Other Birds, by Sarah Addison Allen

Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

I've enjoyed every book by Sarah Addison Allen, but this one was absolutely my least favorite of the bunch.

It just didn't connect with me the way previous books have. It didn't enjoy the characters in this book nearly as much. Maybe because there were so many of them, shoe horned into the story. And so many issues in there as well. From hoarding and mental health issues, to past sexual assault and growing up in a cult, to child neglect. And of course, they all come together in the Dellawisp, and help each other heal?

As multiple other reviewers have said, I felt like this book meandered from character to character, while never really fully developing each one or really combining them all in to one complete story, and then BAM! The last few chapters suddenly things start happening and everyone comes together and it all just fell flat for me.

All in all, it had a few lovely moments and Allen is fantastic at description. I hope this book marks her return to writing and that there will be more from her soon.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Six Feet Deep Dish, by Mindy Quigley

Six Feet Deep Dish by Mindy Quigley 

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, Did not finish.

First in a new series, but last for me.

I had a really hard time getting in to this book. The main character just wasn't super likeable. Wow, a chef with anger issues? And she actually thinks that is a good thing! Add in that a lot of the descriptions of things (characters' weight and relationships with food, etc.) were really off-putting. Other descriptions were just dumb. I mean, please stop describing the man's lips as "pillowy."

This series is not for me.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*


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Round Up the Usual Peacocks, by Donna Andrews

Round Up the Usual Peacocks by Donna Andrews 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars, I really enjoyed it.

Book 31 in the series! (I listened to the audio version)

This is probably one of my favorite cozy series. Ms. Andrews is always good for an engaging, humorous story, and this one was no different. This book is a nod back to where we all started in book 1, with Meg rounding up peacocks for a wedding. While only a brief portion of the book, the peacock scenes had me giggling out loud.

There was a lot going on in this book, and it was fast paced and entertaining, with much of the usual crew and some nice new characters thrown in as well. It's honestly been so much fun watching all of the usual cast grow and evolve. This book can probably be read as a stand alone, but the large cast of characters may confuse at first, and really, go read them all, they're so worth it!

Note: I rarely listen to audio books, most of the time I have voices for characters in my head, and don't care for the narrator's version. But I've quite enjoyed Bernadette Dunne in several books in this series, so when I saw the audio book was available on NetGalley I jumped at it. I'm glad I did, and I'm actually looking at getting more audio books, because it makes the time on my treadmill go awfully fast, haha.

Now I am off to read #32, this year's holiday book. Please keep them coming, Ms. Andrews!

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Murder at the Blueberry Festival, by Darci Hannah

Murder at the Blueberry Festival by Darci Hannah 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 3 in the series, and easy to read as a stand alone story.

I really liked this book. Enough that I went back and found the first two in the series to read. What's not to love about living and running a business out of your very own lighthouse?! And it's haunted by a friendly, protective ghost too. I like that Lindsey runs a bakery, and actually seems to spend a lot of her time baking and actually running the business, rather than haring off constantly to snoop, like so many cozy characters.

The story was fast paced and entertaining (I love blueberries too, so it made me hungry, haha). For those that aren't a fan of paranormal mysteries, the ghost is a very small part of the book, and mostly just adds a bit of character. This is absolutely a series I will continue to follow.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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With a Spirit of Vengeance, by Lena Gregory

With a Spirit of Vengeance by Lena Gregory 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I ended up liking it in the end.

Number 7 in the series. Don't start the series here! While there is background in the book, I feel like you at least have to have read book 6 first, since it continues part of that story arc.

This one was just an okay read for me. While I enjoy the main characters most of the time, this one just didn't keep me interested for long. I found myself putting it down and finding something else to do for a while before I could come back to it. I did find myself pretty hooked in the last several chapters though, so I gave it three stars instead of just two.

Cass, Bee and Beast are all good reasons to keep reading, so I will be waiting impatiently for the next in the series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*



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Death by Beach Read, by Eva Gates

Death by Beach Read by Eva Gates 

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, almost a DNF.

Book 9 in the series.

Honestly, this was my least favorite of the whole series. It was slow paced, and Lucy was almost unlikable in this one! She was snobby and I got tired of all the "white" lies she told. The storyline was very predictable.

It makes it on to the Read shelf, but barely. I finally skipped to the end just to see if I was correct in my deduction. Yep.

