Tea Time...

Agony of The Leaves
Laura Childs

Genre: cozy
Series: A Tea Shop Mystery #13
Pages: 301 (including tips, recipes, and preview)
Rating: ***1/2

Agony of The Leaves, finds Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop in another murder mystery.  This time it's her ex-boyfriend Parker Scully who is found murdered. 

I walked into the library this week and came across the newest installment of the Tea Shop Mystery series.  I love this series. I have read a handful of these books, I did not know there were 13 books!  I've made my list of the books I haven't read. I love the characters, the setting, and I love tea.  I have been drinking hot tea since I was 5 years old.  Interesting story there, but I will save it for another time. On with the book. 

Upfront I must say I was ticked off when she killed off Parker, I liked him.  At the same time, writer's have to kill off popular characters or it gets boring.  There was a stretch in the middle where the plot slowed.  I still enjoyed the story and reading about the characters, but it was a little slow.  I also didn't like how the killer came way out of left field.  I understand how the clues could point to this person, but they never made to my suspect list.

It was a good read and the last 150 pages or so are really good, but it's not as good as the other books in the series.

-Caren

With a Southern Drawl...

Wishbones
Carolyn Haines

genre: mystery, paranormal, southern, cozy
series: A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery, #8
pages: 325
rating: ****

Disclosure:  I am attending 'Daddy's Girl Weekend' and needed to read a book by Carolyn Haines.  She'll be there!

Wishbones, follows Sarah Booth Delaney as she makes her first movie (Body Heat).  She travels to Los Angeles and then to Costa Rica with past love interest Graf Milieu.  Things get tricky when a dead body shows up near her house in LA.  They get downright unusual with ghost sightings and accidents on the set.  Rumors fly the movie is cursed.  Can Sarah solve the mystery before she become a ghost?

This is my first Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery.  I've check one out several times before and never got around to reading them.  Had I know that Mrs. Haines was a neighbor (she's from Mississippi) I would have made it a point to read one.  Anyway, I'm usually not one for tales with ghosts, but Jitty is a hoot.  I really enjoyed the movie reference and the sprinkling of movie stars in the book.  It added an element of fun.  The writing is snappy and sounds southern.  I hate a fake southern voice, it's right up there with a bad southern accent.  The plot was faced paced and full of twists and turns.  I loved it.  I will have to read more of these books.

I do have one question:  What kind of dog is Sweetie Pie?
- Caren

New Fave....

Books Can Be Deceiving
Jenn McKinlay

genre: cozy
series: A Library Lover's Mystery
pages: 291 ( including project, guide, and recipe)
rating: ****

Books Can Be Deceiving, is the first in a new series.  Lindsey is the director of the Briar Creek Public Library.  The head of the children's department is an old friend of hers, Beth.  Beth has dreams of being a children's picture book author.  But a cranky boyfriend throws a monkey wrench into her plans.  It gets worse when he ends up dead and the police chief finds Beth as the best suspect.  Can Lindsey solve the case before Beth is thrown in jail, or worse she becomes the next victim?

I loved this book.  LOVED LOVED LOVED.  I have read one of McKinlay's other books, Buttercream Bump Off.  I like it, but I like this one more.  The characters are smart and witty.  There are a few sharp old ladies, too.  A naked artist and a handsome boat captain.  What more can you ask for?  Ok, the plot is really good and flows well.  It's a quick read, mainly because I just didn't want to put it down. 

For the record.  I love the library.  You can find me there, haunting the stacks at least once a week!

Great Book, get a copy today.
Caren

That didn't last long....

Well, that job didn't last long!  No, I wasn't fired.  Let's just say...it wasn't the right place for me and leave it at that!  On with the review.

Fiber & Brimstone
Laura Childs

genre: cozy
series: Scrapbook Mystery
pages: 322, with recipes
favorite quote: "Why is there always a crazy person loose in the French Quarter?"  (seriously!)
rating: ***

OK... I bought this book because I thought it took place during Mardi Gras and I was going to read it during Mardi Gras.  It's not, it takes place at Halloween!  But it is set in New Orleans!  This is the first Scrapbook Mystery I have read, I have read most of the Tea Shop Mysteries, same writer.

