Tuesday, June 3, 2025

ARC Review: Knave of Diamonds by Laurie R. King

Knave of Diamonds

Author:
Laurie R. King
Series: Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes (Book 19)
Publication: Bantam (June 10, 2025)

Description: Mary Russell’s allegiances are tested by the reappearance of her long-lost uncle—and a tantalizing case not even Sherlock Holmes could solve.

When Mary Russell was a child, she adored her black sheep Uncle Jake. But she hasn’t heard from him in many years, and she assumed that his ne’er-do-well ways had brought him to a bad end somewhere—until he presents himself at her Sussex door. Yes, Jake is back, and with a load of problems for his clever niece. Not the least of which is the reason the family rejected him in the first place: He was involved—somehow—in the infamous disappearance of the Irish Crown Jewels from an impregnable safe in Dublin Castle.

It was a theft that shook a government, enraged a king, threatened the English establishment—and baffled not only the Dublin police and Scotland Yard, but Sherlock Holmes himself. And, now, Jake expects Russell to step into the middle of it all? To slip away with him, not telling Holmes what she’s up to? Knowing that the theft—unsolved, hushed-up, scandalous—must have involved Mycroft Holmes as well?

Naturally, she can do nothing of the sort. Siding with her uncle, even briefly, could only place her in opposition to both her husband-partner and his secretive and powerful brother. She has to tell Jake no.

On the other hand, this is Jake—her father’s kid brother, her childhood hero, the beloved and long-lost survivor of a much-diminished family.

Conflicting loyalties and international secrets, blatant lies and blithe deceptions: sounds like another case for Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes.

My Thoughts: The nineteenth book in the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series reunited Mary with her Uncle Jake. She hasn't seen him for many years but remembers all sorts of childhood adventures with him. Jake has had a long career as a conman and thief.

He's come to see Mary after being sure that Sherlock wasn't around because he wants her help. Back in 1907, Jake was involved in the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels. The jewels disappeared somewhere along the way and Jake believes that he and Mary can find them now. 

Sherlock was also involved in the case at the request of his brother Mycroft. However, when the case led to uncovering homosexual scandal, the case was buried really, really deep. Holmes has had that unfinished case lingering in the back of his mind for many years. 

This story is told from three viewpoints. Jake, Mary, and Sherlock all take turns telling the story. It was another excellent historical mystery.  

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

ARC Review: Grave Words by Gerri Lewis

Grave Words

Author:
Gerri Lewis
Series: Deadly Deadlines (Book 2)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (June 10, 2025)

Description: In the second installment of the Deadly Deadlines mysteries, obituary writer Winter Snow faces her biggest challenge yet when the body of a homeless man is found in a burning building and her best friend is the main suspect, perfect for fans of Eva Gates and Kate Carlisle.

Winter Snow has had it! With her business in a death drought, her best friend Scoop implicated in a string of arsons, and an obituary listing Winter herself as deceased, her life is heating up. But just as she’s trying to cool things down, she receives her newest assignment: an obituary for Chester, a homeless man found in a burning building.

Promising the local funeral home manager that she will have the obituary by the deadline, Winter is stonewalled at every turn, failing to discover Chester’s last name, or where he came from. When it is discovered that Chester was murdered and that the fire was set to cover it up, all fingers immediately point to Scoop. Not only is Scoop a person of interest in the arsons, he was also the last person to see Chester alive.

As more nails are pounded into Scoop’s coffin, Winter’s uncle Richard hopes to help by inviting the notorious town gossips, The Nosy Parkers, to a neighborhood food fest. Unfortunately, the breadcrumbs they toss set murder in motion.

More determined than ever, Winter must figure out the twists and turns of the case to clear Scoop’s name, putting her on a deadly deadline to solve the murder and avoid meeting the same grave consequences.

My Thoughts: Winter Snow, freelance obituary writer, returns in her second case. The story starts with a mix-up. One of her clients has posted an obituary that wrongly states the Winter is the one who has passed away causing all sorts of trouble for Winter as she tries to correct the mistake. 