This series has been very up and down for me, some I have absolutely enjoyed and others just dragged and didn't entertain me at all for various reasons. I keep saying I am done with the series and then one shows up on NetGalley and I request it. Time to stop, for real this time.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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The Dive Says Cheesecake! by Krista Davis

The Diva Says Cheesecake! by Krista Davis 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 15 in the series.

Krista Davis rarely fails to deliver, and I always enjoy her books. After 15 books, Sophie and her friends feel like my friends too. This one isn't my favorite in the series, but it's a nice, light-hearted cozy mystery when you just want to read something fun.

And who can resist cheesecake?!

As always, I am already looking forward to the next in the series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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A Rip Through Time, by Kelley Armstrong

A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First in the series.

I'm honestly torn on this one. I like Kelley Armstrong's books, but this one didn't hold my attention like they normally do. Maybe it was the period setting. It was an okay first book, and I'll probably read the next in the series, but historical mysteries really aren't my thing and combine that with the time travel element, and the whole thing is just off for me. It took a while to get through, just because I could only read for a few pages before some new shiny thing caught my attention.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Buried in a Good Book, by Tamara Berry

Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 1 in a new series.

When I saw the author of this book, I jumped at it, because I love her other series. But I honestly wasn't thrilled with this one. The main character is hard to like and the comparisons of the sheriff to Tess' fictional detective got old fast.

I'll read the next one to see if I like it any better, because I truly do enjoy the author's writing.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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The Lady with the Gun Asks the Questions, by Kerry Greenwod

The Lady with the Gun Asks the Questions by Kerry Greenwood 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

A collection of Phryne Fisher short stories, including 4 new stories.

I don't usually care for historical cozies, but I am slightly obsessed with the Art Deco period/Roaring 20s, so I love Phryne and have read all the books and seen all the TV shows. I hadn't read any of Ms. Greenwood's short stories before, even though all but 4 had been published previously, so it was all new to me and I loved it.

Phryne Fisher is a strong, smart, independent woman, and yet still warm-hearted and caring, surrounded by found family that I adore.

For me, there wasn't a single bad story in this collection.

I NEED even more Phryne, please!

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*



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'Til Death, Carol J. Perry

'Til Death by Carol J. Perry 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 12 in the series.

Please do yourself a favor and don't start here. There's just so much going on in this one, it absolutely helps to know how we've gotten here.

It seems like all the couples in all of the series I am reading are getting married recently, which is fine, as long as the mystery is still solid.

The wedding took up a good chunk of the first part of the book, with a little bit of mystery about Aunt Ibby's new tenant.

The second part was devoted to Pete and Lee's trip to the area where Lee's parents died in a plane crash years before, and that's when things picked up and started getting good. A third mystery pops up, involving a hidden pirate treasure.

All in all, it was a good read. I enjoyed the second part more than the first, mostly because that's where the action was.

I will happily continue to read this series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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The Vanishing Type, by Ellery Adams

The Vanishing Type by Ellery Adams 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 5 in the series.

This has been a favorite series for me, but this is definitely not my favorite in the series. It felt a bit light and fluffy, despite the subject matter, and way too predictable. I do like the fact that Nora and the sheriff are getting closer, but I guess I felt with the Hester/Andrew relationship ups and downs that the whole book feels a bit romance-y with a side of obvious mystery. I like reading romance, too, but when I grab a mystery, if there's a romantic relationship, it should be the side element, not the main feature.

I do hope the series continues, because I truly do love the characters.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Simmering with Resentment, by Daryl Wood Gerber

Simmering with Resentment by Daryl Wood Gerber 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 11 in the series.

I usually love to visit Crystal Cove and the Book Nook, but this is my least favorite book in the series. Maybe it's the wedding theme of the book, but Jenna is rather unpleasant in this installment. And the cast of characters is starting to get a bit out of hand. It doesn't make it more suspenseful for me, it makes it harder to keep track of who is whom. I was getting some of the characters confused and would have to go back and read a bit before I got it straightened out. As a result, this was a slow read for me.

That said, I will continue to read the series as long as it continues.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*


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Batter Off Dead, by Maddie Day

Batter Off Dead by Maddie Day 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 10 in the series.

I've enjoyed this series all along, but lately Buck's way of speaking has just been bugging me. I get that it's the local Hoosier patois, but why only Buck? Is it deliberately meant to make him look like a hayseed, and therefore lesser at his job so he needs Robbie's help? It really pulls me out of the story, which is too bad.

