Mystery Movie Review - Double Jeopardy

 This 1999 movie is one where critics hated it and audiences mostly enjoyed or loved. The basic legal concept of Double Jeopardy used in the film (you can't be tried twice for the same crime) many people point out doesn't work as it does in the film and become indignant about it. This is fictitious, it isn't the real world. Now if this point is a deal breaker, don't watch it.  I have watched this several times, even own it on DVD (remember those).  So read on if you want to know more.

What it's about:

When Nick Parsons appears to be murdered by his adoring wife, Libby, she is tried and convicted as the killer. While in prison, she discovers he is alive and must have set her up. After six years in prison, Libby is paroled and is pursued by Travis Lehman (her parole officer) as she sets out to find her son and settle the score with not-dead-Nick.

Rated R (language, some violence).  1 hour 45 minutes

Cast:

Ashley Judd as Libby

Tommy Lee Jones as Travis

Bruce Greenwood as Nick

Annabeth Gish as Angie

Roma Maffia as  Margaret

Director Bruce Beresford

Producers Leonard Goldberg and Richard Luke Rothschild

Screenwriters David Weisberg and Douglas Cook

Rotten Tomatoes (28%) Audience (61%) and critics reviews:

"28 on rotten tomatoes just goes to show you the critics do not judge movies like the regular folk do. This is an excellent little thriller. Good storyline. Someone wrongly accused trying to fight the justice system without anybody's help." Audience Reviewer "C T"

"Who doesn't love a 90s female-fronted action thriller? Judd completely sells Libby's transformation in this wannabe The Fugitive sequel. While some of the politics of Lee Jones' character are icky, it's very satisfying seeing Greenwood get his comeuppance." Joe Lipsett-Anatomy of a Scream Podcast Network

"Sit back, relax, and marvel at the wonder that is Ashley Judd." Karen Kemmerle-Decider

"Double Jeopardy has all the legal savvy of the O.J. Simpson jury." Martin Scribbs- Low IQ Canadian

"Implausible and contrived...it's "The Fugitive," complete with Tommy Lee Jones in essentially the same role." John J Puccio-Movie Metropolis

"It cannot be art, but commercially and emotionally, it aims to satisfy, and does." David Elliott-San Diego Union-Tribune

Noteworthy awards or rankings:

• 2000 Winner Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress - Suspense  Ashley Judd
• 2000 Nominee Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actor - Suspense  Tommy Lee Jones
• 2000 Nominee Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actor - Suspense Bruce Greenwood
• 2000 Nominee MTV Movie Award for Best Female Performance Ashley Judd

Trivia (from IMDB):

• Jodie Foster landed the role of Libby after Meg Ryan and Brooke Shields both declined, but was replaced by Ashley Judd when Foster became pregnant. Michelle Pfeiffer turned down the lead role in order to film the romantic comedy The Story of Us (1999), opposite Bruce Willis.

• Despite playing the main character and protagonist, Ashley Judd took second billing behind Tommy Lee Jones and even though Tommy Lee Jones does not appear on screen until over 33 minutes into it.  Tommy Lee Jones earned $10 million for appearing in the film. By comparison, Ashley Judd, who played the lead, was paid $1 million.

• According to director Bruce Beresford, Robert Benton did an uncredited ten-day rewrite shortly before production began.

• Greg Kinnear was offered the part of Nicholas Parsons, but passed.

• The portion of this film that is set in Evergreen, Colorado was filmed in Vancouver, BC.

• When Libby uses the pay phone in prison she is wearing her wedding ring. The ring would have been confiscated when she was first arrested.

• Ashley Judd and Roma Maffia also acted together in Kiss the Girls (1997).

• Ashley Judd and Tommy Lee Jones appeared with Val Kilmer in different films in the same year: Judd in Heat (1995) and Jones in Batman Forever (1995).

• Tommy Lee Jones and Bruce Greenwood would collaborate again in Rules of Engagement (2000).

• Bruce Greenwood played Batman in the animated movies Batman: Death in the Family (2020), Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010), and Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018). Tommy Lee Jones also played in a Batman movie: Batman Forever (1995).

• Bruce Greenwood also played Captain Christopher Pike in J.J. Abrams' movies Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013).

