Saving Susy Sweetchild - Silver Screen #3

 

Saving Susy Sweetchild is the third Hollywood historical mystery by Barbara Hambly. Released 3rd Sept 2024 by Severn House, it's 256 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. Paperback format due out 2nd quarter 2025 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

More intrigue, kidnapping, and murder in Hollywood's golden age. Academically gifted, impoverished, widowed Emma Blackstone is once again called on to help, this time to locate a missing child actress and her mother who've been kidnapped. 

Hambly is an incredible prolific and prodigiously gifted writer, whatever genre she turns her talents to. This one is no exception. It's remarkable how different this series is from her other well known series (Dr. Benjamin January, for example). 

Although the mystery and denouement work well enough as a standalone, there are some minor spoilers and developments from earlier books which will affect reading if the series is read out of order (nothing story-breaking, but they are there). 

Four and a half stars. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home reading, or gifting. With three books extant in the series, it would also be a good choice for a binge/buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

A Letter to the Luminous Deep - The Sunken Archive #1

A Letter to the Luminous Deep is the first book in a wonderfully engaging romantasy by Sylvie Cathrall. Released 23rd April 2024 by Hachette on their Orbit imprint, it's 400 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. 

This is an epistolary fantasy romance, told entirely throughout by letters and "email (equivalent)" telegram/messages between the chief characters. There's a strong theme of academic exploration and research which becomes more personal and romantic between the daughter of a famously academic family (though she's a shut in), and a well renowned professor and researcher. Emily and Henerey disappear in a catastrophic event and it's left to their siblings to piece together what happened by sharing the letters, sketches, and other extant materials left to them by E and Henerey. 

The story arc is set to be told in a duology, with the second volume due out in 2nd quarter 2025 from the same publisher. It should probably be said that although this volume is very well written, with often moving prose and descriptions, it does end on an absolute cliffhanger. There's precious little denouement or resolution to be found. 

Due to the nature of epistolary storytelling, it's slow to develop, and formal through the first third of E's and Henerey's correspondence. It's not derivative, but fans of Heather Fawcett (Emily Wilde series), and Marie Brennan (Natural History of Dragons) will be right at home. 

Four stars. Well written and developed; a treat for academic fantasy fans. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

A Deathly Compendium of Poisonous Plants

 

A Deathly Compendium of Poisonous Plants is a very well written monograph for middle grade readers about poisonous botanicals curated and written by Rebecca E. Hirsch. Released 22nd Oct 2024 by Lerner Publishing on their Zest Books imprint, it's 204 pages and is available in library binding, paperback, and ebook formats. 

This is a beautifully presented book, with elegant photos and illustrations. It's aimed at middle grade+ readers, so the language is purposefully simple and direct. Proper nomenclature is used throughout alongside common names. Each of the plants (and they are myriad and varied) gets its own profile. 

There are "true crime" historical tidbits and stories scattered throughout as well as scientific based items like what poison types each plant contains and sometimes their effects. If the author occasionally goes a tiny bit overboard with the sensationalistic "gross info incoming", it should be remembered that this book is aimed at youngsters for whom a good gross bit of info is ambrosia. 

Well written and visually appealing, it would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition (school acquisitions personnel are strongly advised to vet the content beforehand and evaluate in light of liability concerns). It would also be a neat addition to gardening / allotment / community garden library, and home use. 

Four and a half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Düngeonmeister Book of RPG Trivia: 400+ Epic Questions to Quiz Your Friends―and Foes!

 

The Düngeonmeister Book of RPG Trivia is a well written collection of fantasy/DND/tabletop gaming questions and trivia curated by Jef Aldritch & John Taylor. Released 24th Sept 2024 by Simon & Schuster on their Adams imprint, it's 224 pages (print format) and is available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is such a fun book. The introduction covers the basics: question types, ways for readers to test themselves or compete with others. The answers are given on the same page with the question rounds, upside down (but still easy to read - this could be a drawback in some situations, if visibility and accidentally seeing the answers are a problem). I noticed flipping through the book that I accidentally (?) stumbled over the answers whilst pondering the questions. I was actively trying not to "cheat" but still saw the answers. Since an eARC was the format I was using, it's not really practical (but it *is* possible) to cover the answer key area with a card or piece of paper.

