Monster in the Moonlight / Annelise Ryan

 

3.75 out of 5 stars 

Another entry in Ryan's monster hunter series, much in the same line as the first three. The books are very even in tone and each one provides a good mystery based on a possible cryptid (werewolves this time). There is continuity and development of relationships from one volume to another, but somehow those relationships feel a bit bloodless to me. Make no mistake, I still enjoy the series, just not as much as books by Richard Osman, Elly Griffiths, or Thomas King. Their mysteries feature a cast of characters that I've come to care about a great deal.

I wish I felt the same about Morgan Carter and Jon Flanders. They fill their roles in the plot, but I'll admit it's the cryptid investigations that keep me coming back to these books. I wish I felt more of something about that relationship, but it just seems inevitable. Their breakup caused no angst and their reunion gives only mild pleasure. I long for stronger emotions! Morgan's employees, Rita and Devon, have potential but Ryan doesn't give them much depth. Morgan repeatedly says how important they are, but in this book they were merely voices on the phone, providing information relevant to the mystery. They have yet to become interesting personalities in their own right.

So if you, like me, really value an endearing cast of characters, you may find this series a bit lacklustre. But if you're all about plot, this could be just your thing. My verdict? I’ll be reading the next volume, even if I'm not waiting on tenterhooks for its publication.

Hid From Our Eyes / Julia Spencer-Fleming

 

4 out of 5 stars 

This series is 50% mysteries to be solved and 50% the personal dynamics of the characters. I like the mysteries fine, but it's the characters who keep me coming back for each installment. In the beginning, it was the chemistry between Russ and Clare, despite his wife and her religious vocation. Often in these kind of books once the couple gets together the tension just goes out of the plot and the series limps to a close. Not so with this series—there are always new obstacles to be overcome. 

There are multiple problems in this book. The town council is threatening to disband the Millers Kill Police Department and go with the State Police service to save money. Russ feels frustrated by the lack of support and their lackluster funding. He realizes that his officers will have difficulties if they lose their jobs and he feels responsible for them.

Meanwhile, Clare is trying to find her footing as a new mother, fitting childcare around her erratic priest's duties. Worse, the pills and booze that she used to deal with her post-military issues are very much on her mind. The craving has its hooks in her and won't let go.

If these matters of personal turmoil weren't enough, there's a mysterious dead woman deposited on a lonely road. She is remarkably like another young woman found in the same spot by Russ when he was newly returned from Vietnam. He was a suspect at the time and never cleared, which makes him determined to solve this case.

Hadley Knox is gradually living down the scandal of her police colleagues discovering her past as a porn actress. She has become a good cop. She is still angry that her past seemed to matter so much to Kevin Flynn that he transferred to another police department to get away from her. He ends up undercover in the area and Hadley has to inform him that her vindictive ex-husband has named them both in a law suit that accuses them of planting drugs in his luggage. 

Spencer-Fleming has crafted a solid mystery that begs for a solution with very little evidence to help with that endeavor. As usual, it is a joint effort between Russ and Clare that puts the pieces together. There are two uncertain futures at the end of this novel. Russ and Clare are still a solid couple, but their employment may be changing drastically. Hadley still has a job, but Kevin seems to be strangely missing. Is it voluntary or has something bad happened? Thankfully there is another book published that will likely address these situations. 

The acknowledgements at the end of the book reveal the reason for the long delay between the previous book and this one. The author lost her husband, a close friend and her mother all in a matter of months. I think it's amazing that she can pick up so well from where she left off and produce such a gripping story after having the rug pulled out from under her that way.

Love at First Sighting / Mallory Marlowe

 

4 out of 5 stars 

This book is every bit as charming and cute as the author's Love and Other Conspiracies. In fact, on page 87, there's a reference to Hallie and Hayden from that novel. What a fun little Easter egg! Ms. Marlowe obviously enjoys all things paranormal. LaOC dealt with conspiracy theories and Love at First Sighting sends us into UFO territory.

Carter is one of the infamous Men in Black, although he is not excelling in his government career. El is a very popular influencer who has a scary UFO encounter after a photo shoot out in the mountains. Carter sees her video and recognizes her sighting as the same as he saw just before he and his father were in the car accident that left him an orphan. El is very suspicious until she learns that Carter believes her—everyone else either calls her crazy or wants to exploit her. They team up to figure out what it's all about, all the while dying to get their hands on each other.

No love triangle, very little angst in the relationship. The romance features prominently but figuring out what happened to Carter's father is just as important. It's a sweet romance and a tense plot. I truly hope that my library purchases Ms. Marlowe's next book.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles / Agatha Christie

 

4 out of 5 stars 

<b>2026 Re-Read</b>

It has been a long time since I last read this novel, but not so long since I last visited Styles. Having recently finished the very last Poirot novel, Curtain, which also took place at Styles, I couldn't resist the temptation to revisit the first Christie novel. 