Meanwhile, her friend Scoop is in trouble with the police for seeming to know too much about a series of arsons around town. He won't give up his source when Winter's boyfriend Kip pressures him. But when a third apparent arson results in the death of a homeless man named Chester things heat up for him even more. It seems Scoop was the last one to see Chester alive. 

Carla, Winter's friend from the funeral home, tasks Winter with writing Chester's obituary which send Winter into an investigation of her own as she tries to learn more about Chester. She's being stonewalled. She can't even find out his full name. She's angry at Kip for trying to steer her away from her inquiries into Chester which causes some conflict in their relationship. 

Winter uncovers some secrets, and each discovery leads her into a more dangerous place as she uncovers a money-making scheme and actors who wouldn't at all mind seeing her dead. But she has to persist if she wants to save her friend Scoop and satisfy her own curiosity. 

This was a nice mystery with a main character with a unique occupation. 

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

Monday, June 2, 2025

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (June 2, 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 a pretty quiet week. I got a haircut which turned out a lot shorter than I had intended. I won't need more than a trim for months now. I also had a bone scan to check for osteoporosis. Results were mixed but there will be no change in my medications or dietary plans which is a good thing. 

I did a lot of reading and listening and enjoyed some Braves baseball. My Braves aren't doing very well this year. This coming week should be the same minus the appointments. I expect lots of reading time and lots of review books. 

I added four more books to my Review stack this week. All of them as the result of invitations to read and review. I also bought the Kindle and Audible copies of a book that I had requested for review but had never heard back from the publisher about.

May Reading

I read 39 books in May. Twenty-two of the books were mine including seventeen audiobooks. Seventeen of the books I read were review copies. I didn't read any nonfiction in May leaving me one behind on my goal of reading twelve nonfiction books in 2025.

I added forty-nine books to my LibraryThing account in May including twelve new review copies and six audiobooks. I added all of the Cork O'Connor mysteries by William Kent Krueger mysteries since they were on sale for $2.99 each. I took advantage of fourteen BookBub daily deals and five Chirp daily deals. Thirty-five of my new additions are still on the TBR pile. 

Here is my State of the Stack post. I have lots and lots of review books in my immediate future. 

Read Last Week
  • Echoes in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook Reread) -- 44th in the In Death series.
  • The Journal of a Thousand Years by C. J. Archer (Mine since March 17) -- Finale in a historical fantasy series with engaging characters and interesting magic. My review will be posted on June 11.
  • The Witch Roads by Kate Elliott (Review, June 10) -- First in a fantasy duology. I enjoyed the characters and the worldbuilding. My review will be posted on June 10.
  • Secrets in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook Reread) -- 45th in the In Death series
  • Dark in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook Reread) -- 46th in the In Death series
  • Full Speed to a Crash Landing by Beth Revis (Mine since April 23) -- Novella which begins a trilogy. Twisty plot and characters. My review will be posted on June 14.
  • A Not-So Shocking Murder by Lily Stirling (Mine since April 27) -- First in a humorous mystery series. It was free when I got it. My review will be posted on June 12.
  • Trixie Belden: The Secret of the Mansion by Julie Campbell (Review, June 24) -- Reissue of the first in the Trixie Belden mystery series first published in 1948. My review will be posted on June 17.
  • Leverage in Death by J. D. Robb (Audiobook Reread) -- 47th in the In Death series. 
DNF
  • A Novel Murder by E. C. Nevin (Review, June 17) -- Way too many indistinguishable characters. 
Currently
Next Week
Reviews Posted
Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?

Review:
Bought:
What was your week like?

Sunday, June 1, 2025

State of the Stack #165 (June 1, 2025)

This is my monthly post which details progress made on review books. I want to thank the authors and publishers who have contributed their books. 

Read This Month 

Dates indicate the date the review was/will be posted.
  1. Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews (May 13)
  2. Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong (May 14)
  3. Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts (May 20)
  4. The Busybody Book Club by Freya Sampson (May 21)
  5. Doggone Bones by Carolyn Haines (May 22)
  6. Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney (May 24)
  7. A Lethal Cocktail by Ciar Byrne (May 27)
  8. One Final Turn by Ashley Weaver (May 28)
  9. Just Beachy by Wendy Wax (May 29)
  10. It Takes a Psychic by Jayne Castle (May 31)
  11. Grave Words by Gerri Lewis (June 3)
  12. Knave of Diamonds by Laurie R. King (June 3)
  13. A Botanist's Guide to Rituals and Revenge by Kate Khavari (June 4)
  14. Believe Me Now by S. M. Govett (June 5)
  15. Making Friends Can Be Murder by Kathleen West (June 7)
  16. The Witch Roads by Kate Elliott (June 10)
DNF
  1. A Novel Murder by E. C. Nevin (June 17)
Read Previously, Posted This Month 

Dates indicate when the review was posted.
  1. Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay (May 1)
  2. Archangel's Ascension by Nalini Singh (May 3)
  3. No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding by Catherine Mack (May 6)
  4. Hounding a Killer by Kallie E. Benjamin (May 6)
  5. The Language of the Birds by K. A. Merson (May 7)
  6. Death in the Cards by Mia P. Manansala (May 8)
  7. Skin and Bones by Paul Doiron (May 10)
New This Month 

Date indicates when the book will be released.
  1. The Witch Roads by Kate Elliott (June 10)
  2. Atonement Sky by Nalini Singh (July 15)
  3. Artificial Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver (August 12)
  4. Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library by Amanda Chapman (August 26)
  5. Claws Out by Cate Conte (August 26)
  6. Laying Down the Latte by Ellie Alexander (August 26)
  7. A Tour to Die For by Michelle Chouinard (September 23)
  8. The Haunting of Paynes Hollow by Kelley Armstrong (October 14)
  9. Revenge, Served Royal by Celeste Connally (November 11)
  10. Midnight in Memphis by Thomas Dann (November 18)
All TBR Review Books

June
July
August
September
October
November

Saturday, May 31, 2025

ARC Review: It Takes a Psychic by Jayne Castle

It Takes a Psychic

Author:
Jayne Castle
Series: A Harmony Novel (Book 11)
Publication: Berkley (June 3, 2025)

Description: Two unlikely allies search for the secrets of their pasts while on the run within the Alien world of Harmony in the thrilling new novel by New York Times bestselling author Jayne Castle.

Leona Griffin is at the height of her career as a para-archeologist thanks to a recent Underworld discovery. Her high profile attracts the attention of an organization of elite, secretive collectors. They want her to authenticate the artifacts that aspiring members submit as evidence to join their group. The ceremony takes place at a glittering reception where Leona is shocked to discover that one of the relics is a powerful Old-World object known as Pandora’s Box. But she’s not the only one interested in that artifact.

Oliver Rancourt, a man with a unique talent—they say you never see him coming—is also there. Leona knows she must not underestimate him. Attempting to make a discreet exit, she stumbles over the body of a waiter wearing the emblem of a dangerous cult. Before she can alert authorities, a police raid sends the reception into chaos. To avoid being arrested, Leona slips away with Oliver—a risky decision that gets her fired.

Now forced to work together, Leona and Oliver pursue an investigation that leads them to the town of Lost Creek where the locals are obsessed with a chilling legend involving a long-dead cult leader and illicit paranormal experiments. But Leona knows the real danger may be the irresistible attraction between herself and Oliver.

My Thoughts: Leona Griffin has been hired to authenticate artifacts at a gala being held by an organization of elite and secretive collectors. When she discovers that one of the artifacts is definitely radiating psychic powers but is of Old World provenance, she finds herself in the middle of a conspiracy. 

Oliver Rancourt is also at the gala because of the object Leona is authenticating. It was stolen from his family's museum. When the police raid the gathering, Leona and Oliver manage to escape with the object and after discovering a murdered server. 

They decide to team up to discover the thief. Oliver wants to know who has stolen the object known as Pandora's box. And Leona wants to track down an artifact that has a connection to her and her sister's origins. 

Leona also finds a friend in a dust bunny she names Roxy and who has a fascination with fascinators. The trio travels to a small town that was purportedly once the center of Vincent Lee Vance's plans to overthrow the existing government and replace it with his own. Rumors say that he was put into stasis and will return someday. 

