~Book Review~ Raising the Dead

Who and what: Raising the Dead by Mara Purnhagen; eBook edition; ISBN 9781426888786


What it's about: As the daughter of the famous Silver Spirits paranormal investigators, Charlotte Silver is used to all things weird. But when coffins start floating down her street during a flood, life turns extra strange. And wonderful, when her friend and crush Noah signs on to help Charlotte and her folks in the aftermath. Cemetery cleanup might not sound exciting, but as shocking discoveries and a lurking stranger come to light, Charlotte learns that sometimes, raising the dead can bring unexpected rewards.


What I thought about it: It was a very quick read. Not only did read quick, it was pretty good. The characters were interesting. I liked that it was a book about paranormal stuff instead of vampires and such, that was a nice change for a teen book. This book must be part of a series, because it seems like there was definitely an door left open at the end for more.


Would I recommend it: Sure - it was pretty good.


Where I got it: it was a free download from Kobo Books for my eReader


Challenges this book counts towards: 100 Books in a Year; A to Z Reading Challenge; Show Me the Free Reading Challenge


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Book Review~ Un Lun Dun

What and Who: Un Lun Dun by China Mieville; eBook edition; ISBN 978-0-345-49723-9

What it's about: By every indication, Zanna seems to be the Chosen One, the girl who is destined to set things in order and lift the evil smog. Even foxes and umbrellas pay her tribute. So when Zanna and her friend Deeba are magically transported to another realm, Un Lun Dun seems headed toward the moment of her triumph. But then, as readers of China Mieville may have already suspected, things happen that were not mentioned in prophecy -- and suddenly, 12-year-old Deeba is thrust into a world-saving situation. (goodreads)


What I thought: I've read varying reviews of this book but it just sounded so interesting I had to give it a shot. I'm glad I did. This book was extremely interesting and the descriptions of the things living in 'the other London' are wonderful. Sometimes frightening, sometimes funny, but always enjoyable. It was long - I had to break the book up by reading a novella in between (because I have a short attention span - I tend to do that a lot!). 


Would I recommend this book? Yes - a little bit of fantasy, and maybe science fiction(?) I'm not sure how to classify it but it was good.


Where I got it: Initially I checked it out from the library - but I had to return it so I bought it for my Nook.


Challenges this book counts towards: 100 Books in a Year Challenge; A to Z Reading Challenge


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Book Review~ Naughty Neighbor

Who and What: Naughty Neighbor by Janet Evanovich; Paperback (Large Print) Edition; ISBN 978-0-06-147440-8

What it's about: Louisa Brannigan's neighbor is a handsome hell-raiser—and he's driving Louisa crazy. He makes terrible coffee, steals her newspaper, and listens through her walls. But when she's fired from her government job, Louisa is persuaded to join his undercover investigation. Sneaking around in the shadows is more fun than she ever imagined, especially when the getaway car is a Porsche.

Pete Streeter never figured on finding such an attractive partner in crime. Louisa is all he ever wanted in a woman, and more. But once he's taught her to enjoy living on the edge, will she finally feel safe in his love? (goodreads)

What I thought: This book felt more like a novella. It was 200 (large print) pages of fun! I picked it because I was looking for smallish books from the library - and it ended up not being a bad pick. I would consider it a perfect beach read!

Would I recommend it: Yes. It's not deep, but it's extremely readable.

Where I got it: The Library

Challenges this book counts towards: 100 Books in a Year Challenge; A to Z Reading Challenge

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Book Review~ Icing Ivy by Evan Marshall

Who and What: Icing Ivy by Evan Marshall; Hardcover Edition; ISBN 0-7582-0224-5

What it's about: Once Jane Stuart and Ivy Benson were best friends - until Ivy's daughter Marlene took a job as nanny to Jane's son and was later murdered. Now it's time for Jane and Ivy to heal past wounds and catch up on old times. The perfect opportunity presents itself at a week at the off-season mountain lodge where Jane has scheduled a fiction writers' retreat

So much for best intentions. Ivy's brought Johnny, the new man in her life, who has eyes for one of Jane's students-a local waitress with little promise as a writer but a great future as a home wrecker. But Carla's not the only reason for Johnny's guest appearance. The handsome lothario is also a man on the run, and the Mt. Munsee Lodge is his perfect hideaway.

