Library Archives – Carol's Notebook

The Bullet that Missed by Richard Osman

February 6, 2023February 6, 2023 by CarolNo Comments

I absolutely adore the Thursday Murder Club. This time around Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron, and Ibrahim are looking into the ten-year-old unsolved murder of Bethany Waites, a journalist/co-host of a television news show. Along with this mystery, Elizabeth has an “encounter” with a man they are calling “The Viking”, who is trying to force Elizabeth to kill someone for him or he will kill Joyce. Each of our characters gets a chance to shine. Elizabeth gets to see spend time with an ex-KGB acquaintance. Joyce gets to flirt with a handsome TV personality. Ron makes a couple of new friends, and Ibrahim gets to do some brainstorming and use his therapy skills. Donna, Chris, and Bogdan are back too. Bogdan is still my favorite character and I love how his relationship with Donna is progressing. The mystery was maybe a little convoluted, but I enjoyed it. Yes, it's unlikely that all these characters would form friendships and work together to bring down (another)...

A Perilous Pal by Laura Bradford

January 27, 2023January 25, 2023 by Carol4 Comments

A Perilous Pal is the second in the Friend for Hire mystery series. Emma Westlake is the "friend for hire" and I think it's definitely better to read the first one before starting this. It will give you a much better feel for Emma and the returning characters. Emma barely has enough time to meet Kim Felder, her new client, when Kim gets arrested for her estranged husband’s murder. Kim didn’t see it coming when her husband left her for his secretary and she wrote in her journal her feelings about her husband’s betrayal. It was what she put in her journal, tons of ideas for how to kill Roger, that led to her arrest for Roger’s murder. Emma believes Kim is innocent, so she, Dottie, and Stephanie set out to prove it. Of course, Emma's love interest, Deputy Jack Riordan, is not thrilled with her interference. I'm not sure about Emma's business plan. I love the friend for hire idea,...

Murder on the SS Rosa by Lee Strauss

January 21, 2023January 23, 2023 by Carol2 Comments

It's the Roaring 20's and Ginger Gold is sailing on the SS Rosa to settle her father's estate in England when the captain is murdered. There are several suspects among the passengers and crew. Ginger used to work for the secret service in some form or other and is more than capable of helping solve the case. This novella is a fun introduction to Ginger and her dog Boss, her American friend Haley, and the handsome Chief Inspector Basil Reed. It's a charming mystery and I have to admit to loving all of the 1920s touches. Ginger is fun and observant. She's a member of upper society but after the war society is changing and she's fine with that. The dialogue is witty and it kept me guessing. It's also short, which is nice sometimes. ...

In the Shadow of Lightning by Brian McClellan

September 30, 2022September 30, 2022 by Carol2 Comments

In the Shadow of Lightning started with a powerful prologue, a battle scene that introduces our main character, Demir Grappo, and gives us insight into both his personality and his power. Then we skip nine years. Demir's mother has been killed and as her heir, he returns to the city to take the reigns of the family and to find out who ordered the attack. And there's a war going on, sparked by his mother's assassination. The magic is based on godglass. Different types of glass can give people enhanced abilities or cause restrictions. Wit glass for example makes one think quicker while shackle glass will allow the wearer to only tell the truth. Most everyone can use the glass, although there are some who are immune to its effects. I like that about the magic, everyone has access - if you can afford it. There are also glassdancers who can manipulate plain glass, mostly using shards of it to kill...

The Burning Pages by Paige Shelton

August 25, 2022 by Carol2 Comments

The Burning Pages is the 7th in the Scottish Bookshop series and I think you need to have read at least a few of the others to really enjoy this one. It relies a lot on you caring about the characters and having a feel for the backstories. Yes, everyone is introduced and explanations given, but it's not the same as growing to know them from the first book. As you read in the blurb above, Hamlet is the prime suspect in a murder case, so of course, Delaney is determined to prove he didn't do it, a task made more difficult when Hamlet disappears. As always, I liked Delaney. She's caring and loyal and usually has at least a decent reason to be investigating. She also has a good relationship with Inspector Winters and shares information better than a lot of amateur detectives. Her friends and coworkers are the requisite quirky, protective bunch. The plot of the book flows well and does...

A Plus One for Murder by Laura Bradford

August 5, 2022August 3, 2022 by Carol2 Comments

I love Emma's idea for a business - well actually her friend's idea, but it's Emma's business. She's a friend for hire, someone to go to the gym with or take to a party. When one of her clients dies at an open mic night, Emma takes on the role of (very reluctant) amateur sleuth. Thankfully, she has some help - an elderly woman she has tea with once a week and a nurse who has paid her to be a gym buddy. I like how the three women work together and combine sleuthing with real life activities. We are immediately given a list of 4 suspects, a list put together by the dead man himself. Each of the four had a good reason for hating the dead man - a writer who was determined to bring all the town's corruption to light. The clues and red herrings were placed well. I liked the three main characters. Emma is sweet and honestly...