My Book Reviews

Category: Murder Mystery

  • Murder Always Barks Twice by Jennifer Hawkins

    Murder Always Barks Twice by Jennifer Hawkins

    Murder Always Barks Twice

    Murder Always Barks Twice by Jennifer Hawkins

    Release: August 3rd 2021
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Berkley Books
    Source: Netgalley
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, Kobo

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    A charming tea room owner and her excitable talking corgi will need to work together to bring a killer to heel in this delightful cozy mystery.

    Ex-accountant Emma Reed and her beloved corgi, Oliver, opened Reed’s Classic Tea & Cakes in the idyllic village of Trevena in Cornwall. This has been the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Her cakes are popular, she has a host of wonderful new friends, and even a potential new romance. There’s even time left over for plenty of long country walks with Oliver.  He is not only the cutest corgi on record (at least to Emma), he happens to talk (at least to Emma). What could be better?

    How about being asked to help cater the local Daphne DuMaurier literary festival?

    But when the festival organizer is found dead and foul play is suspected, Emma, Oliver and their friends are plunged deep into a poisonous mix of village jealousy, family tension, money troubles, and secret love affairs. Emma quickly realizes it’s up to her and her intrepid corgi to discover a canny killer whose bite is worse than their bark.

    About the Author:

    Jennifer Hawkins is a Michigan-based author of cozy mysteries. She’s also a mom, binge reader, corgi enthusiast, and a lover of All Things British. For tea, she prefers a second flush Darjeeling with milk. She also makes a killer (so to speak) lemon curd..

    Her first novel was, Reclamation, a science fiction story that came out in 1994.

    She has written just about everything. I started out in science fiction and fantasy and then moved through romance and YA into mystery and suspense.

    She wants to entertain first and foremost. She also writes about women’s lives and wants to examine relationships in society.

    Future goals include mostly to keep learning, keep growing and keep writing and expects every day there’s something new.

    For To Fetch a Felon, she read books on dog behavior because she wanted Oliver to be a real dog, not just a human in a fur suit. She also spent time playing with corgis and talking with corgi owners.

    She admits to an unending obsession with food/baking competitions. I never miss an episode of Chopped, and of course, I am a huge fan of The Great British Baking Show.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

    Murder Always Barks Twice Review:

    “Murder Always Barks Twice” is an exciting continuation in the “Chatty Corgi Mystery” as Emma and Oliver find themselves in the middle of another murder.

    For some reason, I felt that this book was darker than the first. The author did a great job of keeping the story cozy yet atmospheric. Emma is great in the lead as she lets her curiosity get the better of her to find out what happened to Marcie. Similarly, Oliver is adorable, and I enjoyed using his skills to help Emma with Marcie’s murder. I also liked Dash as Oliver’s new friend, even if he doesn’t have the same abilities. The author also stays consistent with the first book because Emma keeps losing Oliver and searching for him.

    Similar to the first book, I liked the twists the author included. Once again, the reveal, in the end, surprised me and was one that I did not expect. Some scenes are thrilling, like when Emma finds the bundle, Oliver is in danger, Emma tries to save him, or what she finds underlined in the book.

    The author also adds interesting characters like Burt, Gus, and Caite, and you wonder what their intentions are. Similarly, I also enjoyed how the author details its work to set up the Daphne Du Maurier Literary festival. I liked how Angelique, genny, and pearl try to make it organized. Another fun aspect was how the mystery of Marcie connected with the festival, and I liked how intricate the author made the plot.

    Overall, “Murder Always Barks Twice” is another beautiful addition to the series, and I cannot wait to read the next installment.

  • To Fetch a Felon by Jennifer Hawkins

    To Fetch a Felon by Jennifer Hawkins

    To Fetch a Felon

    To Fetch a Felon by Jennifer Hawkins

    Release: December 29th 2020
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Berkley Books
    Source: Amazon
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, Kobo

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    A tea shop owner and her beloved corgi attempt to collar a criminal in the first entry of a charming new cozy mystery series set in a quaint British village.

    Emma Reed left London because she wanted to put her life in high finance behind her. Her dream is to open a small tea shop in an idyllic village in Cornwall, with its cobblestone streets and twisting byways. Emma plans to bake the recipes handed down to her from her beloved grandmother, and there’ll be plenty of space for her talking corgi, Oliver, to explore. Yes…talking. Emma has always been able to understand Oliver, even though no one else can, and she’s looking forward to plenty of quality time with her best canine buddy in the countryside.

    But when Emma arrives in the village she discovers that the curmudgeonly owner of her new building, Victoria, hates dogs and refuses to sell the building because of Oliver. Although some might turn tail and run, Emma is determined to win Victoria over. Unfortunately, she never gets the chance. When Emma delivers some of her homemade scones as a peace offering, she finds Victoria dead from a cup of poisoned tea. Together, Emma and Oliver will need to unleash their detective skills to catch a killer.

