Spy x Family, Vol. 1 by Tatsuya Endo, Casey Loe

I had heard about this book on a number of podcasts and though it might be interesting. I think it is probably a very good book but I might not be the exact demographic for it. 

Three people have been put together to form a family of spies. Well, I don't think they know each other are spies. Even the daughter who is psychic. There is also a dad who frets and a mom who is the muscle. Oh, and a new dog who is also sort of psychic. But precognition rather than reading thoughts.

Three stars

This book came out July 4th, 2019

Followed by Spy x Family, Vol. 2

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Murder in an English Glade by Jessica Ellicott

This is the first book I read instead of listening to it and I miss listening to Barbara Rosenblat. Otherwise, it is a fine story wherein Beryl and Edwina actually leave Beeches and stay at a nearby manor which is not only hosting the Girl Guides but also an artists gallery. It is an interesting "case" with the lady of the house asking them to pretend to "investigate" her sister-in-law. Constance knows her sister-in-law, Ursula, is of good virtue but they have a cousin who is determined to make up stories. Especially since Ursula is so mucjyounger than Hubert, Constance's brother, she is afraid that the rumors will be believed.

However, their time at the manor quickly changes when one of the artists, Louis Langdon Beck, is murdered. He was apparently not a nice man but just how not nice is going to be uncovered.

I liked the character building for both Edwina and Beryl in this book. The solution of the mystery felt a little unfinished, like we could have seen more about the killer's motive but it was an overall good story.

Four stars

This book came out October 26, 2021

Follows Murder Comes to Call

Followed by Murder through the English Post

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake

After her father died, Delilah Green was left with her stepmother and step-sister. The latter, Astrid, is getting married and has insisted that Delilah come back to Bright Falls to photograph the wedding. Yes, Delilah is a photographer and, yes, she does weddings but the history with all three women is... fraught to say the least. 

Delilah is a love 'em and leave 'em type (the book literally opens in the aftermath of one of her one-night stands). But she sees one of Astrid's best friends in the local bar and is immediately intrigued. She had dreams of Claire in high school but it seemed like a far reach.

Claire is bisexual and hasn't had sex in awhile because she is also a mother. Her daughter is twelve (teen pregnancy) and is just starting to hit the age when hormones go crazy. Claire is struggling with it but, now that her ex is in town, she has a little more time. Or would if the man could figure out how to care for their pre-teen. At least he's physically there (he wasn't for awhile).

This book has a large number of characters but a surprising amount of depth is given to many of them, not just the two falling in love. There is also a nice setup for some series books and the relationship between Delilah and her sister isn't magically solved after decades but they are left in a better place.

Four stars

This book came out February 2, 2022

Followed by Astrid Parker Doesn't Fall

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Abandoned in Death by J.D. Robb

Flipping between past and present, the latest of the "In Death" series starts with a young mother at the end of her tether and then her now-grown-up-son who just wants to replace her. And he's doing so by kidnapping women who look similar to her. When these women fail to live up to his expectations though, he kills the "bad mommy."

Eve is brought into the story when the first body is found at a playground not far from Mavis and Leonardo (and Peabody and MacNab's) new house. They are still going full bore on renovations and the proximity shakes Dallas. There seems to be no sign that any of her friends will be affected but she doesn't want to take that chance. 

I don't remember another book in this series doing a similar thing with the past and the present overlapping in the same book (especially while rotating through third person narration with both Eve and one of the victims) but, then again, after fifty-three books, I definitely don't remember them all. It's not a favorite plot device of mine but I appreciated Robb trying something new and it worked for this particular book, especially give who the killer ended up being. 

Four stars
Follows Forgotten in Death

Followed by Desperation in Death
This book comes out February 8, 2022
ARC kindly provided by Macmillan and Edelweiss
Opinions are my own

Reread as hard copy from the library August 2023

Five Minutes: (That's a Lot of Time) (No, It's Not) (Yes, It Is) by Liz Garton Scanlon, Audrey Vernick, Olivier Tallec

Is five minutes a long time? Well, I guess it depends on what you are doing at the time. 

A cute book that is carried by the illustrations. I think the NPR Best Books description was maybe a little tempered by the author's love of the first book from this duo.

Three and a half stars

This book came out September 17, 2019

Borrowed as a hard copy from the library

Opinions are my own

Passing Strange by Catherine Aird

It's a flower show that gets Inspector Sloan pulled down to Almstone. It seems that someone has been strangled. It is, in fact, the local and much beloved nurse, Joyce Cooper. She was running the fortune teller's tent but was discovered behind it.

