Tag: Cozy-mystery

Brownies and Broomsticks (Magical Bakery Series #1)

I’m always a little apprehensive when I pick up a first book in a new series; not sure if the book will live up to expectations. But Brownies and Broomsticks was everything I’d hoped it would be: great characters, fantastic setting (I love Savannah), and the plot was solid and unpredictable.

 

The main players in the book were all likeable and interesting, with lots of possibilities for future development. This is especially true about Katie – lots of hints about her abilities as a witch and I’m looking forward to seeing where it all goes.

 

About the only thing I didn’t like from the start; it looks like the author is going to try to create a love triangle – and I’m not a fan of that. Still, it became apparent that the two suitors were at least interesting. I just hope Ms. Cates doesn’t string it along and make it painful. I’m really, really looking forward to future books in this series.

No Nest for the Wicket (Meg Langslow Mystery #7)

No Nest for the WicketNo Nest for the Wicket
by Donna Andrews
Rating: ★★★★★
isbn: 9780312329402
Series: Meg Langslow #7
Publication Date: August 8, 2006
Pages: 259
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur

 

Donna Andrews’ Meg Langslow series is one of my all time favourites and a series I re-read with regularity.

No Nest for the Wicket is one of the best (extreme croquet – really!), as I really enjoy the ones where Meg’s wacky family plays their part (and boy they are the best sort of whack-jobs!). I’ve read no author who can so perfectly write such three-dimensional characters – even the most out there of the relatives seems believable (ok, almost believable).

I think the plot was solid, with lots of red herrings and the murderer ultimately not easy to guess.

I hope Ms. Andrews finds many, many more plots within her as I’ll be devastated when this series ends. (This review reflects the third time I’ve read this book.)

Footsteps in the Dark

What a great, fun read! I was almost late for dinner out with friends because I didn’t want to put it down until I reached the end. Great British humour throughout the story, really well blended with the mystery, the setting, the atmosphere. The ghost story was really done well too. I found this to be just an excellent cozy mystery in every sense of the word.

Smokin’ Seventeen: A Stephanie Plum Novel (Stephanie Plum Novels)

Ok – I figured out the bad guy right off the bat – but I still really enjoyed this entry in the series – probably because there was more quality Ranger time. I don’t care, really, who she ends up with – or even if she should make a choice – I just know I do like her encounters with Ranger!  Eighteen should be interesting and at least we don’t have to wait a whole year for it.

Hallowed Bones (Sarah Booth Delaney Series #5)

The more I read of this series, the more I truly like it and admire the author. The stories have elements of fun, humour, sincerity, and depth. They are intelligently written and the plots are intricately woven. This book is probably her best in the series so far. I look forward to continuing with the series.

Crossed Bones (Sarah Booth Delaney Series #4)

Carolyn Haines has a talent for making an intricate, detailed plot easy to read and fast moving. Her sense of place is so vivid it’s easy to feel you’re in the Mississippi Delta and it’s lovely to read about someone who respects her heritage.

 

This book’s story was interesting and gripping and I just couldn’t put it down. Jitty is still a nag but at least she’s starting to show signs of a softer side. I’m looking forward to continuing with this series.

Glazed Murder: A Donut Shop Mystery (Donut Shop Mysteries)

I’m not sure I’d read any more in this series – the writing felt very stiff and earnest, even though I could see that she was trying to write characters that weren’t. The only time the writing felt natural to me was in the dialog between her and her mother – I really liked seeing the mother/daughter relationship portrayed with mutual affection and equal sniping. 🙂 Her reasons for ‘investigating’ felt forced though and in the end it was a book I had to labor through.

I Scream, You Scream (Mystery a la Mode Series #1)

A light, quick read, this is one of those series I think I might like more with each book. The plot was a little bit disjointed, but ultimately, interesting. I just had to get to the end before realizing it.

 

I sort of suspected who done it, but not why, early on in the book. The characters were well written, and I liked Bree and Alice – they lent humour and color to the story. I’m looking forward to forward momentum with Finn as well.

 

Overall, a good story, and I’m looking forward to reading the next one.