Never Go Home by John Carson

May 12, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Never Go Home by John Carson
Publisher: Vellum
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

You can’t run forever…

When a body is discovered on a carousel at the fair in The Meadows in Edinburgh, it brings back memories for DCI Harry McNeil. He had history with the man, having arrested him many years ago.

The victim was a high-flying politician, destined for great things, but did his secrets catch up with him? Or were the death threats he’d received not taken seriously enough?

Harry and his team hunt for a killer who will stop at nothing to achieve his goal, putting themselves in the firing line of a madman with an agenda. But it’s Harry himself who is going to have his life changed forever. If he lives long enough…

When a body is discovered at an Edinburgh fairgrounds on the carousel DCI Harry McNeil and his team are called in to investigate. The victim was a politician, but Harry knows the victim from having arrested him many, many years earlier. Can Harry and his team uncover what the madman’s killing spree is really all about and stop him before Harry’s own life is in peril?

I’ve been enjoying this series for quite some time and feel readers who have also been following along should find this book an excellent addition. There is now quite a large cast of supporting characters – both in Harry’s Edinburgh police team as well as the Glasgow team. I love all the different characters and the small bits each of them adds to the varied facets of the story – but I do feel readers who are new to this series might find it a bit harder to keep everyone in mind and understand the many different threads and currents running under the surface. While I don’t feel readers will have to have necessarily read each of the previous books in the series, having a good working knowledge of the many characters and various ties between them would definitely help in a full and better understanding of this novel and the plots within it.

I enjoyed the longer length to this novel as well. With two or three main plotlines all interweaving it gave the book a deeper complexity than I feel many of the earlier books held. I can absolutely feel that the author has grown in his storytelling skills along the way and this book really showcases that well to my mind. I also like how the plot didn’t feel one dimensional to me – linking in with various characters and situations from the past and how those ramifications were brought forward into the present day.

Readers who like a large cast of characters, multiple plotlines on the go and having a larger story arc interlocking in a single book should feel the Scottish police procedural book really has a lot to offer. I personally really enjoyed it and am eager for the next installment. An interesting and well-paced murder mystery novel that held my attention well and is definitely a series worth picking up. Recommended.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Burning Desire and Other Stories by Marilyn Todd

May 11, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Burning Desire and Other Stories by Marilyn Todd
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Paranormal, Historical, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Passions run high in this sparkling collection from what Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine describes as “one of the best mystery short story writers of her generation.”

From shy insurance clerks obsessed with a stripper (Pirate of Penance) to wives plotting murder (Killing Kevin), there’s always a twist in the tail. Like harmless old beachcombers (The Old Man and the Seashore) and good-time girls finding that respectability isn’t all it’s cracked up to be (Long Slow Dance Through the Passage of Time), even magicians’ assistants (Saw Point), they’re all driven by a burning desire.

And be it for justice or greed, retribution or love, the flames burn hotter than hell.

First impressions can only go so far.

“Night Crossing” involved an angry woman named Chloris who was running away from a bad marriage and a man who was paid to ferry her far away from where she came from. I can’t go into much more detail about this one without giving away spoilers, but I enjoyed the descriptions of what warm night air feels like as summer ends and everyone knows colder weather will soon arrive. It’s the sort of fleeting moment that feels like it will last forever when it’s actually happening, and it enhanced the mystery nicely.

I struggled to connect with some of the stories in this collection because of how often they jumped around from one idea or setting to the next. “The Girl Who Walked on Rooftops” was one example of this. It was written as a conversation between two old friends who eventually reveal a huge secret to the audience. One sentence was set in the present, while the next would often reference something that happened decades ago. I had trouble piecing together all of the clues here and wished everything had been revealed more chronologically.

Dolly, the main character of “Long Slow Dance Through the Passage of Time,” intrigued me from the first line. She was so materialistic, charming, oblivious to her flaws and ignorant of what others truly thought of her that I couldn’t imagine what might happen to her next. Writing villains isn’t always easy, but Ms. Todd did a good job of balancing out Dolly’s beauty and ability to make a fantastic first impression with the dark aspects of this character’s personality that were always gliding around below the surface.

