Sunday, September 28, 2008

150. Final Justice by Fern Michaels

About the book.

The last installment of The Sisterhood Rules of the Game series. There will be 5 more Sisterhood books starting sometime in 2009.

I enjoy these books. This one was a bit confusing since I read the book jacket(something I very rarely do)and what was printed about the book had nothing to do with the story I was reading. I did find out from the authors website that there was
a printing mixup. So once I figured out I was not losing my mind. LOL I really enjoyed the book,even though somethings are a bit far fetched.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

149. Brush With Death by Hailey Lind

About the book

Former-forger turned faux-finisher Annie Kincaid hopes that if she can help return an alleged masterpiece to Italy, her sketchy reputation will finally be redeemed. But when a sexy art thief-and murder-enter the picture, Annie realizes that it won't be so easy to put things to rest

Loved it. I am going to miss this series. Especially since on the relationship issue there is no conclusion.... I really hope the publisher changes their mind and continues the series.

I am off to write my letter on complaint.

Friday, September 26, 2008

148. Shooting Gallery by Hailey Lind

About the book

Modernism isn't Annie's thing, but even she is surprised to discover that the "sculpture" in a prestigious gallery's grisly new exhibition is an all-too-real corpse-the artist's. Meanwhile, a Chagall painting is stolen from the Brock Museum, and Annie's old friend Bryan is accused of being in on the fix. To track down the missing Chagall, she'll need the dubious assistance of a certain sexy art thief. And if Michael-or whatever his real name may be-isn't distraction enough, Annie's mother shows up in town, acting strangely. Annie's got to solve these mysteries, and fast-because art is long, but life can be very, very short.

I love this series. Annie and company are so much fun. They always manage to get into situations but also find their way back out again.

There are currently 3 books in this series. I am reading the third and enjoying it. I recently found out that even though the author has written the 4 book, the publisher has pulled the plug. I am so annoyed. I don't understand publishers and I never will.

I read lots of cozy mysteries. The first two books came out in 2006 and the third one in 2007. I just recently discovered this series. They have been out for 2 years which leads me to believe that not a lot of promotion was done in the beginning. If it had been maybe the sales would have been better. So who is really at fault for the poor sales. I think the publisher/marketing dept is at fault.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

147. A Vintage Murder by Michele Scott

About the book

When things in the land down under start to heat up, murder steps in.
Nikki and her boss-turned-boyfriend came to Australia to visit the Hahndorf Winery, but it seems they've also walked onto a movie set. And when lead actress Lucy Swanson is found dead in her trailer, bitten by a poisonous snake, Nikki must comb the vineyards of the valley to catch a killer with a venomous streak—before she's struck herself.

A few twists and turns along the way. Very enjoyable read. Looking forward to the next one.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

146. Murder by The Slice by Livia J. Washburn

About the book

At this year's school carnival fund-raiser, the obnoxious president of the Parent Teacher Organization is found stabbed through the heart


This is the second book in the Fresh Baked Mystery Series. I enjoy this series.
All the talk of sweets can make you hungry while reading. Looking forward to the next installment which comes out soon.

Monday, September 22, 2008

145. Tutu Deadly by Natalie M. Roberts

About the book

Meet the dance instructor who puts criminals behind bars.
Meet Jenny T. Partridge, founder of Ogden, Utah's premier school for budding prima-and not-so-prima-ballerinas. For Jenny, dealing with difficult stage mothers is business as usual...until murder cuts in.
When the obnoxious mother of Jenny's most talented student meets her maker-courtesy of poisoned cookie dough purchased through the Academy's fund-raiser-Jenny must dance as fast as she can to clear her name.

I am not sure yet how I feel about this new series. I enjoyed the dance part and the crazy moms. There are parts of the book that I found to hard to believe. I am sure at some point I will read the second one in the series. I think I have to give Jenny a second chance before I call it quits.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

144. The Remains of the Dead by Wendy Roberts

About the book

Sadie Novak cleans up grisly crime scenes. Shes also a medium who can see ghosts.

I read lots of cozy mystery series. After awhile some of the plots seem to be be the same... The Remains of The Dead is a totally different approach. I loved this book. I really enjoyd Sadie and Zack. I can't wait for the next one to come out in Dec. I really hope that this is a long series.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

143. Dying To Sell by Maggie Sefton

about the book

Real estate agent Kate Doyle knew divorce was messy especially when mixed with business, but she didn't expect it to be bloody. Kate agrees to sell the home of old friends who're locked in bitter wrangling and manages to keep the peace long enough to get signatures on contacts. She congratulates herself on what will be an easy sale in this upscale Colorado college town. However, Kate's celebration turns to horror when she walks into the lawyer-client's study to find him brutally murdered—stabbed in the throat.
Kate's real estate license helps her dig into the clever lawyer's dealings as she sifts clues from cyber space to crawl space. Unfortunately, her snooping tempts the killer to exercise his own license—to kill.

I really enjoyed this book.. However, I was annoyed to find out it was the only book written in the real estate mysteries. The author has another cozy series that are knitting mysterys. I guess I will have to give one a try one of these days.

