http://blogmaniaevent.blogspot.com
Mystery Air Plant by Augury
Share This
Monday, May 31, 2010
Blog Anniversary Celebration Coming
Mystery Air Plant by Augury
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Review - Serpent in the Thorns
Monday Jeri Westerson joined us here as a guest blogger. Her last book, The Serpent in the Thorns has been on my to-be-read list and this was the ideal time to read it for a review to coincide with the guest blog. I confess - I have now become a fan of this series.
Author: Jeri Westerson
Copyright: September 2009 (Minotaur); 288 pgs
Series: #2 in The Crispin Guest Novels
Sensuality: Some adult situations and innuendo
Mystery sub-genre: Medieval Historical
Main Character: Crispin Guest, disgraced knight of England making a living as an investigator
Setting: 1384 England
Obtained book through: Library Find
The book starts with Crispin Guest receiving a client at his lodgings. A simple minded kitchen maid who has the problem of a murdered man in her rooms. She asks "The Tracker" to help her. When Crispin arrives at her rooms he finds a murdered French official bearing a valuable religious relic to be presented to England's king, The Crown of Thorns, still in the dead man's possession. Crispin takes the girl and her sister into his protection while he works to discover who is the killer and what is the killer's real agenda. This book seems to have everything, a murder, a mysterious religious relic, a potential plot against the king of England, and even a bit of swashbuckling action. A shot at redemption as an added spice is thrown in as well.
Crispin made a surprised sound, but before he could respond with a question, the door flung wide. Crispin shot to his feet and blocked the woman from the unknown intruder.
A ginger-haired boy dashed into the room, slammed and bolted the door, and rested against it, panting. He looked up at Crispin through a mane of curled locks. Riotous freckles showed darker against his bone pale skin.
"Jack!" Crispin put a hand to this throbbing head. "What by God's toes are you doing?"
"Master," said the boy. His gaze darted between the girl peering around Crispin's back and then up to Crispin again. "Nought. Nought much."
Crispin glared at his charge. Jack Tucker was more trouble than any servant had a right to be.
The series is referred to as "Medieval noir" but however you classify it I liked it. The main character of Crispin Guest is complex and you begin to believe that he is better off as a person since he was stripped of his knighthood, title and lands. Crispin has a troublesome yet loyal young servant boy (habitual pickpocket) who shines in this tale. Jack is a well portrayed sidekick who can be wise beyond his years when he isn't being chased for stealing. Crispin has learned the value of true friends in the inn-keepers and merchants he associates with since his banishment from the royal court.
The plot moved along at a steady pace and I hated to put it down. At times you think you know where the story will lead - which is deceptive. A few twists that kept me reading and tension was built up expertly. No slow or sagging middle to push through - it sailed along keeping my interest. The setting of Medieval London is deftly brought to life (not too much nor too little details) with a smooth writing style. I enjoyed figuring out the killer and the scene when Crispin confronts the killer is nicely setup. The story was well rounded out and full in every aspect. I really liked the wrap up and the ending is stellar. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
If you enjoy historical novels or like a slightly grity amateur sleuth novel I recommend this series. Great fun. If you haven't indulged in this book, give in now.
* * * * * If you have enjoyed this blog, then PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) and also as best Hobby Blog. Thank you most sincerely. There are voting buttons on the sidebar too. You will have to register with Blogger's Choice, but it is a simple process. I am listed under Mysterysuspence.Blogspot.com. * * * * *
Monday, May 24, 2010
Guest Blogger, Author Jeri Westerson
Winners of the Book Giveaway and Guest Reviewer spot are: Farm Fresh Murder goes to Stella (Ex Libris) , Til Dice Do Us Part goes to Pixie13, and Murder of the Wedding Belle goes to Debbie. Congratulations folks! I am really looking forward to your reviews of these books. You should have received an email from me requesting your mail addresses.
Today we have an extra special surprise...Jeri Westerson, author of the Medieval Mysteries starring Crispin Guest, is our guest blogger! Her books are phenomenal and I am sure you will enjoy her post. Please give a warm welcome to Jeri. And the crowd goes wild with applause and cheering.
