Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg

I was hearing about this book on a number of different podcasts so I thought I'd pick it up. I love a good book on communication and was pleasantly surprised that this one, while still picking up threads that I've read in numerous other books, brought some new things to the conversation.

The thought is not only do we need to listen, but we need to understand. First, we need to understand what kind of conversation are we having? A tool teachers use is actually asking students if they want help, a hug, or to be heard (is this practical, emotional, or social). Knowing what you want the conversation to be is going to help you be more productive in reaching a conclusion. 

We need to know where we ourselves are coming from but also where others are coming from. Duhigg uses gun control to show that we don't always know everything that we think we know.

Lastly, we need know ourselves. Our social identities are the ways that we frame ourselves and our own histories. They help us to relate to others but they can also serve as barriers to true connection. 

There was a little too much going on in this book but I overall enjoyed this one. 

Four stars

This book came out February 20, 2024

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

A Share in Death by Deborah Crombie

Duncan Kincaid just needs a vacation. He's lucky enough to be able to use a timeshare that his cousin can't take. The other visitors are certainly an interesting bunch: two sisters, one who might be losing her memory, the other who reminds Duncan of particularly strict teacher; a husband and wife who own a health food store and have their two children along; a self-proclaimed "spinster" who seems to be at this time share during this week for a specific purpose; a recently divorced father with his teen daughter; a couple where the husband is a budding politician. For the staff, he heard Cassie and Sebastian arguing when he walked in though the two quickly reverted to their polite masks. 

By the next morning, one of the them is dead. And they're not the last person to die. The local constabulary aren't real excited about him potentially helping (at least not the one in charge.) 

I had heard about this series on the Modern Mrs. Darcy and I am excited to read the next one. 

Duncan Kincaid & Gemma James #1

Four stars

This book came out in 1993

Followed by All Shall Be Well

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Murder at the Serpentine Bridge by Andrea Penrose

Charlotte and Wrexford are married. She and the boys as well as the maid have moved into his house. But that doesn't keep them from finding another dead body. This time it's that of a Black man who is found floating in a lake. The man ends up being not only someone who has developed a way to make guns more efficient but is also the relative of Charlotte's brother's brother-in-law's nephew, a young lord. He is currently the ward of his uncle but Charlotte and Wrexford can tell he is not being treated well among his own family. Luckily, Peregrine (another bird!) makes friends with Raven and Hawk. 

The three boys will play an important part in helping the adults solve this murder.

Also, another story line is finally starting to get resolved with Cordelia and Kit.

Wrexford and Sloane #6

Four stars

Follows Murder at the Royal Botanic Gardens

Followed by Murder at the Merton Library

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews

What do you do when an ancient evil returns to your world, threatening to kill everyone you hold dear? An evil who causes thousands of people leave their homes to be boiled. Well, Kate decides she needs to make a deal with the devil, aka her father.

I hope that this is the ending to the Kate Daniels series while starting one with Julie and Erra and launching Hugh's. This is just a perfect bookend to the series bringing everyone together in a satisfactory way. 

Kate Daniels #10

This book came out August 28, 2018

Follows Iron and Magic

Followed by Magic Tides

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Murder at Queen's Landing by Andrea Penrose

At first, Charlotte and Wrexford do not appear to be involved in this murder at all. But then, a mysterious exchange Charlotte overheard at a ball and the sudden disappearance of a friend mean that they are pulled into another mystery. 

Some new characters in this book but a number of people we've seen in previous books as well. Charlotte and Wrexford are growing ever closer but so is his friend Sheffield and the Lady Cordelia. It will take the intelligence of all of them as well as the guile of the Weasels to figure out why a clerk from the East India company was killed and then left for dead. And what their friends may have had to do with it. A convoluted set of intertwining mysteries (could have been a little less convoluted) but Penrose puts them together well.

