Skein of Words

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...

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-...

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.

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!

 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...

Overall, I enjoyed the second book in this series. This time Ruby discovers the mail courier dead in the washroom but there is something not quite right about this being an accidental overdose. The highlight is still Ruby and Cordelia’s relationship. Their whole living/ghost dynamic is quirky and entertaining, and their interactions add a lot of humor to the story. The dual POV works well and keeps things feeling fresh.  I also thought the addition of Cordelia's ghost 'friend' was helpful in keeping the action balanced on both sides. The mystery itself kept me interested, and I liked that the solution wasn’t super obvious. That said, the pacing felt a little uneven—parts of the investigation dragged, while the ending wrapped up pretty quickly. Overall,  a light read with a fun premise and solid mystery and I will watch out for the next in the series.  (3.5-4 stars) Thanks to Netgalley,  the author and publisher for the e-Arc for review.