Thank goodness the people of Oyster Cove have Nero and Marlowe, because without these feline sleuths all the wrong people would be arrested for murderThank goodness the people of Oyster Cove have Nero and Marlowe, because without these feline sleuths all the wrong people would be arrested for murder! Nero and Marlowe are the resident cats (ahem, owners) of the Oyster Cove Guesthouse, and when yet another of the guests is murdered the intrepid cats and their band of ragtag friends are on the case. Which is just as well, as the local sheriff has no clue, and their owner (ahem, slave) is too stupid to figure out the clues without a little help.
This is the second in the Oyster Cove Guesthouse Mystery series, and it's just as good as the first. Reading this book I couldn't get the smile off my face, but why would I want to? A good, fun, quick read that all lovers of cozy mysteries (and cats!) will enjoy.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Thank goodness the people of Oyster Cove have Nero and Marlowe, because without these feline sleuths all the wrong people would be arrested for murder! Nero and Marlowe are the resident cats (ahem, owners) of the Oyster Cove Guesthouse, and when yet another of the guests is murdered the intrepid cats and their band of ragtag friends are on the case. Which is just as well, as the local sheriff has no clue, and their owner (ahem, slave) is too stupid to figure out the clues without a little help.
This is the second in the Oyster Cove Guesthouse Mystery series, and it's just as good as the first. Reading this book I couldn't get the smile off my face, but why would I want to? A good, fun, quick read that all lovers of cozy mysteries (and cats!) will enjoy.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
Gee I enjoy this series, it has everything you could want in a police procedural. This is the tenth installment of the Nikki Galena series, and the DaGee I enjoy this series, it has everything you could want in a police procedural. This is the tenth installment of the Nikki Galena series, and the Dark Greenborough Festival is in town. All sorts of weirdos abound during this festival, dressing up is the norm and there's a plethora of spooky tours and goings on to choose from. So Nikki and her sidekicks have their work cut out for them when people start dying from some bootlegged alcohol.
Unfortunately this is only the start of the trouble. Things escalate, more people die and Nikki, Joseph and the team are under all sorts of pressure to catch a killer who is causing havoc with the festival.
There's just so much I like about this series. I love the characters and their ongoing developing stories. The often spooky fenland setting really sets the scene, though this book is mainly set in the town. The crimes themselves are always interesting reads, often leaving you guessing until late in the book. I really do recommend this series to all lovers of crime fiction.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Gee I enjoy this series, it has everything you could want in a police procedural. This is the tenth installment of the Nikki Galena series, and the Dark Greenborough Festival is in town. All sorts of weirdos abound during this festival, dressing up is the norm and there's a plethora of spooky tours and goings on to choose from. So Nikki and her sidekicks have their work cut out for them when people start dying from some bootlegged alcohol.
Unfortunately this is only the start of the trouble. Things escalate, more people die and Nikki, Joseph and the team are under all sorts of pressure to catch a killer who is causing havoc with the festival.
There's just so much I like about this series. I love the characters and their ongoing developing stories. The often spooky fenland setting really sets the scene, though this book is mainly set in the town. The crimes themselves are always interesting reads, often leaving you guessing until late in the book. I really do recommend this series to all lovers of crime fiction.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
I was happy to pick up a copy of this book, as I love the author's Oyster Cove Guesthouse series, however I didn't find this book nearly as engaging aI was happy to pick up a copy of this book, as I love the author's Oyster Cove Guesthouse series, however I didn't find this book nearly as engaging as that series. Set in 1926, mystery author Julia Marsh is on a four day cruise on a paddle steamer with her great-niece Nora when sometime during the night they are woken by screams. They rush out to find the steamboat's singer Delilah dead. At first everyone thinks it's an accident, however the wily Julia knows better, and implores the steamboat's owner to let her investigate.
There are several suspicious characters on board, and in true cozy style Julia and Nora suspect all of them at one stage or another. As quite a few passengers are hiding secrets Julia has her work cut out for her to get to the bottom of the mystery, but get there she does, with a final Agatha Christie style denouement.
