Hickory Dickory Dock by Agatha Christie, narrator: Hugh Fraser

Hercule Poirot has never considered that Miss Lemon might have a life outside of his office. As far as he knew, she was more or less an automaton. But, it turns out that she has a sister. And that sister needs help. She runs a boarding house for students and a number of items have gone missing. The only thing of any worth, a diamond ring, showed up days later in someone's soup but the overall atmosphere is chilling and she would like some help. 

Before the mystery is over, there is death. More than one. Will Hercule be able to solve the mystery? Of course, he is the great detective.

This is definitely a book of its time with some broad stereotypes and sweeping proclamations being tied to psychiatry, but the mystery is interesting and the end has a nice twist (even if it comes out of nowhere.)

Four stars

Hercule Poirot #30

Follows After the Funeral

Followed by Dead Man's Folly

This book came out in 1955

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Sign of The Twisted Candles by Carolyn Keene, narrator: Danica Reese

What a strange story. Bess and George have an extended family member who owns an inn. None of the family have seen him in awhile so they, along with Nancy, stop in to see how he is doing. Ages ago, he invented a twisted candle that, as it burns, the wax melts toward the bottom so it wastes less wax.

It turns out that it is his one hundredth birthday, but he has been relegated to the inn's tower by the people running his inn. Their foster daughter is the only person to visit him. Except that today, Nancy brazens her way in along with some food. Later, the foster daughter is able to call and ask Nancy to return with her father the next day. The old man makes his will, then dies the next day.
While Nancy is trying to solve the mystery of his hidden treasures, she is also trying to understand the fact that, because one of Bess and George's relative's said she was working against them, her best friends are no longer speaking to her.

Three stars
Nancy Drew #9

Follows Nancy's Mysterious Letter

Followed by Pasword to Larkspur Lane

This book came out in 1933

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Nancy's Mysterious Letter by Carolyn Keene, narrator: Jessie Birschbach

Ira Dixon, Nancy's mail carrier, is about to retire. It's his age that has her offering him a ride during a violent storm and then setting him up with a hot beverage. It is her kindness that kicks off the mystery when the last of his mail is stolen from their front porch, including a note for Nancy and a package for her father. This puts his job, and his retirement, at risk.

Ira remembers just enough about the letter that Nancy can back track and find out that it came from a law firm in England. It wasn't actually meant for her. Nancy Drew has inherited a large sum of money and, so far, our Nancy is the only one they've found. But, coincidentally, Nancy Smith Drew is helping with a play at Ned's university. Do the two mysteries link up? Yes, but it's a very thin thread. 

Three stars

Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #8

Follows The Clue in the Diary

Followed by The Sign of the Twisted Candles

This book came out in 1933

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Adversary to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer,narrator: Em Eldridge

I’m not sure why I keep reading this series (actually, in this case, I borrowed the book from a friend about three years ago and felt obligated to read it at this point). At this point it is mostly about Hannah’s love life rather than the mysteries. In this one, she starts by telling her church’s congregaton that she’s not married and the reason why. Everyone rallies behind her, one man threatening to kill her erstwhile husband. But then her husband starts pressing her for the money he gave her as a wedding gift and Hannah is trying to give it back but the bank’s red tape is working against her. Then Nolan turns up dead and the reason for his killing is not really fairly clued.

Four stars

Assistant to the Villain #4

Follows Apprentice to the Villain

Followed by ?????

This book came out August 4, 2026

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Caffeinated Calamity by Amanda M. Lee

Stormy is coming to terms with being a witch. She’s also hoping to get back together with her ex from high school but he literally just broke up with someone and wants to wait a week. They’re not very good at waiting. 

Meanwhile there’s a murder. A woman who played euchre with her gradmother’s senior center. Stormy inserts herself into the investigation again. 

Lando seems to recognize what she is and invites her over to dinner with his fiancee’s family in Hemlock Cove (crossover) 

Fantastic turn of phrase, forgot how much I like this author, made me laugh several times, one of which was euchre-related. 

Four stars

Two Broomsticks Gas & Grill Witch #2

Follows Sinfully Delicious

Followed by A Little Slice of Death

This book came out

Lonelyheart 4122 by Colin Watson

I'm fairly certain I heard about this book on the "Classic Mysteries" podcast, but, alas, the website is no longer available so I can't confirm. It was an interesting book but it took me a LOOOOONG time to finish. There are definitely stereotypes included in this book that would (hopefully) not have been added today. The story is certainly an interesting conceit.  

The book is the fourth in a series starring D. I. Purbright and Sergeant Sid Love. I belive that Miss Teatime is a new character to the series. She seems to be a lonely and vulnerable older woman and that is perfect because that is the victim-type of the crime our Detective Inspector is investigating. 

