Death at a Fixer-Upper is Book #1 in the Home Sweet Home cozy mystery series by Sarah T. Hobart. As a real estate agent, Sarah knows a thing or two abDeath at a Fixer-Upper is Book #1 in the Home Sweet Home cozy mystery series by Sarah T. Hobart. As a real estate agent, Sarah knows a thing or two about Northern California real estate and the real-life weird things that can happen during real estate transactions. She also has a great sense of humor. Those two qualities lend authenticity to this cozy mystery set in small-town coastal Northern California and make it a lot of fun to read. Of course I love Northern California’s quirky small coastal towns, so I may be just a bit biased; however, I think anyone who’s ever had any dealings with real estate is likely to relate to this story. Should Death at a Fixer-Upper be on your TBR pile?
Merged review:
Death at a Fixer-Upper is Book #1 in the Home Sweet Home cozy mystery series by Sarah T. Hobart. As a real estate agent, Sarah knows a thing or two about Northern California real estate and the real-life weird things that can happen during real estate transactions. She also has a great sense of humor. Those two qualities lend authenticity to this cozy mystery set in small-town coastal Northern California and make it a lot of fun to read. Of course I love Northern California’s quirky small coastal towns, so I may be just a bit biased; however, I think anyone who’s ever had any dealings with real estate is likely to relate to this story. Should Death at a Fixer-Upper be on your TBR pile?...more
I enjoyed The Red Book of Primrose House, Book #2 from the Potting Shed Mystery series by Mary Wingate, so much that I couldn’t wait to open her newesI enjoyed The Red Book of Primrose House, Book #2 from the Potting Shed Mystery series by Mary Wingate, so much that I couldn’t wait to open her newest novel, The Skeleton Garden. There’s a link to my Book #2 review at the end of this review.
Marty Wingate takes the adage, “Write what you know,” quite seriously. She’s a Seattle based horticulturist whose expertise in gardening shines in her Potting Shed mystery series. I was fortunate enough to live in a Seattle home with a whimsical woodlands garden designed by a couple of master gardeners, and have often wished I could have packed up that beautiful garden and taken it with me when I left Seattle. But that’s not the only reason I love Marty Wingate’s novels. I think you’ll become a fan too, whether you’re a wanna-be gardener or just love a good cozy English mystery. Let’s find out at http://popcornreads.com/?p=8967.
Merged review:
I enjoyed The Red Book of Primrose House, Book #2 from the Potting Shed Mystery series by Mary Wingate, so much that I couldn’t wait to open her newest novel, The Skeleton Garden. There’s a link to my Book #2 review at the end of this review.
Marty Wingate takes the adage, “Write what you know,” quite seriously. She’s a Seattle based horticulturist whose expertise in gardening shines in her Potting Shed mystery series. I was fortunate enough to live in a Seattle home with a whimsical woodlands garden designed by a couple of master gardeners, and have often wished I could have packed up that beautiful garden and taken it with me when I left Seattle. But that’s not the only reason I love Marty Wingate’s novels. I think you’ll become a fan too, whether you’re a wanna-be gardener or just love a good cozy English mystery. Let’s find out at http://popcornreads.com/?p=8967....more
Having lived in Southern California for several decades, I’m always interested in mystery/thriller series that take place in that area. When I saw FieHaving lived in Southern California for several decades, I’m always interested in mystery/thriller series that take place in that area. When I saw Fields of Wrath by Mark Wheaton in my Amazon Prime selections list, it not only interested me because it takes place in the agricultural area near Ventura but because it deals with migrant farm workers. Slavery may have been outlawed in the mid 1800’s but some migrant farm workers in different parts of the U.S. are still not that far from slaves.
Fields of Wrath is Book #1 in a new mystery/thriller series featuring ex-gang member Luis Chavez, a newly ordained Los Angeles priest. Given that Cesar Chavez was a driving force in getting better working conditions for migrant farm workers, this main character’s last name seems only fitting. Most of you already know that I like novels which don’t just provide a gripping story but also provide a window into the lives of people about whom you may be unaware, except on a superficial level. Fields of Wrath provides that kind of window as well as one hell of a nail-biting read. Sound interesting? Read the rest of my review at http://popcornreads.com/?p=8876....more
Our second review is a British cozy mystery, Empty Nest by Marty Wingate. This cozy is part of the Birds of a Feather mystery series; however, I havenOur second review is a British cozy mystery, Empty Nest by Marty Wingate. This cozy is part of the Birds of a Feather mystery series; however, I haven’t read the rest of the series and had no problem reading Empty Nest as a stand-alone novel. It has all the hallmarks of a fun cozy mystery, from the quaint village to a lovely manor house, lots of busy-bodies and red herrings, and a reluctant female amateur detective. I found it to be a fun, quick read and a great escape from the stresses of everyday life. If you’re into cozies, and have an e-reader or tablet on which to read it, then I’d jump on this bargain book. Read the rest of my review at http://popcornreads.com/?p=8786...more
Award-winning author Annie Dalton is best known for her popular children’s and YA novels that include the very popular Agent Angel a.k.a. Angel AcademAward-winning author Annie Dalton is best known for her popular children’s and YA novels that include the very popular Agent Angel a.k.a. Angel Academy YA series. Luckily for us she’s decided to branch out into adult fiction with a new mystery series based on a dog walker in Oxford, Anna Hopkins. The White Shepherd is Book #1 in that series and, if it’s any example of what’s to come, I think she’s got a winner on her hands. Now I must admit that I’ve loved dogs (and pretty much all animals) since I was a toddler so I may be just a tad biased when it comes to novels that feature dog characters. But even without the dog, I’d like this mystery and its realistic main character. See what you think at http://popcornreads.com/?p=8774...more