Murder On A Mississippi Steamboat is a quick and easy read, and while I did enjoy it never did I find myself totally absorbed by it. With the exception of Julia the characters are forgettable, and the plot wasn't particularly gripping. So while this was an okay read on a quiet afternoon, I doubt I would read any follow up novel.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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I was happy to pick up a copy of this book, as I love the author's Oyster Cove Guesthouse series, however I didn't find this book nearly as engaging as that series. Set in 1926, mystery author Julia Marsh is on a four day cruise on a paddle steamer with her great-niece Nora when sometime during the night they are woken by screams. They rush out to find the steamboat's singer Delilah dead. At first everyone thinks it's an accident, however the wily Julia knows better, and implores the steamboat's owner to let her investigate.
There are several suspicious characters on board, and in true cozy style Julia and Nora suspect all of them at one stage or another. As quite a few passengers are hiding secrets Julia has her work cut out for her to get to the bottom of the mystery, but get there she does, with a final Agatha Christie style denouement.
Murder On A Mississippi Steamboat is a quick and easy read, and while I did enjoy it never did I find myself totally absorbed by it. With the exception of Julia the characters are forgettable, and the plot wasn't particularly gripping. So while this was an okay read on a quiet afternoon, I doubt I would read any follow up novel.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
An intriguing mystery, set in the 1920s, with an interesting premise. Malcolm, a wealthy old man is dying, and with no immediate relatives he invites An intriguing mystery, set in the 1920s, with an interesting premise. Malcolm, a wealthy old man is dying, and with no immediate relatives he invites several distant relatives and former and current employees to his bedside at his Villa in the South of France. He then announces that he will change his will at midnight every night to a different inheritor, but not announce who it is, until the day he dies and the person listed inherits everything. So let the fun begin...
Next door neighbour Jasper, a former Inspector from Scotland Yard, is on hand to witness the following mayhem as the gathered frenemies all try to one up each other with their greed. Then a body is found, and Jasper then has to piece together what happened from the lies and cover ups from those with much to hide...and gain!
A book full of nasty characters, but you can't help but smile at their antics. I'm sure Jasper would have like to have locked them all up at one stage or other. All are self serving, and have trouble trying to hide it, and it lends an air of distrust between them all.
All in all this is a fun book, leading up to a final Agatha Christie-like denouement, which possibly went on a little too long, but I can honestly say I had no idea at all who the killer was, or the reasons for it. I believe it is to become a series, so I'll have to look out for the next installment. Recommended for lovers of Historical Mysteries.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
An intriguing mystery, set in the 1920s, with an interesting premise. Malcolm, a wealthy old man is dying, and with no immediate relatives he invites several distant relatives and former and current employees to his bedside at his Villa in the South of France. He then announces that he will change his will at midnight every night to a different inheritor, but not announce who it is, until the day he dies and the person listed inherits everything. So let the fun begin...
Next door neighbour Jasper, a former Inspector from Scotland Yard, is on hand to witness the following mayhem as the gathered frenemies all try to one up each other with their greed. Then a body is found, and Jasper then has to piece together what happened from the lies and cover ups from those with much to hide...and gain!
A book full of nasty characters, but you can't help but smile at their antics. I'm sure Jasper would have like to have locked them all up at one stage or other. All are self serving, and have trouble trying to hide it, and it lends an air of distrust between them all.
All in all this is a fun book, leading up to a final Agatha Christie-like denouement, which possibly went on a little too long, but I can honestly say I had no idea at all who the killer was, or the reasons for it. I believe it is to become a series, so I'll have to look out for the next installment. Recommended for lovers of Historical Mysteries.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
An ok thriller that sees Marianne have a seemingly perfect life, gorgeous surgeon husband, 3 fantastic children and a beautiful house and lifestyle. HAn ok thriller that sees Marianne have a seemingly perfect life, gorgeous surgeon husband, 3 fantastic children and a beautiful house and lifestyle. However, behind closed doors Marianne's husband Simon is abusive. He is controlling, and he bullies and humiliates her. He's had her committed for her mental health previously, and loves nothing more than to make life a living hell for Marianne. Then one day Simon mentions a woman he works with, Caroline, and Marianne is suddenly convinced he's having an affair with this woman, after all he's done it before. Hasn't he?
