Murder at the British Museum is the Kitty Worthington Mystery #12, by Magda Alexander. Kitty is now happily married and her detective agency is thriving. It's at the height of the "King Tut" craze and there will be a series of lectures on that taking place soon given by hubby Richard, who is home from his excavations in Egypt. When he is worried that some of the artifacts have been stolen, and confronts the museum director, he is fired ... and then that director is found dead. And mummified. Prime suspect, of course, is Richard. The search for the real killer is an exciting read ... lots of interesting secrets, strange cults and more.

Miss Merrill and her Aunt, Violet, are at it again, in Murder in Covent Garden, by Anita Davison. Even with all the closures due to the war, this is still an exciting area of London, and is where Violet and Hannah have their book store. There have been many robberies of late, however, and then the local jeweler is found dead. Hannah has concern for the investigation when the policeman that shows up is the very person she saw arguing with the jeweler the day before. Naturally, she has to check things out for herself (with Aunt Violets help). This is the third in the Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet Mystery series.

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Even though I don't cook this was a most interesting read: How Would You Like Your Mammoth? 12,000 Years of Culinary History in 50 Bite-Size Essays by Uta Seeburg. Learn why spices fell out of favor, when sauce first became popular, and why there was a huge battle over borscht! You'll read about proper afternoon tea and the history of fish and chips. Had a good chuckle over the chapter about various religions and fasting (there used to be a lot more days for that) (especially Catholics) and how one could get around the forbidden foods (many established by priests). Cook or non-cook, you should enjoy this book.

Did you ever wonder about yodeling? Want to learn more? (Am I hearing a resounding "NO!" ??) Well, I did, and I found a book all about it! Yodel-Ay-Ee-Oooo: the Secret History of Yodeling Around the World, by Bart Plantenga. I had no idea it is a global thing, just about every country has a version of yodeling. Used for singing, for messages, for celebrations, all kinds of things. Author includes information on finding recordings of all the styles (which dates it a bit) and lists performers (some you might know), and how it has evolved ... there is even a rap version! A bit dry in spots, but overall a most interesting read.

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I loved the description on the back for Barks and Clues: a Canine Cozy Mystery (book 1) by Sharon Michaels: a fun, clean mystery with twists and turns. :-) Three generations of one family working together. Dog detectives sniffing out clues. A small town with hidden secrets. All the elements for a great story, yes? Yes! It starts with a series of break-ins around the neighborhood and Maya (retired detective) doesn't think they are random. The dogs take them to an old shack with someone inside ... an inventor ... ? Really? Inventing what? And why in the old shack? (He's sure the 'bad guys' are looking for him, and the plans for his invention). A delightful, traditional cozy.

Here is the second of the Liturgical Mystery books from Mark Schweizer: the Baritone Wore Chiffon. You remember the main character here is trying to write a book in the style of Raymond Chandler, yes? Well, that continues, just as bad as before and parallels the 'real' mystery happening in Haydens life. It's heading in to Lent now, and again, there is an interim priest, although why this time is one of the mysteries. His wife wants to create "An edible Last Supper" with folks dressed like the famous painting and serving a buffet dinner. There are clowns, and snakes, oh, and a 'Fung Shui' Altar design that should keep you laughing. This time (no surprise) it's a baritone that is the victim, but there will be a surprise to come. Such a fun series!

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I got this book because there are German Shepherds involved and that's a favorite breed of mine! It's probably more of a teen or tween book than I expected from the blurb, but it was an excellent (if short) read! Sniffed Out is the first of the Search and Rescue Cozy Mysteries by Patti Benning. Evelyn has two dogs: one is a seasoned search dog for "live" finds, the other is in training as a cadaver dog. As green as he is at this, he's learned his lessons well and discovers a dead body! This won't take you long, and it's worth it.

Here is the third Veronica Vale Investigates book by Kitty Kildare: Death at the Craven Arms. Veronica is at the family owned pub to keep an eye on the most recent 'event' ... a paranormal investigator and author holding a ghost hunt! She does not believe in ghosts, but many do and the author is very popular. There are a few who are not happy, though, and not because they don't believe in ghosts, but because they don't want their ancestor exploited in any way. The plot thickens, as the saying goes, when the investigator is found dead at the foot of the stairs to the cellar. Will the ghosts help with the investigation?

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I like this series, Music Shop Mysteries because of the connection to music. :-) Snake in the Brass, by Jennifer Lamont Leo is the third book. Set in Idaho, in 1920 ... a new age in music is developing ... jazz! A group, the Midnight Serpents, has arrived in town to give a concert of this daring new music and not everyone approves. The concert seems to have gone well, until a body shows up. It looks like an accident, but we know that can't be true. Sassy cat Moxie helps with the investigation.

This book, Three Bags Full, a Sheep Detective Book, by Leonie Swann, first came out in 2005. It's now back, in a 'deluxe' edition, and about to be released as a major motion picture. I read it on the recommendation of Canadian Reader. Turns out, sheep make pretty good detectives! Their shepherd, the one who reads to them, is dead. The flock is determined to find out just who did this horrible thing and this is how they do so! There is a great description of each sheep at the start, strengths and weaknesses and so on, that made for a great reference as I read. Sheep, of course, pick up on different things than mere humans, a scent, for example. I liked it, they act very sheep like, there's very little human like behavior here. Most enjoyable.

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The second Veronica Vale Investigates book by Kitty Kildare, is Death at the Drunken Duck. Set in London in 1920, Veronica writes obituaries for the local paper. She'd like to do more, but even this job ... well, let's just say, some (mostly men) take exception to a woman doing a man's job, especially now that the war is over. Still, when her best friend's brother is accused of murder, she (and her loyal dog Benji) step in to help prove his innocence. The author includes historic notes at the end, I start there. :-)

Do you know much about pigeon racing? I didn't, but I learned more in Murder Flies the Coop, the second Beryl and Edwina Mystery by Jessica Elliott. These two make a great team: one Brit and a 'proper' woman (mostly, she has her moments ...) and one a saucy American staying in England because of Prohibition at home. They are old school chums happily getting reacquainted. Each brings different talents and skills to their investigations. In this case, money, and jewels are missing along with one member of the local pigeon racing club. His body is found in his pigeon coop. Follow along as they put all the clues together. A fun series!

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I started a new author/series this past week and ended up just not liking it, especially how the main characters treated each other. I gave up and decided to go for something I knew I'd like and that was the 29th in the Miss Fortune Mystery series by Jana Deleon, Coeds and Cattails. It did not disappoint! All the familiar folks are back and doing things we expect from them, including what the author calls 'Gertie moments'! :-) A college coed has been murdered, one that was not well liked as she ratted people out, often meaning they were expelled or fired from the university. And, yet, she was invited to a party of one of the most popular people on campus. Why? Now, someone has been arrested for the murder, the daughter of Detective Casey, friends with the Swamp Team 3, who promise to look into things when the local campus police seem happy that they've solved the crime. They haven't, you know that, yes? ;-) Just a great series!

Murder in Highgate was in the box sent up by Wandering Reader. When the Ashford family opens up the family tomb they find a surprise ... a body hanging inside. Who is it? And why in their family tomb? Once they identify the body all sorts of secrets emerge. This is book nine in the Redmond and Hazy Mystery series by Irina Shapiro. Nicely done, I did not feel 'lost' starting this far into the series.

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