Miss Prim and the Duke of Wylde by Stephanie Laurens

Drago Helmsford, the Duke of Wyld, has decided to take a wife. His aunt has the perfect candidate. But a drunken night of revelry leads to a misunderstanding and he ends up engaged to Meg Cynster. Though she is in her tenth season, it is more by choice than anything else. When they realize that they are probably going to have to bite the bullet and stay engaged for awhile, Meg and Drago do something unusual in a romance novel, they actually talk to each other and come up with a plan. As they are pretending to be engaged, they learn that they might actually like each other well enough to actually get married. It is then that the accidents start to happen... who is trying to kill them? And which one of them is the true target?

If you've read Laurens before, you'll know who and can probably figure out why but that didn't lessen my enjoyment of the book. 

Cynsters Next Generation #13

Three and a half stars

This book came out August 17, 2023

Follows Miss Flibbertigibbet and the Barbarian

Followed by A Family of His Own

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Board to Death by C.J. Connor

Ben Rosencrantz used to be an English professor (yes, he's heard all of the Shakespeare jokes) but he came back to Sugar House, a neighborhood of Salt Lake City, Utah, to help his father run their family's board game shop. His father is ill and can use the help but their shop has been in a slow decline for years as Amazon has taken over. Newly divorced, Ben is just in a constant state of nervousness because nothing has gone the way it should have and now he's back, still gay, in the heart of Mormon country. 

It really doesn't help that a patron shows up on his doorstep, with a knife sticking out of his chest, and promptly dies. The man had claimed to have the prototype for Monopoly which, if true, would have been worth quite a lot of money. Ben thinks that he may be a suspect in the murder so he decides to investigate on his own.

This was an okay start to a series. I don't love amateur sleuths who run into danger but Ben at least took someone along with him. There wasn't a lot of build up for the mystery other than Ben running around. The narrator also had some weird pauses that kept throwing me off but I did finish the book and I'd probably read the next one. 

A Board Game Shop Mystery #1

Three stars

This book came out August 22, 2023

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman, Greg McKeown

This book looks at the ways that leaders can get the most out of their employees. They divide leaders into those who multiply the talents of their employees and those who diminish. This book shows us the ways we can be multipliers as bosses. I really liked the fact that Wiseman tells readers that they can't ever embody all of the suggestions in the books but they can do the best they can and be as aware as possible of how we manage. 

Four stars

This book came out June 1, 2010

Audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

The Crimes of Clearwell Castle by Benedict Brown

Christopher has finally graduated. Unlike three of his four close friends, he is not going to university. He is still unsure (mostly) of what he wants to do with his life so he's going to head out into the world. Of course, that will be with his adventurous grandfather. This time, they are heading to Clearwell Castle where a friend of his grandfather's resides.

When they get there, a festival of some sort seems to be going on. One featured around Morgana. They find out that hundreds of years ago, one of the castle residents was supposed to marry a local girl (best guess on spelling) from Scouse. She disappeared before the wedding and he married and had a baby very quickly thereafter. Lo, these many years later, the mayor of the neighboring town is still using this as a platform to be elected. 

But there are more current matters to be concerned with as a local man has recently died under semi-suspicious and another person dies while Christopher and his grandfather are there.

This series is absolutely great in that we have an experienced detective along with the inexperienced amateur. Plus, Christopher isn't just immediately an awesome investigator, instead, he is learning the ropes.

Four stars

This book came out September 20, 2022

Follows The Curious Case of the Templeton Swift

Followed by The Snows of Weston Moor

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

The Curious Case of the Templeton-Swifts by Benedict Brown

Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't really out to get you. Such is the case for Hugo Templeton-Swift who believes that he is being poisoned. When he is murdered, all evidence seems to point to his much younger wife. However, his three children are also visiting and have their own reasons for wanting to see Templeton-Swift dead. 

I hope we get to see more of Christopher's mother in subsequent books, she really is quite marvelous. Got to see Christopher grow a little more in this book though he still verges on tiresome at points.

