Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas

Dangerous Girls
By: Abigail Haas

Published: July 2013

Published by: Simon Pulse

Format Read: eBook, Riveted

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: 5/5

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Anna Chevalier never had many friends until she transferred to an elite Boston prep school and met Elise Warren. Together they were inseparable and began living a wild life of excess. But, before long it would all come crashing down.  While on spring break in Aruba, Elise is found brutally murdered and Anna is suspect number one.

Abigail Haas’ Dangerous Girls is a fast paced young adult thriller that I picked up on a whim. Am I ever glad that I gave this one a chance because I couldn’t put it down. This mystery had me hooked from the first chapter.

The story is told from Anna’s perspective and shifts back and forth from when she first met Elise up to Anna’s more present situation. Sometimes books like that are hard to follow, but that wasn’t the case in this instance. It actually made for a really quick and intriguing read. The author also used different formats such as; call logs, text message conversations and television interviews. This book was chalk full of twists and turns that kept me guessing who the killer was right to the end. My suspicions of the characters would change with each page.

Dangerous Girls is easily one of the best books I’ve read in 2017. I would recommend it to fans of young adult mysteries. 

DNF: A Beautiful Blue Death (Charles Lenox Mystery, #1) by Charles Finch

A Beautiful Blue Death (Charles Lenox Mystery, #1)
By: Charles Finch
Narrated by: James Langton

Published: September, 2011

Published by: Tantor Media Inc. 

Format Read: Audio Book

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery

Rating: DID NOT FINISH

Charles Lenox, Victorian gentleman and armchair explorer, likes nothing more than to relax in his private study with a cup of tea, a roaring fire and a good book. But when his lifelong friend Lady Jane asks for his help, Lenox cannot resist the chance to unravel a mystery.

Prudence Smith, one of Jane’s former servants, is dead of an apparent suicide. But Lenox suspects something far more sinister: murder, by a rare and deadly poison. The grand house where the girl worked is full of suspects, and though Prue had dabbled with the hearts of more than a few men, Lenox is baffled by the motive for the girl’s death.

When another body turns up during the London season’s most fashionable ball, Lenox must untangle a web of loyalties and animosities. Was it jealousy that killed Prudence Smith? Or was it something else entirely? And can Lenox find the answer before the killer strikes again—this time, disturbingly close to home? 

Synopsis from Goodreads 

I borrowed A Beautiful Blue Death from my library via the OverDrive app. It caught my attention due to its Victorian London location and the Sherlock Holmes feel. Unfortunately I found that the mystery didn't keep my attention. I listened to about 30% of the story, however it began to focus on politics, a topic that I don't generally enjoy reading about. While James Langton's narration suited the story and its characters, I wasn't able to establish a connection with it. 

If You're Gone by Brittany Goodwin

If You're Gone

By: Brittany Goodwin

Published: June 2016

Published By: Edge of 22 Publishing

Format Read: eBook

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Christian Fiction, Mystery

Rating: 3.5/5

🌟🌟🌟.5

I was sent a copy of If You’re Gone by Brittany Goodwin by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Lillian White never would have imagined that she would fall in love with the school bad boy, but a chance encounter with neighbour Brad Lee would change everything. After 6 months of bliss, Brad finally tells Lillian that he loves her on the night of his high school graduation. The next morning she awakes to a frantic message from Brad’s mother saying that he has gone missing without a trace.

Brittany Goodwin’s If You’re Gone is a short story that shines the light on missing youth. Instead of focusing on the details of the investigation into Brad’s disappearance, it follows the hardships Lillian, their friends and families faced. This character driven plot sets this story apart from other mysteries that I have read in the past, which tend to be plot driven.

Although naive characters like Lillian aren’t my favourite, I found that I was able to relate to her love for Brad and their relationship was similar to my own. While her family and friends dealt with her grief in different ways, I was able to understand why she was feeling the way she did and how it affected her. The author did a good job of fitting all the details into such a short story. It was quite an emotional read for me and I flew through the pages.

