78) Murder of a Cranky Catnapper by Denise Swanson

The Blurb :

With her morning sickness finally abated, Skye Denison Boyd is ready to pounce on the pertinent problems she faces as Scumble River School’s psychologist. After trying almost every trick in the book to aid a handful of socially awkward fourth grade boys, Skye opts for the innovative approach of pet therapy with the assistance of the local vet, a Siberian husky, and a Maine coon cat.

Unfortunately the first session only breeds disaster and draws the ire of cantankerous school board member Palmer Lynch. But Skye’s worry over the episode changes to dread after Lynch is found dead in his home with the therapy cat hidden in his garage. With a clowder of questions unleashed, Skye finds herself dealing with a killer who isn’t pussyfooting around...

My Thoughts :

I basically binge listened to the Scumble River mysteries and when I was done with installment eighteen I was annoyed that I had to wait for a new addition to the series.  So when this nineteenth book finally released I was even more annoyed to find that there was no audio book version available.  Despite wanting to read the new release straight away I have listened to the whole series and wanted to listen to this new part.  Then finally nearly a month after the book released, an audio version appeared!

After the wait I was eager to start this book and actually finished it pretty quick too (Did you know you can speed up books on Audible?  If you can put up with it...).  I enjoyed every minute even if things were a little less exciting due to Skye's pregnancy.  However on the other side I am happy the author didn't decide to put her through some kind of crazy chase or injury while she is expecting.

Things progress nicely in the on-going story and it was great to catch up with all the usual characters.  The plot and mystery weren't as good as some of those in the previous books but it was still interesting and compelling.  It was nice that the author kept to the usual style and didn't decide to fast forward too far into the future or change things completely now Skye is married and with child.

Now the wait begins again.  I am pretty sure the series still has a few more books in it but how the author will keep things exciting is the question.  I feel happy for Skye for everything she has achieved during the series but I wonder if she is now too weighed down to go out amateur sleuthing.  It certainly will be a challenge for the author.  I can't wait to see what happens.

76) Faux Paw by Sofie Kelly

The Blurb :

Normally, the arrival of an art exhibition at the Mayville Heights library would be cause for celebration. But thanks to the overbearing curator and high-tech security system that comes with it, Kathleen’s life has been completely disrupted. Even Owen and Hercules have been affected, since their favorite human doesn’t seem to have a spare moment to make their favorite fish crackers or listen to Barry Manilow.

But when Kathleen stops by the library late one night and finds the curator sprawled on the floor—and the exhibition’s most valuable sketch missing—it’s suddenly time to canvass a crime scene. Now Kathleen, her detective boyfriend Marcus, and her clever cats have to sniff out a murderous thief, before anyone else has a brush with death…

My Thoughts :

Another Magical Cats Mystery made it on to my audible listening list and this seventh installment actually brings me up to date with the series.  Although the next part releases this week so I will, technically, be behind again.

This series is very easy to listen to and the narrator is one I am used to and can actually switch to double time.  Which means I finish the book quicker and the speed I would most likely read it.  These books are never hard to follow or have too much information.  Maybe sometimes it feels like it but when I think about others in relation to this one, this series is very easy on the ears and brain.

It is nice to see things move along for Kathleen.  Her job, her relationship with Marcus and of course her place in the community have been slowly but surely making her feel at home and is, I am sure, a huge reason for people to keep reading.  I only wish that the cats had more of a presence and something new would happen on their end.  It is slowly becoming less magical and the series could just be called the Mayville Heights Library Mysteries.

I am looking forward to solving another murder with Kathleen soon.  I doubt I will be able to stay away from the series for long but I will try and keep the new release away from my shopping cart for as long as possible and listen to something else from my pile.  I do love everything about this series and therefore I want to make it last.  If I read the new installment straight away I will have to wait a whole year for the next one.  So I will resist!

A wonderful cozy mystery series and not just for cat lovers.  

59) A Midwinter's Tail by Sofie Kelly

The Blurb :

Winter in Mayville Heights is busy and not just because of the holidays. Kathleen is hard at work organizing a benefit to raise money for the library’s popular Reading Buddies program. She has her hands full hosting the event. And when a guest at the gala drops dead, her magical cats, Owen and Hercules, will have their paws full helping her solve a murder.

