Murder for the Halibut

Title: Murder for the Halibut

Author: Liz Lipperman aka Elizabeth R. Lipperman aka Lizbeth Lipperman 

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: Clueless Cook Mystery, Bk 3

ISBN: 9780425251829

Pages: 278 + Recipes

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

It was the next in the series.

Comments:

This time around Jordan is judging fancy cuisine on a cruise.  She's worried she can't pull it off, but that doesn't seem to be such a big concern considering the deaths that start happening from the very first round.  And of course Jordan must figure out what's going on around her.

I enjoy this series, and this was a nice development in Jordan's career and life.  But I did find an aspect that was awkward and, to me, gave away the murderer.  I hesitate to say outright - I don't want to give the mystery away for anyone else - but it was a repeated phrasing that I assume was there to deflect suspicion.

According to the author's website, it appears the next book in the series is Chicken Caccia-Killer.  I intend to keep up with this series as well as starting Lizbeth Lipperman's Dead Sister Talking Mystery series.

Fonduing Fathers

Title: Fonduing Fathers

Author: Julie Hyzy

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: White House Chef Mystery, Bk 6

ISBN: 9780425251812

Pages: 277 + Recipes

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

This is the most recent book in the series.  It was appropriate for the time of year - White House / the 4th... Plus, the book launch for Julie Hyzy's most recent book (part of the Manor House Mystery series) is coming up, and I need to be caught up for that.

Comments:

I was happy with how Ollie's romantic life is going.  I'm not going to say anymore on that point.

I'm also pleased with how things are going for her professionally.  Her role in the White House seems to be more settled.  Josh (the President's son) is a great character.  And Sargeant is shaping up to be a character I appreciate as well. 

And was glad to see some of her family history questions would be answered.  It's about time.

I can only wonder what all this wrapping up means for the rest of this series, though.  Can't wait to read Home of the Braised due out in January 2014.

Monument to the Dead

Title: Monument to the Dead

Author: Sheila Connolly aka Sarah Atwell

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: Museum Mystery, Bk 4

ISBN: 9780425257128

Pages: 309

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

It's the next in the Museum Mystery series I've been enjoying.

Comments: 

So things have settled down at the Pennsylvania Antiquarian Society.  But then Nell reads the obituary of a former board member.  Nothing unusual there - she was in her 80s and the death seemed to be of natural causes.  But then Nell's new romantic interest, FBI agent James Morrison (they are finally dating - about time), says he suspects it may be something more.  Unfortunately, he has no evidence.  Now they're tracking a serial killer with no physical evidence and no official backup.  Good thing Nell and her crew are resourceful and have an insiders knowledge of the local cultural set.

There is just something about Nell, her career, and her professional skills and talents that gives me a twinge of jealousy.  When introduced to anyone new (and for awhile after that) I'm inclined to be shy, and I'm positively terrible at small talk.  But if I only had that gift of gab like some family members (I can think of one cousin in particular that is outgoing and persuasive), I think I'd enjoy the fundraising, etc. of the world that Nell is immersed in.  The fact of the matter is I don't have that gift, but I can ignore that twinge and pretend.

Anyway, as usual I enjoyed the book.  And with how things ended I'm definitely interested in reading the next book.

Dishing Up Death

Title: Dishing Up Death

Author: Marie Celine aka Glenn Eric Meganck aka  J. R. Ripley

Publisher: Beachfront Publishing

Series: Gourmet Pet Chef Mystery featuring Kitty Karlyle, Bk 1

ISBN: 1892339951

Pages: 242 + recipes throughout

Obtained: paperbackswap.com

Why this book:

I thought it sounded like a fun cozy.  Plus, there's the pet aspect.

Comments:

I started this book with high hopes and ended it feeling disappointed.  It actually moved pretty well, pace-wise.  I could pick it up and keep reading.  It wasn't a slow start, I didn't drag through it. 

The problem is the characters.  They seem artificial.  Characters make a book for me.  I can overlook plot, some editing, and how realistic or likely the story is.  But if I can't properly like the characters...

Kitty is - I don't even know how to describe her.  She can come across as naïve and child-like in some of her reactions.  But when you think about it, she's running her own business, successfully completed culinary school, and is now investigating a murder. 

