Review: Color Me Murder by Krista Davis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Includes A Front and Back Cover for You to Color!

By day, Florrie Fox manages Color Me Read bookstore in Georgetown, Washington D.C. By night, she creates her own intricately detailed coloring books for adults, filling the pages with objects that catch her eye. There’s plenty of inspiration in her new apartment–a beautiful carriage house belonging to Professor John Maxwell, Florrie’s boss. He offers the property to Florrie rent-free with one condition–she must move in immediately to prevent his covetous sister and nephew from trying to claim it.

When the professor’s nephew, Delbert, arrives, he proves just as sketchy as Florrie feared. But the following morning, Delbert has vanished. It’s not until she visits the third floor of the store that Florrie makes a tragic discovery–there’s a trap door in the landing, and a dead Delbert inside. The esteemed Professor Maxwell is an obvious suspect, but Florrie is certain this case isn’t so black and white. Doodling clues, she begins to consider other colorful characters on the scene, all with a motive for murder. With a killer drawing closer, Florrie will need to think outside the lines . . . before death makes his mark again.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Color Me Murder by Krista Davis is exactly that! It’s the first book in a new series. This cozy mystery was fun. If the cover didn’t lure me in already, the plot definitely did. The cover is in a format where readers, like myself, can have fun coloring it. I really liked that and hope to see something like that continued with this series.

This novel introduced me to Florrie Fox. She is the main protagonist and the woman sleuth who solved the murder investigation. She owns a coloring bookstore. I found that neat. It tied in with the title, Color Me Murder. Florrie is a woman that I could easily relate to and love. Her sparkling personality made it fun to follow her. The way she stumbled onto some of the clues was interesting. Like falling and then finding a secret trap door…only to find a dead body. It was both exciting and chilling. From there Florrie goes about coloring, doodling clues, and possible answers. That was something I never knew a sleuth to do.

Krista Davis brought danger, friendship, and mystery to this start of a new series. Also, I found a tiny bit of romance bubbling up too. The plot was engaging. It kept at a steady pace. I was able to finish reading this book in one sitting. Once I dug into the book, I couldn’t put it down. Color Me Murder is a must read cozy mystery with an excellent cast of characters that are likable and believable too. Overall, I highly recommend it to all readers.

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Review: Pancakes and Corpses

Synopsis:

Soon to be divorced Julia South never expected to be caught up in solving a murder, until she discovered the body of her cafe’s most awkward customer. With a new smug Detective Inspector in town who underestimates her every move, Julia makes it her mission to discover the real murderer, before her village friends are dragged into the frame, and more bodies are discovered.
A light, cozy mystery read with a cat loving and cafe owning female amateur sleuth, in a small village setting with quirky characters. No cliffhanger, swearing, gore or graphic scenes. 

Rating: 4.5-stars

Review:

Pancakes and Corpses: A Peridale Cafe Mystery by Agatha Frost is an exciting new series. I love the main character, Julia. She’s a divorced women returning back to her hometown. Here, in Peridale, Julia is baking. Baking is her passion. But then, her cakes go missing…and a dead customer turns up…which then, catches the unwanted attention of the new detective. Something about him, puts Julia off in more than one way. 

I’ve read a few other book witinnthis series before this one, and I was easily able to follow along. The mystery in each book is different and thrilling to follow. Julia is the best baker. Her hometown, Peridale, is small but sets forth a variety of interesting characters. Intriguing, fun, hilarious, sweet, and sometimes deadly. Pancakes and Corpses is a must read for all. Action, adventure, and a murder case to solve. I couldn’t stop reading it. Agatha Frost is a talented writer. Her pages flew by fast.  

Review: Dark Deception

Synopsis:
New Edge-of-Your-Seat Read from an Established Romantic Suspense Author 

Kate O’Brien has been leading a quiet life in small-town Shelter Cove, Arkansas, for the past four years when her past suddenly comes roaring back to life. Four years ago, she and her twin sister were attacked by an elusive serial killer. Only Kate survived, and it was her drawing of the attacker–along with some last-minute evidence–that convicted the suspect. 

She’s been in witness protection ever since, but new evidence suggests the convicted man isn’t the murderer and she’s been subpoenaed to testify in the new trial. Nervous about the risk, she’ll only agree if the same marshal who protected her during the original trial escorts her to St. Louis. 

Deputy U.S. Marshal Tony DeLuca accepts the assignment to bring Kate to the trial, remembering how her strength impressed him. While in Shelter Cove, however, he gets a call from his chief, advising them to stay in Shelter Cove until a new development in the case can be straightened out. But when Kate’s safety is threatened, Tony must race against the clock to keep her alive and put this ugly case to rest before anyone else gets killed. 

