Winter 2021 Book Reviews
ConversazioniCrime, Thriller & Mystery
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1Raspberrymocha
Lethal Licorice by Amanda Flower
#2 An Amish Candy shop mystery
c. 2018
3 1/2 *s
Bailey King is running her Amish grandmother's candy shop in Harvest, Ohio. Bailey recently left a high profile chocolatier position in NYC, opting for a new life in Amish country. Bailey is not Amish as her father had left the district years ago. However, Bailey nevertheless loved her Amish grsndparents having spent many summers with them. Since her grandfather died Bailey runs her grandparents' Swissman Sweets. The Amish Confectionary Competition is being held in Harvest. It shiwcases the best of Amish candymaking skills with licorice, taffy, peanut brittle and fudge. To honor her grandfather's memory, Bailey has taken his place in the ACC. However, 2 Amish contestants are exceedingly angry about Bailey being allowed to compete. On the first day of the competition, Bailey's friend Juliet has lost her pet polka dotted pot-bellied pig. While searching in the church, Bailey hears a scream. A young Amish woman, who was playing the organ, hit a sour note. Upon investigating the organ pipes, she finds a body wedged in the organ's pipes. Bailey sets out to find the killer, as well as Juliet's pig. I do enjoy this series. I also get a irritated at some of the stupid choices Bailey makes. it's an interesting look at the Amish way of life through the eyes of an English granddaughter.
#2 An Amish Candy shop mystery
c. 2018
3 1/2 *s
Bailey King is running her Amish grandmother's candy shop in Harvest, Ohio. Bailey recently left a high profile chocolatier position in NYC, opting for a new life in Amish country. Bailey is not Amish as her father had left the district years ago. However, Bailey nevertheless loved her Amish grsndparents having spent many summers with them. Since her grandfather died Bailey runs her grandparents' Swissman Sweets. The Amish Confectionary Competition is being held in Harvest. It shiwcases the best of Amish candymaking skills with licorice, taffy, peanut brittle and fudge. To honor her grandfather's memory, Bailey has taken his place in the ACC. However, 2 Amish contestants are exceedingly angry about Bailey being allowed to compete. On the first day of the competition, Bailey's friend Juliet has lost her pet polka dotted pot-bellied pig. While searching in the church, Bailey hears a scream. A young Amish woman, who was playing the organ, hit a sour note. Upon investigating the organ pipes, she finds a body wedged in the organ's pipes. Bailey sets out to find the killer, as well as Juliet's pig. I do enjoy this series. I also get a irritated at some of the stupid choices Bailey makes. it's an interesting look at the Amish way of life through the eyes of an English granddaughter.
2Raspberrymocha
Death Along the Spirit Road by C M Wendelboe
#1 Manny Tammo mysteries
c. 2011
4 *s
I found this lurking on my bookshelves. Now, I need to read the other 2 books in the series. Nice twists and turns throughout the story which takes place on the Pine Ridge Reservation in S. Dakota. Manny Tammo is a well respected FBI agent, and a city Sioux. He grew up in Pine Ridge along with his much older brother Reuben. Reuben was a member of AIM back in the 1960s and 70s and a convicted felon, who is now a holy man following the old ways. Manny is sent to Pine Ridge to solve the murder of Jason Red Cloud, a rich architect and land tycoon "the Trump of the West." Manny, being FBI, is not welcomed on the Reservation by the residents or the Tribal Police. Manny's life was in jeopardy within hours of taking up temporary residence in Pine Ridge. Fortunately, Manny was given a bright young police officer for his liaison officer. I was fascinated with the modern history of the Lakota and Oglala Sioux Nation which permeated this story. Interesting characters and setting made this a great read.
#1 Manny Tammo mysteries
c. 2011
4 *s
I found this lurking on my bookshelves. Now, I need to read the other 2 books in the series. Nice twists and turns throughout the story which takes place on the Pine Ridge Reservation in S. Dakota. Manny Tammo is a well respected FBI agent, and a city Sioux. He grew up in Pine Ridge along with his much older brother Reuben. Reuben was a member of AIM back in the 1960s and 70s and a convicted felon, who is now a holy man following the old ways. Manny is sent to Pine Ridge to solve the murder of Jason Red Cloud, a rich architect and land tycoon "the Trump of the West." Manny, being FBI, is not welcomed on the Reservation by the residents or the Tribal Police. Manny's life was in jeopardy within hours of taking up temporary residence in Pine Ridge. Fortunately, Manny was given a bright young police officer for his liaison officer. I was fascinated with the modern history of the Lakota and Oglala Sioux Nation which permeated this story. Interesting characters and setting made this a great read.
