Murder at an English Pub

MURDER AT AN

ENGLISH PUB

Sarah Vane Mysteries Book 1

ALICE CASTLE

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Sarah, a retired doctor, moves to a small seaside town, where her friend Daphne lives. They find a dead body in Daphne's beach hut that she just purchased.

The investigation is not à la Miss Maple. Sarah and Daphne mull through a question-and-answer feast of people who are acquaintances of the murdered - all but one.

Unlike other English mysteries I have read, this one does not have a heroine who solves the crime. The murderer does.

Easy to read, but not a good lead-in to a cozy mystery series. However, Ms. Castle's English prose is flavorful.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/45CLp4W

Bed, Breakfast & Bones

BED, BREAKFAST, & BONES

Carolyn L. Dean

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

 

When Amanda Graham inherits an old bed and breakfast from her unlikable uncle, who recently passed away, she claims it, and a dead body is found in the garden. Being new to Ravenwood Cove, she sets out to learn about her relative and why he is the prime suspect.

Amanda has conflicts with the "Powers to Be" over opening the B&B while searching for the murderer. She becomes friendly with the Cove's citizens, who become allies. The information she gathers leads to a few twists and turns.

Gutsy Amanda remodels the building little by little, investigates, and learns to love the Cove and the people. Unsure whether she can open the B&B, she unravels the mystery to an unusual ending.

Ms. Dean's characters make a strong foundation for a cozy mystery series, and the prose flows well, making it easy to follow. If you like cozy mysteries, pick up this series.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4hATU7U

 

NOT YOU, IT'S ME

NOT YOU, IT'S ME

A Boston Love Story #1

JULIE JOHNSON

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Gemma, an aspiring artist, is kissed by Chase behind the basketball team's bench at a national championship game while her date is on his cell phone. The kiss is seen across global media because of who Chase is.

Gemma runs away as security heads their way. She runs into a comical love-hate whirlwind adventure. She and Chase, a billionaire, live in two different worlds that collide.

That one kiss leads through conflicts of hate, greed, passion, and individual dilemmas. Those struggles collide into a close encounter with death.

'NOT YOU' is a love story that ends like all of them, but with a twist that will have lovers of the genre wanting more Boston Love Stories.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4hkvC1E

 

Murder in Hamstead

MURDER IN HAMPSTEAD

Sabina Manea

 

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

As the book cover reads, this is a classic 2021 London whodunnit, with characters, except for one, who are trained investigators. The main character, Lucia Steer, is an ex-lawyer, now an interior decorator, involved in investigating the murder of her new client.

 Lucia's intuitive takeover of the murder case is impressive, like a Sherlock Holmes conundrum. The action focuses on uncovering relevant evidence.

Lucia does this so well that Detective Chief Inspector Carliss falls in line and documents it. With help from Lucia's friend Nina, a key piece of evidence emerges, leading to the arrest of the killer, who had gone unnoticed throughout the novel.

Ms. Manea does an excellent job in producing this whodunnit. HANSTEAD is a consuming read.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4bkXD5r

NEXUS

NEXUS: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI

YUVAL NOAH HARARI

 Review by Author Roy Murry

 In general, a nexus is a central point or hub where things converge. Mr. Harari's central point in NEXUS is to explain how the world has changed from the Stone Age through today because of how humans communicate.

From the tablet to the computer, societies and governance have evolved, some for the worse and some for the better – from dictators to democracies. Harari's political beliefs inform his explanations; however, they are not the crux of the book.

His thesis is that overcontrol of a country's people hinders its ability to develop, whereas freedom of action does not. The NEXUS is freedom of communication through, in today's world, the computer, iPhones, and unbiased media.

NEXUS is a detailed history and information book that an Inquisitive Mind will enjoy. It is not a casual read, but it's still enjoyable.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4bKiQG1

MY COUSIN VINNY

MY COUSIN VINNY

Studio-Authorized Novel

LAWRENCE KELTER

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

MY COUSIN VINNY is one of my favorite movies, and this is the first time I've read a book that was produced as a movie first. This book is as funny as the movie, with Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei as the main characters.

The descriptions, conversations, and anecdotes about these characters and the supporting cast come alive throughout the book. I couldn't stop laughing.

Vinny, a virgin lawyer in litigation, comes to Alabama to save his cousin and friend from death row. They are on trial for murder.

Vinny bluffs his way through the situation, but his fiancée, Tomei, tells him how to proceed. Her insight and automobile knowledge during and in the trial are the linchpin that saves the day.

If you want a fun read, this novel is for you.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4pqwp2V

INVISIBLE COUP

THE INVISIBLE COUP

How American Elites and

Foreign Powers Use

Immigration as a Weapon

PETER SCHWEIZER

Review by Author Roy Murry

 

Amazingly, the liberal NY Times has this book on its best-selling list. This analysis of what is happening with illegal immigration in the USA is astounding.

Is Mexico trying to take back property using immigration? Are China and Muslims developing enclaves in the USA to take control of the country?

These questions are fully explained, with supporting notes that back up Mr. Schweizer's hypothesis and keep the reader turning the page. Whether you agree with him or not, the facts are staggering.

Your political affiliation shouldn't keep you from reading this well-developed evaluation of how complacent certain presidents and other elites are. Every citizen of the world should read this.

Purchase:  https://amzn.to/44VcXC5