The Clue at Black Creek Farm Carolyn Keene, narrator: Jorjeana Marie

This one felt a little bit preachy about CSAs and growing food without chemicals and that's from someone who believes in both. I swear the authors of these books just started pulling things out of a hat rather than having an actual outline. Nancy goes to a dinner, someone gets poisoned, could it be the food? Probably not but someone seems to be targeting the farm. 

Two and a half stars

Nancy Drew Diaries #9

Follows The Magician's Secret

Followed by A Script for D
anger

This book came out May 12, 2015

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Murder, I Spy by Lynn Morrison, narrator: Pearl Hewitt

It's early in the Roaring 20s and  Lord Reginald "Rex" Bankes-Fernsby is suspicious about his friend's death. Both Freddie and Rex were having trouble after returning from the war but Freddie had recently seemed like he was on an upswing. He had secrets but at least he had a purpose. And it's that purpose that Rex thinks may have gotten him killed. Someone who might know is the mysterious women known as Dora.

Like many after the war, Dora has secrets. One of them is that she and Rex have actually met before. At least once. But she can't let him know her secret because, underneath all the glitz and glamour, she's still working. And she's worried that her work may be what got Freddie killed. So, when Rex comes to her with questions, she uses him as a cover to keep looking for whatever Freddie had uncovered.

This is sort of a fluffy cozy but I enjoyed it quite a bit. The character building was fun and I'm ready to see where the series goes. 

Four stars

Dora and Rex 1920s Mysteries #1

Followed by The Missing Agent

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Premium Plus

Opinions are my own

The Alibi Club by Carrie Talick

By the time I read this book, I had completely forgotten the premise. So I was able to sink into the story which is one of alternating third person viewpoints. The prologue starts in chaos and then we jump to weeks prior. 

All of the characters are either part of a Dinner for Six or peripherally connected to Jamie. Dinner for Six is the brainchild of matchmaker Lorna. Her calling is to match people. Sometimes she even does it for free. But not this group. By the time the book is halfway done, she's collected her six  people, including Cliff and Lorna who have already met.  

There were some weird overlaps in the text (Cliff notices Lorna's beauty mark at least twice), and characters repeat information several times. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out on September 29, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Alcove Press and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Witches: Salem, 1692 by Stacy Schiff, narrator Eliza Foss

I really enjoyed Foss's narration. Soon after the book started, I texted the friend who had recommended this book and let her know I was enjoying it. She said it took her a bit but she eventually also enjoyed Foss's tone and cadence. 

Schiff goes through the stories of both the accused and the accusers. I think this book most aligns with narrative nonfiction though it is more removed than I often think that genre is. Instead, a third person narrator walks us through the many, many trials of the men, women, and dogs put on trial for witchcraft. She gives us the history and the Venn Diagrams of how these people overlap. She gives the bare facts and steers away from analysis, allowing the reader to come to their own conclusions. I did flag a bit in the 60-90% but perked back up at the end. 

Four stars

This book came out October 27, 2015

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Dead Man's Folly by Agatha Christie, narrator: David Suchet

This is one of my favorite Agatha Christie books. The clues are all there, but the solution is diabolical.

Ariadne Oliver calls on her old friend for some help. She is helping to put together a mystery story for a village fete (so like an escape room with hints and clues!) but there is something wrong and she just can't put her finger on it. She knows that Hercule will solve the problem.
When Hercule arrives, it is to find Sir George and Lady Stubbs who have only recently bought the house from Mrs. Ffolliot (sp?). However, that woman still tends to run things as Lady Stubbs is... well, even though she's a grown woman, her mind hasn't fully developed. Then there is the group putting on the fete. There are a number of characters fleshed out fairly well. That includes the young girl who is going to be the dead body. And it is she who ends up dead first. It's up to Hercule to determine why someone would want to kill a teenager and to stop them before they kill again.

Four stars

Hercule Poirot #31

Follows Hickory, Dickory Dock

Followed by Cat Among the Pigeons

This book came out in 1956

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Destination Unknown by Agatha Christie, Emilia Fox

I knew I had read this book before but couldn't remember it from the title alone. As soon as Hilary Craven was introduced, I remembered most of the story and also why I was rereading it.

Hilary Craven doesn't have anything to live for. At least that's what she believes. It's what makes her the perfect recruit for Mr. Jessop. The world's scientists have been slowly disappearing. He was going to have his people follow Mrs. Besserton, but she died in a plane crash. The plane that Hilary was supposed to have been on. So why does Jessop come to her? Because she has red hair. She can pretend to be Olive Besserton and hopefully help the English government figure out what is going on.

There aren't a lot of clues as the story unfolds but the solution also doesn't come out of nowhere. There are crumbs that eventually lead to a rather delicious ending. 

Four stars

This book came out November 1, 1954

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Snow This is Love by Christina Lauren; Julie Murphy; Jasmine Guillory; Zoraida Córdova; Jesse Q. Sutanto

Deck the Heels by Julie Murphy

It didn't take me long to realize that this was a follow up to a book I hadn't read. It looks like it's called, "If the Shoe Fits." Henry and Cindy were the end game of a reality show called Before Midnight. Now,w they're just living their lives. Are trying to, anyway. Because they were a big hit, they've got a big following of people who want to see where the two of them end up. Hopefully marriage. So, they decide to go for it; and for the wedding to be filmed. But the course of true love never does run smooth. and Henry seems really distracted. Is this really waht they both want?

Three stars

Beauty and the Baking Battle by Jasmine Guillory

Another postscript novella. I had read the book this follows, "By the Book," four years ago and remembered most of the story. In this story, Izzy and Beau have been invited to be on a last-minute bake-off-type show but for celebrities at Christmas. Beau has even offered to let them set up the baking tent in his back yard. 

Siren in the Snow by Zoraida Cordova

Singer-songwriter Eric Reyes just wants to make his way to his woman. He's having to go through snow, blizzards, and missed planes to find her. 

Ariel is looking forward to seeing Ariel. She was also a pop star but part of a family group that has since disbanded. She has no idea that her beloved is assembling her friends and family so that he can propose. 

I hadn't read the first book but now feel like I should. 

Four stars 

Best (New Year's) Day Ever by Christina Lauren

Following a trend, I had not read this book but this is the only story that I feel would have benefitted from reading the previous story. Ren is a manic pixie farm girl who met straitlaced Edward when she was finally allowed out into the world. Lots of information followed, most of which is recapped in this book. They are looking for their perfect New Year's Day but, novel, lots of things pop up to destroy what they are hoping to achieve.

Love Christina Lauren, this one wasn't for me.

Two stars

Dreaming of a Perfect Lunar New Year by Jesse Q. Sutanto

stars

This book comes out October 13, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley

Opinions are my own