Three stars
This book came out June 9, 2022

Follows The Tangled Treasure Trail

Followed by The Crimes of Clearwell Castle

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Rest You Merry by Charlotte MacLeod

Professor Peter Shandy is fed up. His best friend's wife has been bullying him for years to take part in the campus "Illumination." But he's resisted. Until this year. This is the year he hires a company to make the most obnoxious Christmas display, complete with music. Then he locks his electricity box and leaves on a cruise. When he gets back, he expects that Jemima (the friend's wife) will cuss him out but good. What he doesn't expect -- The electricity to his house has been turned off and Jemima is dead behind his couch.

But Professor Shandy is the only one that seems to think this was anything more than an accident. So, can he solve the murder before more people get killed? No. No he can't. But it's a fun story and a great holiday read.

Three stars

This book came out in 1978

Followed by The Luck Runs out

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla 

Opinions are my own

Miss Morton And The Spirits Of The Underworld by Catherine Lloyd

Lady Caroline is happy to have left her family behind and work with her employer, Mrs. Frogerton and her daughter Dorothy, in London. She is, however, worried that Mrs. Frogerton is taking her to see a medium. Lady Caroline does NOT believe in psychics. However, this one is different. And she gives Caroline a note that speaks to Caroline's past. But before she can talk to Madam Lavinia, the woman is murdered.

Once again, Dr. Harris is involved. This time, the police are accusing him of murder. Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton are going to help prove his innocence but they have to figure out first why the psychic was killed.

This was a fun little mystery, a lot of fluff and some time that calls for believe suspension but an enjoyable listen.

Three stars

This book came out August 22, 2023

Follows Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

How to Murder a Millionaire by Zara Keane

Maggie has opened her private eye business and even has her first case. She's been asked to find a sheep that went missing... twenty years ago. Paddy Driscoll 

is still upset that she's gone and Jimmy Wright is his main suspect. When Maggie goes to ask Jimmy about it, she finds a dead body. 

Interestingly, Jimmy's wealthy family is visiting from America. While his aunt Helen claims she hasn't seen him in decades, Maggie knows differently. Helen's son, Huff, is the same age as Jimmy and is a blowhard, yelling at all of his three children, his staff, even Maggie. Guess who is the next to get murdered?

The two cases do overlap in interesting ways.

Three stars

This book came out June 11, 2017

Follows The Postman Always Dies Twice

Followed by The 39 Cupcakes

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

The Tangled Treasure Trail by Benedict Brown

Christopher is just trying to make it through his last year of school (he's not sure what he's supposed to do once he graduates) when his grandfather comes to take him out of school. There's been a death and Lord Edgington isn't sure that it was natural. Soon, the two are caught up in the world of the Bright Young Things. Unfortunately, one of the young people that they've befriended also dies, this time it is obviously murder. 

Christopher is starting to mature a little bit from the first few books but is still a bit of a prig and more than a little naive yet. I'm enjoying this slow growing up of our main character. The mystery was a little thin but still an enjoyable story.

Four stars

This book came out March 6, 2022

Follows The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall

Followed by The Curious Case of the Templeton-Swifts

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Miss Flibbertigibbet and the Barbarian by Stephanie Laurens

Nicholas Cynster is looking for a horse, a specific horse, one with the sobriquet Barbarian. It has been spotted at Ainsby Grange so he heads over. His introduction to the Sommervilles is helping the younger set take down their flour balloon bombs. A little odd but it smooths his introduction to Lady Adrianna. And that is good because she is going to be the one he is dealing with in the sale of the horse as her father is... not well and her mother is spending all of her time with him. 

Addie doesn't understand the feelings she's having around this man but, when the horse disappears, she's going to have more time to figure it out as the two will be working together to figure out where the horse has gone. 

I appreciated the fact that the obvious ending (at least if you're a regular Laurens reader) was actually subverted in a way I don't remember her ever doing anymore. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out March 16, 2023

Follows The Time for Love

Followed by Miss Prim and the Duke of Wylde

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall by Benedict Brown

Christopher is wondering why his grandfather's house isn't being decorated for Christmas. It seems that they've been invited to the home of an old friend of Lord Edgington. But when they arrive, the house is curiously silent and seemingly unoccupied. Slowly, other guests begin to arrive including Christopher's friend Marmaduke and his father, the questionable businessman, then others including an unassuming teacher, a comedian, a cricket player, and more. They have something in common: no one knows why they were invited. 

