Friday Memes: The Masquerades of Spring by Ben Aaronovich

 Happy Friday!

Book Beginnings is hosted by Gillion at Rose City Reader. She asks that the first sentence is posted along with the author and title of the book and the reader's initial thoughts on the sentence, the book, or anything else it inspires. 

Carrie at Reading Is My Superpower.org also provides a linky for sharing first lines and connecting with others. This meme asks that the chosen books be PG or marked as Mature if they are not. 

Beginning:

As I've have often opined, what good does it do a fellow to be a master of the mystic arts if he's not allowed to do a bally thing with said mastery?

Friday 56:

I glanced over to where the well-dressed bruiser stood to one side of the stage, no doubt surveying his domain. He caught my eye and frowned. 

This week I am spotlighting The Masquerades of Spring by Ben Aaronovich. This is the latest in the Rivers of London series and was added to my TBR pile January 17. Here's the description from Amazon:

Meet Augustus Berrycloth-Young—fop, flaneur, and Englishman abroad—as he chronicles the Jazz Age from his perch atop the city that never sleeps.

That is, until his old friend Thomas Nightingale arrives, pursuing a rather mysterious affair concerning an old saxophone—which will take Gussie from his warm bed, to the cold shores of Long Island, and down to the jazz clubs where music, magic, and madness haunt the shadows…

ARC Review: Them Bones by David Housewright

Them Bones
Author: David Housewright
Series: Twin Cities P.I. Mac McKenzie Novels, Book 22)
Publication: Minotaur Books (June 24, 2025)

Description: A stolen dinosaur skull is at the center of a complex mystery laid at the feet of unofficial P.I. Rushmore McKenzie.

There are two things that Rushmore McKenzie hates to turn down―a request from a friend and a challenge. Both of them show up in his wife's nightclub in the person of Angela Bjork, who has come to request McKenzie's help. McKenzie, once a homicide detective, now through a series of unlikely events, is a retired millionaire. But occasionally, for friends, he will do some unofficial private detective work. Over the years, he's hunted down a stolen Stradivarius, the hoard of 1930's gangster, and recovered a stolen, apparently cursed, artifact but McKenzie never imagined a case like this. An exceedingly rare dinosaur skull has been stolen.

Angela, a doctoral candidate, was out on a dig site in Southeastern Montana, when she found a skeleton of an Ankylosaurus. And no sooner than when the skull was removed and placed on a truck then they were attacked, the truck and skull stolen. Worried that nothing is being done to find the stolen skull, she turns to McKenzie. Worth millions on the black market, the chance to recover it becomes fainter by the day. And the people behind the theft are likely willing to do anything, to anyone, to hold onto it.

My Thoughts: This is the 22nd book in the Twin Cities P.I. Mac McKenzie Novels. It is the first of the series that I've read. I was attracted to the Twin Cities setting but quickly came to enjoy McKenzie's personality.

McKenzie is a former cop turned millionaire to unofficial private investigator. When a young woman shows up at his wife's nightclub asking for help, he is willing and intrigued. It seems Angela Bjork is a paleontologist who has come to McKenzie to ask him to help him recover the skull of an Ankylosaurus that she and some others from the University of Minnesota, Macalester, and the Science Museum of Minnesota discovered in Montana. 

The local police don't seem to be doing anything useful, and the FBI isn't interested because the skull was found on private land. The land is owned by a Twin Cities millionaire who wants the skull recovered and donated to the museum before he dies. McKenzie finds himself working for the millionaire and trying to find out who took the skull and where it might be. 

I enjoyed the setting. I liked McKenzie's circle of friends. I liked the references to earlier cases which made me very curious about them. Fans of the series will enjoy this episode. This newbie found the story engaging and hard to put down. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: The Red Trailer Mystery by Julie Campbell

The Red Trailer Mystery
Author: Julie Campbell
Series: Trixie Belden (Book 2)
Publication: Random House Books for Young Readers (June 24, 2003)

Description: Trixie and Honey’s friend Jim has run away from Sleepyside–before anyone could tell him that he is the only heir to the huge Frayne fortune. The girls set out across upstate New York in a trailer to track him down . . . and stumble onto another mystery along the way!

My Thoughts: Trixie and Honey, under the supervision of Miss Trask, take off in a motor home to try to find Jim to let him know that he has inherited his great-uncle's estate and will be having a new guardian.

But before they find him, they deal with a strange family in a red trailer, a couple of men who are stealing trailers and looting them, and normal kid stuff like losing and finding their dogs. 

This story about much more innocent times was also a sweet story of friendship and family. They do assist in uncovering a few mysteries while and being in dangerous situations. Young mystery fans will enjoy meeting Trixie and her mystery-solving family and friends. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: The Secrets We Keep by Amy Lillard

The Secrets We Keep
Author: Amy Lillard
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (June 24, 2025)

Description: Detective Nate Fisher must go back to the Amish community he left behind and confront his past to help the woman he once loved in this dual-POV mystery, perfect for fans of Linda Castillo.

Back to active duty after an administrative leave of absence for the use of deadly force, the last thing Detective Nathan Fisher wants to do is return to the conservative Amish community he left behind, but when his father passes, he has no choice. Hoping to clear his head and perhaps mend fences with his family, he returns to his small Mississippi hometown despite not being welcome. What was supposed to be a quick visit turns into a prolonged stay when his former love pleads for his help.

Rachel Hostetler’s world is turned upside down when she finds her brother’s body hanging in her family’s barn. Rachel is sure her brother Albie did not kill himself, but neither her father nor the police are willing to listen. When she spots Nate, her ex, now a detective in Oklahoma, back in Cedar Creek, she knows he is the answer to her problem and begs him to intercede.

As Nate and Rachel come to terms with their shared history, despite knowing nothing can come of the longing they have for each other, the pair must look into Albie’s death as suspects stack up. The truth is out there, but can they find it before Nate has to return to his real life and face the shooting that has him so desperately searching for peace?

My Thoughts: THE SECRETS WE KEEP was an interesting mystery set in Mississippi. Detective Nate Fisher left his Amish community with the goal of playing professional baseball to earn the money his sister needed for a heart replacement. He left behind the woman he loved who wouldn't give up the Amish lifestyle because she had a severely disabled sister to care for. 

Nate's baseball dreams didn't come true. He's made a career as a Sheriff's Deputy in Tulsa. But a shooting in the line of duty has rocked his world. And, while the shooting was determined to be justified, Nate still suffers from huge amounts of guilt. 

When he learns that his father has died, he decides to go back to Mississippi to be near the funeral even though he is banned from attending. While there, his first love Rachel come to him to ask him to intervene with the local sheriff to convince him to investigate her younger brother's death. She found him hanging in the family barn but is certain that he didn't commit suicide. However, her father cut him down, burned his clothing and the rope, and buried him just outside the Amish cemetery. 

With no physical evidence, Nate isn't sure what he can do but decides to investigate the death anyway while trying to decide what to do with the rest of his life. 

Parts of the story are told from Nate's point of view and the rest from Rachel's. Both are looking for something. Rachel wants the truth; Nate wants to find a future. 

I enjoyed this look into the Amish of Mississippi. I empathized with both Nate and Rachel's search for answers. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: The Secret of the Mansion by Julie Campbell

The Secret of the Mansion
Author: Julie Campbell
Series: Trixie Belden (Book 1)
Publication: Random House Books for Young Readers (June 24, 2003)

Description: Trixie’s summer is going to be sooo boring with her two older brothers away at camp. But then a millionaire’s daughter moves into the next-door mansion, an old miser hides a fortune in his decrepit house, and a runaway kid starts hiding out in Sleepyside!

My Thoughts: Trixie Belden is back again. Originally written in 1948, this story returns the reader to an earlier time. 

