Charlotte Illes Is Not a Teacher by Katie Siegel

Formerly a child detective, twenty-five year-old Charlotte Illes is now trying to figure out what she wants to do as an adult. In addition to some detective jobs for a local (very attractive, but of course Charlotte doesn't view her that way...), her friend Lucy has gotten her a job as a substitute teacher. But was does Charlotte know about children? Although, we do get to see flashbacks of Charlotte working on cases in middle school.

Surprisingly, there are just as many mysteries in the school as there were when Charlotte was a kid (so it's a good thing at least one of her detective kits is still hidden around the school.) Of course, these mysteries are somewhat updated, involving bobbleheads and social media. And blackmail- at least that one is recognizable. In this case, threatening letters have been sent to one of the teachers as well as her aunt who is the president of the school board.

I did feel like the ending came a little bit out of nowhere but it was still a fun book and the children weren't just plot moppets, they had actual personalities. I hope we get to see some more of Nia (a budding child detective herself), in future books. 

Four stars

This book came out July 23, 2024

Charlotte Illes #2

Follow2 by Charlotte Illes is not a Detective

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Murder at an English Séance by Jessica Ellicott

Big things are happening in this book. Beryl has her plane and is enjoying flying to her heart's content. Edwina has finished her book and is just working up her nerve to get it shipped out. Of course, she'll have to post it where the town's biggest gossip (i.e. the postmistress) will see it. So she reroutes to a tea shop to fortify her nerves.

It is at the tea room that she meets psychic, Maude Dinsdale. Maude has just moved to town but she is about to set Walmsley Parva on its ear. While some people are eager to believe in her talents, others are being torn apart. And one person ends up dead in a mummy's sarcophagus.

There is a lot going on in this book including Charles being given care of his cousin's two-year-old son. The end of the mystery wasn't really fairly clued so that was a bit annoying but this was overall a nice book. 

Beryl and Edwina Mystery #8

Three and a half stars

This book comes out June 25, 2024

Follows Murder at a London Finishing School

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Publishing and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

A Daughter of Fair Verona by Christina Dodd

There seems to be a number of authors who are setting books in Ye Olden Days but adding more modern language and sensibilities. Dodd is better at it than most but it took me awhile to settle in to the story. 

The hook for this one, as most reviews probably point out, is that our first person narrator is the daughter of Romeo and Juliet who, apparently not only didn’t die, but have been extremely prolific. This story is that of their daughter, Rosaline. She’s set to be engaged to the despicable Duke Stephano. She’s aghast as a) she doesn’t want to get married and b) the man has had several wives already, all of whom have died under mysterious circumstances. It’s a puzzle that her father has allowed this to happen as he does truly love her.

At her betrothal ball, Rosaline is struck by Cupid’s arrow, much as it must have happened to her parents. She hides away in a corner with her Lysander where they are discovered… holding hands. A travesty. The Duke is NOT pleased but Prince Escalus smooths over any hurt. At least for the public. Stephano is ready to make Juliet pay. She arms herself with a knife but it isn’t needed since she stumbles over his already dead body in the garden. And his isn’t the last death in this story.

While all of this is going on, Rosaline is determined to find a wife for the prince. But he seems immune to her efforts. This is a romance so it’s not hard for us to figure out why.

So, a little bit Romeo and Juliet, a dash of murder mystery, and a pinch of Emma. I wish there had been more of the romance and the mystery went off the wheels at the end but it was mainly enjoyable. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out June 24, 2024

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and ebook from NetGalley

Opinions are my own

An Art Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder by Dianne Freeman

Frances and George are heading to Paris at the behest of his Aunt Julia. While she originally seems to imply that she wants them to look into the death of artist Paul Ducasse, she isn't so sure once they arrive. There are a number of people introduced including some we have seen in previous books like the woman Frances's husband had an affair with.

