ARC Review: The Murder Game by Carrie Doyle

The Murder Game
Author: Carrie Doyle
Publication: Sourcebooks Fire (April 6, 2021)

Description: A murder at a boarding school is gruesome enough, but what if the murderer is your roommate? Perfect for fans of A Study in Charlotte comes a gripping prep school novel filled with dark mystery and suspense.

What if your best friend and roommate killed a teacher at your prep school? Or what if he didn't do it, but he's being framed, and you're the only person who can save him? What if you aren't sure which it is?

Luke Chase didn't mean to get caught up solving the mystery of Mrs. Heckler's murder. He just wanted to meet up with the new British girl at their boarding school, and if that meant sneaking out to the woods after hours, then so be it.

Little did he know someone would end up dead right next to their rendezvous spot, and his best friend and roommate Oscar Weymouth would go down for it. With suspects aplenty and a past that's anything but innocent, Luke Chase calls on his famous survival skills to solve the mystery and find the true killer. With plenty of suspects, Luke will need to use all his skills to solve the mystery and find the true killer.

My Thoughts: This is a boarding school mystery. Luke, his roommate Oscar, and two girls Pippa and Kelsey sneak out late one night to a local make-out spot. They weren't expecting to overhear a murder.

Since they snuck out which could have consequences including expulsion, they want to keep their presence at the scene a secret. But Oscar is the sort of troublemaking kid who soon becomes a focus of the investigation. Luke is the stand-up, rule following kind of guy who has a past which includes his kidnapping and desperate escape through wooded country. He is trying to live down his reputation as the Kidnapped Kid but he still has the skills he needed when he was younger. 

Once Oscar is accused, Luke becomes determined to find out who really killed the new Mrs. Heckler. He has lots of suspects besides his roommate who worked in her office to offset some demerits. Joanna Heckler was the sort of woman who always wanted the next new man which means that quite a few of the other male teachers now appear on Luke's suspect list along with her husband. 

I liked Luke's growing relationship with Pippa who is a new student at the school. She left England under a sort of cloud because she was seen arguing with her best friend just before her friend was murdered. She was blamed but not charged and has come to the US to start over. 

I liked the mysterious survival skills teacher who seems to know a lot more than he's saying and who pushes Luke to recover the skills that let him survive his own kidnapping. 

This was an entertaining story and well-plotted mystery with interesting characters. I hope this isn't Luke's last adventure in crime-solving. 

Favorite Quote:

The headmaster softened. "Luke, what happened to you was terrible. And I know you want to be a good friend to Oscar, which you are. But this is different. This is murder. And the police will solve this. You have to have faith in them."

Luke stood up. "With all dur respect, sir, I've learned that the only person I can have faith in is myself."

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

ARC Review: Animal Instinct by David Rosenfelt

Animal Instinct
Author: David Rosenfelt
Series: K Team Novels, 2
Publication: Minotaur Books; 1st edition (April 6, 2021)

Description: The K Team is back in the second installment in this spinoff series from bestselling author David Rosenfelt's beloved Andy Carpenter mysteries.

Corey Douglas and his K-9 partner, a German shepherd named Simon Garfunkel, are recently retired police officers turned private investigators. Along with fellow former cop Laurie Collins and her investigating partner, Marcus, they call themselves the K Team, in honor of Simon.

The K Team’s latest case – a recent unsolved murder – gives Corey a chance to solve "the one that got away". Corey knew the murder victim from his time on the force, when he was unable to protect her in a domestic dispute. Now, he is convinced the same abusive boyfriend is responsible for her murder. With some help from Laurie’s lawyer husband, Andy Carpenter, the K Team is determined to prove what the police could not, no matter the cost. What they uncover is much more sinister than they could have imagined.

Known for his dog-loving stories and addictive characters, bestselling mystery author David Rosenfelt presents Animal Instinct, the second installment in this engrossing new series about a dynamite investigative team and their canine partner.

My Thoughts: Corey Douglas and his K-9 companion Simon Garfunkel are both retired police officers. They have moved on to be part of an investigative team working in the private sector, often for attorney Andy Carpenter.

When Corey learns that Lisa Yates has been killed, he is brought back to a case that he wasn't happy about. Corey was called to a domestic situation between Lisa and her live-in boyfriend Gerald Kline but, when Lisa wouldn't accuse Gerald even though he obviously hit her, Corey's hands were tied. Now, for his own piece of mind, he decides to look into what first appears to be a drive-by shooting.  Corey's sure that Gerald had something to do with it. 

Corey is assisted by the rest of the K Team - Laurie Carpenter and Marcus Clark with assists by Andy Carpenter, Sam Willis, and Simon Garfunkel. Corey is surprised to be called to Gerald's home one evening for what he is told is evidence. When he arrives, Gerald is dead. Corey calls the police but a couple of days later he is arrested for the murder. Someone has built a really nice frame right around Corey including blood spattered track clothes.

Andy is drafted by Laurie to take Corey's case and the whole team tries to find out what is going on...because the bodies just keep piling up. 

I liked that the story was from Corey's point of view because he is quite a character. I liked the twists and turns in the plot that kept me guessing almost to the final page. 

Fans of the Andy Carpenter mysteries will enjoy this series too. They have the same wit, quirky characters, and interesting plots that the other series has.  

Favorite Quote:

The unspoken implication was that Laurie can handle matters with more sensitivity than me. She's saying that because she can handle matters with more sensitivity than me. On the sensitivity level, I probably rank just below Mike Tyson.

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

ARC Review: A Wicked Conceit by Anna Lee Huber

A Wicked Conceit
Author: Anna Lee Huber
Series: A Lady Darby Mystery (Book 9)
Publication: Berkley (April 6, 2021)

Description: Soon-to-be new parents Kiera and her husband, Sebastian Gage, have been hoping for a respite from their inquiries, but murder and mayhem have a startling way of dropping into their laps in the all-new historical mystery in this national bestselling series.

Edinburgh, Scotland. March 1832. Kiera and Gage have been eagerly awaiting their bundle of joy but trouble has been brewing in the form of the roguish criminal Bonnie Brock Kincaid. A new book and subsequent play features some of Kincaid's daringly heinous exploits, although he swears he had nothing to do with it or the characters which are obvious representations of Kiera and Gage. While the scoundrel's fury seems genuine, as well as his determined quest to uncover the real identity of the author, the Gages still hold doubts about his innocence.

A rash of crimes break out across the city, seemingly inspired by the play and book. When the publisher is found brutally murdered--in an imitation of a gruesome scene--the finger not only points to Bonnie Brock as the possible culprit, but also the Gages, who have been outspoken in their condemnation of the tale. Now, the Gages are on a hunt to unmask the killer. Between the infamy garnered by the play, the cholera outbreak still wreaking havoc throughout the city, and the impending birth of their child, they will need all the resources they can garner

But family quarrels and the revelation of a secret Kiera has been keeping from Sebastian threaten to undermine everything they have overcome. When they find themselves in the crosshairs of the killer, trapped in the squalid underground vaults of the city, they will soon discover that the truth does not always set you free, and death can lurk around any corner.

My Thoughts: Gage and Kiera are set in Edinburgh in March of 1832 waiting for the birth of their first child. But things are not going smoothly. A book detailing the life of Bonnie Brock Kincaid and also starring Kieta and Gage has swept the country. It has also been adapted into a number of plays showing anywhere from the Royal Theatreto any other group of ragtag players. The portrayal has brought Kiera, Gage and Bonnie Brock into more publicity and gossip than any of them want. 

Bonnie Brock, a local crime lord and sometimes ally of Kiera and Gage, is certain that someone has betrayed information about him that no one is supposed to know. He believes that it might be Kiera or Gage though they are equally outraged about the book and plays. They become determined to track down the mysterious and anonymous author.

That isn't the only problem to two are having. The book has led to a number of other local crimes including jewel thefts that Gage is asked to look into. Their old enemy Lord Kirkcowan is mixed up in the new jewelry thefts.

Also, Kiera is keeping a secret from Gage which is bothering her conscience. The one who was supposed to share the secret with Gage left the country at the end of their last case leaving Kiera in a very uncomfortable position. Kiera is also facing pressure from her older sister Alana who had previously been her strongest supporter and ally but who is now very upset about Kiera's life choices. 

