Mystery

Scared Witchless (Bless Your Witch #1) By: Amy Boyles

scared-witchless

Scared Witchless (Bless Your Witch #1) By: Amy Boyles

Plot:

A witch. A murder. A wedding dress?
Dylan Apel is having one heck of a summer. She knows her hand-made clothing is special, but magical? Discovering that she’s a witch is bad enough, but when Dylan realizes there are folks who’ll kill to possess her witchy powers— that’s enough to make a girl want to hide out in the back of her boutique. Only problem is, Queen Witch is in town, itchin’ to make sure Dylan learns to cast spells, and this witch won’t take no for an answer.

Dylan must learn fast—someone just killed her best client with a poisoned gown meant for Dylan. Was it the tall, mysterious hottie in black, who’s suddenly everywhere she goes? After all, the first thing Roman Bane says is he doesn’t like witches. Is he here to save her, or kill her?

Dylan is barely getting a handle on her new powers when she finds herself surrounded by witches bossing her this way and that, local police nosing about, and wary clients—death by clothing is not good for business. And the solstice is coming … a time when witch powers are at their peak. Can Dylan survive the chaos long enough to figure out her new life?

Review:

A while ago I was looking for a paranormal cozy and I kept picking up books that weren’t what I was looking for, this, finally, is exactly what I was trying to find. An interesting magic system and a nice cast of characters. I did think there could have been more development on the character front, there might have been too much focused on magic, but they did just discover they were witches. I found the grandmother to be more annoying than kooky or endearing. I also didn’t like how the romance ended, Dylan was being too insecure on that front and I’m concerned that might dominate too much in future books.

3.5/5

Devoted in Death (In Death #41) By: J.D. Robb

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Devoted in Death (In Death #41) By: J.D. Robb

Plot:

When Lieutenant Eve Dallas examines a body in a downtown Manhattan alleyway, the victim’s injuries are so extensive that she almost misses the clue. Carved into the skin is the shape of a heart—and initials inside reading E and D . . .

Ella-Loo and her boyfriend, Darryl, had been separated while Darryl was a guest of the state of Oklahoma, and now that his sentence has been served they don’t ever intend to part again. Ella-Loo’s got dreams. And Darryl believes there are better ways to achieve your dreams than working for them. So they hit the road, and when their car breaks down in Arkansas, they make plans to take someone else’s. Then things get messy and they wind up killing someone—an experience that stokes a fierce, wild desire in Ella-Loo. A desire for Darryl. And a desire to kill again.

As they cross state lines on their way to New York to find the life they think they deserve, they will leave a trail of evil behind them. But now they’ve landed in the jurisdiction of Lieutenant Dallas and her team at the New York Police and Security Department. And with her husband, Roarke, at her side, she has every intention of hunting them down and giving them what they truly deserve . . .
Review:

Who doesn’t love a good spree killing story line? The entire book was very fast paced edge of your seat with few breaks. There is enough bad in the In Death universe that I didn’t know who was going to live or die which is a good thing. I did think that because of the nature of the spree killers that whenever Eve and Roarke had sex it was kind of weird. I get why she did it, it’s expected for them to bang like bunnies, and she was trying to show the differences between the good guys and the bad. Still it felt a little weird to me.

Whatever, I’m taking a break from the series for a little bit before finally catching up on the series.

4/5

Obsession in Death (In Death #40) J.D. Robb

obsession-in-death

Obsession in Death (In Death #40) J.D. Robb

Plot:

Eve Dallas has solved a lot of high-profile murders for the NYPSD and gotten a lot of media. She — and her billionaire husband — are getting accustomed to being objects of attention, of gossip, of speculation.

