Suspense...

Capitol Murder
Phillip Margolin

genre: suspense
pages: 344
rating:**

I received a free uncorrected copy from a Goodreads giveaway.  The review is my own opinion.

Capitol Murder follows Dana Cutler and Brad Miller, along with a few others, as they try to solve cases involving the serial killer Clarence Little and a terrorist plot to blow up Fed ex field.  It's a tangled web of clues linking senators, terrorists, nd call girls.

I love mysteries.  I enjoy suspense and spy thrillers.  I do not like gore or brutality to women.  This book had both.  There were several times I thought about putting the book down and not finish it, but I kept reading.  The story would have been enthralling without the gore and brutality, I felt it was unnecessary.  I probably won't read another one of his books for that reason.










- Caren

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 read...

Elegy For Eddie
Jacqueline Winspear

genre: mystery, cozy
series: A Maisie Dobbs Novel, #9
pages: 331
rating: ***

I received a 'uncorrected proof' from Goodreads.  The book was free, the review is my own opinion.

Elegy for Eddie, occurs in 1933. Private Investigator Maisie Dobbs is asked to investigate the death of Eddie Pettit.  A gentle yet slow man.  Once she starts she finds a tangled web involving powerful people and friends she loves.  She even questions the involvement of the man she loves.  Set during Hitler's rise to power, issues of the day are woven throughout the book.

Elegy for Eddie, has a strong plot and is well written and researched.  It has the feel of an early spy novel.  At the beginning I got a little lost in the flashbacks, so it was hard to get involved in the story.  I've never read a Maisie Dobbs mystery before and felt out of the loop on who was who, as well as events mentioned from past books.  The book can be read alone, but it gets a little confusing in places.  Once I passed the third chapter, the story was faster paced and more interesting.  Usually, when I read a book, a movie plays in my head, not with this book.  I had difficulty 'seeing' the book.

It was OK, well written, just not my cup of tea.  Probably won't read another one.


- Caren

Time to Plant your garden...

The Goodbye Cancer Garden
Janna Matthies
illustrator: Kristi Valiant

genre: picture book
pages: 32
rating: *****

I came across The Goodbye Cancer Garden while cruising the local library. I am so glad I did.

The Goodbye Cancer Garden is about a family who plants a garden after the mother is diagnosed with cancer.  It is a coping mechanism for the kids and away to count down to a time when she should be well.

I loved this book.  I have family members with cancer and have wondered how my kids would react to such news.  This is a great book for not only talking about cancer and its treatments, but also about hope.  It takes a difficult subject and handles it with care, and at the same time it is cheerful.

The illustrations are beautiful.  The family is bright and cheerful.  The kids are adorable.  Most importantly the mom rocks her bald head!

A truly uplifting book about a difficult subject.  A must read.

Fun Read....

Art & Max
David Wiesner

genre: children's picture book
pages: 40
rating: *****

Art & Max is a picture book.  It tells the story of two friends, that are also lizards.  Art is an artist and Max wants to paint, too.  Max paints Art, not a picture of Art, he paints Art.  What happens when Max tries to 'fix' Art?  Read the book.

Ok first let me say this book is laugh out loud funny.  The pictures are wonderful.  Each page has a simple sentence or two.  I loved this book.  What happens to Art is so unpredictable.  Then how Max tries to return him to normal is incredible.  I loved it.  I think I said that already.


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