The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray – BOOK TOUR and REVIEW

#ClaudiaGray #BookTour #JaneAusten #Vintageanchorbooks #Cozymystery #Historicalmystery

BOOK FACTS:

• Title: The Murder of Mr. Wickham
• Author: Claudia Gray
• Genre: Historical Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Austenesque
• Publisher: ‎Vintage (May 3, 2022)
• Length: (400) pages
• Format: Trade paperback, eBook, & Audiobook
• ISBN: 978-0593313817
• Tour Dates: April 25-May 8, 2022

BOOK DESCRIPTION

A summer house party turns into a thrilling whodunit when Jane Austen’s Mr. Wickham—one of literature’s most notorious villains—meets a sudden and suspicious end in this brilliantly imagined mystery featuring Austen’s leading literary characters.

The happily married Mr. Knightley and Emma are throwing a party at their country estate, bringing together distant relatives and new acquaintances—characters beloved by Jane Austen fans. Definitely not invited is Mr. Wickham, whose latest financial scheme has netted him an even broader array of enemies. As tempers flare and secrets are revealed, it’s clear that everyone would be happier if Mr. Wickham got his comeuppance. Yet they’re all shocked when Wickham turns up murdered—except, of course, for the killer hidden in their midst.

Nearly everyone at the house party is a suspect, so it falls to the party’s two youngest guests to solve the mystery: Juliet Tilney, the smart and resourceful daughter of Catherine and Henry, eager for adventure beyond Northanger Abbey; and Jonathan Darcy, the Darcys’ eldest son, whose adherence to propriety makes his father seem almost relaxed. In this tantalizing fusion of Austen and Christie, from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray, the unlikely pair must put aside their own poor first impressions and uncover the guilty party—before an innocent person is sentenced to hang.

My Review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

When George Wickham interrupts the Knightley’s house party, the hosts as well as the guests are stunned. The guests are none other than the principal characters from Jane Austen’s beloved novels. Wickham has managed to lure many of them into his schemes with his cunning, charismatic charm, causing financial ruin to some, along with the accompanying shame and embarrassment that such a circumstance could bring about.

Aahhh… that beguiling Mr. Wickham. Few can deny him.

Wickham is determined to collect from his debtors, even if it means settling in for several nights at the Knightley’s estate, where inclement weather has forced the hosts to reluctantly accommodate him as an unwelcome guest. Even under these peculiar circumstances Wickham’s mischievous, wicked ways are still manifest. He thinks he’s outdone himself again with his exploits, but what he least expects is to be done in instead.

The Murder of Mr. Wickham is a mellow, historical murder mystery devoid of extreme violence or profanity. I truly appreciated that. I enjoyed revisiting many of Jane Austen’s main characters from her novels along with some of their progeny and seeing how their lives were faring. I liked the introduction of the Darcy’s teenage son, Jonathan, who along with a young woman associated with Northanger Abbey, Miss Juliet Tilney, becomes keenly interested in investigating Wickham’s murder. They possess similar strategies in their investigative techniques and Jonathan is decidedly more comfortable with Juliet than he is with his other peers. From the beginning we are made aware that Jonathan Darcy is different. He is prone to sensory overload, is socially awkward and would rather keep company with the servants than those of his own rank. But even though he paces and rocks back and forth when agitated, Juliet doesn’t seem overly bothered by his behavior. I loved their camaraderie.

The other members of the house party have ties to Wickham in some way or other, but not all are forthcoming regarding their involvement. The mystery evolves as more details come to light. I liked seeing the rawness of the characters with all of their flaws, insecurities and vulnerabilities.

The Murder of Mr. Wickham moved along at a comfortable, leisurely pace and kept me interested as Juliet and Jonathan uncovered more clues and the characters became more suspicious. When the murderer was revealed I was surprised and thoroughly satisfied.

If you are a fan of cozy, historical mysteries or Jane Austen variations you will likely enjoy The Murder of Mr. Wickham. Definitely recommended.

Thank you, Laurel Ann Nattress of Austenprose PR, Vintage Anchor Books and Claudia Gray for a complimentary copy of The Murder of Mr. Wickham. All opinions expressed are my own.

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AUTHOR BIO

Claudia Gray is the pseudonym of Amy Vincent. She is the writer of multiple young adult novels, including the Evernight series, the Firebird trilogy, and the Constellation trilogy. In addition, she’s written several Star Wars novels, such as Lost Stars and Bloodline. She makes her home in New Orleans with her husband Paul and assorted small dogs.