My Thoughts:

First, let me just say that "there is nothing new under the sun." By which I mean that any stripped down plot has been done before and is what every single author or screenwriter faces today.  This movie has been discounted because they claim it's essentially The Fugitive. It is how you make it different and make it your own that matters. Double Jeopardy is different than The Fugitive in that Libby is fighting to get her son back and get back at her husband for setting her up, where The Fugitive is trying to find his wife's killer and clear his name thereby also getting his reputation and career back. Additionally, The Fugitive is rushing to find who the murderer really was and why, whereas in Double Jeopardy it becomes clear that nobody was murdered. Completely different emotional motivations at play and dinging this movie because of a somewhat similar concept is ludicrous. 

Any argument regarding whether or not the whole double jeopardy law works in the way that it was portrayed in the film is ridiculous. Think about it this way: perhaps there should be a one line disclaimer in bold print at the beginning of the movie along the lines of "this fictitious story does not claim to provide anyone legal advice."  That is right up there with the warning on fast food paper coffee cups to be careful because the coffee is hot or don't take a medicine if you are allergic to it! No Sh_t Sherlock. 

Double Jeopardy filming has gorgeous scenery with lush photography and solid editing. The music sets the atmosphere nicely, and the script is well paced with only a few brief slower parts. Tommy Lee Jones and especially Ashley Judd deliver solid and moving lead performances.  I will give a caveat that there are some logistics that are improbable in the storyline, but all fiction relies on a certain amount of suspending ones disbelief and this wasn't overly outlandish, so I was good with it.  Some will find it exciting while others may find it an average suspense tale. I find it entertaining and good for a popcorn night. This is a solid movie so settle in, route for Ashley Judd, and enjoy the ride without over thinking it all.

If you have watched it before, perhaps it would be a good one to re-watch.  Let me know your thoughts on this movie in the comments.  Also, tell me if there is a mystery movie you would like me to review in the comments. I don't do horror, gory, or overly violent movies so give me some suggestions.

Movie Trailer:

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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.

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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.

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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:

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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.

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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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Review - The Last Hope

This is the final book in the Maggie Hope series and I have been a devoted fan since the very beginning, reviewing each book on this blog. I hate to see it end, but eleven novels are a lot and Maggie deserves a break from the war.  Find out what I thought of this final book.  

While it works as a stand alone novel, the character of real life Coco Chanel first appears in the seventh novel, The Paris Spy, and is nice to have read it going into this book, but not vital. Here are my reviews in order.

#1 Mr. Churchill's Secretary (click here) 

#2 Princess Elizabeth's Spy (click here) 

#3 His Majesty's Hope (click here) 

#4 The Prime Minister's Secret Agent (click here) 

#5 Mrs Roosevelt's Confidante (click here) 

#6 The Queen's Accomplice (click here) 

#7 The Paris Spy (click here) 

#8  The Prisoner in the Castle (click here) 

#9 The King's Justice (click here) 

#10 The Hollywood Spy (click here)

Author interview 2012 (click here) 

Author interview 2017 (click here)

Author: Susan Elia MacNeal

Copyright: May 2025 (Bantam) 304 pgs

Series: 11th in Maggie Hope Mysteries

Sensuality: Adult topics without details

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical intrigue, suspense mystery

Main Characters: Maggie Hope, American now British Secret Service

Setting: 1943, primarily in Madrid, Spain

Obtained Through: Library

Book Blurb:  "Maggie Hope has come a long way since she was Mr. Churchill’s secretary. In the face of tremendous danger, she’s learned espionage, sabotage, and reconnaissance. But things are different now that she has so much to lose, including the possibility of a family with John Sterling, the man who’s long held her heart.

British Intelligence has ordered Maggie to assassinate Werner Heisenberg, the physicist who may deliver a world-ending fission bomb for Germany. She’s shaken. An assassination is unlike anything she has ever done. How can the Allies even be sure Nazi Germany has a bomb? Determined to gather more information, Maggie travels to Madrid, where Heisenberg is visiting for a lecture.

At the same time, couturier Coco Chanel [of the clothing and perfume empire], a spy in her own right [for the Nazi's as agent F7124 codename Westminster]… has requested a mysterious meeting with the British ambassador in Madrid—and has requested Maggie join them. As the two play a dangerous game of cat and mouse, Maggie tries to get a better understanding of Heisenberg, but is faced with betrayal and a threat more terrifying than losing her own life.

Maggie desperately wants to find her happily-ever-after, but as the war reaches a fever pitch, the stakes keep rising. Now, more than ever, the choices she makes will reverberate around the globe, touching everyone she loves—with fateful implications for the future of the free world."