So how is it that she can be so ignorant when her best friend decides to throw out all the food in her kitchen (Because hello?  She thinks the cops aren't going to want to have access to that for evidence?  And she isn't going to look suspicious?)  Or she goes into people's houses, accepting them as clients willy-nilly without a thought to safety.  And that's something, coming from me.

But there were other things that bother me.  The victim's friend talks about how he wouldn't mind being between her thighs, yadda yadda.  This might not be out of place in another book.  But it jumped out and felt forced here.  I understand the author was saying something about the character, but still.

Then there is the play between the detective and Kitty.  I actually like the detective.  I do.  And his side of things and intentional rushing actually added some humor.  But I did not understand what appealed to him, and I didn't feel any reciprocity or chemistry on Kitty's end.

::sigh:: I feel so frustrated just re-capping all this.  There was just so much potential!  I wanted so much to enjoy this.  And I did to an extent.  But the frustration (especially with the end, which I can't bring myself to talk about) has muted the enjoyment.

This was supposed to be a Cozy Cull book, but the condition (an ex-library hardback, thus with more wear than usual) plus my feelings on the story... We'll see.  I still might.

Paging the Dead

Title: Paging the Dead

Author: Brynn Bonner aka Brenda Witchger aka Ellen Harris

Publisher: Gallery Books

Series: Family History Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781451661866

Pages: 290

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book:

I saw it on Wowbrary (new items the library's purchasing); it's a series about family history, which I have an interest in; it's a cozy mystery which I have a fondness for.

Comments:

I took a little longer than I had expected to get into this, but the story was decent.  Sophreena and her business partner Esme have a client who is murdered on the same day they visit her.  Are they suspects?  And will they still be paid for the whoppin' big project they were hired to do?  Was it robbery?  And who didn't have something against the victim?  And what is the victim's long-dead grandmother trying to tell Esme? (That's right! A paranormal aspect... though not much seen on the part of the reader.)

I figured out things before the big reveal, but it was in the last fourth of the book, so not too soon.

A lot of information about tracing you family history is available via Sophreena who is prone to lectures on the subject.  It was a tad info dump, but I can use the information so I accepted it.  Sophreena also has a quirk where she spits out current history facts about a year (president, popular music and movies, other big events), and I have to be honest I was a little jealous of that, even if it didn't come across as particularly natural.

Note: From the author's credits page, it seems this book was originally to be titled Death by Design.  I'm glad that was changed. I've heard it before and Paging the Dead fits much better.

As for the characters, well.  I wasn't instantly attached and charmed, but I have a feeling they'll grow on my as the series progresses.

Overall, the book wasn't everything I hoped, but it was pleasant enough.  And yes, I intend to continue with the series.  It seems the second book is to be titled, Photos and Foul Play.

That Old Flame of Mine

Title: That Old Flame of Mine

Author: J. J. Cook aka Joyce and Jim Lavene

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780425252048

Pages: 292 + "The Sweet Pepper Difference" and Recipes

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book:

I regularly check for new series debuts published by Berkley Prime Crime, then request the library purchase them.  This is one of those.  I decided to read it now over other possibilities due to a review by Kimberlee @ Girl Lost in a Book.

Trailer:

 

 

Comments:

Set in small town Tennessee and featuring the new (temporary) fire chief of the new (hopefully not-so-temporary) volunteer fire brigade, That Old Flame of Mine caught my attention right away.  Add to that the touch of paranormal (a ghost), and the hook dug in further.  I'm not going to gush.  Some aspects - especially where relationships are concerned (potential romantic and others) were a bit to abrupt for me. 

But I did enjoy the book.  I liked Stella.  She's a strong and intelligent heroine.  She has a strong background with obvious leadership skills that help make her an appealing character.  And one of the relationships that did feel natural is between Stella and the ghost, Eric.  Once the initial "no-such-thing-as-ghosts" thing was past, they jibed well together.

I did guess the suspect (there were some indications of hinkiness), but I absolutely positively did not guess the why.  It simply didn't occur to me until it was revealed in the story.  I guess you could say I had a hunch, but no proof. =)

There's supposed to be an e-book special out in December 2013 titled "Hero's Journey" about the Dalmatian puppy of the series.  Not sure if I'll be able to read that, we'll see.  Then the full on second book, Playing With Fire, is due out January 2014.  I definitely plan on reading that, especially considering the end of this one (oops, forgot to mention the last minute cliffhanger... though the original mystery is solved).

