My mystery reading has had me following all kinds of clues lately and I love trying to figure out whodunit. Granted I don’t always succeed but that doesn’t take away from my enjoyment one bit either. So want to hear about the books?
The first one is Shot Girl by Karen E. Olson. If you’ll remember Karen visited my blog on her blog tour recently and this is her latest Annie Seymour book. It has a lot of the hallmarks that as a follower of the series I enjoy. There’s action, humor, and a touch of snark.
In this installment Annie finds herself a suspect in the death of her ex-husband, she’s reassigned to the social services beat and everywhere she goes she keeps running into the male stripper she met when her ex was murdered. Want to know more – here’s my full review without spoilers, of course.
Karen has a new series that will be coming out next year and if it’s anything like this one then I’m sure I will enjoy it a lot.
Next up is a story that takes the reader to 1795 England when war is raging across Europe and England faces the threat of invasion. The Blackstone Key by Rose Melikan is a story about secrets, conspiracies and a young woman caught up in all of this mayhem.
I admit the secret codes and spies element didn’t really work for me. But I don’t typically like those types of stories too much to begin with. What I did like was the setting and the main character, Mary. I found her genuine and it was just interesting to see how her character develops. Here’s my full review.
And, this book also counts as one of my choices for the First in a Series challenge. Yay, I may actually finish this challenge.
Finally, I’ve also visited with another series which I’ve been enjoying since I started reading it a couple of years ago. The Jerusalem Inn is the fifth installment in the Richard Jury series and it is so good. Actually, I think it’s the best one I’ve read yet.
A white Christmas is still dreary for Scotland Yard Superintendent Richard Jury that is until he meets a beautiful woman. Unfortunately fate is not on his side and soon he’ll be investigating murders. Here’s my full review.
Oddly enough I’m reading another mystery right now which also takes place at Christmastime. I’m not one for seasonal reading really (unless it’s Halloween) but it’s funny how this has worked out. Anyway, I’ve just started Voices by Arnaldur Indridason for my book group meeting later in the month. So far it’s started off with a great premise, someone killed Santa.
Now while I normally don’t read two mysteries at once, I think I’m going to look through my shelves and find another one just because I really want to try and finish the First in a Series Challenge or the 2nds Challenge. I’m so close.
So, got any good mysteries to recommend?
Great reviews, Iliana! I can’t wait to jump into Shot Girl but of course I’ve to read it in order… I’ve yet to finish her previous instalments yet.
I haven’t been reading any mysteries lately… as you know mood plays a tremendous part in my reading! I don’t even know what to read next! ;P
I enjoyed reading your review of Shot Girl, Iliana. It was a fun book, wasn’t it? I’ll miss going on new adventures with Annie, but I sure am looking forward to the author’s new series.
Both Melikan’s and Grimes’ books sound like good ones. I’ll have to add those to my wish list.
Melody – Thank you! Well, I’m a bit picky so I would read them in order although Karen does a really good job of giving you enough of the backstory so you won’t feel lost. And, I so know what you mean about mood playing a part into what to read. I have a stack of books I want to finish this month but there’s always a bunch of others wanting to cut in line 😉
Literary Feline – So, is this really it for Annie then? I knew Karen had mentioned it might be the case but I wasn’t sure. Oh no, what a bummer then. Well, at least we do have something new to look forward to from her. I really wonder what kind of character she’ll create next!
Wow, some great reviews. Hopefully I can get my hands on some of these books.
I keep picking up The Blackstone Key and putting it back. I still can’t decide after your review!
Im so glad I stumbled on your blog, Shot Girl sound like the perfect christmas for my friend, actually I think I might treat myself to a copy too.
oh mystery novel, how I miss you so…. I can’t wait until break so that I can get some reading of my own done!
i take recommendations from here 🙂 so i have NO recommendations 😉
The Blackstone Key was definitely light reading; I enjoyed it as a cozy read.
However, Martha Grimes I adore. I really miss Melrose Plant! Yeah, yeah, and Richard Jury, too.
nik – All were entertaining!
Tara – I’m sorry! 🙂 I know, it was actually a bit hard to review that book because I just loved the characters but the whole spy stuff not so much. I would say you should give it a chance… Do the 30 page test 🙂
flower – Yay, I hope she’ll enjoy it!
Jessica – I love mysteries too. Hope you get to enjoy one soon!
veens – ha,ha.. You are too cute.
jenclair – I agree. I expected it to be a bit more of a thriller for some reason and it was a lot more cozy. I can’t wait to start the next Jury/Plant book. I’m so glad there are so many still to look forward to 🙂
Great reviews, I enjoy a good mystery. Blackstone Key sounds good.
I like anything by Agatha Christie.
The Martha Grimes series sounds good but I looked it up and there are already 21 books in the series! Sigh.
I’m looking forward to The Blackstone Key–I sort of like the whole spies thing–depending on how it’s done. And I really, really need to read Martha Grimes’s mysteries. I loved her books Hotel Paradise and the spin-offs!
I must go back and try the Martha Grimes books again. I gave up after the one that was set in Stratford, because there were so many problems with it for someone who knew the town as well as I do. That doesn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy the others though. Thanks for reminding me.