This cozy mystery debut by Amanda Chapman was SO, SO, SO much fun and so very clever!! I loved the premise of a library dedicated to Agatha Christie aThis cozy mystery debut by Amanda Chapman was SO, SO, SO much fun and so very clever!! I loved the premise of a library dedicated to Agatha Christie and rare copies of classics set in modern day NYC. When book conservator Tory Van Dyne starts seeing the ghost of Agatha Christie she's at first baffled but when she gets caught up in a murder mystery and Mrs. Christie starts helping, things get really entertaining.
There were a ton of red herrings, a unique form of murder method, lots of fun quotes from Christie's books and a great cast of secondary characters and a touch of romance between Tory and the lead detective investigating the murders. 10/10 recommend and I really hope we get more featuring Tory and Mrs. Christie!
It was also excellent on audio narrated by Patti Murin. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!...more
At first I thought this was going to be a romantic suspense type of story but it was SO much more than that and I absolutely LOVED it! by a new fav CaAt first I thought this was going to be a romantic suspense type of story but it was SO much more than that and I absolutely LOVED it! by a new fav Canadian author! The best way to describe it I think is as a cross between Buffy the vampire slayer and Practical magic.
At the core it's a vampire vs witches story, a story about sisters and a story about a cursed family told from the perspective of Cassie, a mother of three with an absentee husband who learns she is the 13th witch of her family and it's her destiny to defeat a centuries old vampire or else the world will end.
Great on audio with an older female protagonist who loves her family but doesn't believe she has what it takes to be 'the chosen one.' There's lots of humor, heart and a touch of romance too in this perfect spooky season read. Highly recommended for fans of authors like Hazel Beck, Erin Sterling or books like Playing the witch card by KJ Dell'Antonia.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review. This seemed like a standalone book but I would so love for there to be a sequel so we could see where Ben and Cassie's romance might go....more
This was such a big-hearted cozy mystery debut about a grieving widow who has lost her magical ability to talk to ghosts and lives as a recluse with hThis was such a big-hearted cozy mystery debut about a grieving widow who has lost her magical ability to talk to ghosts and lives as a recluse with her witchy aunts at their B&B. When one of their guests dies mysteriously its the push she needed to start living again. Good on audio and highly recommended for fans of Practical magic!! Im excited to read the next book in the series!!...more
Not my favorite of the series but I did appreciate the criticism of the Mansfield Park slavery connections. If you're a big fan of Austen inspired cozNot my favorite of the series but I did appreciate the criticism of the Mansfield Park slavery connections. If you're a big fan of Austen inspired cozy mysteries and this series you'll probably enjoy it. I found myself not fully invested in the plot, it felt long and rambling to be honest. ...more
It feels like lately there has been a slew of elevated cozy mysteries and I am here for them! This second in the Mavis Miller series focuses on mom buIt feels like lately there has been a slew of elevated cozy mysteries and I am here for them! This second in the Mavis Miller series focuses on mom burnout, mental health, soccer culture and MLM marketing schemes.
I really enjoyed discovering new layers of Mavis, thought it was good on audio and would recommend to fans of the Finlay Donovan series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!...more
Dare I say I liked this one even BETTER than the first!?!?! God that cliffhanger ending though! There better be a book three coming is all I have to sDare I say I liked this one even BETTER than the first!?!?! God that cliffhanger ending though! There better be a book three coming is all I have to say. This twin sister spy thriller series by Ally Carter is killing it!!
Spy thriller romances are my jam and this second chance romance between two rival CIA agents was SO.DARN.GOOD!!!! I don't want to say too much or spoil anything but there's lots of travel, exotic locations, action, romance, flashbacks and a dual POV narration that was excellent on audio voiced by Andrew Eiden and Emily Ellet.
Highly recommended for fans of books like The spy and I or Mr Nice Spy both by Tiana Smith. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!!...more
Another thoughtful Canadian cozy mystery featuring Buddhist butler, Helen Thorpe. This book sees Helen postponing her long-deserved vacation to help hAnother thoughtful Canadian cozy mystery featuring Buddhist butler, Helen Thorpe. This book sees Helen postponing her long-deserved vacation to help her employer and his son who are sent to a Wellness retreat set on an island where a bunch of passionate activists are sent to rethink their methods. I liked the Robin Hood vibes that get executed in the most misdirected way, involving a double kidnapping that has Helen forced to work with the other 'guests' to help save her employer and his son. Fast paced and thought-provoking, there was a lot of climate change and anti-genocide rhetoric that felt very timely to current world events. Good on audio and a solid addition to the series....more
The second in a cozy mystery series featuring Helen, a Buddhist butler who finds herself tasked with helping an out of control spoiled influencer turnThe second in a cozy mystery series featuring Helen, a Buddhist butler who finds herself tasked with helping an out of control spoiled influencer turn her life around. Set in Vancouver this explored the world of influencer socialites, drug and alcohol addiction and a series of accidental deaths that might not have been accidents. Okay on audio this was entertaining and I'd recommend it for fans of the Molly Maid series but it wasn't a standout/memorable read for me. I did like the protagonist and her outlook on life. I will likely give the next book a chance but I won't say they stick in my head long after I finish....more
This second in the series featuring amateur detective Beatrice Steele was just as fun as the first!! I loved the evolution of her and Drake's relationThis second in the series featuring amateur detective Beatrice Steele was just as fun as the first!! I loved the evolution of her and Drake's relationship as Beatrice tries to balance searching for a killer and finding a match to make her money hungry family happy. It was great on audio and had a killer (literally) cliffhanger ending. I can't wait to see where this series goes next!! Highly recommended for fans of Claudia Gray's Mr Darcy and Miss Tilney series....more