REVIEW: The Damned

The Damned
Author: Tarn Richardson

This story is suspenseful, dark, and bloody. World War I is raging in France....trench warfare, dying soldiers, brutality. ravaged bodies. It's a time of violence and fear. But something else is lurking....something much more dangerous. A creature that kills brutally and without remorse. When a priest is murdered, the Vatican sends an Inquisitor to investigate. He discovers a conspiracy....a secret so dark that it might just threaten humanity itself.

This story is well-written and amazingly suspenseful. But, it is not for the faint of heart. It's bloody and has moments of extreme violence. A mix of alternate history, monster tale, and a War story, this book pulls no punches. War is hell. Battling a creature with no fear or remorse is violent. And the Catholic church hides secrets of all sorts. If any of those things bother you.....best to pass this one by.

I don't normally review a book more than a year ahead of publication date, but my review copy of this book was set to archive so fast, that I was forced to get it read and reviewed way ahead of schedule. Because this book was published previously, I went ahead and reviewed it now, despite the fact this new edition (Red Door Publishing) doesn't come out until December 2020.

The Damned is the first book in the Darkest Hand Trilogy. I'm very interested where this story is going to go next. This first installation in the trilogy was quite good! I will definitely read the other books in this series.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from RedDoor Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Decaffeinated Corpse

Decaffeinated Corpse
Author: Cleo Coyle

This cozy mystery series centered around a much loved NYC coffee shop has been one of my favorites for years! In fact, the first book in this series was one of the first cozy mysteries I ever read. I have read many more since then by so many different authors...but I always return to this series! As part of my ongoing quest to revisit favorite books and ones that have been languising on my TBR for years, I'm re-reading this series. Loving it!

Decaffeinated Corpse is the 5th book in the Coffeehouse Mystery series. An old friend of Coffeehouse Manager Clare Cozi's ex-husband has discovered a naturally decaffeinated coffee bean. What seems to be a wonderful opportunity for Village Blend turns into a nightmare as dead bodies start stacking up. When someone close to Clare seems to be the number one suspect, she's on the case to find a killer.

I had to laugh at the references to decaf espresso as a "Why bother?'' Ha ha! :) Made me smile every time.

I listened to the audio book version of this story. The audio, narrated by Rebecca Gibel, is just under 7.5 hours long. Gibel reads at a nice pace and gives a great acting performance as usual. The mystery progressed at a nice pace and there was a good bit of character development. Clare's almost-relationship could move just a bit faster. Each time I think they are finally going to figure it out....they don't. Not that I was surprised....I've read these books before, even though it's been several years. I still found myself thinking "Oh will you just kiss her already and figure your S out, for God's sake!'' :) But....despite the slowwwwwwww road to "taking it slow,'' I still loved the story!

There are 17 books in this series, with a new one (Brewed Awakening) coming out in December 2019!

REVIEW: How to Survive a Horror Movie

How to Survive a Horror Movie
Author: Seth Grahame-Smith

I love horror movies. Halloween is my favorite holiday. I relish thriller and suspense novels. I guess if I can dress up as, watch, or read about fictional horrific things, it puts the problems I encounter in life into a better perspective. Sort of like -- Hey I can handle a flat tire during a snow storm...piece of cake. At least I'm not that babysitter who got the call about the killer being inside the house. See? Perspective.

But, I do have to say, it is disappointing when a story is clocking down to the Final Girl and characters are making rookie mistakes, especially if the tale is a sequel. You guys couldn't learn the rules in the first 8 movies?? Damn. Get smarter murder-fodder. Years ago, my husband and I used to pause movies to discuss the mistakes the characters were making and guess their mode of demise. Ooops....ran up the stairs and shut herself in the bathroom. Yeah -- smart move, cupcake.  Ohhh, he's going down in the basement to flip the breaker switch? Alone? Another smart decision. Ohh look...the couple is going to walk through the woods to get help. Isn't that cute? Wrong!!!! Sigh....it's like they don't even have a clue. Even on television series there are similar moments that leave us shaking our heads. I remember well one zombie show we stopped watching because it drove us INSANE. None of the characters could remember to shut a damn door when they came inside. Ummm...hello? Zombies outside...neighbors being eaten....you SHUT the patio door. I can't sympathize with characters who screw up that bad....or a script that has such an obvious set up for munch-time. Bleck. We spent two episodes rooting for the zombies....and then stopped watching the show.

