Tag: Mystery

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

Review: Murder Road by Simone St James

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Murder Road by Simone St James

Simone St James is an auto buy author for me. I have read all her books, some multiple times and she is one of my most recommended authors when people are looking for a thriller. Even if you aren’t a fan of ghost stories, her books have a strong thriller/murder mystery component that generally off set the paranormal in the book. This book has been on pre-order for me for MONTHS and I couldn’t wait to read this book. I did read it in one day which is pretty standard for me with her books.

This book had a lot of 1990s nostalgia which was a big draw for me. Being set in 1995, I was excited to time travel in a way back to my teen years and a time when things were simpler. I think the lack of technology in a book and murder mystery like this really added to the sense of ‘unknown’ for me. It wasn’t entirely unheard of for teens to hitchhike still back then, and of course there was no ‘grid’ for them to fall off of so all of this added to the undercurrent of unknown in this book.

If you love thrillers and solid mysteries, and maybe you want to dabble in some supernatural elements or perhaps you are a die hard paranormal fan, wither way there is something for readers to love in this book. I highly recommend any of St James’s books. I never feel disappointed or underwhelmed when I pick up one of her books. Naturally there are books by her that I like more than others but overall I never feel like ‘darn I wasted my time with that one’ I always feel like I read a good story and was fully entertained beginning to end!

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Review: A Grave Robbery (Veronica Speedwell #9) by Deanna Raybourn

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: A Grave Robbery (Veronica Speedwell #9) by Deanna Raybourn

I discovered author Deanna Raybourn many years ago. I love all her books. She has written some wonderful historical mystery series that I will forever cherish, this series being at the top of that list. Veronica is such a wonderful character and I have loved watching her and Stoker grow together as a couple and in their friendship throughout the course of the series.

Naturally this was on the TOP of my TBR list for this year. There have been times though where I have felt like maybe this series could have wrapped up but it is hard to say good bye to characters that you have become attached to. I do think that once a series goes past about 5-6 books it gets to be a little much—not always but occasionally. I definitely felt that way when I read book 8 in this series. But I love the characters so much that I felt compelled to come back to this series for another installment.

If you are finding this series for the first time with this book, I HIGHLY suggest going back to read the books from beginning to end as this book especially would be a challenge to jump into as there are other threads from previous books in this one. I am excited that this isn’t the last book in the series yet, I think there is still more to be had in the narratives—-plus I love this series and even if I feel like it could wrap up, that doesn’t mean I want it to!

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Review: Murder in Masquerade (A Lady of Letters #2) by Mary Winters

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I absolutely adored the first book in this series! I loved the idea of an advice column as a catalyst for a murder investigation (which is how the first book starts!) and while I didn’t think I would like reading the advice columns at the beginning of each chapter—it grew on my and now I love it! A cozy mystery with some romance was just what I needed going into the long winter months. I started this book in early January and was done with it in a matter of days and naturally I am anxious for the next book in the series to come out and sadly I am going to have to wait another year I bet!

I know the reading market is somewhat saturated with historical cozy mysteries/romances, but for me this one stood out for the advice column as a way to get readers ‘in the door’ as it were—it had a little overtones of Bridgerton with the advice column—but readers will stay for the charming characters and mystery! That’s how this series got me, I liked the idea of the story, but fell in love with Amelia and Simon and now I have a new favorite series on my list!

While this is only the second book in this series, I hope that it will be a long running one! This one can be read as a standalone, but there are some elements that readers won’t fully appreciate unless they read it in order. Since this is only book two you obviously don’t have to go back and read a ton of books. So if you are new to the series, sure read this one but also go back and read the first book. You wont’ regret it!

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Review: A Smoking Bun (A Bakeshop Mystery #18) by Ellie Alexander

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: A Smoking Bun (A Bakeshop Mystery #18) by Ellie Alexander

Ellie Alexander is such a solid choice when it comes to cozy mysteries! I have really enjoyed many of her cozy mystery books and while they are not historical cozies, I love all the food and charm of Ashland Oregon in the Bakeshop Mysteries! Not to mention I know Ashland well and I love how Alexander brings the town to life! That is one of the reasons I always come back to her books…..she writes with such authenticity of the region and being an Oregonian myself, I love seeing our state highlighted to such perfection!

The Bakeshop Mysteries has been a series that I have jumped around in over the years. I mean at this point there are 18 books and I started in about book 8 and since then continue to jump around as my schedule allows. The books overall are great and while I am sure I am not getting the full experience by jumping around (I mean come on we are on 18 books there has to be nuances that I am missing!) but I always manage to feel orientated within the book and not completely lost.

If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, no doubt Ellie Alexander is on your radar! If for no other reason than the charming book titles, cute covers and amazing food descriptions! Come for the food and stay for the mystery is kind of what I think of when I think of Ellie Alexander!

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Interview: Cyanide and Sensibility (Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery #3) by Katie Oliver

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Who doesn’t love Jane Austen? She wrote such classic romances and even today, readers can still relate to her stories and characters! I mean look at the 1990s classic movie, Clueless. While it had a modern twist, the Austen story of Emma shines through. Clearly Austen is a classic for a reason! This is one of the reasons that I love reading Jane Austen reimagining stories! This particular series takes both the Austen characters/stories and the author herself and make them into a mystery series!

I loved the idea of this series. Here the author takes Austen and her novels and give them a modern twist and then she throws in some murder to boot! I couldn’t be more excited to share a bit about this series and as a special treat, I have an interview with the author as well! So make sure you keep reading to see what she has to say about her new novel!

This series is only three books in but the author has written quite a few other books that readers of cozies should enjoy too! For me, my favorite Jane Austen novel is Sense and Sensibility so this book obviously appeals to me! I have not read the other books in this series but I have added them to my TBR list for later in the spring. If you are a Jane Austen fan you don’t want to miss this fun little series! Keep reading to get all the details of the latest cozy mystery with an Austen flare!

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