Category: Entertainment

My spare time this month was dedicated to preparing for baby, recovering from surgery and then caring for baby. I read one baby related book and three mystery books for pleasure.

1. The Montessori Baby by Junnifa Uzodike and Simone Davies

This book focuses on how to incorporate the principles of Dr. Maria Montessori PRACTICALLY into your life and environment for your baby for the first year. There is a follow up book called The Montessori Toddler. 

2. A Clock Stopped Dead by J.M. Hall (Book 3)

When a friend of the trio, Marguerite has a “freaky” experience; the ladies investigate and uncover a sinister prank all while confronting issues in their own lives with their husbands and children as well as their beliefs in the supernatural. 

3. Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge (Book 1) 

Before she was a world renowned chef, Julia Child lived in France; in this fictional account, a murder is committed in her building with her knife. Her friend Tabitha seeks to track down the killer to clear Julia’s name only to untangled a web of Cold War secrets and shady dealings.  

4. A Murder Most Royal by SJ Bennett (Book 3)

Queen Elizabeth II feels compelled to do a little sleuthing when a severed hand with a familiar signet ring washes up on a beach not too far from Sandringham. Aided by her APS Rozie and a collection of locals she uncovers the sad truth of the mystery.
*I really like the fact that these books don’t have to be read in order –mainly because I didn’t realize it was part of a series. Oops!

What did you read?

I shockingly didn’t read as many books as I thought I would this month, considering it’s summertime. But the ones I did read, I thoroughly enjoyed.

1. A Botanist’s Guide to Society and Secrets by Kate Khavari
   
   This is the third Saffron Everleigh Mystery; and it was worth the wait. She is reunited with the handsome Alexander Ashton to help prove his brother’s innocence when a Russian scientist is murdered in his train compartment. While that storyline plays out, Saffron is recruited by her roommate’s brother to infiltrate a government laboratory when another scientist is found dead. Little does Saffron know but she will end up with a powerful nemesis.
   
2. A Trace of Poison by Colleen Cambridge
   
   Agatha Christie’s right hand woman, Phyllida Bright must figure out who murders the innocent village priest at a Murder Club Fete fundraiser. The case is complicated by the fact that it appears that another guest is actually the intended target.
   
3. Murder by Invitation Only by Colleen Cambridge
   
   With the Mallowan’s in London, Phyllida Bright attended a murder game party at a neighbouring mansion on their behalf. However, when the host is actually murdered, she must figure out who the culprit is and their motivation all while assisting the mansion’s inept housekeeper.

What did you read this month?

Another hectic June as a teacher is in the books; I am looking forward to devouring many more books over the summer. I managed to read three excellent books this month.

1. Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge
   
   The first of the Phyllida Bright series; and I can’t wait to read more. However, in this particular novel, the housekeeper at Agatha Christie’s home must solve two murders which take place at a house party; a la Hercule Poirot.
   
2. Murder at the Dinner Party by C.J. Archer
   
   In the latest (and eighth) installment; Cleo must investigate the death of a butler whose unusual behaviour indicate that foul play may have been involved. Joining her on the case is Harry Armitage; they uncover that the case of the butler is linked to a murder from decades ago.
   
3. The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Grey

This is the third book in the Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery series. You may remember that Lady Catherine is the autocratic aunt of Mr. Darcy (Pride & Prejudice); a series of unfortunate events brings Jonathan and Juliet on to the scene to sort things out and prevent her murder.

What did you read this month?

It’s been a while since I found I series that I wanted to binge; it seems like I was in a Netflix lull. But, that is over now…

1. Bridgerton (Season 3)
   
   Genre: Drama
   Number of Episodes: 8
   Synopsis: This season picks up amid the aftermath of Eloise finding out that Penelope was brains behind the gossip-monger, Lady Whistledown. Colin has returned from his trip abroad and Anthony & Kate have returned from their honeymoon. Francesca (and many others) make their debuts –which severely disappoint the Queen. Colin helps Penelope try to find a husband; with some steamy results while her sisters endeavour to produce a male heir as a means to secure the family fortune. If you want to find out if they all live happily ever after, you’ll have to binge it yourself…
   
2. The Gentlemen (Season 1)
   
   Genre: Comedy
   Number of Episodes: 8
   Synopsis: A wealthy duke dies; however, the estate doesn’t pass to the oldest son –instead the duke left it to his second son which creates more than a little tension between the brothers. It is a race against time for Edward to save his brother from mobsters to whom he owes an $8 million debt. Edward joins forces with Susie Glass who operates a lucrative weed family on his family’s 15,000 acre estate. When the attempt to clear the debt goes awry, Edward is entangled in a messy web to cover his tracks and extricate his family from the underworld of crime.

