Old Habits Die Hard

I received a free copy of this book from Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review. It is the first book in a new series called Nun the Wiser. It was published on April 2, 2025.

The publisher's summary:

When retired nun and teacher Sister Bernadette returns with her fellow residents to The Abbey: Senior Living, she is the first to discover the body sprawled in the hallway of the converted school where she once taught English and now lives. Instead of freezing with horror, Sister Bernie has questions. Lots of them. Why does Toni Travi, the bedazzled and bejeweled resident from apartment 218, have so much chest hair? Did anyone at The Abbey know Toni was a man? Was Toni’s death related to allegations that she cheated at cards? Where’s the murder weapon? Who had motive? And did someone kill Toni, or the man hiding beneath the Revlon foundation and blonde wig?

Detective AJ Lewis is in charge of the investigation though Sister Bernie acts as if he is still her student. With unholy stubbornness, she dogs his every step, eavesdrops, sneaks beyond the police tape and offers unsolicited conjecture and clues. He wants to keep her safe, but she’s determined to lend a helping hand—it’s her habit, after all!

Old Habits Die Hard is a cute cozy mystery with a retired nun as the amateur sleuth. The murder of a resident at a senior residence happened early in the story and the investigation began quickly. It was realistic with the police following protocol regardless of how fast it took them to solve the murder. Protocol prioritized over untangling the mystery. The officer charged with the investigation used to be a student of Sister Bernadette/Bernie, our amateur sleuth and he was a little afraid of engaging her with his questions. He also spent alot of time ignoring her questions about the investigation. Their relationship will make this new series unbeatable.

Several of the characters who lived at the residence will make interesting villains, or at least suspects, in future installments of the series. I can even see Bernie as a suspect. She's nosy and knows everyone's business. She also knows where all the secret nooks and crannies are in the senior building because it used to be the school where she taught for 48 years. Bernie used these spaces to eavesdrop on AJ's witness interviews. She then used the information gleaned to further her own investigation.

5 out of 5 stars. Cozy lovers should check this one out.

An Irish Bookshop Murder

Last year I read three books from Lucy Connelly's Scottish Isles series and loved them. When I found out about this new Mercy McCarthy mystery I had to get it. This series takes place in Shamrock Cove, Ireland and I love the setting. 

The publisher's summary:

Meet Ireland’s newest daring detective: she’s a bookstore owner, a coffee lover, and a crime writer. Now Mercy McCarthy needs a little Irish luck as she takes on her first case!  After receiving an unexpected inheritance from her grandfather, Mercy and her twin sister Lizzie are now the proud owners of a charming antique bookshop in the tiny Irish village of Shamrock Cove. But before they can take in the beautiful view of the sea, one of their neighbors drops dead!

Mercy finds the Judge, a well-respected man who lives next door, dying on his own doorstep. She rushes to help, but with his final words, he accuses Mercy of murder! Most of their new neighbors hear his words and, with suspicion pointing at Mercy, she decides to investigate the case to clear her name.  Searching amongst the Judge’s old books, Mercy uncovers letters proving several of the townsfolk had reason to dislike the older man—but was it the local pub landlord, the kindly cook or neighborly knitter who killed him?

Then Mercy’s chief suspect turns up dead and she receives a threatening note, typed on paper from her own bookstore… Ireland was supposed to be a fresh start for Mercy and Lizzie, but dead bodies keep turning up.  Does Mercy have what it takes to nail the culprit or will the killer close the book on her time in this charming Irish village?

Connelly has recently become one of my favorite authors. I am thrilled to have discovered her. An Irish Bookshop Murder is a great start for the series. Many times first novels have too much backstory and character information to the detriment of the actual mystery. Here, however, we have a rich mystery to solve and it has many twists. The pace is fast and with quirky characters it is an engaging story. I can see future installments of the series having a wide variety of plotlines with all of these eccentric characters. 

If there is anything negative to say about the book, it is the suspension of belief required to accept Mercy’s  investigation of the Judge’s murder. It seemed bizarre that she would investigate when she had only lived in the community for one week. Who does that? Most people would be busy unpacking and arranging their new home to their taste. Most people wouldn't be able to remember all the names of their new neighbors yet alone consider whether they are guilty of murder.

The story is a fast read. Cozy mystery lovers will enjoy it. 5 out of 5 stars.

Knife Skills For Beginners

Knife Skills for the Beginner is the first book in a new cozy culinary mystery series. It's fantastic! The plot is about a chef who is talked into substituting for a famous chef/friend who teaches a week long residential cookery course. 

The publisher's summary:

The Chester Square Cookery School in the heart of London offers students a refined setting in which to master the fine art of choux pastry and hone their hollandaise. True, the ornate mansion doesn’t quite sparkle the way it used to—a feeling chef Paul Delamare is familiar with these days. Worn out and newly broke, he’d be tempted to turn down the request to fill in as teacher for a week-long residential course, if anyone other than Christian Wagner were asking.

Christian is one of Paul’s oldest friends, as well as the former recipient of two Michelin stars and host of Pass the Gravy! Thanks to a broken arm, he’s unable to teach the upcoming session himself, and recruits Paul as stand-in. The students are a motley crew, most of whom seem more interested in ogling the surroundings (including handsome Christian) than learning the best ways to temper chocolate.

Yet despite his misgivings, Paul starts to enjoy imparting his extensive knowledge to the recruits—until someone turns up dead, murdered with a cleaver Paul used earlier that day to prep a pair of squabs. Did one of his students take the lesson on knife techniques too much to heart, or was this the result of a long-simmering grudge? In between clearing his own name and teaching his class how to perfectly poach a chicken, he’ll have to figure out who’s the killer, and avoid being the next one to get butchered.

