Guilty by Definition by Susie Dent

10 years ago, Martha's sister disappeared. Today, postcards are arriving at the Clarendon English Dictionary office where Martha now works. The postcards hint at the true series of events that happened. Some of Martha's coworkers today were Charlotte's coworkers then, so there are plenty of suspects, especially when previously held secrets start coming to light. 

I heard about this on NPR's A Way with Words and they were enjoying the wordplay. Knowing of Susie Dent from various game shows, I expected no different. I didn't think there was a lot of plot because there was so much built up around the characters. I also felt vaguely like I had read so many similar books but couldn't really pinpoint one. However, the word use exceeded my expectations. 

Three and a half stars

The Clarendon Lexicographers #1

This book came out August 13, 2024

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz

There has been a Harper-Wells feud for generations. Krentz tells us that quite a bit in this book. But that feud seems to have been broken by Sophy's aunt, Bea, and Luke Well's uncle, Deke. And the two have discovered that because Bea and Deke have disappeared.

Luke is in line to inherit his family's company specifically because he has no psychic talent. At least, that's what everyone thinks. However, he is unusually good at pulling data together and coming to conclusions. Most often, this happens when he dreams. He's come to the conclusion that he needs help because he needs someone who can read crime scenes.

Bea is a librarian. She also reads crime scenes and can clear bad energy from a space. In the recent past, she's also had a series of failed experiments, men who have seen her work and then run away. One even called her a succubus.

Of course, these two are going to fit together and they'll figure that out in the three days this book covers. If you enjoy Krentz, I think you'll like this book. 

Four stars

This book comes out January 6, 2026

Loosely connected to the Fogg Lake books
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley

It's Jane and Dan's nineteenth anniversary (he seems to think it's their twentieth.) Dan won a reservation to a very exclusive restaurant that were for that same night so they are off to have an adventure. Well, sort of. This is the night that Jane is going to tell Dan that she wants a divorce. Except that, right after they are let in to the restaurant with the world's most expensive dessert, the restaurant is invaded by a group of masked gunpeople. They are after a specific patron, one who is not there yet. 

As the night unfolds, both Jane and Dan will have to confront some home truths about themselves, about their family, and about the beliefs they have about the lives they are living. And also, why this all seems to be unfolding like the book Jane wrote six years ago that only three hundred people have read. 

An interesting book with a fun twist although the end stretched my belief suspension just a little too much, but overall enjoyable.

Three and a half stars

This book came out March 11, 2025

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Double Fudge by Judy Blume

There are two Farley Drexel Hatchers? That's what Pete and his family discover on a trip to Washington, D. C. There, Pete's father rediscovers his cousin, Howie. Howie also has two girls, Flora and Fauna, who are about Pete's age in addition to the Farley who is a couple years younger than the Fudge we've grown to know and love. 

We also get to see past series favorites like Sheila Tubman and Jimmy Fargo, the latter of whom is moving out of the neighborhood with his father which upends Pete's world to no end.

Everything is changing but many things stay the same. A little more out there than some of the books in this series but still enjoyable. 

Four stars

Fudge #5

This book came out September 30, 2002

Follows Fudge-a-Mania

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

A Waffle Lot of Love! by Ben Clanton

It's time for Narwhal and Jelly to go on an epic friend adventure. If only Jelly can get Narwhale to pay attention for more than two minutes. We get to see a lot of sea life on the floor and how other friends are celebrating each other. I feel pretty bad for Jelly but I guess they end up okay. 

Three and a half stars
This book comes out December 30, 2025

Narwhal & Jelly #10
Follows Narwhal's Sweet Tooth

ARC kindly provided by Tundra Book Group and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Audrey Lane Stirs the Pot by Alexis Hall

Though they've been broken up for quite awhile, Audrey Lane still hears the voice her ex-girlfriend berating her for most of her decisions. But she goes on the baking show in Britain anyway. And comes right up against Jennifer Hallett, the producer. It starts when Audrey asks for help for the contestant who is over ninety. She, quite rightly, would prefer that Doris not have to walk up a giant hill to get back to the hotel after a full day of baking. Jennifer just wants her show to work; she's (at least on the outside) more concerned 

I don't remember this from the other books in the series but this book includes some time hopping and a switch to a first person point of view by someone who isn't the main character. And, while that story is kind of lovely and helps Audrey grow, I wish we had seen more of the two characters growing together. 

