A Survivors' Book Club Mystery!

 

The Tuesday Night Survivors' Club by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Two things got Rarity Jones through her breast cancer treatments: friends and books. Now cancer-free, Rarity is devoting her life to helping others find their way through the maze to recovery. She’s opened a bookstore focusing on the power of healing. To that end, she’s also started the Tuesday Night Survivors’ book club. But their unity is disrupted when one of their members, Martha, suddenly goes missing. When her car is found abandoned on a trail and her dog left with a friend, Rarity is sure something terrible has happened. Will she be able to find Martha before it’s too late?
This was a very interesting mystery because it dealt with cancer and recovering from the disease. I loved the characters and the information brought forth in the story, but what I wanted was more of a mystery. It seemed that the mystery took a back seat to the cancer discussion. I would love to read the next book in this series. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.


View all my reviews

A Steamy, Romantic Suspense Novella!

 

Dead of Spring by Samantha Wilde
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Quin Levington shows up at her door, Josie Ryan is mad. It’s been one year since Liam’s death: her boyfriend and Quin’s best friend. And it’s been eight months since Quin fell off the face of the earth. Despite the anger simmering inside her, part of her is relieved to see his warm hazel eyes. But he comes bearing news. Quin knows he was blamed for a crime he didn’t commit. He also believes Liam’s death wasn’t an accident, and when Josie is attacked, it becomes clear that a killer is among them. Can he find out the truth while protecting his best friend's girl? Can he stop himself from acting on the feelings he has for Josie?
This was a good romantic suspense story. I haven’t read the first part of this series, but it didn’t stop my enjoyment. The characters were unique but likeable. Josie is an independent and smart woman who has learned to move on after her boyfriend’s death. I loved Quin’s attitude, and the need he had to make things right and protect Josie. The sensual scenes were steamy yet tasteful. Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reader’s copy.


View all my reviews

A Wonderful Not-So-Cozy Mystery!

 

The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The ornate reading room at the Boston Public Library is a quiet, tranquil place until a woman's terrified scream is heard. Security guards instruct everyone inside to stay put until the threat is identified and contained. While they wait, four strangers, who'd happened to sit at the same table, pass the time in conversation and friendships are struck. Each has his or her own reasons for being in the reading room that morning, it just happens that one is a murderer.
This is the best mystery I’ve read this year, so far. I love the way the novel was written. The story within the story was very intriguing, and kept me wondering what would happen next. I loved how the subjects of race and the Coronavirus pandemic was addressed. The characters were shown through their actions and behaviors, not just by their looks. The suspense kept me at the edge of my seat. There was a little on the page violence and sex in the book. I recommend it to everyone who loves a great mystery. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my honest opinion.


View all my reviews

Book Review!

 

Guidebook to Murder by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the coastal town of South Cove, California, Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books, and More, is caught up in the business of murder. Her elderly friend, Miss Emily, calls her for help when the city council tries to force Emily to sell her dilapidated old house. But when Emily dies unexpectedly and leaves the house to Jill, she believes that Emily may have been murdered. Jill’s list of suspects is longer than the list of repairs needed on the house. But Jill is determined to uncover the culprit and save her new home.
This is a great example of a cozy mystery. When you meet the main character, Jill, you see life through her eyes, and get the “cozy” atmospheric feels. After the dead body is found, you are wrapped up in a puzzling mystery that is not gory or full of profanities. You also may see a little romantic subplot, which gives you a breath between suspenseful moments. If you are interested in a story like this, look no further. This is the first book in A Tourist Trap mystery series, and I can’t wait to read them all.


View all my reviews

Book Review!

 

Inked Out by Karen MacInerney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Max Sayers, owner of Seaside Cottage Books, agrees to host a new mystery writers' group, she envisions literary conversations, fresh-baked cookies, and a community to support her assistant Bethany's mystery writing dream. But during the group’s inaugural meeting local author Reginald Blakely accuses young Bethany of plagiarizing his novel. The next morning, Reginald turns up dead in the bookstore. When the police start investigating Bethany, Max investigates to find the truth.
This was a fantastic cozy mystery filled with books, murder and cookies, and there are recipes in the back of the book. The plot was very intriguing and full of suspense. I was trying to figure out the identity of the culprit, but I couldn’t. The solution at the end of the book was a surprise. I can’t wait until the next installment.

View all my reviews

Book Review!

 

A Fatal Booking by Victoria Gilbert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Charlotte Reed, owner of Chapters Bed and Breakfast, is delighted to welcome an eclectic group of guests for a book club retreat focused on fairy tales and classic children’s literature. But when one of the guests is poisoned at a Mad Hatter tea party, Charlotte realizes she’s fallen down a rather unpleasant rabbit hole. Can Charlotte, with the help of her friends Ellen and Gavin, find the culprit before someone else dies at Chapters?
This was a very puzzling mystery full of twists and red herrings. The bed and breakfast was beautifully described and made me want to visit and stay for the night. Charlotte is a very likeable character, and the side characters are so intriguing that I want to know more about them, especially Ellen. Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.


View all my reviews

Mystery and Romance New Releases For June 2022!

 Here are my recommendations from June's New Releases in Romance and Mystery:

Peril at Pennington Manor by Tracy Gardner, published on June 7th

Death by Beach Read by Eva Gates, published on June 7th

Dead of Spring by Samantha Wilde, published on June 7th

The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill, published on June 7th

A Fatal Booking by Victoria Gilbert, published on June 7th

A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari, published on June 7th

The Tuesday Night Survivors' Club by Lynn Cahoon, published on June 14th

Killers of a Feather by T. C. LoTempio, published on June 21st

His Prisoner by Misty Winters, published on June 25th

A Hint of Mischief by Daryl Wood Gerber, published on June 28th

Up All Night with a Good Duke by Amy Rose Bennett, published on June 28th

Cowboy Wolf Outlaw by Kait Ballenger, published on June 28th

Donut Disturb by Ellie Alexander, published on June 28th

All of these wonderful books will give you a Happy June!