Séances are for Suckers, by Tamara Berry

Séances are for Suckers by Tamara Berry

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

First in the series.

I thought this was a fun new twist on the usual paranormal cozy mystery. The main character, Eleanor, is not a physic at all, but pretends to be one to make a living and support her sister. Despite the fact that at heart, Ellie is a con artist, she's still incredibly likable and funny. And she does play "ghostbuster", getting rid of the rats in the attic or making sure that the plumbing is fixed.

Ellie is smart and observant, and the mystery unusual enough to keep me up late reading until the very end. And this time, Ellie's client knows she's fake and just wants her to get rid of the ghost that he's sure is fake as well, but that the rest of the family is positive exists.

I had several laugh out loud moments while reading, and I look forward to more of Madame Eleanor Wilde.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley*

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Murder by the Book, by Lauren Elliot

Murder by the Book by Lauren Elliott

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

Book one in a new series.

This book is very much focused on introduction and building relationships among the main characters.

There was A LOT going on in this book, and a lot more that I suspect will be followed up in additional books. The mystery the book centers on is a bit convoluted and complex and I felt as though all the relationship building was a bit distracting. It comes off more as a romance with mystery elements thrown in.

My biggest complaint though, is that there was too much unrealistic behavior going on for me to be able to completely suspend my disbelief and sink into the story. For instance, a brand new business owner who leaves her business almost entirely in the hands of her newly met and hired shopkeeper while she runs around solving a mystery. Most small businesses fail in the first year, as a result, most small business owners are pretty much shackled to their business, trying to keep expenses down. Even if the money came from an inheritance, it still seems far-fetched. Add in the chief of police having to arrest his own sister and not being ethically required to turn the investigation, at least officially, over to someone else and I just couldn't help but shake my head.

Hopefully now that a lot of the relationship framework is established, book 2 can concentrate on the mystery.

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

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Nipped in the Bud, by Sheila Connolly

Nipped in the Bud by Sheila Connolly

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

Book 12 in the series.

I am sincerely happy that this series got picked up by a new publisher, but this book is not my favorite in the series. In fact, since Seth and Meg got married, something has been a bit off for me. Part of it is that Meg and Seth are still in the slow season and still bored, just like they were in the previous book and Meg comes off as very whiney.

I will continue to read the series, but I sure hope things get a bit more lively in Granford soon and Meg and Seth are less bored.

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

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The Knitter's Dictionary, by Kate Atherley

The Knitter's Dictionary: Knitting Know-How from A to Z by Kate Atherley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars, A fantastic little resource.

Know how to knit? Want to go beyond knit and purl? Then you need to learn how to read those patterns! From k2tog to PSSO, this is the perfect little book to demystify knitting patterns. It's a sweet little reference book to have on hand when you're stumped by an abbreviation. It also has some handy techniques for things such as joining a new ball of yarn.

This is not the book for you if you're trying to learn how to knit, but if you're ready to tackle something harder than a hat or scarf, this book is for you. Intermediate and experienced knitters should still find this handy as well.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book received from the publisher, via NetGalley*

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The Trail of Terror, by Richard Estep

Trail of Terror: The Black Monk of Pontefract, Cripple Creek Jail, Firehouse Phantom, and Other True Hauntings by Richard Estep

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

I'm fascinated with ghosts and things that go bump in the night. I know myself well enough to know that ghost hunting isn't for me, (The closest I've come is multiple visits to the Stanley Hotel, but never actually looking for ghosts.). Knowing that, I live a little vicariously through books and tv shows on the subject instead.

Richard Estep has a gift for story telling that almost makes the reader feel like they are on the investigation with him and his team, which frankly, is rare these days. Most recent books on the subject are either poorly written or dry as dust.

In this book, Estep tackles multiple locations in the U.S. and Great Britain. He doesn't skimp on details, each location gets its own chapter. I love the fact that he details his team's investigation in each spot, including the fact that a lot of the time, nothing happens. Each location was interesting, and I always love getting a bit of the history along with the ghost hunt.

I am looking forward to Richard's next book, whatever it may be.

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

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Haunted Castles of England, by J.G. Montgomery

Haunted Castles of England by J.G. Montgomery
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

I love reading about ghosts and haunted places, and I love history, so this was a good read. As an American, I did have to ask my English husband what the different property designations meant, though. Each castle had a bit of its history and where possible a link to the castle's website. I actually did find myself tapping on a link, just to learn more. It was the perfect read right before Halloween.

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

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Haunted World War II, by Matthew Swayne

Haunted World War II: Soldier Spirits, Ghost Planes & Strange Synchronicities by Matthew L. Swayne

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, this book was ok.

If you're a history buff, this is a book for you, as it's history with a few ghosts thrown in. But I found it a bit dry and repetitive.

It had some decent bits, and I learned more about WWII, so it gets 2 stars.

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

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Assault and Beadery, by Mollie Cox Bryan

Assault and Beadery by Mollie Cox Bryan
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 4 in the series.

I keep wanting to like these books, purely because they're about craft retreats that sound so fun. But this one was especially slow to take off. I found myself skipping bits.

One good thing about this book is that Cora and Jane finally felt like separate characters, rather than interchangeable. But we're four books in, and I just don't know that I'll read any more.

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

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Premeditated Peppermint, by Amanda Flower

Premeditated Peppermint by Amanda Flower
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 3 in the series.

"Peppermint is much more than a Christmastime treat. It has a thousand uses. It has been used to freshen breath, flavor beverages, calm nerves and even grow hair. But as far as I could tell, it did not have the power to repel ex-boyfriends."

The very first paragraph made me laugh out loud, and pulled me right in to the story. It was well written, the setting interesting and I did enjoy it. But....

While I like Amanda Flower's writing, this isn't my favorite series. I'm having a hard time connecting with the characters. I'm not sure why, exactly. I just know that I found myself setting this one down a few times and reading something else. I much prefer her Magical Bookshop series, and her Amish Quilt Shop series, written as Isabella Alan.

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

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A Deadly Brew, by Lynn Cahoon

A Deadly Brew by Lynn Cahoon

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

Novella in the series.

This was a short, fast, read that I enjoyed. I do like Jill and Greg and South Cove. The series is well-developed and well written. This is just a a quick pre-Halloween visit to South Cove as Jill and friends spend a weekend in a supposedly haunted house. Spooky happenings cause them to try to figure out the mysterious history of the house, about to be torn down.

I like this series a lot, and I highly recommend starting with the first book in the series. This short can be read as a stand alone, but why deny yourself the pleasure of the whole series?

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

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Shattered at Sea, by Cheryl Hollon

Shattered at Sea by Cheryl Hollon

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

Book 5 in the series.

Not my favorite in the series, but it was okay. This book takes us away from Webb's Glass Shop and out on the High Seas. Despite that, some of the regular characters (the twins) make an appearance. But we get to meet Edward's family. I quite enjoyed his parents. Ian, not so much.

The mystery wasn't the usual cozy mystery, and it just missed the mark with me. Mostly, I think, because I really didn't care for Ian, so his disappearance just didn't matter to me. I wanted to learn more about glass blowing on a cruise ship instead. In the end, I liked learning a bit more about Edward. Also, I guess I just missed the usual background of the glass shop.

I will look forward to more from Webb's, mostly because I enjoy visiting the gang.

*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author.*

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Died in the Wool, by Peggy Ehrhart

Died in the Wool by Peggy Ehrhart

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

Book 2 in the series.

I like the characters in this series, but I would like to see a bit more mystery and less description of everything from plants to clothing to food. I know, it's called the Knit n Nibbles mysteries, so there's going to be food, but I can think of another knitting cozy series that has food that doesn't get quite so tedious.

All in all, the fun characters are what makes this series for me, and I will look for the next in it and hope that there's a bit more substance to it.

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

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To Catch a Witch, by Heather Blake

To Catch a Witch by Heather Blake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 8 in the series. This is another wonderful series that was saved by Crooked Lane Books when Penguin dropped most of their mysteries.

I love this series. It's fun and quirky, with likable characters. There's been kind of a secondary mystery running through the series, and it's been a little annoying, because so many things are being hidden from Darcy. But we finally get some answers in this book.

I honestly was more interested in Darcy and her family and all their secrets, than the murder, so I didn't put too much effort in to figuring out who the killer was. I was pulled in at the end though, and surprised at the way things went.

There's still so much that can happen and I going to be very impatiently waiting for the next book in the series.

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

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Toucan Keep a Secret, by Donna Andrews

Toucan Keep a Secret by Donna Andrews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 23 in the series.

I always love to read about Meg and her family. The plots are always entertaining and I had several laugh out loud moments with this one. Meg is the typical nosy protagonist, but she's not stupid about it. She doesn't deliberately blunder in to dangerous situations, even while she does her best to help the police figure out who is responsible. The cold case element to this book added another layer that was interesting.

