Murder is Binding

Murder is Binding by Lorna Barrett

(A Booktown Mystery)

(Publ 2008)

Tricia Miles has one of the many bookstores that revitalized the town of Stoneham, NH. Her store is a mystery book store. Doris, owner of a neighboring cookbook store, is found murdered in her shop by Tricia. Angelica, the not-so-close sister of Tricia, comes to town to visit. Throw in a lot of suspects - including a strange insurance man, his mother in a nursing home, an irritating newspaper man, and a cold hearted real estate man,  Add to the mix a set of twins, a stolen expensive antique cookbook, and a very angry female sheriff.

I'd give it a 6 1/2 .

My thoughts -  I liked this book. It was another new writer for me to read for the first time. There are interesting characters - even the cat. There is a good setting that has a real feel to it. I thought the pace of the book moved along nicely.

Little Bitty Lies

Little Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews

(Publ 2003)

My Blurb – This is a story about a lady in a neighborhood, where everyone seems to be getting a divorce. Mary Bliss McGowan thinks she has a good marriage until she comes home one day and finds a note from her skunk of a husband. He’s left her – not only left her but taken all the money in the back and mortgaged her house. She is flat broke and in a dire situation. Her best friend - Catherine, who is newly separated from her husband, too - comes up with a great plan to fake Mary husbands’ death down in Mexico and collect the insurance money. Of course, nothing goes quite as planned. Include in this story, a teenage daughter who is angry and having problems of her own, a mother-in-law who is meaner than a snake and living in a nursing home, a retired detective that is snooping around in her husband’s business and Mary’s life, and her trying to find new ways of earning money to survive.

I’d give it a 6 ½.

My thoughts – it was an interesting story with funny characters. It had an interesting ending.

Murder on the Oceanic

Murder on the Oceanic by Conrad Allen

 (George Porter Dillman and Genevieve Masefield Mysteries)

(Publ.  2006)

This book is about a husband and wife detective team who work on ships. They like to work undercover, as single people, while they are on board. JP Morgan owns the ship line they are working for and is on board this trip. His personal head of security is murdered and several pieces of his art collection are stolen. Several other passengers get robbed as well. The detectives have to solve all these problems among hundreds of passengers including - an artist, his wife, and his model who have an odd relationship – a banker and his goofy wife – an engaged couple having problems – a ladies man who has decided to chase Genevieve – two lady writers – and the huge staff of the ship.

My thoughts – I really enjoyed this book. The characters were very interesting and the story moved along quickly.

I’d give it a 7.

A Cat Under the Mistletoe

A Cat Under the Mistletoe –  Lydia Adamson

(pub - 1996)

My blurb – Alice Nestleton cat-sits for elderly actor. His cat acts up. When he’s called about it, he tells her to take cat to a pet therapist. When she arrives for appointment, finds the therapist dead. Once she starts to dig into the situation, she finds a May/Dec marriage that has a secret, several clients having their pets treated, and a connection to an old murder. Along the way she follows wrong clues and makes mistakes. Some of the clues she finds are aprons, photography, and blackmail. Alice must also deal with two possible ex-boyfriends where she’s not quite sure what their situations are now.

I’d give it a 6 ½

My thoughts – This is the first book I’ve read in this series. I liked the story but I was left with some questions about some of the characters – especially the boyfriends. It might be better to read these books from the series beginning to have better understanding of the characters and situations.

Rest in Pieces

Rest in Pieces - Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown

Publ - 1992

(My Blurb) Harry is newly divorced, so when new man -Blaire Bainbridge - comes to town everyone is trying to fix her up with him. Once murdered body parts start to appear all over town – Tucker finds a hand in an old cemetery - on land Blaire just bought, in the boathouse owned by Big Mim, and at the Harvest Fair – everyone is on edge and suspicious. The true insane killer is a surprise for everyone in town. Harry gets cornered in her barn and it takes all her animals to save her from being shot.

(My thoughts) I liked the story but the book felt a little “talky” to me. I was left with a feeling of too much “preaching” and unneeded details. I felt like the writer was trying to educate me instead of entertain me.

I’d give it –  7

We are having our second "Snow Day" here and I FINALLY have a chance to read a book. YAY !!!