Puzzled to Death

Officially finished reading this book. It was ok. I always liked the first book better. More interesting than this one. Cora Felton , the puzzle lady, really wants to be a detective. Thinks she is one. Is solving another murder. A lot of who dunit. And a lot of miscalculation. Her niece there to help her. She follows her leads right to her back yard. Interesting concept of having a puzzle competition. 

Nice cozy mystery. But I must say I don't think I'll be coming back to this series.

I gave it a 4-------->

Because it was a good story but a bit drawn out. Same things over again. I lost interest in it took a long time for me to finish,

Anna O

 I don't know what to make of this book. I skipped a lot of pages, mostly technical talk. To get to the juice of the story it wasn't until close to the end. There were a few twists at the end. They came fast and a couple of them were one after another. Pretty good. Three people different agendas. Anna thinking everyone, her friends were taking something important away from her. Something that she worked so hard for. Harriet, would do anything for someone because of love. Clara, same thing, for the love for her daughter, Kat. The only one that was collateral damage, was Ben. Did anyone love him, or respect him? Respect the field he was in, and all the work that he did? He really thought he was doing good. Putting his theory to good. I hope his daughter, Kat did love her dad. You could tell that Ben had his whole world with Kat.

My thoughts were that I waas looking at what Ben did through my brothers eyes. See my brother was a Dr in psychology a lot of things that Ben said I heard my brother say. t was like listening to his pscy clss all over again. Eventually blaming someone of the reasons how we act. I'm guess thats another reason for me to fast forward on this.

Shame I saw this author do an interview about this book. And it looked promising.

I don't know what to think about Virginia Bloom. Was she a good person? OR is it that Bloom did something that she didn't know how to get out of? And put it on Ben? Wierd!

A very interesting idea Ben had about sleep. And what happens when sleep takes over the body. Ben thought that hope was needed to give a person that chance to wake up and enjoy life,

Interesting story but a bit slow for me. For that I give Anna O 4———-> 

A House for Miss Pauline

My husband and I were in St. Pete Florida last year and we were taking a walk. We came across a bookstore and had to stop in. While browsing I came across this book A House for Miss Pauline. Hmm...  I thought, Jamaica a place to read about, and this house of Miss Pauline‘s must mean a lot. I must find out now.

So here I am with book finished and now my thoughts

As Miss Pauline writes to her granddaughter she seems a bit nervous. She thought about how Justine might not want to come for a visit. So instead of writing and seeing, how long a letter would get to her, she was talked into Skyping by a young man named Lamont, which not knowing later, she befriended him.

See Miss Pauline was hearing voices and she thought her house was speaking to her. So when she was speaking to Justine she did'nt say anything about that, if she knew she would think unkindly. Some things you just don't speak of. Miss Pauline knows she is getting older. She feels it. Turning 100 years old, Miss Pauline hears the reluctance in Justine’s voice. So she told her she was sick. As her health declines she isn’t steady and she gets dizzy. Time for a cane for her. That’s what she told Justine, also she wants her granddaughter to help her make things right.

What things does Miss Pauline need to make right? Does she have a secret? Justine did come for a visit. She helped her with her doctor. And she also helped her with documents on finding who owned the land her house is on. She also became friendly with Lamont, who actually thought Miss Pauline was cool. I know he thought a lot of her. When the time came to go looking for who/what she needed he was there to see her through it. Her advice to him was immeasurable.

For the secret and making things right. Miss Pauline was afraid the stones of the house would give her secret away.

She, and her husband, friends, and people from her village helped Miss Pauline build her house of stone. Stones from slaves. From a slave house called a Backca House. This shows identity, colonialism, and land. The rest of the stones was taken to build some parts of the village. Was she suppose to be on that land? Hmm... And this is where she needed to find the owner/family of that land and make it right.

With the guidance of the voices of the slaves, including her girlfriend(who was raped by no other than the clergyman who taught the children)and had a baby. Miss Pauline made amends with the people she did wrong by. And to tell them what happened to their father. They made their choice to carry on with their own lives. Lamont decided to move on. He will never forget Miss Pauline. Both mean too much to each other. Miss Pauline also said goodbye to Justine. She had to get back to America for work.

As for Miss Pauline she found out she has ancestry with the person who owned the land. She will miss Lamont but I think she will be able to live with the voices even though her house is falling apart. She is stronger by it.

So Miss Pauline educated herself with the books that she stole, to the woman who started a ganja farm, A successful farmer at that, she supported her family, and herself. Whatever was thrown her way she seen it head on. Miss Pauline lived her life the way she wanted, with her children and her one love, Clive.

I gave A House for Miss Pauline 5

Reading this I had this feeling of Jamaica with its beauty and natural dialect. Also learning a bit about the way of living with what food people of Jamaica eat.

You need to read this story to get the full beauty of what Miss Pauline and those voices of the past are trying to teach. Good book!

The Last Father - Daughter Dance

I was looking for a book that was going to be short.  So this is what I picked. I'm glad I read it. It was a good book. The story flowed very well.

Although it wasn't a visit home for pleasure for Kalista, but a visit for her dad and do some organizing of her feelings of home.

Her dad not doing so well after hearing of no heart transplant talked Kalista against her mothers, and doctors wishes to take him away for a while at the old family farmhouse in the Blue Ridge mountains.

He wanted to recreate memories with her.

Working hard to do what her dad wanted. And to make her fiancé happy she tried her best for the month. Not getting along with her fiancé and getting help to set these memories up when her dad, from one Calhoun boy. A memory for each season. Special moments around by blooming dogwoods.

The last season was recreated from a play. And even though Cal helped Kalista and her dad out. It left that wonder for the readers if Kalista married Cal, the one that really knew her back in childhood. That will have to be left a wonder for the importance and last was her dad finally having that dance with his daughter Kalista.

I give The Last Father - Daughter Dance 5 

 

Its been a long time that I read a Christmas book that was of murder on the comedy side. I had a good laugh through out the book. Okay it was more comedy than murder, but a murder did occur. 

From the time of a party to the time Anna wakes up and heads to her pantry and sees a dead person. What the hell happened?

In typical Anna style she tries to solve the murder on Christmas Eve, with her in laws coming. Uh Oh!

She tries to protect her daughter Lily and son Ben. Ben though somehow gets to be involved with this because well he wants something. And Anna really does need his help to keep Lily occupied and have his tech savoy.

Her husband Oli does help a great deal and keep Anna from going off the rails. Her friend Jennie and she mentions  a great deal of Agatha Christie characters that they feel they relate to. Even Anna and Oli's cats are called Tommy and Tuppence.

At the end through all her mess ups and whatever's she gets her person. 

Grateful as the police should be because of Anna!

I give Happy Blood Christmas 5------>

Can't wait to read the next in line!

 

By The Pricking Of My Thumbs

I must say I like Tommy and Tuppance. I liked watching them grow as a couple as well as individuals on the job.

Not my favorite book of the group but, entertaining just as well.

I like how Agatha Christie has put them in the scene of a nursing home. Here I seen how both see things and people in a different way.

I'm surprised that the story was written with just the one character reacting to other things in a job. And the other was following some  clue about a house. I gotta say when Tommy and Tuppance aren't together working, finding clues etc... makes a bit of a slow moving story. Bit boring I'm sorry to say.

Once Tommy was back in picture the story seemed to move on. Although he had to find Tuppance he kept a level head. 

I was a little confused about the house and who was living there and how the house was ever split. As I read the story I was sure a certain couple were the bad people. Only to find out at the end who really was bad. 

Of course Tuppance gets herself in a pickle but Tommy finds her and keeps her safe.

I give By the Pricking of My Thumbs 5 

Although a bit of a drag, still it's AC and I'm rooting for Tommy and Tuppance.

Highlights on Goodreads

 

Partners In Crime

 

Actually this the 2nd book that I have read of Tommy & Tuppence. So far my favorite. I like how the book  was written in short stories. Makes the book, or so it seems, shorter. The dialogue that goes between Tommy and Tuppence is very appeasing.

They like to keep their lives interesting. Going in character with a variety of detectives. Including are own Poirot also Holmes too.

Albert their guy is cool too. He is a card. With Tuppence saying that she wishes that Albert didn't go to the pictures. He comes back copying a Long Island butler. And he's English.

Even though Tommy and Tuppence, or at least Tuppence, thinks that detective stories go a bit easier and different but they both figure it out. And they get their guy/s and gals.