 

Knife Skills is an entertaining story. I loved everything about it. The plot was good and the characters were remarkable. All of them were a little eccentric which made them seem suspicious. This is the first book I have ever read where every character could have been the killer, except Christian, the deceased. When the killer was revealed I was shocked. I wondered what clues I could have missed. How many of these characters return in the next book is questionable and I am wondering if Paul will be teaching classes in future books or if his setting is going to be a restaurant.

This is the author’s debut fiction novel. Orlando Murrin is a former editor of BBC Good Food, founder of Olive Magazine, a semi-finalist on Masterchef and has written seven cookbooks. I guess he knows how to write! Not every one can write fiction though but he has begun the series well. I look forward to reading more from him in the future. 

The Celestial Guardian

I started this book last night and was only going to read a few chapters. The next thing I knew I had read 150 pages. Again, I thought I would finish the chapter and go to bed. I didn't get to sleep until I finished the book. The Celestial Guardian is that good! 

The publisher's summary:  

Dive into the heart of Vatican intrigue with The Celestial Guardian, an adrenaline-pumping thriller that masterfully intertwines the shadowy corridors of religious power with the luminous frontiers of scientific discovery. This captivating narrative follows Father Michael Dominic, the esteemed Prefect of the Vatican’s Secret Archives, as he uncovers a remarkable artifact lost to time—Leonardo da Vinci’s most ingenious invention, the Celestial Guardian. Initially heralded as a divine instrument capable of forecasting a catastrophic asteroid bound for Earth, Father Dominic's discovery soon unravels a more ominous reality: the Guardian’s ability to not just predict, but alter celestial events.

As the revelation of its true potential threatens to shake the foundations of faith and science, the narrative propels readers into a high-stakes race against time. Father Dominic finds himself ensnared in a dangerous web of ambition and power, with factions including a power-hungry Vatican cardinal, vying for control of the Guardian’s world-altering abilities. Set against the backdrop of a Church grappling with transformative doctrines and the scrutiny of the world, Father Dominic must navigate his own inner turmoil while thwarting a global catastrophe.

The Celestial Guardian is a riveting exploration of the delicate balance between belief and science, power and morality. It’s a story that delves deep into the heart of human vulnerability, ambition, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. With a narrative rich in historical enigma, scientific wonder, and human drama, this novel promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats, questioning where the boundary between miraculous and scientific truly lies. Prepare for a journey that spans the secretive vaults of the Vatican to the cutting edge of astronomy, all woven into a suspense-filled saga that guarantees to captivate from the first page to the last.

I loved the story but I felt it was a little different from other books on the series. The others were thrillers but this one I would categorize as a mystery. There's nothing wrong with that. There was no urgency in the resolution of the plot, at least I didn't see any. There was no murder to resolve. Instead, there is a race between one group who want to control the Guardian for good and another group wanting to use it to gain power. I had a disconnect with the idea that there was an urgency among these two groups within the Vatican. That said, I was eager to know how this would all play out.

As usual, the author created an amazing plot premise. He took one of DaVinci device drawings and decided to have his characters build it. Lo and behold the machine can predict celestial events and even change those events. The villain is a Cardinal who plans to use the machine to create the face of Jesus in the sky. He hopes it will result in people returning to the church and strictly following his instructions. Father Dominic prefers to only use the Guardian to change the path of an asteroid tumbling toward earth.

The Celestial Guardian is an easy reading and I'm rating it 4 out of 5 stars.

The Wife Upstairs

I selected this book for the Key Word Reading Challenge. Upstairs is one of the words allowed this month. When I selected it I knew it was going to be great because Freida McFadden is the author. She is a stellar writer.

The publisher's summary:

Victoria Barnett has it all.

A great career as a nurse practitioner. A handsome and loving husband. A beautiful home in the suburbs and a plan to fill it with children. Life is perfect—or so it seems.

Then she’s in a terrible accident… and her life is forever changed.

Sylvia Robinson is hired as a caregiver for Victoria. Sylvia moves into a spare room, feeds Victoria, and takes her on long walks. The two women become friends.

But as it turns out, this simple nursing job is more than what it seems. As Sylvia and Victoria's friendship grows, Sylvia realizes that Victoria is desperately trying to tell her something.

If only she could speak.

My first reaction to this book is WOW!  Talk about being on a wild ride. This story started off fast and the pace kept increasing. When negative things happened, the rural setting made them seem worse. There were no neighbors for a mile, no nearby stores or police protection. The city was 2 or 3 hours away.

The characters are what made the book successful. Victoria's husband Adam is the main villain but there are other characters that acted just as bad. Victoria's friend Maggie had ulterior motives, all while giving the appearance of protecting her. Her betrayal of Victoria isn't shown until the end. She was jealous of Victoria because Adam seemed like a great guy. He was rich, brought her flowers and took her to dinner at high priced restaurants. Adam also bought her a house, without telling her, but it was obvious to me that he was a possessive man and the relationship would deteriorate. On the surface Adam was an attentive husband, catering to his wife's every whim. Privately, he was a tyrant who frequently cheated on Victoria.

When Sylvia is hired she is overwhelmed at the opportunity to live in their mansion. Sylvia couldn't believe how lucky she was to sleep in a huge bed made up with luxury linens. Adam gave her Victoria's Honda Civic to use when she wanted to go out. All she saw was the riches she was given by Adam and Sylvia ignored all the signs of his misconduct. She didn't ask questions because she wanted to continue living the high life. Her downfall, though,  was her loyalty to her patient.

