I was surprised at the outcome of this story.

This author has done it again by giving us an emotional story with lots of twists and turns. And there is a dog. Taylor’s dog, Bernard, has a history all of his own which is very touching and may bring a tear or two. I have a soft spot for dogs so they always touch my heart. I think you will really enjoy Bernard’s backstory as Taylor unravels his mystery.

If you love really good stories in a beautiful setting like the Blue ridge mountains, a good mystery with lots of twists and turns and dogs, you will love this book. I recommend this book and I hope you will give it a try. Let me know in the comments if you read it and what you think.

Quote:
“Some people are so broken that they get mad at you for being whole”

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Women's Fiction

No Place too Far by Kay Brat

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  • Title: No Place too Far
  • Author: Kay Bratt
  • Series: By the Sea
  • Genre: Romance, Mystery, Women’s fiction
  • Takes Place: Maui, Hawaii
  • Main Character: Maggie Dalton, Quin
  • Pets; Woodrow (Maggie’s service dog)
  • Stars: 5

Review:

This is the 2nd book in the By the Sea series by Kay Bratt. This book takes up where the first book, True to Me, left off.

If you have read the first book, then you know it was about Quin going to Maui to search for the father she never knew about and discovers a whole family she didn’t know existed.

This book follows the journey of her best friend, Maggie. Maggie and her young son has a stalker who is now in prison. She needs to get away and needs a place to start over with her young son. Quinn is now running an inn in Maui and encourages Maggie to come and stay with her. She takes Quinn up on her offer. She gets a job as a vet tech and makes a new home for her and her young son. She is settled in and starts to feel at peace and comfortable again until strange things start to happen. Maggie’s past is catching up with her and is about to rock her peace & security and any safety she was starting to feel. =Maggie isn’t sure what to do but she fights for herself and for her son.

This takes you on a lot of twists and turns. It is definetly a page turner.

The author has a way of making you feel like you are there. Not only are the characters so well developed that you feel like you know them but I felt like I took a virtual tour of Hawaii.

This book is about love, hope, friendship, family, survival and starting over. I loved this book and can’t wait till the next one in the series.

Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Women's Fiction

True to me by Kay Bratt

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  • Title: True to Me
  • Author: Kay Bratt
  • Series: By the Sea Novel
  • Genre: Mystery
  • Main Character: Quincy
  • Takes Place:Maui, Hawaii
  • Stars: 5

Review:

This was my first book by Kay Bratt and I absolutely fell in love with her books after this one.

Quinn was raised by single mom believing that her dad deserted her and her mom when she was born. Her world was rocked when her mom passed away and left her a death bed confession that would change her life. She found out that her father was not the man she thought he was. Her Quest to find who her father is sends her to the beautiful island of Maui, Hawaii. The author makes you believe you are in Maui as she takes you on Quinn’s journey. Quinn meets several people along her way but one in particular holds the key to Quinn’s past.

The author takes you ona journey of family and self discovery. It is a wonderfully written book with lots of twists and turns to find out about Quinn’s past and truth of where she came from.

This is a great read with well developed characters and a great story. It maes you smile and cry at the same time.