The Phantom of Nantucket Carolyn Keene, narrator: Jorjeana Marie

Nancy, Bess, and George are off on another adventure. Bess has a friend, Jenna, on Nantucket who is about to unveil a new museum exhibit that is going to solve the mystery of a ship that sank over a hundred years ago. But someone seems determined to sink the exhibit before it is opened. First, a banner for the exhibit is painted with the word "Liar" in red. Then, a key piece of the exhibit disappears from the museum. The curator is reluctant to call the police but, upon hearing that Nancy is an amateur detective, agrees to let her work on the case. 

This is somewhat interesting that, in the original series, Nancy had quite a few head injuries. This time it's George who gets bonked. 

Three
stars

Nancy Drew Diaries #7

Follows Secret at Mystic Lake

Followed by The Magician's Secret

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant

Decades ago, Hortense and eleven other people were part of a Pardner. Sometimes called a lottery, it is people putting money in together and each person benefitting at some point. This particular Pardner grew even larger and they started using money to benefit their community at well. Then they started dipping into protecting their community and investigating crimes. At some point, Miss Hortense was thrown out of the Pardner. 

Now, there are few people remaining who were part of that original group. And quite a few of the remaining members are dropping dead. But why? 

This was an interesting story, but it took me some time to get into the cadence and then I lost track of some of the characters. 

Three and a half stars

Miss Hortense #1

Followed by Miss Hortense and the Last Rites

This book came out June 10, 2025

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Body on the Beach by Simon Brett

Carole Seddon likes her life. More or less. Her little house in Fethering is perfect for this widow and her dog. She gets to walk him on the beach every day and usually sees the same people every day as well. Not much changes. Well, until the day there's a hooded figure on the beach. Then she finds a body. Do the local police believe her? No. They treat her as a doddering old fool, especially once they go back and the body isn't there. 

There is another annoyance in Carole's life, her new neighbor Jude. Who exactly is this woman? She seems far too bohemian to enjoy being in Fethering. But she believes Carole and the two start to investigate what is going on. And they uncover a lot. 

This book is very much of the time it was written in. The series is still going (when I'm writing this in 2026) and I'm interested to read the books in between to see how these two characters evolve.  

Three and a half stars

Fethering #1

Followed by Death on the Downs

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

Pixie Me Up by Willow Mason, narrator: Gabrielle Baker

Elisa has come into an inheritance from her great aunt. But she's not even sure she remembers this particular great aunt. And the people she is meeting in this town are certainly odd. At least she's making a few friends. They are the ones who help her understand what is happening when her hair turns pink and starts standing on end. And her cat seems to be talking to her. What the heck is happening?
This was a fast listen and the narrator certainly helped make the story fun. Was it layered or deep? Not really. Was it fun and did it turn some cozy tropes on their heads? Yes it did.

Three and a half stars

Newborn Pixie Cozy Mystery #1

Followed by A Bone to Pixie

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

Peg and Rose Deck the Halls by Laurien Berenson

Peg wasn't paying attention and now it's almost Christmas. That means it's time to put together the Christmas Bazaar and children's dog show. Except, while she was distracted, the kennel club gave the job to Jonabell. Even though Peg created the show and has been spearheading it for years. Years. Now, she's in charge of decorations. So what does that mean? She's going to drag Rose into it. 

But, almost before they start planning, Jonabell drops dead. At Peg's open house. And it's not natural causes. 

Because it was at Peg's house and Jonabell had taken Peg's place, rumors are floating that she is under suspicion for the death. But we don't actually hear that from the police. We don't see much of the police in this book but one of the reasons I like this series is that Peg and Rose let the police know when they find clues. Peg even directs someone straight to the police station when they have information she thinks the police may not know. 

I didn't really understand why everyone was so suspicious of Peg, especially since Jonabell wasn't well liked to begin with. I had a hard time reconciling the sudden turn against Peg just because something happened at her house. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out September 29, 2026

Senior Sleuths #4

Follows Peg and Rose Play the Ponies

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Password to Larkspur Lane by Carolyn Keene, narrator: Danica Reese

An injured carrier pigeon lands in Nancy's yard. Inside the capsule is a mysterious message. She is determined to figure out what the message means. It will lead her to a mysterious manor where a doctor seems to be taking advantage of elderly women, including one who risks quite a bit to get a bracelet smuggled out with Nancy's family doctor.

