tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18653338900801646842024-03-05T12:42:56.412-05:00Chèli's ShelvesReading, reviewing, relaxing!
See the reasons why I love to readChèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.comBlogger1215125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-89485521649779733772018-07-03T22:09:00.000-04:002018-07-05T22:09:51.355-04:00A Soufflé of Suspicion by Daryl Wood Gerber<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/1683315863.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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Mimi Rousseau is still working to get her new French Bistro on the lips of the tourists and locals alike, so Maison Rousseau is hosting the Sweet Treats Festival during Crush Week. Her head chef Camille's sister Renée is the coordinator but things are not all good. Renée purchased the Festival rights from Allie O'Malley and now since the Festival seems to be on the verge of success, Allie is feeling cheated. The discovery of Renée murdered has many of the vendors wondering if Allie is the murderer or is it Camille or Renée's estranged husband. There are many possibilities since Renée was not everyone's favorite person.<br />
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Mimi feels the need to help find the guilty person since her friend Camille needs closure as well as clearance of guilt. The characters as just a well-developed and charming as in the first installment and once again I find myself wishing that the Bistro really did exist and I could go and taste all the delectable sounding dishes.<br />
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Great story!Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-1726574884928426422018-07-01T22:04:00.000-04:002018-07-05T22:05:04.889-04:00Murder in the Manuscript Room by Con Lehane<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/B072L67N8W.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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Spies can be found anywhere including the library but when an undercover agent is found murdered and stuffed on the shelf, Raymond Ambler knows he needs to figure why his library was "targeted" <br />
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I have to admit that this second installment was a bit easier to read than the first and I got the beginnings of an interest in the characters. They seemed more real this book, but still have need to grow. I do think that the plot was a bit to convoluted and the book could have withstood a bit more editing..Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-11771091352182665712018-06-30T22:01:00.000-04:002018-07-05T22:01:22.358-04:00Killer Green Tomatoes by Lynn Cahoon<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/B078LJPT23.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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Angie Turner is finally ready to open her new hometown restaurant the County Seat, but she is till trying to find a few more suppliers for her all natural recipes so when her sous chef recommends his cousin's farm, she's willing to give it a try. The cousin, Javier, is somewhat of a ladies man, so when his current girlfriend is found murdered, he is the natural suspect. <br />
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Angie has a strong sense of family that drives her to assist trying to clear Javier of suspicion, but when he disappears the investigation gets trickier. I love the way that the food images and descriptions are easily woven into thew story as well as well-hidden clues.Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-85970530532417892022018-06-26T21:58:00.000-04:002018-07-05T21:58:37.879-04:00Murder with Cinnamon Scones by Karen Rose Smith<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/1617739626.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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This second installment of the Daisy Tea Garden Mysteries was just as good as the first. Daisy and other shopkeepers in Willow Creek are hosting Quilt Lover's Week but Reese Masemer will be missing out on all the fun - He's found murdered by the covered bridge and Daisy's best friend Tessa (Reese's girlfriend) is the prime suspect.<br />
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The story moves along so well with insights into running the business, blossoming romance and delectable sounding treats all intermix with the clues for this fun whodunnit. I only wish I could find Willow Creek on a real map so I could visit the Tea Garden.Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-22272992404213153082018-06-24T15:32:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:32:18.732-04:00Murder on the Green by H. V. Coombs<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/B078QYSNYG.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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Described as Midsomer Murders meets The Great British Bake Off - it fell a bit short on both but was still entertaining in the mystery category. In my opinion it had a few too many characters and didn't really stand alone as a mystery alluding to activities and character connections from a previous book. I think I would have enjoyed it more had I read the first book in this series.Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-47531806760559176712018-06-17T15:30:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:30:45.010-04:00Scone Cold Killer by Lena Gregory<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/B06Y52XG4B.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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Gia Morelli has fled New York City and her scambag ex-husband (awaiting sentencing for investment fraud) and takes refuge in a small Florida town with her best friend. Opening up her own Breakfast cafe, the first day wasn't perfect (she didn't have grits and the newly hired cook was worthless) but it gets worse when she discovers her ex dead in her own dumpster.<br />
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Apparently, some people were not happy with him and now they're after Gia believing that she has something they want.<br />
