Frank F. reviewed on 4/30/2025 + 391 more book reviews

Hero's that kill people. Its so strange that we still need to have warrows trained to kill. We glorify them, but we need them because there are those that would give their lives to kill us.
An amazing story of survival

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Karen S. (BoysMom) - , reviewed on 4/30/2025 + 947 more book reviews

Murder in the Hidden Cargo Hold: Olivia Ocean Cruise Ship Mysteries by Denise Jaden

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Fun, fish-out-of-water murder mystery.

Murder in the Hidden Cargo Hold is the first book in author Denise Jaden's cozy Olivia Ocean Cruise Ship Mysteries. It features a new crewmate and junior photographer, Olivia Ocean, as she embarks on her first contract cruise aboard the Moonlight Majesty. An engaging protagonist, a toxic job environment, and an intriguing plot combine to make this a great debut for this new series.

Olivia has been caring for her grandparents since she was young, from before her grandfather passed to the recent death of her beloved grandmother. Since her grandmother had spoken so fondly of her time working on cruise ships when she was young, when Olivia spies a job opening for a photographer on the Moonlight Majesty, she jumps at the opportunity to apply. Her first day on the ship is chaotic; it's embarkation day for a 7-day cruise, and everyone is so busy with their tasks to get underway that no instruction or onboarding is given to Olivia, except for the safety briefing. She's literally handed a camera and sent to find her own way to take pictures of passengers as they board without any guidance. She does her best but is a complete fish out of water. A late-night errand to a cargo hold for photo paper, though, nets her a tiny stowaway kitten, which leads to her discovery of a dead man. As the one to find the murder victim, the hunky head of security, Miles Blackwell, initially treats Olivia with suspicion, so she feels it's in her best interests to stay as close as possible to the ensuing investigation and the handsome investigator.

While cruise ship jobs sound glamorous, the reality is anything but, and Olivia finds herself working impossibly long hours without a break with some fairly toxic coworkers. Thankfully, her new roommate, Becky, turns out to be welcoming and friendly and helps Olivia to find her sea legs. In the days that follow, Olivia and Miles work together, comparing notes, sharing information about the investigation, and coming to rely on one another. I enjoyed their slow-burn attraction to one another, but because I'm suspicious of everyone in the story except Olivia, I continually hoped that Miles was on the up and up.

The plot moves quickly, with the murder occurring on the first evening of the cruise. As Olivia works to settle into her job, she tries to impress her obnoxious supervisor with her skills and willingness to do whatever tasks he needs doing without complaint while secretly collecting clues from the dead man's coworkers. I enjoyed the presence of the little kitten, Pickle, and his extraordinary ability to point our sleuths in the right direction when needed. The scenes set throughout the different areas of the ship were interesting and fun, and I could relate to Olivia's confusion over the layout; these ships are huge. While I had an inkling of the who-dun-it, it wasn't until the resolution that I found out the surprising why. I look forward to more adventures for Olivia and, hopefully, Miles aboard the Moonlight Majesty.

I recommend MURDER IN THE HIDDEN CARGO HOLD to cozy mystery readers, especially those who enjoy cruise life.

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Karen S. (BoysMom) - , reviewed on 4/30/2025 + 947 more book reviews

What Goes Around by Michael Wendroff

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A riveting tale of a mysterious serial killer, white supremacists, and the detective team determined to stop them.

What Goes Around is the first novel by author Michael Wendroff, and after reading it, readers will definitely hope it won't be his only one! After a shooter practicing in the woods is in the right place at the right time to anonymously stop a violent assault, they discover the act of killing fulfills a need in their life, and they enjoy it. But as the body count rises, a newly-paired âdog and catâ detective team pledges to put an end to this vigilante's trail of death.

