Reviews

Celia Fremlin: The Trouble Makers

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Classic

Publication date: 1963

Of all the mystery variations, “Domestic Suspense,” like many things domestic, is the most undervalued, considered practically disposable. Regardless of their excellence or popularity, writers of the past who didn’t write detective series are seldom remembered or celebrated today. One of my favorites, Celia Fremlin, who the New York Times of the time quite aptly called a mistress of insight and suspense, is fortunately not completely lost. Dover Books, sovereign of the uncopyrighted, has three of her titles in print and I had the pleasure of writing an entry about one of them, The Hours Before Dawn in the epochal Crum Creek classic 100 Favorite Mysteries of the Century. read more

Jennifer Ashley: Speculations in Sin

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Below Stairs #7

Why haven’t I heard of this series before? Though it’s the seventh book, I was completely taken in by it almost immediately, wanting to read the other six as soon as possible. Because it’s the seventh book there was a slight amount of catching up, but very slight. The main character, Mrs. Kat Holloway (the “Mrs” is an honorary title) is a cook for a wealthy London household in 1883. She has a 12 year old daughter her employers aren’t aware of, placed in a friend’s household. read more

Deanna Raybourn: A Grave Robbery

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Veronica Speedwell #9

Whether she’s writing suspense or historical fiction, Deanna Raybourn is never anything less than completely entertaining. There’s a magic to the storytelling in her long-running Veronica Speedwell series that suspends time for the reader.  In case you don’t know, Veronica is a lepidopterist (studies butterflies), and her partner, Stoker, is a gifted naturalist and expert taxidermist.  There are mysteries involved, of course, but these are more adventure stories in the vein of Mrs. Pollifax  or Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody books, and you, dear reader, can’t help but enjoy the ride. read more

Jenny Adams: A Deadly Endeavor

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Debut

Set in 1921 Philly, this lively series debut finds its characters affected by both the war and the influenza pandemic.  Heroine Edie Shippen returns home after suffering through the flu and nursing her San Francisco aunt just in time for her twin sister Frances’ engagement party to Edie’s former beau, Theo.  She isn’t even planning to attend until her maid Jenny convinces, telling her she looks too good to miss it.  Edie, who seems remarkably unaware of her own charms, does agree, but for her the occasion is only saved by an encounter with her rebellious cousin, Rebecca. read more

Katherine Bolger Hyde: Hanging with Hugo

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Crime with the Classics #6

Set on the Oregon coast, this charming series features B & B owner Emily, a former professor, and her sheriff husband Luke.  In this outing they’ve just returned from their honeymoon and are getting set to host the wedding of Emily’s half-brother Oscar.  They feel prepared for the tsunami of family and general chaos brought on by a wedding, but when they return home they find the church where it is to take place has been hit by an actual storm, with massive damage to the roof as well as a beautiful rose window in the nave.  The squishy floor and holes in the roof aren’t exactly conducive to the perfect wedding, so Emily, an heiress, donates some money of her own and arranges further financing through the town to get repairs started. read more

Isis Crawford: A Catered Quilting Bee

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Mystery with Recipes #18

In Isis Crawford’s seventeenth book, A Catered Quilting Bee, sisters Bernie and Libby Simmons find themselves in for far more than they bargained for when they are hired to cater the Longely Sip and Sew Quilting Circle’s fist exhibit event. First one of the members is found dead, and Bernie and Libby are hired by Cecelia Larson to investigate. Suicide appears to be the cause of death, and the local authorities rule it as such, but her friends just cannot believe it.  What starts as a basic fact-finding quest turns into a full-blown murder investigation for the Simmons sisters. Luckily their father was an impressive detective back in his day on the force, and he raised his girls to investigate and sleuth out the truth, even if their actual profession is more about solving the perfect recipe instead of the perfect crime. read more

Traci Wilton: Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid

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Salem B & B #8

There are very few places more ideal for supernatural themed cozies than Salem, Massachusetts. Traci Wilton takes full advantage of the town’s mystical air, and has based each of her eight books around some sort of mythical being. Her eighth Salem B&B Mystery, Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid, highlights the town’s first ever Mermaid Parade. Charlene Morris’ B&B is bursting with people eager to participate and compete in the parade. There is also a local, and retired, Hollywood celebrity mermaid, Trinity Powers, who will be making her first public appearance in years. She is famous for her role in the movie Sirena, which has a massive fan base. But she isn’t the only big name to show up. Sirena got a remake, and the star of that movie is shimmying her way to center stage with her own fan mob. Needless to say, the opposing fan groups are pretty opinionated, and are unfortunately more than willing to escalate things. Luckily, the stars themselves are more interested in making their own public appearances a success then sending their fans after each other. read more

Ellie Alexander: A Smoking Bun

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Bakeshop #18

A Smoking Bun is the 18th Bake Shop Mystery book by Ellie Alexander. I was so excited to see the next instalment in our baker and part time detective Jules Capshaw’s adventures. Her ever growing foodie empire has been a joy to watch expand. Jules cares about her community and has forged her place in Ashland, Oregon after many trials and tribulations and has even settled her family here. It isn’t all family and fondant for her, however. Jules also has made a bit of a name for herself in helping the local police detective, known primarily as The Professor, and now also to her as stepdad, solve several murders. She tries her best to stay away from any dangerous situations, but when a friend is in need she cannot turn away. read more

Emily George: A High Tide Murder

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Cannabis Cafe #2

Quick disclaimer for this particular review: this book is a part of the Cannabis Café mystery series by Emily George. Legalized cannabis and its uses are a major theme in A High Tide Murder. If this topic puts you off, please stop reading. Right now. Medical use is the driving motivation, but it is also used recreationally by the café patrons. 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. Cozies are meant to be an enjoyable escape, but not every book is for everyone. For those who do not mind, or perhaps even enjoy seeing legalized cannabis normalized, this is indeed a review and book for you. If not? Again, stop reading this. read more

Patrice McDonough: Murder by Lamplight

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Debut

If I were a magic eight ball, I’d say that all signs point to this satisfying and enjoyable debut setting up a series with a long, long run.  Set in London in 1866, the central character is Dr. Julia Lewis, an American educated physician (it was not possible for women to get a degree in England at the time) who is running her grandfather’s practice. But because he is ill, when the office gets the order to attend to a murder victim, it’s Julia who must take the call.

The dead man is a priest, found mutilated and naked, and though the police on the scene are initially a bit shocked at Julia’s gender, they eventually accept her expertise.  Inspector Tennant is controlled and quiet, and he and the doctor begin awkwardly, but gradually smooth things out. read more