What Johnny's running from is soon catching up with all of them--and with a blizzard leaving them snowbound, there's little chance for escape. Especially Ivy. Jane's discovered her old pal dead--stabbed with an ice pick--on a lonely mountain trail. Johnny's the likely suspect, except he's disappeared. And as far as Jane's concerned, he had no real motive to ice his latest flame. But one of her student's apparently did.

As the melting ice gives way to startling clues, Jane and Winky's investigation leads them into Ivy's complicated past--and the deadly secrets of a writer who has the clever manipulations of the murder mystery down cold...(from the jacket flap)

What I thought about it: Naturally the person who gets killed is less than likable - but I found Ivy even more so - and the list of suspects was a cast of rude, appalling characters that made me cringe. Normally I really like this series, but for some reason with this cast of characters, I found myself not caring why Ivy was killed or who did it. Granted, I thought the ending was surprising - I missed the clues along the way - but maybe that's because I wanted all of them to go down for the crime? I didn't hate it, but it certainly wasn't one I liked a whole lot either. This is the fourth book in the Jane Stuart and Winky Mystery Series.

Where I got it: the library

Challenges this book counts towards: 100 Books in a Year Challenge, 2011 Support Your Local Library Challenge, A to Z Reading Challenge

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Book Review~ Yankee Doodle Dead by Carolyn Hart

Who and What: Yankee Doodle Dead by Carolyn Hart; Hardcover Edition; ISBN 9780380793266


What it's about: Sleuthing couple Annie and Max Darling watch as the Fourth of July explodes not only with fun and fireworks, but with murder. The new library board member has alienated everyone in town, especially the women. But Annie finds it difficult to ignore him--particularly when he is shot dead before her eyes. (goodreads)


What I think: This is book 10 in the Death on Demand Series, but the first one I've read. Of course I always show up in the middle of a series, especially when I'm looking for titles that fill my A to Z reading challenge! Not knowing everyone's background didn't detract from the story though. I loved how the detectives in this case are a couple. It was fun to see what each of them was doing while trying to figure out the killer. I loved how the authors descriptions of South Carolina during the summer were spot on and found it amusing that she even pointed out that South Carolinians call roaches 'palmetto bugs'. Yes, they really do. This book was written a little differently than most cozies, the suspects all had huge personal reasons to do the killing. It also solved in more of a real sleuthing manner than most cozies now. Kind of reminded me of the Hardy Boys, only married adults! 


Would I recommend this book? Yes, I think it was a fun read and worth the time to check out.


Where I got it: The Library


Challenges this book counts towards: 2011 Support Your Local Library Challenge; 100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge; A to Z Reading Challenge

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Book Review~ The Emperor's Tomb by Steve Berry

Who and What: The Emperor's Tomb by Steve Berry; Hardcover Edition; ISBN 9780345505491

What it's about: Hearing that his old friend Cassiopeia Vitt is in trouble, Malone follows the few clues he has and realises that they are in the middle of something huge, involving Russian and US oil interests and a centuries-old secret. After stumbling across two dead bodies and into the crosshairs of his former boss, Malone finds himself in a race to unravel the mystery of an emperor's tomb, a sinister society, and a deadly battle between two ruthless men for supremacy in China -- and the world. (goodreads)

What I thought: I was a little worried after The Charlemagne Pursuit that Berry had lost his touch, but all I can say is "He's back". The absolute perfect blend of suspense and history. So many double crosses you really can't figure out who's good and who's bad. In the end, you just think they are all human. The backdrop of this book focuses on Chinese history. I knew little of this (you know, like they invented fireworks) but it was interesting to learn that they did so much more and long before Western Civilization. As always, Berry includes the separation of fact from fiction at the end.

How I Rate It: Well, I took my number system away (yes the ever changing blog o' Kris) so I'm just going to say - I loved it.

Where I got it: The library.

Challenges this counts towards: 2011 Support Your Local Library Challenge, A to Z Reading Challenge, 100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Review~ Blueberry Muffin Murder by Joanne Fluke

What and Who: Blueberry Muffin Murder by Joanne Fluke; Hardcover Edition; ISBN 9781575667072

What it's about: Preparations are underway for Lake Eden, Minnesota's annual Winter Carnival - and Hannah Swensen is set to bake up a storm at her popular shop, The Cookie Jar. Too bad the honour of creating the official Winter Carnival cake went to famous lifestyle maven Connie Mac - a half-baked idea, in Hannah's opinion. She suspects Connie Mac is a lot like the confections she whips up on her cable TV cooking show - sweet, light, and scrumptious-looking, but likely to leave a bitter taste in your mouth.Hannah's suspicions are confirmed when Connie Mac's limo rolls into town. Turns out America's 'cooking sweetheart' is a bossy, bad-tempered, and downright domineering. Things finally boil over when Hannah arrives at The Cookie Jar to find the Winter Carnival cake burnt to a crisp - and Connie Mac lying dead in her pantry, struck down while eating one of Hannah's famous blueberry muffins.Next thing Hannah knows, the police have declared The Cookie Jar's kitchen crime scene off-limits. She's a baker without an oven - and the Carnival is right around the corner. Hannah's only alternative is to cook up a plan to save her business - by finding the killer herself. (goodreads)


What I thought: I really like this series. This one was a little harder to figure out who the killer was and I enjoyed that. Plus there was so much other fun stuff going on that it made the book a very fun read. Bonus for me - there's actually a recipe in here that my husband is willing to try out! I've wanted to try all the recipes because they just sound so good. If you are looking for a fun cozy this is a good choice!


How I rate it: I really liked it - so a 4.5.


Where I got it: my favorite place - the library


Challenges this book counts towards: 2011 Support Your Local Library Challenge; A to Z Reading Challenge; 100 Books in a Year Challenge


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Book Review~ Zapped by Carol Higgins Clark

Who and What?  Zapped by Carol Higgins Clark. Hardcover edition. ISBN 978-1-4165-6215-3


What it's about: Sleuth Regan Reilly and her husband, Jack, return to New York from their honeymoon in Ireland and discover that their next-door neighbor has put up his apartment for sale. They decide to buy it and enlarge the loft Jack lived in as a bachelor.

Regan takes time off from her work as a Private Investigator to supervise the construction, while Jack resumes his job as head of the Manhattan Major Case Squad.

On a sweltering summer night, a major blackout hits New York City and more than one person in the Reilly's building blows their fuse! In the midst of the chaos, with Jack out coping with the city's problems, Regan finds herself drawn into a case she would never expect to happen in her own home.

Zapped, set in New York City, blends Clark's sophisticated humor with her remarkable gift for portraying characters in different walks of life. Here, she creates a penetrating, humorous profile of bosses and workers in the New York real estate and construction business and the ardors of renovating a home, which we all know can drive one crazy. (goodreads)

What I thought about it: This was my first Carol Higgins Clark novel. I'm a huge fan of Mary Higgins Clark and have read most of her books - so I decided to give it a try. At first I wasn't sure, but the more I read the more I got into it. I loved how all the different characters, from all over the city, ended up coming together in some way. I found all the characters to be quite believable.

How I rate it: I give it a four.

Where I got it: I checked it out from the Sumter County Main Library

Challenges this book counts towards: 100 Books in a Year, A to Z Reading Challenge, and 2011 Support Your Local Library Challenge

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire~ by Kerrelyn Sparks

How I got it: I got this as a free download for my Kobo. I downloaded it a while ago - but I'm such a library whore I just got around to reading it.

What surprised me the most: It was a flat out romance. With vampires, of course. I honestly can't remember when I last read a romance book. Maybe 20 years ago? I used to read Janet Dailey religiously, then I started reading horror, thriller, and the like.

What I thought about it: Actually, I liked it. Once I got past the whole 'romance' thing. It even made me wonder if I should give some other romance books a shot. I thought it was well written and the silly arguments were about things a little more substantial in this book than the usual "I'm woman hear me roar" kind of thing. It's also the first in a series (Love at Stake) so it makes me wonder if the same characters will show up again? I liked Shanna a lot but found Roman was a little depressing - I guess I'll let it slide since he's a vampire.

I'm giving it a 4 - I liked it


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Killing Bridezilla by Laura Levine~

Yes, I just started this book last night. And yes, I'm now done with it.  It was just that good to me. And with lines like "I woke up the next morning nursing a Chunky Monkey hangover." and "I turned to see Walter and his hamster hair." what's not to love?

Laura Levine makes Jaine Austen a completely real and believable person. I love that. 

We all know I'm a huge fan of cozies, and this one did not disappoint. If you love cozies too and haven't checked this series out, you really should.

I decided to give it a 5 because I finished it in less than 24 hours. That makes it awesome in my book!

I checked this book out from my local library.

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~ Live Bait~ by P.J. Tracy

Today I finished Live Bait by P.J. Tracy.  This is the second of the Monkeewrench books.