Wow! I was immediately drawn into this clever story from the very first chapter. Its opening scene, where readers are introduced to Jack Ludlum and Jill Jarred, the two police officer main characters fated to become partners, is both suspenseful and explosive, with bullets and blood flying everywhere. Confident, talented, and highly competitive, these two officers do not like each other and have little in common but their desire to get the job done. They rub each other the wrong way, both consciously and inadvertently, from the moment they meet at the academy, but the author does a great job setting up their slow-burn relationship with teasing, tentative moments until they eventually realize they are perfect for each other, on and off the job. I really enjoyed how they quickly see they complement each other while working cases and come to understand they are better together as a team than separately and on their own.

As mentioned, the plot hits the ground running, and the action never lets up, with several storylines working at one time, each equally as puzzling. Still, with so many moving parts, this first-time author juggled them like a pro, keeping things straight and clear until the storylines began to converge. The shooter remains a well-kept secret, tantalizingly out of reach, until the big reveal, and kept me guessing and in the dark the entire time. I'm sincerely hoping for more from this author and SOON.

I recommend WHAT GOES AROUND to mystery and thriller readers.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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Lynne L. reviewed on 4/30/2025 + 8 more book reviews

Excellent book from someone who experienced it. He also uses Scripture to back up what he says. Everyone should read this.

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Rachel G. (roach808) - reviewed on 4/30/2025 + 211 more book reviews

It's hard to say that you "really liked" a heart-breaking story of self-preservation, dire circumstances, and corruption; but this was really well done.

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Donna C. (g-ma) reviewed on 4/30/2025 + 3182 more book reviews

This is not the genre I usually read but for something different I gave it a try, it's a pretty good story and well written

It is nothing hardcore, no bad language, very little sex descriptions but more about friendship

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Donna C. (g-ma) reviewed on 4/30/2025 + 3182 more book reviews

This is a good series, however, this one is my least favorite, it just wasn't as interesting as the previous books, maybe I'm getting tired of the MC
There are still 10 books yet to come out, they are on kindle first for about a year before paperback so I'm in doubt as to if I'll finish the series if it doesn't get better
I miss Ripley!

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Michael B. (Ichabod) reviewed on 4/30/2025 + 161 more book reviews

Missing and Murdered

The ongoing disappearance and murder of Indigenous women and girls in Canada and the United States, often described as a genocide, has persisted for decades. These cases frequently receive little to no attention or investigation. In "Fireweed," Lauren Hadden is looking to shine a light on this atrocity.

Living in Prince George, Canada, Jenny Hayes, who identifies as "white trash," harbors disdain for most everyone, including her demanding mother, privileged social circle, and even her husband. She does develop a strong curiosity about her neighbor Rachelle, an Indigenous widow with two young children whose late husband was white. Despite Jenny's crude, stereotype-laden perspective, shaped by her family and social circle's prejudiced views of Indigenous people as "uncivilized" and "savages," Rachelle becomes a subject of intense fascination for her, observed from her backyard. Jenny is an incredibly nosy neighbor, constantly snooping, peeking, and keeping tabs on everything Rachelle does.

A twenty-four-year-old blonde, blue-eyed white girl, Beth Tremblay has disappeared, and it is the lead story on every station. Her picture is posted everywhere, there are bumper stickers, there is a reward out, and the whole community is galvanized. This just did not happen to girls like her.

One day Rachelle disappears-- she fails to pick up her girls from the day care center. Jenny is the only one who seems to take notice. She investigates, tries to make the Mounties take this seriously, but the report is not even written up. A friend suggests Rachelle is just a casualty suffered by the prostitutes who work highway 16, the so-called "Highway of Tears."

Our "White Savior," Jenny may seem to be good-intentioned, but she just wears us out. She is loaded up with prejudices, she is borderline obsessive with Rachelle, and she makes a series of baffling decisions that leaves you scratching your head. There is a puzzling passage where she second-guesses her ancestry as an explanation for her connection with Rachelle, "...as if other hands were at the wheel." Her husband, no prize human being, makes a comment to her that she should not ever forgive... and she lets that pass. Ultimately, the narrative lacks compelling characters to connect with.

It seems crucial that such a significant story be narrated by Native voices. We never see Rachelle, we see a caricature through Jenny's eyes. There are inherent limitations to the perspective of a naive white woman who makes the story about herself.

The National Week of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls runs each year from May 5 to May 9.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Laura P. (hemmputnam) reviewed on 4/29/2025 + 1167 more book reviews

I liked books one and two better than this one, but I will keep reading the series to see what happens next. I enjoyed the parts where the found family of the Calamity were all together and the parts where Caro's gift with tech was on display. Unfortunaely the beginning of the story has her unable to interact with tech and it's unsafe for her to interact with the hero. I'm glad I stuck with it, but it's not one for my keeper shelf.

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Heather S. reviewed on 4/29/2025

I was hoping for the CD. The post did not say book only.

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Nada A. reviewed on 4/29/2025 + 1420 more book reviews

Midnight in Soap Lake by Matthew Sullivan is based on a fascinating actual lake! The story is part science fiction, part murder mystery, and part urban legend. I expected a more unusual ending based on the rest of the book. In addition, I finish unsure if I even understand the reasons why behind the mystery. Nevertheless, I am fascinated by the place.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2025/04/midnight-in-soap-lake.html

Reviewed for NetGalley and the Harlequin Trade Publishing's Winter 2025 Blog Tour Program.

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Lynda C. (Readnmachine) reviewed on 4/29/2025 + 1497 more book reviews

Allen's trademark sense of whimsey -- landing somewhere between Magical Realism and the happier end of the Twilight Zone -- is on full display in this one, featuring two young women at crossroads in their lives, being nudged, pulled, and sometimes outright pushed, in the directions Fate thinks they need to go.

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Karen S. (BoysMom) - , reviewed on 4/29/2025 + 947 more book reviews

Murder at Meadows Lake Clubhouse by Debbie De Louise

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A fun start to this new cozy mystery series with an unusual premise and engaging main characters.

Murder at Meadows Lake Clubhouse is the first book in the new paranormal cozy Soup the Supernatural Kitten Mysteries by veteran (and one of my all-time favorites) author Debbie De Louise. The plot features a recent widow who relocates to an over-55 community in South Carolina and the unusually gifted kitten she discovers in her brand-new home. Convinced to sell the home she shared for more than 30 years with her husband Harvey, Rose Fairchild decides to make a fresh start in a new setting and moves to Meadows Lake, South Carolina. But on her first full day in her new home, she is greeted by the news that there has been a murder in the community's clubhouse: the victim being the head cook at the restaurant there. She is equally surprised when her new acquaintance, the local sheriff, asks her to accompany him on his rounds to question potential suspects. However, neither of those surprises tops the moment when she discovers her new kitten, Soup, has supernatural abilities and is able to talk!

Rose Fairchild is a sweet woman in her sixties, and while still deeply grieving her recently departed spouse, she is otherwise quite unflappable in the face of numerous shocking revelations. She is a kind and thoughtful person and quickly attracts the attention of two of Meadows Lake's most eligible bachelors, real estate agent Grant Davis and Sheriff Blake Conor. Both are gentlemanly but have pleasant plans to spend time getting to know Rose. It's going to be a tough choice for her in the future.

I liked the paranormal aspects of the story, as well as Soup's fun personality, focus on meals, her ability to talk to Rose as well as animals, and her telepathic ability. Not only do they find comfort with one another, but they also make a pretty good team when it comes to getting answers.

The plot hits the ground running, with the murder occurring early in the story. Because the victim was universally disliked, there are several good suspects to cross off the investigative list. I enjoyed the story but thought the premise of the sheriff inviting Rose and Grant into the crime scene to view the body of the victim and for her to join the investigation shockingly implausible. But with one of the main characters being a resurrected, talking cat, how can one even start to draw a line for what's plausible or not? Readers should be prepared to suspend their belief in reality, trust the process, and have fun.

