Monthly rereads April 2025

As always, opinions are my own.

The Librarian of Crooked Lane by C. J. Archer

Four stars

The Glass Library #1

This book came out September 6, 2022

Followed by The Medici Manuscript

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters

Amelia Peabody #1

Followed by The Curse of the Pharoahs

This book came out in 1975

Borrowed as audiobook from Blackstone

The Copenhagen Connection by Elizabeth Peters

Four stars
This book came out in 1982

Audiobook from Hoopla

 

The Murders of Richard III by Elizabeth Peters

Three stars

Jacqueline Kirby #2

This book came out January 1st, 1974
Follows The Seventh Sinner
Followed by Die for Love

Audiobook from Blackstone Audio

Die for Love by Elizabeth Peters

Four stars

Jacqueline Kirby #3

This book came out January 1, 1974
Follows The Murders of Richard III
Followed by Naked Once More
Audiobook from Audible Premium Plus

Naked Once More by Elizabeth Peters

Five stars
Jacqueline Kirby #4
Follows Die for Love
This book came out August 1st, 1989
Borrowed from Audible Premium Plus

Three and a half stars

The Ravenels #2

This book came out May 31, 2016

Follows Cold-Hearted Rake

Followed by Devil in Spring

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas

The Ravenels #3

Three and a half stars

This book came out February 21, 2017

Follows Devil in Disguise

Followed by Hello Stranger

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas

Four and a half stars

The Ravenels #6
This book comes out February 18th, 2020

Follows Devil's Daughter

Followed by Devil in Disguise

Lady Obaldestone's Christmas Goose by Stephanie Laurens

Three stars

Lady Osbaldestone's Christmas Chronicles #1
This book came out October 19th, 2017

Lady Obaldestone's Christmas Chronicles #1
Followed by Lady Osbaldestone and the Missing Christmas Carols
Borrowed as an audiobook from Blackstone Audio

Lady Obaldestone and the Missing Christmas Carols by Stephanie Laurens

Three stars

Lady Osbaldestone's Christmas Chronicles #2

This book came out October 18th, 2018

Follows Lady Osbaldestone's Christmas Goose

Followed by Lady Osbaldestone’s Plum Puddings

Borrowed as an audiobook from Blackstone Audio

Lady Obaldestone's Plum Puddings by Stephanie Laurens

Three stars

Lady Osbaldestone's Christmas Chronicles #3

This book came out October 17th, 2019

Follows Lady Osbaldestone and the Missing Christmas Carols

Followed by Lady Osbaldestone's Christmas Intrigue

Borrowed as an audiobook from Blackstone Audio

Lady Obaldestone's Christmas Intrigue by Stephanie Laurens

Three stars

This book came out in October 15th, 2020

Lady Osbaldestone's Christmas Chronicles #4
Follows Lady Osbaldestone’s Plum Puddings 

Followed by The Meaning of Love

Borrowed as an audiobook from Blackstone Audio

Hardly a Gentleman by Eloisa James

Clara has just been embarrassed in front of all society. It's just too bad that the man who embarrassed her is married. And the prince. It seems like her reputation will never recover. Her mother shows no surprise. Clara has been just a little odd since she was a child. She always liked books and, let's not even bring up her large bosoms. So, Clara's being shipped off to Scotland. Not forever. Although it could be. Just until her mother can show her face around ballrooms again. She never thought that she'd decide to hop in a carriage and pretend to be a housekeeper. Named Mrs. Potts no less.

Caelen just wants to live his life. His wife died and he just keeps moving on, ignoring the dust and grime gathering in his castle. That includes fishing naked. And that's how Clara sees him first. While it's not exactly love at first sight, Caelen does start proposing to Clara pretty quickly. He's sick of everyone thinking that he's a grieving widower so he's willing to get married. Not to the first woman who shows up but to the first one who doesn't seem to be there to try and become his wife. In fact, Clara refuses all the way up until the time that someone recognizes her and they're forced to wed. This, of course, not only lets them slake their lust for each other, but gives them time to fall in love. 

This book was darn enjoyable and reminded me why James is a master in the craft of romance. 

Four stars

Accidental Brides #2

This book came out April 29, 2025

Follows Viscount in Love

ARC kindly provided by Avon and  Harper Voyager, and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Bearer of Bad News by Elisabeth Dini

Lucy Rey doesn't fool herself. She knows that she's not a great hairdresser. Just like she wasn't a great any-number-of-other-jobs-she's-tried. She's trying to stick it out though because she's just changed towns to follow her fiance. That would be the same fiance who Lucy has recognized in someone else's social media photos. And they don't just look like platonic friends. 