ADVANCE PRAISE

“Had Jane Austen sat down to write a country house murder mystery, this is exactly the book she would have written. Devotees of Austen’s timeless novels will get the greatest possible pleasure from this wonderful book. Immense fun and beautifully observed. Delicious!” —Alexander McCall Smith

“What a splendid conceit! . . . Gray provides plenty of backstory and enough depth to her characters that even those who mix up their Pride and Prejudice with their Sense and Sensibility will delight in the Agatha Christie–style mystery. . . . There’s so much fun to be had in this reimagined Austen world—and the mystery is so strong—that one can only hope, dear reader, that more books will follow.” —Ilene Cooper, Booklist (starred review)

“[An] enchanting mystery. . . . Gray perfectly captures the personalities of Austen’s beloved characters. This is a real treat for Austenites.” —Publishers Weekly

“Who would NOT want to read a book in which one of literature’s most notorious rakes meets his final demise? . . . A delightful Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen romp.” —Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS| BOOKBUB

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Antique Auctions Are Murder by Libby Klein – (A Poppy McAllister Mystery #7) ~ Book (Kensington) and Audiobook (Tantor Audio) REVIEW – *** TOP PICK***

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 5 stars

Butterfly House B&B owner and gluten free baker, Poppy McAllister, and her aunt Ginny, are at the Cold Spring village antique show. Poppy is interested in bidding on an armoire for the B&B. She’s also curious about the mystery antique piece that Auggie Whipple of Whipple’s Antique Emporium is supposed to present at the show. Rival antique dealer, Grover Prickle, claims the surprise piece was stolen from him. When the antique show gets under way a body falls out of the armoire that Poppy wanted for the B&B and she finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation once again to the irritation of her childhood nemesis, Amber, and Amber’s new colleague, Viola Washington, of the police department. Poppy feels an obligation to help solve the murder. But when an ominous warning is left at the B&B for all eyes to see, Poppy realizes she’d better get to the bottom of this murder mystery before she becomes the next victim.

I have to admit that I was at first a little intimidated by the length of this cozy mystery, 434 pages. I needn’t have worried. The hilarity of all the characters, including the furry ones, never stopped. For me it was all about the journey rather than the destination in this cozy mystery. The multitude of characters, including the B&B guests and employees, aunt Ginny’s friends, the resident cat Figaro along with the guests’ pets, the police department, Poppy’s Italian beau, Gia, and his family members…. all contribute to the laughs that easily propel the story towards the conclusion of the whodunnit. I don’t want to downplay the mystery aspect of this cozy. I was committed to finding out who killed the man in the armoire and that revelation did not disappoint.

I loved everything about this cozy. I laughed out loud so many times that I can officially say that this series is an absolute favorite of mine. Don’t let the length deter you, you will love every minute of this wild, hilarious ride.

AUDIOBOOK review (Tantor Audio) – Read by Callie Beaulieu – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 5 stars

I did a read/listen of Antique Auctions Are Murder and Callie Beaulieu does a phenomenal job narrating this series. I admit that when I started this series I didn’t think the narrator’s voice matched the description I’d created in my mind of Poppy McAllister. However, over the course of the series she’s owned the Poppy character in my head, and in addition, her talent and skillful depiction of the secondary characters is incredible. Callie Beaulieu is able to imitate characters’ accents, their ages (young and old), mannerisms, audible gestures and everything in between. The audiobook was a definite enhancement to my reading experience.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series.

Thank you Kensington and Tantor Audio for a complimentary book and audiobook download of Antique Auctions Are Murder. In exchange I have provided a review in which all opinions are exclusively my own.

Labyrinth of lies by Irene Hannon

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

St. Louis County detective Cate Reilly can’t believe she’s agreed to work undercover again. Her trafficking assignment was dreadful enough, but admittedly she’s the best candidate for this current job. An Ivy Hill Academy boarding school student, Stephanie Laurent, age 17, has disappeared. Her boyfriend is missing as well, and Cate has been assigned to go undercover to find out what happened to them. Thankfully, her youthful appearance is an asset to the investigation. At 33, she’s not looking forward to becoming a student again, especially since she’ll be working on the case with her ex, Zeke, who practically abandoned their relationship eight years prior to pursue a career opportunity. Cate was devastated, and collaboration on their assignments at Ivy Hill is more than she bargained for. But illegal activities are taking place at the school, and Cate and Zeke have already been targeted and attacked while trying to crack their individual cases, leading them to believe that Stephanie’s disappearance is likely linked to the school. It won’t be easy keeping up the pretense of teenage student, and pretending not to have feelings for Zeke, but if foul play is involved in Stephanie’s disappearance, Cate is determined to stay the course.

Labyrinth of lies was a page-turner. Suspicious key characters were introduced almost immediately and drew me right into the story. The intrigue and suspense held up until the mystery was solved. Cate’s teenager persona was convincing and fun to observe, along with her attempts to deny interest in her ex. The secondary characters had questionable intentions and kept me guessing as to whether any of them were involved in Stephanie’s disappearance. Ultimately, there was a twist I didn’t see coming that led to a satisfying conclusion.

Labyrinth of Lies was an excellent read that I truly enjoyed. An added bonus was that it was free of any foul language or sexual content. If you like fast moving suspenseful books with a romantic element and characters that will keep you riveted from the first page to the last, then you’ll want to read Labyrinth of Lies. Definitely recommended.

Thank you, Revell Books, for a complimentary copy of Labyrinth of Lies. My opinions of it are strictly my own.