My thoughts:  

Maggie has been through a lot over the prior ten books, and this book has a deep personal impact on her as well. In this addition to the series, Maggie's assignment seems rather simple on paper, but it turns out anything but.  She doesn't even make it to Madrid before an assassination occurs near her. Not only is it far more dangerous than believed, but she is emotionally and physically pushed to her limits. She must rely on her instincts through much of the twists.

John Sterling, Maggie's early love and former fiancé, is back and is working for Churchill again. They have reunited. We see him before Maggie's undercover operation and after.  We also have a lovely scene with her other friends Charlotte "Chuck" Ludlow and toddler Griffin, plus David and Freddie.  I loved this and had missed her "found family" in the last few books.

While in Spain Maggie has a cast of characters besides Coco Chanel.  There is Maggie's Spain contact, Miguel "Angel" Ramos, and Tom Burns, Press Attaché to the British Embassy in Madrid.  I loved the subplot of the famous bullfighter and celebrity, Juanito Belmonte, liking Maggie and wanting to date her. It was a lighter thread to all the danger and subterfuge.

Madrid during WWII is vividly brought to life and provides a deep sense of isolation where Maggie is essentially cut off and on her own not knowing who she can truly trust.

This is a solid spy/intrigue novel that had me in its grip throughout. 

I know this is supposed to be the final book in the series, but the ending setup another mission for Maggie. Could the series continue as self published, as so many other historical series have done?  Please let it be true!

The "Historical Notes" are fascinating alone. I have failed to mention these in each of the books in the series, but they are great and I eagerly read them each time. 

This is a stellar novel with intrigue, danger, twists and turns, while providing sweeping historical touches and heart wrenching parts. I highly recommend.

Rating: Near perfect - Loved it! If you haven't read it yet, get two copies. One for you and another for family or friend. 

Here is a video on Coco Chanel's connections with Germany during WWII

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Review - A Death in Door County

Annelise Ryan is the USA Today bestselling author of multiple mystery series, including the Mattie Winston Mysteries and now the Monster Hunter Mysteries.  I'll be reviewing the first in the Mattie Winston Mysteries later.  Let's check out this unique concept of a cryptozoologist (a person who studies/searches for undiscovered or legendary animals known as "cryptids, that haven't been verified by mainstream science) who is becomes an amateur sleuth.  Read on to see how this unique hobby is used as the basis for the storyline.

Author: Annelise Ryan 

Copyright: Sept 2022 (Berkley) 334 pgs

Series: 1st in Monster Hunter Mysteries

Sensuality: Mild, mature topics

Mystery Sub-genre: Amateur Sleuth, cozy mystery

Main Character: Morgan Carter, owner of the Odds and Ends bookstore

Setting: Modern day in Door County, Wisconsin

Obtained Through: Library

Book Blurb:  "A Wisconsin bookstore owner and cryptozoologist is asked to investigate a series of deaths that just might be proof of a fabled lake monster.

     Morgan Carter, owner of the Odds and Ends bookstore in Door County, Wisconsin, has a hobby. When she’s not tending the store, she’s hunting cryptids—creatures whose existence is rumored, but never proven to be real. It’s a hobby that cost her parents their lives, but one she’ll never give up on.

     So when a number of bodies turn up on the shores of Lake Michigan with injuries that look like bites from a giant unknown animal, police chief Jon Flanders turns to Morgan for help. A skeptic at heart, Morgan can’t turn down the opportunity to find proof of an entity whose existence she can’t definitively rule out. She and her beloved rescue dog, Newt, journey to the Death's Door strait to hunt for a homicidal monster in the lake—but if they’re not careful, they just might be its next victims."

MY Thoughts:  The cryptozoologist angle is a fascinating premise, but in lesser hands could have been cheesy or mired in wacky conspiracy theories. Instead, Ms. Ryan gives us some emotional depth in heroine Morgan Carter that makes her interest in, and skepticism of, cryptids a more realistic view that balances out the story to make a solid cozy mystery story while feeding the imagination. This book has a deep sense of place, thanks to the author living in Wisconsin. This story, and I suspect the rest of the series, is intertwined fully with the setting so that my memory of the book immediately brings up the beautiful-yet-dangerous lake setting. I love that.

The plot is solid murder mystery with a few turns and the pacing stays gentle but steady to keep interest.   

Besides Morgan, the key characters are her faithful and beloved dog, Newt (short for Newton), a Labrador and Golden Retriever mixed with St Bernard, possible romantic interest in police chief Jon Flanders, and the gruff boat captain, Martin (Marty) Showalter.  I love Newt, a lot.  All the characters are nicely developed and draw you in.

Overall, I'm hooked and will be reviewing more of this series as well as her others. Good cozy mystery with tense moments, exciting killer confrontation, and nicely used tropes.

Thank you for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.

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A Short Personal Update

     I don't want to get into too many details, but I wanted to give an explanation to my loyal readers.  May 22 I went to the Emergency room and within the hour was in surgery under going brain surgery.  After nine days in ICU, I finally got to return home.  The last several months have been intense healing and daily antibiotic treatments.  I went through physical and speech therapy, but the general outlook is I will make a full recovery and have made tremendous progress already.

     I share this to explain my lack of posts, but also to stress that getting treatment quickly was key.  My speech suddenly became unintelligible after a serious headache for many days from what I thought was my sinuses (I was even on antibiotics).  If you or anyone you know experiences garbled or difficulty speaking, get them to the hospital pronto.  

     I can't thank the surgeons, neurologists, and nursing staff enough for their care and diligence.  I was fortunate to have a highly regarded neuro-surgeon in a hospital that is recognized for their neurological care.  But again, getting treatment so quickly was key.

     I'm just now getting around to my normal levels of reading, and I'm finally writing again and wanted to share with my faithful blog readers why I've not shared much lately.  I'm jumping into the third Accidental Vampire PI draft.  I'll keep you updated on its progress.

     Stay healthy my friends.

Review - Killers of a Certain Age

 Deanna Raybourn is the New York Times bestselling author of the Edgar Award–nominated Veronica Speedwell Mysteries, as well as the Lady Julia Grey series and several stand-alone works.  Her latest series features a group of women in their 60s who worked as elite assassins. But retirement can be deadly.  

“This Golden Girls meets James Bond thriller is a journey you want to be part of.” -Buzzfeed

"... pits men against women, age against youth, technology against old school know-how.” -Amazon Book Review

Naturally it has been compared to "The Thursday Murder Club" and the 2010 movie "Red."  Read this review to understand how it differs from both.

Author: Deanna Raybourn

Copyright: August 2023 (Berkley) 368 pgs

Series: 1st in Killers of a Certain Age thriller series

Sensuality: violence, mature themes, language

Mystery Sub-genre: Thriller, intrigue

Main Character: Billie Webster, recently retired from forty years in an elite female assassination squad.

Setting: Modern day, global locations

Obtained Through: Library

Book Blurb: "Older women often feel invisible, but sometimes that’s their secret weapon. They’ve spent their lives as the deadliest assassins in a clandestine international organization, but now that they're sixty years old, four women friends can’t just retire—it’s kill or be killed in this action-packed thriller by New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award–nominated author Deanna Raybourn.

Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie have worked for the Museum, an elite network of assassins, for forty years. Now their talents are considered old-school and no one appreciates what they have to offer in an age that relies more on technology than people skills.

When the foursome is sent on an all-expenses paid vacation to mark their retirement, they are targeted by one of their own. Only the Board, the top-level members of the Museum, can order the termination of field agents, and the women realize they’ve been marked for death.

Now to get out alive they have to turn against their own organization, relying on experience and each other to get the job done, knowing that working together is the secret to their survival. They’re about to teach the Board what it really means to be a woman—and a killer—of a certain age."

My Thoughts:  

I like the four diverse women who make up the squad.  Billie is the main point-of-view character through the book. She is particularly good at fighting and is a tad impulsive. The others are: Helen, a widow who's a smooth pickpocket and handy with a gun while also taking detailed notes on everyone she meets;  Natalie (Nat), and Mary Alice. I like these gals and how they work so well together.

Many scenes are told via flashbacks.  Those scenes actually provide some clues, but a few times it felt disorienting to jump to the past. This book has multiple global settings, but initially starts on a luxury cruise. The settings have just enough description to place you in each local. You really feel like your seeing each place through the eyes of a trained killer.  

The plot leads you through some twists and turns and the pacing speeds along.  The climax reveals more than I expected, making it very satisfying. The writing and plot are enjoyable and well done.

It isn't like "The Thursday Murder Club" (see review of book 2 here) since Richard Osman's series has ordinary people, except one character, making it a bit of a rag-tag amateur sleuth group.  The 2010 movie "Red" (short for Retired Extremely Dangerous) is closer since I can see Helen Mirren's character as inspiration for Billie in the book, and both the movie and this books series are about retired deadly agents.  But I think that is where the similarities end. 

