Taken at the Flood by Agatha Christie, narrator Hugh Fraser

Gordon Cloade did his family no favors. Yes, he showered them with money, but he made them entirely dependent on him. So, when he died in an air raid only weeks after marrying a new wife, all of his money went to her and his family had no idea how to cope. It might have been fine if the pliable Rosaleen had been on her own, but she has a brother who will not let her release any of the funds. 

Most of this story is getting to know the different characters, their problems, and how they approach Rosaleen for help. But then a man, who may or may not be Rosaleen's first husband, is killed, setting off the mystery.

Hercule isn't in the book much and the ending is a kick in the pants. 

Three stars

Hercule Poirot #29

Follows The Labours of Hercules

Followed by

This book came out in 1948

Borrowed as an audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Very Nice Funerals by Bob Mayer, Jennifer Crusie with narrators Eric G. Dove, Cris Dukehart

Max Reddy doesn't want to stay in Rocky Start. It's a town with two many secrets that he doesn't want to be a part of. And one person he's going to hate to leave. But on the next-to-last day before his self-imposed return to the AT, someone cuts a rope bridge while he's on it. So... now he's sticking around. 

Meanwhile Poppy's life is changing. She had a traumatic incident in the last book and now her life is changing. And she's not sure if she likes where it's going but she knows that it is not going to be what she had originally planned. 

Four stars

Rocky Start #2

Follows Rocky Start

Followed by The Honey Pot Plot

This book came out July 21, 2024

Borrowed as audiobook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

Garfield Book One by Jim Davis, Mark Evanier, Scott Nickel with illustrators Gary Barker, Dan Davis, Mike DeCarlo, Andy Hirsch, Mark Heike, Stephanie Heike, David DeGrand

I loved reading Garfield books when I was young and thought that these might be a reprint. I didn't recognize any of them. 

The book is ten chapters with two stories per chapter. Of course, they are mostly centered around food or food is a theme. There is a story of a rare comic book, of mice being friends with Garfield (a cat!), a genius who moves to the neighborhood and learns to make friends, and of Quentin the mouse trying to become a cat, then a dog. 
There is a nice mix of illustrating styles - some that look like the original Garfield and some that look more like the more modern Garfield (what we see on the cover). 

Four stars

This book comes out July 7, 2026

ARC kindly provided by KaBOOM! and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

Rocky Start by Bob Mayer, Jennifer Crusie with narrators Eric G. Dove, Cris Dukehart

This book is pure fluff and has Crusie's fingerprints all over it. If you know her writing, this book will feel very familiar. 
Rosalee "Rose" Malone has lived in Rocky Start for nineteen years. Ever since her 12-year relationship ended when she got pregnant and he threw her under the bus for fraud. Now her daughter is about to graduate high school and her mentor is dead. But there are weird things happening in Rocky Start including two gentleman. One who attacks her in her store and one who says he saved her (though she thinks she was doing a pretty good job herself, thankyouverymuch.)
Max Reddy and his dog Mags are in town to pick up a new pair of boots while he's out on the Appalachian Trail. This town is out of the way but this is where his old boss sent the package. It's an interesting little town, straddling the line of Tennessee and South Carolina. The people there remind him of the people he used to work with in his old job; lots of secrets to hide.
Rosalee bothered me a little; she sticks her head in the sand about a lot of things. But I still enjoyed the book quite a bit. 

Four stars

Rocky Start #1

Followed by A Very Nice Funeral

This book came out July 21, 2024

Borrowed as audiobook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

Garfield Donut Disturb by Jim Davis

Generally known for his love of lasagna, the truth is that he loves all food. In this book, there are a higher number than usual strips devoted to his love of donuts. We also see his relationship with Arlene as well as with Odie. There are still more jokes about "Beware of Dog." Just a delightful read.

Four stars

Garfield #76

Follows Garfield Fully Caffeinated

Followed by

This book came out August 27, 2024

Garfield Easy as Pie by Jim Davis

This book has a number of strips devoted to relationships. Garfield talking with his girlfriend Arlene (and somehow often bringing food into the equation. Sometimes she is even on the same page. Jon somehow managing to hold on to Liz. Garfield loving Pookie. 

Four stars

Garfield #69

Follows Garfield Belly Laughs

Followed by Garfield Goes Hog Wild

This book came out July 14, 2020

June 2026 Monthly Rereads

Opinions are my own

Stolen in Death by J. D. Robb

Four stars

In Death #61

Follows Framed in Death

Followed by Fury in Death

This book comes out September 2, 2025

Borrowed as hard copy from library

The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz

Four stars

This book comes out January 6, 2026

Loosely connected to the Fogg Lake books