Denis and I tried to do the laundry yesterday, but the washing machine decided to stop working. No available repair time until Christmas Eve, so the laundry will continue to pile up.
Speaking of things piling up, I've read quite a few books that I haven't shared with you. Shame on me! Let me haul out my book journal, find the right page, and start telling you about a few of them. I'm just going to give you my thoughts on each one instead of a full-blown review. If you'd like to find out more about one of the books, just click on the link to Amazon US in its title.
320 pages
Rating: A
My Thoughts: Adrian Hyland is one of my favorite authors, and this second appearance by Jesse Redpath makes me wish all over again that this talented Australian would write faster, faster, faster.
Redpath is in new territory and discovers a murder disguised to look as an accident. She also is determined to help Nash Rankin, a former police officer.
I always enjoy Hyland's mysteries and characters, but even more, I love the way he uses landscape and wildlife to make Australia come alive for me. (Did you know Australians call eucalyptus trees "widow makers"? Neither did I!)
93 pages
Rating: A
My Thoughts: This short story is perfect when you're in the mood for something light, fun, and holiday-themed.
Poly Monroe, owner of the Material Girl fabric shop, has severely sprained her ankle and has to stay off it. This is bad timing since she's hosting Thanksgiving dinner for family and friends.
As dinner preparations commence, Poly (dressed as Grace Kelly in Rear Window) finds herself stationed at her window, convinced she's watching a crime being committed.
This Thanksgiving tribute to one of my favorite Hitchcock films really hit the spot!
299 pages
Rating: A
My Thoughts: I found myself in need of cozy comfort reading, and I was very fortunate in my choices of books. In just two books, author Peggy Rothschild has made me a fan of her Molly Madison series.
Molly, a former police officer and private investigator transplanted to the California coast, has the knack for taking in dogs and helping the police solve crimes. I really appreciate Molly's background because it means she's not the typical blundering cozy mystery heroine who doesn't have a clue. I also really appreciate that the dogs in this series aren't just a hook to get you to read the books and then you never see them again unless they need to be fed or walked.
Playing Dead has Molly continuing Harlow's agility training and Noodle's scent work. She also provides daycare for a French bulldog and takes in a boxer in hopes of finding it a good home. If you love good mysteries, strong characters, and plenty of dogs, this is the series for you.
320 pages
Rating: B+
My Thoughts: This is one of my favorite cozy series because I like the main character, and I love how Dennison weaves threads of antiques, history, and life in a crumbling country house into her mysteries.
This tenth book in the series has a new sixtysomething vicar in town that all the older women are salivating over, as well missing military memorabilia, and Kat's relationship muddles. Either I'm mellowing in my twilight years or Kat's mother is because instead of irritating the stuffing out of me, she actually made me laugh a time or two.
This series has something for almost everyone: a fun cast, an excellent setting, plenty of humor, and learning opportunities for bits of history and antiques.
240 pages
Rating: A
My Thoughts: In this twelfth installment, Madison and Tex go undercover on a cruise ship as a Doris Day impersonator and her manager husband in order to find thieving employees. However, things go haywire quickly when their only contact aboard ship is murdered.
This is another light, fun outing for one of my favorite characters. I sympathized with Madison because she wanted to redecorate the ship so badly, and I found myself being every bit as lost as she as she tried to find her way around the ship.
[You should have seen my face when I opened the book and found not only a Kittling Books blurb, but that the book was dedicated to me. Boy howdy...]
329 pages
Rating: B+
My Thoughts: I'd previously read two or three book in Russell's Michael Gideon series featuring Gideon and his canine partner, Sirius. I stopped reading because I got tired of Gideon consistently ignoring Sirius when his dog was trying to warn him of danger. I'm happy to say that I was much happier with The Hotel Detective.
Assistant Manager Am Caulfield is "given other duties as assigned" when the Hotel California's security director abruptly leaves. He is quickly overwhelmed when a murder mystery weekend and a Bob Johnson convention descend on the hotel at the same time.
This is a light, fun mystery that gave me plenty of laughs and smiles. The Hotel Detective is definitely geared towards people who have dealt with the public during their working lives (which I did for over forty years), which means that things I found spot-on and funny might not seem so to you if you've never been on the other side of the counter.
I'm going to stop at six. I don't want to tucker you out, and I've been sitting here at the computer long enough. Besides... I have a book I have to get back to!
Here's something from my virtual closet before I go...
Happy Reading!
Congratulations on having a book dedicated to you; what a compliment. So glad to know about Adrian Hyland's new novel. I didn't realize he had a new series, but I will check out the first in the series. And Peggy Rothschild's books with Noodle and Harlow and more dogs in this book I just love. Have to get book 3. Hope you and Denis have a merry Christmas, despite washing machine woes.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll be on the lookout for any good streaming shows you recommend.
DeleteThat is fabulous, Cathy, that you had a book dedicated to you. You deserve it. You did not, however, deserve the washing machine fiasco. I hope it's fixed properly. In the meantime, thanks for sharing your reads. I like the Hannah Dennison series very much, too, and I love Adrian Hyland's work. I must must must read that series!
ReplyDeleteYou have been keeping busy reading! And such fun mysteries, too. I'm really sorry about your washing machine breaking. It's not what you want to happen any time, but especially not at Christmas. Hope it's not an expensive fix.
ReplyDeleteCathy, love the t-shirt you shared. A book dedicated to you - I'm not surprised and very pleased for you. You certainly deserve it as you have shared so much about books through the years. And it's one of those cool books that Diane Vallere writes with the 'movie-ish' titles. I love seeing what she has come up with and the Glass Bottom Hoax is fun! OK, lastly, hope your washer can be repaired soon. And let's also hope that 2025 will be kinder to you guys. Enjoy your reading!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to know more about the book dedicated to you; so delightful!
ReplyDeleteMy sympathies about the washing machine. I just had to get a new water heater, so it's definitely been a hard year on the home maintenance front - here's to better luck in 2025!
It's been my experience that things break at the most inconvenient time possible and that seems to be holding true for you and Denis as well. My condolences. And thanks for these mini reviews. Lots to consider there and maybe some titles to add to my TBR list.
ReplyDelete