Last Respects by Catherine Aird

When an unknown man's body turns up on a slow river, Inspector Sloan is called in to investigate. Though it seems he was dropped from a great height, the man didn't drown. He and Constable Crosby will have to work to figure out what is going on.

As a concurrent timeline, we meet Elizabeth Busby. She is a young woman who lost her aunt to stomach cancer and her fiance to... well she's not sure. The man up and left one day. He left a note but it wasn't very helpful. She and her uncle are left to grieve.

With Aird, you know what to expect. Usually a lot going on in the story but it's generally gentle and so very British.

Three and a half stars

This book came out in 1982

Follows Passing Strange

Followed by Harm's Way

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Premium Plus

Opinions are my own

Requiem for a Mezzo by Carola Dunn

Once again, Daisy is pulled into a murder mystery when her next-door neighbor is killed onstage. Unfortunately, as often happens in mystery stories, Bettina Westlea (her stage name; in real life Mrs. Roger Abernathy) has a lot of people that really don't like her. Her sister Muriel has always lived in her shadow and still acts as her housekeeper today. Her husband is a quiet man who knows of her many affairs but has suffered through them without a noise of complaint. Then there is the woman she beat out for a coveted role and the numerous scorned lovers. Really, it could be anyone.

We see Alec and Daisy's relationship grow in this book as well as they spend more time together. And it may be that Daisy's friend Lucy is even beginning to thaw in regards to the handsome inspector as well.

Three and a half stars

This book came out July 1, 2001

Follows The Winter Garden Mystery

Followed by Murder on the Flying Scotsman

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

Shady Characters by Keith Houston

Each chapter of this book dives deeply into the history of a particular typographical mark. How is it used today? Why is it used that way? When did we start using the mark? Was that it’s original use? All of these questions are considered and most are responded to for each symbol.

I never knew that a * preceding a date meant birth while a dagger meant death. 

A series of microhistories, this book is a fascinating read though I would recommend it more as something to read a chapter of each night rather than devouring it in one sitting. I also learned that, in modern-day, an em dash is equal to the height of the font-size. An en dash is now half of that of an em dash. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out September 24, 2013

Hard copy I didn't keep

Opinions are my own

The Ghost Who Loved Diamonds by Bobbi Holmes

In the first book of the series, Danielle contended with the mystery of a man long since passed, even if his ghost is still hanging around. In this book, the stakes are ramped up as she is having to deal with a much more recent death. One that police seem to think she committed.

Of course, this is in the midst of her B&B opening. Plus, her cousin Shelly is in town. This is the cousin that bullied Danielle as they were growing up and the one who stole all of her boyfriends. Now, she's contending that half of Danielle's inheritance from their Aunt Breanna is hers. 

This was an okay story with some more world building. I think Holmes tried to redeem Shelly but her explanations of childhood behavior didn't quite make sense, nor did I really understand her reasoning for wanting half of Marlow house.

Three stars

This book came out November 1, 2014

Follows The Ghost of Marlow House

Followed by The Ghost who Wasn't

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Fat Girls Hiking by Summer Michaud-Skog

A really good book if you are not white and superfit. Actually, even then. This book explores the nuances of doing athletic things (focus on hiking but including kayaking, climbing,yoga, backpacking, etc.) even if you don’t fit the “athletic” body type. 

With stories of real people interwoven with the author’s own experiences, you get a gamut of the experiences “nontraditional” hikers have had being out on the trails. Each of the interstitials also include a favorite hike with information about bathrooms, ADA-compliance, distance, elevation gain, address, and how to find the trailhead.

Three and a half stars

This book came out March 29, 2022

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis

During a near-death experience, Levi Cutler calls his mother. Rather than letting her know that he is in danger, he claims that he can't pick up his niece because he's met a new woman.

Jane can't believe that she might die in a snowstorm. Because she's in a gondola five and a half stories up (maybe more) and the wind is ridiculous. Being a traveling nurse has brought her into some strange situations but this one takes the cake. Then a handsome stranger puts himself in danger to try and protect her. And then asks her to pretend to be in a relationship so his family will feel better about him.

There is a lot going on in this book including a B plot with Jane's friend Charlotte and Levi's old friend that didn't really add much to the story. I did like watching the relationship between Jane and Levi grow but there is so much sturm and drang surrounding them.

Three and a half stars

This book came out January 11, 2022

Followed by The Friendship Pact

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

Margot Cooper was the best friend in the first book of this series. After her best friend and their business partner have both found love, she's feeling a little like a fifth wheel. And her business partner has had some bad luck. But his new wedding planner is someone that Margo knows... intimately. 

Olivia Grant is shocked to see the "Best Man" in her current wedding is none other than the girl she loved in high school, Margot. They had been best friends from grade school but then it matured into something deeper. But when Olivia's ex came back in the picture, Margo disappeared. Will she do the same again?

It was fun watching Olivia and Margo fall in love again. There were a lot of times when just communicating with each other could have solved a lot of problems and that made the story a little less enjoyable but I liked the story overall.

Four stars

This book came out February 1, 2022

Follows Hang the Moon

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own