Dead End Street

Title: Dead End Street

Author: Sheila Connolly [Website][Facebook] aka Sarah Atwell [Berkley Prime Crime]

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: Museum Mystery, Bk 7

ISBN: 9780425273470

Length: 297 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I'm a fan of the series/author.

Comments:

A couple people invested in renovating and renewing some very run down, i.e. dangerous, neighborhoods in Philadelphia have approached Nell about a property that they've recently determined the Society owns and has long forgotten.  The building itself is beyond redemption, but it could be used as a symbol with some help from Nell and the Society's resources.   Or so they are attempting to convince Nell of when there is a shooting aimed for the vehicle Nell is in.

Now - perhaps partially as a way of dealing with this act of violence that she was caught in - Nell does some looking into what happened.  But more, she begins looking at how the neighborhoods of Philadelphia have changed and what the Society's role in preserving the history of these less well-to-do neighborhoods might be.

I'm a fan of the show Rehab Addict (which I understand tends to bring out a love-it or hate-it response).  But the point is, Nicole Curtis is really into rehabbing old homes to their "former glory" and reviving communities that have become rundown.  So I have an interest in the subject that contributed somewhat to my enjoyment of the book.

There was some repetition throughout the story again, but I picked the book up today and finished it tonight - something that doesn't always happen with cozies anymore.  Sheila Connolly's writing generally has a way of pulling me in.

I once again look forward to more...

Privy to the Dead

Title: Privy to the Dead

Author: Sheila Connolly [Website][Facebook] aka Sarah Atwell [Berkley Prime Crime]

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: Museum Mystery, Bk 6

ISBN: 9780425273463

Length: 293 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I enjoy this author's books and this series.

Comments:

Dragged a bit, not like usual with lots of repetition of the facts they knew as well as the suppositions.  And now that they are living together Nell and James ended every chapter with closed doors.  Which is fine, except the repetition of that too.  It didn't need to be mentioned every time.

But otherwise I enjoyed the story.  And I appreciated that there was a murder/mystery without either another museum or having to kill off a staff member at the Pennsylvania Antiquarian Society.

Catch-up, Pt 2

I continue to attempt catching up with the many books read but not posted in months.

Title: Loot: How To Steal a Fortune

Author: Jude Watson [Website] aka Judy Blundell [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Scholastic Press

ISBN: 9780545468022

Length: 266 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book:

It features thieves, and I love books about thieves.

Comments:

It was okay, but not as good as I had hoped when I read the blurb and requested the library purchase it.

Christine Feehan [Website][Facebook][Twitter]'s GhostWalker Series

A friend asked me to be in her wedding.  While we were discussing old times, she asked if I still read Christine Feehan (an author I introduced her to)'s books.  I said I hadn't in a while.

But afterwards I suddenly felt like catching up on this particular series. So I read all that have been published to date.  I'll indicate if it was a re-read or new to me next to the title.

1. Shadow Game (re-read)
2. Mind Game (re-read)
3. Night Game (re-read)
4. Conspiracy Game (re-read)
5. Deadly Game (re-read)
6. Predatory Game (re-read)
7. Murder Game (re-read)
8. Street Game (re-read ... I think)
9. Ruthless Game (new-to-me)
10. Samurai Game (new-to-me)
11. Viper Game (new-to-me)

Comments:

These seem to be focusing more and more on sex.  I guess I should expect that, but it was annoying because I was skipping chunks of pages looking for the story toward the end of the series.  But I am still interested in reading more, so we'll see how it goes with future books.

Title: An Early Wake

Author: Sheila Connolly [Website][Facebook] aka Sarah Atwell [Berkley Prime Crime]

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: County Cork Mystery, Bk 3

ISBN: 9780425252536

Length: 291 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I've been enjoying this series and author.

Comments:

Offered an interesting look into Irish musical history.  I enjoyed the overall story, but there were some inconsistencies that frustrated me beyond belief.  I had to keep setting the book down and distracting myself from whatever inconsistency before I moved on.

