Murder at the Loch

Title: Murder at the Loch
Author: Dee MacDonald
Expected Publication: March 3, 2025
Format: Kindle, 285 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Ally McKinley Mystery #2

Blurb: Recent retiree Ally McKinley has stepped out with her puppy Flora for a walk by the loch in the tiny village of Locharran, taking a break from running the cosiest little guesthouse in the Highlands. But Ally’s peace and quiet is sunk when she and Flora find the body of a mysterious woman floating in the water…

Before she knows it, Ally finds herself wading into the middle of a new investigation. Who was the mystery woman and why was she killed? Her enquiries take her all over the from the corner shop and the nearby hotel to the turreted castle, home of local earl Hamish Sinclair where preparations are underway for his upcoming – and much gossiped about – wedding.

The body in the loch soon has the rumour mills buzzing. But then Elena, the earl’s new bride, is also found poisoned to death the morning after her marriage! With two deaths to investigate, the police appear to suspect almost everyone in Locharran, even Ally herself.

Determined to uncover the truth and clear her name, Ally finds poison at the home of one of her suspects and thinks she might be on the right path to solving both murders. But with a killer on the loose in the Scottish Highlands, can Ally unravel the clues before the next person in a watery grave is her?

My Opinion: Dee MacDonald's "Murder in the Loch" was an excruciating slog that should have been a DNF, but due to my liking of the first book in the series, Murder in the Scottish Highlands, I grudgingly pushed through. However, any hope for a rewarding read quickly evaporated.

The book crawls out of the gate with a laughably forced insta-love plotline that felt completely out of character and absurd. As if that wasn't bad enough, the middle drags on with the lifelessness of a coma. Without a single break in the tedium, the narrative was an aimless shuffle.

Revisiting every single character in the village repeatedly, paired with an unending monologue, made for an experience as monotonous as a washing machine stuck on the rinse cycle. The repetitive nature was soul-crushingly dull and had me desperate for an escape.

And then, the ending... or the final insult. The conclusion dropped in like a last-minute afterthought, providing no satisfaction. It only cemented the realization that this book was a colossal waste of time and should have been a DNF from the first chapter. All in all, "Murder in the Loch" was a severe disappointment, sorely lacking any redeeming qualities that its predecessor had.

I'll be Waiting

Title: I'll Be Waiting
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Published: October 1, 2024 by St. Martin's Press
Format: Kindle, 325 Pages
Genre: Horror
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Blurb: Nicola Laughton never expected to see adulthood, being diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis as a child. Then medical advances let her live into her thirties and she met Anton, who taught her to dream of a future… together. Months after they married, Anton died in a horrible car, but lived long enough to utter five words to her, “I’ll be waiting for you.”

That final private moment became public when someone from the crash scene took it to the press—the terminally ill woman holding her dying husband as he promised to wait for her on the other side. Worse, that person claimed it wasn’t Anton who said the words but his ghost, hovering over his body.

Since their story went public, Nicola has been hounded by spiritualists promising closure. In the hopes of stopping her downward spiral, friends and family find a reputable medium—a professor of parapsychology. For the séance, they rent the Lake Erie beach house that Anton’s family once owned.

The medium barely has time to begin his work before things start happening. Locked doors mysteriously open. Clouds of insects engulf the house. Nicola hears footsteps and voices and the creak of an old dumbwaiter…in an empty shaft. Throughout it all she’s haunted by nightmares of her past. Because, unbeknownst to the others, this isn’t her first time contacting the dead. And Nicola isn’t her real name.

That’s when she finds the first body.

My Opinion: Whether you call it supernatural suspense or horror, Kelley Armstrong's "I'll Be Waiting" makes an impact. A fast-paced narrative grips you from the start, pulling you into a realm where the ordinary and the extraordinary collide. Where tension is immediate and each plot twist keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Unlike the slow burn of classic horror tales, where the buildup is paced and the dread slowly seeps in, Armstrong's story plunges headfirst into the action. Armed with a sharp mind and chronically ill body, Nicola Laughton navigates through a tense atmosphere where the supernatural feels eerily close to reality and fantastical elements make everything shocking and urgent.

