Intro:

Amazingly, there are now thirty titles in this series by Carolyn Haines. I have been following Sara Booth, Jitty, Tinky and others since the very first one was published back in 1999. I always come back because I love the characters and their relationships. So, while this title can definitely be read as a standalone, if new to the series, it might be fun to go back and read at least the first one at some point, just to meet the characters as they were first presented.

This time the story centers on dogs. As the publisher describes it:

After a dog belonging to local pet activist Tilly Lawson is snatched right out of her backyard in Sunflower County, MS, Sarah Booth and the Delaney Detective Agency are up to their ears in concerned pet owners. Could Tilly’s work liberating abused animals have come back to bite her, or was this a random act of dognapping?

Delaney Detective Agency has their work cut out for them, especially as a troublesome online pet detective agency tries nosing their way into the investigation. But as Sarah Booth and Tinkie start to sink their teeth into the mystery, they discover there’s much more at play than they thought: neighborhood rivalries, questionable dog breeders, and an illegal dogfighting operation.

As their digging churns up dangerous attention—and with their own beloved dogs, Sweetie Pie and Chablis, possibly next in line to be dognapped—Sarah Booth and Tinkie are in a race against time to track down the thieves and return the missing pets home.

My thoughts:

Here was another good read in the series. I enjoyed the southern setting and watching our detectives at work. At the same time, readers will be reminded of the importance of how our four pawed friends are treated.

Looking forward to the next in the series.

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

Pub date: 27 May 2025

#MindfulbyNature #NetGalley

About the book (courtesy of the publisher):

Connection to the natural world, to community, and to ourselves is fundamental to our well-being. When we nurture these connections, we thrive, drawing strength from the web of interdependence that sustains life. In an increasingly fragmented and urbanized world, accessing nature and knowing how to engage with it can be challenging. Mindful by Nature points the way, bridging nature connection and mindfulness practices.

Through personal stories and nature studies, Tim Drake and Jason Hamilton inspire readers to discover their interconnectedness with Life. Guided practices offer ways to deepen sensory awareness, face challenges with compassion, and take wise action in our lives. Whether in urban or rural landscapes, readers are invited to engage with nature, cultivating a deep sense of belonging. The teachings emphasize accessibility and playfulness, encouraging readers to reconnect with the living world wherever they are.

At its heart, this book is a call to dissolve the illusion that we are separate from nature. Mindful by Nature enables readers to rediscover the profound unity between themselves and the natural world and empowers us to become stewards of the Earth.

About the authors:

Tim Drake has worked in environmental education for over twenty-five years, with a focus on nature connection, mindfulness, and natural history. He is cofounder of Primitive Pursuits in Ithaca, NY.

Jason Hamilton is Professor in the Department of the Environment at Ithaca College. He is Founder and Education Director of the Ithaca College Natural Lands reserve system.

My thoughts:

I love going to the Botanical Garden that is near where I live. I most especially enjoy walking in the woods where my mind calms and I am far away from urban noises. I feel that the authors of this book would understand why this is so important to me.

Here is a gentle and inspiring book that invites all of us to connect with nature in whatever ways we can. In addition to the authors’ text and their reflections, there are lovely illustrations, poetry, mindfulness practices, guided exercises and more.

I hope that this book will find a wide audience. Whoever reads it will benefit. Their goal of helping us to realize and enjoy the interconnectedness of self and nature makes so much sense.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Cornell University Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 15 November 2025

About the book:

From the publisher

The new cozy crime novel from the bestselling author of The Marlow Murder Club, soon to be a major TV series on PBS Masterpiece

Verity Beresford is worried about her husband. Oliver didn’t come home last night, so of course Verity goes straight to Judith Potts, Marlow’s resident amateur sleuth, for help. Oliver, founder of the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society, had rented The Marlow Belle, a private pleasure cruiser, to host an exclusive party for the society, but no one remembers seeing him disembark. And when Oliver’s body washes up on the Thames with two bullet holes in him, it’s time for the Marlow Murder Club to leap into action.

