What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust by Alan Bradley

Flavia de Luce is back! And this time, it's someone close to her who's been accused of murder. In fact, the opening scene is Inspector Hewitt interrogating Mrs. Mullet. It turns out, a man she's been cooking for, General (a minor government employee by his own words), has died. The coroner is saying it's mushroom poisoning. But Flavia is on the case.

What she uncovers is actually deeper than a mistaken mushroom picking. In fact, what she discovers is going to upend her world. 

I go back and forth between enjoying these books. Flavia believes that she knows all and that she is always right about everything? Are there people in the world like that? Yes. Do I mind reading books about people like that? No. As long as they seem like they are growing in some way. Flavia... does not. Also, Undine is so annoying. That may be because Bradley is a deft writer who makes you feel his characters emotions but I do not like her even when Flavia does.

Three stars

This book came out September 3, 2024

Flavia de Luce #11

Follows The Golden Tresses of the Dead

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinion
s are my own

Mystery in the Title by Ian Ferguson; Will Ferguson

A surprise call has Miranda being offered a role in a fabulous new film with five-times Oscar-nominated Harry Tomlin. She jumps at the chance. He's a BIG NAME and she's not going to question the fact that the contract has no tricky clauses. It's just a lot of money for a chance to work with the nicest man in Hollywood. 

So why is it Harry who ends up dead after crashing through a skylight? Nothing makes sense. And then his replacement comes in. It's an old beau of Miranda's and a foe of her husband Edgar's. Now she's juggling feelings between her nearly ex-husband for whom she still has feelings (though he doesn't appear much in this book), her handsome ex-co-star who is a divine kisser (although he has a horrible personality), and the handsome and charming producer (although she doesn't really have feelings for her.)

Three and a half stars

This book comes out October 22, 2024

Miranda Abbott #2

Follows I Only Read Murder

ARC kindly provided by Mira and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson

This Christmas is bringing an interesting twist, Ernest's ex-wife Juliette is in jail. She claims she woke up next to her murdered lover. The police say she murdered him. Now she's sitting in jail and Ernest has lied to his fiancé about why he's left town.

The dead man was a former Hollywood star who left it all to help drug addicted youth get clean. More than one character says that he saved their lives. And yet, the man is dead. But he's not the only one who is going to die in this novella. The reasons for each death are intertwined but hidden behind the doors of a an advent calendar.

This story was... okay. But it's not as tightly put together as either of the other stories in this series and the rules for a holiday story aren't put together as well. Worth reading if you are reading the whole series but I'm not sure it is good on its own. 

Three stars

Ernest Cunningham #3

This book comes out October 22, 2024

Follows Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect

Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

At the beginning of the book, Evie is dead. Apparently. At least, The Villain sure thinks she is. And he's devastated. But, as the blurb mentions, she is not dead. In fact, she's leading the revolution to release The Villain. He's been tortured in the cellars of the castle only to be brought upstairs to be unmasked and accused of killing Miss Sage. 

Why should The Villain be unmasked? It's part of a prophecy. One that will maybe bring magic back to Rennedawn and stop the mysterious illness that is killing so many people. There are two other parts, one which includes finding Evie's mother.

In the course of the story, we have two different someones coming back from the dead, one person who does evil for the greater good, and one magic dagger. 

Didn't love all of the world building in this one but I was dying laughing and also wished I had pencil and paper to write down some rather poignant quotes.

Four stars

This book came out August 8, 2024

Assistant to the Villain #2

Follows Apprentice to the Villain

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Sanctuary by Ilona Andrews

It's Christmastime but that doesn't mean much to Roman. Usually he gets some time off from being the Black Volhv for Chernobog, God of Destruction, Darkness, and Death. But this morning he's woken up to no eggnog and no cookies. Also, there are a wounded boy with a German Shepard puppy (sort of) who are seeking sanctuary in his house. Because he's not already full up with evil animals. But he can't abide the fact that there are a number of men trying to hunt this boy down for no discernable reason. Plus, the hunters are just pissing him off. 

This series is adjacent to Kate Daniels and doesn't have as strong a start as the Iron Covenant but I think it's going to grow into some great books.

Three stars

This book came out July 30, 2024

Roman’s Chronicles, #1

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Passions in Death by J.D. Robb

A group of women are out on the town to celebrate a wedding. Before the night is over, one of the brides-to-be is dead in the Down and Dirty. Crack's club. 

Erin had worked hard to be able to save for her and Shauna's dream honeymoon. Her accomplice was supposed to bring in a coconut bra, grass skirt, and the shoes that had brought her to fiancée. When she walked into the private room, she was garroted.

This is an "In Death" where we don't know who the killers are ahead of time. We work through the case with Eve and Peabody. And it pretty much comes down to two people fairly soon. 

I liked this book. I love the whole series and think that Robb is still able to keep some things fresh while still maintaining a rhythm 59 books into the series.

Four stars

This book came out September 3, 2024

In Death #59

Follows Random in Death
Followed by Bonded in Death

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

A Botanist's Guide to Society and Secrets by Kate Khavari

Saffron has just gotten back from a botany conference in France. It didn't go quite the way she had hoped (sexism, sexism everywhere.) And getting back, she's still having to prove her place in the department. Luckily, Alexander is back from the Amazon and he's a bright light. 

In this book, we meet some brothers. Adrian, Alexander's brother was more connected to their mother's family (more Greek) while Alexander tended more toward their English father's lifestyle. He seems to be a part of the hard partying Bright Young Things.

Also hard partying? Saffron's friend and roommate Eliza. She also has a long-lost brother showing up out of the blue. Nicholas is even more mysterious. He didn't show up for their brother's funeral (Saffron's sweetheart) but he's here now and asking Saffron for help. But his question isn't as innocent as it appears and suddenly Saffron, Alexander, Eliza, and Nicholas are all in danger. 

Apparently everyone who meets her is just smitten by Saffron. No. Nearly every time she meets someone male they are overly interested in her. I think I'll try another book in the series but I'm almost ready to let this one go. In addition to the "everyone falls in love with Saffron", there are some reaches to get her involved in the mystery though at least one of the new characters may add some ways in.

Three stars

This book came out June 4, 2024

Saffron Everleigh Mysteries #3 

Follows A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality

Followed by A Botanist's Guide to Rituals and Revenge

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own