I absolutely love the "technology against old school know-how" theme. Their ability to use low-tech or no-tech actually keeps them alive while giving them an upper hand.  So well done. Plus the age and experience beats younger and less experienced theme was golden as well. In an age where over fifty makes it harder to find a job, this had me routing for them.

There is a paradox at work through the book where the four women are shown to maintain their humanity and feelings while being efficient killers, which makes the characters more interesting.  I like how they learned to rely on each other for each one's skill set and not be competitive.  They have become like sisters in some ways.

I do have some caveats with my praise. The "Museum" organization, and thus the four women, operate on a vigilante assassination philosophy that the ends justify the means.  They don't just skirt the law, they toss the law out the window to be judge (the Museum), jury (the Museum), and executioner (the assassins).  It is stated this way in the book: "I'm interested in justice, not law."  But justice is subjective and often handed out based on grudges or emotions like revenge when the law isn't the bedrock.  

I know it took me awhile to get to this book so many of you may have read it already.  I would love to hear your thoughts on the book.

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

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

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Musings - Shakespeare's Lasting Impact

 

    When many people think of William Shakespeare, they think of a long ago time where life was harsh and cruel, illness wiped out hundreds of thousands, and the wealthy lorded it over the struggling working-poor.  But times haven't changed all that much, really. The main themes of Shakespeare's plays and sonnets are universal.

     Our modern day, with its texting, movies on demand, communication across the world in seconds, and flying through the skies in hours that took weeks in Will's day, is still influenced by the Bard. His themes of love, death, ambition, power, fate, racism, and free-will still resonate with people today. Shakespeare was also a master at creating characters rich in personality and traits. These detailed characters never go out of style, with their faults and frailties of jealousy, ambition, naivety, power, kindness, nobility, and so on.

     The great Nelson Mandela once said that "To be taken seriously as a politician, one must always quote from Shakespeare," and a lot of his speeches when he was president quoted the Bard. While he was a political prisoner for over 20 years in jail, he found inspiration in a smuggled-in copy of Shakespeare's complete works. There is one passage from the play "Julius Caesar" that Mandela signed while imprisoned: "Cowards die many times before their deaths/ The valiant never taste death but once."  

     But Shakespeare has influenced more than a luminary social justice beacon.  The American English language is filled with words, phrases and expressions that Shakespeare coined in his writings (37 plays and 154 sonnets that we know of). 

     He penned one-tenth of the most quoted lines ever written or spoken in English, and he is the second most quoted writer in the English language. He introduced nearly 3,000 words to the English language--many of which we use regularly every day, such as: addiction, assassination, courtship, eyeball, impartial, luggage, swagger, hoodwinked, bedazzle, and tranquil for a short list.

     Plus phrases we use regularly like: all the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players, Knock, Knock! Who's there?, in a pickle, tongue-tied, heart of gold, faint-hearted, good riddance, lie low, cruel only to be kind, fight fire with fire, baited breath, send him packing, come what may, wear your heart on your sleeve, not slept a wink, laughing stock, naked truth, out of the jaws of death, too much of a good thing, break the ice, wild goose chase, heart of hearts, seen better days, dead as a doornail, love is blind, breathed his last, vanish into thin air, makes your hair stand on end, for goodness' sake, off with his head, a sorry sight, the green-eyed monster, brave new world, the world is my oyster, and be all-end all. 

     As a writer, many of the tropes we have today came from Shakespeare. Forbidden Love from Romeo and Juliet, hidden identities and disguises from "Twelfth Night", revenge and betrayal from "Hamlet" and "Othello," coming of age with "The Tempest" and "Hamlet," the prodigal son in "Henry IV" and "The Merchant of Venice," and he regularly wove power and corruption throughout his plays.      

     Some other tropes he generated were the affable or charming evil person, the ambiguously gay character, the double entendre he used a lot, evil versus evil, love triangles, rags to royalty, prophecy twist ("no man or woman born"-reused particularly well in JRR Tolkien's Return of the King), the slap-slap-kiss or "shut-up" kiss, the sub-plot to keep interest, the truly evil villain, and a woman disguised as a man (nicely employed in Disney's "Mulan".) This is only his plays, for his sonnets contain even more tropes we see regularly today.

     Even in the realm of psychology, Shakespeare was recognized. Sigmund Freud thought the Bard was the greatest poet and quoted him often. Freud greatly appreciated his insights and use of the unconscious. Macbeth is practically a psychiatrist's textbook of guilt and self delusion and a roadmap to insanity.

