Glitterland by Alexis Hall

I adore Hall but this was a challenging book for me. We are so much in the head of Ash Winters who is so in the midst of upheaval that it was hard to read. 

Ash is in the midst of a self-destructive spiral when he meets Darian Taylor. It begins as a one night stand. Ash doesn't even remember Darian's name. But the two meet again, accidentally, and start to realize that they just might be perfect for each other. 

Three stars
This book came out May 15, 2013

Followed by Aftermath

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Case of the Foot-Loose Doll by Erle Stanley Gardner

Mildred Crest is shocked when her fiance, Bob, calls her up at her job and tells her that he has lost a bundle of money on the horses, has been siphoning money from his work, and is going to clean out his office and take off. Oh, by the way, their engagement is over. In shock, she completes her work for the day and then takes off. 

While on the way, she picks up a hitchhiker named Fern Driscoll who says that she's burned her bridges and is now a footloose doll. At the end of her rope, Fern pulls on the wheel and causes a car accident. Mildred survives... or does she? Maybe she can become Fern and leave her life behind. Too bad Fern left an even bigger mess behind and Mildred is about to be wrapped up in blackmail and murder. Good thing she had the foresight to hire Perry Mason as her attorney.

This was a pretty good story though the sexism of the times definitely come through and the ending was a little more convoluted than it needed to be.

Three and a half stars
This book came out in 1958

Follows The Case of the Daring Decoy

Followed by The Case of the Long-Legged Models

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible

Opinions are my own

Injury Time by Catherine Aird

A collection of short stories featuring Inspector Sloan. There is a confusing story about a woman killed in a sauna when the heat was turned up too high. A scientific group's alarm is dismantled with ease but how could someone have cracked the code that was only recently implemented. There are 14 other stories; some aren't quite mysteries but all are entertaining. 

Four stars

This book came out August 1, 1995

Follows After Effects
Followed by Stiff News

Borrowed as audiobook from Audible

Opinions are my own

Heads You Lose by Christianna Brand

Grace Morland is a painter and she's been using that excuse to come and sit on Stephen Pendock's terrace at Pigeonsford Estate. Venetia Gold is a golden woman and she is mirrored by her twin Fran whose mien is rather darker. Grace is jealous of Fran who is young and vivacious and whom she assumes is after Mr. Pendock. When Fran gets a new hat, Pen shows his favor and Grace bites back that she wouldn't be caught dead in that hat. 

Well, it turns out that she IS found dead in that hat. Then, while the house guests are mour
ning Grace, another person is murdered. It's a twisty tale that is definitely a product of its time.

People familiar with Agatha Christie will probably figure out early who the killer is. I'm usually terrible and I figured it out. The problem is that Brand's sensibilities are jarring to read in a more enlightened time. Lots of sweeping generalizations that are racially based. 

Three stars
This book came out in 1941

Followed by Green for Danger

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

A Body at a Boarding School by Benedict Brown

"So nobody really liked the man," said Grandfather (aka Lord Edgeley, aka Inspector Edgeley). Christopher has discovered his headmaster, dead, in his office. Just the night before, the headmaster had caught Christopher (reluctantly) sneaking around the school with Marmalade (his tormentor from the first book has decided that Christopher saved him from at least jail and probably death and the two are now friends.) The man almost whipped Marmalade and Christopher over and above what might be expected for a spot of mischief. 

Of course, this whole thing happened on Parents' Day when there are the maximum number of suspects on the school grounds. However, also visiting are Christopher's mother, his grandfather, and his grandfather's dog, Dahlia (sp?). The dream team is assembled and it will be up to them to determine if it's the headmaster's wife, the man who was in love with her, the man who would step into the headmaster's position, the thieving sisters, or the mysteriously missing prefect who committed the murder.

This book felt a little disjointed between the beginning and the end but was still enjoyable. 

Four stars
This book came out May 30, 2021

Follows Murder at the Spring Ball

Followed by  Death on a Summer's Day

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

A Reluctant Roommate by Angela R. Casella

At the end of the last book, Drew and Andy were moving in together. Well, Andy was moving into Drew's. And Drew wasn't incredibly excited. He likes his shades of gray living room and Andy is bringing with her ALL the colors of the rainbow. Plus, there's that whole inconvenient crush that he has on his sister's best friend.

Andy genuinely sees Drew as an older brother. They grew up together after all. But then she walks in on him... and suddenly Andy is seeing Drew in a new light. He's grown up. He's handsome. And he's willing to check up on her grandmother when she can't. 

The two are going to be spending a lot of time together and they figure out that familiarity doesn't always breed contempt.

This is a Casella joint so it's fast, fun, and fluffy with circumstances that are often over the top. Was Andy a little TOO reluctant and dramatic? For me, yes. I was also a little disappointed to see Nicole and Damien say that they're going to be taking some time off but I know that Casella will be keeping us in enjoyable reading material. 

Three and a half stars

This book came out March 30, 2023

Follows A Brooding Bodyguard

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own

Punk Rock Unicorn by Dana Simpson

Marigold has given up her crush on Lord Splendid Humility. Instead, she is going to rebound crush on his opposite. And opposite Prince Aspirational Arrogance is. But Phoebe finds reasons to like him.

Besides, she has a book report to procrastinate writing. And to argue with Dakota about. Are graphic novels real books? (the correct answer, by the way, is yes.)
There is a lovely interlude with Marigold making a small, dark, rainy universe for Phoebe to be sad in and, oh, I wish I had one. Or a unicorn. That would be good too. 

Simpson's humor is nowhere more evident than in the story of the hole. Or, as Marigold says, "a magical portal to a dimension of DARK and UNSPEAKABLE EVIL." And then, they meet their evil selves which gives them pause.

It is again time for the school play. This year it is to be "Yoony the Unicorn." We even get to see Marigold's contemplation hat. 

Phoebe also returns to her summer music camp where she meets a new friend. And it provides a lovely loop back to the beginning of this book. 

Another amazing addition to the series. 

Five stars

This book comes out April 4, 2023

Follows Unicornado

Followed by Unicorn for a Day

ARC kindly provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own