The bulk of the book is taken up with the questions. They're hugely varied, concisely written, and definitely not all easy. I pride myself on being a trivia maven and these weren't a walk in the park. These will test even the nerdiest tabletop gaming nerd's esoteric knowledge of TTG history and lore.

Four and a half stars. This is a one-stop resource for planners of trivia nights. It will be a solid resource for trivia fans as a study guide also.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

 

Carl's Doomsday Scenario - Dungeon Crawler Carl #2

 

Carl's Doomsday Scenario is the second Dungeon Crawler Carl comedy fantasy by Matt Dinniman. Originally published in 2021, this reformat and re-release from Penguin Random House on their Berkley Ace imprint is 384 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a fun and well written take on dungeoncrawler fantasy. MC Carl is unwillingly thrust into a starring role in a survivor reality TV contest when an alien invasion puts a major crimp in *everyone's* day.  Princess Donut (his ex-GF's pampered show cat) is along for the ride, and the book is positively bursting with sarcastic humor and improbable situations, with viewers from across the universe tuned in to see what happens next, and which contestants get eliminated, permanently.

It's not at all derivative, but the bonzo, zany humor will likely appeal to fans of Charles Stross and Tom Holt.  Donut and Carl have made it to level three and now things are getting _really_ squicky (like squid games + hunger games + it's a mad mad mad mad world (on steroids)). There are double entendrés and crazy situations and puzzles to solve and Carl has no choice but to forge ahead. It's a neat premise for a series, and the author just about manages to keep the puzzles and challenges different enough that the books don't seem too same-y same.

Four stars. There are currently 6 books in the series with a 7th due out in 4th quarter 2024. It would make a great choice for a genre buddy/binge read. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Black Flora: Inspiring Profiles of Floriculture’s New Vanguard

Black Flora is a collection of profiles featuring nearly 2 dozen floriculture allied artists of color showcasing their artistry & talent, collected and curated by Teresa J. Speight. Released 22nd Oct 2024 by Hachette on their Timber Press imprint, it's 208 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. 

This is a beautifully made and well laid out homage to the horticultural arts and artists at the cutting edge. The entries are lavishly illustrated, with many full page color photos. They represent a number of styles and aesthetics - mostly (but not all) on the avant garde end of the spectrum. The book is full of inspiration. Each of the entries includes specific information about the srtist/designer/farmer/entrepreneur. The text entries also include short biographies about them and their journeys to get to where they are.

The appendices include an abbreviated resources  and links list for retailers and suppliers. It's slanted toward readers in North America. Notably, the book lacks an index. It's not a crippling deficiency, but it was a notable omission.

Five stars. This would make a superlative selection for gardening aficionados, a special gift, students, designers/horticulturists, library use, or as a beautiful coffee-table book to enjoy and revisit. This one has high "re-readability". 

Disclosure: I received an eARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Carving Faces in Wood: Beginner's Guide to Creating Lifelike Eyes, Noses, Mouths, and Hair

Carving Faces in Wood is a detailed, well written, accessible tutorial guide to carving faces by Alec Lacasse. Released 18th Sept 2024 by Fox Chapel, it's 120 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

This is a stunning collection and the author is a gifted woodworker and his voice throughout the book is encouraging and supportive. He asserts that it's a book which should be accessible to beginners, but readers really should have at least a basic grasp of (and access to) woodworking tools and techniques before starting, in order to achieve the best results. 

The book is arranged logically, including an inspiration gallery of the author's own work, a primer covering tools and supplies (and safety), reference & design, general features (mouths noses & eyes), distinct features (age, male vs female), hair, and combining the previous tutorials to produce a finished refined project (including photography, lighting, and video), and three start-to-finish project tutorials. 

The patterns are given without scale templates, line drawings are detailed and given from several views to help carvers visualize the dimensions and plan carving. The author/publisher have also placed QR codes throughout the book which link to online videos and additional materials.

It's well illustrated in color throughout, and "action" shots are well posed, without hands or tools obscuring the view. 

Four and a half stars. This would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, for home woodworkers, for makers' groups and studios, and for gift giving. It's not precisely a beginner tutorial guide, but intermediate to advanced woodworkers will find a lot of good information, and beginners will too, but probably will need additional help. The author's website *is* beginner friendly and full of good information for all levels of expertise. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Keto Like a Chef: Showstopping Recipes for Your Keto TableLOBSTER BENEDICT WITH FENNEL BÉARNAISE

Keto Like a Chef is a beautifully curated collection of *fancy* keto friendly dishes written and developed by Chef Jason Raffin. Released 22nd Oct 2024 by Girl Friday on their Flashpoint imprint, it's 280 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is an artistic, aesthetically pleasing collection from a professional chef who was underwhelmed with the selections available which were keto friendly and which could honestly pass muster in a fine restaurant. He developed the recipes and methods himself, apparently mostly for his own (and friends') consumption. 

The recipes are lush and very well written. This is not a cookbook for cooks looking for very easy, cost cutting, or time saving recipes. The first recipe in the book (and which sets the standard from the first page) is his Lobster Benedict with Fennel Béarnaise, which contains roughly 30 ingredients and numerous (very well written) steps. It also gives a really useful recipe for keto biscuits which are fluffy and satisfying, unlike most keto "biscuits" which shouldn't have the name.

The recipes are arranged thematically: breakfast, lunch, small plates, charcuterie, dinner, and dessert. Recipe ingredients are arranged in a bullet list sidebar. Yields and servings, along with macro information are given in a header. He provides very specific, but not overly explanatory cooking directions. There is no hand holding; this is not a book for the easily intimidated. Ingredient measures are given in imperial (American) units with metric in parentheses. (Yay!). 

The photography and graphics are gorgeous and in color throughout. 

Five stars. This would be an excellent choice for public (or post-secondary school) library acquisition, for adventurous home cooks, and for gift giving.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is an intriguingly appealing debut crime novel by Kerryn Mayne.  Released 9th July 2024 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats (paperback due out from the same publisher in late 2nd quarter 2025). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

This is very very much a character driven story featuring a neurodivergent main character, strongly suppresed trauma memories, and a quite surprisingly deeply moving story in places. There are trigger warnings aplenty, domestic violence, child abuse, PTSD, trauma, suppressed memories, and more; it's a comprehensive shopping list. 

The author writes with unvarnished, sometimes clinical detachment on otherwise horrific actions and it is impressively effective, given the slightly wonky personality of main character Lenny. 

The denouement and resolution are satisfying, if also slightly off kilter. 

Four stars. All in all an effective and very well written debut.  It would be a good choice for public or home library acquisition, buddy read or mystery book club selection. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

A Ruse of Shadows - Lady Sherlock #8

 

A Ruse of Shadows is the 8th Lady Sherlock mystery by Sherry Thomas. Released 25th June 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in library binding edition, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

This is a well written historical Holmes homage murder mystery with a strong romance subplot. The book is largely character driven and most of the characters are well rendered and interesting. The pacing was somewhat uneven for though it picked up in the second half of the book. The underlying setup (that the investigative force behind the Holmes name is Charlotte Holmes who's not above some gender prestidigitation to walk unfettered in a man's world)  is well and sensitively written for the most part and the author makes good use of the ensemble cast including Mrs. Hudson and Holmes' sidekick "friend with benefits" Lord Ingram.

The dialogue was pretty well done and at least moderately true to period, there aren't any places readers will be yanked out of their suspension of disbelief (which usually happens because of  egregious modernisms), so that's very nice. The language is clean and there's nothing to dismay anyone's maiden auntie. There is a fair amount of casual sexism which was annoying, but obviously a fact of everyday life for women of the time period regardless of their social class. 

The book does work well enough as a standalone; new readers won't have trouble keeping the story straight, however, these characters do have a history together. There are several plot elements from previous books which are referred to here which would be fairly big spoilers if not read in order. 

Four stars. It's an enjoyable escapist read which is well written. For -strict- fans of the Doyle canon, this book won't convince readers that it's a newly discovered authentic story. For people who love the time period, like their murder mysteries with a dose of romance, and don't mind that Holmes is female, this could be a good fit. The series continues to go from strength to strength, and the author's not resting on her laurels and continues to work to keep her audience. Top shelf historical mystery fiction, and a solid series.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Reaper's Gamble: Of Black Sand and Ash - Reaper's Gamble #1

Reaper's Gamble: Of Black Sand and Ash is the first book in a YA fantasy series by R.E. Holding. Released 24th June 2024, it's 358 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. 

This is a young adult novel, emphasis on *young*. The characters are often immature and dangerously impulsive (and whiny), but overall, although youthful, the prose is honest and accessible. MC Loren is reluctant to venture out of his stepdad's basement, content to shutter himself away and plan for a life as a roundsman instead of being pushed to follow his sister's more traditional (illustrious) path. 

Stepdad sends him to The Guild's (capitalization intentional) summer camp to push him, where he finds a group of friends and stumbles into a conspiracy which could have profound implications. There's a very summer camp vibe to the first third of the book. Everything is shrouded in mystery and it's not clear if that's 100% intentional on the author's part or if it's being figured out further on down the line in the series.

It's fairly well written, but not polished. There are good bones to the story, but it's not yet quite hit its stride. It'll be interesting to see how Ms. Holding develops the storyline further. 

Three and a half stars. It would be a good choice for home reading, or a buddy read. It will appeal more to YA readers. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

French Quarter Fright Night - Vintage Cookbook Mystery #3

 

French Quarter Fright Night is the third Vintage Cookbook cozy mystery by Ellen Byron. Released 3rd Sept 2024 by Severn House (a new publisher for this series), it's 256 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out from the same publisher in second quarter 2025. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a delightfully light and humorous cozy set in and around a fictitious stately home in New Orleans and the shops and tourist attractions associated with it. Protagonist and amateur sleuth Ricki James-Diaz runs a vintage cookbook and kitschy kitchen supply store in the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum and is a transplant to Louisiana from California.

Some of the characterizations and plot developments are admittedly a bit over the top and there are some twists which require a healthy suspension of disbelief, but all in all, it's a pretty good example of why the shopfront cozy subgenre is so popular. Ricki's internal Zen monologue ("I choose to feel calm" etc) was slightly intrusive at some points, but overall it added whimsy and a little humor to the read.

The eclectic mix of eccentric characters left an open field for most of the book for "whodunit" and why. The denouement and resolution are self contained in this volume and it works well as a standalone. With 3 books extant in the series, and having apparently found a new home with a new publisher and set to continue, it would be a nice choice for a mini-weekend binge read or buddy read. As with many shopfront/cooking allied cozy series, this one includes some bonus recipes in the back.

Four stars. The author is prolific and competent. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

The Secret Life of LEGO Bricks

The Secret Life of LEGO Bricks is an encyclopedic monograph on all things LEGO by Daniel Konstanski. Released 19th Sept 2024 by Unbound, it's 400 pages and is available in hardcover format. It's unclear from the publisher's info, but at least the ebook ARC provided for review also has interactive hyperlinks throughout.

This is a gorgeously illustrated -very- deep dive into the history, design, stories, and people behind the universally beloved building bricks which have graced kids' toyboxes, adults collections, engineering student lounges, and geek-allied tech giants (Google, Microsoft, Blizzard, etc) for the last 80 years. The author is incredibly knowledgeable and writes interestingly and accessibly about LEGO. There are personal stories from numerous employees and hobbyists throughout the decades. 

Some of the highlights from the book include all the photos from LEGO corporation's own historical archives as well as design schematics and facsimile design pages which aren't usually available to the public.There aren't any build plans included in the book, but just the historical collections and collector editions of sets from yesteryear are worth the price of admission. Mr. Konstanski knows LEGO (he's the editor of Blocks Magazine) and shares his expertise with readers in a fun and engaging way. 

Five stars, awesome fun. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home reference, gaming groups, and similar.  

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

A Murderous Plot - The Bookstore Mystery #6

 

A Murderous Plot is the 6th Bookstore cozy by Sue Minix. Released 29th Aug 2024 by HarperCollins on their Avon Books imprint, it's 320 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is an undemanding and fun series for fans of small town shopfront cozies. Crime novelist Jen is drawn into real-life sleuthing yet again when another violent death occurs in Riverton. It seems -everyone- is conspiring to keep her from finishing her newest book. The usual pool of small-town-oddball characters are present, there's skullduggery and hidden motives to be unearthed, and there's also some romance. 

