Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story by Leonie Swann

Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story by Leonie Swann

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A witty philosophical murder mystery with a charming twist: the crack detectives are sheep determined to discover who killed their beloved shepherd.

On a hillside near the cozy Irish village of Glennkill, the members of the flock gather around their shepherd, George, whose body lies pinned to the ground with a spade. George has cared for the sheep, reading them a plethora of books every night. The daily exposure to literature has made them far savvier about the workings of the human mind than your average sheep. Led by Miss Maple, the smartest sheep in Glennkill (and possibly the world), they set out to find George’s killer.

The A-team of investigators includes Othello, the “bad-boy” black ram; Mopple the Whale, a merino who eats a lot and remembers everything; and Zora, a pensive black-faced ewe with a weakness for abysses. Joined by other members of the richly talented flock, they engage in nightlong discussions about the crime and wild metaphysical speculations, and they embark on reconnaissance missions into the village, where they encounter some likely suspects. There’s Ham, the terrifying butcher; Rebecca, a village newcomer with a secret and a scheme; Gabriel, the shady shepherd of a very odd flock; and Father Will, a sinister priest. Along the way, the sheep confront their own all-too-human struggles with guilt, misdeeds, and unrequited love.

Three Bags Full is already an international hit. “It’s rather as if Agatha Christie had re-written The Wind in the Willows, and I ended by loving it, ”Jane Jakeman wrote in The Independent. Funny, fresh, and endearing, it introduces a wonderful breed of detectives to American readers.

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This book was definitely outside the norm of what I typically read. I love mysteries, but never read books that have animals as the main characters personifying humans, so this was new for me. While I enjoyed the story, I can't say what kept me reading exactly. I enjoyed reading about the personalities of the sheep as they attempted to, in their own way, solve the murder of their shepherd. I enjoyed trying to figure out the mystery, and had fun trying to keep up with the way that the sheep viewed human activities. As a mystery I would not give the book very high ratings, but for it's interesting take on how sheep view the world it is worth the read.



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Something from the Nightside (Nightside, #1) by Simon R. Green

Something from the Nightside by Simon R. Green

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The Barnes & Noble Review
Something from the Nightside is the first book in Green's Nightside sequence, a hard-boiled mystery that chronicles the life of John Taylor, a down-and-out private detective with supernatural abilities who specializes in finding lost things in Nightside. The realm of Nightside is "the secret, hidden, dark heart" of London, a subterranean world where time and reality have no meaning, a place where it's always three o'clock in the morning and something dangerous is most definitely lurking right around the corner.

When a desperate blonde comes to John searching for her runaway daughter, he takes the case, although it means returning to his place of birth, Nightside. John has been living in "the real world" for five years, and returning to Nightside means being reacquainted with old friends like Razor Eddie, Punk God of the Straight Razor, and Shotgun Suzie, a leather-clad bounty hunter. But the first rule in Nightside is never trust anyone…

Like Green's popular Deathstalker novels, Something from the Nightside is thoroughly enjoyable. John Taylor and his group of homicidal friends are guaranteed to entertain (and terrify), and although this novel has a satisfying ending, it's obvious that Green is setting the table for a much bigger, more complex conclusion.

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This was a quick, enjoyable start to a new series for me. Little bit mystery, little bit fantasy, little bit horror. All my favorite genres mixed into one. I like the characters and look forward to reading more about John Taylor and figuring out just who he is.



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Stirred (Jack Daniels Mystery #8) by J.A. Konrath

Stirred by J.A. Konrath

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


They are the very best at what they do. Peerless. Unmatched.Only fate could bring two such extraordinary people together?or the depraved manipulations of a homicidal criminal who takes lives for the sheer pleasure of watching his victims die.Luther Kite is a monster among monsters, growing increasingly bored with his kills. So he sets his sights on the one adversary who can offer him a true challenge: Lt. Jacqueline ?Jack? Daniels, the best homicide detective to ever come out of the Chicago PD. Jack has brought the city's most notorious criminals to their knees. But now she may die on hers, in a specially crafted hell Luther Kite has been building for years. Trapped in a nightmare from which none have escaped, Jack has never been so close to death...nor had so much to live for.Fast-paced, suspenseful, and darkly comic, Stirred brings J.A. Konrath's Jack Daniels series and Blake Crouch's Luther Kite series to a riveting, heart-stopping conclusion.


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First I need to say that while the Forward in this book says that no prior knowledge of the Jack Daniels series by Konrath or the Luther Kite series by Crouch is necessary before reading this book, I personally think that it is a good idea to have already read them both. I found this to be a satisfying ending to the Jack Daniels series (though I am one of those fans who would not mind one bit if Konrath wrote another book in the series)but I would very much have liked to have already read the Crouch series before reading this book. I had them on my wishlist but now I think that I will probably not bother as I feel like I would not enjoy them as much when I already know what the conclusion is going to be.

I will however be searching high and low for any and all books/stories that contain even a glimmer of konrath's Jack Daniels characters in the future!

Konrath has definitely made me a fan!!

One aspect of this book that I loved is the ability to hyperlink characters and events to the descriptions and explanations contained at the end of the book. I think that this is a fabulous feature that ebooks are able to offer over paper/ink books.



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***Kindle Edition

Shaken (Jack Daniels Mystery, #7) by J.A. Konrath

Shaken by J.A. Konrath

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Chicago cop Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels has chased, and caught, dozens of dangerous criminals over the course of her career. But she's about to meet her match.
When Jack wakes up in a storage locker, bound and gagged, she knows with chilling certainty who her abductor is.

He's called "Mr. K." More than two hundred homicides have been attributed to him. His victims have died in the most horrible ways imaginable. He's the essence of evil. Some think he's just an urban legend. But he's real. Jack has tangled with him twice in the past, and both times he managed to slip away.

Now Jack will finally have a chance to confront the maniac she's been hunting for over twenty-five years. Unfortunately, it won't be on her terms. In less than two hours, Mr. K is going to do to Jack what he's done to countless others. And Jack is going to learn that sometimes the good guys don't win...



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I was a little concerned about the three different time lines, but it really worked well. In fact I would be willing to say that it increased the suspense three fold.

I love this series and I am going to be sad to read the last book, but I am thrilled to know that there are so many short stories that include Jack, Harry, Herb and Phin. I am looking forward to reading each and every one of them!!

This book gave us a lot of background for Jack and how she has been involved with some of the killers who have been featured in these books as well as some from other books.As always the action is non-stop and I found myself holding my breath as I turned the page to see how Jack was going to survive (though I never had any doubt that she would, with the help of her friends).



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***Kindle Edition

The Crocodile's Last Embrace (Jade del Cameron Mysteries, #6) by Suzanne Arruda

The Crocodile's Last Embrace by Suzanne Arruda

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Returning from Europe, intrepid explorer Jade del Cameron arrives in Kenya with bittersweet memories-and the certainty that Africa is her home and Sam Featherstone the man she wants to share her life with. When a letter arrives from America, Jade hopes it's Sam sending word of his return. Instead, it's a message written in the hand of her long- dead fiancé, asking "Why did you let me die?"

When two men die under mysterious circumstances and Jade discovers that her old nemesis, Lilith Worthy, has escaped from prison, the deaths and the letter form the most dangerous case Jade has ever faced, pitting her against a ferocious crocodile-and an even more deadly human killer.

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This book took me back to what I loved about the first few books in this series. It centered on the mystery and less on the descriptions of the flora and fauna of Africa. The final showdown between Jade and Lilith as well as decisions about her relationships with Sam and Harry are all neatly wrapped up in this book.

From what I can gather from the author's website this book was not intended to be the final book of the series, but it did end in a good way if it does end up being the final one. I would gladly pick up more if the author finds a new publisher for this series in the future.



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Treasure of the Golden Cheetah (Jade del Cameron Mysteries, #5) by Suzanne Arruda

Treasure of the Golden Cheetah by Suzanne Arruda

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Intrepid photojournalist Jade del Cameron is about to embark on safari for a Hollywood film shoot inspired by the ancient legend of King Solomon's lost treasure, under the leadership of adventurer Harry Hascombe and with the companionship of the young healer Jelani and her pet cheetah Biscuit. But when the film's financial backer is stabbed to death by a native man who then commits suicide, the trip is cast by a sinister pall. And as the expedition moves higher onto Kilimanjaro's rugged slopes, a series of dastardly hoaxes and a fatal native curse convince Jade that a killer is at work.

Now, Jade will be tested as never before-by mysterious forces...and by a murderer who may prove too much for even Jade's strength and determination.

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Like the last book in the series I had a harder time getting into this book. The descriptions of Africa are breathtaking, but the action is a bit slow.

Jade makes some decisions about her life, but she may have made them too late. I look forward to reading the next book to see how that plays out for her. I am hoping that the action picks up a little in this next book.



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The Leopard's Prey (Jade del Cameron Mysteries, #4) by Suzanne Arruda

The Leopard's Prey by Suzanne Arruda

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Fourth in the series starring a larger than- life heroine far ahead of her time. (Denver Post).

American adventuress Jade del Cameron has returned home to British East Africa to help the Perkins and Daley Zoological Company collect wild animals for zoos in the States. But the real danger begins when the body of a local merchant is found on a coffee-growing plantation. Authorities determine the cause of death to be murder,and their prime suspect is Jade's beau, movie-maker and ace World War I flyer Sam Featherstone. To clear Sam's name, Jade launches her own investigation, but nothing prepares her for the journey that lies ahead, during which she'll have to confront more than one kind of brutal killer, face-to-face.

This book in the Jade del Cameron series took me a little longer to get into. The author is very descriptive in writing about Africa and the animals, but the action in the book tends to be drawn out.

Still an enjoyable read and a mystery that I did not figure out.



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Ghouls, Ghouls, Ghouls (Ghost Hunter Mystery #5) by Victoria Laurie

Ghouls, Ghouls, Ghouls by Victoria Laurie

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


When M.J. Holliday and the crew of her cable TV show, Ghoul Getters, venture to the haunted ruins of Dunlow Castle in Ireland, drawn by the legend of hidden treasure, they hope the road will rise up to meet them, that the wind will always be at their backs-and that the resident phantom won't push them off a cliff. If they treasure their lives, M.J. and her ghost busters need to get the drop on the menacing phantom...

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Another great book in the Ghost Hunter series. With each book the spirit/phantom/demon that the team has to go up against seems to get a little worse and the story line seems to get a little darker. That is just fine with me. I love all of the characters although some of MJ's qualities are beginning to worry me. Her selfishness is showing a bit and her constant honey and buddies are annoying. She also acts very impulsively and somewhat stupidly at times. The fact that I feel like her character is a real flawed person is probably a good point for the authors ability to make her characters real. Very much looking forward to the next in the series after reading the sneak peek in the back of this book.



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Bride of the Fat White Vampire (Fat White Vampire #2) by Andrew Fox

Bride of the Fat White Vampire by Andrew Fox

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



After morphing into 187 very large white rats in the name of self-preservation, Jules Duchon is back to his portly self, a member of that secret class of New Orleans citizens known as the undead. Though he would like nothing better than to spend his nights raising hell and biting flesh in his beloved French Quarter, duty calls when an exclusive club of blue blood vampires demands that the 450-pound cabbie find out who is attacking its young and beautiful members. Adding insult to injury, he has to enlist the help of a former foe: a black vampire named Preston.

What’s a vampire to do? Without the love of a woman to ease his pain, Jules isn’t convinced that his undead life is worth living. He doesn’t desire Doodlebug (she may be a woman now but Jules knew her back when she was just a boy) any more than he longs for Daphne, a rat catcher who nourishes a crush the size of Jules. No, only Maureen will do. Once a beautiful stripper with nothing but curve after curve to her bodacious body, now she is mere dust in a jar. But Jules will move heaven and earth to get her back . . . even if it means pulling her back from the dead.~~~~



I really enjoyed this sequel to the Fat White Vampire Blues. Jules is back and forced to investigate and solve a mystery involving both of the local clans of vampires. We are taken on a roller coaster ride as Jules and friends try to solve they mystery before it is too late. Loved the finale and hope that we see more of these characters in the future.



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Stalking Ivory: A Jade Del Cameron Mystery (Jade del Cameron Mysteries #2) by Suzanne Arruda

Stalking Ivory: A Jade Del Cameron Mystery by Suzanne Arruda

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


On a photography assignment in the northern territory of Mount Marsabit, American adventuress Jade del Cameron and her friends hope to film the area's colossal elephants. Instead, they discover the mutilated remains of four elephants and a man. Although the authorities suspect Abyssinian poachers and raiders in search of ivory and slaves, Jade has her own suspicions. Could it have been Harry Hascombe, her nemesis and unremitting suitor? Soon the Kikuyu boy accompanying her is captured by slave traders. Ultimately, it will take all of Jade's mettle to rescue her guide from slave traders, protect the animals, and expose another kind of beast.

