In this series, the Queen of England solves murder mysteries. The Queen is of course very clever and I laughed out loud at many of the witty scenes. TIn this series, the Queen of England solves murder mysteries. The Queen is of course very clever and I laughed out loud at many of the witty scenes. This is a funny, feel-good mystery even those who don’t typically read mysteries may enjoy, with fun touches of British royal culture. The British title of this book is “A Three-Dog Problem," but the American title is "All the Queen's Men." It is third in the series Her Majesty Investigates, but it is the first that I’ve read and it’s okay to read them out of order. I will enjoy reading the rest of this series, spreading them out and savoring them. ...more
This was an absolutely delightful read. I savored it in hopes that it wouldn't end. With British Bake Off vibes, each year Betsy Martin, "America's grThis was an absolutely delightful read. I savored it in hopes that it wouldn't end. With British Bake Off vibes, each year Betsy Martin, "America's grandmother" and renowned baker, hosts Bake Week at her remote Vermont estate. The estate has been in her family for decades and Betsy feels the pressure to keep it up, no easy feat when it requires a staff and constant repairs. Each year she relents and lets contestants spend one week at Grafton competing for the television show. The reason I fell in love with this book is that Maxwell switches off perspectives, following each baking contestant. You get their stories and back stories as the week unfolds, and I found myself equally interested in each character. The murder aspect doesn't come in until the latter part of the book, where for me the plot was a bit over the top. This is Maxwell's debut novel and I can't wait to read more from her in the future.
Perfect for fans of "The Thursday Murder Club."...more
I raced through this mystery set in Minnesota. 18 year old Hattie is found murdered in an abandoned barn. Told from three viewpoints: Hattie's, the shI raced through this mystery set in Minnesota. 18 year old Hattie is found murdered in an abandoned barn. Told from three viewpoints: Hattie's, the sheriff (Del's) and a new English teacher (Mr. Lund). Having Hattie's viewpoint from the year before she died helped make her more sympathetic and real. I loved the rural, southern MN setting. A compelling read that I'll be recommending to many people....more
Perfect for fans of Louise Penny. Newly reassigned to the Violent Crimes Swiss police unit (although this book is not gorey with details), Detective APerfect for fans of Louise Penny. Newly reassigned to the Violent Crimes Swiss police unit (although this book is not gorey with details), Detective Agnes Luthi drives through the worst ice blizzard in years to a chateau to investigate a murder. The murdered woman was pricing the chateau's antiques collection and was seemingly little known by the inhabitants, a wealthy and reclusive family. This is a perfect locked-room mystery, with everyone trapped by the iced over and treacherous landscape inside a huge, historic chateau complete with hidden stairways, servants and a family with a very rich history. You'll want to sip a cup of hot chocolate while trying to figure out who did it along with Detective Luthi. There's sure to be a sequel....more
I loved this atmospheric mystery set in the quaint village of Three Pines, Canada. Three Pines is small enough that is doesn't have a police force, buI loved this atmospheric mystery set in the quaint village of Three Pines, Canada. Three Pines is small enough that is doesn't have a police force, but it is a strong arts community populated by interesting villagers, one of whom is now dead. Chief Inspector Gamache, an experienced and level headed detective, must figure out who killed Jane Neal--and was it murder?--while keeping his arrogant new trainee in line. Well developed, unique characters and a strong setting make this a joy to read. After devouring it, I immediately checked out book two! A great read to cozy up with any time of the year.
I loved this fun book featuring the very capable Kopp sisters, living alone on a farm in early 1900's New Jersey. After their buggy is destroyed by anI loved this fun book featuring the very capable Kopp sisters, living alone on a farm in early 1900's New Jersey. After their buggy is destroyed by an automobile, Constance seeks restitution. The auto owner, Henry Kaufmann, turns out to be a factory owner and bully. Constance works with the Sheriff's Department to handle the threats and try to put Kaufmann behind bars.
"Isn't there a male relative who can take them (the Kopp sisters) in?" Asks one character. Wonderful narration. A treat to listen to....more
I was immediately hooked by this story of Lucky, a fixer at a top Vegas casino/resort. Lucky is intelligent and snarky and extremely capable. She solvI was immediately hooked by this story of Lucky, a fixer at a top Vegas casino/resort. Lucky is intelligent and snarky and extremely capable. She solves all of the crazy problems that pop up constantly. I really enjoyed the descriptions of her job.
