Skein of Words

....In places of darkness, women will rise... I really enjoyed this book (so much that I ended up buying a physical copy for my Mom). I have a soft spot for books set in Iceland, as my grandfather was Icelandic and his sister was named Guðrun. There’s something about the stark landscapes, the sense of isolation, and the quiet intensity of the tales that always pulls me in. The Swell by Kat Gordon absolutely delivers on the atmosphere. To me, it felt immersive without trying too hard, letting the setting do its work in shaping the mood and the mystery of Guðrun in 1910 and Sigga in the 1970s (around the time of the Rauðsokkahreyfingin or Red Stocking Movement to combat misogyny and demand equality). The story unfolds across dual timelines (I do love books with dual timelines!). One thread follows a contemporary narrative featuring Sigga, while the other slowly reveals events from the past (Guðrun and her sister Freya), and the connection between them is teased out in a really satisfying...

I really enjoyed this YA novel about a modern-day descendant of Edgar Allan Poe. Ellen is pulled into a hidden world tied to Poe’s legacy, where she begins using her affinity with numbers and puzzles to search for mysterious artifacts and uncovering “forgotten lore”. The premise is a lot of fun, and the artifact hunt gives the story good momentum. As much as I loved the adventure, I also liked Ellen’s journey as she sought to understand her connection to Poe and what it all means for her and her family. There’s a good balance of literary mystery, light gothic atmosphere, and coming-of-age relationships without it getting too heavy. It’s an easy, engaging read with just enough intrigue to keep you hooked. Definitely one I’d recommend if you like bookish mysteries with a gothic or ghostly edge, and I’d happily pick up the next in the series.   The audiobook was very well narrated with good pacing and believability for the character.  Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and a...

This is a solid cozy mystery, but I admit that I enjoyed it mostly for the Scottish castle setting. The atmosphere was the highlight as Freya and her Aunt Carole race to figure out who murdered the laird of the castle and stole the priceless silver collection. At the same time, they are also trying to find their missing team member who had last been seen at the Castle. It's filled with family secrets and eeriness.

I really enjoyed this one more than the last one! Judith Potts is such a great main character, and I love her connection with her two friends. Judith is sharp, independent, a little eccentric, and completely unwilling to be ignored. This mystery centres on a series of murders targeting local celebrities, which turn out to be linked to a blackmail scheme. As Judith and her friends investigate with their usual determination, the case begins to intersect with the long-standing mystery surrounding Judith's husband’s death years earlier, adding a more personal layer to the story. The trio dynamic continues to work well, but Judith is the standout. I like that this book was faster-paced. It's a fun, cozy mystery with a bit more depth. Looking forward to the next in the series. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the e-Arc

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...

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...

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.

Fateful Words by Paige Shelton Edwin, the owner of the Cracked Spine bookstore in Edinburgh, leaves town quickly for some secret business. This leaves his second in command, Delaney, in charge of the bookshop just as a group arrives for Edwin's highly regarded book-related holiday tours.  Delaney is a bit out of her comfort zone as she hasn't run one of these tours before and now must scramble to figure out all the locations plus manage some unique guests.  Just as she meets with the tour group, the inn manager falls to his death from the top of the inn where the group is lodging. To complicate matters further, one of the tour guests subsequently disappears, and Delaney is also still trying to figure out where Edwin has gone. I liked that the action picked up quickly in this book, which made it a quick read with lots of twists and turns in the plot. This is the first book in the Scottish book shop series by Paige Shelton that I have read.  Despite this being the 8th book ...

  A fun mystery revolving around three retired friends who have recently started investigating murders. Although this is the second book in the series, you don't need to have read the first to enjoy this book. Judith, Becks and Suzie are at a swanky party to celebrate the pending nuptials of local bigwig Sir Peter Bailey. You can tell pretty quickly that he's going to be the one to get knocked off; however, it's a locked room mystery that needs to be solved. I thought the characters were all well-written and distinct, with my favourite being Judith. This is a fun weekend mystery to read, and I'm looking forward to going backwards and reading the first book. Definitely recommended. Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the ARC for review.

