Take a photo of a barcode or cover
1.16k reviews by:
mystereity
See this and other reviews at Mystereity Reviews
A gritty, hard-boiled story about gangs, crime and murder on the streets of London, Worth Killing For isn't your ordinary police procedural, it's a look at the seedy side of city life that lives and breathes every day, but most of us don't notice until it impacts our own lives.
DI Simon Fenchurch witnesses a fatal stabbing of a young woman on the street in London and chases down the suspect, a young boy on a bicycle. After apprehending him, a number of cellphones are found, indicating the boy is a cellphone thief known as an "Apple Picker". After evidence turns up that exonerates the suspect, Fenchurch is forced to set him free. As he investigates further, he uncovers a sophisticated petty crime ring led by an elusive figure named Kamal that appears to be branching out into violent crime. But who is Kamal working for?
Just a few pages into the book, you're already in the midst of the action and it doesn't let up until the end of the book. I enjoyed the complex plot, there were many layers to the story that peeled off little by little right up to the shocking conclusion. A lot of hot social topics in today's society are neatly knitted into the story, such as racial tension, gangs and crime, making the book so realistic that you feel like you're right there on the street.
While I liked this, I didn't really connect with the characters and the story like I did with the first book in the series. There was a bit of political rhetoric in this one, and it irritated me a little. I'm burned out by being bombarded by politics everywhere I turn, and reading is the one respite I have from it. To have it creep into a book I'm reading was unwelcome and pulled me out of the story. It was by no means a large part of the story, and probably wouldn't be an issue for anyone else.
Overall, an enjoyable read from one of my favorite authors and this series is shaping up to be a blockbuster. I would say that this book can be read as a standalone, but to fully understand the characters, they should be read in order.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley, who provided an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
A gritty, hard-boiled story about gangs, crime and murder on the streets of London, Worth Killing For isn't your ordinary police procedural, it's a look at the seedy side of city life that lives and breathes every day, but most of us don't notice until it impacts our own lives.
DI Simon Fenchurch witnesses a fatal stabbing of a young woman on the street in London and chases down the suspect, a young boy on a bicycle. After apprehending him, a number of cellphones are found, indicating the boy is a cellphone thief known as an "Apple Picker". After evidence turns up that exonerates the suspect, Fenchurch is forced to set him free. As he investigates further, he uncovers a sophisticated petty crime ring led by an elusive figure named Kamal that appears to be branching out into violent crime. But who is Kamal working for?
Just a few pages into the book, you're already in the midst of the action and it doesn't let up until the end of the book. I enjoyed the complex plot, there were many layers to the story that peeled off little by little right up to the shocking conclusion. A lot of hot social topics in today's society are neatly knitted into the story, such as racial tension, gangs and crime, making the book so realistic that you feel like you're right there on the street.
While I liked this, I didn't really connect with the characters and the story like I did with the first book in the series. There was a bit of political rhetoric in this one, and it irritated me a little. I'm burned out by being bombarded by politics everywhere I turn, and reading is the one respite I have from it. To have it creep into a book I'm reading was unwelcome and pulled me out of the story. It was by no means a large part of the story, and probably wouldn't be an issue for anyone else.
Overall, an enjoyable read from one of my favorite authors and this series is shaping up to be a blockbuster. I would say that this book can be read as a standalone, but to fully understand the characters, they should be read in order.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley, who provided an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
See this and more of my reviews at Mystereity Reviews
Tricia and Angelica have set out on a book lovers cruise, featuring many popular mystery authors, including EM Barstow, the author of a hit mystery series. EM is an abrasive woman who makes enemies wherever she goes, so it's no surprise when Tricia later finds her dead, hanging from her shower by a scarf. Tricia can't help but investigate, convinced that the ship's security office isn't investigating and that it's up to her to find a killer.