After consulting with her best friend, Lucy decides to take on a job she saw in a pop up ad. She's not exactly sure what a "bearer of bad news" will do but it can't be worse than sitting and contemplating her own life choices. The job will take her straight into danger (including an influencer that seems to have it out for her) but it also shakes the very foundation of Lucy's own personal history.

I liked the character building in this book and the writing overall. I'm not a huge fan of stories where past and present are interwoven and it was especially jarring in this book as there were at least 3 timelines and they didn't always align well. I also wasn't sure about the department of returning lost things and wish it had been explored more. This story wasn't for me but I think I might enjoy others by this author. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out April 29, 2024

ARC kindly provided by Gallery Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Cornish Castle Murder by Fiona Leitch

Josie and Nate are getting married! Though it's not exactly their dream venue, they have put down money on a castle. And, as it's absolutely gorgeous, it will do just fine. The whole scope of the place is amazing. At least until the general manager, knowing that at least one of them is with the police, pulls them into his office. It seems that there have been a series of petty thefts and he's wondering if they can help. As it is their wedding weekend, they decline. And the hoopla starts... but it's off to a shaky start when Nate's childhood friends and his cop friends don't immediately gel. It gets even worse when there's a murder in the castle, one of the topless bartenders that was at Nate's stag do. 

This was a fun romp and in line with the rest of the series. I don't think you have to have read the rest of the series to enjoy the book but it sure does help.

Four stars

This book comes out April 29, 2025

The Nosey Parker Mysteries #8

Follows The Cornish Campsite Murder

Followed by The Cornish Christmas Pantomime Murder

ARC kindly provided by HarperCollins UK and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Spy Master's Scheme Glass and Steele by C.J. Archer

Magic is becoming well known and the attacks surrounding it are ramping up. Everyone wants a little piece of India. Matt's family are using her for prestige. The local magicians want her to use her magic to extend their spells. The government wants her help in quelling the riots. India just wants to live her life peacefully and enjoy married life. But saying no to all of those people is not making them go away. Who does go away? The wool merchant who helped her build her flying carpet. In fact, he disappears and his wife is worried. So is India. Especially when she learns who the government has chosen as the magician's liaison in her place. 

Three stars

This book came out September 7, 2021

Glass and Steele #12

Follows The Toymaker's Curse
Followed by The Goldsmith's Conspiracy

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Seventh Sinner by Elizabeth Peters

The first of the Kirby mysteries. Jacqueline Kirby, librarian extraordinaire, is in Rome. She bumps into a young man and woman and is soon introduced to their circle of friends. Then, one of that circle is killed and Jacqueline is off on her first murder...

Three stars

Jacqueline Kirby #1

This book came out ini 1972
Followed by The Murders of Richard III

Audiobook from Audible Premium Plus
Opinions are my own

Devil's Daughter by Lisa Kleypas

Phoebe, Lady Clare (daughter of Sebastian and Evie from Devil in Winter), married her best friend, even though she knew he was dying. But she had loved Henry from childhood. And, because she loved Henry, she hated the boy who made his life at boarding school hell. Even now, two years after Henry died. And that is especially true now that she's confronted with the boy, er, man himself now that her brother is marrying his cousin. 

West Ravenel sort of remembers his school days. He knew that his parents made him a miserable creature who took out his pain on others. When he grew up, he became an indolent rake. At least, he was until his brother unexpectedly inherits a financially insolvent earldom along with a widow (now his brother's wife) and three female cousins. West, much against all expectations, stepped up and became an exceptional estate manager. 

Just coming out of the haze of grief, Phoebe realizes that what her father and brother have been telling her is true, she needs to start paying attention to estates, especially the one that is going to her son. And, now gathered for her brother's wedding, she has the perfect chance to ask West about the new changes in farming. If only she can get past Henry's past hurt...

An okay book but not as good as some in the Kleypas canon. Especially since I reread Devil in Winter right before this one.

Three stars

The Ravenels #5

This book came out February 19, 2019

Follows Hello Stranger

Followed by Chasing Cassandra

Borrowed as hard copy from the library

Opinions are my own

Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas

Dr. Garrett Gibson has worked very hard to be viewed as capable. And yet, Ethan Ransom still stalks her. Well, he follows her on Tuesdays to help make sure that she stays safe as she helps people in the poorest parts of London. Ethan is part of a super secret branch of the government that is working to make sure that treasonous plots don't come to fruition. So he knows that he can't get involved because anyone that he loves could be used against him later on.
A good story but it took a long while for me to get involved.