I give Partners In Crime 5 

More of highlights on Goodreads

No Lie Lasts Forever

This was a Amazon First Reads book. The first one in along time that I read. Pretty interesting story I thought.

Besides it sometimes being a bit dragging and chapters were long I kept in mind this is not true events. Although never reading Zodiac I like how Flynn drew out the antagonist  in a way that is unusual thing to do. I'm surprised that how she went about finding out these things that the antagonist had her going through hoops to clear his name on one of the killings. She had her dad and Tamica, co worker help her out

I like how Flynn got along with her husband Max. Even though he was a bit of a cop all the time and not talking with her as a mother, friend, or regular person other than a journalist.

Maybe I was the only that got they reference she put out there every now and then.

Wyatt good character Max and Flynn's son. What can a boy do? Just love how much his family wants to protect him

I am glad that I kept reading story. Than I wouldn't get to know how Harry's mind would go. And how Flynn went about finding out what was going on. Max and Wyatt how they did love Flynn. And how much like Flynn and her dad really are. The day to day work if by the book or not when Flynn was suspended, and the work of a cop, and what goes into getting facts and a story was interesting as long as you remember its fiction

Other than that good story

I give  No Lie Lasts Forever 4 

Will have highlights on goodreads

 

The Wife Stalker

I have read a couple books of these authors. And The Wife Stalker does not disappoint. When I found out that The Wife Stalker was on Lifetime, I thought cool I have this book and am going to read it.

In the beginning it does read like a Lifetime movie. I was reading along than bam! something happened and it wasn't right. Changed the story a bit. The end, not what I was expecting. A twist that I did not see. Joanne,  Piper,  Leo and kids. Boy they are some characters alright. Reading about how Joanne was the glue that held the family together? Piper is a home wrecker? 

And why is Leo so depressed? It all comes to light in the middle and definitely at the end. Or is everything alright? Is Piper behaving?

I'll put the highlights on Goodreads

I give The Wife Stalker 4

 

 

Happiness Falls

 

Never heard of this author before. I’m glad that I got the chance too. This story was deep.

 How a family journeyed on this path to find their father and husband after he was missing from taking his son to the park. One girl, two boys, and one who has Angelman Syndrome. What happened to dad? Mom, Mia, and John find out about themselves, especially through their dad. Dad was the believer that there is more to Eugene than what people are saying about autistic children/adults. Did he get hurt for it? Only Eugene knows and he has a hard time communicating, or that’s what his family thought.

Dad and mom both are smart and have their own careers. Doing their best for their children. Mom backing Eugene up when people thought he was thought  did the wrong thing.

 Lot was going on.We see how the Asian culture has their traditions. How the family helps Eugene out with what he and dad were doing. Eugene hears a story from his brother and sister. The family finding out dad was working with him with another person. Surprise found out he was communicating in a way some say it doesn’t work. Well it worked enough for Eugene to tell of what happened to his dad. Was it just a story that he mimicked from his siblings or did it happen?

What ever Eugene’s family moves on and Eugene is saved from being put somewhere for the people that others do not understand

It was a good story. A bit long at times but story kept an interest .

I give Happiness Falls 4

Looking forward to reading Miracle Creek.I belive it’s the start of the characters Mia and John

Eleven On Top

The continuation of reading about the adventures of Stephanie Plum I can say Eleven On Top is pretty good besides Stephanie's 1st book.

I thought this book was funny. She still does her crazy things although she is trying to be good and quit the bounty hunter job. Though crazy bad things follow her. I'm liking that she is still with Morelli and Bob. I didn't think that I would see Morelli loving Stephanie and it seems like a commitment there. On the other hand Stephanie finds it hard.

Job to job she goes. And honestly I think most of the time Lula is the problem of getting Stephanie in trouble. Needless to say Lula is one of my least favorite characters. And Stephanie bumbling through her life makes the books good. Even with her obsession with sugar.

I'm glad to see that she took a job with Ranger. I think she excels at that. And I hope to read that she stays with Rangerman.

Intriguing that someone from her past is out to get her. And Stephanie's way, she finds out the truth. With Ranger to the rescue Stephanie at the end does a valent hero thing and saves the day. With Bob!

Just an afterthought!

I remember One for the Money came out on the big screen. I thought Morelli and Ranger was not a good fit. Both of them weren't what the characters were on paper. Even who played Stephanie was questionable.

