Little Black Book of Murder: A Blackbird Sisters Mystery #9

Little Black Book of MurderLittle Black Book of Murder
by Nancy Martin
Rating: ★★★★
isbn: 9780451415257
Series: Blackbird Sisters #8
Publication Date: August 5, 2013
Pages: 372
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
Publisher: Obsidian

Nora’s assigned to write a profile on billionaire fashion designer Swain Starr, who recently retired to build a high-tech organic farm with his new wife, Zephyr, a former supermodel. But before Nora can get the story, the mogul is murdered. And now her boss wants her to snap up an exclusive on who killed Starr before the cops do.

But solving this murder won’t be easy with a family as colorful as Nora’s. Mick, her sort-of husband, is associating with unsavory characters from his past. Her sister Libby is transforming into a stage mom for her diabolical twins. And Emma, the youngest Blackbird, is mysteriously kicked out of the house by Mick. Nora’s home life may be hogging the spotlight, but there’s also a matter of Starr’s missing pig, which just might be the key to solving this mystery and the way Nora can bring home the bacon…


I’ve been reading this series since the first book came out, How to Murder a Millionaire (Blackbird Sisters Mystery, #1), and I’ve been hooked from the start. I can’t think of one book in this series that I’d call weak, and Little Black Book of Murder, IMO, upholds the series winning streak.

I loved this book and it’s always great fun to catch up with the Blackbird sisters and their individual insanities. Libby is often a bit ‘too much’ but the author does try to expose us only in smallish doses, so it never wears too thin. I will say it feels a tiny bit like she’s recycling a plot device in this book with Gus chasing Nora and Nora finding herself pregnant – we’ve seen this before but Nora seems to be going in a different direction this time, so perhaps not.

The mystery plot of this one was a bit – odd. It ends a bit messy, but not. I can’t say much more without giving too much away, but it’s definitely not one of the pre-canned, pre-packaged plot lines so popular with a lot of cozy authors up until recently. There are a lot of players involved, but I never struggled to keep them all straight and there was only one thread left dangling – we never find out definitively who burned Nora’s barn – I think we’re supposed to take it as read.

I hope this series continues a bit longer, as I am genuinely attached to all of these characters and the world Ms. Martin has built. I’m not sure how I feel about Nora becoming a mother, as I usually don’t care for cozies that have a maternal protagonist, but I’m sure willing to find out!

Crocodile on the Sandbank (Amelia Peabody #1) Audio

Ms. Peters is a master, there is no doubt about it. An excellent story, very well written, but I tend to prefer her Vicky Bliss books over Ms. Peabody. Still, I enjoyed the audiobook enough to buy the next one in the series. The narration was outstanding, although the narrator made Evelyn such a whispery girl I wanted to smack her. Still, if you like audiobooks and you’re looking for a good old fashioned traditional mystery, I can recommend this one as worth the time.

If Bread Could Rise to the Occasion (Gram’s Cooking School #3)

A fun series, and this book was a fun read.  With each book bringing a new ghost with it’s own mystery, along with current day murder mysteries, the story lines stay fresh and interesting.

 

Taking place in an old wild-west town-turned-tourist destination known for being overly haunted by ghosts, it’s a fun setting. I like Bettes but will admit to having a hard time warming up to Grams – she doesn’t feel quite three dimensional to me. Or maybe I just don’t care for her personality. Jake is a great bff/sidekick and the romance with her old high school sweetheart is sweet. But the author has done something interesting; she’s managed to introduce a love triangle that really isn’t.

 

Now, I HATE love triangles, but this one, I get a kick out of it and the author has possibly created a sexual tension that can be kept going indefinitely throughout the series, without getting stale. Time will tell.

 

The murder mysteries were cleverly done (both of them) and well plotted. I didn’t have any idea until the end and it was a fairly good ending as well.

 

I look forward to more from this series. A genuine enjoyment to read.

Heirs and Graces (A Royal Spyness Mystery #7)

I want to say right up front that I truly think after The Twelve Clues of Christmas (Her Royal Spyness Mysteries, #6), which was just absolutely superb, any book was going to feel pale in comparison. Such was the case for me with this book. But – I truly feel it only suffers by comparison, as I can’t find a single thing to say to the negative about Heirs and Graces.