I recommend MURDER AT MEADOWS LAKE CLUBHOUSE to cozy mystery readers, especially those who enjoy more mature main characters, amateur sleuths, and cat-centered stories.

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Marci (marcijo28) - reviewed on 4/29/2025 + 370 more book reviews

McBain handles misdirection brilliantly and, more importantly, realistically. He writes vivid scenes and characters. This is one of my favorites in the 87th Precinct series, so far.

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Susan F. (scoutmomskf) - , reviewed on 4/29/2025 + 2678 more book reviews

The premise of this book was interesting. It is a private island, a place for crafters of all kinds to get together, share their projects, and learn from each other. It is peaceful and beautiful, with people who look out for each other. The owner, Eloisa, has a knack for helping struggling people. She invites a few special people to an all-expenses paid vacation on the island each year.

Jeanie is a quilter who received one of those invitations, which includes her daughter Luna and granddaughter Artemis. The entire family has had a rough time lately. Luna's husband was murdered, and she discovered that he had lost everything gambling. She and Artie had to move in with Jeanie. Artie is struggling with grief over her father's death. Meanwhile, Jeanie fell victim to a scam artist and is on the brink of losing her home.

I enjoyed watching the changes the three women experienced. Artie is almost sixteen and none too thrilled to be there. There is no internet, and cell phone service is practically non-existent. She's quite the brat at the beginning of the book, but meeting a new friend opens her eyes to a life outside a screen. There is some typical teenage eye-rolling and snark, but Artie is, at heart, a good kid. I loved seeing her and the other girl, Orion, get to know each other. Their collaboration on an art project for the contest was intriguing.

Jeanie is a people pleaser. Her backstory was heartbreaking, between her unstable childhood and her alcoholic husband. She and Luna have a strained relationship, but they need each other. She must win the craft contest's grand prize to save her home. I loved her confidence in her quilting skills and ached for her lack of belief in her design skills for a contest-worthy quilt.

Luna has difficulty trusting people.. Her difficult childhood, combined with her husband's betrayal, makes allowing anyone to get close a challenge. She is overprotective toward Artie, which strains their relationship. Luna also looks sideways at how easily Jeanie makes friends with total strangers. She is wary of the exuberant residents of Hobby Island, wondering what darkness lies beneath the smiles. The last person Luna expects to encounter on Hobby Island is her high school boyfriend, Paul.

I liked Paul. A single dad, he moved to Hobby Island to be near his Aunt Eloisa and have her help raising his daughter, Orion. He's in charge of the landscaping, the golf carts (no cars), and security. His past with Luna is an integral part of the book as they reconnect and deal with that past. Paul is a great guy, a terrific dad, and has an excellent outlook on life.

I enjoyed the story's progression as the island works its magic on Jeanie, Luna, and Artie. I especially liked seeing Jeanie and Luna work together to design the quilt Jeanie will make for the contest. Their time together brings them closer than they've been in years but also stirs up some unwelcome memories.

I enjoyed watching Paul and Luna reconnect. It doesn't take long to resurrect their feelings from the past, but Luna is wary of believing a future is possible for them. I loved Paul's patience with her fears and his steady encouragement to let go of them.

The story's intensity built as the competition's time grew closer. A crisis with Artie resurrected Luna's fears, causing her to push Paul away. I liked the advice Luna got that helped her move past the obstacles that were holding her back. Twists and turns add intrigue to the contest with a surprise conclusion. I loved the epilogue.

The island itself was one of my favorite characters. The little village of craft shops has something for everyone and a welcoming atmosphere that encourages creativity. The descriptions of the flowers were so vivid I could practically smell them, and the scene with the butterflies was fantastic. Wicked Martha, the left sock-stealing tortoise, was a surprise. I also enjoyed the quirky residents, such as the knitting-while-riding-a-unicycle Eloisa and "Auntie" Dot. I'm looking forward to another visit to Hobby Island.

