Tag: Mystery

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

Review: Deep Tide (The Texas Murder Files #4) by Laura Griffin

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Deep Tide (The Texas Murder Files #4) by Laura Griffin

I completely binge read all of Laura Griffin’s books late last year into 2023. I fell in love with her fast paced thrillers that also contained some romance to keep things interesting. Needless to say I had this one on my radar for months before it came out. I loved the other books in the series and was excited to see which characters from previous books would get their own story in this one. These books do not need to be read in order but you will see a few familiar characters making appearances thought out the series.

For example, this book features Layla Breda who owns a coffee shop in town and has two brothers who are also cops. The bothers have had their own stories in the series and we have met Layla in passing in other books, but there is nothing from the other books that would impact a new readers experience if they are new to this series. Griffin does an amazing job introducing new stories and bringing in new and old characters without spoiling any parts of other books. If you are a new reader and are worried about grabbing this book and being lost—have no fear you will be perfectly fine jumping around.

One of the things I love most about Griffin’s books is that you never know what you are going to get. Sometimes you might get a serial killer mystery, other times it might be organized crime, while others might include a military coverup. I always feel like I am getting something new and refreshing. I love the excitement that a new Griffin book brings and this one was no different!

Continue reading “Review: Deep Tide (The Texas Murder Files #4) by Laura Griffin” →
Books, Reading

Special Feature: Murder on Bedford Street (Gaslight Mystery #26) by Victoria Thompson

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: Murder on Bedford Street (Gaslight Mystery #26) by Victoria Thompson

If you are a cozy mystery fan then you not doubt have seen Victoria Thompson and her Gaslight Mystery series SOMEWHERE! Her series is incredibly popular with historical cozy fans and with good reason! I have read a few throughout the series over the years and they are always a well constructed mystery with likable characters and tons of Victorian charm! Thompson has branched out to other book series as well but this one remains her most popular, as we are on book number 26 in the series.

I have been able to jump around in the series for the most part but like with any well established series, there are characters and relationships that are established throughout the books. I don’t know that I would say reading the books in order is an absolute must, but obviously helpful to understand the more broad themes of the books, plot and characters. For those of you who do not want to go back and read 25 books before this one, I think that the author generally does a good job focusing on the mystery and explaining important parts of character relationships and how they connect to the larger storylines. So not required but encouraged to read the series as a whole.

For this particular book I wasn’t able to fit it into my review schedule but I can say that early readers are loving this one! Many are noting that the book has lots of twists and turns that will keep readers engaged and entertained. I know that Thompson does spin a great mystery and no doubt this one delivers on the well crafted mystery part! If you are a cozy fan, this book series needs to be on your radar. This latest installment is out now so be sure to pop by and take a look!

Continue reading “Special Feature: Murder on Bedford Street (Gaslight Mystery #26) by Victoria Thompson” →
Books, Reading

Special Feature/Excerpt: The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature/Excerpt: The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright

If I was just looking at this book cover I would have thought two things—-it was set in France and it was a historical romance novel. Well I am semi right, it is a historical romance BUT it also has some Gothic elements with a bit of mystery. Though it is not set in France as I suspected but rather a Wisconsin castle. Random.

I haven’t really been to the Midwest and it’s decidedly not the setting I was expecting or can even wrap my mind around but here we are. Even if the setting sounded a bit random for me, I was excited about this one all the same. If for nothing else—-the Gothic elements. This book sounds like it has that in spades and I thought it sounded compelling to have two story lines, one from the past and one from present day. Plus I am open to exploring new settings and I love old dilapidated castles so how could I pass on this one?!

I couldn’t fit it into my review schedule but I definitely have it on my TBR for this fall! This book is right up my alley in terms of content just my calendar was full for the spring. So instead I opted to do an except and I am already loving the tone and mood of this book! If you are a fan of Gothic romances I think you are going to enjoy this book! I am a big Victoria Holt fan so this book is giving my all the Victoria Holt vibes and I am here for it! This author is a new to me author but she has written a number of other Gothic historical mysteries/romances which all have rave reviews, I cannot wait to check this one out! Keep reading to see the excerpt and try before you buy!

Continue reading “Special Feature/Excerpt: The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright” →
Books

Special Feature/Excerpt: When Tomorrow Came by Hannah Linder

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature/Excerpt: When Tomorrow Came by Hannah Linder

Authors like Hannah Linder and Julia Klassen have a corner stone on historical Christian fiction for a reason. They are both tried and proven authors and I personally have enjoyed many of their books. I love historical Christian fiction as they often feature a love interest and some kind of mystery a little reminiscent of Victoria Holt. Often the books feature a governess or woman who is down on her luck and happens to find work at a manor house with a checkered past and a dashing but brooding hero that the heroine can’t resist falling for.

It’s a troupe that never gets old for me and one that for whatever reason seems to be the dominant troupe in many historical Christian fiction books. When I saw this book was coming out, I was really excited to share with you guys, I have an excerpt as well as a bunch of other info about the book so be sure to keep reading! Sadly I couldn’t fit this one into my review schedule but know that I have enjoyed many of Linder’s books and found them to be well written with interesting female characters and a great romance, I have no reason to suspect this one would be any different. There are others on this tour who reviews the book so I encourage you to make a stop on their blogs to see what they though! All the details and links can be found below!

In some of the reviews I am seeing online for this book, many have been very favorable with four and five star ratings from many, many reviewers! Many are praising the romance and historical setting saying it has a Great Expectations feel to it and I cannot wait to check it out! Anything that hints at a bit of the Gothic always gets me and this one sounds like it might have a bit of that within the story. But see for yourself by reading this little excerpt below!

Continue reading “Special Feature/Excerpt: When Tomorrow Came by Hannah Linder” →
Books, Reading

Special Feature: Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman

This is author, Ella Burman’s, second novel and at first glance it looked like it was going to be more women’s fiction. The cover implied a carefree summer with friends. But then upon reading the summary I was like—-oh—-not that. This book promises some fun carefree summer of innocence but it also promises to have that illusion dispelled with a mystery! This book will follow three friends who have a life changing experience on a Greek island in their teens.

The tragedy will follow them into adulthood and readers will get to explore what kind of impact that tragedy has on them. I loved the sound of this one. It has a lot of things that appealed to me as a reader, a complex cast of female friends, a glamorous privileged setting, and lots of promised suspense and secrets. I am super excited to check this one out this spring/summer. It ticks a lot of boxes for me when it comes to my choice of thrillers and suspense novels.

Early reviews have been raving about this one, calling it new, unique, and emotional. Lots of reviewers have commented on the tantalizing story that gives readers something new to sink their teeth into and I am simply so excited to share about this book today! While I couldn’t fit it into my review schedule for this month, I do plan on checking this one out and adding to my TBR list. If you are looking for a solid thriller with a glamorous cast of characters then I think you are going to really enjoy this one! Keep reading to get all the details and to snag yourself a copy as it’s out now!

Continue reading “Special Feature: Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman” →