Murder in the Scottish Highlands (Ally McKinley #1) by Dee Macdonald

 Murder mystery set in the Scottish Highlands and featuring a 60ish widow who has moved to the village of Locharran from Edinburgh. 

Ally McKinley decided she wanted a change after retirement and fell in love with an old malthouse. She had it made over into a bed and breakfast and is just having her first guests when one of them is murdered and left outside in the courtyard. Wilbur Carrington, an American, was found dead with a skean dhu (a dagger) in his back. He’d been investigating old church records because he believed he was the rightful Earl of Locharran. The current earl, Hamish Sinclair, isn’t too worried about the claim but the villagers are quite concerned about the possibility of losing their jobs and tied homes. So, who killed Wilbur and why?  Just as Ally begins her own earnest investigation, Wilbur’s brother, Tyler, and his fiancée, Mamie Van Nuyen, arrive on site to do their own sleuthing since the local police aren’t working hard enough to find the killer. 

This was OK but nothing unusual or remarkable. The story was predictable and not suspenseful. Of course Ally gets a pet — seems to be the current trope for all female amateur detectives to have an animal — and there’s even a romance. It’s set in modern day and the setting is interesting but the characters were uninspiring. Lots of small village gossip and stereotypes. This is the first in a series. I’ll try one more. 

Thank you to Bookouture for this ebook ARC to read and review.

This is the first in a series that should be read in order.

Tags - cozy, murder, amateur sleuth, sixties, romance, Scotland 

Message Deleted by K. L. Slater

 Psychological thriller and family drama.

Saffy Morris is waiting for an interview when she receives 3 messages from her old best friend, Leona. The messages sound like Leona is in trouble. But, then they all disappear and show as deleted. When Saffy rushes to the home of her friend, Leona says she doesn’t know what Saffy is talking about. She didn’t send any messages. Hmmm. But then later, Leona, her husband Ash, and their daughter disappear. The door is left open, the fire alarm is going off, and there’s blood on the floor.

This was a slow build with lots of back and forth narration between the 3 main female characters: Saffy, Leona, and Poppy (Saffy’s younger sister). They’ve all known each other since childhood and there’s a lot of past between them. Some of it connected to what is happening in the now. So multiple narrators and time shift make this a bit unevenly paced. The history is dangled without full reveal until the very end in a somewhat underwhelming conclusion. There are some twists along the way and the reader gets a feel for where this is all going. 

I never really felt too invested in the story as it was all so contrived. I didn’t like any of the characters really so there was that lack of empathy as well. The whole “why” and “who” just fell flat for me especially for the motivation. I’d say this was OK but definitely not gripping and it took me a couple of days to get through it because I just wasn’t that interested.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ebook ARC to read and review. 

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Tags: revenge, drama, psychological thriller 

Kills Well with Others (Killers of a Certain Age #2) by Deanna Raybourn

 This is the second book featuring the four dynamic women of a certain age who “stand between good and decent people and chaos…necessary monsters.”  In other words, assassins. 

Called out of semi retirement, the four have a new mission. Back together again and reliving some of their past assignments, Billie, Helen, Natalie, and Mary Alice each bring certain skills and abilities to work. Their activities take them to many exciting places and often in dangerous situations with only each other and their wits for success and survival. 

I enjoy the characters and their relationships with each other. Not exactly friends but bound by camaraderie much stronger as they have faced many life and death situations. I like that they are older, basically 60ish, and have a unique attitude about their lives and their jobs with the Museum. 

In this particular main duty, the group’s focus is on chasing down a lost piece of art that was looted during WWII and hidden away until the bad guys decide to bring it out for sale on the black market. There are reminisces about the past and some of their other kills. 

I love the way the author writes and I’ve fallen in love with another historical mystery series but I am quite fond of these killers of a certain age as well. I’d definitely read another book about them and more missions. They are getting a little tired, however! 

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Books for the e-book ARC to read, review and recommend. I do suggest you start with the first in the series. 

This is the second in a series and you should read the first one before this book.

Tags: mature older women assassins, humor, murder, stolen art

Shell Games by Bonnie Kistler

 Late love or elaborate con?

Thoroughly entertaining domestic thriller that proved nearly impossible to put down.

