The Double Fudge Brownie Murder by Joanne Fluke

As much as I like the characters in the Hannah Swensen mysteries, the mysteries are beginning to really be left behind in favor of the soap opera-like tales of Hannah's love life.  I was glad to see that there was a new wedge in the pie, but when the murderer isn't even on the screen let alone the radar until the last few chapters, maybe it's time for Hannah and the Cookie Jar to retire.

Will I read the next, probably, just hope the mystery is better.

★★½

GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Hannah Swensen, Judge Colfax,  
Series/ Progress: Hannah Swensen Mysteries 18/18
DATE READ: September 27 - September 29
NO. OF PAGES: 368
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , ALPHAKIT
SOURCE: Library 3M Cloud

The House of Hades by Rick Riordan

At the end of the last installment, Percy and Annabeth get caught in a giant web which pulls them through an opening and they fall into Tartarus, used as a dungeon of torment and suffering and prison for numerous monsters.  To survive, Annabeth and Percy must make their way through the abyss to the Doors of Death where hopefully their friends will be waiting to free them.

Percy and Annabeth's encounters in the abyss are filled with danger frequently offset by amusing interactions with monsters that aren't all bad.

Meanwhile, above, the remaining quest members are encountering their own monster problems trying to reach the Doors of Death on their side (first they have to figure where that would be.) 

The story was fun and full of action - will definitely have to read the last SOON!

★★★★

GENRE: Young Adult
CHARACTERS: Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, Leo Valdez, Hazel Levesque, Nico Di Angelo, Frank Zhang, Jason Grace
Series/ Progress: Heroes of Olympus 4/5
DATE READ: September 19 - September 28
NO. OF PAGES: 597
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , ALPHAKIT
SOURCE: Audio Stockpile

One Foot in the Grape by Carlene O'Neil

Penny has return from her career as a photojournalist to take over the family vineyard.  Settling in, she is persuaded by an elderly neighbor to look into the possibility of sabotage.  However, discovering a dead body in the grape crusher was not on her to do list.  Feeling an urgency to discover the truth, Penny uncovers facts about the neighbors family that make her wonder if the neighbor is ready to find out the truth.

Excellent first mystery with characters I am looking forward to seeing more of.  The vineyard/wine references were great.

★★★

GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Penelope Lively, Antonia Martinelli, Francesca Shapiro, Todd Ryan, Veronica Martinelli
Series/ Progress: Cypress Cove Mystery 1/1
DATE READ: September 23 - September 26
NO. OF PAGES: 304
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , ALPHAKIT
SOURCE: NOOK

Dying for Danish by Leighann Dobbs

Lexy Baker is expanding her Cupcakes to be part of catering and is hired to  supply treats to a bridal shower but when she arrives with the delivery she discovers the bride-to-be dead.  Feeling a sense of responsibility, she starts her own investigation which does please her police detective boyfriend who is in charge of the investigation. 

★★★

GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Lexy Baker, Jack Perillo, John Darling, Blake Toliver, Chastine Johnson
Series/ Progress: Lexy Baker 2/10
DATE READ: September 20 - September 22
NO. OF PAGES: 200
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , 
SOURCE: Kindle

Killer Cupcakes by Leighann Dobbs

Lexy broke up with Kevin months ago, but when he is found poisoned by one of Lexy's Cupcake Tops she is the prime suspect and must work to clear herself of all suspicions.

A cute little mystery with fun characters

★★★

GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Lexy Baker, Jack Parillo, John Darling, Cassie, Mona, Kevin, Jason
Series/ Progress: Lexy Baker 1/10
DATE READ: September 21 - September 21
NO. OF PAGES: 143
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , 
SOURCE: Kindle

Angel's Advocate by Mary Stanton

Bree Winthrop-Beaufort is a lawyer but her usual clients are not among the living so when her aunt asks her to help her friends daughter, Lindsey, she feels compelled to do so.  Lindsey is accused of a drive by snatch and grab of an 8 yr. old Girl Scout's cookie money which has the neighborhood up in arms.  When Bree goes to meet with Lindsey and her mother, she is accosted by another client - the spirit of Lindsey's father who is seeking a retrial in the Celestial Courts.