A lot of coincidences and a fairly improbable escape when Nancy is thrown in a pit at the end of the book but worth re-reading when I'm doing the whole series. 

Three stars

Nancy Drew #10

Follows The Sign of the Twisted Candles

Followed by The Clue of the Broken Locket

This book came out in 1933

The Cornish Halloween Murder by Fiona Leitch

stars

The Nosey Parker Mysteries #10

Follows The Cornish Honeymoon Murder

This book comes out September 24, 2026

ARC kindly provided by HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

Izzy and her wacky family are back. She’s been arrested 4 times in the last three months because of her next-door neighbor, a man she refers to as, “The Subject”. He is suspicious because of his name, the locked door in his house, and, of course, his interest in her. Izzy is also busy because her whole family is acting suspiciously. Her mother keeps sneaking out, her dad is coming home having been to yoga, her brother isn’t going into work and instead staying at home all day, and her sister Rae, well, she’s always suspicious. 

Most of the characters from the first book make a reappearance, including two of Izzy’s ex-boyfriends. It is a zany book and very much of its time which may make it seem dated to some readers. I did have to plow through some of the zaniness at points but it was overall a good read and is not discouraging me from completing the series. 

Three and a half stars

Spellman Series #2

Follows The Spellman Files

Followed by Revenge of the Spellmans

This book came out March 11, 2008

Hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Well Versed by Jen DeLuca

Six years ago Nina's heart was broken. That tainted her love of the Ren Faire and even made her change her major. Now, she's jobless and had to move back home where they desperately need ladies in waiting. Too bad the man who broke her heart is still there. And, through a series of unfortunate events, he is now spending more and more time with her family. By extension then, her. And she may not be as upset as she originally thought about that.
I didn't enjoy this book as well as the first one. I'm not sure if I'm just in a different place but the heroine seemed more caught up in her own issues that circled and  

Three stars

Well Met #5

This book came out September 22, 2026

Follows Well Traveled

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group

Opinions are my own

Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots

There seems to be a trend of flipping heroes and villains. This book follows that as Anna describes her job. She's just a data analyst. That's it. On a job-for-hire no less. Not even a full-time position. So why is she suddenly on TV standing behind a villain? And why is she feeling like she's been hit by a ton of bricks?
She's just another bystander, hurt in the crossfire of a hero/villain feud. Now she's got no friends, no insurance, and no job. And the hero who hurt her certainly isn't stepping up to help. Her one friend does eventually come back but Anna is fundamentally changed. She's ready to step up and see what she can do. Because in today's world? Data rules all.

Four stars

Hench #1

Followed by Villain

This book came out September 22, 2020

Hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

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

Chocolate Cream Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke

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. 

Two and a half stars

Hannah Swensen #24

Follows Christmas Cake Murder

Followed by Coconut Layer Cake Murder

This book came out February 26, 2019

Hard copy I didn't keep

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

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

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

We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman

A dead bodyguard? What is a person to do? Especially someone who isn't... exactly... on the right side of the law. Well, you might call We Solve Murders. Which works out well because it's been a long time and they haven't had a client. So Vern is a godsend. Maybe. He's also got an enemy named Jakob Eriksson. Vern says it's definitely not him, but someone sure is trying to make it seem like Eriksson is the Big Bad. 

It turns out that Esteban, the dead guard, won't be the only pereosn to die in this book. He's not even the only person to get shot. What does that mean for Amy, Steven, and Rosie? Well, in addition to some characters from the last book, Adam (Amy's husband/Steve's son), Felicity (the office admin/former talent agent), Tony (Steve's best friend/Felicity's beau), Marco (security at a Florida airport), Ernesto (Interpol/former lover of Rosie), and Trouble, Steve's cat who helps solve the mystery. 

Action-packed and including world travel, this book takes a little bit of time to get into. It ended up being very good but, even with starting off with a murder, takes some time to get to the story. 

Four stars

We Solve Murders #2

Follows We Solve Murders

This book came out September 15, 2026

ARC kindly provided 

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