While Julia seems hesitant about following up with Frances and George, they are not going to let her go, especially after there's a break in at her lodging. Then, there's a death and they are going to have to search through parts of France to protect not only themselves but a lost family member. 

Four stars

This book comes out June 25, 2024

Countess of Harleigh #7

Follows a Newlywed's Guide to Fortune and Murder

ARC kindly provided by Kensington and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

Peg and Rose Play the Ponies by Laurien Berenson

Peg and Rose are going on a road trip. Why? Dogs and horses. Peg is going to judge two dog shows and then attending a sale of a thoroughbred. Hers, as it turns out. She owns a few horses and the yearling of one is going to be sold. 

Once they get there, they encounter a manager who is just a jerk. Peg is busy judging and Rose is hanging out with Hope (Peg's oldest poodle). They discover that the jerk has been killed. A young woman from the farm asks them to tell the police that the argument she had with him the day before wasn't that serious. Instead, they decide to investigate. 

If you like the Senior Sleuths series, you will enjoy this book. I don't think you have to have read the other books in this series to understand the players in this one.

Three and a half stars

This book comes out June 25, 2024

Senior Sleuths #3

Follows Peg and Rose Stir Up Trouble

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Secrets of a Scottish Isle by Erica Ruth Neubauer

Jane Wunderly has infiltrated a secret cult. She's mainly on her own though her fiance, Redvers, is also on the island. This is the Golden Dawn, based on a cult that actually existed. And involved in that cult? W. B. Yeats who makes an appearance in this book. Not sure if it's actually successful though. 

 The mystery deepens when one of the initiates is killed but nobody's really sure how it was done. Add in a rival cult made up of former members and the suspect pool deepens.  

Three stars

This book comes out March 26, 2023

Follows Intrigue in Istanbul

Followed by Homicide in the Indian Hills

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Accidentally His by Sabrina Jeffries

Lady Verity is the last of the three sisters who run Elegant Occasions to find a long-term partner. She assumes that she would never marry but fate may have other plans even as she is sure it will remain true. 

We've met Rafe Wolfford in previous books as a man who is interested in Verity and her family, but not primarily for reasons of marriage. Instead, he is trying to figure out if someone from her family is feeding information to the enemy (France.) This same someone shot the uncle who raised him. Though the man was strict, Rafe still loves him and would like to find the culprit.
The two are brought together in deceit but the attraction that they have is visible to all and, when the chance is offered, the two may decide to stick it out for the long run. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out January 23, 2024

Follows What Happens in the Ballroom

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Born to Be Badger by Shelly Laurenston

If you are one of the people, like me, who wait with baited breath for anything that Laurenston releases, this book will not disappoint. Full of the same antics, the need to completely turn off your disbelief and just enjoy the ride, and the exclamation points (!), this book pairs up another of Max McKilligan's teammates with one of the Malone brothers. Somewhat rigid Tock (time management is NOT just about being on time) might not initially be thought of with the laid back Shay (he's a tiger shifter who owns dogs) but the two actually work really well together. Tock isn't actually as rigid as she appears, she just prefers to have a schedule. Shay isn't lazy, he just doesn't care about most things. But he appreciates Tock's need to be on time as well as how well her personality meshes with his daughter's. Except for the felonies. But Tock does try really hard to keep that from her. 

There are, of course, also old grudges and new characters that come into this book as well as a lot of killing. A LOT of killing. Especially since Tock's grandmother. But we do finally get to know more about what happened with the Malones' father and you can definitely see the beginning of how Laurenston will be able to wrap up this arc in the last book. 

Honey Badger Chronicles #5

Four and a half stars

This book comes out November 8, 2023

Follows Breaking Badger

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Kensington Books

Opinions are my own

Reread as audiobook from Audible January 2024

Murder on Mistletoe Lane by Clara McKenna

Stella is eager to be Lady Lyndhurst but not everyone is willing to turn over the reins to a brash American. There is some dissension in the ranks and not all of the servants are happy about the changes that Stella is trying to make. Meanwhile, she is just trying to incorporate a bit of her own memories of Christmas. 

