June Recommendations 2016
Birds of a Feather Kate Carlisle
This story is set back in SF. I enjoy the somewhat bizarre characters more so in the wine country setting, but its nice to get back to these characters, too.
A man is stabbed at the famous SF Covington library and protagonist Brooklyn Wainright finds him. Later, another man is murdered in her apt.
She is a bookbinder/restorer/book artist. An old friend (Crane) of her fiance (Derek Stone) is visiting them and much of the story involves him. Brooklyn is restoring several books and believes the murders revolve around one of them she just doesnt know which one. I found it fairly easy to ascertain one of the criminals, but the surrounding story is enlightening. Carlisle writes an exciting story filled with some wit and humor.
I must say, though, this story is heavy on the book restoration process, which doesnt interest me at all! This series is very character driven and so enjoyable that I would suggest no one be dissuaded from reading it because they dont like this topic. Several times throughout the story, I was able to skip over pages of these descriptions, which didnt take away from any of the story lines. Of course, that contributes to a faster read!
I did find a somewhat disturbing discrepancy running throughout the story, but it doesnt interfere with main story lines just a disconnect. Also, there are two unanswered questions at the end..not sure if they will be pursued in the next book or not. They arent real important just odd curiosities.
COMMENT: This author does a fantastic job of keeping the relationship between Brooklyn and Derek relevant and vibrant. They work beautifully together and their rapport adds to a pleasurable read. As with several cozy relationships, it started out antagonistic and developed into a couple relationship. MANY, many other cozy authors (some of my favorites) send the significant other (once they become a couple) on trips and their part in the story is reduced to a few phone calls. KUDOS to this author for her creativity!!! (This might be a topic worth discussing sometime do you want the male half of the couple to remain an integral part of the story or not?)
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I second Dannas recommendation!
Title Wave Lorna Barrett
This latest book is centered around a Mystery Lovers Cruise. Need I say more for this recommendation?
Since its the middle of winter, Angelica arranges for several Stoneham residents to enjoy a week on an Irish cruise ship. A murder occurs, but it really takes a back seat to other story lines.
The most interesting information gleaned from this book is the detail about authors and their travesties in writing and publishing books. Theres a lot of fascinating inside knowledge mentioned that we, as readers, have no clue about or are privy to.
Also a focus of the story is some personal issues that Tricia (protagonist) has, not highlighted in previous books. I couldnt figure out why this author kept focusing on this thread throughout the story. In fact, I was a little upset that she was changing a well-liked character into one I didnt like at all. But it came together about 2/3 through the book.
BTW, kudos to the author for providing a list of characters in the beginning of the book. It certainly helps the reader to keep everyone straight!
Not necessarily an exciting mystery, but, for sure, a somewhat thought-provoking read!
Readaholics and the Poirot Puzzle Laura Disilverio
Ive had this book on the shelf since January, but hadnt gotten around to reading it. This is one of those book in which I had a very difficult time remembering the characters from the first book. Its another entry with Orient Express mystery references (as is Kylie Logans last book).
Amy-Faye (nickname A-Faye) Johnson is the protagonist. Her brother, Derek, is opening a pub in Heaven Colorado. Since A Faye is an event planner she has planned the activities for the grand opening. During this grand opening several bizarre things happen, including the murder of Dereks obnoxious partner. And, of course, Derek is the main suspect.
A-Fayes book club (readaholics) friends gather to help to solve this murder. This is a very fast paced book, as are most of Disilverios books. The characters are somewhat diverse. Dialogue quips keep the reader amused. The plot is well developed and there are several viable suspects, making attempts to figure out the solution difficult.
Again, Im surprised that editors dont pick up on factual errors. At one point it is stated that Amy Faye is five years older than her brother. At another point she states she was in 6th grade when he was in 4th. Go figure. I really think that editors often skim a manuscript/book, but dont really read them. But, obviously, this discrepancy is teeny/tiny and doesnt have anything to do with the enjoyment of the story.