This one was just...okay. I loved the idea of a book lovers cruise, and it was so easy to picture myself in that sumptuous stateroom and enjoying all the luxuries while cruising the high seas. But the plot just didn't do it for me; it felt like the book focused more on Tricia and her issues and the mystery was just along for the ride. On one hand, it did explain a lot about why Tricia is such a doormat. On the other hand, the ending was far-fetched and implausible.
Overall, I did like this book, I always look forward to catching up with Tricia and the gang, but this one fell a little flat for me. It is an enjoyable series, and I will continue with it.
Tricia and Angelica have set out on a book lovers cruise, featuring many popular mystery authors, including EM Barstow, the author of a hit mystery series. EM is an abrasive woman who makes enemies wherever she goes, so it's no surprise when Tricia later finds her dead, hanging from her shower by a scarf. Tricia can't help but investigate, convinced that the ship's security office isn't investigating and that it's up to her to find a killer.
This one was just...okay. I loved the idea of a book lovers cruise, and it was so easy to picture myself in that sumptuous stateroom and enjoying all the luxuries while cruising the high seas. But the plot just didn't do it for me; it felt like the book focused more on Tricia and her issues and the mystery was just along for the ride. On one hand, it did explain a lot about why Tricia is such a doormat. On the other hand, the ending was far-fetched and implausible.
Overall, I did like this book, I always look forward to catching up with Tricia and the gang, but this one fell a little flat for me. It is an enjoyable series, and I will continue with it.
See my full review at Mystereity Reviews
Poor Verity. Forced to repay her cheating ex-boyfriend Beau for their wedding after she jilted him at the altar and trashed the reception, she faces having to sell her home to repay her debts. After accidentally "grounding" Frankie, the ghost of an old mobster, Verity finds that she can see and speak to ghosts. When her ex's brother, Ellis, asks for her help to get rid of an angry ghost in return for the money to save her house, it's a deal Verity can't refuse. When Verity uncovers a decades-old murder, Verity must use her new abilities to track down a killer.
Southern Ghost Hunters is fast becoming my favorite cozy series, with its exciting plots and great characters. I've already read two other books in the series, so I finally sat down to see how it all began.
Verity dumps out a vase full of dust, not realizing it's an urn filled with the last remains of Frankie "The German", a mobster who was killed 100 years ago. Now Frankie is "grounded" and can't leave the property unless Verity carries his urn with her. Frankie is able to help Verity see The Other Side and interact with ghosts. Frankie is a real hoot, and the perfect sidekick for Verity. Thanks to him, she manages to find some much needed money for an elderly widow and to put an angry ghost to rest.
I loved the first ghost story line, with Jilted Josephine and her poltergeist mother. I would've liked to have seen Verity go back and help them more, maybe that will come in a later books.
The second ghost story line, helping her ex's brother, Ellis, get rid of the angry ghost that's destroying his work to restore an old distillery, was very exciting.
Overall, Southern Spirits is a a real page-turner; fun, exciting and addicting. I definitely recommend this series as a must read for fans of paranormal and/or cozy mysteries.
Poor Verity. Forced to repay her cheating ex-boyfriend Beau for their wedding after she jilted him at the altar and trashed the reception, she faces having to sell her home to repay her debts. After accidentally "grounding" Frankie, the ghost of an old mobster, Verity finds that she can see and speak to ghosts. When her ex's brother, Ellis, asks for her help to get rid of an angry ghost in return for the money to save her house, it's a deal Verity can't refuse. When Verity uncovers a decades-old murder, Verity must use her new abilities to track down a killer.
Southern Ghost Hunters is fast becoming my favorite cozy series, with its exciting plots and great characters. I've already read two other books in the series, so I finally sat down to see how it all began.
Verity dumps out a vase full of dust, not realizing it's an urn filled with the last remains of Frankie "The German", a mobster who was killed 100 years ago. Now Frankie is "grounded" and can't leave the property unless Verity carries his urn with her. Frankie is able to help Verity see The Other Side and interact with ghosts. Frankie is a real hoot, and the perfect sidekick for Verity. Thanks to him, she manages to find some much needed money for an elderly widow and to put an angry ghost to rest.
I loved the first ghost story line, with Jilted Josephine and her poltergeist mother. I would've liked to have seen Verity go back and help them more, maybe that will come in a later books.
The second ghost story line, helping her ex's brother, Ellis, get rid of the angry ghost that's destroying his work to restore an old distillery, was very exciting.
Overall, Southern Spirits is a a real page-turner; fun, exciting and addicting. I definitely recommend this series as a must read for fans of paranormal and/or cozy mysteries.
See my full review at Mystereity Reviews
Sybil Potts, recently divorced from her cheating husband, is starting over in Little Tatterford, a tiny town in middle-of-nowhere Australia. The minute she arrives at her new cottage, she finds herself in the middle of a mystery when a man is found dead next door.
Do they have cool names for cozy mysteries in Australia? Like Cozy-Dozies or anything? If so, that would be enough to draw me in, but if not, the plot was more than enough, with a big plot twist that set up a satisfying ending that left me wanting more.
I really enjoyed this, a very promising start to a new series. I loved Sybil, she's smart, likable and a little naive. Mr. Buttons was by far my favorite character, he made the story for me, from "straightening" up the crime scene because the cat shed on the carpet to his bath scene, he was the standout character. The landlady, Cressida and her cat, Lord Farringdon (who talks to Cressida) were also enjoyable but not developed as much as I wanted. How, exactly, does Lord Farringdon talk to her? I'd love to know how that came about.
Overall, a quick, light read and very recommended for cozy mystery fans.
Sybil Potts, recently divorced from her cheating husband, is starting over in Little Tatterford, a tiny town in middle-of-nowhere Australia. The minute she arrives at her new cottage, she finds herself in the middle of a mystery when a man is found dead next door.
Do they have cool names for cozy mysteries in Australia? Like Cozy-Dozies or anything? If so, that would be enough to draw me in, but if not, the plot was more than enough, with a big plot twist that set up a satisfying ending that left me wanting more.
I really enjoyed this, a very promising start to a new series. I loved Sybil, she's smart, likable and a little naive. Mr. Buttons was by far my favorite character, he made the story for me, from "straightening" up the crime scene because the cat shed on the carpet to his bath scene, he was the standout character. The landlady, Cressida and her cat, Lord Farringdon (who talks to Cressida) were also enjoyable but not developed as much as I wanted. How, exactly, does Lord Farringdon talk to her? I'd love to know how that came about.
Overall, a quick, light read and very recommended for cozy mystery fans.
See my full review (and more!) at Mystereity Reviews
Maddie has just bought a haunted grape press for her Paranormal Museum when she's accused of stealing it by a vintner that Maddie later finds dead. Coerced into investigating by her mother, Maddie puts catching a killer at the top of her to-do list, along with staging a room at a Halloween haunted house and hosting a Death Cafe at the Paranormal Museum.
I liked this, but I was a little disappointed. At the heart of this book is a good premise and an intriguing plot. The current day murders had a lot of twists and turns, and the story behind the haunted grape press (and everyone's reaction to it) was entertaining. I loved Maddie's room at the Haunted House (actually, I would've loved to see the whole thing!) and the descriptions of the custom Oujia boards she sells made me want to go out and buy one. As for Adele's new descriptions of her teas, I thought they were colorful and a bit corny, but pornographic? Nope. Harper needs to get out more.
Unfortunately, the murders weren't the focus of the book; the plots were largely buried under the weight of Maddie's love life, the town placing bets on whether Maddie will solve the crime, the Ladies Aid anarchy, the Death Cafe, and the terrifically annoying Det. Hammer whose purpose seems only to be a distraction and is a negative stereotype that makes police look bad (as if they need any more of that.)
