Brewed Awakening

Title: Brewed Awakening
Author: Cleo Coyle
Published: December 3rd 2019 by Berkley Books
Format: eBook, Hardcover, 368 pages
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Coffeehouse Mystery #18

There was something different in the writing style of this book. An almost push and pull between the styles of the writing team of Marc Cerasini and Alice Alfonsi.

What begins with Clare Cosi, manager of the Village Blend waking up on a park bench with no knowledge of how she got there, to recalling the area looked familiar and hopeful she might be able to get help at a coffeehouse where she once worked with her ex-husband, to realizing she has somehow lost about 10+ years of her memories. Clare is now in a struggle with the local police, and a questionable publicity hound doctor, to prove she is not responsible for the disappearance of a local hotel owner.

No one wants to push Clare into remembering, reasoning she should come about her memories as organically as their coffee, yet Matteo wants to use their time to convince Clare they belong together all the while Mike Quinn has a ring he is dying to put back on her finger.

‘Brewed Awakening’ involves the usual “scooby-do” type adventure all over New York and the Hamptons, and somehow, they bumble their way around the police, even though Mike is the police, to get to an interesting conclusion as to who and what was behind this mishap all along.

There is more than the usual amount of characters bandied about so the reader is going to have to pay close attention as to who is related to who, who married who, and most importantly who ended up where.

Ripe For Vengeance

Title: Ripe For Vengeance
Author: Wendy Tyson
Published: July 16th 2019 by Henery Press
Format: Kindle, 276 Pages
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: Greenhouse Mystery #5

Spring at Washington Acres is kicking into gear and along with it is the death of Denver Finn’s college friend. Mentoring at-risk kids have its rewards but when one is accused of murder, during a mentoring hiking and camping event, Megan and friends run to the rescue to prevent a prime suspect from being used as a scapegoat.

There is simplicity without being too obvious with the series. The same recurring characters; their ins and outs of life. Though there is a close call with Bibi, Megan’s grandmother, I will always look for her, and consider her my favorite. There is something about her insights which always brightens the Greenhouse Mystery series.

Ripe for Vengeance is the fifth book in the series, and though some of the usual bickering between vegan and organic and whatnot become tiring, I tend to look forward to what Wendy Tyson will bring to this series.

The Confession Club

Title: The Confession Club
Author: Elizabeth Berg
Published: November 19th 2019 by Random House
Format: eBook, Hardcover, 304 pages
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Mason #3

Though a series, the books can be read as stand-alones since Elizabeth Berg brings in just enough of each character’s past, without being too heavy-handed, to get the reader caught up.

Book three in the Mason, Missouri saga (The Story of Arthur Truluv, and Night of Miracles), involves a Confession Club since book clubs are boring in comparison. Each week, the ladies come together to reveal a secret and to munch on one of Iris’s decadent desserts. Maddy is back, sans husband, and trying to figure out life with her daughter Nola. Yet what takes center stage is John, a homeless man battling PTSD and Iris’s deep fascination and attraction to him. Yes, you are going to question John to some extent, but while watching their budding romance you do not care. There is a sweetness, an understanding, and vulnerability between the two and that is all that matters.

I do hope that John returns in future books, he is a gentle but damaged soul that brings out a different side of Iris. A side all members of the Confession Club, and the town of Mason, can draw from.

Land of Wolves

Title: Land of Wolves
Author: Craig Johnson
Published: September 17th 2019 by Viking
Format: Hardcover, 336 pgs
Genre: Western Fiction
Series: Walt Longmire #15

I was starting to lose hope for this series. The last two or so books did not resonate with me in the way his earlier work had. By the time I put this book down, after a weary moment or two of wondering if this would be the last I would see of Walt, I was heartened to know Walt is Walt again and the people Absaroka County will continue to have a man fighting the good fight.

Walt is back home and recovering from his near-death in Mexico. He is having blackout moments and wondering what the point of all this is if he can’t be with his daughter and granddaughter. Sure, a computer and email are fine, but what is most important are people, and he is missing his people.

When he sees a lone wolf, that is believed to have killed a local sheepherder, Walt not only takes a liking to the creature but feels a bond. The comparisons between Walt and wolf M777 are endless and as the reader continues their stories, they could very well be indistinguishable -- from how they are old and grizzled, lonely and world-weary, feeling their age, both are from a bygone era, and neither are part of their original pack.

Though what this book boils down to is heartbreaking, Walt, Vic, and the entire team from the Sheriff’s department, with the other usual cast of characters, bring the dry humor they are known for. Craig Johnson weaves a few storylines together and by the end, the picture weaves a story of a family. Some are damaged, some continue to fight, and some won’t let you wander away no matter what is pulling at you.

The Beekeeper of Aleppo

Title: The Beekeeper of Aleppo
Author: Christy Lefteri
Published: August 27th 2019 by Ballantine Books
Format: Hardcover, 317 pages
Genre: Fiction

The depth and direction Christy Lefteri takes with ‘The Beekeeper of Aleppo’ has the reader both hoping to get to the end quickly, to know how it works out and to slowly immerse themselves with the atmosphere, trauma, and personalities which bring this book together.

The reader is plunged into the middle of the Syrian war through the eyes of Nuri, a beekeeper, and Afra his wife, an artist. Seemingly overnight, their world is destroyed by a bomb that has taken everything they loved. Now childless and Afra without her eyesight, Nuri must navigate their way to a new life in the UK. As they travel through Turkey and Greece, they are confronted by the good and the bad the world has to offer.

Yet, as the story unwinds strengths change. The reader begins to see the cracks and wonders about the who, why, and how that has gotten them where they are. How the flashbacks and visions are either building for a future or tearing down a past. Why Nuri has put all his hopes into his cousin, and mostly whose strength is carrying this couple forward. Along with Nuri, the reader begins to question and in doing so, the final pieces of the puzzle fall into place and with Afra and Nuri, you will see the dawn of new possibilities.

This book will resonate with the reader. It will cause tears and clenched throats, but that is what excellent literary fiction is supposed to do - transport you to a different time and place. A place you will want to revisit from time to time to make sure that Nuri and Afra are alright and that finally, the world is treating them well.

Death Masks

Title: Death Masks
Author: Jim Butcher
Published: November 3rd 2009 by Roc Hardcover
Format: Hardcover, 341 Pages
Genre: Paranormal
Series: Dresden Files #5

Harry Dresden, a professional wizard, is hired by a rather questionable character in hopes of finding the Shroud of Turin, which has found its way to Dresden’s hometown of Chicago. For some unknown reason, the head of Chicago’s version of the mafia is determined to get his hands on this artifact but not before Harry must deal with fallen angels in human hosts.

The war is still going on between the White Council and the Red Court, and Harry must find a second for his upcoming dual and though Michael is his first choice, new characters (Shiro and the Archive) come to his aid and Harry realizes what others are willing to sacrifice to keep him safe.

This book was a turning point for me. The previous four were a take it or leave it series for me, but now I am wondering if I should go back, reread, and reappreciate what Jim Butcher is building.