How Victoria sustained her injuries is unknown. Everyone believes whatever Adam tells them. I think they only believed him because he was rich and they wanted him for themselves. Why the wealthy get away with so much has always felt wrong but it happens in real life all the time. I still don't understand why.

The Wife Upstairs shows us the age old story of domestic violence committed by men. Freida McFadden writes it exquisitely and it's an engrossing read. 5 out of 5 stars.

The Lindens

I received a free copy of this book from the Librarything's Early Reviewer's Club. The story spans 150 years in the life of a house in the English countryside weaving together the tales of its inhabitants over the decades. There is a dairymaid with big dreams, a lonely evacuee, a damaged army veteran and aging hippies. We also have teenagers partying on midsummer’s night eve, grown-up kids coming home for Christmas and a bored Slovakian housewife receiving some unexpected visitors. This is an epic novel about home and family, love and loss, vengeful goats and mushroom trips.

I particularly love reading long sagas so I knew I would enjoy this book. It did not disappoint.  Each era told a new story with new characters and new plot. They were basically different books to read. It was obvious that the author did a lot of research into each era. I enjoyed reading about the details of life in each time period. What didn't I like? There wasn't much to dislike but at times the story was sad. 

The first era was my favorite. Here we have a rich boy who falls in love with a beautiful but poor girl. His family is dead set against them getting married but they go ahead and marry anyway. To everyone's chagrin, it's a successful marriage. This story was super sweet.

All in all, The Lindens is a fantastic novel. I am rating it 4 out of 5 stars.

This Blood Runs

This Blood Runs is the sequel to J. M. Cannon's This Family Lies. It is a psychological thriller at its best and mystery fans will love it. Note that parts of the novel are gruesome but it matches the storyline. However, if you are squeamish you might want to pass on reading the book. The story involves the Mexican cartel and descriptions of human trafficking are prominent.

The publisher's summary:

Iris is being hunted.

Through the burning sugarcane fields she must flee Sweet Blood and the country.

But in the blue hills of Mexico awaits a new set of horrors. Blood trails and missing girls tell a story: what Iris was told about her past might not be true.

The game is on for her to stay alive and find the person she loves. The challenge is the truth because that's the thing about lies, Iris has learned...

They multiply.

This Blood Burns picks up with the intensity, twists and the shock that left readers of This Family Lies enthralled. Coming late summer.

 

It took me a few chapters to become familiar with the action that occurred in the first book. In a perfect world I would have read these novels consecutively. I felt awful that Iris experienced so many tramatic events while she was on the lam. She believed that law enforcement was searching for her in order to charge her with killing her husband so she put up with alot. SPOILER ALERT We find out later that this was false. Every person who helped her run was actually an enemy of her but she didn't know it. These reveals were all shocking but part of the many twists and turns in this story. Iris's run covers most of the pages but at one point she agrees to help the FBI catch the leaders of the cartel. This is where the story becomes gruesome. As Iris uncovers information about the trafficking trade, it's ugliness is shown. 

I recommend beginning with This Family Lies before reading this book. There are clues that eminate from the earlier novel and these clues are not explained. The reader really needs to have read This Family Lies in order to understand what the clues refer to.

I loved reading the novel and am rating it 5 out of 5 stars.

Delver Season 1

Delver Season 1 is a Comixology Original comic. It collects releases 1 through 5 and there are 5 seasons of this 2019 comic. It is kid friendly; no foul language, violence or sex. 

The publisher's summary:

When the door to a living dungeon surfaces in the tiny hamlet of Oddgoat, village girl Temerity Aster has two choices: abandon the only home she's ever known to carpet baggers and sellswords, or carve out a place for herself and her family in the new and dangerous world of delving. 

The story opens with a boy being sent to the family's root cellar for ingredients needed for dinner. He finds an entrance to the Dungeon and tells the family when he returns. Soon neighbors are talking about it and the gossip spreads. People begin coming from all over the world to try and gain their fortunes in this dangerous place. The story focuses on Merit, a fifteen year old girl who decides to try her fortune as a Delver as the Dungeon irrevocably changes the life of those in the community. 

The first thing I noticed was that the main family of the series is dark skinned while the people who come out of the dungeon are crazy looking white people. This theme is carried out throughout the 141 pages of the comic. I thought it was hilarious. So what is delving? It is searching for treasure in the dungeon. In order to enter and exit the dungeon you have to find the door. To make matters difficult, the doors move and close frequently. Most of the time you are rich beyond belief when you exit the dungeon so everyone wants to enter. 

I cannot wait to read all 5 seasons! Delver is a cute comic for all ages. 5 out of 5 stars.

Everything Bundt the Truth

I received a free copy of this cozy mystery from Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review.  It is a Dinner Club cozy mystery that was published in 2016. I thought it was OK but it didn't do much for me.

The publisher's summary:

She cheated on dessert. A murderer killed before dinner. If she doesn't dish up the solution, she'll be banned from the club. A recent widow, Jane Marsh, is determined to recapture a rich, full life. She strives for youthful fun by riding a bicycle downtown on her lunch hour in a suit and heels, smoking cigars, eating at hipster restaurants, and re-entering the dating scene, even if her dates prove to be peculiar. Her most fervent desire, though, is to join an exclusive dinner club. She auditions but is barred when her housekeeper is found murdered, and she and her guest list become the suspect list. Her, a killer? So what if her two late husbands died under suspicious circumstances. It doesn't make her a killer. Having passed off a store-bought Bundt cake as her own creation, she may have committed a culinary crime, but never murder! This first in the dinner club murder mystery series is similar to cozies written by authors Jessica Beck, Joanne Fluke, and Leslie Meier. If you like cozy mysteries, tight friendships, and gripping who-done-its, you'll love Whalen's Everything Bundt the Truth. Buy the book now to join the dinner club craze today.

