Blade in the Water

Title: Blade in the Water
Author: Neil Richards, Matthew Costello
Published: September 25th 2014 by Bastei Entertainment
Format: Kindle, 110 pages
Genre: SCherringham #11

First Sentence: Ray Stroud walked carefully down the white line in the centre of the road that led to Cherringham Bridge

From the Publisher: It's just days before the Cherringham Regatta - an annual event that draws luxury yachts from across the country, as well as the local boat crowd, all looking to party on the river. But it's no party when boats are vandalized, and a wealthy executive turns up missing, with his blood on the deck. As the Regatta date looms, Jack and Sarah discover that what's happening on the water looks less like vandalism and more like murder. (GoodReads)

My Opinion: I had a hard time with this vignette. The Cherringham storylines usually hold my attention from start to finish, but for some reason, I could not stay focused or care about any of the characters. A week after I had finished, I had a hard time remembering the characters or the plot.

Yet since others enjoyed it so well, I am going to take this as a one-off and continue with my enjoyment of the series.

Murder by the Bookend

Title: Murder by the Bookend
Author: Laura Gail Black
Published: September 7th 2021 by Crooked Lane Books
Format: Kindle, Hardcover, 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: Antique Bookshop Mystery #2

First Sentence: “How do you think it’s going?” I peeked out through the curtained doorway from the back room.

From the Publisher: The quaint warehouse district of Hokes Folly, NC, is hopping despite the drizzly November chill. The occasion? The mountain town’s beloved antiquarian bookstore, Twice Upon a Time, is throwing a bash for its grand reopening. But bookseller Jenna Quinn’s peace of mind is shattered when the local library’s Director of Antique Books turns up dead in the parking lot–his head bashed in by a glittering pair of vintage glass bookends.

As they examine the murder scene, Jenna and her police detective boyfriend happen upon the only witness–the victim’s dog, who flees the scene leaving a trail of bloody footprints behind. If only dogs could speak, Jenna might be able to make quick work of the murder case and get back to stocking her bookcases.

Alas, finding the killer won’t be so easy, even though this is not Jenna’s first murder investigation–indeed, she inherited Twice Upon a Time from her slain uncle. The suspect list is voluminous–the late librarian had not-so-friendly run-ins with numerous guests–but suspicion eventually centers on three unsavory individuals who left the party shortly before the victim did.

Now, Jenna must edit her inventory of suspects from three names to one, before the bloodthirsty bookend-wielder becomes the author of Jenna’s demise. (Penquin)

My Opinion: Too many continuity and repetition issues for me to consider this a good book. I found myself bouncing back and forth between paragraphs questioning if the author, Laura Gail Black, had just said something different or hasn’t this been covered a couple of times already. Reading an advanced copy tends to have its issues, but these types of distractions, for me at least, tend to cause a lack of reading flow and leads me to wonder when it will happen again instead of being focused on what is coming next.

In my opinion, the second book in this series did not live up to the expectation laid out in For Whom the Books Tolls, the first book in this series.

The Heron's Cry

Title: The Heron's Cry
Author: Ann Cleeves
Published: September 7th 2021 by Minotaur Books
Format: Kindle, Hardcover, 400 pages
Genre: Detective Mystery
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Two Rivers #2

First Sentence: Jen had drunk too much. They were in Cynthis Prior’s garden, lounging on the grass, and it was just getting dark.

From the Publisher: North Devon is enjoying a rare hot summer with tourists flocking to its coastline. Detective Matthew Venn is called out to a rural crime scene at the home of a group of artists. What he finds is an elaborately staged murder--Dr Nigel Yeo has been fatally stabbed with a shard of one of his glassblower daughter's broken vases.

Dr. Yeo seems an unlikely murder victim. He's a good man, a public servant, beloved by his daughter. Matthew is unnerved, though, to find that she is a close friend of Jonathan, his husband.

Then another body is found--killed in a similar way. Matthew soon finds himself treading carefully through the lies that fester at the heart of his community and a case that is dangerously close to home. (Macmillan)

My Opinion: I was a bit apprehensive when I began this book. The first in the series, A Long Call, left me feeling I had missed something, or the author thought I knew more than I did, or I wasn’t smart enough to keep up with Matthew Venn. But this second book had me from the first page, and I was right in the mess of things with Matthew and his team.

I am sure there were subtle points I missed along the way, but with Ann Cleeves’ genius with tempo and plotting, I stayed on board for the ride she takes her readers on. A ride, which should not be missed.

A Deadly Confession

Title: A Deadly Confession
Author: Matthew Costello, Neil Richards
Published: August 28th 2014 by Bastei Entertainment
Format: Kindle Edition, 112 pages
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: Cherringham #10

First Sentence: Eamon Byrne zigzagged through the ticket, his expensive new running shoes gripping hard on the muddy trail, his arms fending off stray branches, which threatened to flip back into his face.