This rapid pace doesn't just entertain; it mirrors the urgency woven into the narrative. The characters are not merely reacting to events; they are actively shaping the narrative, reflecting a shift in the genre from classic horror victims to empowered protagonists.

As the story unfolds, the blend of horror and thriller elements ensures that you're not just reading—you're experiencing the twists and turns as if you were right there alongside the characters. Armstrong’s ability to interlace classic horror themes with modern storytelling techniques creates a dynamic that feels fresh yet familiar.

By the end, you're left marveling at how seamlessly Armstrong merges the classis elements with the new. It's a journey that highlights the evolution of horror, from the slow, creeping dread to the fast-paced, multifaceted narratives of today. For those who love classic and contemporary horror, this book offers a thrilling ride that doesn't disappoint.

The Little Lost Library

Title: The Little Lost Library
Author: Ellery Adams
Published: October 22, 2024 by Kensington Cozies
Format: Kindle, 320 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Secret, Book, & Scone Society #7

Blurb: When an elderly Miracle Springs resident, Lucille Wynter, arranges for Nora to deliver an order of books to her creepy, crumbling Southern Gothic mansion on the outskirts of town, Nora doesn’t expect to be invited in. An agoraphobic, Lucille doesn’t leave Wynter House. Nor does she invite anyone inside. But when Lucille doesn’t come to the door to collect her books, Nora begins to worry. Forcing her way into Lucille’s dilapidated home, Nora is shocked to find rooms packed to the ceiling with decaying books and a lifeless Lucille at the foot of her stairs. After reading a note left behind by Lucille, Nora wonders if her death was an accident. Did Lucille fall or was she pushed by someone seeking a valuable item hidden within Wynter House? Lucille’s children are clearly confident the house contains something of value, because they hire Nora to sift through the piles of books. As she digs, Nora can’t shake the feeling that hoarding didn’t cause Lucille’s fall. Soon, Nora’s obsession with Lucille’s collection is cause for concern amongst her friends in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society—she’s even neglecting her bookshop! Then, Nora does find something valuable deep inside Wynter House—a revelation about Lucille’s terrible past . . . and a secret worth a small fortune. But there’s someone who’d do anything to keep the truth buried amid the moldering tomes. The odds against them are stacked as high as the books, but it’s up to Nora and her friends to track down a murderer with a literary lean before Wynter House’s lost library claims another victim.

My Opinion: The first thing that drew me in was the delightful sprinkling of book quotes and the seamless inclusion of beloved books and authors throughout the narrative. The friendships and the quaint, small-town atmosphere were heartwarming, and the house, scavenger hunt, and dollhouse all added layers of intrigue that kept me thoroughly engaged.

For the first two-thirds of the book, I was hooked. It was a quick, enjoyable read that kept me turning the pages. However, my enthusiasm hit a snag when an item was introduced. Suddenly, the pace faltered, and the culprit became glaringly obvious. What bothered me was that the person in question wouldn’t have had easy access to this item—it was an unnecessary addition that disrupted the story's flow. What started as a one-day read turned into a frustrating pause, leading me to set the book aside for a week before finally returning to it.

If cozy mysteries are your thing, "The Little Lost Library" might scratch that itch. However, if you're looking for a story that maintains its momentum and keeps the mystery intact until the end, this one might be a pass. Despite the disappointment, the book's charming elements and engaging start make it worth considering for fans of the genre.

The Tainted Cup

Title: The Tainted Cup
Author: Robert Jackson Bennett
Published: February 6, 2024 by Del Rey
Format: Hardcover, 410 Pages
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Shadow of the Leviathan #1

Blurb: In Daretana’s most opulent mansion, a high Imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree spontaneously erupted from his body. Even in this canton at the borders of the Empire, where contagions abound and the blood of the Leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death at once terrifying and impossible.

