saint x

 I selected Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin because I needed a full-cast audiobook for the month of July for one of my challenges.   Saint X looked like an intriguing read and thus I selected it.  I'm glad I did as it was an engaging suspense novel with some depth in characters.  The motivation behind people's actions and desire to seek the truth is well-plotted and interesting.  While this is a tragic mystery behind the death of Alison, while on vacation in Saint X the book feels more about the discovery of who her sister is, who Clive is, and what really happened on that day of Jan in the 1990s.  

The book does jump around time frames so if you don't like that style this is not a book for you.   I really enjoyed the narration and think it contributed to my decision to give this book 4 stars.  If you are looking for a suspense novel with minimal graphic descriptions this is a good choice. 

Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an intriguing novel with suspense throughout. But in a nice balance, there was plenty of character depth. I listened to the audio and it was a great read with a full cast doing the narration. The story moves between different time periods quite well. There were fluid shifts with the story starting out focusing on the past (1990s) and then current day. In the present time the narrators reflected back on their past this connecting the 2 periods of time plus Clive’s childhood. This book built the suspense well and had a very surprising ending

View all my reviews

 

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  89
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #  73 
3. Audiobook  #2023AudiobookChallenge 16
4. AtoZ   #2023AtoZReadingChallenge  #AlphabetSoupChallenge  X
5. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #81
6. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #63
7. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #67
8. Medical Examiner Challenge  1 Toe Tags
9. Nerd Daily #thenerddaily #nerdreading2023 #2. 2023 ADAPTATION
10. PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge #20 A book becoming a TV series or movie in 2023
11. Uncorked Reader #UncorkedReading2023 8 Made Into A Series Or Movie
12. Beyond the Bookends  June- Listen to a full-cast audiobook

Demon Copperhead

 Demon Copperhead is the 2nd book by Barbara Kingsolver that I have read.   The first was Poisonwood Bible many years ago.  I do remember enjoying that book very much.  I liked the writing and the character development in Demon Copperhead but due to the heavy and depressing nature of the story, I ended up DNFing it as I just couldn't take the sadness at this point in my life.  We are dealing with some serious health situations with my husband and I just don't want to read books that are depressing and make me any more upset than my current life is.  I only read this book because it was a selection for my book club and wanted to try to complete the June book but just ended up getting a synopsis of the ending from a fellow member.  

I gave the book a 3 star rating because I did think it was a well-written adaptation of David Copperfield and the characters certainly grabbed my emotions.  

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

while the book is good and the characters well developed and easily to show empathy toward most of them I had to DNF this book as the topic was far too heavy and unsettling for me to read at this point. I was reading it for our book club selection and just couldn't bring myself to finish it entirely For those looking for a book with serious topics and great character development this is a good book. It highlights how so many of the horrific aspects of society- drug use/ under education/ failure by the system is very socio-economic in nature.

Trigger warnings:
Drug Additction/ Domestic Violence/ Neglect

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book # 76 
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #   64
3. Audiobook  #2023AudiobookChallenge 15
4. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #69
5. Beat the Backlist #BTB2023  #25 standalone
6. Nerdy Bookworm  #NerdyBookwormChallengeXO #12.  Goodread's 2022 Winner or Nominee
7. Nerd Daily #thenerddaily #nerdreading2023 #25. SUN, MOON OR STARS ON COVER
8. PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge #49 The longest book (by pages) on your TBR list
9. Pick your Poison  # 27 A book with a toy on the cover
10. Sci and Nature # 18 Element from the Periodic Table in the Title:
11. Beyond the Bookends  August- Read a book about the impact of poverty

7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle has been on my TBR list for a while.  I intended to read it last year and never got to it.  I started out reading it and then when I needed to drive to Chicago every day in April I decided to try this one as an audio.  I thoroughly enjoyed the proper British accent of the narrator.  It definitely added to the mood and setting the environment.  

This book was one of the most creative I have ever read.  It is hard to explain but it is a sort of a time loop with different hosts to the narrator in each section.  From the get-go as a reader you figure there is a twist to the story but I had no idea it was going to be what it was.   I definitely felt as though Turton was paying homage to Dante and the rings of Hell.  I really ended up enjoying this book once I got involved in it.  For those struggling to read the book and stay engaged, stick it out, it is worth it in the end!

