Audiobook Review: Dead in Dublin by Catie Murphy

Dead in Dublin
Author: Catie Murphy
Narrator: Lucy Rayner
Series: Dublin Drivers Mystery (Book 1)
Publication: Tantor Audio (December 31, 2019)
Length: 8 hours and 18 minutes

Description: In Dublin's fair city, where the girls are so pretty, murder occurs at the feet of sweet Molly Malone....

Ferrying tourists around Dublin for the Leprechaun Limo Service makes quite a change after years in the military. Still, Megan Malone is enjoying her life in Ireland. She likes the scenery, the easy pace, the quirky, quick-witted locals. Everything - except having one of her clients drop dead at the statue of fabled fishmonger, Molly Malone.

Most restaurant critics notch up their share of enemies. Elizabeth Darr, however, was a well-loved international star. She and her husband, Simon, had just had dinner when Elizabeth collapsed, and spoiled seafood is the first suspect. The restaurant's owner, worried her business is doomed, begs Megan to look into it. Between her irate boss and a handsome Garda who's both amused and annoyed by her persistence, Megan has her hands full even before she's cajoled into taking care of two adorable Jack Russell puppies (which she is almost definitely not keeping). But if cockles and mussels aren't to blame, can Megan find the real culprit...before another fishy death occurs?

My Thoughts: American military vet Megan Malone works for a limousine service in Dublin. When one of her clients drops dead in front of her, Megan becomes involved in investigating the death. Her curiosity and the fact that her friend's restaurant might be blamed for the death encourages her interest.

A second death is connected to the restaurant when the joint owner and investor in the business is found dead inside the restaurant. Also inside the restaurant kitchen is a mama dog and her two newborn puppies which Megan agrees to take home only until a place opens for them in a shelter since her boss and landlady is very much opposed to dogs.

I enjoyed this audiobook once I got used to the Irish accents. Luckily, I also own the Kindle copy and could read along until my ear adjusted. The narrator did a great job with all the characters and accents.

I liked Megan and the other supporting characters in this series starter. I thought that there was enough suspense for a cozy mystery and liked the fast pace.

I bought the Kindle and added on the audiobook. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Seams Deadly by Maggie Bailey

Seams Deadly
Author: Maggie Bailey
Series: A Measure Twice Sewing Mystery (Book 1)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (September 5, 2023)

Description: When sewist Lydia Barnes finds a dead body soon after moving to a new town, she will need more than shear luck to find the killer, in this novel perfect for fans of Molly MacRae and Anna Gerard.

Lydia Barnes is excited for a fresh start when she moves to the quaint mountain town of Peridot, Georgia. Her friend, Fran, offers her a job at the Measure Twice fabric store and even sets her up on a date with the handsome Brandon Ivey, who also happens to be Lydia’s new next-door neighbor. Finally, things are looking up. But after a disaster first date that ends with a fist bump instead of a kiss, Lydia doesn’t think her night can get any worse. She’s soon proven wrong when she later stumbles upon Brandon’s dead body.

Considered the prime suspect by the police, Lydia calls on her friends to help her hunt for the truth and prove her innocence. But when another body is soon found inside the Measure Twice store, Lydia knows that the killer must be close by, and that this town has more than its fair share of secrets. Who would want to frame the newest addition to Peridot for these terrible murders—and why?

Lydia may discover that while sewing might have a pattern, killing rarely does. Will she be able to stitch together the clues and clear her own name before the killer strikes again?

My Thoughts: SEAMS DEADLY begins a new cozy series set in a small town in northern Georgia. Lydia Barnes has fled there after catching her husband in bed with her teaching assistant. She had visited before and enjoyed stopping in at Measure Twice, a quilting store. Now she's been offered a job there and she also rents the upstairs apartment. 

When she is coerced into a date with Brandon, a younger man who works in the local bookstore, by her boss, she reluctantly agrees even though she knows she isn't over her cheating husband. The date is a failure since he's determined to talk only about his Great American Novel. After he walks her home and she walks her dog Charlie, she decides to drop off some brownies and discovers him dead at his desk. He was stabbed with a pair of sheers from Measure Twice. 

The local police think she killed Brandon which has the effect of making her dissolve into tears and suffer from shock. She's so new in town that she can't think of anyone else who might be a suspect. However, a few conversations indicate that Brandon did have some enemies who are unfortunately all alibied. 

When another murder occurs in the classroom of Measure Twice, Lydia is again the prime suspect. She needs to find the real killer in order to keep her place in this small town that really feels like home to her. 

There were lots of things I liked about this story. I liked that Lydia rescues a cat named Baby Lobster from the local shelter. Baby Lobster has quite an interesting personality. I also liked the setting of the story. The main thing I didn't like about the story was the main character. She seems totally self-absorbed and very prone to break into tears all the time or go off daydreaming at the most inappropriate times. She was a really unlikeable character for me. 

I'm not sure if I will continue with this series because I really didn't like the main character or most of the other characters. I don't think an interesting setting will be enough motivation for me to read more. 

Favorite Quote:

She didn't do fancy hair or fancy makeup, she made her own dresses, and too often she forgot to use the lint roller to remove the dog hair.

At least tonight, she'd remembered to do that, though her rescue dog, Charlie, had watched her with a slightly offended look, as though his hair all over her clothes was a good look and she was just being absurd.

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

ARC Review: Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose

Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose
Author: Nancy Springer
Series: Enola Holmes
Publication: Wednesday Books (September 5, 2023)

Description: In May of 1890, Enola Holmes is finally fully on her own and, no longer hiding from her older brothers Sherlock and Mycroft, attending classes and occasionally pursuing her chosen profession as a scientific perditorian, a finder of lost things and people.

Wolcott Balestier, the representative of an American book publisher, arrived in London on a singular mission - to contract with English authors for their latest works. When Balestier disappears on the streets of London one day, his great friend - Rudyard Kipling - bursts into Enola's office looking for help in finding him. Brash and unwilling to hire a young woman, instead he turns to Sherlock Holmes. Convinced that evil has befallen Balestier, at the hands of rival American publishers who pirate the works of English authors, he sets the elder Holmes on the trail.

But Enola is not one to accept defeat, especially not to her brother, and sets off on her own - determined to learn the truth behind the disappearance of the young American. Can book publishing truly be so ruthless and deadly or can the missing man be rescued from his apparent fate and returned to his friends and loved ones?

The redoubtable Enola is determined to do just that, even if it means working with her brother Sherlock!

My Thoughts: Enola Holmes starts her newest case when a very upset Rudyard Kipling bursts into Dr. Ragostin's office in search of help finding his missing friend Wolcott Balestier. Unwilling to believe that Ragostin was a front Enola used to cover up the fact that she was a woman investigator, Kipling storms out leaving Enola very curious.

She begins her own search for the missing publisher. She needs lots of disguises and goes to lots of different parts of 1890 London. And she finds herself in competition with her brother Sherlock until the two decide to work together on the case.

She soon learns that Balestier disappeared after being bitten by a rabid dog which leads her to do some research on rabies which is not yet a treatable disease in 1890 although Louis Pasteur in France and Jacob Lister in London are working on the problem. Enola's tour of Lister's research facility was a good look into the medical experimentation of the day. 

This story was a great addition to the series. I like the historical detail and the way Enola investigates a complicated crime. 

Favorite Quote:

I felt, I must admit, a distinct glow. All was well between me and Sherlock. All was very good indeed. Despite the fact that I was going to spy on him.

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

ARC Review: Malibu Burning by Lee Goldberg

Malibu Burning
Author: Lee Goldberg
Series: Sharpe & Walker (Book 1)
Publication: Thomas & Mercer (September 1, 2023)

Description: For a professional criminal and a relentless arson investigator, fear and revenge spread like wildfire in an incendiary thriller by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Goldberg.

Hell comes to Southern California every October. It rides in on searing Santa Ana winds that blast at near hurricane force, igniting voracious wildfires. Master thief Danny Cole longs for the flames. A tsunami of fire is exactly what he needs to pull off a daring crime and avenge a fallen friend.

As the most devastating firestorms in Los Angeles’ history scorch the hills of Malibu, relentless arson investigator Walter Sharpe and his wild card of a new partner, Andrew Walker, a former US marshal, suspect that someone set the massive blazes intentionally, a terrifying means to an unknown end.

While the flames rage out of control, Danny pursues his brilliant scheme, unaware that Sharpe and Walker are closing in. But when they all collide in a canyon of fire, everything changes, pitting them against an unexpected enemy within an inescapable inferno.

My Thoughts: The first Sharpe and Walker thriller introduces the two main characters who are arson investigators in California. Sharpe is the old veteran. Walker is new to the department after a career with the US Marshals Service. Since his wife is pregnant, he's looking for a job that will let him be home nights and his wife wants him to be in less danger,

It's October which is fire season in California and this year isn't helped when fires are being started by criminals who are determined to loot under the cover of the fires.

The story is told with a variety of flashbacks mixed with the current time. I liked the way the story was told. I liked getting to know a couple of interesting new characters. I also liked the way the story coincided with the Eve Ronin series. 

I recommend this one to anyone who enjoyed fast-paced suspense.

Favorite Quote:

Mertz stepped up beside him. "So, you're not simply stealing them, you're saving them,"

"That's right."

"From a fire you started," Mertz said.

"Let's not get bogged down in the details."

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

ARC Review: All the Dead Shall Weep by Charlaine Harris

All the Dead Shall Weep
Author: Charlaine Harris
Series: Gunnie Rose (Book 5)
Publication: Gallery / Saga Press (September 5, 2023)

Description: #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author returns with the fifth installment in the bestselling Gunnie Rose series as sisters Lizbeth Rose and Felicia as well as brother Eli and Peter, are reunited in Texoma only to break apart before the Wizard’s Ball held in San Diego, which will determine all their fates.

Following the murderous events of the “gripping…thrill-ride” (Karin Slaughter) Serpent of Heaven, Lizbeth Rose is awaiting the arrival of her sister Felicia and her husband’s younger brother Eli in Texoma. Both needed to leave the seat of the Holy Russian Empire in San Diego after Felicia’s burgeoning wizardly power in death magic became the reason for kidnapping and assassination attempts from her mother’s family of high-powered wizards in Mexico.

Yet bad news has traveled ahead of them, as Eli is called back to San Diego, taking Peter along with him, splitting them apart in more ways than one as their enemies’ plans for revenge come to fruition. In this fifth installment in the beloved and bestselling Gunnie Rose series, #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Charlaine Harris has crafted a family drama of murderous and magical thrills.

My Thoughts: The fifth book in the Gunnie Rose series takes place in Texoma. Lizbeth and Eli have settled in Lixbeth's home country after leaving San Diego. There are major adjustments to make for this newly married couple. Lizbeth has just lost a baby and is dealing with grief. She is also wondering if Eli regrets both their marriage and their move since he can't really use his grigori talents. 

Lizbeth's half-sister Felicia and Eli's brother Peter have arrived from San Diego for a visit and to get out of San Diego. Felicia is now fifteen and is coming into her grigori powers which are looking to be very strong. Her major talent is death magic which makes her a very attractive commodity for magical families looking to increase their power.

When a militia comes to Texoma and kidnaps Eli and Peter, Lizabeth and Felicia go after them. After rescuing them, Eli and Peter head off to San Diego without explanation. Lizbeth fears that Eli has left her forever. But several visitors coming courting Felicia for their families and a couple of kidnapping attempts keep both Felicia and Lizbeth busy. 

This alternate history story with magic was an entertaining story. I like the worldbuilding and I like the characters. 

Favorite Quote:

I was aching to kill Thomas. I was indifferent about Joanie. I'd opened my mouth to tell Felicia this when a newcomer rode into the scene.

Prancing up on a gorgeous black horse was a man in a fancier uniform. He had more insignias on his arms, a different hat, and even medals. His neat white beard and trimmed white hair said that he looked in the mirror a lot. The newcomer dismounted easily, walked over to Joanie, and glanced from her to Thomas with clear disapproval. 

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? (August 28, 2023)

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.

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

Other Than Reading...

This past week was generally cool and cloudy. As I'm writing this Sunday noon, the temperature is 60F. Most days have been in the high 50s and low 60s. I'm hoping this is only a back-to-school blip and warm temperatures will be returning soon. Though I know fall is coming by the noticeably shorter daylight hours, I hate the end of summer. I love the heat and the long bright days. 

I did have a good reading week completing two review books, one from my TBR mountain, and three audiobooks. These audiobooks have been longer than the ones I have been reading since I'm trying to listen to the whole Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters and finish up the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths. I've listened for well over 35 hours and still have a couple of hours to go on the final Ruth Galloway. I need to shift focus to my review books since I still have some September titles to complete and a dozen or so October releases on my stack. 

This coming week will be a quiet one. I don't have any appointments that will get me out of the house. I have plenty of baseball to watch and books to read. 

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.)

• Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas by Vicki Delany (Review; September 19) -- The sixth in the Year-Round Christmas series takes place in December and centers around the local production of A Christmas Carol. My review will be posted by September 13.
• The Deeds of the Disturber by Elizabeth Peters (Mine; Audible Plus) -- This Amelia Peabody adventure takes place in England and centers around a mummy in the British Museum and includes aristocrats and young lovers. My review will be posted on October 3.
• Murder at Midnight by Katharine Schellman (Review; September 19) -- A ball turns into a locked room mystery when a snowstorm strands Lily and others including a murderer. My review will be posted on September 14.

• New Tricks by David Rosenfelt (Mine) -- Seventh book in the Andy Carpenter series. A pro bono case to resolve the fate of a Bernese puppy leads to murder and a new client. My review will be posted on September 19.
• The Last Camel Died at Noon by Elizabeth Peters (Mine; Audible Plus) -- Peters take on an H. Rider Haggard story has Amelia, Emerson, and Ramses on an expedition to find a lost explorer and his wife. My review will be posted on October 10.
• The Locked Room by Elly Griffiths (Mine; Audiobook) -- The fourteenth Ruth Galloway mystery coincides with the start of Covid-19. My review will be posted October 12.