Called in to investigate this mystery is Ana Dolabra, an investigator whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities.

At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol. Din is an engraver, magically altered to possess a perfect memory. His job is to observe and report, and act as his superior’s eyes and ears--quite literally, in this case, as among Ana’s quirks are her insistence on wearing a blindfold at all times, and her refusal to step outside the walls of her home.

Din is most perplexed by Ana’s ravenous appetite for information and her mind’s frenzied leaps—not to mention her cheerful disregard for propriety and the apparent joy she takes in scandalizing her young counterpart. Yet as the case unfolds and Ana makes one startling deduction after the next, he finds it hard to deny that she is, indeed, the Empire’s greatest detective.

As the two close in on a mastermind and uncover a scheme that threatens the safety of the Empire itself, Din realizes he’s barely begun to assemble the puzzle that is Ana Dolabra—and wonders how long he’ll be able to keep his own secrets safe from her piercing intellect.

My Opinion: A dive into a world where magic and mystery connect. The journey begins with a learning curve; the characters, intricate settings, and detailed world-building require a bit of mental juggling. From military ranks and magical specialties to corruption and leviathans, it's a novel that demands—and rewards—close attention.

Ana Dolabra, an eccentric detective who wears a blindfold to avoid being overwhelmed by her surroundings, is a fascinating figure. Her reputation precedes her, and her investigative skills shine through despite her self-imposed sensory limitation. Her assistant, Dinios Kol, whose many iterations of his name and rank is the newest addition to her sleuthing team. Din, as he’s called, is magically altered—his ability to recall dialogue and situations through scents in vials he carries makes for a curious take on their investigation. However, Din has his own struggles which brings a relatable human touch to his character. Their dynamic can be infuriating and Din often finds himself playing catch-up, yet his humorous outbursts provide much-needed levity in their exchanges.

While comparisons to the classic Holmes and Watson duo are inevitable, there's a hint of Rear Window in the narrative. Ana’s reluctance to leave her cottage, with Din's doing the actual footwork, is reminiscent of Hitchcock's iconic film.

Bennett skillfully blends magical world-building with a captivating mystery. The storyline alternates between the two, making it hard to decide which aspect stands out more. The pacing keeps readers on their toes with many quotable lines and memorable moments. One line lingers, suggesting a potential hint at Din’s past.

This novel is a tale that captivates with its characters, plotting, and a blend of magic and mystery. The relationship between Ana and Din propels the story forward, ensuring readers are entertained, challenged, and left wanting for more.

Cold as Hell

Title: Cold as Hell
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Expected Publication: February 18, 2025, by Minotaur Books
Format: Kindle, Hardcover 352 Pages
Genre: Police Procedural
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Haven's Rock #3

Blurb: Haven’s Rock is a sanctuary town hidden deep in the Yukon for those who need to disappear from the regular world. Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, are starting a family now that they’ve settled into their life here. As Casey nears the end of her pregnancy, she lets nothing, including her worried husband, stop her from investigating what happens in the forbidden forest outside the town of Haven’s Rock.

When one of the town's residents is drugged and wanders too close to the edge of town, she’s dragged into the woods kicking and screaming. She’s saved in the nick of time, but the women of the town are alarmed. Casey and Eric investigate the assault just as a snowstorm hits Haven’s Rock, covering the forest. It’s there they find a frozen body, naked in the snow. With mixed accounts of the woman's last movements, the two begin to question who they can trust—and who they can't—in their seemingly safe haven.

My Opinion: I adore both the Rockton and Haven’s Rock series, but Cold as Hell really tested my patience. While I completely understand Kelley Armstrong’s commitment to keeping her main characters at the forefront, there are limits to how much suspending disbelief one can muster. Picture this: a woman, eight months into a high-risk pregnancy, traipsing through the remote Yukon wilderness to pursue a killer. It's infuriating and, frankly, baffling that her partner Eric, would venture off in the opposite direction, leaving her vulnerable. This narrative choice felt downright frustrating.