But I digress...I am going to review this book. Promise.

Because my family watches horror movies and critiques them instead of being scared, I knew I needed to read this book. It first came out in 2007...but obviously none of the victims in horror movies in the last 12 years read it. They are still making the same mistakes. So....this new and improved edition released in 2019 should help save lives, right? At least the general public now has a chance to find out a few things:  1. Am I in a horror movie? 2. What do I do if I discover I am, in fact, inside a horror movie. and 3. How do I survive to the end credits?

I had the best time reading this book! I found myself nodding and agreeing with the lists and advice. Very entertaining and fun to read! And I now find myself wanting to sit and binge watch some horror. The characters will still make all those bad errors in judgement....but in the end, it's just fiction, right? Right? *Looks around nervously*  Was that a strange music stab? Are those really hooded figures chanting outside in my front yard? OMG...who drew that strange symbol on the floor of my office?

Uh oh.....

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Quirk Books via Edelweiss. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. No lost campers were slashed during the writing of this review. Honest.**

REVIEW: Paw of the Jungle

Paw of the Jungle
Author: Diane Kelly

Officer Megan Luz and her K-9 partner Brigit enjoy their patrol duties in Fort Worth, TX. Sometimes when the weather is nice and the day quiet, they like to go patrol a bit at the local zoo. But unfortunately, an animal napper is at work at their favorite hang-out. First a pair of valuable Macaws go missing.....then other animals disappear...even a black rhino. Who is stealing animals from the zoo? Officer Luz and Brigit are determined to catch the animal thief and bring peace back to their favorite patrol spot!

I enjoyed this latest visit with my favorite Texas crime fighting duo! The mystery is light, as usual...but this one had some interesting twists, lots of investigation and several suspects. The story moves at a nice pace, with the usual banter and humor. I like Megan as a main character. She's a bit snarky and mouthy at times, but dedicated to her job....and she wields a mean baton! Brigit is an awesome character as well. I enjoy the short chapters from her point of view. I imagine my dogs think the same sort of thoughts about me at times. Luckily, they don't chew my shoes. :)

This series is cozy-ish. The mystery/investigation plots are light...nothing graphic. But there is some minor cursing and adult situations. I recommend a bit of parental guidance before giving this series to a teen younger than 13. And...those who like their cozies strictly cozy.....be aware this one pushes past the usual cozy limits just a bit. No graphic sex scenes but there is some adult humor and a bit of cussing.

Another cute, entertaining read in this series. I can't wait for the next book!

**I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book from St Martin's Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: Murder She Wrote - A Time For Murder

Murder She Wrote: A Time For Murder
Author: Jon Land (and Jessica Fletcher, of course)

I absolutely loved Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote. I watched the show every week when it was on television and still re-watch the series today. I love the characters, the setting and the cozy-ness of the series. No spurting blood.....no graphic sex or violence. Just an author sleuthing out killers with grace and skill.

A Time For Murder is the 50th Murder She Wrote novel.....so lots of people still enjoy Jessica Fletcher! I've read several of the MSW books, by Donald Bain...and after his death, Jon Land. While I wish that Angela Lansbury had come back to do a couple MSW movies, or even a new series, it's really too late now (and NOBODY ELSE could play Jessica Fletcher like her! If they put on a new series with someone else in the part, I completely refuse to watch it. Nope. Nope. Double nope. Triple dog Nope.), so I love the fact that I can get new Jessica Fletcher mysteries in these books with a smiling lovely Angela Lansbury on the cover!It makes this cozy mystery fan happy in her soul. A cup of coffee, my chihuahua curled up next to me, and Jessica Fletcher finding yet another murder to investigate! Perfect evening!

This time around, Jessica flashes back to her first ever murder investigation....the mysterious death of a high school principal.....as she returns to the high school to celebrate a friend's retirement decades later. When the friend ends up dead, there are links to that very first case.