Three and a half stars

Winner Bakes All #3

This book came out December 9, 2025

Follows Paris Daillencourt is about to Crumble

ARC kindly provided as ebook by Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Experimental Magic by Iris Beaglehole, Lorna Bennett (Narrator)

In the first book of the series, Rosemary and Athena discovered they are witches and are now trying to navigate their new normal. Athena is about to start school and Rosemary is just trying to figure out her powers. And money. For now, she's working in the bakery. 

Athena is trying to figure out how school is going to work. She missed all of the basics and isn't even exactly sure what her power is or if she has power. 

Both Athena and Rosemary have some learning to do in this book. When Athena follows the boy she met in the first book into another realm, it's up to Rosemary and Athena's new friends to help her figure out a way home. Although, Athena does do a lot to help herself (and her father) as well. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out September 5, 2023

Myrtlewood Mysteries #2

Follows Accidental Magic

Followed by Combustible Magic

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Accidental Magic by Iris Beaglehole, Lorna Bennett (Narrator)

Rosemary hasn't seen her grandmother in a long time. That's what makes it so surprising that she's been left her grandmother's whole estate. She's careful not to get her hopes up though anything will help. Her daughter's father has left them in a mountain of debt and Rosemary is drowning. 

Going to the small town to see what her inheritance is, Rosemary is also trying not to get her hopes up. She hasn't spoken to her grandmother in years and the house probably isn't much anyway. Once she's in town, however, she becomes a suspect in her grandmother's murder and isn't allowed to leave. 

The shocks don't stop coming when Rosemary discovers the other family legacy and has to figure out how to save them all.

Three and a half stars

This book came out July 25, 2023

Myrtlewood Mysteries #1

Followed by Experimental Magic

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

Mistletoe Murders 3 and 4 by Ken Cuperus, Raymond Ablack (Narrator), Ann Carol Ann, Cobie Smulders (Narrator), Anna Cathcart (Narrator)

Mistletoe Murders 3

It's a year later and we're back in Fletcher's Grove. Emily's past has come back to haunt her. Not only is it possible that the group that almost took her out before is trying again, but her old boss and former flame is now in town trying to keep her safe. That is throwing her current relationship a little bit.... off. They're still finding time for themselves but it has to be a little more hidden. Of course, the murders aren't helping...

The first two sets of stories revolve around the wedding of Emily' frenemy. There have been a series of mishaps leading up to the wedding. The wedding day is the lowest, when the husband-to-be is almost killed and his good friend dies in an accident involving an amp. Lots of characters from past stories in this one. 

The last story has Sam's daughter trying to get into a prestigious forensics school. Unforunately, there's a body found on the first day on campus. In this story, Emiliy isn't featured as prominently but she does almost die.

Three and a half stars

Mistletoe Murders #3

This book came out November 7, 2024

Follows Mistletoe Murders #2

Borrowd as audiobook from Audible Plus

Mistletoe Murders 4

These stories are fast, fun, and fluffy. Not a lot of depth but really fun to listen to. 
It's been eleven months since Emily had to leave Fletcher's Grove. We don't know much about what we did while she was gone, but we get the conflicting emotions of her return. While the town doesn't seem to have changed much, it is just enough for Emily to feel off kilter. One of the changes is that Sam seems to have moved on which, fair, Emily had to leave without a word. 
Not everything has changed though, there are still secrets... and murders. So Emily hops right back in with one more person who knows her past and one who seems bent on murdering her. 
The series again ends on a cliffhanger, but this one has more serious implications if it all goes wrong. 

Three and a half stars

Mistletoe Murders #4

This book came out November 6, 2025

Borrowd as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

The Holly Village Murders by Benedict Brown

Marius and Bella have another mystery to solve when her Aunt Adele dies. They immediately head for her cottage in Holly Village which is made up mainly of people who are classed as "elderly." There have been a number of deaths in the past year but that's not really suspicious based on the median age. 

What is odd, however, is that the Manet that was over Adele's fireplace has disappeared and another painting was put in it's place. Compounding that is the fact that Adele's death is not the last that this group of people will see. 

An interesting story wherein Bella and Marius are pretending to be married. A nice addition to the series. I don't think you'd need to read other books in the series but it might help. 