The holiday starts off with some food being stolen from the kitchen, escalates to the firing of a maid, and then really goes off the rails when a dead body is discovered. 

This mystery didn't feel as tight as others in this series. It was an okay story but not as well constructed as some of the previous books. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out October 24, 2023

Follows Murder at the Majestic Hotel

Followed by Murder at Glenloch Hill

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Murder at a London Finishing School by Jessica Ellicott

Edwina and Beryl are just getting to settle in and enjoy some down time when a letter comes from their very own finishing school. There have been some mysterious noises and thefts that are causing an already stressed school to lose even more students. Their former headmistress, Miss Dupont, needs help. And they are startled to realize they recognize even more face including a former student who is now a teacher. Also there? The school bully whose younger daughter is about to enter the school. 

Too bad said bully doesn't seem to have improved with age. In fact, she seems to be wielding an even bigger stick. Or at least trying to. So is it any surprise that she's the person who ends up dead? And, of course, leaving behind any number of people who are happy to see her go. 

The ending of this one was rather surprising to me because I remember the other Ellicott books being rather fairly clued but this comes basically out of nowhere. It was fine, just unexpected. 

Beryl and Edwina Mystery #7
Four stars

This book come out July 25, 2023
Follows Murder through the English Post
Followed by 

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Charlotte Illes Is Not a Detective by Katie Siegel

This book is an absolutely amazing read and I am very much looking forward to reading other books in the series.

What happens when a girl detective grows up? Can they ever actually live up to the potential that they showed when they were younger? That is what Charlotte is wrestling with right now. Everyone else who was in her detecting group has grown up and moved on but she is stuck. What is she supposed to do with her life? It's not like there's much call for a has-been child prodigy. 

This story looks at mental illness, it looks at perception, and it deals with a bit of the grittier things in life. Charlotte has been closing in on herself for the past year and it's affecting her family and friends. She's given another case but is she going to be brave enough to move past her own insecurities?

Four and a half stars

This book came out June 27, 2023

Charlotte Illes #1

Followed by Charlotte Illes is not a Teacher

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Murder is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns

April’s not-quite-ex-husband is back in town and she is positively NOT happy to see him. CJ (Clayton Jackson Davenport) immediately provokes Maddy, our narrator, into a bet wherein, if he wins, she’ll shut down her bakery. And she’s not the only one he’s picking fights with having presented Mayor Rivers’ first wife with the news that the two were never divorced meaning Candy doesn’t own her store either. And right after she had told our narrator that there was a tunnel between the two stores. 

Of course, CJ is the one who ends up dead. Maddy is one of the immediate suspects since their arguments were so public. So she's going to investigate and try to clear her own name as well as that of her friends.

I enjoyed getting to know people in this book but didn't feel like there was much character growth and there were some parts of the story that felt like they were wedged in and not developed (the parts with Leroy.) Still a good story but am hoping for more in the next book. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out June 27, 2023

Follows Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder

Followed by A Cup of Flour, A Pinch of Death

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

A Newlywed's Guide to Fortune and Murder by Dianne Freeman

Frances has been asked by the Dowager Viscountess Winstead to introduce the woman's niece, Kate, into society. When she is about go go visit, she is stopped by the dowager's dear friend, Lady Edith, who is worried about her. Being somewhat afraid of the woman, Kate allows her to come along on her visit. Unfortunately, they don't stay long because the Dowager soon faints and she and Frances are whisked out of the.

Simultaneously, George has been asked to look for the late Viscount Winstead's journal which should go along with the collection he donated to a local museum. With Kate already helping the household, she is in a unique position to be able to help him look for it. 

Not only does Kate have two goals, it seems like everyone is either hiding things from her or actively lying to keep their own secrets. This was a fun addition to the series and I enjoyed the story though I wish we had gotten to see more of George. 