Wrexford & Sloane #4

Four stars

This book came out September 29, 2020

Follows Murder at Kensington Palace

Followed by Murder at the Royal Botanic Gardens

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Simply the Best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Stepping out of her regular stories, Phillips adds a murder into this one. But, it doesn't detract from the romance, the genre she is really known for and trying to solve the mystery lets our two main characters get past their initial meeting which was both good... and not so good.

Rory Garrett (she uses the name Meadows so people are less likely to connect her to Clint Garrett, Chicago Stars football player) is used to things going wrong in her life. But her recent life is really taking the cake on that. A failed business, a bad attempt at a one-night-stand, and breaking up her best friend in Chicago and Clint are just some of the recent examples. But she's not prepared to find a body. Nor is she able to understand why Clint's agent is so darn hot, even if she knows there can never be a real relationship between them. 

Brett "The River" Rivers is used to being perfect. His life is built around being the best sports agent in the business. And that's about to be paid off with a promotion to Vice President at Champion Sports Management. But he's just made two massive mistakes and now he's not sure how to hang on to Cliff as a client. And it seems foolhardy to run around with the man's sister when Brett just can't help but be so darn attracted to her. 

I'm really not sure about the murder but it does create an external reason for Rory and Brett to be thrown together. Of course, there was a last Big Misunderstanding and a rather over-the-top end scene to the two being together but I overall enjoyed the book. 

Chicago Stars #10

Three and a half stars
This book comes out February 14, 2024

Follows When Stars Collide

ARC kindly provided by Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Murder at Kensington Palace by Andrea Penrose

Charlotte Sloane is coming up against the secret of her former life in a big way in this novel. In the last book of the series, she admitted her past to the Earl of Wrexford. But a young gentleman's death, presumably by his three-minutes-younger brother, will pull her into the spotlight.

Both of the young men in question were deeply involved in the scientific community but the twin who was killed was working on some particularly gruesome experiments that may also have led to his death. Of course, it might also be related to gambling debts. But whatever it is, Charlotte is determined to solve the murder, even if it means returning to a world she thought she had completely turned her back on.

I really liked this mystery and the fact that it moved Charlotte's character forward. We are getting to see both Raven and Hawk grow into their own. Wrexford may not have had as much to do in this book but his relationship with Charlotte is growing at a nice speed.

Wrexford & Sloane #3

Four stars

This book came out September 24, 2019

Follows Murder at Half Moon Gate

Followed by Murder at Queen's Landing

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten

I didn't realize this was a collection of short stories. Or that this was such a short book. It is still utterly delightful. I'm wondering where they were published before because I had read one of them.

All of the stories center on Maud. She has lived in the same apartment for over seventy years. After her father died, it was the only thing of value the family owned. The building was sold but her apartment was kept for as long as she, or her mother, or her sister, lived. Maud is the only one left but she still lives in that apartment. She travels at least once a year but always returns. Her life has been filled with disappointments but lately she has taken to killing the people that she sees as a threat.

Four stars

This book came out January 1, 2013

Followed by An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce

This book centers, as the title would suggest, around Miss Margery Benson. Her life is a drudgery. Teaching is not fulfilling and a drawing one of her pupils does of her wakes her up to her reality. She basically implodes her life that day. Her last effort? A trip to New Caledonia to find the golden beetle that reminds her of the happiest times in her life. But first she must find the perfect traveling companion. She ends  up with Enid Pretty, a young flibbertigibbet whose past is not at all spotless and who meets none of the requirements Miss Benson had advertised for. But, as often happens (especially in fiction),  Miss Pretty is exactly what Miss Benson needs.

I didn't love the ending though, with this being a more literature-minded book, I guess I should have expected it. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out July 23, 2020

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Murder at Half Moon Gate by Andrea Penrose

An inventor, Elihu Ashton, has been murdered and his body is stumbled over by Lord Wrexford and Sheffield. The inventors widow comes to Wrexford to ask for help. It seems Ashton has just come up with a new invention and she is anxious to find out why he has been killed before the goose laid it's golden egg. She has some suspects but Wrexford isn't sure. 

