Holidays can be Murder

 

HOLIDAYS can be MURDER.

CONNIE SHELTON

Review by Author Roy Murry

HOLIDAYS is the first book I have read by Ms. Shelton. I am impressed with the story's setup. However, the mystery is easy to figure out - her neighbor's mother-in-law is killed.

The characters are well-developed for a series, and the main character, Charlie Parker, controls the action throughout the play. She finds clues while the detective in her company, her brother, is not involved.

Those follow-ups take Charlie in circles and lead her back to square one, where the answer lies. The adventure is enjoyable for the reader.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/42k8poK

Demon-Haunted World

THE DEMON-HAUNTED WORLD

CARL SAGA

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

If you have an INQUISITIVE mind, this discourse on science vs. the human race will make you want to read more of Carl Saga's analysis of the world around you. Unfortunately, he died in 1996, but fortunately, he left many works. Read COSMOS, as I did.

This book is not light reading for the beach unless you read one chapter, put the book down, and contemplate what you read. These 482 pages of controversial information are appropriate to today's events as they were when written.

USA Note: Our founding fathers "were self-sufficient, not requiring careers as politicians or lobbyists to make a living." Also..."Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers (Career Politicians) of the people alone."

With some gems of observation, such as the above, Mr. Sagan contends that Jeffersonian science is the way to defeat the world's haunted demons.

Read this book to expand your horizons.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4252bJi

 

MOZZARELLA MURDER

MOZZARELLA MURDER

A Rolling Dough Pizza Truck

Mystery Book 1

R.M. MURPHY

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

Denny is starting a new life operating a pizza truck and snooping part-time. While picking up MOZZARELLA cheese at a friend's Cheese Shop, a famous man is found dead behind the counter.

Since he has time to spend and it is his old stomping grounds, he starts investigating. During his snooping, he meets old friends.

If I hear that puppy Yorkies are cute again, I will bark. Mr. Murphy overdoes the dog bit and does little character-building on the sleuthing.

This book is a short mystery. There is doubt about what is going on or who did it. Only one event the police overlooked reveals the truth.

It is a quick, somewhat enjoyable read, but as in book 1, it is not among the best. But if you love food, Yorkies, and cozy murder mysteries, this is for you.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3P7upeD

My First, My Last, My Only

MY FIRST, MY LAST, MY ONLY

A Granite Cove Novel

DENISE CARBO

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

This love story starts with a teenage kiss and ends with a new beginning. It is a Hallmark movie theme with a twist.

Fanny, her nickname, meets Mitch during a summer at the Granit Cove beach when they are teens. He only comes there in the summer for a few years and never returns.

Mitch becomes a star in Hollywood. Fanny finds her passion in cooking and owns a bakery/coffee shop in Granite Cove. Mitch arrives, and his agent purchases the two-story building where her shop is. She had a bid for the property because the second story is an apartment.

He moves into the apartment, and the affair begins: Love, hate, jealousy, mother problems, and other impediments arise to keep Fanny and Mitch apart. Until...

Extremely well-written. The reader may have tears at the end.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3ZMADpe

House Party Murder Rap

HOUSE PARTY MURDER RAP

SONIA PARIN

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

If you like English historical cozy mysteries, you will be delighted to read this Evie Parker conundrum. A wealthy American, Evie, as a debutant, marries a Duke.

A few years later, after the death of her husband, Duchess Evie goes on a weekend stay at the estate of an old friend. En route to the mansion, her car is shot at, and later, her host, Duke Bicky, is hit in the arm with a bullet. Evie was standing next to him.

The who-did-it and why are started. All 1920s English royal etiquette is followed except between Evie and her grandmother's planted bodyguard, Tom.

Evie and Tom team up to understand what is happening - who is the target? With Evie's knowledge of her classes' endeavors and Tom's investigative abilities, this story leads to a classic, cozy mystery ending.

This book, one in a series, hits all the right buttons. Enjoy.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4gaM0OZ

Lawfully Witnessed

LAWFULLY WITNESSED

Brides of Cedar Falls

JOVIE GRACE

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

This Christian Historical Romance is a fast-read story about the US Civil War, during which the North met the South. On a train from Atlanta to Texas, Anna Kate, a southern bell from Atlanta, meets Gregory, a Union officer on a secret mission.

She is a member of a famous railroad-hub family, and he has orders to investigate her family. On their long journey, Anna Kate and her two younger brothers become extremely friendly with the spy.

Coming to terms with Captain Gregory's mission, he falls in love with Anna Kate after learning about her family staying in Cedar Falls, and she is smitten. Gregory learns conflicting information and decides on Anna Kate's family's fate.

After all the information is unraveled and Gregory's mission is complete, their love story comes to a romantic end on Christmas day.

Jovie Grace's storytelling is enjoyable and an excellent book, one of a series.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4faMSBL

Mystery of Mistletoe Hall

THE MYSTERY OF MISTLETOE HALL

A Standalone 1920s Christmas Mystery

BENEDICT BROWN

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

When the ex-superintendent of the London police invites you to his mansion, Mistletoe Hall, for a Christmas event, you go. Lord Edgington receives the letter invite, collects family and staff, and proceeds to the weekend festivities.

When they arrive at the mansion, no one is in the building. Edgington, an ex-detective, and his grandson Christopher reconnoiter the large property looking for life. They find the master of Mistletoe Hall frozen, hung, shot, and dead.

While the Lord and Christopher are investigating, others arrive with invites in hand. The two investigators stay hush-hush about what they find, and a party member goes to fetch the police in heavy snow.

Their skills, mainly the Lord's, are used to look for the killer among the guests, which will be interesting for the reader to untangle as the story progresses. The twists and turns, including other murders, will keep the reader turning the page.

Lord Edgington and Christopher are the main characters that propel the story forward and are the series' fun tit-for-tat linchpin.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3Ztpsls