Nora Roberts [Website][Website 2][Facebook] re-reading and catch-up and all new...

Title: Brazen Virtue (re-read)

Follows Sacred Sins.  I've re-read this before and know and like the story.  But this time I saw it with fresh eyes.  Oh, technology.  How it does date books so.  I was 4 yo when this book was published.

The Sign of Seven Trilogy (new-to me ; catch-up)

Blood Brothers
The Hollow
The Pagan Stone

I had some trouble with picking these up when they came out years ago (even though I do own all of them).  Once I actually started I found myself caught up.  The books were interesting, and I liked the characters.

The Circle Trilogy (new-to-me ; catch-up)

Morrigan's Cross
Dance of the Gods
Valley of Silence

If I was going to catch-up on some unread trilogies, I may as well go all the way.  I was apparently in the right frame of mind for vampires now (that is, initially, why I never read this series).  I breezed through the series; I especially looked forward to the vampire's story in the 3rd book of the trilogy.

Title: The Liar (new)

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons

ISBN: 9780399170867

Length: 501 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

It's the newest Nora Roberts.

Comments:

It was pretty interesting: 1) the look at verbal abuse and its spiraling effect, 2) how one falls into the web of a master con-man, 3) how someone can pick themselves back up.

Shelby did seem to go from being shamed (courtesy of lies of an abuser) to proud (she had to do all the financial pick-up herself... no bankruptcy etc. for her).  But I still liked her.  And Griffin was pretty good too.  I did figure certain key aspects out way before any of the characters in the book.  Maybe because I've seen it in other books/movies before.  And I'll say no more lest I give something away.

Razing the Dead

Title: Razing the Dead

Author: Sheila Connolly [Website][Facebook] aka Sarah Atwell [Berkley Prime Crime]

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: Museum Mystery, Bk 5

ISBN: 9780425257135

Length: 293 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this Book?:

I've been enjoying this series.

Comments:

I'm going to be honest.  I didn't quite buy into the situation that draws Nell into her sleuthing this time.  Oh, not once she stumbled upon a dead guy.  I get it from there.  But the situation that led to her being in that place at that time seemed a stretch.

Beyond that, though, I enjoyed this story as I have the previous four books in the series.  Nell has a lot going on in her life, between her romantic relationship (which was a bit more spotlighted in this book), staffing the Pennsylvania Antiquarian Society of which she is President, and the new project she has been offered (complete with monetary benefits if done well).  What's one murder investigation thrown in the mix?

Oh, and lest I forget the end.  Once Nell figured out whodunit, the mystery was tied up incredibly quickly.  I guess after the danger of the previous book this one needed to be more tame.  Not to be too spoilerish (though it may be that), but it all just happened and Nell wasn't even present.

Anyway, there is a short story titled "Dead Letters" that I need to read still.  Other than that, I look forward to reading the next book in the series whenever it becomes available.

Scandal in Skibbereen

Title: Scandal in Skibbereen

Author: Sheila Connolly [Website][Facebook] aka Sarah Atwell [Berkley Prime Crime]

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: County Cork Mystery, Bk 2

ISBN: 9780425252505

Length: 294 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:
I've enjoyed Sheila's Museum Mystery series, I've been interested in reading this series for awhile, but I finally started doing so when I saw the County Cork Mysteries by Sheila Connolly are the selection for the April Cozy Mystery Book Club on A Cozy Girl Reads.  I read the first book, Buried in a Bog, and now it was time to read this one.

Comments:

Maura is staying on in County Cork indefinitely as she deals with becoming the owner of a house and pub.  She has been adjusting to the flow of things, dealing with some hard feelings, and generally living her new life when in stumbles an obnoxious American making demands and apparently looking down on everyone in this slow and bumbling place (her attitude if not her actual words).

Said American, Althea, needs to find gentry in the area that might have a full-size painting by a famous artist that is worth quite a bit and - if she can get it validated - will make her career.  Unfortunately someone working at the house where the painting may be has been murdered and Althea is suspect.  Maura has ended up tangled in Althea's quest and has the role of tempering Althea's offensive comments, and, therefore, has become enmeshed in the investigation for who the real killer could be.