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Absolutely loved this book. It has been some time since I read the first book in this series, so I do not remember a lot of the details but I do remember that I enjoyed it and was impressed with the author's ability to write so descriptively. Well I was not disappointed with this second novel in the Jade Del Cameron Mystery series. The way that they author writes about Africa and the elephants makes it possible to picture the environment as Jade and friends work out the mystery of the poachers. I love the characters, including the new ones in this book. I am very much looking forward to more in this series.



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Hauntings And Heists (Mysterious Four #1) by Dan Poblocki

Hauntings And Heists by Dan Poblocki

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Can you crack the case with six clues or less? Welcome to Moon Hollow, where mystery lurks around every corner--and four kids have come together to solve crimes and puzzles big and small.



Read this with my 12 year old so that she could take an AR test on it at school. It was a cute little book. A group of four new friends solve various mysteries around the neighborhood. It was fun trying to figure out the clues. I would probably recommend this for ages 9 or 10.



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Blue Diablo (Corine Solomon #1) by Ann Aguirre

Blue Diablo by Ann Aguirre

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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Other women change their hair color on a whim or to impress a new boyfriend; Corinne Solomon dyes hers because she's running scared. She's a handler, a paranormal who can touch something and almost instantly know its history and, if she's lucky (or unlucky) its future, too. Now hiding out in Mexico, she wants to keep a low profile, but when people come begging for her help, she can't refuse, although she knows that she should know better
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Very much enjoyed this first book in the Corine Solomon series. I love Aguirre's Grimspace series and so am not surprised that I like this one as well. This reminds me a little bit of the Psychic Eye Mysteries by Victoria Laurie which happen to be my favorite mystery series. I like the main character Corine and the storyline is interesting. Very much looking forward to getting my hands on the other books in the series soon!



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Eyeliner of the Gods by Katie Maxwell

Eyeliner of the Gods by Katie Maxwell

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Synopsis
One of two books in which two girls discover an Egyptian archaeological dig is a lot more than surviving blistering heat and scorpions-hot guys, a cursed bracelet, and ancient tombs make it the adventure of a lifetime.

Publishers Weekly
In interlocking novels, two teens sweat it up in the tomb of Queen Nefertari's twin manicurists. They also separately stumble on a bracelet that may be cursed. In Nash's (You Are So Cursed) book, "chicken liver" Chloe feigns bravery; she faces a scorpion, leads her team to protest their lack of washing water and attracts the attention of wise Dr. Battista (and affection from Connor, a schoolmate from home). Chloe feels fake, but more complications arise when she accidentally pockets an artifact-the bracelet-and cannot seem to get rid of it. In Maxwell's (The Year My Life Went Down the Loo) book, Jan, a loquacious aspiring journalist, buys the bracelet in Cairo, not realizing it is stolen. She bonds with brooding Seth, but people say he's cursed, blaming him for thefts and accidents. When Jan learns the bracelet was stolen, she vows to solve the mystery, imagining journalistic fame and refusing to believe Seth is responsible. The puzzle is resolved at each book's end, though readers must finish both to understand all the pieces. Chloe and Jan interact, even planting their bracelet on each other after Jan catches Seth kissing Chloe, but readers may be disappointed that the books do not fully jibe (they include some but not all the same events and do not emphasize the same characters). Overall, this is fairly shallow fare, but the interesting premise and spunky protagonists make it fun. Ages 13-up.

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This was a cute YA book. Little bit of mystery, little bit of romance. I was a little annoyed with the main character, Jan, and her immaturity. She is supposed to be 16 but acts more like a 12 year old. But overall it was an okay read. I am going to read the companion book -- Chloe, Queen of Denial as soon as I can put my hands on it. lol



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Deep Blue (Beck Easton Adventure, A) by Tom Morrisey

Deep Blue by Tom Morrisey


A suspense-filled search for hidden treasureand hidden truths.
While University of Michigan graduate student Jennifer Cassidy is researching the family history of Cecilia Sinclair, a long-deceased Southern expatriate, she discovers that something of great value is hidden in a spring near the family plantation in Florida. Jennifer contacts Beck Easton, a cave diver and former Marine, to help her. When Beck finds a map, it sets off a race for gold, and both pro- and anti-Cuban groups follow Jennifer and Beck as they travel from Florida to the Bahamas to Lake Huron, tracking clues that pre-date the Civil War.
After nearly losing her life, Jennifer is confronted with the meaning of Matthew 6:19-21, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. And she realizes that she will have to make a decisionwill she pursue gold and glory or God?