The victim is the ex of town rascal Burtis Chapman, but she hasn’t lived in the area in years. And though everybody is denying knowledge of why she was back in town, as Kathleen and her detective boyfriend, Marcus, begin nosing around, they discover more people are connected to the deceased than claimed to be. Now Marcus, Kathleen, and her uncanny cats have to unravel this midwinter tale before the case gets cold.

My Thoughts :

A Midwinter's Tail is the sixth book in the Magical Cats Mystery series and was, like the previous installments, a pleasure to read.  Well actually this is a series I am listening to because the narrator really does a great job bringing this series to life with her voice.  I actually am not sure if I would be getting so far into the series this quick if I was reading the books.  The audios are just too addictive.

If you haven't read the series yet then you may find some of this review to be a bit of a spoiler.  However I am sure, like me, you know that all those 'will they or won't they' relationships always end up with them getting together so it is no surprise that Kathleen and Marcus are finally a couple.  It works well even though I am not entirely sure how far their relationship has really taken them.  The author doesn't go into details which is fine because this a cozy mystery and not a romance but I wasn't sure if I could trust their relationship yet.  Will it stick?  Are they really close?

Again the magical cats played a part in the solving of the mystery and one of the felines was lucky he didn't go woof!  Because there was a bit of a fire at the end that trapped our leading lady and one of her kitties.  The plot that got them there was an interesting one and while it wasn't the most exciting it kept me hooked.

I can't wait to read (listen) to the next book in the series.  I am nearly all caught up and have really been enjoying the paranormal kitty twist.  Although I wish there was just a bit more of it.  Also it would be nice to have someone else in on the secret.  Which may come along sooner than later because the author mentioned it a lot this time around.  I think Marcus will be the one to get a shock and I can't wait to see how that all plays out.

53) Decaffeinated Corpse by Cleo Coyle

The Blurb :

When an old friend of her ex-husband develops the world's first botanically decaffeinated coffee bean and smuggles it into the country, Clare Cosi, manager of Village Blend, believes it's a business opportunity she needs to investigate...at least until the first dead body shows up.

My Thoughts :

Sorry for the radio silence here but it is Summer and I have been away enjoying a little time off.  Hopefully things will get back to normal now that I am home again.

I actually finished listening to this fifth book in the Coffeehouse Mysteries about a week ago but didn't get around to posting about it before my little trip.  I have to admit it is now, a week later, hard to remember exactly what happened in the story but I do remember how annoying this series is.

Clare is so aggravating!  Her know it all attitude, the way she treats her daughter, the constant coffee snobbishness and her bad detective skills all make me want to smack her.  However there is something about this series that keeps me going back for more.  It obviously appeals to many readers because there are sixteen books in the series and it doesn't seem to be over.

The plot this time around was very weak, confusing and also quite boring.  I had no idea what was going on most of the time but I still managed to finish this one and wonder why I had bothered. Though I am sure at some point in the near future you will see a review here for the sixth book because there is something that makes me want to come back for more.  Maybe I am hoping Clare changes?  Maybe that her daughter disowns her?   To see how things go with her detective? or maybe I am just hopeful for a nice big 'fall'.

44) Murder Most Frothy by Cleo Coyle

The Blurb :

Clare Cosi’s new friend, millionaire David Mintzer, has an offer no New York barista could turn down: an all-expenses-paid summer away from the sticky city. At his Hamptons mansion, she’ll relax, soak up the sun, and, oh yes, train the staff of his new restaurant. So Clare packs up her daughter, her former mother-in-law, and her special recipe for iced coffee—for what she hopes will be one de-latte-ful summer…

Soon, Clare tends the coffee bar at her first Hamptons gala. But the festivities come to a bitter end when an employee turns up dead in David’s bathroom—a botched attempt on the millionaire’s life. Thanks to the Fourth of July fireworks no one heard any gunshots, and the police are stuck in holiday traffic. Concerned for everyone’s safety, Clare begins to investigate. What she finds will keep her up at night—and it’s not the java jitters....

