MULTITASKING MURDER by Leslie Langtry
Fiction, Cozy Mystery, #40 in Merry Wrath Mysteries Series

5*****

Blurb:
It’s going to be a weekend to remember in Who’s There Iowa for multitasking ex-spy turned Girl Scout leader Merry Wrath! She has local medical examiner, Dr. Soo Jin Body’s, wedding, the grand opening of the Obladi Zoo Aviary, the graduation party for the Cult of Nicoderm’s teen druids, and her one of her troop and the youngest elected town official, Mayor Ava’s, re-election! As if that wasn’t enough chaos, someone is sending threatening letters warning these events to stop or else! Someone murdered…and some kind of clue! Merry’s worries about things like the mayoral candidate who thinks aliens have packed explosives under her house, squeezing Officer Kevin Dooley’s mysterious plus one into an unforgiving wedding reception seating plan, and the little problem of Hilly the assassin showing up with new her pet European wolf pale in comparison to what comes next. When someone is found murdered backstage at the mayoral debate, Merry decides she should take the threats seriously. With the packed weekend fast approaching, can Merry find out who is behind the letters and catch a killer before the bridal bouquet is thrown?

THOUGHTS: Merry and her friends are at it again in this, the fortieth(!!) addition to the series. And I laughed just as much at this one as I did the first ones. Just when you don’t think there’s anything else Merry can get into, she turns a corner and there’s another murder. Her town, Who’s There, has the highest murder rate in the state of Iowa. In addition, it’s populated by a whole bunch of “unique” individuals like the Hilly, a CIA non-assassin with a huge pet wolf. And then, there is Ava, the teenage mayor of the town and her Chief of Staff, Betty – who is definitely scary.

In this book, there’s one weekend where everything that could be going on, is. There’s the high school graduation of the druid crew, the mayoral election, and Soo Jin (Merry’s friend), and the opening of the new bird wing of the zoo. It starts out with Merry trying to find bobby pins – and she finds the exploding ones – not good for the bride. Then the four events receive threatening letters to cancel the event “or else”. The “or else” becomes a dead body at the mayoral debate. While preparing for all the events, Merry and her husband and friends look into the death and find out some interesting secrets in their town, one of which leads to the murder.

As usual, this was stupid fun. When you read these books, you have to be willing to accept without belief all the silly things that go on. Just sit back, read, and enjoy.

Recommended.

So… I have had to back off from doing as many reviews as I used to for a variety of reasons. I have this clearly stated on my “So you want a review” page along with what I do and do not read.

And yet, this past week, I received three requests for reviews from authors I have never worked with before for books in genres I do not – and will not – read. Which frustrates me because I do this to help fellow authors out. I make no money from this beyond the book that the authors or publishers gift to me. I do it because, as an author, I know how hard it is to get reviews.

All I ask is that you read the rules. And if you have negative comments on a review I did, maybe think about them before you hit send. When I review a book, I am stating what *I* thought of it. This can be a purely subjective thing. I may love a book that you absolutely hated – and vice versa. You may love something I don’t care for. Neither one of us is wrong. It’s just how we felt about the book as we were reading it. It’s personal feelings.

So, #1, please read the rules. #2, I am not currently accepting any new authors. Yes, you will see me putting reviews up, but these are mostly from publishers and authors I already work with. I do appreciate the interest in my site, but for now, this is how it has to be for me.

Thank you for your understanding.

HOME FOR THE HOMICIDES by Elle Cosimano & Hannah Morrissey
Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Romance, Holiday
4****

Blurb: ‘Tis the season . . . for murder. When Special Agents Holly Frost and Mark Shepherd report to the idyllic town of Christmas to investigate a very less than idyllic murder, they’re in for more than the average whodunnit. Welcome to Christmas, a town so cozy and charming it could be the backdrop of a Hallmark movie, where crime is never in season and it’s the holidays all year round. So when a tourist is found stabbed to death by an icicle in the middle of the town nativity scene, the local police are out of their depth—after all, how do you find a criminal in a town where crime doesn’t exist? The stakes are the whole town is relying on Holly and Mark to solve the crime before the annual Jingle Bell Jubilee festival (which naturally the town’s entire economic survival relies on), plus, whichever of them cracks the case will receive a promotion to Major Crimes—and there’s only one spot. Holly and Mark are both on thin ice after screwing up on the job. This assignment is their one shot at redemption, if they can put aside their bitter rivalry. And of course, it’s not only their jobs on the line, it’s their hearts, too—regrets of their holiday party hookup last year haunt them like ghosts of Christmas past, so they both want to wrap up this rom-com gone wrong as quickly as possible. But with just twelve days until the festival, the countdown to catch a killer—without killing each other—is on.

