My Rating. 4 Stars A classic crime novel that brings back the flare of the golden age of detective literature. A quick, pleasant read. In a small English village, Miss Ethel Tither is the most unpopular lady. Set deeply in her religious ways, she makes it her mission to know everything about everyone. However, before she can open her mouth too much, she appears murdered. When attempts in solving the case came out blank, the local police is forced to reach out to Scotland Yard that sends Inspector Littlejohn to crack the case. Who in the village was desperate enough to shut the busybody up permanently and why? I can’t say I knew the author when I requested the book but I did a little research. George Bellairs was a classic crime author that wrote detective stories in from the 40s to the 70s. He is best known for the adventures of Detective Inspector Littlejohn stories. Poisoned Pen Press started re-issuing old crime classics and I’m very glad they did. “Death of a Busybody” is the third instalment of the series. The vintage touch to the story is amazing and refreshing to read. The style line is quite simple and the mystery is relatively easy to solve. All the clues are there to be openly picked by the reader and the slow pace of the story gives enough time to digest everything. At the same time, there are a few twists and surprises that add something extra to the story. In the end, the case closes very nicely and all loose ends are tide. Additionally, the author tells the reader about the fate of certain characters which gives a very nice touch and depth to the story. The settings are the typical small villages in the country with the typical country style and people. The love for gossip, the criticism and the fake smiles give off the feeling that not everything or everyone is what they seem. Bellairs takes his time to present it and bit by bit reveals more about its inhabitants, but on the contrary of what one might think, the more you think you know, the less you actually know. The style of writing is compelling and captivating. I got a bit lost in the midst of all the dialects and typical small town phrases but still, it added charm and made the story and its characters more real. The author did a great job in adding lightness to very serious situations. There are many small clues like black-out curtains on the windows, petrol shortages, land girls doing jobs on the farms and some mention of rationing, but rationing had not reached the extreme levels which later years made necessary. There is a tea shop which specializes in all sorts of sweets and there is definitely no shortage of sugar at this point. There also is not a single mention of fighting on any front and that is quite at variance with most mystery novels set in this time period. “Death of a Busybody” was a fun, quick read with unexpected twists and memorable characters. I recommend this novel to all the fans of classic detective stories! Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Poisoned Pen Press and the British Library Crime Classics, for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book.
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My Rating: 5 Stars A great beginning to the new series Amish Candy Shop Mystery! Amanda Flower proves yet again to be a memorable writer of cosy-mysteries. Bailey King has the perfect life: she works in her dream job, being an assistant chocolatier at JP Chocolates in New York City and she’s up to a promotion. Unfortunately, nothing is meant to last forever. When she gets a call that her grandfather is very ill in Harvest, Ohio, Bailey rushes to them. Adapting to their Amish ways isn’t easy but it was there, at the Amish candy shop Swissmen Sweets she grew her passion for chocolate. One night, while coming down from her room into the kitchen’s shop to grab her phone, she trips on a dead body. It’s Tyson Colton, the man that was interested in buying all the shops in Harvest and he was stabbed with a kitchen knife in her grandparent’s shop. With her grandfather appointed main suspect, Bailey knows she will do everything to prove his innocence. A cosy-mystery with a different flavour. The fusion between mystery and the Amish ways add the spicy to the story. The story-line is solid and engaging and the mystery is twisted and impossible to guess that happens next. When the reader thinks they know what’s coming, it just The setting is also unique and refreshing. I had no previous knowledge of Amish and it’s quite nice to discover them with Bailey. Flower builds up the mystery in a steady pace, building the list of suspects and takes the reader through a colourful little town and its people. Additionally, the amount of research the author did is impressive. It seems like she actually visited a place with these values and used them masterfully in the creation of this story. The characters are, as always, the best part of Amanda Flower’s novels. They have depth, they are engaging and the reader feels and walks with them through the story. Bailey’s grandparents, Clara and Jebediah, are very well-developed; they are kind-hearted people that radiate warmth across the pages. Even though Bailey doesn’t share her family’s beliefs, it’s not possible to miss that she shares the deep knowledge and values that her grandparents taught her. She is a great main female character and her chemistry with the handsome deputy Aiden is the chilly in the chocolate. It will be a treat to get to know them better in the next books. A tasty and chocolaty beginning of a series that I recommend! Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Kensington Press and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book. Bibliomysteries: Stories of Crime in the World of Books and Bookstores Edited by Otto Penzler27/12/2017 My Rating: 5 Stars This collection is the perfect read for lovers of books and mysteries. What can be better than murders themes around books? These 15 short stories were written by distinguished mystery writers and they make every story count. The editor Otto Penzler put together an anthology of crime between books that fill fit the likes of most readers. From hidden messages inside old books, a deadly bookseller and the deep secrets a library might hide, make this book impossible to put down. Each storyline is different but they all have something in common: books. The title was definitely well picked and it describes perfectly its content. All the stories take place in modern times and they all involve different types of books or characters related to books like booksellers, book collectors, books privately owned, public displayed books and even an old scroll. Even though most of the stories can be classified as thriller/mystery, some of them have a fantasy touch to them and one fits in the fantasy genre completely. The authors with stories on this collection, by order of appearance, are:
The editor Otto Penzler did a great job putting this anthology together. All the authors have different styles of writing, different ways of describing and interaction with the reader which is very refreshing when you’re jumping from story to story. Some of the authors I’m familiar with and it was a treat to read some short works from them, like Jeffrey Deaver, Thomas Cook and John Connolly. Additionally, discovering other authors just made my to-read list a bit longer for next year. I absolutely recommend this anthology to all the fans of murder mysteries and books. These great authors write great stories and getting to know other creators of this genre might help you discover some great books you haven’t read yet. Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Pegasus Books and the editor for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book. My Rating: 4 Stars A great addition to this collection! A Hollywood film crew comes into town to film a horror movie and all the residents of Wildwood Cove are in a buzz. When the owner of The Flip Side Pancake House Marley McKinney gets wind that the leading actress, Alyssa Jayde, was her boyfriend's crush, she knows things are about to get interesting. As the crew gets a close and personal acquaintance with Marley’s pancakes, the make-up artist Christine invites her for a tour behind-the-scenes. As she arrives, she is faced with a trailer on fire and Christine inside. As she digs into the complicated lives of the cast members, the investigation leads to more suspects with a plausible motive. Can she get to be bottom of the murder before the killer decides to get her next? The writing style is just as great as the first novel. It flows smoothly, makes the story easy and quick to read. The author is very talented in describing everything and I get hungry for reading about pancakes and recipes. The novel is full of colour and smells that characterize Sarah Fox’s style so well. The plot is good and it has enough twists to keep the reader guessing. The more of the characters and their stories are revealed, the more addictive the story becomes. The characters are amazing and, like the previous instalment, memorable. I felt like there were too many characters at some point, even if they all belong to the film crew. I had to make an effort to keep track of everyone and their role. Marley is a great protagonist with a curious mind, cunning attitude and very smart. Her style and her way to get information on the lives of the cast members are brilliant and I found myself admiring her. The tension between her and her boyfriend Brett adds spice to the story and it definitely keeps the reader interested in what might happen between them by the end of the story. I would definitely want to jump into the story to meet Marley and her friends at the Pancake House and of course, to eat some delicious pancakes. A cosy-mystery that fans of the genre and the series shouldn’t miss! Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Alibi and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book. My Rating: 5 Stars This book can only be described as pure magic, for several reasons. It resonates with the soul. A young girl forgot part of an important memory of her childhood. Nineteen years later, Liesl is an under-appreciated girl that seems to be doomed to remain the ugly shadow of her beautiful young sister and her talent brother. She lives to care only for others, not caring about herself at all. Growing up with stories of the Goblin King, Lord of Mischief seemed just like any other fairytales, stories that in time stop being listened to. Everything changes when her sister is taken by goblins into the Underworld and the Goblin King himself sets a challenge: she has to rescue her sister and give her life in exchange for her freedom. As her relationship with the King grows, her life grows short. The wheels of fate and choice are set in motion: to stay and die or to live at the cost of her music? This novel is a pure work of art. The writing style is breathtaking and slowly but surely it sings to the readers’ soul. The words are like music notes that play quietly in the distance and they bring out the longing and the nostalgia of memories that are half-forgotten. It’s like reading poetry