My Thoughts :

I am having a difficult love/hate relationship with the Coffeehouse Mystery series and fear that it will continue.  This fourth book in the series didn't do much for the love side of the relationship but for some reason I can't stop myself from being interested in the next installment.

Clare is a highly annoying character with conflicting views on so many things and she constantly manages to get on my nerves with her condescending manner.  This combined with her snobby attitude about everything coffee related makes her really hard to like.  Don't even started on her investigations with she stumbles through like an elephant in a minefield.   How she hasn't gotten herself killed or even badly hurt is beyond me.

This is a series that really makes me wonder if the author likes the main character or if she really wants her to come across as this annoying woman who I wouldn't usually give the time of day to.  However I really have to wonder why the series is already so long and doing so well.  There is obviously something about it because I don't think I can keep away either.

Listening to this series definitely helps because I am very sure that I wouldn't have finished reading this if I had read the physical version.  I will be checking out more of the series even though I don't know why I would want to.  There isn't anything very positive I can say about any of it but I still find myself wanting to listen to more of the series.  It is a true mystery!

35) Final Catcall by Sofie Kelly

The Blurb :

Small-town librarian Kathleen Paulson gets plenty of entertainment from her extraordinary cats, Owen and Hercules. But when a theatre troupe stumbles into more tragedy than it bargained for, it’s up to Kathleen to play detective....

With her sort-of boyfriend Marcus calling it quits and her ex-boyfriend Andrew showing up out of the blue, Kathleen has more than enough drama to deal with—and that’s before a local theatre festival relocates to Mayville Heights. Now the town is buzzing with theatre folk, and many of them have their own private dramas with the director, Hugh Davis.

When Davis is found shot to death by the marina, he leaves behind evidence of blackmail and fraud, as well as an ensemble of suspects. Now Kathleen, with a little help from her feline friends Owen and Hercules, will have to catch the real killer before another victim takes a final curtain call.

My Thoughts :

Final Catcall is the fifth installment in the Magical Cats Mysteries.  While the fourth book wasn't my favourite of the bunch, I have to say that this one was even worse.  Now it wasn't bad, should have given up and I am writing a bad review but the series started off better, the plot this time around was boring and I kept losing interest.

As this series continues I have to wonder why this is labeled with the series name 'Magical Cats' because despite there being two cats that are a little magical, they are absent most of the story and hardly do anything.  The whole magical cat angle hasn't been explored, in my opinion, to its full potential and the series title is slightly misleading.  There are two things that have kept me coming back for more, one being the 'will they or won't they' in regards to Kathleen and Marcus and the other is the expectation regarding the Magical Cats.

This time around the murder mystery plot was slightly boring but it was nice to have Kathleen's mother come visit.  Although I felt the story ended without closing that aspect of the story.  Also the appearance of someone from Kathleen's past was interesting, especially with her decision of whether she wants to stay Mayville Heights or not still not decided.  There was enough in the story to keep me going but Final Catcall was weak plot wise

I will keep up with the series, I do enjoy listening to this one,  However I think I will take a little break and come back in a few months.

31) Latte Trouble by Cleo Coyle

The Blurb :

It's Fashion Week in New York City -- and Clare's shop, the historic Village Blend, is the location of a prestigious insider's party for loyal customer and iconic designer Lottie Harmon, who is about to launch a collection of coffee-inspired accessories aptly named Java Jewelry. But the event, which is attended by the city's most zealous fashionistas, goes terribly wrong when a customer is poisoned and dies from cyanide in his latte.

A barista, who coincidentally was recently dumped by the victim, is arrested and charged with murder. But Clare knows in her heart that her employee is innocent and begins to investigate the people surrounding the enigmatic Lottie Harmon. When Clare uncovers a scheme to blackmail one of Lottie's business partners and then that partner suddenly turns up dead, she knows that there is trouble brewing.

My Thoughts :

For some reason I thought I was much further into this series than I really am.  This is only the third book but it feels like the fifth or the sixth.  Is that a good or a bad sign?  I am not sure.  The series is very well established and already boasts fifteen installments so this is obviously a good series.  Or is it?

