Mystery movies coming up

Have you been watching the new mystery movie series The Chronicle Mysteries on Hallmark Mysteries and Movies? It stars Alison Sweeney and Benjamin Ayres.

https://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/

The third movie in this series is Vines that Bind is on Sunday March 3 at 8:00 central time.

About: "The latest edition of Alex McPherson’s true crime podcast leads her and the Chronicle staff to nearby Macklin, where they investigate a death ruled as an accident by the local police. Before Alex can get to the bottom of what she feels was a murder, another member of the family is felled by a bullet. She and her colleagues soon amass a formidable roster of suspects, all of whom had the motive and opportunity to commit the crimes."

I liked the first two Chronicle Mysteries. The stories are good and held my attention. The acting and dialogue is good.

Crossword Mysteries: A Puzzle to Die For premieres Sunday March 10 at 8:00 central time.

About: "A crossword puzzle editor finds her life completely disrupted when several of the clues in her recent puzzles are linked to unsolved crimes, and she is pulled into the police investigation. Stars Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliott."

Morning Show Mysteries: Countdown to Murder premiers April 14 at 8:00 central time.


About: "When a beloved supermarket owner is killed in the early morning hours before opening, restauranteur and TV chef Billie Blessings (Robinson Peete) becomes involved in the investigation of what quickly appears to be the work of a clever and darkly sinister serial killer. Even as her relationship with police detective Ian Jackson (Fox) begins to take a more romantic turn, Billie cannot resist involvement in the case, despite putting herself in tremendous danger. Starring Holly Robinson Peete and Rick Fox."

I saw the first on in this series last year and liked it.

I have liked all of the Hallmark mystery movies. They rerun them if you miss them.

PBS: 

Mrs. Wilson airs March 31. I mentioned this a few weeks ago and am looking forward to it.

About: 

" Starring Ruth Wilson (Jane Eyre), Mrs. Wilson is a powerful three-part drama inspired by the memoir of Ms. Wilson’s grandmother and family history.

Set in 1940s and 1960s London and 1930s India, the series follows Alison Wilson, who thinks she is happily married until her husband, Alec, dies and a woman turns up on the doorstep claiming that she is the real Mrs. Wilson. Alison is determined to prove the validity of her own marriage – and Alec’s love for her – but is instead led into a world of disturbing secrets."

Endeavor returns June 16.

Grantchester returns July 14 but James Norton will be moving on. I can't imagine Grantchester without him. Will see..

Currently reading: The Woman in the Window and Games Keeper. The Woman in the Window is our March book club selectio, so I will wait and share the group's thoughts in addition to mine.

I will leave you with this picture that was posted on a FB book group I follow. I would love to see it in person.

The Beastly Trees by Sam Logue, Endeavour Media

I read The Beastly Trees by Sam Logue as a read and review book from Endeavour Media.
I liked it pretty well. I enjoy supernatural or paranormal thrillers that are kind of creepy but not too creepy.



About: "A small boy vanishes while on a visit to a park in Blackthorn with his family. The park is edged by a forest with strange trees that look like menacing beasts. Bizarrely, some also look a bit like several other missing children.

The family of Paul Gold, one of two identical twin boys, are distraught as his disappearance blights their lives. His younger sister Katie claims Paul visits her, but isn’t certain if what she sees is a ghost, or something else.

Years later Katie falls in love with a handsome, wealthy boy named Julian Bloomfield. Julian was in the park the day Paul went missing. Why did Julian’s nanny lie about calling the police the day Paul disappeared? What is the mysterious mark that some of the islanders, including Katie and Julian’s mother, bear? Why do figures in Julian’s paintings vanish and then reappear? Was Paul simply abducted and could he still be alive on the island?

These questions demand answers and Sam Logue’s supernatural thriller, The Beastly Trees takes readers on the relentless pursuit for the truth. "

The story grabbed my attention right away as Paul, a child with a medical condition, wanders away with another boy and never returns. Part of the story involves what the unexplained loss of Paul does to his family. Part of the story involves the island and some of the people on the island that all share a mysterious Mark and ability. Some are sinister, some have made a conscious decision not to use that ability. The story covers many years, as Paul's siblings grow up, and his mother Victoria's sightings of Paul. Could he still be alive nearby? Flowers that bloom in the snow, a painting that shows Paul in it, then it doesn't. Will anyone ever find out what happened to Paul? What strange secret the people with the Mark have? I think this would be appropriate for YA also. It has the feeling of  the television shows Wayward Pines and Stranger Things. The "stuff" going on is pretty strange but you can't put it down. It was a quick engrossing read.

I have read a few "read and review" books for Endeavour Media and have purchase a couple on my own. I have liked them all. You may want to check out their website and see what you think.

About:

"If the role of the publisher is to connect the world with stories, Endeavour Media exists to connect the stories of the past with the present. We’re just doing things a little differently.

