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Saturday, April 04, 2020
Second Installment of Cadaver Dog Mystery Series Not Quite As Enjoyable As First
12:46 PM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: Although this review will not contain spoilers for The Secrets of Bones, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessor, The Scent of Murder. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
Although Jazz Ramsey makes her living as an administrative assistant at St. Catherine's Preparatory Academy for Girls, her real passion is training cadaver dogs. As the school embarks on its annual career day, in which local women visit campus to teach the students about their jobs, Jazz is asked to showcase her work with the animals. To give the girls an exciting demo, she hides a bone in an unused attic space. Her audience is delighted when Gus finds it easily; they're all shocked, however, when he scents human remains that were not hidden by Jazz. When a skeleton is recovered from its hiding place in the attic, Jazz gets an even bigger surprise—the bones appear to belong to a fanatical religion teacher who mysteriously resigned from her job three years ago.
Bernadette Quinn was almost universally disliked by St. Catherine's student body, administration, and presumably everyone who knew her. Still, who would murder the pious teacher? When the police zero in on Sister Eileen, Jazz refuses to stand by and let her beloved boss's name get dragged through the mud. If the authorities are too inept to find the real killer, she'll launch her own investigation. The more she digs, the closer Jazz gets to shocking secrets someone doesn't want revealed. It soon becomes obvious that someone will stop at nothing to stop her from digging. Can Jazz find the murderer before she becomes the next victim?
I enjoyed The Scent of Murder, the first installment in Kylie Logan's Jazz Ramsey mystery series, so I was eager to read the second, The Secrets of Bones (available May 5, 2020). While I ended up enjoying the former more than the latter, I still found The Secrets of Bones to be intriguing and entertaining. Jazz is a likable character, as are her canine companions. It's always interesting to see working dogs in action; in fact, I wanted more of that in this installment. As far as the mystery goes, I saw some of the plot twists coming, but not all of them. There were a few plot holes that didn't get tied up satisfactorily to me. In addition, I wanted more personality from Nick, Jazz's love interest. Overall, then, I didn't love The Secrets of Bones. Still, it was engaging and entertaining enough to convince me to keep with the series. I just hope the next installment is a little tighter, with a stronger emphasis on Jazz's work as a cadaver dog trainer.
(Readalikes: The Scent of Murder by Kylie Logan; also reminds me of A Borrowing of Bones by Paula Munier)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, innuendo, and disturbing subject matter
Friday, April 03, 2020
Jazz Age Murder Mystery Clean, Exciting, and Enjoyable
9:53 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
After almost a decade as an apprentice to the late Harry Houdini, 26-year-old Wren Lockhart knows all about creating the perfect illusion. She does it both onstage and off, concealing her true self behind a confident vaudeville act and a wardrobe of gentleman's clothing designed to both draw attention and deflect it. Given her guarded life of wealth and privilege, no one would guess at Wren's humble beginning as the daughter of a drunken theater owner. She'd like to keep it that way.
When a daring illusionist act by a man Houdini denounced as a fraud goes horribly awry, leaving a man dead, Wren is unwittingly drawn into the ensuing police investigation. Although she desires only to be left alone, she understands the gentle threat issued by FBI agent Elliot Matthews—if she doesn't cooperate, he will reveal to the public what he knows about her past. Desperate to keep her secrets hidden, Wren agrees to help. It soon becomes apparent, however, that she's not the only one willing to risk everything to keep the truth under wraps. With her reputation, her secrets, and even her heart on the line, Wren must make sure Elliot's case gets solved. And quickly. Before everything she's worked so hard to build crumbles before her very eyes.
I discovered Kristy Cambron last year and have since been eager to read everything she's ever written. The Illusionist's Apprentice proved a good place to start. With plenty of rich detail, its Jazz Age/vaudeville setting comes to vivid, vibrant life. The characters are warm, likable, and interesting. Plotwise, the novel moves along at a brisk enough pace, making for an exciting story. I especially appreciate Cambron's ability to create a compelling mystery but keep it PG-rated. Although she's considered a writer of Christian fiction, God/religion is touched on only lightly in this novel. However, Cambron does make sure to emphasize the continual triumph of light over darkness, good over evil. The Illusionist's Apprentice does touch on some dark subjects, but its overall tone is positive and uplifting. For all these reasons and more, I very much enjoyed this intriguing historical mystery.
