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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 Ask Me No Questions: A Lady Dunbridge Mystery

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From the publisher of Ask Me No Questions

From New York Times bestselling author Shelley Noble, Ask Me No Questions is the first in the Lady Dunbridge Mystery series featuring a widow turned sleuth in turn-of-the-twentieth century New York City.

A modern woman in 1907, Lady Dunbridge is not about to let a little thing like the death of her husband ruin her social life. She’s ready to take the dazzling world of Gilded Age Manhattan by storm.

From the decadence of high society balls to the underbelly of Belmont horse racing, romance, murder, and scandals abound. Someone simply must do something. And Lady Dunbridge is happy to oblige.

My review

I was really looking forward to reading this book. I love the time period, the pomp and circumstance, and and the spirit of the times. In short, I came into this book with high expectations.

The story begins with a smart introduction of Philomena Amesbury, the countess of Dunbridge. Known as Phil to her friends  She has sass, is smart, and has no compunction about showing up the police.

The strength of this book is the plot and the story. It’s filled with twists that left me unsure of who the killer was until the end. For readers who like the continuity of a series, the author introduced multiple long story arcs, which will likely form the basis of future stories.

In period pieces, I look forward to being immersed in the world, but I found the descriptions and character development weak. There were times when they didn’t paint a clear picture, making it difficult to visualize the setting, the dress, the atmosphere, and others where I was quite satisfied. The one main character who really shined was Detective Sergeant John Atkins. His essence and values were clear from the beginning and remained true throughout.

This was a good story overall. I was always interested to see what was coming next and wanted to know how Phil was going to solve the crime. I’m also curious as to what her next adventure will be.

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Review of Back Stabbers by Julie Mulhern

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From the publisher of Back Stabbers

All Ellison Russell wanted was an update on her stock portfolio. Instead, she found her broker dead.

With an unexpected out-of-town guest at her house, Ellison is too busy for a murder investigation. Only this time, Detective Anarchy Jones wants her help, and she can’t deny the handsome detective. Can Mr. Coffee supply her with enough caffeine to keep her brain sharp and everyone else happy?

Juggling bodies (one, two, three, four), two-faced friends, her social calendar, and a cat (yes, a cat) is taxing but Mother might be the biggest challenge of all.

With a killer drawing closer, can Ellison put together the pieces or will she be the one getting stabbed in the back?

My review

This cute cozy is filled with humor, twists-and-turns, and a look back to seventies high society. It’s a fun read with crisp dialogue and quirky characters. I especially liked the scene in which there is a literal cat-and-dog fight that results in plenty of mayhem. I don’t want to spoil the surprise of where the cat winds up, but it had me laughing out loud.

The identity if the killer isn’t clear until the end thanks to red herrings and some deft plotting. Relationships between the characters feel real—even when they’re the deliberately contrived relationships of people who mix socially but dislike each other. This creates some delicious backbiting which we, as readers, get to enjoy.

Book & a Latte Contest

What: This month, Julie is giving away one e-book copy of “Back Stabbers” and I’m adding a $5.00 Starbucks gift card. One random entry will be chosen as the winner. The winner will receive a book and a gift card.

How to enter: Choose one or more of the options below. Each option gives you an additional chance to win.

Who can enter: This contest is only open to anyone over 18 years of age.

Winners: Selected winners must claim prizes within 72 hours of notification. Verification of entries: All winning entries are subject to verification.

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Review of The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller

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From the publisher

A big bestseller leads to small town trouble.

Bookshop owner Penelope Thornton-McClure didn’t believe in ghosts, until she was haunted by the hard-boiled spirit of 1940s private investigator Jack Shepard. Now Jack is back on the job, and Pen is eternally grateful…

After an elegant new customer has a breakdown in her shop, Penelope suspects there is something bogus behind the biggest bestseller of the year. This popular potboiler is so hot that folks in her tiny Rhode Island town are dying to read it–literally. First one customer turns up dead, followed by another mysterious fatality connected to the book, which Pen discovers is more than just fiction. Now, with the help of her gumshoe ghost, Pen must solve the real-life cold case behind the bogus bestseller before the killer closes the book on her.

My review of The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller

Who would have thought a dead gumshoe could be so much fun? Right from the beginning, the presence of a stereotypical 1930s private detective thrown into a modern world comes through loud and clear. This mystery is all about keeping things light. The dialogue between the protagonists comes through as a relationship between two people with a genuine attraction to each other.

The story moves along briskly, thanks to the banter between the two main characters. There are enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing about the whodunnit part of the mystery. This isn’t a story filled with deep character development or intense descriptions, but one that relies on an overabundance of cliches straight out of an old movie. The formula works, helping to give readers of The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller a mystery to solve along with that mysterious fun factor.

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