While standing over the body, Wrexford sights the two young boys he calls "the Weasels," Raven and Hawk. The two are still living with Charlotte Sloane though she is about to move houses and is very anxious as she is not sure what that will mean for either her, leaving behind the home she shared with her late husband, or the two boys who only barely seem to want to stay with her. 

While Charlotte and Wrexford are working together, they also grow closer. I was a bit startled at how fast the two got closer but that might be the product of being older, knowing yourself, and having been in some danger. I also thought the initial theories as to why Ashton was killed could have been drawn out but this was a good story over all and I'm looking forward to the next.

Wrexford & Sloane #2

Three stars

Follows Murder on Black Swan Lane

Followed by Murder at Kensington Palace

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

I Didn't Know I Needed This by Eli Rallo

The cover of this book was pretty and the subtitle intriguing so I decided to borrow the book from the library. I quickly realized that I am probably not in Rallo's main demographic but it was an interesting enough book that I finished it. 

Rallo has collected a number of rules for herself that she is sharing with other people. Most of the lists seem to relate to dating and love but she also touches on friendship. Weaving stories of her past loves and lovers into the story, it is easy to see why Rallo is compared to Carrie Bradshaw. 

I'm not a huge fan of stories that skip around in time and this book does that, identifying characters by name though none of them really stuck with me other than Rallo's best friend.

Three stars

This book came out January 1, 2023

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden

If you had the chance to go back to major life moments and make different choices, would you do it? Lolly Blanchard is about to make that exact choice. Her life changed irrevocably when her mother died. All of her own dreams were put on hold. But now her life is changing again and she's wondering whether she made the right decisions. Her aunt has the answer. Three lemon drops that, taken before she goes to bed, will let her live her life in an alternate version of her life. Lolly is skeptical... until the first night has her waking up overseas, in charge of the restaurant that she had always hoped for.

A little sappy in points but a cute read and a life lesson in how you really can shape your own decisions.

Four stars

This book came out August 2, 2022

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinion are my own

The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson

I requested this book from the library based on the title and the cover. It is a short story and fast read about a young woman from America who is studying in England. She has been invited to the home of a friend... a friend-ish type and she is writing about it in her diary. Through her eyes, we get to know Emma's family, especially her twin brother Adam. But, even though Emma's family is wealthy, it is not all sunshine and roses. And our diary writer may or may not make it out of the book alive.

Three and a half stars

This book came out September 28, 2023

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Murder on Black Swan Lane by Andrea Penrose

A. J. Quill is well-known for the cartoons that lambaste various people in high places. The Earl of Wrexford wants to know how Quill knows so much about his life. Especially when Wrexford is implicated in the death of the Reverend Josiah Holworthy.

Charlotte Sloane has any number of secrets to hide (not all of which are revealed in this story). And there are two young boys she is trying to protect. Wrexford, and his search for Quill threatens to upend all of that. But the two will have to work together in order to figure out why Holworthy was killed and why that connection leads back to Charlotte.

I am pretty sure I started and abandoned this book once before. It is a little overwrought in places but ended up being an interesting story.

Wrexford & Sloane #1

Three stars

This book came out June 27, 2017

Followed by Murder at Half Moon Gate

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Starter Villain by John Scalzi

I heard about this book on a podcast and thought it sounded interesting. And it was. The whole story revolves around one man who finds himself thrust into the role of a villain. Formerly a journalist and now a substitute teacher, Charlie is divorced and living with his cat. Cats now that he's found another one. But his life is upended when his uncle dies. Charlie didn't know much about the man so he is absolutely shocked by the flowers at the funeral home celebrating his death and the man who comes to stab the dead body. When Charlie goes home, he only barely avoids being blown up in a fire that destroys his entire house. 

Suddenly, Charlie is thrust into a world with literal life-or-death stakes. He also has to deal with dolphins that not only talk, they're unionizing. Oh, and the cats are intelligent as well. In fact, they're management. And they've been watching Charlie.

A different take on the role of villains and it took some time to get on board but I quite enjoyed it in the end.