This year has been very unusual for the show anyway because the tomato plants weren't judged at all correctly. And it is that point that, while Sloan does end up solving the murders, brings home the proof.

A nice addition to the series. I don't think you have to have read any of the books before it to really appreciate the story. Short and readable.

Three and a half stars

This book came November 1, 1980

Follows Some Die Eloquent

Followed by Last Respects

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells

Murderbot is going to find out about its own past. It wants to return to the site of a massacre that he had a part in to find out what actually happened. Is it repeating its own mistakes? 

In order to get to the place in question, it hops aboard a ship that is doing a run without humans. While on board, Murderbot discovers that the ship is sentient and decides to trust it to help make him look less like a SecUnit and more like an augmented human. The ship, ART, also helps him find a job that will get him on planet so it won't be as suspicious for him to show up.

The job is security for a group that wants their data back from a big corp. But said big corp is being shady (as per usual) and it turns out the job may not be routine after all.

This is an interesting series and the worldbuilding is pretty amazing. Some parts dragged just a bit and I'm not sure about the fact that a robot seems to be feeling emotions at various points but still a good series. 

Four stars

This book came out May 8, 2018

Follows All Systems Red

Followed by Rogue Protocol

Borrowed as hard copy from the library

Opinions are my own

The Big Four by Agatha Christie

Hastings finally manages to surprise Poirot by showing up on his doorstep. Also there? A mysterious stranger who collapses more or less in the doorway while holding a slip of paper covered in the number four. From there, Poirot (and Hastings) are plunged into a mysterious world where four people are known to be running a large criminal organization. A series of small mysteries add up to one big showdown with the introduction of Poirot's twin brother, Aristotle.

Poor Hastings isn't treated very well in this book. He keeps thinking he is being so intelligent but he is just a pawn, not only of the Big 4 but of Poirot as well. 

Three stars

This book came out January 27, 1927

Follows The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Followed by The Mystery of the Blue Train

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie

Jerry Burton has come to the supposedly quiet village of Lymstock to recover from a plane crash. Also with him is is sister Joanna. But it seems that this formerly sleepy village has been shaken up by a number of anonymous letters. And then one of the recipients commits suicide. She is the mother of one twenty-year old woman, Megan, who doesn't seem to have any goals in life and then two young sons with her current husband. 

All of the characters in this book are painted so vividly including the Burtons' landlady, Miss Emily Barton who is short on funds and the last of five sisters who grew up under their mother's thumb. Also pictured is Mrs. Caleb Dane Calthorp, the reverend's wife who is odd but wise. And then Owen and Aimee Griffith, the shy local doctor and his gossipy wife. 

The series Marple put Jane in more of the mystery than she was in the book but it captured the spirit of this book quite well.

Four stars

This book came out in July 1942

Follows The Body in the Library

Followed by A Murder is Announced

Hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

The Christmas Wedding Guest by Susan Mallery

This is a two-for-one romance which means that both relationships are a bit short-changed. In this book are two sister. Reggie Somerville got engaged last year on Friday, party on Saturday, dumped on Sunday. We read about it a lot. But she's back in Wishing Tree to help her parents plan their vow renewal (not enough time spent on this either.) Also back in town? Her high school boyfriend, Toby, who is now the father of an eight-year old. 

Said son is in Reggie's sister's class. Dena, at the ripe old age of 32 has given up on love and has gotten impregnated. She is also the owner of a B&B where Micah Ruiz, a famous musician is staying. He is in town to visit an old bandmate who now owns a Christmas tree farm. Micah is healing from the loss of his wife and unborn child just over a year ago. 

There is so much going on with everyone and their stories that, while this is a fine story, it's not one of Mallery's best since all of the story lines are crammed into one book.

Three stars

This book came out September 28th, 2021

Follows novella Say You'll Stay

Followed by Home Sweet Christmas

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal

Jane Ellsworth knows that she's plain, with an overlong nose and a gorgeous sister, and she is, indeed, a spinster but she still has quiet hopes about their neighbor who seems to be impressed by her talents with glamour, the magic that Kowal has introduced into this Austen-era England parallel universe. Unfortunately, it seems like the neighbor might be more interested in her sister. And, being a good Austen-era heroine, Jane is ready to step aside if she needs to, for the sake of her sister. 

But the big news in the neighborhood is that the glamural artist, David Vincent is in town. And Jane is delighted to have the chance to learn more about his craft, but manages to offend him almost immediately. 

I wish we had seen a little bit more of the love story but this book was a fantastic look about how world-building can be done right.