Noir and hard-boiled fiction seem to be in Jeri Westerson’s blood. She was born and bred on the mean streets of Los Angeles. Reporter, would-be actress, graphic artist; these are the things she spent her time on before creating the newest hardboiled detective, Crispin Guest—ex-knight turned PI, solving crimes on the mean streets of fourteenth century London in her Medieval Noir series. The Boston Globe called her detective, “A medieval Sam Spade, a tough guy who operates according to his own moral compass.” Her 2008 debut, VEIL OF LIES, garnered nominations for the Macavity Award for historical mystery and the Shamus Award for Best First PI novel. Her second, SERPENT IN THE THORNS, is also a 2010 finalist for the Bruce Alexander Historical Mystery Award, and her third, THE DEMON’S PARCHMENT is due for release October 12.In SERPENT IN THE THORNS, a simple-minded tavern girl stirs up trouble for ex-knight turned detective, Crispin Guest, when a body is found in her room, struck down by an arrow. Making matters worse, the murdered man was one of three couriers from France, transporting a religious relic with grave diplomatic implications. Now, as time runs out, Crispin must unravel the conspiracy behind the murder to save not only his country, but himself as well.
By Jeri Westerson
Writing historical mysteries comes with its own set of problems. There’s already the problem of writing a mystery but on top of that is this layer of history swathed on like frosting. As with science fiction or fantasy, there is a certain amount of world-building that needs to happen, and by that I mean that the reader must be thoroughly placed in that time and place. The smells, the sounds, the feel of it all must be part of the prose without devolving into a travel log or documentary. Everything must be real for the characters and no one should seem out of place. And because readers of historical fiction and mysteries are very particular and have purposely stepped into your world to time travel, the history has got to be authentic.
But how does that work when you are writing a work of fiction to begin with?
I consider the history the skeleton of my story and the fiction—the fictional life of my ex-knight turned detective, Crispin Guest—the flesh and muscle I hang there. If the skeleton isn’t sound, that is, if it’s made of fictional history, then it doesn’t give enough structure to the rest of it. It’s also more of a challenge to bend the fiction to suit the history rather than the other way around.
But it can sometimes be frustrating. I try to choose the words I use to be authentic to the time period. I spend a lot of time with the Oxford English Dictionary to tell me when certain words first came into use, or at least were written down for the first time. This gives you a little leeway. After all, a word was most likely already in use for some time before it was actually written down. But the meanings of words have also changed. Some words we use today didn’t start out with quite that same meaning, and certain idiomatic phrases had a very early origin. In fact, there were instances when I wanted to use a word or phrase that was legitimate to the fourteenth century, but I ended up scrapping it because it sounded too modern!
Research, as you can imagine, is the most time-consuming part of the writing process. I do some initial research before I start to write so I can ground myself in what’s going on at the time, but even as I write there are constantly things that need to be addressed with further research. The real people who walk into the story must be investigated. An occupation or some point of politics must be gone over. And sometimes even weather or the phases of the moon play a role. In my latest, SERPENT IN THE THORNS, the plot is a medieval a thriller (or what I like to call my “ticking sundial” story) and my detective, with time running out, searches for an assassin who is trying to dispatch King Richard II with an arrow. So I had to research all aspects of archery which was actually an integral part of the lives of men in London during this time period.
How is this research accomplished? Plain old-fashioned book reading, which means a trip to my local university library. (And by the way, do not ignore those footnotes. I have found the best turns of plot in just the footnotes!)
Then there is the internet. I can contact people in archives across the pond to get information I need and sometimes I can simply Google something, like a cathedral floor plan, and it comes up! Gotta love the internet!
There’s hands on research, too. I have a collection of medieval weaponry, mostly daggers and a sword. How did it feel to wear these items, to use them? What do the clothes feel like? What does the food taste like? All of these things have to be done to really get a feel for the era.
I’ve often been asked if I would like to time travel back to England in the fourteenth century. And if I did have access to a time machine, I would certainly go back and step out. I’d love to really smell those streets and the people. I’d like to taste the food the way they cooked it rather than relying on the medieval recipes I have. I would like to see the shopkeepers and touch the wares they are selling. I’d like to eaves drop on conversations to hear the cadence of the language and how they used their words and how they pronounced them.
And then, I’d climb back in that time machine and go home, because I know how good we’ve got it here and how tough and foreign it was back there.
A novel is that time machine, at least for the readers. I like to let them walk around.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jeri Westerson does a lot of walking in her head when it comes to imagining the medieval streets of London for her medieval noir series. You can read an excerpt of her latest novel, SERPENT IN THE THORNS, at her website http://www.jeriwesterson.com/.