3rosalita
>2 Raspberrymocha: I’ve never heard of this series but I’ll see if the library has it. Sounds very interesting!
4Raspberrymocha
>3 rosalita: It appears to be only a 3 book series, but I really enjoyed this first book.
5Raspberrymocha
Verse and Vengeance by Amanda Flower
#4 Magical Bookshop mystery
c. 2019
3 1/2 *s
In this forth installment of the Magical Bookshop Mysteries, Violet Waverly contends with mildly pushy Grandma Daisy, who is now the mayor of Cascade Springs. Daisy has just organized a bike race to benefit the soon to be finished city museum in city hall. Violet promised to take time from the Charming Bookshop to ride in the race with her boyfriend police chief David Rainwater. Violet was a bit on edge as a PI seemed to be stalking her every move, and she was worried that the PI was trying to discover the secret of the magical bookshop. However, before she and Rainwater could finish the race, there was a biking accident and a man was killed. This was a pleasant mystery set along the Niagara River. The story had enough twists snd turns to keep me reading.
#4 Magical Bookshop mystery
c. 2019
3 1/2 *s
In this forth installment of the Magical Bookshop Mysteries, Violet Waverly contends with mildly pushy Grandma Daisy, who is now the mayor of Cascade Springs. Daisy has just organized a bike race to benefit the soon to be finished city museum in city hall. Violet promised to take time from the Charming Bookshop to ride in the race with her boyfriend police chief David Rainwater. Violet was a bit on edge as a PI seemed to be stalking her every move, and she was worried that the PI was trying to discover the secret of the magical bookshop. However, before she and Rainwater could finish the race, there was a biking accident and a man was killed. This was a pleasant mystery set along the Niagara River. The story had enough twists snd turns to keep me reading.
6rosalita
>4 Raspberrymocha: A limited series? Now I'm even more sold!
7Raspberrymocha
The Sixth Idea by P J Tracy
#7 Monkeewrench series
c. 2016
4 *s
Lydia, young artist, meets Chuck on a fight to Minneapolis. While talking, they find that they have something in common. Their deceased grandfathers worked on the hydrogen bomb during WWII. So, they make plans to have coffee after landing. Unfortunately, Chuck is found murdered, so Mpls. homicide detectives Gino Magozzi and Leo Rolseth are called back from a mid winter vacation. Several other seemingly unrelated deaths and missing persons, end up in one confusing case for the detectives. They call on the Monkeewrench computer group to assist with The Beast, a massively powerful computer which starts putting the pieces together. Russian assassin s, Alzheimer's patients, secret government agencies, Christmas season, Cold War intrigue, the proliferation of computers, and a weapon of unimaginable power combine to put the Monkeewrench crew anthe detectives through their paces.
I really love the Monkeewrench series and their misfit crew. A bit if humor helps to move the story along through many twists and turns.
#7 Monkeewrench series
c. 2016
4 *s
Lydia, young artist, meets Chuck on a fight to Minneapolis. While talking, they find that they have something in common. Their deceased grandfathers worked on the hydrogen bomb during WWII. So, they make plans to have coffee after landing. Unfortunately, Chuck is found murdered, so Mpls. homicide detectives Gino Magozzi and Leo Rolseth are called back from a mid winter vacation. Several other seemingly unrelated deaths and missing persons, end up in one confusing case for the detectives. They call on the Monkeewrench computer group to assist with The Beast, a massively powerful computer which starts putting the pieces together. Russian assassin s, Alzheimer's patients, secret government agencies, Christmas season, Cold War intrigue, the proliferation of computers, and a weapon of unimaginable power combine to put the Monkeewrench crew anthe detectives through their paces.
I really love the Monkeewrench series and their misfit crew. A bit if humor helps to move the story along through many twists and turns.
