REVIEW: The Skeleton Takes a Bow

 The Skeleton Takes a Bow
Author: Leigh Perry

I love this series. 

The premise isn't believable....but I don't care. It's just too much fun!  

Adjunct Professor Georgia Thackery's best friend is dead. Well, dead and not dead at the same time. Sid is a skeleton. A skeleton that can walk and talk. And, he's been her bestie since she was a little girl and first met him. 

Georgia, her daughter Madison, and Sid seem to always end up in strange situations. How can you not with a living skeleton as a buddy? 

This time, Sid finally gets out of the house and is playing a part in Madison's high school production of Hamlet. He plays....the skull, of course. 

But then......there's a murder. 

And, they are on the case! 

I started reading this book again ages ago so put it on my Currently Reading list at Goodreads. But it kept getting sidelined by other things ..... new releases, trying to finish my Agatha Christie Reading Challenge (which I finally did this year!), etc etc. 

I checked out the audio book version from my local library (Hoopla is awesome sauce!) and finally can check this book off my Currently Reading list! 

I'm not a big fan of the audio book narrator. For me, she has a very nasally voice and reads at an odd pace. But once I got into the story, I found my listening groove. 

Great story. Love these characters and the premise. 

And, this book officially kicks off my spooky reading season. There is a skeleton in it -- it counts! 

I'm moving on to book 3 in this series! This is part of my quest to read / re-read the physical books on my shelves and then donate them to charity. Making shelf space!!  

REVIEW: A Parade of Horribles

 A Parade of Horribles
Author: Matt Dinniman

I will just admit it.

I love this series. 

I have read my way through the books and listened to the audio books several times. 

I'm on a couple online groups. 

I make Dungeon Crawler Carl jokes.

I have pulled multiple people into the fandom. 

I say Hi Zevvvvvv to anybody I see reading one of the books. 

Yes. I am a DCC fan. 

[I may have even ordered a sticker for my car, and I am usually a NO-stickers-on-my-car person. "Carl, you know how I feel about stickers...."] 

Why? 

This series is fun. It's got comedy, adventure, sci-fi, pop culture references.....I just like it.  

In this day and age where everything just seems to turn to shit and everybody is bashing everyone else.....

I needed this. 

Off with the news. On with Carl and Princess Donut. 

I even bought matching hardbacks. And I have all the audiobooks on my phone within easy distance at all times. 

It's a cult. It has to be. :) 

I need some deco for my Carl bookshelf now.....

Read it. You know you want to. 

Read it already?  Let's talk! :)  

As for this 8th book in the series, I had my copy delivered on release day. I had Shirley Temple powdered drink mix ready and chilled 7Up. I put my phone on do-not-disturb. Told everyone to leave me alone. And binge read this puppy. 

Loved it!  Can't wait to find out what happens next! 

 

 

REVIEW: Campfire Stories - Vol 1 - Things that Go Bump in the Night

 Campfire Stories Vol. 1 - Things that Go Bump in the Night
Author: William Forgey

I bought this book years ago at a library sale. And, when I moved in 2022, it packed up in a box with other used books I had on hand. It stayed there. 

Until a couple months ago. 

I found a box in the closet that had been forgotten. Books. Lots of books. 

I love creepy ghost stories. The kind you tell around a campfire. The kind that make you leave your tent at 2 am and go sleep in the truck because you are too creeped out to sleep outside. :) 

This book had a different set up than I expected. 

Forgey includes tips/tricks and basic instructions for scout / camp leaders who are going to entertain campers with spooky tales. As a storyteller myself, I loved his insights and wisdom. It added some fun to reading the stories. 

The tales aren't all spooky...some are more mysteries or interesting. None are age inappropriate for scouts or middle school age campers. 

Or, an adult snuggled up on her couch with the dog and a cup of tea. 

Fun book! 

This one may be out of print. I got mine at a library sale. 

As a physician, Forgey also writes Wilderness Survival and Medicine handbooks. Very cool!  

REVIEW: The Other Bennet Sister

The Other Bennet Sister
Author: Janice Hadlow 

I broke a major personal rule with this book. 

I watched the television show first. 

But....I have a valid excuse. When I saw an ad for the show on BritBox, I was just so excited I couldn't wait to read the book. And, the waiting list for the book (even ebooks and audio) at my local libraries was long. 

So, it was either bend the rules or....wait weeks on a waiting list....read the book....then watch the show. 

I just couldn't wait. 

I mean ... .what if aliens invade? Or the zombie apocalypse starts? 

I can't battle zombies if I don't know what happens to Mary Bennett!!

[Yes, I am making excuses. As a community of readers and Austen fans, please enable me.]

While I waited on the hold list at the library, I watched episodes of the show. BritBox was stingy and only released one episode per week. And of course every episode ended with a cliff hanger. Grrrr. 

But.....I have finally watched all of the show. And, I caved and used a credit to get the audio book on Audible. After the show, I knew it was an audio book I would listen to again, so worth the credit. 

I love x 10 this story! 