When the publisher of the book that started it all is found murdered shortly after Gage and Kiera interviewed him to see if they could get a clue to unknown author, they become persons of interest to the police. Also the murder was set up to mimic a scene from the book which puts Bonnie Brock on the suspect list too. Add in that cholera is running rampant in Edinburgh and some of the places where they need to investigate are places where there have been outbreaks, and even more tension is added to thes story.

The book was filled with great historical detail about the 1832 cholera epidemic and about the theater scene in Edinburgh. I really liked the way Kiera is becoming more comfortable with herself and with her choices. Despite some minor problems between Gage and Kiera, I also like the way their relationship is growing.

Fans of this series will certainly enjoy this latest episode. Newcomers will also find much to enjoy in this historical mystery.

Favorite Quote:

"What if the life I've led, the entire life, was the one I was supposed to have all along? The good and the bad." I held up a hand. "I'm not saying I'm glad Sir Anthony mistreated me, or that Will had to die as he did, or that God wished for any of it to happen. But...what if it was the only way I could become who I am right now? What if it was the only way I could become the mother this child needs?" I breathed deeply, feeling something loosen inside me, some deep source of pain I'd been harboring. "Then, I can accept that."

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? (March 29, 2021)

 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.

I will be combining my YA and adult reading and purchases on this one weekly roundup.

Other Than Reading... 

Greetings from snowy Minnesota! After two days of rain, I woke up to snow this morning and it has been snowing all day. It is warm enough that the snow is not yet sticking to the roads but the grassy areas are getting a nice coating. It's supposed to be 40 degrees and mostly sunny tomorrow which is when I need to go downtown to get my second COVID-19 shot. This new snow should all melt away tomorrow.

I was not entirely pleased with my current review book and decided to read something else before going on with it. Unfortunately, I chose to read the second book in the Bridgerton series which led to the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth and staying up way too late because of my binge reading. I'm currently reading the seventh and have the eighth on my Kindle. I know I'll want to finish the series before going back to reading the books that are on my calendar. I'm reviewing the first two in the Bridgerton series but not the rest at this time. I may review them during the summer if I have a calendar spot to fill.

Speaking of my calendar, since I have only four books to read before my April calendar is full, I set up my May calendar and wrote the posts as much as I could before I actually read the books. I do have all the Book Beginning/Friday 56 posts completed and six of seventeen books on my May calendar read and reviewed already. The six reviews I've already finished are for audiobooks I've listened to recently. 

I don't have anything besides the shot on my calendar for the week. I'm expecting some side effects and glad to be staying at home to wait them out. Also baseball season starts for real on Thursday which will keep me watching television. 

Read Last Week

If you can't wait until the review shows up on my blog, reviews are posted to LibraryThing and Goodreads as soon as I write them (usually right after I finish reading a book.)

• Drown Her Sorrows by Melinda Leigh (Mine) -- The third Bree Taggert mystery is filled with a twisty plot and a growing romance. My review will be posted on April 8.
• Lake Silence by Anne Bishop (Audiobook) -- This is a favorite story. I chose it because I needed an audiobook but didn't want to tackle anything new. 
• The Unkindness of Ravens by M. E. Hilliard (Review; April 13) -- Entertaining series debut. Greer Hogan is a librarian who needs to figure out who murdered her friend in the library and channels her favorite detectives (Trixie Belden and Miss Marple) to help her solve the crime. My review will be posted on April 10.

• Finding Perfect by Susan Mallery (Kindle and Audiobook) -- The third Fool's Gold romance stars Pia O'Brien and Raoul Moreno. Another great romance. My review will be posted on April 14.
• The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn (Mine) -- Anthony and Kate's romance is the second in the Bridgerton series. My review will be posted on April 21.
• An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn (Mine) -- This is Benedict and Sophie's story. This episode is sort of a riff on the Cinderella story.

• Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (mine) -- Colin and Penelope's story. We also find out who Lady Whistledown is 
• To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn (Mine) -- Eloise and Sir Phillip Crane's story. 
• When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn (Mine) -- Francesca and Michael Stirling's story.