My initial attraction to the book was the inviting red book cover with the bundt cake pan. The cover is gorgeous. However, the writing style was simple and didn't entertain me. There are a few positives though. I thought that the murder occurring in the first chapter was a good idea as then the rest of the book is about the investigation. The plot premise was also good. Murdering the housekeeper was a great idea but being denied entry into a dinner club because she was killed didn't make sense to me. It was a stretch too far. 

Jane was an obvious suspect since the death occurred in her home. The police were also interested in her because both of her husbands died in similar accidents. The author focused alot of attention on Jane's interactions with family and friends. I prefer a storyline that spends most of the pages on the murder investigation. . 

Many cozy lovers will enjoy this traditional cozy but it wasn't my cup of tea. 3 out of 5 stars.

The Chaiwallah

I received a free copy of this book from Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review. The Chaiwallah will be published on April 15, 2025.

The publisher's summary:

In the heart of bustling Mumbai, three neighbors—each caught in their own struggles—find unexpected solace from a new street vendor, whose quiet wisdom and selfless acts guide them toward paths they never imagined.

Aditi, the only woman in her community with a degree, dreams of climbing the corporate ladder to secure her son's future. But after her latest rejection, self-doubt consumes her.

From a nearby opulent apartment, Sumeet has always followed his father's advice. Now, at the peak of his business career, a toxic work culture begins to make him question the life he's built.

Arjun slumps beneath the bodhi tree by Sumeet's building. Haunted by a troubled past, he drowns in alcohol and debt, desperate for a way out.

When a new tea seller arrives in their neighborhood square, his fragrant chai, warmth, and wisdom draw them in. One cup at a time, he nudges them closer to finding their true purpose.

The Chaiwalah is a heartwarming tale of a street tea seller who intervenes in the lives of three people. He is a wise, elderly man that sets up his tea cart every day at the same place on Chimbai Square. 

The story is told from the perspectives of those three people. All are having problems at work. Arjan is a professional thief who has been unable to establish himself in Mumbai. He moved here for the opportunities available. Aditi is a sales clerk at a call center who is always passed over for promotions. Sumeet is a manager in a vehicle factory but he also teaches underprivileged kids at a local school. As each of them interact with the chaiwalah daily, they receive advice that is necessary for them to deal with their job stress. 

The story captivated me. I was fully invested in where the lives of the three characters were going. Also, the plot lifted me up personally as I read all the advice the chaiwallah gave. We all need one in our lives. 5 out of 5 stars.

Can't Wait Wednesday #41

I recently discovered that Alka Joshi has a new book coming out on 2 weeks. I loved her book The Henna Artist and have high hopes for Six Days in Bombay.

When renowned painter Mira Novak arrives at Wadia hospital in Bombay after a miscarriage, she's expected to make a quick recovery, and her nurse, Sona, is excited to learn more about the vivacious artist who shares her half-Indian identity. Sona, yearning for a larger life, finds herself carried away by Mira's stories of her travels and exploits and is shocked by accounts of the many lovers the painter has left scattered throughout Europe. When Mira dies quite suddenly and mysteriously, Sona falls under suspicion, and her quiet life is upended. 
 
The key to proving Sona's innocence may lie in a cryptic note and four paintings Mira left in her care, sending the young woman on a mission to visit the painter's former friends and lovers across a tumultuous Europe teetering toward war. On the precipice of discovering her own identity, Sona learns that the painter's charming facade hid a far more complicated, troubled soul. 
 
I might have time next week to read the book. We shall see.

The Sirens

The Sirens was published two days ago. The book was written by Emilia Hart, author of one of my favorite books Weyward. I have been anxiously awaiting the publication of Hart's newest novel. It is about sisters who are separated by centuries but all four are bound together by the sea.

The publisher's summary: 

2019: Lucy awakens from a dream to find her hands around her ex-lover’s throat. Horrified, she flees to her older sister’s house on the Australian coast, hoping she can help explain the strangely vivid nightmare that preceded the attack—but Jess is nowhere to be found.

As Lucy awaits her return, the rumors surrounding Jess’s strange small town start to emerge. Numerous men have gone missing at sea, spread over decades. A tiny baby was found hidden in a cave. And sailors tell of hearing women’s voices on the waves. Desperate for answers, Lucy finds and begins to read her sister’s adolescent diary.

1999: Jess is a lonely sixteen-year-old in a rural town in the middle of the continent. Diagnosed with a rare allergy to water, she has always felt different, until her young, charming art teacher takes an interest in her drawings, seeing a power and maturity in them—and in her—that no one else has.

1800: Twin sisters Mary and Eliza have been torn from their loving father in Ireland and forced onto a convict ship bound for Australia. For their entire lives, they’ve feared the ocean, as their mother tragically drowned when they were just girls. Yet as the boat bears them further and further from all they know, they begin to notice changes in their bodies that they can’t explain, and they feel the sea beginning to call to them…

A breathtaking tale of female resilience and the bonds of sisterhood across time and space, The Sirens captures the power of dreams, and the mystery and magic of the sea.

As I started reading, I was trying to figure out what the heck this book was about. When I realized that it was part magical realism, part historical fiction I understood. The language for both of these parts was magical and that threw me off. While I was figuring all of this out and not sure if I liked the book, I could not stop reading. That's a good sign that I was enjoying it. The story is so compelling that I finished the book in one sitting. The 1800s narrative was the most enjoyable with the 2019 narrative my second choice. 

