Category: Reviews

REVIEW: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

REVIEW: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Ernie Cunningham is on his way to a “mandatory” family reunion he could really do without. After turning his brother in to police for murder, things in the family have been…. tense. But his brother is about to get out of prison, and everyone is gathering at a remote mountain resort to welcome him home.

But a dead body on the mountain throws a wrench into things. And as the weather worsens and only one inexperienced cop has made it to the resort, Ernie realizes he’ll have to solve the mystery. After all, he writes books to teach writers how to craft mysteries. He even promises the reader he’ll follow all the agreed-upon rules for murder mysteries as he does so!

Review

This. Was. Wild.

So unexpected in a lot of ways for me, which added to a great reading experience with a well-crafted mystery.

As Ernie is the narrator, and the book is written after the events it describes, he’s an especially self-aware narrator. There’s a full set up for the “rules” at the start of the book plus regular references along the way to make sure you never forget. Then there’s the premise that “everyone” in the family has killed someone. So those mini-stories are woven in as well.

There’s the usual features for a mystery like this – the remote location, foul weather, family tension among the key players, and finally a growing list of dead people. I was captivated by the whole thing. I adore books with this sort of set up anyway.

But the resolution? And the surprises along the way? Wow. The extras here really kicked this up a notch. This is the whole package when it comes to plotting!

I didn’t love the characters in this – and I’m not sure I was supposed to – which is what keeps me from giving this 5 stars. But this is really an exceptional read, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. I will absolutely be reading book two, Everyone on this Train Is a Suspect, which is scheduled to release later this month. (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

 

 

REVIEW: Birtle and the Purple Turtles by Tara J. Hannon

REVIEW: Birtle and the Purple Turtles by Tara J. Hannon

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Tootie makes a new friend in Turtletown, but they are a curious looking turtle.  But “Teeny” and Tootie discover they have SO much in common, they quickly become best friends. Even though they found her a shell so she looks more turtle-like, though, Teeny really isn’t enjoying the food or activities the other turtles like. And she’s afraid to let Tootie know.

Review

This is amazing! I adored Tootie’s enthusiasm and encouragement. What a perfect friend to have during an identity crisis! And Teeny is so sweet and worried about not fitting in. The artwork is adorable, and the color scheme was perfect for me. This is a lovely story about friendship and acceptance and identity. I highly recommend this graphic novel for chapter book readers. This is labeled “Volume 1,” so I hope that means there will be more adventures for these two friends.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

 

 

REVIEW: Death in Door County by Annelise Ryan

REVIEW: Death in Door County by Annelise Ryan

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Morgan Carter runs a quirky bookstore in Door County, Wisconsin. It’s filled with all sorts of odd things Morgan has bought or found along with things her parents had put in the store when it was theirs and they were on the trail of various cryptids and other mysterious happenings.

When two bodies with mysterious markings wash up in the area, a local police chief seeks out Morgan’s expertise as a cryptozoologist. Because the “markings” look like teeth marks from an enormous, unknown sea creature.

 

Review

This was outstanding! My husband got this book when we first discovered it because the mystery sounded good and the cryptid angle fit with his hobbies. But, like me, he added it to his TBR where it sat for months.

When our local library picked it up, I suggested we team read it like we did My Roommate Is a Vampire. Unfortunately, this was so fantastic, I plowed through it before he was even able to pull it off the shelf. So we didn’t get to team read, but he did pick it up shortly after I finished so we were both able to enjoy it. I immediately pre-ordered book two, A Death in Dark Woods, once I finished, so we both have that waiting for us to read in 2024. The Monster Hunter Mystery series is now a must-read for me.

The voice for this book is great. That was the first thing I noticed. It was so easy to fall into the flow of the story, I didn’t want to put the book down. Then, the characters were great. I loved Morgan – she’s got a fascinating backstory, interesting job, and she’s had tons of unusual life experiences. She has an Andy Carpenter-esque philosophy about money and charity that I loved. Morgan’s friends and co-workers are terrific as well, and I got a kick out of the potential love interest.