The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a very creative thriller/mystery. For those who love a puzzle when they are reading this will be a real treat. The only reason I did not give this a 5 star is the difficulty getting engaged at the beginning of the book. I promise it is worth sticking it out. If you really get stuck, try it in audio format- the British accent will win you over and keep you listening. At times it can be confusing to keep all the characters straight but eventually it all makes sense.

View all my reviews

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #   54
3. Audiobook  #2023AudiobookChallenge 14
4. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #59
5. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #49
6. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #51
7. Medical Examiner Challenge 12 Toe Tags
8. Historic Fiction  #histficreadingchallenge   Book #5
9. 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2023  #37 Written in Present Tense
10. Around the Year in 52 Books #40. A book with a full name in the title
11. Beat the Backlist #BTB2023  #16 here there be monsters
12. HP Quidditch 23 #7 Bludger: A book you think will knock your socks off (or off your broom!)
13. Nerdy Bookworm  #NerdyBookwormChallengeXO #26. Read a book that has time travel in it
14. Nerd Daily #thenerddaily #nerdreading2023 #50. HISTORICAL OR FANTASY
15. PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge #43 A book that takes place entirely in one day
16. Pick your Poison  # 134 A book with a chess piece on the cover
17. Sci and Nature # 12 That Plays With Time:
18. Uncorked Reader #UncorkedReading2023 #24 Takes Place In A Day
19. Beyond the Bookends  January- Read a book coming to the screen in 2023
20. Monthly Motif #MonthlyMotifGXO   May In  it to Win It

Better Off Read

 Better Off Read is the first book in the Bookmobile series by Nora Page.   One aspect of the book that did confuse me was the references to all the previous mysteries Cleo had solved.  I am not sure if this is a spinoff from another series or if the references are just intended to give background on Cleo and her investigative prowess.  I did really enjoy how strong of characters Cleo and her friends are,  giving a positive image of older characters rather than a weak and feeble representation. This book has some laugh-out-loud moments that made it fun to read.  The mystery itself is well constructed with plenty of clues and misdirection included in the storyline.  I listened to this on audio and really appreciated the different inflections the narrator used for all the different characters.  I will look for other books narrated by her and would like to continue reading this series.  

Better Off Read by Nora Page
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This cozy certainly has a cast of unlikely detectives. Cleo and Henry are definitely of retirement age even if they do t choose to retire. Cleo seems like the spunky grandma every kid wants and every parent dreads. She is definitely an independent and inquisitive lady. She finds herself trying to solve more than one murder plus other mysteries. There are definitely laugh out loud moments in the story. The characters ages and wits remind the reader age is only a number

View all my reviews

 

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  64
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #   52
3. Audiobook  #2023AudiobookChallenge 13
4. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  GA
5. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 1
6. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 -1
7. What an Animal Book #20
8. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #57
9. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #47
10. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #23
11. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #50
12. Craving for Cozies  Book #44
13. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #102  Shot #1
14. Medical Examiner Challenge 7  Toe Tags
15. Pick your Poison  # 49 A book with a car, truck or bus on the cover
16. Beyond the Bookends  May Detective

The Crepes of Wrath

 The Crepes of Wrath is the first of the Pancake House mysteries by Sarah Fox.  I have previously read her Literary Pub series and enjoyed them so I was excited to try this series. This was a unique story set in Washington State.   Marley comes to help out her cousin Jimmy with his Pancake restaurant while he is in the hospital recovering from pneumonia.  Apparently, someone was not happy with his early release and murdered him on the day he returned home.   Turns out Marley has to decide how long she will be in town helping with the restaurant.   She faces decisions about being there vs returning to her law assistant position in Seattle.  A budding friendship adds complexity to this decision.  Of course, being a cozy there is an amateur sleuthing episode to follow along with while all this personal drama occurs.  I will say that at times Marley feels like the silly girl in a horror movie that runs toward trouble vs finding a way to avoid it.  Other than that it is a fun book with a good mystery.

