Category: Entertainment

I am burning through books when the baby naps; my house is a disaster but my heart is full.

Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz

After her publishing career ends, Sue finds herself running a hotel with her boyfriend in Greece; although it seems more like the hotel is running her. She jumps at the chance to investigate the link between the disappearance of Cecily and one of the Atticus Pünd novels written by her former client, Alan Conway.

Murder in Tinseltown: A Hollywood Era Choose Your Own Mystery by Max Nightingale

A Hollywood leading lady is murdered in her hotel room on the eve of a huge awards show. You get to choose how it goes!

Note: This book was TERRIBLE! I came across a duplicated page and the order in which I chose did not make sense as I progress through the story; the man assisting the police office had been killed off but then after making the next decision he was alive again. Characters and sub plots were introduced but they disappeared. Trying to re-read it was a hassle because my brain couldn’t separate the OLD from the NEW.

Queen of Fives by Alex Hay

Quinn Le Blanc aka Quinta White; has her eyes set on the ultimate con; marrying a wealth Duke and making off with a fortune. However, it all must go according to the rules of the chateau but she is thwarted at every turn by a rival from her past.

The Murder of Mr. Ma by John Shen Yen Nee and S. J. Rozan

Judge Dee and Lao She are on the hunt for the murderer of Mr. Ma and his compatriots from The Great War, on the streets of London in the 1920s. The adventures and aptitude of the men are reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia

This is the first book in the Harlem Renaissance Mystery series; it follows Louise Lloyd aka the Harlem Hero as she tries to solve the murder of young black women whose bodies are dumped on the step of Maggie’s Cafe as first strangled and stabbed viciously.

Sherlock Holmes and the Beast of the Stapletons by James Lovegrove

A continuation of the Hound of the Baskervilles; Sir Henry’s wife is found murder; drained of all her blood and strange sightings of a gigantic moth have been reported. Sir Henry fears that the curse is back and wishes to protect his son. Sherlock Holmes returns to “break the curse” once and for all by uncovering the sinister plot orchestrated from a nemesis.

Sherlock Holmes and the Christmas Demon by James Lovegrove

Eve Allerthorpe is sure she is going mad; terrorized by the Black Thurrick –her inheritance stipulates that she must be of sound mind on her 21st birthday. She asks Sherlock and Watson to investigate. Sherlock is able to unravel two plots at work at Fellscar Keep.

What did you read this month?

The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn & Janie Chang

In bustling San Francisco four women’s paths cross and their world is ripped apart when the earthquake hits in 1906. Five years later, they must track down a man who caused so much grief in their lives and bring him to justice.

Ribbons of Scarlet by Quinn, Dray, Kamoie, Perinot, Webb & Knight

Six authors tell the story of the bloody French Revolution through the eyes of six women from differing walks of life. All fighting for what they believe in and all showing immense bravery in the face of love, loss, tyranny and transformation. 

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

Lyudmila Pavlichenko was a Soviet sniper in WW2; in this fictional tale her war is over, however, she is paraded around the USA as part of a mission to secure American support but a battle is just beginning as she is stalked by the “marksman.”

The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict

Upon the death of her aunt, Lily is summoned to Endgame House the site of many tragedies for her family. She has to spend the 12 days of Christmas solving riddles and finding keys to determine the fate of the house and figure out who killed her mother.

Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz 

When cantankerous Alan Conway, author of the Atticus Pünd novels dies by what appears to be suicide, his editor must hunt for the missing chapters of his latest book. When she finds them she will discovers Alan‘s unlikely killer. This is the first of the Susan Ryeland series. 

I was on a bit of a Kate Quinn binge this month…

The Rose Code

The novel flashes between the looming wedding between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip and WW2 where three women work tirelessly at Bletchley Park. The women turn against each other due to an unfortunate tragedy but are suddenly thrown together due to a mysterious encrypted letter. They must put aside their trauma to save a friend and expose a traitor.

The Alice Network

Eve, a former spy from real-life Alice Network in France during World War I must help a young, unwed and pregnant American who journeys to Europe to find out what happened to her cousin at the end of the WW2. It turns out that the women have more in common than they think.

The Huntress

Nina Markova was a brave Soviet pilot who is forced to leave her unit behind after being denounced; after surviving a brutal attack by The Huntress; Nina, her husband and his assistant find themselves in Boston in the 1950s hunting down the vicious killer who has embedded herself as a suburban housewife.

Murder on the Brighton Express by CJ Archer

After receiving a blackmail note while on holiday with her family in Brighton, Cleopatra Fox is on high alert. She becomes preoccupied with the disappearance of a train passenger –realizing that the women could not have disembarked of her own volition, Cleo must figure what happened, who wanted the journalist dead and why. To assist her with the investigation is Harry Armitage.

A Death in Diamonds by SJ Bennett

It is 1957; Queen Elizabeth is undertaking a lot of tours but she is not too preoccupied to notice that things are not as they seem within the Institution; subtle sabotages make her question those closest to her. While Her Majesty tries to get to the bottom of that mystery, a young woman wearing only silk underwear and a tiara and her gentleman caller are found dead in a house not far from Buckingham Palace.

I always seem to devour a ton of books in December; there is something about the season that makes you want to curl up with a fuzzy blanket, a warm drink and a book.