Crispin Guest has his own Facebook page, Myspace and a website dedicated to him. Check them all out.
Please leave comments and thank Jeri for her wonderful post.
* * * * * If you have enjoyed this blog, then PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) and also as best Hobby Blog. Thank you most sincerely. There are voting buttons on the sidebar too. You will have to register with Blogger's Choice, but it is a simple process. I am listed under Mysterysuspence.Blogspot.com. * * * * *
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Review - Bookplate Special
* * * * * If you have enjoyed this blog, then PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) and also as best Hobby Blog. Thank you most sincerely. There are voting buttons on the sidebar too. You will have to register with Blogger's Choice, but it is a simple process. I am listed under Mysterysuspence.Blogspot.com. * * * * *
Author: Lorna Barrett
Copyright: November 3, 2009 (Berkley); 320 pgs
Series: #3 in Booktown Mysteries
Sensuality: N/A
Mystery sub-genre: Cozy
Main Character: Tricia Miles, owner of "Haven't Got a Clue" mystery bookstore
Setting: Current day - small town Stoneham, New Hampshire
Obtained book through: Library Find
The story opens with Tricia confronting a freeloading old college friend who came for a visit and camped out indefinitely in her living room. Tricia manages to do the unpleasant task of informing Pammy that it is past time she move on. Within a matter of hours after Pammy has vacated she is found stuffed in a trash dumpster behind Angelica's dinner. Apparently Pammy hung out with a group called Freegans which salvage still usable food from trash and Tricia goes on an outing with them to dig for information on a friend she really barely knew. Pammy had also tried to crash a talk by a philanthropist and the clues start to point to Pammy blackmailing somebody. Tricia must figure out who she was blackmailing and over what to figure out who likely killed her.
Perhaps I am unusual, but I don't care for annoying family characters. I get agravated when a character doesn't stand up for themselves, whether it is "family" or not. With that said, the character of Angelica seemed to get a teensy bit less aggravating IMHO. Angelica, Tricia's ever perfect and annoying sister, now runs two businesses, the cookbook store and a dinner - and her cookbook is about to published. She still thinks the world revolves around her and shows her utter disregard for those who aren't as well off as her (when she didn't work for her money but marry four guys and get their money.) But at least she doesn't bull doze Tricia all of the time in this one - only some of the time.
"Angelica sighed theatrically. "Yes, Angelica Miles. Soon to be published, I might add. Penguin Books, Easy-Does-It Cooking, twenty-four ninety-nine - available on June first."
It was Tricia's turn to roll her eyes. Much more information than anyone needed to know.
She leaned against the counter stool and listened as Captain Baker took Angelica through the same set of questions. His demeanor was just so different from that of his boss. If the circumstances were different, she decided, she might even like him.
"And why was it you hired Ms. Fredericks?" Baker asked.
Finally, the question Tricia had been waiting to hear answered.
Angelica sighed, looked over to Tricia for a moment and then turned back to the captain. "I figured it would keep her out of my garbage."
Baker blinked in disbelief. So did Tricia.
"Of course, " Angelica continued, "I had no idea someone would actually kill her and put her in my garbage cart."
"Wait a minute," Tricia siad, leaning forward. "What do you mean, 'Keep her out of my garbage'?"
Angelica shrugged. "She came by every day - after closing, of course - and poked through my cans to see what she could salvage."
A few of the characters lost a little ground it seemed. Tricia's employee Ginny seemed a bit "off" to me this time out, and Angelica's employee Frannie who runs the cookbook store (the prior Chamber of Commerce maven) is uncharacteristically frazzled and scattered. Grace, from a prior book, and Mr. Everett are planning a wedding which adds a sentimental touch. In this installment Tricia's stale relationship with Russ has apparently passed its expiration date and the setup for a new love interest to enter the story is presented. But otherwise the characters didn't seem quiet as vibrant as I remember from the prior books. Mostly I would like to better understand Tricia. In this book she seems to lack the psychological / emotional element that was present in the first book.
The plot was good, the author let you think the answer was so obvious and then throws you for a loop with that being completely wrong. The climax had a surprise in it I was taken aback by - good job there. A new love interest was obviously being setup but we will have to see how that one plays out - could work nicely or be cliché. Overall it is a good cozy mystery and draws you in to the little town that was saved economically by becoming a "book town" full of book sellers of many varieties. If you like cozies, you might want to check this series out.
The next book in the series is Chapter and Hearse,which is due out August 3. I look forward to it.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Book Giveaway - Grab Bag
* * * * * If you have enjoyed this blog, then PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) and also as best Hobby Blog. Thank you most sincerely. There are voting buttons on the sidebar too. You will have to register with Blogger's Choice, but it is a simple process. I am listed under Mysterysuspence.Blogspot.com. * * * * *
Winners for the giveaway of A TOAST TO MURDER are Stacey, Rae Reads and Laura Ann Dunks. You should have received an email requesting your mailing address, if not please contact me. CONGRATULATIONS. Check out the new book giveaway. I am so behind on my reading - so you benefit!
I am giving away a grab bag of 3 books that the publisher has sent to me and I probably won't get to them. BUT a condition is that you PLEASE do a guest review of the book you receive to be posted on this blog - since the publisher sent these to be reviewed. You may also post on your own blog as well. Your post on this blog will give you credit as the guest reviewer and link to your blog as well. There are three individual books to be given away to three winners. These are advanced reading copies (ARC), so they don't have the full color covers.
First in the Farmer's Market Mystery Series. Becca Robins leads a simple life, making jams and preserves on her very own farm. But when there's a murder in her quaint little town, she puts herself in the line of fire to defend her friend's innocence-and goes from making jam to being in one.
The Bunco Babes are a group of hip retirees who love to play bunco- an addictive game of luck. But someone's luck is about to run out... For good.
When Claudia Connors returns from Vegas with a new husband, actor Lance Ledeaux, Kate McCall and the other Bunco Babes are shocked. To make matters worse, Lance has plans to direct, produce, and star in a play he has written-and he wants all the Babes to participate.
When he's killed during rehearsal with a pistol, all eyes are on Claudia, who is literally holding the smoking gun. Anyone could have loaded the real bullets, but its up to Kate to prove Claudia's innocence-or her newly widowed friend will be throwing dice behind bars.
School psychologist Skye Denison reluctantly agrees to act as maid of honor in her California cousin's over-the-top platinum-style wedding- and is also expected to assist the control-freak wedding planner. But when Skye discovers the planner dead, just one week before the big event, Skye is suddenly working double-duty.
While overseeing every nuptial detail, she's also helping the police find out who hated the bridal consultant enough to kill her. Can Skye get her cousin to the church on time-and save herself from a killer who may actually be on the guest list?
How to Enter:
*** First, you must be a member (follower) of this blog and you agree to the guest reviewer condition.***
All entries are to be in the comments for this post (or possibly in an email.)
I will stop taking entries for this giveaway Friday May 21 at midnight and will announce the winner Monday May 24th. Please be ready to review the book within a week or two upon receipt of the book if at all possible.
For each point you earn you will have one entry in the random drawing. There is a chance for 9 points total for each contestant and thus 9 entries each.
+1 for leaving a comment with your correct email information. If you don’t feel comfortable leaving your email in a comment, please email me your information at: mysterysuspense1 at gmail dot com.
+2 for each new member you bring to this blog (you must identify the new member you brought) limit of 2 new per contest
+2 posting on Facebook recommending this blog or post, please supply link in comments
+1 for having this blog's button in a side bar of your blog with a link back, please supply link in comments
+1 for tweeting about this blog, please post link in comments
Comment/email example:
+1 here is my email address so you can notify me I won _ _ _ _ _ @ _ _ _ .com
+2 for new google member Sadie197 I brought to your blog
+2 here is the link to my Facebook page where I posted about your blog
+1 for adding your blog button to my blog sidebar (http://myblog.blogspot.com/)
+1 here is the link to the tweet I did on this Blog (http://twitter.com/NICKI0162/status/7657117606)
Thank you for participating and good luck! I look forward to some guest reviewers.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Review - Marks of Cain
* * * * * If you have enjoyed this blog, then PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) and also as best Hobby Blog. Thank you most sincerely. There are voting buttons on the sidebar too. You will have to register with Blogger's Choice, but it is a simple process. I am listed under Mysterysuspence.Blogspot.com. * *
Copyright: May 6, 2010 (Viking Adult); 448 pgs.
Series: Stand alone
Sensuality: explicit language, sex scenes, and graphic violence
Mystery sub-genre: Thriller
Main Character: Attorney David Martinez and Journalist Simon Quinn
Setting: Current day England, Spain, France, Africa, Germany
Obtained book through: Publisher for an honest review
Write up from Publisher's Review:
"Two strangers, American David Martinez and Englishman Simon Quinn, become involved in two apparently unconnected strands of what's revealed as one unified conspiracy in Knox's problematic second thriller, which...casts recent human evolution in an unorthodox light. At the urging of his late grandfather, Martinez sets out to learn his family's true history, while Quinn looks into a series of brutal murders involving [elderly wealthy] victims connected to the Basque regions of Spain and France. Both men find answers in the tumultuous history of the Pyrenees and Namibia, answers with implications so terrible that the Catholic Church is willing to conspire with a murderous Basque terrorist to conceal them. Repeated violent confrontations with supposedly deadly assassins somehow never quite result in the protagonists' deaths. Tom Knox supplies a rational basis for the Nazi genocide that may offend some readers."
I felt that this summary was far more succinct than anything I can come up with. I will be honest, this was a tough book for me. I like thrillers - but I don't like a lot of graphic violence etc. It was also difficult to understand what the book was generally about until about half way through. I wish I had read that summary before starting this novel, it would have helped me from feeling in the dark until well into this long story.
Although every book has us as readers suspend our natural skepticism and disbelief, I found that hard to maintain a good number of times. Firstly David Martinez is facing unavoidable death so many times I lost count - even being burned alive, but still manages to miraculously escape time and again. The downright gross factor was very high with scenes like sludging through the liquid of decomposed bodies. I found the writing style difficult at times, perhaps the author's being British with a different cultural basis contributed to that (wild guess there).
And...I had an older brother. We were rather a happy family... At first... Then at eighteen I went off to university and while I was there I got this frantic phone call from my mother. She said, your brohter Tim has just lost it. I asked her what she meant and she said, he's just lost it. And it was true. He'd suddenly come home from university ...At times I wanted to know why these wealthy elderly people had been killed and how it all fit together, but before long I just wanted to finish the book and read something happy. This is a very dark and depressing book overall. Characterization is a mixed bag, David Martinez is rather an insecure loner and Simon is single minded former alcoholic, but otherwise I couldn't really decribe them. I think an obvious setup in the book is Simon's psychotic brother who is in an asylum for murdering their mother clearly was going to be part of the plot and the mental illness somehow figured in too. But that was never utilized and I don't know why Simon had a psychotic murderous brother.
My parents realized my brother had a pretty serious problem - and they took him to a doctor, and they prescribed Tim the usual drugs. The wretched little pills. Antipsychotics. And they worked for a while...But one night when I was home for Christmas I heard this muttering noise and...and it was this voice....And I lay there wondering what to do. But then I heard this terrible scream and I rushed from my bedroom and my brother was in..." He closed and opened his eyes. "My brother was there in my mother's bedroom and they were alone because my father was away...and...and my brother was attacking her, hacking at my mother, with a machette. A big knife. A machete. (I am stopping here for it gets bloody.)
If you tend to like Thrillers that are grittier, you don't mind violence or dark stories this book may be for you. Me personally, I think I need a nice cozy mystery!!
To lighten things up - here is a little something extra from a wedding reception:
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Book Giveaway - A Toast to Murder by Michele Scott
As you can see this blog is dedicated to mystery, crime fiction and suspense novels. I hope you find something to interest you here. Enjoy!
Thank you Carol for putting this together, it is a great idea.
Please read the directions carefully as I have changed one or two things.
How to Enter:
*** First, you must be a member (follower) of this blog.***
All entries are to be in the comments for this post (or possibly in an email.)
I will stop taking entries for this giveaway Friday May 14 at midnight and will announce the winner Monday the May 17th.
For each point you earn you will have one entry in the random drawing. There is a chance for 9 points total for each contestant and thus 9 entries each.
+1 for leaving a comment with your correct email information. If you don’t feel comfortable leaving your email in a comment, please email me your information at: mysterysuspense1 at gmail dot com.