    About the Author:

    Jennifer Hawkins is a Michigan-based author of cozy mysteries. She’s also a mom, binge reader, corgi enthusiast, and a lover of All Things British. For tea, she prefers a second flush Darjeeling with milk. She also makes a killer (so to speak) lemon curd..

    Her first novel was, Reclamation, a science fiction story that came out in 1994.

    She has written just about everything. I started out in science fiction and fantasy and then moved through romance and YA into mystery and suspense.

    She wants to entertain first and foremost. She  also writes about women’s lives and wants to examine relationships in society.

    Future goals include mostly to keep learning, keep growing and keep writing and expects every day there’s something new.

    For To Fetch a Felon, she read books on dog behavior because she wanted Oliver to be a real dog, not just a human in a fur suit. She also spent time playing with corgis and talking with corgi owners.

    She admits to an unending obsession with food/baking competitions. I never miss an episode of Chopped, and of course, I am a huge fan of The Great British Baking Show.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook |  Goodreads

    To Fetch a Felon Review:

    What an adorable cozy mystery “To Fetch a Felon ” was, and I could not put it down!

    I love mysteries featuring animals, and Oliver is adorable as the corgi who helps Emma with the investigation. I enjoyed how the author set up their friendship where Emma could communicate with Oliver. Although he doesn’t think like a human, he knows enough to communicate using words. I can see the two solving many cases in the future.

    Another reason why I liked the case is how both Emma and Corgi both add in their value to investigate, and one did not depend on the other. Emma is remarkable in how she handles the case. I also liked her scenes with Constance and found the Detective interesting. Similarly, I also enjoyed Genny and Angelique as Emma’s friends, as well as Brian. Also, I liked the humor added between Oliver and Percy and how lighthearted he made the scenes.

    Furthermore, the author also handled the mystery wonderfully where we wonder what happened to Victoria. There were also quite a few red herrings and twists that shocked me, which I did not expect for a cozy mystery. The reveal, in the end, was also a surprise that made the story entertaining. Considering that there are not many suspects in the story, the author does an excellent job of throwing you off and surprising you in the end.

    I hope the author continues to write many more books in this series because it is very addictive. Overall, “To Fetch a Felon” is an excellent start to the “A Chatty Corgi Mystery” series, and I am excited to read more about the series.

  • Ceremony by Paul Austin Ardoin

    Ceremony by Paul Austin Ardoin

    Ceremony

    Ceremony by Paul Austin Ardoin

    Release: August 17th 2021
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Pax Ardsen
    Source: RABT Book Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, iBooks, Kobo

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    Dr. Kep Woodhead is a brilliant, irascible forensic toxicologist with a dark past. Bernadette Becker is a disgraced federal investigator with one last chance. They’re both assigned to a strange poisoning case: a graduate student has been found dead in a 15th-century chapel, a needle filled with a controversial hallucinogen sticking out of his arm. The priest, the professor, the piscary president, the protestor, the protégé—they all emerge as suspects to stop the victim’s research project, and soon Becker’s life is in danger. Do Becker and Woodhead have a prayer of discovering the truth before more people are killed?

    About the Author:

    Paul Austin Ardoin is the Amazon bestselling author of The Fenway Stevenson Mysteries. Book 1, THE RELUCTANT CORONER, is his debut novel. He has published short fiction and humorous essays in the anthologies Bottomfish and Sweet Fancy Moses, and non-fiction works about computer security in California Computer News and European Communications.

    Paul is a California native who put his creative writing degree to use by authoring marketing materials for computer security companies for the better part of two decades. When he’s not writing novels or trying to save the world through better computer security, Paul plays keyboards in a dance rock band. He lives in the Sacramento area with his wife, two teenagers, and a menagerie of animals.

    Join Paul’s mailing list at paulaustinardoin.com for news about new books.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

    Ceremony Review:

    “Ceremony” is an intriguing crime fiction novel with mysterious murders, injected hallucinogens set in a religious backdrop, and I liked it!

    This book was so unique for a crime fiction novel. It is not every day when you read a crime in a chapel when the Reverend is one of the suspects. I liked how the author spun the tale using his creativity, like the background of the Agios Delphi. Not only that, but the author also adds many details, like how they brief about TFM and ibogaine (which I had never heard about until I read this book).

    Bernadette shines in the lead as she works with Dr. Woohead to solve the case. While the two don’t start the best way, I liked how they eventually worked together on the investigation. I also enjoyed how the author balanced her moments as she follows up on Sophie’s life and tries to be a good mother for her.