For those who are interested in learning how Lillian fared in the years after If You’re Gone, they are encouraged to visit Brittany Goodwin’s website where she has posted a hidden chapter.

I would recommend this short story to fans of young adult contemporary fiction. 

Visit Brittany Goodwin's website at the link: http://www.brittanygoodwin.com 

The Empress Holds the Key (Jack Rogan Mysteries, #2) by Gabriel Farago

The Empress Holds the Key
(Jack Rogan Mysteries, #2)
By: Gabriel Farago

Published: May 2016

Published By: Bear & King Publishing 

Format Read: Kindle for PC

Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: 4/5

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I was sent a copy of The Empress Holds the Key (Jack Rogan Mysteries, #2) by Gabriel Farago, from the author in exchange for an honest review.

An old war-time picture is discovered in a burned down cabin depicting a Nazi officer uncovers a trail connecting a violin to a Vatican cover-up that could change the fate of Christianity. Due to the immense details of this books description, I will refer to the Goodreads synopsis as I believe it will give a better understanding to what the story is about:

Journalist Jack Rogan knows a great story when he finds one. A charred old photograph found in the ruins of a burnt-out Blue Mountains cottage hints at dark secrets and unwittingly reignites an ancient and deadly quest for a holy relic mysteriously erased from the pages of history.
Federal Police officer Jana Gonski in pursuit of a suspected Nazi war criminal joins forces with Rogan, barrister and amateur archaeologist Marcus Carrington QC, and celebrated composer Benjamin Krakowski. Together they uncover a murky web of intrigue and greed, hoards of Nazi gold and hidden Swiss bank accounts. All implicate wealthy banker Sir Eric Newman. When Newman goes on trial, unexpected clues are discovered pointing the way to a mystery that has haunted the Catholic Church for centuries.
On a dangerous journey to find the relic, Rogan and his companions trace links back as far as the reign of Akhenaten, the heretic pharaoh of ancient Egypt, and King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. What is this dark secret guarded by the Knights Templar, and so feared by the Vatican? Will religious fanatics foil the quest which could destroy the very foundations of their Church and challenge Christianity itself? 

The Empress Holds the Key is a very faced paced suspense-thriller that keeps the reader intrigued from start to finish. The amount of research that must have gone into the writing of this novel is quite impressive. To be able to tie in so many different time periods (from biblical times, ancient Egypt, to the Knights of the Templar, World War II and finally present day) shows the true dedication and knowledge of the author.

Even though this is said to be the second book in the Jack Rogan Mysteries, it can be read as a standalone novel. In fact the plot follows other characters more than it does investigative journalist Jack Rogan. Most specifically Officer Jana Gonski and lawyer Marcus Carrington. However Jack does play an important role in uncovering the mystery.

Apart from the World War II era storyline, I must admit that the other time periods aren’t something I would generally read about. However I became so drawn into this story and the suspense of it all, that I often had a hard time putting it down.

I would recommend Gabriel Farago’s The Empress Holds the Key to fans of Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon series and those who enjoy suspense novels. 

A Vote for Murder (Murder, She Wrote. #22) by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain. Narrated by Cynthia Darlow

A Vote for Murder 

(Murder, She Wrote, #22)

By: Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain

Narrated by: Cynthia Darlow

Published: October 2004

Published By: Blackstone Audiobooks 

Format Read: Audiobook, OverDrive App. 

Genre: Mystery, Series, Cozy Mystery

Rating: 3/5

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Beloved mystery author Jessica Fletcher is invited to Washington D.C. to a literary event hosted by a senator and his wife. When the chief of staff for the senator is found dead at the opening dinner party, Jessica uncovers a trail of shady politics, extortion and affairs.

