As I read the first chapter, I found myself thinking “another magic school derivative. Boring.” That notion was immediately removed from my mind when I got to The Girl chapter. 😳 To be sure, there are traces of other dark academia books throughout, but this story is something special. Review at https://itsallaboutthebook.org

It‘s a rainy, cold morning here on the southern shore of Lake Ontario and I am thoroughly enjoying this entry in the Antique Store Detective series by Clare Chase!

Took a tumble a couple days ago & banged up my shin and knee so totally getting into the Sunday #hygge thing tonight with this pretty little Christmas mystery. #hyggehourreadathon @AllDebooks @TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit

Old grudges die hard but some never die at all. New entry in the Claudia Rose Forensic Handwriting series. Review at https://itsallaboutthebook.org

And my #AllHallowsRead package arrived today! Can‘t wait to see what‘s inside @MrsGagnonreads2024 thank you! @MaleficentBookDragon thanks for hosting

Just mailed my #AllHallowsRead swap package (and labelled it wrong as “HauntedHollow swap” which is par for the course for me lately. @MaleficentBookDragon sorry about that snafu, but the package is on its way to the correct person nonetheless. 🙄

Gigi Pandian‘s books just keep getting better! I have been a fan of the Accidental Alchemist series for years so was thrilled to get an early copy of this one. Dorian the gargoyle and Zoe the alchemist do not disappoint! Overall, this is a solid mystery – well-plotted and paced with good descriptive narrative. I do recommend reading the previous books in the series before you open this one though.

A new Jimmy Perez story? YES PLEASE!

As usual, Cleeves deliver a wonderfully intricate story full of colorful characters, this time set in the Orkney islands versus Shetland. Readers get to know a whole new landscape and set of people, steeped in folklore and emotions.

Fans of historical mysteries will appreciate Moray‘s seamlessly blended research with well-developed characters who will make your skin crawl. The story will suck you in right away and keep hold as you plow through the plot because you have to know what happens and who gets their comeuppance. There are some gross descriptions, but overall this is a good one. Out Oct 17.

This came today. I‘m going to be up all night reading and planning what I‘ll cook first!

If you‘re looking for a feel-good heart-warmer, this is your book. Just a gentle, lovely read

As I read the first chapter, I found myself thinking “oh, this is another magic school derivative. Boring.” That notion, however, was immediately removed from my mind when I got to The Girl chapter. That scene made me sit up and take notice that THIS book was something different. To be sure, there are traces of other dark academia books throughout, but this story is something special.

Reissue from Poisoned Pen Press Out in October - new, fun mystery that‘s a bit like a cross between The Secret Adversary and Albert Campion. https://itsallaboutthebook.org/2025/09/03/murder-at-holly-house-by-denzil-meyric...

Historical mystery fans, seek out The Face Stealer by Sarah Rayne for a whopper of a tale involving Catherine the Great. New post at https://itsallaboutthebook.org

Just started this one. Not caught but I‘m hoping it just hasn‘t set the hook yet. Sorrynotsorry for the fishing lingo but this has been The Summer of the Fish!

I have a whole day with no commitments! It‘s silent in my home, warm outside, the bees are busily collecting pollen from the garden & I‘m going to open this one from my ancient Goodreads TBR. Life is good today.

While I think the author wants us to see her as a brave whistleblower ( and she is), she must certainly bear some of the blame for the heinous things she describes. You don‘t live and work like that for so long without being complicit. Overall, I was deeply disappointed and often horrified at the ridiculous behavior and dangerous decision-making that results when ordinary people acquire an unimaginable amount of money and power.

Filled with imaginative and fluid illustrations in muted colors, the spare text draws you from page to page as you follow the active play of a set of siblings. This isn‘t the old “noogie” play with older siblings, but a wonderful set of words and images which depict rough but respectful play. Everyone in this rumble is an equal part of the sometimes rough play. Https://itsallaboutthebook.org

Schwab is one of the more literate authors writing today. Her narrative is always beautifully rendered and this book is no exception. However I am just so done with vampire stories. And really, Anne Rice wrote this story 50 years ago. Not a favorite read for me but I imagine it will be a blockbuster.

I swear, the last 3 of the Mary Russell books have been some of the best of the series, which is so hard to do when said series is so long. The addition of Russell‘s uncle to the cast makes for very entertaining reading!

#Chatterday Made sauce for Sunday lasagne, watched and listened to a wild, extended thunderstorm, played with the pup a lot, and read some more of this really, really good book.

Had she known about the Seabrink curse, she might not have gone.
#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

This new book from actor Kelsey Grammer recounts the shocking murder of his younger sister and his own experience with heartrending grief, anger, and loss. Told in a sort of stream of consciousness, not all readers will like the jumpiness of the narrative. Having lost people to violence, I felt like Grammer conveyed the absolutely unhinged way you feel in the aftermath of such an horrific event. This is a very emotional read.

I‘m working my way thru my Goodreads “Want to Read” list and picked this one up. Enjoyed the first half but had to put it down when it got super gruesome. Not a fan.

Peter Lovesey‘s recent death has prompted me to read some of his books. He is credited as the 1st mystery writer to set a whole series in the past with his Inspector Cribb series. I‘m reading his Peter Diamond series now. This one was about Chaucer!

The newest entry in Shelton‘s Scottish Bookshop series continues with same delightful cast of characters and this time explores the Picts. As usual, an awesome story!

Folklore fans will love this imaginative look at Jenny Greenteeth, one of the many water “monsters” that show up in British folklore. O‘Neill spins a tale about Jenny combined with some Arthurian lore. Great fun. Pic from my favorite book Faeries by Froud!

Halfway through this book about 4 ancient cities and how they were abandoned. Biggest surprise so far is the extreme perviness of Pompeii. That and the proliferation of phallic imagery in the ancient world.

Uber creepy modern fairy tale set in an abandoned amusement park. What could go wrong? New YA horror/fantasy out in May. Review at https://itsallabouthebook.org

Fans of Anne Cleeves and Val McDermid will enjoy this new one from the creator of Broadchurch. Begins with a gruesome & weird death.

I adore Elizabeth Penney‘s cozy mystery series and found this new one, set in an ancient castle turned into a B&B on the Yorkshire coast, just as fun. See my thoughts here - https://itsallaboutthebook.org

Vibing on cozy mysteries. This one‘s pretty good but, jeesh some of them are SO BAD! Who are some of your favorite cozy authors?

Finished this collection of short stories and posted about it at https://itsallaboutthebook.org. There are some excellent stories here!

Just started this delightful Italian mystery. The writer has a wonderful vocabulary and uses language beautifully.

I‘ve been retired a month and am finally getting back into my reading groove! The last few months have been packed with lots of activity complicated with plenty of emotion as I prepared to end a 44 year career in libraries. I‘m enjoying this anthology of mystery/suspense stories a lot!

Retirement Goal: Reading in a comfy chair with a goat on my lap! 😂😂

Finally remembered to post my #hyggehour tonight! Comfy cozy with John Larison.
@TheBookHippie @Chrissyreadit @AllDebooks

This unseasonably warm, windy & wet day in western NY calls for some relaxing, cozy audio-stitching! Have been thoroughly enjoying Agatha Christie audiobooks narrated by Hugh Fraser.

Quiet evening at home this year with a good selection of books to read. Trying to decide between Eleanor of Avignon and The Mistletoe Bride…

Feeling a little down today so spending the day in my comfy chair with this delightful cozy mystery series featuring a librarian with the Library of Congress. Finished book 1 (Crime & Parchment) and just starting book 2. #NovemberBlues

Doing some audio stitching for Christmas with one of my favorite Halloween books!

Having a *very* slow Sunday after weeks of non-stop everything. Indulging in my childhood favorite and reading a Nancy Drew that was published long after I outgrew the series. Ozzy is happy to keep me company.

New entry in the Batavia-On-Hudson series. Full review at https://itsallaboutthebook.org

Here are some of my all-time favorites for my #HauntedShelf. See full list at https://itsallaboutthebook.org/

Oh my stars! Thank you @Chrissyreadit for the most amazing #FallingForFall package!!! Every book is perfect and oh those socks!!! It had been a wonderful surprise. Thank you and @Avanders for organizing.

#FFFS #FallingForFallSwap

I have been savoring this lovely, lovely book over the last few weeks. Reading a couple stories every night has filled my soul and sustained my belief that most people are good to one another.

The Litsy group reading #NancyDrew put me on a Nancy binge and OH MY these books do not age well. The casual racism and sexism startling. But, I am finding the source for some esoteric info I‘ve carried around for years!!!

Forgot to take a pic when I received my #FallingForFall swap package. It arrived safely and I can‘t wait to open it! @Avanders @Chrissyreadit

I recently did a session for a podcast at one of my local libraries where we talked about our most anticipated Fall releases. Here‘s the link if you‘re interested - https://youtu.be/8yl4kNrwYfE?si=sYzpLvdxigkgcIMw

While the outcome was apparent to me pretty early in the story, the tension Hawkins builds as she weaves the stories of both Vanessa and Grace becomes almost unbearable at times, and the ending! Oh, the ambiguous ending! Definitely the stuff made for book clubs to debate!

Readers who are triggered by domestic violence should be aware that is an integral part of this story. This will be one of the hot books of the Fall for sure.