Finally, the story is amazing. I had some solid ideas as I read that turned out to be on target, but I could not have predicted how it would all come together. I really enjoyed the wrap up of this one. If you are a mystery fan, I say carve out a quiet weekend and pick this one up. Once you start, you won’t want to put it down.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

 

REVIEW: Cranky Chicken: Crankosaurus by Katherine Battersby

REVIEW: Cranky Chicken: Crankosaurus by Katherine Battersby

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary and Review

Here are three new adventures for Cranky Chicken and her best friend Speedy.

  • Cranky needs a nap.
  • Speedy has an identity crisis.
  • Cranky and Speedy learn about eggs.

These are cute stories – not has laugh-out-loud funny as the last book, but these are still cute and fun for readers. There’s plenty of activity to keep kids engaged. I personally loved the trip to the library in the third story. Series fans should pick up this latest adventure. Newcomers can easily start here.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

REVIEW: Ink Girls by Marieke Nijkamp

REVIEW: Ink Girls by Marieke Nijkamp

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Greenwillow Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Cinzia is apprentice to a printer who gets on the wrong side of the ruling family with something she writes. Cinzia is able to escape arrest, but only with unexpected help from the mysterious Contessina Elena. Together they go looking for the proof needed to convince the Principessa that the magistrate – her brother – is up to no good.

Review

This was excellent! I loved the story and the girls. It’s an inspiring tale about the power of words, truth, friendship, and community. The artwork is gorgeous and pulls the story together so well. There are some author’s notes about the time and setting for this fictional city as well as information about the avvisi, the flyers Cinzia and her mestra printed.

This belongs in graphic novel collections in classrooms and homes and libraries. I think the “sweet spot” for this is 10 to 14 year olds, but it will also appeal to some younger and older readers. This would also be an excellent discussion group selection for upper elementary and middle school kids.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding

REVIEW: My Roommate Is a Vampire by Jenna Levine

REVIEW: My Roommate Is a Vampire by Jenna Levine

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Cassie Greenberg desperately needs a place to live. She’s being evicted. And she doesn’t want charity from her best friend who is newly married and shouldn’t have to deal with a “houseguest.” And she’s found an option on Craigslist – but it seems too good to be true.

In the end, she decides she can’t be picky and moves in with the unusual Frederick J. Fitzwilliam. He says he sleeps all day and is out most nights, so they’ll hardly ever see each other. Cassie finds his oddly formal language and decorating choices quirky. But he likes her sketches, left at the bottoms of their notes to one another. Things start to smooth out as they settle into a routine. But when Cassie finds their fridge full of blood, it throws a serious wrench into their living situation.

Review

First of all, despite reading the premise for this book before requesting the ARC, I still was operating on the thought that this vampire business would be a big misunderstanding in the end. I was wrong in a big way.

Second, when my husband read the premise of this book, he immediately understood what would happen. And he thought it sounded so quirky and fun, he insisted on buying his own copy. So we both read it at the same time like we were in a husband/wife book club. It was adorable if I do say so myself.

The story here is fun! I liked Cassie and Frederick. They are fascinating on their own – him a centuries old vampire in modern day Chicago and her a young artist devoted to her vision while struggling to  convince others of her work’s value. Together they are adorable. There’s tons of heat and chemistry between them, and there’s a half a chapter or so that was far too spicy to read at work on my lunch hour.

The book’s climax was fairly low stakes and pretty easily resolved, all things considered. It was a bit of a disappointment – I was expecting something with a bit more punch. If you are looking for a spicy paranormal romance that’s not too angsty and stressful, I’d suggest you give this a look. For me it was a fun and somewhat unexpected story. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

REVIEW: The Secret Society of Aunts and Uncles by Jake Gyllenhaal and Greta Caruso

REVIEW: The Secret Society of Aunts and Uncles by Jake Gyllenhaal and Greta Caruso

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Leo’s Uncle Mo is in town, and Leo’s mom has asked him to babysit. He’s not very fun. And he follows ALL the rules. And he’s even in town for a boring reason – a rubber band convention!

