Book Review: A Book Club to Die For by Dorothy St James

The Cypress Arete Society is one of the town’s oldest and most exclusive clubs. When assistant librarian Trudell Becket is invited to speak to the group about the library, its modernization, and her efforts to bring printed books to the reading public, her friend Flossie invites herself along. Flossie has been on the book club’s waiting list for five years, and she’s determined to find out why she’s never received an invitation to join. 

But not long after Tru and Flossie arrive for the meeting, they’re shocked to find the club’s president, Rebecca White, dead in the kitchen. Rebecca was a former TV actress and local celebrity, but was not known for being patient or pleasant. She’d been particularly unkind to the book club’s host for the evening, who also happens to be the mother of Detective Jace Bailey, Tru’s boyfriend. And Rebecca had made it clear that she didn’t think Flossie was book club material.

With her boyfriend and one of her best friends wrapped up in a murder, Tru has to work fast to figure out who cut Rebecca’s story short before the killer takes another victim out of circulation....[summary via Amazon]

We're back in Cypress with another fantastic mystery with Tru, Dewey and her friends. This time Tru gets involved in the death of a former actress, when she turns up to present a talk at the Arete Society, one of the most prestigious book clubs in the state. When her boyfriend's mom, Hazel, is fingered for the crime, Tru knows she is going to have to put her best detection skills to the test to solve this case!

I've been smitten with this series since I read the first book, The Broken Spine. Dorothy St James combines my love of books with a tantalizing mystery, and once I start one I can't put it down!

A Book Club to Die For provides a wonderful mystery for readers to solve. The author lays clues around town for the reader to pick up, and I managed to solve it just before Tru does. However, I had no clue on a couple of side storylines that also got their final clues! Oh how I wish I could share them here, but let's just say that the main and side storylines provide so many magical moments, and you don't want to miss this series - not for a single second!

This series has skyrocketed to one of my favourite new reads of 2022! Personally my year has been quite tumultuous and this series has provided me with peace and comfort, as so many mysteries have this year. If you're looking to get lost in a book, I highly recommend this series. I'm sure it will become your favourite too!

Book Review: Death by Spiced Chai by Alex Erickson

In a small town like Pine Hills, reputation counts for a lot. And for reasons that Krissy Hancock can’t figure out, someone is trashing hers. Cockroaches in the bookstore’s coffee, spiteful reviews, vandalism—Krissy is being framed for every bit of bad news around. Her boyfriend, local cop Paul Dalton, is on the case, but before they can source t[he saboteur, Krissy is in the frame for murder, too.

The murder weapon was a teapot full of Krissy’s favorite spiced chai, and all the local gossips are spilling the tea about her supposed involvement. But the real culprit has a grudge that’s been simmering for years. And unless Krissy can uncover the truth before the killer’s rage boils over again, it won’t just be her business in hot water—her life will be on the line too . . .[summary via Amazon]

It's time for another adventure in Pine Hills! Everything is going great for our resident bookstore owner and part-time sleuth, Krissy Hancock. That is until someone starts targeting her... cockroaches in her shop, vandalism and then framing her for murder. Who could really hate Krissy that much?

I really love this series. Bookstore, caffeine and cats... my three favourite things! Add in an enjoyable mystery and I'm ready for a good afternoon of reading! This time the mystery is centred around Krissy and someone is definitely out to get her. Death by Spiced Chai was definitely "spicier" as Krissy and Paul try to determine who is out to frame Krissy. This is a fast-paced mystery, that will have Krissy and the reader re-visiting older cases, trying to pick up all the clues.

This is one of my favourite series and I enjoyed this latest instalment. It is a little edgier than the previous books, but very much a good read. If you are new to the series, I recommend starting with the first book, Death by Coffee, as like a good cup of coffee, once you've had one you're going to need more, more, more!

Book Review: The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer

When Enola Holmes, sister to the detective Sherlock Holmes, discovers her mother has disappeared, she quickly embarks on a journey to London in search of her. But nothing can prepare her for what awaits. Because when she arrives, she finds herself involved in the kidnapping of a young marquess, fleeing murderous villains, and trying to elude her shrewd older brothers--all while attempting to piece together clues to her mother's strange disappearance. Amid all the mayhem, will Enola be able to decode the necessary clues and find her mother?[summary via Amazon]

What an absolutely delightful new series! The Case of the Missing Marquess is the first book in the Enola Holmes series, and I was positively charmed by it!

My son has been raving about the first Enola Holmes movie [based on this book] and I decided I needed to read the book first [of course, like most bibliophiles] before I watch the movie. I've been on a bit of a reading slump and this story brought me right back to my love of mysteries! 

Enola's mum has gone missing, and when her brothers, Mycroft and Sherlock, turn up to help, she realizes that she is she going to have to look for her mum herself! As Enola journeys from the country to the big city of London, she takes the reader on an adventure you won't soon forget!

I just loved The Case of the Missing Marquess. As a long-time fan of mysteries, it has all the elements to entice readers, young and old. Enola is a captivating heroine, and as she uses her wits to untangle the mystery of her missing parent, you can see that she has a lot in common with Sherlock!

If you haven't met Enola Holmes yet, you need to right away! This is definitely one series I will be hurrying to get the second book! 

Book Review: Murder on the Poet's Walk by Ellery Adams

As Jane eagerly anticipates the wedding of her best friend Eloise Alcott, Storyton Hall is overrun with poets in town to compete for a coveted greeting card contract. They’re everywhere, scrawling verses on cocktail napkins in the reading rooms or seeking inspiration strolling the Poet’s Walk, a series of trails named after famous authors. But the Tennyson Trail leads to a grim surprise: a woman’s corpse drifting in a rowboat on a lake, a crumpled copy of “The Lady of Shallot” in her lifeless fist.

When a second body is discovered, also holding a page from a poetry book, a recurring MO emerges. Fortunately, Jane is well versed in sleuthing and won’t rest until she gives the killer a taste of poetic justice . . .[summary via Amazon]

Our favourite resort manager, Jane Steward, is back for a new adventure! This time she is playing host to a poetry competition, where one lucky poet will win a greeting card contract! However, the contest starts to turn deadly when a contestant turns up dead. Who is determined to narrow the playing field? And, will Jane find the killer before they strike again!

I absolutely love Ellery Adams' stories! Her Charmed Pie Shoppe mysteries are in my top 5 favourite series! She crafts delightful, interesting mysteries that bring in the reader like no other. Her new novel, Murder on the Poet's Walk, is no exception.

The series always delivers a great mystery, but it is the characters and interesting facts about other authors that keeps me coming back. This one centres around poetry, and in particular Walt Whitman. As an Australian, who now resides in Canada, I found the history of American poets really fascinating!

The mystery itself was top-notch and I didn't manage to solve it before Jane and her friends. I sure had fun trying, though! At every dead end, I had to look at the rest of the never-ending suspects! It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat, until the final denouement!

I cannot recommend this series enough. Whenever I suggest it, I always say "come for the mystery, and stay for Storyton"! Storyton is a delight, and one cozy town you have to visit!

Book Review: Murder of a Pink Elephant by Denise Swanson

When Skye Denison's brother forms a band called Pink Elephant, the town goes wild-maybe too wild. First, a groupie turns stalker, seducing the band members one by one. Then, one of the Pink Elephants winds up murdered. Who's to blame? Everyone seems to think it's the drummer-and now Skye has to clear her brother's name.[summary via Amazon]

I recently picked up a copy of Murder of a Pink Elephant at a book sale, and I thought I would dive back into the world of Scumble River, and guess what? I had the very BEST time!!

Skye Denison gets caught up in the world of drugs and rock 'n roll, when her brother, Vince, is fingered for a murder of his fellow bandmate. What follows is a tantalizing tale as Skye tries to clear her brother's name.

Picture it... it's 2009 and I've just re-discovered cozy mysteries, after making my way through the Agatha Christie mysteries while I was on bedrest with my twins [who are now 14!]. What followed was an intense love of cozies, where I sampled so many series. One of those fictional places I visited was Stumble River. I loved it, but as usually happens I read a few and another shiny series caught my attention. Fast forward to last month when I picked up Murder of a Pink Elephant and now I've fallen in love with Scumble River all over again, and pondering why I didn't continue on with them! 

It was like I had never left, I quickly got caught up with Skye and all her family and friends, and got carried away with the mystery. While I solved the mystery before Skye, I loved all the side stories involving her love interest, Simon, and police chief, Wally. Not to mention Skye's family! 

This series is the epitome of small town cozy. It delights from the first page to the last, and will leave you wanting more. Lucky for me, there is lots more in this series to read!