Murder at Archly Manor by Sara Rosett

Olive's new stepmother has pushed her rather forcibly out of her father's house. Unfortunately, Olive has no skills. Her father spent her college money on some scheme. And, unfortunately, his schemes never come out. She's rather desperate when her cousin asks her for help. It seems her other cousin, Violet, is engaged to a man who is wholly ineligible. Or at least he seems so at first glance. Olive agrees to look into the man's past for a slight fee.
Invited to a party at Alfred's godfather's house, Olive finds herself among the fast set. And it gets even faster when Alfred is thrown off a balcony. Violet immediately becomes the most likely suspect. Especially since she was one of the only people upstairs at the time of the murder.
I really liked this story and look forward to the next in the series.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out October 1`5
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Ask Me No Questions by Shelley Noble

If you like the 1920's historicals that are popping up, you'll like this one from a slightly earlier period. Lady Dunbridge is only 26 but she's already a dowager. When her father gives her two untenable options, she decides to make her own, third option and heads across the Atlantic to stay with her friend Bev. Too bad Bev's husband is murdered at the pickup and die in the lap of his mistress. What the heck is going on? It seems that the man had a lot of shady dealings so there are a lot of people who become suspects.
It's a nice start to some world building and I think further books will be even better.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out October 16
Followed by Tell Me No Lies
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

JELL-O Girls by Allie Rowbottom

I heard about this book on a couple of different book podcasts and was delighted to see that it was still available as an ARC on NetGalley. I immediately started reading it and then... about a month passed. This book just didn't capture me like I thought it would. A history of the family behind Jello, one that is cursed? Cool. But, tbh, even with the Jello hook, this book just didn't capture my imagination. I did slog through it but it took a long time.

Two stars
This book came out July 24
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Father Christmas and Me by Matt Haig

I think I would have liked this book more had I known that it was part of a series. I felt like I was dumped into the middle of the story of Amelia, a human in Elfhelm. She is trying to navigate a world in which she really doesn't feel like she belongs. And there are definitely elves who would rather see her gone. Then, the Easter Bunny gets involved....

Three stars
This book comes out October 16
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Snoopy: Boogie Down! by Charles M. Schulz

I did not know there were so many strips where the cat next door took swipes at Snoopy's dog house. There are also touches of baseball, Lucy and Schroeder, and all of the favorite Peanuts characters. A lovely series of strips.

Four stars
This book comes out October 16
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas

Thomas knocks another Charlotte Holmes story out of the park. I didn't love every beat but it was an entertaining story that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Charlotte and Mrs. Watson are at Lord Ingram's country estate. Well, the town just outside it. Charlotte is there hoping to be taken up on her proposition.
Unfortunately, a nearby house part has relocated to Lord Ingram's with two of society's most notorious gossips. And they, along with Charlotte's sister Livia are the ones to discovery Lady Ingram dead in the ice house. Though Treadles is one of the people investigating the case, his boss seems hellbent on making sure Ingram is hanged for the crime.
Another good addition to the series. I wish we had seen a little more of Charlotte's quirks but overall a pleasant read.

Four stars
This book came out September 2
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

A Gift of Bones by Carolyn Haines

Cece Dee Falcon is one of Sarah Booth's dearest friends. So, when her cousin is kidnapped, Sarah's willing to do anything, even hide her involvement from Coleman. Their relationship is pretty strong right now and she doesn't want to mess it up... but it's Cece. And her pregnant cousin.
I really enjoyed that Christmas was woven into the story but not super in your face. A nice addition to the series.

Three stars
This book comes out October 16
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley