Accidental Magic by Iris Beaglehole, Lorna Bennett (Narrator)

Rosemary hasn't seen her grandmother in a long time. That's what makes it so surprising that she's been left her grandmother's whole estate. She's careful not to get her hopes up though anything will help. Her daughter's father has left them in a mountain of debt and Rosemary is drowning. 

Going to the small town to see what her inheritance is, Rosemary is also trying not to get her hopes up. She hasn't spoken to her grandmother in years and the house probably isn't much anyway. Once she's in town, however, she becomes a suspect in her grandmother's murder and isn't allowed to leave. 

The shocks don't stop coming when Rosemary discovers the other family legacy and has to figure out how to save them all.

Three and a half stars

This book came out July 25, 2023

Myrtlewood Mysteries #1

Followed by Experimental Magic

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

Mistletoe Murders 3 and 4 by Ken Cuperus, Raymond Ablack (Narrator), Ann Carol Ann, Cobie Smulders (Narrator), Anna Cathcart (Narrator)

Mistletoe Murders 3

It's a year later and we're back in Fletcher's Grove. Emily's past has come back to haunt her. Not only is it possible that the group that almost took her out before is trying again, but her old boss and former flame is now in town trying to keep her safe. That is throwing her current relationship a little bit.... off. They're still finding time for themselves but it has to be a little more hidden. Of course, the murders aren't helping...

The first two sets of stories revolve around the wedding of Emily' frenemy. There have been a series of mishaps leading up to the wedding. The wedding day is the lowest, when the husband-to-be is almost killed and his good friend dies in an accident involving an amp. Lots of characters from past stories in this one. 

The last story has Sam's daughter trying to get into a prestigious forensics school. Unforunately, there's a body found on the first day on campus. In this story, Emiliy isn't featured as prominently but she does almost die.

Three and a half stars

Mistletoe Murders #3

This book came out November 7, 2024

Follows Mistletoe Murders #2

Borrowd as audiobook from Audible Plus

Mistletoe Murders 4

These stories are fast, fun, and fluffy. Not a lot of depth but really fun to listen to. 
It's been eleven months since Emily had to leave Fletcher's Grove. We don't know much about what we did while she was gone, but we get the conflicting emotions of her return. While the town doesn't seem to have changed much, it is just enough for Emily to feel off kilter. One of the changes is that Sam seems to have moved on which, fair, Emily had to leave without a word. 
Not everything has changed though, there are still secrets... and murders. So Emily hops right back in with one more person who knows her past and one who seems bent on murdering her. 
The series again ends on a cliffhanger, but this one has more serious implications if it all goes wrong. 

Three and a half stars

Mistletoe Murders #4

This book came out November 6, 2025

Borrowd as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

Middlebridge Mysteries by Ken Cuperus

This was a fast, fun, and fluffy offshoot of the Mistletoe Murders. Violet Winters was introduced as the daughter of a policeman in that series but now she is starting school at the illusterious Middlebridge University. Her mom's alma mater and Violet's dream school. She is working on graduating with a degree in criminology, but she has to make time to study and not be so distracted by mysteries. Mysteries like a missing cadaver, a professor who may or may not have completed his own work, and football players who are popping positive on drug tests yet claiming they are clean.

Violet was a little annoying and made a lot of bad decisions but it didn't seem outside the scope of a teenager who is just figuring out how to make her way in the world. It just made her a little more annoying than I thought she needed to be. 

Three stars

Middlebridge Mysteries #1

This book came out July 24, 2025

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

If the Broom Fits by Sara Bourgeois

Brighton Longfield is not having a great time of it. She is divorced, recently fired, and her car just broke down. Luckily, it fires back up and she's able to make it into Coventry towing her U-Haul behind. Her new home, the one she inherited from her great aunt Maude "Mad" Tuttlesmith, is known as Hangman's House which is spooky enough but it doesn't look like it's even inhabitable so she stays at the local B&B. There, she meets a professor of the paranormal. He's a jerk to her. Later, Brighton learns he's definitely not endearing himself around town either. Too bad she's the one to discover him dead behind the local diner. 