A nice addition to the series. 

Four stars

This book came out November 14, 2021

Follows Death on a Summer's Day

Followed by the Tangled Treasure Trail

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

The Postman Always Dies Twice by Zara Keane

There wasn't much to this book but it is a nice addition to a fast, fun, and fluffy series. If you are looking for something light, this is a perfect read. A number of coincidences and some information at the end that means it isn't fairly clued but an amusing read. 

The island postman is something of a Lothario. It's well known that he sleeps with as many women as possible. Maggie doesn't particularly enjoy his attentions but she is still shocked when she finds his body at the bottom of a cliff on a dark and stormy night. Sergeant Reynolds immediately gets her back up when he arrests not only her friend Lenny's brother but their grandfather as well. But she doesn't lose too much time since she has been hired by her former nemesis, Melanie, to look into the ghostly appearances at the Whisper Island Hotel. It will be up to Maggie to put everything right and tie up this mystery with a bow. 

Four stars
This book came out April 17, 2017

Follows Dial P for Poison

Followed by How to Murder a Millionaire

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Death on a Summer’s Day by Benedict Brown

Christopher and his grandfather are heading to the south of England for a visit to the seashore. They are taking a larger than usual number of servants with them. Included in the group? Alice, Christopher's great crush. Also included? Her new husband. 

On the way down, they meet with one of Grandfather's old friends, a professor. The professor mentions an invitation that Grandfather has sent to their childhood group. The six friends used to gather during the summer at Chandross Groves. Each had a nickname: Grandfather (Reprobus, an early christian known for his size and strength); the professor (Sampson); Elody (Lala - for melody); Philomena (Mimi); and Morwena Fairbright (Star). During one of the summers, Star died. Grandfather cites this as the reason he became a policeman. 

It is this old mystery that Grandfather would like Christopher to help solve. And it's nice because we do get to see Christopher start to grow as a detective in this story.

Four stars

This book came out July 31, 2021

Follows A Body at a Boarding School

Followed by The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Heads You Lose by Christianna Brand

Grace Morland is a painter and she's been using that excuse to come and sit on Stephen Pendock's terrace at Pigeonsford Estate. Venetia Gold is a golden woman and she is mirrored by her twin Fran whose mien is rather darker. Grace is jealous of Fran who is young and vivacious and whom she assumes is after Mr. Pendock. When Fran gets a new hat, Pen shows his favor and Grace bites back that she wouldn't be caught dead in that hat. 

Well, it turns out that she IS found dead in that hat. Then, while the house guests are mour
ning Grace, another person is murdered. It's a twisty tale that is definitely a product of its time.

People familiar with Agatha Christie will probably figure out early who the killer is. I'm usually terrible and I figured it out. The problem is that Brand's sensibilities are jarring to read in a more enlightened time. Lots of sweeping generalizations that are racially based. 

Three stars
This book came out in 1941

Followed by Green for Danger

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

A Body at a Boarding School by Benedict Brown

"So nobody really liked the man," said Grandfather (aka Lord Edgeley, aka Inspector Edgeley). Christopher has discovered his headmaster, dead, in his office. Just the night before, the headmaster had caught Christopher (reluctantly) sneaking around the school with Marmalade (his tormentor from the first book has decided that Christopher saved him from at least jail and probably death and the two are now friends.) The man almost whipped Marmalade and Christopher over and above what might be expected for a spot of mischief. 

Of course, this whole thing happened on Parents' Day when there are the maximum number of suspects on the school grounds. However, also visiting are Christopher's mother, his grandfather, and his grandfather's dog, Dahlia (sp?). The dream team is assembled and it will be up to them to determine if it's the headmaster's wife, the man who was in love with her, the man who would step into the headmaster's position, the thieving sisters, or the mysteriously missing prefect who committed the murder.

This book felt a little disjointed between the beginning and the end but was still enjoyable. 

