Tag: Mystery

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

Review: Desperate Girls (Wolfe Security #1) by Laura Griffin

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Desperate Girls (Wolfe Security #1) by Laura Griffin

I should just re-name my blog ‘Laura Griffin Fan Girl Website’. After finishing the Tracers series I promised myself I would move on to something else, but I just couldn’t say goodbye to some of the characters from Griffin’s books yet! In the Tracers series books, we meet a few of the Wolfe Security characters and I thought it would be fun to read a bit more about them in this short series. Currently it’s only two books, but I hope we get a couple of more!

The Wolfe Security books can be read out of order—-I actually read the second one first by mistake and had no trouble doing that. I should also note that you don’t need to read the Tracer books to read this series. We just happen to cross paths with some of the characters in other books in the Tracers series but all of Griffin’s books can be read as standalone books.

I really liked the idea of a bodyguard romance. It’s something I never really thought about before or thought that I would enjoy, but after being introduced to the subject in the Tracers books, I was intrigued and excited to check out this series. Knowing that Griffin always writes such great mysteries as well as romance, I knew I would be getting a quality book but with a new subject matter. I knew this wasn’t going to be the typical cop romantic suspense, and considering the main character in this one is a lawyer, I figured it might be more like a Law and Order episode—-heavy on the law part!

Continue reading “Review: Desperate Girls (Wolfe Security #1) by Laura Griffin” →
Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: Stone Cold Heart (Tracers 13) by Laura Griffin

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Stone Cold Heart (Tracers 13) by Laura Griffin

I finally made it to the last book in this length series. I don’t know that I am ready for this series. to end yet—-but it appears to be the end at least for the foreseeable future. I personally feel like there are more stories in this series as there are some reoccurring characters in the books that I think could have interesting stories to tell—-the one I am thinking of inparticular is Ben. He’s been a long standing character in the books and I would love to see him have his own book. Same with Ric Santos’s brother.

Who knows maybe there will be other books in this series in the future but considering this book was written in 2019 and author Laura Griffin has since written a number of other books and side series, I feel like this one could be over at least for now. Obviously I am a big fan of this series as I have been reading it for the last couple of months now and haven’t really taken much of a break. I promised myself I would switch to something else after I was done with this book.

Spoiler—-I didn’t. I picked up MORE Laura Griffin books. For whatever reason, I am so invested in her books and I think it’s because I haven’t been disappointed yet! Her mysteries are so wonderfully complex and interesting not to mention the romance that is subtly woven in really makes for quick reads for me. If you haven’t read her books yet just jump right in! Each can be read as a standalone so hope around if you want!

Continue reading “Review: Stone Cold Heart (Tracers 13) by Laura Griffin” →
Books, Reading

Special Feature: The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes

When this one came across my desk for review, I almost passed for a couple of reasons. One, I had no room on my review calendar and two, I try to keep my horror or creepy books for the fall. But then something in the description popped and there was no way I could pass this one up. In the description that the publisher sent over it noted that this book would be featuring some Guatemalan history and folklore. My husband is from Guatemala and I know that there just isn’t a lot out there when it comes to Guatemalan anything for literature.

So that sold me on this one and even though my review won’t be coming until February, I wanted to get this book on your radar! It’s a debut thriller and I have seen it listed on some of the most anticipated lists for the new year so I figured what better way to kick off 2023 on my blog than to feature this hot new thriller with you guys!

I think the premise sounds interesting and it sounds modern with a psychological component too, and I love thrillers like that. Naturally I am eager to start reading this one and I cannot wait to see how Guatemala and it’s folklore fits into this one as well. The description promises twists, turns, and of course. cabin in the woods so I am really looking forward to reading this one. It’s out now and ready to kick off your reading goals for the new year, be watching for my review in February!

Continue reading “Special Feature: The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes” →
Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Special Feature: Muffin But The Truth (A Bakeshop Mystery #16) by Ellie Alexander

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: Muffin But The Truth (A Bakeshop Mystery #16) by Ellie Alexander

Ellie Alexander has written a number of cozy mysteries series, her most well known being this one. Clearly it’s popular as it currently has 16 books in the series! I have skipped around in this series without too much trouble and I have also read some of Alexander’s other book series and really enjoyed her mix of classic Oregon towns and interesting characters—-not to mention the food!

Alexander is from Oregon and this particular series is set in Ashland. I live in Oregon so naturally I am partial to any book set in the PacNW. Ashland is a fun town and they have an annual Shakespeare Festival there as well so I love that Alexander incorporates this into her books. I can personally attest that these books authentically portray Oregon and the charm of some of our quirky towns which is one of the reasons I love her books because she really shows our lovely state in all its glory.

Whenever I read one of her books, I always know I am going to get a well written and fun mystery as well as a few good recipes or two! The Bakeshop Mysteries are so fun and I have loved reading them over the years, even reading them out of order they all can read like stand alone books. If you haven’t read this series yet maybe this is your sign to pick it up and give it a shot! I don’t think you will be disappointed. I can’t wait to review this latest novel a little later in the spring! It’s out now though so don’t miss it!

Continue reading “Special Feature: Muffin But The Truth (A Bakeshop Mystery #16) by Ellie Alexander” →
Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: Touch of Red (Tracers #12) by Laura Griffin

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Touch of Red (Tracers #12) by Laura Griffin

In this book, we meet Detective Sean Byrne. Well that’s not quite accurate, we met Sean in a couple of other books prior to this one and he is always portrayed as the cocky devils advocate. At least that’s how I read him. I wasn’t really a fan of him in previous books but at the same time I was intrigued a bit by his character so when I saw he was getting his own story I was excited to reconnect with him and see what he was like as the hero.

Brooke was also in a couple of other books but we barely get a glimpse of her beyond just a passing nod. Not in the way we see series favorites like Mia, Alex, or Kelsey. So I was excited to read and get to know Brooke as well as Sean plus the summery promised a shocking carnage of a crime scene and the macabre in me was like—-do tell me more.

This book really reminded me of an episode of Law and Order SVU, especially with the way things wrapped up. In this book we get to know the ADA (Rachel) a bit, not necessarily as a main or even secondary character but this book clearly has an ‘order’ part to it in a way that many of the other books do not. In the other books its about forensic evidence helping solve the crime and the police investigating. In this book we have that but we also have the added layer of how to secure a warrant etc. That’s what made this book stand out for me.

Continue reading “Review: Touch of Red (Tracers #12) by Laura Griffin” →