THOUGHTS: What an interesting – funny! – read. Unlike most cozy mysteries, this one starts with a prologue that introduces us to the narrator of the book who lets us know that they are omniscient and will be showing up throughout the story – which they do! Definitely different. The characters all have names that are almost cringe-worthy, especially since this takes place at Christmas time, in the town of Christmas. Holly Frost and Mark Shepherd have been sent to the town in order to discover who murdered a woman there. A town where crime does not happen. Plus… it’s Mark’s hometown! There is so much ridiculousness going on in this story that it’s almost absurd, but fun. And the heat between Holly and Mark. It’s a love/hate relationship that goes back and forth so many times, you can get dizzy. And there are a ton of suspects! But a satisfying ending.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s for providing this ARC.

DEAD BEORE TEA TIME by M.C. Beaton & R.W. Green
Fiction, Cozy Mystery, British
4****

BLURB: Beloved New York Times bestseller M. C. Beaton’s cranky, crafty Agatha Raisin—the star of her own hit T.V. series—is back on the case again. Agatha Raisin’s Cotswolds village is in an uproar when word spreads that their beloved Red Lion pub is set to close. The brewery that owns the building has raised the rent, ousting the pub’s owner so they can redevelop the space into apartments. As the villagers scramble to change the brewery’s mind, Agatha and her team at Raisin Investigations begin looking into more direct ways to save the pub. Meanwhile, Sir Charles Fraith attempts to wheedle his way back into Agatha’s affection, crossing swords with James—Agatha’s other paramour—who is determined to thwart his efforts. As the two attempt to woo Agatha at a local reenactment of a 17th-century battle, Agatha has her sights set on something else. Amidst the chaos of the battle, a body is discovered in a copse of trees just off the battleground. While many brush off the death as an accident, Agatha digs deeper after discovering the dead man had connections to the same brewery putting the Red Lion out of business. After an attempt is made on Agatha’s life during a visit to the brewery, her investigation becomes all the more urgent. Can she find the murderer before becoming their next victim? And perhaps even more importantly for the village, can she find a way to save the Red Lion at the same time?

THOUGHTS: Agatha is a PI who runs her own company, has very exacting habits and standards of conduct of other people. She is also someone who is always on the lookout for a good lay.

In this story, the local pub–the Red Lion–is going to be closed down by a over-rich nasty developer who wants to turn the property into high-class units. Agatha gets people who want to save the bar to go out and get petitions signed. They want to turn it over to the company who owns the property. In the meantime, the arrogant developer holds a local re-enactment of a local Civil War. During the event, he is killed. Agatha goes on the hunt, nearly getting killed herself in the process. I love Agatha! She is so unapologetically real and unique! She also intelligent and driven and sexually active. She takes no gruff from anyone, but she’s also soft and clingy when she feels like it – like when nearly killed in a brewery vat.

This book, the 37th in the series, delves into issues that face everyone today, like big companies taking over neighborhoods and turning them into executive places, and sexism that is never welcome but still happens way too often. I loved Toni’s reaction in that specific scene! And there is a very satisfying ending that makes the read worthwhile.

Recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Publishing for providing this ARC.

POISON IVY by Misty Simon
Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Romance
5*****

Blurb: Ivy Morris may be an adult, but she still lives at home with her widowed father long after her sisters have all left — until she gets a letter with the words “your inheritance” offering her a home and a business of her own 3000 miles away. When she arrives to assume her new life as homeowner and proprietress of a popular costume shop, she is bombarded by a slew of people looking for the perfect outfit for the upcoming Harvest Ball. Between overpowering biddies and stolen lingerie from the worst-kept-secret side of the business, things get even more complicated when a woman is murdered at the ball–a woman wearing the same costume as Ivy. With the help of her new friends, including a cute guy trying to rev up his journalism career to private eye status with this mystery–and revving up her heart in the process–she must solve the murder before someone succeeds in the quest to poison Ivy.

