The Cherkley Court Conundrum by Benedict Brown

Marcus is just about to declare himself to Bella when a face from his past appears. His romantic past. Which I was frankly surprised about since I had the impression that he was not very good with women. Well, Nerea needs help. A maid in the house she works for was attacked and nearly killed. She has read that Marius and Bella solve mysteries and hopes that they can come help her. 

stars

Marius Quin Mystery #7

Follows The Holly Village Murders

This book came out July 17, 2026

ARC kindly provided Storm Publishing and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Our Marriage Is Murder by Carol Goodman

After twenty years and as many co-written mystery novels, Thea is ready to get out. Both out of her marriage and out of writing. The convention they're traveling to will be their last. But that doesn't mean she wants their lives to end. And there are an awful lot of people dying at the beautiful Casstelarosa. Suspiciously dying in the ways and order that Thea and her husband put in their first mystery. 

The local inspector seems inordinately suspicious of Thea so she's going to have to some sleuthing on her own to try and figure out what is going on.

I appreciated that Thea didn't immediately become a super sleuth just because she was a mystery writer. Parts of the plot were a little heavy handed for my tastes and Thea was a little too self-righteous. Overall, I finished the book and enjoyed the ties to Agatha Christie. I also really enjoyed Goodman's characterizations of fervent book fans and laughed out loud over a line about not crossing book club ladies. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out July 21, 2026

ARC kindly provided as ebook by William Morrow and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Lady Jewel Diviner by Rosalie Oaks

Lady Elinor Avely has a gift. Unfortunately, that gift has made it appear that she is a jewel thief. While she would have preferred to stay in London and brave the gossip, her mother thought it best that they retire to the country to let the rumors die down. Fortunately, Elinor had one friend left who was willing to ask her father to loan them a cottage. Unfortunately, it is just a stone's throw from Lord Beresford's family estate; he had stepped up and offered to sae her name by prettending to be engaged, but Elinor had quickly dismissed that claim. 

In the country, she's thinking she might be safe to use her gift to look for a cache of jewels. And she might learn even more about her Discernment from the little vampiri, Miss Andreda Zooth who just fluttered into her window. 

I had read some books in the series that followed this one. They are fast, fun, and fluffy with a world that is fairly well-developed, even in this first book. 

Four stars

Lady Diviner #1

Followed by 

This book was re-released July 11, 2026

Opinions are my own

Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb

Oh noes! Eve's best friend Mavis has been found standing over a dead body. The body just happens to be that of the woman who threatened Mavis' current luvr. The woman was supposed to model Leonardo's clothes but she threw a tantrum when he started dating Mavis.

Eve has to not only work on clearing Mavis and Leonardo but also getting prepped for her marriage to the gorgeous and mysterious Roarke.
Peabody gets her first love interest in Illegals cop, Castro.
Fun read.

Four stars

In Death #3

Follows Glory in Death

Followed by Rapture in Death

This book comes out September 8, 2026

Ebook ARC kindly provided by St. Martin's Press and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

Mrs. McGinty's Dead by Agatha Christie

It seems obvious that Mrs. McGinty was killed by her lodger, the obnoxious James Bentley. So why is Superintendent Spencer coming to a retired Hercule Poirot and asking him to look into the case? 

Because it's complicated. Boy. Is it ever complicated including people showing up from at least two different murders that happened decades ago. 

There is a bright point in Ariadne Oliver showing up. She is very much the parody of an eccentric writer but is grounding in interesting ways. 

Three stars

Hercule Poirot #28

Follows Taken at the Flood

Followed by After the Funeral

This book came out in 1952

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Garfield Brings Home the Bacon by Jim Davis

This book starts out with a series of Christmas strips. Once again, Garfield is trying to find a way to work around the "being good" theory. There are also a number of strips relating to winter that follow soon after. We also have Garfield's mouse friends as swell as strips with Arlene. We see a lot of jokes around the "Beware of Dog" sign and more strips that make us wonder why Liz is (still) with Jon. There is a recurring character, the waiter Armando, who shows up again. 

Four stars

Follows Garfield Lard of the Jungle

Followed by Garfield Gets in a Pickle

This book came out January 31, 2012

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Learning and Development Essentials by Albert Singh, Vibrant Publishers

A nice, basic book that is a decent introduction to Learning and Development. It covers things like basic theories of not only learning and development but of learning. It covers some of the tools that you might need if you are developing an L&D program and even touches on data gathering and reporting. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out July 18, 2026

ARC kindly provided by BooksGoSocial and NetGalley

Opinions are my own