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Very interesting read. I read this because my own little hick town is featured in the book. I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. Wonderful mystery that leads to a very interesting take on history. Main characters were enjoyable and enjoyed reading about the diving aspects of the book. Would definitely read more by this author if I came across it.

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Crooks, Crimes, and Christmas (Wwl Mystery, 473) by Susan Slater, Ed Gorman, Irene Marcuse

Crooks, Crimes, and Christmas by Susan Slater


Four Festive Tales Of Foul Play . . . With All The Trimmings

A Way to the Manger
Susan Slater

A local teen is missing and Native American psychologist Ben Pecos begins to piece together some disturbing facts. The girl, a high school basketball star, harbors a dark and painful secret, one that puts her on a collision course with a ring of human predators.

The Santa Claus Murders
Ed Gorman

Iowa lawyer turned private eye Sam McCain stumbles over a dead Santa at a Black River Falls Christmas party. Sam knows the real tragedy is that the victim will hardly be mourned. Sam begins to look for answers and finds deception, blackmail and . . . A second body . . .

What Child Is This
Irene Marcuse

It's Christmas morning and New York Social worker Anita Servi goes out to buy bagels -- and comes home with a baby. The infant belongs to a struggling addict trying to go clean, but it was the woman's sister who handed Anita the baby -- as well as the mystery of his mother's murder.

The Gold Band
Michael Jahn

When NYPD Captain Bill Donovan finds a gold ring inside a Christmas goose, his curiosity gets the better of him. His investigation leads to Manhattan's meat district, where he finds himself sorting through a rash of break-ins, a henhouse full of ex-cons and the kind of mayhem that promises a holiday to remember.


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I almost gave up reading this book after finishing the first story - 'A Way to the Manger'. I found it hard to get into the characters. Seemed like I was missing a lot of background information about the relationships involved. There really was not a mystery per say and the plot itself was not that entertaining. But I stuck it out and read the next story which was much more interesting.

I actually enjoyed all of the last 3 stories about equally. Each was interesting in it's own way.

I really liked the main characters in all 3 of the stories and would not mind picking up some of the series books that they are in.

Overall an interesting introduction to some new authors.

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Mark of the Lion: A Jade Del Cameron Mystery #1 by Suzanne Arruda

Mark of the Lion: A Jade Del Cameron Mystery by Suzanne Arruda


In 1919, when most women only dream of adventure, Jade del Cameron lives it. After driving an ambulance along the front lines of World War I, she can fire a rifle with deadly precision. Still suffering trauma from the Great War, she sets off for Africa determined to fulfill a man's dying wish...never expecting to become involved in murder.

Rich with romance, mystery, and adventure, Mark of the Lion introduces a fascinating new heroine and explores the elusive heart of a compelling and exotic world.

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Good read. I really like the main character, Jade del Cameron as well as the supporting characters. I did figure out that mystery fairly easily but the author writes in a very descriptive style and I loved reading about Africa. I will be reading more in the series as soon as I can get my hands on them.


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Heyoka Bood (A Heyoka Nation Mystery) by Hewitt Schlereth

Heyoka Bood by Hewitt Schlereth


From the Publisher
In a sleepy northern Atlantic harbor, a floating village of houseboats and fishermen remains the core of the small, oil-producing American Indian nation where governance remains traditionally entirely female. Hadrian Wallace, a mixed-blood Heyoka native, spends his days writing books and inspecting boats for insurance companies, enjoying a purposefully simple life. Until the body of an old flame, Ann Summerlune, is found floating nearby.

Unable to reconcile her death and his own regrets over events of their shared past, Hadrian begins to piece together Ann's final days, from the marriage he is certain she regretted to something alarming she discovered involving local oil reserves and illegal doings. Whatever she found was something big and bad enough to get her dead. A fate, he soon discovers, that may well be his own.

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book was so-so. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't great either.

I was never able to connect with any of the characters. The mystery was hohum. There was a lot of boat talk, which should not be surprising considering the other books that this author has written. Overall, just a so-so read.


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