Basically, Fiber & Brimstone follows Carmela as she tries to solve the murder of Brett Fowler.  Carmela owns a scrapbook shop.  Her best friend, and sidekick, Ava owns a voodoo shop in the French Quarter.  The two meet interesting characters and explain New Orleans lifestyle and history as they try to solve the murder before they become the next victim.

I liked Fiber & Brimstone, not as much as the Tea Shop Mysteries.  Mainly, I liked it because it is full of interesting characters, including the city of New Orleans.  Trust me it is a character in the book, and in real life.  I live near New Orleans and have been there many times, so reading about the places I have been is a lot of fun.  New Orleans is crazy year round, and it's insane during Mardi Gras, now Halloween is not far behind!  Back to the book.  The story is faced paced and well written.  The plot is good, especially since we have recently had ponzi schemes in the news. 

If you want a fun read centered in a crazy city, give it a read.  My only real problem was the typos.  There were quite a few in the edition I read and it got annoying.

Happy reading
Caren

Attack of the Jersey Devil?

Death in a Difficult Position
Diana Killian

genre- cozy mystery
series- A Mantra for Murder Mystery
pages- 295
rating- ***

I won this book from Goodreads First Reads program.  It was even signed by the writer! The review is my honest personal opinion.

This is my my first yoga mystery.  I don't yoga...I try hard not to break a sweat.  But I do enjoy watching people exert themselves.  It's even better reading about it from my comfy lazy girl chair.

Death in a Difficult Position, is centered around AJ Alexander, owner of Sacred Balance yoga studio.  She dates the handsome police officer and her mother is an actress on a TV show that is a cross between Golden Girls and Murder She Wrote.  AJ finds herself in a difficult position when the local preacher takes aim at the evils of yoga.  It's even more difficult when a former coworker is accused of murdering the preacher.  To add to the mix, the Jersey Devil makes a few appearances.

I enjoyed the book.  I didn't like the character of the womanizing, preacher.  That stereotype rubs me the wrong way.  I liked the most of the other characters, they were well rounded and interesting.  My favorite was the AJ's mother, Elysia.  Her personality was smart, fun, and intelligent.  I liked her better than the main character.  I enjoy reading books with 'local color'.  Adding the Jersey Devil added plenty of color.  Not so much that it overpowered the book.  The Devil had the good sense to linger in the background. 

There were a few places were the story dragged, in the beginning.  I had difficulty keeping some of the extra characters straight.  The bummer was I didn't like Lily, the accused.  She wasn't very nice and I didn't care if she went to jail for murder or not. 

Over all the story was good.  It was well written and a quick read.  Just right for my first week back at work.

-Caren

Christmas Again...

Kissing Christmas Goodbye
M.C. Beaton

Genre: Cozy mystery, British
Series:  Agatha Raisin
Pages: 234
Rating: ****

I promise this is the last Christmas book... for a while anyway.  It was sitting on my TBR pile and I had to read it.  Being an Agatha Raisin mystery it's not very Christmasy.

Kissing Christmas Goodbye, finds Agatha searching for another murderer.  This time she recruits a new, young detective named Toni to join her team.  Agatha receives a letter from an elderly lady that claims one of her children is trying to kill her.  Agatha is invited to a dinner party to meet the suspects when the unthinkable happens.  The old lady is killed.  Agatha and her team must find the killer, before Agatha is killed too.  All of this happens while she is planning the perfect Christmas dinner, again.

You have to love Agatha Raisin.  She's middle aged, chain smoking,  and cranky.  I won't tell you her favorite curse, but it's a hoot.  She's still chasing her ex husband and now she's jealous of the youth of Toni.  Agatha is flawed and perfect.  The great hing about these books is they actually seam real.  They are solved over months instead of a mere days.  It's a fun read.  Oh!  who knew you could own a village!  Can I have one.

Love it you gotta read it.
-Caren

Col. Mustard in the library with the ....

The Herring in The Library
L.C. Tyler

Genre:  mystery, cozy, British
Series:  Ethelred and Elsie Mystery
Pages:  225
Rating: ****

I love the game Clue.  For a while it was the favorite game of my oldest.  We played it all the time, she had to be Scarlet and I was Peacock.  She even have a birthday party surrounding the game.  Such fun.  When I came across The Herring in the Library, I was thrilled by the Clue influence.