142. Consigned To Death by Jane K. Cleland

About the book

Josie Prescott’s friends thought she was nuts when she left her high-paying New York auction house job and her boyfriend to live on the rugged and beautiful New Hampshire coast. Truth is, Josie wondered a little herself—never mind that her peripheral involvement in a well-publicized price-fixing scandal made the possibility of a new start incredibly enticing.
Things are looking better, though, now that she’s got her own auction business up and running and has made something of a success of her new life. That is, until she gets mixed up in murder, and the supremely eligible but emotionally distant local police chief seems to think she’s the prime suspect.
Josie has suddenly got a lot to lose and no desire to leave her new life—or the possibility of a little romance—behind. So she sets her mind on identifying the killer and making the best out of her unfortunate circumstances. After all, Josie is grateful for her second chance in life and knows a third is just too much to ask…especially with a vicious killer on the loose.

I really enjoyed this book. Lots of fun. I have the next one in the series to read.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

141. Decorated to Death by Peg Marberg

About the book

Patterns of a deadly kind emerge when the wealthy new client of decorator Jean Hastings is murdered, in this second title in a new series. Includes decorating tips.


This month I am reading books for a cozy mystery challenge. I was rolling right along until I decided to read this book. I was not happy with the first one but since I love cozy mysteries I had to give the second one a try. In the future if there are any more books in this series I think I will be passing on them...There is to much mentioning of the same things over and over. I feel like I have been going around in circles.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

140. Wreath of Deception by Mary Ellen Hughes

About the book

Recently widowed, Jo McAllister has set up Jo's Craft Corner in the small town she now calls home. But when the clown she's hired for opening day is murdered at the store, Jo realizes that no town is too small for secrets, scandal-even murder.

The first in a new to me series. I enjoyed it. I thought it was a bit slow at times...But that was probably just me. I have the next two books in the series, so I will be reading them

Monday, September 8, 2008

139. Murder is Binding by Lorna Barrett

About the book

The streets of Stoneham, New Hampshire are lined with bookstores...and paved with murder.
When she moved to Stoneham, city slicker Tricia Miles met nothing but friendly faces. And when she opened her mystery bookstore, she met friendly competition. But when she finds Doris Gleason dead in her own cookbook store, killed by a carving knife, the atmosphere seems more cutthroat than cordial. Someone wanted to get their hands on the rare cookbook that Doris had recently purchased-and the locals think that someone is Tricia. To clear her name, Tricia will have to take a page out of one of her own mysteries-and hunt down someone who isn't killing by the book.

This is the first book in a new series. I loved it. I hope there will be lots more books in the series. There are also some recipes that I will have to try.

Friday, September 5, 2008

138. The Cracked Pot by Melissa Glazer

About the book

When the body of a new potter with a mysterious past is found in Carolyn Emerson's raku firing pit, she calls upon her studio's pottery club, The Firing Squad, to dig up evidence and crack the case.

A very enjoyable read. This series is starting to grow on me.
However I wish Melissa Glazer would write some more books in the other series that he started under the name Elizabeth Bright and under his real name Tim Myers. I love his 4 previous series but they all seemed to stop after a few books. WHY!!
I am looking forward to the next book in this series that comes out in Nov.

137. Double Dog Dare by Linda O Johnston

About the book

Kendra's boyfriend, Jeff, is missing, his car submerged in a canal. Panicked inquiries lead her to Jeff's aunt, whose dog died when someone attempted to clone it. Now, Kendra is hounded by questions...


An enjoyable read. Not my favorite but that happens. I will read the next one. I figured out the mystery long before Kendra did.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

136. Shoots to Kill by Kate Collins

About the book

Eight years ago, Abby Knight babysat for a problem teen named Elizabeth. Today, Elizabeth's back, with a new name (Libby) and a whole new life (stolen)—namely, one that already belongs to Abby. Libby's even trying to steal Abby's boyfriend, Marco. But imitation really becomes the sincerest form of trouble when Abby finds herself the accused dupe in a bizarre murder plot.

A very satisfying read. I love catching up with Abby. She is one of my favorite sleuths. Now the long wait for the next one.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

135. Weeding Out Trouble by Heather Webber

About the book

Landscaper Nina Quinn would do anything for her employees. After all, Taken by Surprise, her garden makeover business, wouldn't be blooming if it weren't for them. So when Kit Pipe, her right-hand handyman, goes missing, Nina immediately starts digging into his disappearance. But all she finds is Daisy Bedinghaus, Kit's ex—and she's dead as dirt.
An ex-con who'd been dumped by Daisy not long before her murder, Kit's the prime suspect. But Nina's determined to prove his innocence and nip this whole thing in the bud. After all, it'll get her out of her all-too-crowded house, where her ex-husband the cop is recovering from a gunshot wound on her couch and her thorny new stepson is giving her the evil eye. But as she comes closer to unearthing the truth, Nina will find that facing the frost in her home is nothing compared to confronting the real killer's ice-cold stare.

I have enjoyed this series and I am bummed that this is the last book in the series.
I will miss reading about Nina and the rest of the gang.