From the Publisher: On the edge of Cherringham lies St. Francis' Convent, home of the Sisters of St. Francis, a small Catholic teaching order. Here a handful of nuns worship, contemplate, and pray. And here one Easter the beloved local priest Father Byrne meets his unexpected demise. The circumstances of the death are suspicious, and soon Jack and Sarah are on the case: what secrets did Father Byrne take to the grave? Who wanted him dead? And is religious faith ever a guarantee of innocence? (Goodreads)

My Opinion: Just when I thought the relationship between Jack and Sarah was taking off, A Deadly Confession arrives and I am not so sure about the two of them as a couple anymore.

This isn’t a straightforward story in that you must leave your personal beliefs at the door. People that should be telling the truth of the Flying Father are keeping secrets, bookies and horse racers are keeping tight-lipped, then add in those on retreat, and a shuttered hospice all of which leaves Jack and Sarah turning in circles when it comes to the latest Cherringham murder. A death that leaves as many believing that maybe not all murders should be solved.

A Perfect Bind

Title: A Perfect Bind
Author: Dorothy St. James
Published: September 28th 2021 by Berkley Books
Format: Kindle, Hardcover, 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: Beloved Bookroom Mystery #2

First Sentence: As a rule, librarians hate secrets.

From the Publisher: Tru Beckett succeeded in building a secret book room in her now bookless library, where book lovers from lovely Cypress, South Carolina, can rejoice in the printed word. Now she’s working hard to maintain the little library downstairs while keeping her “real job” upstairs in the bookless technology center. The last thing she needs is a mysterious vandal who seems intent on breaking into her secret book-filled sanctuary and creating chaos. The nasty interloper doesn’t steal anything, but brutalizes the books, damaging them and knocking them off shelves.

A patron of the secret book room tells Tru that there have been creepy goings-on at the library for years, especially in the basement where the secret book room is located. He’s heard rumors of a poltergeist that haunts the library, determined to scare off readers. Tru is certain it’s hogwash, but she’s at a loss to think of who might be vandalizing the beautiful books she fought so hard to protect. And when a dead body shows up right behind the library, Tru is certain that it’s not a ghost but a cold-blooded killer that she and her trusty tabby Dewey Decimal will need to uncover. (Berkley)

My Opinion: I began this book with a lot of hope. The previous book, The Broken Spine, left me a somewhat fan of Tru’s, but something happened midway through this story. It became dull and stagnant. There wasn’t enough intrigue, witty dialogue, or curious characters compelling me to stay up late turning the pages, and I found myself scanning large sections.

By the end, there was a spark, but not enough for me to want to continue with this series.

Book Clubbed

Title: Book Clubbed
Author: Lorna Barrett
Published: July 1st 2014 by Berkley
Format: Hardcover, 308 pages
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Series: Booktown Mystery #8

First Sentence: For once the winter weather seemed to be cooperating, meaning that unless any unforeseen complications arose, Tricia Miles, owner of the mystery bookstore Haven’t Got a Clue, would get a lot accomplished on that particular Saturday in February.

From the Publisher: Cranky Chamber of Commerce receptionist Betsy Dittmeyer is done reading people the riot act. After she’s crushed by a fallen bookcase, the next item to be read is her last will and testament—which is packed with surprises. It soon comes to light that Betsy was hiding volumes of dark secrets behind that perpetual frown of hers—and one of them just might have been a motive for murder.

While Tricia tries to help Angelica—the newly elected Chamber of Commerce president and Betsy’s boss—solve the mystery, she discovers a hidden chapter in her own family history that rocks her to her very core. And with her ex-husband and the chief of police vying for her affections, it’s doubly hard to focus on who might have buried Betsy in a tomb of tomes.

But as Tricia and Angelica try to read between the lines, they need to watch their step…and make sure the killer doesn’t catch them between the stacks. (Goodreads)

My Opinion: Another series that I have invested in but have a hard time coming up with any parts I enjoy.

Tricia Miles and her sister Angelica are once again butting their noses into an investigation. This time, it is the death of Betsy Dittmeyer, the Chamber of Commerce Secretary, murdered in Angelica’s shop. Betsy had a few scandalous secrets hidden away on her computer, and the sisters, in a move to save face, and the community of Stoneham, are one step ahead of the Chief of Police and determined to return the good name to their little tourist destination.

I wish I could find something other than the idea of a cluster of bookshops, each catering to a select clientele to enjoy this series. If so, I would be able to recommend it. So far, there is nothing that stands out.

Murder in the Village

Title: Murder in the Village
Author: Lisa Cutts
Published: August 21st 2021 by Bookouture
Format: Kindle, 252 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 Belinda Penshurst Mystery #1

First Sentence: Prologue: The naviety of the middle classes always meant a healhy profit.

From the Publisher: Nothing ever happens in Little Challham… until the local pub owner is drowned in his own ale. Belinda Penshurst, owner of Challham Castle, is on the case!

