Cast On, Kill Off is a Treat to your Senses

Cast On, Kill Off

By Maggie Sefton

Paperback Copyright June 2013

Publisher Berkley

Wedding bells are ringing in Fort Connor, Colorado, and the House of Lambspun knitters are abuzz with excitement. But when a murder interrupts the wedding planning, Kelly Flynn will have to solve this crime fast to ensure the killer doesn’t wind up on the guest list…

Kelly Flynn’s knitting pal Megan is about to get hitched, and Megan has found the perfect seamstress, Zoe Yeager, to create the bridesmaids’ dresses. But Zoe is harboring a secret. Bruises on her face show a troubling side of her marriage, and just after she finds the courage to leave her husband, she’s shot dead.

Zoe’s husband is a key suspect, but there are others who might have had designs on her death. It’s up to Kelly and her knitting pals to use their sleuthing savvy to solve the case. They’ll have to stitch up all the loose ends before they can don their dresses and escort Megan into the land of happily ever after…

 

Amazingly good story… Kelly is sort of back with Steve, her friend Megan’s wedding is on the horizon, and murder hits the group. The dress maker is killed and there are way too many people who agree that Zoe’s (the dressmaker)abusive husband is the killer. With more things on her plate then you can shake a stick at, Kelly rallies to the call and starts asking questions that will lead to the real killer. Is it someone they all know and like? I guess you’ll have to read the book to find out.   FTC Full Disclosure: I received my copy of the book as a gift from a friend.

Antiques Chop is a Humorous Romp

Antiques Chop

By: Barbara Allan

Copyright: May 2013

Publisher: Kensington Books

The quaint Midwestern town of Serenity is about to hit the small screen. Brandy Borne and her dramatically ditzy mother, Vivian, will be starring in Antique Sleuths, a reality TV show based on the duo’s antiquarian adventures–and their troubling talent for solving deadly crimes. What better shooting set than a creepy old house, the site of a 60-year-old unsolved axe murder?

The location is perfect until Bruce Spring, the show’s producer, meets a fatal axe-ident, mortally mauled just like the home’s previous owner. The first suspect on the chopping block seems typecast for the role of killer–he was found at the scene of the attack, clutching a stained axe. But as Brandy and Vivian chop around for clues, plenty of other suspects stick out their necks…

It seems the show’s cameraman clashed with Bruce–could he be the culprit? What about the acrimony between Andrew, the harried homeowner, and Bruce, whose dirt-digging documentary all but accused Andrew of the original unsolved crime? And who’s driving that blood-red Toyota that keeps making unscripted cameo appearances? If Brandy and Vivian are going to get to the bottom of this mystery, they’ll have to be extra careful not to wind up on the cutting room floor–in pieces!

No matter how hard she tries, Brandy just can’t seem to divorce herself from her mother’s escapades.  This time out even her son pleads with her to join in.  It started out when her ex-husband Roger showed up looking for his runaway son, he was wealthy enough to worry that it might have been an abduction for ransom.

Brandy explains to Roger that she’d spoken to Jake about her recently finding out who her real parents were and that Jake might be having a problem processing it. Jake just needed to talk to his grandmother and came to visit without benefit of his father’s permission.

So Jake gets to stay for a few days, and Vivian drags the two of them into a new scheme… a reality tv show about Antiques and the buying and selling of them.  Murder happens, possible revenge, possible long held hatred and much more… Ya gotta read the book to find out the rest of the story.

I love the series, especially where Brandy and Vivian are posting possible chapters for their next book.  This is a series that will have you rolling in your seat, falling down laughing.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received this ARC from the publisher who requested a fair and impartial review.

Killer Honeymoon Will Totally Enthrall You

Killer Honeymoon

By: G.A. McKevett

Copyright: April 2013

Publisher: Kensington Books

Now that plus-sized P.I. Savannah Reid has finally walked down the aisle, she’s ready for a romantic island getaway with new husband Dirk Coulter. The trip is supposed to be a blissful week of rum drinks and sunshine—but finding a dead body on the beach can be a real killjoy. Welcome to the honeymoon from hell…
Savannah and Dirk were hoping for a little honeymoon excitement, but eye witnessing a cold blooded murder wasn’t exactly what they had in mind. To their surprise, the recently deceased is none other than Amelia Northrop, the popular L.A. anchorwoman whose super sexy looks landed her a super wealthy husband. Savannah’s no expert, but she’s pretty sure Amelia won’t be hosting tonight’s evening news; she’ll be the lead story.

