After reading the so-not-a-cozy book posted earlier, I opted for one of Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher mysteries: Murder in Wiliamstown. Arriving early for a nice, hopefully romantic, dinner, Phryne goes for a walk along the seashore. She finds a body, which she reports to the local police. It is a Chinese man, and soon after a young woman goes missing. Then, in front of a room full of guests, the host is stabbed to death. How are these all connected? There are some dark secrets, for sure, but overall the tone is lighter and makes for a most enjoyable read.

Peter Brown did not expect to write a third Wild Robot book, but a story line just kept coming at him, and the result was The Wild Robot Protects. Here Roz's 'son' returns with news ... he has a mate! Times are good on their little island. However, something bad, something toxic, is on the way in the form of a poison tide that is killing everything in its path as it spreads across the oceans. What is causing it? Can it be stopped? There are rumors of an ancient shark who lives far to the north. Does he/she even exist? Although written for younger readers, this was a good read for an old reader, too. ;-)

Reading Hermit With Dog

 

Ellie Blix is busy, and as if juggling two jobs, and caring for her sick daughter isn't enough, her mother-in-law moves in. And she's separated from her husband. She's enjoying the carols at a seasonal service when one of them collapses, and dies. Since she and this woman have recently 'had words', Ellie is a suspect. With the help of her daughter and mother-in-law, she sets out to find the real killer. Murder at the Christmas Carols is the first in the Wooton Windmill Mystery series by Izzie Harper. The investigating detective is her estranged hubby, the deceased had recently updated her will, and there are several others who also had 'had words' with her so there are lots of suspects and motives. There's lots of snow. And a second body. Not a bad read.

The Christmas Appeal, by Janice Hallett started out as a bit hard (for me) to read ... it's almost all done with emails back and forth! Once I got comfortable with that it was almost a non-stop read. I do have company at the moment, and a dog, after all. ;-) What starts as a yearly, popular event that seems to be going well, changes quickly. It's a panto of Jack and the Beanstalk. Actors have been cast, sets have been painted, there's even an amazing beanstalk that has been rented for the production. However, there is an undercurrent of dissatisfaction, a candy purchase (for the kids, you know) that turns out to be drugs, and a rumor of asbestos in the beanstalk. That goes from bad to worse when said beanstalk splits open revealing a mummified body. This was a fun, holiday romp, but fair warning ... it was hard to put down!

Happy Holidays!

Reading Hermit With Dog

 

If you have lots to do getting ready for the holidays, guests, gift shopping and wrapping your reading time might be limited, so how about some short stories? Secret Staircase Holiday Mysteries: a Collection of Cozy Short Stories is perfect for that! There are stories from four bestselling authors, and introducing a new one. Each story must include a hidden staircase. Holidays range from Halloween to New Year's Eve. There's a house specifically designed with all sorts of tricks and surprises, a Thanksgiving turkey that goes missing, hidden treasure ... and more! My favorite was the story by J.M. Poole, author of the Corgi Case Files. :-)

For the first time since 2019, Canadian Reader is here for Christmas! She brought with her all the Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy books that have been published since then. It was so good to get back to Fenella and Mona that I almost read Proposals and Poison, by Diana Xarissa, in one sitting. Fenella's boyfriend, Daniel, is looking for a new apartment, one that is closer to work, his favorite pub, and, of course, Fenella. Sadly, they are interrupted when a crew, digging out a basement in the building next door, come across a box label "poison". Daniel, a police inspector, is off to investigate. Behind that box is a body, well, a skeleton. And so begins the search to solve a 30 year old mystery (it's not yet a murder). There were lots of missing persons from that time frame so it will take a while to track them all down and see who is still living and who isn't. It's often a frustrating search. In between there are some great dogs, and wonderful walks along the beach. And Mona. The ghost. :-)

Reading Hermit With Dog

 

The House in the Cerulean Sea, by TJ Klune was a book club selection for Canadian Reader. Turned out to be the best pick of the year (according to CR at any rate) and was recommended to me. It was excellent! Linus, a follow-the-rules kind of employee of the Department In Charge of Magical Youth (and there are lots of rules) is sent to check out an orphanage on a remote island to see if it's up to the proper standards. Having done this before he expected nothing unusual. Until he met the children. And the person running it. These are children, unusual beyond even the magic that is part of each, that no one else wanted. It becomes more than an assignment, and Linus will end up rethinking his life, too. Learn about each of them, and Arthur, who has his own secret. Wonderful characters here! And good thoughts on acceptance, and what makes up a family. (Note: this book can be read on several levels, which has caused some controversy, it was interesting to look that up).