I’m starting to get to the point where I am waiting for pre-ordered books to arrive… although I discovered a few lovely books in the mean time.

1. The Paris Mystery: A Novel by Kirsty Manning
   
   Following her divorce in 1938, investigative reporter, Charlie James arrives in Paris to work for the The Times; she is quickly entranced by the city and swept up in the glitz and glamour of the rich and famous. When a devious banker is murdered at the party of a century, Charlie must help the police solve the crime to cement her position at the paper.
   
2. Miss Austen Investigates: The Hapless Milliner by Jessica Bull
   
   While attending a ball, Miss. Austen has the unfortunate luck of finding the body of a woman she recognizes as a hatmaker from the Basingstoke Market. After her brother Georgy is arrested for stealing the deceased woman’s necklace, Jane must work hard to discover the truth before he is hanged.
   
3. Murder at the Theatre Royal by Ada Moncrieff
   
   What started as a “puff piece” for journalist Daphne King ends up as a tangled web of lies and murder which must be entangled so that the show, A Christmas Carol, can go on.
   
4. The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder by C.L. Miller
   
   Upon the death of her estranged mentor, Freya Lockwood is drawn back in the world of antiques to figure out who the murderer is; to discover the mystery behind an ill-fated trip to Cairo twenty years prior and lastly to uncover a forgery ring.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla just celebrated one year on the throne (since their coronation). Today, we are going back to the vault to see the menu I created to watch the festivities.

Coronation High Tea @ Home

Last month I only managed to read ONE book; this month, I more than made up for it. I discovered two new author this month!

1. Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld by Catherine Lloyd
   
   In the follow up to Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder; Caroline is back in London with Mrs. Frogerton. Her boss convinces her to attend a session with the famed spiritualist, Madame Lavinia. When Madame is murdered it is up to Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton to solve the crime and save a friend from being wrongly convicted of the crime.
   
2. The Maid: A Novel by Nita Prose
   
   Molly Grey, a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel is unwittingly swept up in quite the criminal plot and she is framed for a murder she didn’t commit. She must step out of her comfort zone and help her friends set matters right before it is too late.
   
3. The Mystery Guest: A Maid Novel by Nita Prose
   
   When a famed author drops dead in the newly renovated tea room at the Regency Grand Hotel, it is up to Head Maid Molly Grey to crack the case. Her sleuthing wins her praise and respect from Detective Stark with whom she butted heads with in the first novel. It’s a case of people not being all they seemed to be!
   
4. Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
   
   Following a harrowing ordeal on the Mountain facing off against a serial killer, Ernest Cunningham is invited to be part of a writer’s panel on train. When a literary bigwig drops dead it is up to Ernest to solve the case and save the guests on the train from further peril.
   
5. The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
   
   Aiden Bishop awakens with memory loss; he is taken to the nearest lodgings to be treated and recover. In a strange turns of events he awakens again; this time in a different body. He is given the monumental task of solving the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle…all while evading the treacherous Footman who is killing off Aiden’s hosts.
   
   What did you read this month?

As you know, I am a mystery buff. From television shows to books –I love mysteries. My friends and I have started a tradition; every month we “solve a murder” for our game night.

Unsolved Case Files

The most recent case we solved was Sandra Ivey…

“August 10th, 2021 – At 11:10am the world’s first commercial space station, the Delta One, lost power and all communication with ground control for 40 minutes. During the blackout, a mysterious accident claimed the life of Sandra Ivey, CEO of Astro IV, the multi-billion dollar space tech company responsible for launching the station. 

There were five other crew members aboard the Delta One and none claim to know what happened to Sandra while the power was out. Sandra’s former chief of security, Solomon Hart, was sent skyward to investigate, but only given 24 hours aboard the Delta One to make his case. Though it was officially ruled an accident, he suspects there’s more to this story than meets the eye.”

Cryptic Killers

The most recent case we solved was Case #7: Murder At Merivale Manor….

“On July 4, 1927, Astrid Pelham fell from the top floor balcony of the luxurious Merivale Manor, impaling her body on a statue below. The cause of her death remains a mystery, shrouded in whispers of murder, suicide, and even supernatural intervention. Armed with new evidence, it’s your job to piece it all together and work out who it was that killed the victim.”

My work-life balance tipped hard core to the work side, so I only managed to read ONE book this month; it was a book I was waiting for FOREVER…

1. A Grave Robbery by Deanna Raybourn
   Veronica and Stoker go on THE wildest adventure so far in the series to discover what happened to a young women; whose body was thought to be a mannequin. Riffing on Frankenstein it was a thrilling read.