    Moreover, I loved how many suspects there are that keep you guessing. From Cecilia Carter to Reverend Roundhouse, you have a priest, a protestor, and a professor who are all potential suspects. The author also adds some exciting moments, like Eddie’s and Curtis’s shocking scene, or the one around the missing footage, which I did not see coming. As the story progresses, the author throws in more red herrings to keep you guessing what is happening. The climax is also one that I did not see coming, which made this story even more entertaining.

    Overall, “Ceremony” is an exciting start to the “Murders of Substance” series, and I look forward to revisiting Kep and Bernadette on future cases.

     

    Ceremony

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Ceremony by Paul Austin Ardoin Blog Tour hosted by RABT Book Tours. 

    Book Tour Schedule

  • In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace

    In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace

    In the Company of Witches

    In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace

    Release: October 5th 2021
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Berkley Books
    Source: Netgalley
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, Kobo

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    When a guest dies in the B&B she helps her aunts run, a young witch must rely on some good old-fashioned investigating to clear her aunt’s name in this magical and charming new cozy mystery.

    For four hundred years, the Warren witches have used their magic to quietly help the citizens of the sleepy New England town of Evenfall thrive. There’s never been a problem they couldn’t handle. But then Constance Graves dies while staying at the bed and breakfast Brynn Warren maintains with her aunts. He was a local known for being argumentative and demanding. At first, it seems like an accident. But it soon becomes clear that there’s something more sinister at work. And  Aunt Nora is shaping up to be the prime suspect.

    There’s nothing Brynn wants more than to prove Nora’s innocence, and it hurts her to know that even two years ago that might have been easier. Brynn, after all, is a witch of the dead—a witch who can commune with ghosts. Ghosts never remember much about their deaths, but Constance might remember something about her life that would help crack the case. But Brynn hasn’t used her powers since her husband died, and isn’t even sure she still can. Brynn will just have to hope that her aunts’ magic and her own investigative skills will lead her to answers—and maybe back to the gift she once thought herself ready to give up forever.

    About the Author:

    Auralee Wallace is the author of multiple novels, including the Otter Lake mystery series. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology and a Master’s degree in English literature, and she worked in the publishing industry for a number of years before teaching at the college level. She lives in Ottawa with her family.

    Auralee is represented by Natalie Lakosil, Bradford Literary Agency.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    In the Company of Witches Review:

    Click to view on Instagram

    “In the Company of Witches” is the first in the “Evenfall Witches B&B” series and is probably one of the best cozy mysteries I have read this year!

    This book was deliciously cute and crafty. In my opinion, it stood apart from other cozy mysteries because of the multiple twists and turns. There is so much happening till the end of the story to keep you guessing. I enjoyed Brynn in the role. It was interesting to see her investigating the case without using her powers due to the tragedy in her family. I loved her bond with Izzy and Nora and could not get enough of them. I even grew to love other residents like Gideon, Mr. Henderson, and Nixie.

    Moreover, the author did a brilliant job of maintaining the suspense. Although there are many suspects, you never know who murdered Constance till the very end. One of my favorite moments in the story is the scenes during the Town Hall Meeting. The author had me glued to the pages as the climax built up, and I wondered how Brynn could solve this mystery. Some moments also had me laughing, like when Brynn needs the help of the toad.

    However, probably my only minor criticism is that we did not see the pets much, like Faustus, the cat. The animal plays a significant role in many cozy mystery novels, and I had hoped to see more of Faustus and Dog.

    Overall, “In the Company of Witches” is the perfect book to read during Halloween or a great selection if you want to read a cozy mystery surrounding a family of witches. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series!

  • Grace in Hollywood by Kari Bovee

    Grace in Hollywood by Kari Bovee

    Grace in Hollywood

    Grace in Hollywood – A Grace Michelle Mystery by Kari Bovee

    Release: May 25, 2021
    Format: Paperback
    Publisher: Bosque Publishing
    Source: IRead Book Tours
    Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, B&N

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    All that glitters… is sometimes blood. With her golden ticket buried in the ground, can she save a wrongly accused teen from the gallows?

    Hollywood, 1924. Promoted to lead costume designer of a star-studded film, Grace Michelle should be on top of the world. But between her husband’s debt, her sister’s recent death, and the troubled teenaged girl she’s fostering, she’s struggling to please everyone and still keep a smile on her face. And when a Tinseltown shindig turns deadly, Grace is horrified to discover her young charge unconscious alongside the director’s grisly corpse.

    Determined to prove the girl’s innocence, Grace’s own haunted past fills her sleep with prophetic nightmares. And no sooner has she sought clarity from a medium than a second body lands the scared teenager in the slammer.

    Can Grace turn the camera on the real culprit before another victim ends up on the cutting room floor?