The Herring in the Library, follows a crime writer, Ethelred, and his agent, Elsie, as they try to solve the death of an old chum named 'Shagger'.  In true Clue style it takes place during a dinner party.  Suspects abound.

I loved this book.  First, let me say I don't know why they call Clue...Cluedo.  That said I loved the book.  It was funny.  The book is written from the perspective of both Ethelred and Elsie.  The type is different for each person, so pay attention.  Ethelred is, according to Elsie, a third rate crime writer.  He's also not to sharp with  observation.  Elsie is loud, opinionated and fond of sweets.  The two of them together must solve the perfect mystery of a murder in a locked room.  Evey person at dinner seems guilty and the victim wasn't that nice.  It's great.  It's a fast read and witty.  It's a wonderful incarnation of a favorite children's game.  Oh, did I mention it was very funny!

- Caren

A new cozy review...

The Lies That Bind
Kate Carlisle

Genre: Cozy mystery
Series: A Bibliophile Mystery
Pages: 271, not counting the dictionary and preview of the next book
Rating: ****

The Lies That Bind is centered around book collectors and restorers.  The protagonist is Brooklyn Wainwright a book restorer and teacher at the San Fransisco's Bay Area Book Arts (BABA).  She has a bad habit of being around when someone is killed.  And they are dropping like flies at BABA.  Brooklyn is aided by the British boyfriend and security hot shot, Derek Stone. 

I really enjoyed The Lies That Bind.  Brooklyn and her motley crew of friends made the stuffy world of book collecting fun and entertaining.  Of course her friends aren't book collector's.  There are a pair of lesbian chain saw sculptors, an entire commune from the 60's led by Guru Bob, a mysterious hottie in black ready to save the day and steal from you at the same time, one bookbinder with a mouth like a sailor and dresses like a tramp, and a guy that lives in the basement of the museum and only says 'huh'.  The fact that the series is set in San Fransisco makes it work.  Beyond being interesting characters they are well developed.  The character of Derek Stone didn't sound British.  Usually, when I read a book with someone who is British, I can here the accent.  That didn't happen with Stone.  But then he wasn't my favorite character either.  My complaint is with the ending.  I was invested in the events and characters, I couldn't wait for the mystery to come to a head.  The story had moved along at a pleasant pace, building up with suspense and then the end kind of fell flat.  Yes, there was even a chick fight scene.  But, is was too quick and neat.  I felt a little let down at the conclusion.

Overall, even with the Wicca nonsense, I really enjoyed the book and would definitely read more in the series.  It's very well written, smart and fun.


-Caren

Gobble Gobble

A Catered Thanksgiving
Isis Crawford

genre: cozy mystery
series: Mystery with Recipes
pages: 335
rating: **
favorite quote: "Death by turkey."

I was really looking forward to reading this book, being that it is November.

A Catered Thanksgiving, is about two sisters who own a catering company.  They are hired to make Thanksgiving dinner for the Field family.  They are a wealthy family that owns a fireworks company.  They take dysfunctional to new heights.  The Thanksgiving dinner is ruined by a murder.  To makes thinks worse a freak blizzard keeps help away and forces the sisters to solve the murder.

The beginning of the book was laugh out loud funny, the ending was pretty good as well.  Unfortunately, what was in the middle was not.  Beyond the main characters, Libby and Bernie, the extended cast was flat.  You had this large cast of unhappy family members, who only bickered.  They kept rehashing the same thing over and over again, it was really annoying.  The story line was good, but it got lost in the family feud.


- Caren

Just in time for Halloween...

Monster in Miniature
by Margaret Grace

Genre: cozy mystery
Series: A Miniature Mystery
Pages: 287
Rating:****

This is the thrid and final book in completing my Goodreads mini challenge for October.  I joined late, so I only read 3, next month I will do better!  This is also my first time to read a Miniture Mystery or a book by Margaret Grace.  I am so glad I did.  I never knew there was so much interest in 'dollhouses'.  I don't know why I am a super crafter, there can never be enough glue or glitter in the house.  I have even built a dollhouse.  Of course now it sits abandoned in the corner, (sigh).

