Reading Fanatic Reviews
Cozy MysteriesMummy Issues by Paula Lester
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Mummy Issues*
Not Easy to Keep Mum
I have read every book in this series about Zoey and the zany characters at the paranormal retirement community where she works. Something in Zoey’s past is coming back to haunt her, literally and figuratively! I absolutely love the way this series mixes Zoey’s life with those of her residents. The community members add such color. In this book, Zoey is facing parental issues. Her crew with her retirement community has her back, but oh, my! I love that the magical aspect of these books is written with such humor. If you’ve read and enjoyed the other books in this series, you will thoroughly enjoy this latest addition.
Candy, Carpenters, and Candsticks by Paula Lester and Lisa B. Thomas
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Candy, Carpenters, and Candlesticks*
Halloween in Comfort Cove
Even though we’re several books into the series, it feels like Paige is still settling into her life in Comfort Cove. She has some new ideas for the bookstore, and a batch of used books turns up an old love letter. Things heat up when somebody connected to the letter turns up dead. The book is also about Paige’s relationship with her Italian boyfriend, Marco. When the book starts, he is still in Italy after his grandmother’s death; when he returns to Paige, they both want American Halloween to be special for him. Things certainly never run smoothly in this little town and certainly not for Paige. She seems to attract trouble, which of course is fun in a cozy mystery. I enjoyed the Halloween parts of the book, and I was amused that Paige was so happy about that holiday since she is an actual witch—even if no one knows that she is outside of her coven. I actually wish that there was a little more witchy-ness in this story, as I love paranormal cozies. As often happens in cozy mysteries, this book felt like it was more about Paige, her friends, and the community rather than the actual mystery. It’s a relatively short book, and in such a small amount of words, it is hard to get the balance between the cozy aspect and the mystery aspect. Still, I have enjoyed this series, and this installment was no exception.
Siren Song by Alexandria Clarke
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Siren Song*
Paranormal Adventures
This is actually three novellas in one book, all following the paranormal adventures of Bay and Nicco. They are great characters, and in these three novellas, they have to deal with Sirens, an evil beauty contestant, and an incubus! Each book is relatively short, which doesn’t give a lot of time for each story to develop, though the author does manage to get in a few a fun twist and turns. But what is written is well done and engaging. The author has created a fascinating world for these characters, both the “Witch Myth” universe and these particular looks at it.
Kerning to Crime by Jessa Archer
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Kerning to Crime*
I Love This Series
Jamie Lang, amateur sleuth and hand letterer, gets mixed up in another crime, witnessing an unknown woman dying on the street in the arms of a man. At first, they first thought she was having an allergic reaction, but when an Epi-Pen doesn’t help, something more sinister must have been at work. I enjoyed this book, as I have the other books in this series. I liked the way this book started, with a little look at Jamie’s hand lettering vlog. Nice to see a mention, too, of Hot Hugh, a YouTube hand letterer and Jamie’s friendly rival. How did she get mixed up with so many good-looking guys? Hot Hugh, law enforcement in town, and Kit–the man with the dying woman in his arms and the natural first suspect. This book, like all this author’s books, has a good balance between the quirky characters needed in a cozy mystery and the actual suspenseful mystery aspects; this is not easy to achieve, as I see most authors tending to go either one way or the other without striking the balance. A great read that had me turning the pages.
In the Nib of Time by Jessa Archer
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In the Nib of Time*
Murder of a Master Letterer
I am so enjoying this series! And not just because the heroine, amateur sleuth Jamie Lang and I share the same first name! I love the hand lettering aspects of it, as I am a calligrapher myself. (I find myself wondering if the author herself has a love of lettering, because two series of hers now have had to do with it in some way, this one on hand lettering and another on typography.) I love how Jamie notices details, like a woman in her profession would. In this book, the author strikes the perfect balance between cozy and mystery. What do I mean by that? Some cozy mysteries put too much emphasis on the interesting characters or community, and the mystery lags (or is too obviously solved). Others have the opposite problem. Ms. Archer strikes the perfect balance between the two. I love the story. What a method of murder in general, and in particular for such a master lettering craftsman as the victim. I also enjoy a mystery with a lot of potential suspects, and this one had plenty. The book pulled me right into the story’s world, and I loved watching the details unfold. Another excellent book in this series.