    Grace in Hollywood is the second book in the riveting A Grace Michelle Mystery historical series. If you like fiercely loyal heroines, thrilling whodunits, and the magic of old cinema, then you’ll love Kari Bovee’s enthralling tale.​

    About the Author:

    When she’s not on a horse, or walking along the beautiful cottonwood-laden acequias of Corrales, New Mexico; or basking on white-sand beaches under the Big Island Hawaiian sun, Kari Bovee is escaping into the past—scheming murder and mayhem for her characters, both real and imagined, and helping them to find order in the chaos of her action-packed novels.

    An award-winning author, Bovée was honored with the 2019 NM/AZ Book Awards Hillerman Award for Southwestern Fiction for her novel Girl with a Gun. The novel also received First Place in the 2019 NM/AZ Book Awards in the Mystery/Crime category and won First in Category in the International Chanticleer Murder & Mayhem Awards. It was also a finalist in the 2019 Next Generation Indie Awards.

    Her novel Grace in the Wings won First in Category for the 2019 International Chanticleer Chatelaine Awards. Peccadillo at the Palace won Grand Prize in the 2019 Goethe Awards and was a finalist in the 2019 Best Book Awards Historical Fiction category.

    Bovée has worked as a technical writer for a Fortune 500 Company, has written non-fiction for magazines and newsletters, and has worked in the education field as a teacher and educational consultant.

    Website| Goodreads| Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

    Grace in Hollywood Review:

    Click to view on Instagram

    “Grace in Hollywood” turned out to be so much better from the first book, “Grace in the Wings,” and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

    The author upped the game with this book. The story is unique from the previous book and SO much better! There are so many things that happened to Grace which captivated me. On one side, she tries to solve the mystery of who murdered Travis. Then she starts getting messages from her dead family relatives about her past from a mysterious medium. Not only that, but multiple murders occur in the story, each of them equally shocking. Grace needs to figure out what is happening before she finds herself next on the killer’s list.

    Moreover, I loved the way the author progressed the main characters. We learn more about Grace’s past and how she copes with her feelings about what happened with her mother. I also liked her bond with Susie, Daniel, and Lizzy. What’s nice about the characters is how the author adds different layers to them. In the beginning, I was not fond of Lizzy because I thought she was bratty. But, later in the story, I felt sorry for her. I also found Miss Lange to be mysterious and captivating and wish we had seen more of her. I loved the scenes where they conduct a seance. Frankly, the story has so many entertaining moments that made this book very memorable. And finally, I adored Grace’s friendship with Felicity.

    However, the only downside to the story was Chet. I wanted to see more of Chet in action, as I enjoyed his storyline in the previous book. But he is hardly seen in this one. But, overall, “Grace in Hollywood” is a beautiful continuation and can be read as a standalone.

    Giveaway:

    Enter to win one signed copy each of Grace in the Wings and Grace in Hollywood, a completed and framed (8.5 x 11) diamond painting of a flapper, an art deco mousepad, a small art deco notepad and pen, an art deco tote bag, and an Amazon gift card for $50! (one winner) (the USA only) (ends Jul 26)

    GRACE IN HOLLYWOOD (Grace Michelle Mystery) Book Tour Giveaway

    Grace in Hollywood

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the  Grace in Hollywood – A Grace Michelle Mystery by Kari Bovee Blog Tour hosted by IRead Book Tours. Check out my post, and make sure to enter the giveaway!

    Book Tour Schedule

    Working Mommy Journal – June 22 –  book review/giveaway
    Cover Lover Book Review – June 22 –  book spotlight/giveaway
    Books Lattes & Tiaras – June 23 –  book review
    JB’s Bookworms with Brandy Mulder – June 24 –  book spotlight/giveaway
    Rajiv’s Reviews – June 28 –  book review
    Elizabeth McKenna – Author – June 29 – book spotlight/giveaway
    Lisa Everyday Reads – June 30 –  book spotlight/author interview
    Olio by Marilyn –June 30 –  book review of GRACE IN THE WINGS/giveaway

  • Grace in the Wings by Kari Bovee

    Grace in the Wings by Kari Bovee

    Grace in the Wings

    Grace in the Wings – A Grace Michelle Mystery by Kari Bovee

    Release: September 19, 2019
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Bosque Publishing
    Source: IRead Book Tours
    Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle

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    New York City, 1920. Grace Michelle has everything she wants. She has a home, a family, and a future career as a costume designer for famed showman Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr.’s Ziegfeld Follies. Pretty good for a girl who once lived on the streets of New York City. But when her sister, Sophia, the star of the show, is murdered, Grace’s safe and protected life is shattered.

    Battle-scarred by the war and emotionally scarred by his past, Chet Riker has made it a practice to keep his distance from others. Love, after all, leads only to pain. But Chet has a problem—a big one. He’s become indebted to mob boss Joe Marciano in an attempt to save his estranged mother’s life. And Marciano wants him to pay up or else. Desperate to get the money, he contacts former client Florenz Ziegfeld for work.