I give Eleven On Top 5

Looking forward to continue reading about Stephanie Plum

 

 

The Housemaid

After reading a short story from Frieda McFadden I knew I wanted to read more. And it was not a disappointment.

At first I thought this was Handmaid Tale meets Devious Maids. For sure it gave off to me those kind of vibes. I wasn't wrong.

When Nina hires Millie as a housekeeper and brought her up to the room she was going to stay at, I thought wow like Handmaid Tale. And as the story moves on, Millie likes the room that she is in, I didn't realize that Millie was staying in a cramped place to start because of her checkerd past. What gave me the feeling that this was no ordinary mystery is when Millie shut the door and saw scratch marks on the door. Oh my! What is Millie getting herself into?

Every which way Nina tries her best to keep Millie and her husband, Andrew away from each other. As hard as nails Nina was, Millie just couldn't help herself. And there Devious Maids comes in at.

What I couldn't figure was why Nina's daughter, Cecilia was weird. I can understand her not liking Millie the new housemaid, but just the things she would do was strange.

Millie can't get rid of the feeling she should get out. Even the landscaper was trying to help. 

Maid and husband relationship, Nina, husband, and child relationship, you would think the wife is crazy. Putting up with everything that Nina is putting out. And here is the twist. A ride to hold on with your life. It gets crazy after that.

Millie's past comes in handy for her to survive. Andrew, and Nina what is Millie to do and instinct takes over.

After someone gets hurt (dead) an apology goes out to Millie.

Millie becomes Housemaid for hire. Thanks to her employer.

I give The Housemaid 5

A very good book. Even though I thought it was going on a path and then a twist. Can't wait to read more from Frieda McFadden

 

The Revenge List

 

A first book for me to read from Hannah Mary McKinnon. It was a book that I won from a giveaway from my book club. And I'm glad to read a good book.

I have to say that the protagonist of this story was annoying in ways. Frankie Morgan always angry was annoying. To push herself so far to lose her wits again was very frustrating. Some of that anger was justified. When she was angry that she lost her mom. And her dad didn't handle the situation so well. Although the way she projected that anger was unhealthy. Frankie would just go off. Like throwing  coffee cups off a table, getting so angry that she accused another that was in her anger management class that he stole her notebook. With all of that she lost sight that it wasn't a real Uber taking her home, or who really took her notebook. Also getting so upset that she thought someone was out to get her on a run.

Thought it was sad that Frankie had all this guilt about her mother's death just because she didn't want to go with her that night. Her dad didn't make it any easier on her by not talking to her.  Her brother sadly couldn't help so much for Frankie. He was trying to put his own life together. In turn what she felt off of her father made her feel even worse.

I think Frankie would have grown up happier if her mom had lived. I think she would thought better of herself. I don't think she would have spiraled the way she did. 

What Frankie thought, "Truth is, we all carry some anger in us"yes we do but again it's how we use it. And when we channel it. It does become useful.

The way Frankie was displaying her anger it was all about how she outwardly expressed it. That you see some men do. Where women tend to take it internally, they seek more communication, more support socially.

I want to say the story shifted when Frankie's life was on the line. She finally saw what a blessing that she had with her family. Dad, brother, in law, and niece. Even Evan was good after all. Trying to do right by her of his own mother's fault of killing her mother.

Allegiance did change with Evan making good with something tragic. Her brother saw her differently, she was a lot calmer. And made peace with her dad. Frankie thought she was doing right thing by clearing up things with her son. She thought to seek him out to protect him. Instead he had other ideas.

Nothing really shocked me in this book.  The end was a twist. After Frankie going through all the characters in the book. There could only be one other that would not fit in. Her son! Just because his adopted parents wouldn't tell him about his birth mother. In some warped way he did crazy things.

I think Frankie should of told the cops all about what happened with her son. I would do anything for my kids and grandkids. Shielding the adopted parents, Sherry and Lawerence was a noble things to do. Why put them through the heartache of seeing someone they raised a killer.

The ending was tied up in a nice bow. Until that doorbell rang Jermey-1 Frankie-0 was a good twist. I think the author could probably squeak another story about Frankie and Jermey out.

I give The Revenge List 4

Looking forward to reading another of Hannah's books. This time I hope I don't catch on to anything.

