I do love the Aunt Bessie books, but will also admit that Aunt Bessie Questions made me just a tad uncomfortable since … oh, wait, I promised no spoilers, didn’t I?! It seems like the wedding of Helen Baxter and Pete Corkill is all set to go off without a hitch, but we all know that can’t happen, right? Sure enough, a body is found the night before the wedding. Naturally Aunt Bessie wants to help with the investigation, but is that such a good idea this time? This is one of the Isle of Man Cozy Mystery books by Diana Xarissa.

Just what does one do with a bunch of renegade cops? Ones that do not follow proper procedure, perhaps drink a bit too much, or fire their weapon too often? You gather them all together, put them in a far off precinct (in a shabby apartment with broken down office furniture) and assign them to cold, very cold, cases. Thus begins The Awkward Squad, by Sophie Henaff (translated from the French by Sam Gordon). I usually try to read a chapter or two in a book, and then work on a project or chore, but finally I just gave up on that and kept reading! There are two cases that catch the attention of this odd group that at some point become related. How and why? Just a great read!

Reading Hermit With Dog