Three stars

Ravenels #4

This book came out February 27, 2018

Follows Devil in Spring

Followed by Devil's Daughter

Borrowed as hard copy from the library

Opinions are my own

Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old by Brooke Shields

Shields reads her own book and you get to hear the woman herself talk about aging in Hollywood, especially as someone who was known for her beauty. She discusses a range of topics including learning to stand up for herself (against Tom Cruise, against bad contracts, against the tropes of aging), raising children, and her various roles, including just being herself. 

Four stars

This book came out 

Borrowed as audibook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton

I listened to a podcast and the speakers were enthusiatic about the book. I have enjoyed most of the books recommended by All the Books. 

Emory is one of the generations following a catastrophe that has destroyed the Earth. Well, all but the people living on the island. They are led by three of the elders, the three people who were alive when the fog came tearing out of the earth. The Elders are Niema, her son Hephaestus, and Thea. 

The island holds a village where everyone works to serve each other. It is a balance that is strictly maintained. When one of the villagers broke the balance by attacking Niema, he was sent away. Everyone is generally content although Emory does have a lot of questions. Sometimes, she even questions the Elders which has caused a rift between Emory and her father. Even her grandfather's death hasn't brough them together. 

Then, there's a murder on the island. The unthinkable has happened. And Emory's questioning nature is pushed forward by Abi (a being not seen on page until the end of the story; most like Jiminy Cricket giving helpful advice and pushing the villagers to behave morally.)

Three and a half stars

This book came out March 28, 2024

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

A Proposal to Die For by Molly Harper

Jessamine "Jess" Bricker specializes in personalized proposals. When the book opens, she's orchestrating one involving a shark whale and scuba diving. While that's happening, she gets several phone calls. It seems a girl (now woman) she went to school with was just proposed to. According to Diana, the effort was underwhelming. Now her maybe-to-be fiance is putting out a lot of money to pay for Jess to help with a new proposal. He's also paying for a wedding planner, Aubrey. Right now, the ladies, along with Diana's cousin Kiki are at a week-long resort retreat to start planning for the wdding. But it's not running smoothly. Diana is entitled, Aubrey seems to hate Jess for no reason and Kiki... well, actually Kiki seems like a delight. Plus, there's this man on property that Jess immediately feels drawn towards. But she's not really at that stage in her life. 

That's all bad enough but one of the other resort members dies and Jess stumbles over the body. There are some unexpected visitors but then, there's another body. (Jess stumbles over that one too.)

I really liked the character development in this one A couple of the characters were a little shallow but we mainly follow Jess around and she's got a little bit of depth to her which sometimes surprise some of the other characters. I really didn't like the ending for a couple of spoiler-y reasons but the rest was a good Harper novel and I generally enjoyed the book.

Three and a half stars

This book came out April 8, 2025

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Agnes Sharp and the Trip of a Lifetime by Leonie Swann and translated by Amy Bojang

Bernadette has won a trip. The rest of the house decide they're tired of the cold and the damp and they're going with her. All of them. Agnes isn't sure about it but she decides to go along. 

They end up at a remote health resort. It's... fine. But there are some odd things going on. And not just in Edwina's imagination. There's the young man that stows away in Edwina's clsoet and the boa constrictor that shows up (in Cornwall?). There's also a murder. And the hotel is cut off from civilization. So it's up to Agnes and the crew to figure out what's going on. As long as they're not chose as the most likely suspects first.

Four stars

Miss Sharp Investigates #2

Follows The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp

Followed by Agnes Sharp and the Wedding to Die For

The book came out September 3, 2024

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Folklore of Forever by Sarah Hogle

The book opens with Zelda Tempest looking across the street at her neighbor Morgan and simultaneously noticing how hot he is, being slightly annoyed by his bad violin playing, and also wishing she could get over her writer's block. She wrote a series of fairly successful paranormal books but is having trouble coming up with something new. She's also dealing with the fact that her family all seem to believe that they are witches. She knows better.
Morgan wants to get to know the Tempest women. He knows that their partners can get magic of their own. So he decides to get in touch with Zelda. And that's why I didn't love this book. I made it through to the end but I'm not sure that Morgan and Zelda will have an HFN much less an HEA. The book also rambled all over the place and with a psychedelic break in the middle that came out of nowhere. 

Three stars

This book comes out April 8, 2025

ARC kindly provided by Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

When the Crow's Away by Auralee Wallace

I've been enjoying the fact that this series isn't trying to match up the protagonist. She's still mourning the death of her husband and dealing with the fact that her powers have only recently returned. Brynn, the youngest in a family of witches, speaks to the dead. She's moved back to the family B&B and is currently enjoying the signs of spring. Although, she thinks her aunts may be enjoying it a bit too much as it is usually a time for love and Brynn just isn't ready.

