I really enjoyed this book. It's the story of Mma Ramotswe who has opened the first detective agency with a woman as the detective. The cases she solves are simple and she's just using common sense. It's a different series not just because it's set in Africa but because the author really tries to bring Botswana to life and give us a feel for the country, the customs and the people. I am interested to read the rest of the series.
Turkey Day Murder
I love the Lucy Stone series. Whenever I read one, it feels like I'm visiting an old friend. In this one, Lucy is preparing for Thanksgiving at home. Toby will be coming home from college. She misses him terribly. The murder in this book has to do with an Indian tribe that wants to get federal recognition in order to build a casino in Tinker's Cove. As usual, Lucy solves the case but not before getting into a bit of trouble.
And Then There Were None
This book was really good. I really had no idea how the murders were taking place. Ms. Christie knows how to weave a mystery. Lots of interesting characters and great dialogue. A true classic.
M Is for Malice
I really liked this book. One of the better Kinsey Millhone books. In this one, Kinsey is hired by cousin Tasha to find someone who is in line to inherit five million dollars. She does quite easily. She has a special connection to him and later he is murdered. Of course, Kinsey is out to find the murderer. Dietz is back and we get alot of Kinsey feelings about alot of things. Something we rarely get a glimpse at. Oh, yeah.....the mystery was really good too! I really enjoyed this book. Highly recommended.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
I read this book for book club and found that although the story was interesting, I really didn't like the way it was written. It's the story of a boy named Oskar whose father died in 9/11. He finds a key and believes that his father has hidden something for him somewhere in NY and he's set out to find it. When we discussed it in book club, I found that I liked it more when I got other people's perspective on Oskar's grief. It was okay.
Blueberry Muffin Murder
I love cozy mysteries. This one was not as good as the others but it was okay. This series has recipes and I made the blueberry muffins in this book. They were good. In this book, Lake Eden has a celebrity chef coming in for a book signing and other activities. She's using Hannah's kitchen to bake a cake. When Hannah comes in the next morning, she finds the chef dead in her pantry. Hannah sets out to find the killer. It was cute. The muffins were excellent.
Strawberry Shortcake Murder
This is the second in the Hannah Swensen series. Lake Eden is hosting a cooking competition and one of the judges is murdered. The victim's wife is accused of the murder and Hannah sets out to find out who the real murderer is. A quick read with lots of great characters.
The Spellmans Strike Again
This was good. The Spellmans are really funny. Rae finally gets her come-uppance. Henry wants to be friends. Connor and Izzy are not really working out. David has a secret. And doorknobs and light fixtures are disappearing all over the house. Good book.
Killer Cruise
That's more like it. I really didn't enjoy the last Jaine Austen mystery. But this one is like her others. Funny, fun and a quick read. Jaine gets a free cruise for a week and all she has to do is give a class on writing during the week. Prozac, her cat, stows away. She is being blackmailed into editing a boring manuscript and romance may be in the air for her. A murder takes place on the cruise and Jaine is out to find out who the killer is. Lots of fun.
Christmas Cookie Murder
I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun, quick read and I love Lucy Stone and Tinker's Cove.
Murder With Peacocks
I enjoyed this book. It is just what a cozy mystery is supposed to be. A light, quick read with lots of quirky characters.
The Secret Adversary
Agatha Christie is an amazing mystery writer. I loved this book. It's a Tommy and Tuppence book. It's full of interesting twists and characters. Sometimes it got a little confusing but you can't help get completely involved in the mystery of Jane Finn. Loved it -- highly recommended.
Killing Bridezilla
This was another of the Jaine Austen mysteries. Not as good as some of the others in the series. I did laugh out loud at times but they were few and far between. The mystery was a good one, though. Jaine is reunited with some of her high school chums when she rewrites Romeo and Juliet for a former classmate who made her high school life terrible. The murder occurs at the wedding and Jaine is ready to solve the mystery.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder
This is the first in the Hannah Swensen series. Hannah Swensen owns The Cookie Jar, a cookie shop in Lake Eden, Minnesota. She goes out to get her delivery of dairy and discovers the driver dead in his truck. Her brother-in-law, Bill, is on the case and Hannah helps him investigate so he can be promoted to detective. Along the way, Hannah discovers another body. It wasn't the best "cozy" mystery I've ever read but it was cute and had lots of good cookie recipes.
Revenge of the Spellmans
The third in the Spellman series. This was the best one, so far. Izzy is back doing her court-appointed therapy. Henry is not speaking to Rae because she has changed the locks at his home. David has a secret. Morty and Milo are moving away and Izzy has trouble understanding the new bartender. Great fun, very funny and I loved it.
I Am Half-Sick of Shadows (A Flavia de Luce Mystery #4)
This is the fourth in the Flavia de Luce and by far, my favorite. Even though the murder doesn't happen until you are halfway through the book, this book is filled with all the familiar and eccentric characters from Bishop's Lacey. It is Christmas at Buckshaw and a film crew has rented it out. Along with the film's crew and stars, villagers arrive for a performance and are snowed in. During the night, someone is murdered and Flavia sets out to find out who it is. Loved this book! I wish Mr. Bradley would write faster!
 - Alan Bradley)