 

And There He Kept Her

 

I found out about this author from my group The Killer Authors Club. As I was listening to the authors interview Joshua, he is talking about his 3rd book, I couldn't help but think "Oh no I have 2 books in front of these to read". And I usually don't go for the books that are a series. One can get caught up in a series and never read anything else. It's like a never ending catch up game. Although this author was describing his books, I was thinking yes sounds very intriguing. Even though Joshua said you could read the 3rd book first, I knew there would be recurring characters. So I started with No.1 And There He Kept Her. I am so glad I did.

Two kids break into a persons home. 1was killed, the other kept locked up. These kids went to steal drugs but didn't know it was the wrong house to pick.

Ben Packard moves into Sandy Lake MN to start new. The new Sheriff Deputy. He's just not a cop. He fits in to his community. That's what I like about him. His everyday routines some are up, some are down, and funny. Ben has a lot of character. Even though he carries some baggage of his own, he goes by his day to make sure everyone and everything is taken care of especially what happened to this kids.

Creepy is the word of the stuff when Ben Packard finds 1 of the kids. And what happened to the girl/women in the past as well.

For this thriller as 1 person said it's a turn around who dunit. We know as readers who did the crimes. It's just a matter of following the characters to see how they solve it. And help the Sheriff's dept. Each character has their unique role in helping.

I give And There He Kept Her 5 

for keeping the flow of the story going. Sure there were lulls but it flowed. I'm looking forward to reading the 2nd book

The Magnolia Palace

 

This isn't the 1st book I have read from Fiona Davis. I like her books. They are history with some fiction intertwined into a story.

Most of what she writes on is something I have seen, or heard of.

Of the two storylines I believe I like the one with Lily, who of her own bad luck ran away from something to accidentally wander and the staff thought she was there for a job. And got the job to be private secretary to daughter of Henry Clay Frick. His daughter, Helen was a hard one to please. As it turns out Lily was able to get along with her.

The house that they were staying at was the residence of Henry Frick in 1914. He was a steel magnate who collected and loved art. He built his home to one day leave, with the large art collection to the city as a museum.

Lily although got in trouble after the death of Henry Frick. She ran and married the person who helped her escape. Had a good life. In the very distant future she finally got her time to explain what really happened to Helen about her father. Some foal play I believe.

Mrs. Frick and Helen lived there til 1931 and than the house was renovated and opened in 1935 to become the museum it is today. There was also a Magnolia diamond it was said it was given to another daughter before she died. And are known for the Magnolia trees on the front lawn. Strange the diamond was said to be stolen but never a report on it. No one has seen it since.

The second storyline about Veronica Weber a model, was doing a shoot at the Frick mansion things got said back and forth and she was told she was done. Veronica wandered, being that there was a snowstorm and she couldn't go anywhere. She found secrets and hidden clues to the pink diamond called Magnolia diamond. As she did this, with the  help with a fellow she saw and learnt about the history of the building. This was in the 1960's.

The connection to these storylines is art. Being that Lily was a muse for artist and living in the Frick house that had an art collection. She learnt of the history of art and was appreciative of it.

As for Veronica, also a model found art collection intriguing .

With the relationship with Lily and Helen it gives me as the reader the original version how things came to be. That's why I prefer the first storyline over the second.

I give The Magnolia Palace (which the author named it) 5 

Hope to read more of Fiona's stories

The Overnight Guest

My first thoughts on this book were it took too long to get interesting, I was confused at first as to what this story was trying to say, and it was hard in the beginning to follow the two periods of time. Anyway it was toward the middle of book the events were getting clearer to understand.

Heather did a wonderful job lying out what the characters were about, doing, and the descriptions of things actually put you in the book.

I can understand why Wylie Lark changed her name. At the end it all comes together and you go "Ah I see now. She's been through a lot"

There are these three mysteries going on different times but linked together. I try not to try to figure it out. When I do I spoil the story for myself. Although the one I did figure it out. Now come on who doesn't question a person, Randy of why is he in the barn of people he hated? After answering that he wanted to help, please all of a sudden he wanted to help the people he hates? There was more to Randy as we see at the end of the story.

There are a lot of characters in this story to keep up with. A vibe of Agatha Christie going on there. She had a lot of characters in her books too. It gives the reader more to sink their teeth into of who dunit.

