Canter With A Killer

All Mallory wants is to find happiness after her divorce.  She returns to her childhood home in rural Arkansas to set up a horse rescue. But when her wealthy and troublesome neighbor is murdered, her life is thrown into chaos. This being a cozy mystery, of course, she is going to investigate.

A unique setting and a well-plotted mystery with enough suspects to keep me guessing; overall, this was a good story with likable characters. I enjoyed it and would read others by Amber Camp

I received an ARC from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an honest review.

The Ladies of the Secret Circus

I usually love any book with a circus setting, and this is no exception. A mix of romance, fantasy, magic, and mystery, it was a little darker than I expected, but the story was intriguing with well-developed characters. Lara’s fiance disappears on their wedding day and sets in motion a tale of good vs. evil that spans multi-generations. The story shifts from the recent past in a magical, serene Virginia town to 1920s Paris, The conclusion is filled with twists I didn’t see occurring. I”d recommend fans of The Night Circus and The Magician’s Lie read this. 

I received an ARC from #Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Crimson Shore

Hokey Smokes! This was moving along as a riveting thriller, then about 3/4 way thru it made a hard left turn and became a horror story. I never saw the ending coming and it left so many questions I’ll have to read the next book soon.

The Unkindness of Ravens

Set in an old, creaky, slightly spooky library in upstate New York, new librarian Greer Hogan stumbles across the body of a friend. As she works to find the murderer, Greer encounters danger and old family secrets.

The story is well crafted with complex, interesting characters and filled with twists I didn’t see coming. The conclusion is logical, with just enough questions to suggest more stories to follow.

I enjoyed this and will make sure to watch for future books by M. E. Hilliard.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Santa Klaus Murder

I’ve spent most of December immersed in holiday books and this was one of my favorites.

Written in 1936, this reads like a classic murder mystery. A murder occurs during a Christmas celebration at an English country manor.  The crime is first told by the family, then the police take over the narrative and finish it. It was a good story and kept me changing my mind about the conclusion.

The British Library Crime Classic books are quickly becoming a favorite.

Blue Labyrinth

Intense fast paced detective thriller. Prendergast’s family’s past evil comes to terrorize him. I think you need to have read the previous books in the series to fully appreciate this one. Warning: it is violent with descriptions of gory deaths and slight sexual abuse