aunt_agatha

J.M. Cannon: The Lost Girls

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This book is only available in a digital format.

The Lost Girls by J.M. Canon, also known as The Flash Girls, comes in a few editions. I personally read it as in eBook, and did note that there were some layout issues with the version I read to review. It’s likely that these issues have been fixed in the official version, but there were sometimes distracting from the story. Regardless, this was a solid thriller.

The story follows Anna, a reporter with a rough upbringing, whose best friend Sylvie went missing years ago. Anna has spent her life trying to get justice for Sylvie, and to find her, alongside the other “Flash Girls.”  Despite the evidence of three girls disappearing after being stalked, and seeing the flash of a camera before they went missing, no one else believes there is a serial killer among them. Anna was the only one to coin and use the term “Flash Girls”. read more

Ellie Alexander: Killing Me Soufflé

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Bakeshop #20

Killing Me Soufflé is the 20th addition to Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop mysteries. Juliet, baker and owner of Tort bakery, is facing a lot of new changes in her life – being pregnant with twins, adjusting to decaf coffee, losing two of her valued employees and friends, Sterling and Stephanie, and hiring their replacements. While she regrets the loss of her friends in the shop, she knows that it is important for their own futures for them to take advantage of this new opportunity. Becoming head of the SeaBreeze Bistro at Whaleshead Resort could be Sterling and Stephanie’s big chance to make a name for themselves in the culinary world. However, what seemed like a fantastic opportunity with nothing but potential quickly turns into a nightmare. read more

Carlene O’Connor: Murder in an Irish Garden

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Irish Village #11

In Carlene O’Connor’s latest Irish Village mystery, garda heroine Siobhan O’Sullivan is studying for her detective sergeant exam, which is causing her quite a bit of stress. She is looking forward to relaxing with the local gardening competition, as well as the opening of her brother’s restaurant. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that gardeners take their craft very seriously, especially those who feel confident enough in their skills to compete on the quality of their work. Kilbane County Cork, Ireland, has plenty of talented amateur gardeners keen to show off their skills and win. However, this year a former Kilbane resident and professional landscape designer Cassidy Ryan is returning home to try and claim the prize for herself. She’s also been hired by Siobhan’s brother, Eoin, to help spruce things up for the grand opening. read more

Deanna Raybourn: Kills Well with Others

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Killers of a Certain Age #2

This is the second in Raybourn’s delicious, breakout series following a group of sixty something lady assassins.  They work for an organization called “The Museum” and their mission is to take out those who are doing serious wrong (originally Nazis) and take them out in a way where the deaths can’t be traced and don’t appear to be murder.  The first book was a smorgasbord of beautifully executed little death scenes, each one a sharp and precise how-dunnit.  It also introduced the main characters, Billie, Natalie, Helen and Mary Alice.  In the first novel they were on an enforced “retirement cruise” but when it became clear they were actually the targets, they took action. read more

Radha Vatsal: No. 10 Doyers Street

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Archana “Archie” Morley is a journalist working in 1907 New York City.  She’s a double outsider: she’s a woman, and she’s from India.  Her physician husband, who has defied his family to marry her, is quite tolerant of her choice to don pants and traverse dangerous parts of the city looking for stories.  And boy, does she find some.  While her editor has her latched on to the notorious murder of Stanford White by Harry Thaw, Archie gets distracted by a gang style shooting in Chinatown and the gangster who may or may not be behind it, Mock Duck. read more

Emily George: A Cold Dose of Murder

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Cannabis Café #3

Just a disclaimer for this review: this book is a part of the Cannabis Café mystery series by Emily George, and legalized cannabis and its uses are major theme in A Cold Dose of Murder. If you find that topic off-putting, please stop reading. Right now. Medical use is the primary motivation, but responsible recreational use is also portrayed. As the book cover, and many characters, emphasize: consume responsibly. This goes for reading about it, too. If you know legalized cannabis isn’t something you are comfortable with, do not read this review or the book. Not every book is for everyone. For those who do not mind or perhaps even enjoy seeing legalized cannabis normalized and represented, this is indeed a review and book for you. read more

Jean-Luc Bannalec: An Island of Suspects

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Brittany Mystery #10

An Island of Suspects is Jean-Luc Bannalec’s tenth book in his Brittany mystery series. The main character is Commissaire George Dupin, who works along with his team of investigators to solve various mysteries throughout Breton. An Island of Suspects focuses on the island of Belle-Île, and the murder of a wealthy and well known sheep farmer Patric Provost. Mr. Provost was actively being blackmailed and the deadline for payment came just before the discovery of his body. Almost as soon as they start investigating it’s clear that the victim was not at all liked in his community. Even his own employees seem to outright hate him. Mr. Dupin is soon faced with the realization that he has an entire island of suspects. read more

E.L. Johnson: Winter’s Poison

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Winter Murders #1

There are not many mysteries set in the tumultuous court of King Stephen (1096-1154). A Winter’s Poison by E.L. Johnson is certainly the first I have personally read. It follows teenage Baker’s daughter Bronwyn, adept in the kitchen herself, as she is pulled into it making a fairly routine delivery. A nobleman named De Grecy orders fancy white rolls from her father’s shop on a whim, and Bronwyn discovers they are intended for the king and queen only when she arrives to drop them off. However, as she is departing, she sees a cloaked figure fiddling with the food and tries to report it to the head cook. It’s clear that someone has added mushrooms to the top of the rolls. read more

Amanda Flower: I Died for Beauty

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Emily Dickinson #3

This may be my favorite in this series to date.  The perfect blend of setting, character and story really sing in this novel, which takes place during a very cold and snowy winter in 1857 Amherst, Massachusetts.  While Amherst is now famous as Emily Dickinson’s birthplace and home, in 1857 Emily was just an eccentric member of the prominent Dickinson family, with scraps of writing spilling out of her pockets. And, in these novels, a penchant for sleuthing.

While today we experience cold and snowy winters, in 1857, those things made a much bigger difference in people’s lives.  The cold and snow meant there were fires going all the time which also meant a greater chance of house fires.  The snow cut off train deliveries (and travel) so food stores were hoarded.  For the poor, the situation was worse, as the cold meant their firewood supply may not have kept up with the need to keep warm. read more

Author Interview: Connie Berry

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I was lucky enough to do interviews for the late, great Mystery Scene, sadly no longer even accessible online.  One of my favorites is this interview with Connie Berry, who writes a binge worthy series set in England.  I’m publishing it here because Connie’s latest book,  A Collection of Lies, is nominated for an Agatha this year.  

Connie’s Kate Hamilton books feature an American antiques dealer who has family ties in England through her British husband.  As the series opens she’s a recent widow visiting her Scottish sister in law, and she meets an English man who will change her life.  He’s a Detective, naturally.  Berry’s books are a wonderful combination of tricky plots, rich characters, and beautiful settings, and for anyone who adores a British village mystery, this is the series for you. Each novel focuses on a story in the past, often highlighting some specific antique element.  In the latest novel, that element is lace making and fabric restoration.  I binged the entire series this summer. read more