Some of the characterizations and plot developments are admittedly a bit over the top and there are some twists which require a healthy suspension of disbelief, but all in all, it's a pretty good example of why the shopfront cozy subgenre is so popular. Although it works well enough as a standalone, readers who choose to read them out of order should be prepared for some spoilers and developments from earlier books in the series.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 7 hours and 52 minutes and is read by series narrator Rebecca LaChance. She has an interesting and nuanced voice. She enunciates very well and although her voice is youthful (she's young), it doesn't detract from the read at all. The sound and production quality of the recording were high throughout.

Four stars. This would be a good light read for fans of cozies. It would be perfectly safe for work/commute reading. The series is developing well, and it'll be interesting to see what comes next for Jen and co.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

A Messy Murder - Decluttering Mysteries #4

A Messy Murder is the fourth book in the decluttering mystery series by Simon Brett. Released 3rd Sept 2024 by Severn House, it's 192 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out from the same publisher in May 2025. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

The author writes entertainingly and well. All the parts (and they are varied and numerous) fit together and do precisely what they're meant to do. The characters are believable and well rendered. The dialogue works and is never clunky or awkward. Although this series isn't fluffy enough to fit firmly into the cozy mold, it's not at all gritty, either. In short, it's a modern British murder mystery with a well plotted story arc, some not-too-graphic crimes, some humour, and an interesting/edgy denouement and resolution.

A fair bit of the book does revolve around mental illness (expectedly since the protagonist is a de-clutterer and works with professional local social services to help clients). The author manages to treat the subjects sensitively, but some readers could conceivably find some of the subject matter and situations triggering.

North American readers should be aware that it's written in British vernacular (wellies, lift, flat, etc), but this shouldn't pose any problems in context.

Four stars. Quite well done. With four books currently extant in the series and such a prolific author, this would make a good choice for a binge/buddy read. Recommended for fans of not-terribly-fluffy modern cozies. Fans of M.C. Beaton, G.M. Malliet, and Anthony Horowitz will likely enjoy these also.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Horror for Weenies: Everything You Need to Know About the Films You're Too Scared to Watch

Horror for Weenies is a well written and curated guide by Emily C. Hughes containing synopses for the "outsiders", readers who can't stomach the horror stories their friends and loved ones consume with glee. Released 3rd Sept 2024 by Quirk Books, it's 272 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. 

It's not fun to feel left out of conversations about things we don't understand and haven't experienced. Examples abound: sports, music, culture, current events, politics, science fiction, gaming, popular TV series, etc etc. This is the first volume of a new series to give readers who don't like/can't tolerate horror media to understand and be part of the conversation without actually having to have sat through hours of scary and squishy STUFF. 

Wonderful concept, and in this case, pretty well executed. The author has done a good job of showcasing a number of classics (arranged into chapters by decades) without unnecessarily graphic descriptions. Additionally, she's added a lot of neat trivia and background info which non-wussy horror fans will enjoy as well.  Win/win.

Each entry contains a description, bio info for director/author/etc as well as a short precis. There is also specific detailed plot full of spoilers (fair warning if you intend to see the movie), and highlighted text boxes with trivia and analysis (tropes, genres, etc). Lots of the trivia about the sets, background, etc will impress readers' horror genre loving friends.

Graphically, it's very simple and almost monochrome ("neo-xerox" in scarlet, black, and white) with simple line drawings and cutouts. There are no photos, and nothing scary. 

Four and a half stars. It's a cool concept for a series and this first volume is pretty comprehensive and well done. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

To Reign in Hell

To Reign in Hell is a reformat and reprint of the original classic fantasy novel by Steven Brust. Originally published in 1984, this re-release forms part of a library of classic, important SF/Fantasy historical works as part of the Tor Essentials, and was republished 15th Oct 2024 in this edition, by Macmillan on their Tor/Forge imprint. It's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is an incredibly ambitious novel about the upheaval and creation in Heaven, the angels' personifications, and the structure of the divine. There aren't a lot of authors who could honestly pull off a cohesive story without being trite and tiresome. Brust manages to do so with both wit and pathos. The characterizations are amazing, distinct, and moving.. and the prose is often sublime (hence its inclusion in a collection of speculative fiction classics). It's truly wonderfully well done. 

The forward is by Roger Zelazny, and if it's a little bit "fanboy-ish" it's no less than well deserved. He is, as always, insightful and writerly, and he makes some good points. 