but in verse. S. Jae-Jones revealed herself to be an enchantress of words. The plot is unique and developed in a unique way. It’s a strange world where reality and illusion meet and, from the beginning, the reader isn't supposed to try and distinguish them. Wintersong is imagination, a vivid dream and it’s so well described that it pulls you in right from the first page. Everything that happens in the story and even the descriptions of rooms, the forest and Liesl’s home, they all mean something. The symbols are there so the reader can interpret them and the author leaves them that freedom. The scary part is that, in the end, everything just leads to the same ending. It’s a tale of remembrance, loss of innocence, sacrifice and acceptance, not only of the circumstances but also of one’s self and our individual value. The characters are just as unique as the story. Liesl is an incredible heroine and she isn’t the typical fair maid that needs rescuing. She is a real, unpolished young girl that couldn’t be more of an opposite to her family and their ways. On the contrary of her sister that is known for her beauty and her arrogant, spoiled character, Liesl doesn’t mind staying in the shadows with her self-doubt, her jealousy and her desperate desire to be noticed. She isn’t pure, at times she’s cruel, but that’s the way humans are. She needs to be broken in order to find her true self, to go beyond social barriers, expectations and most of all, her own self-doubt. The characters are good and evil, innocent and devilish, self-absorbed but selfless too. The Goblin King, the main male protagonist, is also a victim of a trick of fate and destined to be judged by a title he never desired. He’s a tragic figure, bond to live eternally alone, in darkness. There are no heroes and no villains in this story. This book will mark its reader deeply, for its melody, its soul-felt story and beautiful characters. I can’t recommend it highly enough. My Rating: 4 Stars This was a different, tricky and great historical mystery where both the living and the dead are suspects. Very refreshing! Recently widowed Alice Goodway developed the ability to speak to spirits. She decides to become a medium with the help of her aunt and helps those who wish to speak with their loved ones. Her life is turned upside down when she receives a threatening letter quickly followed by a dead body in her home. The sceptic Detective Sergeant Michael Brennan and open-minded Constable Jaggery are sent to investigate and catch a killer before they reach their price: Alice herself. The first book I read by A.J. Wright and I loved it. I’m curious to read the first story and how it all began. Even though I felt like I was missing something with the relationship between the characters, I would say it can still be read as a stand-alone. The plot is brilliant created and developed. The plot takes place in the Victorian Age, Lancashire 1894 which gives a very English taste and a very nice setting for a murder. Everything about the crime makes sense and slowly the reader is taken on a trip through several people, ghosts and clues that entangle the story and make it hard to guess the identity of the killer. The fun part is that it can be both the living and the dead which were for me, a treat to read. The best part is that no strings are left loose and the complex case is beautifully solved. It was a tricky, evolving murder mystery full of twists and turns that leave the reader glued to the pages to see what the next page has in store. The style of writing is simple, compelling and it has the appropriate tone and vocabulary from the 19th century. The reader doesn’t get lost in the story and the tone of the narrative runs as smoothly as the story itself. Wright doesn’t make it easy though. The tone of which he writes is suspicious and even though he doesn’t full out blame someone, he installs doubt in the mind of his readers, in a very skilful way indeed. The characters are quite colourful since there are many of them. The author throws all sorts of clues but the reader will not be 100% sure if it’s a real clue or a distraction attempt. Even so, all the characters play their part and each one has a certain depth to them. The dead characters add spice to the story and I don’t think I would have enjoyed the book like I did without them. In the beginning, however, it was a bit difficult for me to remember all the characters, their names and identities since they all get introduced in the beginning. But, as the story goes on, everything becomes easy to follow. A great historical mystery that can also be considered a cosy-mystery to be enjoyed by all the fans of the genres. Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Endeavour Press and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book. My Rating: 4 Stars The perfect phrase for this book is: Never judge a book by its movie. This is a must-read for all horror fans, a classic that still manages to leave your skin crawling. In modern Iraq, a Jesuit at an excavation of an ancient site discovers a strange figurine of the demon Pazuzu entwined with a metal of St Joseph. In the city of Georgetown, the daughter of a famous actress falls victim to a disease that medicine cannot explain. When paranormal events start happening around young Reagan McNeil, her mother turns to a Jesuit priest, Father Damien Karras. When all his effects bare no fruit, Father Karras calls upon Father Lankester Merrin, another priest just returned from Iraq. Together they will attempt to exorcise the demon within the girl, but at what cost? Doubts