A brief synopsisi first.  Gerry, short for Geraldine, is an avid miniaturist.  She is working on a haunted house with her eleven year old granddaughter Maddie.  Maddie is a Nancy Drew wanna be!  While the two are strolling down a street covered in Halloween decorations they, along with a group of teenagers, discover a dead body.  In true cozy fashion the victim is related to a fried of Gerry's and she must find out what happened.  Along the way city corruption is discovered along with secrets of her late husband.  If that's not enough Gerry maybe on the cusp of a new relationship with a nice retired gentleman, who also like to be crafty.  Sounds like a match made at Michael's!

Some of you may know, I love books with old ladies in them.  So I was thrilled to read about an older sleuth.  Gerry is agaile, smart, and a lot of fun.  She stays hip with the constant help of her technologically gifted granddaughter, Maddie.   One of the things I loved about the book was the constant sprinkling of wit and wisdom from Shakespear.  I didn't appreciate him in high school.  Monster in Miniature, is very well written.  It flows well and the plot is interesting.  There was a point when I thought I had figured it out, but I was wrong (I hate to figure the ending out ahead of time).   The 'extra' charaters were nice additions to the well thought out main charachters.  One in particular was surprisingly sinister, but I can't tell you anymore than that.   It was a great read, and I plan on reading more in the series.

If you haven't read a Margaret Grace book, grab one now.

-Caren

Calling all Chocoholics

The Chocolate Cupid Killings
by JoAnna Carl                                                             

genre: cozy mystery
series:  A Chocoholic Mystery
pages:  230
rating: ***

This is book 2 in my attempt at the Goodreads mini challenge for October.  The category was something sweet for Diabetes Awareness Month.  I must admit I am shocked that a mystery centred around chocolate has missed me.  I am a total chocoholic.  I love everything about chocolate.  It comes from a bean therefor it must be good for you.  So when I found the series I knew I had to read it.

The Chocolate Cupid Killings is about Lee and her Aunt Nettie, who owns an expensive chocolate shop.  Nettie has gotten herself into helping a woman in the battered women's underground railroad.  True to cozy fashion, everything, or everybody, is not what it seems.  Dead bodies start popping up, secrets start growing with in the family.  Lee must solve the crime and the identity of the mystery woman.

This was the first book by JoAnna Carl I had read.  I really enjoyed the story and the plot.  The characters were interesting, but not amazing.  I cared about what happened to them, but I don't know if I cared about who lived or died.   I did feel like the writing didn't flow as smoothly in some places, not that I'm an expert.   I really enjoyed the chocolate facts sprinkled throughout the book. 

All in all it was a good read.  I will read one more book in the series to see if I like it better.

Agatha Raisin strikes agian...

There Goes the Bride

by M.C. Beaton

Genre: cozy mystery

Series:  Agatha Raisin

Pages:  277

Rating: ****

   There Goes the Bride is the 20th book (gasp) in the Agatha Raisin Mystery Series.  I picked this book to go along with the mini challenge at Goodreads.  This is the second Agatha Raisin book I have read.

   Before I get into the review, let's give a synopsis of the book.  Agatha finds herself invited to her ex-husbands wedding, to a much younger woman.  Before the bride makes it up the aisle she is murdered.  Of course Agatha has to solve the crime, bringing her own life close to danger...more than once.

   Let me set the record straight.  I love British mysteries.  I spent many hours this summer watching more than a few on DVD this summer.  I love to read them as well.  That stated I must also admit, I was not thrilled about the first Agatha Raisin book that I read, wasn't planning on another.  I was thrilled to change my mind after reading this book.

   If you haven't read an Agatha book let me warn you, she is feisty.  She smokes, she is vain, jealous, and very competitive.  She also seems to have a bad habit for falling for the wrong man.  My guilty pleasure is her iconic curse, which I won't print here (family friendly blog).  Agatha is smart, the books are well written, and the characters are interesting.

   The unusual thing about these books is, the mystery is not solved quickly.  A lot of cozies tidy up the mystery quickly...unrealistically quickly.  Beaton's books cover months and Agatha and her team work on the case, get sidetracked or stalled, and then find a new clue which leads to the solving of the case.  It's not neat, the sleuths get into plenty of trouble.  Which also make it seem more real.

   If you are looking for a lonely (sometimes), chain smoking, and loud sleuth give Agatha Raisin a try.  She is a breath of fresh air.