I'm not usually the paranormal mystery type but this series is my exception.  I love the characters and the way the author weaves the supernatural and the natural together.

★★★

GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Bree Winthrop-Beaufort, Lindsey Chandler, Probert Chandler, Carrie-Alice Chandler, Sam Hunter
Series/ Progress: Beaufort & Company 2/5
DATE READ: September 17 - September 20
NO. OF PAGES: 304
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , ALPHAKIT, 
SOURCE: Nook

Percy Jackson's Greek Gods by Rick Riordan

This was a wonderful group of short tales regarding each of the 12 main Olympian Gods and how they came to rule Mount Olympus.  We hear how the main 3 (Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades) defeated the Titans, and how the areas - sky, seas, and underworld were divided up.

There were also stories of the twins of Apollo and Artemis and how Athena was born from Zeus' head, Aphrodite's marriage to Hephaestus, Hera's jealous reactions, and how Hermes acquired is miraculous shoes.

Great background for the Olympian series.

★★★

GENRE: Young Adult
CHARACTERS: Percy Jackson, Zeus, Hades, Posiedon, Hera, Hephaestus, Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite, Ares, Artemis, Hermes, Dionysus
Series/ Progress: Percy Jackson and the Olympians  10/10
DATE READ: September 15 - September 18
NO. OF PAGES: 256
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , ALPHAKIT, 
SOURCE: Public Library

Murder at Redwood Cove by Janet Finsilver

Kelly Jackson has been working as an assistant to the owner of a hotel chain and now has been presented the opportunity to show what she can do when she is assigned to replace a resort manager who recently died.  Little does she know what she's getting her herself into when she arrives at the peaceful Inn at Redwood Cove and finds that the GM may have been murdered.

There are a group senior citizens who call themselves the Silver Sentinels who are determined to prove that the former manager did not die accidently and they enlist Kelly's assistance and then come to her aid when mysterious events continue to happen.

I loved the setting, the characters and the mystery- great start for a new series!


★★★½

GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Kelly Jackson, Daniel Stevens, Helen Rogers, Tommy Rogers, Suzie Ward
Series/ Progress: Redwood Cove  1/1
DATE READ: September 16 - September 17
NO. OF PAGES: 256
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , ALPHAKIT, 
SOURCE: NetGalley

For Your Love by Beverly Jenkins

I love this series!  No matter what nasty things happen to the residents of Henry Adams, KS they are still loving and supportive to each other, helping when others have hard times and the head do-gooder is Ms. Bernadine Brown.  But don't think that Ms. Brown is a push over, no siree.

Bernadine Brown may have millions and has worked tirelessly to help the residents in the town she bought but she makes them earn every blessing by working together.

This time we see a young couple who are friends of Bernadine's adopted daughter who because of a disadvantaged upbringing are battling to stay afloat with their young offspring.  They come to town at the invitation of the friend and find not only a well-paying job but a home to live in and a truck to get them around.

In the meantime, Mayor Trent July is informed that his birth mother has come to see him.  Ms. Brown has to deal with the mayor of Franklin, the next town over, who is jealous of the success and revitalization of Henry Adams and whose mean spirit has the HA residents welcoming refugees.

I look forward to the next visit to Henry Adams, Kansas.

★★★★

GENRE: Fiction
CHARACTERS:
Series/ Progress: Blessings 6/6
DATE READ: September 14 - September 14
NO. OF PAGES: 295
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , 
SOURCE: LibraryThing Early Reviewers

Allergic to Death by Peg Cochran

Gigi has started her business - Gigi's Gourmet De-lite providing diet meals for numerous residents of her new hometown.  When one of her clients dies from an allergic peanut reaction,  Gigi is forced to try to find out who put the peanut oil in the food, because she didn't.

