Tag: Mystery

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Deadly Summer Nights by Vicki Delany | Blog Tour | Book Review | Giveaway

On By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, Cozy, Historical, MysteryLeave a comment

Deadly Summer Nights

by Vicki Delany

I am delighted to join the blog tour for Deadly Summer Nights by Vicki Delany today! My thanks to Lori at Great Escapes Book Tours for the chance to join and the review copy!

About Deadly Summer Nights

Deadly Summer Nights (A Catskill Summer Resort Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (September 7, 2021)
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 059333437X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593334379
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08NT3JCXQ

A summer of fun at a Catskills resort comes to an abrupt end when a guest is found murdered, in this new 1950s set mystery series.

It’s the summer of 1953, and Elizabeth Grady is settling into Haggerman’s Catskills Resort. As a vacation getaway, Haggerman’s is ideal, and although Elizabeth’s ostentatious but well-meaning mother is new to running the resort, Elizabeth is eager to help her organize the guests and the entertainment acts. But Elizabeth will have to resort to untested abilities if she wants to save her mother’s business.

When a reclusive guest is found dead in a lake on the grounds, and a copy of The Communist Manifesto is found in his cabin, the local police chief is convinced that the man was a Russian spy. But Elizabeth isn’t so sure, and with the fate of the resort hanging in the balance, she’ll need to dodge red herrings, withstand the Red Scare, and catch a killer red-handed.

I Thought…

Vicki Delany is a prolific cozy mystery writer. She writes under her name and in the name of Eva Gates, several different cozy series’ and I have read a total of four of her books, two from her Tea By the Sea Mystery series, one from her Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series and this one, Deadly Summer Nights. This Catskill Summer Resort series might well turn out to be another of my favourite series.

The period (1950s) detail is fascinating and the name of the resort, Haggerman’s is an inspiration. The reader is soon introduced to Elizabeth Grady and also gets to learn a thing or two about running a summer resort. With some expert character creation from Vicki Delany, I wanted to learn a great deal more about them all, especially Elizabeth, Velvet and Lucinda. Elizabeth is a widow and is for the time being, happy and content with her lot. She makes a strong protagonist and is very smart so is good for the holiday resort business. Lucinda McGreevy works at the Red Spot Diner and is Elizabeth’s new friend. Elizabeth’s mum, Olivia Peters is a Broadway diva and her Aunt Tatiana has housekeeping responsibilities. Elizabeth’s BFF Velvet (wonderful name) McNally also works at the resort as the director of outdoor recreation and helps with the mystery-solving and Winston the English bulldog has a great part to play also. But hold on… who wants guests like formidable Mrs Brownville? So, Deadly Summer Nights boasts an impressive cast who I will hopefully see again in book two!

Entertaining throughout, Vicki Delany’s writing talent is undoubtedly illuminated in this tale of mystery, so give it a whirl. It’s a winning combination of history, drama, mystery, humour and friendship, with the potential for some romance. The conclusion was a good one and unexpected.

Thanks to Great Escapes Book Tours, Vicki Delany and Berkley for a complimentary copy of Deadly Summer Nights at my request. This review is my unbiased opinion.

Brianne’s Book Reviews Rating | Five Stars

About Vicky Delany

Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers and a national bestseller in the U.S. She has written more than forty books: clever cozies to Gothic thrillers to gritty police procedurals, to historical fiction and novellas for adult literacy. She is currently writing four cozy mystery series: the Tea by the Sea mysteries for Kensington, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series for Crooked Lane Books, the Catskill Resort mysteries for Penguin Random House, and the Lighthouse Library series (as Eva Gates) for Crooked Lane.

Vicki is a past president of the Crime Writers of Canada and co-founder and organizer of the Women Killing It Crime Writing Festival. Her work has been nominated for the Derringer, the Bony Blithe, the Ontario Library Association Golden Oak, and the Arthur Ellis Awards. Vicki is the recipient of the 2019 Derrick Murdoch Award for contributions to Canadian crime writing. She lives in Prince Edward County, Ontario.

Author Links

Website –  www.vickidelany.com

Facebook – www.facebook.com/evagatesauthor;

Twitter:  @vickidelany and@evagatesauthor

Instagram: vickidelany

Bookbub: Vicki Delany Books – BookBub

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Kobo – IndieBound

There is a Rafflecopter Giveaway for this tour. Please click below to enter and good luck!

Don’t forget the other stops on the tour!

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Until Next Time, 

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On Skein of Death by Allie Pleiter | Blog Tour | Book Review | Giveaway 

On By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, Cozy, Mystery3 Comments

On Skein of Death (A Riverbank Knitting Mystery)

by Allie Pleiter

I am delighted to join the blog tour for On Skein of Death by Allie Pleiter today! My thanks to Lori at Great Escapes Book Tours for the chance to join and the review copy!

About On Skein of Death


On Skein of Death (A Riverbank Knitting Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Publisher: ‎ Berkley (June 1, 2021)
Mass Market Paperback: ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10: ‎ 0593201787
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-0593201787
Digital ASIN: ‎ B08H15VG1T

For Libby Beckett, opening her charming yarn shop, and introducing customers to the joys of knitting and crochet, is the work she was meant to do. Until the yarn she loves is used for murder….