Burning Desire and Other Stories was full of surprises.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Unquiet Bones by David J. Gatward

May 10, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Unquiet Bones by David J. Gatward
Publisher: Weirdstone Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

When move-in day turns fatal, will facing up to his past prove deadly?

Detective Chief Inspector Harry Grimm has the keys to hope. Excited but nervous over claiming his new house, he’s tying himself even tighter to his adopted community. But he can’t contain his horrified surprise when a mutilated corpse in the lounge makes him the owner of a gruesome crime scene.

With markings on the body showing a disturbing link to his time in Afghanistan, Grimm shivers with alarm as his team discovers the victim’s identity. And when he’s taken off the case, the stoic cop pursues answers on his own out of fear he’s about to be shattered by his bloody past.

Will he hunt down the killer…or is Grimm about to become the prey?

Unquiet Bones is the page-turning twelfth book in the DCI Harry Grimm Crime Thrillers series. If you like besieged heroes, races against time, and nail-biting mysteries, then you’ll love David J. Gatward’s restless pursuit.

DCI Harry Grimm has finally taken the plunge and bought himself a small home in the Dales. Happy in his new area and job, with a dog, a girlfriend and his brother all comfortably settled Harry is finding life just grand. Until the new, temporary DSup arrives with horrifying news about his father, and Harry uses his brand new keys to unlock his home and finds a murdered corpse in his living room. Nothing can ever come easily, and Harry is determined to find out what, exactly, is going on.

As the twelfth book in the series, I was pleased with this addition. While there is quite a bit of history now between Harry and his police team, it was lovely to read how well they all work together and yet the author still managed to make it appear fresh and interesting. I feel readers should absolutely be able to pick this book up and not need to have read any of the previous installments – though obviously they’re all good and the series is much richer and deeper with all that background knowledge.

I have to admit I enjoyed the character of the new DSup. She appeared to be quite an interesting and intelligent character and I hope she sticks around for the next few books. I felt she added a breath of fresh air to the storyline, and I really enjoyed her character. I also enjoyed the fact there was a good blend between the faster pace of a murder/mystery novel and the slower pace of the small countryside setting. I do feel readers will need to suspend some disbelief at the high rate of serious crime in such a small and sleepy little area – but that’s a small price to pay for such a picturesque setting for these murder mysteries and the police unit having so many crimes to figure out.

There were a few twists in the plot towards the end of the book – one of which I had guessed somewhere in the middle of the story. That said, the introduction of a new character was something I hadn’t guessed, and I found to be a delightful and surprising addition to the story. I really hope that rekindled friendship continues in the coming few books as well as I’d love to learn more about the history there with Grimm and see if more could be added to the friendship and built into the future.

The author does an excellent job to my mind of balancing all these different elements and making an interesting plot work so well with vibrant characters and I really enjoy this series. This is a good book and one I enjoyed.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Maid: A Novel by Nita Prose

May 5, 2023 By Leave a Comment


The Maid: A Novel by Nita Prose
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Supsense/Thriller
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by.

Since Gran died a few months ago, twenty-five-year-old Molly has been navigating life’s complexities all by herself. No matter—she throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job. She delights in donning her crisp uniform each morning, stocking her cart with miniature soaps and bottles, and returning guest rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel to a state of perfection.

But Molly’s orderly life is upended the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black himself dead in his bed. Before she knows what’s happening, Molly’s unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. She quickly finds herself caught in a web of deception, one she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had unite with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black—but will they be able to find the real killer before it’s too late?

A Clue-like, locked-room mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, The Maid explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different—and reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connection to the human heart.

It’s a whirlwind of a story.

I picked this book up for a book club read and it was highly recommended. There is a mystery here and there is a fascinating character in Molly. I wanted to know what would happen to Molly and how the mystery would unravel, so I kept at it. The writing was good and I kept going to the end.

I have to admit the portrayal of Molly had some issues. I liked that she’s potentially neurodivergent, but this is told through her point of view, so it wasn’t necessarily explained, and I wish it had been, so I could’ve identified with her a bit more. She’s also been through a lot and needed someone. So, it was good that she found the people she did.

The mystery aspect of it was a bit muddy and didn’t hold my interest as much as I’d have liked. I kept finding myself skipping pages or having to reread to get caught back up. Maybe I wasn’t the right reader for this book. Others will no doubt find this book fantastic.