Synopsis: Minneapolis detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth are bored-ever since they solved the Monkeewrench case, the Twin Cities have been in a murder-free dry spell, as people no longer seem interested in killing one another. But when elderly Morey Gilbert is found dead in the plant nursery he runs with his wife, Lily, the crime drought ends-not with a trickle, but with a torrent. Who would kill Morey, a man without an enemy, a man who might as well have been a saint? His tiny, cranky little wife is no help, and may even be a suspect; his estranged son, Jack, an infamous ambulance-chasing lawyer, has his own enemies; and his son-in-law, former cop Marty Pullman, is so depressed over his wife's death a year earlier he's ready to kill himself, but not Morey. The number of victims-all elderly-grows, and the city is fearful once again. Can Grace MacBride's cold case-solving software program somehow find the missing link? 

Filled with intelligent, well-drawn characters, sparkling, snappy dialogue, and razor-sharp plotting, P. J. Tracy's stylish, high-voltage new nail-biter will have readers on the edge of their seats.  (Thank you goodreads for the image and synopsis)

What I thought: I liked this book. It didn't "grab" me as much as the first book did, but it was still pretty darn good. The characters are growing and the suspects were interesting and fun. I love how they bring to life the basic day to day life in Minnesota - weather and all. 

I give it a 4 - I liked it.

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Dead Weight~ by Batt Humphreys

Synopsis:  In one of America's most beautiful cities, an ugly crime. Charleston, South Carolina, in 1910 is the scene of a true story. There is a trial in the town, a triangle of animosities. A Jewish merchant murdered, a black man accused and a white populace primed for a hanging.

Into the real events, steps a fictional character. A reporter from New York arrives to cover the story. Hal Hinson follows the facts, but finds that Charleston is a much more complex and seductive city than he imagined. Hinson discovers a dangerous balance in the racial divide, a country of beauty and cruelty, and a love story that reviewers describe as Shakespearean in its ending.  

My thoughts: I'll admit - I checked this book out because I saw (but missed) the authors visit to our local library and that definitely made me curious. I was not disappointed. The author did an excellent job of weaving the fictional Hal HInson into the true life story of Daniel "Nealy" Duncan. The book was made even more sad with the realization that the City of Charleston pretty much tried and convicted an innocent man before his trial even started.  The book is very well written and I highly recommend it.

On a side note, I was looked up the application for the posthumous pardon the author submitted to South Carolina to right the 100 year wrong - it was denied. The article is here. I applaud Mr. Humphries for making the attempt and am saddened that the state is still afraid to correct an injustice. Sorry I got all soapboxy on you.

I give this book a 4 - I loved it. 

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

Reading Challenges Update

Yes, I have a paper due on Monday so it's time for my procrastination post - reading challenges update! Seriously, you all know you wanted to know anyway!

Show me the Free Reading Challenge
I have listed all the free eBooks I've downloaded for this one. That's a good thing, because sometimes I can't remember which ones were free and which ones I paid for. I've finished 3 out of 12 for this challenge.

Mystery and Suspense Reading Challenge
Big surprise - I've finished 11 out of 12. The book I'm currently reading doesn't qualify, but the next one will! I'm hoping to have this challenge finished by the end of the month.

Audio Book Challenge
I just started this one, but have managed to listen to 2 out of 12 books. I started my third today, but since I only listen in the car who knows when it will be finished. I've listed a couple of the books I've checked out from the library because I don't think I'll be able to finish them before they are due and I don't want to forget what I picked!

A to Z Reading Challenge
This one is proving to be harder than I thought, but I have managed 10 out of 26. Pretty good I think, considering I read a lot of books that start with the letter 'C'. I don't know why. It's weird, I know.

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge
According to Goodreads I'm 12 books behind on this one. I knew it was a huge goal when I set it, but I don't need to be reminded that I'm not succeeding very well - sheesh! I've finished 13 out of 100. I also double checked to see if audiobooks would count, yeah, they don't - but that's ok. I'm still going to plug away and try to reach the ever elusive 100 books! Next year I will probably look for a "beat yourself" challenge or something.

As always, current stats can be seen here.

Now I guess I'll go finish that paper.


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Review~ Wedding Day Murder by Leslie Meier

Synopsis (from book jacket) - Already juggling four kids' hectic schedules, a rambunctious dog, and attention-craving husband, and a full-time reporter job, Lucy Stone can't possibly squeeze in another responsibility...or can she? When Sue Finch asks for help planning her daughter Sidra's wedding to Internet millionaire Ron Davitz, loyal pal Lucy willingly dives into the world of white lace, roses, and chair rentals. What could be more perfect than a backyard summer wedding in the Stones' newly built gazebo?


Live doves and a hot air balloon, according to overbearing social climber Thelma Davitz. But the groom's mother's elaborate ideas and constant complaints are the least of Lucy's troubles. With the nuptials looming along with her latest deadline, the arrangements are in utter chaos - and so is Lucy's investigative piece on lobsters. Meanwhile, Ron is making enemies at every turn, including the bride's father, several local lobstermen, harbormaster Frank Wiggins, and the Stones' friend Geoff Rumford - who still happens to be carrying a torch for Sidra.


When the groom's body is found floating beside his yacht, Lucy isn't convinced it was an accidental drowning. From the picturesque waterfront to Norah Hemmings' mansion on toney Smith Heights Road, Tinker's Cove is awash with suspects.


Now, fresh from planning Sidra's wedding, Lucy finds herself contemplating her own funeral as she launches the harrowing pursuit of a killer who will do anything to keep from being unveiled.


What I thought - I love Lucy Stone, which means I love Leslie Meier! Sometimes the plot and characters get a little convoluted, but this one was written very well, without much extra junk (yes, that's my technical term!) thrown in. Not having all the extras didn't take away from the book. There were still plenty of suspects, plenty of motive, and plenty of personal problems to make it interesting without being confusing.

Every time I read one of these books, I want to move to small town Maine! Maybe I should stay away from the cozy's for a while so I don't end up dragging my family up north!

I give it a 4 - I actually loved this one!


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Review~ Scone Cold Dead by Kaitylyn Dunnett

Synopsis (from book jacket) - After a knee injury forces professional Scottish dancer Liss MacCrimmon to give up her life of performing strathspeys, reels, jigs and Highland flings, she returns to her hometown of Moosetookalook, Maine, where she runs a Scottish Emporium. With one solved murder case under her dance belt, Liss has no idea she's about to spiral into another...


Switching to a life without footlights or greasepaint has been easier than Liss MacCrimmon expected. After seven months in her hometown of Moosetookalook, Maine, she's been able to keep her feet in the dance world by offering lessons to a few of the local children. Running the town's Scottish Emporium with her aunt, working on her physical therapy for her knee injury, and starting a budding romance with Dan Ruskin, a neighbor and former high school classmate, has kept her more than busy.


Still, she misses the life of a professional dancer with Strathspey, the Scottish dance company she belonged to before her knee injury forced her into early retirement. When the company goes on tour, Liss is instrumental in bringing the show to her hometown. Overjoyed at the prospect of seeing her old friends again, even if she can't dance with them, Liss arranges a reception for the troupe complete with a Scottish theme that includes a new spin on the classic Scottish scone her very own recipe for "cocktail scones."


Liss soon realizes that life in the group isn't all happy jigs and fancy dancing. Victor Owens, the company manager, has been making life miserable for every member of the company. She has no idea how miserable until Victor bites into one of Liss's prized cocktail scones, collapses and dies.


When the police set their sights on Liss and her best friends, it's up to Liss to find out whodunit before the killer makes an encore. With a missing ingenue, potential embezzlement, several secret romantic relationships, and a murderer in the mix, she'll have to work fast to uncover what is really going on backstage when the curtain falls on Strathspey.




My thoughts - This is the first book I've read by this author. I actually liked it. The characters had some depth and the doors are open for more mysteries starring Liss and the town of Moosetookalook. I actually love the name of the town too! I had some issues with all the dance lingo. For someone who knows nothing about dance, I don't need to in-depth, but a little more than what was offered. You know, don't bore me with the details, but give me something to picture in my head kind of thing.

I found this one day while wandering around the library. I find a lot of the books I read that way - I call them impulse check outs! I'm glad I picked this one up. Worth the read if you happen across it like I did.

I give it a 3 - I liked it.


~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Review~ The Paris Vendetta by Steve Berry

Synopsis (from book jacket)


When Napoleon Bonaparte died in exile in 1821, he took to the grave a powerful secret. As general and emperor, he had stolen immeasurable riches from palaces, national treasuries, and even the Knights of Malta and the Vatican. In his final days, his British captors hoped to learn where the loot lay hidden. But he told them nothing, and in his will he made no mention of the treasure. Or did he?