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Dark Deception by Nancy Mehl is an interesting romantic suspense. I enjoyed following a woman whose life turns upside down once again. Her past is colliding with the present.  A murderer is on the loose and she’s a witness. Yet, as she is being called to testify once more, danger lingers in the air. 

Every page is full of suspense. Intriguing story. One man mistaken as the killer. An innocent’s life is in jeopardy and it’s up to one man to save her. Tony is attracted to Kate. He takes his job of protecting her full blast when danger strikes. Deadly, stunning, and cleverly written. Dark Deception fits this book well. It covers the novel perfectly. I was hooked. Some romance, tons of action, and heart racing moments. The pages flew by fast. The plot is well-developed. Nancy Mehl has lured me into her fiction once again. Overall, I recommend this to readers everywhere. 

Review: Balmy Darlings and Deaths

Synopsis:

Raina Sun is cashing in a gift certificate for a free hairstyle from the town’s premier beauty salon and day spa. No more walking dandelion head, thank you very much. Life is on the up-and-up—until she finds an attacker holding her best friend in a headlock outside the treatment rooms. 

She never thought she would spend her birthday pinned against a sweaty armpit, gagging on a mouthful of seaweed, with the attacker plucking at her best friend’s weave like a farmwife de-feathering a chicken. 

When the attacker ends up six feet under, her best friend becomes the prime suspect. Raina summons her sleuthing skills to jump full-tilt into this murder investigation to clear her best friend’s name. With her stink-bomb-toting grandma and the geriatric posse, she soon discovers death is easy, and it’s the living that kills to protect the dead. 

For readers who like fun cozy mysteries, quirky characters, and a dash of humor. 
Rating: 4-stars

Review:

Balmy Darlings and Deaths by Anne R. Tan is a fun cozy mystery. This novel has plenty of action to keep readers intrigued. I enjoyed following Raina as she worked as a sleuth to solve the mystery. Imagine going into a hair salon only for an elderly lady to hit the salon, a jealous woman to attack a worker of the salon, and for the jealous attacker to be found dead. So many things happen and it’s only time to find out if Raina’s best friend is a murderer or not. Raina has a lot on her sleeve. A crazy grandmother, an ex, and a best friend who isn’t acting like a friend at all. Emotionally troubling…and full of drama. The elderly ladies make this tale sweet and hilarious. Balmy Darlings and Deaths is one adventure after another. A murderer is on the loose and situations keep getting more intense…Anne R. Tan has woven an entertaining tale. I recommend it to all. 

Review: A Merciful Death

Synopsis:

FBI special agent Mercy Kilpatrick has been waiting her whole life for disaster to strike. A prepper since childhood, Mercy grew up living off the land—and off the grid—in rural Eagle’s Nest, Oregon. Until a shocking tragedy tore her family apart and forced her to leave home. Now a predator known as the cave man is targeting the survivalists in her hometown, murdering them in their homes, stealing huge numbers of weapons, and creating federal suspicion of a possible domestic terrorism event. But the crime scene details are eerily familiar to an unsolved mystery from Mercy’s past.

Sent by the FBI to assist local law enforcement, Mercy returns to Eagle’s Nest to face the family who shunned her while maintaining the facade of a law-abiding citizen. There, she meets police chief Truman Daly, whose uncle was the cave man’s latest victim. He sees the survivalist side of her that she desperately tries to hide, but if she lets him get close enough to learn her secret, she might not survive the fallout…

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

A Merciful Death by Kendra Elliot is stunning, cleaver, and suspenseful. Every page lured me further into the book. The plot is fast-paced, thrilling, and deadly. I was intrigued. FBI specialist, Mercy Kilpatrick, had me wanting to know more about her backstory. Her past is now colliding with her present life. Sent to work a crime scene in her hometown brings back so many memories. Mercy is tough, smart, and believable. She has a way of making me sympathize with her. Her family history is about to open up…and there’s a murder investigation that needs solving. Someone is killing survivors one-by-one. Mery’s partner, Eddie is also another fascinating character. A city boy who is beyond observant and a people person. His working relationship with Mercy is enjoyable to follow. Then, there is the police chief. He soon makes Mercy’s life more complicated than ever. Kendra Elliot has once again, brought another masterpiece to life. Her characters are brilliant. I enjoyed meeting each one as the story progressed. A Merciful Death has intrigue, romance, and murder. It has enough spookiness, romance, and emotions to drag readers into its depth. Overall, I highly recommend it to all. 