THOUGHTS: I’ll admit, I read this book (in fact the entire series) quite a few years ago. I pull it out to read again when I need to smile, and solve a mystery. And it’s relatively short and quick read. I love the characters! Ivy is stuck living with her dad in California while her sisters get to have their own lives with spouses and kids. So when her great-aunt in Virginia passes away and leaves her not only her house, but an established business, Ivy jumps at the chance to live her own life too. But moving into a small town is not as easy as one would think. People – including the cops – get upset when she has the store open after 6 p.m. A store that sells/rents costumes in the front, and more risqué items in the back. Things get a little dicey when the back room is robbed of everything over size twelve. Rather than make waves in her new town, Ivy decides to look into things herself. In the meantime, she does make some new and good friends who like her quirky nature. When a woman dressed almost exactly like Ivy, she and her friends look into the murder, mostly because she might be next.

Recommended if you want something quick, fun, quirky, with a satisfying ending.

BLUE DOG by Karen Hulene Bartell
Fiction, Romantic Suspense
5*****

Blurb: Finalizing her dissertation while emerging from a destructive relationship, Deirdre ‘Dare’ Doyle finds a lifeline in Clay Landry, a rugged park ranger who introduces her to the mythical–yet menacing–lore of Louisiana’s bayous. As their hormone-fueled relationship intensifies, so does the threat from her past. Kirk, her toxic ex, sabotages her academic future, forcing a choice between her love and her dreams. But when Hurricane Kirk brings both a violent storm and a dangerous confrontation, an enigmatic creature intervenes, blurring the boundary between folklore and fact.

THOUGHTS: Karen Bartell knows how to make a person live the story. In this one, she puts us in the Louisiana bayous and all the folklore that lives in that area. Deidre (aka Dare) is visiting her aunt for the summer in order to help her after shoulder surgery and to work on her doctoral thesis. It’s obvious that the author either did a ton of research, or has lived in the area as the descriptions of the settings and the terror and effects of living through a hurricane are disturbingly real. What is also real are the feelings of fear when confronting a rougarou – a “mythical”? being that inhabits the bayous. Think swampy Big Foot – with claws. Her guide to the bayous and all things mysterious in the area is her aunt’s friend, Clay, a local who is in charge of the state park – and is a hunk. In addition, her ex threatens to derail her thesis unless she does him “favors”.

Dare has to help her aunt, work on her thesis, survive a hurricane, and prove that a cursed rougarou exists while also saving a young man who has a congenital hirsute problem. Not much, right? The author does an amazing job of explaining the issues with the southern bayous and the ecological damage being done there. She also describes things so vividly that I felt the storm and the terror of the peeping tom rougarou. I also loved the ending – very satisfying. Oh, and she includes three recipes at the end: Gumbo, Jambalaya, and Cajun Eggs Benedict!!!

Definitely recommended, but be forewarned of scary situations and how much you can believe in folklore.

EVERYDAY NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION by Melissa Romano
Nonfiction, Self-Help, Health
5*****

Blurb: Simple nervous system regulation exercises to feel safer, calmer, and more present—for anyone, anywhere For many of us, stress is baseline. Busy schedules, trauma, and chronic pressure can keep the nervous system stuck in survival mode. In Everyday Nervous System Regulation, Melissa Romano—bestselling author of the Vagus Nerve Deck—translates neuroscience into simple practices that return the mind and body to a calm and connected state. These accessible, somatic exercises help you reset in the moment while gradually retraining your nervous system to feel more grounded, less reactive, and attuned to the world around you. Inside this book you will ACCESSIBLE Start now—no exercise clothes required. These practices are intentionally low effort while remaining effective. SCIENCE-BACKED STRESS Proven techniques to release stored tension and restore energy using the natural power of breath, movement, nature, and more. TARGETED SOMATIC Find exercises mapped to a specific experience—like anger, loneliness, or fatigue—or begin with the Emergency Toolkit that includes 10 quick resets. STRUCTURED 7- AND 30-DAY Turn simple practices into sustainable habits. Examples and templates provided.