Oliver was, by all accounts, a rather complicated fellow, with a reputation for bullying children during nativity play rehearsals, and he wasn’t short of enemies. Judith, Suzie, and Becks are convinced they’ll find his killer in no time. But things are not as they seem in the Marlow Amateur Dramatic Society, and this case is not so clear-cut after all. The gang will need to keep their wits about them to solve this case… otherwise a killer will walk free.

My thoughts:

I was absolutely delighted to spend time with the gang in this newest entry in the Marlow series. This, like the others, is a traditional mystery with good characters and an interesting plot. Readers will want to see if they can solve the case before the three amateurs and the police.

Anyone who has read others in the series, or who has seen the television adaptations, will I think be happy to pick this one up. It was enjoyable.

Those who are new to the residents of Marlow may want to read this too. They will then pick up all of the others, I think.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Pub date: 16 September 2025

Others in the series:

Now out: Death Comes to Marlow

Would you join: The Marlow Murder Club

Beware: The Queen of Poisons (Robert Thorogood)

He wrote them:

Robert Thorogood

About the author

I’m the author of THE MARLOW MURDER CLUB books, set in my hometown of Marlow in Buckinghamshire.

The first book in the series has been made into a TV show and can be watched in the UK on the Freeview channel U&Drama and in the USA on PBS/Masterpiece. A second TV series is coming out in 2025 and is based on Death Comes to Marlow, but also includes some brand new murders as well.

Before all of this, I created DEATH IN PARADISE for the BBC and have also written four standalone Richard Poole murder mystery novels. I’m really proud of them, and if you like Death in Paradise, I hope you’ll love the books as well.

#TheLibrarians #NetGalley

The Librarians is the first book that I have read by Thomas who will now become one of my favorite authors. Her earlier books were historical mysteries, I think, while this one is contemporary.

There were many things that I loved about this title. Scenes set in libraries appeal to me most definitely. I also very much enjoyed getting to know the four main characters and their backstories.

Readers meet Astrid, who has hidden something about her identity; Hazel, who has left behind a tricky past involving her husband; Sophie, who did something that she should not have but had reasons for it; and last, Jonathan who has taken time to accept his identity.

When two murders occur, there are complex links and actions binding these four librarians to one another. Who killed a man who ghosted Astrid only to reappear? Why was a woman who came to an evening event at the library found murdered that very night? What is it like for characters when people from their pasts reappear? Finding out will keep readers turning the pages.

Spending time in this book’s worlds (Austin, Singapore, Madeira), with its characters, and in its timeline made for a very fun read.

I am eager to see what Ms. Thomas does next.

Kirkus Reviews states: “This knockout mystery mixes the camaraderie of The Thursday Murder Club with the chic family and romantic drama of Crazy Rich Asians. Thomas’ virtuosity shows in this fast-paced and intricate yet emotionally moving mystery.” True.

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

Pub date: 30 September 2025

From the Publisher

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/09/15/books/review/old-west-quiz.html

#OtherPeoplesHouses #NetGalley

I was lucky enough to hear Clare Mackintosh speak not long after I had read the first book in her Ffion Morgan series. That was an enjoyable experience.

I have since read books 2 and 3 in the series with the third one being Other People’s Houses. I was delighted to spend time in Ffion’s world again, both professionally and in her off duty life.

Mackintosh has created a number of series characters whom I was happy to again see. These include Ffion’s former husband, her new love and his son, her daughter, her mother and, of course her dog. He is a handful.

Ffion is an officer in Wales while Leo, her boyfriend, works with the English police. Their cases often overlap as they do here.

Leo has been investigating a number of break ins in a wealthy enclave. As it turns out, his former wife does not live there but is close by and is trying to ingratiate herself with her upscale neighbors. Meanwhile, there has been a murder in Wales of a female realtor. Readers will observe as the cases intersect.

Readers will also follow a crime podcast of a cold case. Will this become relevant to Leo and Ffion’s case?

