Review: 23 1/2 Lies

23 1/2 Lies by James Patterson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a short installment in the women’s murder mystery series. It digs deeper into Lindsay’s personal life and past. It felt a bit abrupt at times and jumped around somewhat but was an enjoyable read. I think part of the issue is the attempt to go deep into emotions and relationships with her family while intertwining it with a murder investigation. It might have benefited from being a bit longer to make it flow better and not seem like some of the crime solution was a bit too pat.

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Review: The Silence of the Flans

The Silence of the Flans by Laura Bradford
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the premise of this book especially the idea of emergency dessert orders. My biggest complaint is the fact the amateur sleuth is a bit of an airhead when trying to solve the murder. There is an obvious source of a clue that Winnie doesn’t look at til the latter part of the book. She has a perfectly good source in her possession that she looks at several times before the lightbulb moment. Additionally there are some easy swept under the rug moments regarding false accusations and betrayal that I feel might have been more of a chasm creator than they were. I so enjoy the series I just think it could be a little tighter in its details

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Chapter Break Bingo Jun 24

 Chapter Break hosts a monthly bingo challenge.  Unlike most other challenges you may use a book to fill multiple prompts.  The only requirement is you must finish the book in the month of the card.  I haven't been actively doing this bingo but thought I would give it a renewed go.  

Review: Chili Con Corpses

Chili Con Corpses by J.B. Stanley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyable installment in the series. James has grown on me as a MC. It is interesting to see the relationships he has develop and change. There are other relationships growing as well. In general I would say that is a main theme of this book. The murder is quite well constructed with plenty of suspects and red herrings. Looking forward to continue with the series to see where the relationships go

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Review: Meet Your Baker

Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

great intro to a new series

I enjoyed this first in series book and the way it combined baking and the theater. There were lots of details about both and contained background info on the behind the scenes and on stage aspects of Shakespeare theater. The mystery had lots of characters and plenty of possible candidates for guilt

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Review: Chai Another Day

Chai Another Day by Leslie Budewitz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great next book in the series. I enjoy how the story intertwined characters we had met in previous books. It can be read as a standalone but there is lots of information about previous books and crimes. They don’t spoil the other books but having read them provides context. This mystery was a bit of a guilty party out of clear air but the rationale of the murder makes sense. Looking forward to reading then next book and learning more about Seattle and its neighborhoods

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Review: The Sleeping Beauty Killer

The Sleeping Beauty Killer by Mary Higgins Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoy all of this series. There’s something about the premise of this story that is intriguing. It reminds me of dateline or 20/20 investigations I also enjoy Laurie’s backstory and her relationship with her father and son.
This particular book took a different twist to the cold case investigation which was unique. I did suspect the guilty party before the reveal but it didn’t ruin the book since the premise is to rehash the stories of all the players in the old crimes

Looking forward to reading the rest of the series

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