That said, there is a mystery here to unravel, there is a life Molly has that is fascinating and this book had moments it shined. If that’s what you’re looking for, then pick this book up. It just might be for you.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

In The Name Of Truth by Viveca Sten

May 2, 2023 By Leave a Comment


In The Name Of Truth by Viveca Sten
Publisher: Self-Published (Amazon Crossing)
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

A shocking abduction rocks idyllic Sandhamn Island in an enthralling novel of suspense by Viveca Sten, bestselling author of In the Heat of the Moment.

With the summer season on Sandhamn comes an unsettling mystery for Detective Inspector Thomas Andreasson. A bullied young boy has vanished from a sailing camp on neighboring Lökholmen Island. Has the terrorized eleven-year-old run away? Or, in this isolated vacation spot where strangers lurk, is it something more ominous?

The disappearance has also captured the interest of Thomas’s longtime friend, attorney Nora Linde. The missing child happens to be the son of her latest client, Christian Dufva. He is a key witness against his partner in a high-profile embezzlement trial, and Dufva’s testimony could be devastating. It’ll also be Nora’s biggest win—the next step toward a position as chief prosecutor. But with every anonymous threat against Dufva, the stakes get higher.

When new evidence surfaces in their respective cases, new questions and fears arise for Thomas and Nora. Time is running out to resolve them. So is hope of finding the boy alive. Because on Sandhamn Island, the truth is buried as deep as the secrets.

Detective Inspector Thomas Andreasson is called to the small community Lokholmen Island where an eleven-year-old boy has gone missing from a summer sailing camp. Thomas’ long-time childhood friend, Nora, is also caught up in the search as the boy is the son of her key witness, Christian Dufva. Nora’s important court case and Thomas’ missing child case are inextricably wound together, and each are seeking their own answers. Can the two friends work together again, and both receive the answers they need?

I’ve been enjoying this Scandinavian noir style of mystery series and was pleased with this addition. The author has added a good mixture of mystery/suspense plot along with a good smattering or Nora’s court case and the more legal/judicial side of events as they unfolded. I feel readers who like either genre should be very happy with the storyline of this book. I was also impressed that even though this book is well into the series it largely stands well by itself. The personal lives of both Nora and Thomas are quite well developed – but are easily understood and caught up on if readers haven’t read anything previous to this book.

While the pace is a little slower than I find most American styled plots to be, I felt this shouldn’t be too much of a deterrent for most readers who like British or Scandinavian styles of mystery novels. I also thought with the mixture of police and legal drama overlapping this helped keep the feel of the pace moving at a decent clip and it definitely gave me the feeling while reading that the plot was moving along. There was also some character grown for both Thomas and Nora – mostly in respect to their personal relationships. While I didn’t feel either of these partnerships overtook the main plotlines, it definitely added an extra element to the story and I feel made the plots feel a bit more well-rounded.

A solid – though not exceptional – addition to the series this was a good book and an enjoyable light read.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Volume 1: The Limo Driver: The Pothos Chronicles by Skye Turner

April 27, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Volume 1: The Limo Driver: The Pothos Chronicles by Skye Turner
Publisher: Self-Published (Skye Turner Books)
Genre: Erotic Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

On what was supposed to be a dream night, Nora graduates from college but her life is falling apart.

The life she’s always envisioned is nothing like her reality.

Unwilling to tell her family what a sham her “accomplishments” are, she climbs into her present from her father, an elegant limo, for the night with a fake smile and a wave and indulges on the champagne intended to “celebrate” her big night.

At Nora’s drunken request, the limo driver takes her on a ride she’ll never forget. Sex abounds, fantasies are fulfilled, and her night takes a decidedly upwards turn as the limo driver becomes more than she ever imagined.

Hot, hot, hot.

I knew this would be a short story. That’s what I wanted. What I didn’t expect was there to be so much jam packed in this short story. It’s hot and that’s no understatement. The writing is good, and I had to finish the story. I wanted to know what would happen next.

I realize this is a short story, so there isn’t much detail, but really, it wasn’t needed. There was just enough to get the point across and keep the story heated. I can say it did singe the page.

If you’re looking for a hot short story for a lunch break read, then this is the one for you.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry

April 27, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry
Publisher: Clarion Books
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Captain Swashby loves the sea, his oldest friend. And he loves his life by the sea just as it is: salty and sandy and serene.

