D.E. White: Everyone is Lying

by

Alexandra has built a perfect life based more than a little on a lie. When she was young, she worked for the Candy Girls – party favors for high class men – though she herself never slept with anyone. As the host of these debauched parties, she saw and heard much more than the other girls did. That included the events of the very last the Candy Girls hosted, where she saw something that has haunted, and followed her, her entire life. The aptly named Everyone is Lying by D.E. White starts when Alexandra’s house of cards starts to topple. read more

S.K. Golden: The Socialite’s Guide to Sleuthing and Secrets

by

Pinnacle Hotel #3

This adorable series continues to be both adorable and thoughtful.  The heroine, hotel heiress and agoraphobe Evelyn Murphy, dresses almost completely in pink and dyes her hair blonde like her idol, Marilyn.  It’s 1958 and Elvis rules, as does Evelyn’s spoiled pom, Presley.  Evelyn’s almost boyfriend Mac has taken off for parts unknown, and so she’s entertaining ideas of other suitors throughout the book.

The main story, however, centers on the “Ladies Who Love to Sparkle”, women who sell costume jewellery, Tupperware party style.  As Evelyn enjoys tea in her hotel’s dining room, one of the sparkle ladies asks her to join them.  They share their catalogue, and all share a glass of champagne.  So far so good, but then the leader of the group collapses in Evelyn’s lap and later dies in the hospital. read more

Ann Cleeves: A Lesson in Dying

by

Inspector Ramsay #1

This welcome re-release of the first book in Ann Cleeves’ Inspector Ramsay series, originally published in 1990, is a pure delight.  Our bookstore (open 1992-2018) was lucky enough to have many of these  now collectible volumes on our shelves.  Before breaking out with her Vera books in 1999, the hardworking writer produced two now completed series, one centering on birdwatching, and this debut in the Ramsay series, a real, golden age gem.

Of course, the golden age of mystery ended many decades before this series began, but Cleeves follows many of the plotting and set up tropes familiar to any fan of the classics.  Set in a small village, the book begins when the much hated school headmaster of the insular community  is done away with at a combination Halloween/Guy Fawkes party for the school kids.  To the natives, all of whom are more than familiar with each other, Inspector Ramsey seems like  a exotic creature who appears from above to swoop in to solve the crime. read more

J.M. Cannon: The Lost Girls

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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