A Vote for Murder is a mystery that tied in the importance of literacy with a murder the shined the spotlight on corruption. It was an interesting storyline that kept my attention, even though the literacy event did take a backseat to that of the politicians involved. Unfortunately I did have some issues with the final revelations, mostly pertaining to one character whose actions didn’t exactly line up with the initial traits given to them earlier in the novel.

Still I think that Jessica Fletcher is a wonderful character and I like how she always manages to stay poised and level-headed during the situations she finds herself in.

It is nice to come across a larger series where each book can be read as a stand-alone. Mention of previous mysteries are noted, but it isn’t necessary for the reader to have read them in order to understand the current installment.

Cynthia Darlow was a good narrator, however I was slightly disappointed that it wasn’t done by Angela Lansbury herself. After-all no one would be better suited to voice Jessica Fletcher than the actress who made the character famous.

I would recommend A Vote for Murder and the Murder, She Wrote series to fans of the television show and light mysteries. 

Skeletons in the Attic (A Marketville Mystery, #1) by Judy Penz Sheluk

Skeletons in the Attic
(A Marketville Mystery, #1)
By: Judy Penz Sheluk

Published: August 2016
Published By: Imajin Books
Format Read: Kindle for PC
Genre: Mystery

Rating: 3.5/5
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I was sent a copy of Skeletons in the Attic (A Marketville Mystery Book 1) by Judy Penz Sheluk, from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Valentines Day, 1986 was the last day Calamity “Callie” Barnstable ever saw her mother. She never knew what had become of her, all those years being raised by a single father and time blurred the few memories she had of the woman. Did she just up and leave behind her husband and small child? Callie’s father suspected something far more sinister. However it wasn’t until his untimely death, 30 years later that Callie would begin to uncover the truth about what happened all those years ago. Her inheritance would take her back to the town of Marketville and the house they had lived in during the time of her mother’s disappearance. Skeletons in the Attic follows Callie as she works to fulfill her father’s last wish of solving the mystery, while renovating the family home.

Skeletons in the Attic is the second book I have read by local author Judy Penz Sheluk. Even though her first book The Hanged Man’s Noose is from a different series, I was pleasantly surprised to see one of its characters make a guest appearance in this book. Another similarity I appreciated was that the settings are loosely based on locations in Southern Ontario that I am familiar with. This made it so easy for me to imagine them in my mind.

If one were to judge a book by it’s over they may think that this first book in the Marketville Mystery series is a cozy mystery. However there is definitely more meat to Judy Penz Sheluk’s writing than that. I find that her stories have tended to be a bit darker than those in that genre and with a lot more backstory.

It was interesting to follow along as more and more skeletons came out of the attic, so to speak. And there were certainly plenty to uncover, from just about everyone relating to the mystery of Abby Barnstable’s disappearance.

Unfortunately I had trouble warming up to our main character Callie. I felt her to be quite detached on a personal level and lacked compassion. However I do understand that this was a product of how she was raised. I never quite understood why her father chose to have her investigate  the way he did. Surely a man who loved his daughter as much as the story claimed would have found a less cruel way to approach her mother’s disappearance.

All in all I found Skeletons in the Attic to be an interesting mystery that kept my attention throughout. I can’t help but wonder what direction the author will take the second book in this series, as there are plenty of shady characters from this book who could be expanded on. 

The Blackfriar Murders, A Cosy Mystery Series: Book One: At the Bottom of the Stairs by M’Lissa Moorecroft

The Blackfriar Murders, A Cosy Mystery Series: Book One: At the Bottom of the Stairs
By: M'Lissa Moorecroft

Published: January 2016

Published by: Kindle Edition

Format Read: Kindle for PC

Genre: Mystery, Short Story 

Rating: 2.5/5

I was sent a copy of At the Bottom of the Stairs by M’Lissa Moorecroft from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Outside the small coastal town of Black Rock, California sits an old converted mansion, which is now home to a cast of colorful characters from a variety of different backgrounds. Each tenant has their own secrets and know very little about each other. That is except for the building gossip, who just happens to die after a fall down the stairs.

I was intrigued by the synopsis of At the Bottom of the Stairs, due in part to the mysterious mention of the Blackfriar tenants wanting to escape their past lives. At less than 60 pages, this short story was chalk full of the character descriptions and their backstories.

The introduction gave a list that almost read like a play. In fact the idea for At the Bottom of the Stairs could easily be turned into, just that; a play.

The setting and the mystery kept my attention, but I felt the need for some editing and refinement kept me from enjoying it even more. Also due in part to the immense amount of character development, I felt the story could have been much longer. However this is only the beginning of M’Lissa Moorecroft’s series about the Blackfriar tenants. 

M’Lissa Moorecroft’s Blackfriar Mystery Series include:

Book One: At the Bottom of the Stairs

Book Two: White Roses in the Window

Book Three: KNOCK, KNOCK, BANG BANG… YOU’RE DEAD!

Book Four: Don’t Push Me Down the Stairs! 

Guest Post: Author Carl Schmidt & "Dead Down East" Book Spotlight

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming author Carl Schmidt to Melissa Lee's Many Reads. He will be sharing his thoughts on "Writing with Humor". Also be sure to check out his mystery novel "Dead Down East".

Writing With Humor(by Carl Schmidt)

Humor involves surprise and misdirection, and requires that the reader, or the listener, not take things too seriously. Consider the third verse in Bob Dylan’s song, “Memphis Blues” for example:

Mona tried to tell me

Stay away from the train line

She said that all the railroad men

Just drink up your blood like wine

An' I said, ‘Oh, I didn't know that,’

But then again, there's only one I've met

An' he just smoked my eyelids

An' punched my cigarette

At this point in the song, Dylan doesn’t wait for you to get the joke; he charges into the chorus, “Oh, Mama…” while his droll juxtaposition of “eyelids” and “cigarette” is just beginning to take shape in your mind. This sudden change of direction makes the refrain even wittier.

Many of us think of intelligence as the comprehension of truth and beauty, and that mirth lies in some separate region. I don’t. Humor expands the intellect, making it more complete and satisfying. Intelligence without humor is like a fine meal without wine, dessert or espresso.

In his poem, Ode on a Grecian Urn, John Keats penned the famous line:

“Beauty is truth, truth beauty, – that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.”

To which I reply, “Without humour, ye be living in a wasteland.”

When writing fiction in the first person, internal dialogue reveals the inner workings of the protagonist’s mind and is a great place to inject comedy into the narrative.

Jesse Thorpe is the narrator/private detective of my mystery novel, Dead Down East. Jesse has a cheeky sense of humor, which he allows to leak out now and again, not just because he likes to have fun, but also to maintain calm when things get perilous. The first really dicey moment for him occurs in the middle of chapter four, as he is trying to worm his way through an FBI roadblock. In the first draft, I had chosen that moment to insert a rather lengthy internal monologue, to expose the witty side of Jesse’s nature. I was having so much fun with it that by the time I was done, it was almost fifteen hundred words long. And while I liked the tension it created by suspending the dramatic moment in mid-air—for several pages—eventually I decided that it would be more effective as a prologue for the book. This way, on the very first page, the reader gets a preview of the inner workings of Jesse’s mind, a snapshot of his modus operandi and a quick peak at his girlfriend.

What follows are the first two paragraphs of that prologue. I hope it serves to demonstrate the use of humor in writing, and, most of all, I hope it tickles your funny bone.

Apologies and compliments are two remarkably effective devices for disarming adversaries in life and hecklers in bars. If you consider the socially adept people you know, you’ll see that they use these two conversational tools frequently and with ease. I remember the first time it fully dawned on me how valuable they could be.

Angele and I had been dating for a couple of weeks. Our next planned event was scheduled for Saturday night. So I was a bit surprised when she arrived unexpectedly at my place on Tuesday evening. I guess she decided that there was something that couldn’t wait until the weekend. The moment she walked through the front door, I began to suspect what that “something” was. She had a gleam in her eyes that seared me from the inside of my nimble imagination right down to my insteps. I surmised that she was either ovulating, or she had a sudden urge for a tour of the Thorpe habitat. I began to mentally review the floor plan of the house. “Now, where is my bedroom?” I thought. “I know it was here this morning.”

Carl Schmidt  (Author of Dead Down East)

Carl Schmidt graduated from Denver University with a degree in mathematics and physics. As a Woodrow Wilson Fellow he studied mathematics at Brown University.

Carl lived and traveled widely throughout Asia for seven years, including two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines and five years in Japan, where he taught English.

Carl has spent dozens of summers in Maine, on lakes and in the woods. He chose it as the setting for this novel because he loves its rugged natural beauty and the charming idiosyncrasies of Mainers. He has also written and recorded three musical albums. This, along with his formal education, proved invaluable when molding the persona and voice of Jesse Thorpe, the narrator of Dead Down East, and endowing him with both a creative eye for detail and a sense of humor.

Dead Down East is the first novel in the Jesse Thorpe Mystery Series, which includes A Priestly Affair and Redbone.  In 2001, New Falcon Press published his non-fictional book, A Recipe for Bliss: Kriya Yoga for a New Millennium.

Currently, he is a freelance writer living in Sedona, Arizona with his lovely wife, Holly, and their faithful German shorthaired pointer, Alize.

Links:

Link to Carl Schmidt’s mystery novel, Dead Down East, on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Down-Jesse-Thorpe-Mysteries/dp/1533502188/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1469661229&sr=8-1&keywords=dead+down+east

Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/CarlSchmidtAuthor/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Link to my website:  http://www.lightformfilms.com/Carl-Schmidt-Author.html

Dead Down East (by Carl Schmidt) 

Dead Down East, a fictional murder mystery, is both detective noir and smart screwball comedy rolled into one. Jesse Thorpe, a young private investigator operating out of Augusta, Maine, receives a mysterious phone call from a former client, Cynthia Dumais.  She begs to be rescued from an island south of Brunswick, within a mile of where William Lavoilette, the governor or Maine, was assassinated the night before. She insists that her life is in danger, but is unwilling to provide any further information. Reluctantly, Jesse goes to fetch her.

Within a week, Jesse has three separate clients, each with his, or her, own desperate need to have the murder solved. He assembles a motley team of compadres, including rock band members, a tie-dye psychic and his rousing girlfriend, Angele Boucher, to help him with the case. While the FBI and the Maine State Police investigate political motives, Jesse looks for the woman—Cherchez la Femme—as the trail draws him through the lives, and DNA, of the governor’s former mistresses.

Fresh, witty and loaded with eccentric characters, this first novel in the Jesse Thorpe Mystery Series is both clever and stylish. It’s an old-school private eye tale with inventive twists and local charm. If you enjoy a well-crafted and zesty narrative, lively banter, or take pleasure in the company of Mainers, you’ll love Dead Down East.

The Hidden Staircase (Nancy Drew, #2) by Carolyn Keene

The Hidden Staircase (Nancy Drew, #2)

By: Carolyn Keene

Published: 1959

Published By: Grosset and Dunlap

Format Read: Hardcover

Genre: Children’s Literature, Middle-Grade, Mystery, Classics

Date Read: August 23, 2016

                                                               Rating: 3/5

Strange occurrences have been reported at the Twin Elms mansion and Nancy Drew is called in to solve the mystery. Meanwhile a new railway line is set to be constructed and her father is the representing lawyer. But when the landowners begin to demand more money from the railroad, Mr. Drew is caught in the middle, which puts his safety in jeopardy. The Hidden Staircase is the second book in the classic Nancy Drew mystery series.

After listening to the first book in this series in audio format, I decided to borrow a physical copy of this second book from my local library.