Mary Bennet finally gets a voice! 

I absolutely enjoyed every part of this book.  

I've read several Pride and Prejudice-related books. And pretty much hated all of them, but this one. 

From weird sex scenes to characters acting in ways that Austen never intended, I just DNF'd so many P&P continuation attempts or finished with many grumblings and unhappy emotions.  I did enjoy Pride & Prejudice & Zombies...because fun! 

But this time (FINALLY!), I was supremely happy and engaged the entire time! Mary has a real voice in this book. She says how SHE feels and why.....she learns to speak up for herself.....and she becomes an important character not just a side note for her older sisters. 

The show did a good job at adapting this book, The casting IMHO was perfect. Each episode was engaging, and they only did 10 episodes. They didn't string it out into long episodes or a second season by padding the story. They did add in some drama/tension, but it worked. I wasn't bothered by it, but I did notice the differences as I listened to the audiobook.

I was very excited when I heard they are going to revisit the characters with a 3 episode Christmas special!!  I can't wait! 

 

REVIEW: How to Try Again

How to Try Again
Author: Steve Kamb

I have to say from the start that I am not a huge fan of self-help books. I have read too many that offered only blanket old-hat advice or that had an opposite effect on my thoughts/feelings than I intended. 

But....I enjoyed this book. 

My life took a sudden upheaval a few years ago when I left a 20+ year marriage to a narcissistic and psychologically abusive person. It took months of prep to plan my "escape"....and I executed a cross-country move to a new life. But....starting over doesn't heal the damage or quiet intrusive thoughts from 20 years of gaslighting. I had a fight on my hands to start my life over in my 50s. 

Therapy is great. I'm 100% in favor of it, and use it monthly as a tool to help me on my journey. But I also needed something more......reading some good books to help me stop being so hard on myself and really dig into getting my life, my joy and my physical/mental fitness back. I did not need self help books with toxic positivity, empty advice and nonsense. I needed THIS book. Common sense and real strategies to start over and try again. :) 

When this book popped up for review, I immediately grabbed an early copy and got to reading. I handled this a bit differently than my usual review reading. I read this book chapter by chapter, taking my time. My goal wasn't only to get the word out about a new book, but also to help myself along the way. So I slowed down and really digested this book. 

One of the hardest things about starting all over after an abusive situation is learning which voices/thoughts in my head are ME and which ones are a product of the past abuse. And, what decisions and obstacles are self-inflicted because I'm afraid of failing. 

This book took me on a journey through my own head ---- and helped me get past some real obstacles to my re-building my life and grabbing my joy back. 

I have this book on my wish list to buy a physical copy so I can go back through it again....and take more steps towards meeting my new life goals. 

To anyone who finds themselves starting all over again -- the journey isn't easy, but it's so wonderful!! Starting over is rough, but the rewards far outweigh the challenges!  

REVIEW: An Ordinary Sort of Evil

 An Ordinary Sort of Evil
Author: Kelley Armstrong

I first discovered this author when I started reading her Rockton series. I have since branched out and read other titles by her, including this time-travel meets detective story series. The Rip Through Time series has quickly become one of my favorites! 

Former modern day homicide detective Mallory Mitchell was sent back in time 150 years, and now finds Victorian Scotland her new home. Over time she has become used to her new time and found her niche working alongside a forensic scientist and a detective. In this 5th book in the series, things get a little spooky. A ghost, supposedly summoned during a seance, requests an investigation into her murder. 

This book is my favorite in the series so far. I loved how they were skeptical....looking into the medium as a fake while still investigating to see if a murder had actually occurred. I found myself wondering many times how I would feel being put into such a position. Very entertaining story!! 

This is the second book with a bit of a supernatural/haunted vibe to it that I've read recently. It's put me in the mood for spooky season reading.  And yep -- I'm going to push the season again this year. Even earlier. June.  ha ha  I might as well just declare my spooky season reading goes all year! 

I can't wait for the next book in this series! They keep getting better!!  

 

REVIEW: For Better or Murder

 For Better or Murder
Author: Simon R. Green

Simon R. Green has been one of my favorite authors since I first read his Nightside series. That series is still one of my favorite urban fantasy storylines and the books have a permanent place on my shelves. 

The Nightside series concluded in 2012. Luckily, this author has published a couple of new series since then. I read everything that he publishes. If he wrote A History of Paperclips....I would have the physical book on my shelves and the audio on my phone. Immediately.  :) 

The Holy Terrors is one of his newer endeavors. This is the 4th book. And, I'm loving it! 

This time -- Television celebrity and bishop Alastair Kincaid is marrying his sidekick, Actress Diana Hunt. They have been through many mysteries and strange situations together so of course their plans manage to go sideways.....in a ghostly manner. A guest at the hotel where the wedding party is staying is found dead in the hallway. Their idyllic Cornwall wedding plans immediately take a bit of a spooky detour. Given the Bride and Groom involved....this isn't really a surprise. 

Very entertaining story!! Eagerly awaiting the next book!!