The 3rd book in this series (Readaholics and the Gothic Gala) is due for release in August. Ive read four of the five series by this author (and pseudonyms). She writes only three books in a series. The disappointing part is she doesnt tie up the loose ends in the third/last book. In her beauty shop series the publisher hired another author to finish the series with a fourth book. I assume this author, after writing three books, gets bored with her characters (even though the reader doesnt) and wants to move on to another project.
Ironically in a panel discussion within the story of above-mentioned Barretts book (Title Wave), cozy authors discuss that some cozy authors only want to write three books in each series. Hmmmmm
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The following three books are the first in NEW series I really enjoyed and, thus, wanted to recommend
Disguise to Die For Diane Vallere
I had a lot of misgivings when I started this book. I already read a few pages of 2 other books and decided I didnt want to read them. I was reading in bed and was too lazy to get up to select another book. So I read and continued to read. I didnt like the location and didnt like the concept, but I continued to readeven past page 50. It was around page 100 that I got HOOKED.
After a 7 year absence, Margo returns to her home town to help her father with his costume shop after he had a heart attack. She was a Magicians assistant in Las Vegas. She rented costumes to a wealthy resident who was having a mystery costume party. A man is murdered at the party.
I guess in many ways this is a typical cozy. But the reader stays engrossed until one finishes the book. I found it difficult to put down and the story and characters stayed with me, even as I was doing other chores around the house.
I noticed a bit of editing problems, though. However, it was nothing that affected the story. Margo was living in Las Vegas for 7 years which was located about 40 miles from Proper (her hometown and where the story is set). However, because she was SO FAR away she only visited her father on holidays. Huh? Huh? Huh? I know people who drive 40 miles to work and home every day! AND, this is in desert Nevada where theres little, if any, traffic! The other distance problem was when her father was hospitalized in a town 200 miles away while on a trip. Margo and a friend reached the hospital in an hour!!! Go figure! I know, I know its minor, but the editor of this book is one that edits numerous cozies how could she miss this?!
Crime & Poetry Amanda Flower
As much as I enjoy Amanda Flowers books, when I first read about this series I wasnt going to read it because of the woo-woo aspect to the magical bookshop mystery. However, my library is my voting precinct. So I was standing in line just in front of the mystery section and I saw this book. Since standing in line was boring, I picked it up and started reading it. I was several chapters in by the time I got to the voting booth, so (of course), I had to check it out and bring it home to read.
Last month I mentioned Irish Stewed. I was totally surprised at how the first chapter in these two books were similar/identical in concept. Its my guess that these two authors even know each other since they both live in Cleveland, and their paths probably have crossed at some book events. After the first chapter the stories go in their own directions and are completely different. Just thought it was a really BIZARRE coincidence (and both released within a month of each other)!
Protagonist Violet Waverly is lured (??) to an upstate NY community by her grandmother to help with a family owned bookstore. In Chicago, she has been working on her PhD. A friend of her grandmothers is found murdered in a horse/buggy cart.
Flower always takes us on a twisted journey to find the mystery solution and this story is no exception. I was astonished as to who dun it. I did NOT see that coming! She also develops several interesting relationships. So much so, that even though there is the woo-woo, I am looking forward to the next book! BTW, the woo-woo is done in a light handed manner (through books), although its creative and complicated.
Kernel of Truth Kristi Abbott
A librarian friend recommended this book to me. Like the above two books when I first started reading it, I was unsure Id like it. In fact I didnt like the protagonist, which is usually a good reason for me not to continue. However the story line was good, and the mystery quite interesting. An added dimension is the variety of complex characters. I warmed up to the protagonist about halfway through. She has a lot of spunk (kind of a weird descriptive word to use for an adult, but it is most apt) and smarts. Shes a very outspoken person (often times to her detriment).
Protagonist Rebecca Anderson has left California after divorcing her famous chef husband and moves to small Ohio community to open a gourmet popcorn shop. Her sister and husband (police detective) and son also live there. A close friend, who also owns a shop in this community, is found murdered.
It takes awhile to get into, but it is a well-crafted, well-paced mystery. Its the first in a series and Im looking forward to the second book, Pop Goes the Murder.
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