The Bungalow Mystery by Carolyn Keene

This book starts with a literal bang when Nancy and her friend, Helen Goulding, are trying to outrun a storm but, when their boat hits a log, they have to swim for it. They are saved by Laura Pembleton who mentions that she might need Nancy's help. She has new guardians and is wary of them

The couple is certainly a piece of work. The wife is rude and demanding, even before she meets Laura. The husband nearly drives Nancy and Helen off the road. Things get stranger from there. 

This book is somewhat disjointed with parts and characters popping up without rhyme or reason but it was still an interesting read. 

Three stars

Nancy Drew #3

Follows The Hidden Staircase

Followed by The Mystery at Lilac Inn

This book came out in 1930

ARC kindly provided by Dover Publications and Netgalley

Opinions are my own

Seven Reasons to Murder Your Dinner Guests by K.J. Whittle

Seven people gather for a dinner. Seven people show up. Seven people are given envelopes, but only five open them. In each envelope is a number preceded by the words "You will die aged..." But this can't be a predictor of the future, right? For the first person, no one is really sure. But then the second person dies. Now a pattern has started and everyone is nervous. Will anyone make it out alive?

I liked the premise of this book and appreciated the tie to one of Christie's but it felt overly simplified and a little bit preachy at the end. 

Three stars

This book came out September 9, 2025

Borrowed as hard copy from the library

Opinions are my own

Garfield Caution: Wide Load Jim Davis

Variety of topics. Several strips on Garfield having a kiddie pool including chemical upkeep (pool mouse) and sharing with various other characters. There are also extended stories as Jon dates Liz and ordering pizza.

Four stars

Garfield #56

Follows Garfield Sings for His Supper

Followed by Garfield
Souped Up

This book came out May 3, 2013

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

A Murder Most Camp by Nicolas DiDomizio, narrator Mark Sanderlin

Mikey Hartford IV has been called to the carpet. He knows his lifestyle isn't great but, knowing he's a nepo-baby, he had decided to throw himself into the role. Until now. Now, his father, upset over Mikey's latest over-the-top purchase, has taken the advice of Mikey's step-grandmother (four years older than Mikey himself) and decreed that Mike must "do good" until his 30th birthday or the funds from his trust won't be released as planned. 

His step-grandmother has another suggestion, Mikey can go with his twelve-year-own aunt, Annabelle, to camp. He'll be working with children and can even help her come out of her shell. And she does. With Mikey assigned to the Special Activities Group (he'll only work with a small number of campers), Annabelle is able to interact with him as well as meeting new people. The group is immediately intrigued by the true crime of a counselor who disappeared over a decade earlier. It was said that she died (though not everyone believes that.) 

Four stars

This book came out April 28, 2026

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Garfield Older & Wider by Jim Davis

Jon and Liz are dating! And that's despite Jon's accordian playing which takes up several strips. 

But then there's Garfield, teasing dogs, avoiding eating mice, taunting dogs, and kicking Odie. But it's also his 24th birthday and that takes up a lot of the book space because this cat, definitely does NOT like getting older.

Four stars

Garfield #41

Follows Garfield Survival of the Fattest

Followed by Garfield Pigs Out

This book came out January 1, 2005

Borrows as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Garfield Cooks Up Trouble by Jim Davis

Lots of Garfield comics. Storylines include the usual including Garfield eating, Jon not dressing well, and lazy days. There are also a few storylines about the darkness. And a week's worth of strips about Garfield eating fish. It's always so funny to me that he'll eat fish and birds but refuses to chase mice. We also get the strips leading up to Christmas and Garfield trying to pretend he's been a good boy the whole year. 

My favorites are the ones where the last panel takes a twist. 

Four stars

Garfield #63

Follows Garfield Listens to His Gut

Followed by Garfield Feeds His Face

This book came out June 13, 2017

Opinions are my own

The Cornish Honeymoon Murder by Fiona Leitch

Fiona and her husband Nate are newly marrired and ready for their honeymoon. Suddenly, they are taking it... along with her mothher, daughter, and dog. At least it's a free trip to an almost carbon-neutral resort in one of the Isles of Scilly off Cornwall Why free? Because multi-millionaire owner, Isaac Barnes,believes someone is sabotaging the opening and he wants the help of the woman who solved a murder for him a few years ago. 

stars

The Nosey Parker Mysteries #9

Follows The Cornish Christmas Pantomime

This book comes out June 26, 2026

ARC kindly provided by HarperCollins UK and NetGalley

Opinions are my own