A Merry Little Murder Plot

Title: A Merry Little Murder Plot
Author: Jenn McKinlay
Published: October 8, 2024 by Berkley
Format: Kindle, 317 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Library Lover's Mystery #15

First Sentence: "Let it snow, let it snow, Let it snow..." a voice sang softly.

Blurb: During the most wonderful time of the year, famous author Helen Monroe arrives in Briar Creek to be the writer in residence, but her “bah humbug” attitude excludes her from the many holiday celebrations the town residents enjoy. To try to spread some Christmas cheer, library director Lindsey Norris invites the new writer in residence to join her crafternoon club. Helen politely refuses and when an altercation happens between Helen and another patron, Lindsey begins to suspect the author has been keeping to herself for a reason.

Another newcomer, Jackie Lewis, reveals she’s visiting Briar Creek to be near Helen because she believes they are destined to meet. Having dealt with a stalker in the past, Lindsey feels compelled to tell Helen about Jackie, as she suspects that Helen is unaware her “number one” fan is in town.

When Jackie’s body is later discovered in the town park beneath the holiday-light display with a copy of Helen’s latest manuscript in her hand, the reclusive novelist becomes the prime suspect in the murder of her self-proclaimed mega-fan. Helen’s frosty demeanor melts when Lindsey offers her help, and now the librarian and her crafternoon pals must prove the author innocent before "The End" becomes Helen's final sentence.

My Opinion: The book starts strong, engaging readers with characters that quickly elicit solid reactions—a mix of irritating and suspicious roles, along with a third character caught in their scheming. It’s a promising beginning for an amateur sleuth mystery. However, the introduction of two additional characters, who seem to serve only to stir up trouble, left me unsure of their importance to the overall plot.

The premise of two women plotting to ban an author’s books and cancel a writer-in-residence program at a small town library felt somewhat far-fetched and weakly plotted. It’s hard to imagine this being a major issue in the grand scheme of things.

Around 100 pages in, the victim finally appears—though not the person I had anticipated. Do writers still print out manuscripts? The relationships in the book become twisty, adding confusion to the mix. One of the many subplots left me wondering whether this was an amateur sleuth mystery or a commentary on book banning.

The middle of the book turns out to be rather superficial and follows typical genre tropes. Lindsay, of course, must throw herself into the investigation, even though the Chief of Police, Emma, is more than capable of handling it. The usual twists are present, but none are particularly shocking or groundbreaking.

While the beginning held promise, A Merry Little Murder Plot ultimately became a “why bother” read. It’s books like this that make me question why I continue with the amateur sleuth genre. Despite the initial intrigue, the weak plotting and predictable twists left me disappointed.

The Games Gods Play

Title: The Games Gods Play
Author: Abigail Owen
Published: September 3, 2024 by Entangled: Red Tower Books
Format: Kindle, 645 Pages
Genre: Fantasy
Series: The Crucible #1

First Sentence: Preface. “F” the gods. I got so close. So damned close to finally reaching my goal, finally seeing my curse broken, and maybe, just maybe, finally feeling the love of the one man I long for.

Blurb: Every hundred years, the gods toy with us mere mortals. And we let them.

The gods of myth are alive and well.

Once every century, they select a new ruler in a cutthroat competition, pushing mortal players to the limit. But this year, Hades is done sitting on the sidelines. And he’s picking a champion no one expects—in this modern mythic romantasy, she’ll fight for her life… for the god of Death.

My Opinion: The Game of Gods is reminiscent of The Hunger Games, with mortals as pawns in the Greek gods’ ultimate power play. Perhaps those with a deeper knowledge of Greek mythology might navigate the book’s many deities more easily. Still, I often found myself diving into rabbit holes to look up each one mentioned.

The protagonist, Lyra Keres, is a 23-year-old mortal cursed from birth to never be loved. Bartered by her parents at three years old to pay off a debt, she grows up to become a skilled thief. Lyra's life takes a dramatic turn when Hades selects her as his champion for the Crucible—a twelve-trial game to decide the next ruler among the gods. A game where survival is not guaranteed. It's worth noting that snark seems to be the only way to catch Hades' attention—a humorous twist that adds flavor to the story.

The book’s humor and intensity keep the pages turning. Owen excels in world-building and creating vivid characters. The twelve challenges of the Crucible are progressively complex, maintaining the book’s thrilling pace. As Lyra navigates these trials, readers stay engaged, trying to anticipate which abilities will lead her to victory, who will fall, and who will reach the finish line.

This book offers a bit of everything. It's not a typical enemies-to-lovers story, but rather a business arrangement that gets spicy. The side characters are integral to the plot, making you both love and mourn them. The promise of a sequel is exciting, as there’s clearly much more story to be told.

Despite not being a typical rereader, I found myself contemplating a reread to catch nuances I might have missed the first time. The Game of Gods is an intense, brutal, and unforgettable read.

The Game of Gods is a gripping tale that intertwines the intensity of mortal challenges with the whimsical nature of Greek mythology. Its humor, depth, and complex characters make it a standout novel, leaving readers eager for more. If you're a fan of high-stakes games and intricate world-building, this book is a must-read.