You won’t believe how much this book made me talk back to its pages. Of course, I acknowledge that women are strong and capable, but let’s be realistic—this portrayal made Casey come off as both reckless and narcissistic.

On a more positive note, the core storyline is engaging, with your mental murder board in constant flux. Mathias and Sebastian remain my favorite characters and I enjoy every moment they make an appearance. Their unique code of ethics adds an interesting layer to the narrative, even if they aren't universally loved.

Despite my frustrations, I will continue with this series and other works by Kelley Armstrong. However, I will be scrutinizing Casey Duncan closely, especially considering how their child will need a village to raise them while mommy is off saving the world.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life

Title: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
Author: Mark Manson
Published: September 13, 2016 by Harper
Format: Paperback, 212 Pages
Genre: Self-Help

Blurb: For decades, we’ve been told that positive thinking is the key to a happy, rich life. "F**k positivity," Mark Manson says. "Let’s be honest, shit is f**ked and we have to live with it." In his wildly popular Internet blog, Manson doesn’t sugarcoat or equivocate. He tells it like it is—a dose of raw, refreshing, honest truth that is sorely lacking today. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k is his antidote to the coddling, let’s-all-feel-good mindset that has infected American society and spoiled a generation, rewarding them with gold medals just for showing up.

Manson makes the argument, backed both by academic research and well-timed poop jokes, that improving our lives hinges not on our ability to turn lemons into lemonade, but on learning to stomach lemons better. Human beings are flawed and limited—"not everybody can be extraordinary, there are winners and losers in society, and some of it is not fair or your fault." Manson advises us to get to know our limitations and accept them. Once we embrace our fears, faults, and uncertainties, once we stop running and avoiding and start confronting painful truths, we can begin to find the courage, perseverance, honesty, responsibility, curiosity, and forgiveness we seek.

There are only so many things we can give a f**k about so we need to figure out which ones really matter, Manson makes clear. While money is nice, caring about what you do with your life is better, because true wealth is about experience. A much-needed grab-you-by-the-shoulders-and-look-you-in-the-eye moment of real-talk, filled with entertaining stories and profane, ruthless humor, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k is a refreshing slap for a generation to help them lead contented, grounded lives.

My Opinion: When I first picked up The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson, I expected a lighthearted take on overthinking. But this book turned out to be so much more. Yes, there are plenty of funny moments, but it's also deep and thought-provoking. It took me much longer to read than I anticipated because I had to pause, reflect on what was said, and process how it related to my life. And, surprisingly, it related in ways I never expected.

This is the kind of book you should have in audio format, ready for those moments when you find yourself tangled in your thoughts and need a reminder of the bigger picture. Manson offers a different way of interpreting life and, to be frank, a different way of living. His insights encourage you to slow down, think deeply, and embrace a new perspective.

The book's impact is profound, making you reconsider your priorities and the things you truly care about. It's a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, wrapped in humor and raw honesty. If you're looking for a book that challenges your mindset and offers a fresh outlook on life, this book is a must-read.

The Honeymoon Crashers

Title: The Honeymoon Crashers
Author: Christina Lauren
Published: August 1, 2023 by Simon & Schuster Audio Originals
Format: Audio, 4 hours and 47 minutes
Genre: Romance
Series: Unhoneymooners #1.5

Blurb: Ami is determined to break the Torres family wedding curse. Her own disaster of a reception ended with all the guests getting food poisoning, and she left her cheating husband soon after. But even though she’s still processing her own divorce, Ami won’t let her twin sister Olive’s day be anything but perfect. Olive may think she wants a private ceremony in Maui, where she and her fiancé Ethan first fell in love, but Ami knows better and secretly flies the whole Torres family out to surprise the couple. Now she and her meticulously organized binder have less than two weeks to get everything together for the big day, thousands of miles from home.