Libby has come home to Collinstown, Maryland to live her dream and open her own yarn shop, aptly named Y.A.R.N., along the Chester River. To Libby, Y.A.R.N. stands for “You’re Absolutely Ready Now.” But the acronym changes whenever inspiration strikes, and customers add to the list of suggestions that fill the blackboard wall in a shop stuffed with color, fiber, and comfort.

Libby is thrilled when she lands famous Norwegian knitting celebrity Perle Langager for a series of events at Y.A.R.N. Libby’s English bulldog, Hank, has been modeling one of Perle’s doggie sweaters, and customers just can’t wait to see Perle in action. The mayor of Collinstown even decrees a Collinstown Yarn Day to celebrate. But once Perle arrives in town, she seems distracted and on edge. And when she’s found strangled with a skein of red yarn, Libby knows she has to solve a knotty mystery before her new life unravels.

I Thought…

I love to make a start on a series from book one instead of partway through so as a lover of cozy mysteries, I jumped at the chance to read this, On Skein of Death by Allie Pleiter.

I got to meet divorced Libby Beckett, who has returned to Collinstown, Maryland, her hometown. She is opening Y.A.R.N., her very own knitting shop. Y.A.R.N. is short for "You're Absolutely Ready Now."  When a prominent Norwegian knitting designer, Perle Lonager is found murdered with a skein of red wool wrapped around her throat, her head acutely tilted, Libby steps in to do some detective work and sleuthing.

I really enjoyed this intriguing story and I liked Allie Pleiter's portrayal of Libby who had so much passion for her dream shop. Libby's English Bulldog, Hank played a good part, too. The supporting characters were also well-drawn, such as Margo, Libby's friend and the owner of "Perfect Slice" just across the road from Y.A.R.N., who is known for her shortbread and pies. The mystery itself was well done; there was plenty of viable suspects and the madcap tale delivers on humour, courtesy of Libby’s mum Rhonda, and Rhonda's friends, the Gals. With a soupcon of romance in the mixing pot too, I'm already looking forward to seeing what's in store for Libby and Hank in book 2. Even those who have no particular interest in knitting or crafting will doubtlessly enjoy On Skein of Death.

Thanks to Great Escapes Book Tours, Allie Pleiter and Berkley Publishing for a complimentary copy of On Skein of Death at my request. This review is my unbiased opinion.

Brianne’s Book Reviews Rating | Five Stars

About Allie Pleiter

An avid knitter, coffee junkie and firm believer that “pie makes everything better,” Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction working on as many as four novels at a time.  The bestselling author of over fifty books, Allie has enjoyed a twenty-year career with over 1.5 million books sold.  In addition to writing, Allie maintains an active writing productivity coaching practice and speaks regularly on the creative process, publishing, and her very favorite topic—The Chunky Method of time management for writers. Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com to learn more.

Author Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliepleiterauthor/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/alliepleiter

   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allie-pleiter-6a021b139

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alliepleiter

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/alliepleiter/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/453346.Allie_Pleiter

    BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/allie-pleiter

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Allie-Pleiter/e/B001H6IEUO/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

To subscribe to Allie’s newsletter: http://www.alliepleiter.com/subscribe/

Purchase Links:  

Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Google Play – IndieBound 

There is a Rafflecopter Giveaway for this tour. Please click below to enter and good luck!

Don’t forget the other stops on the tour!

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?

Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!

Until Next Time, 

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The House Guests by Emilie Richards | Blog Tour | Book Review 

On By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, Women's FictionLeave a comment

Thank you to the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing/ MIRA Books, for inviting me to be a part of this exciting Blog Tour for The House Guests by Emilie Richards, and for the eARC of this title via NetGalley.

The House Guests by Emilie Richards

Publication Date: June 29, 2021

Publisher: MIRA Books

ISBN: 9780778331865

My rating: 5/5

🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Book Summary

USA Today bestselling author Emilie Richards returns with a fan-favorite story.

Teenage Savannah’s father passed away recently and she has been rebelling against her stepmother, Cassie, since. When she happens upon a pouch filled with cash in a parking lot with some new friends she’s trying to impress, she decides to keep it in an act of defiance. When Cassie learns of her crime after Savannah has already spent the money, and learns that the money belonged to a woman, Amber, who has since been evicted along with her teenage son Will because they couldn’t pay the rent after losing the pouch of money, she invites Amber and Will to move in with them. As they become involved in each other’s lives, the teenagers develop a friendship while the mothers do the same. But while Cassie is trying to figure out what happened to her husband in the months before he passed away – why he was becoming distant and draining the funds in their bank accounts, leaving them destitute upon his death – Amber is clearly trying to outrun something dark in her own past.

🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡

I Thought…

When Savannah Westmore’s father dies she and her stepmother, Cassie struggle to cope with his sudden passing. They move to historic Tarpon Springs, Florida, but Savannah dislikes it there and blames her stepmum for her dad’s death. Savannah rebels and her resulting behaviour causes immense distress for sixteen-year-old Will and his mum, Amber Blair. Savannah’s actions result in Amber and Will losing their home, which Cassie feels compelled to rectify and is the catalyst for Cassie’s determination to uncover the secrets behind her husband’s death and financial ruin. She sparks a series of events that could put their lives in danger.