She's not really a murder suspect but she has bigger things to deal with as she discovers that she's a witch and her family was pushed out of Coventry by the Skeenbauers, another local family of witches.

This is a shorter book so there are plot points that are rather abrupt but it was overall a nice read.

Three stars

This book came out March 17, 2019

Wicked Witches of Coventry #1

Followed by Doom and Broom

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Premium Plus

Opinions are my own

Mrs. Pollifax and the Lion Killer by Dorothy Gilman, Barbara Rosenblat (Narrator)

In a first, many characters return from the previous book. These include Kadi Hopkirk who was introduced to us as she hid is Mrs. Pollifax's closet and her friend Sammy who is going to be the next leader of an African country. Kadi has been staying in touch, and is especially bonded with Mrs. Pollifax's husband, Cyrus. But it's Mrs. Pollifax she turns to when Sammy sends her a message saying that he needs her help.

When Kadi and Mrs. Pollifax get to Africa, they will need to keep all of their wits about them as rumors swirl that Sammy is a sorcerer. Seeming to back it up are a number of murders that appear to have been perpetrated by a lion, but Mrs. Pollifax is suspicious. 

Three stars

This book came out in 1995

Mrs. Pollifax #12

Follows Mrs. Pollifax Pursued

Followed by Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Premium Plus

Opinions are my own

Mrs. Pollifax Pursued by Dorothy Gilmanby, Barbara Rosenblat (Narrator)

Cyrus is not at home, and there are strange things happening. Items are moving around, food has gone missing, and there are strange men in the garden. Mrs. Pollifax is not one to overreact, but she really thinks something is going on. When she finds Kadi Hopkirk hiding in her closet, she is almost relieved. At least that explains everything that has been going on. Now the chase is on.
It seems Kady has a friend, Sammy, whose father is president of an African country. When they accidetally met, he passed her important information. Of course, this is right up Mrs. P's alley and she is immediately on the bandwagon to help. That means a car chase, a call to her CIA contact, and being housed in a carnival. 

Three stars

This book came out in 1995

Mrs. Pollifax #11

Follows Mrs. Pollifax and the Second Thief

Followed by Mrs. Pollifax and the Lion Killer

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Premium Plus

Opinions are my own

Dragon Bound Elder by Thea Harrison, Sophie Eastlake (Narrator)

Dragos Cuelebre is bemused. Not only did someone steal from him, a dragon, they had the temerity to leave a note. His displeasure literally shakes the city.

Pia Giovanni knows that what she did was incredibly stupid and life-threatening but her ex-boyfriend is threatening to reveal her secrets to the world if she doesn't do this for him. Apparently, he needs to wipe out some gambling debts. She runs as fast as she can but Dragos finds her quickly. Unexpectedly, he doesn't immediately rend her limb from limb. Instead, over the course of a very fast week, the two fall in love. And deal with the enmity of a fey king, several kidnappings, and opening their hearts to each other.

What a great start to a series. I don't love one of the tropes used but though Harrison did it about as well as it can be done and the romance was a little too whirlwind but I am excited to listen to the next book in the series.

Three and a half stars

This book came out 

Elder Races #1

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Premium Plus

Opinions are my own

Rattle His Bones by Carola Dunn, Lucy Rayner (Narrator )

Daisy is putting together an article about the Kensington’s Natural History Museum. When she goes, she meets an assortment of characters including curators, security, and guests. She comes for a return visit,
joined by her nephew and her fiancé’s daughter. They’re fascinated by the dinosaurs and butterflies. Of course, this would be the visit that a curator is murdered.  Surprising no one (as this is a fiction book), it is Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher who is called in to solve the case. 

Throw in a displaced Royal Duke and some missing jewels, and it’s a romp to the end. 