Four stars

This book came out September 19, 2023

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope

The title and cover of this book were very intriguing. And a description that makes this sound like "Leverage" but set in the 1920s with some fantasy aspects? Yes, please.

Clara Johnson is pretty well-known around some neighborhoods in 1920s New York. She can talk to people on the other side and help make deals for those in our realm. But something strange is happening in this world. People are not quite themselves and they are disappearing. This may or may not be connected to a ring that a powerful entity would like Clara to steal. It may mean that she no longer has to carry a debt to this entity. But she is not the only person trying to get the ring and she may have to work with others, including a handsome, enhanced musician; a former circus freak; a man who wears many faces; and a man who can change memories.

I really enjoyed this story though some parts didn't quite make sense but I really look forward to Penelope's next book.

Four stars

This book came out August 9, 2022

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace

Brynn Warren was raised by her two aunts (and hypothetically an uncle though he doesn't factor into a lot of this story.) Her family has been living in their town, Evenfall, for over 400 years. In all of that time, the Warrens have been very quietly helping the town using their magic. But Brynn has a secret. Ever since her husband died, her magic hasn't been quite the same. She just doesn't know how to talk to her aunts about it. 

Right now, she's just hoping they can make it through the current guest at their B&B. Constance is a menace with a bell. Brynn's aunt Izzy seems to be doing okay but her aunt Nora is another story. In fact, Nora is discussing ways that she could kill Constance when she is discovered dead. And it ends up that Nora is now going to be a main suspect even though Constance's family has some deep levels of hatred for the woman.

This first book in the series is just as much about Brynn coming back to her heritage as it is about solving Constance's death but it was a fun listen and easy to get through.

Four stars

This book came out October 19, 2021

Followed by When the Crow's Away

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

Ever since her sister Sky died, Sage has been avoiding going home. But now, her job has been made redundant and she has nowhere else to go. Besides, the (literal) ghost of her past is encouraging her to go and mend the fences with their other sister.

It seems that Sage can't keep her mouth shut. She blurts out things that other people would keep quiet and that has caused rifts for her in the past. But she's determined to try and patch up those relationships. She's also interested in maybe getting something going with her boss, Nate, at the plant shop where she immediately gets rehired, having been nicknamed the Plant Whisperer when she worked there in high school. But that is her gift, being able to speak to the plants, know what they are and what they need. Her relationship with Nate may not run smooth as another man from her past, Tennessee Reyes, turns up as well. 

This was fast, fun, and fluffy. Sage may not have been the deepest character and there are some definite plot holes but I really enjoyed this story and am hopeful that we will see some sequels.

Four stars

This book came out September 12, 2023

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Cappuccinos, Cupcakes, and a Corpse by Harper Lin

I really dislike books where the main character hides things from the police and Francesca Amaro, Franny, does so in this book. She's returned to her hometown after her mother's death and is trying to readjust to her new life running the family coffee shop. Her life is once again upended when she goes home early one day and discovers her neighbor, a man she grew up with, dead in the back yard. She does reconnect with the man's son, her childhood friend Matty. The two work together to try and figure out why his father was killed.
I'm going to try the second book in this series but I am a little worried about how hard Franny goes, not just in her investigating but her relationship with Matty as well.

Three stars

This book came out May 25, 2015

Followed by Tea, Tiramisu, and Tough Guys

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Dead in the Water Deep by Julie Ann Walker

Dalton "Doc" Simmons is not a great person. In fact, the main problem I had with this book was that he was sort of a jerk during most of this book and we didn't get to see a lot of relationship growth between he and Camilla during this book. 

Doc is the last man from a former Navy team that is now doing deep sea salvage. They've found a treasure, discovered a way to make it legal to salvage it, and now they just need to pull up the last bits before a hurricane hits.

There is a lot that goes on in this book but most of it is external conflict including an on-the-page death. 

Three stars

This book came out June 28, 2022

Follows
Show Across the Bow

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own