One day, much to Swashby’s chagrin, a young girl and her granny commandeer the empty house next door. All Swashby wants is for his new neighbors to GO AWAY and take their ruckus with them.

When Swashby begins to leave notes in the sand for his noisy neighbors, however, the beach interferes with the messages that are getting across. Could it be that the captain’s oldest friend, the sea, knows what Swashby needs even better than he knows himself?

Kindness makes everything better.

I was pleasantly surprised by how funny this picture book was. It only grew funnier as the conflict between the characters continued. There is something to be said for looking for new ways to understand conflict and assuming the best in every character, including the ocean, when misunderstandings happen.

Captain Swashby was a quiet, harmless old man who craved peace and quiet. As much as I enjoyed the reminder to embrace change, I found myself wishing that his new neighbors had respected his privacy and his property. It wasn’t okay for them to use his deck without permission or be so noisy and disruptive on the beach they shared. If the narrator had acknowledged the mistakes Captain Swashby’s new neighbors made after they moved in I would have happily given this a much higher rating.

With that being said, I loved the way the main character adjusted to his new neighbors. He showed them a lot of kindness and grace even when they did things that were obviously out of order. They were also given a chance to adjust to Captain Swashby’s deeply introverted personality and find better ways to get to know him. This was a good example of how to find peaceful ways to coexist with other people and look for the good in them. That’s the sort of skill everyone should have no matter how old or young they are!

Swashby and the Sea made me smile.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , ,

Angel Eyes by Ace Atkins

April 26, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Angel Eyes by Ace Atkins
Publisher: G.P Putnam’s Sons
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

In the latest thriller featuring the legendary Boston PI, Spenser heads to the City of Angels to meet old friends and new enemies in a baffling missing person case that might shake Tinseltown to its core.

Gabby Leggett left her Boston family with dreams of making it big as a model/actress in Hollywood. Two years later, she disappears from her apartment. Her family, former boyfriend, friends–and the police–have no idea where she is and no leads. Leggett’s mother hires Spenser to find her, with help of his former apprentice, Zebulon Sixkill, now an L.A. private eye.

Spenser barely has time to unpack before the trail leads to a powerful movie studio boss, the Armenian mob, and a shadowy empowerment group some say might be a dangerous cult.

It’s soon clear that Spenser and Sixkill may be outgunned this time, and series favorites Chollo and Bobby Horse ride to the rescue to provide backup. From the mansions of Beverly Hills to the lawless streets of a small California town, Spenser will need to watch his step. In Hollywood, all that glitters isn’t gold. And not all those who wander are lost.

Spenser finds himself back in LA once again with friends and a growing list of enemies as he searches for a young actress – the missing daughter of his client. What at first seems to be a straightforward case quickly becomes embroiled in the powerful politics of the movie world as well as nefarious gangsters. But Spenser is never one to back down from a fight and he’s determined to find what happened to the young lady, no matter the cost.

I’ve been a fan of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser series for a number of years. While a few of his very early works haven’t aged too well with modern times, the main thrust of any Spenser novel – an independent and hard-boiled detective who wants the truth and isn’t going to let those bigger or meaner than him bully or push him around – never really gets old. Some of the more recent stories have been a bit hit and miss with me – but I personally really enjoyed this story. In many ways it could have been written ten – or maybe even twenty – years ago. Readers who prefer the older style of Spenser and his stories should find this a really strong and enjoyable hark back to his roots. I was also impressed Atkins managed to keep much of the old Spenser preset and relatable while still keeping the story itself quite modern – with snippets of the “Me Too” movement, modern technology and plenty of other timely aspects to the plot.

Readers who haven’t been introduced to this series should be able to pick up this book and enjoy it for a straight-forward, hard-boiled and slightly gritty mystery story. I admit a lot of the secondary characters were far, far richer to me because I know their backstory and history with Spenser and how all those threads weave together, but I don’t feel this is strictly necessary to enjoy the book. It’s probably the difference between a good meal and a great one though – readers who have no previous knowledge of Spenser or his world and friends can pick this up and enjoy a good story. Readers who know the secondary characters and how everything fits together can expect a great story.