The setting is the sea even though many of the events take place in Australia. There is also an eeriness associated with it that enhances the magical realism part of the novel. The plot does not tell the reader who or what was responsible for 8 Australian men who are missing. Their names are mentioned several times but there is an illusion, though, to them all abusing women at some time and their victims getting revenge. This tells us that sisterhood is the theme. Only when women get together to fight an enemy can they be successful.

This story was based on one of the author’s paternal ancestors who had actually captained a convict ship. He transported Irish prisoners, both men and women, to Australia. The author created a complex and interesting plot from this fact in her ancestry. It gives me the idea that I should start writing because I have a huge family tree with plenty of interesting ancestors.

All in all, this is a great book. I feel like I need to re-read it, though, in order to catch all of the details that I may have missed. I am going to publish this review but re-read the book in a few weeks. I am rating it 4 out of 5 stars.

No Roast for the Weary

This coffeehouse mystery series by husband and wife writing team Cleo Coyle is my favorite cozy mystery series. In No Roast for the Weary the tables are turned on protagonist Clare Cosi and her Village Blend staff after opening a Writer's Block Lounge on the second floor of the coffeehouse.

The publisher's summary:  

When the Village Blend opens a Writer's Block Lounge, a cold case crime turns up the heat on Clare and her crew in this gripping new entry in the beloved Coffeehouse Mystery series from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle.

As much as master roaster Clare Cosi adores coffee, the landmark shop she manages won't survive if she doesn't sell enough of it. So when the Village Blend's customer traffic grinds to a halt, she turns to her staff for creative ideas, and the Writer's Block Lounge is born.

Madame, the eccentric octogenarian owner of the shop, is upset by this news. Years ago, a group of accomplished writers used the shop's second-floor lounge to inspire each other, but the group disbanded when something dark occurred. Though that history is shrouded in mystery, Clare presses forward...

Soon the Village Blend tables are filled with aspiring novelists, playwrights, and poets, all happy to be coaxed, cajoled, and caffeinated by her coffeehouse crew. Clare admires the stamina of these scribes, many of them toiling at night jobs—driving taxis, tending bar, ushering for Broadway—while penning projects during the day.

Then one of their fictions turns fatal when a shocking secret leads to a deadly end. Unless Clare can untangle this mystery, uncover the truth, and stop a desperate killer, she fears more of these weary writers may be marked for eternal rest. ~ Includes a knockout menu of recipes.

No Roast for the Weary is cozy mystery perfection! I was hooked from the first chapter and loved that she incorporated current events into the story. The Village Blend is suffering financially because of the COVID-19 pandemic shut-down. Customer traffic hasn’t recovered from the pandemic. In order to increase business, the coffeehouse team brainstorms and decides to reopen the Writer’s Block Lounge, a second floor lounge that the coffeehouse hosted a few decades ago. With ads on social media sites, the crowds return.

There is an incident, though, with a regular customer who begins shouting and fighting against someone who is invisible to everyone but him. The staff call him Mr. Scrib because he spends hours every day drinking coffee and writing in a notebook. Scrib tells barrista Esther that he is writing a true crime book that will upset all the politicians and cops in New York City. The mystery to be solved concerns Mr. Scrib whose real name is Jensen Van Dyne. There is a murder to solve in the current time period but the one that happened years ago in the Writer's  Block Lounge is the main mystery.

This is another fun, fast-paced contemporary mystery. I love that this story delved into a mystery that occurred decades ago in the coffeehouse. It keeps the series fresh when the authors write about both current and former murders that happened at the Village Blend.

5 out of 5 stars. 

The Versailles Formula

This is the third book in Nancy Bilyeau's 18th-century Genevieve Planché series. While it probably can be read as a standalone novel, I recommend beginning with the first book in the trilogy The Blue and then The Fugitive Colours. There is too much backstory that a reader needs to know in order to understand the current story. Please note that I received an advanced review copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. The book will be published on April 17, 2025.

The publisher's summary:

Genevieve Sturbridge was never meant for a quiet life in the English countryside. Once an artist in the heart of London, she now spends her days in restless solitude. But when a familiar figure from her past arrives with an urgent request, she is thrust into a perilous world of spies and a formula that could shift the balance of power between France and England.

The thrill of the chase is intoxicating—the cryptic clues hidden in plain sight, the challenge of ferreting secrets from dangerous opponents, the undeniable rush of being needed again. But with every step deeper into the mystery, the danger grows. Someone is watching. Someone is hunting. And the more she uncovers, the more she wonders: Has she walked willingly into a trap?

The story started out well but as I reached Part 2, I wondered when art and pigments would enter the plot. Almost simultaneously with my thoughts, Genevieve is asked to return to France to investigate who is using the forbidden blue color that her husband created. While there, Genevieve will do a little spying for her country. 

I was disappointed with the book. It is advertised as a historical thriller but it isn't a thriller. I would categorize it as a historical mystery; a good one. A big part of my disappointment was the extremely high expectations that I held. Each of the author’s earlier eight novels were spectacular. Another blockbuster was expected. That said, it is a fairly good mystery. I would not want this installment of the series to be the end though. I believe that the series is only three books and, if so, The Versailles Formula is not the best ending. Another problem I have is that the story wasn't about the chemical formula for blue but rather the possibility that it is being misused. It took alot of pages before the identity of this mystery was given. 

Approximately one third of the book gave background information from the first two books. It was done well with equal amounts of dialogue and narrative but unless you've read those books, the level of drama from the backstory is missing. Also, Genevieve's career as an artist is not part of the plot. That's a departure from the earlier two books in the series. 