When the local police make it clear that they don’t want Savannah’s help, she decides to do a little digging on her own—and what she discovers could blow the case wide open. It seems Amelia led a far more twisted life than her cheery on-screen persona suggested, and crossed more than a few powerful people along the way. The question is, who hated Amelia enough to shoot her dead in broad daylight? Savannah isn’t sure, but she suspects Amelia found out the hard way that fate has a way of settling old scores—and karma can be a girl’s worst enemy…

Why is it that every time Savannah and Dirk step out of the house, even just to run a quick errand they run into either trouble or dead bodies?

Savannah, Dirk off on a romantic honeymoon on picturesque Santa Tesla Island have only one thought on their minds, relax and enjoy some time away from the gang and the office.  Of course waking up in a crummy motel isn’t any fun either. Dirk in his mind was being romantic since they had stayed there once before while on a previous case.

After renting a golf cart to save money they head to a gift shop to redeem something their friends John and Ryan arranged for them as a gift.  Little did they know it would lead them into a gruesome murder that would have too many suspects and not enough answers. 

Savannah, Dirk, Tammy and the whole crew get deep into solving a murder the two newlyweds witnessed firsthand. The runarounds, and snubs from the police chief would chase off anyone else, but the intrepid crew of the Midnight Magnolia Detective Agency are made of sterner stuff.  It takes them a while but in the end they find the killer, solve the problem and make a couple of new friends in the bargain.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, who only asked for a fair and impartial review.

Immortally Embraced is going to Keep You Enthralled

Immortally Embraced

By Angie Fox

Copyright March 2013

Publisher: St. Martin’s

Even during a truce, Dr. Petra Robichaud has her hands full as the M*A*S*H surgeon to an army of warring gods—especially when Medusa herself turns up pregnant. Petra has no idea what to expect when a gorgon’s expecting, but she won’t let it turn her to stone. As the healer-hero of an ancient prophesy, it’s Petra’s job to keep the peace. But as the lover to a warrior demi-god, she knows how impossible some jobs can be…

Commander Galen is sexy, strong, and sworn to lead his team to hell and back. But when he announces to Petra that he can no longer risk her life for his love, the doctor is on her own…Until a mysterious new entity—in the form of a hot-blooded male—enters the picture. Can he be trusted? Can he be resisted? Meanwhile, an oracle delivers another prophesy that places Petra back on the frontlines with the man she may be bound to for eternity—in love, or in war…

This is definitely NOT your TV M.A.S.H. program… This is the MASH from hell (even if it is only limbo) … Like the roach motels on TV, once you get drafted in, you can’t get out.  Our favorite MASH doc has her hands full even during a a truce…  Petra has to do her job and still keep her secrets unexposed.

In the middle of all this her boyfriend Galen breaks up with her, the Oracle comes out with another prediction, and she gets caught up with  having to work with someone from the other side in order to work on her new anesthesia.  Things are going to be moving at a fast pace and you the reader is going to be glued to your chair until you’ve finished this book, and started looking for more, But it won’t be there.  Siiiiigh.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received this book as a gift from the author, who only requested a fair review.

Kris Neri’s Latest “Revenge on Route 66″ is a Fun Read

Revenge on Route 66

By Kris Neri

Copyright: March 2013

Publisher: Cherokee McGhee

Historic Route 66: With its signs for “New Dead Things,” the Biker Bunny Bin, and the Kontiki Pizza and Chinese Restaurant that serves only waffles – it’s kitchy, crazy, and fun. How appropriate that it would hold a place of importance to unconventional Tracy Eaton and her dad, aging Hollywood hunk, Alec Grainger.

Their Route 66 adventures always included a stay in Tecos, New Mexico, but their regular stop at Lucy Crier’s Lunch Pail Cafe is now a thing of the past, since Lucy plugged her ex-beau and went to the big house for murder. That’s why it’s perplexing when Lucy, safely ensconced in her cell, is simultaneously seen dodging traffic along Route 66. Naturally, Alec uses that mystery to lure Tracy and her sweetie Drew back to America’s Main Street.

But the road takes a darker turn when Woody Crier, Lucy’s smarmy son, turns up dead, and an even stranger bend when the FBI goes gunning for Tracy, calling her one of America’s Most Wanted.

She has no choice but to go on the lam, but this time, the Mother Road provides no escape. As the danger escalates, Tracy knows if she can’t cut through the web of secrets and lies shrouding her favorite haunts and the pasts of those dearest to her, everything she cherishes could vanish in a Route 66 minute.