We’re young, we’re creative and we’re dynamic, which means that we’re not afraid of disruption. We use technology to explore and innovate in the digital space, bringing timeless stories to new audiences. When technology advances, behaviour changes, and we have a responsibility to our authors and our readers to meet that change. A book is a book is a book, regardless of the medium.

Digital-first means that, when it comes to the publishing process, we combine the high-standards of traditional publishing with the power of digital influence: supporting our authors; meticulously editing every manuscript; carefully designing every cover; and marketing and promoting every book to its full potential across digital platforms. Being digital-first is not a stance against the paperback, which is why we have our growing print imprint Endeavour Quill. This marriage of two worlds is what we believe makes for successful publishing.

There is room for innovation in publishing and it’s our mission to fill that space.

We love our authors, we love our readers and we love what we do: independent publishing, the way it should be."

They have 12 genres of books to choose from; 3000 books by 800 authors. They have a Book of the Month. For instance, this month's book is The House on the Cliff by D.E. Stevenson.




About: " This enchanting romantic story tells the tale of Elfrida Jane, a small-part actress who moves from the glamour of the theatre world to her mother’s remote house in Devon. At first Elfrida finds her new secluded home lonely and bleak, but then some unexpected visitors arrive from the world of the theatre – a world Elfrida thought she had left behind forever…"

About D. E. Stevenson

"D. E. Stevenson (1892-1973), Dorothy Emily Peploe (married name) was a Scottish author of more than 40 light romantic novels. Her father was the lighthouse engineer David Alan Stevenson, first cousin to the author Robert Louis Stevenson.

2009 saw a renewed interest in Stevenson's books with the reissue of two of her most popular novels, Mrs. Tim of the Regiment (from Bloomsbury) and Miss Buncle's Book (from Persephone Books). The sequel, Miss Buncle Married, was reissued by Persephone in 2011."

I think that's pretty interesting and I always liked stories about houses on cliffs in England. I don't really read romances but may read this one. Reminds me of some of the books I read many years ago. As I said, there are 11 other genres to choose from.

Here is their website: http://www.endeavourmedia.co.uk/

I received a free copy of the book and voluntarily posted a review.

Kingdom of the Blind - Louise Penny

With a nod (I think) to Louise Penny's husband and a nod to Inspector Clouseau, we have the 14th Chief Inspector Gamache book.

If you have been following the Gamache series, you will love this book also. It's a complex story with a new mystery but also  follows the story of the drugs lost at the border in the last book and the status of Gamache's position with the Surete.




About: 

"When Armand Gamache receives a letter inviting him to an abandoned farmhouse outside of Three Pines, the former head of the Sûreté du Québec discovers that a complete stranger has named him as an executor of her will.

Armand never knew the elderly woman, and the bequests are so wildly unlikely that he suspects the woman must have been delusional - until a body is found, and the terms of the bizarre will suddenly seem far more menacing.

But it isn't the only menace Gamache is facing. The investigation into the events that led to his suspension has dragged on, and Armand is taking increasingly desperate measures to rectify previous actions. As he does, Armand Gamache begins to see his own blind spots - and the terrible things hiding there."

Some of our questions are answered, more are raised, which leaves an opening for another book.  I exclaimed "Oh!" and "Ahhh", out loud several times. You think you know what is going on, but the author really surprised me.

I listened to it on Audible. The narrator was excellent. Great voice, great pronunciation of French words and names, and able to change up enough for all the speaking characters.

It looks like a next book is in the works.

Great British TV Map

Do you watch British TV shows?

I saw this map on FB yesterday and wanted to share it. It shows where some of our favorite British shows take place and/or are filmed.

Shows I found that I watch or know they are shown here where I am:

Downton Abbey
Granchester
Inspector Morse
Pride and Prejudice
Midsomer Murders
Sherlock
Absolutely Fabulous (yes I think it's hysterical)
Selfridge
Fawlty Towers
Foyles War
The Office
Outlander
Doc Martin
Call the Midwife
Poldark
Luther
Dr. Who (marked outside the map)

Here is a link to the actual article and map:

http://timritz.com/great-british-tv-map

Enjoy!

The Mist Rises Over Notchey Creek by Liz S. Andrews

I finished the first book in a new series by Liz. S. Andrews this weekend.

The Mist Rises Over Notchey Creek is the first book in the Harley Henrickson Series.



About: "A book-loving whiskey distiller’s life is upended when a famous rock star moves to town and murders start occurring.

Whiskey distiller and nerdy wallflower Harley Henrickson's life is changed when she discovers a disoriented stranger in the ditch, mumbling about a lost boy, a boy who was "innocent." When the man disappears into the woods, Harley is left with many unanswered questions. Who was the mysterious man, and what happened to the innocent boy?