This third installment was a little slow going for my liking.  The murder happened quite quickly but the investigation dragged on and on with little progress.  It wasn't until the last chapter or two that everything suddenly took shape and was revealed.  Maybe I missed the signs but I would have never figured out the motive before hand.  Now the killer I had picked up on pretty early,,,well at least I had my suspicions but the link between the two failed me.

While this kind of murder mystery has a nice surprising end with a twist in the tale there is no actual way for the reader to enjoy the sleuthing because it isn't helping you solve the mystery before protagonist.  Which is half the fun of reading cozy mysteries.

Anyway, this wasn't bad.  If you can get past Clare's coffee snobbish rants and encyclopedia moments then you can really enjoy the book for what it is.  A nice mystery with a lovely theme and a bunch of characters that are getting more and more interesting as the series progresses.

I will be checking out the next book sometime soon.  The audio versions are definitely worth listening to if you are a fan of audio books.  The narrator does a great job and does some nice voices for the characters.

24) Cat Trick by Sofie Kelly

The Blurb :

A group of Mayville Heights’ business people hope to convince the Chicago-based company, Legacy Tours, to sell a vacation package in their town. Legacy Tours partner, Mike Glazer, grew up in Mayville Heights, but it seems he’s not the same small-town boy people remember. Everyone seems to have an issue with the opinionated loudmouth Mike has become—until someone shuts him up for good.

When Kathleen and her cat, Hercules, discover Mike’s body near the boardwalk, she can’t help but get involved in the investigation—even if it might torpedo her relationship with Detective Marcus Gordon. Now, with a little help from Hercules and Owen, it’s up to Kathleen to make sure the killer is booked for an extended stay in prison before some else takes a permanent vacation.

My Thoughts :

I have spent a good two weeks trying to listen to this audio book.  The series is on my reading challenge for this year and I have been enjoying the audio versions.  However as I mentioned before I changed jobs and don't have a long commute anymore.  So I have less time to listen to a book.  Now I try and listen to it at home as well but it just isn't the same.  So it has and is taking me longer to get audios finished.

This is the fourth book in the series and wasn't the best so far.  I figured things out pretty early on and it was actually quite obvious.  I enjoy the characters and location a lot so I could over look the easy and pretty boring plot this time around but I really hope the next installment has a bit more excitement and is also more compelling.

The magical cats angle was feeling less magical this time around too.  Any cat can meow when you ask them something and they will run away and get into trouble anywhere.  So this book didn't really impress me.  I could ask my cats any question and decide that their actions are a response and interpret it to mean whatever I want.  Hercules and Owen are fun but they also need to up their game.

A nice series that is more cute than magical.  This one wasn't the best of the bunch so far but I am hopeful the next one will be.  Well worth listening to but I do find the narrator could speed things up a little.  I feel like she talking a lot slower than other audio narrators.

21) Home for the Homicide by Jennie Bentley

The Blurb :

Avery Baker was a big city textile designer, until she inherited her aunt’s old Maine cottage and found her true calling—home renovation. But she never expected her latest job would come to such a bone-rattling dead end...

For Avery and her husband Derek, renovating the Craftsman Bungalow was like stepping back in time. The quaint old home was just as its original owners had left it—from the beautiful butler’s pantry to the surprisingly exquisite ribbon tile. But it’s the attic that yields the most heart-stopping surprise.

In a discreetly hidden antique crate, Avery finds a clue to a decades-old missing persons case. As Avery works on the house and delves deeper into the sinister story, it becomes clear that someone very crafty wants the Craftsman home’s secrets to stay that way!

My Thoughts :

I have so many books to read and I am way behind on my review book reading but I started this one the other week when I thought I had time to read and then I had guests etc etc and this one got forgotten.  The Kindle was actually dusty when I picked it up so I was determined to finish this one and not start one of the other books that I should of been reading.  After all it seems this is the last book in the series.

The Do-It-Yourself Mysteries have been lovely to read.  I have loved the characters and location throughout the series and the mysteries have been well worth reading.  I wouldn't say that this seventh installment was one of the better ones but it was interesting enough and had some nice twists.

It is is a shame to see this one end.  I would have liked to have at least one more installment.  This didn't feel like the end at all and I really enjoyed the concept.  I wonder if the author will do what many other writers have done and self publish or maybe this was supposed to be the end.

Anyway, if you like a good cozy and you enjoy home renovation then you will love this series.  I have to say I am not a big Do-It-Yourself person but this series is certainly inspiring and I really liked the houses they worked on and even ended up looking the styles up online.

20) Thirty-Five and a Half Conspiracies by Denise Grover Swank

The Blurb :

Rose Gardner has survived plenty of close scrapes in the past, but her latest bit of trouble has landed her in the Fenton County holding cell on trumped up charges. The most powerful man in southern Arkansas, J.R. Simmons, is determined to put her behind bars for good and destroy everything she holds dear, including her boyfriend, Mason, and her friend Skeeter, reigning king of the Fenton County crime world. In a stunning betrayal, it seems as if J.R.’s son, Rose’s ex-boyfriend, might have turned tail and joined his father.

But Rose doesn’t have to face this fight alone. Her tight-knit group of friends is dedicated to helping her figure out—and foil—J.R.’s plan for ruining her, Mason, and Skeeter. But even with their support and the use of her special power, Rose is at a disadvantage. J.R. is a criminal mastermind who has been using his money, power, and web of influence to hide his conspiracies for years. How can she hope to find solid evidence implicating someone who’s mastered the art of not getting caught?

Time is running out, and soon Rose realizes that reassuming her role of the Lady in Black might be her only chance at ferreting out the evidence that will save them all. In so doing, she will risk not only her life, but the possibility that her secret identity will be unveiled to all.

My Thoughts :

It has been quiet on here the last couple of weeks but that doesn't mean I haven't been reading.   I started a new job last month and don't have such a long commute so my audiobook time has been cut dramatically and guests over the weekend meant I didn't have time to curl up and read.  However I have been working on this audio book.  The eighth book in the Rose Gardner Mysteries.  It actually released late last year but because I have listened to the whole series so far I really wanted the audio version of this latest installment.  I only came across it the other week and grabbed it and started it asap.

Things have gotten more complicated than I imagined they could get when I started this series.  The amount of trouble Rose has gotten herself into is unbelievable but is an absolute winner of a read.  I can't say I understand how so much could have happened in so little time but this new piece of the puzzle not only cleared up some big problems but it created some more.

The Lady in Black makes some very big decisions in this latest book and there are some good things that come from the choices she makes but there are some bad things too.  While I thought everything was finally coming to an end and everything was about to be cleared up nicely it was obvious that there is more to this story than Rose and the reader thought.  There are still some unanswered questions and I think there are still some twists and shocks to come.

I have to wonder if the author planned all this way back when she started the series.  Sometimes I have the feeling that there is a plan and other times I think it is all just being thrown together on the fly.  Whatever concept or system the writer has is a mute point though because she manages to grab the reader and keep you hooked right until the end.  It doesn't matter if things get over the top and become unrealistic.  I find I don't care that this has all happened within a matter of months and seems crazy.  It is a soap like opera escapism that entertains and keeps you guessing.

The ninth installment could be the last if there isn't much more to clear up but I wonder if it will be.  While I think it is time for Rose's life to quieten down and for the series to come to an end there is a little bit of me that wants this to keep going and going.  I think I like the authors attitude too much, she really doesn't mind kicking her characters and not always making things all perfect in the end.

Well worth checking out.  I can highly recommend the audio versions but I am sure the books are just as much of an entertaining read as well.  This is a series you have to read from the beginning and it is slightly paranormal due to Rose's visions which she really does use more as the series continues.

Looking forward to more!

14) Copycat Killing by Sofie Kelly

The Blurb :

Everyone thinks their cats are special—but Owen and Hercules have powers that go far beyond an adorable look or an irresistible purr. Along with their owner, librarian Kathleen Paulson, they have an uncanny instinct for solving crimes...

It's been raining cats and dogs in Mayville Heights. The small town's been deluged, and now the local artists' co-op is on the verge of flooding. Kathleen has been up all night helping her friends move their creations to the safety of the upstairs studio.

