Review - Booking For Trouble

  Jenn Mickinlay, the author of Library Lover's Mysteries, Cupcake Mysteries, Good Bye Girl's Mysteries (as Josie Belle), Decoupage Mysteries (as Lucy Lawrence), and London Hat Shop Mysteries.

This is my first book in this series and I had no trouble picking up and understanding the pertinent backstory.

      

Guest Post (2019) plus review of 11th Cupcake Bakery Mystery  (click here) 

Guest Post 2017 (click here) 

5th in Hat Shop Mysteries (click here)

This book is releasing Feb 24, 2026.

Author: Jenn McKinlay

Copyright: Feb 2026 (Berkley) 304 pgs

Series: 16th in Library Lover's Mystery

Sensuality: Mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy Mystery, Amateur Sleuth

Main Character: Lindsey Norris Sullivan, Library Director

Setting: Modern Day, Briar Creek, Connecticut & surrounding islands

Obtained Through: Publisher/Netgalley for honest review

Book Blurb: "Just off the shores of the coastal Connecticut town of Briar Creek are two small islands, which library director Lindsey Norris visits with her new book-boat, inspired by the bookmobiles she’s seen traveling across the country. Nothing, not even the infamous feud between the families who own the Split Islands, can stop Lindsey from getting books into the hands of readers. But when Lindsey and her boat captain husband, Mike Sullivan, discover a body on the rocky outcropping of one of the islands, Lindsey’s new library venture quickly becomes a murder investigation.

At news of the crime, hostilities between the two families are reignited. Long buried secrets are revealed, tensions spark, and suspects abound. As Lindsey navigates treacherous waters (both literal and metaphorical), she must use her research skills and community ties to solve the murder and bring peace to the islands before her book-boat dreams are sunk."

My Thoughts:

Lindsey is the 20-something year old director at the Briar Creek Library. She makes up for her lack of age and experience with a passion for libraries and the community. She is enjoyable and I found myself routing for her.  Mike Sullivan is her husband who runs a water-taxi and boat tour service for people and becomes the book-boat captain for once a week runs. I like Mike who is a warm and caring character.

Beth, a library school classmate of Lindsey's who is the children's librarian and now good friend plus Mrs. Cole are stalwart employees.  Then there is the Crafternoon group that pitch in to run down information during sleuthing.  They weren't as present in the story as I expected.

The isolation of being on a grouping of islands, called Thumb Islands, while a murderer is striking really drives home how remote the islands are. 

The plot is Lyndsey doesn't believe the murder was due to a decade old feud between two families living on "Split Island."  At first it seems that the feud resulted in blood shed, but there are too many questions surrounding it for Lyndsey.

The pacing was consistent with the added subplot of a city Counselman wanting to close the library completely. Lyndsey's fighting to keep the library funded while looking into the murder.

The killer reveal wasn't as suspenseful or dramatic as I love, but it was a good and conclusion with a twist that was well done.

If I could change anything it would be a little more depth to Lyndsey's character because sometimes it felt like she was a set-piece being moved around when she is the main  character. 

Rating:  Good - A fun enjoyable cozy read

Have you read any of the 16 books in this series? If so, what did you think of them? Please share in the comments.

    Here is a short video about an a series of islands in Connecticut that sounds exactly like the "Thumb Islands" in this book.  Check it out, it's quite interesting.

THANK YOU for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.

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Movie Review: Boston Strangler 2023

Prior movie on the subject is the 1968 movie starring Tony Curtis as the sole killer. Also starred Henry Fonda and George Kennedy. This film had three nominations for awards. It was  more focused on the killings and killer.

This film, released in 2023 for Hulu, "follows Loretta McLaughlin (Keira Knightley), a reporter for the Record-American newspaper, who becomes the first journalist to connect the Boston Strangler murders..."  This film focuses more on the two female reporters and their journey in investigating the murders and the trials they weathered. Keira Knightly is such a good actor that anything she's in will be a treat.  

What it's about:  Crime drama based on the infamous Boston Strangler murders in the 1960s, this is inspired by the true story of Loretta McLaughlin, the first reporter to connect the murders and break the story of the Strangler. She and fellow reporter Jean Cole challenged the rampant sexism of the era to report on the city's most notorious serial killer and worked tirelessly to keep women informed.

