👶👶👶👶: One Final Turn, by Ashley Weaver

There's nothing quite like a book that takes me back to my Portuguese roots! Ashley Weaver truly brings the sights and sounds of Lisbon to life in this thrilling mystery set during World War II.

Readers follow former thief, turned intelligence recruit, Ellie McDonnell, as she embarks on a mission to find her cousin who has escaped a German POW camp. The pages come to life as this brave gal takes in the beauty of the land during her mission.

With a healthy dose of romance and plenty of action, this novel is sure to ignite your travel desires! Even though this is the fifth book in a series I haven't read, I never once felt lost—everything flowed perfectly. I truly savored every page!

Many thanks to partners, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this gifted review e-copy!

Read 7/11/25

👶👶👶👶The Queens of Crime, by Marie Benedict

What a fun, cozy mystery! @authormariebenedict has managed to bring together the 5 most prominent women crime writers: Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Emma Orczy for a tribute to the power of friendship and teamwork.

I enjoyed reading the crime-solving story from the viewpoint of actual mystery writers. I've never thought about the fact that these women have all the skill and experience from researching for their own novels, so it wouldn't be a huge leap for them to solve an actual murder. And that's exactly what Ms. Sayers figured they could do to solve a murder that seemed poorly handled by authorities.

With wit and determination, these gals have what it takes to undertake a daunting task! Ms. Benedict has written an entertaining novel with a nod to some legendary authors!

Many thanks to partners, @stmartinspress
& @netgalley for this #gifted review e-copy!

Read 3/4/25

👶👶👶👶: Inheritance, by Nora Roberts

Wellll shoooot!!! I don't like spooky, I don't like MAJOR cliffhangers, and I don't like series!!! And yet, I really enjoyed this book! What just happened???!!!

This was my first Nora Roberts book, thanks to #partner, St. Martin's Press ! I am so grateful to them because, honestly, I would never have chosen this book for myself, aside from this gorgeous cover, and here I am with nothing but positive feedback (aside from a little open door romance I could've done without🙈).

Nora Roberts has such a way with words, such a knack for breathing life into her characters, and such a gift for building anticipation! Yes, please💯!!!

It's the classic unexpected inheritance from an unknown relative trope, but I was here for it! Sonya, fresh from a break-up with her fiancé is ready for a new start, and boy, does she get one! In fact, she gets much more than she bargained for!

I'm not sure how Ms. Roberts pulled off the super spooky mood with the sweet and charming vibes, but man, it worked. And I truly loved Maine as a setting! We stayed in haunted hotel by the ocean in Maine (unbeknownst to me, until something spooky happened), so I was very invested in this story!

The cliffhanger was a bit jolting! I thought that surely the publisher sent me any unfinished copy, tbh😩!

And now I must wait for over a year for the sequel???!!! Oh Lordy mercy😱!

Many thanks to partner, St. Martin's Press, for this gifted review copy!

👶👶👶👶: The Last Thing He Told Me, by Laura Dave

Okay, I finally had to see what all the fuss was about, especially because Apple TV now has a series out with one of my faves: Jennifer Garner!

After reading this novel, I've realized I really don't read enough thrillers! If they're not horror or overly gory, I really do enjoy them, and they're always such quick reads. I've got to add some more to my TBR!

This one, of course, touches on the worst fear of many wives - their husband disappears without a trace, and all she has left of him is an ambiguous note...

Albeit a bit predictable, I enjoyed it from the get-go and finished it in just a couple of days!

I've begun watching the series with my hubby, and although I'm biased becausw Jennifer Garner is jist the coolest, it's really well done!

Awesome job, Laura Dave! What an engaging thriller! And you must've been SO PSYCHED that adorable Jenn played Hannah!

Read 4/18/23

👶👶👶👶: Hotel Portofino, by JP O'Connell

This was such a unique novel! Part historical fiction, part mystery, part travelogue, J.P. O'Connell really wrote a captivating story that piqued my interest from beginning to end.