I love guessing in the books I read. I like to think that I can figure out the big twist or denouement before the author lets me in on the reveal. In this case, though I had suspicions, I was always thinking that the author had a trick or surprise or two up her sleeve. I wasn’t sure which way this was going to go, and if you’re like me, the ending has to be just right for me to really appreciate a book.

The characters in this story are so well drawn and believable. I paid really close attention to everthing each said or did trying to discern their motivations. Is this one guilty or is that one being honest? Who can be trusted and which of them seems like a schemer. In this intricately plotted web, it’s hard to discern their motivations truth. I was really letting my dubious nature reading between the lines. Skeptical about each of the players because there was a lot of money at stake.

Kate is a wealthy CEO with a daughter, Julie. After 50 years, Kate reconnects with her first love, Charlie Mull. They’d met in high school but were separated by circumstance and different choices. On the night after their huge society wedding, something goes terribly wrong. The next thing we know, Kate has accused Charlie of a terrible crime. She claims he confessed it to her. In a whirlwind of accusation and even an investigation, the suggestion is proffered that Kate may not be completely mentally competent. Is this a ploy — gaslighting and manipulation? 

Julie, the daughter, has been in her mother’s shadow for her entire life. Married to Eric, an orthopedic surgeon, she is somewhat controlled by him as well. When tragedy strikes, will Julie stand up and fight or not. Lots of interesting family dynamics. 

The big mystery involves a crime bigger than everyone wanting Kate’s money. I enjoyed the intrigue and was hoping that things would turn in a manner that provided the best conclusion to all the drama. 

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrator did a fantastic job of imbuing the text with appropriate tone, voice, and dramatic flair that enhanced my appreciation of the novel. The production was well done and made the story and characters come to life.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Tags - murder, suicide, mental incompetence, wealth, family drama, hurricane, drugs

Murder on the Cornish Coast (Miss Underhay #19) by Helena Dixon

 

I’ve been spending a couple of days with Kitty and Matt at an estate on the Cornish coast. They were invited by Lady Cordelia when she hired them to find out who was trying to kill her. Last summer after a birthday party for her sister, Rachel, Lady Cordelia was attacked and her father was killed. No perpetrator was found yet Lady Cordelia claims that several attempts have been made on her life now that she’s starting to remember what happened on that fateful night.

Well the other guests greet the arrival of Matt and Kitty as the locked room mystery deepens. It’s clear that someone in the big old house has murder on the mind. The red herrings are plenty and the suspects twist and turn with the events. A breakthrough occurs when a noted therapist arrives to help Lady Cordelia by hypnotizing her.

This was quite enjoyable and I had fun seeing my suspicions play out as I helped Matt and Kitty solve their case. I think most fans will appreciate the unexpected. I’ve read all previous books in this series and it’s always great that the stories stay fresh. Definitely recommend any new reader start with the first installment and read all of the books in order for maximum pleasure.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend to anyone who enjoys historical cozy mysteries.  The period details are spot on and the descriptions take me back to another place and time.

This is #19 in a series that I have read from the beginning and recommend. One of my favorite historical cozy series. 

Genre - historical mystery, 1930s, England, cozy

Original post 2-12-25

Blog spot tour for Bookouture on 2-24-25

Till Death Do Us Part by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

 Another day, another completely unrealistic and unsatisfying domestic drama. Unlikeable characters, inane babble, bad choices, secrets and lies tell the story of two women decades apart.

Told in alternating points of view by the two female characters, both unpleasant and loathsome. I liked them less as the story went on. 

June marries Josh Kelly after knowing him for six months. He dies on their honeymoon but his body was never recovered. Drowning, they said. But June can’t forget the love of her life even though it’s 10 years later and she’s met someone else she wants to marry. She keeps seeing him everywhere. Then she sees a photo of him and his wife at their Napa winery. Of course she must go. June seemed like an overly obsessed twit of the highest order. 

Bev is Josh’s mother. She’s married to David and they have a winery in Napa. Bad things happen and Bev makes some crazy decisions. She’s a terrible wife and an even worse mother, just saying. I despised everything about her. 

This went from bad to worse as the narrative went on with a major plot point never actually solved and that left a huge hole as the question is unanswered. The conclusion was absolutely out of nowhere ludicrous and dropped my benefit of the doubt star down a full level. 

