Janina Edwards – Carol's Notebook

Coconut Drop Dead by Olivia Matthews

December 13, 2023December 14, 2023 by CarolNo Comments

Coconut Drop Dead is the third in the series. I've read them all in order, which I think gives a fuller picture of Lyndsay, her family, and their community. I do think this would work as a stand alone though, and to be honest it might be the best so far. Lyndsay Murray and her family are busy with the Caribbean American Heritage Festival when Camille Abbey falls to her death down a flight of stairs. Camille is the lead singer of DratonFlyZ an up-and-coming reggae band and seemed like an honestly nice woman. Lyndsay's cousin, Manny, certainly thought so. He is devastated by Camille's death and sure it was murder, so Lyndsay and the rest of the family decide to look into it. Lyndsay is a great main character and is becoming more confident as the series continues. I like how the author incorporates the food and culture of the West Indies. Their heritage is important to the people in Little...

Against the Currant by Olivia Matthews

February 3, 2023December 12, 2023 by CarolNo Comments

Against the Currant is the first in a new cozy mystery series set in a newly opened Caribbean bakery. Lyndsay Murray's dream has always been to open a bakery/eatery featuring food and recipes from Grenada where her family came from. It's finally opening day and everything is going wonderfully until in storms Claudio Febrizi, another local baker who does not want any competition. He causes a scene in front of a bakery full of customers and Lyndsay ends up arguing with him and asking him not so nicely to leave. When Claudio turns up dead the next day, Lindsay finds herself as the number one suspect. Lyndsay and her family are close and it was nice to see their connection and how supportive they are to each other both in work and in their personal lives. We get a sense of family, but of community too. We see how the community can band together to support local businesses and culture. I...

Murder Out of Character by Olivia Matthews

August 29, 2022August 29, 2022 by CarolNo Comments

Murder Out of Character is the second in the Peach Coast Library series, but the first I've read. I thought it did a good job of letting me get to know the characters and giving me enough background to feel comfortable. Marvey is still getting used to her new life in Peach Coast, Georgia, and her job as the library's Director of Community Engagement. Marvey comes across a list at a library fundraising event that has four names on it. The first is a murder victim, the second recently passed away, the third lives in Peach Coast and the fourth is her friend, Spence. Honestly, I'm still a little confused about why the killer had a list and then managed to drop it, but at least Marvey brings it to the police's attention. Marvey does always keep the detectives on the case informed, even if they don't appreciate her "help." Marvey is likable and I understood her reason for needing to figure out...

They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall

February 20, 2020February 20, 2020 by Carol2 Comments

I am a huge Agatha Christie fan, so when I was They All Fall Down is an adaptation of And Then There Were None, I was of course interested. Seven people are lured to an island in Mexico and if you've read/seen And Then There Were None, you have a basic idea of what's going to happen. In this case, I don't think it's much of a spoiler to say they all end up dead. The setting is great, an isolated private island in Mexico with a gorgeous house. The premise is obviously good, it worked for Christie, it works here. The people gathered each have their own secrets that have now caught up with them. The characters are mostly memorable if a bit caricature-ish. I didn't like any of them, but I wasn't supposed to either. The story is told in the first person by Miriam, a dance mom who has some definition. She is not a nice person...