 

The Crepes of Wrath by Sarah Fox
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I listened to this on audiobook and enjoyed the narration. She does a wonderful job of doing the different character voices. I enjoyed the story and the characters for the most part. The mystery was written with lots of twists with subtle clues thrown in to interpret. My biggest misgiving with the story was how Marley often made dumb horror story type decisions. A murderer is on the loose but I am going to confront a burglar rather than call police immediately those type things. I don’t want to reveal any spoilers so I won’t say more examples but there are several bad choices that I found myself rolling my eyes at. I will continue reading the series though as I did enjoy it overall

View all my reviews

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book # 61 
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #49   
3. Audiobook  #2023AudiobookChallenge 12
4. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 1
5. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 -1
6. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #54
7. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #45
8. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #26
9. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #47
10. Craving for Cozies  Book #41
11. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #41  Shot #6
12. Medical Examiner Challenge  4 Toe Tags
13. Pick your Poison  # 10 A book you find on your TBR list
14. Beyond the Bookends  May  Detective

Eclair and Present Danger

 This was a very different cozy than most.  The mystery was well written but it was not the focus of the story in my opinion.  It felt like the author focused more on the character development and their relationships which was a pleasant approach.  Additionally, the establishment of Winnie's new dessert business took up much of the storyline which was wonderful if not hunger inducing.   It was fun to read about how someone develops a small business from scratch.  The mystery solution was more of an accidental occurrence rather than an active investigation and I enjoyed that as an alternate approach. 

Éclair and Present Danger by Laura Bradford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thought this was a clever cozy. The mystery was somewhat of a side thread almost. Much of the focus was on Winnie and her development of her new business. It also focused on the characters and their relationships. I found this to be a nice change from some of the more formulaic cozies out there. And while the mystery was not the absolute focus it was still well written and developed

View all my reviews

 

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book # 60 
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #   48
3. Audiobook  #2023AudiobookChallenge #11
4. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  OH
5. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 1
6. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 -1
7. What an Animal Book #19
8. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #53
9. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #44
10. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #25
11. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #46
12. Craving for Cozies  Book #40
13. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #11  Shot #2
14. Medical Examiner Challenge 3  Toe Tags
15. Nerdy Bookworm  #NerdyBookwormChallengeXO #32. Read a book that has a purple cover
16. Beyond the Bookends  May  Detective Story
17. Read Your Bookshelf    May: A book that is longer than your last one

Put Out to Pasture

 Put Out to Pasture is the 2nd Farm to Table book by Amanda Flower.  This series focuses on Shiloh Bellamy and her attempts to turn her family farm around and create an organic farm in North Western Michigan.  There is a big mix of characters and personalities in this book.  There is no shortage of missed suspicions by Shiloh as well. I appreciated the details of the logic Shiloh uses while trying to solve the murder that her BFF is accused of committing.  

I listened to this as an audiobook and realized the narrator is the same as the narrator for Murder at the Lobstah Shack.  It was most noticeable when she is voicing the juvenile characters.  She definitely makes those voices stand out from the adult voices.  Both books have young girls who play key roles in the stories.   I will be on the lookout for more books narrated by Rachel Dulude.  

Put Out to Pasture by Amanda Flower
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoy reading the books about Shiloh Bellamy and her challenges in turning her family farm into a profitable organic farm in Upper Michigan. Having now been to Travers City last summer the book rang and even better familiarity for me. I enjoy the range of characters and appreciate that not every relationship is a good positive one. Shiloh has a diverse group of supporting characters in the story which adds a level of interest. The mystery was clever and had plenty of times when Shiloh was sent off on a diversion of suspicion. The series is engaging and I am invested in seeing how Shiloh does with turning the farm around.

View all my reviews

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #   46
3. Audiobook  #2023AudiobookChallenge #10
4. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  MI
5. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  
6. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 2
7. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 +1
8. What an Animal Book #18
9. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #51
10. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #24
11. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #44
12. Craving for Cozies  Book #39
13. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #3  Shot #3
14. Medical Examiner Challenge 6 Toe Tags
15. Sci and Nature # 22 Set on a Farm
16. Beyond the Bookends  May-  a detective story

Murder at the Lobstah Shack

 Murder at the Lobstah Shack is the 3rd installment of the Cozy Capers Book Group mysteries by Maddie Day.  This series is set in the Cape Cod area and centers around Mackenzie Almeida and her bike shop.  The book shows how Mack balances amateur crime-solving with running her own bicycle shop complete with repairs and rentals.  The tourist season might be winding down for the fall, but her shop is still hopping when she finds herself trying to help her friend and fellow business owner out when a body is found in Tulia's walk-in cooler.  Needless to say business at the Lobstah Shack is impacted when the rumors fly.  The mystery has quite an interesting twist to it and an ending that was a bit of a surprise.  All in all I enjoyed the book.  