Overall, this is a very cute and enjoyable series (and I still love the idea of a paranormal museum!) and this book was a good read but it would've been so much better if the focus was more on the mystery and less on all the other silliness.
Thank you to Midnight Ink and Netgalley, who provided an advanced copy in return for an honest review.
Maddie has just bought a haunted grape press for her Paranormal Museum when she's accused of stealing it by a vintner that Maddie later finds dead. Coerced into investigating by her mother, Maddie puts catching a killer at the top of her to-do list, along with staging a room at a Halloween haunted house and hosting a Death Cafe at the Paranormal Museum.
I liked this, but I was a little disappointed. At the heart of this book is a good premise and an intriguing plot. The current day murders had a lot of twists and turns, and the story behind the haunted grape press (and everyone's reaction to it) was entertaining. I loved Maddie's room at the Haunted House (actually, I would've loved to see the whole thing!) and the descriptions of the custom Oujia boards she sells made me want to go out and buy one. As for Adele's new descriptions of her teas, I thought they were colorful and a bit corny, but pornographic? Nope. Harper needs to get out more.
Unfortunately, the murders weren't the focus of the book; the plots were largely buried under the weight of Maddie's love life, the town placing bets on whether Maddie will solve the crime, the Ladies Aid anarchy, the Death Cafe, and the terrifically annoying Det. Hammer whose purpose seems only to be a distraction and is a negative stereotype that makes police look bad (as if they need any more of that.)
Overall, this is a very cute and enjoyable series (and I still love the idea of a paranormal museum!) and this book was a good read but it would've been so much better if the focus was more on the mystery and less on all the other silliness.
Thank you to Midnight Ink and Netgalley, who provided an advanced copy in return for an honest review.
See my full review on Mystereity Reviews
A spooky tale of a haunted mansion, evil spirits, and Egyptian curses will leave your poor nails bitten to the quick in this exciting paranormal cozy mystery.
Verity Long has given up her graphic design business to become a full time ghost hunter. With gangster ghost Frankie by her side to lend her his power to The Other Side, Verity awaits her first ghost hunting job. When Lee, the last heir to the very haunted Rock Fall mansion, calls her in to investigate, Verity has to battle a murderous spirit hell bent on keeping the secrets of Rock Fall from being uncovered.
I could not put this down and read this in one evening. I can't remember the last time I read a cozy mystery with this much depth, it reminded me of the early Ghost Hunter books by Victoria Laurie; a scary baddie, lots of thrills & chills, a sprinkling of horror, a dash of humor, and and that creepy kind of suspense that raises the hair on the back of your neck.
The plot surrounds the Treadwell family, who died mysteriously after a cache of Ancient Egyptian treasures were brought home after a dig in the early part of the 20th century, was excellent, very well written with lots of red herrings and plot twists. The ghosts were the stars of this book, from the mute little girl, Charlotte to the scarred Governess to Frankie, the gangster who blackmails Verity into allowing a gangster get-together in her back yard in return for his help. Complete with flapper girls, a jazz band and a spectral craps table, it sounded like the kind of happening party anyone would want to be caught dead at. I loved the descriptions of the grounds at the mansion, a beautiful abandoned garden left to grow wild. My Secret-Garden-obsessed self was in heaven. I'd love to explore something like that (but without the evil ghosts, thanks)
While there are references to previous books, they don't distract from the plot, so this can be read as a standalone but you will want to read the other books after reading this one!
Overall, an exceptional cozy mystery for any time of year, but especially good for a Halloween read.
I was provided an advanced copy of the book by Season Publishing, Moose Island Books and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review
A spooky tale of a haunted mansion, evil spirits, and Egyptian curses will leave your poor nails bitten to the quick in this exciting paranormal cozy mystery.
Verity Long has given up her graphic design business to become a full time ghost hunter. With gangster ghost Frankie by her side to lend her his power to The Other Side, Verity awaits her first ghost hunting job. When Lee, the last heir to the very haunted Rock Fall mansion, calls her in to investigate, Verity has to battle a murderous spirit hell bent on keeping the secrets of Rock Fall from being uncovered.
