In keeping with the recent theme of "Broadway" I did a search on Musical Mysteries and found this ... a brand new series, the first book just out, the second due next year! The Sound of Murder, Musicals are Murder #1, by Joseph Zellnik. The author is a Broadway nut and has done his research (for this and other projects) so all the information about the musical is accurate, which was fun (and I've read other books on The Sound of Music)! The murder and a some of the characters are fiction. He has done a wonderful job of interweaving them and for giving a good reason as to why such a murder would never have made the news (yes, I was wondering about that ...) ;-)

Ellie Harper needed a change in life, which is why she buys a bookstore without ever seeing it in person. She may come to regret that decision when she discovers what the store actually looks like ... peeling paint, chaotic shelves, and a lot of business that does not involve the buying of books, or even of money changing hands. And then there are the warnings telling her to "get out of town" ... and the possibility that the previous owner did not die from an accidental fall down the stairs. She starts finding clues that will lead her on a merry chase for the solution to all these questions. If you are thinking this sounds like a traditional theme for a small town murder mystery, you are correct! Murder in the Corner Bookshop, a Corner Bookshop Cozy Mystery, by Annie Shaw is a great start to her series.

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I'm thinking it's necessary to be a horse lover to read this book. It is beautifully researched and well written, but dense and detailed! I read it in short sections at a time in between my fiction reads because there was so much information to absorb! Hoof Beats: How Horses Shaped Human History, by William T. Taylor is, and I quote from Science and the cover here: "fantastically rich" :-)

This too may have limited interest: "The Broadway Sound" The Autobiography and Selected Essays of Robert Russell Bennett, edited by George J. Ferencz. If you have heard any of the musicals for the 1940's and 1950's then you've heard orchestrations by Mr Bennett. Listen carefully! There are times when the main theme might drop at the end of the phrase, and his 'answering' line may go up! For this musician (with a music teacher for a father) it was fascinating. The book however, is less so, and like the book above very detailed with lots of information. I will admit to doing a fair amount of skimming! The essays at the end, by Mr. Bennett himself were a bit more interesting, at least to this reader. I enjoyed his descriptions of what the different instruments and sections brought to the themes he was expressing with his music. Worth a try.

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Here is book four in the Mysteries of Max series by Nic Saint: Purrfect Heat. A popular celebrity chef is in town to film an episode of his popular show "Kitchen Disasters" (where he trashes every eatery he visits). He is found dead, stuffed into a large oven. There is a long list of suspects so the cats get busy with their investigation so they can help out Odelia. There is a new cat this time, too, and not a nice one at all, so they also have that to deal with. Oh, and Odelia's Grandmother also has a new, um, interest in her life, should someone that old really have a lover? Another laugh out loud read in this series. :-)

Murder of Innocents, book 14 in the Redmond and Haze Mysteries by Irina Shapiro is another grim but good read. Author doesn't pull any punches, the 'bad stuff' is really bad! This time it's the murder of two young children. Redmond and Haze are called away from London for this, to an ancestral mansion a with long history of all kinds of complex relationships going on between staff and family. Then another body is found, that of an abusive husband. Are the deaths connected in any way? Relationships are a bit complicated here, notes might help! ;-)

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Murder and theft of a valuable object are not what Ms Mia needs as the Desert Sunrise Resort is getting ready to celebrate new ownership (hers, partially) and the find of an ancient flute in a nearby dig. And then there's the fire at the stables. The former (soon to be fired) manager decided that 'no one wants to steal old stuff' and canceled the additional security Mia had ordered for the exhibit. Same with the horses, even though someone had been stealing a horse at night on a regular basis. She would be found in her stall the next morning again, but exhausted. What is going on? And why is one returning patron so upset when one of the last rooms was finally closed for much needed renovation? Ms Mia and Murder at the Desert Sunrise Resort by Jennifer Branch is another great read in this series. Loved all the twists and turns.

Here it is, the last of the Liturgical Mystery series by Mark Schweizer: The Choir Director Wore Out. The sad thing is, it's the last title, the good thing is, it was a decision made by the author so all the loose ends are tied up, all story lines are resolved and so on, so there it is a satisfying conclusion to his wonderful stories. There's a lot going on this time, a renaissance festival (with realistic hangings), new businesses opening (with amazing ribs) and a new priest ... from France ... who is also a very popular writer of mysteries! And, of course, deaths ... but natural or otherwise? A fitting finale. :-)

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A new author and series this morning: The Unlikely Murder Club, by Gina X. Grant. "Unlikely" works on several levels, you'll learn what they are when you read the book. :-) The main character is an ex-con, and woman of a certain age now. She has been released early this time, by the FBI agent who arrested her in the first place. She is in a court ordered stay in the small town of Unlikely, New York. She is not your typical criminal. She does not plan to stay long, she has an escape already planned. Then the local veterinarian is arrested for murder and her daughter pleads for help in proving her innocence. Agatha has to be careful here, there are certain things she cannot do anymore, they would send her back to jail to finish out her sentence. Can she help? Should she? I liked this enough to buy the next two books in the series! (It's the same as the title in this case).

Teresa's Bookstore is a popular destination in a small town in Tennessee. It is known for being 'messy', with stacks of books on the floor and counters, books on the wrong shelves and a random collection of knick-knacks throughout. When the owner is found dead (thought to be an accident at first) this could change, the niece who inherits everything (but never once came to visit) wants to close out and sell the store. It's a small town so you know there are all kinds of secrets, leading to motives. The sheriff is not being all that helpful, but Garnet, the one employee, has a background in law and she is determined to solve the crime. A Binding Chance, the first in the Messy Bookshop Mystery series by Jessica Brimer was another new author and series for me. It was good!

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Wandering Reader sent this book up recently: Sled Dog Trails, by Mary Shields after checking to be sure it wasn't one I'd already read. Much to my surprise (I have a shelf dedicated to this subject) I hadn't! Mary Shields was the first woman to complete the Iditarod. Originally from Wisconsin it took just one visit for Mary to fall in love with Alaska and move north. She met her husband running dogs and together they would do this for many years often working in the summer so they could be out on the trail in the winter. Joyful is the best description for this book, it was a wonderful read.

Mom was an English teacher. And Latin. And many other subjects as well. She would have loved this book: The Language-Lover's Lexipedia: an A-Z of Linguistic Curiosities, by Joshua Blackburn. I did as well, it was a delightful read! Just a smattering of what you will find. Many languages have a version of 'average Joe'. Check on puns, and words where the meaning has changed, sometimes drastically. Don't miss eggcorns! And remember supercalifragilisticexpialidocious from Mary Poppins? It was actually first printed in 1931! Check out just how many ways there are to pronounce "ough" ... and so much more. Perfect for reading during ads. ;-)

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I decided to post these books together because they are both set in Maine, and both authors used "chowdah". :-) Ms Mia and Murder on Moose Isle is by Jennifer Branch. It's part of her series featuring Mia, a wealthy widower who travels the world staying at the fancy resorts and hotels her family owns. She is an amateur sleuth and prides herself on figuring out mysteries. Ever since the factory making quality linens was moved over seas the small town of Moose Isle has been struggling to survive. Lauren Tisserande, part of that family that NEVER thought the factory should have moved is fighting to bring it back. She will have to power to do so in one more day, when she turns 30. Those who have been profiting from this move are not happy about this! Lots of twists and turns here, not to mention really smarmy types! Another fun read in this series.

Mixing Up Murder is the first in the Little Dog Diner by Emmie Lyn. It starts at a funeral. For Dani's husband ... soon to be ex as she has filed for divorce. She and her best friend are passing by the coffin when the corpse opens his eyes and winks at her. He has planned a fake funeral in the hopes of getting her back (yes, it is a strange thing to do). Then it seems as Dani has something to do with this idea, too ... and then said hubby really does turn up dead, in the diner. With nothing to do while it is closed, she and Lilly jump in to help solve the crime. The only witness is a dog! This was a curious read. And I couldn't help saying, out loud a couple of times, Put the Dog ON A LEASH!

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