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I loved the setting, characters and the special little somethings that were added. This was a great first book in a new series.Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-56859995854685860542018-06-14T15:28:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:29:13.335-04:00I SEE RUDE PEOPLE: One woman's battle to beat some manners into impolite society by Amy Alkon<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0071600221.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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I was extremely disappointed by this book. I thought that there would be some really constructive ideas of how to handle rudeness, especially Cell phone users, parents who let their children run wild and even telemarketers. Her actions as identified in this book are just as rude as those people that she is complaining about. Maybe she should take a look at herself.Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-68934719028567891682018-06-12T15:27:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:27:37.884-04:00Vespers Rising by Rick Riordan <img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0545293944.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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I was excited when I realized that the 39 Clues continued in a new series with the Cahills vs. the Vespers. However, I realize now that this first book is just a bridge between the old series and the new series - giving background of how the Cahill branches separated and what they're fighting for now.<br />
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Good bridge, not great book.Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-57483147691481246862018-06-11T15:26:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:26:25.813-04:00Island of the Mad by Laurie R. King<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/B075PWFVMX.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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Mary Russell is asked by her university friend to try to find an aunt that has gone missing after visiting the family estate while on leave from Bedlam. Yes, Bedlam - the asylum for the insane. Mary manages to infiltrate the establishment and deduces that Aunt Vivian, apparently sane all along, has now opted to escape her prison to live a reclusive existence elsewhere - presumably Venice. Planning her travels, Holmes is reluctant to accompany her until Mycroft persuades him to look into the "Fascist" situation while in Italy. Their efforts to uncover the truth had some interesting links to historical figures, I'm not sure they were true or not.<br />
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I have adored the Mary Russell series since it first was published in 1994 and have faithfully awaited each new installment of the adventures of Mary Russell with the mature Sherlock Holmes. However, this one fell a bit flat for me. It seem to lack the tension that all the other stories have elicited when danger seem to be in the offing. It seemed a bit too predictable. The situations and characters seemed a bit stale this time.Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-46683346109935719382018-06-06T15:24:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:25:18.837-04:00Shadow Dancing by Julie Mulhern <img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/B07BMJM89K.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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Ellison has stopped finding bodies, now Frances has started. Frances urgently calls Ellison because she has found an urn with ashes in the back of her hall closet and doesn't know what to do. If helping her mother discover who the ashes are isn't enough, Ellison embroils herself into a dangerous situation when she hits a young girl in the street and then she is later found murdered. Detective Anarchy Jones sees Ellison in danger because of the young girl's profession(a prostitute) and Ellison's efforts to help another young girl in the same situation.<br />
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I look forward to everyone of the Country Club Murders because of the spectacular writing, the full-blooded characters, and the humor that is woven so skillfully throughout. Sad that I now have to wait for the next one. But they are well worth the wait! A great #50 for the year and best so far for me in 2018!Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-76744629892685317792018-06-05T15:23:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:23:40.600-04:00Bleeding Tarts by Kirsten Weiss<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/B074DHC4P6.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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The second Installment from Pietown goes along pretty well with a nice cozy mystery but the main characters seem to me a bit stagnant. Charlene is a bit too loopy - carrying a cat around her neck, always a bit alien/fairy/ghost excessive. Not sure that I can take much more of that. It definitely IMO needs to be toned down. Charlene's antics really detract from the mystery. Maybe a different sidekick? Petronella maybe?<br />
I like the premise and other characters, but Charlene I can do without.Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-90378132737601110622018-05-27T15:22:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:22:32.692-04:00Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/142332501X.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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This book was about a friendship of two girls from youth through college and on. I found it a bit tedious, too much of the same story told over and over again, with just different setting throughout.<br />
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Normally I like Kristin Hannah's books, this one fell short.Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-69759244139987348232018-05-26T15:21:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:21:25.558-04:00Death and a Pot of Chowder by Cornelia Kidd <img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/1683315839.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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Anna Winslow lives on Quarry Island with her son and husband, a lobsterman. When her brother-in-law is found dead, and it is determined that he was murdered, Anna's husband is arrested because he had an argument with his brother and because he knew his brother had forged a check stealing all their savings the police feel they have the murderer. Anna is forced to delve into the murder to save her family.<br />
