Book Reviews – Page 80 – Carol's Notebook

Wonton Terror by Vivien Chien

January 4, 2020January 4, 2020 by Carol2 Comments

Lana Lee is working at the noodle shop's stand at the Night Market when the pleasant summer evening is disrupted by an explosion of one of the food trucks. The owner of the truck is killed in the explosion. His wife suffered some minor burns, but the police are suspicious that she may have something to do with the bomb, possibly for the insurance money. Lana and her roommate Megan decide to investigate, in part because Lana's curious, but the wife is one of her mom's friends and her mom is upset. It seems like most of the Asian community in Cleveland know each other and/or have mutual acquaintances, which makes gathering information easier, but trying to do it without attracting notice difficult. I've been reading this series in order and enjoying it. Lana's relationships with her family is great. They love each other, but that doesn't mean they always get along. And Lana's aunt is in town, adding a whole nother...

Last Two Books of the Year

December 31, 2019December 31, 2019 by Carol6 Comments

I finished my last two books of the year earlier today. I decided to make just a couple short comments about them both and that let's me start 2020 with a fresh slate. I enjoyed this Christmassy cozy mystery. First, it's set in Pittsburgh and I know the places, which makes it fun. Second, Fiona is a good amateur sleuth. This time around, her mom's her sidekick and instigates some of the more dangerous plans. Fiona's boyfriend is a police detective, but he doesn't put her down or overly discourage her. The mystery was good with just enough clues. I love how Georgie is up for pretty much anything in order to not have to stay with her brother and his wife. Now, she is staying with the Dowager Duchness of Eynsford and of course there's a murder. Georgie is delightful and I liked how she actually took the time to get to know the children of the house, not just the...

The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen

December 30, 2019December 30, 2019 by Carol2 Comments

The Twelve Clues of Christmas was such a fun mystery! I don't know why I have never read any of this series before, but this not only worked as a stand-alone, it was good enough that I've already picked up the next. Lady Georgiana Rannoch escapes her brother's bleak castle in Scotland by accepting a job as hostess at a house party held by Lady Hawse-Gorzley in the village of Tiddleton-under-Lovey. The house party is made up of mosty paying guests there to celebrate a traditional English Christmas, complete with caroling, parlor games, and some of the villages more peculiar customs. The problem is that people are dying, one a day, seemingly from accidents, but really how many accidents can occur in one small village? Of course they're murders. Although all the dead are villagers, Georgie feels she must do what she can to help stop the killings. Georgie is smart and independent, and flat broke. She's entertaining and just delightful....

A Rumpole Christmas by John Mortimer

December 20, 2019December 20, 2019 by Carol4 Comments

I have some books that come out every year with the Christmas decorations. Some I've read multiple times, like A Christmas Carol, and some I haven't gotten around to yet. This year I finally picked up A Rumpole Christmas from the stack and thoroughly enjoyed the stories. I'm familiar with Rumpole of the Bailey and "She Who Must Be Obeyed." I feel like I must have seen some episodes back when it was on PBS Mystery! which we used to watch almost weekly. Barrister Horace Rumpole, defender of the criminal class, loves his work. Fortunately, work finds him even during the Christmas holidays, whether it be spending Christmas at a health farm when a murder occurs, meeting former clients under interesting circumstances, or being booked into the same hotel as a judge. Rumpole character is funny, wry, and insightful, and some of his comments about terrorists and the Church could have been made now. He honestly enjoys defending his...

The Christmas Pact by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

December 19, 2019December 19, 2019 by Carol2 Comments

The Christmas Pact was a short, sweet romance with a lot of Christmas decorations in the background. On the surface, it's a fun story. The couple meet after occasionally, accidentally receiving each other's work e-mails. Riley Kennedy and Kennedy Riley - you can see how that might get confusing. Riley is pretty sure Kennedy is a jerk, he insists on actually reading her e-mails and adding his two cents before forwarding them to her. They agree to pose as a couple over the Christmas holiday. It will help them both with family issues. Surprise, surprise, they actually start to have feelings for each other. I sound sarcastic, but the story was full of tender, endearing moments when they connected well. And of course, we get a happy ending. Riley was a good character, funny, insecure, cute. Kennedy, however, I wasn't actually fond of. When he was on his good behavior, he was sweet, amusing, and of course sexy, but his...

Apple Cider Slaying by Julie Anne Lindsey

December 18, 2019December 18, 2019 by Carol4 Comments

Apple Cider Slaying is the first book in a new series. I've read a couple books by this author (under her pseudonym) before and enjoyed them well enough, but what drew me to this one was the Christmassy setting. Winnie has returned to her hometown, Blossom Valley, West Virginia to help Granny turn around the family business. She has plans to open a cider shop, allowing Granny's orchard to make money year-round, but she needs a loan. While leading the banker on a tour of the property, she finds the neighbor dead in the cider press, the neighbor who was in a decades-long feud with Granny. Winnie decides she has to do some investigating because she can't bear the thought of her grandmother being accused. She and the sheriff butt heads a bit, but he's the potential love interest, so of course he's mostly concerned with her safety. In the meantime, she decides to go ahead with a Christmas...