Currently

• Purrfectly Dead by Dixie Lyle (Review; April 27) - I'm at 40% in this one but had no trouble setting it aside for my Bridgerton binge.
• It's in His Kiss by Julia Quinn (Mine)

Next Week

• Bootlegger's Daughter by Margaret Maron (Mine)
• Wicked All Night by Jeaniene Frost (Mine)
• The Lady Has a Past by Amanda Quick (Review; May 4)

• Thief of Souls by Brian Klingborg (Review; May 4)
• The Last Scoop by R. G. Belsky (Review; May 5)
• City of Dark Corners by Jon Talton (Review; May 11)

Reviews Posted

• Faithless in Death by J. D. Robb
• The Iron Wyrm Affair by Lilith Saintcrow

• Phantoms & Felonies by Lucy Ness
• Changing the Rules by Catherine Bybee

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

I bought all of these this week.

• Unconquerable Sun by Kate Elliott (Kindle and Audiobook)
• Finding Perfect by Susan Mallery (Audiobook to go with my print and Kindle copies)
• Only Mine by Susan Mallery

• To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn
• When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn
• An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn

• Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
• It's in His Kiss by Julia Quinn
• On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn

What was your week like?

Book Review: Faithless in Death by J. D. Robb

Faithless in Death
Author: J. D. Robb
Series: In Death (Book 52)
Publication: St. Martin's Press (February 9, 2021)

Description: In the new Eve Dallas police thriller from #1 New York Times-bestselling author J. D. Robb, what looked like a lover’s quarrel turned fatal has larger—and more terrifying—motives behind it…

The scene in the West Village studio appears to be classic crime-of-passion: two wineglasses by the bed, music playing, and a young sculptor named Ariel Byrd with the back of her head bashed in. But when Dallas tracks down the wealthy Upper East Side woman who called 911, the details don’t add up. Gwen Huffman is wealthy, elegant, comforted by her handsome fiancé as she sheds tears over the trauma of finding the body—but why did it take an hour to report it? And why is she lying about little things?

As Eve and her team look into Gwen, her past, and the people around her, they find that the lies are about more than murder. As with sculpture, they need to chip away at the layers of deception to find the shape within—and soon they’re getting the FBI involved in a case that involves a sinister, fanatical group and a stunning criminal conspiracy.

My Thoughts: Eve's next case starts out simple. What looks like a lover's quarrel leaving a young female sculptor dead in her studio quickly becomes a much deeper and darker case. First of all, why did Gwen Huffman wait more than an hour before calling in the discovery of the crime? And why did she call her lawyer-fiancé before she called the cops?

Gwen's lies and inconsistencies quickly alert Eve and Peabody to the idea that something is being hidden but neither could have imagined the scope of her secrets. As they investigate Gwen and her background and contacts, they discover that she is part of a cult called Natural Order. It hates anyone who isn't straight, anyone who is mixed-race, and women generally. 

Founded by Stanton Wilkey who Roarke describes as "a charismatic lunatic", it has been growing in great secrecy for years. Eve's friend reporter Nadine Furst tried to investigate it when she was a young reporter with no success. All attempts to get the details, including the FBI's attempt to get an agent undercover, have been unsuccessful. But when Eve goes to interview Wilkey, she is surreptitiously passed a note which indicates things are even worse than everyone feared; a young woman is being held captive after being abducted and having her identity erased.

As Eve investigates possible killers of the young sculptor, she also discovers the members of the cult are imprisoning women and forcing them into marriages and motherhood. This triggers all sorts of reminders of her own childhood and deepens Eve's determination to destroy this cult and its members. Luckily, her contacts in the FBI and Interpol are also determined to do the same thing.

While this story deals with a deep and dark crime, there are still happy notes. Mavis and Leonardo have bought a house with the intent to grow their family. The house also has a sort of guesthouse/mother-in-law suite that they intend to rent to Peabody and McNab. Roarke found the house, which is a real fixer-upper, and is helping with the rehab. There are also the usual problems with idioms this time including "lo and behold," "a flash in the pan," and "irons in the fire" that added some humor to a story with lots of darkness.

Fans of the In Death series will enjoy this latest episode and be glad to spend time again with Eve, Roarke, and the family they have built around themselves. 

Favorite Quote:

She made her way downstairs and found Peabody walking her way.

"My charm's on high today." After a little hip wiggle, Peabody tried a hair toss.