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This was a good start for a new series, but I think it needs a few more interesting characters in the future. The characters are a bit ordinary, nothing special.Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-41737647129704112042018-05-22T15:19:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:19:42.671-04:00Class Reunions Are Murder by Libby Klein <img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/B072HS2JGM.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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Poppy McAllister has recently been widowed and she is having a hard time adjusting, spiraling downward in depression, hiding away in her house and eating carbs galore. Her best friend Sawyer convinces her to return to her home town for her 25th class reunion. On her arrival, she realizes that her Aunt Ginny is having some difficulties and taking care of those will need to be a priority while she is visiting. Poppy has received a special message from the girl who made her life miserable in high school - apparently, Barbie wants to make amends, But circumstances don't work in Poppy's favor but before the two can reconcile, Poppy finds Barbie dead in the hallway right by Poppy's old locker.<br />
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Since Sawyer had been in a fight with Barbie right before the murder, Poppy feels the need to fid the murder and keep herself and Sawyer from landing in jail.<br />
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My ladies group chose this book for our May read and the author was kind enough to attend our discussion. It was fascinating to hear about the writing process and learn how the entertaining characters came to life. Already have the next book in the series can't wait to see Poppy again.Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-30418323645126942032018-05-19T15:18:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:18:24.980-04:00The Quiche and the Dead by Kirsten Weiss<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/B01MUNBV7Q.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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Val Harris has opened her new PIETOWN bakery at the same time as she prepares to get married. When the wedding is called off, Val throws everything into her bakery but she runs into a few problems - a hostile neighbor (her ex-fiancé's new girlfriend and a fitness nut) and a dead body in the shop.<br />
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Feeling worried by the town's reaction to the death, she decides that she needs to find out what happened. The death is determined murder but not food poisoning, so figuring out who is responsible could be tricky.<br />
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Nice start for a new series, some strange characters (maybe some a few too strange) food sounds yummy, and fun mystery.Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-91463682682708542912018-05-15T15:17:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:17:19.546-04:00Death by the Sea by Kathleen Bridge<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/B073PBH358.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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Liz Holt comes home to Melbourne, FL and her family's hotel, The Indialantic, to help manage the property now that it is getting a bit older and not quite in the best of condition. Surprisingly, a wealthy patron books a suite which should help business but not when she is murdered in that suite. Needing to clear the name of the hotel, Liz decides she needs to "assist" the police in their investigation.<br />
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This story really dragged at the beginning with too many characters to be introduced and put in place, too much background informationChèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-41311281981387486592018-05-11T15:16:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:16:18.135-04:00Murder with Lemon Tea Cakes by Karen Rose Smith<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/B06XZ99HCY.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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Daisy's Tea Garden is a delightful setting that turns dangerous when the owner(Daisy)'s aunt is suspected of the murder of her boyfriend. Daisy has so much going on in her life but still takes the investigation to protect her aunt as a priority.<br />
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The plot was crisp, the characters were warm and felt like old friends and the tea descriptions -mouth-watering.Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-44059378944955473272018-05-05T15:14:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:15:00.951-04:00Color Me Murder by Krista Davis<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/149671640X.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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Florrie Fox has been trying to find a new place to live which would be closer to her work so when the owner of the book store that she manages offers her his carriage house right down the street, she's thrilled but she has to move in right away. It seems that her employer has an obnoxious nephew that also wants the space and to thwart him, Florrie has to make it look like she's lived there a while. <br />
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After her hasty move, the following day Florrie finds the nephew's body in a hidden cavity in the old staircase at the bookstore. Of course, her employer is the prime suspect for the murder, setting Florrie off to prove his innocence by finding the real murderer.<br />
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The story is set in Georgetown of Washington, D.C. (close to where I live) and so the story had me wishing that there really was this bookstore and that these characters were just around the corner. I guess I'll just have to visit in the books when they are written, Loved it all!Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-77066316779140955152018-05-02T15:13:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:13:47.043-04:00Full Bodied Murder by Christine E. Blum <img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/B06XFKNJ2S.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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Annie “Halsey” Hall inherits her grandmother's house in California and decides that it's a perfect place to start over when her marriage in New York fails. She is invited by her new neighbors to the Rose Avenue Wine Club but enters the wrong residence only to find a dead body. Finding that she is the chief suspect, Halsey enlists the aid of the Wine Club to find the real killer.<br />
