A Side of Murder

Title: A Side of Murder
Author: Amy Pershing
Published: February 23rd 2021 by Berkley Books
Format: Kindle, Paperback, 320 pagess
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Cape Cod Foodie Mystery #1

After the first chapter, I knew that I should have put this book down, but against my better judgment, I continued. From restaurant guide, to a dead body, to a travelogue of the Cape, back to the dead body, to unrequited love, maybe touching on the body again, to a sailing lesson, to a restaurant critique, maybe the body again, then a hodge-podge of who the killer might be, to possibly other killers, to crushing on the Harbormaster, then finally tying up to the book but realizing that there was more to tell, which wasn’t as focused as it might have been because the last 20% may well have ended at any time, yet continued on and on with proverbial rabbits being pulled out of the hat.

This first in a series book could have been further fine-tuned without so many tangents and unnecessary fluff. If you are going to tell a mystery, tell a mystery. If you are going to write about travel, with restaurant reviews and the sailing tips, write that book, but meshing the two genres together, at the depth they were, didn’t work for me.

A Stranger in Town

Title: A Stranger in Town
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Published: February 9th 2021 by Minotaur Books
Format: Kindle, Hardcover, 368 pages
Genre: Police Procedural
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Casey Duncan / Rockton #6

I love this series but almost gave up on this book. A slow monotonous start that did not pick-up speed until the last third, and then I couldn’t get to the end fast enough.

Things are changing in Rockton, subtle changes, but Det. Casey Duncan and her boyfriend, Sheriff Eric Dalton, will figure it out - they always do. But first, they must deal with a hiker that has stumbled out of the forest with an infected wound, possible head injury, bare feet, and incoherent babbling in an unfamiliar language. Coincidentally, a Nordic studies professor has just moved to Rockton and begins to translate a farfetched story of a wild man and that her three companions are missing.

Sounding like a description of the local hostiles, Casey and Eric set out to find what has riled up the locals only to discover that the backstory of Rockton goes deeper than they thought. Once the narrative gets going, Kelley Armstrong weaves a deep tail of duplicity, experimentation, and the possible downfall of the sanctuary they call home.

To understand the interaction of all the characters, this is a series best started from the beginning. There is odd humor, and each book has you liking some more than others. I do have to admit, April and Sebastian are turning into the most fascinating facets of Rockton, with Mathias finishing out the group. As I said, a slog of a start, but stick with it -- the ending leaves you with more questions and a profound wonder of where they will go next.

Long Island Iced Tina

Title: Long Island Iced Tina
Author: Maria DiRico
Published: February 23rd 2021 by Kensington Publishing Corporation
Format: Kindle, Paperback, 288 pages
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Catering Hall Mystery #2

With Mafia family ties, the Carina’s are determined to keep Belle View Banquet Manor in Queens legit, afloat, and out of the headlines. But that is hard when the body of Mia Carina’s best friend’s step-mother, Tina, is found floating just off their back deck in Flushing Bay.

Nicole’s mother and grandmother were looking to host a tasteful baby shower. But when step-mother Tina shows up, arguments break out, a mysterious gift appears, and Mia determined to save her business, is off to the proverbial races to solve this murder before her family name hits the papers. Add in a competing venue that may be hiding something, Nicole’s father accused of murder, secrets revealed, an art heist, shoes needing to find their owner, and a long-simmering flirtation finally squashed.

Usually, cozy mysteries are a slow monotonous single note from start to finish, but not so with the Catering Hall Mysteries from Maria DiRico. There are multiple plots, entertaining interactions (yes, Nonna I am talking to you), neighbors, friends, family (some with the capital F), food, and co-workers, turning this into a fun series that I hope will continue for years to come.

Every Waking Hour

Title: Every Waking Hour
Author: Joanna Schaffhausen
Published: January 26th 2021 by Minotaur Books
Format: Kindle, Hardcover, 336 pages
Genre: Police Procedural
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Ellery Hathaway #4

Ellery Hathaway is never going to feel comfortable in her skin. With her past and an uncertain future, all that comes crashing together when 12-year-old Chloe Lockhart goes missing. Both Ellery, a police detective, and Reed, an FBI Special Agent, are in Boston Common when the child disappears. Ellery takes point, but overprotective Reed is there to guide the investigation. Or is it to manage Ellery since he thinks she will be his constant responsible as he was the one to have found her, as a child, when an abductor kidnapped and then concealed Ellery in a closet cage. Here is where reading the previous three books will come in handy.

As each layer of the Lockhart drama takes centerstage, Hathaway and Markham realize that there is more to the story as each player takes the spotlight. The reader ping pongs between the narratives and circumstances to come up with their profile and suspects. Yet, how it all pans out is somewhat of a surprise.

I’m not sure where Joanna Schaffhausen will go from here. May parts of the ongoing backstory are tied-up with this book. Is there a future with Ellery and Reed? Will Ellery once again need to call on her FBI contact to help with yet another case, or to warm her bed, or will, with the help of Dorie, her mentor, be able to finally stand on her own without Reed’s security net to catch her.