"Never, never do that again."

"You're going to want to do the same when I tell you Dickhead already had the sheets done. Two separate DNAs from fluids, both female. One from the victim, one not in the system."

"Good, solid. But I don't do the wiggle and toss."

"'Cause you've got no hips and really short hair. But inside, you're wiggling and tossing."

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Friday Memes: Faithless in Death by J. D. Robb

 Happy Friday everybody!

Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City Reader. The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Beginning:

Paperwork could kill.

Nothing, to Eve Dallas's mind, reached the same heights -- or depths -- as paperwork's terminal boredom.

And if the boredom didn't kill you, the frustration would.

Friday 56: 

"She wouldn't be the first to kill to maintain appearances."

This week I am spotlighting Faithless in Death by J. D. Robb. It is the 52nd in this futuristic mystery series. It is a real favorite of mine! Here is the description from Amazon:

In the new Eve Dallas police thriller from #1 New York Times-bestselling author J. D. Robb, what looked like a lover’s quarrel turned fatal has larger—and more terrifying—motives behind it…

The scene in the West Village studio appears to be classic crime-of-passion: two wineglasses by the bed, music playing, and a young sculptor named Ariel Byrd with the back of her head bashed in. But when Dallas tracks down the wealthy Upper East Side woman who called 911, the details don’t add up. Gwen Huffman is wealthy, elegant, comforted by her handsome fiancé as she sheds tears over the trauma of finding the body—but why did it take an hour to report it? And why is she lying about little things?

As Eve and her team look into Gwen, her past, and the people around her, they find that the lies are about more than murder. As with sculpture, they need to chip away at the layers of deception to find the shape within—and soon they’re getting the FBI involved in a case that involves a sinister, fanatical group and a stunning criminal conspiracy.

ARC Review: Phantoms and Felonies by Lucy Ness

Phantoms and Felonies
Author: Lucy Ness
Series: A Haunted Mansion Mystery (Book 2)
Publication: Berkley (April 6, 2021)

Description: Avery Morgan has been hired to breathe new life into the Portage Path Women's Club, but first she'll have to deal with a dead body and a meddling ghost.

When a local theater troupe puts on a new play at the club, manager Avery Morgan is excited. This is just the sort of event that's destined to bring in potential new members. Okay, millionaire banker Bob Hanover has more bucks than talent and has used his position to grab the lead role, but that seems like a small price to pay...until Bob is found dead backstage.

Bob rubbed many people the wrong way, but would anyone want him dead? The short answer to that is: Who wouldn't want him dead? His long-suffering wife had to put up with years of womanizing. The show's playwright has been tricked out of his one great idea by Bob, who claimed it as his own work. And Bob bankrupted one of the town's small businessmen. The choices are many and the time to find the killer is running short.

Avery is working overtime to keep the club open and find the killer. Fortunately, she has help with the latter task. Clemmie Bow was once a singer in the speakeasy in the club's basement. Now she's a ghost who's also a top-notch detective. Together Clemmie and Avery will find the killer—even if it kills one of them.

My Thoughts: Avery Morgan's latest idea to revitalize the Portage Path Women's Club is to host a murder mystery dinner. She has to deal with a prima donna author, a banker turned actor with ideas of his own about the story, a club member who thinks the whole thing is a bad idea, and a number of other characters with their own agendas.

When the banker turned actor winds up dead before the play is well under way, Avery needs to help her boyfriend Oz find the killer. She really hopes that it isn't another club member which would really ruin her plans for good PR for the Club.

Avery is assisted by ghost Clemmie Bow who was killed in the speakeasy in the basement during the 1920s. Part of this case included keeping Clemmie secret from her Aunt Rosemary who is a noted medium from Lily Dale. Aunt Rosemary decided to surprise her niece by attending the mystery dinner but wasn't expecting to discover the body and be accused of murder. She has always thought that Avery had some psychic powers though Avery had constantly denied any such talent.

This was an entertaining cozy mystery with interesting characters and an engaging plot. 

Favorite Quote:

"You haven't seen anything in the house? Anything that makes you think you're being Visited?"

That capital letter is my own doing, of course, but there are certain words Aunt Rosemary uses and a certain inflection in her voice that always make me think capitalization is in order."

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