    Soon, Chet finds himself playing bodyguard for introverted Grace, who has reluctantly agreed to be Ziegfeld’s new leading lady—on the condition that Ziegfeld promises to find Sophia’s killer. Upon meeting Grace, Chet quickly finds his hardened theory that love equals pain tested. Grace, meanwhile, embroiled in a life she never wanted as the Follies’ star and as the pawn in a series of publicity stunts during a transcontinental train trip to California that puts her life at risk. Who would want her and Sophia dead? Together, she and Chet must confront publicity-hungry Florenz Ziegfeld, power-driven Joe Marciano, and their own pasts to find Sophia’s killer—and let themselves love once again.

    About the Author:

    When she’s not on a horse, or walking along the beautiful cottonwood-laden acequias of Corrales, New Mexico; or basking on white-sand beaches under the Big Island Hawaiian sun, Kari Bovee is escaping into the past—scheming murder and mayhem for her characters, both real and imagined, and helping them to find order in the chaos of her action-packed novels.

    An award-winning author, Bovée was honored with the 2019 NM/AZ Book Awards Hillerman Award for Southwestern Fiction for her novel Girl with a Gun. The novel also received First Place in the 2019 NM/AZ Book Awards in the Mystery/Crime category and won First in Category in the International Chanticleer Murder & Mayhem Awards. It was also a finalist in the 2019 Next Generation Indie Awards.

    Her novel Grace in the Wings won First in Category for the 2019 International Chanticleer Chatelaine Awards. Peccadillo at the Palace won Grand Prize in the 2019 Goethe Awards and was a finalist in the 2019 Best Book Awards Historical Fiction category.

    Bovée has worked as a technical writer for a Fortune 500 Company, has written non-fiction for magazines and newsletters, and has worked in the education field as a teacher and educational consultant.

    Website| Goodreads| Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

    Grace in the Wings Review:

    Click to view on Instagram

    ” Grace in the Wings” is the first book in the Grace Michelle series and was a fun ride reading this murder mystery set in the 1920s.

    I have read quite a few of the author’s other novels, like “Bones of the Redeemed” and “Folly at the Fair.” I love the author’s writing style because she has a beautiful style for writing mystery and suspense, irrespective of when the story takes place. In this book, the author introduces Grace and takes us on a ride from New York to California to New Mexico for Grace to find out what happened to her sister Sophia.

    Grace is excellent in the lead! The author wrote Grace perfectly to fit with the timeline of the story. I also enjoyed the romance between Grace and Chet. Chet is not who he seems and falls in love with Grace under pretenses. Hence, it was interesting to see how he manages his feelings for her. I also liked Grace’s interactions with Lucile and Fanny.
    Moreover, the author also adds adventure elements that make the story exciting. I particularly enjoyed the parts where Grace is riding the horse with Deerhunter and finds herself in danger. There are also some shady characters like Donovan who spice up the story.

    However, I wish there were more surprises to the story. The climax was predictable and something which we expected. The story could have been more exciting if the author adds a few more twists and turns.

    Nevertheless, it was entertaining and entertained me. Overall, I enjoyed reading “Grace in the Wings” and look forward to the sequel “Grace in Hollywood.”

    Giveaway:

    Enter to win one signed copy each of Grace in the Wings and Grace in Hollywood, a completed and framed (8.5 x 11) diamond painting of a flapper, an art deco mousepad, a small art deco notepad and pen, an art deco tote bag, and an Amazon gift card for $50! (one winner) (the USA only) (ends Jul 26)

    GRACE IN HOLLYWOOD (Grace Michelle Mystery) Book Tour Giveaway

    Grace in Hollywood

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the  Grace in the Wings – A Grace Michelle Mystery by Kari Bovee Blog Tour hosted by IRead Book Tours. Check out my post, and make sure to enter the giveaway!

    Book Tour Schedule

    Working Mommy Journal – June 22 –  book review/giveaway
    Cover Lover Book Review – June 22 –  book spotlight/giveaway
    Books Lattes & Tiaras – June 23 –  book review
    JB’s Bookworms with Brandy Mulder – June 24 –  book spotlight/giveaway
    Rajiv’s Reviews – June 28 –  book review
    Elizabeth McKenna – Author – June 29 – book spotlight/giveaway
    Lisa Everyday Reads – June 30 –  book spotlight/author interview
    Olio by Marilyn –June 30 –  book review of GRACE IN THE WINGS/giveaway

  • Taking Notes on Murder by C.S. McDonald

    Taking Notes on Murder by C.S. McDonald

    Taking Notes on Murder

    Taking Notes on Murder (Fiona Quinn #9) by C.S. McDonald

    Release: May 19, 2020
    Format: EBook
    Publisher: McWriter Books
    Source: IRead Book Tours
    Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Audible

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    Mysterious notes are showing up in Fiona’s kindergarten classroom, claiming a suicide from 2005 was actually a homicide. Detective Landry maintains the messages are too vague, possess no integrity, and do not warrant a review of the old case.