Isabel Puddles Abroad is an enjoyable cozy mystery. It's the perfect read for when you feel like taking a little trip to another destination in your reading life.   Isabel is in her 60's. Her children are grown, and now it is time for Isabel to take on new challenges. She's decided to return to college to finish the degree she'd meant to do when she had children. However, as a break, Isabel takes up her new friend Teddy Mansfield's offer to visit him in England. Ultimately, like Miss Marple, Agatha Raisin and Jessica Fletcher, Isabel gets herself tangled up in a murder mystery and aims to solve the crime.      While I have yet to read the first in this series, it is on my library wishlist. I am happy to report that not having read the first book had absolutely no impact on reading enjoyment or being able to follow the characters. The narrative of this book flows exceptionally well. It's a joy to read. I look forward to going back to read the rest of the series. ...

Emma feels her life isn't worth continuing and that she's achieved all she'll ever achieve.  She decides to off herself by falling from the top of a high building.  She's left a goodbye message for her roommate and friend, Mark.  While trying to save her from this decision, he accidentally knocks them both off to their seeming death.  Just before they are about to hit the ground, Death rides in and scoops them up.  However, there is a hitch!  Both of their hourglasses still technically contain some sand, which means they are now stuck between life and death. I really enjoyed this book. It hit at a time when I needed to read something humorous, even if it is death.  I loved the author's sense of humour that flowed through their writing.  The characters are funny, and there is good banter between them which makes this an easy weekend read.  Sometimes you just need to read something that makes you giggle. Thanks to NetGalley and the author for t...

This isn't my typical type of read but I just can't seem to pass up books that revolve around bees and honey.  It is so well written that I finished reading it in one day.  I was surprised that this was written by two authors as it has such a smooth flow and consistent voice.  Each of the characters was well-developed, and the story drew you in.  I had to keep reading to figure out what happened to Olivia, Asher and Lily.  I loved how the apiculture scenes were woven throughout the book and I admit to having a few sniffles about the tradition to inform the bees about a death in the family. I thought I had guessed what was going to happen and I was completely wrong!  Definitely recommended. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and to the authors -- well done! 

Welcome to Feral.  Little Town.  Big Scares!  I absolutely loved the drawings and each of the mini-stories in this book.  Reminded me a lot of watching shows like Tales from the Darkside, Unexplained Mysteries, and the Twilight Zone.  Each of these stories, all set in the fictional town of Feral, has strange twists. From spooky midnight playgrounds, eerie forests where kids disappear on their way to the local swimming hole, and scout leaders who aren't really what they are supposed to be.   It is the perfect graphic novel to kick off Hallowe'en!  Definitely recommended.  Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this graphic novel.

The Swift and the Harrier by Minette Walters Jayne Swift has focused her life on being a physician, so she avoids offers of marriage.  The Swift and the Harrier by Minette Walters starts out with Jayne trying to get through a rough crowd of execution gawkers so that she can get to her cousin's house to treat her sick nephew.  She gets pushed into a doorway and ends up taking refuge there so that she doesn't get crushed by the crowd.  This event brings her together with William Harrier, who appears to be a footman at the residence, although mysteriously may not be. Unfortunately, I had difficulty with the PDF that I received through NetGalley so this slowed my reading progress of this novel.  Overall, it is a really good story centred around the English civil war, the black death and the treatment of the ill at Lyme Regis.  That said, I did find that it was overly descriptive in places which did impact my attention span (I admit to flipping pages to speed the sto...

    In Brooklyn, New York, Beasley Cherries is facing challenging times. Teddy Beasley has tried his best to revitalize the maraschino cherry business by investing in organic operations and new lines. However, his business decisions haven't been entirely successful, and he gets caught up in some illegal dealings putting Made in Vermont labels on smuggled Chinese honey as a means of trying to pay off company debt. Now there is an increase in bee activity around the factory, and Teddy is positive that the local bees know what he is up to! Meanwhile, across town, Mims Walsh is also facing an uphill battle as she tries to become a successful freelance writer. Her journalism classmates seem to be all passing her by in their careers. It's not so much about fame and fortune at the moment as getting enough writing jobs to put food on the table. In her search for the next big story, Mims stumbles upon a local beekeeper who appeals for help from the town council. She meets with Charlie ...