Four stars

This book came out August 3rd, 2010

Followed by Glamour in Glass

Borrowed as hard copy from the library

Opinions are my own

Reread September 2022 as audiobook from Libby

Murder List by Julie Garwood

Regan Madison is a part of the Hamilton family, as in Hamilton hotels. She has a soft heart and a drop-dead-gorgeous exterior. She also has a stalker. While she doesn't recognize it at first, when the realization hits (via a rather graphic photograph of a murdered man that is emailed to her,) she lets the Chicago police know immediately.

Assigned to Regan's case as a punishment for leaving the squad, Alec Buchanan figures at least it's better than answering phones for his last three weeks. What he doesn't expect is to fall in love with this woman. Or that he may have to put his life on the line to protect her. 

I remember liking this book more when it first came out. It is getting pretty dated (one character asks if everyone has started carrying cell phones), and Regan is a little TSTL but still a readable book.

Three stars

This book came out August, 2004

Follows Killjoy

Followed by Slow Burn

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Fast Track by Julie Garwood

Cordie and Aidan got their HEA!

I have really been looking forward to this book and can say that if you have been enjoying Garwood lately, you'll like this book.

Cordie has been in love with Aidan since she was five years old. But he's always looked at her as a sister. When her father dies, Cordie decides it's time for her to get over Aidan, move away, and get on with her life.

Her friends are conspiring not to let her leave and, while helping her to search for the mother that she never even knew was alive, Aidan starts to realize that Cordie might just be the woman he's been looking for....

I recently read "Change of Heart" by Jude Deveraux and have been struggling to figure out why that alpha male annoyed me so much more than Aidan. Both were supremely confident and autocratic, but I think that Aidan was more receptive to Cordie and her demands. Also, I think their shared history helped to create more of a bond than what I saw in the other story. Where Eli really did seem to be just a jerk, Aidan actually cared and had a (current) connection to Cordie. 

While this book shows a slightly softer Cordie than I had gotten from previous books in the series, I still enjoyed the ride. And hearing my friend laugh out loud as she read it also opened me up I some of the more hilarious parts of the story.

Four stars

This book came out July 29th, 2014

Follows Hotshot

Followed by Wired

Borrowed as hard copy from the library

Opinions are my own

Sizzle by Julie Garwood

Never really connected with Lyra. She's not so different from many other Garwood heroines, plucky, rich-but-lives-simply, career-driven until she meets her man. But she was just a little shallow.

Lyra is a graduate student (graduate? never really stated) who gets mixed up in something that has at least three different men trying to hunt her down and kill her. When the men break into her apartment and tie up her roommate Sidney, the Buchanan element is involved. Alec, one of Sidney's brothers, immediately sends in the man who saved his life, another FBI agent Sam, who we later learn is in line to be the Earl of Kincaid, a reference to one of Garwood's other series.

The relationship is... Garwood-esque--  young girl, older male in somewhat of a teacher/protector role.  I liked the new-age-Alpha-male Sam though not as much when I read it ten years ago. Subplot with Lyra's grandmother stealing holy water was also pretty fun. Not my favorite in this series.

Two and a half stars

Follows Fire and Ice

Followed by The Ideal Man

This book came out December 15th, 2009

Opinions are my own

The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood

As good as the rest of the Buchanan,etc. books. Not sure how the main characters fit in except that Max is FBI. My biggest beef with this book was the two sets of people trying to kill Ellie. Neither story got developed as well as it could have been done. I know Garwood needed a reason for Max to follow Ellie home (to her sister's wedding, the one that's marrying Ellie's ex-fiancee, the fiancee who cheated with said sister one night after meeting her, which Ellie is having trouble forgiving), but it seems like a little bit of a rehash of Theo's story with protecting the super-smart prodigy doctor. I really enjoyed the book and skimmed through it a lot faster than a lot of the other books I've been reading lately.

Three stars

This book came out January 1st, 2011

Follows Sizzle

Followed by Sweet Talk

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

That Perfect Someone by Johanna Lindsey

Part of the Malory series, this book tucks in nicely with the rest of the books. It is... dare I say it... much more like the first books in this series (which I adored) than some of the later ones (which were "meh").  Most of the story is fabulous! But not the use of exclamation points! There are a lot of them! It reads more like teen fan-fic sometimes than a Johanna Lindsey, well-respected, seasoned author! Especially the end!

