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Homecoming by Kate Morton

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5 stars! I loved this story. I honestly can’t believe this was my first book by Kate Morton after meaning to read her for so long (and being late in reading this e-arc - sorry!!!!). Homecoming is one of those slow-burn, layered stories that just completely pulls you in. The dual timeline works very well in this novel moving between the story of what appeared to be a tragic murder-suicide of a family and the present-day investigation. At the centre is Jess, returning to Australia after her grandmother has a critical fall and uncovering a decades-old mystery after she passes away. The story unfolds through the revealing of secrets, family history, and shifting perspectives. It kept me hooked the whole way through. I also loved the element of gothic mystery in that the stories also centre around a beautiful but isolated old mansion, Halcyon, that has had several owners. It’s not a fast-paced thriller, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s atmospheric, emotional, and really satisfying. Now I wil...
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The Hitchhiker by Martina Behm - best shawl pattern ever!

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There are knitting patterns you enjoy, and then there are the ones you keep coming back to. For me, the Hitchhiker shawl by Martina Behm firmly falls into that second category.   I don’t think I fully appreciated it the first time I knit one.  I saw a sample of a Hitchhiker in a knitting store on vacation back in 2016 and promptly bought the yarn and pattern (sadly that yarn store is no longer open). It seemed like the perfect vacation pattern. Simple.  Just garter stitch, a bit of shaping, those little “teeth” along the edge. However, this pattern has just clicked with me.  It always looks great and is just brilliant. I love that there is also a literary connection. The name of this shawl is a playful nod to its origin. It is designed to include 42 “teeth,” a subtle reference to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and its famous answer to life, the universe, and everything. My first Hitchhiker in 2016 It is the perfect “just one more row” project The rhyt...
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A Killer Guest List by Sarah Bonner

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Sarah Bonner's new book delivered! This was so much fun. It is one of those books where the premise hooks you immediately, a murder mystery weekend that is the cover for a twisted plot of actual murders. The story follows Sadie, an elderly murderess of bad people, who arrives at a remote retreat for her annual attendance at an immersive murder mystery experience alongside a group of guests (including her god-daughter) who, very quickly, do not feel randomly selected. There is a constant sense in the beginning that something with the game isn’t quite right. Once things start to go off-script, it becomes a full “who can you trust” situation—and I was completely in. I loved the atmosphere here. The closed setting, the blurred lines between the game and reality, and the way the secrets are revealed piece by piece. Every time I thought I had a handle on what was going on, something shifted just enough to keep me guessing. The characters were also a highlight for me. Sadie is a great anc...
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Teach the Torches to Burn by Christina Dodd

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Loved this latest addition to the Daughter of Montague series.  It is a romp filled with family drama, chaos and of course....murders. This time we’re deep into Rosie's wedding prep for her marriage to Prince Escalus (Cal).  The wedding prep is already stressful but things spiral once the families are all together and there's a poisoner ruining Rosie's attempts at a relatively harmonious event (at least as much as it can be when you bring both the Capulet and Montague families together in one place). I really enjoy how these books balance humour with the mystery - and of course, that it is the what comes after Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The family dynamics are half the fun (and it is a BIG family). There is always intrigue, tension, and witty dialogue which speeds the story along. Another great installment—fast, entertaining, and just the right amount of dramatic!  Looking forward to the next adventure. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for this E-...
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A Murder Most Camp by Nicolas DiDomizio

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This book suited my mood perfectly this week. A Murder Most Camp by Nicholas DiDomizio was such a delight. It was a great blend of mystery; thriller; family and rom-com. I loved how the 'gnephew' - aunt relationship grew between Mikey and his substantially younger aunt, Annabelle, while they worked together at the end to figure out the mystery of Cabin One. What really surprised me, though, was how the story builds. It starts off light and campy when Mikey's billionnaire Dad advises him that there is a clause for his inheritance that he must 'do something good' before he turns 30 or he will lose it. The story turns into quite the thriller by the end, with real tension and momentum. The mystery ends up delivering more than expected, without losing the charm that makes the book so enjoyable. This one was just plain fun and kept me hooked right through to the finish.
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Nightshade and Oak by Molly O'Neill

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I was a little worried going into Nightshade and Oak that I wouldn’t enjoy it as much as Greenteeth, which I absolutely loved—but happily that wasn’t the case at all! Molly O’Neill does such a wonderful job weaving stories around British folk tales, and the Roman occupation of Britain makes for a tense backdrop, with the daughter of Boudica as a main character. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the way the historical setting shaped the story. I did find myself thinking that the central relationship between Mallt Nightshade and Princess Bellis might actually have been even stronger if it had remained platonic. The trust, companionship, and shared challenges between the characters were already compelling, and keeping that bond as a deep friendship could have highlighted another kind of meaningful connection that feels true to the harsh and uncertain context of the time. Highly recommended! 4.5 I was absolutely thrilled!
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The Sisterhood by Tasha Alexander

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 The Sisterhood - Tasha Alexander The Sisterhood by Tasha Alexander was a solid addition to the Lady Emily series. I really enjoyed the dual timeline story of Lady Emily and Colin investigating the death of a debutante and the story of Vatta, a fictional depiction of the daughter of Boudica in ancient Britannia. For some reason, I have hit upon a few books that include Boudica's daughters (all of which I enjoyed). It added depth and a fresh historical layer to the Lady Emily mysteries. When Lady Emily and Colin are asked to investigate the poisoning death of a debutante, things initially seem connected to the theft of a tiara. However, the investigation quickly becomes more complex. Emily is drawn into the workings of a mysterious all-female group with roots that appear to stretch back to the time of Boudica. Through the ancient Britannia dual timeline, the story explores Vatta's struggle to carry on her mother’s legacy and protect sacred knowledge in the aftermath of the Roman...
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