ARC Review: The Ghostwriter

 I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. 

Olivia is a ghostwriter, writing other people’s stories. But now her father, Vincent, who she hasn’t acknowledged as her father for a long time, wants her to write his story. It’s an offer Olivia can’t refuse, because in 1975 a brother and sister were murdered-and her father was the only sibling who survived. No one has ever heard the story of what happened from Vincent’s mouth-until now. 

This was a really good book. I love a mystery from the past story and this one delivered. The characters are very compelling, as are their relationships, including the ones from the past. The mystery was one I had to know the answer to, and I was more than satisfied with that resolution. I would definitely recommend this book.

ARC Review: Coram House

 I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

Coram House by Bailey Seybolt

Once, in the 1960s, a young boy disappeared from an orphanage, never to be seen again. Now, in the 2000s, Alex Kelley, a writer who specializes in true crime, is looking into his disappearance and into the orphanage itself. But there are many secrets from that time some people don’t want Alex to discover. 

This book was especially intriguing because it was based on a true story, which makes it an important read as well. The characters are so gripping, each given an important backstory and meaningful characteristics. I found myself caring deeply about the relationships from the past and those being formed as well. The ending came as a complete shock and has stayed with me since I read this book. I would recommend this read. 

ARC Review: All the Other Mothers Hate Me

 I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. 

In this clever and entertaining read, Florence is a former member of a girl group who still loves to party, and deeply loves her son Dylan. But when Dylan’s arch nemesis goes missing, Florence is forced to confront some hard truths-she might not know her son as well as she thinks she does, being a detective is really hard, and the other moms might actually really hate her.

This book is great, so much fun to read, with a really compelling mystery. The lead character is amazing, complicated and complex, and really funny. This book had me laughing out loud. The ending is particularly good, with a great twist. I would definitely recommend this book. 

ARC: High Tea and Misdemeanors

 I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion or my review itself. 

Let me start by saying I absolutely love this series. The characters are wonderful, the setting is magical, and the mysteries are always good. This series is the definition of cozy.

In this entry to the series, a wedding is suddenly shattered when glass shards come raining down. The bride and groom are safe but a bridesmaid has been killed. Theo and her friends are on the case, finding their way through multiple suspects and motives to solve the murder. I would definitely recommend this book. 

ARC Review: The Library Game

I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. . 

When murder mystery theater seemingly ends in actual murder, Tempest and her friends and family must figure out what’s truly going on before their newest library project is stamped out of existence. 

Tempest is a former stage magician, which means that there are actual magic tricks throughout the story. The mystery centers around a library being built that will house a collection all about the famous detectives and classic mystery writers, which I was all in on. Tempest’s father’s construction company builds secret passages, trick doors, and the like, which is very cool. There is a murder mystery play, an escape room, romance, and so much more. 

This is part of a fantastic series, and I would highly recommend you start with the first book in the series for backstory.

ARC Review: The Other People

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

The setup for this book is my absolute favorite-ten strangers, locked in a house, being killed off one by one, possibly by one of those very strangers.. Add in the mystery of a missing girl, and I was so in.

This book did not disappoint, and definitely lived up to my expectations. There is so much heightened tension and suspense, especially with the countdown to finding the missing girl. The characters are all distinctive, and it is easy to keep them apart, even though there are so many. 

The only thing is the ending closely resembles the ending of a movie that’s a favorite of mine, but I clearly love the ending of the movie so I love the ending of the book. I would definitely recommend this book. Just a heads up that the deaths in this are disturbing, and violent, and that one death in particular may really distress readers (if you want to know more, feel free to contact me). 

ARC Review: Killing Me Soufflé

 I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself. 

Jules Capshaw owns and operates Torte, a beautiful bake shop in a beautiful small town. Her family is taking a trip to visit Steph and Sterling, two dear former employees, at their new beachside restaurant. But the new restaurant may be doomed to familiar by the falling apart beach resort linked to it, and that’s even before Jules finds the dead body of the despised manager. 

I really enjoy this cozy mystery series. I love the characters, and I always love the setting, which is why it was a risk to me to change where this particular book took place. But it still worked. If you are looking for a fun, recipe-filled cozy with a good mystery, I would recommend this book.