As many of you know, my mother lives in an assisted living facility but I quickly learned that she and her friends should all wear “I solemnly swear IAs many of you know, my mother lives in an assisted living facility but I quickly learned that she and her friends should all wear “I solemnly swear I am up to no good” t-shirts because they get into just as much mischief as they ever have. Maybe that’s what attracted me to Mark Reutlinger’s novels, which don’t just take place in the Julius and Rebecca Cohen Home for Jewish Seniors but are much more realistic about what life in assisted living and retirement homes is really like. I previously reviewed Mrs. Kaplan and the Matzoh Ball of Death (link at the end of my online review) and couldn’t wait to review his latest novel, A Pain in the Tuchis. Once again he had me enjoying our two amateur sleuths’ antics as much as I enjoyed this fun whodunit. Sound interesting? Find out more at http://popcornreads.com/?p=8762...more
When we reviewed the international bestseller, The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, by Jan-Phillipp Sendker three years ago, I wrote that rarely had a novelWhen we reviewed the international bestseller, The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, by Jan-Phillipp Sendker three years ago, I wrote that rarely had a novel touched me the way that one did and that’s still true. What’s also true is that now, having read Jan-Phillipp’s new novel, Whispering Shadows, I can say with no hesitation that he’s one of the most gifted storytellers out there. Whispering Shadows is a quite different novel from The Art of Hearing Heartbeats yet it also has the same depth of emotion and the same multi-layered feel to it. Whispering Shadows can be read on the surface as a cross-cultural crime thriller yet it also contains profound statements about relationships, life, and death. It’s Book #1 in a new trilogy, which pleases me no end. Read the rest of my review at http://popcornreads.com/?p=8319....more
When I saw the publisher’s blurb about D.M. Pulley’s debut novel, The Dead Key, it looked like one of those creepy abandoned building mysteries that gWhen I saw the publisher’s blurb about D.M. Pulley’s debut novel, The Dead Key, it looked like one of those creepy abandoned building mysteries that give me chills. I was absolutely right about that part but what I didn’t know was that it was inspired by Ms. Pulley having worked as an engineer on a project in a similar kind of abandoned building – a building whose mystery haunted her. All I can say is that experience must have really creeped her out because she nailed the atmosphere perfectly. The Dead Key has won Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel award not just for mysteries/thrillers but also its grand prize, so evidently I’m not the only one who thinks Ms. Pulley has written one hell of a good read! See what you think at http://popcornreads.com/?p=8188....more
At Popcorn Reads, one of our criteria for reviewing novels is that they fall within a certain publication date window; however, we’re making a huge exAt Popcorn Reads, one of our criteria for reviewing novels is that they fall within a certain publication date window; however, we’re making a huge exception today to bring you a novel by multi-award-winning author and activist Barbara Neely. Blanche Among the Talented Tenth is an amateur detective mystery and Book #2 of Ms. Neely’s Blanche White mystery series; however, it reads quite well as a stand-alone novel. It also addresses a common skeleton-in-the-closet phenomenon among all marginalized groups, an inescapable internal prejudice caused by society’s internalized messages about what’s considered worthy, and the cost of that prejudice to self and community. If you’re African American, you may have already discovered Barbara Neely. If not, you’re in for a treat if you’re a mystery lover. Read the rest of my review at http://popcornreads.com/?p=8168....more
Book Review, Interview, & Giveaway: I love bestselling author David Baldacci’s adult thrillers, as do millions of others around the world. They alwaysBook Review, Interview, & Giveaway: I love bestselling author David Baldacci’s adult thrillers, as do millions of others around the world. They always feature complex people, Byzantine plots that give me whiplash, and they move at lightning speed – what’s not to love? I did a bit of a double take when I learned he had written a YA dystopian fantasy novel; however, luckily I learned long ago that it’s a serious mistake to pigeon hole an author into one tiny genre box. Once I picked up The Finisher, I literally could not put it down until I finished it and I predict you won’t be able to either. This novel is going to appeal to all ages so don’t let the YA label fool you in the slightest. I’ve been dying to share it with you and, even better, kick off a giveaway at http://popcornreads.com/?p=7966 for it that someone will win! Score!...more
I chose to read Mrs. Kaplan and the Matzoh Ball of Death by Mark Reutlinger partially because I laughed myself silly when I read the title. I’m one ofI chose to read Mrs. Kaplan and the Matzoh Ball of Death by Mark Reutlinger partially because I laughed myself silly when I read the title. I’m one of those people who has always considered chicken soup with matzoh balls to be the best cure-all in the world. How ironic to make a matzoh ball an instrument of death, although some certainly seem heavy enough. I also chose it because Mrs. Kaplan is a resident of a retirement home and those of you who have been following my web site know mom is now in assisted living. I’m relatively sure mom is getting up to all kinds of shenanigans there, as does Mrs. Kaplan. If you like humorous cozy mysteries like those featuring Miss. Marple then this new take on them might really appeal to you. Find out at http://popcornreads.com/?p=7884....more
PopcornReads - MkNoah
>
Books:
amateur-detective
(13)
Loading...
