Board Stiff (Elliot Lisbon Mystery #1)

A very strong first book. Excellent, vivid characters. Almost-tropical island setting. A sprinkle of humour, and a bit of sexual tension to keep things fun.

The mystery was very well crafted and I think the author did an excellent job of hiding the murderer in plain sight. There were a few slapstick moments in the book – you either like slapstick or you don’t. The only moment I found I could have done without involved getting into a poker game, and I’ll leave it at that. It all turned out well, but it just seemed too over-the-top. I’m also not loving the possibility of a love triangle – no thank you, they never end up being written to be interesting (unless your last name is Evanovich, and frankly, I can’t figure out how she manages to pull it off).

All in all a very fun read – it kept my interest from beginning to end and I only had to skip about a page of internal dialogue. I rate that as a success! I’ll be looking for the next book and hope Ransom is in for the long haul.

Aunt Dimity and the Lost Prince (Paranormal Detective #18)

The books in this series are truly fairy tales for adults. No murder mystery, but always a mystery of some kind, meant to provide an opportunity for growth for the protagonist, right down to a ‘moral of the story’ of sorts at the end.

Because, or in spite of, this, these stories are always entertaining with fantastic, colourful, characters and really no villains to speak of. My only complaint about the books – well, two really: I wish the author could figure out a way for Aunt Dimity to pass on her wisdom without making Lori impulsive to the point of childish and make Aunt Dimity less condescending while passing on her wisdom. Secondly, if Lori could not jump to so many ridiculous conclusions, that would be great. Although I will say, she was much more rational in this book.

Aunt Dimity and the Lost Price centers around the fantastical tales told by a child, and the reality that lies at the heart of them. The child herself makes exactly one appearance in the story, but she makes quite an impression with everyone she meets and Lori and her neighbor Bree follow a string of clues to find the ‘Lost Price’. With an ending not quite what you’d expect, but a happy one, this was a fast, entertaining read. If you don’t try to make these books something they are not (murder mysteries with suspects, etc.), and enjoy them for what they are, they’ll never let you down.

Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School Book the First)

A fabulous adventure! The names of the characters in this book alone are worth the read!

Ms. Carriger has a beautiful way of immediately putting you into the book – it was so easy to ‘see’ the story as I read the pages of the book – even the incredibly complicated layout of the school was visible to some degree in my minds eye.

The Parasol Protectorate character crossovers made getting to know this new world easier and more entertaining as well. I’m very intrigued by Mr. Niall too. Just a wonderful, fantastical adventure of a read all around. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys some paranormal steampunk.

Death, Doom, and Detention (Darklight #2)

Death, Doom, and Detention
by Darynda Jones
Rating: ★★★★½
isbn: 9780312625214
Series: Darklight #2
Publication Date: March 5, 2013
Pages: 306
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

After a week of reading books that disappointingly read like paper-pulp Xanax, Death Doom and Detention was just the breath of fresh, fast-paced air with kick-ass dialogue I needed. An excellent story with really great characters you can get behind. And thank you thank you thank you Ms. Jones for having two breath-taking male leads and no love triangle!! I can cheer both of them on!

Seriously, there wasn’t anything I didn’t like about this book – nothing. I picked it up and did not put it down again until I’d read not only the last page (ok, a little tiny bit of boo and hiss here) but the sneak peak at the next book in October. I was reading this book outside and seriously, it was so good, I did not move even after the rain started (it wasn’t a lot of rain, and I shielded the book, of course!). Thank you for not making me wait a year until the next one.

I know this is YA, but it’s a great story/series. I can’t help but try to mesh events in this series with those in the Charley Davidson/Adult series. Different, I know, but still fun to imagine. 🙂

An Affair to Dismember (Matchmaker #1)

An Affair To Dismember
by Elise Sax
Rating: ★★★
isbn: 9780345532220
Series: Matchmaker Mystery #1
Publication Date: January 1, 2012
Pages: 312
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Ballantine Books

Three months has been Gladie Burger's limit when it comes to staying in one place. That's why Gladie is more than a little skeptical when her eccentric Grandma Zelda recruits her to the family's matchmaking business in the quaint small town of Cannes, California. What's more, Gladie is also highly unqualified, having a terrible track record with romance. Still, Zelda is convinced that her granddaughter has "the gift." But when the going gets tough, Gladie wonders if this gift has a return policy.

When Zelda's neighbor drops dead in his kitchen, Gladie is swept into his bizarre family's drama. Despite warnings from the (distractingly gorgeous) chief of police to steer clear of his investigation, Gladie is out to prove that her neighbor's death was murder. It's not too long before she's in way over her head--with the hunky police chief, a dysfunctional family full of possible killers, and yet another mysterious and handsome man, whose attentions she's unable to ignore. Gladie is clearly being pursued--either by true love or by a murderer. Who will catch her first?

I’m not sure about this book – it was a mash up of sorts.

The writing felt disjointed and the story not very tightly woven at all. The whole matchmaking-third-eye premise of getting Gladie back home is never really explained very well – is this gift supposed to be of a psychic sort? There are hints it might be, but then well, it’s never explained.

The murder mystery itself was all over the place – it’s repeated again and again that the first two deaths are natural causes – so why is the police chief constantly around looking into things? Not really explained very well either. The plot has what it takes to be really interesting – and in honesty, I got very engrossed in the story, but the writing was so almost stream-of-consciousness that I really just felt the chaos.

Still, the characters are all really likeable and interesting – there’s no mixing them up in your head because you can’t tell them apart. Each is colourful and interesting in their own way. The men are of course, hot hot hot, though I’m firmly in the police chief’s corner for some reason.

I’m going to read the next book in the series because I want to find the story lines tighter and I’m hoping for a more cohesive book all around – Ms. Sax could have a winner of a series on her hands if she just pulls it all together better.

Death, Taxes, and Peach Sangria (Tara Halloway #4)

This series is just so much fun. While Peach Sangria is a mystery, it’s not your typical murder mystery.

Tara is after terrorists by going after their source of money. It’s a slow story to develop and there’s a lot more character development going on, bulking up the book. But I like the character development so I don’t mind at all that the ‘plot’ isn’t front and center and taking up Tara’s every move.

In the land of character development, Ms. Kelly gave us a love triangle a few books ago, and it’s resolved in this book (thank goodness!). She also does something I don’t think any author to date has done: gotten me to switch loyalties from one man to the other. Usually once a love interest is introduced, and it’s a good one, I get really snippy about author’s messing with the status quo. But Ms. Kelly has done a very good job of changing my loyalties and handling the love triangle resolution with grace.

Nearly Departed in Deadwood (Deadwood Mystery, #1)

Nearly Departed in Deadwood
by Ann Charles
Rating: ★★★★
isbn: 9780983256809
Series: Deadwood #4
Publication Date: January 8, 2011
Pages: 376
Publisher: Corvallis Press

This is going on my cozy-mystery shelf, even though it really doesn’t belong there, but I’m not sure where else this genre jumping book (and series) should go.

What I do know is that this book is a really fun read! Humour, a good mystery, lots of creepy, and oh wow the sexual chemistry going on! This little voice in the back of my head nailed the bad guy early on, but I was certain I was wrong. The author makes some very bold moves for a book that comes close to cozy. I have a mental picture of the ending that I’d dearly pay a bit extra to get rid of – I suspect it will stick with me awhile.

Great characters and a great setting. For those who dislike language – it’s here in all it’s glorious colours. So is the sexual chemistry – no graphic scenes, but nothing prim and proper either.

I read the Kindle edition because it was a freebie, but I’ve since ordered the paperback of all the books available in the series.

Affairs of Steak (A White House Chef Mystery #5)

Affairs of Steak
by Julie Hyzy
Rating: ★★★★
isbn: 9780425245835
Series: White House Chef Mystery #5
Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Pages: 293
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime

White House chef Olivia Paras and her arch nemesis, White House Sensitivity Director Peter Everett Sargeant, must work together to solve the double murder of one of the First Lady’s assistants and the Chief of Staff-before they become the next victims of a merciless assassin with a secret agenda.

Another excellent mystery in a series that gets better and better.

Who knew just finding the bodies could end up being so dangerous? Ms Hyzy wrote an excellent plot that led me right where she wanted me to go and didn’t give anything away until it was meant to. The action at the end even got my heart rate up just a tad – not something one expects from their cozy mysteries!

I absolutely loved the interaction between Ollie and Gav – this is a couple I care very much about seeing succeed. Once again Ms. Hyzy nailed it. I don’t normally like to see my main characters start with one person and end up with another – start as you mean to go on, I say. But in this case, it was a welcome change and I can’t wait to read more about these two and where they end up.

Still need to make Virgil the next victim though….

Fonduing Fathers (A White House Chef Mystery #6)

Fonduing Fathers
by Julie Hyzy
Rating: ★★★★★
isbn: 9780425251812
Series: White House Chef Mystery #6
Publication Date: December 31, 2012
Pages: 293
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime

Olivia has always believed that her father was an honorable man—until a trip to visit her mother reveals that he was dishonorably discharged from the army. Olivia is even more shocked to learn that he was brutally murdered because someone at his company suspected him of selling corporate secrets. Refusing to believe that her father was a scoundrel, Olivia won’t rest until she proves his innocence.

Enlisting the help of her boyfriend, Gav, Olivia must reach out to her father’s colleagues to discover the truth behind his murder. What she’s about to discover may not only put her at risk, but threaten national security as well…

This series stared out strong enough – some good things, some bad things, but more good than bad, with interesting characters and solid plots.

But the last three books, and this book in particular – outstanding! This story builds a bit slowly, but there’s a lot of character development – not only on the part of Ollie and Gav, but in a few of the secondary characters as well and I found that kept the story moving along really well. I love the relationship building between Ollie and Josh and I’m not normally a fan of small children in my books. Authors tend to make them too exaggerated, but Ms. Hyzy makes Josh likeable without being obnoxious or precocious. Very little exposure to Virgil made the story pleasant without the bitter aftertaste.

The story line/plot about Ollie’s father and the truth about his military career and death was convoluted and interesting and Ms. Hyzy doesn’t give a single thing away until she does. The ending was climatic and was like an action movie in my head: when Ollie lost the plot at the end, I could see it clear as day and felt her fury and terror. That almost never happens to me with a cozy mystery.

The very, very end of this book was just fabulous, leaving me with a grin on my face as I put the book down. I really can’t wait for the next book, although I must admit to being a bit unsure about how Ms. Hyzy could possibly top this book.

Buffalo West Wing (A White House Chef Mystery #4)

Buffalo West Wing
by Julie Hyzy
Rating: ★★★★
Series: White House Chef Mystery #4
Publication Date: January 4, 2011
Pages: 305
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime

With a new First Family, White House executive chef Olivia Paras can’t afford to make any mistakes. But when a box of take-out chicken mysteriously shows up for the First Kids, she soon finds herself in a “no-wing” situation. After Olivia refuses to serve the chicken, the First Lady gives her the cold shoulder. But when it turns out to be poisoned poultry, Olivia realizes the kids are true targets.

2022: I won’t say the best in the series now, because I know there are better coming, but the book held up really well.

2013: The best one in the series!

Buffalo West Wing was interesting from the first chapter. The plot took on a depth you don’t often find in cozy mysteries, and towards the end, I was so involved in the story, I found myself snapping at whomever interrupted my reading. The culprits were a bit of a surprise to me, which I always enjoy, and I love the re-introduction of Gavin. He was the only male character in this series that ever pricked my interest and I hope he’s back for the long haul. The romance between Ollie and Tom always left me totally flat, and I’m glad things have changed between them.

Why not 5 star? Virgil. He was immature, petulant and I don’t think his presence in the storyline added anything at all to the story. I can’t wait to open the next book and see what happens next.