    Fiona’s not convinced. She’s determined to find the author of the enigmatic notes and uncover the truth about a man who had many secrets and countless enemies, including Fiona’s mother and former suspect Nancy Quinn!
    Can Fiona crack this cold case, and what will it take to get Detective Landry involved? Don’t miss taking notes on this murder!

    About the Author:

    For twenty-six years, C.S. McDonald’s life whirled around a song and a dance. Classically trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Pittsburgh Dance Alloy, and many others, she became a professional dancer and choreographer.

    In 2011 she retired from her dance career to write. Under her real name, Cindy McDonald, she writes murder-suspense and romantic suspense novels. Also, in 2014 she added the pen name, C.S. McDonald, to write children’s books for her grandchildren. Also, in 2016 she added the Fiona Quinn Mysteries. Presently, the Fiona Quinn Mysteries has nine books.

    Cindy’s newest venture is The Owl’s Nest Mysteries. Once again, she has set her cozy mystery in Pittsburgh. Moreover, the Owl’s Next Mysteries has a little grit, a little time travel, a little romance, and a whole lot of cozy!

    Cindy resides on her Thoroughbred farm known as Fly by Night Stables near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bill, and she poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel, Allister.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook |Goodreads

    Taking Notes on Murder Review:

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    “Taking Notes on Murder” is the ninth installment of the Fiona Quinn series, and this one was darker than the others.

    I admire how creative the author gets with her ideas on this series. I loved the story’s premise where Fiona got strange notes from her kindergarten school about a murder back in 2005. The plot immediately intrigued me. Why would someone from her kindergarten class reopen a murder investigation? As Fiona gets tangled in the case, we see the possible suspects behind the murder.

    The author did an excellent job with the characters in this book. I adore Fiona and Nathan. Like the previous book in the Fiona Quinn series “Bon Voyage to Murder,” I could not get enough of them. I also appreciate the author giving equal importance to both of them in their involvement in the case. Moreover, the author also wrote some of the suspects creepily, especially Eugene and Roxanne.

    Similarly, the author also places the story with quite a few twists and turns that you don’t see coming. Some of the memorable scenes in the tale were when Fiona goes to see Julian or when one of her students reveals a secret.

    However, I felt there could have been more suspects to spice things up in the story. Unfortunately, the suspects were very few, and I wasn’t shocked by the reveal. Moreover, I found the book to be more severe and gruesome as compared to the other books. For instance, I missed Chad and wished he was in the story to provide some humor.

    Nevertheless, the story is very entertaining and a worthy addition to the series. I hope the author continues to write many more mystery adventures for Fiona.

    Giveaway:

    Autographed copy of MAXED OUT, plus other gifts (the USA only) (ends Jul 23)

    MAXED OUT Book Tour Giveaway

     

    Maxed Out

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Taking Notes on Murder by C.S. McDonald Blog Tour hosted by IRead Book Tours. Check out my post, and make sure to enter the giveaway!

    Book Tour Schedule

    Rockin’ Book Reviews – June 22 –  audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder/giveaway
    Bound 4 Escape – June 22 –  book review of Maxed Out/giveaway
    Book Corner News and Reviews – June 22 –  book review of Maxed Out/giveaway
    Rajiv’s Reviews – June 22 –  book review of Bon Voyage to Murder/giveaway
    Splashes of Joy – June 23 –  book review of Maxed Out/giveaway
    Book Corner News and Reviews – June 23 –  book review of Bon Voyage to Murder/giveaway
    Working Mommy Journal – June 23 –  book review of Bon Voyage to Murder/giveaway
    Rajiv’s Reviews – June 23 –  book review of Taking Notes on Murder/giveaway
    Buried Under Books – June 24 –  book review of Maxed Out/giveaway
    Rajiv’s Reviews – June 24 –  book review of Maxed Out/giveaway
    Locks, Hooks, and Books – June 24 –  book review of Taking Notes on Murder/giveaway

  • The Island by Mary Grand

    The Island by Mary Grand

    The Island

    The Island by Mary Grand

    Release: June 24th, 2021 
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Boldwood Books
    Source: NetGalley
    Find it at Goodreads, Kindle, B&N, Kobo __

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    The Island – where everyone knows everyone, and secrets are impossible to keep…
    ‘Be careful; you don’t know them as well as you think. Remember – anyone can kill.’

