eBook Archives – Carol's Notebook

A Dead Herring by Helen Golden

June 5, 2023June 5, 2023 by CarolNo Comments

I admit to having a fondness for country house mysteries, especially when a winter storm has everyone snowed in. Lady Bea is refurbishing rooms at Drew Castle with her business partner, Perry Juke, while her brother, Lord Fred, is hosting a shooting party, so Bea has to mix her work with helping her brother by playing hostess. Then one of the guests, Ben Rhodes, ends up dead, killed in his bathtub. And it's just Bea's luck that DCI Fitzwilliam is the only officer closed enough to get to them through the snow. I thoroughly enjoyed A Dead Herring, as I have the other three in the series I've read. Bea is a wonderful character, smart and persistent. Perry is funny and competent in his own right. I love how he and Simon, his boyfriend/ chef/ former CID officer, help Bea and watch out for her. They make a great trio. The book moves along quickly with the expected clash and attraction...

A Beach House to Die For by K. C. Ames

March 22, 2023March 22, 2023 by Carol2 Comments

When Dana Kirkpatrick inherits a Costa Rican beach house from her uncle, the newly divorced woman decides to leave her old life behind and move to Costa Rica. Unfortunately, her cousin, Roy, and his wife are contesting the will. Then Roy is killed, and Dana's the main suspect. A Beach House to Die for was like a mini-vacation. It was sunny and relaxed and the foods sounded delicious, but I think the howler monkeys might drive me crazy. Most of the locals were friendly and helpful. Dana was a good lead character. She's friendly and nice, but pushy enough to get answers. The mystery was fine. I didn't guess who the killer was but probably should have. This was a fun, light read, which is what I expect from a cozy. It has a fabulous setting, quirky characters, a potential love interest, and even a cat. ...

The Birdcage Murders by Karen Baugh Menuhin

March 17, 2023March 30, 2023 by CarolNo Comments

A man was killed at a dinner at Brundals, a private men's club in London. Lennox happens to be a member although he hasn't been there for years, so Scotland Yard asks him and retired Inspector Swift to go to the club and be the Yard's eyes and ears. Swift is delighted to be working with the Yard again, and while Lennox is a little leery of spying at first, the case soon captures his attention. I have read a lot of mysteries, but I think this may be the first I've come across with this particular method of murder. It's dreadful and very upper-crust. It turns out that all of the people in the dining room when the murder occurred are connected to an unsolved case from 12 years ago when several people were killed when a birdcage automaton exploded. This is the 8th in the series and by now we know Lennox, Swift, and the crew well. I always...

Red Lip Theology by Candice Marie Benbow

February 21, 2023February 21, 2023 by Carol1 Comment

Red Lip Theology, part memoir and part theological discussion, is honest, raw, and unapologetic. Candice walks us through her life- the good, the bad, and the ugly- tying all of it to the development of her theology. She has a clear voice and she tells her story with wisdom, wit, and humor. Several of Candice's essays revolve around her mother, a single mom who brought Candice up in the church. A church that shamed her mom for not being married and her by extension. She talks about the strength and faith her mom gave her, how she encouraged her and loved her. She talks about her grief when her mom died and the impact it had on her life and academic career. Candice talks about the choices she's made and how they all made her who she is today. She talks about how the church and pastors let her down time and again, but she also talks about her "spiritual care...

Sun, Sand, Murder by John Keyse-Walker

January 31, 2023January 30, 2023 by Carol2 Comments

Sun, Sand, Murder is set on Anegada, the northernmost of the British Virgin Islands. Unlike the rest of the BVI, it's low and flat, formed by coral and limestone. Teddy Creque is the Special Constable on the quiet island. He's also the customs officer, works the night shift at the power plant, and takes tourists on fishing outings occasionally. Honestly, the "law enforcement" part of his day is probably the easiest, right up until a dead body is found on the beach at Spanish Camp. I have never been to the Virgin Islands or any tropical island, but Sun, Sand, Murder did a good job of making me feel like I was there with its descriptions of the sandy beaches, the feel of the sun, the smell of the breeze. Like at any tourist destination, there is a solid difference between tourists and locals, and those who are in between, like the dead man. Teddy is not a great...

The Christmas Caper by Gigi Pandian

January 4, 2023January 4, 2023 by CarolNo Comments

Edinburgh at Christmas sounds wonderful. In this short story, Tempest is asked by her grandmother's friend to figure out how a painting was stolen from a museum, a seemingly impossible crime. The plot is pretty straightforward, but I loved the setting. The author does a fabulous job at bringing Edinburgh and its Christmas market to life. I would really love to visit sometime. One of my favorite fictional bookstores even gets a mention. Tempest is her usual clever self and her grandparents are a joy. We don't get to know the new characters well, but they worked fine for the story. There are also a couple of recipes in the back that sound delicious. I haven't tried the yet though. ...