Three and a half stars

Marius Quin Mystery #6

This book came out November 10, 2025

Follows Arsenic and Old Lies

ARC kindly provided Storm Publishing and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Middlebridge Mysteries by Ken Cuperus

This was a fast, fun, and fluffy offshoot of the Mistletoe Murders. Violet Winters was introduced as the daughter of a policeman in that series but now she is starting school at the illusterious Middlebridge University. Her mom's alma mater and Violet's dream school. She is working on graduating with a degree in criminology, but she has to make time to study and not be so distracted by mysteries. Mysteries like a missing cadaver, a professor who may or may not have completed his own work, and football players who are popping positive on drug tests yet claiming they are clean.

Violet was a little annoying and made a lot of bad decisions but it didn't seem outside the scope of a teenager who is just figuring out how to make her way in the world. It just made her a little more annoying than I thought she needed to be. 

Three stars

Middlebridge Mysteries #1

This book came out July 24, 2025

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

The Age of Magical Overthinking by Amanda Montell

I was really expecting more with a subtitle like "Notes on Modern Irrationality." Really, most of this boiled down to concepts that have been around for... quite awhile. Like "Sunk Cost Fallacy" or the "Recency Illusion." Neither are new in the scope of humankind. 

Montell is a good writer but I wish there had been either a warning that this was more memoir than I was expecting or a deeper dive into some of these concepts. Montell generally defines them but doesn't give the same rigor to these as she had in previous books. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out April 9, 2024

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Find Your Why: A practical leadership book to bring purpose to your team by Simon Sinek, David Mead, Peter Docker

This is a companion book to Sinek's "Start with Why." This book helps you to define and refine your why. It's a long process (estimated needing at least 3 hours for individuals, 4 for teams.) It starts with stories and discovering what themes are in the stories you remember the most, what gives you pride or regret. This is best done with a facilitator and there are notes throughout the book to help them. 

One thing that stuck with me is that people's whys may sound the same on the surface and that's okay. Hows and whats will provide variety to everyone. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out September 5, 2017

Connect to Start with Why

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Foreboding Foretelling at Ficklehouse Felling by P.J. Fitzsimmons

Anty has been invited to a country house. Specifically, the group is going to be attending a seance. Of course, the practitioner, Professor Smudge, foretells death. Aunt Marge (the sister of the current Ficklehouse owner, Ogden Ficklehouse) is unimpressed. She knows Anty's mother and implores Anty to try and unmask Professor Smudge as a fraud. It seems that she is set to leave the next morning and wants Anty to talk Smudge and, well, bribe him to take back his prediction. It's just too bad that someone dies before the money changes hands. 

There was so much fun in this book. The Boisjoly mysteries are always a romp but I think Fitzsimmons particularly enjoyed writing this book. I listened to this one and the narrator seemed to be having fun as well. 

Four stars

Anty Boisjoly #7

This book came out November 18, 2024

Follows The Case of the Caseof Kilcladdich

Followed by Mystery and Malice Aboard RMS Ballast

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

A Shot in the Dark; A Little Night Murder; London Calling by by Neil Richards, Matthew Costello, Nathaniel Parker (Narrator)

A Shot in the Dark

This is a short book, so a fast read. Nothing in depth but think that, as a whole series, might be quite fun.
Sir Harry Mortimer and his wife, Katherine, have just arrived in England after meeting overseas durinng the Great War. Harry is called away so Kat has to make her way to his family manor by herself. When she finds the dower house, it's all locked up so she's going to find the big house by herself. As she arrives, shots are fired and a man's body falls from a window. But it's the wrong number of shots. What is going on?

Three and a half stars

Mydworth Mysteries #1

This book came out January 31, 2020

Audible book of mine

A Little Night Murder

Kat and Harry are starting to get a little bit of a reputation. First they solved a murder and then they found the silver plate missing from the church. Now, the woman who runs the local Women's V(I don't remember what this stood for) Center has reached out. She has been trying to get a local woman away from the woman's abusive husband. However, that's not why she called Kat. Instead, she would like some help proving that the woman's son did not die accidentally, he was murdered. 

Sid had been a known poacher. And he was shot in an apparent accident. But Sid knew how to handle guns and it seems suspicious that he died in this manor. Add on that he was seeing the daughter of the man on whose land he was poaching and there could be some motive for murder.

The actual motive came a bit out of left field but the fun at this point is learning more about Kat and Harry, each of whom are more than they appear on the surface. 