I was amazed at how much I have learned about Poirot and Hastings through the years of reading Christie's fiction. I mean Poirot is very much himself, but Hastings is already being distracted by women, especially if they have auburn hair. It becomes a matter of amusement as the books progress. Poirot tries valiantly to get Arthur to think about things rather than jump to conclusions. Already, Poirot is telling him that he is startlingly honest and has no idea of the capabilities of other people to do wrong. His thoughts show plainly on his face, forcing Poirot to bamboozle him a bit to prevent him from alerting the murderer!

Every time I read a Christie novel, I notice new things. It makes her mysteries a joy to revisit. 

Silver & Blood / Jessie Mihalik

 

4 out of 5 stars 

When my favourite authors recommend another author, I listen. So when Ilona Andrews mentioned this new novel by Jessie Mihalik, I placed a hold on it through my library. I've previously enjoyed Mihalik's science fiction romance series Starlight's Shadow so I knew that I like her work. When I saw this gorgeous cover art, I was hooked. The artwork is far more enticing than is usual in this genre and the artist has obviously read enough of the book to use accurate details, something that I appreciate.

Are Riela and Garrick initially enemies? Not entirely, I don't think. But there is certainly no trust between them. Riela has been forced into entering the forbidden forest to deal with an unknown monster using her weak and not dreadfully useful magic. Unfortunately for her, she is found by two magic creatures and is saved by a mage who is as grumpy as he is powerful. Garrick tells her that her magic would only make the forest worse should she be destroyed there, but he is not forthcoming with other information.

As it happens, enemies to lovers is my favourite romance trope, so this situation worked for me. I was entertained by the verbal fencing between Riela and Garrick and intrigued by the problem that they set out to solve together. I had the notion that this first volume of the series would be enough for me, but if the library orders the second book I will read it with pleasure.

A Field Guide to Murder / Michelle L. Cullen

 

3 out of 5 stars 

Ever since Richard Osman published The Thursday Murder Club, its success has inspired other authors to jump on the older character bandwagon. I don't mind because I'm an older adult myself and I have been enjoying fiction that features characters of my own age. Often the main character is a woman, but this novel features a man, Harry Lancaster, who has had a fall and injured a hip. He has hired a caregiver, Emma, to help out while he heals. This is an excellent way of introducing a younger sidekick to the action.

I appreciated that Harry was written as still being intellectually sharp and curious, just hindered by a temporary physical ailment. He assumes a somewhat paternal relationship with Emma, but isn't pushy with his opinions. Emma is supposed to be happily planning her wedding but is actually experiencing ice cold feet. Her fiancé seems to expect to run her life because he will make more money than her, which is bothering her (as it should). Harry encourages Emma to trust her feelings, even as she is pressured by her family to go ahead with the wedding.

The title of this volume inspired me to hope for a birding connection, what with the crow and binoculars on the dust jacket and the title including Field Guide. It turns out that Harry keeps an eye on his neighbours as a way of distracting himself from his grief for his late wife, not birds. So that was a tiny disappointment. More distracting was the stiff writing style. The author is an anthropologist turned writer and this appears to be her first novel. There is potential here, as I managed to lose myself in the action from time to time despite what I perceived as stilted expression. As usual with an amateur sleuth book, I found the level of meddling in an active investigation to be unrealistic and the detective involved puts up with far more interference than he should. This is a perennial complaint of mine, however, and Cullen is just following the established pattern of the cozy mystery genre.

Publicity for this novel recommends it for readers of Osman or Deanna Raybourn. Take that advice with a grain of salt, as Cullen is not nearly as skilled as either of those authors, but you could certainly do worse in the cozy mystery category.

Through Gates of Garnet and Gold / Seanan McGuire

 

3.7 out of 5 stars 

One of the things I appreciate about McGuire's Wayward Children series is that each volume is just a bite-size snack. In my opinion this one is better than the last couple of books as it isn't overly preachy. This is several children from Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children engaged in active problem solving.

Nancy Whitman has found her place: in the Halls of the Dead, serving as a living statue, reveling in the stillness and not being rushed by the pace of life in our reality. Trouble is stirring in those same Halls, however, as the restless dead suddenly start killing any of the “statues" who accidentally move and reveal their living status. The Lady of the Halls comes to Nancy and requests her help. Can she recruit friends to help prevent more deaths?

So Nancy returns to the school to petition for assistance from her friends. Several of them (Sumi, Kade, Talia and Christopher) volunteer to return with her to try to sort things out. Needless to say, there are complications.

I have the feeling that this is a transitional book in the series, that McGuire is setting the stage for the next installment. I really can't complain, as it was an engaging little adventure that didn't take a big chunk of my reading time.