A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn

December 21, 2025

A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn

It's been several months since Veronica and Stoker have had a mystery to solve, and they are both bored and dying for a new adventure. When two aristocratic young men die under mysterious circumstances, Inspector Mornaday of Scotland Yard enlists their help to investigate rumors that the the two young men were involved in a secret cult devoted to vampirism.

Another enjoyable outing with Veronica and her inamorata Revelstoke Templeton-Vane, aka Stoker, #10 in the series. There is a brief appearance of Lady Julia Grey and Nicholas Brisbane, the main characters in the author’s other historical mystery series. If you haven’t read that series, I highly recommend it. The first book is Silent in the Grave, which has one of the best opening lines I’ve read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Highgate Cemetery in London, about as creepy a cemetery as you can find

I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig

December 29, 2025

I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig

Carol Quinn is a convicted murderer who server her time and has been released from prison. Now she is moving to a posh retirement community in north London to live out her remaining years. But shortly after she moves in, another resident is found dead and suspicion immediately falls on Carol. To avoid being sent back to prison, Carol has to find the real killer.

This cozy mystery reads like the love child of The Thursday Murder Club and Only Murders in the Building, but with a very likeable former serial killer as the protagonist. The main character only killed people who really needed killing. A light enjoyable read, perfect for the post-Christmas weekend when I am shopped-out, fooded-out, holidayed-out, familied-out, and peopled-out. These characters aren't your grandpa or your great-aunt.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

December 8, 2025

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

In the small town of Bonhomie, Ohio, a brief affair and a lapse in judgment changes the lives of several of the town's residents forever. 

This was just okay. I was interested enough in the characters to keep reading but didn't love it as much as other readers did. A novel with a lot of secrets and not a lot of joy.

Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory

December 1, 2025

Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory

Jane Boleyn, Lady Rochford, served at the court of King Henry VIII. Sister-in-law to Queen Anne Boleyn, Jane grew up at court and earned to play the many roles of a courtier: attendant, confidante, wife, spy, entertainer. Serving five of Henry's queens, Jane walked a fine line where a wrong move or remark could cost you your head.

Historians usually describe Jane Boleyn as a mean-spirited jealous self-serving woman, interested only in advancing herself (much in the same way they describe Anne of Cleves as fat, ugly, ill-mannered and disgusting, which is completely false - courtiers kept up the fiction as a way to flatter Henry). Gregory portrays Jane as a real person, well-educated, quick-witted, and attractive, sent to court as a child by her ambitious family and caught up in the machinations of her unloving husband George Boleyn and his devotion to his sister Anne. The author gives a detailed portrait of the life of a courtier as well as the realities of living as the widow of a convicted traitor, with the loss of her husband's properties and income, and dependent on her salary as a lady-in-waiting to survive (even Jane's not unkind father points this out to her). Jane was no dummy, coming to the notice of Thomas Cromwell and surviving to serve five of Henry's queens before being caught up in a final intrigue. Recommended to readers of historical fiction, especially those interested in the politics of the Tudor dynasty. One of the best books I've read recently. Really interesting cover art.

This is believed to be a drawing of Jane Boleyn, nee Parker, as a young woman - portraits from this time period were somewhat stylized and were frequently mislabeled, for example, there is a painting that has been identified as both Anne Boleyn and Jane Boleyn.

Accomplice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

November 18, 2025

Accomplice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Evie Sage, assistant to the Villain, has been promoted to apprentice. She has her own little office and is the Villain's right-hand woman when it comes to things like magic and torture. But a prophecy is causing the kingdom to unravel and Evie has to figure out how to stop that from happening while falling head over heels for her boss.

The third book in the Assistant to the Villain romantasy series. Buckle up, buttercup, because everything gets turned upside down in this one, yet at times it felt like a bridge between books that are more relevant to the story. The ending provided a few answers (some of which I had guessed) but opened up more questions. There are some characters and locations introduced that really didn't advance the story and seemed unnecessary. There is a lot of conflict about parents here - parents who lied to their children, parents who cared only about their own interests, parents who abandoned their families. There is also a lot of romance among a lot of the characters - I mean, everyone is hooking up. Spoiler alert: Evie and Trystan finally find a convenient bed and get it over with. I guess there is going to be at least one more book. Kingsley is still my favorite character. Not the best book in the series, but the cover art is great. Recommended for fantasy/romance readers who like a slow burn romance spiced with humor.

The Murder of Viscount Montcrief by Karen Baugh Menuhin

November 16, 2025

The Murder of Viscount Montcrief by Karen Baugh Menuhin

Heathcliff Lennox is working on his Bentley when he gets a call from the local doctor about a dead body. A wealthy but reclusive viscount from a nearby estate has been found dead in his bed, with no obvious cause of death. Although reluctant to have his pleasant morning interrupted, Heathcliff collects his friend, former Scotland Yard inspector Jonathan Swift, his butler Greggs, and his golden spaniel Mr. Fogg, and they set off on another adventure.

Another clever country house murder mystery featuring Major Heathcliff Lennox and his regular companions, off to investigate a mystery among the British upper class, set between the two world wars. I did not suspect the solution to the mystery. Overall a satisfying historical mystery. Looking foward to the next installment early next year, when Heathcliff and Persi's child should have been born.

The Never Game by Jeffery Deaver

November 12, 2025

The Never Game by Jeffery Deaver

Colter Shaw is a reward seeker; not exactly a private eye, not exactly a bounty hunter. He makes his living by finding missing persons and collecting the reward offered by family, friends, or employer. He was raised by survivalists and has expert tracking skills, home-schooled and taught to observe the world around him and calculate the probability of events. For example, if a young woman goes missing, he figures the odds of an accident, a voluntary disappearance, or if her boyfriend or another predator is involved, then searches for her based on those probabilities. But when a second person goes missing, Colter finds himself deep in the sometimes cutthroat billion dollar world of video gaming, and he starts to wonder if he is in the middle of some video game brought to life.

This is the first book in the series that has been adapted for the television show Tracker. Not surprisingly, the book is better than the TV show. I was captivated by Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme series with its unique protagonist, and here he creates another unusual MC. The look into the multi-billion dollar gaming industry as well as fake news and political manipulation (think: Fox News) was fascinating, especially since almost everyone plays some kind of online game. There are enough hints about family secrets and about Colter's own secrets (like the source of his income which isn't from reward collecting at all, his family, and who are all of his well-connected mysterious friends) to hook the reader in for the next book. I believe there are four books in the series now. Recommended for readers who enjoy a thoughtful thriller.

A geek festival, also known as a gaming convention

Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle

November 12, 2025

Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle

Vera Norrie has just been hired as the youngest professor of statistics and probability at the University of Chicago. To celebrate, she and her girlfriend have invited their closest friends along with Vera's mother to brunch at their favorite cafe. But Vera and her mother quarrel, and her mother runs of the restaurant with Vera chasing her. Outside, they find a scene of unexplainable chaos.

I worry about what goes on in Chuck Tingle's mind, I really do. His brand of horror is so original and out there, I can't think of anyone to compare him to. There are overtones of The X-Files as well as Lost. I don't know if this is a fugue state or a fever dream. Possible triggers include violence, death, suicide, animal death, depression, and annihilation. I love the cover art.

Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for providing an eARC for review.