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kickerdad - , reviewed on 4/29/2025 + 127 more book reviews

Everyone jokes about Millennials - when actually think most times we are referring to iGen. We've all seen the memes . . ."Growing up I drank from a water hose, rode my bike 5 miles from home - without a helmet, and my parents didn't care where I was as long as I was home before the street lights came on." Aside from a brief dose of nostalgia for some of us the overall implication is that the current generation can't/does't/won't.

"The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad ideas are Setting Up a Generation for Failure" by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt present data indicating that the iGen is the least prepared for adulthood in history - but it may not be their fault. We - the parents, the generations before, taught them to be the way they are. Noticing a substantial and thought provoking change in behavior patterns in college students beginning in 2013 freshmen, prompted the writers to dig in and investigate the phenomena - "safe spaces", "trigger warnings", words, thoughts or ideas as "traumatic", hurt feelings as "violence".

The book is divided into three sections: the first defines 3 fundamental 'untruths' that most younger people (and often older folks as well) believe in. Paradigms that define and focus their world view. Section 2 is numerous examples from around American colleges that illustrate the 'untruths'. This section also dips into how the world outside of 'college life' impacts the campus and vice-versa. Also touching out how attempting be diverse and inclusive has caused many colleges to become more homogeneous further amplfying the untruths. Section 3 presents six possible causes, as well as some suggestions for improvement.

Lukianoff and Haidt provide thoughtful considerations to quite a few things I've pondered during recent years as well as touched on a few I had not considered. Peanut bans in elementary schools? Driving your kids to school as opposed to walking or taking the bus? What happened to recess? What's with the increase in childhood and teen anxiety? or Suicide rate? Why are kids not interested in getting their drivers licenses?

Woven throughout the entire book is the explanation regarding the utilization of CBT - cognitive behavior therapy - for dealing with anxiety, stress, and cognitive perception disorders.

Great book! Easy to read with substantial references. Thoughtfully laid out with balanced, reasoned perspectives. [5/5]

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Sallie M. (oldrockandroll) - , reviewed on 4/29/2025 + 316 more book reviews

This is the second book in the Luke Daniels series by Steve Berry. I loved this book. It had a lot of suspense and well drawn out characters. This writing team did well writing the first book in the series, the 9th Man. It was an excellent read also, about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Iam looking forward to reading the third book in the Luke Daniels series. Excellent read!!

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Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 4/28/2025 + 2793 more book reviews

An interesting book covering the major riots which occurred in New York City. Written in 1873, it is marred by the author's extreme prejudice against Catholics, the Irish, Negroes and others, especially immigrants. This prejudice became understandable when I read in the Afterword that the author was a high ranking member of the Know-Nothing Party in New York.

The author also tries to make the case that if the July, 1863 Draft Riots had succeeded, it would have resulted in a Confederate victory in the Civil War. I think that was a bit much.

I knew about the Draft Riots as they are mentioned in numerous Civil War history books. But I was astonished at the number of casualties, dead and wounded, the author describes, with well over a thousand dead. The rioters were so ruthless in their attacks on the police, military and innocent civilians, that the police and military finally engaged in brutal attacks, even with canister fired from cannons, to put down the riots. Rioting men and women were clubbed over the head, with many killed. However the Wikipedia site on the Riots has James McPherson, considered the Dean of Civil War historians, as estimating the number of deaths at only 120. Who should we believe?

Today the author's description of law enforcement's tactics at quelling the riot, and in fact the rioter' actions themselves, would result in world-wide media coverage and investigations on a vast scale due to their brutality.

And who would believe that numerous New York residents were burned at the stake in the 1700s? But it happened.

Still, after finishing the book, my favorite was the 1857 riot between the Dead Rabbits and the Roach Guards. The movie "The Gangs of New York" was based on this riot. However, I've never seen that movie.