There are some very interesting characters and some yummy sounding foods and fun circumstances that run through the tale.

looking forward to the next one!

★★★

GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Gigi Fitzgerald, Sienna Paisley, Martha Bernhardt, Detective Bill Mertz
Series/ Progress: Gourmet De-Lite Mystery 1/3
DATE READ: September 10 - September 13
NO. OF PAGES: 272
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook Stockpile

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

I won't even begin to try to tell the tale of this depressing, dragged out tale of murder and alcoholism.

I would have abandoned the entire book 60 pages in but since it was my book club selection I had to persevere.  I had it figured out very quickly and it really didn't hold my interest.

Can't figure out what the big hoopla was all about but I can tell you that I won't be going to see the movie when it's made.

★½

GENRE: Thriller
CHARACTERS: Rachel, Tom, Anna, Megan, Scott, Det. Gaskill
DATE READ: September 10 - September 11
NO. OF PAGES: 336
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , AlphaKit
SOURCE: audio book  Library


SO SAD THAT BOOK #100 WAS SUCH A DISAPPOINTMENT.

Glinda of Oz by L. Frank Baum

While visiting Glinda, Dorothy and Ozma find in the all-knowing book that in a remote area of Oz the Skeezers and Flatheads are at odds and that a war may break out.  Ozma and Dorothy venture to the Flatheads first trying to prevent warfare but are captured and held prisoners until Ozma's magic helps them escape.  Fearing that they need to visit the Skeezers to prevent the war, Dorothy and Ozma are trapped in an underwater bubble when the Flathead Super Dictator uses unauthorized magic and turns the Queen of the Skeezers into a swan.  Fortunately, Glinda and the Wizard arrive and effect the release of all the Skeezers along with Dorothy and Ozma.  

This is the last of the original Oz series and I feel that it was one of the best.  Several authors have continued the tales but Frank Baum wrote no more.  I have thoroughly enjoyed all of my adventures in the Land of Oz and hope that future generations will visit as well.

★★★★

GENRE: Childrens
CHARACTERS: Ozma, Dorothy, Glinda, Skeezers, Flatheads
Series/ Progress: Wizard of OZ 15/15
DATE READ: September 9 - September 9
NO. OF PAGES: 78
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook

Murder By the Glass by Michele Scott

This story was chock-full of interesting developments - a murder of the bride directly after the I dos, a romantic triangle with the required amount of misunderstandings, complete confidence in the arrested friend's innocence, dysfunctional family members, and an entertaining resolution.

I wish there was more wine-related material, but it was fun.

★★★

GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Nikki Sands, Isabel Fernandez, Andrés Fernandez, Susan Jennings, Pamela Leiland
Series/ Progress: Wine Lovers Mysteries  2/7
DATE READ: September 7 - September 8
NO. OF PAGES:
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook

A Beeline to Murder by Meera Lester

Abby MacKenzie is an ex-cop turned farmer and while delivering some of her trademark honey to pastry chef in town, she finds him dead.  Not satisfied with the "suicide" finding my her ex-bosses, and hired by the victim's handsome brother to investigate deeper, Abby searches for the truth and is disillusioned by what and who she finds involved in the murder. 

This the first in a new series and the characters were ones that I would like to get to know better.

★★★

GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Abby MacKenzie, Kat Petrovsky, Phillipe Bonheur
Series/ Progress: Henny Penny Farmette Mystery  1/1
DATE READ: September 6 - September 7
NO. OF PAGES: 288
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , AlphaKit
SOURCE: NetGalley

Parchment and Old Lace by Laura Childs

Carmela is dining with her beau, Detective Edgar Babcock, and on the way home, they are passing a cemetery and hear screams.  They discover the body of Isabelle Black (a bride-to-be) who was dining in the same restaurant.  Stabbed to death, Carmela and Edgar try to find the murderer before he escapes the vicinity.  Unable to capture him, Carmela is implored by the victim's sister to find out who did this.