The mystery kicks off when Arthur Spain realizes he hasn't seen his sister-in-law for awhile. When he goes over to check out what is happening, he discovers her home has been sold. The only clue seems to be that she has been corresponding with a man through a Lonely Hearts club. 

Three and a half stars

Flaxborough #4

Follows Hopjoy Was Here

Followed by Charity Ends at Home

This book came out in 1967

This is a book licensed to me from Kindle

Opinions are my own

Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel by Lucy Foley; Agatha Christie

stars

This book comes out September 22, 2026

(Loosely) Follows Miss Marple's Final Cases

ARC kindly provided by William Morrow and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

A Killer for Christmas by Kim Harrington

stars

This book comes out September 22, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley

Opinions are my own

Mrs. Pollifax Unveiled by Dorothy Gilman

Mrs. Pollifax is itching for a new case. And, luckily, there's one on the books. It includes traveling with her good friend, Farrell to find an American woman who spoiled a hijacking and then was promptly kidnapped. As usual, she'll find herself in situations that are unbelievable and yet fun as she wriggles her way out of them. 

Three and a half stars

Mrs. Pollifax #14

Follows Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist

Last in series

This book came out February 1, 2000

Hard copy I did not keep

Opinions are my own

Helping People Change by Melvin L. Smith, Ellen Van Oosten, Richard Boyatzis

This is an interesting look at how peole can coach others, leading with compassion. They use stories and reading guides to help people become the best coaches that they can be, whether in work or in the rest of their lives. 

There were a LOT of initialisms in this book and quite a few sound very similar if you are listening to the audiobook. Some parts were also repetitive. I couldn't tell if that was to cement learning or whether it was filler to bulk out the book. It was also a little overly optimistic. I don't mind that in a cozy mystery but I refer my nonfiction to be a bit more pragmatic.

Three stars

This book came out August 20, 2019

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Kids, Wait Till You Hear This! Liza Minnelli

I didn't know much about Liza Minelli before this book but found her stories fascinating. Did she talk about many, many, many times about how her family had an illness and it was substance abuse? Yes. But she is raw and honest and reads the book herself which is a delight. I hadn't realized she was a part of the fashion show at Versailles and that moves a book about that evening up on my TBR list. 

Four stars

This book came March 10, 2026

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Stop Letting Everything Affect You by Daniel Chidiac

This was a very short, straightforward book. Because the topics tend to be broad, not everything will apply to everyone, but like most self-help books, you take the bits that can help, and leave the rest behind. Nothing was really new and some parts were weirdly framed as if training people on how to weaponize therapy rather than actually learning from it. 

The religion thrown in without warning was a bit abrupt. I don't mind, just like some context before I'm already into the book.

Two and a half stars

This book came out July 1, 2025

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

We're All Going to Die Tonight! by Veronica Bane

stars

This book comes out September 15, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Random House Children's Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman

stars

We Solve Murders #2

Follows We Solve Murders

This book came out September 15, 2026

ARC kindly provided 

Opinions are my own

The Dark Lord's Guide to Honeymooning (and Other Acts of Tyranny) by Tiffany Hunt

stars

Guides to Villainy and Love #2

Follows The Dark Lord's Guide to Dating (And Other War Crimes)

This book comes out September 8, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Scarlett Press and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Girls Who Beat the Odds by Maj. Gen. Mari K. Eder

stars

This book comes out September 8, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Sourcebooks and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

A Ghost's Guide to Haunting a Witch (And Other Bad Decisions) by Sharon Ibbotson

stars

This book came out September 10, 2026

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Joffe Books

Opinions are my own

The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle

Drew Benson has inheriting her aunt's once thriving metaphysical shop. It started going downhill after her aunt, who was psychic, couldn't help find a missing girl. Her aunt could only come up with three words, none of which narrowed down the searching area. 

Now Drew has been tarred with the same brush. And she has a secret, she is psychic too. Her skill lies more in reading tarot. But she hasn't advertised that since Hannah was so publicly shunned. Now her high school nemesis (and NOT a love interest; refreshing!) is back in town. He's a new reporter researching the disappearance on the twenty year anniversary. So Drew is somewhat helping Nick, while also trying to keep paying her sole employee, and avoiding a love interest she knows is no good for her.

The world building on this one was maybe a bit rough but the characters were well-fleshed out without relying on stereotypes. The mystery was interesting and there were some clues that could help you determine what the outcome was going to be. 

Four stars

This book comes out September 8, 2026

ARC kindly provided by St. Martin's Press and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Secret at Mystic Lake by Carolyn Keene

George got a birthday gift of a bicycle trip. Nancy and (a reluctant) Bess are joining her. As an adult, I had trouble figuring out why someone would take a trip run by teenagers, but as a kid I totally would have bought into this story. While previous stories in this series have made some sense, this one really didn't. There were characters that felt like they were pulled out of a jar (Blade) and dropped into the story.

