Carol's Notebook

A Merry Little Murder Plot by Jenn McKinlay

October 23, 2024October 23, 2024 by CarolNo Comments

I am a sucker for Christmas cozies. So, even though A Merry Little Murder Plot is the 15th in the series and I haven't read any of the others, I picked it up. It worked fine as a stand alone for me. I'm sure reading them all in order would have given me more background on the returning characters, but I never felt like I was missing out on something I needed to know. This winter, the Briar Creek library is hosting a a writer-in-residence, thriller author Helen Monroe. She's a bit stand-offish, but writes in the library daily and participates in talks required by her contract. Lindsey Norris, library director and our amateur sleuth, starts to get concerned when another newcomer, Jackie Lewis, is overly interested in the author, maybe even a bit stalkery. When Jackie is found dead, electrocuted by Christmas lights and holding Helen's manuscript, Helen becomes the main suspect. Lindsey isn't sure she's guilty, but she...

A Killer Christmas by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran

October 22, 2024October 22, 2024 by CarolNo Comments

I don't read Murder, She Wrote mysteries often, but I always enjoy them. I grew up watching Jessica Fletcher and the other characters on tv and still turn it on occasionally. It's Christmastime in Cabot Cove and everyone is gearing up for the holidays. This year, the town is going all out as it tries to be named the state's best holiday destination. Eve, however, is more concerned with selling the old Jarvis place. Her job gets more difficult by the minute, First, missing, presumed dead, Kenny Jarvis shows back up. Then, the potential buyer's wife dies, possibly murdered. This one takes its time getting to the killing, but it's fun to get caught up in all the town drama and Christmas planning. I loved the small Thanksgiving dinner and all the Christmas events, but if you're here solely for the murder mystery you might be disappointed. The mystery was fine. There were several suspects even if it was rather...

I’ll Be Home for Mischief by Jacqueline Frost

October 14, 2024October 14, 2024 by CarolNo Comments

Poor Holly. It's Christmastime again at Reindeer Games Christmas Tree Farm and, for the fifth December in a row, someone is killed. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The setting is wonderful. Mistletoe, Maine sounds like such a cute place. I love how close Holly and her family and friends are. They have fun together and work together and they're people I'd like to hang out with . Holly and her husband, Sheriff Evan Gray, have a good relationship. The plot was put together well and it moved along at a good pace. We have several potential suspects and the whodunnit wasn't overly obvious. The book and the series are so Christmassy. From the town to the food to the way the man was killed, it just screams Christmas, which I enjoy. It would be a perfect December read. And it has several touches of Christmas magic that set it apart....

A Death of Fresh Air by Helen Gold

October 3, 2024September 26, 2024 by CarolNo Comments

This time around, Lady Beatrice and her business partner, Perry Juke, are working on the refurbishment of Clary House, which a few years ago had been The Seaside Lounge. Simon and Ryan are planning to reopen it as a restaurant, Salt Air. Of course, it doesn't go smoothly and a skeleton is found inside the wall. Turns out the chef from the Lounge hadn't left for Australia, but had been killed and his body hidden. Bea and Perry get involved, of course. I really enjoy this series and the cover of this one is adorable. Lady Beatrice is a delight, as always. I love that her friendship with Perry and Simon remains a priority for her, even as her relationship with Rich develops. The supporting cast in these books is just so great. It's like catching up with old friends. The mystery was put together well. There were clues, but also enough red herrings that I was surprised by the...

October Cloak and Dagger Link Up

October 1, 2024October 23, 2024 by Carol2 Comments

I am on vacation this week, so hopefully this posts as scheduled. We are on Amelia Island for the week, relaxing, shopping, and listening to jazz. And hopefully spending some time reading on the balcony. What’s are your reading plans this month? Any thing you’re especially looking forward to? Link your reviews below. You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter...

The Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery Series #1-3 by Marcy Blesy

September 25, 2024September 25, 2024 by CarolNo Comments

Rosi is recently divorced and out of a job. She heads from her home in Illinois to Tucson to help out with her dad, who is having knee surgery, planning to stay for a couple of weeks. Her parents rent a house for the cooler months in the Tucson Valley Retirement Community. She meets a few of the locals, but of course it's not long until she finds a dead body, Salem Mansfield, the bookstore owner. Rosi doesn't think Police Officer Dan Daniel is up to the task of finding the killer, so does some investigating of her own. I like Rosi. She's funny and smart and the relationships between her and her mom and dad felt real. She also connects with the local landscaper, her potential love interest, and gets an adorable puppy. All the good ingredients in a cozy. I will say that even though the mystery was good, the characters stole the show. Rosi has, of course, decided...