American, modern and a dry sort of wit, this is a great mystery book which I really enjoyed. I’ll definitely be picking up the next in this series.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Reluctant Hearts by Linda Griffin

April 24, 2023 By 2 Comments


Reluctant Hearts by Linda Griffin
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Four couples, four stories: Darien Francis and Richard Li meet during a bank robbery, but she’s afraid to love again. Shane Kenniston and Beth Parker are reacquainted years after she had a crush on him, but she is a recent widow, and Shane’s life was upended by a false accusation. David Early and Kate Howard meet in the laundromat, but her life is consumed by the needs of her disabled child, and David isn’t ready for the responsibility. Realtor Frank Ellison meets Kayla Barnes at an open house, but a mistaken first impression derails any chance of romance. Can they all overcome the obstacles to love?

Love is full of surprises.

I enjoyed the slow burn romance in “No Regrets.” Darien and Richard were both so busy recovering from their experiences at the bank robbery that it made total sense for them to focus on their friendship while they healed. The more I learned about these characters, the stronger my desire became for them to live happily ever after together. Their personalities complemented each other so nicely, and I loved the way they kept checking in with each other as their relationship progressed. They were both kind and respectful people who would make a wonderful spouse.

To be perfectly honest, I was a little hesitant to read “Probation” because it featured a character who had been falsely accused of rape. The author handled this topic sensitively and fairly, though, and I soon relaxed. It was interesting to see how the community handled this accusation and what Beth’s reaction was when she realized that Shane was deeply ashamed of those rumours and hadn’t actually done anything wrong. I was also intrigued by their blossoming romance and how that might affect both of their reputations as well. If only more time had been spent developing the ending. It felt so abrupt to me after all of the time that had been spent building up to it.

The chemistry between David and Kate in “The Shape of Life” was sweet and convincing. I started rooting for them to end up together soon after I met them. They lived very different lives at first glance, but their shared values made me think they’d be a fabulous match. With that being said, I did pause when I saw how quickly Kate was willing to introduce her daughter to David. She was a cautious mother in other areas of life, so I was surprised by how quickly she trusted someone she’d recently met with her child. If only her reasons for this had been explained in greater detail.

Everyone will start off on the wrong foot with someone eventually. It’s an embarrassing but unavoidable part of life, so I was curious to see how Kayla and Frank handled it when it happened to them. I liked how earnest they both were and how much they worked on their friendship before anything romantic was stirred up between them. That was exactly what they both needed after the misunderstanding of their first meeting.

Reluctant Hearts was romantic and fun.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Various Intentions by AE Lister

April 14, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Various Intentions by AE Lister
Persuasions, book 3
Publisher: Pride Publishing, Totally Entwined
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

When best-laid-plans fall apart, all you can do is pick up the pieces—and host a gallery exhibit.

Nic Walker and Vincent Blake lead charmed lives—or so thinks their neglected friend Juno. But when Juno’s plans come crumbling down, it’s their boyfriend Charles who reaches out to get Nic to help. Nic, Vincent, Matteo and even Taylor are there with solid plans for assistance, including an emergency art exhibit called Electric Dreams.

Amid an unexpected revelation about Matteo’s past, a surprising romantic development in Daphne’s life and a personal challenge of Nic’s, the gang comes together to help their friends and demonstrate what real loyalty looks like. Nobody ever said life was easy, but sometimes a challenge can bring out the best in people—and remind you of the true meaning of friendship.

A family that’s found is a family that’s strong.

I love stories that aren’t the usual. This one is one of those stories. That’s not to say this book isn’t good. It’s very good. I’ve been on the hunt for stories of people who are coming into their own, accepting who they are and being comfortable in their own skin. This is one of those books.

Juno and Charles are a good pairing, but they’re troubled and that made them more human. I liked how Nic’s role switched into a fatherly/best friend role with these men. I won’t lie, this is a hot book. I mean, it’ll melt the screen, it’s that hot. But there’s emotion to the heat. It’s not just kink. Plus, this story shows that sometimes the family you make is the strongest bond. Stronger than the one you’re born with. I liked that. Sure, there’s kink, but there’s family.

If you’re looking for a story that’s full of heart and heat, then this is the story for you. It’s not the usual erotic romance and that’s what makes it so good. Recommended.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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