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Review of Stir Up by Annabelle Hunter

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Stir Up review book coverFrom the publisher

Peace and quiet is underrated.

After her last brush with murder, Larklyn Davis is relieved to be spending her time with the talented new horse at her stables instead of tripping over body parts. While she’s trying to figure out why her newest horse has lost his mojo, she’s also puzzling over her relationship with the brooding, uncommunicative Detective Brecken Wilson.

But then, disaster strikes, and both Lark’s reputation and business are on the line. Once again she finds herself pulled into a murder case and in close proximity to the handsome Detective. Throw in a dashing veterinarian plus a matchmaking town and Lark’s life spins out of control. As clues pile up and all evidence leads back to her barn, Lark gets saddled up to solve another mystery.

Who knew life in Barrow Bay would stir up so much trouble?

My review of Stir Up

Stir Up is an equestrian themed mystery with an unusual twist—the murder victim is a horse. It’s obvious the author cares deeply about horses and animal cruelty. At first, this departure from the traditional blueprint for a mystery bothered me, but as the story progressed, I found the plot twist refreshing.

The main character, Lark Davis, is a mixture of spunk, snark, and sass. In a world of snarky characters, Lark reigns supreme. She’s got a comeback or comment—even if it’s only in her head—for every person, conversation, and situation. For me, Lark’s internal monologue slowed the story.
Unfortunately, Lark’s obsession with her love life, or lack thereof, became a bit much for me. For those who love getting involved in the main character’s personal life, Lark’s your girl. And for those mystery readers who are also horse lovers—mount up because Stir Up has you covered.

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Review of The Subject of Malice

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Subject of MaliceFrom the publisher

The organizers have rustled up plenty of surprises for the literary conference at Tattered Star Ranch. But the murder of an influential scholar wasn’t on the program—someone has clearly taken the theme of Malice in the Mountains to heart. This shocking crime is only the beginning: Other dangers and deceptions are soon revealed.

English professor Lila Maclean has a full agenda: She must convince a press to publish her book (possibly), ace her panel presentations (hopefully), and deal with her nemesis (regrettably).

However, when Detective Lex Archer requests Lila’s academic expertise, she agrees to consult on the case. While her contributions earn high marks from her partner, it could be too late; the killer is already taking aim at the next subject.

As Lila races to keep her colleagues alive, publish or perish takes on new meaning.

My review of The Subject of Malice

With multiple plot lines—one for the murder, one for the romance, and one based on good old-fashioned greed—The Subject of Malice has a lot going on. The storylines, which ultimately converge, are balanced well and all proceed at a good pace. 

There’s no shortage of odd characters in this story, either, which makes one wonder exactly how many of them are based on real academics. In fact, it was easy to identify personality types everyone has likely met…and disliked. Lila is a likable character, and I found it easy to identify with her struggle balance her personal and professional lives. I felt Lila should have done a better job of standing up for herself at times, but the truth is her reactions were often an accurate reflection of how many people react to stressful situations.

Overall, The Subject of Malice is an entertaining read with twists and turns peppered throughout.

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Flashback Tuesday – a review of Red Flags by Tammy Kaehler

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Red FlagsThis is Book 4 in the Kate Reilly Mystery series. I recently started reading Red Flags and realized I’d made a terrible mistake—by not reading this series when it came out. Red Flags was published in 2016, so it’s an older book,and not something I normally review here. However, because I’d done a behind the story interview with the author in 2016, and I was so impressed by the book, I wanted to make an exception.

From the publisher

When Kate Reilly arrives in Long Beach, California, a week ahead of the Grand Prix, she’s immediately plunged into a new social scene – as well as a murder investigation. Her cousin Billy is found dead, with Kate’s card in his pocket. The cops want to know why, and sponsors and race organizers – anxious to keep racing’s image clean – want Kate to investigate. Doubting she can solve another murder, especially that of a relative she despised, Kate reluctantly agrees.

At the same time, coaching an actress for a celebrity race brings Kate into the orbit of Hollywood’s hottest bachelor. And then a local FBI agent takes notice of more than her driving and sleuthing skills. She goes from Sony Studios to Venice Beach and from Rodeo Drive to the Hollywood Hills, attending parties, power-shopping, and dodging unwelcome paparazzi.

Kate’s professional dreams are coming true. The upcoming Grand Prix is her first race with a new sponsor that’s also funding an IndyCar test drive and a ride in next year’s Indy 500 – along with future possibilities in NASCAR. The downside? New sponsor Frame Savings is owned by her family, and its management, except her long-estranged father, is unfriendly to her…even rivalrous.

On track, red flags fly to warn her of danger. Off track, Kate struggles to interpret warning signs and stay out of a killer’s grasp.

My review of Red Flags

Even though this was the fourth book in the series, I didn’t feel lost, but was able to catch up quickly. In a sense, it was like meeting someone in life and feeling as though you understood them even though you didn’t know all the details of their life.

Kate has a lot going on in her life in this book, but despite challenges, she is not an angst-filled, uncertain protagonist who dithers over her personal problems. Instead, she’s a confident, smart woman who stays focused on her career and personal goals. This persona makes her a joy to be around and also serves the strong pacing.

The writing in Red Flags is smart, crisp, and dynamic. The racing theme and setting are well done and, for the most part, explained in an understandable manner that doesn’t slow the pace of the story. I say ‘for the most part’ because every once in a while there was an acronym that threw me. This was only a minor speed bump in a story that had an excellent storyline, strong writing, and a protagonist that captures your heart.