Battered by G. P. Gottlieb
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Scribd, Thalia, Smashwords, Mondadori, Angus & Robertson, Indigo (Chapters), and Bol.de
Battered*
Needs All Levels of Editing
I love a good culinary mystery, especially one that includes recipes that sound yummy (like this one has); unfortunately, this isn’t one of them. The language seemed oddly stilted, with phrases that we wouldn’t typically use (like “Edith tightened her lips”–making me visualize Edith and a screwdriver!) and word choice that was meant to be strong (like action verbs) but was actually just wrong in the context or distracting because it was trying too hard. I felt like the author more often told us what was happening than showed us, creating a distance between the reader and the work. The book also started with a rather large information dump, and that is one of my big pet peeves about novels, and it seems to be particularly rampant in indie-published works. It needed firm-handed editors–developmental, line, and copy editors. The book did have issues with grammar, punctuation, and usage that were hard to overlook. But, at least, the recipes do look good.
The Naked Truth by Maggie Aldrich
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The Naked Truth*
Romantic, Suspenseful Cozy Mystery
Oh, my gosh! What a fun ride is! I’ve read many cozy mysteries, but I don’t think I’ve ever read one with such a strong romantic element. This one takes place on a honeymoon, of all things. We are firmly in the head of the bride, and the author has given her such a great voice. It feels like she’s just your funny girlfriend telling you about the zany things in her life. There is so much humor, even though there are some very serious aspects to this story. What a beleaguered couple, trying to figure out the mystery when they should just be having the time of their lives. Secondary characters Fritz and Darcy were a fun addition as well. The book definitely had some twists and good red herrings, what you must have in a good mystery. It wrapped up satisfactorily, but the author wisely left it open for more adventures by the couple or perhaps by Fritz and Darcy… or maybe both! By the way, I haven’t read the first book of the series, but I was still able to read this book without any confusion or issues. This was so good, though, that I think I’m going to have to go back and read that one. I recommend this fun and easy romantic cozy mystery.
Witch Myth Christmas by Alexandria Clarke
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Witch Myth Christmas*
Paranormal Christmas a la Groundhog Day… Plus!
The first part of this book feels like a paranormal holiday version of Groundhog Day. Christmas day keeps repeating over and over with slight variations. Only one person seems to be aware of the time slip. I quite enjoyed this author’s writing style. She uses active verbs and deep point of view that makes you feel like you are living the story along with Noelle as she tries to figure everything out. There is a little bit of an information dump at the beginning, including the rather hackneyed use of a window so that a first-person narrator can describe herself, but this is written better than most, so I can forgive it. I loved following the twists and turns of the story. A fun and engaging read.
First Edition Murder by Tessa Kelly
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First Edition Murder*
Engaging Book-Based Mystery
This is the first mystery that I have read by this author, and I am glad to have found her. Even though this book is relatively short for mystery, the author still managed to surprise me with the ending. That doesn’t happen often, so I enjoy it when it does! I like the way the author described scenes and settings. I felt like I was in the room with the main character. The characters were well drawn and feel like real people. I loved being in the head of the main character. She is completely relatable and sympathetic, especially when her father looks guilty of the murder. (Even with the first line about her discomfort about catering a wedding wearing an evening dress and stilettos was just so authentic). As a book lover, too, I’m always drawn to novels where the story in some way hinges upon a book. This one does, and it is even a mystery! In all, I found this book to be an engaging read.
A Murder in Hope’s Crossing by Brooke Shelby
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A Murder in Hope's Crossing*
Didn’t Work for Me
I will admit that I am turned off right away when a book starts with an information dump, and this book had quite a lengthy one. I do work with some authors on their books, and I sometimes recommended they just toss out the first chapter or two and get to the story! This book might have benefited from such an action. I thought the dialog sounded stilted, not like the way people talk. As such, I had a hard time getting into and sticking with the story. I didn’t really find the characters engaging, and I will be passing on the rest of the series.
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