    Juliet has returned to the Isle of Wight from years abroad to visit her sick father. And she is about to join her three sisters – Cassie, a professional musician with a clueless life, Mira, who is profoundly deaf, with a local vicar as her husband whose relationship is falling apart, and Rosalind, glamorous and charming but now deeply unhappy and secretive about her life.

    As Juliet’s father lies dying, he issues her with a warning. There is a killer on the loose, and they may be closer than she can ever imagine. He anxiously tells Juliet that he confided a family secret in son-in-law Rhys and now regrets ever saying a word.

    Days later, as the clock strikes one in the morning, a man comes out of Rhys’s church, walks along the path, and an unidentified person runs his car over him. When the finger of suspicion points to Juliet, she realizes the only way to clear her name is to uncover the secrets her family has been keeping from her for years. But with a killer on the loose, the danger is getting closer all the time…

    The Island is set on the Isle of Wight – insular, claustrophobic, and hard to keep secrets. Mary Grand’s heart-stopping whodunnits are perfect for fans of Louise Candlish. Agatha Christie and Lucy Foley.

    Author Bio:

    I grew up in Wales. Later I taught in London and then worked with Deaf Children in Hastings. I now live on the beautiful Isle of Wight with my family.

    Boldwood Books publishes my novel and writes murder mystery, whodunnits, set on the Isle of Wight. Publishing of The House Party  was in July 2020
    The next ‘The Island’ will be on June 24th, 2021.

    Previously I published three novels, Free to Be Tegan, Hidden Chapters, and Behind the Smile. I have also written two anthologies of short stories; making Changes and Catching the light is a FREE download.

    I would love to hear from you on my blog here on Goodreads.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

    The Island Review:

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    Secrets, scandals, and shocking revelations made “The Island” a gripping suspense thriller, and I enjoyed reading this one!

    I loved the twists and turned in the story. The author beautifully throws in the red herrings, so you never really know who is guilty and innocent. Whether Mira or Rosalind, or Cassie, all the sisters have their secrets that they hide from each other. I also felt their mother be very odd. As the story progresses, the secrets start spilling, and you begin to realize how intricate the subplots are.

    Moreover, the reveal of who was behind the murders was surprising, as it was someone I did not expect. I liked Juliet in the lead, albeit she did get on my nerves at times for the way she snooped into everyone’s business.
    I found all the sisters also fascinating and felt each of them brought something new to the table. There are also characters like Gabriel and Maddie to add nicely to the mix.

    However, the only downside to the story is that it takes time to set off. The book’s first half is pretty slow, as the author tries to set the background and connection between all the characters. But the story is intense in the second half as Juliet tries to snoop in everyone’s business and tries to find out who was behind her father’s death. The story picked up only once we find out what happened to Rhys.

    Apart from that, I found “The Island” to be a well-written suspense thriller and would love to check out some of the author’s other books.

  • Under Cover of Night by Constance Gillam

    Under Cover of Night by Constance Gillam

    Under Cover of Night

    Under Cover of Night by Constance Gillam

    Release: March 30th, 2021 
    Format: Paperback
    Publisher: Constance Gillam
    Source: Suzyapproved Book Tours
    Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle

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    A courageous law officer fighting corruption. Can he hunt down an assassin on the reservation?  Or will he be permanently silenced?

    To begin with, Little River Reservation. Police Captain John Iron Hawk serves his people with pride. With a crucial election on the horizon, the strong and silent commander refuses to let criminals undermine his community’s leadership. But when his sister discovers his rival’s murder, Iron Hawk determines to catch the killer before losing his job.

    After his sibling quickly becomes the prime suspect, Iron Hawk is furious when the FBI pulls him off the case. However, Working unofficially on the case, he uncovers conspiracies that reach far beyond the homicide. Protecting his homeland from ruthless enemies could cost this police chief his life.

    Can Iron Hawk expose the deadly secrets before he’s buried in an unmarked grave?

    Under Cover of Night is the third book in the thrilling Lakota romantic suspense series. If you like rich portrayals of Native American society, daring heroes, and the edge of your seat tension, then you’ll love Constance Gillam’s evocative tale.

    Buy Under Cover of Night to unearth the mysteries of this reservation today! 

    About the Author:

    Constance Gillam is an award-winning author of young adult fiction and a 2008 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist for adult fiction. Also, She writes the award-nominated Lakota crime suspense series featuring John Iron Hawk, an Oglala Sioux tribal police captain, and his lover, Zora Hughes.

     Besides, Constance loves writing about diverse characters and cultures and has a soon-to-be-released #ownvoices book, The Hookup Dilemma from Entangled Publishing.

     A former scientist, Constance traded in her lab coat to write fiction—a long-time dream. Also, she lives in Atlanta with a husband who doesn’t mind taking up the household slack as she creates stories about crime, intrigue, and love.