Death in an Elegant City – Murder on Location – Book 4 by Sara Rosett – (AUDIOBOOK ~ Tantor Audio)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 4 stars

From GOODREADS…

Sightseeing can be murder…

Location scout Kate Sharp is thrilled to be part of a scouting trip to the historic city of Bath, England to research the location for a Jane Austen documentary. But before Kate gets a chance to stroll the elegant boulevards where Austen once lived, murder cuts the sightseeing short. Now Kate must rearrange her itinerary and find the killer before she and the production are shut down permanently.

My Review

Kate Sharp is a location scout. She’s currently back in England working on a Jane Austen documentary in Bath. She’s thrilled to be back in England and working, but unfortunately the crew that she works with, specifically the Producer, Elise, and the Director, Cyrus, are at it again. They don’t agree on aspects of this particular production and it’s making the rest of the crew miserable listening to their verbal sparring sessions.

When the crew finally settles into the Bath Spa Hotel and begins their scouting work for the production, one of the crew members winds up dead and leaves them all scrambling to clear their names.

I almost forgot how much I enjoyed the first book in this series. Even though this is book 4 and I skipped ahead, it was still easy to follow and could easily be a standalone. I loved all the references to Jane Austen’s life and books throughout the story. The location, Bath, heightened my interest in the mystery. I’ve enjoyed several of Jane Austen’s books and I fondly reflected on those memories as I listened. The descriptions of locations in Austen’s books was a plus.

The mystery itself played out well. With almost every character there was at least a hint of suspicion. The actual revelation was clever and believable.

The audio narrator has a voice suitable to cozy mysteries. It’s calm and soothing and excellent for this series. I looked forward to hearing her tell the story.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend the Murder on Location series.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of Death in an Elegant City. My opinions stated in this review are entirely my own.

The Broken Spine by Dorothy St. James (Audiobook ~ Tantor Audio)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

The Cypress library in South Carolina is about to fall victim to a technology overhaul which will eliminate all of its physical books, replacing them with a digital catalog. The head and assistant librarians, as well as many of the patrons, are not happy about this new development. Although their disapproval is openly expressed, their feelings fall on deaf ears. The library conversion will take place. But in the midst of this transition the town manager who was in favor of the new changes is found dead, crushed under the weight of an overturned shelf of DVD’s. There are several suspects, including the assistant librarian, Trudell Beckett, who loved the library’s precious books. Admittedly, Tru has some secrets of her own, but she insists she’s innocent of this crime. Nevertheless, she remains on the suspect list. Tru has a few theories of her own about who may have killed Duggar Hargrove, and sadly her best friend, Tori, is on her list of suspects. So when someone is arrested and taken into custody for the murder, Tru should be relieved. Unfortunately, she isn’t convinced of the culprit’s guilt, and she’s intent on finding who the real killer is. Will she get to the bottom of what really happened before someone shuts her up for good?

I enjoyed this cozy mystery. The cast of characters were lively and diverse—from young to old, ditzy to feisty. Their personalities were entertaining and I found myself chuckling out loud on quite a few instances. I had difficulty determining who the murderer was which added to my enjoyment of the book. A number of the characters had motive, and the revelation at the end was both believable and creatively executed. And what’s a cozy mystery without an animal’s presence? Dewey (short for Dewey Decimal), Trudell’s brown tabby cat, was a nice addition to the story.

The audiobook narrator had a pleasant voice and I was impressed by how well she performed both male and female characters, young and old. My only complaint is that her breathy inhalation’s were noisy and distracting at times. If editing could somehow remedy this issue I would give her an A+.

Overall, I was very pleased with The Broken Spine and would definitely recommend it.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of The Broken Spine. My opinion of the book expressed in this review is entirely my own.

Silent Bud Deadly (Book 2: The English Cottage Garden Mysteries) by H.Y. Hanna

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

When Poppy Lancaster inherited a cottage house and gardens she was thrilled, but maintaining her inheritance hasn’t come easy. She’s in need of some extra cash, so when a wealthy couple offers her a job sprucing up their garden for a generous amount of money, it’s an offer she can’t refuse. But when the nosy neighbor next door gets poisoned, Poppy wonders who could have murdered the meddling menace.

H.Y. Hanna’s cozy mysteries are always fun and addictive, and Silent Bud Deadly was no exception. I love how she effortlessly and cleverly weaves in the back story so that you won’t feel lost no matter where you enter the series. The recurring characters are a pleasure to revisit. I was glad to see that Bertie, Poppy’s neighbor who invents strange things that he tends to try out on unsuspecting people, was back in book 2. His antics brought many chuckles during the story. My favorite cat, Oren, the very vocal tabby, and its owner, the enigmatic writer, Nick Forest, were also present in book 2 to my delight.

I also learned much about various poisonous houseplants. Discovering something new while reading an H.Y. Hanna mystery is always a highlight.

Overall, this whodunnit was plausible and highly enjoyable. I definitely recommend this series, especially if you like intelligent cozy mysteries with fun, quirky characters and a great plot.