Five stars. It's not an -easy- read, despite the relatively short length. It's a great book, and classic, and should be (and often is) taught in speculative fiction literature classes at the collegiate level. It would be an excellent choice (with the sister volumes) for public library acquisition, for home library collection building, and for book club study. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook -

The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook is the third book featuring Dungeon Crawler Carl (and Princess Donut) by Matt Dinniman. Originally published in 2021, this reformat and re-release from Penguin Random House on their Berkley Ace imprint is 544 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a fun and well written take on light comedic dungeoncrawler fantasy. MC Carl is unwillingly thrust into a starring role in a survivor reality TV contest when an alien invasion puts a major crimp in *everyone's* day.  Princess Donut (his ex-GF's pampered show cat) is along for the ride, and the book is positively bursting with sarcastic humor and improbable situations, with viewers from across the universe tuned in to see what happens next, and which contestants get eliminated, permanently. Each adventure sees the contestants thrust into a new floor of the dungeon with new loot, new puzzles and traps, and ever more creative ways to crash and burn.

It's not at all derivative, but the bonzo, zany humor will likely appeal to fans of Charles Stross and Tom Holt. 

Four stars. There are currently 6 books in the series with a 7th due out in 4th quarter 2024. It would make a great choice for a genre buddy/binge read. It's definitely full on silly, but it's diverting.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Murder in Verona - Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mysteries #9

 

Murder in Verona is the ninth Armstrong and Oscar cozy destination mystery by T.A. Williams. Due out 3rd Nov 2024 from Boldwood books, it's 200 pages and will be available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also currently available on KU. 

This is a beautifully descriptive and well written destination mystery set in Tuscany. Expat former policeman Dan Armstrong and his trusty canine sidekick Oscar are sought out by the mother of a famous opera singer after a tragic accident cuts his life short. Dan's insights are valuable and he is dogged and adept at getting to the bottom of the lies and obfuscation to the truth.

The plotting is solid and the dialogue and characterizations are well written and believable. The mystery, denouement, and resolution are self contained in this volume, so it works well enough as a standalone, but the writing and mystery are so well planned and executed, that it would make an excellent long binge or buddy read (especially since they're all available on KU). 

It's not derivative at all, but it reminded me in a lot of good ways of Leon's exceptional Brunetti books as well as Walker's lovely Bruno, chief of police books. Fans of those authors will find a lot to enjoy here. There are also happy parallels to Rosenfelt's excellent Andy Carpenter series (though less sarcastic humor), with canine characters being given a significant role in the story.

Four and a half stars. Highly recommended.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

 

Two Times Murder - Quiet Teacher Mystery #2

Two Times Murder is a very well written murder mystery thriller with light espionage overtones and is the second novel by author Adam Oyebanji featuring mild mannered teacher of Russian Language (and sometimes French), Greg Abimbola. Due out 5th Nov 2024 from Severn House, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

This is a very well constructed light espionage thriller mystery set in Pittsburgh. Titular main character Greg is a suave, very tightly controlled/guarded language teacher working in a private school who is far outside the normal run. He's a former Russian intelligence (GRU) officer who has "retired" to Pittsburgh, he's of English and Russian extraction, and he's black. 

Trying to avoid the agents sent after him from Russia and keep his lifestyle and job, of which he's become very fond, as well as staying on the right side of local law enforcement, is proving quite challenging. 

The author writes intelligently and the characters are very well rendered, believable, and three dimensional. Mr. Abimbola is a sympathetic character and readers will relate to him. There are a number of characters in the book, and his building of a tenuous team, with custodian Andrea (from book 1), as well as Sgt Rachel Lev, a local investigator and reluctant collaborator, make the cohesive whole a pleasure to read. Pittsburgh itself plays a large part in the story and it's a palpable (welcome) presence throughout. Readers with familiarity with the city will find themselves transported; the author clearly knows his way around. 

Although not derivative at all, fans of Le Carré will likely enjoy this modern take on a retired spy trying to forge a life outside "the Business". It's the second book in the series, but works fine as a standalone (with the understanding that the denouement and resolution from book 1 are discussed here, so expect spoilers if read out of order). There are a few moderately graphic instances of violence and torture; not extremely graphic or egregious, but they are there.

Four stars. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, or would make a nice 2 book binge/buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.