If you’re interested in learning about wine and wineries, there’s a lot of information. I didn’t care about most of that. 

I listened to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The narrators, particularly the two women, had voices that I didn’t care for. I didn’t particularly enjoy the production. 

I thought at some point, surely my questions will be answered and it will all make sense. And, these ladies aren’t so bad. But I was disillusioned. All very unrealistic and very slow.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Tags - wine and wineries, romance, Lesbian relationship, murder, adultery, family drama, mystery, twins, motherhood

White King by Juan Gomez-Jurado (Antonia Scott #3)

 No! Tell me it’s not true — this cannot be over. This can’t be the last outing for Antonia Scott and Inspector Jon Gutierrez. The entire 3 book series has been exceptional in action and well constructed plots and I hate that the saga of the Red Queen is coming to an end.

I have loved the characters of Antonia and Jon as their relationship deepens through their attempts to solve the most heinous crimes and find some sort of justice. Not only are they unique in personality, they are also highly skilled in their jobs and focused on completing their missions. Now they face their adversary, Mr. White, who brings them full circle into his devious plans. He’s a nasty piece of work and another nemesis makes an appearance as well. It was hard to guess where this was going with all the twists and turns. I liked the writing style and the bits of humor that the author included to make me really care about Antonia and Jon. There’s just the barest bit at the end that could allow for further stories about these two. If only. 

I suggest you read these from the beginning in order. And better if you can do it one after the other without suffering through the waiting for the translations from Spanish. Also catch the first book’s adaptation on streaming channels. I enjoyed it as well. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publisher. The book is narrated by the incomparable Scott Brick whose voice consistently elevates the novels he performs with his incredible range and talent. This is definitely one I highly recommend on audio for a completely absorbing experience. 

This is the third and final book in the Red Queen series. It should be read in order, close together as possible.

#1 Red Queen

#2 Black Wolf

#3 White King

Tags: brilliant and quirky philologist, Spain, police, murder, special projects, crime

Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow by Mary Keliikoa

 Mystery thriller full of family drama, secrets, and lies.

Beth Ralston works as a paralegal at her father’s law firm. On the night of a party, she finds her boss dead in his office. Even more shocking, however, is that she sees her sister, Lindsay, running from the scene. Later, Beth finds her sister’s phone in her purse along with a note telling her not to ask and not to follow. Now Beth is on a mission to find out what her investigative reporter sister was working on. And to find Lindsay who has now completely disappeared.

Oh my. I’m feeling generous tonight with the star rating although this book barely held my interest. There were too many improbable scenarios and Beth, the main character, was running around doing all sorts of detecting and snooping and the usual amateur sleuth activity. Her job lost, she has plenty of time to figure out stuff. I never took to her. The rest of the characters were stereotypes and none were well developed. I figure out where it was going quickly but it took the author a long time to get me there. The epilogue was a complete laugh out loud, and not in a good way, ending. Really. 

I listened to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. I did not care for the voice of the narrator, especially the tone and inflection for some of the characters. I almost quit listening to the audio completely due to it getting on my nerves. I’ll make sure I avoid this one in the future.

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Tags - sisterhood, family secrets and lies, adoption, illegal activity, drama, romance, murder, kidnapping

A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay

 This was a totally unexpected and fun to read thriller.

Snarky humor about a husband and wife serial killer duo who is feeling some pangs when they put their bloody murder adventures on hold after getting married and having a baby. They don’t find the quiet suburban life anything as expected. Their outlet is gone and it all seems like their passion and joy went away. They miss hunting down the bad men and killing them. What to do?

I enjoyed this far more than expected and it was a nice change of pace. The story is told in a then and now format with both Fox and Haze narrating their before and present day lives. Even though by most standards neither are good people, the way they approach their new parenthood and now really boring grind is humorous and relatable. Typically I’m not a fan of vigilantism regardless of reason, but the author does a good job of making these killers almost sympathetic. 

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. I enjoyed the female and male narrators who brought the story to life and gave such great inflection and drama to the production. It definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book. 

This is a standalone and is not part of any series.

Tags - couple kills bad men, murder, dark humor