The Hidden Staircase was an interesting story that held my attention. As this book was first published in 1930, readers of today’s middle-grade generation may find the story dated. However I really enjoy this aspect of these books and would hate to see them updated for a more modern day audience. There is a certain level of respect that the books of today lack. Although the stories in this series may be overly predictable there is a wholesomeness to them that is comforting.

I would recommend The Hidden Staircase and the other Nancy Drew mysteries to those who enjoy classic children’s literature. 

1. The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew, #1) by Carolyn Keene

The Obituary Society (The Obituary Society, #1) by Jessica L. Randall

The Obituary Society

By: Jessica L. Randall 

Published: 2014

Published By: Kindle Edition

Format Read: Kindle for PC

Genre: Mystery, Chick-Lit, Contemporary

Date Read: August 16, 2016

Rating: 3.5/5

At twenty-four years old Lila Moore is left to plan her beloved Grandfather’s funeral, which brings her to his hometown of Auburn Nebraska. The very same hometown in which he abruptly left many years prior. Although a charming place where everybody knows each other, Auburn holds some dark secrets that shroud Lila’s family and their home the she inherits. While she begins to renovate the Depression era house she begins to get to know the townsfolk, including a group of her Great-Aunt Ada’s friends who call themselves the Obituary Society. She also befriends a local handsome lawyer and an awkward single father. When strange occurrences begin happening to Lila at the old house, she learns that not all her new friends have the best of intentions.

I was initially attracted to this novel by its title; The Obituary Society and the eye catching cover image of a woman holding a delicious-looking dessert.

Jessica L. Randall’s humorous writing style and the descriptions of Auburn immediately drew me in. I loved the cozy tight-knit community and its colourful case of characters. Great-Aunt Ada’s friends in the Obituary Society were among my favourite characters and they sure proved the devotion to their friendship. I only wish they would have had a bigger part in the story.

Although I found the mystery interesting, I didn’t particularly like the supernatural occurrences and felt it took away from my enjoyment in this novel. There were also a couple of instances involving bird attacks that made me feel very uncomfortable.

Setting those specific points aside, I found The Obituary Society to be a quick and engaging novel that I would recommend to fans of chick-lit. 

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

The Distant Hours
By: Kate Morton

Published: July, 2011
Published By: Washington Square Press
Format Read: Trade Paperback
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Date Read: July 26, 2016
Rating: 3/5

Edie Burchill knew very little about her mother’s past until a letter that had been lost in the mail decade before, was finally delivered. She learns that as a girl, her mother Meredith was evacuated from London, when World War II was declared. She was taken in by three sisters living in a castle that had been in their family for generations. Mystery surrounded their father and the book that made him famous. What were the origins for the Mud Man story? Edie’s curiosity gets to the best of her and she begins an investigation of her own, despite her mother’s refusal to talk about the past.

The Distant Hours has been one of my anticipated reads for some time now. I had previously read and loved Kate Morton’s The Forgotten Garden and The Secret Keeper. So naturally I had very high hopes for this novel.

Dual time period stories are among my favourites to read. I was pleased to discover that this one covered several decades. The plot switched back and forth between 1992 and World War II. It also told about the secluded childhood the three sisters endured.

Kate Morton’s knack for writing beautiful descriptions made for a story that was very richly detailed.

Unfortunately The Distant Hours was a bit too detailed for my liking and I found that the plot moved along at a snail pace. While I liked the mystery and uncovering the truth behind all the secrets, I just wasn’t captivated like I hoped I’d be. In fact I couldn’t seem to motivate myself to read this book and so it took me quite a while to finish.

I would definitely recommend Kate Morton as an author, however The Distant Hours isn’t one of my favourite books by her. 

