REVIEW: A Skeleton in the Family

 A Skeleton in the Family
Author: Leigh Perry

I started reading this series years ago and life got in the way for a bit. Flash forward about 6 years, I spied this series still sitting on my bookshelves waiting for me to come back. Finally dove in! 

The basics: Georgia Thackery is an adjunct professor. She's just moved back to her parents' house with her daughter to teach at a college while they are away on sabbatical. She's glad to be back on familiar territory and also to see a good friend -- Sid.  Sid is a bit different and she has to keep his existence hidden from almost everyone. He's a skeleton -- a walking, talking skeleton. Georgia and Sid start investigating who Sid was before he became life-challenged....and soon discover a dead body. A killer seemingly wants them to stop investigating Sid's identity! 

This series is so fun to read. Sid is delightful, although he does make bad skeleton puns. I like Georgia as a main character. And, her daughter Madison is a great character as well. 

So glad to be reading this series again.  Moving on to book 2!

 

 

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. :)