I have been listening to more audiobooks this year as many of the older cozy mysteries are only available at my library as audiobooks.  The narrator, Rachel Dulude, does a great job at voicing New England accents.  She also does a fun voice for Mack's macaw, Belle.  It was an enjoyable experience to listen to this audiobook.  

Murder at the Lobstah Shack by Maddie Day
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Always an enjoyable read involving Mackenzie. I appreciate the perspective the stories bring to treating homeless and disadvantaged people as equal members of society rather than always looking disparagingly at them. I also liked how the characters also addressed the whole do gooder/ knowing better tendency some people can have even if unintentionally. These perspectives are well blended with the story so as to not come off as preaching but rather just dialogue and observations of the characters. I listened to this and always enjoy the narrator’s representation of Mack’s niece and the New England accents. A fun read

View all my reviews

 

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #   45
3. Audiobook  #2023AudiobookChallenge #9
4. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  
5. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 3
6. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 +1
7. What an Animal Book #17
8. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #50
9. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #43
10. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #23
11. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #43
12. Craving for Cozies  Book #38
13. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #34  Shot #2
14. Medical Examiner Challenge  1 Toe Tags
15. Pick your Poison  # 62 A book with an animal on the cover that is not about that animal

Reading up a Storm

 Reading Up a Storm is the 3rd book in the Lighthouse Library series by Eva Gates.  I enjoy reading about the library and its diverse staff.  The Outer Banks sound so intriguing but I also appreciate the level of crowds that tourism brings to beach areas as my family has a place in the Panhandle of FL.  It is sometimes a curse to live in a vacation destination when it is high season.  

I find it fascinating that Lucy lives in the lighthouse as well as working at the library located there.  This seems so interesting to me.  The mystery is a fun read with a combination of suspected supernatural elements- skeptically received by all but 1 character and plain old-fashioned detective work.  There is some additional conflict amongst characters which gives the story an authentic feel rather than everything being wrapped up neatly.  All in all, I enjoy this series and look forward to reading more of it in the future.  

Reading Up a Storm by Eva Gates
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Good cozy mixed with some relationship strife. Lots of plot twists and turns. Enjoying reading about Outer Banks and the beautiful setting

View all my reviews

 

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  56
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #   44
3. Audiobook  #2023AudiobookChallenge #8 
4. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  
5. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 3
6. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 +1
7. What an Animal Book #16
8. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #49
9. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #42
10. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice # 22
11. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #42
12. Craving for Cozies  Book #37
13. Six Shooter Challenge  Target # 43 Shot #3
14. Medical Examiner Challenge  Toe Tags 1
15. Pick your Poison  # 107 A book you'd skip a dinner date for

Manor of Dying

 I forgot how much I enjoyed the first 3 books in this series by Kathleen Bridge.  I had begun reading her Killing by the Sea series because they were available as ebooks vs audio which is the only format my library carries the Hamptons Home and Gardens series.  Manor of Dying finds Meg and her bff, Elle, involved in the staging of a tv pilot.  The prospect of working on the show and having a steady paycheck is appealing to Meg.  It doesn't hurt that the home to be the setting has a history as a sanatorium and the site of a murder.  The intrigue becomes all too real when a modern day murder occurs while trapped during a storm.  The clues are there but don't point to the guilty party in an obvious manner so Meg continues to poke around.  

Adding to the story's complexity is the fact it is the holiday season and she keeps having her plans with her boyfriend, Cole,  waylaid by Mother Nature.  Then the romantic trope gets more interesting as she realizes her mystery sand writing poet is also the author of the manuscript.  As she spends time with him she feels herself torn between his prescence and Cole's absence.  It all makes for a New Year's Eve to remember.  I am curious to see how that storyline plays out in the next installment of the series.  

Manor of Dying by Kathleen Bridge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyable read especially for fans of decorating and antiques. This book also touches on some pop culture references such as reality tv and period tv shows. The mystery is well written and the clues present but very subtle. The reveal is more about the why to explain vs the clues.