I love the fact this story flashes back to Jessica's life when she was first married to her husband, Frank. It was nice having the two eras of her life come together....her married life....and her later life as an author and widow. The mystery moved at a nice pace, had all the characters I love....and Jessica still is a dead body magnet and skilled amateur sleuth.  I do see the differences in Land's portrayal of the characters and Donald Bain's vision.  The plots of Land's books are a bit more complex....and Jessica is just a bit different. A bit more snarky maybe? But.....anytime another author takes over a beloved character, there are going to be differences. I still enjoy the stories....and I'm willing to accept a bit edgier Jessica Fletcher. The more complex plots are actually nice. I think the extra snark and harder hitting Jessica is necessary now that she's solving cases with a bit more to them. So, I'm ok with the Land vision of the character. I can always visit the more grandmother-ly Jessica by watching the old show, or reading a Bain novel.

Love, love, love, love Jessica Fletcher! Full stars to this book just because I'm a huge fan of the series! I'm always up for a visit with Jessica!

**I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book from Berkley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: The Dog Who Knew Too Much

The Dog Who Knew Too Much
Author: Krista Davis

The Dog Who Knew Too Much is the 6th book in the popular Paws and Claws Mystery series. I always love a visit to Wagtail, a completely pet-friendly town. I love the characters, the setting and the plots in this series. Always a relaxing, entertaining, cozy read!

This time, all of Wagtail is excited because a famous pooch is coming to town. Pippin is called America's Favorite Dog. Turns out, the television celebrity dog is a bit naughty....always running off and not minding. Holly Miller from the Sugar Maple Inn and her dog Trixie join in the festivities. During an outdoor treasure hunt, the two dogs find a dead body.....   Not only does Holly have a murder to investigate, but someone shows up claiming ownership of Trixie. Plus, there is a dognapper in town! Yikes! Lots going on in Wagtail!

I enjoyed this book! The mystery moves along at a fast pace with lots of Wagtail quirkiness to make it fun. There are a couple subplots in this newest book, but they add to the mystery rather than over-powering the main plot. Trixie's past comes back to nip Holly.....that bit of the plot had me wanting to jump into the book and slap a certain scruffy character. As the owner of two rescued dogs who were abandoned by prior owners, I have deep-set emotions on the issue. If anybody showed up saying my dogs belonged to them......oh I'd be kicking some butt. Immediate. Butt. Kicking. I got so worked up I was talking to the character as I read portions of the book.....I won't repeat what I said. This is a cozy review. No cussing. No graphic threats of violence.

The front cover is colorful, cute and engaging as usual!

I'm giving this book full stars. Any book that has me grumbling and wanting to punch a side character, plus gets me so engaged in the plot that I binge read the story in one sitting deserves full marks!

Enjoyable read as usual! Cute animals. Light humor. Fun mystery. Fun setting. And cozy all the way. No spurting blood. No sex. No cussing. Just a nice, fun,entertaining read! Krista Davis always delivers! I am eagerly awaiting the next book!

**I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book from Berkley via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

REVIEW: White Fire

White Fire
Author: Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

White Fire is the 13th novel in the Agent Pendergast series. I love the Pendergast books. The stories are always an interesting mix of action, adventure and strange, often supernatural, occurrences.

Corrie Swanson, a protege of Pendergast, is working on her thesis. She heads to Colorado to investigate graves of miners killed 150 years in the past by a grizzly bear. She wants to document the types of injuries on the skeletal remains as part of her thesis. The town has exhumed the graves, preparing to move the cemetery as part of a development project. When she arrives, she finds town officials less than happy about her proposed project despite the fact the remains are already in storage. When Corrie is arrested and strange crimes start occurring in the resort town -- arson and murder -- Pendergast jumps in on the case to help.

This story was so interesting and entertaining! As usual there were a couple subplots going at once, and some side characters got to be up front and center this time. Great story! It definitely kept my attention from start to finish.

I listened to the audio book version of this story. Narrated by Rene Auberjonois, the audio is just shy of 13 hours long. Auberjonois gives a wonderful performance as usual. Great listening experience!

I'm glad I decided to re-visit this series from the beginning. I always enjoy books by Preston and/or Child!! On to the next book -- Blue Labyrinth!