I Found You by Lisa Jewell

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4-stars

Alice Lake

Alice Lake is a middle-aged single mother of three boisterous children and three unruly dogs. Her home is a chaotic mess, but it’s warm and sufficient. She lives by the ocean and one day sees a strange man sitting outside on the beach in the rain, cold, with no jacket and looking bewildered. Curious, Alice approaches him, offers him a jacket and learns that the man has lost his memory. He doesn’t even know his name. Against her instincts and her children’s objections, she invites the lost man to stay in her vacant rental unit. He agrees. Who is this man and could he be dangerous?

Carl and Lily Monrose

Carl and Lily Monrose have been married three weeks before he up and vanishes one day. Lily knows something is wrong when he’s more than an hour late getting home from work. Carl is never late. He can’t wait to get home to her. Lily knows virtually no one where they live in England. They’ve lived there a short time, and she’s from Kiev, Ukraine, so she has no friends or family nearby to reach out to. The police are not taking her too seriously about her husband’s supposed disappearance. They figure she’s some mail order bride, and that her husband has gone off voluntarily. Lily waits the requisite period and when a policewoman finally fills out a report on Carl she’s slightly relieved. She hands over her husband’s passport for the police to inspect and goes home. But soon afterwards she receives a phone call with information that sends her searching for answers about her missing husband.

The Ross family

Gray and Kirsty are traveling with their parents to the same old cottage they’ve been going to for years on vacation. They’re teens now and would rather not go, but they have to. Gray observes how his sister is growing up into a young woman and he feels a brotherly affection for her; the need to look out for her and protect her from men who think like he does about attractive women. He sees how men look at his sister, especially the man called Mark Tate, who winds up in close proximity to them on the beach, close enough to charm Gray and Kirsty’s parents into coming over his aunt’s sprawling home, where he’s staying, for tea and cake. The parents immediately accept the invitation and Gray is furious. Mark’s eyes seem to linger on Kirsty, and Gray doesn’t like it one bit. What does this Mark character, who’s 19, want with his 15 year old sister?

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These are the three narratives that play out in I Found You. Each storyline makes slight progress as the scenes revolve from one to the other. And then the three narratives converge into one jaw-dropping revelation.

I immediately started on I Found You after finishing my first Lisa Jewell book last week. It was so good I needed another, and this one did not disappoint. It had the right amount of suspense and kept me guessing throughout until the conclusion, when it all came together.

Between the two books, I enjoyed Then She Was Gone more than I did I Found You, because it wasn’t as raw and felt more plausible. However, you will get a well developed, excellently constructed suspense story with either one.

Thanks for visiting.

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell **TOP PICK**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 5 stars

This book kept me on the edge of my seat!! Here’s why…

Paul and Laurel’s daughter, Ellie, goes missing one day at the age of 15. She just disappears. Years later the effect of her disappearance has taken a toll on the family. Laurel is divorced from Paul, and their two other children, Hannah and Jake, have moved on with their lives, trying to put the past behind them. Laurel works a job a few days a week, visits her elderly mum in a nursing home and exercises regularly in order to keep some semblance of normalcy to her life. But then more devastating news comes, and Laurel struggles to find a way to keep going.

Things start looking up when Laurel meets Floyd and they begin a relationship. Floyd has two girls of his own; Sara Jade, 21, and Poppy, 9. Poppy is a precocious child who Laurel feels drawn to because of her resemblance to Ellie. Laurel might be on her way to finally putting her life back together. But then she begins to have doubts about her relationship and the man she’s dating. She’s not sure if she can trust him. She’s finding out things about Floyd that cause her to feel suspicious about him. Is he the man she thinks he is? Is her life in danger?

Then She Was Gone is psychological suspense at its best!! This was my first Lisa Jewell book and it was phenomenal!! The build up was intense, and I was thoroughly engaged in the narration from beginning to end. The characters were all very well developed and there was an amazing twist I didn’t see coming.

Regarding Lisa Jewell, I finally know what all the hoopla is about. She is an excellent writer!! I already started on another one of her books. I highly recommend Then She Was Gone.

Have you read any books by Lisa Jewell?

A Family of Strangers by Emilie Richards

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

When Ryan Gracey gets an unexpected phone call from her older sister, Wendy, who’s out of town, asking her for a huge favor, Ryan is alarmed. Something sinister has transpired and Wendy insists that Ryan travel to her home and care for her two young daughters until further notice, a tall order from her near-perfect sibling, the mother of her two nieces of whom Ryan knows very little about. Stunned and confused by her sister’s instructions, Ryan finally relents and heads to Florida where their mother is currently watching her nieces, Holly and Noelle. The girls are taciturn, odd little precocious children, and Ryan quickly realizes the enormity of her decision. As days turn into weeks with very little contact from Wendy, Ryan begins to put her sleuthing skills to work to find out what’s going on with the sister she hardly knows. When the pieces of the puzzle begin taking shape will Wendy turn out to be an innocent victim, or a mastermind of deception?

Wowza!! I devoured this book. A Family of Strangers was like patiently awaiting a light rain transform into a thunderous storm. As the storm intensified I could feel the tension mounting and the mystery unfolding, relieving me of the unanswered questions that lurked in my mind. Why was Wendy refusing to come home? How would Ryan find out what happened to her? Was Wendy the golden girl everyone made her out to be, even her parents? Why were Ryan’s nieces so peculiar? As the story

unfolded I got the answers to all of these questions and more.

