The Old Woman with the Knife by Gu Byeong-mo , Chi-Young Kim (Translator)

The NPR Best Books of 2022 made this book sound so intriguing. It took me a long time to get into the story and I quit it several times but, it was short, so I powered through.

The idea of the story is certainly an interesting one. We never learn the old woman's name but the story opens with her on the subway. Then we follow her through her days and her memories. As more and more of her story unfolds, her character develops. It is a rich story and her character is really well-developed which is finally what kept me reading. 

An interesting premise and way of writing but ultimately, not my favorite.

Three stars
This book came out July 19, 2013

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

Ali Morris has three kids, a dead mother, and has just gone through a divorce. She is depressed but still talking to her mother. And her mother (at least in Ali's mind) is still responding. Ali is finally starting to come out of the haze (and wear "real clothes" which is so dumb to me, sweats are real clothes and who likes wearing hard pants) when her dog pees on a man's foot. And, oh, what a man. She meets Ethan who turns out to be not only handsome, but smart and caring as well. There are definitely some issues between them and the third act interruption in their HEA was expected. I would have given this three stars but the scene with her neighbor and the coming to terms of grief over her mother's death were beautifully written.

Three and a half stars

This book came out June 4, 2024

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

June 2024 Rereads

 Opinions are my own

Say No to the Duke by Eloisa James

Four stars

Wildes of Lindow Castle #4

This book came out June 25th, 2019
Follows Born to Be Wilde
Followed by Say Yes to the Duke
Borrowed hard copy from the library

Say Yes to the Duke by Eloisa James

Four stars

Wildes of Lindow Castle #5

Follows Say No to the Duke

Followed by Wilde Child
This book came out May 19th, 2020

Borrowed hard copy from the library

Wilde Child by Eloisa James

Four stars

Wildes of Lindow Castle #6
Follows Say Yes to the Duke
This book came out March 30th, 2021

Payback in Death by J. D. Robb

Four stars

This book comes out September 5, 2023

In Death #57

Follows Encore in Death

Followed by Random in Death

A Ruse of Shadows by Sherry Thomas

The last few books have ended on something of a cliffhanger or with something left undone. I liked that this book differed a bit; Olivia and Stephen might not have a happy ever after but it sure is a lot closer than what we've seen in other books. And We also get to see a bit more about her relationship with Lord Ingram which is running the way she would like and they solidify a bit more where they are going in a completely nerdy and adorable manner. 

Lady Sherlock #8

Four stars

This book comes out June 25, 2024

Follows Tempest at Sea

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Murder at an English Séance by Jessica Ellicott

Big things are happening in this book. Beryl has her plane and is enjoying flying to her heart's content. Edwina has finished her book and is just working up her nerve to get it shipped out. Of course, she'll have to post it where the town's biggest gossip (i.e. the postmistress) will see it. So she reroutes to a tea shop to fortify her nerves.

It is at the tea room that she meets psychic, Maude Dinsdale. Maude has just moved to town but she is about to set Walmsley Parva on its ear. While some people are eager to believe in her talents, others are being torn apart. And one person ends up dead in a mummy's sarcophagus.

There is a lot going on in this book including Charles being given care of his cousin's two-year-old son. The end of the mystery wasn't really fairly clued so that was a bit annoying but this was overall a nice book. 

Beryl and Edwina Mystery #8

Three and a half stars

This book comes out June 25, 2024

Follows Murder at a London Finishing School

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Publishing and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Paid Companion by Amanda Quick

The Earl of St. Merryn needs someone to cover for him. Specifically, a female someone. He decides to hire a fake fiancee. The news around his engagement will keep everyone diverted from the fact that he's looking for a murderer.

Eleanora Lodge is looking for her next appointment. The last one was not to her specifications. Being able to work for the early seems like a good opportunity. 

They'll have to deal with a butler who's up to no good and a ton that is somewhat skeptical about their relationship.

Good Quick novel. 

Three stars

This book came out in 2004

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible Plus

Opinions are my own

Star Island by Carl Hiaasen

Ann DeLusia has a pretty sweet deal. She's a body double for a woman who has been a pop star for the last eight years, Cherry Pye. It's a recognizable story, stage parents who pushed their daughter into a situation so that they could have a star. Now, Cherry is fueled mostly by drugs and alcohol. Thus, the need for a body double or "undercover stunt double." Mostly, she hangs out in swanky hotels, eating room service, and earning a hefty pay check. 

Cherry has just mixed a pound of bird seed with her drugs so she's on her way to rehab so Ann is on deck. On her way to "vacation," the limo spins out and she's rescued by a mysterious stranger. They rob a boss but then she gets back to work.

The return of CHEMO! He his hired to be Cherry's bodyguard/sober companion. He protects Cherry but it's Ann who is kidnapped by a rabid fan/paparazzo. 

Didn't hang together as well as some of the other Hiaasen stories but an interesting read nonetheless.

Three stars
Skink #6

This book came out July 26, 2010

Follows Skinny Dip

Followed by No Surrender

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own