Three stars

This book came out in 2000

Daisy Dalrymple #8

Follows Styx and Stones

Followed by To Davy Jones Below

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Premium Plus

Opinions are my own

The Dead Sea Cipher by Elizabeth Peters

One of Peters' fiction books. Dinah van der Lyn is on a trip in Jerusalem (on her way to singing in the Opera in German) when she hears an argument in the room next door. This sends her off on an incredible adventures through ruins and deserts. There are spies and treasure and a new set of Dead Sea scrolls. Definitely not my favorite Peters romance but a good story.

Two and a half stars

This book came out in 1970

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Premium Plus

Opinions are my own

Don't Overthink It by Anne Bogel

I enjoy Bogel's podcast and figured I'd listen to her book before it left Audible Plus. Is there brand new research or anything particularly startling? No. But there are many good reminders that are all gathered into one book. None of which I can remember a day later but it was nice to listen to it. The three main sections were How We Spend Our Time, Take Charge, and Let the Sun Shine In. It was a nice companion to listen two right after I finished The 5 Resets. 

Three stars

This book came out March 3, 2020

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

One Poison Pie by Lynn Cahoon with narrator Angie Hickman

Mia Malone is a kitchen witch. Her magic is geared toward healing and world peace, nothing flashy. She recently broke up with the fiancee who was using her but kept his younger sister, Cleo. Mia has bought the old school house in the small town in Idaho where her grandmother lives. The plan is that she will start a catering and food takeaway business. Her first big catering job is for her grandmother's best friend and one of the least-liked women in town. 

SInce this woman is not well liked, it's not a surprise that she ends up dead. It's just too bad that it's before Mia actually gets to cater her birthday and showcase her talents. It's equally bad that Mia seems to be on the suspect list.

There seemed to be some back story that might have been included in the prequel to this series and that threw me off a few times.

Three stars
This book came out June 26, 2021

Kitchen Witch Mysteries #1 

Follows Chili Cauldron Curse

Followed by Murder 101

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

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

Mistress by Amanda Quick

Believing the Earl of Masters to be dead, Iphigina Bright takes on a daring role pretending to be his mistress in order to uncover the identity of the person blackmailing her aunt.

But the Earl is not dead, and he's come to town to claim his mistress.

Four stars
This book came out June 1, 1994

Borrowed audiobook from Audible

Opinions are my own

Mystique by Amanda Quick

One of Amanda Quick's rare foray's into historical fiction not of the Regency genre. Alice is a woman of learning in the 1600's. She's a little bitter because she wasn't able to save her father's estate for her crippled brother. However, she takes solace in her studies. When she buys an unusual green stone, which is subsequently stolen from her, she crosses paths with Hugh, the Relentless, who is also looking for the stone. Hugh decides that, though Alice is a little older and more outspoken than the usual bride, she is his choice. There is some wrangling, Alice is headstrong and doesn't obey orders, she wrecks Hugh's plans for revenge, but in the end, they fall in lurv.

Four stars

This book came out June 1, 1995

Audiobook from Audible

Opinions are my own

Strip Tease by Carl Hiaasen

This book is Hiaasen at his finest. We have the story of a stripper with a heart of gold. She was formerly a secretary for the FBI but her no-good husband is a felon so she got fired. To add insult to injury, he turned state’s witness so his record’s been expunged. The judge in their custody case only sees that Erin has a “bad job” so she is definitely an unfit mother. Meanwhile, her ex is still stealing wheel chairs and now he’s using their kid to do it.
While she’s dancing one night, a bachelor party gets a little rowdy and a stranger attacks the groom with a bottle hard enough to put him in the hospital. This sets off a chain of events that leads to a number of deaths and Erin being put in danger. Also included? A senator, a sugar plantation, and a kinkajou.
We do get to see Al Garcia from the Skink series as well. He’s trying to take some time off with his new wife Donna and her two kids when the son finds one fo the formerly mentioned dead people.
A wild ride this story is told cleanly with a few extra details that really make the story come alive.