I honestly found it hard to get into this book. The leadup, showing us how Simon was abusive, was too drawn out, ending up taking over half the book, and became rather monotonous and, well, boring. I ended up skimming through a lot of this part as it was just the same repetitive thing over and over. When things did finally get interesting the book improved, however I still found myself predicting the twists before they happened. It's not a bad book by any means, just a little too drawn out and predictable.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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An ok thriller that sees Marianne have a seemingly perfect life, gorgeous surgeon husband, 3 fantastic children and a beautiful house and lifestyle. However, behind closed doors Marianne's husband Simon is abusive. He is controlling, and he bullies and humiliates her. He's had her committed for her mental health previously, and loves nothing more than to make life a living hell for Marianne. Then one day Simon mentions a woman he works with, Caroline, and Marianne is suddenly convinced he's having an affair with this woman, after all he's done it before. Hasn't he?
I honestly found it hard to get into this book. The leadup, showing us how Simon was abusive, was too drawn out, ending up taking over half the book, and became rather monotonous and, well, boring. I ended up skimming through a lot of this part as it was just the same repetitive thing over and over. When things did finally get interesting the book improved, however I still found myself predicting the twists before they happened. It's not a bad book by any means, just a little too drawn out and predictable.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
An exciting adventure read, The Lost Tomb follows on from the prequel novella The Lost Spear. Terrorist hunter Major Noah Blakeley is shattered when nAn exciting adventure read, The Lost Tomb follows on from the prequel novella The Lost Spear. Terrorist hunter Major Noah Blakeley is shattered when notified of his ex-wife's death. An archaeologist, Eve was searching for the lost tomb of Genghis Khan when she died in a plane crash, and Noah is not convinced it was an accident. With the help of a computer expert that was on the case with Eve, Noah traces her route through Russia to Mongolia, looking for the people that murdered her. Noah finds that nothing is as it seems, and doesn't know who he can trust. As things escalate Noah finds her death is linked to terrorist activity, and something huge is about to go down.
I really enjoyed this book, great characters, an interesting plot line, and a faction intent on taking over the world, what's not to like? With many twists and turns, this book will keep you glued to the pages, the hallmark of a good thriller. I'll be looking out for the next book in the series, and I have no hesitation in recommending it to lovers of adventure thrillers.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
An exciting adventure read, The Lost Tomb follows on from the prequel novella The Lost Spear. Terrorist hunter Major Noah Blakeley is shattered when notified of his ex-wife's death. An archaeologist, Eve was searching for the lost tomb of Genghis Khan when she died in a plane crash, and Noah is not convinced it was an accident. With the help of a computer expert that was on the case with Eve, Noah traces her route through Russia to Mongolia, looking for the people that murdered her. Noah finds that nothing is as it seems, and doesn't know who he can trust. As things escalate Noah finds her death is linked to terrorist activity, and something huge is about to go down.
I really enjoyed this book, great characters, an interesting plot line, and a faction intent on taking over the world, what's not to like? With many twists and turns, this book will keep you glued to the pages, the hallmark of a good thriller. I'll be looking out for the next book in the series, and I have no hesitation in recommending it to lovers of adventure thrillers.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
What would you do if your abusive ex-husband stole your son? What if you couldn't find him for years? What do you do when suddenly, six years later, hWhat would you do if your abusive ex-husband stole your son? What if you couldn't find him for years? What do you do when suddenly, six years later, he turns up?
Megan has been looking for her son Daniel ever since he wasn't there when she went to pick him up from school. There is no trace of him, or her ex-husband. Her media and online appeals have come to nothing. Then one day she gets the call, Daniel has been found. Her relief and excitement are soon tempered by the realisation that Daniel is no longer the happy child she once knew. He is traumatised and damaged, having been fed a pack of lies by her now deceased ex. Daniel is uncommunicative and distant, though he shows glimpses of the child he once was. She knows Daniel knows more about his fathers death than he is letting on, but doesn't realise that his secret could well destroy the whole family!
I did enjoy this book. It was quick and easy to read. However I really failed to connect fully with the characters, and found the plotline predictable. It was clear what was going on very early in the piece, and therefore there were no surprises in it for me. I like a thriller with twists and turns I don't see coming, and sadly, for me, that wasn't this book.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
What would you do if your abusive ex-husband stole your son? What if you couldn't find him for years? What do you do when suddenly, six years later, he turns up?