As I read, I felt as though I was on vacation in the Italian Riviera myself; the imagery was so vivid! The characters were a quirky bunch too!

Most exciting is that as I read, I kept thinking that this novel would make such a great book to screen adaptation; it had all of the intrigue of an Agatha Christie novel. Then as I researched a part of the novel, I learned it has been released in the UK and will be released on PBS later this year!

I will say that the ending seemed slightly rushed for me - somewhat incomplete: I really hoped for more resolution for Bella, and more of a penalty for Cecil... but other than that, it was a truly entertaining read.

Read 3/3/22

👶👶👶: The Strange Journey of Alice Pendelbury, by Marc Levy

Enter a whimsical world created by Marc Levy and centered around fanciful Ms. Alice Pendlebury. This was a strange journey indeed, but one that brought sights and sounds to life and put the reader in the middle of the adventure.

It seems Marc Levy has a way of quickly endearing you to his characters (even those you'd rather not like). I was happy to be taken along on this fantastical ride with Alice; despite what seemed like a novel that was spontaneously written, it just worked. I enjoyed traveling from London to Istanbul and truly savored the character building along the way.

There was certainly some suspension of disbelief, but that's to be expected in a book with such a title. And I'll admit the beginning was more captivating than the rest of the novel, but it was still an enjoyable story.

If you're looking for a fun, light read, this is your ticket! Also, Amazon Prime members can read it for free!

Read 6/1/21

👶👶👶: The Candy Cane Caper by Josi S. Kilpack

🎅The Candy Cane Caper by Josie S. Kilpack was an amusing little Christmas novel! For someone looking for a sugary sweet Christmas read with a little whodunit action, this is your book! I must admit, for the first time ever, I got "wrapped up" in the cheese factor, and just enjoyed all the fun! Ms. Kilpack threw in many holiday names and locations: Ivy, Joy, Mary Hallmark, and even Marley's Antiques. And what really made this novel unique were the holiday recipes thrown in just for fun: snow flurries, candy cane crinkles, wassail, and candy cane cake (just to name a few) - YES PLEASE😋!!!

❄So, gather up the Christmas feels along with an appetite, and why not settle down to enjoy this fun Christmas treat!

Read 12/22/20 

👶👶👶 Christmas Present, by Jodi Taylor

I had forgotten that I had read The Chronicles of St. Mary's #1 some time ago. This vignette was obviously very similarly written. Now that some years have passed since I last read it, I realize it reminds me of the recent television series, "Timeless". For time travel fans, these may be entertaining reads, as they are relatively fast-paced and exciting. 

Read 12/31/18

👶👶👶 A Rare Book of Cunning Device, by Ben Aaronovitch

This was a charming little listen, with witty prose and amusing characters. This was a bit of mystery mixed with a dab of science fiction, so I wasn't lured in as strongly as some may be, but it was a fun adventure nonetheless.


Read 12/23/18

👶👶👶 Ohio, by Stephen Markley - Release Date 8/21/18

Mr. Markley is clearly a very insightful and well-educated individual, touching on political and social hot-button issues that he has researched considerably. His writing is remarkable, with vivid images, and sophisticated vocabulary. I appreciated the breathtaking landscape descriptions; he does an amazing job of luring the reader in with his imagery.

However, the sheer darkness and despair of this novel, made much of it incredibly difficult to stomach. When I first read the blurb, I had hopes for something akin to The Big Chill, replacing college buddies, with highschool friends. However, I was certainly mistaken, as there was little to no redemption or hope for any of the characters. It was simply pain, hardship, regret, and loss. The great majority of characters were unfathomably edgy, and being teenagers, it made the story quite disturbing. I honestly had to read past several scenes that were too gruesome to imagine a child doing.

Despite such difficult scenes, Markley did an incredible job of creating a feeling of desperation and recklessness that was all-encompassing. I felt each of the characters' anguish, and I was invested in the outcome of their situations, if for no other reason than a hope for redemption for these poor souls. 


Many thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for gifting me with this book in exchange for an honest review.