I connect easily with Emilie Richards’ writing voice. I love the dialog between characters, and the length of her books allows for excellent character development, which makes for a great story.

There’s so much to love about A Family of Strangers; excellent character building, a thoroughly satisfying mystery, an enormous twist I didn’t see coming, intrigue, a little romance, an amazing dog and a couple of kids who eventually stole my heart. A great read.

Thank you, Emilie Richards, for a complimentary ARC of A Family of Strangers in exchange for an honest review which I have given.

Have a great day everyone, and thanks for reading. 😊

Deadhead and Buried (English Cottage Garden Mystery ~ Book 1) by H.Y. Hanna

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5-stars

When Poppy inherits Hollyhock Cottage and its adjoining garden from her deceased grandmother whom she never knew, she’s thrilled, albeit a little overwhelmed. Her current situation is that she doesn’t have her own place and she’s low on cash. If that weren’t bad enough, she’s impulsively quit her job after her unreasonable boss made a rude, insensitive comment, leaving Poppy in an even worse financial predicament. Fortunately, this inheritance has come upon her at the right time. However, there are stipulations that go along with taking possession of the property and Poppy feels unsettled about it. The cottage and garden have been neglected for some time and she’s far from having a green thumb. So how can she restore it and bring it back to its former glory? Poppy’s circumstances move her to take a chance on the old cottage and grounds. It’s a huge undertaking, but not more life altering than finding a dead body in the garden.

H.Y. Hanna has delivered another deliciously clever mystery with book 1 of her English Cottage Garden Mysteries series, Deadhead and Buried. I enjoyed this story immensely, having moved swiftly through it. I was caught up in the imagery of the cottage and surrounding garden, as well as the various plants and flowers that were named and described for me to envision. I learned about an exotic flower in this book, which I gained much joy from briefly researching. As is usual with an H.Y. Hanna mystery, the characters were interesting, quirky and fun, and there were pets to enjoy with their lovable antics and unique characteristics.

The audio narrator, Pearl Hewitt, is masterful in portraying both humans and animals. She adds so much delight to an already enjoyable, creative and plausible murder mystery. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next one in the series.

Thank you, H.Y. Hanna, for a complimentary download of Deadhead and Buried. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.

Geared for the Grave by Duffy Brown – (Audiobook – Tantor Audio)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 5 stars

Evie Bloomfield considers herself the loser of the Bloomfield family as the least accomplished one. But she finally has a chance to impress her boss and secure a promotion that will boost her family’s opinion of her—or so she thinks. So off to Mackinac Island she goes to assist her boss’s father with his struggling bicycle shop, Rudy’s Rides, while he recovers from a broken leg. Going from Chicago to a little Michigan island with no cars, only horses, to get you from place to place seems outrageous enough. But when one of the wealthy locals is bumped off, and the murder is pinned on Rudy, Evie finds herself on a mission to clear her newfound friend and find the real killer before her boss finds out.

This book is HILARIOUS! With a cast of characters that includes Irish Donna, with the thick Irish accent; Jason Bourne, a presumed hit-man; Angelo, an elderly ex-mobster; and others, this story kept me chuckling from beginning to end.

I was very fortunate to have received a complimentary audio version of Geared for the Grave from Tantor Audio since the highly talented Ceit M. Zweil narrated. She did a stupendous job with the various characters’ voices, and her ability to vocally entertain me was impressive. The audiobook was a true compliment to my personal paperback copy. Highly recommended.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of Geared for the Grave. All opinions about it are my own.

Have a great day everyone!! 🚴🏽‍♀️

Thread Herrings by Lea Wait (audiobook – Tantor Audio, and ARC – Kensington Books)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

First, I’d like to thank Kensington Books for a complimentary paperback ARC of Thread Herrings. And Tantor Audio, for the free audio download. What a privilege to have both versions to enjoy.

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When a tattered, badly damaged coat of arms embroidery piece catches Angela Curtis’s eye while at an antiques auction with her friend and antique shop owner, Sarah Byrne, Angela is determined to own it. In its dilapidated state few people seem interested in it and Angela easily wins it. She’s curious about its origin, particularly because of the piece of paper from a foundling hospital she finds tucked inside. So when she’s presented with an opportunity to find out more about the embroidery and its contents by appearing on television, she accepts the invitation. But when a seemingly harmless investigation into the coat of arms embroidery turns deadly, Angie’s life, as well as her family’s, is soon in terrible danger. Who’s behind the death threats, and why would anyone want her dead over an old piece of embroidery?

Thread Herrings is another keenly plotted cozy mystery in the Mainely Needlepoint series. These stories are always well developed and full of depth, both in plot line and characterization. I always learn something new when I read a book in this series, and I can count on a unique story of a high calibre that will keep me entertained and in suspense. Thread Herrings delivers. Recommended.

Thanks for stopping by. Here are a couple of pictures of my 18.5 year old cat, Kit-Kat. 😊

Have a great day.