 

I really enjoy the recurring characters in this series: Georgie is sweet, naive and correct, while maintaining a firm hand and a steel backbone; no simpering or sniveling going on here. Belinda is the scarlet woman, the best friend that keeps Georgie in the present. And Darcy is the divine love interest with an air of mystery surrounding his super secret work life. No irritating, annoying characters (except Fig, and she’s a bit player that doesn’t always make appearances in the books and was blissfully present-in-name-only in this book).

 

The plot of Heirs and Graces was good and the characters surrounding the plot were colourful enough to keep my attention. I was surprised by the ending – it was an excellent plot twist and though it doesn’t seem right to say, it made me laugh. Such a creative twist, with a tip of the hat to old murder mysteries.

 

A thoroughly enjoyable entry to a very solid series.

Cloche and Dagger (A Hat Shop Mystery #1)

Usually I save my 5 star ratings for cozies that are a joy to read and offer something a bit different – unique (or not often used) plot devices, a deeper level of writing, really creative twists or settings. Cloche and Dagger didn’t really offer any of these pluses, but it was such an outstandingly fun read with such likeable characters, I couldn’t possibly have given it anything less.

 

For me, Ms. McKinlay wasn’t going to go wrong with a setting in Notting Hill, London. Consider that box ticked. The characters were each written so well, that they immediately presented themselves in my minds eye so I almost never struggled keeping characters/suspects straight in my mind (about 10 seconds asking ‘which one’s Andre and which one’s Nick’ was about it).

 

I am already crushing on Harrison – if Scarlett doesn’t want him, I’ll take him. We don’t get much time with Viv, but it’s clear she’ll be quirky and fun and I really like Fee. And thank you, thank you, thank you, for NOT introducing some awful, hateful caricature of some nasty cow put there to make everyone’s lives miserable.

 

The plot was nicely done – the first mystery presents itself on page 3(?) with Viv’s disappearance. The actual murder doesn’t come along until about 1/3 of the way through the book, which allows the author to introduce the setting, the people, etc. with the backdrop of Viv’s absence keeping things interesting. Once the murder does occur, it’s a good one. I had a suspicion throughout, but was never sure, until the end.

 

Ms. McKinlay has yet to write a series I don’t love (we won’t bring Josie Bell into this) and I think my rankings are going to need a reshuffling – Hat Shop, Library, Cupcakes. I was genuinely disappointed to have come to the end of this book and I can’t wait to read more (especially with the hint of paranormal at the very end – ooooh!).

Pall in the Family (A Family Fortune Mystery #1)

A very good, well-written first in what could be an excellent new series.

 

This is not a quick, light read. It’s not dark or depressing, but there’s a maturity to the writing that you don’t find in a lot of cozies, especially the paranormal ones. That’s not a criticism of cozies – I’m a huge fan – but this book feels like it’s a step above. The writing, the character building, the plot, all felt more on the level with Barbara Michaels, or Earlene Fowler (maybe?).  I felt like this book took longer to read than most of equal length, even though the story kept me invested.

 

The characters in this book are well-written, solid and real. There are no caricatures here. I’ll admit I really don’t like Vi, but she’s real – she reminds me in many ways of some of my own relatives. Clyde’s mom is a nag and Clyde is trying to power through a very traumatic event. The most humorous element of the book are the dogs, Baxter and Tuffy, with a few scenes that had me giggling a bit. Oh, and the deputy, Tom and his unfortunate lack of grace definitely lent itself to moments of levity. Mac is a love interest you can get behind and I love the background to their story. If the author continues to have Clyde fight against her ‘gifts’ I’ll not continue reading the series, but her qualms are justified in the short term.

 

Having talked the book up, I’ll now admit I guessed the killer pretty early on in the book but I’ll still argue the plot was very well done. Old crimes and new, plenty of suspects and a little bit of misdirection. While I knew who the killer was, I didn’t begin to guess at the motivation until the end – I totally had that part wrong, so no enjoyment was lost to my early guess.

 

I’m really looking forward to the next book; I hope it will come sooner rather than later.

Do Or Diner: A Comfort Food Mystery #1

An ok first book that has quite a few things going for it, and a few things that, well, need work.