Thirteen-year-old Trixie is looking forward to a boring summer with her two older brothers away at camp. But things turn around quickly when poor little rich girl Honey Wheeler moves into the mansion next door to the Belden's modest home. 

The two girls become fast friends as Trixie teaches Honey how to ride a bike and Honey's stable man teaches Trixie how to ride a horse. The girls have a couple of accidents as each falls from her new form of transportation, but they also enjoy exploring and swimming and boating and hanging out together. 

The two girls also explore the decrepit mansion next door when old Mr. Frayne is taken to the hospital with pneumonia. They discover that fifteen-year-old Jim Frayne has taken refuge in the home after running away from a stepfather who is constantly beating him. Rumor has it that old Mr. Frayne has hidden a fortune in the mansion. The kids explore but don't find money. They do find an old bible with a will inside confirming that Jim is Mr. Frayne's heir but that doesn't solve the problem of the stepfather determined to control Jim and Jim's money. 

I enjoyed this sweet story complete with the original illustrations. I enjoyed the growing friendships among the kids and the age-appropriate mystery. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Look Before You Leap by Virginia Heath

Look Before You Leap
Author: Virginia Heath
Series: Miss Prentice's Protegees
Publication: St. Martin's Griffin (June 24, 2025)

Description: In this hilarious second installment of a Regency romance series, a single lord is forced to settle down...and when a houseparty brings a happy-go-lucky lady's companion his way, his grumpy heart is unexpectedly warmed.

Nine years ago, Lord Guy Harrowby, Viscount Wennington, was publicly humiliated by a failed and reckless romantic gesture. Despite this, his mother clings to the promise he made her then: that she would have a house full of grandchildren by his thirtieth birthday. Still single, embittered, and swiftly approaching thirty, Guy's work is his life. In desperation, his mother blindsides Guy with a weeklong house party at his estate filled with annoying debutantes, all competing to be his wife.

After failing as a governess, Lottie Travers is struggling as a lady’s companion. Raised in an all-male household, she’s developed habits that get her dismissed. Even after years of Miss Prentice’s teachings of how to be a lady, she climbs trees better than she embroiders and can’t resist riding horses astride, in breeches. But with the family farm in trouble, and her father now in dire need of her wages, she’s determined to conquer her wildness once and for all.

Even with his home full of eligible women, there is only one who catches Guy’s eye―though he tries to deny it. For Lottie, succeeding in her new role proves difficult when the Wennington estate is filled with horses, and a spark ignites between her and the grumpy lord. Will they remain stuck in their ways, or learn that they may just be the perfect match?

My Thoughts: This laugh-out-loud historical romance pairs a viscount whose romantic disappointment turned him into a curmudgeon with a governess who can't stop borrowing fast horses for a quick ride in the park. 

Lottie Travers is a farmer's daughter who has been trained as one of Miss Prentice's Protegees. When her current post as a governess is derailed by a clandestine horseback ride and a handsy younger son, she finds herself working for a society dragon.

Guy Harrowby is soon to turn thirty and, after his humiliating romance blunder when he was 21, has buried himself in his estate business in Kent. His mother is determined to see him married off, and with the assistance of her older sister, Lottie's boss, plans a surprise house party to celebrate his birthday. The guest lists with be composed of eligible ladies and their parents. 

Lottie finds herself falling for the grumpy man and his Arabian horses while helping the older ladies plan the party even though she knows that a party is the last thing Guy wants. Guy is falling for her too but is afraid of another heartbreak and suffers from a distinct lack of trust.

This was an entertaining and engaging historical romance. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (June 16, 2025)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Want to See What I Added to My Stack? links to Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality.

Other Than Reading...

This was another quiet week except for the influx of review books. Most of them had been previously requested, but a few were via email invitations. This influx ballooned my pile of review books to 59, but I've deflated it (continuing the metaphor) to 57 as of today. The stack is front-end loaded. I have read 7 July releases but have 14 still to read. There are 17 August releases on the stack. There are also 12 September releases, 7 October releases, and 7 November releases. Needless to say, my reading will consist of mostly review copies until I finish the July and August books. 

