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Net Galley
Category Archives: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Ghost hunting, relationships and a funny murder mystery all in one book
It’s Your Party, Die If You Want To (A Liv and Di in Dixie Mystery Book 2)
By: Vickie Fee
Rating: 4 of 5
This is the second book in the series about a party planner, Liv McKay and her postal worker friend, Di.
In this story, Liv is planning a number of events and is also attending the local businesswoman’s retreat at a great local hotel. The hotel is actually made up of three areas that differ in luxury. The one they are at is the middle one, so rooms are shared by most.
That plays into the story, so it is important. In addition to all her planning, she is also responsible for herding the local gal who became a television celebrity, Lucinda Grable. Lucinda has a cable television show where she goes ghost hunting.
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Good start to a long-standing series
Her Royal Spyness (The Royal Spyness Series Book 1)
By: Rhys Bowen
Rating: 4 of 5
I just recently read this book, which is the first of a series that has been on-going for many years. I enjoyed it, had a few nits but will certainly be reading more of the series in the future.
Lady Georgiana Rannoch runs away from her home in Scotland when she overhears the Queen’s plans for her future. She heads to London only to find the skills she has (i.e., being a Royal) don’t make for finding a job in the real world. This becomes a serious issue as she has no money of her own.
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Hysterically funny and great caper
Double Wide: A Davis Way Crime Caper Book 10
By: Gretchen Archer
Rating: 5 of 5
I have read all of the stories in this series. Right from the beginning, I laughed so hard I almost cried. It is one of my very favorites for both the laughs and the great mysteries.
In this book, Davis and Fantasy are kidnapped, along with a crazy lady named Mango. They find themselves stuck on a deserted island, living in what few items are left in the motorhome they were stuffed into (see above, kidnapped.)
The story is told with multiple narrators, who tell the tale via posts, emails, and pencil put to paper. The personality of each of them shines through and were completely different, one from the other. It left me amazed that the author could tell her tale and keep in character throughout.
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So much to do, so little time
Murder in Connemara (A Home to Ireland Mystery Book 2)
By: Carlene O’Connor
Rating: 5 of 5
I read and enjoyed the first book in this series and suggest, for continuity and continuing plot lines, that the series be read in order.
Tara Meehan has relocated from New York City to Ireland. She has found family and wants to be closer to them as well as enjoying the lifestyle of a much smaller city and country.
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Texas genealogy and murder cozy mystery
Fatal Family Ties: An Ancestry Detective Mystery
By: S. C. Perkins
Rating: 5 of 5
This is the third book in this cozy mystery series. It has, as its sleuth, a genealogist named Lucy Lancaster. While I haven’t paid much attention to my family tree, there are individuals in my family who do so. It’s pretty amazing what can be discovered when one looks into it.
In this story, Lucy is approached by a former co-worker, Camilla, who wishes to hire Lucy to clear a smear against one of her ancestors. While Lucy doesn’t really care for this co-worker (though there are two others she dislikes even more), she does decide to help her.
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Unusual and interesting entry in series
The Hollywood Spy: A Maggie Hope Mystery
By: Susan Elia MacNeal
Rating: 4 of 5
I’ve read every book in this series. This, the tenth book, is unusual in that it doesn’t focus on the war. Rather, it is a murder mystery set in the United States. It also deals with the racism that was boiling over during the time period (1943). It also shows a dark side of the FDR administration in that the government covered up what was going on.
The mystery was interesting to read and, while I wasn’t surprised by the whodunnit, I still enjoyed the book.
Maggie’s ex-boyfriend, John Sterling, calls Maggie in to investigate the murder of his fiance.
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Series just gets even better
The Keepers: A Mystery (Mace Reid K-9 Mystery, 2)
By: Jeffrey B. Burton
Rating: 5 of 5
I read the first book in this series and absolutely loved it. Which surprised me as I, generally, don’t read K-9 books. However, the premise of the mystery grabbed my attention and I took a chance.
Turns out, my favorite part of the stories are the dogs. The author, Mr. Burton, has managed to give them to give them characters which explode from the printed word. I feel as if I know these wonderful creatures and look forward to spending time with each of them. Just a comment, there is considerable strong language in the book.
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Lots of fun and fake spacecraft
At Wits’ End: A Doyle Cozy Mystery (A Wits’ End Cozy Mystery Book 1)
By: Kirsten Weiss
Rating: 5 of 5
This is the first in this series that I have read. I have read another series (Pie Town) by this author in its entirety. As I laughed my way through that series, I was hoping for more of the same in this one.
I laughed and laughed and then, for a change, I laughed myself silly. I wanted to share bits and pieces with my husband but I knew he would want to read it for himself. Boy, it’s tough to keep a straight face with he’s around, so I read it when he wasn’t sitting right next to me.
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Russell, Holmes and Transylvania, oh my!
Castle Shade: A novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes
By: Laurie R. King
Rating: 5 of 5
This series is one of my favorites. I always look forward to seeing a new book by Ms. King which features Russell and Holmes.
I enjoyed this book and laughed quite a lot as I read the first third. While there are usually bits of humor tucked into the Russell stories, this one had a bit more than usual.
It was also different in that, throughout the book, we were treated to Holme’s investigation when he was not with Russell. It made for a nice change of pace as I read my way through the book. I had to fight with myself to put it down so I could savor it for three days instead of a marathon read in a single one.
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Good for bedtime reading
The Anatomist’s Wife (A Lady Darby Mystery Book 1)
By: Anna Lee Huber
Rating: 3 of 5
I’m a big fan of historical mysteries set in the Regency or Victorian periods. This series starts at the tail end of the Regency period and goes forward.
I was intrigued by the idea of a female artist taking part in the production of a book on anatomy. However, when her participation is forced, it put that particular interest to bed.
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