*If you choose to read this novel, be prepared for very crude language, and intensely graphic, disturbing scenes.

Read 5/29/18

👶👶👶 Still Waters, by Viveca Sten

As a free Kindle First Read Book, I've learned not to have high expectations for these novels.  However, learning that Viveca Sten is an international renowned Swedish author, did pique my curiosity.  All in all, this was a decent murder mystery, but nothing that will stay with me.  Truth be told, I have no interest in picking up the next novel in the series. I appreciated, however,  that it wasn't an overly grotesque murder mystery, as I have no tolerance for those.  In addition, the mystery itself wasn't as predictable as I'd assumed, so that was refreshing.  However, the characters were fairly two-dimensional, and I felt no connection to any of them.  

Read 10/12/17

👶👶👶 Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore, by Matthew J. Sullivan

I must admit, this was a rather bizarre mystery, somewhat reminiscent of The Shadow of the Wind for me. The storyline was very disjointed, and at one point, there are 2 mysteries to unravel, the second of which initially seems pulled out of the clear blue. I understand this was likely the author’s intent, but could have been executed in a more fluid manner. In addition, the second crime scene was unnecessarily violent and grotesque.

However, the author did pique my interest throughout, and had a very descriptive manner of writing, ultimately earning a solid 3-star review when it was all said and done.

Read 9/3/17

👶👶👶 Truly, Madly, Guilty, by Liane Moriarty

Unpopular opinion coming right up🙈!

Liane Moriarty generally writes with such ease that one can’t help but get lured in to her novels. Unfortunately, I must admit that this one just didn't quite hit the mark for me. Unfortunately, I felt that it lacked originality, was fairly predictable, and barely piqued my curiosity because the characterization was somewhat weak. I’ve read books of hers in the past, and know she has a true gift. However, this story didnt seem representative of her ability to consistently write a smart novel.

The constant repetition of “before the barbecue” and “after the barbecue” was frustrating and served little purpose for me, as I had already gleaned the outcome. I never felt fondness for any of the characters, and the novel became somewhat of a chore to read at times. However, I did read it in a relatively short amount of time, so it was compelling. Also, there were some redeeming parts in this novel; such as the glimpses of Moriarty’s humor and insight.

Read 7/17/16

👶👶👶 Chasing Vermeer, by Blue Balliett

I come at this review from the angle of a Reading & Writing teacher who was looking for a fun book that can still teach basic concepts of the written word. This book is not what I would consider “rich in literary content”. It does, however, succeed in the “fun” aspect. Students will enjoy solving the puzzles and attempting to find the culprit, but as for true substance, there is little. I believe that it will be a good book to contrast with classics to demonstrate the significant change in literary strategies over the decades, and to affirm the fact that books can provide a fun diversion from reality.

Read 7/6/16

👶👶 The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins

My opinion about this novel is clearly in the minority, yet I feel compelled to share my thoughts. It always amazes me how novels with lewd and ridiculously obtuse characters, so easily top the best seller lists. It makes no difference whether or not they have depth, or even a smattering of wisdom; just throw in some smut and immorality, and it’ll likely sell. I’ll step off my soapbox now, and review the actual writing.

Honestly, the plot was nothing new for this genre, so I figured out the mystery half-way through the book. Of course, I had to finish the abysmal story simply to confirm my suspicion. The three female narrators were not only utterly frustrating and unlikable, but they had such a similar tone, that I had a difficult time differentiating them. Quite honestly, nothing frustrates me more than a character who NEVER learns from her mistakes, especially when such mistakes are the result of self-destructive behavior. Therefore, because the novel was full of such vexations, it was nearly enough to send me over the edge.

Finally, I feel as though this novel could have been much shorter. There seemed to be a lot of unnecessary fluff, and it would have benefitted from truncation.