So it's with mixed emotions that she notices a ghost. It's Mortimer Sweete, the co-owner of a local candy store. He's convinced that he's been murdered and he wants Brynn's help.

There's quite a bit going on in this story and the solution is fairly convoluted. The ending sets Brynn up with not only a new mentee but with a possible antagonist.

Three stars

Evenfall Witches B&B #2

This book came out April 5, 2022

Follows In the Company of Witches

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

This Is Not a Game by Kelly Mullen

Rosemary "Mimi" Louise MacLaine knows her place and is assured in it. She's been on the island of Mackinac for a very long time and knows how her life will run. At least until a mysterious invitation appears on her doorstep. It's an invitation... and an order. Unless she comes to the party and bids on (and wins) a specific item, her dirty secrets will be revealed. It is the latter direction that has Mimi reaching out to her granddaughter, Addie for the first time in months.

Addie is fighting her ex-boyfriend for recognition that she deserves on the massively hit video game that she helped him put together. She argues with her grandmother over that same man and now she's been dumped and pushed out of the company. But her normally unemotional grandmother has reached out with an olive branch and Addie is willing to try. 

The two attend the party. It's hosted at the mansion of a woman who is infamous for cavorting with the man her daughter is still married to. And it's an eclecticc group of people who are gathered, including one who Addie is sure she knows under another name. Of course, there is a murder. And a snowstorm. So it's up to Mimi and Addie to figure out what happened.

There was a little too much going on for me, especially at the end, but I generally enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more by the author. 

Three and a half  stars

This book comes out April 8, 2025

ARC kindly provided by PENGUIN GROUP Dutton and NetGalley

Opinons are my own

The Author's Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, Karen White

There has been a murder at the castle.

Three American authors, supposedly "best friends" (it's said A LOT) are visiting for a writing retreat. They have sold the idea of the three of them working on one book. Emma, Cassie, and Kat met at a conference and became friends. But don't seem to know each other very well. It's just too bad that there's been a murder in the castle. 

The chapters go back and forth between police interviews and third person omniscient as they rotate through the characters. There is also a lot of time jumping. It took me a LONG while to get into the book, but then I started enjoying it. However, the ending jumped the shark a little too much for me. 

Three stars

This book came out November 5, 2024

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Canyons of Night Ghost Hunters by Jayne Castle

Best of the recent Jayne Castle books though it may not make as much sense if you haven't read the other two books in the Looking Glass Trilogy.

Charlotte Enright has always been enamored of Slade Attridge, ever since he saved her from some summer boys and then took her into the Preserve (a mysterious and beautiful area on their island) when she was young. She's back on the island, taking over her aunt's business. Her aunt supposedly dealt in rare antiques but ended up being more of a hoarder than anything else. Apparently she was searching for one particular object she could never find.

Slade is back on the island against his will. He thinks he is losing his psychic powers and is only back temporarily to help fill in until they can get a new police chief. 

Someone else is looking for the object that Charlotte's aunt seems to have found. Someone who is willing to kill to get it. 

Sets up the possibility of more books on the island, perhaps involving the shortly mentioned friend of Charlotte, Rachel who also has had a heartbreaking past.

Three and a half stars

This book came out August 30, 2011

Rainshadow #0

Arcane Society #10

Harmony #8

Follows Midnight Crystal

Followed by The Lost Night

Hard copy I own

Opinions are my own

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto

A

After solving her first murder, Vera Wong is riding high. She has her found family and her son is dating a detective. Vera's even calling the detective her daughter-in-law (but she doesn't need to know that.) However, she really could use some more excitement in her life. Falling for a scammer isn't exactly what she had in mind. 

This sets off a chain of events that leads to her befriending a young woman with a mysterious past. One that includes a link to a relatively well-known influencer who recently died. So Vera is determined to not only discover what happened to the influencer but to help the young lady.

This was a fine story but there were a LOT of people since it seemed like everyone in the original came back with a whole slate of new characters as well.

Three and a half stars

This book came out April 1, 2024

Vera Wong #2

Follows Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Gift of Gold by Jayne Ann Krentz

Jonas Quarrel doesn't expect to find the true love of his life in a slightly scary cantina in Mexico but sometimes life is funny. He ends up finding her and becoming the dishwasher at her upscale vegetarian restaurant. He knows they're fated to be and he's going to push and push until he gets his way.

He's also got a talent for touching an object, ones used for violence, and reliving the moment that the item was used.

This book is incredibly a sign of the time in which it was written. It did not age really well. I remember enjoying the book but winced through most of it in re-reads. 

Two and a half stars

This book came out in 1988

Gift #1

Audiobook from Audible

Opinions are  my own