A Brew to a Kill

Title: A Brew to a Kill

Author: Cleo Coyle aka Alice Alfonsi w/ husband Marc Cerasini aka Alice Kimberly; Read by Rebecca Gibel

Publisher: Sound Library

Series: Coffeehouse Mystery, Bk 11

ISBN: 9780792780205

Length: 9 discs; 10 hrs 28 mins

Obtained: Library copy

Official trailer:

  

 AudioGo A Brew to a Kill sample:

 

Comments:

 I requested the local library purchase this after seeing it reviewed on Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf. That is, I already had the print copy on hold, and I requested the audio version. I have to say, I did not care for it in audio. I adjusted eventually, but I'm going to proceed with the story in print. I can't help but wonder if the problem might have been listening to it after reading the 10 previous books. I had already established voices, etc. in my own imagination, and now everything was topsy-turvy.

Regarding the story itself, it was interesting. I didn't guess the murderer until close to the end - only once I understood the motivate and connections. I really appreciated some of the new characters, especially Max Buckman. Of course, I've been following Clare's relationship with Quinn throughout the series.

Something that I found intriguing in a peripheral way was the fundraising aspect. Both the ideas Clare and gang were hoping to build and how they went about trying to get the support to follow through.

The next book in the series, Holiday Buzz, is one I would have read before the holidays if I hadn't been waiting for the audio on this one. I don't know when I'll get to it, but preferably before next Christmas season.

Pride and Prescience (Or, A Truth Universally Acknowledged)

Title: Pride and Prescience (Or, A Truth Universally Acknowledged)

Author: Carrie Bebris

Publisher: Forge

Series: Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780765318435

Pages: 287

Obtained: Personal copy via PaperBackSwap.com

Comments:

I've had this book waiting for some time.  But then along came the Historical Mystery Reading Challenge 2013 (for which this is set in the early 19th century), not to mention my need to do another Cozy Cull (I'll be giving this away in another post).  The timing seemed perfect.  I had wanted to reread Pride and Prejudice first... I haven't read it in YEARS.  But I managed to get through the story without.  The book makes references to things and people from Pride and Prejudice since the story begins on Elizabeth Bennett and Darcy's wedding day.  But I don't feel having read Pride and Prejudice is necessary to the story, just preferable.

It was fascinating exploring how someone imagines Elizabeth and Darcy's marriage to start.  The mystery was something of an added bonus.  I do have to say, however, that I did guess the bad guy, though not the means.  There were certain signs that felt ... oh, how to say this without giving the end away... off.  I kind of felt like some of the characters didn't take note of the indications well enough.  However, the times then were different enough that I don't know that people would have taken note.  Or if they did how they would have acted on it.  So I suppose that was realistic enough.

I was not expecting the paranormal slant, but that also seemed to work with the story and even, I suppose, with the trends of the time.

I will continue with the next book in this series, Suspense and Sensibility (Or, First Impressions Revisited), if I have time and opportunity.  Since I haven't read Sense and Sensibility before, so it'd be nice if I managed that first.  Even though the characters will still be from Pride and Prejudice, it only seems right.

Speaking From Among the Bones

Title: Speaking From Among the Bones

Author: Alan Bradley; Read by Jayne Entwistle

Publisher: Books on Tape

Series: Flavia de Luce, Bk 5

ISBN: 9780307879837

Length: 8 discs; 10 hours, 2 minutes

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

What to say?  This was another fun mystery featuring Flavia's escapades.  I can't help truly enjoying each addition to this series.  So I had a shock with the ending, but we'll get to that later. 

I actually managed to read a book in the proper season!  The story is set around Easter.  Right.  Moving on.

For the mystery itself.  They are opening up the burial place of St. Tancred, but first they stumble across the body of the organist they thought had just up and left.  As luck has it, Flavia is the one to have actually made the discovery.  And she wouldn't be the Flavia we've grown to know and love if she didn't investigate.  I, not being adept with chemicals, or available to observe, etc. did not guess the murderer(s).

But for the personal aspect (which really caught me in this book), Flavia's bond with her sisters seems to be growing through the changes in life - the risk to their home, Ophelia's growing and possible marriage...  While Flavia loves her father, I still find it difficult to get her understanding of his distant nature.  I wouldn't be able to stand that.  But she does have other father-figures.  Dogger, the Inspector Hewitt, and the vicar all seem to pick up the slack where her father is concerned.