The Melody Lingers On by Mary Higgins Clark

The Melody Lingers On 

By: Mary Higgins Clark

Published: June 2015

Published By: Simon & Schuster 

Format Read: Hardcover

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Date Read: June 11, 2016

Rating: 3/5

It's been two years since Parker Bennett disappeared, faking his own death and taking $5 Billion dollars of his investors cash with him. While he lounges at this island retreat, the lives of the people he left behind are in shambles. These such people include; his wife and son who have had their home and possessions repossessed and their reputations destroyed. Meanwhile those who were left penniless grieve in their own way, as they are forever linked together by Bennett's scheme. What will happen when the authorities begin to uncover clues to his whereabouts and skeletons start coming out of the closet?

The Melody Lingers on is different from any other Mary Higgins Clark books I've read in that it doesn't begin with an apparent murder. In fact this book isn't about murder at all, but about investment fraud and the repercussions that result from it.

Like most books by this author, this one is set on the east coast, more specifically in New York and New Jersey. It has a large cast of characters from many different walks of life, who were all connected to Bennett and his family in one way or another. This offered readers a wide range of examples of how investment fraud can affect the lives of those involved, whether it be with a direct or indirect link.

At times I got a bit confused by all the different investigators and investors. The story was predictable, yet short. It lacked the suspense and flare that I have come to enjoy in the previous books I've read by this author, which was disappointing.

The plot kept me interested enough to keep reading, but I found myself waiting for something more gripping to happen. Unfortunately this isn't one of Mary Higgins Clark's strongest books, but I would still recommend her as an author.  

Angels and Demons (Robert Langdon, #1) by Dan Brown

Title: Angels and Demons (Robert Langdon, #1)
Author: Dan Brown
Published: May, 2000
Published By: Atria Books
Format Read: Hardcover
Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
Date Read: May, 2016
Rating: 4/5

Note: Read a different version of the book than shown. 

The war between science and the Catholic church has escalated to a point that brings about unfathomable circumstances in Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. When dangerous anti-matter is stolen from a Swiss science research facility and hidden somewhere in Vatican City, all signs point to the Illuminate. With less than 24 hours left before the promised destruction, Robert Langdon a Harvard professor specialising in religion and symbology is brought in to decode a centuries-old mystery of a brotherhood that was thought to have ceased to exist.  

Angels and Demons is a book I never would have thought to pick up until I learned that Tom Hanks (one of my favourite actors) was starting in the movie adaptation. Although there were some parts I didn't exactly understand, I really did enjoy it I decided that I would give the book a try.

 I found a beautiful box set including this book and its sequel The Da Vinci Code at a used book store for a great deal. Included inside the front and back cover are beautiful colour pictures of specific places that the fictional characters visited throughout the Vatican and surrounding Rome.  

 As it had been quite some time since I last watched the movie, I was a bit foggy on how it all played out, but I began reading hoping that I would get a better understanding of the story line. 

At almost 600 pages in length, this book is very rich in detail, which is something I was grateful for as there was so much history, tradition and scientific facts that were pertinent to the story. The fast pace, mystery and excitement made it hard for me to put it down and so I flew through it. I liked how it was told from the point of view of many different characters both inside the Vatican and out. This gave such a wide perspective of the events that were unfolding and kept the reader guessing as to who was involved. 

Near the end of the book I found it became so bogged down with tragedy that wasn't exactly necessary as so much had already happened. The story still kept my interest but I found I had to suspend my belief more than ever to get through the last 100 (or so) pages. For that reason I decided on a 4/5 rating instead of my intended 5. 

Angels and Demons is one of the most engrossing books I have read in a long time. Dan Brown's writing style is definitely a good fit for me and I can't wait to continue on with the rest of the books in the Robert Langdon series. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy suspense focusing on controversial topics. 

Unbearably Deadly (Roger and Suzanne South American Mystery Book 9) by Jerold Last

Title: Unbearably Deadly (Roger and Suzanne South American Mystery Book 9)
Author: Jerold Last
Published: December 2014
Format Read: PDF, Kindle Edition, eBook
Genre: Mystery
Date Read: May 9, 2016
Rating: 2/5

I was sent a copy of Unbearably Deadly by Jerold Last from the author in exchange for an honest review.

