Three to get Deadly by Janet Evanovich - Audio Version

Three to get Deadly

by Janet Evanovich

Audio Version

☆☆☆☆☆

It's winter time in New Jersey. Stephanie Plum is in

need of some work. As usual. She finds herself tracking

down the beloved candy store owner, Uncle Mo.

Stephanie is constantly having to explain that she

only wants to help Uncle Mo. And, of course, she

is sure he is completely innocent of everything.

 

Of course, Stephanie also keeps finding herself

near dead bodies. Wherever she goes. Her friend,

Lula, is helping too. But Lula is rethinking that when

she has to help transport a dead body.

 

Three to get deadly by Janet Evanovich had me

laughing and my eyes bugging out all the way through.

Lori Petty is a great narrator for this character.

Her heavy accent just helps to put your imagination

in the story even better.

 

 

Review by Lisa Hutson

Once Upon a Spine by Kate Carlisle

 

Once Upon a Spine

by Kate Carlisle

☆☆☆☆

This is a long running very popular series. Once Upon a Spine

is the 11th book in the series.

The main character is Brooklyn a book lover and a magnet for

murder scenes apparently. She is a part time sleuth and

she makes interesting things out of homemade paper.

Seriously, she could not be a more interesting character.

Her love is Derek. And his character alone makes me want to

try out an audible version of this series.

They are a terrific couple and only want to 'help' the police.

In the end, their assistance turns out to be what solves the case.

Kind of.

 

It was a fun mystery story. And my first Kate Carlisle story.

The neighborhood sounds like the perfect place for a

murder scene. Plus there always seems to be good food

just across the way.

The shop owners and other characters are hilarious

 and unpredictable.
"I went scooting up and down the aisles looking for
anyone who might be bleeding or moaning.
So where had the bullet gone?
I just hoped it hadn't killed any books."

 

Review by Lisa Hutson

 

 

Susan's Review of Lauren Willig's The English Wife

From the New York Times bestselling author, Lauren Willig, comes this scandalous New York Gilded Age novel full of family secrets, affairs, and even murder.

Annabelle and Bayard Van Duyvil live a charmed life: he’s the scion of an old Knickerbocker family, she grew up in a Tudor manor in England, they had a whirlwind romance in London, they have three year old twins on whom they dote, and he’s recreated her family home on the banks of the Hudson and renamed it Illyria. Yes, there are rumors that she’s having an affair with the architect, but rumors are rumors and people will gossip. But then Bayard is found dead with a knife in his chest on the night of their Twelfth Night Ball, Annabelle goes missing, presumed drowned, and the papers go mad. Bay’s sister, Janie, forms an unlikely alliance with a reporter to uncover the truth, convinced that Bay would never have killed his wife, that it must be a third party, but the more she learns about her brother and his wife, the more everything she thought she knew about them starts to unravel. Who were her brother and his wife, really? And why did her brother die with the name George on his lips?

The English Wife is the perfect read for a cold, stormy winter evening. Lauren Willig effortlessly blends the elements of suspense, intrigue and romance throughout the novel. I enjoyed the characters, the references to Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and the author’s subtle commentary on the social standards of the day.

The first chapter in this mysterious, gothic drama draws the reader into the story immediately. The novel’s hero, Bay Van Duyvil, is murdered and his wife, Annabelle is presumed dead. The murders take place during a Twelfth Night masked ball at the couple’s home located on the banks of the Hudson River. Bay and Annabelle were murdered while their guests were dancing and drinking champagne.

The dual narrative technique enables the author to bring the characters of Bay and Annabelle Van Duyvil to life. Understanding the couple’s romance is important to the plot and each chapter devoted to them adds depth to the intriguing storyline. I adored Bay and Annabelle and their devotion to each other. Janie Van Duyvil’s desire for the truth about her brother’s murder moves the present day storyline forward.

Janie forges a secret alliance with reporter James Burke to see past the scandal and piece together what happened to her brother. This act of courage drew me into the story as the aristocracy did not socialize outside of their social class. I enjoyed that Janie remained steadfast in her pursuit of the truth despite the disapproval from her domineering mother. As Burke uncovers secrets from the past, Janie starts to unravel her brother and sister-in-law’s complicated history. Janie’s self -confidence grows during the novel and I love that she was able to finally stand up to her mother.

The pacing of The English Wife is superb. The last few chapters of this classic gothic whodunit are filled with suspense and intrigue as each character and their truth is unmasked. The tension in these plot driven chapters was heightened because the main characters were snowed in at Bay and Annabelle’s empty gothic style home during a blizzard. It’s freezing inside the home because there is no coal and the main characters—all of the murder suspects—are forced to spend time together in one small room. Burke arrives with surprising new information about one of the suspects….this information changes the course of the story. These chapters kept me guessing and reading past my bedtime! The conclusion is fabulous! I must admit I did not see the big reveal---I had someone else pegged as the murderer.

If you are looking for a classic gothic novel with fabulous characters, suspense and romance—pick up a copy of Lauren Willig’s the English Wife.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman
ARC from Publisher

Graphic from Sharlene Martin Moore

      

Axel by Grace Burrowes ( Jaded Gentlemen Series)

Axel Belmont has been summoned from his warm and cozy greenhouse during a cold January evening because his neighbor has been murdered. He is the local magistrate and is required to investigate the case. Axel needs to ascertain if Colonel Stoneleigh committed suicide, if his death was an accident or if he was killed. After observing the body and crime scene in Colonel Stoneleigh’s study, Axel is certain that the colonel was murdered. However, he suspects that something is amiss with the colonel’s widow Abigail.

The first chapter of Axel outlines the story and provides insight into the main characters of Axel Belmont and Abigail Stoneleigh. Grace Burrowes does a fabulous job of weaving murder, mystery and romance in this novel. There are several concurrent minor plot threads in the novel which are effortlessly intertwined with the main characters actions. Axel has a different feel than the other books in the Jaded Gentlemen series because the element of suspense is felt throughout the entire book. As a reader, I needed to focus on each word in each scene so I would not miss a nuance or clue. Axel approached solving the murder using his observation skills and scientific knowledge. His expertise helped Axel sort out which clues would lead to the identity of Sir Gregory’s murderer. 

There are several villains in this suspenseful drama. Sir Gregory’s true nature is disclosed as Axel investigates his murder. The author does a fabulous job revealing Sir Gregory’s character and motivation as the investigation unfolds. Enjoyed the conversations between Nicholas Haddonfield, Matthew Belmont, Abigail and Axel which take place at the breakfast table and in the study. Matthew provides Axel with advice on how to approach interviewing the Stoneleigh servants. The discussions between Matthew and Axel provide the reader with insight into Axel’s first marriage, the importance of Axel’s work in his greenhouse and Axel’s desire for the Oxford fellowship. Nicholas (my favorite Grace Burrowes hero) flirts with Abigail. The banter between the two motivate Axel to come to terms with his feelings towards Abigail and allows the author to add the element of romance to the story. 

The attraction between the characters evolves as the murder investigation continues. Axel is one of the author’s longer novels. The longer length enabled the author to provide a story which perfectly blends the elements of romance, mystery and suspense. I enjoyed this book very much and am hoping the author will write another romantic suspense novel very soon! 

Reviewed By Susan Gorman 

Edited By Brian McGee 

Book purchased via Amazon