The artwork survives, but when controversial mask maker Jaeger Merrill is found drowned in the co-op basement, Kathleen questions whether the death was accidental. After she discovers the artist was using an assumed name, she realizes she can't actually assume anything about him. With the help of handsome detective Marcus Gordon—and her cats' extraordinary powers of detection—it's up to Kathleen to unmask a killer.

My Thoughts :

The Magical Cats Mystery series has been on my shelves for years.  I managed to read the first two books somewhere along the way but the series has been constantly ignored.  Attempts at getting back into the series have been foiled by review books and addictions to other series.  So when I saw this one on Audible I knew what I had to do.  It was time to get back to the kitties and Audible once again helped rescue me!

I will start off by saying I love the concept, I love the characters and the location is quite nice but the Magical Cats angle, isn't, like the series name would make you believe, a big factor in the story or plot.  Sure the kitties have some 'powers' but I didn't really associate them being a big part of the mysteries this book covered and the solving of the crimes.  It was a cute little twist but not as prominent as I expected or remembered it to be.   So to conclude the cat concept is a little disappointing but maybe in later books it gets more paws on...

However despite the lack of kitty sleuthing I did enjoy the story and plot.  There were actually two murder mysteries with one being an older case and the other happening in the present time line of the story.  The plot was well thought out and both mysteries were nicely tangled into the on-going story and general cast of the series.  A good cozy read and a series that is definitely worth checking out.

The Audible version was a delight to listen to although there were times where I thought the narrator was a little slow.  It wasn't annoying or anything but I did think she could have told the story a little faster.  On saying that, I am looking forward to the next installment and will be keeping to the Audio versions because otherwise I fear I will never catch up with this series.

11) Through the Grinder by Cleo Coyle

The Blurb :

Business is booming at Clare Cosi's Village Blend, until her female customers start to die. Lieutenant Quinn is convinced that someone has an axe to grind, and, unfortunately, his prime suspect is the new man in Clare's life.

Now Clare will risk her heart--and her life--to follow the killer's trail to the bitter end.

My Thoughts :

I started this series sometime last year and never got around to the second part.  The Coffeehouse series is a very well established series with already fifteen books under the name.  So I need to play catch up and that fits in with my Series Challenge for this year and also the fact that this one is a great listen via Audio book.

Now there is so much I like about this series.  The location is a huge pull for me.  I love New York and can't wait to visit the city again so the talk about all the districts and the history is wonderful.  I could listen to it all day.  Then there is the mystery plots.  So far they have been well thought out and interesting.  Keeping me guessing and not going too over the top.  The characters are also a nice bunch.  I am sure there is more to learn about all of them and I am looking forward to the many books ahead full of their stories.

However there are a few things about this series that have me wondering if I want to continue but are so far only a slight annoyance.  For instance, Claire is a coffee snob of the highest order.  Now I love coffee and it is interesting to hear some of the stories but her constant ramblings are quiet unnecessary.  The other element of the series so far is that the author doesn't seem to like her main character.  Claire has had to go through some really horrible things already.  With this second book really being quiet nasty.  Maybe it was part of a bigger plan but I was pretty shocked.

I look forward to listening to the next books in the series.  Maybe at some point things will turn around and I will totally love this series or decide to give up on it.  Only time will tell but until then this is a nice cozy series that has a lot going for it and must have something special because it has been going for over 10 years.

10) Extra Credit by Maggie Barbieri

The Blurb :

Alison Bergeron has her doubts about hosting a birthday party for her twin stepdaughters, seeing as it'll include all of her new husband's ex-in-laws. Still, she's a good sport, and everyone has a great time, especially the girls, who receive $10,000 from their estranged uncle, Chick.

The girls' father, NYPD Detective Bobby Crawford, and Christine, his ex, think the gift is too much. When Crawford swings by Chick's apartment to return it, he finds Chick dead, with roughly $250,000 stuffed in his mattress. The death is ruled a suicide, but Christine isn't convinced, and even Alison can't help but admit that there must be a lot more to Chick's death than meets the eye.