Two stars

Nancy Drew Diaries #6

Follows Sabotage at Willow Woods

Followed by the Phantom of Nantucket

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Clue in the Diary by Carolyn Keene

The book opens with Nancy, Bess, and George leaving a carnival where they met a young child, Honey, and her mother. The are on their way home when they witness a house bursting into flames. While making sure everyone is out of the house, Nancy meets a young man who is at first suspicious looking, but then she realizes is helping people. He introduced himself as Ned Nickerson. 

But that is all within the first part of the book. There is a missing father (Honey's), a man who has been duping inventors (and the owner of the house that burned), and a number of instances where Nancy is near death. 

I vaguely remember reading this as a child and enjoying it, but it is harder to suspend belief as an adult. 

Three stars

Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #7

Follows The Secret of Red Gate Farm

Followed by Nancy's Mysterious Letter

This book came out in 1932

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Fury in Death by J. D. Robb

Thirteen years ago, Steven Redman's world fell apart. While he was out on a cravings run for his pregnant wife, his entire apartment complex went up in flames taking his wife, unborn child, and toddler. At the time, he was the youngest director ever for Wyst- . Then he went catatonic.

Now, one of his former colleagues is dead, severely beaten. And he's probably not going to be the last. 

There is a lot of focus on relationships outside the crime in this book. I think the mystery could have been better developed and it certainly ends in a different way than many of Robb's previous books in the series.

Three and a half stars

In Death #62

Follows Stolen in Death

Followed by Perfect in Death

This book comes out September 8, 2026

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

Opinions are my own

The Manor of Dreams by Christina Li

After two catastrophic events, Vivian Yin sent her daughters to a boarding school and their family was never the same. Now the first Chinese actor to win an Oscar is dead. Her family is shocked to learn that she changed her will two weeks before she died to benefit someone unexpected. Now, there are five people in a house that has deep secrets, some of which may still be hanging around. 

Four stars

This book came out May 6, 2025

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Sabotage at Willow Woods by Carolyn Keene, narrator: Jorjeana Marie

George's cousin is running for city council based on her promise to build a new sports stadium. As with most towns, Bayview is very proud of its football team. Not just football though because George's cousin was a tennis champion and she is also beloved. But not everyone wants the stadium built since it would take out a wood which has been around for hundreds of years. That is playing out with someone sabotaging the campaign.

This is a fast read with a fun story and a little bit of a moral story. 

Three and a half stars

Nancy Drew Diaries #5

This book came out September 22, 2015

Follows Once Upon a Thriller

Followed by Secret at Mystic Lake

Audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam, narrator: Elizabeth London

As with many of the nonfiction books I read, this doesn't have any especially groundbreaking material. But the hook is interesting, even a decade and a half after the book was written.  One of the things that happens in our lives is that we fritter away time. But if we track our time, pay attention to what we do, we might actually get more done. This is always a good reminder, especially when we have more things than ever to distract us.

There are a surprising number of references to Bel Canto, though it was a hit at the time this book was written.

Four stars

This book came out May 26, 2010

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Mind Magic Audiobook by James R. Doty

I normally love reading books about scientific discoveries, even if I can't always understand all of it. This book, however, reminded me of some of the healing frauds that were so prevalent in the late 80s/early 90s. I also have to say that the "Manifesting" language also reminded me of some really bad churches. So, most of this book I listened to with great skepticism, even knowing that it came from the mind of a neurosurgeon. I did like how he mentioned that it could be the fact that you are concentrating on a goal that leads to to achieving it - not just manifesting it

Three stars

This book came out May 7 2024

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson

Two women are heading out to a former club to attend a speed date. Jamie Prescott and her best friend Laurie are hoping to meet some men. They are not hoping to get murdered. But that, somehow, seems to be an option for the evening as, halfway through the rounds, the bodies start to pile up. Jamie is a big fan of both horror and rom-coms (writing her thesis on them, in fact) and has the list of rules for how to be the Final Girl. But will the rules work in real life? 

Four stars

This book came out February 3, 2026

Followed by While You Were Screaming

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Kiss Slay Replay by Rachel Harrison

Willa is stuck. She's heading to the wedding from a group of friends she met in college, but she's bound to see her ex there. The one she broke up with because they were beginning to want different things in their relationship. She is dreading it with the passions of a hundred fiery suns. And it sucks. It sucks so bad and it's even worse than she thought. Than she could have imagined. But... then she wakes up. And it's the same day. And it's even worse. And it happens again, and again, and again. 
Super gory but I really enjoyed getting to know Willa. We don't get to know the others as well but this really is a book that focuses on her. Is there some hand waving in this book? Yes. Yes there is. But I enjoyed it anyway and Harrison is still an author I will only read during the daylight hours.

Four stars

This book came out September 8, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own