Good addition to the series

Lost Books and Old Bones by Paige Shelton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The history mixed with the mystery made this 3rd book in the series very compelling.

I did know who one person was early on, but wasn't sure how it would all play out. The red herrings were decent, and the eventual criminal was quite believable.

I have given up on a few series, but this one is one of the few that I will continue to read. Nice character development, and unique believable plots thus far.

Beverage Pairing: A nice pint of beer for most of the book, followed perhaps by a shot of whisky for the ending.

Caught up in this great series

Still Life by Val McDermid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The cases were both interesting, and I have finally caught up with where I started this series.

We meet Daisy in this book, and I have a great understanding and appreciation of all of the characters now.

Will anxiously await book 8!

The two cases do share an interesting aspect, that you figure out with the one case and easily then understand what could be happening with the second. This book also leads up to the Covid lockdown nicely (the 7th book, which I started reading this series with, takes place in the midst of the lockdown). I for one appreciate books that acknowledge the pandemic, and the impact it had. It is interesting to me to see how detectives might have dealt with issues around the lockdown when solving cases. I do know from reviews (not necessarily of this series) that some people don't want that reality in their fiction books. Each to their own, right?

While waiting for the 8th book, I will soon start 1979

Beverage Pairing: It is pretty much a must to drink coffee while reading this. Karen brings coffee to colleagues and friends, goes to coffee shops and appreciates all of the folks who bring her coffee. And her current boyfriend owns a coffee shop.

A decent story

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This started off quite slowly, and I had to check a few times whose perspective I was reading after I started some of the chapters.

It did get better, and the resolution was decent. I had guessed a few things, but missed one twist. I think it could have been shorter as the time-frame...really just a long weekend, kind of dragged on and on intermersed with the flashback scenes.

Overall though it was a decent enough story.

Beverage Pairing: A decent beer would pair nicely; don't drink cider with this!

The characters kept me reading

Middle of the Night by Riley Sager
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This novel moved very slowly, and wasn't a thriller in the sense that I was expecting.

Despite that, I did enjoy it. I liked the characters, and the red herrings were nicely developed.

I enjoyed the resolution however, I find the reason behind what happened to Billy to not be completely believable. I can understand the initial part of what happened completely, but not the following decisions that were made. There's a spoiler below that explains this a bit more.

If Sager is hit or miss with you, and if you are content with a slower moving novel, this one might just meet your 3 star reading needs. There were aspects that made it a 4 for me: the characters and the setting were compelling. The mistakes various people made were believable, and explained well (except for what I mentioned above, which is of course key to the mystery).

I gave it a 3 because it either could have been paced a bit differently, or perhaps it could have been a bit shorter. And, because the decisions made by one character weren't totally believable.

(view spoiler)[ There are far too many books where someone buries or hides the victim of pedestrian car accidents. Obviously it would be horrendous to accidentally hit someone, but to go through with hiding the body and covering up the accident has never worked for me in any novel that has used that trope. And, it ultimately didn't work here for me. But, that just brought it down to a 3(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Beverage Pairing: Probably a strong cup of coffee for morning reading, but if reading at night it pairs nicely with a merlot.

Kept me intrigued

The Haters by Robyn Harding
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This truly kept my interest and kept me guessing. I enjoyed the premise and the the plot was developed nicely.

I didn't quite enjoy the book within the book chapters, but they end up being key to a major plot point.

The main character irked me a lot, and not sure anyone would have handled her situation the way she did (at many points) but I suppose her actions could be viewed as realistic.

Overall I did enjoy the book.

Beverage Pairing: A nice cold glass of Pinot Grigio would a good complement to this book.

Very enjoyable 2nd in the series

A Game of Lies by Clare Mackintosh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyed this mostly because of the characters who were introduced in the first book, and continue to grow in this one.

Loved the new characters Dave and Georgina as well.

At times it seemed a bit slow, or perhaps repetitive when we get glimpses of the contestants views from previous days, but it added to the mystery.

Will seek out other books by this author.

Beverage Pairing: This setting brought up many beverage choices, but for whatever reason I would pick a nice Merlot and sit by a fire while reading this.

Not a series I will continue to read

The Bingo Hall Detectives by Jonathan Whitelaw
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This started off nicely, and ended decently, but it was way too long. I skimmed a good chunk of the middle when things were just plodding along.

This could easily have been at least 100 pages fewer and the resolution would have been the same.

Thus it was just okay for me.

Since I am drawn to characters in cozy mysteries, I won't be continuing this series. The characters weren't developed enough for me to want to see what happens to either of them in the future.

There was plenty of pages to do more with the two main characters, but they basically were just kind of stagnant in my opinion.

Beverage Pairing: A "cuppa" tea would be nice with this. Perhaps others will enjoy this cozy mystery more than I did with some good tea.

Implausible motive dropped my rating

Think Twice by Harlan Coben
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I had some difficulty rating this book. I truly loved the beginning, the premise, and of course all the characters brought back in this series. Esperanza and more are mentioned and featured to varying levels.

The case is intriguing, how a variety of people in their lives end up helping Myron and Win to figure things out was all nicely done. As a fan of this series (and it was this series that introduced me to Coben) I was fully immersed in the story.

I wasn't a fan of the 2nd person narrative by the killer, but other than that it was going to be a 4 or even a 5 for me.

However the resolution, who was responsible and mostly why, was so utterly implausible and irritating that I just wanted to scream.

I mean I get wanting to have twists and red herrings. Mysteries and thrillers are my favorite genres. But, truly I just don't buy the whole premise of why these killings took place.

Okay, here's a spoiler (view spoiler)[ it is utterly ridiculous that Greg still holds onto the betrayal of Emily and Myron. I mean he already harmed Myron in a huge way. Just stupid. And Grace supposedly getting revenge for this betrayal by framing Jeremy? I get the first murder in a way. But that somehow sets them up to go on a slew of murders? And with all his supposed skills at planning no one really explains how and why they picked their victims to murder or the victims to frame. Meaning which person were they really targeting and why? It is all just so implausible. (hide spoiler)]

It ended up being just an okay read for me as a result.

Beverage Pairing: When you finish you will want some Pepto Bismal to ease suddenly feeling ill as a result of the implausibility of the killers' motive.

Continues to be a great series

Broken Ground by Val McDermid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Really enjoyed this one.

There were a few cases taking place, each interested me. The characters continue to be great, and the newer characters were intriguing.

I am going to read other books by this author, in addition to continuing this series.

Beverage Pairing: I enjoyed reading this with my morning coffee, but you can easily enjoy a beer or gin and tonic when reading this series.

A twist that wasn't needed

A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was pleased to see there was a 3rd book in this series. I thought the premise was interesting, and many aspects did indeed work for me.

I liked how Lily was brought into the story, and the background she shared with Martha.

I even liked the premise about the killer, and why some of the killings were taking place.

I didn't care for the ending as I thought it was totally unnecessary; a twist that wasn't needed but was hinted at (view spoiler)[since Ethan didn't discuss killing Josie when he was bragging (hide spoiler)].

I also thought Lily was uncharacteristically stupid, and wanted more of Henry in the story.

I was going to give it a 3 but due to the silly twist, and Lily not being cautious when needed (truly, obviously needed), I gave it a 2.

Beverage pairing: A nice iced Vietnamese coffee. A little something sweet to deal with the bitter