This was an engaging paranormal romance. I loved the banter between Leona and Oliver who each have psychic gifts that they were trying to keep secret. The dust bunny also adds humor to the story. 

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

Friday, May 30, 2025

Friday Memes: It Takes a Psychic by Jayne Castle

 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:
The dust bunny chortled from underneath a nearby display stand.
Friday 56:
"Good morning, you two," Darla sang out. "Any manifestation sightings last night in your room?"

"Afraid not," Leona said.
This week I am spotlighting It Takes a Psychic by Jayne Castle. This eleventh book in the Harmony series is from my review stack. Here's the description from Amazon:
Two unlikely allies search for the secrets of their pasts while on the run within the Alien world of Harmony in the thrilling new novel by New York Times bestselling author Jayne Castle.

Leona Griffin is at the height of her career as a para-archeologist thanks to a recent Underworld discovery. Her high profile attracts the attention of an organization of elite, secretive collectors. They want her to authenticate the artifacts that aspiring members submit as evidence to join their group. The ceremony takes place at a glittering reception where Leona is shocked to discover that one of the relics is a powerful Old-World object known as Pandora’s Box. But she’s not the only one interested in that artifact.

Oliver Rancourt, a man with a unique talent—they say you never see him coming—is also there. Leona knows she must not underestimate him. Attempting to make a discreet exit, she stumbles over the body of a waiter wearing the emblem of a dangerous cult. Before she can alert authorities, a police raid sends the reception into chaos. To avoid being arrested, Leona slips away with Oliver—a risky decision that gets her fired.

Now forced to work together, Leona and Oliver pursue an investigation that leads them to the town of Lost Creek where the locals are obsessed with a chilling legend involving a long-dead cult leader and illicit paranormal experiments. But Leona knows the real danger may be the irresistible attraction between herself and Oliver.

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Audiobook Review: Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

Moon Called (Dramatized Adaptation)

Author:
Patricia Briggs
Narrator: Full Cast Audio
Series: Mercy Thompson (Book 1)
Publication: Graphic Audio LLC (August 14, 2024)
Length: 6 hours and 43 minutes

Description: Mercy Thompson is a shapeshifter, and while she was raised by werewolves, she can never be one of them, especially after the pack ran her off for having a forbidden love affair. So she’s turned her talent for fixing cars into a business and now runs a one-woman mechanic shop in the Tri-Cities area of Washington State.

But Mercy’s two worlds are colliding. A half-starved teenage boy arrives at her shop looking for work, only to reveal that he’s a newly changed werewolf—on the run and desperately trying to control his animal instincts. Mercy asks her neighbor Adam Hauptman, the Alpha of the local werewolf pack, for assistance.

But Mercy’s act of kindness has unexpected consequences that leave her no choice but to seek help from those she once considered family—the werewolves who abandoned her...

Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music!

Performed by Khaya Fraites, Gregory Linington, Christopher McLinden, Rayner Gabriel, Chris Stinson, Renee Dorian, Aure Nash, Chris Davenport, Damon Alums, Daniel Llaca, David Cui Cui, Earl Fisher, Elias Khalil, Eric Messner, Gabriel Michael, Holly Adams, James Lewis, James J. Johnson, Jon Vertullo, Julie Hoverson, Kay Eluvian, Laura C. Harris, Mark Harrietha, Mike Carnes, Nanette Savard, Nora Achrati, Robb Moreira, RJ Bayley, Scott McCormick, Sheree Wichard, Stephanie Németh-Parker, Todd Scofield, Torian Brackett, and Wyn Delano.

My Thoughts: Here a dramatized version of a book I have read a few times was an interesting experience especially with a full cast of voices. 

Mercy Thompson was raised by werewolves but is a coyote shifter herself. She also a mechanic who works on German cars. When a strange young werewolf come to her shop looking for work, she finds herself in the middle of a conspiracy.

We get to meet her friends including a vampire named Stefan, a gremlin named Zee, and a variety of werewolves including the marrok of the werewolves in North America. 

The story was filled with action. 

I think I still prefer a regular audiobook because of the things this dramatic production left out, but it was a well-produced product and entertaining.

I bought this one from Chirp February 2, 2025. You can buy your copy here.