Pretty underwhelming for a cozy mystery with common tropes, like located in small town, the main character inherited mansion from deceased Gr 3 stars
Pretty underwhelming for a cozy mystery with common tropes, like located in small town, the main character inherited mansion from deceased Grandmother, gay best friend, potential love triangle, gossipy neighbor and a victim that apparently not that well-loved despite look charming at first. Also, Sophie's eavesdropping skill is suck. Big time. I count how so many times she mess up while eavesdrop like fall into something or slip because a whoopsiee.
Also, not enough llama, sadly. I think with a llama called Jack Kerouac, maybe the animal will become a saving hero or what, instead just...a pet....more
Setelah baca beberapa buku Dame Agatha Christie, gue baru sadar kalau belum pernah baca series beliau yang Miss Marple. Digadang - gadang s 4 bintang
Setelah baca beberapa buku Dame Agatha Christie, gue baru sadar kalau belum pernah baca series beliau yang Miss Marple. Digadang - gadang sebagai cozy mystery, setelah baca Murder at the Vicarage sebenarnya ga cozy banget sih, walau settingnya emang iya di kota kecil dimana setiap orang minimal saling kenal. Plus yang paling mencolok, ibu - ibu (atau nenek2) yang hobi bergosip, salah satunya tentunya Miss Jane Marple. Tapi bukan sembarang gosip murahan, beda dengan tetangga2nya, Miss Marple dikaruniai observasi yang tajam dan kemampuan deduksi yang tentunya ga kalah dengan detektif partikelir yang juga karangan Dame Christie, yaitu Hercule Poirot.
Buku ini ditulis di tahun 1930, jadi beberapa tokohnya membahas kemerosotan moral setelah WW I. Menariknya lagi, berkali - kali disebut Sherlock Holmes dan Arsene Lupin. Mungkin ini homage kali ya atau mungkin juga siapa kira kalau di masa - masa setelahnya Poirot dan juga Miss Marple disejajarkan sama Sherlock Holmes juga. Murder at the Vicarage sendiri diceritakan dari sudut pandang pertama seorang pendeta bernama Leonard Clement atau yang lebih akrab disapa dengan nama Len. Jadi bisa dibilang tokoh utamanya ya Pak Pendeta ini dengan Miss Marple sebagai tokoh sampingan. TAPI, pada akhirnya justru Miss Marple lah yang berhasil memecahkan misteri kasus pembunuhan Kolonel Protheroe. Cuma gara - gara apa? Ya gara - gara observasinya yang teliti dan juga gegara pelakunya melakukan hal yang mungkin menurut si pelaku remeh banget tapi bagi Miss Marple itu aneh!
Tentunya gue sekali lagi berasa bego pas tahu siapa pembunuhnya, padahal baru beberapa minggu lalu baca bukunya Dame Christie yang sebenarnya motif pelakunya sama wkwkwk. Tapi disitulah menurut gue kehebatan Dame Christie dalam menulis cerita misteri. Dikasih banyak red herring sampai - sampai gue ragu sama kemampuan deduksi sendiri dan cuma bisa tepok jidat pas Miss Marple bilang siapa pelakunya. I'll be like "ASTAGA!!" dan geleng - geleng kepala, karena ya sejelas itu sebenarnya hehehe. Beberapa hal yang menarik adalah seksisme yang luar biasa dari bbrp tokoh di buku ini, termasuk antara lain meremehkan kemampuan Miss Marple dan memanggilnya "perawan tua". Ya, mengingat novel ini ditulis tahun 1930, masa - masa itu memang sikap seksis dan misoginis memang kentara.
Jujur secara personalitas, gue sukaan Miss Marple ketimbang Hercule Poirot. Mungkin karena gue dan Miss Marple itu sama2 perempuan yang juga hobi bergosip dan kepoan, walau masih lebih tajam sikap keponya Miss Marple. Pastinya akan baca buku2 Miss Marple lainnya dong :D. ...more
I admit, I'm just not into the right mood when reading this one while at first I'm intrigued by the catchy title and the novel category that 3 stars
I admit, I'm just not into the right mood when reading this one while at first I'm intrigued by the catchy title and the novel category that is romantic killer comedy. The last part kinda didn't meet my expectation since the comedy part might be into dark comedy but with a light tone. I also feel that Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder is an awkward mix of mystery/crime genre and romance. What's the focus actually? The mystery? The romance? Or...the family drama?
For me, I prefer the mystery part rather than the romance. I don't know, the romance is just slightlyyyy okay. I did like Juniper and Aiden's bantering also the fact that Aiden is a demisexual, just like me. It's just...something feels off? Mitchell write in first PoV, switching back and forth between Juniper and Aiden but still manage to make the character's voice different, a plus point. I also think the author try to incorporated sunshine gf x grumpy bf. However, I find Aiden is too grumpy for my liking and it didn't help to read from his voice that he try to avoid Juniper at any cost at first but still agree to be Juniper's roommate? The roommate thingie also pretty mid, imho. This is the case when I can't explain why I just don't feel connected with the romance despite I like the character's witty bantering, lol. Also, Aiden way too much smirking for my liking :P.
Anyway, I do like the mystery, although the closure is not what I expect. I'm glad it didn't feel anticlimatic and I'm glad that both Juniper and Aiden were people that not act so recklessly while try to cornering the culprit. The mystery was solid and it's not just about the dead body, but concerning Juniper's past too, in fact about her biologic father. Reading Juniper's pasts were hard and read what happen to her late mother also pretty difficult that I'm appreciate Mitchell give a warning in the first page. That's why I didn't categorized this one into cozy mystery because the problems is far from cozy. There's some scene and dialogue that suddenly turn philosophical that make me go "huh?", so maybe that's one of the factor that lessen my reading enjoyment.
Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder is part murder part mystery with very slow burn romance. If you like your mystery with romance, you can try this one. Also, if you like your romance didn't have any hanky panky or sexy time in the bedroom, you also might try this one. The mystery and romance somehow balance, although I still prefer this book is more to mystery with just a little bit sprinkle of romance. But, well..that's only me.
