Bearer of Bad News by Elisabeth Dini

Lucy Rey doesn't fool herself. She knows that she's not a great hairdresser. Just like she wasn't a great any-number-of-other-jobs-she's-tried. She's trying to stick it out though because she's just changed towns to follow her fiance. That would be the same fiance who Lucy has recognized in someone else's social media photos. And they don't just look like platonic friends. 

After consulting with her best friend, Lucy decides to take on a job she saw in a pop up ad. She's not exactly sure what a "bearer of bad news" will do but it can't be worse than sitting and contemplating her own life choices. The job will take her straight into danger (including an influencer that seems to have it out for her) but it also shakes the very foundation of Lucy's own personal history.

I liked the character building in this book and the writing overall. I'm not a huge fan of stories where past and present are interwoven and it was especially jarring in this book as there were at least 3 timelines and they didn't always align well. I also wasn't sure about the department of returning lost things and wish it had been explored more. This story wasn't for me but I think I might enjoy others by this author. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out April 29, 2024

ARC kindly provided by Gallery Books and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Cornish Castle Murder by Fiona Leitch

Josie and Nate are getting married! Though it's not exactly their dream venue, they have put down money on a castle. And, as it's absolutely gorgeous, it will do just fine. The whole scope of the place is amazing. At least until the general manager, knowing that at least one of them is with the police, pulls them into his office. It seems that there have been a series of petty thefts and he's wondering if they can help. As it is their wedding weekend, they decline. And the hoopla starts... but it's off to a shaky start when Nate's childhood friends and his cop friends don't immediately gel. It gets even worse when there's a murder in the castle, one of the topless bartenders that was at Nate's stag do. 

This was a fun romp and in line with the rest of the series. I don't think you have to have read the rest of the series to enjoy the book but it sure does help.

Four stars

This book comes out April 29, 2025

The Nosey Parker Mysteries #8

Follows The Cornish Campsite Murder

Followed by The Cornish Christmas Pantomime Murder

ARC kindly provided by HarperCollins UK and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Spy Master's Scheme Glass and Steele by C.J. Archer

Magic is becoming well known and the attacks surrounding it are ramping up. Everyone wants a little piece of India. Matt's family are using her for prestige. The local magicians want her to use her magic to extend their spells. The government wants her help in quelling the riots. India just wants to live her life peacefully and enjoy married life. But saying no to all of those people is not making them go away. Who does go away? The wool merchant who helped her build her flying carpet. In fact, he disappears and his wife is worried. So is India. Especially when she learns who the government has chosen as the magician's liaison in her place. 

Three stars

This book came out September 7, 2021

Glass and Steele #12

Follows The Toymaker's Curse
Followed by The Goldsmith's Conspiracy

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

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

Devil's Daughter by Lisa Kleypas

Phoebe, Lady Clare (daughter of Sebastian and Evie from Devil in Winter), married her best friend, even though she knew he was dying. But she had loved Henry from childhood. And, because she loved Henry, she hated the boy who made his life at boarding school hell. Even now, two years after Henry died. And that is especially true now that she's confronted with the boy, er, man himself now that her brother is marrying his cousin. 

West Ravenel sort of remembers his school days. He knew that his parents made him a miserable creature who took out his pain on others. When he grew up, he became an indolent rake. At least, he was until his brother unexpectedly inherits a financially insolvent earldom along with a widow (now his brother's wife) and three female cousins. West, much against all expectations, stepped up and became an exceptional estate manager. 

Just coming out of the haze of grief, Phoebe realizes that what her father and brother have been telling her is true, she needs to start paying attention to estates, especially the one that is going to her son. And, now gathered for her brother's wedding, she has the perfect chance to ask West about the new changes in farming. If only she can get past Henry's past hurt...

An okay book but not as good as some in the Kleypas canon. Especially since I reread Devil in Winter right before this one.

Three stars

The Ravenels #5

This book came out February 19, 2019

Follows Hello Stranger

Followed by Chasing Cassandra

Borrowed as hard copy from the library

Opinions are my own

Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas

Dr. Garrett Gibson has worked very hard to be viewed as capable. And yet, Ethan Ransom still stalks her. Well, he follows her on Tuesdays to help make sure that she stays safe as she helps people in the poorest parts of London. Ethan is part of a super secret branch of the government that is working to make sure that treasonous plots don't come to fruition. So he knows that he can't get involved because anyone that he loves could be used against him later on.
A good story but it took a long while for me to get involved.

Three stars

Ravenels #4

This book came out February 27, 2018

Follows Devil in Spring

Followed by Devil's Daughter

Borrowed as hard copy from the library

Opinions are my own

Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old by Brooke Shields

Shields reads her own book and you get to hear the woman herself talk about aging in Hollywood, especially as someone who was known for her beauty. She discusses a range of topics including learning to stand up for herself (against Tom Cruise, against bad contracts, against the tropes of aging), raising children, and her various roles, including just being herself. 

Four stars

This book came out 

Borrowed as audibook from Libby

Opinions are my own