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!  

 

REVIEW: Rest Ye, Murdered Gentlemen

 Rest Ye, Murdered Gentlemen
Author: Vicki Delany

As I write this, Thanksgiving is less than a week away. Perfect time to read a Christmas themed cozy mystery series! 

I have read this first book in the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series before. I read the first two books years ago and then life interrupted and I lost track of this series. Happy to be picking it back up again. With the help of the local library to supplement the books I don't own (the first two and the newest one), I am happy to be reading my way through this series until I catch up with the author. :) 

I borrowed this first book on Hoopla in audio format, and enjoyed listening to the story. I remembered bits and pieces of the plot, but luckily did not remember the killer's identity.

I was also reminded of something that annoyed me about this series the first time I read this book. There are two characters that constantly voice their opinion that Christmas is only for children and that family gatherings are the most important thing about the holiday.  I love giving gifts to both adults and children. And, lots of people (like me) have no family or no large family gatherings to attend. Each time these characters seemed to make it a huge point to voice those two opinions over and over and over again....it just went up my back. I wanted to jump into the book and yell "Shut up about it already!" LOL Christmas is what each individual chooses to make it according to the life they have. I don't need book characters to tell me I'm doing it wrong. Those of us with no birth family ties just really feel a bit sad sometimes at holidays where most people are hanging out with family and siblings...or at least I know I do at times. If those two characters were actually real people in my social circle.....they would annoy the heck out of me. Saying it once would have been fine....but multiple times....argh. It pulled me out of the story each time.....personal pain point. And they were dancing on top it. ha ha That being said, the rest of the story I enjoyed from start to finish! 

I would love shopping in a tiny town like Rudolph that is just totally geared towards Christmas and being joyful! Not sure I would buy much but I would certainly have a good time looking! 

The audio (Tantor Media, 2022) is just over 8 hours long and narrated by Amy Deuchler. The narrator has a pleasant voice and I enjoyed listening. However, the attempt at a southern accent used for one of the male characters was just so oddly over the top and poorly done that it was hard to listen to. 

My thoughts....

This was a cute holiday themed cozy. Nothing really exceptional about it. It was ok. 

The plot and motivation for the killer seemed a bit silly.  

I don't really care for any of the characters. I didn't feel engaged in the story because of any of them, but I felt that way at the start of the last series I read by this same author. So, I'm going to give the next book or two in the series a try before I make any decisions about just moving on to another series. 

Moving on to book 2..... 

 

REVIEW: Come Shell or High Water

 Come Shell or High Water
Author: Molly MacRae 

I've been on a cozy mystery kick for awhile mostly because my bookshelves are filled with them and I want to free up space for new books. But, I picked up Come Shell or High Water at the library because of the colorful front cover at first. And, then the book blurb on the back pulled me in the rest of the way. 

A story about a touristy shell shop haunted by the ghost of a pirate......I immediately had to take a break from my quest to read books off my own shelves and read this series! Ghost pirates get me every time!  And, at the time I'm writing this, there are only two books in the series so far. So, I was easily able to justify pausing my current project to read and donate books off my own bookshelves. Ghost pirates helping solve murders definitely takes precedent over my need for shelf space!

The basics: Maureen Nash takes a trip to Ocracoke Island off the coast of NC to figure out a mystery in her own life, but ends up almost dying and finding a dead body. That's more excitement than anyone needs on vacation! Then throw in a ghost pirate sidekick, a couple of cats, and quirky locals and you have the Haunted Shell Shop Mystery series!  

This book was a fun read. I binge read the entire thing on a cool, crisp November day in CO. I have a severe cold and just needed to escape into a fun book. This first book in the Haunted Shell Shop was perfect to make me feel better! 

I got about halfway through the book and took my best guess at the identity of the killer....and was totally wrong as usual! I'm very glad I did not go into law enforcement or detective work. My little grey cells do not gravitate towards catching the correct bad guy! 

 I'm on to the second book in this series - There'll be Shell to Pay! 

 

REVIEW: The Devil in the Details

 The Devil in the Details
Author: Vicki Delany

Gemma Doyle is looking forward to her bestie and business partner's wedding and hoping the special day will go off without a hitch. But in the days leading up to the ceremony two dead bodies threaten the happy couple's future.  Can Gemma solve the case before the wedding is ruined? 

At the time of this review, I have officially caught up with this series! I enjoyed every book, and spent a very happy afternoon reading my early review copy of this 11th book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series. 

I read this story in one session of happy binge reading because I just had to find out who the killer was. I put in my best guess about halfway through the book, and was totally wrong. Again. The world is incredibly lucky that I am not a detective. Luckily, Gemma Doyle is a creative and accomplished amateur sleuth and figured it all out by the end (as usual). 

Very enjoyable cozy mystery! And, I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in this series. For now, moving on to Vicki Delany's Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. :)  

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**  

REVIEW: The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime

 The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime
Author: Vicki Delany

The 10th book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series sends Gemma and her friends back to London for her sister's wedding. The wedding goes perfectly, but before Gemma even leaves the venue a strange meeting with someone from her past leads her into yet another murder investigation. 

This book brought Pippa (Gemma's sister) forward as a more active part of the plot. I enjoyed it! 

