The Potency of Ungovernable Impulses by Malka Ann Older

The Potency of Ungovernable Impulses by Malka Ann Older

by CarolNo Comments
This one might have been my favorite of the series so far. Not because of the plot necessarily - Pleiti is helping a friend who is concerned about potential threats to her cousin who is up for a promotion at another university- but because of the language and the Holmes/Watson vibes, both of which are so much more noticeable in this installment. I will say that this does work as a stand-alone although one of the major events from the first is referenced and carries some importance. The series is set on Jupiter, which was settled after Earth's atmosphere became uninhabitable. Pleiti is a professor in the classics department, studying what life was like on earth in the hopes of eventually returning, which makes a nice contrast with the modernists she meets, who are more interested in studying the now and how people and animals are adapting. But people are still people, with jealousies and secrets, which means people like...
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Homicide and Old Lace by Dolores Johnson

Homicide and Old Lace by Dolores Johnson

by CarolNo Comments
I didn't realize this was the 5th in the series when I picked it up, but it worked well as a stand-alone. Mandy, the owner of a dry cleaning shop, apparently has a habit of getting involved in murders. This time she has agreed to clean and alter her ex-husband's new bride's wedding dress. But when she delvers it to the hotel on the day of the wedding, she ends up a suspect in the bride's murder. Being the amateur sleuth that she is, she decides she has to get to the bottom of it, even if her boyfriend, Detective Stan Foster, wants her to stay far away. We've got plenty of suspects, clues, and red herrings. The people surrounding Mandy are appropriately quirky, especially her mom and her employee, Betty, who get in all kind of trouble. I did get annoyed at how often Betty was described as a former bag lady and not listened to. Like, yes, I get...
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Kalikimaka Killer by Jasmine Webb

Kalikimaka Killer by Jasmine Webb

by CarolNo Comments
It's Christmas in Hawaii and Charlie has two cases going on. The first is tracking down a bail-jumper - and of course she manages to get tasered again. Zoe brings her the murder case. Zoe believes one of her patients in the emergency room was poisoned, but the cops aren't taking her concerns seriously, so she asks Charlie to investigate. The mystery was decent. The dead woman's friends are basically the only suspects, since they are the only ones who would have had the chance to poison her. Charlie discovers the woman had a few secrets, but none seem to give anyone a reason to kill her. The clues are tucked in well and the whodunnit made sense. It's as fun and madcap as always. And it is Christmassy - we have several Santa gone bad moments and a kiss under the mistletoe....
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Hibiscus Homicide by Jasmine Webb

Hibiscus Homicide by Jasmine Webb

by Carol2 Comments
Rosie recognizes a tourist who was killed and needs Charlie's help getting to the bottom of what happened. The characters are always fun and even though this one involves the FBI and CIA, it doesn't get too deep in the spy mire. And really how can you take a spy seriously with a name like Rex Thunder? And the FBI agents seem on the verge of incompetent. So the story is still fun and light and just over the top. Charlie figures out who the (unlikely, I thought) killer is and we get a nice show down. We also get a scene with Charlie and Jake making out, so hopefully their relationship will start moving in the right direction....
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Pina Colada Poison by Jasmine Webb

Pina Colada Poison by Jasmine Webb

by CarolNo Comments
Pina Colada Poison, like the other Charlie Gibson mysteries, is fun and over the top. This time around an actress staying on the island is afraid that someone is trying to kill her, that the drink that killed her yoga teacher was meant for her. She's also trying to track down another client's missing husband. The mysteries were fine, if predictable. We had several suspects and red herrings, but the twist wasn't much of a surprise. I really enjoy Charlie - she's stubborn and snarky and her plans tend to go awry in amusing ways. Her friends, Dot and Rosie, are fabulous older women with plenty of skills. The three together are a hoot....
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A Difficult Position by Helena Marchmont

A Difficult Position by Helena Marchmont

by CarolNo Comments
I really enjoy these short mysteries. This time around, Dorothy and the former Sargent Wilson are getting married. I have to say I like what the Sarge's recent health scare and relationship with Dorothy have done for his character. Everyone in town is at the reception, but that same evening, someone tries to set the Choudhury house on fire. Thankfully little damage is done, but the police, and Bunburry Triangle, are anxious to find the culprit. This is a fun, quick read. I love the characters, each of whom is just quirky enough without going over the edge into annoying. There are several suspects and it's good to see how many people care about the Choudhury family. I liked the yoga center and how it brings together people you wouldn't expect. I was happy Oscar had a part to play this time around too....
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