Megan has been looking for her son Daniel ever since he wasn't there when she went to pick him up from school. There is no trace of him, or her ex-husband. Her media and online appeals have come to nothing. Then one day she gets the call, Daniel has been found. Her relief and excitement are soon tempered by the realisation that Daniel is no longer the happy child she once knew. He is traumatised and damaged, having been fed a pack of lies by her now deceased ex. Daniel is uncommunicative and distant, though he shows glimpses of the child he once was. She knows Daniel knows more about his fathers death than he is letting on, but doesn't realise that his secret could well destroy the whole family!
I did enjoy this book. It was quick and easy to read. However I really failed to connect fully with the characters, and found the plotline predictable. It was clear what was going on very early in the piece, and therefore there were no surprises in it for me. I like a thriller with twists and turns I don't see coming, and sadly, for me, that wasn't this book.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
Another wonderful book in the Oyster Cove Guesthouse mystery series, A Purrfect Alibi sees our resident feline sleuths Nero and Marlowe solving the muAnother wonderful book in the Oyster Cove Guesthouse mystery series, A Purrfect Alibi sees our resident feline sleuths Nero and Marlowe solving the murder of a tarot card reader. Madam Zenda was staying at the guesthouse, along with several other psychics trying to contact the ghost of former guesthouse owner Jedediah Biddeford, when she was murdered. So who murdered her? Was it one of the other psychics? They all seem to be hiding secrets! Or was it the ghost of Jedediah himself?
Nero and Marlowe have their work cut out for them this time, so along with their humans, they set about solving the murder in their own inimitable style.
A fabulous series, the Oyster Cove Guesthouse books never fail to entertain. Wonderful characters, a lighthearted manner, and of course, those marvellous cats, you can't help but feel swept along inside the tale. Highly recommended to all lovers of cosy mysteries.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
Another wonderful book in the Oyster Cove Guesthouse mystery series, A Purrfect Alibi sees our resident feline sleuths Nero and Marlowe solving the murder of a tarot card reader. Madam Zenda was staying at the guesthouse, along with several other psychics trying to contact the ghost of former guesthouse owner Jedediah Biddeford, when she was murdered. So who murdered her? Was it one of the other psychics? They all seem to be hiding secrets! Or was it the ghost of Jedediah himself?
Nero and Marlowe have their work cut out for them this time, so along with their humans, they set about solving the murder in their own inimitable style.
A fabulous series, the Oyster Cove Guesthouse books never fail to entertain. Wonderful characters, a lighthearted manner, and of course, those marvellous cats, you can't help but feel swept along inside the tale. Highly recommended to all lovers of cosy mysteries.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
This book is a lot of fun. We have recently divorced Josie who takes over a crumbling guest house in Oyster Cove, Maine. The house comes with two catsThis book is a lot of fun. We have recently divorced Josie who takes over a crumbling guest house in Oyster Cove, Maine. The house comes with two cats, resident sleuths Nero and Marlowe. Things start off well enough for Josie and her feline friends, then one morning she finds the body of one of her guests in an abandoned wing. With all the clues seeming to point to Josie, can Nero and Marlowe save their new servant before she is arrested for murder?
I had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading this book. I loved the banter between the cats, as they try to convey their messages to their 'stupid' new owner. Add to the mix dying seagulls, jealous chefs and a hunky maintenance man, here we have all the ingredients for a lively cosy mystery. I can't wait for the rest of the series! Recommended for all lovers of whodunnits.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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This book is a lot of fun. We have recently divorced Josie who takes over a crumbling guest house in Oyster Cove, Maine. The house comes with two cats, resident sleuths Nero and Marlowe. Things start off well enough for Josie and her feline friends, then one morning she finds the body of one of her guests in an abandoned wing. With all the clues seeming to point to Josie, can Nero and Marlowe save their new servant before she is arrested for murder?
I had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading this book. I loved the banter between the cats, as they try to convey their messages to their 'stupid' new owner. Add to the mix dying seagulls, jealous chefs and a hunky maintenance man, here we have all the ingredients for a lively cosy mystery. I can't wait for the rest of the series! Recommended for all lovers of whodunnits.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
Wow, can't Sarah A. Denzil write a page turner! I couldn't put this one down until I was done.
This is the story of Kat, wife, mother, sociopath. Her tWow, can't Sarah A. Denzil write a page turner! I couldn't put this one down until I was done.
