Tag: Mystery

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: Murder in PostScript (A Lady of Letters Mystery #1) by Mary Winters

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Murder in PostScript (A Lady of Letters Mystery #1) by Mary Winters

When I see books with any mention of “Bridgerton-like’ in the summary or taglines, I am at once skeptical and yet can’t pass up on said book based on hope of finding another wonderful series that is indeed like Bridgerton! I often get asked what books would I recommend for Bridgerton fans, and that is such a hard question because there are so many historical romances out there that have a Bridgerton feel but aren’t necessaitly Bridgerton like if that makes sense. So sometimes when I see this statement on books, I become skeptical because there is nothing like Bridgerton but yet like so many others I can’t resist finding then next Bridgerton like book to fall in love with.

That’s how this book came to be on my review radar. It was described as “… the first novel in a new historical mystery series perfect anyone who loves the secret identity intrigue and swoon-worthy romance of Bridgerton“. So naturally I couldn’t resist even though I was skeptical. The idea of a new murder mystery series with a hot romance even if it didn’t quite live up to the Bridgerton claim, intrigued me enough that there was no way that I would pass on this!

I am a huge fan of historical mysteries and romances and any time that the two cross over is a win-win for me. I am always on the look out for new lady detectives and sleuth series to dive into. There are so many good ones out there—-Veronica Speedwell, Lady Darby, Lady Sherlock—and new female detectives are hitting shelves everyday so when I saw this was a debut and a new series, I knew it must be worth checking out if it had already been acknowledged as an upcoming series rather than just a standalone.

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Special Feature: How I’ll Kill You by Ren DeStefano

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: How I’ll Kill You by Ren DeStefano

I love when I see a thriller come out that sounds different from the rest. There is kind of this theme in the thriller genre where many have ‘surprising’ femme fatale or it’s billed as a ‘psychological’ thriller—but I have yet to see where it’s a group of women killers on the hunt for their next mark. This book sounded really interesting, plus it had a strong romance angle which is often unheard of in the thriller genre as a focal point. I thought this book sounded really different and like it would stand out from a crowd. It screamed unconventional to me so naturally I want to get it out on your radars!

This book is out now and is a debut from author Ren DeStefano. Early reviewers are raving about this one and I am inclined to agree and move it up my TBR list! I couldn’t fit this one into my reading/review calendar but I also didn’t want to pass on it all together. Books that allude to unconventional always grab me so I opted for a feature but as I am reading the early reviews that are coming in—I am moving it up my TBR list!

I liked that this book didn’t go with the classic ‘secret’ femme fatale or something like that. The author outright made the three main characters serial killers and I love how bold this one sounds based on that alone. But then to add in the romance that develops out of a marked man sounds even more exciting and unique! If you are looking for your next spring thriller or beach read then this one might just be for you! It’s out today so give it some love and check it out! I know I don’t want to miss out on this one!

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Special Feature: Death and Croissants (Follet Valley Mysteries #1) by Ian Moore

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: Death and Croissants (Follet Valley Mysteries #1) by Ian Moore

So many cozy mysteries are written by women and about women with a woman protagonist, which is why this one caught my eye. It’s written by a man with a male protagonist at the helm! You don’t see that too much in the cozy genre so I was eager to check this one out. This book is billed as a quirky, British style comedy, cozy mystery. There is a lot happening in that description and I think for the right reader, it will garner attention! I love quirky British humor and of course I love cozy mysteries so naturally this one stood out to me. Although that might not be the case for other readers and that’s ok but if you are looking for something a little different within the cozy genre, then this might be a good option for you!

I loved that the main character was going to be this middle aged man—-not exactly what I would have expected but I think it will work in this book. This book kicks off with the murder of one of Richard (the protagonist) chickens! If that doesn’t scream different and quirky then I don’t know what does! This book is one in a series of three books in the Follet Valley Mysteries and I think that readers will enjoy a new, quirky main character to get to know with some interesting murders to solve!

While I couldn’t fit this one into my review schedule, I couldn’t resist sharing this cozy with you guys today. I am eager to check this one out and see how funny and quirky it is! It sounds like a quick and easy murder mystery that will be a pleasure to read on the beach this spring/summer. If you enjoy cozy mysteries but maybe want to try something a little off the beaten path then I think you will find something in this one to enjoy. It promises a light hearted approach with a funny character and mystery to solve, give it a shot and see if this is something that catches your eye!

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Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: A Tempest at Sea (Lady Sherlock #7) by Sherry Thomas

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: A Tempest at Sea (Lady Sherlock #7) by Sherry Thomas

This series started out as a DNF for me. I couldn’t get into the first book when I picked it up the first time so I put it down as a DNF and almost wrote the series off all together. But it bugged me so bad that I didn’t like this series! So many of my friends around the blog-o-sphere loved it and honestly it SHOULD be a series that I love. So after some consideration, I picked up the first book and decided to try again. I am so glad I did because I loved it and binge read all the books that had some out at that point so I could be ready for more in the series!

Sometimes that happens with readers—it’s like the right book and the wrong time and it can be so hard to decide if it was that I wasn’t in the mood for that book or if I really just didn’t care for it. Some books I can absolutely tell that I just don’t like it but with others it could be that I am just not in the right headspace for a particular book, which is why this series needled me so bad! I am glad I decided to give it another go as it has been a very enjoyable series and this book was another great installment.

If you haven’t checked this series out yet it’s great for fans of Sherlock Holmes but with a feminine twist! Author, Sherry Thomas, does a great job staying true to the character of Sherlock Holmes but with a gender bender, but the methods and problem solving that Holmes is known for is seen reflected in these charming characters. If you love historical mysteries this is a great place to start! Both familiar but new!

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Review: Girl with the Dragonfruit Tattoo (Trouble in Paradise #3) by Carrie Doyle

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Girl with the Dragonfruit Tattoo (Trouble in Paradise #3) by Carrie Doyle

Right about now is the time where I start getting really tired of the Oregon rain and cold weather. I start to randomly look for tropical vacations that are anywhere with sun and warmth. Sadly, my budget doesn’t allow for tropical travel every year so I have to make do with what I have on hand which is usually a book set in a sunny location. Sometimes tropical book setting can be hard to find, but when I do find one, I am usually game to check them out.

When I saw this book come up for review, I was like HECK YES, tropical cozy murder mystery sounds like just the ticket to cure the winter blues. So I decided to give this one a shot, plus I love the cover. It is super cute. I haven’t read anything by Carrie Doyle before and actually I hadn’t even heard of any of her books but once this one came into my orbit, I was curious to see what other books she has put out. This one here is third in a series so obviously there are other books before it as well as another series that Doyle has written.

She seems to have a flair for cozy mysteries and this particular series is set in a tropical destination which to me is rare. Tropical destinations always feel transient. Like people weren’t meant to be there for any length of time. But I love that this book series make a home of the tropical island Paraiso. It gives readers roots to a location that often just feels like a short escape but readers of the series will feel like they are coming home to the island of Paraiso.

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