Belinda Penshurst loves her home village Little Challham, with its shady lanes, two pubs and weekly market, and she’s determined to keep it peaceful. She may live in Challham Castle but she knows almost everything that goes on under her nose. So when irritable pub landlord Tipper is found dead in his cellar, she’s perfectly placed to investigate.

Retired detective Harry Powell moved to Little Challham for a quiet life. He didn’t expect to be dragged into a murder investigation. But the police don’t seem half as enthusiastic as Belinda about the case, and there are strange things happening in the village. Particularly the number of dogs that have disappeared lately…

Is there a dognapper snaffling schnauzers and luring away Labradors? Is Belinda barking mad to be worried that her brother Marcus was arguing with Tipper on the day he died? Belinda and Harry track down the suspects: the rival landlord, the outraged barmaid, the mysterious man in the black car following dogwalkers around. But are the dogged detectives running out of time to sniff out the killer, before he starts hounding them? (Goodreads)

My Opinion: After a rough start with showy vocabulary and a brief chuckle over a bartender using a tea towel to clear the bar top, things started to settle down a bit, with the characters capturing my attention. By midway, I wondered why I continued only to conclude that I had invested this much time, so why quit now. By the end, I should have listened to my inner critic and stopped after the first chapter.

Coached in the Act

Title: Coached in the Act
Author: Victoria Laurie
Published: August 31st 2021 by Kensington Publishing Corporation
Format: Kindle, Hardcover, 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: The Life Coach Mysteries #3

First Sentence: I found Gilley in the kitchen, tearfully sniffing as he stared at his laptom screen.

From the Publisher: Wild rumors are swirling in the Hamptons over "Twelve Angry Men," a ruthlessly revealing one-woman show written and performed by Yelena Galanis. The well-known socialite dated her way through some of the East End's most eligible bachelors, and now she's sparing few details while spilling their humiliating secrets to scandalized crowds. It's a mean-spirited spectacle that urges Cat to make a beeline for the theater exit during the first act--only to later discover that Yelena was found stabbed to death during intermission that same evening...

Adding to the disturbing news, Cat realizes she may have had a close encounter with the murderer. But when the one lead gives way to another violent death, her newest client--romantically linked to Yelena--gets tagged as the prime suspect. Believing eleven other barely-anonymous men had reasons to kill the thespian for playing a cruel game of kiss and tell, Cat teams up with her sidekick, Gilley, to track down Yelena's list of rejected lovers and identify the vengeful culprit stalking around the seaside community, lingering frighteningly close to home.(Kensington)

My Opinion: Finally!! Gilley has grown up and isn’t nearly as annoying and childish as his previous iterations in Victoria Laurie’s books. He has turned into a deeply caring and thoughtful person.

No matter how hard Cat tries to keep her head down and her life coaching business afloat, murder finds her. Not only does it arrive in the form of a man stumbling into her table at a coffee shop, but there was also the slight issue of a one-woman show which was set to name names. Including a name that hits too close to home leaving Cat and her detective boyfriend reeling from the implications.

Victoria Laurie’s books are perfect for a weekend. There is humor and compassion and just enough mystery to keep the reader turning the pages.

Gone for Good

Title: Gone for Good
Author: Joanna Schaffhausen
Published: August 10th 2021 by Minotaur Books
Format: Kindle, Hardcover, 304 pages
Genre: Police Procedural
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Detective Annalisa Vega #1

First Sentence: Do you remember the moment you realized you were going to die?

From the Publisher: The Lovelorn Killer murdered seven women, ritually binding them and leaving them for dead before penning them gruesome love letters in the local papers. Then he disappeared, and after twenty years with no trace of him, many believe that he’s gone for good.

Not Grace Harper. A grocery store manager by day, at night Grace uses her snooping skills as part of an amateur sleuth group. She believes the Lovelorn Killer is still living in the same neighborhoods that he hunted in, and if she can figure out how he selected his victims, she will have the key to his identity.

Detective Annalisa Vega lost someone she loved to the killer. Now she’s at a murder scene with the worst kind of déjà vu: Grace Harper lies bound and dead on the floor, surrounded by clues to the biggest murder case that Chicago homicide never solved. Annalisa has the chance to make it right and to heal her family, but first, she has to figure out what Grace knew—how to see a killer who may be standing right in front of you. This means tracing his steps back to her childhood, peering into dark corners she hadn’t acknowledged before, and learning that despite everything the killer took, she has still so much more to lose. (Minotaur)

My Opinion: The first two-thirds of the book was a disappointing muddle, then suddenly, the intensity picked up, leading to a mad scramble to the killer's identity -- which was too quick and abrupt. But with still ten percent of the book left, it did not make sense. Where was Joanna Schaffhausen going next?

An author shouldn't need that much time for family and boyfriend issues, so what did she have up her sleeve. Well, that would be a part I had figured all along was nothing but filler, a forgotten case the Grave Diggers were working. Which that too was tied up too quickly. Then there was one last thing. What was her father trying to tell her before his surgery? What was that one thing which will now upend her life, her family, and her career?