REVIEW: This Inevitable Ruin

 The Eye of the Bedlam Bride 
Author: Matt Dinniman

I ripped my way through the re-read of the first six books in this series like Mongo in a barn full of turkeys. IYKYK. I love the gaming aspects of this series and the humor. Finally!! Something I feel was written for me. I can just enjoy the characters, the concept and the plots.....just be my happy little nerd self. 

My job has been extra during the pandemic and that didn't stop during the rollback of pandemic regulations. It's been incredibly stressful and involved lots of overtime, process changes, constant flex and patience. And this series has helped me get through it all. I never know what Carl and Donut are going to come up against next and it's been my fun, entertaining escape. Plus, it introduced me to a new genre of books....stories formed around the concept of gaming. Fun! I'm not a "Gamer" like some who go to cons, know every rule, and lives that lifestyle of playing with a table full of friends every week.....I'm more gamer-adjacent. i love sci-fi, enjoy playing some D&D when I get a chance, and I can sit at a board game table with a group and hold my own - love every minute! But I just don't get the chance to play much. I love D&D type stories, so Lit-RPG is perfect for me. All of the fun.....none of the stacks of rule books. :) 

Book 6 was the last of my re-reads. That's the point I reached in this series before I had to stop all fun and focus more on my job and self-care to get through the explosion of post-pandemic fixes/changes. I have a row of beautiful hardbacks on my shelf. And I jumped into this book, remembering the glorious fights, gritty character development, and the more complex floor rules. Fun!! 

 This book jumps in just after crawlers caused pandemonium for the game-runners. They changed the narrative a bit at the very end of book 5. Unexpected Game Changes. And, the AI who keeps the whole dungeon running is going a bit mad. Things can turn on a dime, and it's getting trickier and dangerous for Carl, Donut and their band of friends. 

I love the epic fights in this book. There are such interesting characters and monsters, intriguing gaming concepts, and many funny moments along the way. I listened to the audio book version while I read my hardback copy because I wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything, and I just love Jeff Hays' narration! 

I felt the story was just a bit more hard-hitting in this one. The fights were longer, and more complex. I was actually worried several times! The NPCs, monsters and AI were just a bit more developed in this book, with a peek here and there behind the curtain to the aliens running the game and their complex situations. Very interesting and definitely enjoyable to read!!  

Another great book in this series.  And, with the last page in this book.....I finally reach a book I haven't read yet!! And the knowledge a new book is coming out in 2026!!  Yay!!!! 

My copy of This Inevitable Ruin is on my desk. The audio book is pulled up on my phone.  The 9th floor beckons!!!   I'm going in!  

 

REVIEW: The Butcher's Masquerade

 The Butcher's Masquerade
Author: Matt Dinniman

 

Life sometimes gets in the way of my reading.  How annoying! Mongo is appalled! 

I started reading this series way back when there were only the first two books.  A friend recommended the series because he really enjoyed the mix of humor, game concepts and creative characters. So I started reading the first ebook.....then I checked if there was an audio book version because the story just begged to be read out loud. Once I heard Jeff Hays' narration -- I was totally hooked. 

The series helped me navigate the pandemic. But, I started and never finished book 5. 

In 2022, my life temporarily imploded and I made a cross country move, started a new job, and began building a new life. I had to leave Carl, Princess Donut, and all the rest behind for a little while. Flash forward to 2025, and it was time to jump back in. I started all over from Book One and started reading this series again. 

And, I finally got to finish book 5! 

NEW ACHIEVEMENT!!! You have planned and survived a Full World Reboot. Winner!! You have received a Platinum You Will Not Break Me - F You All Box. REWARD!!!! A colorful set of hardback books featuring exciting dungeon exploits, the accompanying audio books and the ability to enjoy reading them all! 

I got divorced, moved most of the way across the country, and put my life back together. I no longer have the friend who introduced me to this book series....divorce creates divides sometimes. But that's ok. I have new friends and moved on. And the books are still here! 

I'm buying the hardback copies one at a time as I read my way back through the series. I read each book while listening to the audio. Loving it!  And the books look so nice on my bookshelf! 