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Great mix of characters good writing and good setting.Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-5726121692854242012018-04-30T15:12:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:12:42.224-04:00Who Moved My Goat Cheese? by Lynn Cahoon<img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61nuDgFOjiL._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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Angie and Felicia lost their restaurant in San Francisco (rent issues) so they move back to Angie's home state of Idaho and start a new restaurant where they are only using farm fresh ingredients. When their goat cheese supplier turns up dead, Angie feels she needs to solve this murder especially when she starts getting threats.<br />
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The characters were fun, the setting humorous and the mystery well-crafted.Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-33528660993359667552018-04-24T15:11:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:11:24.946-04:00The Advice Column Murders by Leslie Nagel <img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/B073QYK1HS.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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Charley Carpenter is unsettled because her boyfriend is out of town and her business is undergoing renovations but the worst is her insomnia which isn't helped by the new neighbors who are constantly yelling at the top of the voices. One of the neighbors reaches out to Charley apparently for help but their conversation is cut short and never continued because of murder. Was she also seeking help in the advice columns?<br />
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Charley feels a need to find justice for the young woman and doesn't believe that the good old boys in the sheriff's office are capable of doing that. Can she, or will she become the next victim because of their incompetence?<br />
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I like this series, the characters and the writing.Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-49700668185028112132018-04-21T15:09:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:10:03.384-04:00Murder at the 42nd Street Library by Con Lehane <img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/1250009960.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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I had a very difficult time getting into this book. It was very slow at the beginning and didn't hold my interest well. However, I persevered because I have the next in the series and wanted to be sure that I had all the background for that one.<br />
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I think that part of my problem came with the character names, sometimes the writer used the last name only sometimes the first name and so it was confusing until I got into the story. The plot was good as was the mystery, the writing needed to be a bit crisper I'm hoping for improvements in Book 2.Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-2899641869385578652018-04-19T15:08:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:08:40.113-04:00Murder in the Locked Library by Ellery Adams <img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/B074DH6HD3.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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Jane Steward of Storyton Hall is finally seeing one of the items that has been on her "wish list" get underway. The Walt Whitman Spa has finally broken ground, however, there is a complication - bones have been found in the ground and so construction is halted while an investigation is put in place. Archaeologists come to the "dig" and must determine if this is an old death or something that the police should look into. <br />
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In the meantime the retreat is hosting the Robert Harley Rare Book Society led by a man with severe superstitions but Jane has managed to keep him on an even keel, however, the construction issues throw a damper all around, things only get worse. Somehow the society leader is murdered in the locked library while Jane is sitting right next to him.<br />
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Fascinating writing, great mystery and wonderful how it all comes together in the end! Can't wait for the next one!Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-49980409276878095442018-04-14T15:06:00.000-04:002018-06-26T15:07:00.964-04:00Shelved Under Murder by Victoria Gilbert <img src="https://pics.librarything.com/picsizes/1f/6b/1f6b60be0b192d7596844337077434f414f4141.jpg" /><br />
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While preparing for a yard sale fundraiser for the library, Library director Amy Webber comes across a local artist murdered with her own palette knife. Since the murder seems to be related to the artist's paintings and a link has been found to Amy's deceased uncle, she feels compelled to find out the truth with the help of her hunky boyfriend.<br />
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I love the story and the locale but especially the characters.Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1865333890080164684.post-60044296068223709032018-04-09T15:20:00.004-04:002018-04-09T15:20:17.166-04:00Until Again by Lou Aronica<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/P/1936558246.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /><br />
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This book was really a short story as a prequel to the fantasy regarding Chris and his daughter Becky who tell a story of a fantasy land. It's their father/daughter bonding which is greatly reflected in their story telling.<br />
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Very interesting and caught me wanting more.Chèlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11582235277722566587noreply@blogger.com0