Years ago I started the Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne novels by Julia Spencer-Fleming with In the Bleak Mid-Winter. It was a wonderful series and I thought I was all caught up ... but I wasn't! After a bit of a break, the author got back to her writing again and I recently came across Through the Evil Days. The main characters are married now, and expecting. The police department were Russ works, may be eliminated, and Clare (a priest) is in trouble because she was, um, expecting at the time of her wedding. These turn out to be small problems compared to murder, arson and kidnapping. Not to mention the worst winter weather in a long time. These are not cozies, folks, so be forewarned. They are tough, gritty reads, but extremely well done. Personally I thought this one was a bit too much of that, and a few of the reviews I read agree, but most don't. If you've not read these books, do start at the beginning!

It seems that when author J.M. Poole started the Corgi Case Files books he didn't plan on more than a few ... but he's up to #12 now with Case of the Shady Shamrock and several more are planned! A mysterious box has arrived on the porch of Zach's house. The labels are torn and smeared so it's not sure who sent it ... and inside is a strange silver box. There are symbols on it, Celtic symbols. Some move a bit when pushed. It's a puzzle box! But again, who sent it and why? Is there something inside? And why is someone after it? This has some fun Irish history as well as the delightful dogs once again helping to solve the crime (as it turns out, one from hundreds of years ago). These ARE cozies, and are just a delightful read!

Reading Hermit With Dog