My first cozy sci-fi mystery. And I liked it. I will definitely pick up the next one in the series. I wasn't overwhelmed but I also wasn't underwhelmeMy first cozy sci-fi mystery. And I liked it. I will definitely pick up the next one in the series. I wasn't overwhelmed but I also wasn't underwhelmed. It was simply a nice little story....more
Sweet and funny and with no angst whatsoever, a proper cozy magic story about two mages falling love and their familiars and brownies and ghosts. The Sweet and funny and with no angst whatsoever, a proper cozy magic story about two mages falling love and their familiars and brownies and ghosts. The perfect thing for when you're feeling blue....more
I'm really loving the friendship between Jack and Sarah, the way she drew him into the village life and her family, too, giving him a solid support syI'm really loving the friendship between Jack and Sarah, the way she drew him into the village life and her family, too, giving him a solid support system when he needed it. And I was honestly glad about how they solved this case. Because they are not cops or even PIs, they don't owe anything to anyone and thus can be much more flexible....more
A very sweet picture book, true, only very few of these "philosophies" struck a cord with me, though. Not that they were bad or anything like that, thA very sweet picture book, true, only very few of these "philosophies" struck a cord with me, though. Not that they were bad or anything like that, they just didn't... hit the spot, so to speak....more
This book made me cry. Out of sadness, frustration, the futility of it all. So many people dead, honest people, good people, and no justice at all, foThis book made me cry. Out of sadness, frustration, the futility of it all. So many people dead, honest people, good people, and no justice at all, for anyone. Because of powerful, corrupt men. Untouchable men. There was no pay-off, no satisfaction of the bad guy getting his due. Nothing but devastation all around....more
For a 21st century reader the commonplace racism in this book is hard to swallow. But it reflects its time and it's good so. The authenticity, not theFor a 21st century reader the commonplace racism in this book is hard to swallow. But it reflects its time and it's good so. The authenticity, not the racism. I prefer it to the current common practice of re-writing history to fit today's sensibilities (see Netflix). I liked Bony, quite a peculiar character, but this novel is more of a family drama than a mystery. The murder is secondary both to the story itself and to the characters since it was an aboriginal who died and no one really cared about his death, not even the cops. So, it was rather hard to root for anyone but Bony. Still, it was interesting to see what the situation was like in Australia in the 1930s without the rosy glasses filter of today....more
Almost every case of Andy's starts with or at least involves a dog. It's quite hilarious. And I'm always curious about how the author will manage to iAlmost every case of Andy's starts with or at least involves a dog. It's quite hilarious. And I'm always curious about how the author will manage to insert a doggie into the story this time. I wasn't disappointed. I truly love Willie and how protective he is of his charges! Also, I'm truly loving Andy's family life. The author managed to find the perfect balance between the mystery part of the story and Andy's personal life. I love it. Other authors should take notice....more
It was fun like always, Lady Darriby-Jones is always a hoot, but I kinda didn't truly grasp why the culprit did what they did. At some point, the plotIt was fun like always, Lady Darriby-Jones is always a hoot, but I kinda didn't truly grasp why the culprit did what they did. At some point, the plot kinda lost me?...more
3.5 stars because it took me a while to get into it. But it's usually so with sci-fi or fantasy books, I need to get to know the world better before I3.5 stars because it took me a while to get into it. But it's usually so with sci-fi or fantasy books, I need to get to know the world better before I can fully engage with what's going on. But I did like the main hero, Daniel Hunt, and Monica was also great, strong and assertive without being bitchy which is a trap many writers fall into. But not Monica. Monica gets stuff done. Just like Daniel. But their strengths are different, they complement each other. And that's awesome. I will definitely continue this series. ...more
So many twists and turns for such a short story! I felt so sorry for the victim because all the person wanted to do was help, out of the goodness of tSo many twists and turns for such a short story! I felt so sorry for the victim because all the person wanted to do was help, out of the goodness of their heart....more
I didn't like the second book in the series as much as the first one. Mainly because of Jenny's attitude. She really needs to take it down a notch. WhI didn't like the second book in the series as much as the first one. Mainly because of Jenny's attitude. She really needs to take it down a notch. When the sergeant told her that she behaved like an arrogant little shit, I had to agree and I was glad that someone actually told her outright. She fights for what's right and that's admirable. But to get her culprit she walks roughshod all over other people. She cares deeply for the victims - but she doesn't care for the community because she's not a part of it and she doesn't intend to be. She plans to find out what happened to her aunt and cousin and then she's out of there. So, if she damages someone's reputation, marks them as suspicious by dragging them down to the station, she doesn't care. And like the sergeant told her, he would be there, living among these people, his friends and neighbors, long after she was gone. I think she really needs to grasp that she's not living in a city anymore but in a small town where damaged reputation - even unjustly damaged - sticks....more
