Now out: Dead on Target

R.W. Green has carried this series forward in a way that I think Ms. Beaton would have approved. He presents Agatha in a way that feels very close to how readers got to know her in the original series. This title is the thirty something in the long running books to feature Ms. Raisin.

This time Agatha can be as annoying as ever as she challenges what her nemesis police foil believes to be an accidental death. What led to a death at the village fete? Find out in this crafty and fun read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Calling all doodlers: Mini Kawaii Kitties (Olive Yong)

#MiniKawaiiKitties #NetGalley

I find Kawaii drawing to be appealing and sweet in general and that is certainly the case here. The book opens with sections on what kawaii is, how to use the book, tools and more. Next come the adorable kittens. Artists can learn to draw them at playtime, while being curious, in food related scenarios, and more. The directions are clear and will help doodlers to make satisfying illustrations. Truly delightful.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 17 October 2023

What were the: Country Secrets (Fiona Walker)

#CountrySecrets #NetGalley

Fiona Walker knows how to write the kinds of books that her readers enjoy and that is surely the case in this long (over 500 page) title. Her readers will like getting to know the many characters and will become involved in the plot lines.

This book is chockablock with characters’ romantic relationships. How will things work out for Ronnie, Blair (and his sick wife), Ronnie’s daughter and her husband, and the other characters who live in these pages?

Note that this title is part of a series. Those who have not read the other titles could, perhaps, feel that they want to start at the beginning. Other readers may not feel that there is any impediment to diving right in.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Aria for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date:17 August 2023

I enjoyed spending time with: The Shell House Detectives (Emylia Hall)

#TheShellHouseDetectives #NetGalley

This is the first in, what appear to be, three Cornwall set mysteries featuring two characters with complex pasts. They are Ally and Jayden. Ally was widowed and misses her police officer husband deeply. Her daughter would like Ally to leave Cornwall to be with her in Australia; Ally is very ambivalent. Ally is an artist who creates works from the detritus that she finds on the beach. (She makes a relevant find there).

Jayden worked as a police officer who left the force after a tragedy. He is biracial and not sure if he fits into his wife’s community. Both of these characters are trying to keep their lives moving forward. Will solving a case help them to achieve their goals?

Ally’s husband Bill was haunted by one person’s death. When he arrested this man’s son, Bill offered to help him in the future. When this young man comes knocking on Ally’s door, she (regretfully) turns him away.

Events move forward and this young man is now in the hospital, gravely wounded. His grandmother and only support was not there for him when he got out of prison. Lewis Pascoe has an interaction with the couple that built a new home where his grandmother had been. These events set the scene for the novel.

I enjoyed the main characters in this book and was also interested to meet the people around them. There are many community members in the story so there is no lack of suspects. For example, there is the coffee shop worker and a recently divorced man who is trying to write a novel.

In addition to the mystery and the characters, Cornwall is also a strong presence in the book. Readers will be able to smell the sea, see the cliffs and walk along the shore.

All in all, this was a most enjoyable read. I recommend it to anyone who likes cozy mysteries.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 01 July 2023