Padahal jawabannya itu sudah JELAS BANGET DI DEPAN MATA, tapi KENAPA gue masih gagal aja nebak siapa pelakunya? Kalau Emily Trefusis bertan 4 bintang
Padahal jawabannya itu sudah JELAS BANGET DI DEPAN MATA, tapi KENAPA gue masih gagal aja nebak siapa pelakunya? Kalau Emily Trefusis bertanya - tanya mengapa si pelaku membunuh Kapten Joe Trevelyan, kalau gue hanya bisa geleng - geleng kepala karena salah nebak. Again ...more
What I think at first as your usual cozy mystery but with witch, turn up a mix of paranormal suspense with some cozy elements set in small to 4 stars
What I think at first as your usual cozy mystery but with witch, turn up a mix of paranormal suspense with some cozy elements set in small town with troubled past and a promise of a little romance. Bait and Witch is the first book of Witch Way Librarian Mysteries and also my first foray into Angela M. Sanders book.
Told entirely from 1st PoV, our heroine, Josephine Way (named after Napoleon's wife, Josephine. Also her older sister named Marie Antoinette. Figures) or Josie fly to Wilfred, Oregon to become the town's new librarian. Feel ordinary at first, but in truth Josie is running from her current job as Congress's library catalogue staff since she just blowing a corruption practice in her office and suddenly her friend (that also a whistleblower) is missing. Afraid for her life, she accept this librarian offer in Wilfred only to find that the said library will be demolished in favor of the new retreat center to boost the town's economy. Still in shock, in the morning Josie also find a dead body, find out that apparently she's a witch and have ability connected to book, try to save the library from turning into retreat center despite she's just a new resident and must look for her life because her mother's prophecy that she will die if she embrace her witch ability.
The start is pretty much slow even the events that happen span in just 2 weeks. By the time Josie find her magical ability, that when story pick up the pace and become interesting. I especially like Josie's magic that make her able to recommend book suitable for people needs. How totally cool!! It's like a librarian's dream come true to able to recommend every book and since I love recommend book I'd read for people that searching for specifics trope or plot, Josie's ability make me green with envy, lol. I also enjoy Josie's voice, her up and downs and since she's still in her mid twenties (aka 25-ish), she sound just like her age, unsure but still determined when it's come to save the library. Her interaction with the town citizen also delightful to read. I liked that Sanders manage to introduce some of the citizen and make me as a reader connected to them.
The mystery about the dead body itself is pretty solid with so many red herrings, distractions, and concluded nicely in the end with some questions answered and surprise too regarding the real culprit. I will said the mystery is not the focus because the main focus of the story is Josie's predicaments since she's a whistleblower. So, more like a suspense about Josie being targeted by the people that she reports to law enforcement. Also, beside suspense, the story is about Josie coming to term with her magic. I can feel her frustration because she think while her magic is wonderful, she also can't control it and she didn't have another witch to teach her. The romance itself is just a glimpse and there's a hints of Josie's possible love interest, who is Sam Wilfred, an enigmatic man of Wilfred family that in the past become responsible for the Wilfred (the town name)'s declining economy state.
Charming and delightful, I didn't hesitate to order the next books since I want to know if Josie will finally mastered her magic and what comes next in the Wilfred town....more
Against the Currant is the book that left me conflicted. In the span of 2024 alone, I had read 13 cozy mystery titles including this one. S 3,5 stars
Against the Currant is the book that left me conflicted. In the span of 2024 alone, I had read 13 cozy mystery titles including this one. Some of those titles feature the start of small business owned by the heroine that got into hot water when someone died days later after the victim's altercation with the heroine. Against the Currant is totally follow the same formula while try to be different with the way Olivia Matthews infused some of Caribbean culture to this book. I'm not that familiar with the Caribbean culture and norms, so I will take what I get.
This book is a cozy mystery yes, but tend more toward mystery rather than cozy feeling. The cozy come from the Lyndsay Murray's big family, from her parents, her big brother, her grandma, her cousin and some uncles and aunties. The pace itself kinda fast but I wish Matthews didn't try to always remind what time is it when Lynds going somewhere or investigate someone. This book also didn't try to hide its dislike of cops, lel. Apparently NYPD detectives were incompetence of sort with how they are so sure that Lynds is the murderer. Actually, the way Matthews write it was make sense. Lynds have motives, means and also her charm bracelet was found in the victim's place. All the evidence were against Lynds and I kind of know how frustrated Lynds might be. Try to clear her name because her business and her family matters. The unbelievable happen when Lynd and her cousin, Reena, got random shot that they believe the culprit try to intimidate them but the cop (in this case a potential love interest) said that maybe they fake the whole things. Like, OMG, seriously, I can't even. How incompetence these cops eh?
Although the mystery and the way of story unfold left me with mixed feeling, I decide to give half star more to my original 3 stars rating with the way story end, especially when Lynds got cornered by the culprit. I'm appraised Matthew's decision to write Lynds that keep practicing kickboxing because the scene when (view spoiler)[Lynds kicking the culprit to their ass was very satisfying. We need more heroine in cozy mystery that know to defend herself (hide spoiler)]. While I said that one of the cop will be Lynd's potential love interest, I can see that the romance itself is more afterthought. Rather than Bryce (the cop), I enjoy Lynd's interaction with Jose, a local newspaper journalist. The power and strength of this book is more like the family support that Lynds has. Sigh, I almost green with envy, lel. Lynds sure have a family that love her in their own way and they also seem tight-knit.
I enjoy reading Against the Currant although Lynds's attitude sometimes can grates my nerves, lel. So I don't know if I want to read the next book or not. I think if you like your foodies cozy with Caribbean culture and a spitfire heroine that will not let others bullied her and accused her of murder, you might want to try this one....more
Covernya ternyata cukup menipu karena ceritanya memang ga seunyu covernya XD
Oke, sebenarnya dari blurb bukunya pun ada tanda-tanda kalau 2,5 bintang
Covernya ternyata cukup menipu karena ceritanya memang ga seunyu covernya XD
Oke, sebenarnya dari blurb bukunya pun ada tanda-tanda kalau ceritanya nantinya cukup serius. Karena tidak hanya memecahkan misteri siapa yang membuang bayi yang sudah meninggal di dalam tong sampah, salah satu tokohnya yaitu Nenek yang hanya dikenal dengan nama Nenek Limun dibantu dengan asisten Bocah umur 6 tahun, dalam penyelidikannya malah membuka bobrok Desa Doran. Gue bisa melihat buku ini sebenarnya cocok buat dibikin film, karena walau pembukanya agak lambat, tapi mendekati endingnya pace cukup cepat walau sayangnya ada bbrp bagian yang kurang jelas. Lemonade Granny juga bukan mystery biasa, not even cozy if we judge from its cover.
Pada dasarnya buku ini juga sebagai kritik sosial kepada masyarakat, utamanya terhadap perlakuan kepada lansia pada umumnya dan penderita demensia. Walau tipis, tapi banyak juga hal yg dibahas selain kritik pada lansia dan ini sangat triggering. Ada kekerasan dalam rumah tangga dan bahkan kekerasan pada anak kecil. Ada kesenjangan sosial antara mereka yang kaya dan yang hidupnya pas - pasan seperti yang dijabarkan pengarang pada kos2an sederhana dan juga culture dimana ga boleh mandi tengah malam karena suaranya yg berisik bisa bikin tetangga protes (ini gue pernah baca di Twitter). Ada penggunaan obat terlarang dan aborsi, yang semuanya dibahas cukup blak - blakan tanpa tedeng aling - aling.
Sayangnya, meskipun premisnya menarik dan sebenarnya kritik sosialnya juga cukup bikin mikir, eksekusinya kurang oke. Buku ini awalnya dimulai dengan penceritaan serba tahu dari seorang narrator tak bernama, lalu pada bab selanjutnya semuanya diceritakan dari sudut pandang pertama. Masalahnya, tiap bab ganti orang dan kalau ga konsen, pembaca ga tahu ini sudut pandang siapa. Mungkin penulisnya bikin seperti ini dengan membayangkan ini jadi sebuah film, cuma kan buku dan film adalah media yang berbeda. Endingnya juga walau yang jahat-jahat kena batunya, tapi gue wondering darimana Nenek tahu siapa yang membuang bayi di tempat sampah?
Buku ini oke kalau kamu nyari misteri dengan setting tidak biasa. Tapi buku ini juga banyak banget trigger warningnya, jadi proceed with cause ya...more
A Death in Door County is the first book of Monster Hunter Mystery, featuring Morgan Carter, an eclectic bookstore owner and also cryptozoolo 4 stars
A Death in Door County is the first book of Monster Hunter Mystery, featuring Morgan Carter, an eclectic bookstore owner and also cryptozoologist in her own right. I admit I want to read this title because of the cover that feature Loch Ness monster or Nessie. I always fascinated with the existence of cryptid. Especially those that wander in the body of water such as river, lake, sea or ocean. There's a possibility that Nessie exist, and this book, Annelise Ryan bring us to the Door County, Wisconsin, when Morgan get request from local chief, Jon Flanders to investigate the murder that happen in Door Country. Jon deduce that cause of murder was of cryptid's attack and he need Morgan's advice. With the help of her adorable-yet-supportive dog, Newt, Morgan begin her investigation only to find that there's more behind the murder and someone might be target her because they don't want to be exposed.
A Death in Door County is more like classic cozy mysteries, but I like that there's a depth to Morgan's character. She have a trust issues and its come to her difficult past that connected to her parent's death. That's why she hesitate when Jon try to pursue her romantically, although Jon itself have some rough past as well. I liked the description of the Door Country, its connection with the shipwrecks and also cryptids because the size of Lake Michigan as one of the Great Lakes. The explanation of cryptids, shipwreck, etc are pretty fascinating to read although some passage felt like just taken from article. Not only Morgan, but the employer of Odd and Ends bookstore are charming as well, from the kind and motherly Rita to the techno-expert Devon. Not only they are employee, but they offer Morgan some help, directly and indirectly.
There's some things unbelievable and outlandish moment, like when Morgan got struck by the strange creature in the middle of the lake, but she manage to swim to the shore while the unlucky victims were not or maybe I'm just being jealous because I can't swim, lel. The culprit is not that easily to guess although I can guess the motive in the 2/3 part of the books. I would love to read more about Morgan, with her interaction with her dog, Newt and if maybe she will decide to be romantically involved with Jon Flanders. Also, I wish Ryan will give a hints for any clue behind Morgan parents death as well. ...more
Vinyl Resting Place is the first book of Record Shop Mystery series and the first Olivia Blacke's book that I'd read. I pick it up because..w 4 stars
Vinyl Resting Place is the first book of Record Shop Mystery series and the first Olivia Blacke's book that I'd read. I pick it up because..well, I like the cover and the premise of coffee shop that also sold vinyl is unique. Story told entirely from Juniper Jessup aka Juni's first PoV but she also share some spotlight with her sister, Tansy and Magnolia aka Maggie. Yep, all the women from Jessup family were named after flowers including their mother, Begonia aka Bea. The murder happen almost immediately in early chapter with Juni discovering a dead body in a supply close when the Jessup sister hold grand reopening of the Sip and Spin. To make matters worse, the victim hold Juni's uncle business card. Said uncle, Calvin Voight are famed for being a troublemaker in the town. When cop arrest Calvin because of some unpaid ticket bills, Calvin decide to disappear and the fate of the Sip and Spin is in peril.