Enough with the negatives. What is positive about the book? Genevieve and Captain Howard's mission in France was fraught with plenty of twists and I was often afraid for both of them. It didn't appear that they would succeed in their quest to determine who was using the forbidden blue color. Almost daily they were accosted by enemies of England but the two were not always aware of the identity of these enemies. Part of the mission was to figure out who was who. If they could return to England with the name of the forger of blue then they were successful. Along the way these two met interesting Frenchmen who added "color" to the story. Pun intended. 

The book reads like a historical spy story. However, my impression of the series was something else. If this was a standalone novel I would rate it highly. It is part of a series, though, so I can only rate it based upon this fact. 3.7 stars out of 5 stars.

High Tea and Misdemeanors

The Indigo Teashop mysteries are one of my top three cozy mystery series. High Tea and Misdemeanors is the 29th installment of the series and it is one of the best to date. If you haven't yet read the series, you simply must. It's magnificent and has the fastest pace of all 29 books.

The publisher's summary: 

When a wedding is tragically averted by the death of the bridesmaid, Theodosia is determined to prove that it was murder in the latest entry in this New York Times bestselling series.

Theodosia Browning and her tea sommelier, Drayton Conneley, are tapped to cater the elegant wedding of Bettina and Jamie. Theodosia and Drayton are setting up when they hear a crash from the greenhouse. Shockingly, they discover that part of the roof has collapsed trapping a bridesmaid and the groom. He will pull through but the bridesmaid is no more. Theodosia is convinced it was murder.

INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!

I always have a good laugh at some of the rhyming two word adjectives that author Laura Childs uses; eg, a florist shop in Charleston is called Flora Dora and a sound was thump-thumpering. What I particularly noticed in this novel was that tea sommelier Drayton Conneley was described as being sixtysomething. He has been this age for 29 years! I must acknowledge, though, that if the characters aged throughout the series, none of them would still be alive and there would be no books anymore. We can't have that.

The murder occurred in the first chapter which I always appreciate because the rest of the story can be about the investigation. I noticed how well written the first chapter was compared to earlier books in the series. The story opens with the killer doing his thing. I don't believe Childs has written this chapter with a hook before. Usually we see setting descriptions and introductions to the main characters. The hook is the reason the chapter was so fast paced. 

The pace was maintained throughout the story. Theodosia didn't think about investigating, she just started to do so. While cozies require a suspension of belief, I thought it was bizarre that Theo's boyfriend, police detective Pete Riley, followed her ideas on how to investigate the murder. He did what he was told. Then again, with a long series it becomes dry reading about the amateur sleuth always scratching for leads from the police. I guess in this case the suspension of belief is appropriate.

High Tea and Misdemeanors is a wonderful entry into the Indigo Teashop series. 5 out of 5 stars.

Book Cover of the Month: March

Andrew Fielding is a freelance illustrator based in Edinburgh. He designed this book cover for Philip Brebner's Shadows of Marrakech.What I love about the cover is the bright colors but also the scene depicted. It is the interior of a souk where one can find find all types of items to buy. It  certainly gives a proper backdrop for the story.

In the book Ramzi, a disillusioned Scottish scientist, is running a riad in Marrakech. After a customer, Frenchman Paul Gallisot, is murdered in the city, Ramzi decides to play detective and investigates the death. The setting is most prominent feature of the story so this scene on the cover is most appropriate.

Andrew Fielding is highly creative. In addition to illustration he has also worked on character creation, scriptwriting and animation for a UK TV station. He studied at BBC Scotland CBeebies & Scottish Book Trust Lab in 2010.

Book of the Month: March

The Confessions of Pope Joan is by far my best book of the month. In this installment of the Vatican Secret Archives series, author Gary McAvoy marries theological arguments with historical objects and adventure. He is an expert at it. In this installment of the series McAvoy addresses married priests and women’s roles in the Church.

The story follows Father Michael Dominic, the main character, and his friend Hana Sinclair as they travel to England to see an ancient Bible.From there they are led to a diary written by Joan Anglicus. Joan is believed by some to be the only female pope in church history. Others believe that she is a myth. From the diary the two are led to an ancient gospel of Salome. 

This was an exciting novel and mystery lovers should read the series if they haven't done so yet.

The Confessions of Pope Joan

The Confessions of Pope Joan is the 7th book in the Vatican Secret Archives Mystery series. I have read every other book in this series and can honestly that all of them were fantastic. In this installment of the series Father Michael Dominic comes across the diary of Pope Joan, proving the existence of this female Pope.

The publisher's summary:

In the heart of the English countryside, a discovery is made that threatens to overturn centuries of Church history. When Father Michael Dominic uncovers a cryptic diary leading to a lost 1st century Gospel, he is thrust into a labyrinth of deceit, murder, and controversy. Alongside Hana Sinclair, a savvy journalist, Michael sets out to unravel a mystery buried deep within the Church's past. The Confessions of Pope Joan is a gripping tale of courage and faith, charting their quest against a powerful adversary seeking to keep the truth hidden.

Their journey reveals the existence of Pope Joan, the first and only female Pope whose reign has been obscured by time and conspiracy. As they traverse the intricate tapestry of deceit and power, they must confront a society unwilling to relinquish its patriarchal hold. Meanwhile, Detective Inspector Grace Dempsey, assigned to a seemingly unrelated murder case in England, stumbles upon a thread that binds her to the historic revelation. Their paths converge, creating a thrilling narrative that intertwines past and present, fact and fiction.

As the Vatican's secrets unfold, Pope Ignatius, Michael's ailing father, battles his own legacy. Torn between preserving the Church's past and shaping its future, his decisions become paramount in the struggle for truth. The Pope’s radical stand for change, embodied in two Apostolic Constitutions, sets the stage for a new era in the Church while challenging long-standing beliefs and traditions.