Four stars

This book came out September 1, 1993

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

Wicked Widow by Amanda Quick

Madeline Deveridge is known to the ton as the "Wicked Widow." Everyone knows that she killed her husband, even if it was ruled an accident that he died in a house fire. She doesn't go out in Society, generally, but she has come out to force Artemis Hunt to help her find her maid, a girl who was kidnapped from the pleasure gardens that are run by him (of course, a secret from the rest of the world.)
Artemis isn't too happy to be pulled into the caper. He doesn't want anything to ruin his perfectly crafted plans for revenge and Madeline is poised to do just that.

Three stars

This book came out April 4, 2000

Vanza #

Follows I Thee Wed

Followed by Lie By Midnight

Borrowed as audiobook from  Audible

Opinions are my own

Mischief by Amanda Quick

Imogen Waterstone needs help proving that her friend was murdered by her husband. And Imogen a has inherited a favor as part of her uncle's will. So she decides to call in that favor from Matthias Marshall, the Earl of Colchester, known around town as Cold-hearted Colchester. Imogen isn't worried about that sobriquet, she knows Colchester must be an amazing man, after all, he discovered the lost country (city?) of Zamar which has displaced Egypt in terms of its popularity. 

Colchester is bemused by this woman. She is intelligent, energetic, and blithely unconcerned with her reputation. Nothing at all like the other young woman of her age group. In fact, she seems more interested in translating a Zamarian tablet than finding a husband. And she also seems determined to rush into danger. 

Not only having to deal with a possibly murderous husband, the two have to deal with the rumors surrounding each as well as Colchester's half-sister showing up. Oh. And a murderer or two.

I remember this book fondly from my early days of reading romance and it is still a nice book. I think Quick's later books have more relationship development in them which is really nice to see.

Three stars

This book came out June 1, 1996

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my ow

I Thee Wed by Amanda Quick

Emma Greyson is not at a good time in her life. She sold her grandmother's cottage and invested the money in a ship that has not come in. Until it does, she's working as a lady's companion. But at the current house party, she is feeling rather pressured. One of the gentleman is chasing her and now he's ended up dead.

Edison Stokes is at the same house party. He's looking for a book that was stolen from a very powerful dead man. Once he sets eyes on Emma, he knows she can help. So he gives her an alibi for when the man was murdered. The two travel back to London together with Edison hiring Emma to help him m get ahold of the book. As they work together, their attraction grows stronger.

Three stars

This book came out April 6, 1999

Vanza #2

Follows With This Ring

Followed by Wicked Widow

Borrowed as audiobook from  Audible

Opinions are my own

Mrs. Pollifax and the Hong Kong Buddha by Dorothy Gilman

In the last book, Mrs. Pollifax met and helped a young man named Sheng Ti. Now, he holds the answer to why one of the CIA's best operatives seems to be giving them bad information. So she decides to go back to China. On the plane, she meets a psychic, Mr. Hitchens who will play a larger role in this story. When they get to their hotel, she also sees Robin, an agent for Interpol with whom she has worked before. 

The three of them (with some ancillary characters) uncover a plot that is bigger than any of them. And it leads to one of the darkest endings that we've seen in a Mrs. Pollifax book. There is nothing explicit on page but there is a lot alluded to when Mrs. P is captured. 

Gilman definitely leans into the psychic angle in her latest books. This one has it most blatantly with touches in some of her previous books in the series. I wasn't expecting how dark this got as these books are generally a bit of fluff with darker aspects being hinted at or thought of but rarely seen.

Three stars

This book came out in 1985

Mrs. Pollifax #7

Follows Mrs. Pollifax on the China Station

Followed by Mrs. Pollifax and the Golden Triangle

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own''

With This Ring by Amanda Quick

Beatrice Poole's uncle, who was supposed to provide a dowry for her cousin but he died in a brothel right after supposedly purchasing a pair of mythic rings. She appeals for help from Leo Drake, who knows a few things about myths since his family has always been known as the "Mad Earls of Monkton." Together they look through the slums and brothels of London whilst falling in love. Not my favorite Amanda Quick but one of the better ones.

Three stars

This book came out in 1998

Vanza #1

Followed by I Thee Wed

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Premium Plus

Opinions are my own