This book tick some of the cozy mysteries trademark (amateur sleuth, small town, an effort to clean a family relative's name who become a suspect) with a solid mystery until the end. Just like Juni, I wrongly guess the culprit, lol. Imagine the shock that Maggie and her husband, J.T, when Juni accused J.T of murder but in the other side I'm relieved to find that the culprit is not one of Juni's family so yeah, Calvin is of course not the murderer although his business kinda shady and not forget that he disappear for almost weeks. The sisterly bond between Juni, Tansy and Maggie is a delight to read, also how they are also very close with their mother. I like the way they navigate their business in selling vinyl and their drinks have some unique names that have music or lyrical puns. Although, from romance department, there's a hint of love triangle. The detective that investigate the case, Beauregard Russell aka Beau is Juni's ex, while Juni also getting close again with her high school best friend, Teddy Garza. Personally speaking, I prefer Juni to be with Teddy because I think Beau kinda annoying since he and Juni break up via text and it was Beau first that text Juni. Coward.
Looking forward to read book 2, Fatal Groove!...more
Still as cozy and charming as book 1, Death in Castle Dark; Castle Deadly, Castle Deep bring me back to Castle Dark and Nora Blake's sleuthin 4 stars
Still as cozy and charming as book 1, Death in Castle Dark; Castle Deadly, Castle Deep bring me back to Castle Dark and Nora Blake's sleuthing adventure when, again, Nora stumble upon a dead body in one of the castle murder mystery's performance. Poor girl, just in the matter of months to discover another murder case in the same place and you may wonder if the castle was cursed. Lucky for Nora, she have support from her boyfriend, Detective John Dashiell although their romantic relationship somehow getting rocky.
The mystery itself is solid and also light while still left me pondering what the motive behind the murder. The victim is a bright young guy that seems loved by Wood Glen citizen, especially by the local theater group member, Blue Curtain. Nora again try to deduce whodunnit and why. Like book 1, Nora hope the culprit is not one of the Castle troupe member that she hold dearly although one of the new member, Dorian, make her feel uneasy. But, the investigation also getting tricky because all the suspects are thespian and acting is in their nature after all. Not only the murder mystery, but Bond also include some of treasure hunting mystery in the form of a poem that left by Derek and Paul's eccentric uncle. Because, a castle didn't complete without one or two treasures right?
Compare to book 1, the romance take the more spotlight, because Nora and Dash find themselves getting slightly estranged because of their busy schedule. Reading Nora's romantic woe and jealousy are amusing, but I like that she didn't throw tantrum here and there since mostly her displeasure about the situation is only in her head. I like that finally Nora and Dash make amend of their current predicament and make their relationship work again. Also, I'm surprised to read sex scenes in this book ...more
Death by Bubble Tea is the first book of LA Night Market Mysteries, a foodies cozy mystery. After finish read it, I realize that it's have sa 3 stars
Death by Bubble Tea is the first book of LA Night Market Mysteries, a foodies cozy mystery. After finish read it, I realize that it's have same tone and theme with another foodies cozy that I read at 2023, Arsenic and Adobo. Not only foodies, but also targeted into millenials with some problems that I can recognized because I'm a millenial myself. However, it's also the book weaknesses that I will try to explain later.
The story starting rough with our main heroine, Yale Yee is so doom and gloom of her predicaments. Since the book told entirely from her 1st PoV, Yale's gloomy attitude kinda affect mine so it's hard to sympathize with her. But, with the story unfold, I warmed toward her. As for her cousin, Celine Yee, at first she seems like a spoiled brat and so flippant. Celine and Yale is just like oil and water, they didn't mingle. Celine is an social media influencer while Yale didn't even have a cellphone, a fact that still left me dumbfounded. But together they must playing Nancy Drew to clear Celine's name and safe Yale's dad restaurant from its tarnished reputation because of rumor that the boba tea that Yale sold end up kill a people.
I think the strength of this book is the sisterhood that Yale and Celine have. Celine sure act spoiled and kinda rude, but actually she care about Yale. Yale herself also try to work out of her grief because she believe she was the caused of her Mom's death. The mystery is solid and since the story not set in small town, so Yale and Celine must do an undercover work to solved the mysteries behind the murder by playing false food deliveries. There's some red herrings and I like that Chow incorporated the using of social media to solve the mysteries.
However, with Celine's attitudes, I can't believe she's already in her 33-ish. I sure don't act entitled in age 33, lel. I feel like both Yale and Celine, while in their 3o-ish, more like written if they were in their mid twenties. It's become glaring when I read about Nik Ho, Yale's archnemesis, like a guy aged 30 act childish? Can't believe it, lel. Also with the way Yale avoid having cellphone is unbelievable for me. I mean, in this age when social media is your things? Sure if Yale don't want to have social media herself than it's okay. But to not have cellphone is a little bit overkill.
Still, I enjoyed reading Death by Bubble Tea with its solid mystery and satisfied conclusion, although I think what Nik did to the Yee (view spoiler)[ by publishing a blog post that tarnished Yee's Dad restaurant (hide spoiler)] is unforgivable and need a very long groveling. Onward to book 2!!...more
It's not everyday I read cozy mystery set in ROMANCE NOVEL bookstore, since bookstore that I visit in the books usually sell many genres. Dea 4 stars
It's not everyday I read cozy mystery set in ROMANCE NOVEL bookstore, since bookstore that I visit in the books usually sell many genres. Death of a Red-Hot Rancher is the first book of Love is Murder Mystery written by Mimi Granger. While this author seems like a new author, actually Mimi Granger is one of many pen names of Connie Laux and I already read her other pen names books when she write under the name Lucy Ness (her books is Haunted Mansion series). I don't know why the reason behind so many pen names. Maybe to differs genre of the book she writes? I did notice since Lucy Ness write supernatural cozy mysteries, while Mimi Granger write a romcom cozy mysteries.