The House Guests is a thrilling and emotionally compelling read. It has multiple layers and there are many mysteries to be unravelled. Very well-written by Emilie Richards, the characters are complex and richly developed. Savannah, the rebellious, angry and troubled teen was of particular interest and I liked the secrecy surrounding Amber. The supporting characters, especially Cassie’s aunt, Roxanne and grandma, Yiayia provide another level of fascinating relationship dynamics. There’s a lot going on and I was thoroughly invested right up to the end. A heartfelt, convincing and very worthwhile novel.

 A special thank you to MIRA Books and the author for a complimentary copy of this novel at my request, received via NetGalley. This review is my unbiased opinion.

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Emilie Richards has written more than seventy novels. She has appeared on national television and been quoted in Reader’s Digest, right between Oprah and Thomas Jefferson.

Born in Bethesda, Maryland, and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, Richards has been married for more than forty years to her college sweetheart. She splits her time between Florida and Western New York, where she is currently plotting her next novel.

Connect with Emilie

Author Website * Twitter * Facebook * Instagram 

Buy the Book: Amazon, Amazon (Print), Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, Books-A-Million, Apple Books, Google Play, Kobo, Audible

Until Next Time, 

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The Rooftop Party by Ellen Meister | Blog Tour | Book Review 

On By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, Humour, Mystery, Romance, Women's FictionLeave a comment

Thank you to the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing/ MIRA Books, for inviting me to be a part of this exciting Blog Tour for The Rooftop Party by Ellen Meister, and for the eARC of this title via NetGalley.

The Rooftop Party by Ellen Meister

Publication Date: May 25, 2021

Publisher: MIRA Books

ISBN: 9780778309512

My rating: 5/5

🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Book Summary

A Host of Trouble…

In this witty and engaging novel, Dana Barry, the Shopping Channel’s star host, stops by the company’s rooftop party to pitch the new CEO her brilliant idea that just might save the flagging business, her job and possibly her love life.

As she chats with the smarmy executive, he backs her into a dark corner. For Dana, it’s a quid pro oh-hell-no. She escapes his lecherous grasp and grabs her drink on her way to the dance floor. Woozy, she blacks out.

When she comes to, the CEO is dead, fallen from the roof. Or was he pushed? And if so, by whom? It’s hard to know, but one thing is certain: Dana was close enough to be suspect.

Sure, she loathed how the creep moved in on her, but she’s no killer. Or is she? Truth is, Dana can’t remember much about those minutes. Now she has to use all her skills to prove her innocence to everyone, including her police detective boyfriend—and herself.

Meister’s latest is fun and breezy, a compelling, suspenseful read that entertains and keeps you guessing.

🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡

I Thought…

Readers first met Dana Barry In Ellen Meister’s ‘Love Sold Separately’ and she’s back in this novel The Rooftop Party. Dana is the Shopping Channel’s most popular host but it’s in financial difficulty though Dana has a few ideas to hopefully rectify this. At their corporate rooftop bash to celebrate twenty five years on air, she heads over to the CEO, Ivan Dennison to talk about a potential new skincare line but he is more interested in her than her suggestions. The next Dana knows of the event is that she passed out, but later learns that Ivan’s body was found on the pavement below.

The Rooftop Party is a delightfully blended rom-com with a mystery that results in a highly entertaining read. The characters are interesting and I found Dana fun and feisty as she strove to figure out what happened to Ivan with the help of her funny new assistant Ashlee St. Pierre, a former pageant girl from Tennessee. I also enjoyed the company of Dana’s New York City homicide detective boyfriend, Ari Marks.

The plot moved along at a steady gallop, and I enjoyed the backstage glimpses at a tv shopping channel. I didn’t read the first book in the series, but I intend to grab a copy though you will still enjoy The Rooftop Party and won’t be lost if, like me, you have yet to read book #1. I really hope there is a third book in the offing!

 A special thank you to MIRA Books and the author for a complimentary copy of this novel at my request, received via NetGalley. This review is my unbiased opinion.

About the Author

Ellen Meister is the author of  several novels including LOVE SOLD SEPARATELY,  DOROTHY PARKER DRANK HERE; FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER; THE OTHER LIFE and others. Ellen is also an editor, book coach, ghostwriter, and frequent contributor to Long Island Woman Magazine. She teaches creative writing at Long Island University Hutton House Lectures and previously at Hofstra University. Her latest novel is THE ROOFTOP PARTY. For more info visit ellenmeister.com.

Connect with Ellen

Author Website * Twitter * Facebook * Instagram * Goodreads

BUY LINKS:

Harlequin | Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Walmart | Google | iBooks | Kobo

Until Next Time, 

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Death by Donut by Rebecca M. Douglass | Blog Tour | Book Review | Giveaway 

On By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, Cozy, Mystery4 Comments

Death by Donut (A Pismawallops PTA Mystery)

by Rebecca M. Douglass

I am delighted to join the blog tour for Death by Donut by Rebecca M. Douglass today! My thanks to Lori at Great Escapes Book Tours for the chance to join and the review copy!