It didn't help that I was approved for a June release this week too. I had given up hope of being approved for that title. I had to do some calendar rearranging so that the review will appear on or near publication date. The good thing was that I could move a finished review to July which helps complete that calendar. I did set up all the posts on my July calendar over the course of the week too. 

I do plan to keep fitting in the In Death audiobooks as I have a chance. I'm still hoping to get the next for review from NetGalley. That will be book 61 and will be released in September. 62 has been announced for next February too. 

Besides reading, I have been watching Braves baseball. In fact, Braves baseball is the only reason I turn on my television these days. 

Next week will be briefly interrupted by a doctor's visit which is a yearly follow up and shouldn't take very much time. I have a couple of recipes I want to try next week too. 

Read Last Week

• Tricks of Fortune by Lina Chern (Review, July 1) -- Second Katie True cozy mystery. My review will be posted on June 25.
• The Daughter of Time by Josphine Tey (Mine since May 24) -- First in the Inspector Alan Grant mystery. My review will be posted on June 24.
• Dogged Pursuit by David Rosenfelt (Review, July 1) -- 31st Andy Carpenter mystery takes him back to his beginnings as a defense attorney. My review will be posted on June 26.

• Faithless in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook Reread) -- 52nd in the In Death series
• Death and the Librarian by Victoria Gilbert (Review, July 8) -- Ninth Blue Ridge Library cozy mystery. My review will be posted on July 1.
• Her First Mistake by Kendra Elliot (Kindle & Audiobook, Mine) -- First in the Noelle Marshall thriller series which is a spin-off of the Mercy Kilpatrick series. My review will be posted on June 28.

• A Tarnished Canvas by Anna Lee Huber (Review, June 24) -- Thirteenth Lady Darby mystery. Another excellent entry. My review will be posted on June 24.
• Forgotten in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook Reread) -- 53rd in the In Death series
• The Blue Horse by Bruce Borgos (Review, July 8) -- The third Porter Beck mystery. Fast-paced and engaging. My review will be posted on July 1.

DNF

• Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox (Review, July 1) -- I read about a third. I didn't care for the writing style or the multiple viewpoints or the non-linear storytelling.

Currently

• The Myth Maker by Alie Dumas Heidt (Review, July 8)
• Abandoned in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook Reread) -- 54th in the In Death series

Next Week

• The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths (Review, July 8)
• Rage by Linda Castillo (Review, July 8)
• A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh (Mine since January 21)

• Death of an Ex by Delia Pitts (Review, July 15)
• The Woman Who Smashed Codes by Jason Fagone (Kindle & Audiobook; Mine since March 17)
• Fateless by Julie Kagawa (Review, July 15)

Reviews Posted

• Paw Enforcement by Diane Kelly (Audiobook)
• Captivated by Nora Roberts (Audiobook)
• The Journal of a Thousand Years by C. J. Archer (Mine)

• The Witch Roads by Kate Elliott (Review copy)
• Full Speed to a Crash Landing by Beth Revis (Mine)
• A Not-So Shocking Murder by Lily Sterling (Mine)

Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?

Review:

• A Tarnished Canvas by Anna Lee Huber (Review, June 24)
• Asylum Hotel by Juliet Blackwell (Review, July 29)
• A Silence in Belgrave Square by Jennifer Ashley (August 12)

• A Moment's Shadow by Anna Lee Huber (Review, August 26)
• A Dark and Deadly Journey by Julia Kelly (Review, September 23)
• The Devil in Oxford by Jess Armstrong (Review, November 4)

• Turns of Fate by Anne Bishop (Review, November 11)
• Wild Instinct by T. Jefferson Parker (Review, November 11)

Bought:

• A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn (BookBub, $1.99)
• Her First Mistake by Kendra Elliot (Kindle and Audible Add-On)

What was your week like?