book reviews

Sea Holidays, Serial Murders, and Bad Romance Author: M.C. Beaton Agatha Raisin, now armed with her own fledgling detective business, is finally over her man-craziness, specifically her obsession with her ex-husband, the stoic James Lacey. Or at least, that is what she keeps saying, but when James shows up at her door one day, wanting to whisk her away on a holiday, ostensibly to keep their weird friendship alive, Agatha rapidly says yes, breaks the bank buying filmy underthings, and prepares to go cavorting on an exotic holiday where romance will be rekindled, preferably at a lavish beach resort. Only, [...]

Nancy Encounters Elder Abuse Author: Carolyn Keene In her tenth adventure, Password to Larkspur Lane, Nancy tangles with some truly vicious criminals, finds out the meaning behind a strange code, and has an adventure involving kidnapped doctors and carrier pigeons. Only Nancy could have a mystery hand delivered to her from the sky. A bedraggled carrier pigeon, dropped from a plane, lands in Nancy’s outstretched hands, and as she nurses the wounded bird, she discovers a strange coded message coiled around its leg. Meanwhile the family doctor has his own secret and despite the danger to his life, divulges his kidnapping. He [...]

Gargoyles and Secrets of the Rich Author: Riley Sager Life doesn’t give many second chances, so when it does, you take them and don’t look back. Jules Larsen has gone from rags to riches, transitioning from living on her friend’s sofa and mourning her broken relationship to apartment sitting in one of the most prestigious and exclusive buildings in Manhattan. There are a few catches though – no visitors, no staying elsewhere overnight, no pictures or social media about the Bartholomew and its famous denizens. It’s essentially isolation in the best of resorts and although the wallpaper appears to have [...]