8Raspberrymocha
Nothing Stays Buried by PJ Tracy
#8 Monkeewrench series
c. 2017
4 *s
Marla Gustafson was on her way from Minneapolis to Cottonwood County to visit her dad on the family farm. She stopped along the road near the farm to help out someone stalled along the gravel road. Getting closer she saw a black bloody garbage bag in the road. She ran and was never seen again, just leaving a ring behind near a tree. Sheriff Jacob Emmet was out of clues after searching for Marla for 2 months. He called up to Minneapolis to hire the Monkeewrench crew to use their computers to help look for Marla. Meanwhile Homicide Detectives Magozzi and Rolseth were on the trail of what appeared to be a serial killer. Victims were found strangled in parks with a playing card tucked under their shirts. Leo Magozzi was also worried about Grace McBride, a member of the Monkeewrench crew, as she was expecting their child. The two separate cases in two areas of Minnesota were starting to link together: casinos, drug cartels, FBI, more vitims and a wild southern Minnesota tornado bring the cases together in a wild ride.
I have enjoyed Monkeewrench mysteries since book #1. This one caught my attention as I used to live in Cottonwood Co, Minnesota. However, I soon discovered that the author, although being a Minnesota native, placed the county near the Iowa border on I-35W, which is a good 125 miles southeast of the real Cottonwood Co. It shouldn't have bothered me, but I found this glaring error really irritating to me while reading. But, then folks who live in the Twin Cities area call everything beyond the Minneapolis metro area, "outstate Minnesota", not worthy of keeping the details straight. Nevertheless, it was a good read.
#8 Monkeewrench series
c. 2017
4 *s
Marla Gustafson was on her way from Minneapolis to Cottonwood County to visit her dad on the family farm. She stopped along the road near the farm to help out someone stalled along the gravel road. Getting closer she saw a black bloody garbage bag in the road. She ran and was never seen again, just leaving a ring behind near a tree. Sheriff Jacob Emmet was out of clues after searching for Marla for 2 months. He called up to Minneapolis to hire the Monkeewrench crew to use their computers to help look for Marla. Meanwhile Homicide Detectives Magozzi and Rolseth were on the trail of what appeared to be a serial killer. Victims were found strangled in parks with a playing card tucked under their shirts. Leo Magozzi was also worried about Grace McBride, a member of the Monkeewrench crew, as she was expecting their child. The two separate cases in two areas of Minnesota were starting to link together: casinos, drug cartels, FBI, more vitims and a wild southern Minnesota tornado bring the cases together in a wild ride.
I have enjoyed Monkeewrench mysteries since book #1. This one caught my attention as I used to live in Cottonwood Co, Minnesota. However, I soon discovered that the author, although being a Minnesota native, placed the county near the Iowa border on I-35W, which is a good 125 miles southeast of the real Cottonwood Co. It shouldn't have bothered me, but I found this glaring error really irritating to me while reading. But, then folks who live in the Twin Cities area call everything beyond the Minneapolis metro area, "outstate Minnesota", not worthy of keeping the details straight. Nevertheless, it was a good read.
9Raspberrymocha
Ice Cold Heart by PJ Tracy
#10 Monkeewrench novels
c. 2019
4 *s
It's winter in Minneapolis. It's been so cold that homicide detectives Magozzi and Rolseth haven't had a new case in a month. A psychic medium seeks help from the detectives for a woman who may soon be in harm's way. However, down at one of the premier art galleries, a group is protesting the sick and disturbing new artist that has an exhibit. A woman who was last seen at the art show is found dead. Meanwhile, the Monkeewrench Software group is hot on the trail of a bitcoin thief who stole millions. Roadrunner, one of the Monkeewrench geniuses, meets one of his neighbors walking down the frigid streets. Something wasn't right and he was worried about her.
If possible, this book's storyline was more convoluted than previous Monkeewrench volumes. It was a fast chaotic read, but came to a satisfying resolution. I hope there will be more in this series.
#10 Monkeewrench novels
c. 2019
4 *s
It's winter in Minneapolis. It's been so cold that homicide detectives Magozzi and Rolseth haven't had a new case in a month. A psychic medium seeks help from the detectives for a woman who may soon be in harm's way. However, down at one of the premier art galleries, a group is protesting the sick and disturbing new artist that has an exhibit. A woman who was last seen at the art show is found dead. Meanwhile, the Monkeewrench Software group is hot on the trail of a bitcoin thief who stole millions. Roadrunner, one of the Monkeewrench geniuses, meets one of his neighbors walking down the frigid streets. Something wasn't right and he was worried about her.
If possible, this book's storyline was more convoluted than previous Monkeewrench volumes. It was a fast chaotic read, but came to a satisfying resolution. I hope there will be more in this series.