are brewing and evil never rests. I must admit, when I started reading this book I struggled to keep reading it but in the end, it was worth it. It’s one of scariest books one can read. The depth of this novel is great and there are no loose ends. The plot is disturbing but at the same time compelling and will stay in the memory of the reader for a long time. The research that William Blatty uses in the novel is very well integrated and it gives the feeling that the reader is reading about something that really happened. The lines of thought, the psychology and the knowledge of human behaviour were incredible to read and it’s easy for the reader to identify itself with one of the characters and its reactions. The characters are very well developed. Father Damien, the main protagonist is a great character with his own flaws and his doubts make him more human. The loss of his mother and the confrontation with something he doesn’t understand and therefore, doesn’t know how to help, makes the reader feel for him. As he battles a crisis of faith, he still holds on with the simple objective of saving the young girls’ life. The style of writing is simple and easy to follow, built on mundane vocabulary to describe the activities of every day. The narrative develops at a steady pace and Blatty narrates the story without getting lost in unnecessary details. The beginning of the story is mysterious and descriptive but it’s needed to set the scene, not only in Iraq but in Georgetown as well. No main characters are introduced though, and the reader is left hanging with questions. The writing is seductive and Betty knows how to keep the reader absorbed in the narrative even when it gets creepy. I highly recommend this book to horror fans that like to stay awake at night for more reasons than one. My Rating: 4 Stars Another great novel featuring the brilliant Miss Fisher and this time the holidays don’t go as planned. Miss Phryne Fisher thinks her family needs a breath of fresh air and so relaxation. A nice, quiet holiday in Queenscliff is just what they need: a beach house, parties and cocktails. Unfortunately, it starts on the wrong foot. As they arrive at the rented holiday house, they realize that the owners are missing and that the house was raided. As the local police show its talent or the lack of it, Miss Fisher takes it upon herself to get to the bottom of this mystery. From kidnapping to illegal smuggling, an attempt of murder and a treasure hunt, the holiday adventure will be anything but relaxing, even after a few cocktails. I’m a big fan of the Honourable Phryne Fisher and her adventures, and this novel was a delight to read. I didn’t read the previous instalment but it can be read as a stand-alone. The style of writing is as engaging as always: the descriptions are colourful, accurate and very they draw a perfect picture of a dream holiday, at least in the beginning. The reader feels like they are walking beside the main characters and unconsciously smile at the family scenes. The style feels like a summer breeze: it goes smoothly over the plot, the interactions between characters and the descriptions which include delicious dishes, recipes and cocktails. The research details Greenwood uses give depth to the story and they are very well integrated into the story. The details on the period are, as always, impeccable written and described. The plot is simpler than the previous novel I read but it’s still engaging in its own way. I think the best way to describe it's “relaxing mystery”. The story develops slowly and in the beginning, there isn’t much action, but it comes later on. With the presence of a phantom snipper that cuts off girls’ plaits, the plot doesn’t have a lot more development. The characters are as charming as ever and, of course, Miss Fisher is a great female protagonist. I don’t get tired of reading about her, her courage to break the rules, her strength of character and her constant fight to see justice done; they never cease to inspire me. In this novel, the reader is introduced to a new cast member: Tinker, an evasive boy that tends to get himself in difficult situations and he ends up joining the household together with Jane and Ruth. The new addition is very nice to read and it felt natural that he should join Miss Fisher and her adventures. A cosy, relaxing read that I recommend to all the fans of the genre and of Miss Fisher. Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Poisoned Pen Press and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book. My Rating: 5 Stars A wonderful plot, unlike anything you’ve read before. A great beginning of an epic journey. A storm during a delivery to a rural area completely changed the life of Robby Ribbon. After a few wrong turns, he’s completely lost and without meaning too finds and rings a Bell that isn't supposed to ring at all. After the incident, everything changes and war follows. Was it just a coincidence? Robby embarks on a journey that he doesn’t understand, meeting companions along the way that in the end will change more than just his world, they will reveal who he truly is. I completely fell in love with this book. It starts with something so simple and develops into something more complex and it turns the novel into something epic and memorable. I’m counting the days for the next instalment. It’s a novel that is to be read at a steady pace. For me, it’s not meant to be rushed, it’s meant to be savoured and to be enjoyed to the minimal detail. The world building of The Bellringer is fantastic. The author takes his time to explain