Review: Imogene in New Orleans

 

Synopsis:

At the ripe age of 73, Imogene Deal McGregor has a penchant for following her own instincts, as well as more grit and spunk than her hypochondriac son, Billy McGregor, and Billy’s impulsive partner Jackson Miller can handle. The boys take Imogene to New Orleans with their devilishly handsome English bulldog Goose, hoping to visit friends and attend a second line parade, but moments after arriving in the French Quarter, they find their friend Glenway Gilbert murdered in his art gallery. Immediately, Imogene and the boys run into a temperamental and ethically-challenged lieutenant who appears hell-bent on neglecting the crime, compelling them to seek answers themselves. As they delve into Glenway Gilbert’s murder, Imogene and the boys realize the deceased artist was surrounded by suspicious friends and lovers. With Goose the bulldog by their side, Jackson and Billy seek answers among old friends and new enemies, while Imogene follows her own ideas on the case. But the sooner they solve the murder, the sooner they can get back to catching beads and eating pralines.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Imogene in New Orleans by Hunter Murphy is the second amazing novel in this mystery series. I love the main character, Imogene. A sleuth like no other. Her personality makes her a fun character to follow as a new investigation pops up…sadly this one involves the death of a friend. The lieutenant nearby should be working the case but isn’t doing a thing. Thus, Imogene and her two sons go about the investigation themselves.

Hunter Murphy knows how to create a world of fiction with just the right amounts of humor, suspense, and intrigue. A murder mystery that will definitely entertain fans every time. Visiting the dead’ art gallery for for clues will be interesting as well as long list of suspicious perpetrators. I also loved traveling to New Orleans through this novel. New Orleans has so many possibilities and with this set of characters is makes for a must read. Imogene reminds me of some of my best female detectives and sleuths. Like the lady from Murder She Wrote and Miss Fisher the lady detective. Imogene somehow has qualities of both of these ladies. Hunter Murphy has beautifully created a three-dimensional character that readers can’t help but to love. Imogene in New Orleans is a cozy mystery that I highly recommend to readers worldwide.

Review: The Second Stage of Grief

Synopsis:

A false accusation. A brutal murder. Can Ngaire find a killer before he finds her?

Ngaire Blakes is trying to put her life back together. The ex-cop resigned from the police after a vicious assault left her battling PTSD. Dragged into a murder investigation, she’s shocked to discover that all the evidence points to her.
When the body count climbs, Ngaire flees to the cold comfort of her estranged father’s hometown. In danger and not knowing who to trust, she severs contact with her closest allies and must learn to rely on herself if she’s going to catch the killer before it’s too late.

The Second Stage of Grief is the second book in a series of mystery novels set in the dark shadows of New Zealand. If you enjoy gritty mysteries, strong women who rise to the challenge, and thrilling psychological suspense, then you’ll love Katherine Hayton’s latest installment in the Ngaire Blakes trilogy. 
Buy The Second Stage of Grief to crack the case today.

Rating: 5 stars 

Review:

The Second Stage of Grief by Katherine Hayton is a great murder mystery. I was intrigued. The story had me hooked from the beginning to end. The characters were just as interesting. A woman wakes up, not knowing the exact date. Next thing she knew, the police are forcing her to come with them down to the police station. They told her if she doesn’t come with them, then they’ll arrest her and take her how she is. Fear and confusion could easily be felt. I was hoping the best for this main character. It soon looked even worse for her, when they started questioning her in way that sends readers wondering about her guilt. Was she innocent or quilty? 

Katherine Hayton’s novel is an exciting adventure. One that grabs hold of readers and sends them straight into the mystery at hand. The writing left me in suspense. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next to the main character. The character’s predicament was believable. Many of us can relate to her situation. A murder of a woman and the character’s plate numbers duplicated on a similar make and model of a car is just one that readers can’t pass up…I loved it. The Second Stage of Grief also brings up a lot of themes like struggling with PTSD. The realistic qualities of the tale were amazing. I enjoyed reading this thriller murder mystery. Overall, I recommend it to all. 

Review: Amelia’s Children

 

Synopsis:

In 1985 Amelia Davis is brutally murdered in the woods outside of Laurel Hill. Her killer is never caught. Thirty years later, David Jenson comes to town on what he calls “personal business”, though he won’t tell anyone what that business is. Could he have some connection to the town’s most infamous cold case?

Sarah Hathaway has just returned to her hometown in the wake of a failed acting career. When she meets David, she is immediately drawn to him. But it is the mystery of what exactly brought him to Laurel Hill that keeps her up at night. Determined to find the answer, she embarks on a journey into the unknown that will change her life forever. Along the way, she discovers truths about Amelia’s death that prove more sinister than anyone ever could have imagined.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Amelia’s Children by Greta Cribbs is a fascinating paranormal tale. I loved it from the beginning. Here, readers get involved in the investigation of a cold case murder. From there an unexpected stranger lures a woman into extreme curiosity. A murderer that was never caught…and things about the murder leave more questions than answers…

This novel was well-written. It was easy being sucked into its depth. The characters picked my curiosity as well as the murder mystery. Suspenseful, intense, and addictive to read. The journey was one that readers won’t be forgetting. It felt so real. The danger and paranormal activity were the perfect combinations for this book. Amelia’s Children is indeed an intriguing tale that has captivated me. I loved Greta Cribbs writing style. Her words carried me through her wonderful world of fiction. There isn’t anything better than when the past collides with the present. Overall, this book is highly recommended, to readers worldwide.

