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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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