THOUGHTS: This is an excellent book for anyone who has trouble with stress, trauma, anxiety, and more. Though the beginning is a bit of a struggle to get through, once you get into the exercises, it’s much easier to understand. And the author makes a point of saying that this isn’t a book you read straight through from beginning to end. She encourages you to skip around and do what works for you. It is not a “one size fits all” kind of book. The book is broken into three main sections: Foundations, Everyday Exercises, and Practice Plans. I like that Chapter 3 is an “emergency kit” chapter that you can go to anytime you need a reset. The book provides all kinds of tools that you can adapt to your own needs. Although I received an ebook version of this, I know I’ll be picking up a physical copy as soon as I can.

Definitely recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to NetGalley and Zeitgeist for providing this ARC.
#NetGalley #Zeitgeist #EverydayNervousSystemRegulation

STRENGTH TRAINING FOR LONGEVITY by Matt Schifferle
Nonfiction, Self-Help, Health and Longevity
5*****

Blurb: Simple strength training workouts for long-term health and independence

Strength Training for Longevity is a practical guide to building strength that supports you now—and for decades to come. Designed for adults who want to stay active, capable, and independent through every stage of life, this book offers clear, straightforward strength training routines with photos for every exercise, making it easy to train safely. Using simple, accessible equipment like dumbbells and resistance bands, the exercises are designed to fit comfortably into real life without requiring long or exhausting workouts. Rather than focusing on aesthetics or demanding workout plans, fitness coach Matt Schifferle emphasizes functional the kind that helps you carry groceries, climb stairs, maintain balance, and move confidently in daily life. Whether you’re new to strength training or getting back into it after time away, the routines are approachable, adaptable, and easy to follow. Inside, you’ll learn how to BUILD FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH with exercises chosen to support mobility, bone health, balance, and overall physical resilience. MASTER ESSENTIAL MOVEMENTS with clear form cues and full-color photos for each exercise. ADJUST EXERCISES TO YOUR LEVEL with built-in options to scale movements up or down as needed. STAY CONSISTENT with routines designed to fit into real schedules without requiring long or complicated workouts. CONNECT EXERCISE TO EVERYDAY LIFE by understanding how each movement supports real-world tasks and long-term independence. Strength Training for Longevity offers a clear, realistic approach to strength training—one that prioritizes sustainability, confidence, and the ability to keep doing the things that matter most.

THOUGHTS: I thought this was a really good book to jumpstart your journey into fitness. It’s clear, concise, has excellent color photographs to accompany each exercise and different levels so that there is a consistent progression. The author takes you through an assessment test so you can determine where the best level is for you to start. He also breaks the levels down into upper body, lower body, and core exercises. There is also information on equipment and nutrition, all of which are part of the getting healthier journey. He emphasizes that we need to stay active throughout our lives as the old adage “use it or lose it” is actually true. Although I received this ARC as an ebook, I know I will be purchasing the physical copy for myself when it is available.

Recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Netgalley and Zeitgeist for providing this ARC.
#Zeitgeist #NetGalley #StrengthTrainingforLongevity

A FATAL FLOURISH:  Gilded Age diva Ella Shane returns for her most dangerous adventure ever, arriving home from a tour in February 1901 to find her unpleasant elder stepson is in town – and charged with murder in a bar fight. Soon after, Ella’s beloved physician, Dr. Edith Silver, is arrested for obscenity by a publicity-mad Assistant Police Commissioner. Now, Ella, facing her own life-changing news, is forced to unravel two nefarious plots, with help from her colorful family and friends on both sides of the law. With the series’ signature combination of rollicking fun and sharp social commentary, Ella tracks a killer, fights ignorance and prejudice, and ultimately finds herself in another catwalk duel with a villain. And this time, the stakes are the highest she’s ever faced.