In the Company of Witches

Title: In the Company of Witches
Author: Auralee Wallace
Published: October 19, 2021 by Berkley
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 336 Pages
Genre: Paranormal
Series: Evenfall Witches B&B #1

First Sentence: "I'm going to kill her."

Blurb: For four hundred years, the Warren witches have used their magic to quietly help the citizens of the sleepy New England town of Evenfall thrive. There's never been a problem they couldn't handle. But then Constance Graves--a local known for being argumentative and demanding--dies while staying at the bed and breakfast Brynn Warren maintains with her aunts. At first, it seems like an accident...but it soon becomes clear that there's something more sinister at work, and Aunt Nora is shaping up to be the prime suspect.

There's nothing Brynn wants more than to prove Nora's innocence, and it hurts her to know that even two years ago that might have been easier. Brynn, after all, is a witch of the dead--a witch who can commune with ghosts. Ghosts never remember much about their deaths, but Constance might remember something about her life that would help crack the case. But Brynn hasn't used her powers since her husband died, and isn't even sure she still can. Brynn will just have to hope that her aunts' magic and her own investigative skills will lead her to answers--and maybe back to the gift she once thought herself ready to give up forever.

My Opinion: The reader is introduced to a complex web of characters, relationships, and locations that can be difficult to untangle. The Warren sisters, Nora and Izzy, along with their niece Brynn, run a bed and breakfast in the quaint New England town of Evenfall and use their magic to subtly aid the townsfolk.

The story centers around Brynn, who has lost her ability to communicate with the dead following the sudden death of her husband and her determination to never use magic again; Aunt Izzy, a kitchen witch who equates spells with recipes; Nora, a garden witch; along with Uncle Gideon, who lives in the attic and can see the past and future, add to the eclectic mix of personalities and magical talents.

The plot kicks into gear when Constance, a guest at the B&B, is murdered. Brynn's internal battle to suppress her magic adds depth to her character since it tries to break through her walls. Without the use of her powers, her inability to connect with the dead complicates the investigation. The appearance of toads, a harbinger of trouble, hints at deep-seated family discord possibly linked to the murder. Izzy's denial of her magical abilities forces her to rely on traditional investigation methods to clear her aunt's name. This effort is short-lived, however, as she eventually embraces her magic to heal herself and others.

What began with promise—a mix of mystery and magic—soon devolves into a sluggish midsection with an ending that felt rushed and unsatisfying. The multitudes of characters and complex relationships initially engage but ultimately contribute to the sense of a story that loses steam and direction. Despite these shortcomings, the book's exploration of healing and personal growth offers some redeeming qualities, but not enough to fully deliver its initial promise.

The Penderwicks

Title: The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
Author: Jeanne Birdsall
Published: March 1, 2007 by Yearling
Format: Paperback, 262 Pages
Genre: Children's Fiction

First Sentence: For a long time after that summer, the four Penderwick sisters still talked of Arundel.

Blurb: The Penderwick sisters busily discover the summertime magic of Arundel estate’s sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachusetts. Best of all is Jeffrey Tifton, son of Arundel’s owner, the perfect companion for their adventures. Icy-hearted Mrs. Tifton is less pleased with the Penderwicks than Jeffrey, and warns the new friends to stay out of trouble. Is that any fun? For sure the summer will be unforgettable.

My Opinion: I approached The Penderwicks with certain expectations but found it didn’t quite satisfy the itch I was hoping to scratch. The pace felt slow and while the story doesn't specify an exact year, it has a timeless, nostalgic ambiance.

The charm lies in its focus on the Penderwick sisters—Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty—and their summer vacation adventures and relationships. This innocence is appealing, but I found the convenience of their mother’s passing a bit contrived and unnecessary. I don’t believe that the story would read any differently if the mother hadn’t passed soon after Batty’s birth.

The plot tends to be predictable, and the overall tone feels idealized and slightly old-fashioned considering that the book took place, according to the author, in the early 2000’s. Despite these criticisms, there is an undeniable sweetness in the portrayal of the girls, making the narrative heartwarming in its simplicity.

While The Penderwicks didn’t fully meet my expectations, its nostalgic, timeless setting and the charming depiction of sisterly bonds offer a certain appeal. It may not have been the perfect fit for me, but its gentle and sweet nature could still capture the hearts of many readers.

The charm lies in its focus on the Penderwick sisters—Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty—and their summer vacation adventures and relationships. This innocence is appealing, but I found the convenience of their mother’s passing a bit contrived and hard to swallow. I don’t believe that the story would read any differently if the mother hadn’t passed soon after Batty’s birth.

The plot tends to be predictable, and the overall tone feels idealized and slightly old-fashioned considering that the book took place, according to the author, in the early 2000’s. Despite these criticisms, there is an undeniable sweetness in the portrayal of the girls, making the narrative heartwarming in its simplicity.

While The Penderwicks didn’t fully meet my expectations, its nostalgic, timeless setting and the charming depiction of sisterly bonds offer a certain appeal. It may not have been the perfect fit for me, but its gentle and sweet nature could still capture the hearts of many readers.