View all my reviews

 

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  53
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #  41 
3. Audiobook  #2023AudiobookChallenge 7 
4. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  Hampton Home and Gardens #4
5. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 4
6. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 1
7. Color Coded #7  white
8. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #46
9. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #41
10. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #21
11. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #41
12. Craving for Cozies  Book #36
13. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #12  Shot #6
14. Medical Examiner Challenge 3 Toe Tags
15. Pick your Poison  # 28 A book that makes you think of warm fires and cozy beds
16. Book Voyage  #bookvoyagechallenge   Apr Set on an Island- Long Island

Death of a Red Heroine

My experience reading  Death of a Red Heroine is a testament to the powers of participating in reading challenges.  If it were not for the alphabet challenge where I am always trying to find authors that meet the Q/X/Y/Z categories I might not have ever tried this detective story set in Shanghai.  The book is written by Qiu Xiaolong  I ended up really enjoying the storyline and the historical perspective of China as it was transitioning into a more capitalist approach to its economy.  The plot highlights the importance of the Party and the High Ranking Cadres' ability to get things done to their advantage;  something those without the connections cannot readily achieve.   In many ways, it reminded me of the old money influence in the US.  The wealth/power that exists acts as a barrier to newcomers entering the markets.  I did enjoy the book and may give the next in the series a go in the future.

Death of a Red Heroine by Qiu Xiaolong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I selected this audiobook from my library mainly because it sounded interesting and the author's name allowed me to fulfill some harder letters in the alphabet challenge. I ended up with a pleasant surprise and learned a lot about the history of China from an author who was born there. The intricacies of the Party establishment and the country's situation post-Tiananmen Square protests were a very interesting backdrop to a detective mystery. This is definitely not a cozy and has some very edgy and graphic details about the murder as well as the sexual exploits of the characters. The mystery is well constructed and details the police work involved in solving crimes, particularly with politically connected suspects and victims. I enjoyed the book and will definitely potentially try another in the series.

View all my reviews

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  51
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #  39 
3. Audiobook  #2023AudiobookChallenge 6
4. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  China
5. Alphabet Soup Author Edition #AlphabetSoupAuthorChallenge  X
6. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #44
7. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #39
8. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #40
9. Medical Examiner Challenge 3 Toe Tags
10. Historic Fiction  #histficreadingchallenge   Book #3
11. 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2023  #41 A Character Who is a Refugee
12. Beat the Backlist #BTB2023  #45 more than 450 pages
13. Nerd Daily #thenerddaily #nerdreading2023 #24. OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE WORLD
14. Pick your Poison  # 54 A book you expect will expand your initial knowledge of a subject
15. Read with Allison #49 Set in the 1990s:
16. Monthly Motif #MonthlyMotifGXO  Longer than 400 pages
17. TBRChallenge  #TBRChallenge April- Unusual Historical

The Cracked Spine

 The Cracked Spine is not the first book I have read by Paige Shelton even if it is the first in the Scottish Bookstore series.  Like her Dangerous Type series, Shelton writes an amazing book with relatable characters.   Not all characters are endearing but they all feel real.  The other feature of her stories that I appreciate is her ability to mix the descriptions of the locale into the storyline without feeling as though you are reading an abundance of descriptive prose.   This succeeds in allowing the reader to feel as thought they are in the setting with the characters without losing the flow of the mystery.  

I am missing reading more of the Dangerous Type books so I was very happy to find this other series by Paige Shelton.  This is my second book of the year set in Edinburgh and it has definitely inspired me to want to travel there soon.  My mother's maternal side of the family is from here and it would be fun to revisit the place of my Ainsley heritage as I haven't been there in more than 40 years.  

The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyable cozy. I especially enjoyed it as an audiobook with the narration using different accents and voices to reflect the different characters. The mystery is well constructed with plenty of doubt cast upon many of the suspects. Delaney is a bold and adventurous character with a slightly unusual ability. Her new found family at the Cracked Spine bookstore is quirky but loveable. I look forward to reading the series.

View all my reviews

 

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  43
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #  36 
3. Audiobook  #2023AudiobookChallenge 5
4. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 1
5. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 -1
6. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #38
7. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #32
8. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #16
9. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #34
10. Craving for Cozies  Book #30
11. Six Shooter Challenge  Target # 85 Shot #4
12. Medical Examiner Challenge 1 Toe Tags
13. Bookworm #6 Read a book you meant to read for last year's challenge
14. Nerdy Bookworm  #NerdyBookwormChallengeXO #9. A book that has been on your TBR for 2+ years or more
15. Uncorked Reader #UncorkedReading2023 28 Castles

Guilty as Cinnamon

 I am truly falling in love with Pepper Reece and her Spice Shop series.  Guilty in Cinnamon is the 2nd in the series and readers get a glimpse into the restaurant industry and Pike  Peak Shopping Arcade in Seattle.  The characters are very quirky and hard not to love.  The food descriptions combined with the spice descriptions and historical facts are an amazing enhancement to the mysteries contained in the series.  This series wins me over even more than the Food Village one set in Montana.  I am so happy there are more books in this series to continue reading about Pepper and her great cast of employees and friends.  

