Jan Jones

Esme Cahill can’t seem to cut a break

Published by kjpasson on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 7:51am

This week, I found “Esme Cahill Fails Spectacularly” by Marie Bostwick was both thought-provoking and heartwarming.

As the title says, Esme Cahill has had some spectacular failures, but it takes her a long time to see the value in every failure. The story moves between 1942 and the early 2000s, revealing the lives of Esme’s grandparents, her mother, Robyn, Esme and their friends.

Three-pack is good intro to cozy sleuth

Published by kjpasson on Tue, 10/01/2024 - 9:37am

This week I selected a three-book set from BookBub. The cozy mysteries by Michele Pariza Wacek feature inadvertent sleuth Charlotte “Charlie” Kingsley and are set in the small town of Redemption, Wisconsin. “The Murder Before Christmas,” “Ice Cold Murder” and “Murder Next Door” gave me a bit of Charlie’s backstory.

Ellis conjures a complicated fantasy

Published by kjpasson on Tue, 09/24/2024 - 6:15am

This week I chose “A Conjuring of Ravens” by Azalea Ellis. It is subtitled “A Practical Guide to Sorcery” and is best described as a tome rather than a book.

The only backstory is an archaeological expedition recovers an ancient book of spells and an amulet. The artifacts are taken to a special university in Gilbratha. Before the professors can begin an examination, the book and an amulet are stolen.

Skeleton in closet leads to harrowing mystery

Published by kjpasson on Tue, 09/17/2024 - 8:45am

“Llama See That Evidence” by Erin McCarthy and Kathy Love was better than I expected. It is the second in the Friendship Harbor series of cozy mysteries.

Sophie LaFleur grew up in California and became an actress starring in the series “Murder She Texted.” About the time the series was canceled, Sophie learned that she had inherited her grandmother’s estate in Friendship Harbor, Maine. The estate includes a large home, a successful restaurant and Grammy’s beloved pet llama, Jack.

“7½ Deaths” is weird but compelling

Published by kjpasson on Tue, 09/10/2024 - 11:24am

I hadn’t planned on reading anything weird for a while, but that’s what I got with “The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” by Stuart Turton.

The first page shows an invitation to a masquerade ball at Blackheath House. The hosts are Lord Peter and Lady Helena Hardcastle and their children Evelyn and Michael Hardcastle.

First Emma Frost book is creepy

Published by kjpasson on Wed, 09/04/2024 - 8:16am

“Itsy Bitsy Spider” by Willow Rose was one of the most disturbing books I’ve read in a long time. It has two storylines that collide in a horrific way.

Fanoe Island, just off the coast of Denmark, has long had distinct social classes. In 1977, young Astrid crossed that line by becoming pregnant by the son of the island’s overbearing matriarch. No one knew that the woman had lured Astrid into the old bomb shelter in her back garden and locked her in. The bunker may have been clean and well stocked, but poor Astrid was utterly trapped.

Connie is missing in recent Plum mystery

Published by kjpasson on Tue, 08/27/2024 - 12:19pm

This week I downloaded “Going Rogue – Rise and Shine Twenty-nine” by Janet Evanovich.

Reluctant bounty hunter Stephanie Plum’s life has been oddly quiet. Most of the “failure to appear” cases have been easy to find and bring in. She doesn’t make much money but can pay her bills. Lately she’s begun to actually like her job.

Books and Stuff

Published by kjpasson on Fri, 08/16/2024 - 10:14am

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This week was exceptionally busy so I picked a short, easy read. “Paw and Order” by Chris Abernathy. It is the first in the Detective Whiskers Cat Cozy Mystery series.

Whiskers the cat spent many hours helping Detective Fred Mason work on cases at home. They had an impressive solve rate earning Whiskers his own detective badge.

Parker cozy mystery is a good read

Published by kjpasson on Mon, 08/12/2024 - 4:17pm

“The Deadly Detective Agency” by Ann Parker was entertaining and heartwarming.

Abigail Summers lived her entire life in the village of Becklesfield, England. At 54, she is content with her busy life as a dressmaker. One night, Abigail went to bed with an odd headache but woke up feeling better than she had in ages. When her nephew and his wife sweep into her bedroom and discuss what to do with her “things,” Abigail fears she must be dead.

Detective team grapple with killing spree

Published by admin on Fri, 07/26/2024 - 2:00pm

“Five Cold Bodies” by K.J. Kalis was the third in the Detective Max Grady series but was OK as a stand-alone.

Buckhead County sits just outside of Pittsburgh. The mostly rural county has its share of crimes, but when murder occurs Sheriff Kyler Holt reaches out to the Pittsburgh PD for help.