(Readalikes: Um, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and mild innuendo
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, April 01, 2020
Backlist Hannah Book Just Okay
10:44 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Exhausted from years of trying to have a baby with nothing but heartbreak to show for it, Angie Malone has had enough. Enough of the miscarriages, enough of the failed adoptions, enough of the marriage that has crumbled under the strain. With divorce on the horizon, she moves back to her tiny seaside hometown of West End, Washington. Between all the drama her big, loud Italian clan cooks up and her new task of saving the family's struggling Italian restaurant, Angie should have plenty to focus on besides her crushed dreams.
When Lauren Ribido walks into Angie's life, everything changes. With her world-weary countenance and ill-fitting Salvation Army wardrobe, it's clear the 17-year-old is in need of some TLC. Especially when her alcoholic mother disappears, leaving Lauren to fend for herself. As Angie pours all the love she's been storing up for her own child into this abandoned young woman, she cautions herself against growing too attached. When Lauren announces that she's pregnant, Angie can't help the hope that flutters in her heart. She knows better than to play the "What if" game, but what if Lauren can provide the one thing Angie wants most in the world? How far will Angie go to make that happen? And what of the teenaged mother? What does she want? If their desires conflict, what does that mean for their newly-discovered closeness? What will happen as the two frightened women try to navigate their unknown futures?
I'm a big fan of Kristin Hannah's recent blockbuster novels, The Nightingale and The Great Alone. While waiting for her to produce another stunning masterpiece, I've been making my way through her backlist. I've enjoyed some of these older novels—others, not so much. The Things We Do For Love (2004) falls somewhere in the middle. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. Its premise intrigued me and I was definitely interested to see where the story would go. Unfortunately, although I sympathized with Angie, I didn't really like her. To me, she seemed self-centered, fickle, and short-sighted. This made it tough for me to side with her, while I had no problem rooting for Lauren. This, plus the fact that The Things We Do For Love seemed to ramble on longer than necessary, made the novel less enjoyable than it could have been. In the end, then, I feel a bit ambivalent about this one. Like I said before, I didn't love it, didn't hate it.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder expletives) and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of The Things We Do For Love at Target with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
TTT: My Bookish Tells
11:48 AM
With all this self-isolation, I have completely lost track of the days of the week. Other than Sunday, when we now hold worship services in our home instead of at the church building, each day is exactly like the other. Know what I'm talking about? Penn Holderness does:
Needless to say, I'm very proud of myself for remembering that today is Tuesday! Yippee! Time for my favorite weekly meme. If you're not familiar with Top Ten Tuesday, you can educate yourself by clicking on over to That Artsy Reader Girl, where you can get all the info you need. Join in the fun by creating your own list, then hopping around the book blogosphere to view other people's lists. It's an enjoyable way to beat boredom, spread some love, and find more books to read. I'm averaging a book a day right now, so I'm definitely up for new recommendations!
Today's topic is a fun one—Top Ten Signs You're a Book Lover. I couldn't think of anything really unique that marks me as a bibliophile, but here goes:
1. If you don't know me and you've never been to my house, your first clue that I love to read would be my license plate. Above is my current one, but I've also had: BOOKISH, NOZNABK, ADDLED ("She has read too many books and it has addled her brain."), etc.
2. Bookish stuff—Another clue would be my bookish t-shirts (my favorite is for a local indie—it says, "Peace, Love, Books" on the back), mugs, artwork, etc.
3. My blog—I've been posting reviews on my blog since 2006. When I publish, links are also posted to my Facebook and Twitter. I also hand out blog business cards at conferences and bookish events. So, I'd say most people who know me, even a little bit, are aware that I run a book review blog.