Carmela's inquiries lead her to several interesting  scenarios as to who and why Isabelle was killed, but she has to battle a bridegroom who is somewhat uninterested and a to-be mother-in-law who appears delighted before she can find the motive as well as the murderer. 

I think that this series is getting better with each book and am very fortunate that the author honored me with an advanced copy.  
★★★½

GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Carmela Bertrand, Edgar Babcock, Ava Grieux, Ellie Black, Vesper Baudette, Bobby Prejean
Series/ Progress: A Scrapbooking Mystery  13/13
DATE READ: September 3 - September 5
NO. OF PAGES: 300
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , AlphaKit
SOURCE: ARC from author

One Hot Murder by Lorraine Bartlett

Katie Bonner is fighting the summer heat at Artisan Alley but things get worse when one of the neighboring building catches fire and its owner is apparently caught in the inferno.  News comes out that the corpse was apparently shot in the head before the blaze and is unrecognizable.  Was it really the owner or someone else?

Katie has to balance the AC issues in the building as well as personnel conflicts while trying to determine if the deceased was really the building owner.  At the same time, her own little apartment over the pizzeria is getting hotter by the day and her hopes of ever owning a B&B are fading fast.

All the elements of the book - murder, the B&B sale, the AC problems were woven together to keep the reader moving forward anxiously trying to find the solution.

★★★

GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Katie Bonner, Andy Rust, Ray Davenport, Ida Mitchell, Dennis Wheeler, Abby Wheeler
Series/ Progress: Victoria Square Mystery 3/3
DATE READ: August 31 - September 2
NO. OF PAGES: 256
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook

Red Velvet Revenge by Jenn McKinlay

The weather is pretty in Scottsdale so when Fairy Tale Cupcakes is invited to be a vendor at the Rodeo in Northern Arizona, Mel and Angie jump on the opportunity to escape the heat.

Taking their new refurbished Cupcake Van they arrive at the rodeo and immediately get embroiled in murder.  Besides trying to investigate the death of a rodeo cowboy, Mel and Angie have to also salvage their business due to some tapering with their products. 

A fun mystery - good thing I'm just eating cupcakes in my mind!

]★★★
AUTHOR: GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS:
Series/ Progress: Cupcake Bakery  4/7
DATE READ: August 28 - August 31
NO. OF PAGES: 304
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , AlphaKit
SOURCE: Nook

A Taste For Murder by Claudia Bishop

The town of Hemlock Falls is in the midst of preparations for History Days when several unexpected guests arrive at the Hemlock Falls Inn.  Mrs.Hallenback and her companion asked for a specific room but were given another and Keith Baumer arrived without a reservation.

Problems continue with the  portrayer of the central character of the history play falling ill,  a suspected food critics arrival, the death of one of the townsfolk during play rehearsal, and the disappearance of the inn manager.

Sarah Quiliam the owner needs to get to the bottom of the problems before her property is shut down and she loses her investment.

The details of the history play as well as the "Holy Rollers" arrival added a touch of humor and kept the story moving to an interesting conclusion.  I had to look closely at the publication date because I was wondering where the tech items until I realized when this was written.

THANKS  LINDA P!  Now I have 17 more books to add to my wishlist!  

★★★

GENRE: Cozy Mystery
CHARACTERS: Sarah Quilliam, Meg Quilliam, Marge Schmidt, John Raintree, Amelia Hallenback, Mavis Collinworth, Keith Baumer
Series/ Progress: Hemlock Falls Mystery  1/18
DATE READ: August 27 - August 31
NO. OF PAGES: 240
Challenges: 75, Category, TIOLI , AlphaKit
SOURCE: Gift from Linda P.