Blanche on the Lam by Barbara Neely – (Audiobook – Tantor Audio)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

When four of her employers go out of town without informing her, or paying her, sassy domestic worker, Blanche White, is forced to write a few bad checks that land her in hot water. She might be headed off to prison. Fortunately, a commotion surrounding an unfortunate event involving the county commissioner enables Blanche to make her escape from the courthouse without notice. What will she do? Where will she go? She finds herself in the home of a wealthy family, disguised as a former worker. Blanche figures she can make some money in the meantime before she’s found out and then move on with her life. But she’s chosen the wrong house to get lost in. Things are not what they appear to be in the household. So when two murders happen within her short stay at this hideout home, Blanche will need her quick wits to get away safe, and to uncover who did away with her newfound friend.

This book immediately drew me in. It was creative right from the start, which hooked me. And then Blanche’s personality, which mimicked some women I’ve encountered in real life and in the movies, entertained me. How can I explain her character? 🤔 It was a little like a mix of Octavia Spencer’s character, Minnie, from The Help, and Madea from one of Tyler Perry’s movies. One of my favorite characters was Mumsfield, a mentally challenged man with a big heart, a love of cars, and an instant attachment to and wholesome affection for Blanche. Mumsfield, although autistic, was very keen in many ways, and there was just so much to love about him.

I would not characterize this book as a cozy mystery because it contains some mature themes and serious subject matter; material that’s best suited for adult readers. It was not the comedic mystery that I thought it would be based on the cover. The setting was the Deep South, and if you are particularly sensitive about outspokenness regarding racial inequalities and prejudice, I’d think twice before picking up this one. Blanche can be a bit salty with her tongue, and other characters are not shy about expressing their feelings about minorities and using condescension in their tones. Nonetheless, the mystery aspect was top-notch, and I was both impressed and surprised by the outcome.

The audible narrator’s performance given by Lisa Reneé Pitts was OUTSTANDING!! She imitates male and female voices, dialects and accents with ease. As the villain, her maniacal laugh was priceless. I look forward to listening to other books she’s narrated.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary audio download of Blanche on the Lam. All opinions expressed about it are my own.

The Dough Must Go On: (Oxford Tearoom Mystery – Book 9) by H.Y. Hanna

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5-stars

Gemma Rose gets the opportunity of a lifetime when a wealthy talent show creator, Monty Gibbs, chooses her Little Stables Tearoom to provide the daily catering for his show, From Pleb to Celeb.

A menagerie of contestants ranging from the talented to the eccentric, eager to get their chance at fame, are practicing their talents in preparation for their big chance at winning the show.

Gemma isn’t too keen on the show’s creator. She’s figured out that behind his magnanimous facade is an ambitious businessman more interested in sensationalism than the welfare of his contestants. He’s even resorted to embellishing their backgrounds and exploiting them for the benefit of ratings. And although some may have checkered pasts, Gemma is adamant that it’s no reason to take advantage of them. So when one of the contestants is found dead behind the stage, Gemma wonders just how far Monty Gibbs might go to advance his show. Or might there be some other killer lurking amongst them?

H.Y. Hanna has done it again. I was thoroughly entertained by The Dough Must Go On. The “old biddies” characters are always comical….

“The police are as effective as a chocolate teapot.”— Old Biddies

One of the highlights of this series is revisiting some of my favorite characters. Gemma’s geeky friend, Seth, always teaches some interesting scientific fact or lesson that enlightens me. And Gemma’s uppity but harmless, sweet mother is a great character whose appearance in the books always makes me happy. These Oxford Tearoom Mysteries never fail to provide a hilarious scene or three, and I can count on a great mystery and a top-notch narrating performance from the inimitable Pearl Hewitt. The Oxford Tearoom Mysteries is one of my absolute favorite cozy mystery series.

Thank you, H.Y. Hanna, for a complimentary download of The Dough Must Go On. All opinions expressed about it are my own.

Dangling By A Thread by Lea Wait (Audiobook – Tantor Audio)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

Angie Curtis, owner of Mainely Needlepoint, is intrigued by a mysterious loner, Jesse Lockhart, whom some refer to as The Solitary. He lives on isolated Kings Island, alone, and occasionally travels into Haven Harbor for his mail and other necessities. Mainely Needlepointer, Dave Percy, seems to be a friend of The Solitary, but when Angie enquirers about him, Dave Is elusive about the man. One thing’s for sure, Jesse isn’t enthused about anyone who tries to invade his island. He’s protective of the great cormorants that nest there, and won’t have them disturbed by intruders, especially not rich ones who want to buy his island right out from under him. There are a few who would gain from the sale of Jesse’s island. So when Jesse turns up dead, Angie is intent on keeping Jesse’s dream alive of protecting the birds, and of finding out who murdered him.

Dangling By A Thread is another solid mystery by Lea Wait that I enjoyed. In addition to the suspense leading up to the culprit, I was enlightened by the nesting habits of great cormorants and the uniqueness of their wings.

