Science and mystery for the win!

A Generation of Vipers

by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett

To paraphrase Indiana Jones, “Why did it have to be snakes?” Nell is working overtime to complete an ecological survey on time and within budget when she stumbles over a dead body. The corpse calls to mind several cold cases that are a high priority for her ex James’ team to solve. There’s no lack of potential suspects as the new employees at Neil’s firm are all behaving suspiciously. The last thing Nell wants to do is track down a murderer–the only advantage to the job was its proximity to Rav’s hospital–but she must join forces with James to winnow the pool down before the killer strikes again! Another engaging read in this series from, Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, filled with realistic details about the work of ecologists.

Thanks to Embla Books for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley.

Riviera Gold by Laurie R. King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Another great addition to the Mary Russell canon. This series works well because it’s not just another Sherlock Holmes knock-off; Sherlock is present, but as a supporting character and these are Mary’s stories. Throughout the series, we’ve seen Mary grow from a 15-year-old girl struggling with the deaths of her family to become a self-assured woman of 25.

In this outing, Mary travels to the Riviera where she encounters some ex-pat Americans, including a couple named Scotty and Zelda, as well as Pablo Picasso, and Mrs. Hudson. After the adventures in the Murder of Mary Russell, Mrs Hudson has retreated to the Mediterranean.

Despite now knowing about Clarissa Hudson’s past, Mary only feels love and gratitude towards the woman who brought acceptance and warmth into her teenage years. When Mrs Hudson is accused of murder, Mary maintains her faith in the woman and continues to show Sherlock that he still doesn’t understand women as she follows the threads to the end.

Thanks to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for access to a digital ARC.



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The Crossing by Matt Brolly

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is a straight-forward police procedural set in the coastal town of Weston-Super-Mare. DI Louise Blackwell has been transferred following the shooting of an unarmed man during a police raid. After a dead woman is found on the beach, Louise gets her first chance to take charge of an investigation in her new posting. Still trying to figure out her team and her boss, her life is complicated by anonymous text messages that she believes are coming from her former partner who seems to want her thoroughly discredited.

It took me a while to get into this book, and I originally put it down about a third of the way through. After a break, I picked it back up and got hooked by the story. In short, I enjoyed the last two-thirds of the book more than the beginning. I’m willing to give DI Blackwell another go when she reappears in book 2.

Thanks to Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for access to a digital ARC.



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A Body in the Bookshop

A Body in the Bookshop by Helen Cox

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is the second book in the Kitt Hartley series, but it works as a stand-alone (I haven’t read the first book, but I had little difficulty in picking up the threads of the characters). I found Kitt’s friend, Evie, to be the more compelling character which is good as the book is centered on her. Evie has been left physically scarred after the events in the prior story, and spends time re-considering who she actually is. She is outraged to hear that DS Charlotte Banks has been suspended on charges of police brutality and she makes it her mission to set things right. Some interesting twists and turns and an enjoyable read. I hope that Evie continues to grow and perhaps she can take center stage in future books as well.

I received a digital ARC via NetGalley.



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Now You See Them

Now You See Them by Elly Griffiths

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Now You See Them revisits the “Magic Men” in 1960s Brighton–over 10 years since we last saw DI Stephens, his detective sergeants Bob and Emma, Max Mephisto, and Ruby. While this is billed as as a Mephisto and Stephens novel, poor Edgar seems relegated to a supporting role in this case as Max takes the lead. I liked the direction this series appears to be moving in, and hope that the next book in the series continues the thread begun here (and perhaps it is time for a new series designation!). As expected, Elly Griffiths has spun an engrossing tale., and everyone should put this one on their Christmas list (as it comes out in early December).

I received a digital ARC via NetGalley.



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