Willow Jean Parker (Will) and her boss, private eye maven Ms. Pentecost are at it again. They are hired to find a missing elderly lady who is a class A hoarder and they can't figure out where she went or why someone is looking for her so hard. Could she just have incredible deductive powers, a fantastic memory and figure out something that someone else didn't want found. Of course there are other problems going on like Will getting mugged with the Packard and her pride being taken for a ride. This is another fabulous addition to a series that features tough women in charge of their own life despite the men around them that want to take that power away. Great characters and gritty crime noir of yesterday is an irresistible combination. 4 stars to the series
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Molly is the Head Maid now at the posh London hotel and working hard to keep her reputation and the hotel spotless. The reception for a well known author ends badly and once again there is a body and police casting suspicion on Molly. On top of everything Molly has a connection to the author that will only serve to throw more suspicion her way but she and her friends put on their detective caps and go find a killer. A charming addition to a series that focuses on the special talents of quiet people that often go unnoticed. One of the key points in this series is that patience and kindness go a long way. This will appeal to a wide variety of readers as there are references to adult situations but it is about as cozy as you can get. This is a subtle nod to an Agatha Christie style murder mystery with a variety of endearing characters. 4 stars
Oh to be part of the peerage in London - the best schools with job offers that come out of nowhere, weekends at country manors and all the best parties until you end up dead dumped in a park. Rupert is a serial flirt, designer skirt chaser and not used to being stood up by his girlfriend at his birthday party. When Clemmie's body is discovered Rupert is considered suspect #1 (aghast!) as are the other friends, some with benefits. A well matched trio of police detectives step in to solve the murder without ruffling too many feathers which they do with dignity and much patience. The wit is classically British, the story is classically Dame Agatha and the characters are classic examples of too much, too soon with no boundaries. Filled with femme fatales, uncouth rogues and name dropping of classic literature - murder was never so much fun. This will resonate with readers of some of the lighter Agatha Christie tales, Richard Osman and Anthony Horowitz. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy. 3 1/2 stars
Lady Petra is a young widow who is financially independent and has decided not to remarry - aghast!
This being Regency England, the lords, with the exception of her father, are beside themselves. Imagine a mere woman handling an estate herself and making decisions other than menu planning and ball gowns! When several wives begin to have strange episodes of hysteria or go missing Petra starts asking questions which lead her to a dangerous path - one where she may disappear as well. The cheeky wit of BRIDGERTON mixed with the all too frightening and real demise of independent thinking women at the hands of self important men many of whom were locked up and stripped of their inheritance and power. I listened to the audiobook of this and it was delightful and eye opening. 4 stars Another brilliant chapter in Hercule Poirot and his friend Inspector Catchpool's case files. A quiet Christmas holiday is what they both want but Catchpool's mother drags them both to a remote family estate to solve one murder and prevent another. Once there they must deal with obnoxious sparring siblings, an anxious soon to be widow and her children as well as dealing with the truly confusing and irritating Mother Catchpool. Hopefully they will solve the case before they have to endure more of the bad food, unpleasant company and useless police inspectors. Once again Agatha Christie's spiritual hand must be guiding the very talented Sophie Hannah as she pens another very convincing and multilayered murder mystery. A fun time for all amateur sleuths and full of Poirot's deadly wit. 4 stars
At a remote private hunting lodge in the woods during the summer of 1976 the annual gathering of the founding families becomes the scene of multiple deaths. Set up for the reader as the ultimate guide to solving murder mysteries we are introduced to the main players, the deaths and the interrogation that follows first by the P.I. hired by one of the owners and then a mystery narrator and given classic examples of how it was employed in other books. This "smoking gun" novel delights in using all the tricks from the famous mystery writers and literary detectives to confuse and challenge the reader to solve the crimes. Fans of Anthony Horowitz and classic mystery greats like Agatha Christie will enjoy being toyed with and see if their detective skills are up to par. 3 1/2 stars
Andy has gone from the Navy to being a cop and is currently known as the gay P.I. whose office is above a gay bar. It is the 50's and while it might be getting a bit easier in San Francisco being gay is still a secretive and somewhat dangerous way to live. When his old boyfriend shows up as a client Andy wants to toss him out but his heart of gold won't turn away anyone who needs help. James is being blackmailed and he needs Andy to find who it is or kiss his big Navy promotion goodbye. The case will reunite him with his two closest friends but will also churn the shark infested waters around his heart. Hopefully it will also gain him some new clients and trust in the community. Violent but heartfelt and soul tugging this story speaks to anyone who feels lonely in a crowd, hungers to be understood and left alone to be who they really are. This is book two in what is a new kind of crime noir with a Mickey Spillane style featuring what has been up till now an untold and hidden group of people and stories. Readers of Stephen Spotwood's SECRETS TYPED IN BLOOD will enjoy this immensely. 4 stars
An angry woman shows up at Liss and Link's door one night demanding that Liss take her baby. The mother is never seen again and the baby, now a teen, has only ever known Liss and Link as his parents. Life is good until a car is dragged out of their pond and in it is the woman who went missing years before. Suddenly Link is a suspect as everyone in town is convinced that he is Callan's dad. So many secrets in a small town that don't stay buried. Generations of ill will , money and power all at play here in a story that moves at a fast pace gaining suspects as it goes along. 3 1/2 stars
A novel that feels like a true crime documentary script. Told by a journalist that is taking another look at a horrible crime ten years later to dissect testimony and interview the convicted and those in the small coastal town in Yorkshire. It is essentially mean girls on steroids - bullying and acting out their fear of being the ones not noticed or fitting in. In the end it would involve the torture and setting an outcast girl on fire. When we go back to the beginnings of those involved it is easy to see the powder keg that could ignite at any moment. Their teen years saw trouble at home and trouble at school with not knowing who to trust as well as a fascination with the dark, suicide and murder. This story didn't happen or did it? It is full of teen angst but does offer a complete picture of a small town full of hidden violence. 3 stars
(pub date: Sept. 26) Sarah and her husband have just bought a house in a swanky part of an Australian town. The house has some issues which is why they could afford it. Sarah is a social media influencer, blogger, best selling author and therapist, and happily married. LIE,LIE,LIE... She hopes to continue her success by blogging about their renovations of a murder house. But soon it is apparent that her husband hates the house, the cat hates the house and the neighbors hate that they bought the house. Sarah has a lot on her plate and she may have neglected to have taken her anxiety meds, had a bit too much wine to drink and is not getting enough sleep. While Sarah is not a likable character we still feel bad for her and don't want to see her murdered in her sleep, right? Kidding aside, this book does take a mental breakdown seriously as well as external threats in addition to the drama of living in a haunted house. Moves at a feverish pace with news clippings providing a bit of foreshadowing. 3 1/2 stars
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