Buy:  https://www.amazon.com/Fatal-Flourish-Ella-Shane-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0H6XN66TS

Kathleen Marple Kalb is an author/anchor/mom…not in that order. The Agatha and Derringer-nominated author of short stories and novels, she’s also a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award-winning anchor of New York City’s #1 weekend morning show on 1010 WINS Radio. Her work includes fourteen mysteries across four series, and short stories in top mystery magazines, anthologies, and online. Active in writers’ groups, she is a Marketing and Communications Liaison on the SinC Worldwide Board, and a past VP of the Short Mystery Fiction Society and NY/Tri-State SinC. She and her family live in a Connecticut house owned by a large calico cat.

Website: https://kathleenmarplekalb.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kathleen-Marple-Kalb-1082949845220373/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KalbMarple

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathleenmarplekalb/

Threads: @kathleenmarplekalb

Bluesky: @mysterymarple.bsky.social   

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS MURDER by Leslie Meier
Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Holiday
4****

Blurb: Christmas may be 63 days away, but as the Tinker’s Cove Chamber of Commerce gears up for an elaborate Dickens-themed Christmas event, reporter Lucy Stone is already feeling a bit Grinchy—until a possible murder requires her sleuthing skills in the latest Lucy Stone Mystery from bestselling author Leslie Meier. With all four kids out of the house, Lucy Stone’s suddenly empty nest has put a damper on her usual zest for Christmas. She’s got plenty of article ideas to keep her busy though, including reports of vicious social media posts targeting several town residents. Plus, there’s the self-proclaimed “reputation changer” who promises he can clean up any negative press. It all seems a bit too convenient to Lucy, who decides an investigation is in order. On top of all that, after agreeing to play Mrs. Cratchit in “A Dickens of a Christmas,” Lucy also decides to plan a pre-Thanksgiving family weekend. Despite her juggling, it’s not a success—the kids and their partners come but the mood is tense, and Lucy is relieved to see them off. Then comes shocking bank manager Bert Cosgrove, one of the victims of the slanderous media posts, has been found dead. The police are calling it a suicide. No one, including Lucy, believes sweet, mild Bert would take his own life. While holiday preparations reach a feverish pitch, she’s determined to find his killer. And as she burrows into a surprising history of motives, longstanding secrets and family connections begin to stink like rotten plum pudding. Now, as Lucy gets closer to the truth, she finds herself in a life-threatening situation that would definitely spoil Christmas—permanently.

THOUGHTS: I found myself thoroughly relating to Lucy in this story. With all four of her kids grown and scattered not just across the country, but even in other countries, she is experiencing the type of empty-nesting that goes with the holidays. She’s missing the whole “big family” gathering vibe.

Lucy is a reporter for the local newspaper looking into a story on vicious social media bullying that leads to the death of a beloved member of the community. Although the police rule his death a suicide, Lucy and several other people don’t believe he did this. But when she starts to investigate what caused the online bullying, she finds out more than she thought. And another reporter is working on the same story, just from a different angle, so they share information when necessary. In the meantime, she’s also playing Mrs. Cratchit for the town’s “A Dicken’s Christmas” production. The young teen playing Tiny Tim seems to be obsessed with doing searches on his computer and when Lucy finds out he’s looking into the social media problems, she warns him that it could lead to dangerous situations.

Then he goes missing and it’s up to Lucy to figure out what happened to him and where he is.

I enjoyed the story, but there didn’t seem to be a lot of sleuthing on Lucy’s part. Yes, she’s delving into issues for her articles, but most cozies have friends helping and murder boards and more. In this one, “Tiny Tim” actually discovers what’s happening. Also, there was a lot of stress put on the back issues of the newspaper being damaged so she couldn’t find information. I’m surprised that neither the local library nor the historical society has back issues, even if just on film or fiche (yes, some libraries still use that) or even online. And then there’s the outcome of the plum pudding contest – I really had a problem with how that turned out. Finally, there’s Penny, Lucy’s son-in-law’s mother. That’s one woman I would have kicked out of my house! I don’t care if she’s the most wonderful decorator/cook in the world – you don’t take over someone’s home like that. And her son is a coward. Sorry, but that’s my opinion.

Still, it was a good story overall, so recommended.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for providing this ARC.