Tag: Mystery

Books, Reading

Special Feature: The Unheard by Nicci French

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: The Unheard by Nicci French

Author Nicci French is actually a nom de plume for a husband and wife writing team that have written a number of wonderful mystery novels as well as a successful series, The Freida Klein series, of which I have read a few of. While the series is great, I really enjoy their standalone mystery novels the best.

With that in mind, when this book came up for review, my calendar was already full for reviews but I couldn’t resist featuring this one since the French writing duo have written some pretty solid and interesting books and quality mysteries are always on my radar any time of year. I am planning on reading this one a little later this year and but in the mean time I am bringing you all a little bit about this book today!

One thing that caught my eye about this one (besides the quality writing team) was the child angle. I have a small child (he is 5) and it’s always fascinating to me how he sees the world and how he justifies it in his mind. I loved that this novel uses that in the mystery to create a sense of an unreliable narrator and the child’s perception as the catalyst for a larger and darker story. I am eager to see how that plays out in this novel. So if you are looking for a well written and experienced author, the Nicci French team is great and if you love mysteries be sure to check this one out!

Continue reading “Special Feature: The Unheard by Nicci French” →
Books, Reading

Special Feature: In the Company of Witches (Evenfall Witches B&B #1) by Auralee Wallace

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: In the Company of Witches (Evenfall Witches B&B #1) by Auralee Wallace

It’s the bewitching time of year and what better way to spend the haunting season than with a cozy witchy murder mystery! This is the first in a new series by seasoned author Auralee Wallace and I am so excited to share a bit with you guys about the book today! Wallace is best known for her Otter Lake Mystery series which boasts five books and a devoted fan following.

The thing that attracted me to this new series by Wallace was not only the cover with the sweet black cat, fun witch hat, and classic haunted house but the summary sounded positively charming. Magic, mystery, paranormal, ghosts, and of course witches, sounds like the perfect book for the Halloween season! I love the setting (a charming New England town) and the characters sound colorful and dare I say it—bewitching.

Beyond the characters, setting, and cute cat though, a new series by a seasoned cozy mystery writer sounds like just the thing for me. Lately I have been reading a lot of historical romances and now that October is here, I want to read something that has more of a fall and Halloween feel to it. But I also want to read something that I know will be good. Since Wallace has written another successful series, it makes me want to try out this new one! If you love Halloween books as much as I do then be sure to check this one out! It’s out now and waiting to be read with a bag of candy corn!

Continue reading “Special Feature: In the Company of Witches (Evenfall Witches B&B #1) by Auralee Wallace” →
Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: Murder at the Royal Botanic Gardens (Wrexford & Sloane #5) by Andrea Penrose

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Murder at the Royal Botanic Gardens (Wrexford & Sloane #5) by Andrea Penrose

When I randomly picked up the first book in this series a few years ago, I knew I was reading something special. While not necessarily and earth shattering read or even something ‘new and different’ in the saturated genre of historical mysteries, there is something about Lord Wrexford that just makes me swoon and I just love him!

Charlotte and Wrex have been solving murders and falling in love for the last five books and finally here we are just as they are planning their nuptials and Charlotte’s reentrance into society when another body pops up! This time Charlotte and Wrex don’t really have a reason to investigate this murder but some how they end up getting pulled into the investigation and as expected, readers are treated to another fun filled mystery!

This book is the fifth in the series and while not 100% necessary with some of the books in the series, for this one I recommend reading at least the book before this one as there is some carry over from the previous book. And to be honest, these books are so fun and it would be silly to miss out on all the wonderful sleuthing in this series by starting here so do yourself a favor and go back and read the other books because it will help you to fully appreciate all these characters.

Continue reading “Review: Murder at the Royal Botanic Gardens (Wrexford & Sloane #5) by Andrea Penrose” →
Books, Reading

Special Feature: A Darker Reality (Elena Standish #3) by Anne Perry

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: A Darker Reality (Elena Standish #3) by Anne Perry

There can be little denying that Anne Perry is a prolific storyteller and mystery writer. She has written a number of beloved mystery series and Elena Standish is just the latest series of hers which has quickly gained in popularity. I had purposely not read this series out of order. I have the first book queued up in my TBR list for October so I can devour the series in order!

I can’t believe the third book is already coming out and the cover is gorgeous not to mention the story sounds captivating. The main character’s grandfather is at the heart of a murder investigation and Elena Standish herself works for the British Intelligence as a spy. Now doesn’t that sounds like a winning combo? I cannot wait to dive into this series, I love lady spy novels and this book under Perry’s practiced hand cannot be a disappointment of that I am sure!

Today I am sharing all the details with you guys and I hope you all enjoy this latest novel as well as the series. If you are a fan of Perry then you will no doubt find lots to love in this one and I cannot wait to discuss it all with you guys! If you have read any of the Elena Standish books please let me know what you thought of the series thus far! I cannot wait to see how it develops—insert bad photograph pun intended here!

Continue reading “Special Feature: A Darker Reality (Elena Standish #3) by Anne Perry” →
Books, Reading

Special Feature and Excerpt: My Sweet Girl by Amanda Jayatissa

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature and Excerpt: My Sweet Girl by Amanda Jayatissa

This book caught my eye for so many reasons! Not only is it by a POC but it sounds freaking amazing from the summary! The dark sultry cover drew me in and made me just want to curl up in front of a fire and devour this debut novel! It sounds like the perfect fall read and guess what I am doing with this one…..I am taking it with me on our road trip vacation to read! After reading this lovely excerpt, I couldn’t be more excited if I tried!

This book has been getting a ton of advanced praise from early readers, and normally I would shy away from some of the hype for a new debut release like this, but then I read the excerpt and I was hooked. It sounds like it’s going to be a great thriller, ripe for the reading! The writing is bold and fresh, I am so excited to check this one out. I mean that cover! The girl on the cover literally has the most engaging, sinister gaze and I just want to read this book because of that!

If you are a thriller fan and are looking for something a little darker and new, then I think this novel will be a wonderful fit. Be sure to check out the excerpt below and all the details of this striking debut novel. And be watching for my review a little later this fall. I cannot wait to check this one out and devour it! What about you?

Continue reading “Special Feature and Excerpt: My Sweet Girl by Amanda Jayatissa” →