The Last Passenger

Title: The Last Passenger
Author: Charles Finch
Published: February 18th 2020 by Minotaur Books
Format: eBook, Hardcover, 304 pages
Genre: Historical Mystery
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Charles Lenox Mysteries, #0.3

The series numbering gets a bit confusing; this is the third prequel to the ongoing series.

The Charles Lenox series tends to wander a bit, for every three steps forward, there are two back so Charles Finch can describe the people, history, and places the main character, Charles Lenox, is encountering. In a roundabout way, ‘The Last Passenger’ is taking on Abolitionists and the slave trade, though not as prominent in Britain as it was in the United States, there were still forces on both sides of the pond that resulted in a body found without identification and a story that needed to be told.

It takes most of the book for Finch to get to the point, to figure out the clues and to delve into all the players, but once there the book comes together. At the same time, questions are finally answered when it comes to Charles Lenox’s history with Lady Jane and what happened to her husband, Lord Deere.

This series is not a quick read, some parts are downright tedious but stick with it because from time to time there is a spark of humor, especially from Graham, butler to Charles Lenox. It is not necessary to start the books from the prequels since that is not how they were written, but they do answer some of the lingering questions that had come up while reading which had not previously been answered.

Crime & Punctuation

Title: Crime & Punctuation
Author: Kaitlyn Dunnett
Published: Hardcover, 280 pages
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: Deadly Edits #1

I can’t say I was captivated by either the central character or the book as a whole, but it was refreshing to come across a protagonist who was not talking about her bouncing red curls or her newfound relationship with fill in the blank police, detective, or town safety officer. The book does fall into the trap of the main character returning to their small-town family home which is a minor part of the storyline so, though not forgiven, it is easy to accept.

Realizing that restoring her childhood home is a bit more costly than anticipated, Mikki Lincoln needs to come up with fast cash so why not become a freelance editor. A couple of well-placed advertisements should be all it takes and within days her first client appears with not just a poorly written document but a story that comes from their backyard of Lenape.

After leaving her manuscript, the author, Tiffany Scott, has died somewhat mysteriously. Mikki’s indecision as to whether she should continue reading or return it to the family is compounded when Tiffany’s family appears and threatens Mikki until she returns what they feel is rightfully theirs. Mikki has no problem with this, but once she reads the author's notes, and finds a thumb drive, things take a sinister turn and puts Mikki’s life in danger.

By the end, I still thought of this as an “iffy” book. There were a couple of sparks but nothing that would make me rush out to grab the next book. There was an overall bland and boring been there done that feel which did not set the book apart from any other series within the cozy genre.

Not the Killing Type

Title: Not the Killing Type
Author: Lorna Barrett
Published: July 2nd 2013 by Berkley Prime Crime
Format: Hardcover, 309 pages
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: Booktown Mystery #8

Once again, another series that I don’t know why I continue other than the appeal of a town centered around books. There is something blasé about this series. A feeling that the author has grown tired of her characters and just can’t get up enough steam to turn the tide and return this series to what it had been.

As Chamber of Commerce elections come to Stoneham, New Hampshire, things take a curious turn when Angelica, Tricia’s sister, throws her name onto the ballot for new leadership of Booktown. Turns out it isn’t just Angelica, but also Stan Berry, who wants to see change. Unfortunately, Stan is found dead before the voting can commence, and it is up to Tricia to clear both her sister’s name and to find out who wanted Stan out of the picture.

Lorna Barrett lobs in some long-winded escapades, but in the end, the reasoning comes out of nowhere. There was no build-up or the usual clues, just boom and we’re done.

Not my favorite, and if it was the first book in the series, I would not continue.

Here Comes the Body

Title: Here Comes the Body
Author: Maria DiRico
Published: February 25th 2020 by Kensington
Format: eBook, 304 pages
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: A Catering Hall Mystery #1

Whenever an author uses a pseudonym, no matter how good the book is, I feel let down. What I thought was a freshman effort from an unknown author turns out to be not her first rodeo afterall.

Disappointed, but at the same time, delighted in a new premise and series that has a bevy of wonderful characters and a setting that isn’t overused. Yes, it is New York, but cozies don’t usually come with their own “Family” connections. “Connections” that have Mia both using and running from her family “ties” and trying to encompass all the qualities that her mother, father, and Nonna have given her.

When bodies start piling up at Belle View, a local catering and party venue, Mia must separate her love for her father from the fact that people want to shut them down by spreading horrible lies about a man who is trying to walk away from his past so he can create a new future for his daughter. Easier said than done, and when you have Nonna, and her army of women on 46th Street, Astoria, as both back up and antagonists, Mia is left with no choice but to fight for the truth, no matter where it leads.

Maria DiRico, or is it Ellen Bryon, introduces her readers to a gaggle of delightful character that will appeal to a wide audience. There are many stories still to be told and I look forward to hearing each and every one of their stories.