Read 5/21/16

👶👶 Wait for Signs: Twelve Longmire Stories, by Craig Johnson

I think my favorite part of this book was the forward by Lou Diamond Phillips; what an incredibly well-spoken individual he is. I particularly enjoyed his description of a tightrope: "It’s that thing upon which great mystery writers must boldly but carefully tread, precariously balancing the unwieldy burdens of plot, character, and setting, all the while enticing us to enjoy the journey and marvel at the view. Each step is carefully placed so as to stay one chess move ahead of the savvy readers—who, try as they might, should not be able to see the ultimate destination until their literary guide is good and ready to show them—but never to lose them. One misstep and the entire entourage tumbles into the abyss."

It is perhaps because of this tremendous introduction, that I had higher expectations for this book. I expected great mysteries, but was instead met with mediocre prose. The stories were "short and sweet", but sadly, that is the extent of my fervor. Each of them were quite predictable, and the plots were thin. Perhaps his longer novels would be more enjoyable, giving him the ability to develop the plot and characters further. Unfortunately, it seems as though the author operated under the assumption that the reader is already familiar with the main characters in Absaroka County, and therefore gave little in the way of proper introductions. I did, however enjoy the narrator of this Audible Book, George Guidall, as he lent the perfect voice to Sherriff Longmire.

Read 7/7/15

👶👶👶 Younger, Suzanne Munshower

The concept of this book is thought-provoking, as I assume it would be to many females who yearn to maintain their youthful appeal. I found the book's premise entertaining and I even learned something new: apparently the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth are a tell-tale sign of your age... who knew?!

Soon after I began reading it, I learned of a new televsion series called Younger, that focuses around the same topic. After some research, however, I discovered that this series is based on another novel by the same name, focusing on a 40-something lady instead, but with a similar storyline. Perhaps this series would be somewhat more believable than a woman in her mid-fifties being made to look as young as a 20-something girl. Even so, with a theme of international intrigue throughout the book, a sub-plot with the ever-popular "one that got away" love story, and some seedy characters, this novel wasn't half-bad.

Enter my aversion for superfluous details... there were just too many descriptions of food and outfits, along with a myriad of unnecessary characters. The outcome was predictable and the ending, feeble, at best. Of course, I enjoyed the references to great classic literature. My favorite parts of the novel focused on Anna's journey of self-discovery. Overall, as a Kindle First offering, I was fairly pleased.

Read 5/15/15

👶👶 Death on the Nile, by Agatha Kristie

I remember enjoying Agatha Christie movies growing up, so when Audible offered this book for such a steal, I thought I might take a listen. This book was narrated differently than most books, as it was presented as more of a dramatization. The actors did a fine job, but the story itself was predictable, and dare I say, mundane. I almost feel irreverent criticizing a novel by the great Agatha Christie; but I can only attribute it to the fact that the material is rather dated, and the whodunit aspect of the novel, a bit unimaginative. Having said that, Ms. Christie was likely one of the first to come up with that now-exhausted story-line, back in 1960. So, maybe I should revise my critique by saying that perhaps the authors that followed her with the same plot were unoriginal. It is only modern-day readers that would dare share this critique about a book by such a revered author.

Read 4/7/15

👶👶 Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye, by Victoria Laurie

I was expecting a unique, entertaining mystery. Instead, I read a jejune, nonsensical novel. The overuse of such sayings as "Liar, liar, pants on fire," was so irritating, that I found myself rolling my eyes most of the time. I was somewhat interested in the Intuitive part of the story, hence the reason for the rating of 2. Otherwise, the heroine was petulant and immature, there were plenty of unnecessary details, and the plot was thin at best.

Read 6/22/14

👶👶👶 The Scent of Rain and Lightning, by Nancy Pickard

This was one of the few unpredictable mysteries I've read in recent years. It had quite a twist, and Pickard created enough suspicion around several of the characters to keep me guessing. She was able to sprinkle several clues throughout the book, while still being able to direct my attention away from the actual criminal. Kudos for that aspect of her novel. However, her style was a bit understated for a mystery, so it wasn't as thrilling as it could've been. I would've enjoyed a bit more intrigue. 

Read 7/12