Countess of Harleigh #6

Four stars

This book comes out June 27, 2023

Follows A Bride's Guide to Marriage and Murder 

Followed by An Art Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Rehearsed to Death by Frank Anthony Polito

I hadn't read the first book in this series but didn't think I needed to. Overall, a fun story although there was a little too bit much at the end and sometimes the language was a bit stilted. I did enjoy PJ as the narrator and really thought he seemed like a nice guy (and a real person) -- except that he was a little TSTL (the S in this case being stupid.) I get fairly annoyed when amateur detectives not only don't call the police, they actively hide evidence.
I wish we had gotten to know some of the suspects a bit more but, while we really got to know some of them, others were just sketches. It made it hard to be invested in finding the murderer.

PJ's play is going to be performed at the local theater but, rather than having the usual director, Violet the mayor's wife, there is a Big Name, Xander Sherwood Deva who comes in. And, for being in town such a short time, he manages to piss off a large number of people. So it's not a big surprise that he ends up dead, strangled with the fancy scarf he was so proud of throwing around. 

JP and PJ aren't just a playwright and actor, they also star on a home renovation show. Oh, and they're going to tackle this murder. 

Three stars

This book comes out May 23, 2023

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Witch Way Out by Cate Conte

At the end of the last book, Violet Mooney was whisked away by Blake along with the man she's been dating, Todd. They end up in the office of Mac, a private investigator and leprechaun, but Mac is not there. Instead, there is a pile of goo, evidence that Mac has been genied. Todd immediately disappears. Violet is shocked but she tries to keep her involvement quiet since she also discovered the last genie victim and her mother and Blake are worried that she might actually be the one targeted.

That's fine with Fiona, she doesn't want to rush into danger and she's still trying to get a handle on being a witch. Plus, she's gotten an unexpected call to join the local (and very popular) craft fair. This is a fabulous opportunity to highlight her shop and it's a chance to meet one of her heroes, a proponent of ethical crystal mining, Horatio Hale. But there's a saying that you should never meet your idols and that seems to be true for Violet and Horatio. Not only does he seem to be sneaking around on his ex-wife with another vendor (why keep the relationship a secret?), Violet overhears a conversation that makes it seem Horatio might not be as upstanding as he seems. Plus, there's the gentleman hanging around saying that Horatio kicked him out of the fair. 

If you've read a cozy before, you'll probably realize who is going to end up dead. It's up to Violet to finally step into her power and take control of the whole situation.

Three and a half stars

This book comes out March 28, 2023

Follows Witch Trial

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Heretic Royal by G.A. Aiken

We are on the fourth of the three Smythe-Ferguson sisters (the third being a scheming bitch who is trying to build an empire), Ainsley, in this book. She feels like a forgotten sister. Keeley, the oldest, loved her brothers and sisters and the forge. Gemma was a fighter and then a war monk. And she was always Ainsley's main sparring partner and now the first to dismiss any of the contributions Ainsley is trying to make. But, now that the dragons have arrived (a crossover from Aiken's Dragon Kin series) and that might change the odds. 

There are SO MANY characters in this book. You will have a little bit of a chance if you've read either the Dragon Kin books or the Scarred Earth books so far but there are still a LOT of people to keep track of. Aiken is great at spinning off side characters and that happens again in this book but we also get a return of the rather large group of characters from the previous book in the series. So, a lot of page space is taken up with these characters. did I still enjoy this book? Mostly, yes. I really wish we had gotten to see more of Gruff, the centaur who doesn't usually talk, especially in the building of his relationship with Keeley. As it's own book, this is about three stars but as an addition to the overall series, four stars.

Scarred Earth Saga #3

Three and a half stars

Follows The Princess Knight

This book comes out November 24, 2022

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Reread as ebook from Libby February 2024

Murder at the Majestic Hotel by Clara McKenna

It's Stella and Lyndy's honeymoon and they've just arrived at the Majestic to discover that the honeymoon suite has been stolen by Horace Wingrove, the eccentric owner of a well-known confectionery and he's handing out chocolate boxes right and left. The happy couple are disappointed but are distracted by... well, the honeymoon. 