The Butcher's Masquerade is the 5th book in the series! Took me 3 years to come back and finally finish this story. I'm glad I did -- very enjoyable addition to this series! 

I read & listened to this story while on PTO for Christmas and New Year's. Great way to ring in the New Year! 

Carl and Princess Donut are once again thrown into a new floor of the dungeon -- the sixth floor. And this time, the crawlers who are left in the dungeon will be facing off with hunters who are trying to kill them. And the entire chaotic battle will culminate in a party -- The Butcher's Masquerade. Enemies will be brought to a castle where there will be a pet show, a talent competition and......no violence allowed. Yeah sure.....right. 

Lots of character development, twists and turns, political intrigue, angry gods and all sorts of dungeon-y goodness in this one!! I enjoyed every minute!! 

And, I have a new appreciation for Oasis and the song Wonderwall. :) 

I never ever thought I would read a book series where one of my favorite characters is a former sex doll head that constantly threatens to kill everyone's mothers. 

Where does Matt Dinniman come up with this stuff? LOL  I can tell he is a person that would be fabulous fun to talk with over lunch, or have in the party for a D&D game. 

I finished this book earlier today -- New Year's Day 2026.  And my brand new copy of Book 6 -- The Eye of the Bedlam Bride -- is being delivered tomorrow. As I write this review, the Dungeon Crawler Carl series has been optioned for a television show. There is an audio immersion version on Soundbooth theater's website that I'm enjoying (two "seasons" up so far -- it's full cast and fun to listen to between books!) And, book 8 is coming out mid-2026. Once I read through book 7 and am caught up with the author, I have a review copy of another book Dinniman is publishing in February 2026 -- Operation Bounce House. 

These books make me happy. Just fun to read!! And Jeff Hays and the others at Soundbooth Theater do a wonderful job of narration/voice acting. The idea of an apocalyptic dungeon crawl, a man and his talking cat battling their way through all sorts of trouble, and all the wonderful side characters and bad guys -- it makes this nerd very, very happy. :) 

 

 

 

REVIEW: A New Lease on Death

 A New Lease on Death
Author: Olivia Blacke

Ruby moves into a new apartment in Boston, not realizing the prior occupant is still there. The fact that Cordelia is dead and a ghost makes the situation even more weird. Then, these two strange roomies end up on the trail of a killer. Can they figure out who killed their neighbor without Ruby becoming a ghost, too? 

What an interesting and creative story! The chapters alternate between Ruby and Cordelia, telling the story from both of their points of view. There is quite the adjustment to being roommates as well. They have to figure out how to communicate with each other and how to work together to solve a murder when one of them is incorporeal. 

I started out reading a hardback version of this book from the library. But my book came due before I finished, so I switched to the audio book through Hoopla (love love love my local library!). The audio [Dreamscape Media, 2024, 9 hrs 30 minutes] is narrated by Stefanie Kay. She has a pleasant voice, reads at a steady pace, and does a great job of voice acting.  

I enjoyed this book from start to finish. There is a lot of amateur sleuthing, several suspects, and some interesting twists! 

Moving on to book 2 in this series!  

 

REVIEW: There'll Be Shell to Pay

 There'll Be Shell to Pay
Author: Molly MacRae

I had so much fun reading the first book in this series, that I grabbed the second from my library immediately. A Haunted Shell Shop. A pirate Ghost. And a tourist trap island with a lot of history. Yep -- totally perfect plot for me. 

This time, main character Maureen Nash returns to NC to start her life as owner of a shell shop on Ocracoke Island, only to find out an unidentified woman was found dead. The plot thickens when Maureen, her landlords next door and her ghostly pirate buddy discover there may be a case of murderous mistaken identity going on. Three tourists visiting the island join in the investigation. Can the amateur sleuths positively identify the dead woman and solve her murder?

I enjoyed this second story in the Haunted Shell Shop series. I enjoy the characters and the setting. The plot kept my attention from start to finish. There were plenty of suspects and lots of sleuthing. I found the Fig Ladies to be a bit odd (the tourists who joined in on the investigation), but their bickering and complaining gave some light moments to the story. The shell related dad-jokes and puns were cute as well. 

All in all, an entertaining read. Looking forward to the next book in this series!  