Cast:

Keira Knightley as Loretta McLaughlin

Carrie Coon as Jean Cole

Chris Cooper as editor Jack Maclaine

David Dastmalchian as Albert DeSalvo

Ryan Winkles as Daniel Marsh

Greg Vrotsos as  George Nassar

Matt Ruskin Writer/Director 

Ridley Scott Producer

Rating: R  1 hour 52 minutes

Rotten Tomatoes (67%) and critics reviews:

"Matt Ruskin’s film dials down on fetishizing murderous men to tell the story of women who might just see them for who they really are." Manik Sharma-Firstpost

"There is a quietly persistent, simmering and incendiary flare to this film, which, by virtue of Knightley's knowing performance and the well-written script, feels tired and afraid." Alisha Mughal-Exclaim

"At a time when seemingly every streaming service debuts new true-crime programming on a weekly basis, “Boston Strangler” stands far above the crowd." Kevin Slane-Boston.com

"Here is the film that She Said so desperately tried to tell us it was - at least on the journalism side of things. Strong lead characters, especially by Keira Knightley, navigating sexism that is as inherent in solving the case as reporting it." Erik Childress-Movie Madness Podcast

"... a decent journalism time capsule that aligns more with 2015’s Spotlight than with a suspenseful thriller like Silence of the Lambs." Valerie Kalfrin-AWFJ.org

"In a world where Netflix is pumping out low-effort true-crime doc content on a weekly basis, Boston Strangler is a sterling example of how it should be done." Clement Tyler Obropta-Film Inquiry

"Boston Strangler slowly builds an exquisite atmosphere of tension and fear surrounding the killings themselves." Peg Aloi-The Arts Fuse

"The acting is expressive and engaging, especially from Knightley and Coon, who have a strained dynamic that works to make their relationship even more believable." Chris Joyce-Movies and Munchies

"The matchup of Keira Knightly and Carrie Coon punches up this involving, period-rich but somewhat ordinary thriller that celebrates old-school journalism." Randy Myers-San Jose Mercury News

Noteworthy awards or rankings:

--2024 Winner ASC Award

Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Limited or Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television 

--2024 Nominee Artios Award 

Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Film - Non-Theatrical Release

--2023 Nominee Primetime Emmy
Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

--2023 Nominee OFTA Television Award
Best Motion Picture

--2023 Nominee OFTA Television Award
Best Cinematography in a Motion Picture, Limited, or Anthology Series

--2023 Nominee OFTA Television Award
Best Sound Editing in a Non-Serial Program

--2023 Nominee OFTA Television Award
Best Cinematography in a Multi-Camera Series

Trivia (from IMDB):

• The film being watched on the television by James McLaughlin is "Five Fingers" (1952) starring James Mason and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz.
• A house in Belmont, Massachusetts stood in for the home of reporter Loretta McLaughlin. That same day, the Winn Brook Elementary School was transformed into the Cambridge Police Department for second unit filming. The school was paid $5,000 for the use of the property.
• On December 9, 2021 the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology was temporarily turned into a police headquarters for the film. Between January 26 and January 27, 2022 the former Josephine M. Foster Elementary School in Braintree was used as a set. Filming also took place in Jamaica Plain, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Roxbury, and Wellesley, Massachusetts.
• Several private driveways on Statler and Waterhouse Roads were rented to park 1960s vehicles. For the next two days, filming took place in the South End. Scenes were shot on Dwight Street between Tremont Street and Shawmut Avenue.
• Several health procedures had to be followed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The entire crew was vaccinated and tested for the virus three times a week until production concluded. Filming wrapped in March 2022. During post-production, Paul Leonard-Morgan then composed the musical score.
• Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector starred as husband and wife in the hit HBO show The Gilded Age (2022) before joining this movie.
• Chris Cooper and Peter Gerety previously appeared in Return to Lonesome Dove (1993) and Syriana (2005).

My Thoughts:

The filming is in color, but they're subdued colors making it feel like the 1960s without using black and white or sepia.  It takes place before the internet, DNA testing, or most of the current CSI tests.  I felt like I was in the the nineteen-sixties with the muted colors, old typewriters with ribbon, great old cars and dresses, Bakelite phones, everybody smoking, and the misogyny etc.  

I loved its focus on Loretta McLaughlin and Jean Cole, the journalists who broke the story and kept pushing the police.  This isn't a thriller nor a horror movie.  There are brief glimpses of the crime scene photos to drive home the brutality, but it isn't gory nor "in your face." At times you hear the deadly struggle but don't see it. It also shows the toll Loretta's personal life goes through and how the paper put her in danger. It includes Loretta's final theory that there was more than one killer because of some profiling that pointed that way. I will admit that I agree with the theory there was more than one strangler.