It was a fun, fast, read that I pretty much didn't put down until it was done.

Being a long running series, I suggest starting with early books, not because you have to, but because they're FUN and it's always interesting to see how the main characters have changed.

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

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Death Over Easy, by Maddie Day

Death Over Easy by Maddie Day
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I did like it, eventually.

Book 5 in the series.

I have enjoyed this series so much that when I saw this available on NetGalley I jumped at the chance to read it. But it definitely was not my favorite book in the series. I'm not sure why, but I just had a hard time getting into this book in the beginning.

I love Robbie and her Country Store, but maybe there was too much going on? Robbie's B and B finally open, a bluegrass festival, Robbie's dad and step mom visiting, plus running the store, so many characters, and I kind of felt tired just reading, haha.

And I really found it just way too coincidental that Robbie's dad just happened to know the victim when she lived in Italy and both of them just happen to end up in the small Indiana town.

I finally settled in to the story about halfway and enjoyed the rest of the book, and I will absolutely continue to look forward to more of the series.

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

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A Soufflé of Suspicion, by Daryl Wood Gerber

A Soufflé of Suspicion by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Book 2 in the series.

I didn't like this book as well as I liked the first book in the series. But it was still nice to spend time with Mimi and her friends. I would like to see Mimi fleshed out a bit more though, and some more time spent on the actual mystery, rather than just guesswork at the end.

That said, it was still an enjoyable, fast, read. I look forward to seeing more of Mimi's growth and adventures.

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

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Disorderly Conduct, by Mary Feliz

Disorderly Conduct by Mary Feliz

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

Book 4 in the series.

This wasn't my favorite book in the series. Maybe because it hits a bit close to home, since I live in a drought stricken area prone to wildfires (there were multiple fires burning in my state as I read this). The hints at the start of each chapter, while I still find them a bit distracting, were actually quite interesting this time.

I also kind of felt like the murder mystery kind of took a back seat in this book. But I still appreciate Maggie's quick defense of her friends, and her willingness to go the extra mile to help them out. Honestly, it's the characters that make this series fun. The writing is solid, but the characters make me want to keep reading with each new book.

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


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Killer Green Tomatoes, by Lynn Cahoon

Killer Green Tomatoes by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 2 in the series.

I thought I had read everything by this author, but somehow the first book in this series slipped past me. But I honestly didn't realize that until I came to write this review. This book felt like it could have been the first. The characters still felt a bit flat to me, which was a surprise, because I like Ms. Cahoon's other two cozy series quite a lot.

I had a very hard time getting in to this book. It started off pretty slow, with only a brief glimpse of the farm-to-table restaurant the series is named for. After that we get a lot about the main character's personal life and, "is she cheating on her boyfriend with her sous chef?" speculation from small town busy-bodies.

In the end, the mystery surprised me a bit, so it ended up with an okay rating, but I don't feel like it's up to par yet with the other books by this author and I don't really have much incentive to go back and read the first book.

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

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Runaway Murder, by Leigh Hearon

Runaway Murder by Leigh Hearon
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 4 in the series.

This was not my favorite book in the series. Annie actually got on my nerves this time. I understand that she'd been on her own for a long time and was used to having to do everything herself, but she actually has help now. Help that she's paying to do the work, so when she got all snotty about having too much work to do to go on a working holiday, I got annoyed.

And her snobby attitude about dressage was obnoxious, especially since by the end of the book her attitude had done a complete 180.

That said, the mystery was interesting. This book was actually a bit more "cozy" than previous books, and I enjoyed learning a bit about dressage. For the most part, I still enjoyed this book, even if Annie's behavior did pull me out of the story on occasion.

*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley*

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Rough Justice, by Kelley Armstrong

Rough Justice by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

A quick visit back to Cainsville!

I thought we'd seen the last of Olivia, Gabriel and Ricky after Rituals, but I'm so glad Ms. Armstrong decided to give us a peak into their world again. Rough Justice was a fast paced story, with a little bit of a twist as Olivia throws a monkey wrench into their first Wild Hunt. She's determined to prove the quarry of their hunt is indeed guilty before justice is served.

There's a little personal business thrown in with the mystery. It's interesting to see how Gabriel is still learning to love and be loved, and how Olivia reacts to it. I really enjoy those two.

I truly hope that Ms. Armstrong continues to gives us these short visits to Cainsville.

*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley*


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