I could not put this down and read this in one evening. I can't remember the last time I read a cozy mystery with this much depth, it reminded me of the early Ghost Hunter books by Victoria Laurie; a scary baddie, lots of thrills & chills, a sprinkling of horror, a dash of humor, and and that creepy kind of suspense that raises the hair on the back of your neck.
The plot surrounds the Treadwell family, who died mysteriously after a cache of Ancient Egyptian treasures were brought home after a dig in the early part of the 20th century, was excellent, very well written with lots of red herrings and plot twists. The ghosts were the stars of this book, from the mute little girl, Charlotte to the scarred Governess to Frankie, the gangster who blackmails Verity into allowing a gangster get-together in her back yard in return for his help. Complete with flapper girls, a jazz band and a spectral craps table, it sounded like the kind of happening party anyone would want to be caught dead at. I loved the descriptions of the grounds at the mansion, a beautiful abandoned garden left to grow wild. My Secret-Garden-obsessed self was in heaven. I'd love to explore something like that (but without the evil ghosts, thanks)
While there are references to previous books, they don't distract from the plot, so this can be read as a standalone but you will want to read the other books after reading this one!
Overall, an exceptional cozy mystery for any time of year, but especially good for a Halloween read.
I was provided an advanced copy of the book by Season Publishing, Moose Island Books and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review
Read this review (and more!) at Mystereity Reviews
Another quick foray into Sugarland, Ghost of a Chance has Verity and gangster ghost Frankie helping out ghost buddy Matthew Jackson to recover a necklace that his mother had promised him - 150 years ago. Verity (with Frankie, of course) crashes a party at the Jackson home by working as a server during the annual family Christmas party to reunite a son (who has spent the last 150 years feeling bitterly alone after his mother threw him out for joining the Union army during the Civil War) and a mother who has spent the last 150 years mourning him. The part where Verity was trying to get the mother to look out the window and see him? *sniffle* And a happy ending? You can't go wrong.
The great thing about these very short stories is how rich the plot is, considering there's only 40 pages! The story unfolds quickly, with just the right amount of detail to be a satisfying read without feeling incomplete or rushed.
Overall, enjoyable and satisfying, Ghost of a Chance is a great little tale to while away an hour.
Another quick foray into Sugarland, Ghost of a Chance has Verity and gangster ghost Frankie helping out ghost buddy Matthew Jackson to recover a necklace that his mother had promised him - 150 years ago. Verity (with Frankie, of course) crashes a party at the Jackson home by working as a server during the annual family Christmas party to reunite a son (who has spent the last 150 years feeling bitterly alone after his mother threw him out for joining the Union army during the Civil War) and a mother who has spent the last 150 years mourning him. The part where Verity was trying to get the mother to look out the window and see him? *sniffle* And a happy ending? You can't go wrong.
The great thing about these very short stories is how rich the plot is, considering there's only 40 pages! The story unfolds quickly, with just the right amount of detail to be a satisfying read without feeling incomplete or rushed.
Overall, enjoyable and satisfying, Ghost of a Chance is a great little tale to while away an hour.
See my full review (and more!) at Mystereity Reviews
The duo from The Dollop podcast have written a book full of the odd, the outrageous and all the funny stories that never made it into the history books.
This was a very humorous take on some of the lesser well-known stories that make up the fabric of our history. The presidential cheese story made me chuckle (What. A. Legend.) and the Lobotomobile story was outrageous, but the best story, and the reason I wanted to read this book, was the Kentucky Meat Shower story.
The stories are indeed hilarious and absurd, but not necessarily untold. I've seen a few of the stories in other places, and Reddit is full of Action Park stories (and even has its own subreddit, /r/actionpark, so check that out if you want more!)