Enter Brody, Ethan’s best man, who happens to be living in Maui and insists on helping with the preparations. His playfully elaborate schemes and happy-go-lucky attitude are the last thing Ami needs. When sparks start to fly, could it derail all her carefully laid plans?

My Opinion:When I picked up The Honeymoon Crashers audiobook by Christina Lauren, I didn’t realize it was part of the Unhoneymooners series, which I have not read. Slightly disappointed, I decided to listen anyway. The writing team of Christina Lauren didn’t skip a beat, effortlessly catching the listener up and diving right into the hilarity of beating the Torres curse and planning a secret wedding.

Enter Brody, the surfer and best man, who magically appears just in time to help Ami plan the perfect wedding day for her sister Olive. Brody's got the island connections and if he doesn’t know someone, his charm convinces them to help. Ami, a meticulous party planner, eventually gives in to Brody’s goofy charisma. Plus, he’s a godsend when it comes to sticking to a strict budget.

It’s a Torres family wedding, so naturally, Murphy’s Law is in full effect. Yet, Ami and Brody manage to pull off perfection, only for Ami to be hit with one last surprise she didn’t see coming.

This short audio was perfect for a road trip, bringing laughter and sweet smiles with every antic they faced. Will I go back and start the series from the beginning? Probably. I’m adding it to my TBR list, and I can't wait to see what other shenanigans await in the Unhoneymooners series.

Murder in the Scottish Highlands

Title: Murder in the Scottish Highlands
Author: Dee MacDonald
Published: September 2, 2024 by Bookouture
Format: Kindle, 248 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Ally McKinley #1

Blurb: For recently retired Ally McKinley, the tiny village of Locharran is the perfect place to open the guesthouse of her dreams in a lovingly restored old Scottish malthouse. Before long she is making friends with the locals, including Hamish Sinclair, the earl who owns the nearby castle. But things take an unexpected turn when her first paying guest, American tourist Wilbur Carrington, is found sprawled across her cobblestoned courtyard with a dagger in his back…

With the police baffled, Ally’s instincts get the better of her, and she can’t resist launching her own investigation. In no time at all she and her Labrador puppy Flora are on the case, making enquiries over tea and excellent shortbread. She finds that Wilbur, a keen amateur genealogist, was convinced that he was the rightful Earl of Locharran… Even worse, he had plans that would put many people out of their jobs and even their homes.

But which of the locals resorted to murder? The hotel owner furiously trying to save his business? Locharran Castle’s fiercely loyal housekeeper who’d do anything for the earl? Or the earl himself, whose entire way of life was threatened by what Wilbur knew?

Looking for clues, Ally finds a faded photograph in a hidden drawer in Wilbur’s room. Could this be the key to solving the mystery? But when one of her suspects dies in a suspicious accident, Ally realises that things are getting a wee bit too close for comfort… Can she uncover the truth or will a killer get off scot-free?

My Opinion: When Dee MacDonald announced the end of her beloved Kate Palmer series, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. Kate, with her middle-aged charm, had become a favorite. But then came Ally McKinley, and I was all in again. Ally is just as captivating, bringing a unique flair to the world of amateur sleuthing.

In Murder in the Scottish Highlands, Ally is ready to shake things up. Freshly retired, she opens a bed and breakfast in an old malthouse Locharran, Scottland, despite her kids' protests. The quirky setting brings many colorful characters and, naturally, a budding romance. But things take a dark turn when Ally finds a guest dead in her garden. In a tight-knit village, she can't help but worry about the gossip.

The murder mystery is a curious puzzle with twists and turns that aren't immediately obvious. This gives readers the chance to dive deep into the lives of the villagers and uncover their secrets, making the journey to solving the crime even more fun. Dee MacDonald's talent for engaging stories shines through, keeping me engaged until the last pages.

Dee's return with Ally McKinley worked for me. Ally is as endearing as Kate Palmer, offering a new character in the amateur detective genre. This book is a fantastic showcase of Dee MacDonald's storytelling skills, leaving me looking forward to more adventures with Ally.