Which brings me to the shock ending.  And by ending I mean the last line or so.  My goodness, I can't wait for the next book, The Dead In Their Vaulted Arches.  What a cliffhanger!

How to Host a Killer Party

Title: How to Host a Killer Party

Author: Penny Warner

Publisher: Obsidian Mystery

Series: Party-Planning Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780451229304

Pages: 293 + "How to Host a Geocaching Treasure Hunt"

Obtained: Purchased at Dollar General

Comments:

I've meant to read this book for AGES.  I just never felt like it was the right time.  Until I saw a copy available at DG.  Then once I bought it I couldn't get it out of my head.  I knew it was going to be my next Cozy Cull.  So here we are.

I enjoyed it from the Alcatraz themed party (that made me miss the Alcatraz television series) to the characters.  I really appreciated Presley's relationship with her mother.  Her mother has Alzheimer's and is at a home, but Presley makes sure to visit regularly and treats her well.  I did find parts a little obvious... like something about Presley's new neighbor.  And I thought Presley definitely should have at least considered the killer as a suspect.  I did.

The series is already 5 long so I've got a little catching up to do, but not too much.  The next book is How to Crash a Killer Bash.

A Perfect Square

Title: A Perfect Square

Author: Vannetta Chapman

Publisher: Zondervan

Series: Shipshewana Amish Mystery, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780310330448

Pages: 337 + Group Discussion Questions

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

After I wrote my post on the first book in this series, Falling to Pieces, I didn't have much to add for this one.  Like with the first I found myself in a state of warmth and kind of longing while reading it.  It is a different story though.  This time, the murder has less to do with Callie and more to do with the Amish citizens of Shipshewana (and elsewhere).  While Callie is interested in the truth of the matter, Deborah takes on much more of an amateur sleuth interest.  Callie ends up adopting another case... one of a man who lost his daughter as a child years ago.  He'd like to reunite with her before he passes and for some reason this really connects with Callie.

As for character development, Callie's friendships within the community grow and she seems to be exploring a new relationship at the end that I am very pleased about.

Anyway,  I look forward to reading the third book, Material Witness, which I am currently on the library's request list for.

Falling to Pieces

Title: Falling to Pieces

Author: Vannetta Chapman

Publisher: Zondervan

Series: Shipshewana Amish Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780310330431

Pages: 318 + Group Discussion Questions

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I heard good things about this series, and it looked appealing; I just had to find the time to sit down and read it.  Once I did I found myself absorbed in an interesting mystery in an intriguing and appealing setting with very likable characters.

Oh, the characters.  I do like them so.  I've since read the second book in the series as well (I'll get to that in it's own post), and I still can't get enough of the characters.  They're just so admirable and inspiring - Amish and English alike (except for the bad guy and such of course).  This is the first print book I read after listening to The Casual Vacancy and the difference in characters between the two books is remarkable.  It's amazing what context of your overall reading can do for your impressions of a book.  But beyond that...

Callie has just come to Shipshewana after the death of her aunt, and she's lost.  Not physically lost, but emotionally.  She's floundering.  Confused and without direction.  But a trio of local Amish women need her to reopen her aunt's quilt shop, and suddenly she finds friends and at least temporary purpose... Then she becomes a suspect in a murder, and it's a good thing she's started developing friendships because she needs all the help she can get.

As with most cozy mystery series, this first book is setting the scene for the rest of the books.  This means we get to see an overall image of what Shipsewana is like.  And I would love to visit.  Ideally coming during one of the market days (I wonder if they really have those?), and maybe staying to see/feel the place after the rest of the tourists have gone.

Anyway, I really enjoyed this book, and (as I've already said) I already finished the second book.

I Am Half-Sick of Shadows

Title: I Am Half-Sick of Shadows

Author: Alan Bradley; Read by Jayne Entwistle

Publisher: Books on Tape

Series: Flavia de Luce Mystery, Bk 4

ISBN: 9780307879479

Length: 6 discs ; 7 hours, 24 minutes

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I wanted to listen to this before Christmas, but it didn't happen. (I was even tempted to read the print!)  Nevertheless, listen to it I did.  Her family's financial straits have worsened and her father has rented out Buckshaw for a film - complete with famous actors/actresses and director!  Despite the instruction for the family to stay to their quarters, Flavia inserts herself into the mix - mostly acting as doorman (by coincidence), but also peering out of windows and such.