10rosalita
A Fatal Lie by Charles Todd
#23 Inspector Ian Rutledge series
pub 2021
It’s been three years since the end of World War I and Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge is still in the proverbial doghouse of his Superintendent, Markham. The antagonism between the two men once again sees Rutledge sent to a remote corner of the United Kingdom to investigate an unidentified body found floating in the River Dee in Wales. Through some good old-fashioned detective work (admittedly the only kind available in 1921) Rutledge is able to identify the man, although what he was doing in Wales and who killed him is still a mystery.
In the course of retracing the man’s footsteps, Rutledge is forced to break the news to his wife, on whom this new load of grief weighs heavily atop the still-fresh loss of her young daughter. Could the two crimes be related? And where does the dead man’s possibly mentally unstable sister come into the picture? The Inspector travels hither and yon where northwest England and northeast Wales meet. All the while, he’s got the voice of long-dead Hamish providing a running commentary in his head, as he has ever since the wretched day during the war when the Scotsman died while serving under Rutledge in the Army. Rutledge knows Hamish isn’t really there, but it doesn’t make the ghostly voice any easier to bear ...
This is the 23rd entry in the Ian Rutledge series and it’s a rare series that gets that far along and still produces satisfying mysteries to solve. The mother-son duo writing as Charles Todd manage to come up with unique twists to make each plot unique, even as the characters themselves don’t seem to change overmuch. If you’re a fan of the series, you’ll enjoy this one. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure, start with the first (A Test of Wills) for the full rewarding experience.
#23 Inspector Ian Rutledge series
pub 2021
It’s been three years since the end of World War I and Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge is still in the proverbial doghouse of his Superintendent, Markham. The antagonism between the two men once again sees Rutledge sent to a remote corner of the United Kingdom to investigate an unidentified body found floating in the River Dee in Wales. Through some good old-fashioned detective work (admittedly the only kind available in 1921) Rutledge is able to identify the man, although what he was doing in Wales and who killed him is still a mystery.
In the course of retracing the man’s footsteps, Rutledge is forced to break the news to his wife, on whom this new load of grief weighs heavily atop the still-fresh loss of her young daughter. Could the two crimes be related? And where does the dead man’s possibly mentally unstable sister come into the picture? The Inspector travels hither and yon where northwest England and northeast Wales meet. All the while, he’s got the voice of long-dead Hamish providing a running commentary in his head, as he has ever since the wretched day during the war when the Scotsman died while serving under Rutledge in the Army. Rutledge knows Hamish isn’t really there, but it doesn’t make the ghostly voice any easier to bear ...
This is the 23rd entry in the Ian Rutledge series and it’s a rare series that gets that far along and still produces satisfying mysteries to solve. The mother-son duo writing as Charles Todd manage to come up with unique twists to make each plot unique, even as the characters themselves don’t seem to change overmuch. If you’re a fan of the series, you’ll enjoy this one. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure, start with the first (A Test of Wills) for the full rewarding experience.
11Raspberrymocha
>10 rosalita: Haven't read any of this series yet. My TBR pile is getting ridiculously high!
12rosalita
>11 Raspberrymocha: It's one of my favorites! And I hear you about the towering TBR pile — it never seems to shrink.
13Raspberrymocha
False Light by Eric Dezenhall
LTER
c. 2020
4.5 *s
This is one of the best novels I've read this year. It is fast paced with plenty of interesting looks into the current state of the media. "Fuse" Petty is a veteran journalist who is being put out to pasture. Fuse is a technology luddite, a good friend, a good husband and father, as well as an excellent print journalist.His best friend seeks his advice on a very serious matter. The friend's daughter was assaulted while interning for a very well known "gotcha" type online reporter. Since, Fuse is currently on leave, he undertakes a scheme to help bring justice to his friend's family. For some reason this reminded me of that old movie "The Sting." The author uses many thinly veiled incidences pulled from headline news of the past few years to create some if the characters and subplots. It was a well woven engaging read.
LTER
c. 2020
4.5 *s
This is one of the best novels I've read this year. It is fast paced with plenty of interesting looks into the current state of the media. "Fuse" Petty is a veteran journalist who is being put out to pasture. Fuse is a technology luddite, a good friend, a good husband and father, as well as an excellent print journalist.His best friend seeks his advice on a very serious matter. The friend's daughter was assaulted while interning for a very well known "gotcha" type online reporter. Since, Fuse is currently on leave, he undertakes a scheme to help bring justice to his friend's family. For some reason this reminded me of that old movie "The Sting." The author uses many thinly veiled incidences pulled from headline news of the past few years to create some if the characters and subplots. It was a well woven engaging read.