4. My home library—My house is full of books. There are overfilled bookcases in our family room, the game room, my bedroom, my husband's office, my daughter's room, etc. My little office nook is crammed full of them (See above. I didn't bother tidying up so you could get a real feel for the bookish chaos—you're welcome!) Several people have told me they've never seen so many books in a building that wasn't a library. LOL. What most people don't know is that the closet in my guest room is also stuffed full of review books in file boxes. Houston, I *may* have a problem!
5. My Goodreads TBR—I've heard other readers lament that they have several hundred "want to read" books listed on GR. I have 5,549 and counting. If that's not a sign that I'm a *little* book crazy, I don't know what is!
6. I have THREE library cards—I'm lucky to live in a place where I have access to two large library systems, so I have cards to both the city and county libraries. I also keep my daughter's county card on hand in case I need to check out more than the allowed 50 books. Yes, it has happened. More than once.
7. I've never met a bookstore I didn't like—Seriously. Be it bright, clean, and modern or musty, dusty, and chaotic, I love me a bookstore. Chances are excellent that I'll come out of any bookstore with at least one treasure.
8. I'm never bored—Unlike most people, I have no problem waiting in airports, doctors' offices, carpool lines, stop-and-go traffic, etc. As long as I have a book nearby (and you better believe I always do), I'm perfectly happy to hang around. Even as a kid, I never needed to be entertained. Having a book in hand means I'm never bored.
9. I don't watch t.v.—Ask me about the hottest show on the small screen and you'll get a blank stare. I rarely watch t.v, at least without a book or cross-stitch project on my lap. The only time you'll really find me paying full attention to the boob tube is when I'm folding laundry and even then, I've started listening to audiobooks instead.
10. Hermione Granger is my spirit animal—Bookish characters (and real people) are my favorite because I just get them!
There you go, ten reasons that make it obvious I'm a little book obsessed. What about you? What are your tells? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on yours.
Happy TTT!
1. If you don't know me and you've never been to my house, your first clue that I love to read would be my license plate. Above is my current one, but I've also had: BOOKISH, NOZNABK, ADDLED ("She has read too many books and it has addled her brain."), etc.
2. Bookish stuff—Another clue would be my bookish t-shirts (my favorite is for a local indie—it says, "Peace, Love, Books" on the back), mugs, artwork, etc.
3. My blog—I've been posting reviews on my blog since 2006. When I publish, links are also posted to my Facebook and Twitter. I also hand out blog business cards at conferences and bookish events. So, I'd say most people who know me, even a little bit, are aware that I run a book review blog.
4. My home library—My house is full of books. There are overfilled bookcases in our family room, the game room, my bedroom, my husband's office, my daughter's room, etc. My little office nook is crammed full of them (See above. I didn't bother tidying up so you could get a real feel for the bookish chaos—you're welcome!) Several people have told me they've never seen so many books in a building that wasn't a library. LOL. What most people don't know is that the closet in my guest room is also stuffed full of review books in file boxes. Houston, I *may* have a problem!
6. I have THREE library cards—I'm lucky to live in a place where I have access to two large library systems, so I have cards to both the city and county libraries. I also keep my daughter's county card on hand in case I need to check out more than the allowed 50 books. Yes, it has happened. More than once.
(my favorite Arizona indie)
7. I've never met a bookstore I didn't like—Seriously. Be it bright, clean, and modern or musty, dusty, and chaotic, I love me a bookstore. Chances are excellent that I'll come out of any bookstore with at least one treasure.
9. I don't watch t.v.—Ask me about the hottest show on the small screen and you'll get a blank stare. I rarely watch t.v, at least without a book or cross-stitch project on my lap. The only time you'll really find me paying full attention to the boob tube is when I'm folding laundry and even then, I've started listening to audiobooks instead.
10. Hermione Granger is my spirit animal—Bookish characters (and real people) are my favorite because I just get them!
There you go, ten reasons that make it obvious I'm a little book obsessed. What about you? What are your tells? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on yours.
Happy TTT!
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