An additional delight of this series is that each new chapter opens with brief facts about an ancient needle-pointer and their work. I looked forward to learning about each and every one.

You can never go wrong with a Mainely Needlepoint Mystery, and this one is no exception.

 

Christina Delaine has the perfect voice, pitch and pace for narrating this series. I always enjoy listening to her.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of Dangling By A Thread. All opinions expressed about it are my own.

 

Apple Strudel Alibi – Oxford Tearoom Mystery series – Book 8 – by H.Y. Hanna (Audiobook)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 5- stars

H.Y. Hanna has done it again. Apple Strudel Alibi is another successful installment to the Oxford Tearoom Mystery series. In it we find ourselves on a trip to Vienna, Austria, where we’re introduced to a few new characters that become suspects in a murder investigation that Gemma Rose and the Old Biddies find themselves entangled in.

When Gemma’s planned holiday for a trip to Malta with her beau, Devlin O’Connor, is derailed yet again because of a last-minute work assignment she’s devastated. That is until her mother convinces her that it’s a perfect opportunity for Gemma to attend the rewards ceremony in Vienna. Gemma’s Little Stables Tearoom has won a contest for the best scones in Oxfordshire thanks to her dear senior citizen friends, the “Old Biddies,” who entered her tearoom in the contest without her knowledge. Gemma takes her mother’s advice and heads off to Vienna, availing herself of the invitation to stay in her mother’s friend’s newly-opened, pet-friendly hotel at a reduced rate, if ever she were in Austria. So Gemma finds herself in Vienna, sharing a suite with Muesli and the Old Biddies, and things seem perfect. That is until an art critic is murdered at the hotel, and the suspect could still be amongst them.

I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery. I learned much about Austrian cuisine, culture, architecture and art. Of particular interest to me were facts about the Austrian artist, Gustav Klimt, and the Spanish Riding School where Lippizaner horses are trained to perform. Listening was like receiving a brief history lesson pertaining to these subjects and I loved it. Equally satisfying were the new characters, as well as those that’ve been present from the start of the series. And the mystery kept me in suspense until the jaw-dropping denouement. I appreciate H.Y. Hanna’s subliminal message of love, honor and respect for all humanity, and how everyone’s contributions to the world benefit all of mankind. It has been enlightening and gratifying becoming acquainted with characters from various countries and backgrounds while reading many of the books in this series.

Regarding the audio narrator, Pearl Hewitt, her voice is absolute perfection. Her depictions of the various characters, (including Muesli the tabby cat’s audible expressions), is incredible. Her masterful narration brings this series to life in a way that can only be fully described if you listen for yourself. Extraordinary talent. I always look forward to listening to Ms. Hewitt’s narration. I highly recommended Apple Strudel Alibi.

Thank you, H.Y. Hanna, for a complimentary download of Apple Strudel Alibi. In exchange I have provided an honest review.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!! Thanks for stopping by. 😊

**TOP PICK** Midnight Snacks Are Murder by Libby Klein – (A Poppy McAllister Mystery – Book 2)

😂😂😂😂😂 5-laughing faces

Although this is book 2 in the series, it’s not necessary at all to read the first book to enjoy it.

Midnight Snacks Are Murder is HILARIOUS!! There are consistent laugh-out-loud moments throughout the entire book. Think of this: a pair of rival, macho men vying for the protagonist’s affection; an anxious little old lady who keeps popping pills whenever a stressful event occurs; a general contractor named Smitty who keeps breaking things and then declaring, “I can fix that!”; a diva ex-mother-in-law who gets on everyone’s nerves and can’t get the contractor’s name right; a cat named Figaro with a mind of his own; and a host of wacky, secondary characters with their own peculiarities that lend to the humorous tone of this book. A Cozy mystery masterpiece.

Here’s a glimpse into the plot….

Poppy McAllister’s 80-ish great aunt Ginny has been under a lot of stress lately. As a consequence of all of the renovations happening in her Queen Anne Victorian in Cape May, NJ, to transform it into the Butterfly House B&B, aunt Ginny’s nerves have been on edge. Her doctor has prescribed some medication to calm her nerves and help her sleep at night. But when the side-effects from the medication take her on a sleepwalking sojourn into her neighbors’ homes, nibbling on their snacks and pilfering knick-knacks, aunt Ginny finds herself a suspect in a local resident’s murder. The victim’s ransacked kitchen resembles other neighbors’ who’ve had a nightly visit from aunt Ginny. But could she really commit a murder in her sleepwalking state, or is someone looking to frame the little old lady?

I loved this cozy!! I think there must have been at least one comical line or incident on every page!! The mystery was so cleverly crafted that I didn’t come close to guessing the culprit. One teensy issue I had with the book was that in some instances a few of the suspects seemed a little too forthcoming with information when Poppy questioned them. She was just an ordinary person, so if I were them I would be thinking, “who’s this chick to be asking me all of these questions?!!” But this little niggle pales in comparison to the hilarity and overall enjoyment of the book, so I subtracted nothing from my 5-star rating.

Midnight Snacks are Murder was an excellent read. I highly recommend this book for lovers of humorous cozies with villains that keep you guessing to the very end.