I feel this was a well-made, subtly intriguing, and engaging film from start to finish.  Don't expect car chases or flashy scenes but rather a gently unfolding story that draws you in and doesn't let go. This was tense like Hitchcock, while also respectful of Loretta and Jean. Both Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon gave standout performances.  The one thing I would have changed was the last scene, it left me wanting a more definitive ending regarding Loretta's marriage.  I recommend this movie for 18yo or older.

Movie Trailor:

Here is a short video on Keira Knightley's thoughts about her role in the movie

Have you seen this movie? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

THANK YOU for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.

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Review - Revenge Served Royal

I love this description of the book: "Bridgerton meets The Great British Baking Show. Lots of plot twists, and lots of fun." ―Kirkus Reviews

I began with the first book in the series, but I have only reviewed one of those. I don't know why I didn't review the second one.  But let's see how I liked the third in the series.

1) Think Like a Lady, Act Like a Lord (click here)

2)  All's Fair in Love and Treachery (read but no review)

Author: Celeste Connally

Copyright: Nov 2025 (Minotaur Books) 328 pgs

Series: 3rd in Lady Petra Inquires

Sensuality: very mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical cozy, historical amateur sleuth

Main Character: Lady Petra Forsyth, 24yo independent daughter of an Earl

Setting: 1815 Regency era, Windsor Castle-England

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Book Blurb: "September, 1815. Autumn is in the air as Lady Petra Forsyth and some of the most illustrious members of the ton descend upon Windsor Castle for a week of royal celebrations, with the highlight being Queen Charlotte’s inaugural patisserie contest for the best bakers employed by England’s finest houses. Not only is Lady Petra’s own cook one of the contestants, but Her Majesty has requested that Petra herself serve as one of the judges.

Petra’s happiness at tasting delicious cakes and biscuits only increases at finding her beloved Aunt Ophelia in attendance at Windsor, as well as Sir Rufus Pomeroy. As England’s most famous former royal chef-turned-cookbook author, Sir Rufus is slated to present his best recipes to the Queen during the festivities, with Petra being granted an early viewing in the royal library.

Yet upon arrival, Petra instead encounters a frantic housemaid pointing to a body of one of Her Majesty’s guests—and to the valet still tugging at the silk ribbon used to strangle the victim. What’s more, the valet turns out to be Oliver Beecham, the ne’er-do-well brother of Petra’s own lady’s maid, Annie. But as Oliver is hauled away to the dungeons, he protests his innocence, claiming the late guest argued with several aristocrats, including the Prince Regent and Petra’s Aunt Ophelia, and boasted about hiding a potentially scandalous document within the vastness of Windsor Castle.

When some poisoned tea meant for Petra is consumed by one of her fellow judges, it’s clear the real killer is still walking the castle’s halls. Indeed, in order to prove the innocence of Annie’s brother and find the incriminating document, Petra will need to act like a lady, eat like a chef, and think like one of Her Majesty’s best spies before a murderer can turn the celebrations from sweet to royally deadly."    

My Thoughts: This was nice having Windsor Castle for the backdrop of the mystery. I felt like I was walking through history as Lady Petra investigated. The "Author's historical notes" go into some of her research and was interesting of itself. The royal palace is also a grand yet spooky setting and worked so well to place Petra out of her norm.

Lady Petra is growing even more courageous in this addition to the series.  She even tackles some tricky family involvement in the case.  I thoroughly enjoy her character.

Petra's personal maid, Annie, is the sister of the man who was quickly railroaded for the murder of the famous former royal chef. So Petra has a vested interest in solving the crime. 

Petra is joined by her best friends: Lady Caroline, Lottie, who is known for her hobby of training dogs, Frances Bardwell, who owns an apothecary practice and thus becomes a valuable asset, and her Aunt Ophelia who knew the former chef quite well.  

Duncan Shawcross, the illegitimate son of Marquess of Langford, is the romantic interest. I like this character quite a bit as he clearly loves Petra for her genuine self.  Chef Antonin Carême is a true historical figure (as well as Queen Charlotte) who was arguably the first real celebrity chef. He flirts with Petra occasionally. Recently, AppleTV has a streaming series loosely based on him (titled Carême) that is pretty steamy and portrays him as a spy (highly doubtful) as well as a chef. 

The plot had a beginning that was providing information and setting up the murder. Once that was all done and the murder occurs, it becomes a twisty mystery filled with surprises and a hair-raising climax. The killer confrontation is filled with tension, danger, and excitement. Very well done on that score.  The wrap up had sweet moments and was very satisfying.