Overall, The United States of Absurdity is a short and funny look at US history, great as a time-waster, side-splitting funny and a must-read for trivia fans and history buffs.
Thank you to Ten Speed Press and NetGalley, who provided an advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
The duo from The Dollop podcast have written a book full of the odd, the outrageous and all the funny stories that never made it into the history books.
This was a very humorous take on some of the lesser well-known stories that make up the fabric of our history. The presidential cheese story made me chuckle (What. A. Legend.) and the Lobotomobile story was outrageous, but the best story, and the reason I wanted to read this book, was the Kentucky Meat Shower story.
The stories are indeed hilarious and absurd, but not necessarily untold. I've seen a few of the stories in other places, and Reddit is full of Action Park stories (and even has its own subreddit, /r/actionpark, so check that out if you want more!)
Overall, The United States of Absurdity is a short and funny look at US history, great as a time-waster, side-splitting funny and a must-read for trivia fans and history buffs.
Thank you to Ten Speed Press and NetGalley, who provided an advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
See my full review (and more!) at Mystereity Reviews
Darkscope skillfully weaves mystery, suspense, thrills, chills and horror into an exquisitely tense story of family secrets, lies and deception.
Chelsea McCord's marriage is on the rocks and moves back to Bisbee, AZ to be welcomed home by her uncle, Bob. Soon after moving into a little bungalow, Chelsea finds an old Kodak box camera and uses it to take pictures around the small desert town. While looking through the viewfinder, Chelsea sees images from the past; Bisbee how it was 40 years ago. When she develops the film, she finds images of the same woman as she grows from a child to a young woman. Who is she? What are her ties to Chelsea, whose family has a long legacy in the small mining town?
This review is really hard to write. On one hand, I have tons to say about the excellent plot but I don't want to give anything away! I think this is an amazing read any time of the year, but definitely perfect for Halloween. Vengeful ghosts, haunted cameras, visions of horrible deaths, it's got it all. This was a real edge of your seat story that just drew me in deeper with each page, one of those books where you don't have an inkling what's going on until it's revealed in the story, making you feel a little off-balance and a little unsteady, which really heightened the suspense.
At the heart of the book was the mystery of a woman who disappeared in the 1940s, as told in the present day as well as the past. I loved how the old box camera told the story; the smell of death coming from the camera, the snapshots, and literally chasing Chelsea through the house.
Overall, I really enjoyed Darkscope and it was a bargain at only 99¢. I definitely recommend it as a Halloween read or for fans of paranormal mysteries.
Darkscope skillfully weaves mystery, suspense, thrills, chills and horror into an exquisitely tense story of family secrets, lies and deception.
Chelsea McCord's marriage is on the rocks and moves back to Bisbee, AZ to be welcomed home by her uncle, Bob. Soon after moving into a little bungalow, Chelsea finds an old Kodak box camera and uses it to take pictures around the small desert town. While looking through the viewfinder, Chelsea sees images from the past; Bisbee how it was 40 years ago. When she develops the film, she finds images of the same woman as she grows from a child to a young woman. Who is she? What are her ties to Chelsea, whose family has a long legacy in the small mining town?
This review is really hard to write. On one hand, I have tons to say about the excellent plot but I don't want to give anything away! I think this is an amazing read any time of the year, but definitely perfect for Halloween. Vengeful ghosts, haunted cameras, visions of horrible deaths, it's got it all. This was a real edge of your seat story that just drew me in deeper with each page, one of those books where you don't have an inkling what's going on until it's revealed in the story, making you feel a little off-balance and a little unsteady, which really heightened the suspense.
At the heart of the book was the mystery of a woman who disappeared in the 1940s, as told in the present day as well as the past. I loved how the old box camera told the story; the smell of death coming from the camera, the snapshots, and literally chasing Chelsea through the house.
Overall, I really enjoyed Darkscope and it was a bargain at only 99¢. I definitely recommend it as a Halloween read or for fans of paranormal mysteries.