 

Excellent setting: small town, up-state New York on the lake. Trixie buys not only a diner, but a house, 12 cottages, and a bait shop from her aunt. Talk about lots of options for murder and mayhem going forward. The author has created a setting that won’t get stale as she’ll be able to rotate her plots around different areas of Trixie’s business, as well as around the town itself.

 

The characters seem well developed. I don’t think you can dislike Ty; the author knows how to write ‘charming’ into a male lead. Some might find him too charming and therefore irritating.  Trixie is a good solid lead too; she has a painful past but she’s not mired in it, nor is she drowning in her own melancholy and dragging her readers with her. Trixie is focussed on looking ahead and it makes me want to read more. I really like Jaunita – something about her character makes me laugh.

 

The plot was…expected but unexpected for me. I’ll leave it at that so as not to go spoilerish. But it was a solid first effort.

 

What needed work? The writing in some areas. There’s an entire scene/conversation between Trixie and a character named Antoinette Chloe Brown at ACB’s house that was just so unbelievable as to spiral into the ridiculous. It was choppy and would never happen. Unbelievable even in the cozy world. It stuck out in my mind for the rest of the book, colouring my overall opinion. Also sticking out – her truly insane belief that Ty, the detective on the case, should allow her to investigate with him, as his partner. Really? Her ex-husband is a deputy sheriff! In what universe is any ex-wife of a cop that naive as to think the lead investigator in a murder is going to let her help investigate?!

 

My opinion? It lowered the overall quality of the book, which has strengths.

 

These lowpoints weren’t enough to stop me from reading the next book in the series. Most firsts are awkward. Fingers crossed the second one will find a better groove.

Death Al Dente (Food Lovers Village Mystery #1)

Not a bad first book in a series. I love the small town Montana setting and I love the idea of the Mercantile – a shop focussing on local, fresh produce and grocery.

 

I didn’t connect immediately with the main characters, but there weren’t any I disliked either. Two possible romantic interests have been introduced and I hope the author treads carefully; there’s a serious backlash against love triangles and I for one am beyond over them. They are tiresome and irritating.

 

The plot was well crafted and adding rampant rumours to the mix muddies up the possibilities very effectively. Lots of suspects too.

 

Overall, a good, solid beginning. I’m not jumping up and down in excitement, but I’ll definitely be adding this series to the list of those that I’m following. I look forward to the next book.

The Hen of the Baskervilles (Meg Langslow Mysteries #15)

I’m a huge fan of this series – Meg would be on one of those ‘book characters you’d like to know/be’ lists, if I kept such a thing. Her family is wacky, colourful and eccentric and Meg is an absolute master at controlling all of them without them actually knowing it. I admire that skill. She is the sane, calm eye in the Langslow family cyclone.

 

Her house sounds like heaven, complete with an out-building for any and all occasions, enough land to grow whatever any family member has a whim to grow, and a motley collection of animals that just keeps growing.

 

The Hen of the Baskervilles takes place at the Caerphilly County Fair – the ‘Un’Fair. I really liked that the ‘un’ fair centered on heirloom animals and vegetables and I wish such a thing actually existed relative to where I live. The mystery was up to Ms. Andrews usual standards: complex enough to have multiple viable suspects, at least one twist, and a culprit that won’t be obvious to everyone who reads the book.

 

I’ll say it wasn’t my favorite of the series, but it’s definitely entertaining and a welcome addition to what I hope will be a long continuing series.

Plainly Murder (Amish Quilt Shops Mystery #0.5)

I pre-ordered the first book in this series, Murder, Plain and Simple, so when I saw this release I grabbed it, eager for an introduction to the characters and setting.

 

This felt longer than most of the in-between novellas I’ve read and definitely a bit more involved. Was Eric pushed or did he fall from the roof during a barn raising 15 years ago? It’s a very straight forward mystery, as it needs to be in it’s shorter format. As such, the suspects are few and the outcome somewhat predictable. But you don’t really to buy a novella for the plot, so much as for more information on the characters.

 

I liked Angie and the dog sounds like a gem. I was disappointed that it seems we can count on a cantankerous old biddy who will be going out of her way to make Angie’s life miserable in future books, in the form of Martha, but I might prove to be completely wrong about that. Hopefully she’ll be offset by Anna, and possibly Rachel.

 

Overall, a good introduction if you’re interested in reading the first book of the series.