+2 for posting on your blog about this giveaway with a link back, please supply link to your blog post in the comments
+2 for each new member you bring to this blog (you must identify the new member you brought) limit of 2 new per contest
+1 for having this blog's button in a side bar of your blog with a link back, please supply link in comments
+1 for tweeting about this contest, please post link in comments
Comment/email example:
+1 here is my email address so you can notify me I won _ _ _ _ _ @ _ _ _ .com
+2 here is the link to the post I did on my blog for this giveaway (http://myblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/book giveaway hurry)
+2 for new google member Sadie197 I brought to your blog
+1 for adding your blog button to my blog sidebar (http://myblog.blogspot.com/)
+1 here is the link to the tweet I did on this giveaway (http://twitter.com/NICKI0162/status/7657117606)
Thank you for participating and good luck!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Review - A Cast-Off Coven
This is an enjoyable new series. You can read the review I did on the first book (Secondhand Spirits) in the series here. Also read the interview with the author here. This is an advance review since the book isn't released until June 1.
Copyright: June 1, 2010 (Signet); 342 pgs.
Series: #2 in Witchcraft Mysteries
Sensuality: mild
Mystery sub-genre: Cozy + Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Main Character: Lily Ivory, powerful natural witch and owner of vintage clothing store
Setting: Current day San Francisco
Obtained book through: Publisher for an honest review
At the local art school things are getting out of hand and an apparent ghost is raising the tensions so the student body is fighting and arguing. Lily is asked to look into this paranormal activity...and discovers a body at the bottom of the reportedly haunted staircase where a few decades prior a student supposedly had committed suicide. The body is of Jerry Becker, a wealthy owner of beauty salons and various investments who is found to have been tied to the historic suicide in the same location.
Lily is surprised when local power broker witch Aidan leaves her no alternative but to deal with whatever is going wrong no matter how her newly blossoming romance with Max, who dislikes her involvement with anything paranormal, could blow up. Lily believes there is a bigger problem than the suicide (probable murder) from decades ago, she is more concerned about the apparent demonic activity that she believes traces back to when the building had been a convent. Lily also believes Jerry Becker was killed by a very real person.
For a cozy / urban fantasy hybrid mystery this series is an enjoyable read, more positive and "light" than strictly urban fantasies and the cozy factor is still there. Enjoyable supporting cast of Bronwyn, Maya and Lily's familiar Oscar keep the tone lighter to counter the demon fighting. Lily's building a romance with Max, the "I hate anything remotely paranormal or psychic" reporter. Aidan mentions that it is Darrin and Samantha in Bewitched, but I disagree - Darrin at least acknowledged Samantha was a witch whereas Max just insists Lily is naive or delusional. I continue to find Max tedious, there must be a better relationship for Lily out there!
I moved to the center of the hallway and stood still, arms outstretched, trying to discern what in the world - or beyond this world - we were dealing with.The mystery element is multi-faceted between the other-worldly and the physical world. It kept my interest but the reader does seem to be ahead of Lily. You know it is about the recently opened closet room before she gets it etc. The resolution to the story held no surprises but was handled well. Probably the most surprising twist in the story is the police detective coming to talk to Lily about the ghostly happenings and asking for help. The ending promises more on that front.
The breath became a low moan, bouncing off the corridor walls, growing in intensity, surging and swirling until it felt as though it were inside my head. The walls began to seethe with the sound, swelling and waning as though they were made of pliable membrane rather than stucco and stone. Everything vibrated with sensations of anger, despair, and fierce jealousy.
"This is crazy!" Kevin sprang to his feet. "Let's go!"
He grabbed Maya's hand and yanked her down the hall, Ginny close on their heals.
"Run, Lily!" Ginny yelled. "Come on!"
The moaning became a roar, filling the hallway until it screamed like a runaway freight train. And just as suddenly it stopped.
I opened my eyes, turned tail, and ran.
I may be a witch, but I'm no fool.
For this genre the characters are well done and remind me of an old pair of jeans, they are comfortable and feel good. This is what you want in a cozy series and I think it is successful at it.
For your convenience you may purchase your copy here.
A little something extra for you:
Monday, May 3, 2010
Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival for May 2010
* * * * * If you have enjoyed this blog, then PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) and also as best Hobby Blog. Thank you most sincerely. There are voting buttons on the sidebar too. You will have to register with Blogger's Choice, but it is a simple process. I am listed under Mysterysuspence.Blogspot.com. * * * * * * * *
Winners of the TOMORROW RIVER book giveaway are Stella (Ex Librus) and Giada. You should have received an email requesting your mailing address to send your copy to.
Police Procedural Book Review
Bernadette reveiws Hypothermia by Arnaldur Indriðason The subtle drama of these exquisitely depicted, intertwining stories is as compelling as any explosively dramatic book. Quite beautiful.