the history of this world and build you a complete painting of how it’s organized. I really enjoyed the map detail: there are maps in the introduction that shows each continent and country. For me, it’s a very positive point since it allowed me to have an overview of the general lines of this world. In the beginning, I had struggled to read it since the pace was a bit too low for my taste, but it’s needed to have a better grasp of everything that comes after. Once the bell in rang, all hell breaks loose and the pace speeds up significantly. Sadly for me, it doesn’t have a happy ending and it leaves the reader with a big book-hangover. There are several storylines and each one is a different adventure. The best part is that some of them come together in the end and others are left to the imagination of the reader, which for me it’s a positive point. The characters are incredibly created: there are several main and secondary characters and they are all developed in depth. In this novel, it’s easy to be drawn to the characters and just journey with them. Sometimes the reader might even wish to be there to give some insights and advice. They are so well imagined and developed that I could almost hear their voices in my head throughout the novel. Robby, the main character, has a great heart. Even though he’s completely at loss, in the beginning, he takes on a journey that might actually be the death of him and he still has his head held high. Better than Robby, just Shelia, the female character. She is a badass, tough because of her background. I’m curious to see what her role is going to be in the next instalment. There isn’t much information about her apart from glimpses of her past, but I have a feeling she will be very important in the future. This isn’t the typical fantasy book. I can’t really put it in words, but the feeling it gives and the feeling it leaves in the reader is deep and long-lasting. I have a major book-hangover with this one. I highly recommend it to all fantasy fans. This is the beginning of an epic saga! I want to thank Xpresso Book Tours and the author William Timothy Murray for sending me a paperback copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. My Rating: 5 Stars An absolutely brilliant plot: mesmerizing narrative and gripping from page one. What if the ancient Aztec civilization survived the trial of time and still existed today? In a world of stone pyramids and wild parties, the old traditions prevailed and the belief that a blood sacrifice is needed for the sun to rise is still practiced like clockwork. This is the reality that Maya lives in. She is the daughter of an upper-class family that spends her time partying with her friends and the man that claimed her as his wife. Her life is turned upside down when she gets kidnapped by a group of rebels that want to put an end to the theocratic regime. Maya learns that everything she has been told in her life is a lie and that the sun will rise with or without a human sacrifice. Will she join in the rebellion to save the people or will she be the next offering to the gods? A brilliant novel that I will re-read many times over. The storyline is solid, well-structured and consistent. It’s very rich in historical facts and they are slowly revealed through the novel, so it doesn’t overwhelm the reader with information. The pace builds up very nicely in the beginning and then it's complete non-stop with action, filled with twists that make the story impossible to predict and pure adventure. This world is so well created that it seems like it actually took place. It was a breath of fresh air to read more about Mayan culture, their cults and rituals since it’s a story of a civilization that I know little about. Val Bodurtha presents a deep knowledge on the subject and presents it beautifully. Not only that, but it also shows a knowledge of politics and religion and how society promotes equality but in the end, it’s structured, my classes. The Aztec society is built by the elite and the ones that aren’t. Unfortunately for the peasants, that title comes with a deadline as a sacrifice is needed to gain the favour of the sun deities. The characters are very well characterized and they truly seem to come out of the pages. They are flawed with moments of arrogance, ignorance but also courage and growth. Maya, the female protagonist, is a spoiled brat at the beginning of the story, she doesn’t care about anyone but herself and her inability to see through her own circle is annoying. But, I’m glad to say, she improves throughout the novel and actually becomes a mature young woman, driven by the need to help others and change the course of so many lives that were meant for a short life-span. The main male lead is Tezca and he is the definition of a fearless warrior. He leads the rebel group, organizes raids and builds the plans to overtake the theocratic ‘government’. He definitely adds energy to the plot and his intelligence makes the plot more believable and solid. The secondary characters are just as important and they give the support that changes the course of a few occurrences during the adventure. Even though this book is classified as YA, I recommend it to all audiences. It has some juvenile moments but the storyline is brilliant and it’s very different from any setting the reader may encounter. It definitely deserves all its 5 stars. I want to thank Lanier Press and the author Val Bodurtha for reaching out and sending me a paperback of her novel in exchange for an honest review. |
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