Julia Miller's family is not haute ton. They're not even ton, just fabulously wealthy. However, Julia has been accepted by the ton because she has been engaged since she was a child to the son of an earl. She is therefore not only going to be ton one day, she is no threat to any of their eligible daughters. One teeny problem though, she hates her fiancé. Plus, he took off nine years ago and she is ready to get out of her contract. Unfortunately, the reason he took off is his thoroughly despicable father who has steadily refused to break the betrothal. Julia has also had family problems since her father and mother were in a horrible carriage accident which killed her mother and left her father mentally incapacitated, though with moments of clarity. Julia is starting to put together a case to declare Richard (her intended) dead... when the infuriating man shows up in England. It seems he's been hanging out in the Caribbean, working as a pirate or a "treasure hunter." Unfortunately, their childhood animosity hasn't faded though their attraction has definitely grown. There are a LOT of incredible situations (Richard's father has him sent to a penal colony when he still refuses to marry Julia) but, if you've read Lindsey, this is not out of the ordinary.

Four stars

This book came out June 15th, 2010

Follows No Choice but Seduction

Followed by Stormy Persuasion

Hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

No Choice But Seduction by Johanna Lindsey

Katey Tyler has lived in a small town filled with older people her whole life. Both of her parents have passed away and, having some money, she has taken a maid and decided to travel the world. On her voyage to England, she catches the notice of Boyd Anderson but tells him that she is married. She certainly doesn't want to tie herself down at the beginning of her adventure! So, they get to England and she doesn't expect to see him again. However, she hears an odd noise one night and discovers a girl, Judith Malory, tied up. Katey releases her and is on her way to London to return Judith to the Malory family when Boyd bursts in (being the girl's uncle) and immediately decides that Katey must be the kidnapper.

It goes on from there but most of the story is Judith begin kidnapped and then Katey discovering a surprising connection to the Malorys. I wish there had been more of a relationship built between Katie and Boyd especially since the age gap is so wide.

Three stars

This book came out June 17th, 2008

Follows Captive of My Desires

Followed by That Perfect Someone

Hard copy borrowed from library

Opinions are my own

Reread November 2022

Six Geese A-Slaying by Donna Andrews

Chosen to lead the local holiday parade (at least, it's the "holiday" now that she's in charge), Meg Langslow is wondering why she accepted. Well, she didn't exactly know that she was going to be in charge of everything. So that's why her house is teeming with most of the town of Caerphilly. Or so it seems. And many animals including donkeys, camels, elephants and more. Everything is chaotic and only made more so by the late appearance of Ralph Doleson who is playing Santa Claus. He is someone whom no one in town actually likes but yet somehow has a coveted role in the parade. He also has the temerity to kick Spike. True, the eight-and-a-half pound dog has a tendency to bite but that doesn't mean that he should be treated that way. It's just too bad that Meg's nephew is the one to find him murdered while in costume.

Regular readers will know who the murderer is pretty quickly but this is still worth reading.

Three and a half stars

This book came out October 28th, 2008

Follows Cockatiels at Seven

Followed by Swan for the Money

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Reread July 2023 as Audible audiobook

Cockatiels at Seven by Donna Andrews

A woman drops off her two-year-old and then disappears.  Makes sense to me.  Okay, not really, but it's still a good story. Dealing with a child is scary but a great way to move along the character development in this series. We got to see Meg start dating Michael, get married, and now starting to consider whether or not she wants kids. This is a great practice run but a little scary since her friend Karen is no where to be found.

Added to that, Meg discovered that Dr. Blake Montgomery, well-known animal activist and TV personality, is actually her biological grandfather in the last book. Now her dad seems to be running around trying to impress his father: storing birds in the attic, helping snakes shed skins in the basement, and just generally being furtive.

Three and a half stars

This book came out July 8th, 2008

Follows The Penguin Who Knew Too Much

Followed by Six Geese A-Slaying 

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Reread January 2023 as Audible book

The Penguin Who Knew Too Much by Donna Andrews

Not my favorite in the series but still entertaining.

Meg and Michael have finally gotten to move into their home. Too bad Meg's father is so hell-bent on saving the animals of the Caerphilly zoo since it seems like the owner, Patrick Lanahan, is nowhere to be found. Well, until he turns up in Meg's basement. When her father starts digging a pond for the penguins, he finds the body.

If that's not bad enough, he has told everyone that Meg would be happy to take any animals that they are tired of fostering. Soon her house and barn are filled with wolves, hyenas, lemurs, and more. And Michael seems strangely endeared by the llamas. Add to all of that, Dr. Montgomery is lurking about. He is a big name animal activist who supposedly is in town to help with the zoo or maybe take it over... but it seems like his motives might be a little shadier than what it looks like at first glance.

Three stars

This book came out August 7, 2007

Follows No Nest for the Wicket

Followed by Cockatiels at Seven

Borrowed as hard copy from the library

Opinions are my own

Reread January 2023 as Audible book