Author’s website: TammyKaehler.com

Review of No More Time

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No More Time coverFrom the publisher of No More Time

Restaurant manager Dodie O’Dell has found her niche in the cozy New Jersey town of Etonville, creating menus that make a delicious double-act with the community theater’s productions. Now she’s ready for a vacation at the Jersey Shore town she called home before a hurricane hit. Sun, salty air, and seagulls make for a nostalgic escape from regular life—until a contingent from Etonville arrives to compete in a Jersey Shore theater festival.

Roped into helping her former boss cater the event, Dodie also gets a visit from her old flame, Jackson, who’s hoping to revive his charter boat business and is looking for a place to crash. Before Dodie can tell him that ship has sailed, Jackson’s partner is found murdered on his boat. Dodie knows her ex is a mooch, but she’s sure he’s no killer. But as she follows a trail of evidence that leads into her own past, Dodie stumbles on a dangerous conspiracy theory that could bring the festival to a shocking finale…

My review of No More Time

This was my first Dodie O’Dell Mystery. No More Time follows the currently popular formula of ‘single-woman-cop-boyfriend.’ There is a twist, however, in that the cop, Dodie’s fiancé Bill, is not in his home territory and therefore is not constantly blocking her from the investigation. In fact, he’s got a plot line of his own going on that largely keeps him out of the picture.

The writing style is crisp and there’s not a lot of unnecessary backstory, which means the plot keeps moving. There were also enough questions raised to make it difficult to figure out who the ultimate villain really was. Speaking of villains, there were plenty of suspects that were interesting enough to raise the ‘what-if’ question about them.

I found the characters enjoyable and easy to be around. For me, liking the main characters is a big deal because we spend a lot of time together. I thoroughly enjoyed Dodie and her friends, especially the somewhat eccentric Etonville Theater group.

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Review of Prussian Counterpoint

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Prussian Counterpoint coverFrom the publisher of Prussian Counterpoint

An unexpected invitation from wily King Frederick causes composer Joseph Haydn to fear he’s walking into a trap. After all, the Prussian King has never had any use for Haydn’s music. His Majesty seems more intrigued at Haydn’s being the son of a market-judge.Worse still, the invitation appears to stir up suspicion in the highest quarters in Vienna. So much so that a mysterious, cloaked lady visits Haydn’s Music Room and issues a thinly veiled threat.

Now Haydn is convinced there’s mischief afoot. But not even he can foresee that he will stumble upon the corpse of the imperial ambassador a day after his arrival in Frederick’s Prussia, along with evidence that His Lordship may have been a common thief.

Can Haydn salvage the imperial ambassador’s reputation—and find his killer?

My review

The author’s love of classical music and this era comes through clearly in Prussian Counterpoint. The entire book has an authentic feel—from the dialogue to the descriptions to the actions of the characters. The plot centers around the political intrigue surrounding Prussia, and the author portrays the uncertainty of the times well. At times, the mystery felt as though it took a back seat to the introduction of characters and the intrigue. 

In a macro sense, the story is historically accurate. While the actual events portrayed in the story never took place, the overall situation involving Persia is accurate and the politics portrayed are also accurate. Accuracy is the both the strength and weakness of this story. The main point where this becomes obvious is in the references to characters in the narrative. For instance, in dialogue, it makes perfect sense for characters to use a noble’s title. However, in the narrative, the same titles quickly become cumbersome and confusing when several they are used in close proximity.

I enjoyed the story itself, but sometimes found myself bogged down in those pesky titles. I also enjoyed the fact that it basically took a team to bring together all the clues so Haydn could solve the crime. 

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Review of The Golden Tresses of the Dead

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41+q6UpPP1LFrom the publisher of The Golden Tresses of the Dead

Although it is autumn in the small English town of Bishop’s Lacey, the chapel is decked with exotic flowers. Yes, Flavia de Luce’s sister Ophelia is at last getting hitched, like a mule to a wagon. “A church is a wonderful place for a wedding,” muses Flavia, “surrounded as it is by the legions of the dead, whose listening bones bear silent witness to every promise made at the altar.” Flavia is not your normal twelve-year-old girl. An expert in the chemical nature of poisons, she has solved many mysteries, sharpening her considerable detection skills to the point where she had little choice but to turn professional. So Flavia and dependable Dogger, estate gardener and sounding board extraordinaire, set up shop at the once-grand mansion of Buckshaw, eager to serve—not so simple an endeavor with her odious little moon-faced cousin, Undine, constantly underfoot. But Flavia and Dogger persevere. Little does she know that their first case will be extremely close to home, beginning with an unwelcome discovery in Ophelia’s wedding cake: a human finger.

My review

The Golden Tresses of the Dead is a delightful mystery driven by the strong narrative voice of Flavia de Luce, a precocious twelve-year-old sleuth and chemist. One of the beauties of Flavia is that she is as naïve as she is astute. Her naivete creates a wonderful narrative, during which she may wax profusely about a new discovery or concern.

This is definitely a mystery in which the detectives, Flavia and her adult partner Dogger, detect. The pace remains fast as they chase down clues. Flavia’s methods are sometimes unorthodox, but they are effective and create a fun read. Her exploits are always focused on the crime she and Dogger are investigating, which makes for a book difficult to put down.

This is a cozy mystery fit for all audiences, from young to old. It’s filled with good dialogue, a clever plot, and quirky characters. Add to that a protagonist with the enthusiasm of youth and this is a sure winner in the genre.