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

A Reluctant Roommate by Angela R. Casella

At the end of the last book, Drew and Andy were moving in together. Well, Andy was moving into Drew's. And Drew wasn't incredibly excited. He likes his shades of gray living room and Andy is bringing with her ALL the colors of the rainbow. Plus, there's that whole inconvenient crush that he has on his sister's best friend.

Andy genuinely sees Drew as an older brother. They grew up together after all. But then she walks in on him... and suddenly Andy is seeing Drew in a new light. He's grown up. He's handsome. And he's willing to check up on her grandmother when she can't. 

The two are going to be spending a lot of time together and they figure out that familiarity doesn't always breed contempt.

This is a Casella joint so it's fast, fun, and fluffy with circumstances that are often over the top. Was Andy a little TOO reluctant and dramatic? For me, yes. I was also a little disappointed to see Nicole and Damien say that they're going to be taking some time off but I know that Casella will be keeping us in enjoyable reading material. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out March 30, 2023

Follows A Brooding Bodyguard

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

Punk Rock Unicorn by Dana Simpson

Marigold has given up her crush on Lord Splendid Humility. Instead, she is going to rebound crush on his opposite. And opposite Prince Aspirational Arrogance is. But Phoebe finds reasons to like him.

Besides, she has a book report to procrastinate writing. And to argue with Dakota about. Are graphic novels real books? (the correct answer, by the way, is yes.)
There is a lovely interlude with Marigold making a small, dark, rainy universe for Phoebe to be sad in and, oh, I wish I had one. Or a unicorn. That would be good too. 

Simpson's humor is nowhere more evident than in the story of the hole. Or, as Marigold says, "a magical portal to a dimension of DARK and UNSPEAKABLE EVIL." And then, they meet their evil selves which gives them pause.

It is again time for the school play. This year it is to be "Yoony the Unicorn." We even get to see Marigold's contemplation hat. 

Phoebe also returns to her summer music camp where she meets a new friend. And it provides a lovely loop back to the beginning of this book. 

Another amazing addition to the series. 

Five stars

This book comes out April 4, 2023

Follows Unicornado

Followed by Unicorn for a Day

ARC kindly provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

March 2023 rereads

All Opinions are my own

Scoring With the Wrong Twin by Naima Simone

WAGS #1

Three and a half stars

This book came out January 15th, 2018

Followed by Scoring off the Field

Ebook from Kindle

Scoring off the Field by Naima Simone 

WAGS #2

Three and a half stars
Follows Scoring With the Wrong Twin
Followed by Scoring the Player's Baby
This book came out March 12th, 2018
Ebook from Kindle

Go Fetch! by Shelly Laurenston

Magnus Pack #2

Follows Pack Challenge
Followed by Here Kitty, Kitty
This book came out March 6, 2007

Audiobook from Audible

Here Kitty, Kitty by Shelly Laurenston

Magnus Pack #3
Three stars
Follows Go Fetch! 
This book came out July 3rd, 2007
Audiobook from the library

Playing the Odds by Nora Roberts

The MacGregors #1

Three stars
This book came out March 2, 1985
Followed by Tempting Fate

Borrowed as ebook from Libby
Opinions are my own

What the Hex by Jessica Clare

We knew from the first book in this series that Penny was anxious to be a familiar. So anxious that she might be willing to go to some unusual measures, like working with a wizard who is definitely NOT supposed to have a familiar.

Willem isn't sure about Penny. She's definitely a sunshine to his grumpy. But she's beginning to grow on him. Even her quirky pet is becoming more cute and less annoying. 

Good freaking lord. Why is WTF spelled out? And it's used so many times. So. Many. Times. I also wish that the love hadn't been quite so insta, that we had seem more of a relationship develop. And I didn't like the ending. Penny has been wishing for one thing her whole life and now she's being prevented from doing it. 

Three stars

This book came out April 19, 2022

Follows Go Hex Yourself

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Release the Hounds! by Lincoln Peirce

Once again, Nate is in the midst of a number of happenings. His father is handing out healthy treats

(though it helps to have a Chad if you are looking for the good candy. Nate gets injured at a soccer game but is delighted that his team fails without him and decides to take a stab at coaching. He also has to push Gina and her fragrant air freshener out of the student lounge (by taking off his shoes), but even Teddy questions his methods. 

Four and a half stars

Follows Beware of Low-Flying Corn Muffins

This book came out September 27, 2022

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own