About Death by Donut

Death By Donut (A Pismawallops PTA Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
5th In Series
Independently Published (May 16, 2021)
~200 Pages
Digital ASIN: B08VKSZV2D

Election day’s almost here, and the island’s new pool is on the line. JJ should be all in with the campaign, but when a prominent Island businessman drops dead at her feet in the Have-A-Bite Bakery, someone has a mystery to solve. JJ’s fiancé—police chief Ron Karlson—is out of town. Who else is there?

JJ is missing her sweetheart, tired of the winter rains, and distracted by everybody’s questions about when the wedding’s happening. Even more worrying, her foster daughter’s father has failed to show up on schedule. No wonder JJ’s struggling to wrap this one up before someone else bites into the wrong donut. There’s no time to lose because something truly essential is on the line: saving the bakery—and JJ’s favorite espresso brownies!

I Thought…

This is my second visit to see JJ McGregor on Pismawallops Island, one of the many picturesque islands that make up the Puget Sound in Washington State, albeit under very unfortunate circumstances for one businessman, Brady Ginnis.

The reader is straight into the drama and action when Brady dies whilst sipping his coffee and eating a donut. He had a known peanut allergy and carried an EpiPen but could not be saved, though JJ does her very best to try. JJ is puzzled as to why Brady would eat a donut containing nuts and what happened to his breakfast companion, a woman named Wanda Stromburgh. Busy forty-something JJ has a part-time job at the local library as a general dogsbody who sorts and shelves books. Vice president of Orcaville High school PTA, divorced JJ is hard-up, has a teenage son, Brian, and is engaged to her sweetheart, hunky police chief Ron Karlson. With Ron off the island attending a conference, JJ begins her sleuthing without frustrating the police too much. In addition to all of this, she has her six-year-old foster daughter, Holly, staying with her and has to cope with Holly's dad, Pete's vanishing act. 

I enjoyed Rebecca Douglass's touches of humour, demonstrated in JJ and Ron's ribbing of each other. Though Ron is away for the duration, JJ stays in contact with him and they have a strong, solid and slightly saucy relationship, even if JJ is stalling on the next step for them - actually planning the wedding. Then there's JJ's heavy involvement in the PTA elections and the campaign for a swimming pool for the school. It's no wonder she feels she has no time for wedding planning! 

Every good cozy mystery needs a great baddie or a nasty gossiper and in Death by Donut, Moira certainly fits that bill! This is a compelling tale that's put together extremely well and includes a tight plot. With buckets of drama, fretting and emotion, it is a masterful addition to the series. Very highly recommended. 

Thanks to Great Escapes Book Tours and Rebecca M. Douglass for a complimentary copy of Death by Donut at my request. This review is my unbiased opinion.

Brianne’s Book Reviews Rating | Five Stars

About Rebecca M. Douglass

Rebecca M. Douglass was raised in Washington State on an island only a little bigger than Pismawallops. Though she has lived most of her adult life in California, the salt waters of Puget Sound continue to call to her and she enjoys owning an island in the Salish Sea, even if she had to invent one to do so! Rebecca has written a number of children’s books as well as her Pismawallops PTA mysteries and has had short stories published in several anthologies. When she isn’t writing, she likes to spend her free time hiking and biking, and her vacations exploring the outdoor world by camping, hiking, and backpacking.

Author Links

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaDouglassNinjaLibrarian

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Rebecca-M-Douglass/e/B0078SLT2A/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1502128942&sr=8-2

Smashwords Page: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/NinjaLibrarian

Goodreads Author Page:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5755891.Rebecca_M_Douglass

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Douglass_RM

Purchase Links: 

– Amazon   Smashwords    B&N     iTunes     Kobo 

There is a Rafflecopter Giveaway for this tour. Please click below to enter and good luck!

Don’t forget the other stops on the tour!

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?

Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!

Until Next Time, 

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Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica | Blog Tour | Book Review 

On By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, Crime, General Fiction, Mystery, NetGalley, ThrillerLeave a comment

Thank you to the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing/ Park Row, for inviting me to be a part of this exciting Blog Tour for Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica, and for the eARC of this title via NetGalley.

Local Woman Missing

Mary Kubica

On Sale Date: May 18, 2021

9780778389446, 0778389448

Hardcover

$27.99 USD, $34.99 CAD

Fiction / Thrillers / Psychological

352 pages

My rating: 5/5

🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Book Summary

People don’t just disappear without a trace…
Shelby Tebow is the first to go missing. Not long after, Meredith Dickey and her six-year-old daughter, Delilah, vanish just blocks away from where Shelby was last seen, striking fear into their once-peaceful community. Are these incidents connected? After an elusive search that yields more questions than answers, the case eventually goes cold.
Now, eleven years later, Delilah shockingly returns. Everyone wants to know what happened to her, but no one is prepared for what they’ll find…
In this smart and chilling thriller, master of suspense and New York Times bestselling author Mary Kubica takes domestic secrets to a whole new level, showing that some people will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried.

🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪

I Thought…

Local Woman Missing is another cracking thriller by Mary Kubica. This is my second novel by this bestseller author though I have had a few of her other books on my e-reader for quite some time, specifically, When the Lights Go Out, and Every Last Lie.

Local Woman Missing sees Shelby Tebow vanish, shortly followed by Meredith Dickey and her six-year-old daughter Delilah. When Delilah returns to the quiet Chicago neighbourhood eleven years later her family and the local community start to ask searching questions.

This thriller, with its mesmerising readability, is told from different perspectives; those of Delilah, Meredith, Kate, who is a neighbour of Meredith, and Leo, who is Meredith’s son. Some viewpoints are from the past and others are in the present. Meredith is a doula and yoga teacher and when she disappears Kate is hit hard by her absence and decides to look into Meredith and Delilah’s vanishing. Leo is struggling to believe that is his sister has returned as she is nothing like she was eleven years ago, and Leo is slow to trust that Delilah is his sister.

Mary Kubica’s novel follows a very intriguing, multi-layered story. Dark and chilling it is creative, inspired and the writing is flawless. Gripped by the perfect plotting and pacing, I found the suspense riveting. The author’s writing style is impressive and noteworthy and she is a gifted storyteller who can provide readers with thrills, sophistication and a story packed with substance. I like the way the story evolved, and for me, Local Woman Missing is a very highly recommended read that will be of interest to many readers.

 A special thank you to Park Row Books and the author for a complimentary copy of this novel at my request, received via NetGalley. This review is my unbiased opinion.

About the Author:

Mary Kubica is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of six novels, including THE GOOD GIRL, PRETTY BABY, DON’T YOU CRY, EVERY LAST LIE, WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT, and THE OTHER MRS. A former high school history teacher, Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in History and American Literature. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and two children. Her last novel THE OTHER MRS. was an instant New York Times bestseller; is coming soon to Netflix; was a LibraryReads pick for February 2020; praised by the New York Times; and highly recommended by Entertainment Weekly, People, The Week, Marie Claire, Bustle, HelloGiggles, Goodreads, PopSugar, BookRiot, HuffingtonPost, First for Women, Woman’s World, and more. Mary’s novels have been translated into over thirty languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. She’s been described as “a helluva storyteller,” (Kirkus Reviews) and “a writer of vice-like control,” (Chicago Tribune), and her novels have been praised as “hypnotic” (People) and “thrilling and illuminating” (Los Angeles Times).  LOCAL WOMAN MISSING is her seventh novel.

Social Links: Author Website * Twitter * Instagram * Facebook * Goodreads

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Local-Woman-Missing-Mary-Kubica/dp/0778389448/ 

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/local-woman-missing-mary-kubica/1137387568  

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/books/local-woman-missing/9780778389446 

IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780778389446 

Libro.fm: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781488211690-local-woman-missing 

Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Local-Woman-Missing/Mary-Kubica/9780778389446?id=8051055467945# 

Target: https://www.target.com/p/local-woman-missing-by-mary-kubica-hardcover/-/A-81225904 

Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Local-Woman-Missing-Original-ed-Hardcover-9780778389446/700252600 

Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/local-woman-missing-a-novel/9780778389446-item.html 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/local-woman-missing 

AppleBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/local-woman-missing/id1524947457 

Google Play: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Local_Woman_Missing/sKazzQEACAAJ?hl=en 

Until Next Time, 

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The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait by Cleo Coyle | Blog Tour | Book Review | Giveaway 

On By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, Cozy, Mystery3 Comments

The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait (Haunted Bookshop Mystery)

by Cleo Coyle

I am delighted to join the blog tour for The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait by Cleo Coyle today! My thanks to Lori at Great Escapes Book Tours for the chance to join and the review copy!

About The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait

The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait (Haunted Bookshop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
7th in Series
Publisher: Berkley (May 4, 2021)
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
ISBN-10: 0425251861
ISBN-13: 978-0425251867
Digital ASIN: B08274WCLM

Bookshop owner Penelope Thornton-McClure and her gumshoe ghost team up to solve the stunning mystery at the heart of a madwoman’s self-portrait in this all new installment from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle.

While gathering a collection of vintage book cover paintings for a special event in her quaint Rhode Island bookshop, Penelope discovers a spooky portrait of a beautiful woman, one who supposedly went mad, according to town gossip. Seymour, the local mailman, falls in love with the haunting image and buys the picture, refusing to part with it, even as fatal accidents befall those around it. Is the canvas cursed? Or is something more sinister at work?

For answers, Pen turns to an otherworldly source: Jack Shepard, PI. Back in the 1940s, Jack cracked a case of a killer cover artist, and (to Pen’s relief) his spirit is willing to help her solve this mystery, even if he and his license did expire decades ago.

I Thought…

This is the seventh book in Cleo Coyle's Haunted Bookshop Mystery series and though it was my first instalment I didn't feel at a disadvantage and still found the story absorbing and the characters winsome.

In this cozy mystery, I got to meet bookshop owner Penelope Thornton-McClure. She is preparing for an event to be held at her shop, Buy the Book, and is collecting paintings of vintage book covers. One of the paintings, a portrait of a beautiful woman who he learns is Harriet McClure, an ancestor of Penelope's late husband, has caught the attention of the local postman, Seymour who buys it. The picture, according to the locals is haunted, and when strange occurrences begin happening, and there is a fatal accident, Seymour still hangs on to it. Wondering if the painting is cursed, Pen turns to private investigator and ghost Jack Shepard for help.