Currently

• The Last Remains by Elly Griffiths (Mine; Audiobook)
• Redemption by Deborah J. Ledford (Review; Amazon First; September 1)

Next Week

• Unleashed Holiday by Victora Schade (September 26)
• Case of the Bleus by Korina Moss (September 26)
• Overdue or Die by Allison Brook (October 3)

• Caught on the Book by Laura Gail Black (October 3)
• A Cold Highland Wind by Tasha Alexander (October 3)
• Rumor of Evil by Gary Braver (October 10)

Reviews Posted

• Girl Gone Missing by Marcie R. Rendon
• The Woman in Blue by Elly Griffiths
• The Camelot Caper by Elizabeth Peters

• Harlem After Midnight by Louise Hare
• My Roommate Is a Vampire by Jenna Levine
• In Her Sights by Katie Ruggle

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

Review:

• The Last Close Call by Laura Griffin (October 24)
• The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson (December 5)

Bought:

• Forgotten Ages (The Complete Saga) by Lindsay Buroker (BookBub; $.99)
• Murder in E Minor by Robert Goldsborough (Audible Plus)
• Heir of Uncertain Magic by Charlie N. Holmberg (Kindle)

• Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg (Kindle)
• The Sentence Is Death by Anthony Horowitz (BookBub, $1.99)
• Holmes Coming by Kenneth Johnson (BookBub, $1.99)

• The Cater Street Hangman by Anne Perry (Kindle & Audible Plus)
• Callander Square by Anne Perry (Kindle & Audible Plus)
• Paragon Walk by Anne Perry (Kindle & Audible Plus; BookBub $.99)

What was your week like?

Book Review: In Her Sights by Katie Ruggle

In Her Sights
Author: Katie Ruggle
Series: Rocky Mountain Bounty Hunters (Book 1)
Publication: Sourcebooks Casablanca (March 26, 2019)

Description: He may be her greatest rival—her sworn enemy—but when they face a hidden danger neither could survive alone, he'll soon become her partner…and fiercest protector.

Bounty hunter Molly Pax fought hard for everything she has, turning the struggling family business into an unqualified success. She doesn't need complications in her life—especially not John freaking Carmondy. Six feet of pure trouble, with a cocky grin to match, John's the most cheerfully, annoyingly gorgeous frenemy Molly's ever had the pleasure of facing…and he may be her only hope of making it past these dangerous grounds alive.

John's been over the moon for Molly for years, but she's always seemed untouchable. Unreachable. Now she's looking to him for help, and he'll be damned if he lets her and her sisters down. Teaming up against nearly impossible odds, they'll fight to make it through this alive…even if it means learning to trust in a connection that burns brighter than either has ever known.

Get out your trusty handcuffs: This pulse-pounding romantic suspense contains sizzling enemies-to-lovers attraction, long-time pining, explosions and explosive chemistry between two rival bounty hunters, and a family bond that'll have you coming back for more.

My Thoughts: This romantic suspense title begins a new series. It stars the relationship between Molly Pax and John Carmondy. They are rival bounty hunters. At least, Molly sees them as rivals. John is more interested in keeping Molly out of trouble since he has had a crush on her since he first saw her chasing a skip through a food court. 

Molly is the oldest of five sisters who are all bounty hunters. Living with a mother who has no respect for the law and who has been arrested and even jailed numerous times, introduced her daughters to this career. Molly is the oldest and has been taking care of her sisters since she was a pre-teen.

This time their mother has gone too far. Besides steeling Molly's car, she has been accused of stealing a million-dollar necklace. After her arrest, she arranges her bail through a sleazy bail bond's man who takes the deed to their house as collateral - the house that Molly and her sisters paid for. In order to save their house, they have to find their mother and make sure she makes her court date.

Molly is also forced to work for the bail bond's man to find a fugitive she doesn't want to chase in order to keep him from getting the court date moved up so that he can claim their house. The skip is very dangerous; he favors explosives to help him get away when being caught is imminent. John is right there with Molly as they hunt for this fugitive.

Molly gradually accepts that she is in love with John through the course of the story which made for a satisfying romance. However, large parts of the plot concerning catching their fugitive mother and saving their house were left unresolved. Hopefully, resolution will come in future books in this series.

Favorite Quote:

She froze, caught in a strange moment of wondering if this was what it would be like to have a partner, someone who could have her back and prop her up when the weight of taking care of her family got unbearably heavy. It was an addictive, incredible feeling to have support, and she know she had to be careful. He wasn't here forever, just the night, and it would be stupid of her to start leaning on him. when he inevitably disappeared, she'd fall.

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