As she digs deeper, she discovers the stranger, in reality, was no stranger at all, and had ties to many highly-esteemed citizens in town. When one of those citizens, a wealthy history professor, is murdered, Harley decides to investigate. What she discovers is a multitude of secrets, lies, and sins, dating back decades, and revolving around a handsome and brooding rock star who has chosen Notchey Creek as his new home.

Filled with humor, heart-rending moments, and a charming small town setting in the Great Smoky Mountains, The Mist Rises Over Notchey Creek is sure to please fans of cozy mysteries."

I really enjoyed this book. Along with a good mystery, there are many quirky characters, funny moments, and regional dialogue. The story takes place in Notchey Creek. Harley grew up there with her grandmother after loosing her mother at a young age. Now that her grandmother is also gone, Harley has stayed in Notchey Creek to help her Great Aunt and Uncle keep the family whiskey business going.

Almost everyone in the story is from Notchey Creek. When Harley's best friend Tina finds a dead body, Harley gets herself involved in the investigation, questioning the locals, and the locals don't appreciate it. Especially Sheriff Jed who Harley grew up with.

There are many humorous scenes with Matilda, Harley's pig she has raised, Aunt Wilma and Uncle Buck, Wilma's brother Tater, and Tina (Harley's best friend) whose bakery delivery truck has a giant cupcake named Rosie on the top. Aunt Wilma keeps a never ending supply of Little Debbie's and Ding Dongs on hand for unexpected guests and Matilda.  Aunt Wilma: " You can't beat that Little Debbie. She's been my dietician for years." Uncle Tater can often be found in The Shed, a building on the property, sitting on a lawn chair with a tall one, watching reruns of The Golden Girls with his friend Floyd.

The description of the Smokey Mountains and the land is great. The story is good. The ending was a surprise. 

There is a second book in the works coming out this year - The Ghosts of Notchey Creek. I am looking forward to it.

Liz S. Andrews: " Liz S. Andrews is a native of East Tennessee and was blessed to grow up near the Great Smoky Mountains, the playground of her childhood and adolescence. She is also an amateur mixologist and whiskey lover. The cocktails Harley Henrickson creates in the book are her and her husband's creations. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, cooking, and hiking with her dog, Scout, a golden retriever/labrador mix. She currently resides in Western Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh. The character of Tina Rizchek is a wink to her love for the 'Burgh."

"I received a free book"

Quick promotion for The Artisan Heart

I want to share a quick opportunity to get this wonderful book on Kindle by Dean Mayes.

The Artisan Heart is currently a Kindle Monthly Deal for $.99! I loved this book. While it isn't a mystery, there is quite a bit of suspense. I reviewed it in Sept. 2018. Here's what it's about.

"Hayden Luschcombe is a brilliant paediatrician living in Adelaide with his wife Bernadette, an ambitious event planner. His life consists of soul-wrenching days at the hospital and tedious evenings attending the lavish parties organized by Bernadette.

When an act of betrayal coincides with a traumatic confrontation, Hayden flees Adelaide, his life in ruins. His destination is Walhalla, nestled in Australia's southern mountains, where he finds his childhood home falling apart. With nothing to return to, he stays, and begins to pick up the pieces of his life by fixing up the house his parents left behind.

A chance encounter with a precocious and deaf young girl introduces Hayden to Isabelle Sampi, a struggling artisan baker. While single-handedly raising her daughter, and trying to resurrect a bakery, Isabelle has no time for matters of the heart. Yet the presence of the handsome doctor challenges her resolve. Likewise, Hayden, protective of his own fractured heart, finds something in Isabelle that awakens dormant feelings of his own.

As their attraction grows, and the past threatens their chance at happiness, both Hayden and Isabelle will have to confront long-buried truths if they are ever to embrace a future."




The "past" is really a problem for both characters. That's all I will say about that. It is a page turner.

I have been telling you about some online book clubs and groups lately. Here's some things I got from participating in them.

I purchased this mug off The Villagers of Whispering Pines Facebook group. I really liked it. Whispering Pines is a series written by  Shawn McGuire. One series takes place in Whispering Pines in northern Wisconsin. Since my first 7 years of life were in northern Wisconsin, I wanted to find out more about her books. She writes two other series also. The Wish Makers and the Lei Crime - Gemi Kittridge series.

https://www.shawn-mcguire.com/

I won this copy of As Directed by Kathleen Valenti when participating in the House of Clues online book club I talked about last week. This is the 3rd Maggie O'Malley book. Do you see the cool syringe pens with the names of the first two books? O.K. I'm a nurse so I think they are cool. I will share 3 of the four book marks. :)

Last, I won this tote from Christina Freeburn. She writes two mystery series: Scrap This and New Beginnings. Here is her website:  

https://www.christinafreeburn.com/

More to come on their books later but go grab Artisan Heart. You will love it.