Whose Body by Dorothy L Sayers

When a body is discovered in Mr. Phipps’ bathtub; Lord Peter Wimsey investigates; the case overlaps that of Chief Inspector Parker’s who is investigating the disappearance of a businessman.

A Spinsters Guide to Danger and Dukes by Manda Collins

Set in England in 1867, Flora Deaver aka Miss Poppy Delamare must solve the case of who murdered her brother-in-law to prevent her sister from swinging from the gallows. She is aided by the Duke of Langham in exchange for posing as his fiancee at a house party.

The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita prose

This novella; continues the story of Molly featured in her Maid series. Molly’s boyfriend is acting strangely suspicious; Molly uses her sleuthing abilities to try and work it out –much to her chagrin she can’t crack the case, however, she is rewarded in the end with a sweet Christmas surprise.

Murder Takes the Stage by Colleen, Cambridge

Phyllida Bright is back in this novel that borrows inspiration from Agatha Christie’s ABC Murders. Someone is killing actors in the West End; Mrs. Bright must uncover the killer before he or she works their way through the alphabet, while watching her own back so that secrets from her past don’t upend her new life.

Cloud of Witness by Dorothy L. Sayers

When Lord Peter Wimsey’s brother, the Duke of Denver is arrested and put on trial for the murder of Denis Cathcart; he must leave no stone un-turned to clear his name. Along for the investigative ride is CI Parker again.

Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson

Ernest Cunningham is back again in this novella to try and clear his ex-wife’s name, when her boyfriend is found stabbed to death in the kitchen and she is covered in blood –inexplicably. All his rules of murder and amateur sleuthing are employed –been use after all, Christmas is no excuse to be sloppy; fictionally, of course.

Another slow month for reading over here; unless you count all the children’s books I read with my son, EVERYDAY! MULTIPLE times a day. Anyways, I did manage to carve out some alone time (when he was napping) to FINALLY read…

Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes

Cliff Iverson finds himself at the usual McMasters school after a botched “murder” attempt. Once there he is educated on how to do it “properly;” however, if he fails again… he becomes the next victim. We also meet two others: Gemma and Doris who seek to delete their utterly terrible bosses.

I can’t wait for the sequel which should be out later this year; Murder Your Mate.

Amendment to October…

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn*

When women from all walks of life come together in a boarding house during the height of McCarthyism in the United States they create a family and connect through food.

*I finished October 31 and this should count for last month, but I’d already posted the October book club; so I am tacking this on to November!

I crushed a ton of books in September but I only managed to find time to read one book this month; but it was so good and I can’t wait until the third one comes out. This month I read…

A Murder Most French by Colleen Cambridge

In this novel, Tabitha must solve the murders of two chefs and the attempted murders of her beloved monsieur’s with the help of Julia Child. From the demonstration kitchen at Le Cordon Bleu to the catacombs under the city of Paris; Tabitha throws caution to the wind to bring a killer to justice.

Considering that my “Guess Who” costume won the contest last year; I figured I would re-share in case you are looking for a winning costume this year. I am not dressing up this year; however, my little guy is going to be an dinosaur!

Halloween How To: Guess Who

I have been enjoying baby cuddles and reading while on my Maternity Leave.

1. The Windsor Knot (Book 1) by S.J. Bennett
   
   The Queen becomes concerned over the death of a piano player after one of her “dine and sleeps;” some fail to see the importance, some chock it up to an act of espionage on the part of the Russians. Her Majesty and her Assistant Private Secretary, Captain Rozie Oshodi have to solve the case to bring justice to the young man and prevent the Royal household from falling apart.
   
2. All the Queen’s Men (Book 2) by S.J. Bennett
   
   The death of an unliked member of her Majesty’s staff is discovered dead in the pool house -at first it seems that this is just the case of “getting what she deserved” according to many characters, however, it is wrapped up in a more sinister smuggling plot. Once again it is up to the Queen and her APS to steer the authorities in the right direction.
   
3. Miss Morton and the Deadly Inheritance (Book 3) by Catherine Lloyd
   
   Lady Caroline can’t seem to shake the complications from her father’s financial debacles and suicide. When a mysterious note from her solicitors arrive indicating that there is a new will; she seeks to find out what is going on -however, several individuals connected to it turn up dead. With the help of Mrs. Frogerton and her son, Samuel; Dr. Harris & Inspector Ross she launches an investigation.
   
4. Death at The Savoy: A Priscilla Tempest Mystery (Book 1) by Ron Base & Prudence Emery
   
   Set in the 1960s in London, Priscilla heads up the PR department at The Savoy. She must clear her name and save her job when a man turns up dead in Room 705. The eclectic characters from the aristocracy and Hollywood add to the glitz and glamour.
   
5. Princess of The Savoy: A Priscilla Tempest Mystery (Book 2) by Ron Base & Prudence Emery
   
   Just when Priscilla thought her crime solving days were behind her, there is a yet another crisis at The Savoy. Two Italian princes arrive at the hotel. One is a fascist hoping to topple the British government and the other is driven by visions to thwart his cousin and claim the Dukedom.
   
6. Scandal at The Savoy: A Priscilla Tempest Mystery (Book 3) by Ron Base & Prudence Emery
   
   Priscilla finds out that a performer in one of the shows at The Savoy has been murdered. In order to solve this one she must summon help from her famous celebrity friends who are long time guests at the hotel as well as a few very well known gangsters.

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?