True to the book description, the story is quirky. The citizens of Tinker Creeks love to gossips. The opening is over the top since I don't get the hotness that the most eligible bachelor in the town, Brody Pierce, has that make many ladies swoon. Yes, I get that he's the small town hero since he also star in the truck commercials but decide to get back home to own a bison ranch. But really, is he that hot to trot? Lel, not likely and I think this is just the way of Granger poke fun to the western kind of hero. Brody is not the hero tho, he's the victim. It's up to our heroine, Lizzie Hale, the owner of the sole romance novel bookstore in Tinker Creeks named Love under the Covers, to solve the mystery of Brody murder since she also want to protect her aunt, Charmaine, because Brody was seen last time with Charmaine.
I did like Lizzie Hale. This book is told entirely from Lizzie's first PoV and I liked that despite her sleuthing, she have some flaws. Sure she love romance novel and ready to defend said genres from book snobs such as the town local librarian that prefer literature over fiction. But in the real life romance, Lizzie is not sure and her reaction when she fumbling and loss at words while talk with handsome men is kinda adorable. I get it since I once like that, lol. Lizzie is also not tough cookie or badass, she just determined to prove that her aunt is not the culprit. Actually, this part is also the weakness of this book because Granger seems to prolonged with the way Lizzie tip toed around Charmaine. Is Charmaine really have relationship with Brody despite Brody is a ladies man? What Brody did in Charmaine house at night and why they seems so cozy to each other? This is the part that drive me nuts since I want Lizzie just to ask since Charmaine herself also didn't seems like that shocked when knowing news about Brody's death.
Anyway, despite the book have your standard cozy when its come to romance department in which usually the heroine get entangled with the hero whom is part of law enforcement, I like the dynamic between Lizzie and her love interest, Max Alvarez. Usually, in cozy I read, the police/detective/etc will shoo away the heroine of their sleuthing, to mind her own business and stop their investigating. Max is different. He welcome Lizzie's help in investigation. Maybe because while Max is a ranger, he's also outsider and the local cop that happen to be Lizzie cousin is also busy. I liked that Max and Lizzie go together in their investigation and enjoy their interactions. That's why even in the last Max still ask Lizzie to go away, I still can accept it since Max rarely antagonize Lizzie while investigating and he also accept her helps.
The mystery is solid and the culprit is can be predicted though the whydunnit is still belieavable. Aside of the mystery, I liked that this book have so many bookish elements and I recognize some of author names. Even the authors is the old ones such as Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz, Georgette Heyer and some recents ones like Julia Quinn and Tessa Dare. The romance theme ofc will not complete without one or two paragraph mention Pride and Prejudice, lol. I have a blast reading Death of Red-Hot Rancher because Mimi Granger can balanced the mystery, romance, humor and the dynamic of the small town citizens.
Also, the doggo, Violet is freakin adorable! ...more
Quiet in Her Bones is the first time I read book by Nalini Singh that written from 1st PoV and male MC at that. Definitely out of her usual 3,5 stars
Quiet in Her Bones is the first time I read book by Nalini Singh that written from 1st PoV and male MC at that. Definitely out of her usual books since I'm a fans of her Guild Hunter series, follow Psy-Changeling series (need to do a complete reread since I stop in Kaleb's book) and try to read her Rockstar series but found it is not to my liking. Quiet in Her Bones also her first thriller book that I try to read.
Honestly, from the vibes and story tones alone, Quiet is pretty much like Guild Hunter. Dysfunctional family and gritty environment that surrounded by a mystery. In contrast, if Guild Hunter is filled with fantasy settings, Quiet happen in your usual urban area with rich people that hide their scandals and malicious intents. Our narrator, Aarav Rai is an example of unreliable story teller, a self diagnosed sociopath that slowly succumb to uncertainty and become unhinged days by days while try to solve the mystery behind his mother's disappearance. Who's the killer of Nina Rai? Is it her husband, Ishaan Rai, a respectable CEO that she had toxic relationship with? One of their rich neighbor? A secretary that Ishaan banged at that time when Nina disappear and want to get Nina out from the house to become the next Mrs Rai? A close friend of Nina that decide to betray her? Or maybe, Aarav himself? Aarav, a devoted son with love and hate relationship for a mother that so clear live to her own way but become bitter through her marriage. Aarav, a multi-sensational thriller writer with a book that turned into movie, a book about a mother killed. Aarav, a man that found his brain slowly succumb to madness unknown, unhinged, filled with rage and uncertainty of his memories when his mother flee from their home 10 years ago because his brain decided to mess with him.
The start of this book is pretty slow and the introduction of Aarav neighbor in the rich community, the Cul-de-Sac, can be pretty confusing. I feel difficult to memorize who is who, since Aarav know them all and begin to suspect is one of them a culprit responsible for his mother's death. The ensemble cast remind me of Agatha Christie's mysteries that also have big cast in which if you don't focused enough, you will get lost. The things is, I can't help to compare Quiet's big casts to another Nalini's series. I can remember all of the member of Cadre of Ten and their territories, maybe because I'm curious about them and want to know more. But, in case of Aarav's neighbor, doctors or his ex-gf, I just got lost. I don't feel these want to connect with them. Maybe, this is deliberate, since I can feel Aarav's aloofness and his unhinged characterization so I don't feel this closeness to other characters. Sometimes I feel like the characters introduction in the start of the book will help me to memorize the characters.
The mystery while solid, its conclusion in the end feel pretty easy although still enjoyable to read. I appreciate Nalini Singh to throw some red herring in order to make the mystery not that easy to predict. All Aarav's neighbors hide their scandals closed to themselves, only to be peeled layer by layer later, following the story. Aarav himself is not that likable but I can understand him. I mean, he's not that bad and I still enjoy his voice. Some of the revelation regarding about his relationship with his mother, his father, and his ex-GF is pretty shocking and I think it's work because of the 1st PoV and the fact that Aarav can't be trusted that much. There's a tongue-in-cheek part about Aarav burn bad review about his book, rather than he confront the reviewer itself. I just chuckling and wondering if Nalini also do it herself? While the story feel unsettling and chilling, I like that Nalini still try to write Aarav as a big brother figure to his step-sister, Pari and also have a good relationship with his step-mother, Shanti. If you search for romance, I'm afraid, there's none.