My Thoughts :

Well I am finally finished with this series and I am really glad to see the back of it.  The first couple of books were good and the middle of the series wasn't bad but the last couple were really over the top, repetitive and slightly annoying.  While there were some nice characters and an interesting setting, this series wasn't one of the better cozy mysteries I have read and I only finished up the series because I was already so far in and hoped things would improve.

This time around the plot was very thin and definitely not any of Allison's problem.  She still managed to play a huge roll though and it was a very thin piece of a connection that left me very annoyed at the author.  The usual kidnapping angle, a connection to Allison's place of work and of course another fight with her best friend were included once again.  With the typical 'I know where this is going' in relation to Max's behaviour and Allison's new student which of course the leading sleuth doesn't seem to notice even though it is starring her right in the face.

A slightly frustrating series that I wouldn't have finished if it didn't have something good about it.  I don't think I will be recommending it but if you see any of this series in a bargain bin somewhere or pick up a copy in a second hand store, then you may want to give it a try and see what you think.

6) Wall-to-Wall Dead by Jennie Bentley

The Blurb :

Avery and her partner, Derek, are fixing up a cute little condo in homey Waterfield, Maine, hoping for a quick turnaround and some extra money. It seems like a simple project—and Avery is looking forward to using her big-city experience with small spaces.

But they didn’t expect to have their every move watched by the resident busybody in the condo, Hilda Shaw, who loves snooping on everyone’s comings and goings. When the busybody becomes a dead body, Avery suspects foul play. Soon she’s doing some snooping of her own—and it seems everyone in the complex has a secret. Could one of them be worth killing for? Avery needs to work fast, before someone decides to fix her...for good.

My Thoughts :

I continued to get on top of one of my reading challenges for this year by reading another book from a series I have been working on for a few years.  There are quite a few series that I have neglected or just need the next installment for so I am trying to do some serious catching up this year.  I may even be able to get rid of some if I find I don't like them anymore!

However this series is one I really do enjoy.  Although this installment wasn't the best of the bunch so far I still liked it a lot.  The renovation aspect was a little thin this time around but the murder mystery was interesting if somewhat confusing at times but by the end I could even see what had happened and who the murderer was and why they did it.

With only one book left in the series I am pretty sure this is a series I am going to be able to cross off my challenge list within a couple of weeks.  I plan on reading the last part as soon as possible and see how the author closes the series.

5) Physical Education by Maggie Barbieri

The Blurb :

College English professor and sometime amateur sleuth Alison Bergeron would've been thrilled to hear that her husband, NYPD Detective Bobby Crawford, was leaving Homicide if that were the whole story, but it turns out that Bobby's next assignment is even worse---undercover.

As if worrying about his involvement in a case he won't talk about at all wasn't bad enough, Alison is forced to take over the women's basketball team at St. Thomas after the coach dies of a heart attack during a game. She may not know much about basketball, but she's no stranger to sleuthing, and it isn't long before she suspects that the coach's death may be more than unexpected but premeditated as well.

My Thoughts :

The Murder 101 Mystery series has been on my shelf for years.  It is one of those series that I just don't seem to be getting any further with and so it is on my 2016 Series Reading Challenge list.  With only two installments to go I know it isn't going to be a huge struggle but this series has been on my lists for a good few years and I finally want to cross it off.  It has helped that this one is available on Audible and so I picked it up this week to start the year off by getting some challenge work done!  Luckily it wasn't hard to listen to and I had my video game to play because this wasn't exactly a great read.

I won't say it was awful but it was pretty lame.  There was so much about this story that felt wrong and annoyed me.  I did think about giving up on it but with only one more book in the series I feel the need to finish it off.  I actually like the concept but the author really takes, even for a cozy mystery writer, a lot of liberties.

It would be silly to go into detail.  Let's just say that there was too much of Alison's thoughts instead of concrete evidence and real sleuthing.  There was also no way that most of the stuff that happened in this story would actually happen, for example, Alison being picked to coach the basketball team was way off.  Oh  but the worse aspect of it all was the marriage and step-daughters.  I won't even go there because I could rant forever.

So it would seem like listening to the last installment would be a bad idea but I feel a little OCD on this one and need to finish the series.  I can't let it go after six books and only one more to go.  I just hope that the last piece of puzzle is better than this one.