     But what Shakespeare gave us, the lasting quality of his work, was insights into humanity at our best and worst presented in memorable fashion with equal parts laughter and tears. He knew how to tap into large universal themes and understand his audience and give them what they wanted, an escape for a few moments and to feel seen at the same time.  

     What is your favorite Shakespeare work and why?  Do you see echoes of his influence around you today?  Reply and let me know.

Here is a short piece with the amazing Dame Judy Dench giving us an impromptu bit of Shakespeare.

Review - Murder in the Ranks

 When I read: "In this World War II debut mystery filled with spies, murder, and a touch of romance, newly minted squad leader Dorothy Lincoln is caught in the crosshairs of a devious plot, perfect for fans of Susan Elia MacNeal and Ashley Weaver" I knew I had to read this debut novel in a new series.  

If you have followed my blog for long, you know I enjoy historical mystery novels and particularly WWII era or Regency. Plus this author being compared to two of my favorite historical mystery authors made it a "must" read for me.  Find out what I thought of this new entry in WWII mystery novels.

Author: Kristi Jones

Copyright: Nov 2024 (Crooked Lane) 294 pgs

Series: 1st in Dorothy Lincoln Mysteries

Sensuality: Mature topics, realities of war w/out gory details

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Amateur Sleuth

Main Character: Dorothy "Dottie" Lincoln, Women's Auxiliary Corps Squad Leader 

Setting: 1943 Algiers, North Africa during WWII

Obtained Through: Publisher via Netgalley for honest review

Book Blurb:  "Algiers, North Africa, 1943. After her abusive German husband left her for dead and took their daughter with him behind enemy lines, Dottie Lincoln learned that it’s better to be a trained soldier rather than a victim. As a newly minted squad leader in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, she spends her days moving men and materials to the front and her nights attending mandatory dances to boost the morale of the men. Despite the grueling nature of her job, she has found a sanctuary amongst the women in the Army. When Ruth, a member of her squad, is murdered, she’s devastated and determined to get to the bottom of the murder. 

Dottie’s company is the first group of American women assigned to a combat theater, and with Ruth’s death, the entire operation is being questioned. Determined to do everything she can to help win the war, bring justice to her friend, and hopefully reunite with her daughter, Dottie must rise to the occasion before the killer strikes again. 

But when her past comes back to haunt her, Dottie must prove she’s not a German spy and put a stop to a deadly conspiracy that threatens the entire American war effort."

My Thoughts:

"Dottie" Lincoln is a great main character with her abusive past and personal secret to hide of a German connection. You feel her mother's heart ache for her daughter. But her determination and grit see her through.

Captain Devlin of the military police is the one assigned to investigate Auxiliary Ruth Wentz's death, which he immediately assumed was a suicide. The horrors of war are just too much for weak women. It would have been closed as suicide if not for Dottie's persistence that it had to be something else.  Captain Devlin and Dottie end up working well together after a rough start. There may be a romantic angle in later books, but it will likely be a slow burn from these early indications.

The other women in the squad are very different and provide a couple of suspects. Each character is crafted so well, you felt like they were real.

I particularly liked the location. Most WWII novels are in the Pacific or England, occasionally behind the lines in Germany or occupied France, but rarely in Africa and the fighting there.  

The Women's Army Auxiliary Corps really existed and had women in combat zones and this has great historical tidbits.  The fact that the women were considered more for the morale of the men and not useful in their support roles is important to remember and is a wall these women pushed against while their lives were at risk . This had just enough realism to bring the war to the reader without it haunting you with horrible details.

The mystery itself is why would somebody murder Ruth? She wasn't into trouble and took her role very seriously.  The investigation shows the seedy side of what happens around a combat zone. The answers aren't easily detected but make complete sense after the reveal.  The killer reveal was very good -- tense and thrilling while believable and heart-pounding. Kudos.

The wrap-up leaves Dottie in a position to be on investigations with Captain Devlin in the next books, so this will be a series. Nicely done how that is maneuvered.

I will say that the beginning takes a few chapters of setup before the murder happens and the pace picks up. But pay attention because clues are dropped in all the initial action at a social where the Auxiliary ladies are meant to dance with the soldiers and entertain them. I grew impatient with so much time on the dance, but ended up going back to it later.

I have to say I am in love with this book and I'm excited to read the next. I highly recommend.

Rating:  Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. 

Thank you for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.

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Here is a short recruitment piece from the era for 

women to join.