Quiet in Her Bones is Nalini's first thriller (and there's no romance too!) that I had read and I will check out her other thriller as well. Although, this book have so many trigger warning (like toxic relationship and domestic abuses), so you might want to read this one with cautions. ...more
Death in Castle Dark is a cozy mystery that emphasize the coziness, while still retain its mystery elements. It's also slightly gothic with a 4 stars
Death in Castle Dark is a cozy mystery that emphasize the coziness, while still retain its mystery elements. It's also slightly gothic with a mention of Victoria Holt's book (never read hers, to be honest), since the setting was in ACTUAL castle with its secret passages and also a grandiose piano (complete with a map of the castle's room in the start of the book that help me to understand the structure of the castle). This is also the first time I read Veronica Bond (that apparently a pseudonym used by Julia Buckley, another new author to me) and I find that I like her voice already.
Told entirely from Nora Blake's first PoV, I find the premise of the book is unique. A recreated murder mystery located in actual castle that invited its visitor to playing detective (called Inspector) to solve the murder case that recreated by the castle's employee consists of actors and actresses alike. Things got ugly so fast when the murder become real and Nora found the corpse. What I really like from this book beside its coziness is the atmosphere and character's interaction. I had said before that this book have a slightly gothic vibe and Bond stay true to its vibe by writing a chilly scenes when Nora got chased by unknown assailant. Also, since all the suspects are actors, it was tricky to guess the alibi and motives since everyone can lie as easily as breathing. The mystery is solid till the end and I read this book with dread because from Nora's PoV, it will be devastating if the culprit is someone from Castle Dark that she know dearly.
The character's interaction is one of the spotlight and I like the "found family" trope that Bond try to execute here. That's why I really hope the culprit is not one of the castle employee and employer since Nora also bonding (harhar no pun intended) and making friends with them. I also like the addition of the pets, especially the kittens that named after Bronte's siblings and a dog named Hamlet. I'm surprised to see some of romantic elements, not only by Nora and the detective that investigate the case, but also between the actor and actress . Speaking about detective, I like that John Dashiell (or Dash for sort) didn't try to shoo Nora away and constantly ask her if she found anything that will help the case. Nora's family also a supportive family. Sigh, this book is really, really COZY, lol, i can't find anything to complaint except maybe some things that make me go "huh" like when Jade, a teenager that deliver the kitten to Nora said that her father is feminist, I'll be like "umm..okay". Just a matter of preference, though.
I have an enjoyable read with Death in Castle Dark and definitely will read the next. I think if you really love your mystery to be as cozy as possible but with some of gothic vibe, this book is perfect for you.
Deadly Summer Nights is the first book from Catskill Summer Resort Mystery and also the first Vicki Delany book I've ever re 3,75 round up to 4 stars
Deadly Summer Nights is the first book from Catskill Summer Resort Mystery and also the first Vicki Delany book I've ever read. Buy the book because, yeah I know, I'm a sucker for a good cover, lel. The setting itself is pretty unique, since happen in the summer resort in Catskill at 1953. If you know about that year, then you know that USA is in Cold War with Russia, so the Cold War aspect kinda play a little bit part for the story.
For a cozy mystery, the murderer identity didn't pretty hard to predict. Reading how Delany unfold the mystery surrounding the culprit remind me of one of Dame Agatha Christie's title I'd read. To be specific, The Pale Horse. The way Delany write the culprit's acts were pretty apparent and obvious, I can guess who they are in the middle of the story. The facts that connected between the victim and the culprit kinda affirm my deduction so I can said that the mystery was easy or maybe because I remember The Pale Horse while reading Deadly Summer Night since (view spoiler)[ both the culprits behave strangely, like pretty much forward with their acts. In this book, with the way they try to blame the victim for a fact that didn't make sense at all (hide spoiler)]
The assembly of characters were solid and I like the heroine, Elizabeth Grady. She is a widow and I like that there was a reason why she remain unmarried. Her relationship with her celebrity mother, Olivia, while not a 100% perfect mother-daughter relationship still show that they love each other with their own way. Olivia believe that Elizabeth will manage the Haggerman's Catskill Resort while Elizabeth try her best to operate the resort and keep the business running. I also like Elizabeth interaction with her employer, such as her best friend, Velvet McNally and one of the swimming instructor named Randy. Although I can't take Velvet name seriously and wonder if Velvet is truly her birth name or just a stage name. What make this book a little bit different is there's no romance between Elizabeth with one of the law enforcement. There's a hint of love interest, come from Richard Kennelwood, son of Kennelwood's owner and make things a little bit awkward because the owner, Jerome, try to sabotage Elizabeth's business in the past.
If there's a thing that didn't sit well with me is the amount of the sexism. I get that Delany try to describe the setting faithfully with the book set in 1953 so we know that back then men often dismissed women's opinion. So, it was frustrating to read the way the cop didn't take Elizabeth's opinion and deduction seriously. Also, the chief keep interrupt Elizabeth when she speak. But, I'm glad with the way the norm at that year work against her, Elizabeth still try to keep her wits. In the end, she also manage to trap the culprit and also bring some people to help her rather than go with the culprit alone. The communist angle is a little bit silly imho, but I understand that in the time of Cold War, the reaction of USA citizen toward communist is met with fear and anger, and Delany describe it very well.
Deadly Summer Nights is a fun summer cozy read and aside from the mysteries aside, you can feel the summer heat and vibes. Together with scandals and gossips among old ladies that follow of course. ...more
When reading through "In the Company of Witches" reviews, I see that this book penned as "Practical Magic meet Gilmore Girls". I said, I neve 3 stars
When reading through "In the Company of Witches" reviews, I see that this book penned as "Practical Magic meet Gilmore Girls". I said, I never watch them both, but I pick this title because I love read any book with witch on it. Add with the book genre that is cozy mystery and the colorful cover, I'm sold already. However, after finish reading, I'm a little bit conflicted to rate this book. I'm hovering between 3 or 4, or maybe 3,5. Then, I decide to give 3 because, while I enjoy the story there is something of this book that didn't sit well with me.