It was an overall solid mystery, great setting, solid characters, and taut climatic killer-reveal for a great historical cozy.  I highly recommend.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list.

Here is a short video overview of Chef Antonin Carême:

And this one is a quick overview of Queen Charlotte and recent portrayals:

THANK YOU for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.

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Musings - Mystery Reading Bingo

Today I am sharing a Mystery Reading Bingo for 2026. Starting as soon as you want, put a small post-it over, or cross out with a pen, each block that you have completed.  You can get your books from TBR stack, through the library, used book stores, or ebook library (Libby app etc.) so you aren't spending a lot of money.

Your goal is to cover 4 or more squares in different configurations:

• Regular Bingo in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal row (4 squares)
• "X" (both diagonal directions 8 squares)
• The form of a "C" on your card (8 squares)
• The Picture Frame where all sides filled in like a frame (12 squares)
• The Black Out where all your squares are crossed off (all 16)

Download Bingo (click here) you will get a redirect notice, just click on the "tinyurl" link and you will get the bingo sheet to download and print.

Why do this Bingo?  The idea is to expose you to different types of mystery books than you normally gravitate towards, to get out of your comfort zone.  You can use the search feature on my blog to get some ideas for books if you are stumped.  

Your reward for completing each configuration mentioned above until you have a blackout is you get to reward yourself  with a book for each one of the five configurations.  If you want to just do one or two configurations, that works too.

Please comment with how you like this Bingo and what books you discovered.

THANK YOU for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.

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Review - Scared Stiff

 Annelise Ryan is a former nurse and the USA Today bestselling author of the Mattie Winston Mysteries and the new Monster Hunter Mysteries.  I have previously reviewed one of the Monster Hunter mysteries, A Death in Door County, (click here). This will be my first foray into the Mattie Winston mysteries, below you'll find my thoughts on this book.

Author: Annelise Ryan

Copyright: December 2011 (Berkley) 320 pgs

Series: 2nd in Mattie Winston Mysteries

Sensuality: Swear-words sprinkled throughout

Mystery Sub-genre: Suspense, Amateur Sleuth

Main Character: Mattie Winston, former nurse now Deputy Coroner

Setting: Modern day - small town of Sorenson, Wisconsin

Obtained Through: Library

Book Blurb:  "When Deputy Coroner Mattie Winston and her boss/best friend, Izzy, are called to the home of waitress and part-time model Shannon Tolliver, they find the ghoulish Halloween decorations a bit too authentic. Among the fake blood and skeletons is the corpse of Shannon herself. Since the whole town knows Shannon recently had a very public spat with her estranged husband, Erik, he's suspect #1. But Mattie happens to know Erik truly loved his wife, and is simply incapable of the brutal act—even if he owns the exact same caliber handgun as the murder weapon. . .

Determined to unearth the truth, Mattie puts her scalpel-sharp medical skills to work, and digs a little deeper. What she uncovers is stranger than anyone could have imagined. . ."

My Thoughts:  

Mattie is recently split from her cheating Doctor husband and  reinventing herself. In general, I liked her and could relate to her.  The potential romantic interest is Detective Hurley who has some rough edges and I had little interest in.  

Then there is Bjorn, the Lyft/Uber-type driver with bladder issues she resorts to when her car is out of commission. This provides some interesting situations.  Another secondary character who appears in a few scenes is "William-not-Bill," an obsessive-compulsive, germophobic accountant blind date who she tries to match-up with somebody else.  Bjorn and "William-not-Bill" provide some of the humorous scenes, but humor is very subjective and it wasn't hitting me as funny as other readers found it.

The killer confrontation is quite dramatic and kudos on it. The exciting scene really ratchetted up the suspense and was a surprise.

Things I would have changed include how it seemed Mattie was the object of much attention from men as if many were lusting after her, then she is (quit literally) lusting after Detective Hurley, which both were a detractor for me. References to "burning between the thighs," and the "pup tent in his crotch" quickly wore thin, so be warned.  Her brother-in-law and his extreme-chauvinistic comments that she lets slide where a hard pill to swallow for me and perhaps the biggest complaint I have with the story. These factors may not bother others, so you be the judge.

Subjective humor, enjoyable mystery, some good plot twists, and somewhat-romance, all wrapped up as a bit of a light-hearted read.  This is good for when you need an escape without it being too serious and don't mind swearing and chauvinistic comments.

Rating:  Good - A fun read with minor flaws. Maybe read an excerpt before buying. 

If you have read this book or any in the series, please share your thoughts in the comments!  

Here is a short video of Annalise Ryan, very interesting:

THANK YOU for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.

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