Blown away by Cosby's writing. There is a murder to solve, which makes this a mystery, but it's more of a study of small-town politics, race relationsBlown away by Cosby's writing. There is a murder to solve, which makes this a mystery, but it's more of a study of small-town politics, race relations and relationships. ...more
This series of novels (or novelas) is truly wonderful. They are science fiction, and mystery, but more than that, they are the story of two people decThis series of novels (or novelas) is truly wonderful. They are science fiction, and mystery, but more than that, they are the story of two people deciding to be together and how that will work. To me, that is the compelling part of this book and the first in the series.
Pleiti is recovering from the rector's betrayal in the last book. But when Mossa comes to investigate several disappearances in her college, Pleiti gladly joins her as she travels around Giant and Io, just to be with her. And she is just as invested as Mossa is in finding out where these people are. After all, there's not many places to hide on platforms above a gas giant, is there?
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book....more
The Tainted Cup is an inventive fantasy murder mystery!
Dinos is an assistant investigator in the empire of Daretana. He has been augmented to be an enThe Tainted Cup is an inventive fantasy murder mystery!
Dinos is an assistant investigator in the empire of Daretana. He has been augmented to be an engraver - someone who can remember everything perfectly, and uses bottles of scent to trigger and activate their incredible memories. He works for Ana, who has the reputation of being exceedingly eccentric (but also the best detective in the empire).
Din and Ana are asked to investigate a strange death - a man was killed by a tree erupting out of him. This kind of contagion has happened before, in a now-defunct section of the country, but dapplegrass hasn't killed anyone in years (and how did it get into Blas's home?).
When they find out more people died of dapplegrass poisoning, Ana and Din know they've got to unravel the mystery to save the kingdom. That is, if a Leviathan doesn't break through the walls protecting their kingdom first, and destroy them all.
While there wasn't quite enough worldbuilding for one to ever feel comfortable in Daretana, I think that is part of the appeal of this story. You feel just as unsettled as Din feels as he's trying to navigate in a large city, in high society where he doesn't feel welcome. The characters are really well-written and developed, and whodunit definitely surprised me!
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book....more
I loved the first book in this series, The Maid, so I was eager to read The Mystery Guest.
It is a good mystery, but not as good as the first in the seI loved the first book in this series, The Maid, so I was eager to read The Mystery Guest.
It is a good mystery, but not as good as the first in the series. This time, we have jumped a few years into the future. Molly is Head Maid and training Lily, who is quiet but hardworking. Like Molly, she is the type people underestimate and take advantage of.
When a famous author dies in the hotel tearoom, Molly decides she has to investigate, because the police jump to the wrong conclusions.
This story jumps back and forth in time to Molly's childhood, which is very interesting and plays a big part in the mystery.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and I still love Molly! She is a great character!
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book....more
Death Writes is an entertaining mystery set in Ireland. It is the sixth in a series, but this was the first I have read. I would like to go back and rDeath Writes is an entertaining mystery set in Ireland. It is the sixth in a series, but this was the first I have read. I would like to go back and read the entire series!
Ben (Benedicta) lives in a seaside town, where she is a lawyer. Her boyfriend is an officer with the Guarda, so they often work together unofficially. Right now is no exception, as Ben tries to figure out the real name of the man talking advantage of her parents, and who killed author Gavin Featherstone at the Glendara Glenfest Book Festival.
This mystery is my favorite kind - something between hard boiled and cozy. I like series like this where you don't have to have read the other books to enjoy any one of them, but there is an arc to follow through the books. Now I just have to go back and enjoy the entire arc!
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book....more
The Other Half is a mystery set in England, with a cast of peers and the rich, doing callous things. The story is told by both the police investigatinThe Other Half is a mystery set in England, with a cast of peers and the rich, doing callous things. The story is told by both the police investigating the murder and the friends affected by her death.
Rupert throws himself a lavish birthday party, renting out a McDonalds restaurant and serving both champagne and Happy Meals. His girlfriend Clemmie never shows up, which is fine with him - he's planning on dumping her tomorrow. He'd much rather be with Nell, who decides that night she's going to give their mutual friend Alex a chance. But she's been in love with Rupert (at least somewhat) since their school days, so she can't decide whether to cut him loose entirely or not.
The next day, someone finds Clemmie dead in the park, dressed for the party.
Caius and Matt are assigned to investigate the murder. What they find is a mess of old school chums who have slept with each other, who have jobs because of their wealth and station, and who are not nearly as upset as they should be about the death of their friend. Was she killed because of jealousy by a friend, or because she was involved in something not quite kosher at work? The police find evidence that could lead both ways.
I found this book kind of tedious in its portrayal of the rich as uncaring, capricious people who would excuse bad behavior because the person is a peer. It's not that I don't think that some people are like this, but the author seems to have a vendetta against those with wealth. It was hard to care about any of the characters.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book....more
Murder by Degrees is an interesting historical mystery, featuring Dr. Lydia Weston. The book is set in Philadelphia in the 1870s. Dr. Weston and her cMurder by Degrees is an interesting historical mystery, featuring Dr. Lydia Weston. The book is set in Philadelphia in the 1870s. Dr. Weston and her colleagues run a medical clinic and teach at the Women's Medical College.
One of her patients disappears, and Lydia is very worried that something has happened to her. When a body is discovered at the river, her worst fears are realized. The police are willing to work with her, as she has consulted on cases before and helped find the perpetrators. Her medical knowledge, and her ability to have witnesses trust her, are invaluable to Volker and Davies, who are in charge of the case.
Lovers of historical fiction will enjoy this fictional account of a woman doctor in the 1870s, and mystery lovers will enjoy a strong female amateur detective! While this book is similar to other historical mysteries, I liked that there was no need to give her a romantic interest, and the medical details.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book....more
Thieves' Gambit is a hard-hitting heist book, especially for a young adult novel. It is the first of a series, and I am going to be early awaiting theThieves' Gambit is a hard-hitting heist book, especially for a young adult novel. It is the first of a series, and I am going to be early awaiting the next one.
Rosalyn "Ross" Quest is a professional thief, a part of a famous thieving family. She has been told by her mother to never trust anyone. But Ross is ready to spread her wings a little and to to a summer gymnastics camp. Unfortunately, just as she is running away, her mother is kidnapped. To save her, she must raise one billion dollars, and three only way to do that is to enter the Thieves' Gambit.
She is completing against other teens who are part of crime families, including Noelia, who had betrayed her when they were nine years old. There are three stages, and the winner gets any wish they want, but also are signed to a one year contract to thieve for the organization who organized the event.
No matter what you like, it's in this book. Capers, lasers, romance, betrayal, friendship, violence... and it is only the first book. I can't wait to read the next one and find out what happens next! Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book....more
This is a fun addition to the Willy Wonka-type books published in the last decade.
Eight students have been invited to the Octagon Society because theyThis is a fun addition to the Willy Wonka-type books published in the last decade.
Eight students have been invited to the Octagon Society because they passed the exam for Super-Extraordinary Intelligence. In fact, the only way to pass was to see and answer the 108th question on the exam. The kids are expecting a three day weekend full of seminars and learning. Instead, they immediately are thrown into a series of puzzles that they must pass to survive!
In some ways, this book feels derivative of this which came before it. You aren't really surprised by anything. But it was fun to read, and I think kids will really enjoy it.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book....more
This is a good first entry in a new historical mystery series.
Charlotte "Charlie" James is the new Paris correspondent for the Times newspaper, out ofThis is a good first entry in a new historical mystery series.
Charlotte "Charlie" James is the new Paris correspondent for the Times newspaper, out of London. It's the 1930s, and she has to prove she is just as good if not better than the men to keep her job.
Her first assignment is a profile of Lady Ashworth, who can give Charlie an in with the wealthy citizens of the city. Lady Ashworth likes Charlie well enough, and invites her to the Circus Ball she is hosting. Charlie is dazzled by the extravagance and the amazing performers, but it's the dead body in the garden that steals the show. Charlie will do anything to get the story and solve the murder.
If you like historical mysteries, this is a good one. Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book....more
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