In the Company tell the story about the Warren witches and their B&B in the small town called Evenfall. They are mostly good witches with our heroine, Brynn can converse with the dead, while her aunt Izzy is a kitchen witch and the other aunt, Nora is a garden witch. Brynn's uncle, Gideon, deal with premonition but for something that happen in the past, he rarely left the B&B attic. Like your usual cozy mystery, there was a murder with a mix of closed room case. There's some sleuthing by Brynn to clear Nora's name because Nora is the person that discover the victim body. There's a mystery of whodunnit while the whydunnit itself is pretty much simple to guess.
This book main theme is apparently how to deal with your grief and let the past go. The grief is pretty apparent not just from Brynn that lost her husband a year before the story start and make her lost her ability to perform magic, but to others characters as well. However, the grief theme also overwhelmed another aspect, like the mystery. The mystery itself is pretty easy to guess. Sure, there was false lead and some red herrings, but in the end my guess was right. This book is more like how to deal with your family, and the mystery just like a second theme. There's so many family drama, not only between the Warrens, but also from the victim family. In which, when the truth behind the victim demise come out the light, all I feel is a sadness. How, even bound by blood, family can be strangers and tear each other apart, all that left are regrets.
While I enjoy reading Brynn's voice since the story is told entirely from her PoV, I have problem with one of the aunt and she's Nora. At first I think Nora's problem is her temper that running hot, contrast with her big sister, Izzy that pretty much a peacemaker and hate conflict. However, I see that Nora just love to girlbossing to the point it's become so annoying to read. She's not only bossy, sometimes childish, aggresive, abbrasive and maybe a little bit narcissistic; but I don't like the way Nora gaslighting Brynn to move on from her grief. She literally challenge everyone and while I get that this is the way Nora care for people she love and she never hesitate to play bad witch or use forbidden spell to help a friend in need, I just don't like her gaslighting. I also feel that there's not much groveling from Nora since she think her attitudes were justified while in the other side Brynn say sorry because Brynn hide the fact that her magic was gone because of the grief. It's just feel..unfair. Brynn try her damnedest to clear Nora's name from being a culprit yet Nora pay it by gaslighting Brynn to move on and accept that her husband is gone.
The writing itself actually pretty good since the author successfully make me hating Nora and try to sympathize with Brynn, lel. There's also no detective or law enforcement that lead the investigation just like in any cozy mystery I read since the mystery mostly solved by Brynn playing amateur sleuth and with some help of magic. I did enjoy read this one, but I just hope that Nora's part can be handle differently....more
The Moonshine Shack Murder is the first book from Southern Homebrew Mystery and also the first Diane Kelly's book that I'd read. I buy the 3,5 stars
The Moonshine Shack Murder is the first book from Southern Homebrew Mystery and also the first Diane Kelly's book that I'd read. I buy the book because the cover is charming and actually the story also have its charm as well although some of its weakness were apparent. While Moonshine Shack cross all the cozy mysteries trope, the book also manage to subvert some trope such as the detective that handle the case is a Africa-American woman in her fifty-ish. The love interest is part of law enforcement too though, although he's an officer and apparently his great grandfather was a sherrif that caught the heroine's great grandfather who was a bootlegger.
The mystery is pretty solid and actually our heroine Hattie Hayes is not bad herself. She seems positive without too much sunshine (aka grating my nerves) and kinda business savvy. Although, if I read some of the reviews, I agree that Hattie's decision to share free jar and jug of moonshine in her opening party to local business owner kinda hard to believe although I think Hattie did it because of "to make money, you must spent money in order to do a marketing". But when Hattie didn't installed a camera system for her store, I just kinda face palm. Like, girl, why no security camera? I think maybe because of plot, because with the lack of camera system in the outside of store, Hattie can't caught the murderer that kill the Limerick's owner, a local bar and therefore Hattie was suspected.
Anyway, I still enjoy reading this book and also enjoy the relationship between Hattie and her love interest, Marlon Landers. Some of the reviewers state that the way Marlon called Hattie as "little filly" is cringey. I don't get it after I google it and then I was like "ahh, I understand, lol". Yep, it can be a little cringey though, lel. There also some of sexist remark toward Hattie although Hattie try her best to face it. Some of the story can be too mundane to read but overall the mystery still enjoyable and I'm looking forward to see Hattie's moonshine business to shine through. ...more
When my friend hold a reading challenge with foodies as a main topic, I know that I have that one particular title that I always want to r 3, 5 stars
When my friend hold a reading challenge with foodies as a main topic, I know that I have that one particular title that I always want to read. Arsenic and Adobo is my choice. I remember I bought this because I always love to read a cozy mystery with foodies elements, hence why almost of my cozy mystery collections are about food. Arsenic and Adobo is the debut book by Mia P. Manansala. With the story unfold and how I know the main character and the family that surrounded her, this book kinda have same setting and premise with Dial A for Aunties, by Jesse Q Sutanto. Both books also published in the same year (2021), although I'm not read Sutanto's book yet although we both Indonesian.
Reading Arsenic and Adobo make me feel connected with our sharing cultures. Manansala provide the glossary and some of the Tagalog language is pretty much the same with Indonesia. That's why, although Manansala provide how to pronounce them in English/American way, I just said it with my Indonesian tongue because they sound the same. Like, "anak", "tito", "tita", etc. Even the food also have lumpia, which is a staple of snack in my country. I also liked that Manansala provide trigger warning and content warning in the first page, despite this is cozy mystery so sometimes things can be triggering of sort, but she's so thoughtful to provide it in the first place. Although, she made some slip regarding inappropriate diabetic jokes that she already apologize for in her website. Arsenic and Adobo feels different compared to some cozy mysteries I read this year and year before. First, of course it's diverse and also queer (Lila's close friend, Adeena is a lesbian). Two, it's point to some of millenial discourse, with Lila herself is in her twenty five, so basically she's in the same age with my sister that nine years younger than me (myself is also millenial, though). And then, it deal with some personal struggle and joked (mostly in sarcasm manner) about the family culture of Filipino folks. The last thing make me amend to that, maybe because it's Asian thingie.