Cleo Coyle has a lively writing style that sets the stage for the book with plenty of vivid imagery, making it easy to visualise scenes. The mystery is skillfully woven filled with intersecting stories, past and present and there are clues galore. The characters are expertly created and developed. Pen and Jack make a fascinating sleuthing duo and I could tell that they care about each other. Even though Jack has a rather gruff manner, he clearly has feelings for Pen who is smart, diligent and caring. I was totally invested in the story and reading The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait has given me the desire to check out the rest of this series as well as continuing with Cleo Coyle's other series,  the Coffeehouse Mysteries. A very highly recommended, fun trip to the 1940s for cozy mystery readers. 

Thanks to Great Escapes Book Tours, Cleo Coyle and Berkley for a complimentary copy of The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait at my request. This review is my unbiased opinion.

Brianne’s Book Reviews Rating | Five Stars

About Cleo Coyle

CLEO COYLE is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Both are New York Times bestselling authors of the long-running Coffeehouse Mysteries—now celebrating eighteen years in print. They are also authors of the nationally bestselling Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, previously written under the pseudonym Alice Kimberly. Alice has worked as a journalist in Washington, D.C., and New York, and has written popular fiction for adults and children. A former magazine editor, Marc has authored espionage thrillers and nonfiction for adults and children. Alice and Marc are also both bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, and MGM. They live and work in New York City, where they write independently and together.

Author Links

Webpage: https://www.coffeehousemystery.com/cleos_haunted_bookshop.cfm

Free Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/cleocoylerecipes/newsletter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleoCoyle/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CleoCoyle

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cleo-coyle

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51488.Cleo_Coyle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleocoyle_author/

Purchase Links:

Amazon    Barnes & Noble     Kobo     Google Play    IndieBound

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Whole Latte Murder by Lena Gregory | Blog Tour | Book Review | Giveaway 

On By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, Cozy, Mystery3 Comments

Whole Latte Murder (All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery) by Lena Gregory

I am delighted to join the blog tour for Whole Latte Murder by Lena Gregory today! My thanks to Lori at Great Escapes Book Tours for the chance to join and the review copy!

About Whole Latte Murder 

Whole Latte Murder (All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation Lyrical Press(April 27, 2021)
Paperback: 206 pages
ISBN-10: 1516110498
ISBN-13: 978-1516110490
Digital ASIN: B08F2X8NGW

Ex-New Yorker and local diner owner Gia Morelli is still getting used to the sweltering Florida sun. But this summer she’ll have to deal with a more dangerous kind of heat—when she’s hot on the trail of another murderer . . .

Summer in Boggy Creek has arrived, and Gia’s best friend, successful real estate agent Savannah, is getting hitched. Now she’s enlisted Gia’s sleuthing talents in a desperate search for the perfect wedding dress. But when Savannah mysteriously vanishes after showing a mansion to a bigwig client, Gia investigates the house Savannah was trying to sell. The first clue she finds is Savannah’s car in the driveway. Inside the house, they stumble on Savannah’s potential buyer—dead. Someone had apparently closed the deal—with a two by four full of nails to the client’s head. Soon afterward, a woman’s body is fished from the lake near the same house. The townsfolk are now sweating bullets over the murders, and the heat comes down on poor Gia to find her missing friend, and track down the killer …

I Thought…

Whole Latte Murder is the 5th book in the All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series.

Gia Morelli runs the ‘All-Day Breakfast Café’, a diner in Boggy Creek, Florida. Gia is on a mission to help her BFF property and estate agent Savannah Mills find a wedding frock for her upcoming nuptials. Before they go shopping together Savannah has an appointment showing potential buyer Buster Clarke around Oakley Manor House, a large empty property out in the woods. When Savannah doesn’t show up for their shopping trip, Gia begins to fret and heads out to Oakley Manor to look for her friend taking Trevor Barnes, the owner of Storm Scoopers, an ice cream parlour, with her. They don’t find Savannah, but they do find Buster… dead in the bath.

Whole Latte Murder was my 2nd in this series as I dived in late at book four in A Waffle Lot of Murder. I had no difficulties keeping up with characters and events and it worked for me as an individual story. Gia and Savannah have a brilliant friendship and protagonist Gia is a great character who I find to be instinctive and keen. Cole Barrister and Willow Broussard, a cook and a waitress at the café work with Gia and are eager to help her out when Gia needs to go and search for clues. The great cast of characters, including the hilarious townsfolk, and strong friendship bonds, help to zhoosh up this summer cozy as does Thor, Gia’s Bernese Mountain Dog. I was sold on this summer-themed compulsive story from the very beginning, and Lena Gregory once again really impressed me with her fluid writing. The details of the plot were very well-executed, the story was amusing and easy to follow, and every chapter left me with a compelling need to read on. The story was scattered with scrumptious food references, and clues were sprinkled throughout. As a lover of a good breakfast myself Lena Gregory’s mentions of delectable sounding meals and treats were pure joy and I could almost taste the iced chocolate macadamia nut lattes! The killer’s identity eluded me until the very end.

This was an amazingly good cozy and I am looking forward to reading book six, Mistletoe Cake Murder. If you adore a great cozy mystery, don’t miss out on Whole Latte Murder!

Thanks to Great Escapes Book Tours, Lena Gregory and Kensington Books for a complimentary copy of Whole Latte Murder at my request. This review is my unbiased opinion.

Brianne’s Book Reviews Rating | Five Stars

About Lena Gregory

Lena Gregory is the author of the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries, which take place on a small island between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York, and the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, which are set on the outskirts of Florida’s Ocala National Forest.

Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, but she recently traded in cold, damp, gray winters for the warmth and sunshine of central Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime. To learn more about Lena and her latest writing endeavors, visit her website at http://www.lenagregory.com/ and be sure to sign up for her newsletter http://lenagregory.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9765d0711ed4fab4fa31b16ac&id=49d42335d1.

Author Links 

Newsletter: https://lenagregory.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9765d0711ed4fab4fa31b16ac&id=49d42335d1

Website:  http://www.lenagregory.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/lena.gregory.986

Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/Lena.Gregory.Author/?fref=ts

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LenaGregory03

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14956514.Lena_Gregory?from_search=true

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/lenagregoryauth/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lenagregoryauthor/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lena-gregory

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lena-Gregory/e/B01BKZQES0?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1591718042&sr=8-

Purchase Links:

Amazon    Barnes & Noble      Kobo    Kensington     Apple    Google Play

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Boarding With Murder by Kathryn Long | Blog Tour | Book Review | Giveaway 

On By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, Cozy, Mystery4 Comments

Boarding with Murder by Kathryn Long

I am delighted to join the blog tour for Boarding With Murder by Kathryn Long today! My thanks to Lori at Great Escapes Book Tours for the chance to join and the review copy!

About Boarding With Murder 

Boarding with Murder (A Sierra Pines B&B Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Publisher: Camel Press (March 9, 2021)
Paperback: 220 pages
ISBN-10: 1603817301
ISBN-13: 978-1603817301
Digital ASIN : B08SHLHD2D

Take one quaint B&B, two kind but quirky caretakers, a dead aunt, a murdered friend, and you have mystery. Ali Winston finds she’s inherited trouble along with her aunt’s B&B, but can she reveal the killer before the curtain closes?

I Thought…

I love embarking on a new series from the very start, and this one certainly intrigued me enough to do just that.

Alexis Winston (Ali to those who know her) has lost her job. She’s from a family of actors and theatre people and with some time on her hands, she returns to Sierra Pines to visit her Great-Aunt Julia who owns a B & B, a quaint Victoria structure with three storeys and numerous bedrooms. Sierra Pines is a town nestled in the California Sierra Nevada mountains and on her arrival, Ali is met by Julia’s dearest friend, Gladys Bellwether who delivers some shocking news… Great-Aunt Julia is dead. Gladys firmly believes that Julia’s death is suspicious and that someone else is involved, that someone being Thaddeus Beale and she manages to convince Ali to investigate further.

Kathryn Long has created and fleshed out some marvellous characters in this compelling cozy. Twenty-eight-year-old Ali has lost her job twice now – once, as a screenwriter, and again, a few years later, when she was an assistant researcher for a TV show that needed a ratings boost and decided to reduce the number of researchers they had. Her Great-Aunt Julia was a volunteer on the set of a movie being filmed near the B & B. Ali knows a thing or two about prop design as she dual majored in the subject at university and demonstrates her helpfulness when she offers to volunteer in place of Julia on the set of the movie. I loved Ali’s determination to get to the bottom of what happened to her great aunt, and her self-doubt she displayed about whether or not she has was it takes to run the B & B made her realistic and endearing.

Other memorable characters were Gladys, Ollie, Quint and Blackbeard the parrot. The spirited Gladys added a great deal to this intriguing tale and I loved her relationship with her food-loving brother Ollie. Quint Sterling, the town’s sheriff, had a habit of popping up all over the place but came across as an amenable, gentlemanly guy and Ali certainly, seemed keen on him, in spite of his repeated warnings to stay out of his investigation and to let the police do their stuff and follow procedures. Their repartee had me chuckling away and I liked Great-Aunt Julia’s apple-eating parrot, Blackbeard.

The mystery itself was fairly complex in the beginning as a horde of characters were introduced made up of B & B guests, cast members, residents of Sierra Pines and others, resulting in a wide choice of suspects and motives. Initially, it was difficult to keep everyone straight but as the story develops, the characters become more defined. Most had their secrets, big or small and I was kept guessing until close to the end. All told, Boarding with Murder is a well-plotted, drama-filled, compulsive start to the Sierra Pines B & B Mystery series and I’m eagerly awaiting my return to Ali’s B & B and catching up with the folk in Sierra Pines.

Thanks to Great Escapes Book Tours, Kathryn Long and Camel Press for a complimentary copy of Boarding with Murder at my request. This review is my unbiased opinion.

Brianne’s Book Reviews Rating | Five Stars

About Kathryn Long

Retired teacher, Kathryn Long now spends her days plotting and writing mysteries. Her most recent credits are romantic suspense novel, A DEADLY DEED GROWS and mystery, BURIED IN SIN. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime as well as of International Thriller Writers. Under the pen name, Bailee Abbott this author writes the Paint by Murder cozy series, starting with A BRUSH WITH MURDER soon to be released. Kathryn lives with her husband and furry friend Max in the quiet suburbs of Green, Ohio.

Author Links

Author website: https://www.kathrynlongauthor.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KathrynLong.Books

Twitter: https://twitter.com/klongauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4203129.Kathryn_Long

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathylong7487/

Product Links:

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Don’t forget the other stops on the tour!

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

March 22 – Diane Reviews Books – GUEST POST

March 22 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

March 23 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT

March 24 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

March 24 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT WITH RECIPE

March 25 – Here’s How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT

March 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW 

March 26 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

March 26 – Tea Book Blanket – CHARACTER GUEST POST

March 27 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 28 – The Book’s the Thing – SPOTLIGHT

March 28 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

March 29 – Novels Alive – SPOTLIGHT

March 29 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW

March 30 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 30 – Literary Gold – REVIEW

March 31 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

March 31 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

April 1 –The Avid Reader – REVIEW

April 1 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

April 1 – Brianne’s Book Reviews – REVIEW

April 2 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

April 2 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

April 2 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 3 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

April 4 – I Read What You Write – SPOTLIGHT

April 4 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?

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Until Next Time, 

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Tell No Lies by Allison Brennan | Blog Tour | Book Review 

On By Brianne's Book ReviewsIn Blog Tour, Crime, General Fiction, Mystery, NetGalley, ThrillerLeave a comment

Thank you to the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing/ MIRA Books, for inviting me to be a part of this exciting Blog Tour for Tell No Lies by Allison Brennan, and for the eARC of this title via NetGalley.

Tell No Lies  by Allison Brennan

Publication Date: March 30, 2021

Publisher: MIRA Books

ISBN: 9780778331469

My rating: 5/5

🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Book Summary

New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan’s newest thriller again features an edgy young female LAPD detective and an ambitious special agent, both part of a mobile FBI unit that is brought in to investigate the unsolved murder of a college activist and its alleged ties to high stakes crime in the desert Southwest.

Something mysterious is killing the wildlife in the desert hills just south of Tucson, Arizona. When Emma Perez, a college-intern-turned activist, sets out to collect her own evidence, she too ends up dead. Local law enforcement seems slow to get involved. That’s when the mobile FBI unit goes undercover to infiltrate the town and the copper refinery located there in search of possible leads. Costa and Quinn find themselves scouring the desolate landscape that keeps on giving up clues to something much darker—greed, child trafficking, other killings. As the body count continues to add up, it’s clear they have stumbled on more than they bargained for. Now they must figure out who is at the heart of this mayhem and stop them before more innocent lives are lost.

Brennan’s latest novel brims with complex characters and an ever-twisting plotline, a compelling thriller that delivers.

🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪

I Thought…

Golly, this impressive second instalment in Allison Brennan’s series centring on the FBI’s Mobile Response Team turned out to be a little gem! This newly formed part of the FBI consists of highly specialised agents who are top in their field, be it forensics, crime scene specialists or investigators. They are operational primarily in rural areas and in Tell No Lies the team is undercover in Patagonia, Arizona as they investigate a murder that leads to the local copper refinery possibly dumping toxic waste in the desert. FBI special agent Mathias (Matt) Costa has LAPD Detective on loan to the FBI, Kara Quinn working as a bartender in the local bar where the refinery workers and townies socialise. Michael Harris, a former Navy SEAL, takes a job at the refinery and the refinery owner’s son becomes an informant. When another dead body is found, the case becomes much more complicated as they realise the quiet town has links to several other criminal activities.

Kara is such a fiercely independent, strong and unique protagonist with a strong sense of justice. There is chemistry between her and Matt, and they also share a mutual respect for one another however, their growing connection is not the main focus of this book. Matt himself is shrewd, level-headed and makes a marvellous leader.

The mystery element in Tell No Lies is magnificent and totally engaging. The tight time-frame keeps the plot rolling, with no opportunity to become mired in tediousness. The procedural aspects are solid with the coordination and teamwork of the investigators coming through winningly. Tell No Lies is wonderfully written in a style I relish and I was in my element reading this dark and gritty tale. This is a great second instalment in what has so far turned out to be a stellar series. I enjoyed Tell No Lies so much that I’m reading the books from Allison Brennan’s other series and cannot wait for her next in this one.

 A special thank you to MIRA Books and the author for a complimentary copy of this novel at my request, received via NetGalley. This review is my unbiased opinion.

About the Author:

ALLISON BRENNAN is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over thirty novels. She has been nominated for Best Paperback Original Thriller by International Thriller Writers and the Daphne du Maurier Award. A former consultant in the California State Legislature, Allison lives in Arizona with her husband, five kids and assorted pets.

Social Links: Author Website * Twitter * Instagram * Facebook * Goodreads

Buy Links:

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/books/tell-no-lies-9780778331469/9780778331469

Indie Bound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780778331469

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tell-no-lies-allison-brennan/1136909250;jsessionid=BE5869D36ACCCEF44F21FF4A05BC5D62.prodny_store01-atgap04?ean=9780778331469 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0778331466/httpwwwalli0f-20

Books A Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/product/9780778331469

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B087JTYYSY/httpwwwalli0f-20

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tell-no-lies-allison-brennan/1136909250?ean=9781488077142

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tell-no-lies-16

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Allison_Brennan_Tell_No_Lies?id=RHDeDwAAQBAJ

Ibooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/tell-no-lies/id1509698872

Until Next Time,