Three and a half stars

Mydworth Mysteries #2

This book came out September 22, 2019

Audible book of mine

London Calling

Liz Spence is in her early twenties and she dreams of being on stage. She's leaving Mydworth for the bright lights of London, encouraged by a local talent scout. Her parents are worried and her mother reaches out to Kat and Harry for help. So Harry and Kat are off to the big city. Besides, it will give Harry a chance to show Kat his "pied a terre." What they find goes deeper than just a girl's disappearance, but they know how to help. 

It's short and quick with a little danger but not too much. 

Three and a half stars

Mydworth Mysteries #3

This bookc came out November 25, 2019

Audible book of mine

Opinions are my own

Smart Brevity by Roy Schwartz, Jim Vandehei, Mike Allen

Write less, get more readers. Basically the theme of this book. And it's true. I especially liked the admonition to never have more than 20 words on a PowerPoint slide. My organization tends to present with walls of text that are thoroughly unhelpful. I also liked the info on how to run a short and effective meeting. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out September 20, 2022

Borrowed as hard copy from the library

Opinions are my own

12 Ways to Kill Your Family at Christmas by Natasha Bache

Olivia has hated her in-laws pretty much since she met them. Uber rich and obnoxious, she's not sure why her husband, Miles, turned out to be an amazing man. Luckily, they're about to move with their two children to Australia, so this will be the last Christmas they have to spend at Weiss Manor. No more little asides, no more having to dress for dinner, no more having to play pleasant families.

Almost everyone will be there, Miles's mother and father, his aunt, uncle, and grandmother, as well as his brother's family. It's a large crew and everyone will be looking down their noses at Olivia's family. Except for the one cousin who's not coming because he is in jail. 

The whole story is told from Olivia's point of view as she navigates the holiday season, this year made all the more treacherous as the bodies start piling up. In the end, very few people will make it out alive. Luckily, the dog survives.

This was one of those books that took me awhile to get into. I had to get to about a third of the way through before I really started to hop on board for the ride. If I had understood more about Bache's humor, I might have been on board  sooner. I did enjoy the twist at the end. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out October 14, 2025

ARC kindly provided by HarperCollins UK and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

The Librarians by Sherry Thomas

The book opens with something very valuable being hidden in a library. Then we start to meet the people who work in said library. Most of them have been working there for awhile, all of them have something to hide. There is a new staff member, Hazel, who also has A History. It is not, as would happen in most stories, her arrival that sets the cat among the pigeons. Instead, it is the murder of one of the patrons who attended the first library game night. Having the police show up makes the staff very uncomfortable. It also allows them to learn more about each other (and the obligatory addition) and themselves.

It took me a long while to get into this book, but I trust Thomas and kept going. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out September 30, 2025

ARC kindly provieded by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Faithful Unto Death by Caroline Graham

Alan and Simone Hollingsworth are new to town. He works long hours in the city while she is left to fill her time. However, it seems like Alan may be raather possessive as he tends to call her often to see where she is in the day. One day, her neighbor stops by but Simone isn't home. And that is the start of a myster. Where did Simone go? And why are others in the neighborhood disappearing as well? Like the rather ugly girl from next door, Brenda. 

Troy moves further away from his television portrayal. He is so rude to the local cop, Parrot, that they miss valuable information.

All sorts of sordid secrets will be revealed before the end of this story. It's not quite as bad as the previous story but still quite a lot going on in a little village. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out  in 1996

Chief Inspector Barnaby #5

Follows Written in Blood

Followed by A Place of Safety

Audiobook of mine in Audible

Opinions are my own

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King, Will Patton (Narrator)

T

he long-anticipated follow-up to "The Shining" has a now grown-up Danny Torrance fighting demons, both literal and physical. Still struggling with the events from the first book as well as his "Shining," we find out that Danny has inherited his father's alcoholism and upped the ante with a drug problem.

He's finally landed in a place where he can get clean when a message appears in his brain, "Abra." There's no follow-up for a long time. Until Abra, a child whose talent is even greater than Danny's own, reaches out to him for help. There is a group, the True Knot, that has extended their own lives by feeding off the "steam" of children like Abra. And now that they know that she exists, a child with more shining than they've ever seen, they're coming after her full bore.
I quite enjoyed this book. It was a little light (not much depth) but it's a book for fun, did it really need to be very deep? I wish we could have seen more about the former lives of The True Knot folks (especially Rose) but since the book was so long already, I can see why that didn't happen.

Three and a half stars

This book came out September 24, 2013

The Shining #2

Follows The Shining

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own