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Elizabeth R. (esjro) - , reviewed on 4/28/2025 + 988 more book reviews

It took me a bit to get into this book (I'm not even sure why I am saying that as it is not very long) but by the middle I was charmed. This is a sweet story of how a self-isolated widow finds community and hope thanks to a little mouse named Sipsworth.

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jjares reviewed on 4/28/2025 + 3495 more book reviews

Although I have read several other novels by this author, this is the first book in this series. It is deep into the series at number ten (of fourteen).

There are lots of characters who converge at this resort in St. Croix. Smiley and McBlythe are here for Bella and Adam's wedding, which is taking place at Bella's parents' resort. Before long, we learn that the parents are looking to sell the resort, but another hotelier is suddenly killed.

Because Sam, part of the detective duo, is blind, this shifts most of the movement in the story to dialogue. I found the story slow, but it soon moved into high gearâan enjoyable read.

Smiley and McBlythe Mystery
1. Exercise is Murder (2019)
2. Jingle Bells, Rifle Shells (2019)
3. Pistols and Poinsettias (2020)
4. Five Card Murder (2021)
5. Murder in the Dunes (2021)
6. The Name Game Murder (2022)
7. Murder Down the Line (2022)
8. Vision of Murder (2022)
9. Mistletoe, Malice and Murder (2022)
** 10. A Beach to Die For (2023)

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jjares reviewed on 4/28/2025 + 3495 more book reviews

This cookbook is excellent in every way. It offers a variety of recipes and tastes, nutritional information, and glorious photos of the finished dishes. The range of recipes is impressive: breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, soups and salads, fruits, and desserts.

Power balls are a trending item in many cookbooks and online. This author has an easy-to-do recipe that I am excited to try. This is a well-thought-out and executed recipe book to help readers venture into Mediterranean cuisine.

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Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 4/28/2025 + 2793 more book reviews

Marco and Cato have been in some really tough spots before, but this has to be the worst. Not only that, but the weather sucks too!

And all because a legate wants to win himself some fame. Reminds me of some senior officers I served under.

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Debra C. (sugarbear) reviewed on 4/28/2025

I really enjoyed this thriller. It keeps you guessing until the end and has a great plot twist. It is very easy to read and keeps you interested until the very end.

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Cathy C. (cathyskye) - , reviewed on 4/28/2025 + 2348 more book reviews

When anyone asks about my favorite mystery series, Val McDermid's Karen Pirie books are right up at the top of the list. With its lovely twisty plot, Past Lying is an excellent addition. The story is made even more engrossing by showing readers policing in the time of Covid. There are rules that must be obeyed, or there will be consequences, and Karen and her team have to be very careful (and quick-witted) about how they conduct themselves.

Speaking of Karen and her team, there is a lot in Past Lying to further the lives of the main characters. There's Karen's relationship with Hamish, the entrepreneur, which is complicated by the fact that he's miles away while Karen is in his apartment in Edinburgh with team member, Daisy, during the lockdown. And Daisy? She shows a lot of talent as a police officer, but I'm not sure how much I can trust her. After all, Daisy herself says, it's "... always handy to have something on your boss." This doubt makes the back of my mind itch as I watch Karen work hard to make both Daisy and Jason stronger members of the team.

There's even more going on in the characters' lives, which makes sense due to the personal nature of lockdown; however, there is also an insider's look at the craft of writing, manuscripts, publishing, author events, and workshops, as well as the plight of refugees. Past Lying is a densely layered, completely satisfying mystery, and I don't want to wait until December for the next book in the series.

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Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 4/28/2025 + 2793 more book reviews

Most Westerns take place over a few weeks or months. This one takes place over several years. It's full of different stories of many people from a large group who worked and suffered together. Only a great Western author like Compton could have pulled it off successfully.

However, Compton took literary license when he had President Grant attend the "Joining of Rails" ceremony. And, during the period the novel is set in, forensic ballistics using bullets to solve crimes was never even thought of. But this was just a minor use in this novel. Hey! It is fiction after all.

While a sequel to Book 1, it easily stands alone.

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