As the book continued, it dragged a little and I thought it was longer than it needed to be. I also was a little bored by Lucky's romance, which was a bit cheesy at times.
However, I am looking forward to continuing with this series. It is packed with humor, wacky (but believable) characters and situations and includes a mystery. This is a great series for Janet Evanovich fans. ...more
3.5 stars. I was surprised by how caught up I got in this alternating view point story. Oliver is, as his wives describe him, a sociopath. He has thre3.5 stars. I was surprised by how caught up I got in this alternating view point story. Oliver is, as his wives describe him, a sociopath. He has three wives in three different cities and he revels in the high from seducing them and getting what he wants. His legal career gives him an excuse for frequent absences from each family.
This story switches between the viewpoints of "the wives", Picasso (Oliver's daughter with wife #1) and the detective trying to solve Oliver's murder. Yes, that's right, the book starts out with Oliver being murdered. Who did it and why? This is what we slowly learn over the unraveling of the book as the chapters take us back in time and forward again. Sometimes I find this frustrating, but Murphy uses this strategy to compel you to keep reading. I gobbled this book up.
Best parts of the book: whip smart young Picasso, who seems to be developing some of her father's traits, as she attempts to cunningly fit in at school; the wives interacting with one another; and the detective who wants to solve Oliver's murder but is falling in love with one of his main suspects (Picasso's mom). ...more
Fun mystery about a woman, James "Jamie" Bond, who has taken over her father's Bond Agency. She and her ex-model staffers catch cheating husbands mostFun mystery about a woman, James "Jamie" Bond, who has taken over her father's Bond Agency. She and her ex-model staffers catch cheating husbands mostly, but now they have a homicide to solve before Jamie is arrested as a suspect. Good for fans of Janet Evanovich....more
Fun mystery. Ann is somewhat like Stephanie Plum in spirit. I'm looking forward to reading more in the Deadwood Mystery series.Fun mystery. Ann is somewhat like Stephanie Plum in spirit. I'm looking forward to reading more in the Deadwood Mystery series....more
I LOVED this book! It does a great job making you feel like you are in the year 1940 in England. Everyone is anxious that Germany will start bombing LI LOVED this book! It does a great job making you feel like you are in the year 1940 in England. Everyone is anxious that Germany will start bombing London. They're also worried that Germany will invade after they conquer France.
This book follows Maggie Hope as she becomes one of Winston Churchill's secretaries (the typing kind not the more intellectual private secretary positions). She grew up in the United States after her British parents died in a car crash and she went to live with her Aunt Edith, a professor at Wellesley in MA. She returned to London to sell her grandmother's house and ended up loving it there and staying. When she left the US she deferred her MIT PhD program for a year. She has studied mathematics and is very intelligent. Maggie gets frustrated when she is passed up for a private secretary position and instead invited to join the typing pool. She eventually agrees to help the war effort. Her (unknown) family connections and position at No 10 led her into the middle of an IRA plot to sabotage Britain's war efforts. Maggie valiantly deals with the situation.
This is a very fun read with realistic characters and settings that make the book unputdownable. A former secretary of Winston Churchill told the author that in reality Maggie wouldn't have had any time for the intrigue she gets involved in. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this series and can't wait to read the next two books....more
I LOVED this detective story by Rowling. I couldn't wait to keep reading about clever detective Cormoran Strike and his equally clever temp secretary I LOVED this detective story by Rowling. I couldn't wait to keep reading about clever detective Cormoran Strike and his equally clever temp secretary Robin. The characters are extremely well developed and believable. I kept wondering about their lives. Would Robin's fiance come to accept her job at a detective agency? Would poor Cormoran earn enough money to stop living in his office? Who killed celebrity fashion model Lula Landry? This is a gripping who dunnit that you will not be able to put down!
I don't usually read mysteries or detective stories but I am eagerly anticipating the second book in this series, set to be published in 2014....more
I really enjoyed this quick and humorous story of an Indian detective, his mother "mummy-ji" and wife "rumpi". His family calls him Chubby for his gutI really enjoyed this quick and humorous story of an Indian detective, his mother "mummy-ji" and wife "rumpi". His family calls him Chubby for his gut. The mother also works to solve a case and she is hilarious. She reminds me of the grandmother in the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.
Recommend this to others looking for a light and enjoyable read or fans of Alexander McCall Smith....more