Category Archives: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller

This is the first novel I have read by Kelley Armstrong. As soon as I finished it, I went looking to see if she had other books in a similar genre. It appears that she generally writes paranormal books, which is why I had never heard of her before. My hope is that she will write more urban-style thrillers as this one was so compelling and well-written, I can hardly wait to read more of books that are similar in style. As I don’t read paranormal books, I will have to wait.

In this book, which is a thriller mystery, Aubrey Finch (aka Bree) is working part-time at a library. She is newly separated from her husband, Paul, who is a well-to-do lawyer. She has left her daughter with her husband until she is able to provide a better living space for her.

She misses her daughter and often takes her run through a park which includes a children’s play area. One day, she happens across a young mother and her son and chats with them a bit.

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Colbie Summers is back as the sleuth in this series. Colbie is the owner of an organic, gourmet cat food company.

Her business has been growing and is on the verge of getting into a brand new market. At the same time, she is getting ready to host Thanksgiving at her father’s house, where she and her son now also reside.

She is asked, as a favor, to pick up a friend’s son at his oboe lesson. While waiting, something happens which makes her mad. When she tries to correct a wrong, she ends up uncovering a scheme for getting recommendations to get into the college of a child’s choice.

Then murder occurs and Colbie is, once again, drawn into solving the murder.

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I love to spend time visiting with Ellison Russell in the Country Club Murders mystery series. The series is set in the 1970’s in Kansas City. Ellison is the well-to-do widow, daughter, mother and artist who is our sleuth.

Her friend Libba invites her to a yoga class in order to relax. Well, the class is anything but relaxing (try exhausting) and when a death occurs, any thought of relaxing flies out the door.

In this story, there are lots of funny situations and characters including an evil cat that Ellison has to take care of. There is also a serious issue that is dealt with and is done with care.
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This is the second book in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. I have been binge reading the whole series (including a short story) as it is simply so funny and well-written, it has taken first place in my reading schedule.

In this second tale, Bailey King has left New York City and her fancy job as a chocolatier at an even fancier chocolate shop. She has moved to Harvest, Ohio, to help her Amish grandmother with the family business, Swissmen Sweets.

In the last story, Bailey was a suspect in a murder and, of course, in this story, a murder occurs fairly quickly as well. Bailey becomes concerned that her newly found cousin will fall under suspicion and be railroaded into being found guilty by the Amish-hating Sheriff.

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Bailey King is about to become the head chocolatier at JP Chocolates in New York City. She rushes to Harvest, Ohio, when she receives word that her grandfather is very ill. By the time she arrives, he has left the hospital and she comes across him standing on the sidewalk in front of the candy shop he runs with her grandmother.

The thing is, both her grandfather and grandmother are Amish and Bailey certainly is not. Notwithstanding that, Bailey learned her love of making candy and working with chocolate in her grandparents shop, Swissmen Sweets.

Just as she arrives, her grandfather is embroiled in a heated discussion with a man who is trying to buy Swissmen Sweets. Her grandfather says no and, before the discussion ends, crumples to the sidewalk.

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Miss Iris Sparks and Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge are two survivors of World War II England. They come from different backgrounds (though they knew each other slightly before the war.) The are trying to find their way after the war has shattered the futures they envisioned for themselves.

They come together to make new lives for themselves. Iris is looking for a way to forget her past and settle into a safer life. Gwendolyn is a war widow and is struggling to prove that she can support her young son and wrest control of his future from his father’s family.

The come up with The Right Sort of Marriage. It is a modern marriage bureau and promises its prospective clients that they will help them find a mate who is the perfect one for them. They are doing okay but they do have an individual who collects payment when it is not forthcoming. This is one of the funnier parts of an amusing tale.

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“A Patchwork of Clues” is a new murder mystery series which involves a group of quilters who meet at the Queen Bees Quilt Shop. It is an ensemble cast though Portia Paltrow (aka Po), is the central character in many ways. To be honest, I keep thinking of Kung Fu Panda, each time I read her name and it was a bit distracting!

As with most book series which a large group of characters, much of the first book is spent introducing each character and how they relate to one another rather than in the actual whodunnit. The plot of the mystery was interesting but I would have liked it fleshed out a bit more. I expect that future books will give more details.

A murder occurs right outside their favorite store and, for a time, the quilters have to meet at Po’s home. While there, they decide they must solve the murder and remove suspicion from the quilt show owner.

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Colbie Summers is the owner of Meowio Batali gourmet, organic cat food. She is also the mother of Elliot, who is a 12 year old who wants to be a theatrical star.

Colbie started her cat good business when her cat, Trouble, had digestive problems. The business has grown and she now has a great contract with a San Diego based store. Her product is set to launch with a big splash, including lots of media coverage.

While she is going busy (and slightly crazy with work), a murder occurs for which one of her part time employees is targeted as the murderer. Colbie is called on to figure out the murder because her friend needs help.

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This is the second book in the Red Herring Mystery series. I recommend reading the first book first, not only for continuity but also so you can laugh yourself silly.

I often wonder at how, with so many books written, an author can find an unusual take on cozy mysteries and to do so with a crazy sense of humor. I still don’t understand it but Dana Dratch has the method down pat.

In this book our sleuth, Alex Vlodnachek (aka Red because of her red hair), has started to settle down into a routine. Her brother, Nick, has moved in to save money while he jump starts his new bakery business. His dog, Lucy, has settled in, too, though she still raises a lot of havoc.

Alex works hard to keep the mortgage paid and food and other necessities of life up to date. She uses her PR skills to find writing gigs. She also finds time to visit with her new boyfriend, Ian, who owns the B&B across the street.

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Colbie Summers is a single parent with a young son. She has recently returned home to assist her ailing father after an estrangement that has lasted more than a decade.

The series is set in a fictitious small city outside of San Diego. Colbie has joined a group of of women who have small businesses in town.

She’s struggling to help her dad, get over her feelings of anger for the past, make sure her son is doing well, and delivering her neighbor’s chicken back to him. Yep, chicken. Charlie, the chicken, can get out of his pen and strut down the street ringing doorbells.

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