This story is being told in both the past (through flashbacks by Tracy and others) and the present.  Drew’s movie star father cons her into joining him on a trip down memory lane on the Mother Road, Route 66.  This road is famous in both song (Get Your Kicks on Rte. 66) and television history (Route 66).

Tracy, her husband Drew, her father, and “Uncle” Philly are doing their best to solve murders, and find answers to a decade old murder.  The situations can be silly, masterful, or downright crazy.  But they all do what they can to survive.  In the end everyone’s secrets will come to light (hopefully) and Tracy and Drew will be able to enjoy some time together without worrying about being chased by cops, robbers, and thieves.

I’ve enjoyed all the Tracy Eaton books I can get my hands on.  This latest one had me glued to my chair for hours at a time (potty breaks are definitely needed) and I was sorry when the book ended.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher who only asked for a fair review.

Sneek Peak at Long Gone Man by Phyllis Smallman

Here’s an advance look at a new mystery series by Award Winning Author Phyllis Smallman.  The Singer Brown Mystery Series.  If this short blurb gets your interest, then you need to put it on your TBR list and pre-order it as soon as it hits the usual bookseller’s sites.

 

Long Gone Man

By: Phyllis Smallman

Copyright: September 2013

Publisher: TouchWood Editions

Singer Brown’s life takes a nosedive after the suspicious death of her lover, Michael, a roadie for a rock band called Vortex. Twenty years later, she is looking for revenge. In a thick fog, a ferry docks on Glenphiddie Island and Singer’s decrepit van unloads. The homeless singer is there to find the man who destroyed her life all those years ago. But she arrives too late. Someone has already killed Vortex’s lead singer, Johnny Vibes. And now the murderer is coming after Singer.

Each of the former band members is hiding sins, both old and new—secrets worth killing for. But Singer has one potential ally: Johnny Vibes’s wife, who has just as much to lose as Singer. While trying to clear her name and solve the mystery of Michael’s death, Singer enters a dangerous and deadly world of jealousy, greed, and murder.

Set in the Gulf Islands of British Columbia, this series follows Singer Brown, a homeless woman who sings on the streets for coins and watches life ebb and flow around her. With a knack for being in the right place at the wrong time, Singer is one of society’s invisible people. And being unseen is an incredible advantage to have when you’re digging for secrets.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher who only asks for a fair review.

Parrots Prove Deadly is Clea Simon’s Best Mystery to Date

Parrots Prove Deadly

By: Clea Simon

Copyright: April 2013

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

Parrots will repeat anything – they don’t talk sense. Or do they?

When Pru Marlowe is called in to retrain a foul-mouthed African gray after its owner’s death, the bad-girl animal psychic can’t help hearing the bird’s words as a replay of a murder scene. But the doctor on call scoffs at the idea, and the heirs just want their late mother’s pet to quit cursing.

With the only other possible witnesses being an evasive aide, the blind neighbor, and a single-minded service dog, Pru is stuck with what may be a feather-brained theory. Even her crotchety tabby Wallis doesn’t buy it, although she’s more than willing to “interrogate” the big bird, as Pru deals with drugs, jealousy, and a potential rabies outbreak….

What do you think happens when you take one foul mouthed parrot, a service dog with issues, a neighbor who is a major yenta, and a dead woman’s daughter who appears to be slightly OCD?  You get Pru’s latest adventure in murder.

It all began with an early morning of Sept. 3^rd. when Polly Larkin AKA “room 203” was found dead on the floor of her room.  Pru checked her messages and found a mail from a woman “I need your help, it’s or death”.   Pru was being asked to retrain a foul mouth parrot into one more kid friendly so that Mrs. Larking’s son could bring him home to his house.

I could write a page or so of my thoughts of each chapter, but I won’t! I’m not that talented or I’d have my own books on the market. (insert laugh)  As the story progresses, Pru meets the aid, the neighbor and her support dog.  She also gets to find out how creepy the director of the Nursing home is.  As her questions pile up along with the body count… It’s a race to find out how Polly died, who done it, and why so many people not involved with the home are interested.

Clea Simon is one hell of a talented writer and never fails to keep my interested in her books.  She is the author of three mystery series. The Theda Krakow Mysteries, The Pru Marlowe Pet Noir, and the Dulcie Schwartz Mysteries.   Each one a mystery which will entertain you and keep you involved till the last page.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher who  only requested a fair and impartial review.