The mystery was interesting, and I did like that in the end they were able to solve a cold case, too, and give Buck and his dad some closure. It was an entertaining, fast read for me. As always, it was nice to visit South Lick and I look forward to more in the future.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Murder on an Irish Farm, by Carlene O'Connor

Murder on an Irish Farm by Carlene O'Connor 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay, but....

Book 8 in the series.

This series has been rather hit or miss for me. This one was good, but right off the bat I had a major issue. You're standing at the altar, all fancied up and ready to say your wedding vows, having spent a load of money, and you suddenly decide to postpone everything to go to a crime scene?! Because that body that has been there for years was going somewhere, so you couldn't take a few minutes to say your vows? I call BS. That's some serious devotion to your job!

After I got past that, I mostly enjoyed the book, but honestly, I am still annoyed about that bit, and it's been months since I read it. I put the book down for weeks before I finally went back to finish, and almost didn't go back at all.

I'm glad they finally got hitched, (there's been so much drama in their relationship!), but really the way the author went about it nearly spoiled the whole series for me, and I am not sure if I will continue to read her books, I'm still that salty about it.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Live, Local, and Dead, by Nikki Knight

Live, Local, and Dead by Nikki Knight 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 1 in the series.

This was a strong debut for the series. I really enjoyed most of the characters, and the plot. The main character seemed like a smart, strong, likeable person who cared a lot about her family, her job and her town. Unlike a lot of cozies mysteries, she didn't leave her job to someone else and go haring off, sticking her nose in dangerous situations, which made me like the book all the more!

The only bit that annoyed me was the hand feeding candy to a wild moose. I live in CO, we have all sorts of wildlife. Wild animals are WILD, and experience has shown me that humans are stupid. They don't need encouragement to do dumb things to wild animals. Moose are amazing animals best enjoyed from a distance, just like all wildlife.

Aside from that, I enjoyed the book and look forward to more in the series.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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A Three Book Problem, by Vicki Delany

A Three Book Problem by Vicki Delany 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I quite liked it.

Book 7 in the series.

I quite liked this one, Gemma has grown on me through the last few books, and I liked the setting. My only complaint was I felt the mystery was too simple, as I figured out who the murderer was early on in the book and why.

But it was still a quick, entertaining, read.

I truly hope to see more of Gemma.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Crimes and Covers, by Amanda Flower

Crimes and Covers by Amanda Flower 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was just okay.

Book 5 and the final book in the series.

I've read every book in this series and enjoyed them. But this one, let's just say the series went out with a whimper instead of a bang.

I found it to be super repetitive and strangely stilted. It also didn't help that my personal opinion of Thoreau is that he'd never have really survived in solitude, since everything was done for him by family members and he was really a weanie, haha.

The plot seemed to plod along, with way too much wedding minutia and not enough mystery. In fact, for once, I picked out the killer right away. And darn it, I'd have liked to have seen more of Emerson and Faulkner! I adore the cat and crow.

All in all, it was a disappointing end to a series I loved.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Elements of a Haunting, by Brandon Alvis and Mustafa Gatollari

Elements of a Haunting: Connecting History with Science to Uncover the Greatest Ghost Stories Ever Told by Brandon Alvis 

My rating: 1 of 5 stars, did not finish.

I love ghost stories. Books, TV shows, you name it, I consume it. Unfortunately, I decided a long time ago that I didn't trust Grant Wilson and by proxy, I didn't really trust his new team of Ghost Hunters. What few episodes I did watch, I didn't really care for any of the team, and now in their book, they come off as annoying and none of their "greatest ghost stories," are really all that great.

Also, might I suggest hiring someone who actually writes for a living to write anything else for you? Rambling sentences, cliches, and some really poor phrasing just annoyed the crud out of me.

I couldn't make myself finish it.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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A Fatal Family Feast, by Lynn Cahoon

A Fatal Family Feast by Lynn Cahoon 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay, but don't start the series here.

Book 6 in the series.

I honestly thought this was a book in one of Ms. Cahoon's other series, so that's on me for not reading the description better. I've only read one other book in this series, and it was only an okay read, so had I been paying attention, I wouldn't have requested this one.

This book was again, okay. I felt like the relative that only got an invite because they felt like they had to, in that I didn't know the characters or any back story, but I also didn't really feel the urge to go back and read the books I'd missed.

I'll read descriptions more carefully next time, instead of just jumping at anything by this author.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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