But now Eve has become the object of one person’s obsession. Someone who finds her extraordinary, and thinks about her every hour of every day. Who believes the two of them have a special relationship. Who would kill for her — again and again…

With a murderer reading meanings into her every move, handling this case will be a delicate — and dangerous — psychological dance. And Eve knows that underneath the worship and admiration, a terrible threat lies in wait. Because the beautiful lieutenant is not at all grateful for these bloody offerings from her “true and loyal friend.” And in time, idols always fall…

Review:

Sometimes you want a nice normal futuristic sci-fi mystery, other times you want something a bit more dramatic. Now this wasn’t clones or off planet stuff, but it was certainly dramatic with a great conclusion.

There weren’t a multitude of red herrings, in fact for most of the book the suspect was an almost complete unknown. It was exciting and kept me wondering just how many people would have to die to get to an answer.

5/5

Concealed in Death (In Death #38) By: J.D. Robb

concealed-in-death

Concealed in Death (In Death #38) By: J.D. Robb

Plot:

In a decrepit, long-empty New York building, Lieutenant Eve Dallas’s husband begins the demolition process by swinging a sledgehammer into a wall. When the dust clears, there are two skeletons wrapped in plastic behind it. He summons his wife immediately—and by the time she’s done with the crime scene, there are twelve murders to be solved.

The place once housed a makeshift shelter for troubled teenagers, back in the mid-2040s, and Eve tracks down the people who ran it. Between their recollections and the work of the force’s new forensic anthropologist, Eve begins to put names and faces to the remains. They are all young girls. A tattooed tough girl who dealt in illegal drugs. The runaway daughter of a pair of well-to-do doctors. They all had their stories. And they all lost their chance for a better life.

Then Eve discovers a connection between the victims and someone she knows. And she grows even more determined to reveal the secrets of the place that was called The Sanctuary—and the evil concealed in one human heart.

Review:

This was a nice, normal cop drama plot with no clones or anything too dramatic. So it was pretty great. You still had the future element, but it was a lot of, what I think of, normal police stuff. Interviews, waiting on tests, talking things out. I liked it.

I know that doesn’t really sell someone on the series, but after thirty-eight books sometimes you want something basic. Not that this was super basic, it was twelve skeletons found in drywall after all.

It was a pre-Christmas setting so that was nice because Eve began to realize that even though she just finished a holiday she was going to have to deal with another one all over again. Mavis was also tied in, a little, but it was believable and it’s always fun to see her.

Solid book.

4/5

On Borrowed Time (Library Lover’s Mystery #5) By: Jenn McKinlay

on-borrowed-time-jenn-mckinlay

On Borrowed Time (Library Lover’s Mystery #5) By: Jenn McKinlay

Plot:

Loving a good cup of coffee runs in the family for Briar Creek library director Lindsey Norris. But when her brother, Jack, a consultant for a coffee company, goes missing, her favorite beverage becomes a key clue in a dangerous mystery. Between preparing the library for the holidays and juggling the affections of ex-boyfriend, Captain Mike Sullivan, and her new crush, actor Robbie Vine, Lindsey has her hands full. But the mysterious disappearance of her world-traveling playboy brother takes precedence over all. Afraid that involving the police could brew trouble for Jack, Lindsey takes matters into her own hands. But as her quest for her brother embroils her in a strange case involving South American business dealings and an enigmatic and exotic woman, it’ll take the help of both her library book club—the crafternooners—and her eager-to-please suitors to keep Jack from ending up in hot water…

Review:

I’m well on my way to being a Jenn McKinlay superfan. I own ebook and paperback copies, though, I do still check out some from the library.

This book didn’t move Lindsey’s relationships forward as much as I wanted, still hasn’t gotten back with Sully. She was actually a bit stupid in this one, which is one of the things I’ve always liked about McKinlay’s books, the heroines aren’t stupid. Her plan at the end and the way she acted wasn’t the normal smart Lindsey. Of course her brother was involved and people don’t always think clearly when family is involved.

This book was kind of filler character and relationship wise. The mystery was fairly predictable but fine. Overall not my favorite in the series.

3.5/5