Book Review: Murder on Cape Cod by Maddie Day

Welcome to picturesque Cape Cod, where it's all sunshine and trails.... that is until Mackenzie "Mac" Almeida discovers a dead body on the trail.  When her brother looks to be pegged with the crime, Mac, along with the help of her "cozy capers", sets about to find a killer and clear her brothers name!

I first discovered Murder on Cape Cod thanks to the Audible Plus catalogue. I was browsing through, looking for my next great listen and this one popped up! Within a chapter I was absolutely hooked! It had all the elements I love in a cozy, with one added extra.... the main character LOVES cozy mysteries and is part of a book club [the cozy capers] that just read cozy mysteries! This made my cozy heart soar!

The mystery of who killed Jake Lacey was thrilling! Right up until the murderer revealed themselves I had no clue who it was. There were so many elements to the mystery and I tried to pick up the pieces but even I [a very seasoned cozy reader] didn't put the pieces together before Mac and her friends. I absolutely love it when an author stumps me!

If you like mysteries about mysteries, you need to add this one to your list! There are more books in the series, and I'm excited to get to know more of the locals of Cape Cod!

Book Review: Starter Villain by John Scalzi

Okay readers, prepare yourself. This is the BEST book I've read this year! I know it's not a cozy mystery and I usually review cozy mysteries, but I make an exception for John Scalzi's novels.

Anyone who knows me knows that I love a good mystery. I also love comic fantasy and science fiction, with Discworld and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy being among my favourites. A couple of years ago I discovered John Scalzi and he's quickly risen up my list of favourites. Last month I read Scalzi's The Kaiju Preservation Society and absolutely loved it. Well let me tell you Starter Villain is even better. Why? Sentient cats and a$$hole dolphins! That's why!

Charlie's life isn't going too good. His parents are both dead, he is barely surviving as a substitute teacher and he's about to be evicted from his childhood home. When his Uncle passes away, and he's asked to attend his funeral, what could possible go wrong? A lot! Suddenly Charlie is thrust into a world of villains, and not the cute kids movie kind! What follows it the adventure of a lifetime, as Charlie tries to survive a world of villains, and a pod of the sweariest dolphins you will ever meet.

Doesn't this sound awesome? Well guess what? It was. It is an absolute delight a second. It's action packed and shows the best and worst side of being a villain. With many wrong turns, Charlie tries to navigate the villain world and every mis-step is absolutely hilarious! 

With an ending you won't see coming, John Scalzi's newest novel simply delights. It will have you rooting for the underdog and hoping Charlie doesn't get thrown into volcanic lava! Whether you are new to comic fantasy or you're a seasoned reader of the genre, you must pick up Starter Villain.