Review - Devils and Details

This series has a unique premise that keeps me coming back for more.  I reviewed the first in the series, Death and Relaxation (click here).  Now to see what I thought of the second in the series.

Author: Devon Monk

Copyright: August 2016 (Old House Press) 308 pgs

Series: 2nd in Ordinary Magic Mysteries

Sensuality: Moderate, some steam

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal Police Procedural

Main Characters: Police Chief Delaney Reed

Setting: Modern day, beach town of Ordinary Oregon

Obtained Through: Library

Book Blurb: "Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea...

Police Chief Delaney Reed is good at keeping secrets for the beach town of Ordinary Oregon–just ask the vacationing gods or supernatural creatures who live there.

But with the first annual Cake and Skate fundraiser coming up, the only secret Delaney really wants to know is how to stop the unseasonable rain storms. When all the god powers are stolen, a vampire is murdered, and her childhood crush turns out to be keeping deadly secrets of his own, rainy days are the least of her worries.

Hunting a murderer, outsmarting a know-it-all god, and uncovering an ancient vampire’s terrifying past isn’t how she planned to spend her summer. But then again, neither is 

falling back in love with the one man she should never trust."

Delaney is trying to fill her deceased father's shoes as the chief of police, while still grieving his sudden death.  She is reliable and overworked.  Sister Jean has the intuition ability, sensing when something bad is approaching but sadly doesn't 

get details with it.  She is a bit more adventurous than her two other sisters, dying her hair various colors. She handles calls for the police station.  Sister Myra has great timing, always showing up where and when she is needed and is calm and collected. She handles forensics for the small police station.  Ryder Bailey, Delaney's teen heart-throb is working at the station too and he seems to also answer to somebody else.

Ordinary is a beach town that gets the usual tourists plus various mythical gods wanting a vacation from their duties.  This is a creative concept and Ordinary has the beach town problems (spring break parties) plus the less mundane.  Nicely done.

The main plot starting out is the stolen god powers, which isn't an easy nor simple task to pull off, yet finding the culprit is a nightmare.  Then a local vampire is murdered and the two cases don't seem related, so Delaney has two major investigations at one time.  Then what may seem like a subplot regarding her romantic interest keeping who he works for a secret starts to become a bigger deal.  You could say there is a lot going on. 

The climax of the three plots happens at different times, which definitely kept me flipping the pages.  The god powers climax I can't say much about to avoid a spoiler, but it is interesting.  The revealing of Ryder Bailey's secret adds a significant complication to Delaney's job and life.  As for who killed the vampire... well that is a bombshell that will have repercussions into the next book.

This second entry in the Ordinary Magic series continues to set a high bar.  This is a fun and captivating book with twists and turns without being so strangely paranormal you can't relate to it.  

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

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I would appreciate if you would do me the honor of your vote for the cover of my thriller, The Society, on AllAuthor.    

  

  

     https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/10624/

Cover of the Month The Society (Elizabeth Grant Thrillers Book 1) Hey Everyone, I’m excited to tell you that my book has been nominated for the "Cover of the Month" contest on AllAuthor.com. This will help me a lot if I could see some votes coming in, so please remember to vote my book. Vote Now »

Thanks, Avery Daniels

Review - Death and Relaxation

This is another great book to get into the Halloween mood.  This book is imaginative and absorbing.  There is some heat/steam in one scene, but nothing really explicit.  Check out my review and see if it is for you.

Author: Devon Monk

Copyright: June 2016 (Odd House Press) 326 pgs

Series: 1st in Ordinary Magic Mystery series

Sensuality: One steamy petting scene

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal Police Procedural

Main Character: Police Chief Delaney Reed

Setting: Modern day, beach town Ordinary Oregon

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Book Blurb: "Monsters, gods, and mayhem...

Police Chief Delaney Reed can handle the Valkyries, werewolves, gill-men and other paranormal creatures who call the small beach town of Ordinary, Oregon their home. It’s the vacationing gods who keep her up at night. 

With the famous rhubarb festival right around the corner, small-town tensions, tempers, and godly tantrums are at an all-time high. The last thing Delaney needs is her ex-boyfriend reappearing just when she's finally caught the attention of Ryder Bailey, the one man she should never love. 

No, scratch that. The actual last thing she needs is a dead body washing ashore, especially since the dead body is a god. 

Catching a murderer, wrestling a god power, and re-scheduling the apocalypse? Just another day on the job in Ordinary. Falling in love with her childhood friend while trying to keep the secrets of her town secret? That’s gonna take some work."

Delaney Reed sleeps with her gun and is trying to fill her deceased father's shoes as the chief of police, while still grieving his sudden death.  She is reliable and overworked.  Sister Jean has the intuition ability, sensing when something bad is approaching but sadly doesn't get details with it.  She is a bit more adventurous than her two other sisters, dying her hair various colors. She handles calls for the police station.  Sister Myra has great timing, always showing up where and when she is needed and is calm and collected. She handles forensics for the small police station.  Ryder Bailey, Delaney's teen boyfriend and heart-throb, had been back in town for a year and she had managed to avoid him. Until now.  Cooper Clark, the ex-boyfriend, is a self centered beach bum.  Thanatos, aka Death, decides to vacation in Ordinary and his character is much like a stiff undertaker who learns to loosen up a smidgen.  I love this character as he attempts to wear Hawaiian shirts with his pressed slacks.

Ordinary Oregon is a great setting.  The idea of a beach town that gets the usual tourists plus various mythical gods wanting a vacation from their duties is a tough one to pull off, but Devon Monk did it expertly.  The town has the atmosphere of fog rolling in and crashing surf along with wooded secluded sections.  Great Gothic touches.

Who would want to kill a god on vacation, or was it one of the mortals that didn't know he was not a regular fisherman?  Surprisingly, there are several people that had a motive. I was so involved in the story that I couldn't waiting to read the next page, and the next chapter.

The killer reveal was a surprise and had some tense moments.  Nicely done.  The wrap-up takes a few chapters to tie up the threads of the story to satisfaction.  I am anxious to read the next in the book as I already miss Ordinary and the Reed sisters.

The book is well rounded with suspense, some sprinkled humor, a little steam but not much, and a mix of quirky and serious characters. The world building of a playground for gods is brilliantly handled and the personal struggles of Delaney grappling with grief and loneliness made me invested in the story.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it, it had a good grip on me! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list 

Review - The 3rd Woman

Author Jonathan Freedland is an award-winning journalist, a number one bestselling author, and a broadcaster. He is the Guardian's executive editor for Opinion and also writes a weekly column. He is a regular contributor to the New York Times and the New York Review of Books, and presents BBC Radio 4's contemporary history series The Long View. In 2014 he won the Orwell special prize for journalism.  Today we will take a peek at his new novel, a murder investigation with a twist setting.

Author: Jonathan Freedland

Copyright: August 2015 (Harper) 480 pgs

Series: Standalone book

Sensuality: sex scenes-Adult reading

Mystery Sub-genre: Investigative Journalist

Main Characters: Journalist Madison (Maddy) Webb

Setting: Slightly Futuristic, Los Angeles

Obtained Through: TLC Book Tours for honest opinion

Madison Webb's sister is dead and everyone believes it was an accidental heroin overdose, but anybody who knew her can't conceive of such a thing. Madison digs in to investigate and finds she can't trust the police...even more than usual, and that two women prior to her sister appear to have died the same way. This takes place amid widespread national political and financial turmoil (defaulting on Chinese loans) that has resulted in Chinese military presence on US soil.

Maddy is stubborn and fearless/reckless often beyond common sense or considering its her sister's murder.  She has insomnia, which sleep deprivation could explain some.  Regardless, I found the character difficult to relate with.  The setting of a different America where China has essentially moved in and taken over economically and now politically brings a dystopian feel.

The core plot is good, but it tended to drag.  I found it confusing to use a reporter from the stand point of the decline of hard investigative reporting now, let alone in a future America that is kow-towing to China (journalists in China either write what they're told or suffer the consequences). Pacing suffered often in tedium and details of investigations, lots of internet research is not "thrilling" no matter how you write it, or even the politics surrounding a vicious Governor's election got bogged down. This work could have been considerably shorter and been better for it...IMHO.

Fair resolution, but the wrap-up was less satisfying with some story elements left unresolved and some "secret" of Maddy's that is brought up but never explained.  This book has some good points with an interesting concept, but I just had a very hard time staying interested to read through the nearly 500 pages.

Rating:  Good - A few good points but equally flawed, good but not stellar. Consider borrowing from a Library/swap/borrow if you want. 

Find out more about Jonathan at his website, and connect with him on Twitter and Facebook. 

Purchase Links

Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes & Noble

Jonathan’s Tours Stops

Tuesday, August 4th: Man of La Book
Wednesday, August 5th: JulzReads
Thursday, August 6th: Priscilla and Her Books
Friday, August 7th: Living in the Kitchen with Puppies
Tuesday, August 11th: Helen’s Book Blog
Tuesday, August 11th: Rockin’ Book Reviews
Thursday, August 13th: Lilac Reviews
Tuesday, August 18th: The Book Diva’s Reads
Wednesday, August 19th: Stacy’s Books
Thursday, August 20th: Great Imaginations
Monday, August 24th: Kritters Ramblings
Wednesday, August 26th: Queen of All She Reads
Thursday, August 27th: Mysteries and My Musings
Monday, August 31st: Apples and Arteries
Tuesday, September 1st: Beauty in Ruins
Wednesday, September 2nd: Imaginary Reads

The California Wine Club - Handcrafted, Quality Wines from "Mom & Pop" Wineries. No Bulk Wine.

Sale Specials and Deals from EntirelyPets.com

Review - Grave on Grand Avenue

This is a new series that I reviewed the debut novel, Murder on Bamboo Lane (click here) and we were honored to have a guest post from Ms. Hirahara (click here).  Let's see how the newest book in the series does today.

Author: Naomi Hirahara

Copyright: April 2015 (Berkley) 304 pgs

Series: 2nd in Officer Ellie Rush Mystery series

Sensuality: some scattered swearing

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy Police Procedural

Main Characters: 23 year-old Officer Ellie Rush, bicycle cop

Setting: Modern day, Los Angeles

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

While Ellie is patrolling one of Los Angeles’s premier concert halls she chats with gardener Eduardo Fuentes. Minutes later she finds him lying at the bottom of a staircase, clinging to life and whispering something indecipherable. The father of Xu (pronounced "Chew"), a popular Chinese classical musician, accuses Fuentes of attempting to steal his son’s multimillion-dollar cello and was knocked down as a result. But Ellie has trouble believing that account.  Mr. Fuentes dies from his injuries and Xu goes missing.  All while the department is scrambling to stop a rash of robberies from the Old Lady Bandit.

A substory has Ellie dealing with family drama when she discovers that the person who stole her beat-up 1969 Pontiac Skylark is a long lost relative with hidden agendas and a dark past.  

Ellie Rush is half Japanese, and among her friends her career choice isn't appreciated.  She has to deal with derision because she is a lowly bicycle cop and distrust because her Aunt Cheryl has the Police Chief job in her sights. Nay Pram is her best friend who puts distance between them during this book as she follows her journalism career that conflicts with Ellie's at times.  Detective Cortez Williams gets little page-time, but his scenes show him to be a good influence for Ellie.  Benjamin, Ellie former boyfriend, appears in this story again and there is some resolution between them.  Aunt Cheryl is still ambitious but shows her family loyalty as well.  Ellie's father takes the family drama poorly, which actually had me liking him for his struggle.

Ms. Hirahara displays Los Angeles as vibrant and busy with its big-city problems.  She deftly flavors the book with the mix of cultures that shapes LA into its own unique identity.  The plot was fine with the Old Lady Bandit case in the background and the struggle over a renowned musician's Cello resulting in death.  But, I do have to say that neither story line had much immediacy to it, nothing that raised the tension to hurry and solve the murder etc. This low tension factor slowed the pace a bit as well. 

The climax had one notable tense moment around the Old Lady Bandit case, but the resolution to the disappearance of musician Xu and his father was anti-climatic and matter-of-fact.  The wrap-up emphasized how important the bond between her friends is and gives a positive note as well as a development with with Cortez that leaves the reader wanting more.

This second book had a tough act to follow from the debut book in this new series.  It is a solid story with wonderful and fresh characters that lacked a suspenseful engine to ratchet-up the tension. All-in-all, I enjoyed the book and appreciate Ellie and her world.

Rating: Fine - A fun read, good but not stellar. 

Review - The Escape

I have not read the previous two books the series, but picked it up with this book since I enjoy the authors other books.  John Puller is an interesting character, particularly in this book.

Author: David Baldacci

Copyright: November 2014 (Grand Central Publishing) 480 pgs

Series: 3rd in John Puller Investigation series

Sensuality: Action violence

Mystery Sub-genre: Police Procedural

Main Characters: John Puller, investigator in the US Army's Criminal Investigative Division

Setting: Modern day, Leavenworth Kansas and Washington D.C.

Obtained Through: Personal Purchase

John Puller's older brother, Robert, was convicted of treason and national security crimes two years ago. He was held in Leavenworth in high security when he amazingly breaks out and a massive manhunt begins. Incredibly, John is tasked by very high people in the military to find and bring his brother in.   From the beginning of the investigation, John Puller suspects that his brother's escape was actually a hit against him gone wrong, providing the chance to escape.  John is also tasked with working side-by-side with an agent who seems to have her own agenda.  The deeper they dig, the more it seems even his brother's conviction was a setup.

John Puller seems like a stand-up guy, dedicated military man, and devoted brother who is put in a difficult situation.
Robert Puller is an interesting character, genius who went into the spy game.  His character worked John's with conflicted feelings for family.  Captain Veronica Knox seems to want John to trust her, but admits he shouldn't trust her.  The trust issue is a back and forth struggle that was sometimes distracting from the main plot.

The plot is intricate and incrementally unfolds. It occasionally gets overly  involved.  The main assignment for John Puller and Veronica Knox is to bring Robert into custody, but they take it upon themselves to change that assignment, which stretched believability thin.  The pacing maintained a page turning trot throughout.  The climax is rocket fueled and takes place at the Pentagon (which is all I will tell you.)  The wrap-up shows a more vulnerable side to John Puller which was touching.

A great thriller with personal loyalties tested for each main character, a twisty plot, many lives at stake, and an exciting climax.  There is a lot to love in this book with only a few hiccups.

Rating:  Excellent - Loved it, it had a good grip on me! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS4rmt09D3I

Review - Game of Mirrors

This is probably my first translated foreign mystery I have reviewed, or even read.  I know, hard to believe but it's true.  This series is originally from Italy and is attracting international attention.

Author: Andrea Camilleri

Copyright: March 2015 (Penguin) 288 pgs

Series: 18th in Inspector Montalbano Mystery series

Sensuality: adult situations talked about, clinical mention of torture

Mystery Sub-genre: Italian Police Procedural

Main Characters: Inspector Salvo Montalbano, Sicilian policeman

Setting: Modern day, Sicily Italy

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Inspector Montalbano and his colleagues are stumped when a bomb explodes outside two empty warehouses—one of which is connected to a big-time drug dealer. Meanwhile, his seductive neighbor, Liliana Lombardo, is trying to seduce the Inspector over red wine and fine food and appears to want everybody else in town to believe they are already lovers. Between unethical reporters, the manipulative neighbor, and cocaine kingpins, Montalbano feels as if he’s being manipulated on all fronts, something he calls a game of mirrors. The inspector becomes the prime suspect in an unspeakably brutal crime and he must break through the illusion to reveal what is really going on. 

This was my first Montalbano mystery.  I am usually very cautious about reading translated works, for some reason I suspect translations will be difficult reading.  I must say that this book had a dry sense of humor and I found Montalbano to be wily in his own right. The writing style took me only a chapter or two to get used to, but I was soon swept away with the story.

Salvo Montalbano loves his food and is a good law officer. In this case he must see the motives behind many intentional misleading events to understand the ultimate scheme behind the bombs, a bullet in his car, his neighbor's attempts to seduce him, and anonymous tips to newspapers to implicate him in illegal activities.  He is patient in weeding through the noise to what is important.  He heads a team of other police including Augello (a married Don Juan), Fazio who is another smart cop, and the good-natured but mentally challenged Catarella.  All of which unfold on the pages simply and yet well realized.

The Sicilian countryside and town made a great setting, I would love to see Montalbano's seaside house.  You feel like you live there as you read, you feel so transported.  The plot was deceptively simple, you think you know what is happening, but it has layers to reach the truth.  The pace is steady with the multiple aspects in play.  There is an eventful climax and the wrap-up is where Montalbano ensures all parties face consequences.

I was surprised and enjoyed this unique series.  I wish I had started the series from the beginning, but I am looking forward to discovering the previous books.  Montalbano is human, faulty, smart, and crafty making him a character you cheer for.  He uses everything at his disposal, even a little misdirection of his own. 

Rating:  Excellent - Loved it, it had a good grip on me! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list.

Review - XO

I had purchased this book, my first Kathryn Dance novel, and am just now getting to read and review it.  I am interested in a CBI agent who specializes in reading body language, known as Kinesics.  Let's see how it fared. 

Author: Jeffery Deaver

Copyright: June 2012 (Simon and Schuster) 516 pgs

Series: 3rd in Kathryn Dance Suspense series

Sensuality: Stocking, sexual overtones, woman-in-jeopardy scenes, some clinical death

Mystery Sub-genre: suspense

Main Characters: Kathryn Dance, California Bureau of Investigation Agent and interrogator and kinesics (body language) expert

Setting: Modern day, California

Obtained Through: Personal purchase

Agent Kathryn Dance takes vacation in Fresno to record some music of a group of Mexican musicians for her private web site, but primarily to visit with country singer friend Kayleigh Towne.  She plans to attend Kaleigh's concert later in the week too.  Kathryn meets up with Kayleigh at a restaurant and realizes she stepped into the middle of Kayleigh being confronted by her stalker who had slipped past her body guard.  Shortly after that incident, Kaleigh's long time friend Bobby Prescott, head of the road crew, is tragically killed in a fire, her stalker Edwin Sharp is the primary suspect.  But proving it is the challenge as alibis are produced.  The stalker seems to have taken Kayleigh's songs "Your Shadow" and "Fire and Flame" as his inspiration and strikes again.  The songs may provide clues to who or where he will strike.  Kathryn Dance is asked by the local law enforcement to help them, after she injected herself initially, in the investigation since they need the extra help.  This deadly stalker may just push a stressed and pressured Kayleigh too far, for she has a secret of her own. 

In the midst of this investigation, Kathryn is worried about boyfriend and their lack of communication during her vacation.  Michael O'Neil, is a co-worker who joins her on the investigation and complicates her emotions too.  A few scenes are told from young Kayleigh's point of view and you get a good sense of her fear and unrelenting pressure she is under. 

Kathryn Dance, a widower and single mother is an expert in body language.  She isn't perfect as she makes her way through this intricate plot pitting her against a devious and calculating murderer.  Lincoln Rhymes and Amelia Sachs make a brief cameo appearance, which was a pleasant bonus.  Michael O'Neil is a major crimes CBI agent in Monteray and has history with Kathryn.  He comes running to assist her on the case.  Bishop Towne, Kayleigh's overbearing father, had a music career that died quickly.  Now he "manages" his daughter's career, but he manipulates her too.  Sheri Towne is Bishop's fourth wife and she likes Kaleigh but can't seem to make friends with the singer.  P.K. (Pike) Madigan, Fresno Chief of Police who is gruff, pig-headed, and addicted to ice cream.

Fresno California is nicely displayed and the California countryside are all given justice.  I liked the plot of a deadly stalker obsessed with a rising Country singing sensation.  It is far too real and some folks don't realize how many celebrities have had determined and deadly stalkers, even Stephen Spielberg experienced it.  There are a few twists and turns that keep you guessing.  The entire book takes place in a three day time-frame and thus the pace moves along briskly.  There is information sprinkled about the science of body language and the record industry which might have slowed sections just a bit.

Deaver is a master at misdirecting the reader, which made the climax tense and even a little too real.  The wrap-up ties loose ends on many fronts and clears the deck for the next installment.  Deaver's take on a celebrity stalker produces a devious villain pitted against a dogged CBI agent. His characteristic plot twists and reader misdirection keeps the pace accelerated in this suspenseful story.

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

As part of this book, an album of the actual songs referenced in the story was recorded and released.  Here are two videos for your enjoyment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv5IpYeEl20

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5GVylHILEs

If you would like the CD of the entire album, (click here).



I have been working on my "Create Your Shining Year Workbook," as you see here.  I can't express how much I love this workbook.  I got the combined Biz and Life version, but you can get just one or the other separately.  This is like nothing else I have used and I am sold on it for me, so I just wanted to share it with you.  You can start it any time, so don't worry that one month is done in the year.

Purchase your copy of "Create Your Shining Year Workbook, Planner, and Calendar" while they are available (click here).  I think you will find this a creative way to make 2015 a great year.   

Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival - January 2015

It is the first....no second Monday of the month and overdue for another highly anticipated Blog Carnival.  I apologize, I was delayed -- sometimes life just throws a curve ball and schedules get tossed out the window.  But here it is, better late than never.  Now that the holiday stress is a memory, I hope everybody is staying safe and warm as winter cold and snow hits many parts of the U.S.


Now on to this month's blog carnival.  Click on the title or author's name to go to that link.

Police Procedural / PI Book Review / Legal

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Blue Labyrinth (Agent Pendergast Thriller #14) by Preston and Child

Booking Mama reviewed The Burning Room by Michael Connelly

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Thunder Bay (Cork O'Connor Investigation #7) by William Kent Krueger



Amateur Sleuth / Cozy book Review

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Meow If It's Murder (Nick and Nora Mystery #1) by T.C. LoTempio

Booking Mama reviewed Scorched Eggs by Laura Childs

Debbie's Book Bag reviewed Aground on St. Thomas by Rebecca Hale

Carstairs Considers reviewed Tagged for Death by Sherry Harris and shares "After her divorce, Sarah is trying to start over.  But when she finds her ex-husband's clothes covered in the blood of a missing woman, she has to figure out what is happening."

Debbie's Book Bag reviewed Murder Served Simply by Isabella Alan

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Keeper of the Castle by Juliet Blackwell

Carstairs Considers reviewed Death with All the Trimmings by Lucy Burdette and shares "Hayley Snow gets tangled up in sabotage at the newest restaurant in Key West just days before Christmas."

Debbie's Book Bag reviewed Geared for the Grave by Duffy Brown

Carstairs Considers reviewed The Nightingale Before Christmas by Donna Andrews and shares "Meg is coordinating a show house made up of multiple decorators.  But if trying to get these creative types to finish up by the Christmas Eve deadline wasn't hard enough, one of them is murdered in the house."

Debbie's Book Bag reviewed Doghouse (A Gin and Tonic Mystery #3) by L.A. Kornetsky and shares "Ginny Mallard, Teddy Tonica, With the help of Ginny’s pet shar-pei puppy and Tonica’s tabby cat provides a great mystery and a series featuring animals"



Thriller/Suspense Fiction Book Review

Tea Time with Marce reviewed Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes

Booking Mama reviewed reviewed HER by Harriet Lane and shares "This novel is definitely a literary novel of suspense and there is an element of mystery to the story"



Author Interview

Mysteries and My Musings had guest post by T.C. LoTempio

Sue Coletta at her blog interviewed Joe Clifford and shares "The most honest author interview I've ever read."

Mysteries and My Musings had guest post by Juliet Blackwell

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A huge "THANK YOU" to all the wonderful bloggers out there who contributed to the carnival.  Keep them coming and keep this carnival going. 

Let's make next month's Carnival even better. For more information on the specifics of the Carnival and how to submit your posts go here. 

Spread the word far and wide!!!

Please help the newsletter for the blog carnival to get more subscribers. If a blog reviews mystery/suspense/thrillers (even occasionally) then I would like to feature those reviews. I send the newsletter out once a month announcing the deadline for submitting to this blog carnival. Multiple entries from a blog are welcome.

Subscribe to our carnival reminder mailing list

Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival - December 2014

It is the first Monday of the month and time for another highly anticipated Blog Carnival.  I am catching up on my schedule.  Please spread word of this blog carnival to other blogs that feature reviews of crime fiction, we would love to expand to a few more blogs.  We have room to fit about three more select blog's reviews here.

Now on to this month's blog carnival.  Click on the title or author's name to go to that link.

Police Procedural / PI Book Review / Legal

Carstairs Considers reviewed The Job by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg and shared: Someone is committing crimes that look like the work of Nick Fox.  Will these copycat crimes reveal his partnership with FBI agent Kate O'Hare


Buried Under Books reviewed Watching the Dark by Peter Robinson


Thoughts in Progress reviewed Festive in Death by J.D. Robb



Amateur Sleuth / Cozy book Review

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Death is Like a Box of Chocolates by Kathy Aarons


Carstairs Considers reviewed Suede to Rest by Diane Vallere and shares: When Poly inherits the family fabric shop, she just might learn what really happened to her great aunt 10 years ago.


Buried Under Books reviewed Pickle in the Middle Murder by Jessie Chandler


Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Murder Off the Beaten Path by M.L. Rowland


Carstairs Considers reviewed Acadia by Sandy Dengler and shares: National Parks Investigator at large heads to Acadia National Park when a photo shoot turns deadly for one of the models.


Buried Under Books reviewed the Thrill of the Hunt by E.J. Copperman

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Off Kilter by Hannah Reed


Carstairs Considers reviewed Bluffing is Murder by Tace Baker and shares: Lauren suddenly finds herself involved in a second murder when she finds one of the local trustees dead above a beach in town.

Thoughts in Progress reviewed The Chocolate Clown Corpse by JoAnna Carl


Mysteries and My Musings reviewed A High End Finish by Kate Carlisle



Mysteries and My Musings reviewed No Mallets Intended by Victoria Hamilton


Carstairs Considers reviewed Hell on Wheels by Sue Ann Jaffarian and shared: When their friend is accused of murder at a quad rugby tournament, Odelia and Greg begin to dig in to figure out what really happened.

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Snow White Red-Handed by Maia Chance



Thriller/Suspense Fiction Book Review

Mysteries and My Musings reviewed Murder in Vein by Sue Ann Jaffarian


Booking Mama reviewed The Heist by Daniel Silva


Buried Under Books reviewed No Time to Die by Kira Peikoff


Booking Mama reviewed Genesis Code: A Thriller of the Near Future by Jamie Metzl


Booking Mama reviewed One Kick by Chelsea Cain


Booking Mama reviewed Suspicion by Joseph Finder





Author Interview


Mysteries and My Musings had a guest post by M.L. Rowland


Mysteries and My Musings had a guest post by Hannah Reed

Mysteries and My Musings had a guest post by Kate Carlisle


Mysteries and My Musings had a guest post by Victoria Hamilton

Mysteries and My Musings had a guest post by Maia Chance

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A huge "THANK YOU" to all the wonderful bloggers out there who contributed to the carnival.  Keep them coming and keep this carnival going. 

Let's make next month's Carnival even better. For more information on the specifics of the Carnival and how to submit your posts go here. 

Spread the word far and wide!!!

Please help the newsletter for the blog carnival to get more subscribers. If a blog reviews mystery/suspense/thrillers (even occasionally) then I would like to feature those reviews. I send the newsletter out once a month announcing the deadline for submitting to this blog carnival. Multiple entries from a blog are welcome.

Subscribe to our carnival 

reminder mailing list