This is the story of Kat, wife, mother, sociopath. Her teenage daughter has just been found dead at the bottom of a quarry, and the police are calling it a suicide. Only Kat seems to think her daughter didn't kill herself, everyone else seems resigned to the fact. So Kat decides to investigate on her own, and finds her daughter wasn't who she thought she was. As she uncovers more and more of her daughter's life Kat realises there's far more to the story than even she thought, and finds herself face to face with her own demons.
I just love this author's books, so consistently good. I always know when I pick one up that I'm in for a ride, with some shocks on the way. Only Daughter certainly didn't disappoint and I'm keenly awaiting the next offering from Ms Denzil. Recommended.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
Wow, can't Sarah A. Denzil write a page turner! I couldn't put this one down until I was done.
This is the story of Kat, wife, mother, sociopath. Her teenage daughter has just been found dead at the bottom of a quarry, and the police are calling it a suicide. Only Kat seems to think her daughter didn't kill herself, everyone else seems resigned to the fact. So Kat decides to investigate on her own, and finds her daughter wasn't who she thought she was. As she uncovers more and more of her daughter's life Kat realises there's far more to the story than even she thought, and finds herself face to face with her own demons.
I just love this author's books, so consistently good. I always know when I pick one up that I'm in for a ride, with some shocks on the way. Only Daughter certainly didn't disappoint and I'm keenly awaiting the next offering from Ms Denzil. Recommended.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
What a fun book! Everyday Adventures is a book full of adventures and challenges for you to explore your local area. Think being tourist in your own bWhat a fun book! Everyday Adventures is a book full of adventures and challenges for you to explore your local area. Think being tourist in your own backyard. The challenges range from social, cultural and sensory adventures, with difficulty levels included. I'm looking forward to trying them out in my local area (be warned, those who know me on social media). Experiences such as "Pint Sized Tour Guide" where you have a child acting as your guide for the day, through "Urban Hike" and "Travellers Roulette" sound like a lot of fun, though there are some that I wont bother with (I don't really have any wish to organise a flash mob lol). So set out with an open mind and a sense of adventure, and you'll find places in your city/town that you didn't even know existed. I'm off to charge my camera...
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What a fun book! Everyday Adventures is a book full of adventures and challenges for you to explore your local area. Think being tourist in your own backyard. The challenges range from social, cultural and sensory adventures, with difficulty levels included. I'm looking forward to trying them out in my local area (be warned, those who know me on social media). Experiences such as "Pint Sized Tour Guide" where you have a child acting as your guide for the day, through "Urban Hike" and "Travellers Roulette" sound like a lot of fun, though there are some that I wont bother with (I don't really have any wish to organise a flash mob lol). So set out with an open mind and a sense of adventure, and you'll find places in your city/town that you didn't even know existed. I'm off to charge my camera......more
An okay thriller about an archaeologist who travels to Mongolia to find the lost spear of Genghis Khan. Conspiracy theories, secret society's and dangAn okay thriller about an archaeologist who travels to Mongolia to find the lost spear of Genghis Khan. Conspiracy theories, secret society's and danger abound, and Eve has to face her fears, and her enemies to locate the spear.
This novella is the prequel to the Lost series, with book 1 The Lost Tomb soon to be released. A quick, fun read, I'll be looking forward to reading the next in the series soon.
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An okay thriller about an archaeologist who travels to Mongolia to find the lost spear of Genghis Khan. Conspiracy theories, secret society's and danger abound, and Eve has to face her fears, and her enemies to locate the spear.
This novella is the prequel to the Lost series, with book 1 The Lost Tomb soon to be released. A quick, fun read, I'll be looking forward to reading the next in the series soon....more
A good thriller which sees our protagonist Sondra grieving for her sister Tracey who was brutally murdered in a mugging gone wrong. Sondra is struggliA good thriller which sees our protagonist Sondra grieving for her sister Tracey who was brutally murdered in a mugging gone wrong. Sondra is struggling to move on and decides to produce a documentary in Tracey's memory. While interviewing people close to her sister she finds that all was not as it seemed with Tracey's happy marriage, causing Sondra to delve deeper into Tracey's life. What she finds is not what she expects and leads to a trail of jealousy, deceit and obsession. I recommend this book to those who like a page turning novel with some unforeseeable twists along the way....more
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