    They have three adult children and a part-time dog (long story). You can find her at:

    Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Twitter

    Under Cover of Night Review:

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    I have not read the previous books in the Lakota series, but that did not stop me from enjoying “Under Cover of Night.“

    Firstly, I loved the mix of crime fiction set in a Native American Indian Reservation with diverse characters. John Iron Hawk is a fine protagonist as he tries to solve the case, even though people regard him as a prime suspect. I enjoyed his relation with Zora and how he gets clues with the help of his friends and ex-colleagues to investigate Crow’s murder.

    The author did a fantastic job with the plot. There are quite a lot of twists and turns that kept me entertained. What starts as a simple murder mystery turns out to be part of a bigger picture. As the story progresses, we meet the various residents of the reservation and the potential suspects. Moreover, I loved the climax. Don’t worry, this is a spoiler-free review, but I loved the twist that came after the twist, which surprised me.

    Probably my only criticism of the story is the cultural aspect. I would have loved to see a little more culture of the Native American Society into the plot. True, we meet some Shamans, but the story purely felt like crime fiction. It would have been nice if the author added more cultural elements to the mix. Also, I felt that Zora was not prominent in the story, as it primarily focused on John. I would have loved her to be more interactive with the case.

    Nevertheless, “Under Cover of Night” was a gripping crime fiction murder mystery. After reading this book, I would check out the first two books to read more about John Iron Hawk and Zara.

     

    Book Tour Schedule

    Under Cover of Night

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Under Cover of Night by Constance Gillam Blog Tour hosted by Suzyapproved Book Tours. 

     

     

  • Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay

    Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay

    Every Last Fear

    Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay

    Release: March 2nd, 2021
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Minotaur Books
    Source: Netgalley
    Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, Kobo.

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    “They found the bodies on a Tuesday.” So begins this twisty and breathtaking novel that traces the Pine family’s fate, a thriller that will move you to tears.

    After a late-night of partying, NYU student Matt Pine returns to his dorm room to devastating news. Nearly his entire family perished from an apparent gas leak while vacationing in Mexico. The local police claim it was an accident.  But the FBI and State Department seem far less certain, and they won’t tell Matt why.

    This isn’t the first time the Pine family is into the media spotlight. Matt’s older brother, Danny, currently serving a life sentence for the murder of his teenage girlfriend Charlotte, was the subject of a viral true crime documentary for wrongful conviction. Though the country has rallied behind Danny, Matt holds a secret about his brother that he’s never told, anyone. On the night Charlotte was killed, Matt saw something to believe his brother is guilty of the crime.

    Meanwhile, Matt returns to his small hometown to bury his parents and siblings. However, he faces a hostile community, frenzied media, and memories.  Now, as the deaths in Mexico appear increasingly suspicious and connected to Danny’s case, Matt must unearth the truth behind the crime that sent his brother to prison—putting his own life in peril—and forcing him to confront his every last fear.

    Told through multiple points-of-view and alternating between past and present, Alex Finlay’s Every Last Fear is not only a page-turning thriller, but it’s also a poignant story about a family managing heartbreak and tragedy and living through fame they never wanted.

    About the Author:

    Alex Finlay is the pseudonym of an author who lives in Washington, D.C. Born in the American South, Alex spent years traversing the globe, from a tropical island in the Pacific to a small village in the UK to a remote region in the Far East. But it was on a trip to Tulum, Mexico, that Alex was inspired to write Every Last Fear.

    Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    Every Last Fear Review:

    “Every Last Fear” turned out to be so much better than I expected, and I could not put it down!

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    Honestly, I went through so many emotions as I read this book! The story was incredible and never had a dull moment. The author writes the plot in a gripping manner where we alternate between the past and the present. Moreover, each chapter focuses on a different character’s perspective that makes you connect with all of them. There are so many subplots where you wonder how any of them is connected. But, the author seamlessly brings them together towards the end, where everything makes sense. Similarly, there are many twists and turns that you never expect. For instance, I was at the edge of my seat when someone chases Matt down the woods or when Maggie and Evan investigate Charlotte.

    Similarly, the characters were fantastic! I loved every member of the Pine family. Matt is terrific as he tries to find out what happened. Maggie and Evan broke my heart in certain scenes, and I loved their bond. Moreover, I loved how the author focused on Agent Keller’s personal life and how the case was impacting her. Agent Keller adds very nicely to the crime element, and It was interesting to see how she conducted the investigation. I liked how the author explained how a documentary could ruin a family’s life on a side note. It made me wonder if families, in reality, received backlash from the media over similar incidents.

    There were some very minor moments which I felt sidetracked the plot, like Matt’s bonding with his friends. But, in some ways, it also created a nice balance to this otherwise fast-paced novel. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed “Every Last Fear” and think it is a captivating suspense thriller.