Payback by Elizabeth Rose Quinn

The third person point of view bounces around a bit between many of the main characters so every interactioni is shaded by their own knowledge that they may or may not share with the reader. The view we most often see is that of Cami. She is heading to her weekend jail, called Pay to Stay. Rather than serving a full sentence, wealthy offenders can pay $200/night to do their time on the weekends. We find out that she is taking the fall for her boyfriend and he, in turn, is funding her lifestyle, including her nights at the Pay to Stay. 

We also learn more about a woman who is taking the fall for her father who has dementia, one who is a campaign manager, a doctor's wife, one with an emotional support iguana, and a nun. Also in the jail are the guard whose brain we also see (he's someone who craves power and a prisoner who is being transported. One of them ends up dead and the rest are trying to solve the murder.

I enjoyed most of this story and it really felt like "And Then There Were None," but then it went way off the rails and I wasn't expecting that. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out May 5, 2026

ARC kindly provided by Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Beast of Littleton Woods by T. E. Kinsey

There have been some mysterious sightings in Littleton Cotterell. People are swearing they've seen a giant cat. Something like a tiger or a jaguar. People are skeptical until there's a death. Even then, Lady H and Flo are having trouble believing it to be true. But they are pulled into a murder that occurred right in their own back yard.

If you've read other books on the series, you'll enjoy this one as well.

Three and a half stars

Lady Hardcastle Mysteries #12

This book came out May 6, 2025

Follows An Assassination on the Agenda

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer

Opinions are my own

An Assassination on the Agenda by T. E. Kinsey

Harry Featherstonehaugh has once again pulled his sister, Lady Hardcastle, and her lady's maid, Florence, into the affairs of the British Government. A gentleman has been killed and he needs them to step in and figure out why. But that is just the beginning of a mystery that will have them racing around London, trying to stop an assassination. As they try to prevent this from happening, they will have to deal with bureaucrats as well as men who don't believe they should be doing this job. 

An okay addition to the series but I can't pinpoint why this one didn't flow as well. I think it felt like there were some storylines just talked on to bulk up the book. 

Three and a half stars

Lady Hardcastle Mysteries #11

This book came out May 21, 2024

Follows A Fire at the Exhibition

Followed by The Beast of Littleton Woods 

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer

Opinions are my own