Fell Murder by E. C. R. Lorac

Fell Murder by E. C. R. Lorac

by Carol6 Comments
In Fell Murder, Lorac does a great job setting the scene. Before the murder even happens, we know the family and their quarrels, the neighboring farmers and the landscape well. For some, the prolonged introduction may make the book seem to start off slow, but I like getting to know the eventual suspects and seeing how they interacted with the victim when he was alive. Garth was a respected, rather than loved, elderly and wealthy landowner. Even though he was tough and mean, he was a hard-worker and dealt with people fairly for the most part. Nevertheless, there are plenty of suspects among the family and neighbors.  MacDonald, our series detective, is called in from Scotland Yard because the local man is too busy and not used to dealing with murders, and it's for the best. The local man is a townie and treats the farmers as if they're stupid. MacDonald is gentler and realizes their slowness in speech and action...
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Binding Dante Lovelace by Jennifer Rainey

Binding Dante Lovelace by Jennifer Rainey

by Carol2 Comments
My two favorite demons, Dante Lovelace and Iago Wick, are in trouble again. Definitely go back and read The Last Temptations of Iago Wick, the first in the series, before Binding Dante Lovelace though. It gives some extra background to the characters that I think it's better when reading this one. The first gives more attention to their jobs as demons, while this one's focus is a bit different. Dante has been bound by a witch, which Hell lets occur. They don't really have their demons' backs when it comes down to it. The witch needs his power to add to hers, but we don't find out why for a few chapters. Turns out the world is actually in danger and Dante has been forced to help save it. Of course, Iago leaves Boston to join him. Of course, saving the world is never easy, especially not for demons. The costs are high. I adore Dante and Iago. I love how...
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The Last Temptations of Iago Wick by Jennifer Rainey

The Last Temptations of Iago Wick by Jennifer Rainey

by Carol2 Comments
The Last Temptations of Iago Wick is such a fun book. Yes, Iago Wick and Dante Lovelace are demons, but they're not evil. Well, maybe a bit, but mostly it's because temptation and catastrophe are their callings. Lucifer gave demons a purpose. They really do enjoy people, like being on earth (it's way better than Hell, even for a demon). Iago is a tempter. The souls he's after are already well on their way to hell, he just gives the final push. His current assignment involves the men in a secret society. that has done some pretty nasty things to a lot of people over the years. But there's this inventor, relatively new in town, who realizes that the town's recent spate of deaths is due to a demon. And Iago might be in more danger than he expects. The book really is delightful. It's funny in a dry way. It's got demons with their own moral code and their own dilemmas....
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Murder in the Mill-Race by E. C. R. Lorac

Murder in the Mill-Race by E. C. R. Lorac

by Carol3 Comments
Murder in the Mill-Race, also published as Speak Justly of the Dead, takes place in a small, somewhat isolated town North Devon. Dr. Ferens has taken over the practice of the mostly retired town doctor and he and his wife are happy to move away from the grit and grime of the city. Of course, villages come with their own sets of difficulties, and in this particular village, one of those is Sister Monica who runs the children's home. Mrs. Ferens has an instant dislike to her and while the townsfolk all praise her, you know something's not quite right. It's no surprise when she ends up dead in the stream just beyond the mill. We meet the people in town as Dr. Ferens does and we are allowed to settle into the setting nicely before the murder occurs. Even then the local guy does a bit of investigating before MacDonald is called in. The villagers are not keen on answering...
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Death of a Ladies’ Man by Helena Marchmont

Death of a Ladies’ Man by Helena Marchmont

by Carol6 Comments
Alfie's life in London merges with his life in Bunburry in Death of a Ladies' Man. This is the fourth in the series and can stand alone, but it would be much better to go back and read them all. They're short and enjoyable, and like most series it's better to read them in order. Two of Alfie's acquaintances from London show up. They are gaudy and snobbish and want Alfie to invest a bunch of money in some scheme or other. Also in town is Mario Bellini, who makes the best ice cream in London. Mario makes a bit of a stir in town. He's handsome and an irrepressible flirt who makes at least one local husband quite angry. Alfie loves the ice cream and gives Mario his card so he can have some shipped. Unfortunately, when Mario is found dead, Alfie's card is still in his pocket, and the incompetent sheriff at first focusses on that. But the jealous...
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Dim Sum of All Fears by Vivien Chien

Dim Sum of All Fears by Vivien Chien

by Carol7 Comments
First off, I love the covers of the Noodle Shop Mysteries. I'm not usually much of a cover person, but these just look delicious, are bright, have a bit of humor, I think, with the soy sauce (?) pouring into the skull shape. Dim Sum of All Fears is the second in the series. It could probably be read as a stand-alone, but I'm glad I read the first beforehand. It gives you a better picture of the family relationships and the people at the Asia Village shopping center. This time around, a good, if new, friend of Lana's has been murdered, along with her husband. Turns out there was a lot Lana didn't know about the couple, but still wants to see the killer brought to justice. Since their success in solving the last crime, she and her roommate, Megan, decide that they need to do some digging around. There are several suspects, turns out the husband was not only...
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