Dead to Begin With by Vivian Conroy My rating: 2 of 5 stars This cozy mystery started promisingly, despite not breaking any new ground: middle aged heroine, check; over-bearing mother, check; cute dogs, check; twee hobby, check. It's got some good characters and a nice setting. However, the mystery plot is a bit thin and… Continue reading Dead to Begin With (Country Gift Shop 1) by Vivian Conroy
Tag: Murder
Rattle (The Bone Collector 1) Fiona Cummins
Rattle by Fiona Cummins My rating: 3 of 5 stars I enjoyed this book, to a point: it is creepy and pretty original and I very much liked Detective Etta Fitzroy. Most of the characters were well drawn and sympathetic - I particularly liked Erdman ('Erdman', though?!). However, the book does concentrate a lot on… Continue reading Rattle (The Bone Collector 1) Fiona Cummins
Safe With Me by K.L. Slater
Thirteen years ago someone did something very bad to Anna. Now it’s her turn to get even. Anna lives a solitary existence, taking solace in order and routine. Her only friend is the lonely old lady next door. She doesn’t like to let people to get too close – she knows how much damage they… Continue reading Safe With Me by K.L. Slater
Good Me Bad Me by Ali Land
Annie's mother is a serial killer. The only way Annie can make it stop is to hand her in to the police. With a new foster family and a new name - Milly - she hopes for a fresh start. Now, surely, she can be whoever she wants to be. But as her mother's trial looms,… Continue reading Good Me Bad Me by Ali Land
The Watcher by Ross Armstrong
The Watcher by Ross Armstrong My rating: 4 of 5 stars The Watcher begins with a cracking Hitchcockian prologue then jumps back in time to tell the story of how Lily - a keen birdwatcher - becomes convinced a murder has been committed within the estate opposite her flat. The plot is a slow burner,… Continue reading The Watcher by Ross Armstrong
Beignets, Brides and Bodies by J.R. Ripley
Beignets, Brides and Bodies by J.R. Ripley My rating: 2 of 5 stars Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the ARC of Beignets, Brides and Bodies. I enjoyed the tone and style of the book: it is an easy read and is pretty funny throughout. The characters are varied and believable. However, although… Continue reading Beignets, Brides and Bodies by J.R. Ripley
Murder Under the Christmas Tree: Ten Classic Crime Stories for the Festive Season Edited by Cecily Gayford
Murder Under the Christmas Tree: Ten Classic Crime Stories for the Festive Season by Cecily Gayford My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a great collection of fun and festive Christmas murder mysteries. They're all short stories and easy to read so perfect for fitting in between mince pies, present opening and turkey sandwiches!
Mistletoe and Murder (Murder Most Unladylike Mysteries 5) by Robin Stevens
Mistletoe and Murder by Robin Stevens My rating: 5 of 5 stars I love this series and I love Hazel and Daisy! I also love a Christmas murder mystery, so this is a total winner for me. I really enjoyed having the Junior Pinkertons on the scene and the mystery was clever. The descriptions of… Continue reading Mistletoe and Murder (Murder Most Unladylike Mysteries 5) by Robin Stevens
Love You To Death (Detective Ruby Preston 1) by Caroline Mitchell
Love You To Death by Caroline Mitchell My rating: 2 of 5 stars I can see I'm in the minority, but unfortunately this didn't really work for me. In a few short words the synopsis summarises the entire set up, so there is zero tension in the first 50% of the book, at which point… Continue reading Love You To Death (Detective Ruby Preston 1) by Caroline Mitchell
Flytrap by Simon Kernick
Flytrap by Simon Kernick My rating: 4 of 5 stars Great plot, well-written, a couple of twists but brings new meaning even to the phrase 'short story'!! It took me about 10 minutes to read and finished at 47%, with the rest of the file being a preview of the new book. It was good… Continue reading Flytrap by Simon Kernick
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