Hm, Jenny kinda rubbed me wrong in this one. The way she was annoyed that no one appreciated her cooking while people on the boat were literally losinHm, Jenny kinda rubbed me wrong in this one. The way she was annoyed that no one appreciated her cooking while people on the boat were literally losing their livelihood as all this was going on seemed incredibly shallow. I mean, girl, priorities. Also, the way she kept her observations to herself even when the cops asked her and later on she went all, "Well, it's obvious, isn't it?" in such a belittling way? I felt like strangling her and I wasn't even the target of her comments....more
My favorite part of this entry was definitely the arc with Viola. The whole story was interesting, the mystery and all of it, don't get me wrong. But My favorite part of this entry was definitely the arc with Viola. The whole story was interesting, the mystery and all of it, don't get me wrong. But Viola? It was such a satisfying pay-off and it did the soul a world of good, it really did. I hope that Siegfried will finally get his comeuppance in the next volume, it's long overdue!...more
I don't give many five stars but I felt that this book deserved it. It was the best Andy Carpenter book yet, hands down. With Pete being Andy's clientI don't give many five stars but I felt that this book deserved it. It was the best Andy Carpenter book yet, hands down. With Pete being Andy's client, there was no doubt about his innocence, there was no danger of a last minute betrayal there, so we could focus fully on the who and why. Also, Ricky is the sweetest kid. I'm usually not fond of children in thrillers/mysteries but he's seriously lovely and I'm very glad that Andy and Laurie adopted him. I actually hope to see more of him in the future....more
This one was good! Short and to the point with a great set-up for future stories while also introducing many interesting and likable characters. I reaThis one was good! Short and to the point with a great set-up for future stories while also introducing many interesting and likable characters. I really liked the development of Jenny's relationship with her new boss. And also Nick and his station, the way the story touched on the hardships of cattle herding in this country with respect to the local indigenous people and their way of living. Looking forward to the next story!...more
There were moments when I wanted to strangle Eleanor. She was a 29-year-old woman adventurer and a widow to boot yet at times she behaved like a bird-There were moments when I wanted to strangle Eleanor. She was a 29-year-old woman adventurer and a widow to boot yet at times she behaved like a bird-brained teenage ninny. How could she have traveled all alone through half the world when she got lost in a tiny English village and got constantly distracted by shiny things like some human magpie? It was neither cute nor funny. It made her look dumb. Overall, the story was good and I especially loved her staff and Lancelot and his parents who were a hoot. But Lady Eleanor? A hot-headed wannabe feminist - yet mostly man-hating - dimwit. I hope the author tones it down a bit with her scatter-brained attitude in the following books. T. E. Kinsey's Lady Hardcastle, another cozy mystery feminist adventurer, is much more subtle in her idiosyncrasies, they never make her look like an utter fool....more
Again, a bit too long but I really liked it. And I really liked Victoria! What a woman! I'm curious where the main storyline with Colter's dad's secreAgain, a bit too long but I really liked it. And I really liked Victoria! What a woman! I'm curious where the main storyline with Colter's dad's secrets is headed. Though I have to admit that I enjoy the "case of the book" more than the big arc, but it's mostly that way with me. Also, considering that there's a series now based on the books, it's nice to be able to "see" Justin Hartley in the part of Colter Shaw!...more
A very good story but maybe a bit too long. There were too many false avenues of inquiry that Colter followed so the final culprit reveal wasn't as muA very good story but maybe a bit too long. There were too many false avenues of inquiry that Colter followed so the final culprit reveal wasn't as much of a bang as the writer maybe intended. Basically, I thought to myself, "Yet another false trail?" and when it turned out to be the one, I was all, "Oh. Really?" ...more
My least favorite book in the series so far. The stories are already short so the long set-up before the crime actually happened and before the regulaMy least favorite book in the series so far. The stories are already short so the long set-up before the crime actually happened and before the regular characters appeared felt even longer. But it's nice that Jack is starting to feel more comfortable in Cherringham now, like a part of the community....more