REVIEW: Copycat Killing

 Copycat Killing
Author: Sofie Kelly

I started reading this series years ago, and then lost track of the books when life took unexpected turns. Darn adulting getting in the way of my reading! 

Now I'm back...and I started reading the series again from the start. Just finished book 3 - Copycat Killing. It was nice to check in again with the cast and crew at Mayville Heights!

This time, constant rain is causing flooding issues in town. When rising water floods the basement of the local artists' co-op, Kathleen jumps in to help her friend Maggie. It gets more serious than threatened artwork when an artist is found drowned in the basement. Kathleen, and her two genius kitties, are on the case again! 

Another great book in this series! Owen and Hercules are always wonderful. Nice mix of humor and mystery. A bit of possible romance. And, a lot of amateur sleuthing, much to the chagrin of a local detective. 

I had what I thought was a good guess about the identity of the killer. And, I was totally wrong! Glad I'm not the sleuth!! 

On to the next book -- Cat Trick!  

REVIEW: An Amateur Sleuth's Guide to Murder

 An Amateur Sleuth's Guide to Murder
Author: Lynn Cahoon

Meg's having a hard time lately. A lost job. Her fiance ran off with her bridesmaid. And, she's had to return home to live near family. Starting over seems dismal, but then she finds a part-time job. Researcher for a mystery writer. Just as her new life and career are starting to form, she gets pulled into a real murder investigation. 

Can Meg put her new-found knowledge about murders and murder to good use and catch a killer? 

I loved this book from start to finish! Meg is a great main character. I love the setting and the background theme. There's a nice mix of humor and mystery as well. 

Great start to a new series! I will definitely be reading more! I look forward to the next book.  

REVIEW: Whack Job

Whack Job
Author: Rachel McCarthy James

The axe. A very useful tool that has been around a very long time. But since its invention, the axe has been used for much more than cutting wood. Humans have used the axe for much more bloody pursuits from the start. 

This book tells the more dark history of the axe -- murders, war, executions.....definitely not the generally approved uses for the tool. 

This was a very interesting and informative book, although very dark and bloody. Most of the history I already knew and most of the criminal cases I also already knew about. But, there were more than enough facts and information that was totally new to me to keep me reading. 

It is very evident that the author did copious amounts of research into her topic. And, she presented the dark history of the axe in a very interesting way.  

Very glad I read this book! And I will be looking for more from this author!  

REVIEW: Cold Burn

 Cold Burn
Author: A.J. Landau

A missing team of scientists. A murdered intern. A dead submarine crew. All of these events happen thousands of miles apart and seem to be unrelated. But a National Parks investigator and an FBI agent will find out what ties all of those events together and it's terrifying....

This is the second book in the National Parks Thriller series. 

The plot kept my attention from start to finish. The characters are believable and engaging. The pacing was spot on. I haven't binge read a book in a long while, but I couldn't put this one down. There was no time that there wasn't a lot going on in the story.....how could I stop reading?? 

Another great book in this series. I can't wait for the next one!!  

REVIEW: Deadstream

 Deadstream
Author: Mar Romasco-Moore

Every year my Spooky Season reading was starting earlier and earlier, until I just gave up. Now I just read spooky reads all year long. Why not? My favorite stories are creepy, strange tales...so why not read what I want. :) 

The cover first drew me to this book. The cover art definitely has the right vibe! Then I read the book description. A livestream event gone horribly, horribly wrong....   I knew I had to read the book at that point. 

This book is YA, so it's not incredibly scary or graphic. The main character has been through an accident and then witnesses a really horrible event. She has to overcome fears and trauma in order to help figure out what happened before others meet the same fate. 

Great book! Because it deals with supernatural horror and murder, I'd say it's definitely PG 13. Enjoyable story. Some of the most entertaining, light horror stories are YA books. Usually quick reads, no weird sex or graphic spurting blood....just good stories! 

I will definitely read more by this author. This book was definitely spooky and an entertaining read!  

REVIEW: Haunting and Homicide

 Haunting and Homicide
Author: Ava Burke

Lou sees dead people. But for her it's a career boost, not a problem. Being able to see spirits just makes her ghost tours popular. But when she's pulled into a murder investigation, things take on a whole new meaning. 

I knew I had to read this first book in the Ghost Tour Mystery series the minute I read the blurb. Yep -- gotta read this! 

I loved the story! Lou is a great main character. I loved the setting, the background theme and just the whole vibe of the book. 

 I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series! 

 

REVIEW: Dead Post Society

 Dead Post Society
Author: Diane Kelly

 

There are some book series that are just fun to read, and the House-Flipper Mystery series is definitely on that list. I like the setting, the characters, the mix of light mystery and humor, and the background theme of restoration projects. 

I have loved the concept of restoring old houses ever since I was a kid watching This Old House on TV. Bob Villa and Norm were miracle workers in my mind. The first episode they would do a walk through and show holes in walls, wavy floorboards, dust and mildew. And, by the end of the project, the home was restored and beautiful. I wonder how many of those old homes in the East are still going strong with their repairs/renovations still intact? 

I think that's why I've always loved this cozy mystery series. It's a skill I will never have, but I love hearing about projects!! Throw in a murder mystery, and I'm in heaven! 

This time, Whitney and Buck are taking a break from flipping houses and doing renovation work. They are tasked with renovating the old headmaster's house on the grounds of a closed academy. Of course, there is a sordid tale of murder. And of course they will get sidetracking into investigating it! 

I loved this story! It kept my attention from start to finish!

Eagerly awaiting the next book in this series. It's always an enjoyable read!  

 

**I read a review copy of this book from St Martins Press. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.**