REVIEW: Silent Night, Deadly Night

 Silent Night, Deadly Night
Author: Vicki Delany

When Merry Wilkinson's mother invites several old college friends to her home in Rudolph, NY, she is hoping for a happy reunion with old friends. The visit quickly turns sour due to constant bickering and problems between the women. Things take a darker turn when one of the women dies under strange circumstances. Once again, Merry finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. Can she figure out who offed a woman in her parent's house just before the holidays, or will the holiday season be a complete bust? 

This is the 4th book in the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. This one happens at Thanksgiving, so I had really good timing. I read this book over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. 

I've had plenty of stressful and tense Thanksgiving weeks due to family issues and forced socialization with people I just don't mesh with. But.....I have never had someone drop dead at the dinner table. That would definitely put a damper on festivities, especially if the person's medical emergency was caused by someone else. It made me feel better about all the years in the past where the holiday was just terrible due to other people's drama. There is always a worse scenario! 

The plot kept my attention from start to finish. I'm liking the characters more and more as I get further into the series. 

Moving on to the next book!!  

REVIEW: Hark the Herald Angels Slay

 Hark the Herald Angels Slay
Author: Vicki Delany

Rudolph, NY  is celebrating its annual Christmas in July festivities in this 3rd book in the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. To make things even more stressful for local shop owner Merry Wilkinson, a NYC Magazine crew is in town preparing a feature on Rudolph. Santa arrives by boat and it seems the merriment will go off without a hitch.....until.....

.....Merry discovers a dead body in her shop. And, he has been strangled with a strand of festive handcrafted cranberries. 

I enjoyed this summer themed Christmas mystery. Light, entertaining reading. I'm currently fighting off a severe cold, so I was grateful to have something fun to read. 

The plot kept my attention from start to finish and there were plenty of suspects.  Amateur sleuthing was mixed in with local law enforcement doing their jobs skillfully. 

As I get further into this series, I am enjoying the stories more. The characters and setting are growing on me. It does require the ability to suspend reality a bit and just enjoy a cute story. But, really, just about every cozy mystery novel requires that talent. 

Brewing more hot tea, taking another dose of cold meds, and moving on to the next book in this series!  

 

REVIEW: We Wish You a Murderous Christmas

 We Wish You a Murderous Christmas
Author: Vicki Delany

Before I even get to my review, I have three observations to make.

One -- as with the last series I read by this author, I was not all that into the first book, but really started enjoying the characters and plots with the second book. I really enjoyed this one! 

Two - This is the first time in long while that I have actually rooted for the killer when the deed was first discovered. The victim in this story was a complete jerk, and I was not sorry to read about him getting offed. The author definitely wrote the character to be as icky as possible, and she pulled it off. Yuck! What an awful person! 

Three - Once again, halfway through the book I made my best guess about the killer's identity. And, I was completely wrong.  The world is a safer place because I did not choose a career in law enforcement....I would be horrible at figuring out who committed the crime!! 

I turned to my library for help once again as I didn't have this book in the series on my bookshelves. I listened to the audio book version [Tantor Media, 2023, 7 hrs 25 minutes], narrated by Amy Deuchler. The narrator is ok. Her voice is a bit grating / too nasally for me and the accent she does for a main-ish character is rough to listen to. But, I got through it. I'm glad that I have physical books from here through the newest book in this series. I would not choose to listen to any more performances by this particular narrator. 

The plot kept my attention from start to finish. At first I was sucked in by the horrible behavior of the character that later became the murder victim. And then I wanted to know the identity of the killer. As stated above, I was again completely wrong in my guess for the killer. Next time I should just cheat and choose a character that I think couldn't possibly have done the deed as my choices for the one I think is the best choice is always wrong. :) 

I liked the characters a bit better in this second book and they stopped wildly throwing out their opinions on the proper way to celebrate the holiday. I think as the characters and setting develop as this series moves along I will like it better and better. I'm finding this is just how I feel about series by this author. I felt the same way as I read through the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mysteries. First book was just ok....but by book 3 I was hooked and read the whole series from start to finish. Which is a good thing, as I also have part of the Tea by the Sea series by this author on my shelves! 

On to the next book in this series!