 

Review: Mission Hill

 

Synopsis:

Abby Endicott is chief of the District Attorney’s homicide unit in Boston, where she investigates and prosecutes the city’s most dangerous killers. A member of Mission Hill’s elite, and a graduate of the Winsor school and then Harvard Law, the prosecutor’s office is not the prestigious job that would have been expected of her. She has been known to change into an evening gown amidst bodies in the morgue. She loves her job, and is committed to it, refusing all pressure to quit from her upper-crust parents or threats from the city’s most ruthless killers. But among Abby’s many secrets is her longtime affair with fellow prosecutor Tim Mooney, a married father of one.

One night, Abby is awakened very late by a phone call from her favorite detective, who reports that there has been a horrific murder but is vague about the specifics. When she arrives at the crime scene and discovers the identity of the victim, Abby knows the terror and tragedy are only beginning.

In Mission Hill, debut novelist Pamela Wechsler delivers a gripping and very human portrayal of a woman who will stop at nothing to find the truth, even if it challenges everything she believes about justice.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Mission Hill by Pamela Wechsler is one of the most complex novels I have read yet. Readers will find out that this new title has everything a reader could want. The sense of danger, excitement, and romance. This, is the first novel, in a new series, by Pamela Wechsler. A nail gripping legal thriller, that will forever lure readers to her novel. Things seem to go well for the main character until one crime scene has it all falling apart…

Inside this stunning and brilliantly well-written story, readers will meet one woman who defies all other leading protagonists. Rules…are something, Abby Endicott ignores or makes up as she goes. A strong lady, who is in charge of the DA’s Homicide Unit seems to be handling life great…and then a crime has been committed which will leave her secrets coming undone. Mission Hill reminds me of Miss Fisher in a way. A modern woman whom many would tell not to become what she is and yet she still does to everyone’s dismay. Just like Miss Fisher, Abby Endicott, breaks the rules and goes out to do what she wants. Danger follows Abby every step of the way. I really enjoyed reading this title. Following the murder investigation and trial that Abby takes over is incredible. Readers will easily connect with her and be begging for the next fun filled adventure by Pamela Wechsler.

Review: The Slient Dead

Synopsis:

When a body wrapped in a blue plastic tarp and tied up with twine is discovered near the bushes near a quiet suburban Tokyo neighborhood, Lt. Reiko Himekawa and her squad take the case. The victim was slaughtered brutally—his wounds are bizarre, and no one can figure out the “what” or the “why” of this crime.

At age twenty-nine, Reiko Himekawa of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police’s Homicide Division is young to have been made lieutenant, particularly because she lacks any kind of political or family connections. Despite barriers created by age, gender, and lack of connections, she is mentally tough, oblivious to danger, and has an impressive ability to solve crimes.

Reiko makes a discovery that leads the police to uncover eleven other bodies, all wrapped in the same sort of plastic. Few of the bodies are identifiable, but the ones that are, have no connection to each other. The only possible clue is a long shot lead to a website, spoken only in whispers on the Internet, something on the dark web known as “Strawberry Night.”

But while she is hunting the killer, the killer is hunting her… and she may very well have been marked as the next victim.

Rating: 5 stars

Review: 

The Silent Dead by Tetsuya Honda is a thriller that will leave readers feeling cold with fear. An inside gateway to what the killer thinks and feels sends shivers down my spine. The dead are piling up, and the killer isn’t satisfied unless there’s constant bloodshed. Every bloodshed means the killer feels the world is not grey…and when it feels grey there’s bound to be another killing. The suspense is overwhelming.  Readers will find themselves buried deep in the case along with the female lieutenant. But the killer isn’t far from her heels…

Tetsuya Honda’s writing is clever, frightening, and suspenseful. Every page brings readers closer to the danger at hand. A killer that kills because the world is much better then when there’s no killing…no fighting.  The feel from the first kill sparked something into the insane, unstable killer whom a female lieutenant, Reiko, is out to catch. A strong independent woman who has a way of solving cases. Little does she know this one will take everything she has to solve or it might be too late. I also enjoyed the companionship that Reiko shares with an older doctor. Their friendship is refreshing and the family life, of Reiko’s, is an interesting one that many readers can easily relate to…Overall, I highly recommend The Silent Dead to readers everywhere.