When a former CIA couple is killed in an alleged bear attack while on vacation in Alaska, detective duo Roger and Suzanne take up the case. Set in Denali National Park, Unbearably Deadly is a closed room type of scenario due to the remote location and limited access to outsiders without permit. Aside from the mystery, readers follow along as Roger and Suzanne take in the sights around the crime scene and in Anchorage.

When the author first approached me with the chance to read and review his book, I was initially interested in the Alaskan setting, as it is one of my top bucket list destinations to visit. As a fan of mysteries I was interested in that side of the story as well.

Last went into great detail when describing the Alaskan setting. The reader is given a very clear image of the surroundings especially in the National Park. Not only did he describe the climate, wild life and landscape, but he gave a detailed history of the park as well. This was definitely the strongest part of Unbearably Deadly and what kept my interest to continue reading.

Unfortunately these descriptions of the setting greatly overshadowed the mystery. It left little space to expand on any background information that might have been pertinent to solving the crime of what really happened to the deceased tourists.

I tried not to dwell on grammatical errors, but there were times where inconsistencies in the plotline and repetitive unnecessary dialogue became difficult to ignore. Although I kept reading I felt less invested in the story.

Unbearably Deadly is a mystery that had the potential to be a decent read, however the execution has hindered it to be so. 

Smokin' Seventeen (Stephanie Plum #17) by Janet Evanovich

Title: Smokin' Seventeen (Stephanie Plum #17)
Author: Janet Evanovich
Published: November, 2011
Published By: Bantam
Format Read: Paperback
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Romance
Date Read: April 12, 2016
Rating: 3/5

Smokin’ Seventeen picks up where Sizzling Sixteen left off; where the bail bonds office once stood is now an empty lot awaiting to be rebuilt and Stephanie is still going from Ranger to Morelli. Then several bodies are unearthed in the empty lot and Stephanie’s mother tries to play cupid again.

Smokin’ Seventeen was an enjoyable continuation of the Stephanie Plum series. I enjoyed that Mooner played a role in this installment, but wished he had a bigger part.

The who-done-it mystery was easy to figure out, but that was to be expected. Unfortunately there wasn’t any character growth, which is also to be expected.

Still I will continue on with this series as I find it amusing. I would recommend this book to those who have read the previous 16+ in the series. 

Click the link below to be taken to the Stephanie Plum series listing on Goodreads:

Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich

The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew #1) by Carolyn Keene

Title: The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew #1)
Author: Carolyn Keene
Narrator: Laura Linney
Published: June 2007 (Originally published: 1930)
Published By: Listening Library
Format Read: Audio Book
Genre: Middle Grade
Date Read: February 26 2016
Rating: 3/5

 

The Secret of the Old Clock is the first book in the classic mystery series by Carolyn Keene, which was first published in 1930. Readers are introduced to the beautiful blonde Nancy, who at the age of 18 is eager to help those in need. In this specific case, those in need are the supposed beneficiaries to the estate of a deceased man whose inheritance was wrongfully claimed by a greedy family. Nancy works to uncover a missing will to set things right. 

Growing up I loved to read just as much as I do today, but for some reason I never did pick up a Nancy Drew mystery. So now as a grown woman, after all these years I decided to give the first book in the series a try. 

The Secret of the Old Clock was an interesting mystery that kept my attention. Although I found it quite convenient how the clues would just fall into Nancy’s lap. For someone who didn’t partake in gossip, strangers sure did give her all the dirt, ha. It was a simple story, yet enjoyable and has certainly stood the test of time. 

I was pleasantly surprised to hear that this book was narrated by actress Laura Linney. I thought she did a good job and look forward to listening to the others she is attached to.

I gave The Secret of the Old Clock a 3 star rating, however I think that had I read (or listened) to these books during my childhood, I would have loved them even more. I would recommend it to its intended audience; ,middle grade readers and to those who enjoy classic children’s books.