The mystery is a well structured story and it definitely has a twist that I didn't see coming.  If you like clean cozies with multiple storylines mixed in then this is a great series for you to read.

 

Guilty as Cinnamon by Leslie Budewitz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a great twisting ending to a cozy. It's hard not to have a mouth-watering experience while reading this book. Pepper is a great character and the series gives a great peak behind the restaurant business in Seattle. There are definitely quirky characters that come and go from the spice shop and the Pikes Peak Market. I appreciate the chapter intros with the different facts about the spices and the spice trade. They make a nice addition to the story and add to the unique charm of the series.

View all my reviews

 

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  37
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #   30
3. Audiobook  #2023AudiobookChallenge 4
4. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 2
5. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 1
6. What an Animal Book #10
7. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #32
8. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #27
9. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #11
10. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #29
11. Craving for Cozies  Book #25
12. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #15  Shot #6
13. Medical Examiner Challenge  1 Toe Tags
14. 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2023  #34 Featuring Mythology
15. Around the Year in 52 Books #50. A second book that fits your favorite prompt
16. Bookworm #26 Read a book recommended by https://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/
17. HP Quidditch 23 #5 Golden Snidget: Includes a magical creature
18. Pick your Poison  # 22 The second book in a series
19. Read with Allison #20 Book With a Mythical Creature:
20. Sci and Nature # 5 With an Animal Protagonist:

Treble at the Jam Fest

 Leslie Budewitz delivered a fun book about music and food with this 4th installment of the Food Lover's Village Mysteries.  Treble at the Jam Fest focuses on the running of the Merc as well as the Jazz Fest that is hosted in their town.  As the story explains these types of festivals help the merchants to make ends meet outside of the main tourist season of summer.  Besides being well-structured mysteries I appreciate that this series focuses on the entrepreneurship of the small businesses in the town.  There are also wonderful characters with a focus on family and the good and bad that come with living near your family, especially in a small town.    If you are looking for a cozy that goes beyond the basic character interactions and want more about the behind the scenes workings of businesses this is a great series to read.  

Treble at the Jam Fest by Leslie Budewitz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great characters. Love the development of family relationships in this book. Especially the changing dynamics of Erin and Chiarras with their mom. The character interactions and relationships are very key in these stories and set it apart from many other cozies. The mystery itself keeps twisting and going in different directions with motive and suspicion. I really didn’t expect the outcome and their is an amazing surprise or 2 at the end

 

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book # 11 
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #10   
3. Audiobook  #2023AudiobookChallenge 2
4. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes MT
5. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  y
6. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 4
7. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 1
8. Color Coded #2 red
9. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #11
10. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #10
11. Cruisin thru Cozies  Culinary #2
12. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #8
13. Craving for Cozies  Book #7
14. Six Shooter Challenge  Target # 15 Shot #5
15. Medical Examiner Challenge  1 Toe Tags
16. 23 in 2023 # 8  A book related to crime or about a crime 
17. 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2023  #31 Set in a Workplace
18. 52 books in 52 weeks  #2 food lovers
19. Around the Year in 52 Books #19 A book related to the arts
20. Bookworm #56 Read a book about an entrepreneur (real or fictional)
21. BooklistQueen  #booklistqueenreadingchallenge2023  # 49. Red Cover 
22. Beat the Backlist #BTB2023  #51 all about music or the arts 
23. Cozy Mysteries   #21 Three cozies, same author
24. HP Quidditch 23 #28 Hogwarts House Cup: Includes a celebration
25. Nerdy Bookworm  #NerdyBookwormChallengeXO #17 Read a book that involves family
26. Nerd Daily #thenerddaily #nerdreading2023 #19 SET IN A SMALL TOWN
27. Pick your Poison  # 128 A book with musical notes on the cover
28. Read with Allison #15 Main Character With Your Name
29. Sci and Nature # 4 Set in a Forest
30. Uncorked Reader #UncorkedReading2023 9 Wedding
31. Unruly Reader Bingo  #13 Band