And we mustn't forget Christmas is around the corner!  Flavia is determined to catch Father Christmas and prove to her sisters that he is quite real.  Then everyone crowds Buckshaw for a charity performance of Romeo and Juliet, find themselves snowed in, and voilà! It is the perfect situation for committing - and getting away with - murder.

As always, Flavia was a fun imp to spend time around.  From the beginning of the story with her fascinating dream, to her mix of intellect and a child's innocence/spirit, to her lively interactions with everyone around her, she brings intrigue and amusement.  Beyond Flavia (and the assortment of other familiar and interesting characters), I enjoyed the mystery itself.  For this time, all possible suspects are/were stuck at Buckshaw (admittedly no small place, it still isn't the entire local neighborhood like in past books).

I look forward to listening to book 5, Speaking From Among the Bones.

Photo, Snap, Shot

Title: Photo, Snap, Shot

Author: Joanna Campbell Slan

Publisher: Midnight Ink

Series: Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft Mystery, Bk 3

ISBN: 9780738719764

Pages: 320

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

Murder keeps happening much too close to home for Kiki.  But this time is much more scary - because it took place at her daughter's school with her daughter among the first on the scene.  What mother wouldn't find that disturbing?  Kiki feels she needs to help with this investigation.  Detweiler has asked for her help getting information from the wealthy and closed up school community, and her daughter could be in danger - right?

But murder isn't all that's going on.  There's her boss's health, her shaky relationship with her co-worker, a secret project at work, and questions about what will happen to her job if all these other aspects don't turn out right. One question: How can anyone just take off on their job this much?  I have a schedule I need to follow at work - this baffles me.

Not to mention the tug-of-war going on in her romantic life.  She feels drawn to Detweiler, but he's off limits.  And Ben certainly seems interested, but it just doesn't feel right.  And lets not forget her best friend's brother.  This is the part of the story I'm not as fond of, the love triangle (or whatever shape this is) bit.

As always, there are scrapbooking tips scattered throughout the book.

I enjoyed reading this, but I've been distracted by other books since finishing it.  Maybe I'll pick up the fourth book, Make, Take, Murder soon.

Cut, Crop & Die

Title: Cut, Crop & Die

Author: Joanna Campbell Slan

Publisher: Midnight Ink

Series: Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft Mystery, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780738712512

Pages: 316 (includes tips and techniques throughout)

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

Kiki has mostly settled into her position at the scrapping store, Time in a Bottle.  And now they have a chance to shine by hosting at a crop party.  Except someone is murdered and nothing turns out as planned.  So she decides to do some sleuthing - all in the name of helping her place of employment and friends, of course - and find out who's responsible.

But in the meantime, she isn't quite done learning about herself - with adventures including dealing with a daughter starting in the dreaded teen stage, a grueling spa treatment, and multiple potential relationship opportunities.  While the first book ended in a suspense cliffhanger, this one ends in a relationship cliffhanger.  That's not to say the overall mystery isn't solved.  It is, and by the person I suspected as well!

Kiki's a pretty likable character (though much more naive at times than I can possibly think realistic), and I'm enjoying this series.  I have the third book, Photo, Snap, Shot waiting for me at the library so I can start it soon.

Paper, Scissors, Death

Title: Paper, Scissors, Death

Author: Joanna Campbell Slan

Publisher: Midnight Ink

Series: Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780738712505

Pages: 318 (Includes various scrapping tips throughout)

Obtained: Personal copy via PaperBackSwap.com

Comments:

Kiki is living a rich life (in terms of money, at least).  The romance may not have been there in her relationship with her husband, but she respected him as a friend and as her daughter's father.  But now he's dead, and she KNOWS it wasn't natural.  And Kiki's quick to discover playing amateur sleuth while your life is being turned upside down isn't easy.  But she doesn't have much choice, does she?  And her talent for scrapping may help along the way.