Four stars
This book came out May 30, 2021

Follows Murder at the Spring Ball

Followed by  Death on a Summer's Day

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Murder at the Spring Ball by Benedict Brown

Former police superintendent Lord Edgington of Cranley Hall is holding a ball. He has chosen his grandson, Christopher, our narrator, as the person to help him plan it. No one understands why. He defines himself as no genius but, at sixteen, to be fair, he is still finding his place in the world. Christopher has been at Cranley Hall for six months (at least on the weekends) but hasn't spoken to his grandfather since he's arrived. So he is also somewhat surprised that his grandfather is starting to come out of the cocoon that has enveloped him since his wife died.

Coming out of his cocoon includes holding a ball. Too bad someone dies. Someone in Christopher's family. Was the murder pointed or is someone trying to get the whole family? Inspector Edgington is about to come out of retirement. 

Four stars
This book came out March 1, 2021

Followed by A Body at a Boarding School

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

The Benson Murder Case by S.S. Van Dine

I quite enjoy the classic radio mysteries featuring Philo Vance and thought this book might be fun. It was really interesting and definitely a product of its time, especially since Vance solves this case using a type of psychology which, lo these many years later, is suspect at best. 

The writing was certainly interesting and, since I was listening to the story I can't be sure, but it seemed like the room the murder occurred in got as much if not more descriptive lines than Philo Vance himself. 

The general conceit of the story is that the author got to tag along on these cases and, many years later, is finally publishing their exploits a la Dr. Watson. This time, though, the author takes great pains to tell us that Philo Vance is a pen name.

For the first story in the series, there is a gentleman, Mr. Benson, who has been murdered in his home. As with many mysteries, there are many people who might have wanted him dead. The police are stymied and Vance is dropping oblique clues. And they really are oblique; I might be able to catch them in future books but didn't get it until close to the end.

Three and a half stars

This book came out April 4, 1926

Followed by The Canary Murder Case

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

The Time for Love by Stephanie Laurens

Looking for a steel mill to supply his other business concerns, Martin Cynster believes he can talk Miss Sophia Carmichael into selling. When he meets her, he is not shocked by her business acumen (he has too many accomplished women in his family for that, but he is drawn in by her beauty. He is also concerned because not one but two accidents happen while he is there. Why is someone trying to sabotage her business? He knows it's not him and he doesn't think it's the other person vying for her business, Oliver. Oliver and Martin don't know each other well but Martin knows him well enough to assume that he wouldn't do anything so underhanded. 

Oliver was an odd addition in this book. I'm assuming that he is sequel bait but we are also left with Toby, Dalziel's son. Also interesting was that all of the conflict for Sophy and Martin was external. They basically see each other and are ready to hop in. The mystery was a little weak and the ending, with the redemption of the criminal, felt odd. 

Three stars

This book came out August 18, 2022

Follows Foes, Friends, and Lovers

Followed by Miss Flibbertigibbet and the Barbarian

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Her Unexpected Roommate by Jackie Lau

Rose Pang is the last in her group of friends to be single. Would she like love? Sure. But she's got depression and her mental health is not the greatest. Should she be hooking up with a guy she just met? Maybe not. But he is really hot. Too bad he ghosts her.

Caleb Dempsey was just as into Rose as she was to him, but his phone was run over. No seriously. So he is pretty darn happy that his new roommate is the woman he hasn't stopped thinking about for the past seven months. Now he just has to make her believe that his story is true.

Three stars

This book came out August 29, 2023

Follows Her Favorite Rebound

Borrowed as ebook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Murder in the Third Act by Sonia Parin

Oh, this is a relief to return to the Evie Parker books that were part of the earlier series; the last book made me wonder if I should stop reading the series. 

Evie's grandmother is finally here, insisting that everyone call her Toodles. Though a wealthy woman, she doesn't stand on formality. In fact, it's driving the dowager countess a little crazy. But, when a murder happens, the two bond together in trying to beat Evie to the solution.

Evie doesn't want to deal another death. Especially one that happens to one of her house guests. Not at her house, thank goodness, but later, during the third act of a play run through. A play that has some decidedly familiar characters and interactions. 

Four stars

This book came out October 4, 2019

Follows Murder at the Seaside Hotel

Followed by Murder and a Christmas Gift

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own