Reading Hermit With Dog

 

It's the time of year for holiday and winter season mysteries and I have started working my way through those books on my shelf. :-) A Murder of Christmas Past is a novella by Magda Alexander, and is book five in her Kitty Worthington Mystery series. Folks have gathered for a Christmas wedding. In a castle. The former resident was a miser and let the place run down so there's lots that needs repair and cleaning. The new resident is determined to do so. In cleaning the library, a secret passage is found (you learn about Priest Holes!) and then (of course) a body. It's a young woman, and there is a crib in the room as well. Family history comes to light (some good, some bad) as they discover who she is and what happened. Wonderful descriptions of sleigh rides (brrr!), decorating a huge tree, a yule log ... delightful!

The Winter Widow, by Charlene Weir is a re-release of a one time popular author by the independent publisher Joffee Books, from the UK. They also feature new authors. This is all good ... and really, I just have one comment/complaint! This book is listed as a cozy, both on the cover, where it is A Kansas Cozy Mystery, Book One, and the title page (where it is an 'enchanting cozy'). It is neither! I double and triple checked the definition of a cozy. This doesn't even come close. I looked up a bio of the author, (who is dead) who described her books as "mysteries and thrillers" with no mention of the word cozy! In the very first chapter there is a violent murder, described in detail, and there are other such events as well as an assault ... all with vivid details! Now, having given fair warning I will also add that it is a good story ... dark, grim, and gripping, I was up reading far into the night! Susan Wren is a new bride, married after a whirl wind romance when she met her husband to be at a police convention in San Francisco (where she worked as a detective). She now finds herself in Kansas. In the winter. Cooking dinner (a skill new to her). Then her husband is shot and killed. She determines to find out who, but she is new to the area, new to the small town, new to the folks that live there ... it won't be easy. A good read, but not a cozy! (I understand there is now something called a cozy thriller, which I think is a contradiction in terms, but this is too vivid for even that).

Reading Hermit With Dog

 

Wedding Ceremony Woes is the last of the books that Wandering Reader sent up to me. It is by Steve Higgs, author of the Albert Smith Culinary Capers series I'm enjoying and is book five in his Felicity Philips Investigates series. Felicity is a wedding planner, one that does the weddings of the rich and famous. Nods to earlier books in the series indicate that something always seems to go wrong and this time is no different. On the day of the wedding, the wee dog that is supposed to be the ring bearer goes missing, after which things go from bad to worse. The fun twist here is, Felcity can hear, understand, and respond to her dog and cat! What sounds like barks and meows to everyone else, translate as English to her! Making a guest appearance in this book are Alfred and Rex from her other series. And this time, it's the animals who solve the mystery (and there's a snooty Doberman to add some tension). There is a laugh out loud scene at the end. All in all quite the fun read.

Reading Hermit With Dog

 

Tall Reader and I enjoy the Life Reissues of their Special Editions of Life and we let each other know when we've purchased one so as not to duplicate! Then we share. :-) This time it was The Years of the Crown. There are wonderful pictures and articles about Queen Elizabeth II and her reign, and a bit at the end about Charles. There's the ups and the downs in her life, and, although I've not seen it, entries about the Netflix series The Crown. A wonderful read with a cup of tea.

Recently Kiwi loaned me a book she'd read and enjoyed: Mountains Beyond Mountains: the Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World, by Tracy Kidder. I've read other books by this author, he does a wonderful job on his research! However, that being said, his books are dense and full of details so I usually read a chapter or two, then something lighter, then come back again. Paul Farmer was a doctor, one who wanted to cure infectious diseases, particularly in Haiti. It was a long, hard journey! Some details are not for the faint of heart. Powerful.

Reading Hermit With Dog

 

Small animal veterinarian Ginny Reese is taking a much needed, long overdue vacation. She is taking her sister along to investigate the condo she has recently inherited. There should be some valuable art work on the walls. Contact with the property manager has not gone well and she is hoping to clear that up as well. Instead, a body is found in her condo. The lead investigator, hoping for lots of favorable publicity is looking for an easy resolution, which just might be Ginny, yes? Especially when the pictures on the wall prove to be imitations of the real thing. (Think insurance fraud). With her dog, and her friends, and eventually her boyfriend, she hopes to answer all the questions ... before the hurricane arrives. A Corpse in the Condo is part of the Cozy Pet Lovers Mystery series by M.K. Dean.

Myrtle, Means, and Opportunity is the fifth in the Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery series by Elizabeth C. Bunce. To her great surprise Miss Judson learns she has inherited land (including a castle) in Scotland. She and Myrtle (along with Cook and Peony, the cat) travel there to check it out. It is run down, and out of date, but has a feisty, spirited staff determined to keep it out of the hands of a developer who wants to buy it. Naturally there are mysteries (some ages old), and a body, and 'ghosts' ... all which made for a wonderful adventure. Author wrote with a Scottish brogue, so to speak, and I found that sort of hard to follow, but there is a useful glossary in the back.

Reading Hermit With Dog