I enjoyed the story, and this may be very American of me, but I didn't dislike Althea the way most of the characters in the book did.  Anyway, like the first book in the series, there's a lovely sit down chat while everything that has happened is discussed leading up to the discovery of what happened and the identity of the murderer.  I look forward to the 3rd book in the series, whatever that may be.

Buried in a Bog

Title: Buried in a Bog

Author: Sheila Connolly [Website][Facebook] aka Sarah Atwell [Berkley Prime Crime]

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: County Cork Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780425251898

Length: 293 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I've enjoyed Sheila's Museum Mystery series, I've been interested in reading this series for awhile, but I finally started doing so when I saw the County Cork Mysteries by Sheila Connolly are the selection for the April Cozy Mystery Book Club on A Cozy Girl Reads.

Comments:


Maura has come to County Cork to fulfill her grandmother's dying wish.  She doesn't know what she's to do once she gets there, but she has no pressing concerns or pressures pulling her back.  A good thing because 1) the pacing in Ireland is so very much take it as it comes and no rush and 2) because her experience bartending and waitressing puts her in the perfect position to help out at Sullivan's (a small somewhat dingy pub) while they sort out some inheritance tangles.

In the meantime a body has been found in the bog after decades.  Which brings me to the charm of the book.  Because yes, the Irish aspect is great.  The characters are wonderful.  But what brought that extra bit of amusement to me was the way the mystery was solved.  Obviously I don't want to share who the bad guy is.  But there's a lovely sit down with some suspects while they sort it all out that reminded me of a cross between the classics like Ellery Queen or Agatha Christie and some more recent TV shows like Monk.  The whole scenario is laid out.  Clues observed.  Loose threads discussed.  And it's mostly wrapped up... with a glass of whiskey.

Anyway, I enjoyed the book and proceeded to read the next in the series, Scandal in Skibbereen.

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.

...3 cups of cozy mysteries...

Fire Engine Dead (Museum Mystery, Bk 3) by Sheila Connolly (library copy) –

This was another enjoyable addition to the museum mystery series (preceded by Fundraising the Dead and Let's Play Dead).  I like Nell as a character, of course.  But I also enjoy reading about the museum and her jobs in it, first as a fundraiser and now as the president.  There was a point in time when I considered going into museum studies instead of library information science, so it has special interest for me.  It also makes me want to visit the local historical society.  Unfortunately, the local historical society is only open a few hours on Saturdays… not very convenient with schedules.  There's apparently a short story in this series in ebook format called "Dead Letters" that I need to read.  I couldn't find the title to book 4 in the series, but I want to read it.

Little Shop of Homicide (Devereaux's Dime Store, Bk 1) by Denise Swanson (library copy) -

I understand Denise Swanson has a very popular cozy series (Scumble River), but I haven't read any of them yet.  This was a chance to try her writing with a new series instead of stepping into a long one.  Plus I heard great things.  It wasn't quite as cozy as I expected in regards to the romance angle.  Not that I had a problem with it; I read romance too.  Just something I noticed.  In any case, I did enjoy it, and I look forward to more.  Update: Next in the series is, I believe, Nickeled and Dimed to Death.  It's supposed to be available early March, 2013.

Murder Buys a T-shirt (Haunted Souvenir Shop Mystery, Bk 1) by Christy Fifield aka Christy Evans aka Christina F. York (library copy) -

My schedule has been crazy busy, so it took me FOREVER to sit down and finish this.  It was interesting.  I liked the setting, the characters, etc.  By far the best part of the book was Glory's parrot Bluebeard.  And I guessed who was the bad guy fairly early, but that was okay since Glory wasn't being incredibly obtuse about it.  Anyway, I'm not sure that the haunted part of the story is necessary, and the ending still holds questions about that aspect.  I guess that's what a series is for.  I'm sure the next book will have more details.  Update: It appears to be due out in Dec. this year (2012) and titled Murder Hooks a Mermaid.