Audiobook – Page 30 – Carol's Notebook

Don’t Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones

March 6, 2023March 6, 2023 by CarolNo Comments

I am not a Slasher fan. I watch the Scream movies, but that's about it. So, yes, I missed some of the references, but that doesn't diminish my enjoyment. It also didn't make me want to watch more slasher films though. And I rarely read horror. However, I loved the first in this trilogy, My Heart Is a Chainsaw, that I made Amber buy a copy. Don't Fear the Reaper is just as good. Jade Daniels is our star once again. It's been four years since the Independence Day Massacre, and while this might work as a standalone, knowing the events and characters from the first will definitely make this one richer. Jade and her chosen final girl, Letha, have grown and changed as they've dealt with the consequences. Jade has been in jail and her conviction has just been overturned. Letha is married and has a young daughter. But Jade's back in town, arriving, as is her luck, the same...

Fadeout by Joseph Hansen

March 3, 2023March 3, 2023 by CarolNo Comments

Dave Brandstetter, insurance investigator, is looking into the death of local radio star and mayoral candidate Fox Olson, who crashed his car through a bridge railing on a rainy night. Fox's body has not yet been found, and Brandstetter finds more than one reason to be suspicious. As Dave spends time interviewing the Olson family members and gathering evidence, he comes to the conclusion that Fox is still alive. Brandstetter is a tough, smart detective. He's openly gay and mourning the loss of his long-time partner to cancer. He's a good character, with strengths and flaws. The story moves along quickly and we get several unlikeable suspects and a bit of local politics. The writing is spare but the author does a fabulous job at painting pictures and describing characters with few words. Fadeout is not a fun book with its underlying sadness, but it is engrossing. I will probably listen to more in the series. It doesn't hurt that they're...

The Cage of Dark Hours by Marina J. Lostetter

February 27, 2023February 27, 2023 by CarolNo Comments

The Cage of Dark Hours is the second book in the series, following The Helm of Midnight. Read the first before even attempting this one. The Cage of Dark Hours opens with a brief synopsis of what happened which works well as a refresher but not as a starting point. The Cage of Dark Hours continues a few years after the events of the first book. We have a couple of returning characters, but most of the cast is new. In the first, we learned how little the people living in the valley really understand about the magics that keep them safe, about their gods, or about the creatures that terrify them. This time around Krona and her companions are trying to pull the cover all the way off, revealing what is truly going on. The book opens with a Thalo ritual and we are introduced to Thalo Child who gives us insight into the inner workings of the Thalo order, people...

Foul Play by Helena Marchmont

February 23, 2023February 21, 2023 by CarolNo Comments

Foul Play is a fun addition to the Bunburry series. The story revolves around a lost play by none other than Oscar Wilde, and of course an ensuing murder. Marge is the executrix of her friend's estate so several of our friends, including Alfie, head off to the mansion. We get a good introduction to all the characters before the murder occurs so we have several suspects. The secret hidden in the library is definitely worth killing for. The plot was intriguing and the characters are well drawn. I especially loved the Oscar Wilde fans who descend on the town. I do wish Alfie's love life would get straightened out or let go by the wayside. These stories are short enough, I don't need the mystery given less attention so that we can see more of how bad Alfie is at communicating with women he's attracted to....

When Night Falls by Helena Marchmont

February 22, 2023February 21, 2023 by CarolNo Comments

When burglaries start happening in Bunburry, everyone is concerned their house will be the next target. When Alfie's two favorite people become victims, Alfie and Emma, who's supposed to be on leave, have to get involved. In the meantime, a new arrival from London has formed a vigilante group that is threatening the local youth with baseball bats. The mystery was good. Alfie jumps to conclusions a bit too quickly but is able to change his mind as they find new evidence. There are a couple of legitimate suspects and I liked how the clues worked together. Alfie and Emma make a good team, but they need to communicate better when it comes to their personal relationship. I enjoyed this installment. It's a fun, light series. I enjoy spending time with the quirky residents of Bunburry. I do wish I could have some of the fudge, though....

Just Murdered by Katherine Kovacic

February 20, 2023February 20, 2023 by CarolNo Comments

I have never seen the tv Mss Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries tv show, but Just Murdered is based on the screenplay of the first episode. In 1964, a somewhat aimless Peregrine Fisher discovers she has an inheritance waiting for her to claim in Melbourne. Which is good, since she just got fired from the latest in her string of jobs. She arrives at the Adventuress' Club and finds out that she had an aunt, Phryne Fisher, also an Adventuress, who has been missing for six months. Phyrne had left instructions that her sister, Pegegrine's deceased mother, be contacted in the event of Phryne's disappearance or death, which is why Peregrine was sought out to claim Phyrne's things. Almost immediately one of the adventuresses is accused of murdering a model and Peregrine is determined to help clear her name. This book was a lot of fun. Peregrine is self-assured and her variety of past jobs gives her random skills and knowledge...