Saturday, January 20, 2018

Weekend Book Reviews

A Murder for the Books by Victoria Gilbert is the first book in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series.  Amy leaves her academic library job, moves in with her aunt, and becomes the librarian of a small town library.  This book is a mix of mystery, (fictional) history, and romance.  Events of long ago become entangled with current events including a couple of murders.  Amy and her new next door neighbor Richard are pulled into the mysteries - both past and present.  The setting and characters are wonderful.  I look forward to the second book and seeing what changes take place in the town and in Amy's life. 


Nancy J Parra's A Case of Syrah, Syrah is the first book in the Wine Country Mystery series.  Taylor left her advertising job to move in with her aunt and start a wine tour business.  On her very first tour a participant is killed and Taylor is the prime suspect.  In order to save her business as well as her aunt's, she sets out to solve the murder.  My problem with the book began there.  While this is the usual premise of nearly every cozy mystery, Taylor's behavior comes across as just plain stupid.  Rather than going through her lawyer with everything she find, Taylor goes to the police, a reporter, and every other person imaginable.  The book had a good premise.  I just hope the author smartens up Taylor for future books.

Crust No One by Winnie Archer is the second book in the Bread Shop Mystery series.  I had read the previous book, but it is not necessary.  Ivy is continuing her work at Yeast of Eden, a wonderful bread shop in Santa Sofia, California.  The mystery in this book for the majority of the time is a missing person.  Mustache Hank was last seen at Yeast of Eden but no one can find a trace of him after that.  While the mystery in this book was a bit weak, the characters more than make up for it.  Crust No One is a good addition to the series, and the ending left me anxious for the next installment.

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

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