- Caren

Classic Revenge, a review

Classic Revenge
by Mitzi Kelly

Series:  Silver Sleuths Mystery
Genre:  cozy
Pages:  262
Rating:  ****

   I was asked by the author for a review.  The review is mine.  I was not required to give a positive review.  She sent me a copy of the book.
   I was approached by Mitzi to read her book and give a review, in preparation for her new book coming out.  I was thrilled.  It sounded like fun, and it was.
   Classic Revenge, is about three "older" women trying to solve the murder of one of their friends.  The husband is wrongly accused, forcing the three to seek out the true killer.

   Sounds good to me.  The start of the book was a little slow, but it quickly made up for it.  The characters are great fun.  They are well developed.  I swear I personally know some of these women.  Mitzi steered away from the clique of old ladies.  These women are capable, bright, and feisty.  They do bicker back and forth to some degree, but it is a hoot to read.

   The plot was smooth and fast paced, once it got started.  It was refreshing to get in on the start of a series.  To see how three people with no experience, unless you count being a nosy neighbor, trying to solve a crime.  The fact that they are elderly, only in age, helps.  Older people are seen as safe and are usually overlooked.  They can get away with things younger people can not.  Age has benefits.

   It was a very enjoyable read and I am looking forward to the next  book

-Caren

A Review

The Devil's Puzzle

by Clare O'Donohue

Series: Someday Quilts Mystery Book 4

Genre: Cozy, Mystery

Pages:  276

Rating: ****

Full Disclosure:  I was given a copy of this book by Plume.  This review is my own opinion.  I was not paid for this review.

  When I was given this copy, from Plume, I was thrilled.  I have read three of the Someday Quilts Mysteries and love them.  The Devil's Puzzle, does not disappoint.  Yet, there are quite a few differences between this book and the previous books.
  The same enjoyable characters are back to solve a murder.  Nell, her grandmother Elenor, Jesse, and the rest of the crime solving quilters return with a full cast of the town's movers and shakers.  All of the things a reader expects from an O'Donohue novel is here.  Great characters, vivid scenes, snappy dialogue, and quilt history, are woven through the story. 
   In Devil's Puzzle, the town of Archers Rest is faced with a skeleton, that's been buried in Elenor's backyard, for 30 years.  Questions and accusations fly as everyone tries to solve who the skeleton belongs to, and who put him there.  No one is safe.  Residents have old skeletons popping out of  every closet.  The investigation goes on while the town readies for a huge Founder's Day celebration.
   This book, more so than the others, has colorful characters.  There are suspicions of witches and ghosts.   There are rumors of affairs, engagements, and babies.   It is fast paced and fun to read.  Given the topic it is a great read for October.  If you don't like scary books, but want something with Halloween overtones, give it a shot.
   This is a series book, but they do not have to be read in order.  You can pick up anyone and read without fear of discovering the plot from an earlier book.  A few events in the character's lives will be spoiled, but that's about it.

-Caren
 

A Book Review

A Drunkard's Path
By Clare O'Donohue

Series:  A Someday Quilts Mystery Book #2
Pages:  259
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Rating: ****

   Clare O' Donohue combines two of my favorite things:  quilts and murder.  Not real murder, the fictional kind that takes place in a small New York town.  This is the second book in the Someday Quilt Mystery Series and the second book in the series I have read.  As usual I am not reading them in order.  Thankfully, it seems I can still read book 1 without knowing whodunit.

   A Drunkard's Path, centers around a group of artist and quilters.  The main characters are a close knit quilters of different ages.  This group breaks the image of sweet little old ladies sitting around sewing and baking cookies.  They actually remind me of several ladies in my Quilt guild.  Beyond breaking preconceived notions about quilters, the book also explains the process of quilting.  A newbie to the quilt world will not be left in the dark about terminology or technique.

   Clare weaves a rich tale.  As I read, I could see Archers Rest and the quilt shop.  It is fast paced and an easy read.  At the same time the writing is smart.  She doesn't talk down to the reader or pretend to be hard boiled.  Like most mysteries I read, I was clueless.  I wasn't totally surprised by the ending, I just had someone else pegged!  But that's the way I like it.  I get disappointed if I figure it out before the sleuth. 

   I Love cozies. A  Drunkard's Path is a great mystery.  Check it out today.
 And yes, it is also the name of a quilt block.

    -Caren