I enjoyed this - to the point that I've already read the 2nd book, Cut, Crop & Die (what else could I do?  There was a dramatic cliffhanger sort of element at the end.) and am waiting on the 3rd.  My only criticism is that I'd have preferred the techniques and tips at the end instead of throughout the book.  I was distracted from said story every time I needed to pause to read these.

read and buried

Title: Read and Buried

Author: Erika Chase aka Linda Wiken

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: Ashton Corners Book Club Mystery, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780425251782

Pages: 287 + "Reading Lists"

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

Perhaps you remember how much the first book in this series, A Killer Read, thrilled me.  Read and Buried has all those same things going for it.  The reading specialist main character.  The book club.  The push at literacy and mention of the Rapid Reads line.  Quotes at the beginning of each chapter from a variety of mysteries.  With all this I was already biased going in.  I doubt I could possibly have disliked this book.

But that wasn't an issue...because I did enjoy this mystery.  An award winning author (a bit of a one-hit wonder) is in town and is (in a complicated fashion) invited to speak to the book club.  He's murdered before he ever has the chance.  And of course it takes place at a book club member's house and a book club member is suspect.  So once again, the Ashton Corners Mystery Readers and Cheese Straws Society works together to discover who the real killer is.

I did kind of suspect the killer, but I did not guess why.  I had this whole entirely untrue theory going on in my head, and it took quite a bit to convince me that was not the case.  Even as that theory didn't occur to the characters at all.  Good thing, huh?  Who knows if the killer would have been caught if I'd been on scene. ;p  (I know this is fictional. Honest! No matter how the previous sounds.)

Things of note:

• This is a Canadian read!  An accidental one, but Canadian nonetheless. The author lives in Ontario.
• This book is set around Christmas.  It was real hard for that to stick with me, what with it being set in the south and not snowy (look at the cover).

I look forward to reading book 3, Cover Story, due out August 2013.

Beef Stolen-Off

Title: Beef Stolen-Off

Author: Liz Lipperman aka Elizabeth R. Lipperman

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime

Series: Clueless Cook Mystery, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780425251423

Pages: 276 + Recipes

Obtained: Purchased from library booksale room.

Comments:

Once I read the first book in this series, Liver Let Die, I wanted to read this one.  It took me awhile to get my hands on it, but once I did I zipped through it.

Jordan now officially has the food column in her paper (as well as the personals) complete with some (few) perks and a (slight) pay raise.   To go with this permanent promotion, she has to deal with some less than ideal situations.  Like dealing with a known womanizer (which is uncomfortable), oh and some murder (I'm sure you can imagine this isn't especially ideal).

I'm not sure what exactly draws me to this series.  Maybe it's that I'm just about as clueless as Jordan when it comes to cooking (not quite - I can follow a recipe, I just don't choose to).  Or perhaps there's something else in the writing that I just can't name.  But I found this to be a fun addition to what seems to be a fun series.

Now I just have to get my hands on the third book, Murder for the Halibut.

A Red Herring Without Mustard

Title: A Red Herring Without Mustard

Author: Alan Bradley; Read by Jayne Entwistle

Publisher: Books On Tape Mystery

Series: Flavia de Luce, Bk 3

ISBN: 9780307704795

Length: 9 discs; 10 hours 46 minutes

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

As with the first two books in this series, Flavia's character just drew me in.  This time she's investigating the "fishy" facts surrounding the assault of a gypsy woman and murder of a local poacher.  The story also delves further into the mystery that surrounds Harriet, the financial burdens of the surviving de Luce family, and, of course, Flavia's relationship with her sisters (in which I could FINALLY see some potential).  I did marvel at just how immature Flavia's sister Ophelia is.  She's supposed to be 17.  You'd think she'd be beyond picking on her little sister.

As for the narrating, at this point I couldn't imagine Flavia sounding any different.  I did find myself intrigued by one point in the book when Flavia tries on her best American accent.  When I was originally researching Jayne Entwistle I listened/saw her in a couple of bits.  A clip of a movie she acted in, an interview with her step-mother on improv and its use in therapy (I actually listened to the whole thing, btw.  It was interesting, plus I learned about "Yes, and...").  So I've heard her without the British accent before.  But this time it was Flavia without the accent, and that was altogether more fascinating.

Anyway, I've got a copy of the fourth (audio)book in the series, I Am Half-Sick of Shadows, from the library.  I'll start it once I've finished the one I'm currently listening to.