Many thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review which I have given.

If you need a good laugh, read this book y’all. Have a great day, and enjoy your weekend. 😊

Hummus and Homicide by Tina Kashian (Audiobook-Tantor Audio) **Top Pick**

   5-stars

I absolutely loved Hummus and Homicide!! The completely convincing suspect list, sleuthing tactics and loyal family dynamic; including the cultural traditions the Berberian family so tightly clinged to, were all factors that made the book worthwhile. I cracked up many times while listening. The pace never wavered, and the ethnic dishes that Lucy’s mother prepared in Kebab Kitchen made my mouth water!!

And now a little summary of the book…

When Lucy Berberian returns home to Ocean Crest, NJ, after her professional life in Philadelphia as a patent attorney takes a nosedive, her parents welcome her with open arms and a waitress uniform so she can get right to work at their family-owned Mediterranean restaurant, Kebab Kitchen.

Before long Lucy bumps into former classmate and nemesis, Heather Banks. When Heather introduces her boyfriend, famous suspense writer Paul Evans, to Lucy and then exclaims “Lucy’s parents are foreigners who own that Mediterranean restaurant,” Lucy is mortified by Heather’s tactless, erroneous statement (her parents are citizens) and corrects her in front of Paul. The two women exchange words and Lucy later regrets the tiff after learning that Heather is the new health inspector, replacing her father who’d given Kebab Kitchen’s inspection a pass every year for the past 30 years. Heather inspects Kebab Kitchen shortly thereafter and cites the restaurant for several infractions and demands corrective action within 7 days or she will shut Lucy’s parents’ beloved restaurant down. So Lucy is surprised when Heather comes back to Kebab Kitchen to eat the following afternoon, engulfing various varieties of hummus from the very hummus bar she’d verbally assaulted just a day earlier. But when she’s found dead in the restaurant’s parking lot, Lucy comes under suspicion and must act quickly to find out what really happened to Heather before the negative publicity destroys her parents’ health and livelihood, and she gets put away.

Audiobook narrator, Rachel Dulude, did a fabulous job with the storytelling and numerous accents and dialects in the book. Her performance most definitely added to my enjoyment of it, being that I’m originally from NYC and thus familiar with various cultures, I felt that her imitations were quite realistic and thoroughly entertaining, making the book that much more enjoyable.  I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, Stabbed in the Baklava.

Very highly recommended.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of Hummus and Homicide. In exchange I have provided an honest review

Hummus plate

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Throwback Thursday – A Man of Some Repute by Elizabeth Edmondson

Throwback Thursday is hosted by Renee of It’s Book Talk.  This meme was created to share old favorites and/or books published over a year ago.  Today I’m going to be sharing an excellent mystery, A Man of Some Repute by Elizabeth Edmondson.

Why I chose this book:

I was astounded by it. This was an audiobook and I was impressed by the narration. As far as the book itself, it was the characters, the mystery, the incredible setting (it was set in a castle in rural England, I mean c’mon, awesome!).  The main character, Hugo Hawksworth, was my first audiobook character crush. This book was just such a great listen and I remember feeling like this ….

See my review of it here.

I googled the author, intent on letting her know how much I enjoyed it. I was DEVASTATED to learn that she had died a few months before I’d read the book.  Seriously, I was so sad when I learned that.

If Ms. Edmondson was still with us today, I’d tell her that I absolutely loved her book, and that it remains one of my favorites to this day. 💐

Thank you for visiting. 

Lending a Paw by Laurie Cass (Audiobook-Tantor Audio)

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 stars

Lending a Paw is Book 1 in the Bookmobile Cat Mystery series. It was an enjoyable cozy with a believable suspect list and a few red herrings to point me in different directions along the way. Eddie, the mischievous cat, is a lovable character. I liked that he’s an ordinary cat with God-given animal instincts and doesn’t possess any magical abilities.

Here’s a little of the plot….

Minerva (Minnie) Hamilton, a Librarian with the Chilson (MI) District Library, drives the Bookmobile with her naughty but decidedly helpful and intuitive cat, Eddie. Eddie followed Minnie home from the cemetery one day, and surreptitiously made his way onto the bookmobile on the day of its maiden voyage, and subsequently lead her to her friend’s dead body. Minnie was fond of Stan Larabee, a major contributor to the library. But further digging uncovers unfavorable accounts of Stan’s character and business dealings. Many people hated the man. Who really was Stan Larabee, and why were so many folks’ attitudes that of good riddance instead of poor Stan?

This is my second book in the Bookmobile series. Admittedly, I had to get well into the book before it truly started to hold my attention. Once it did, I was eagerly anticipating the unveiling of the killer. This was an audiobook and the narrator did a pretty good job as Minnie. Her voice sort of reminded me of Jane Fonda, and it took me a little while in the beginning to equate her to 33-yr. old Minnie. But after listening for a time I got used to her voice and it was fine. Overall, I liked this cozy and I would try another book in the series.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a free download of Lending a Paw. In exchange I have provided an honest review.

Have a great week everyone. Thanks for stopping by.