Former Justice Department operative Cotton Malone is about to find out when trouble comes knocking at his Copenhagen bookshop. Actually, it breaks and enters in the form of an American Secret Service agent with a pair of assassins on his heels. Malone has his doubts about the anxious young man, but narrowly surviving a ferocious firefight convinces him to follow his unexpected new ally.


Their first stop is the secluded estate of Malone's good friend Henrik Thorvaldsen. The wily Danish tycoon has uncovered the insidious plans of the Paris Club, a cabal of multimillionaires bent on manipulating the global economy. Only by matching wits with a terrorist-for-hire, foiling a catastrophic attack, and plunging into a desperate hunt for Napoleon's legendary lost treasure can Malone hope to avert international financial anarchy.


But Thorvaldsen's real objective is much more personal: to avenge the murder of his son by the larcenous aristocrat at the heart of the conspiracy. Thorvaldens's vendetta places Malone in an impossible quandary - one that forces him to choose between friend and country, past and present. Starting in Denmark, moving to England, and ending up in the storied streets of Paris, Malone plays a breathless game of duplicity and death, all to claim a prize of untold value. But at what cost?




Here's what I think...


First, I love Berry. I have never read a book by him that didn't grab and hold me from the very beginning. Until now. I wanted to love this book as I had all his others - but I just couldn't. The focus was less on the power play and more on the personal vendetta side and I didn't enjoy that quite as much. 


As always, he always intertwines little factoids about history, which I love, and even separates real from what he concocted at the end. Those writer's notes are one of the things I love about him! There was enough action, intrigue, and back stabbing to make it a decent read, but for me, being such a fan I was a little disappointed.


Sadly (and I hate to do it!) I have to give it only a 2 - it was just O.K. for me.



~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

~Monkeewrench~ by P.J. Tracy

Image from Goodreads

Synopsis - Haunted by a series of horrifying and violent episodes in their past, Grace MacBride and the oddball crew of her software company, Monkeewrench, create a new computer game where the killer is always caught, where the good guys always win. But their game becomes a nightmare when someone starts duplicating the fictional murders in real life, down to the last detail. By the time police realize what's happening, three people are dead. While the authorities scramble to find the killer, the Monkeewrench staff is playing their own game, analyzing victim profiles in a frantic attempt to discover the murderer's next target. In a thriller populated by characters both hilarious and heartbreaking, a rural Wisconsin sheriff, two Minneapolis police detectives, and Grace's gang are caught in a web of decades-old secrets that could get them all killed. ~From the book jacket


What I have to say - WOW! This book was incredible. I didn't even have this on my radar until I read a review on another blog about it and realized I HAD to read it. Then I went to the library, hunted up a copy and read like mad! I can't remember where I read the review now but thanks so very much.  I mean that sincerely. I'm not going to try and get all smart sounding on you by analyzing the characters and their emotional baggage.  I am going to tell you that each person is probably the most perfect mix of good and bad - just like real people.  I'm also going to tell you that you must read this book!  Now I have to add the rest of the series to my TBR pile!


I give this book 5/5 - it was awesome

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

This book includes: 

A Scandal in Bohemia 
The Red-Headed League 
A Case of Identity 
The Boscombe Valley Mystery 
The Five Orange Pips 
The Man with the Twisted Lip 
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle 
The Adventure of the Speckled Band 
The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb 
The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor 
The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet 
The Adventure of the Copper Beeches


Picture and description from Goodreads

This picture shows the Kindle version - I read mine on the Kobo and the front didn't look like this - but all the stories are the same.

This was the first free ebook I read.  The very first mystery book I ever read (even before Nancy Drew) was "The Hound of the Baskervilles".  I've always loved Sherlock Holmes, which is why when this came preloaded on my Kobo I knew I would read it!

My favorite story from the group was The Five Orange Pips.

It took me a little longer to finish than I had originally anticipated, but as always, well worth the read.

~ Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown

Another Reading Challenge

Yes, I found another reading challenge that completely caught my interest!  I know, I have an addiction to reading challenges.  Is there a 12 step program for that?

Anyway, it's hosted by The Thoughts of a Book Junky and the rules are pretty simple - read a book that starts with every letter of the alphabet in 2011.

Since I'm planning on reading 100 books I should be able to choose 26 that have different letters, right?

Now that I have three challenges going, I'm going to add another page to track them all.  It may or may not make my life easier!

And before anyone says it - I know, three posts in one day.  Can you tell I'm trying to avoid writing my English paper?!!

Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~ Author Unknown