Scary that this takes place in a blizzard. Which I would never just go out to see where a sound was coming from, or someone out there that shouldn't be. I was frustrated with Josie because of that. For a true crime writer she was naive. Although Josie was a fighter. She wouldn't give up. Even for a friend that was still alive.

Some of things I do highlight that I saw worthy to connect me with the story more.

I give The Overnight Guest 4 

I though it confusing in beginning. I have another book of Heather Gudenkauf's and look forward to reading it.

 

The Gift

Heard a lot of chatter about this author. This was the 1st book I was able to read this year. Being a short story it only took me about 2 days to read.

To me it felt like a Tales of the Crypt kind of style. Didn't realize it was author's vision of The Gift of the Magi.

There was a lesson in there. How loving and caring for each other is greater than the stuff you have. Although Justin's way was sweet but with a motive just for Christmas. Then he would be gone.

Stella's way was more intent of losing her hair. However she really wanted to give Justin something nice she needed to be talked into it though. For all that they fought and it was not worth it after all.

All in all shows that sometimes it better to find the little things you have. You may find they are the bigger, sweeter ways of life.

Stella did take her power back but happiness ???

Author has written this story smoothly and tells it with no fancy words. You knew what each character was and what they stood for. Keeping towards the original work of O. Henry 1905

I give The Gift 5-------->

 

Towards Zero

 

This was an interesting story. A story that any character could be a killer. Each character had something going on in their lives that made them suspicious. Didn't realize this was Sergeant Battle's last showing. And so he had a lot of things to do. Things to show is nephew who was a policeman also. Although a brief section of Battle and his daughter was written, apparently Battle saw that that gave a break for him in this case.

This was a different read from Agatha Christie's books. More about mental abuse than just sinister murder, or was it? Especially between Audrey, Kay and Neville Strange that was some kind of sickness going on there

Interesting to solve a murder people begin with the murder. The murder is at the end. The story begins long before that. For this it takes a lot of research, questions, prodding etc.. A lot of characters as usual AC writes.

It was fun to read that Hercule Poirot made this story. Battle brought him up because with giving everything Battle and his nephew had with these murders at a party. There's nothing I can say or do like being in a trap and you can't get out. Battle thought about Poirot things not being quite symmetrical gets him worked up. Then he solves the case. So Battle goes about that way.

Finally in Poirot style, Battle gets everyone together and one by one rules each out. Sort of! And solves the case. First time for me that there was a romance at the end. Audrey falls for the person who helped her.

I give Towards Zero 5-------->

The Cruelest Month

This is only the 3rd book in the series. Sadly I didn't like this one. It was darker than the other 2. And Gamache was a bit out of sorts this time. I don't know if it was the people who were to keep an eye on Gamache, or his best friend thought of him all this time as jealousy. And his family were threaten.

The story of Hadley House was always to be in the forefront. I just don't know this story was disconnected for me

TS Eliot poem meaning- believing that hope was cruel because it always led to disappointment.He always believed that the contrast between the despair of a person and the bright world of Spring 

can make the person even more unhappy. Like when flowers start to bud but the cold weather is not really done. So in cases, the buds don't make it.

 And maybe that's why it was a disconnect. All through the story there was hope only for it to be taken away of sorts.

Anyways I give The Cruelest Month  4

Am looking to read the 4th book!

Broadway Butterfly

I really wanted to like this book. I usually don't go for books that are non fiction. Although this book is not  marked as non fiction, it is based on true facts.

I actually sat in on an interview with this author and of course made the book interesting to read. And also was from the city I lived. 

It got to the point that I couldn't wait til I finished book. The story itself was very interesting but very repetitive. One good thing it was a Kindle First Reads choice. Of course there could be no ending as we know because well Who dunit? Not every ending gets all wrapped up with a bow.

I felt a bit sorry for Dot King. For she never really got to live her life and never knew what she was getting into. Getting herself involved with a politician (of sorts), people with a lot of money using for who knows what? Dot's own family trying to cash in.

The life of a flapper is glamours? Or is it dangerous, or both?

At the end I can only say story was interesting. Confusing on where the author wanted to take this story( I believe it"s because she tried to stick to the true story and not sound factual) It's hard to do that. For that she lost a lot of other readers as well as me. Which brings the thought should I read another book by this author? Time can only tell.

I give Broadway Butterfly 3-4