The Confessions of Pope Joan is an intriguing blend of historical revelation, suspenseful mystery, and human resilience. It delves deep into the heart of the Catholic Church, unearthing secrets hidden for centuries. Through engaging characters, intertwined plotlines, and poignant insights, this novel offers readers an engrossing journey through a world where the past bleeds into the present, reshaping the future. With every turn of the page, The Confessions of Pope Joan forces readers to question the known and grapple with the unimagined, making it a must-read for fans of historical thrillers.

McAvoy presents a good case for the existence of a female Pope. It was exciting to read about regardless of whether Pope Joan existed or not. His extensive research into this subject is apparent. I love how McAvoy marries theological arguments with historical objects and adventure. He is an expert at it. In this installment of the series McAvoy addresses married priests and women’s roles in the Church

As usual, the story follows Father Michael Dominic and his friend Hana Sinclair as they travel to England to see an ancient Bible. A sheet of paper falls out. It is a poem that has clues to the location of a  diary written by Joan Anglicus. Joan is believed by some to be the only female pope in church history.  Others believe that she is a myth. Within this diary, Dominic and Sinclair find another document that leads them to the ancient gospel of Salome. Salome is believed to be Jesus's aunt who was at both the crucifuxion and resurrection. These two documents show that there were influential women who shaped the Catholic Church’s history. We then see Dominic and Sinclair travel to ancient religious sites and museums in order to protect these ancient documents and solve a murder along the way.

The author’s note at the back of the book explains what is fact in the story and what is fiction. I have always found these notes to be just as exciting as the novels. If you haven't read McAvoy yet, you simply must. 

5 out of 5 stars.

This Family Lies

J.M. Cannon is one of my favorite authors. In 2023 he published Blood Oranges which was one of my top 5 books for that year. He expertly writes suspense novels so I know that I need to read the two books that he published last year.

The publisher's summary:

Iris Adler was supposed to be killed.

In their home in Southern Louisiana, Iris and her husband Joseph are both shot point-blank in the head by an unknown assailant.

While her husband is killed, Iris survives, but only by a ricochet.

She wakes with her memory fractured. She doesn’t remember her husband’s family, eager as they are to take her into their world of marble, maids and prim Southern manners.

Not long after Iris goes to heal at the family’s historic plantation, a girl is found dead in the sugarcane stalks nearby. And of these wealthy, strange people Iris is surrounded by, she realizes one of them might still be trying to kill her.

The only thing certain is not everyone is getting out of this alive.

I LOVED this novel. I was hooked from the first chapter and had to read it all at once. This Family Lies is a psychological thriller on steroids. The pacing is fast and there are so many twists that I was spinning. The constant back and forth between the possible identity of the villain was exhilarating. Every chapter or two showed a dark side of a character and it was difficult to determine who the real villain was. In fact, you don't know until the final chapter.

Iris is main character and, as such, she is very sympathetic. I was rooting for her. However, several of the twists point to her being the one who killed her husband and wounded herself. Other probable villains were mother-in-law Augusta and sister-in-law Annabelle. These two ladies make great adversaries. Both are ambitious and aggressive in reaching their goals so their actions are always suspicious. Iris, on the other hand, is physically unstable and fragile and is at their mercy. Every once in a while Iris attempts to be independent but is shut down quickly by her in laws.

Mystery fans simply must read this book. I am looking forward to reading the sequel This Blood Runs. 5 out of 5 stars 

Bad Mother

Bad Mother is a 2021 comic series featuring April Walters and her teenaged daughter Taylor. The story opens with April grocery shopping when armed robbers appear. All the staff and shoppers are on the floor hoping not to get shot when the police arrive. A shootout ensues in favor of the cops. When April gets home she realizes that Taylor is not home. She reviews her text messages from Taylor and sees Taylor's response to leave her alone. The next morning Taylor is still not home so April tries to make a missing persons report at the police station. She is told to wait 48 hours but instead April embarks on a harrowing mission to find her. April's journey that takes her through the underworld of her suburban community and sets her on a collision course with a massive crime syndicate and its lethal matriarch. Tested to her limits and beyond, April discovers that hell hath no fury like a mother scorned.

I loved this story! I read it in one sitting because it was so intriguing. April is not your ordinary soccer mom. She will go to any extreme to keep her kids safe. She also is one hell of a fighter who gets in rumbles with crime figures but manages to come out on top. The pacing was fast and with the colorful comic book panels this book is fantastic. The plot was very well thought out with plenty of twists and turns and the characters were realistic. This book is a winner.

5 out of 5 stars.

The Bard's Trail

I received a free copy of this book from Librarything's Early Reviewer's Club in exchange for an honest review. It is a UK political thriller from Andy Regan. Regan is well qualified to write this genre as his day job dealt with international affairs research in the House of Commons. He also  managed high profile elections in the UK. The book was published in February 2025.

The main character is Shay Mason. Shay presumed that he had left military bureaucracy far behind after his retirement. However, he is unexpectedly recalled to Whitehall and assigned to investigate the death of leading microbiologist Stewart Tyler. Shay teams up with his former girlfriend, Siobhan Andersson, which only adds to his pressure. The question to be resolved is whether Tyler's death was accidental or the result of past indiscretions. In the story we read about the drama and ambition that is normal in international politics and which forms the backdrop for dangerous alliances and the emergence of career-ending secrets. Some overseas governments have a stake in the outcome of the investigation. The setting is in several international and UK locations. 