Unfortunately, when they wake up, they discover that Mr. Wingrove has suffocated in his room overnight. The room in which they were supposed to have stayed. And his nephew and secretary are both in the hotel and acting strangely. 

The policeman on the case is not very impressed by Stella and Lyndy trying to help. In fact, he doesn't understand why this American woman cares at all. But Stella has connections that the inspector doesn't and she will be the one to ultimately figure out what exactly happened at the Majestic. Oh, and thwart a plot to kill the queen.

There was a lot going on in this book again but it was a fun read nonetheless. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out October 25, 2022

Follows Murder at Keyhaven Castle

Followed by Murder on Mistletoe Lane

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

A Colorful Scheme by Krista Davis

We saw Professor Maxwell and his author and second wife Jacquie fall back in love with each other in the first few books of the series. Now, they are finally going to be married again. And Florrie's sister is planning the wedding and Florrie is helping. When the book opens, she is helping find Jacquie who has suddenly disappeared. Luckily, she does turn up in time for the wedding; the wedding that has any number of odd characters popping up.

Some of the guests include other authors. One in particular stands out, Arthur Bedlingham, as he is a former flame of Jacquie's. He wasn't actually invited but somehow managed to show up anyway. Also in attendance is a critic who has had harsh words for almost every author there. 

The characters are lively and interesting. The mystery is really loosely put together and there is a lot in this story that relies on coincidence but I think regular readers will enjoy this story and new-to-the-series readers will be able to follow along. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out August 30, 2022

Follows Murder Outside the Lines

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

A Bride's Guide to Marriage and Murder by Dianne Freeman

Frances and George have finally reached their wedding date. Which is grand because Frances is beyond ready to not have her mother underfoot. Sure, two families that are invited the wedding are close to mortal enemies but one of the gentleman can't come anyway. And Frances wants her brother Alonzo ("Lon") to have the chance to court Madeline Connor, the daughter of one of the men and the stepdaughter of Frances's good friend Willa. 

During the reception, Frances and George have photographs taken and, while posing by a window, see many people cross from their house to Mr. Connor's. It's just bad luck that Lon is the one founds standing over Mr. Connor's dead body. And, oops, he's holding the murder weapon

Putting off their wedding trip, Frances and George work swiftly to see if they can uncover the real killer before Lon is put away for murder. Complicating matters is Frances's mother who seems to have some secrets of her own.

A good addition to the series. You can jump in here but I do recommend going back to the beginning and getting to know the characters.

Four stars

This book comes out June 28, 2022

Follows A Fiancée's Guide to First Wives and Murder

Followed by A Newlywed's Guide to Fortune and Murder 

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

A Letter to Three Witches by Elizabeth Bass

I do love reading a book about a close-knit family and Gwen Engle and her two cousins, Trudy and Milo, would certainly qualify. Their family is well-known in the witching community because of a great-great-grandfather who created a magical catastrophe that affected most of the United States. Because of his work, the whole family is forbidden from practicing magic for 150 years. Gwen's parents have always warned her and her cousin Tannith about the Watchers who might be keeping an eye on their family. Tannith was a distant cousin who was housed with Gwen's family since they were both young but she was never actually adopted. And my least favorite part of this book is the way that Gwen feels about Tannith, seemingly rejecting her for no reason. And that feeling was never really resolved for me. Other than that, I really enjoyed seeing Gwen and her family trying to NOT do magic but it keeps slipping out anyway. I have a feeling that, given another book in the series, the world-building will even out a bit as some things felt left undone but those were fairly minor but having some of the chapters being from the point of view of Tannith's familiar was really fun.

Three and a half stars

This book comes out January 25th, 2022

Cupcake Coven Romance #1

Followed by The Witch Hitch

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own