I highly recommend this series. The settings are well done, the characters are interesting, readers will hope that Ffion and Leo can keep their relationship going and the snarky bits are fun.

Recommended to fans of Welsh and English crime, those who like series and those who enjoy a good crime story. Publishers Weekly states that “…mystery readers of all stripes will find something to like.”

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

Pub date: 16 September 2025

Another in the series:

Observe: A Game of Lies (Clare Mackintosh)

Another book by the author:

Fasten your seatbelts: Hostage by Clare Mackintosh

by Paula Sutton

#ThePottingShedMurder #NetGalley

I recognized the name of this author from a profile that I had read about her in a magazine. I loved Sutton’s sense of personal style (vintage) and was eager to see what kind of writer she was. Here, she has penned a mystery that readers will enjoy.

Spring time seems like the perfect moment to focus on a title with gardening…and murder. This is what readers find when a school headmaster is found dead on his allotment.

Newcomer to the community (after choosing to leave London), are Daphne and James. They are an interracial couple with three children who at first wonder how they will fit in in a less urban setting. Daphne seems to be accepted and liked for her sense of style. But, what will happen when Daphne gets herself involved in the investigation? What will happen when her friend is accused of the crime? How will sleuthing impact Daphne’s standing in her village? Read this one to find out.

Some reviewers have noted that this title is written a bit muddily. Still, it is worth a look in my opinion. I enjoyed both the characters and the setting. I hope that the author will have a second traditional mystery for us.

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

This title was published in the UK in April 2025 and will be out in the U.S. in May 2025.

I very much enjoyed this suspenseful novel that catapults the reader into the world of the ex-pat Niger wives and those around them. It is a lifestyle of opulence, a huge clothing budget, parties, clubs…and some missing wives.

What has happened to Nicole? Married to Tonye and the mother of two children, she disappears one day (as did a friend of hers previously). Her husband does not seem overly concerned but a relative from London is. She flies to Lagos to try to get to the bottom of things. It will be tricky and along the way some dirty laundry will come to light. Readers will avidly follow along with Claudine as she investigates and observes. Readers also learn more about Nicole and her life before she was gone.

For those who enjoy suspense stories and who would like to travel to moneyed Nigeria (from your chair), I highly recommend this one. It was a good read..

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

Pub date: 02 May 2023

NOTE: THIS TITLE IS A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK

From the Publisher

by Shauna Robinson

As soon as I see the word bookshop in a book’s title, I always want to know more and often go on to read the novel. We book lovers seem to love titles set in one of our favorite locations. That was certainly true for me in this case.

Readers will enjoy getting to know Maggie Banks. She moves to a small town to help run a friend’s bookstore. It turns out that this is a shop with rules about what can be sold. Maggie has her own ideas and begins to implement them. Will she be successful? Who should be informed about her decisions?

This is a book that, while easy to read, raises some questions about the ability to buy and read the books that we want and how bookstore agendas are set. See if you agree with the old guard who have their reasons or with Maggie.

Readers will cheer for Maggie as she begins to find herself and her voice. Her growth is something to applaud.

This book has a little of many enjoyable tropes. There are good characters, a small town a secret, a bit of romance and more.

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

Pub date: 01 November 2022

Deanna Raybourne has written two historical mystery series as well as some standalone novels. A Grave Robbery is the ninth in her series featuring Speedwell and Stoker.

Veronica Speedwell is a lepidopterist and a free spirited woman who is ahead of her time. Stoker has been an adventurer. Both now live and work on an eccentric’s estate.

The relationship between these two is what I most enjoy; they are clever, witty, and more than willing to challenge one another. That is just what happens here.

Stoker’s employer wants him to install a mechanism in a waxwork. The idea is to make it seem as if the waxwork is breathing. There is a bit of difficulty because…this is no waxwork but a corpse! And so, the adventure begins and the protagonists are on the case.

Those who already know the series will be eager to read this. New fans will enjoy this one as well. They may find that a trip to the backlist is in order for the full experience.

Recommended to fans of slightly quirky historical mysteries.

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

Pub date:12 March 2024