Alexia's Books and Such reviewed Fantasy in Death by J.D. Robb
Jennifer at Crazy For Books reviewed Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo
Hey Lady! Whatcha Reading? reviews The Tunnels by Michelle Gagnon
Sharon's Garden of Book Reviews gave us Deception by Jonathon Kellerman
Private Investigator Book Review
Lesley's Book Nook reviewed the Maisie Dobbs (audio) by Jacqueline Winspear
Amateur Sleuth book Review
A Million Words reviews the novel The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley
Christy at Readin' and Dreamin' reviews the book Whom the Gods Love by Kate Ross
Cozy Mystery Book Review
Mark reviews three cozy novels in his post Recent Nightstand Visitors sharing "the post includes reviews of comedic mysteries Corpse on the Cob by Sue Ann Jaffarian, Revenge for Old Times' Sake by Kris Neri, and Death of a Trophy Wife by Laura Levine"
Lesa's Book Critiques reviews Farm Fresh Murder by Paige Shelton
Thriller/Suspense Fiction Book Review
KerrieS reviewed BLEED FOR ME, Michael Robotham saying this will be a strong contender for this year's Ned Kelly Awards.
Missy Frye reviews the novel The Right Call by Kathy Herman saying "with information that could solve a series of murders but endangers the girl he loves, a college boy grapples with what to do—and whom to trust."
Amanda at Bookshelf Monstrousity reviews The Ghost Writer by John Harwood
Author Interview
Mysteries and My Musing interviewed M. Louise Locke
Mysteries and My Musings interviewed Martha Grimes
Writing Tips and Advice
Writer sense gives us Creating a Villain Pt 1
Writer sense gives us Creating a Villain Pt 2
Research for background of Forensic Science JohnQ Stakes presents Top 10 Most Famous Forensic Scientists of All Time
*******I hope you got some ideas for new books or authors to read and even some tips and insights for writing.*******
For more information on the specifics of the Carnival and how to submit your posts go here.
And please help spread the word about this Blog carnival, it is very easy to submit a post to be included.
Bernadette reveiws Hypothermia by Arnaldur Indriðason The subtle drama of these exquisitely depicted, intertwining stories is as compelling as any explosively dramatic book. Quite beautiful.
Alexia's Books and Such reviewed Fantasy in Death by J.D. Robb
Jennifer at Crazy For Books reviewed Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo
Hey Lady! Whatcha Reading? reviews The Tunnels by Michelle Gagnon
Sharon's Garden of Book Reviews gave us Deception by Jonathon Kellerman
Private Investigator Book Review
Lesley's Book Nook reviewed the Maisie Dobbs (audio) by Jacqueline Winspear
Amateur Sleuth book Review
A Million Words reviews the novel The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley
Christy at Readin' and Dreamin' reviews the book Whom the Gods Love by Kate Ross
Cozy Mystery Book Review
Mark reviews three cozy novels in his post Recent Nightstand Visitors sharing "the post includes reviews of comedic mysteries Corpse on the Cob by Sue Ann Jaffarian, Revenge for Old Times' Sake by Kris Neri, and Death of a Trophy Wife by Laura Levine"
Lesa's Book Critiques reviews Farm Fresh Murder by Paige Shelton
Thriller/Suspense Fiction Book Review
KerrieS reviewed BLEED FOR ME, Michael Robotham saying this will be a strong contender for this year's Ned Kelly Awards.
Missy Frye reviews the novel The Right Call by Kathy Herman saying "with information that could solve a series of murders but endangers the girl he loves, a college boy grapples with what to do—and whom to trust."
Amanda at Bookshelf Monstrousity reviews The Ghost Writer by John Harwood
Author Interview
Mysteries and My Musing interviewed M. Louise Locke
Mysteries and My Musings interviewed Martha Grimes
Writing Tips and Advice
Writer sense gives us Creating a Villain Pt 1
Writer sense gives us Creating a Villain Pt 2
Research for background of Forensic Science JohnQ Stakes presents Top 10 Most Famous Forensic Scientists of All Time
*******I hope you got some ideas for new books or authors to read and even some tips and insights for writing.*******
For more information on the specifics of the Carnival and how to submit your posts go here.
And please help spread the word about this Blog carnival, it is very easy to submit a post to be included.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