I feel like the mystery, while well-written, kinda not as main focus and the focus more like in Lila's personal development and her struggle regarding her family circumstances and close friends, not to forget some of potential love interest. Also, a parade of description about Filipino dishes. From ube cookies, ginataang bilo - bilo (that the victim, Derek, eat before his death), lumpia, almondigas (like Vietnam's pho), ensaymada, coconut jam, etc. Reading this book make my mouth is watering, ngl. I also like that both of Lila's potential love interests is not the police or detective, although I'm more inclined for Lila to be Jae's girlfriend although Jae is Jonathan's little brother, the detective who pretty much gung ho to ensure Lila to go to jail. The culprit is not what I'm expected at all. Sadly, the adobo is pretty much just a pun and not a main course of this book despite its become the title of the book.
So, is Arsenic and Adobo a mystery book about food? Or a foodies book about mystery? Imho, it can be both and I'll look forward to Lila's adventure for both the mysteries and delicious foods. ...more
Untuk buku yg cukup tipis (ga sampai 350 halaman), butuh hampir seminggu buat selesai baca The Pale Horse. Bukunya emang membosankan, tapi 3 bintang
Untuk buku yg cukup tipis (ga sampai 350 halaman), butuh hampir seminggu buat selesai baca The Pale Horse. Bukunya emang membosankan, tapi ga yang model snorefest alias bikin ngantuk. Ini karena gue sibuk aja jadi baru selesai 5 hari sesudahnya. Tidak ada Poirot disini dan sejujurnya aneh juga kenapa The Pale Horse dikategorikan seri Ariadne Oliver, karena tokoh utama buku ini sebenarnya Mark Easterbrook, seorang penulis. Mrs Oliver sendiri hanya minor character, teman dari Mark, dan bahkan kemunculannya ga banyak walau menjelang akhir Mrs Oliverlah yg malah memberi info penting untuk Mark terkait kasus pembunuhan yg berkaitan dengan The Pale Horse.
Menurut gue kasusnya cukup menarik walau penyampaiannya agak mbulet ya. Diceritakan sebagian besar dari 1st PoVnya Mark dan diselingi 3rd PoV dari Inspektur Lejeune. Baru kali ini gue baca kisah detektif yg walau ada amateur sleuthnya, detektifnya beneran nyelidiki dan bahkan menebak dengan benar si pelaku ...more
The Rocky Road to Ruin is my first foray into Meri Allen's writing. It's also the first installment of Ice Cream Shop Mystery series. I love 4 stars
The Rocky Road to Ruin is my first foray into Meri Allen's writing. It's also the first installment of Ice Cream Shop Mystery series. I love ice cream and will scream for ice cream anytime, although too much ice cream is not good for you weight. That's why I decide to pick this book just because the ice cream factor alone. The title is of course a tongue-in-cheek, since it's refer to "rocky road" taste that I'm not familiar yet but when I googling it, it's actually a chocolate ice cream mixed with nuts and marshmallow. Huh, I must check it if the Indonesian gelato/ice cream shop have this kind of taste. It's also refer to the name of one of the kitten in this book, Rocky.
At first, I think the main character aka Riley Rhodes's job as a travel/food blogger and librarian but she also did undercover mission for C.I.A is a little bit overkill. Though, in the story Riley just got dispatched from CIA because of mission going wrong so she's now just your usual blogger and librarian. But, fate have another plan for her when Riley decide to go home to Penniman and seeing her best friend, Caroline must deal with not only Caroline'sfoster mother death but also the death of her sibling, Mike. The latest become a problem because everyone in the Penniman have motive to kill Mike, including Caroline and Riley herself since Mike is not winning trophy for best sibling ever. Just like your usual cozy mystery, Riley start to sleuthing, but in the other side also working in the ice cream shop, Udderly Delights
Told entirely from Riley's first PoV, I did enjoy Riley's voice. I also liked the fact that Riley is in the same age with me (35-ish) so her voice sound mature and except for her mission going wrong, she's far from reckless. Sure she is driven by her needs to protect Caroline since Caroline is her best friend, but there's little to none stupid actions that will make me shake my head. The mystery is pretty solid and engaging. The culprit is those that "I didn't see it coming" though the explanation of their motive seems rushed for me. I liked the interaction between Riley with Penniman residence and how she still unsure about her step-mother. Also, the romance is pretty unique because usually in cozy I read, the heroine will be paired with the law enforcement, but that not the case with The Rocky Road to Ruin. Sure there's a hot detective but he's not Riley's love interest and I liked that Allen still didn't decide who will be Riley's beau since there are some prospective men that Riley appreciate and admit that she was interested.
The thing that make this cozy feel different is the issue of the gentrification that Allen put into the narrative with some of young generations want to develop Penniman with real estate (modern apartment, mall, etc) but the older residents divided in opinion. This gentrification issue is still not solved so maybe that will be addressed later in the next book. The description of the ice creams is of course very DELICIOUS and I appreciate the recipes for boozy ice cream that Allen included in the book. I just hope she also put the sugar high ice cream recipe that create accidentaly by Udderly's worker since the ice cream become viral with teenager alike. I admit I'm drooling each time I read the description of the ice cream taste and craving an ice cream for myself :9
I will read the next book and if Riley will start sleuthing again when dead body start to fall (she will!), and of course I will get many description about delicious ice cream. Oh not forget, the kitten. The kitten is also the spotlight!!...more
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