But Leo and Mo are magically whisked away to the Secret Society of Aunts and Uncles where Mo has the chance to learn to be a great uncle.

Review

The premise here is cute, although a bit harsh at times. Mo’s initial “failure” is that he has personal rules and plans to follow the rules Leo’s mom has set out. I’d hate to see a real aunt or uncle shamed for honoring a parent’s rules or expectations.

In the end, though, Mo discovers he doesn’t really KNOW Leo, and that *is* a big deal. And when he puts his new knowledge together with his own know how, the day is saved.

This has mixed reviews from me. I would be hesitant to gift this to someone or to read it to children because I don’t think the messaging is good all the way through, although it does have a couple of redeeming moments.

REVIEW: Never Wager with a Wallflower by Virginia Heath

REVIEW: Never Wager with a Wallflower by Virginia Heath

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Griffin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Galahad is in the market for a building where he can open a gaming hell. And he’s found the perfect opportunity in an ideal location. Except for the neighbors.

Galahad’s business opportunity is next door to an orphanage – the one where Venus teaches. The two of them have NEVER gotten along. But he needs to smooth things over between them if they are going to be “neighbors.”

But just as things start to get even cozier that just “smoothed over,” Vee finds out about Galahad’s real estate deal – and how it impacts the orphanage.

Review

This was a fun conclusion to this great series! I didn’t adore this as much as I did the two earlier books. At times this felt too introspective, with long passages of the characters thinking through their feelings and dilemmas. But I loved Galahad. He was a fascinating character and I loved his interactions with the boys from the orphanage.

This feels like a book newcomers could start with. There are several references to what came before, especially with how Vee and Gal initially met. But it’s not so much that it would keep a new reader from enjoying this without the full backstory. I personally enjoyed Never Fall for Your Fiancée and Never Rescue a Rogue even more than this one, so I’d definitely recommend new readers go back and check out the earlier books, too. Series fans should absolutely finish out the series and check out this final installment. (Sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: The Recess Genius by Janet Sumner Johnson

REVIEW: The Recess Genius by Janet Sumner Johnson

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Regina Grey is used to going unseen. School things are tricky. Her younger brother is a handful. Regina is happy to lose herself in her books.

But then she helps someone solve a problem at recess. And then someone else. And someone else. She’s really good at it – and everyone is noticing her.

But all of that noticing is getting in the way of Regina’s reading time. She has her own problem to fix!

Review

I have had this book on my wish list for months. It’s a fun story I think kids will enjoy.

Regina has an unusual gift – one that isn’t always celebrated in stories. Or in real life. I loved seeing her highlighted here. I also enjoyed her journey to discovering how good it feels to be seen and valued.

This would be a fun read aloud for a new school year!

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

REVIEW: Stalking Around the Christmas Tree by Jacqueline Frost

REVIEW: Stalking Around the Christmas Tree by Jacqueline Frost

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

After three consecutive Christmases with a murder, the town of Mistletoe is afraid their history will impact holiday tourism. So the mayor convinces the town and business owners to tighten their belts a little so they can invite a pricey ballet troupe to town to perform The Nutcracker.

But when the star dancer is found dead on a float during the town’s holiday parade, it seems Mistletoe’s efforts to distance themselves from their deadly past were in vain.

Review

This was a fun holiday adventure, and I think series fans – and newcomers – can enjoy it.

For the first half to two-thirds, I felt like the quaint town and holiday activities were seriously overshadowing the mystery. And I actually liked it – Mistletoe is so fun! And Holly’s family and friends are fantastic. But when I noticed the mystery bits felt like an intrusion on the holiday story, I realized things were a bit out of balance.

All of the fun holiday details will amuse readers as long as they aren’t too attached to digging into a mystery. I don’t feel like the primary case gives readers enough details to care about the victim or about finding a solution. The secondary mystery was a little more satisfying. I figured out a good portion of the things on my own, which always feels satisfying.

Series fans will want to see Evan and Holly move toward their wedding. And I don’t think this is too insider-y to keep newcomers from starting here. This will definitely put readers in a Christmas mood.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +