Lineage Most Lethal by S. C. Perkins

July 25, 2020

Is this the kind of amateur sleuth, or, actually, the kind of character you would like to see in a book? “I don’t apologize for loving learning and information. I’m smart, I’m good at my job, I work hard, and I’m proud of it.” Those...

Once You Go This Far by Kristen Lepionka

July 19, 2020

I like Kristen Lepionka’s mysteries featuring PI Roxane Weary for several reasons. The Columbus, Ohio setting always draws me in. But, Roxane herself is the biggest draw. She’s a complex character with flaws and personal issues. But, she tries. She really...

Of Mutts and Men by Spencer Quinn

July 15, 2020

I don’t catch all the Chet and Bernie books, but I was ready for a new one when I reviewed Spencer Quinn’s Of Mutts and Men. As a former resident of Arizona, I can understand Bernie’s constant worry about water in the desert. This time,...

A Spell for Trouble by Esme Addison

July 12, 2020

Esme Addison found a way to add a twist to her magical mystery debut. While the jacket copy mentions Ellery Adams and Heather Blake, remember that Addison’s A Spell for Trouble is a debut. The magical twist is intriguing. The amateur sleuth needs a little...

Murder in the Balcony by Margaret Dumas

July 11, 2020

I don’t know when I’ve described a mystery as joyful. Yes, Margaret Dumas’ Movie Palace mysteries have murders in them. In fact, there are two, and a couple attempts in the second book in the series, Murder in the Balcony. But, Nora...