I still prefer Gemma, Jayne and the gang at home though. I did enjoy this London based story better than the first one earlier in the series. 

The plot kept my attention from start to finish. I have to say I think I finally have a favorite character in this series.    Donald.    He is always himself and comes to the aid of his friends immediately, even if it's to clonk a bad guy over the head with his umbrella. 

Moving on to the latest book in the series (as of my writing this review), so I'm almost caught up with the author! I will read other series at that point and come back to this one when there is a new book. 

On to the next -- The Devil in the Details!  

REVIEW: The Sign of Four Spirits

 The Sign of Four Spirits
Author: Vicki Delany

There's a Psychic Fair in town. Gemma Doyle, owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, gets talked into participating in a seance. She's determined to keep any one at the table from being deceived by tricksters. But, first she's kicked out of the room before the seance even begins.....and then, someone at the table ends up dead. 

Once again, Gemma and her friends are on the trail of a killer! 

The plot for this one definitely had me at the edge of my seat. Killing someone while in a room full of people....without being seen or easily identified....that takes some skill. Even if the group of 12 people is sitting around a table, in the dark, for a seance. There was plenty of amateur sleuthing, suspects and twists in the story. Loved it! 

At the time of writing this review, I have only two more books to go and I'm caught up with the author. That's good and bad.....  Love the fact I've read some great stories in this series, but bad that I will have to wait several months for a new book! But, I am not too sad....I'm taking a lateral step and moving on to read the Year-Round Christmas series by the same author! :)  

REVIEW: The Game is a Footnote

 The Game is a Footnote
Author: Vicki Delany

In this 8th book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series, Gemma Doyle is faced with an odd request -- Stay the night in the local historical museum because it might be haunted. 

Ghost hunting? Yep! 

Turns out there's a lot going on at the old Scarlet House. First it's just noises and odd occurrences....but then someone ends up dead. It's no longer just pranks....it's murder. The game is afoot! 

I enjoyed this book from start to finish. The plot was engaging. I was wondering what the heck was going on until the very end! 

I once again tried to guess the killer's identity, and was completely wrong. Someday I will guess right! 

I love the idea of a Sherlock Holmes themed bookstore and gift shop with a Mrs. Hudson's tea room right next door. I would be a repeat customer if anything remotely like that was near where I live! I'm enjoying the character development as the series goes on. At first, I had a hard time really liking the main character, Gemma. But, she has grown on me over 8 books.  

Definitely enjoying this series! Moving on to the next book!  

REVIEW: A Three Book Problem

 A Three Book Problem
Author: Vicki Delany 

Only 4 books to go and I have caught up my reading of this series! :) I enjoyed A Three Book Problem, the 7th book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series. 

Gemma, her sidekick Jayne, and many of their friends gather at a huge house to celebrate a Sherlock Holmes Weekend, done English Country House style. I kept thinking as I read the first couple of chapters that such a weekend would be so much fun! Well.....fun until someone turns up dead in a most despicable and sneaky manner.... 

The plot kept my attention from start to finish. The guests were varied and all suspicious enough to be suspects. The setting was great -- what a perfect location for a murder! A monstrosity of a house built to resemble an old English country estate. If someone was going to bump off a Sherlock Holmes enthusiast, it's definitely the perfect house for it. And, there was plenty of amateur sleuthing. 

Fun read! I'm glad I finally started reading this series. Enjoying each and every book!  

Moving on to the next in the series.....

 

REVIEW: A Curious Incident

 A Curious Incident
Author: Vicki Delany

After finishing this sixth book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery series, I can say that I am enjoying each book! The characters have really grown on me. I like the setting. I love the animals, even the cantankerous shopcat, Moriarty. Very enjoyable series! 

This time Gemma Doyle finds herself looking for a lost pet....and then investigating a murder....all to help a local 10-year old girl. A destroyed award-winning garden. A rather public fight. And, then a dead body. Can Gemma prevent a little girl's mother from facing murder charges? 

The plot kept my attention from start to finish. There were plenty of suspects, lots of amateur sleuthing, and some very interesting character development! And as usual.....my guess about the killer's identity was totally wrong. The world is very very lucky I am not a detective! 

Moving on to the next book in this series! :)  

REVIEW: There's a Murder Afoot

 There's a Murder Afoot
Author: Vicki Delany

In this 6th Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery, Gemma Doyle and a group of her friends all travel to London for a Sherlock Holmes convention.Their plans go awry when Gemma's father is arrested in connection with a murder. So much for doing touristy stuff while in London -- they are on the case! 

It took me a few chapters to get sucked into the plot of this book. Not sure why....but once the murder occurred and clues started mounting up, I was hooked. Lots of amateur sleuthing, action and suspects. As usual, I guessed who I thought the killer was.....and was totally wrong. 

I think part of my problem getting into this story was the fact that everything was transported to London. I had to get used to the new setting, get introduced to Gemma's parents and sister, and the drama around the murder victim. Once all that was out of the way, I was totally into the story. 

I'm not sure I would travel all the way to London for a Sherlock Holmes convention. I'd rather do the touristy stuff! :) But then again, I don't own a Sherlock Holmes themed bookshop and tea room like Gemma and Jayne. 

Excellent addition to this series, but I'm looking forward to them being back in the usual setting. 

On to the next! I'm halfway through this series now!