Mixing up Murder

MIXING UP MURDER:

A Cozy Dog Mystery

EMMIE LYN

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Pip, the dog of the murdered Ray, is one of the main characters, which I found a little redundant. Dani, the sleuth, and Lilly, Ray's wife, find him dead in their restaurant's kitchen.

However, the complete story and secondary characters are well-developed for the first book in a series. Rose is a linchpin, keeping the other characters in line, and Dani has two possible romances going - a farmer and a detective.

Many people are in the potential killer's pool, but Dani's intuitive knowledge saves the day, leading to an ending that will surprise the detective and the reader.

Good Cozy Read: https://amzn.to/45g9cbS

Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything

A SHORT HISTORY OF NEARLY EVERYTHING

BILL BRYSON

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology...CARL SAGAN.

Mr. Bryson, in this dissertation, educates us on the evolution of science and technology on Earth. In five hundred-plus pages, he will bore you and excite you with his historical and detailed explanations of how the Earth developed.

The read is well put together, but I found it too long to read continuously. As an avid reader, I read NEARLY EVERYTHING, one or two chapters at a time, to get the full impact of the Earth's and Everything's journey.

Readers with an inquisitive mind will enjoy Bill Bryson's commentaries and the results of how humans arrived in the 21st Century.

Excellent Read: https://amzn.to/4kWcQwi

DEFYING THE EARL

DEFYING THE EARL

ERICA RIDLEY

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Merry Old England wasn't merry for Titus the Earl until he met his ward, Matilda. They kiss before his Godmother introduces her as his ward.

Mattie's charm upsets the grumpy Titus's well-organized royal world. His reactions to her delightful words are rewarded with his grunts and groans that lead to smiles.

Unbeknownst to her, Titus is infatuated with her. She is interested in him. Why? Only God knows, because his conversational skills are limited, and she is a talkaholic.

This cute but nonsensical love story is not what a Romance reader looks for. However, the novel is well-written and has its moments of brilliance.

The story is worth the price: FREE on Kindle.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/3H0i0IX

The Trouble with Dead Bodies

THE TROUBLE WITH DEAD BODIES

A Hale Mary Mystery

KATRINA KYLE

Review by Author Roy Murry

Anyone can be a snoop by being put in a situation where someone is killed in their circle of acquaintances. If you have a vested interest in the dead person, you want to know what happened.

What happens to Hale is the above. Instead of letting the police do their job, she goes over the top in her sleuthing because her pro-quarterback brother and possible client are implicated.

The murderer is closer than she thought, and in the end, there could be more deaths. This story had too many possible killers; however, halfway through the narrative, the reader may figure out the case.

As the first book in a series, I give it four stars. It features good characters and a snappy reading pace, but the storyline becomes bogged down in unnecessary details.

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

SOULED OUT

SOULED OUT

ELL CYNE SERIES

 

BLANKLEY CHORPENNING

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

'Young Adult' novels interest me because they allow me to see what the new generation reads. Are vampires a thing? I guess so.

Ell is a reader of human souls for Vampires, which is the first step before the vamp sucks blood. Her capability is questioned, and the higher-ups want verification, starting with her relationship with her twin sister's soul.

The story offers a new twist in the genre and is well-crafted, featuring a Vampire protector for Ell. She is being pursued by nefarious elements who want her soul discredited.

The events leading to the gripping ending are unusual but somewhat tricky to follow. However, the readers' attention is kept glued to the page.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4katYh5

 

EVE'S WAR

EVE'S WAR

OPERATION ZIZAG

HANNAH HOWE

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

During WWII, Zigzag is a British double agent, and Eve is asked to leave her lavish lifestyle to help. She has the contacts to get the agent from France to Spain through the mountains.

Her task is difficult because of the weather, the people who interfere, the events, and the agent. Each twist and turn leaves the reader on the edge.

When the end comes, the reader will think, "What was that all about?" The goal is not reached in a thrilling, deadly ending.

EVE'S WAR is a quick novel that leaves the reader wanting more. There are twelve novels in The Heroines of SOE Series.

Have fun. Purchase: https://amzn.to/4m215Ws

Flair for Chardonnay

A FLAIR for CHARDONNAY

A Sadie Kramer Flair Mystery

DEBORAH GARNER

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Sadie is not the person one would think of as a sleuth. She is a flamboyant woman, a chocolate addict, and the owner of a dress shop.

Her shop, FLAIR, is next door to a chocolate boutique, whose owner is also part of a family winery. Sadie visits the winery for a weekend getaway when a murder occurs.

Sadie's relationship with the owner of the chocolate boutique gets her involved. After making several trips to the winery and meeting all the family members and police involved with the murder, she solves the case using logic that none of the people saw or investigated—an outsider is the criminal.

That outsider is in plain sight but not considered.

Easy reading to follow.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/44E6EE1