The book started slowly. I had a hard time putting together the opening scene with what Shay was investigating, rather supposed to be investigating. After 100 pages the investigation had still not begun. There were long narratives and later lengthy dialogues. It should have been a nice mix. Shay is supposed to be a top notch spy but we don't see him in action. Instead, the reader is told he was good at his old job in intelligence. Remember the old adage, show don't tell. As far as being stressed out from getting reacquainted with Siobhan, I did not see him feeling any pressure. In fact, the two of them exchanged pleasantries for several chapters. 

The book has many problems which is why I was bored reading it. I am sorry to say that I just didn't like it.

2 out of 5 stars.

Adora and the Distance

Adora and the Distance is a 2021 Comixology Original YA fantasy graphic novel following the epic adventures of Adora, a brave young woman of color who lives in a fantastical world with underground pirates, ghosts, and a mysterious force called "The Distance" which threatens to destroy it all.

Adora's adventures were magical as advertised. She is a nine-year-old adopted princess who left home to avoid being obliterated by the Distance. Her father Raphael assigns several of his employees to protect her throughout her travels. Her maid Esperanza, of course, travels with her as does Gregoire, Antonio from Roma, Jaffar from Arabia, Mur Rey from Turkey and El Moor. Along the way the group encounters bandits, puzzles and the walking dead whose homeland was destroyed by the Distance. The ending had a surprise twist that I did not see coming. I have debated whether I should explain the ending, which was quite profound. It's impossible to write a decent review without delving into the weighty issue the author gives us. Some reviewers have done so but I will not.

This comic is a must read. You will not be disappointed. There is no foul language, sex or violence so it is appropriate for young readers. 5 out of 5 stars.

Can't Wait Wednesday #40

My favorite cozy mystery author has a new book coming out on April 1, 2025. Cleo Coyle's No Roast for the Weary is the 21st installment of her coffeehouse mystery series. Coyle is the pen name of husband and wife writing team of Alice Alfonsi and Marc Cerasini. The main character is Clare Cosi. Along with her ex-husband Clare operates her mother-in-law's Village Blend coffeehouse.

The publisher's summary: When the Village Blend opens a Writer's Block Lounge, a cold case crime turns up the heat on Clare and her crew in this gripping new entry in the beloved Coffeehouse Mystery series from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle.

As much as master roaster Clare Cosi adores coffee, the landmark shop she manages won't survive if she doesn't sell enough of it. So when the Village Blend's customer traffic grinds to a halt, she turns to her staff for creative ideas, and the Writer's Block Lounge is born. Madame, the eccentric octogenarian owner of the shop, is upset by this news. Years ago, a group of accomplished writers used the shop's second-floor lounge to inspire each other, but the group disbanded when something dark occurred. Though that history is shrouded in mystery, Clare presses forward...

Soon the Village Blend tables are filled with aspiring novelists, playwrights, and poets, all happy to be coaxed, cajoled, and caffeinated by her coffeehouse crew. Clare admires the stamina of these scribes, many of them toiling at night jobs—driving taxis, tending bar, ushering for Broadway—while penning projects during the day. Then one of their fictions turns fatal when a shocking secret leads to a deadly end. Unless Clare can untangle this mystery, uncover the truth, and stop a desperate killer, she fears more of these weary writers may be marked for eternal rest. 

I pre-ordered a copy of the book awhile ago and cannot wait to start reading.

The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits

The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits was published on New Year's Day 2025. The novel is co-authored by Wanda Brunstetter and Martha Bolton. It’s interesting that the cover states the book is "a cozy Amish mystery." Is the book classified as within the cozy genre or does the reader just have the feel of being cozy while they are reading it? I have wondered for awhile whether Amish fiction can be considered to be a cozy sub-genre and am still befuddled by it. Brunstetter has written 78 books to date and Bolton has written 88 inspirational books. 

The story opens with Fannie Miller deciding to enter the Tuscarawas County Baking Contest. After making the finals of the competition some of the contestants begin disappearing. Fannie calls on her old friend Foster Bates, a retired cop and part-time private investigator, to determine who is responsible. They wonder whether other finalists are responsible for these disappearances in order to thin out the competition. Possible whodunnits include the couple on verge of divorce who need the prize money or the three Beiler sisters who are always in a huddle whispering. We don't get the names of the missing folks until 70% into the story. One person is named but she returns to watch the baking finals competition after a multiple personality blackout.

 

The story moved slowly and I got bored. I didn't like the characters at all. Fannie is a bossy woman who no one wants to be with, including me. It’s hard to believe that she is Amish because she behaves like an Englisher from the inner city. Foster Bates is just plain dull. I can't believe that he got involved in the investigation based merely on a bossy woman demanding his participation. He was not interested in joining Fannie's investigation and always tries to avoid her so his decision to help her isn’t realistic. Foster is a low energy guy who doesn't really want to work. In addition, I did not believe their interpretation of events. The missing contestants didn't make the finals so why wouldn't they just go home? Halfway through the story Foster even wondered whether anyone was really missing and the reader isn't given the names of the so-called missing people. Another problem I had was the huge amount of narrative. There wasn't much dialogue, mainly narrative. It's impossible to know each character's motives without dialogue. Also, the Amish bishop was quite accommodating to Foster. He answered every question and also offered more information. This just isn't realistic and the suspension of belief went too far. 

I wonder whether Wanda Brunstetter contributed anything to this book other than her name. The writing was not in her style. With most of the characters being Amish, I expected an Amish setting. There was nothing Amish about the book or the characters dialogue or behavior. Likewise, I expected to read about the characters as they baked their goods. None of that was in the book.

This book was a disappointment. 2 out of 5 stars.