The House Beneath the Oak Trees by Faye Belle

What a good spooky, creepy ghost story. I listened to this book as an audio book which added to it's spookiness.



About: "Penny couldn’t believe her luck when they first arrived at Oak Tree House, the grand country estate where she would be spending the week to celebrate her sister’s 30th birthday along with her mum and aunt. Guarded by two gigantic oak trees, the empty house stands alone within Oakdene, a quiet and desolate village. She ignores her mischievous aunt as she jokingly tries to convince them that their rented apartment is haunted the moment they step foot inside. Always rational, Penny tries to place logical explanations to unexplainable events that start occurring from the very first day. When these encounters become more and more frequent, and more terrifying, Penny cannot avoid it anymore. Someone, or something, is staying in the apartment with them and Penny needs to find out what it is and more importantly, what it wants from her?"

This is a ghost story, a haunted house story that gets scarier and grittier as it goes on. I thought it was a very gripping and creepy tale. If you like scary stories, I highly recommend this one. The narrator was very good and you could feel the fear Penny was experiencing and the fear and desperation of Mary and Agatha. The horror and evil of the doctor was definitely projected also. Interesting ending...the kind of story that could be told around a campfire. This would make a really good movie, but I am not sure I would be able to watch it.

About Faye Belle: 

"It has always been my dream to write a book for as long as I can remember and I finally decided to put my pen to paper early 2016. I decided to self publish, admittedly because I received several rejection letters from the big literacy agents, but I am now grateful for all those 'sorry you're not suitable emails' and I am glad I chosen this route.

Being an indie writer has made me learn a lot about the publishing process and after physically finishing the writing at the end of 2016, it has taken nearly a year to complete the editing, formatting and publishing side of the process. I have had to switch between being creative and looking at my book from a business point of view. Self publishing is hard, and I am still learning, however I believe it has been the most rewarding part of the process! I've seen my book be transformed from a story into a novel and I am thrilled I've played such an active role in this.

The House Beneath the Oak Trees (THBTOT) is a spine tingling ghost story...I love to be scared. I grew up hearing ghost stories, watching scary films and reading Stephen King so when the idea of THBTO came into my mind, I knew this was my debut novel!!

Aside from writing, I absolutely adore reading and have an active bookstagram page - Faye_belle_writes where I share my love for books. Currently I am reading a mixture of the classics and new releases. Just finished reading Little Women and I am devastated that its over!!

I live in Kent with my fiancé where I spend my time working (haven't given up my day job yet) and walking through the countryside!"

Featuring on Friday: Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

I lost this entire post the other day by one click of something, so I will try again and keep it simple. Maybe I got too fancy.

Carolyn Ridder Aspenson writes several different series and just launched the first book in a new series this week, and she is set up to write yet another new series this year. I have read books in three of her series. Some are cozies, some are not, with the new series to come being a thriller.

About Carolyn:

"Carolyn Ridder Aspenson currently calls the Atlanta suburbs home, but can't rule out her other two homes, Indianapolis and somewhere in the Chicago suburbs.
She is old enough to share her empty nest with her husband, two dogs and two cats, all of which she strongly obsesses over, repeatedly noted on her Facebook and Instagram accounts, and is working on forgiving her kids for growing up and leaving the nest. When she is not writing, editing, playing with her animals or contemplating forgiving her kids, she is sitting at Starbucks listening in on people's conversations and taking notes, because that stuff is great for book ideas.
On a more professional note, she is the bestselling author of the Angela Panther mystery series featuring several full length novels and novellas, the Lily Sprayberry Realtor Cozy Mystery Series, the Chantilly Adair Psychic Medium Cozy Mystery Series, and a collection of romantic novellas."

"Even though I’ve always wanted to be a writer, I also wanted to support myself, so instead of following that dream, I opted to get a job with a regular paycheck.
When my mother died in 2009, and then I lost my father less than a year later, I decided to take the leap. I wanted to find a way to honor my parents, to keep their memories alive, and I did that with my first book, Unfinished Business.
That book went to number one all over Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and sat happily in the top one hundred books sold in each for over a week.
I received hundreds of emails from people who felt that little semi-mystery gave them hope, that it made them find comfort when they needed it most, and that they wished they had a friend like Mel.
I was hooked.
I don’t write for the money (though the money is nice sometimes). I write for those emails, and knowing I’m doing what I love, finally. If my writing takes people away from their worries for even a short period of time, I’m a lucky gal." 

Here is a look at her books. (I am taking the synopsis from her website for each series.)

Angela Panther Mystery Series: five books in the series

From book #1 Unfinished Business (I think this description gives you a good idea about the series.)

In UNFINISHED BUSINESS AN ANGELA PANTHER NOVEL, #1 AMAZON bestselling author Carolyn Ridder Aspenson introduces her now trademark blend of witty dialog and hilarious banter in the first book of her hilarious and heartwarming paranormal chick lit, cozy mystery, Angela Panther series.

When Angela Panther's mother Fran Richter wakes her up in the middle of the night ranting about stolen Hershey Bars, Angela thinks her mother's got a screw loose. And then it hits her. Her mother is dead. Just a few hours before, Angela watched as the funeral home staff nearly dropped her mother's body off the gurney while sliding her into the hearse. So maybe she's the one that's nuttier than a fruitcake?

But Fran keeps popping in and with a volcano full of drama already brewing at home—crazy or not—Angela's grateful for her mother's presence.

It's the other ghosts Angela can do without.

Seems Fran's return opened a portal between Angela and the other side and ghosts are hitting up the reluctant psychic medium for help. From the naked British guy juggling balls in the coffee shop parking lot to the woman desperately trying to save her sick child, Angela must find a way to balance her own life with the unfinished business of the dead.In UNFINISHED BUSINESS AN ANGELA PANTHER NOVEL, #1 AMAZON bestselling author Carolyn Ridder Aspenson introduces her now trademark blend of witty dialog and hilarious banter in the first book of her hilarious and heartwarming paranormal chick lit, cozy mystery, Angela Panther series.

When Angela Panther's mother Fran Richter wakes her up in the middle of the night ranting about stolen Hershey Bars, Angela thinks her mother's got a screw loose. And then it hits her. Her mother is dead. Just a few hours before, Angela watched as the funeral home staff nearly dropped her mother's body off the gurney while sliding her into the hearse. So maybe she's the one that's nuttier than a fruitcake?

But Fran keeps popping in and with a volcano full of drama already brewing at home—crazy or not—Angela's grateful for her mother's presence.

It's the other ghosts Angela can do without.

Seems Fran's return opened a portal between Angela and the other side and ghosts are hitting up the reluctant psychic medium for help. From the naked British guy juggling balls in the coffee shop parking lot to the woman desperately trying to save her sick child, Angela must find a way to balance her own life with the unfinished business of the dead.In UNFINISHED BUSINESS AN ANGELA PANTHER NOVEL, #1 AMAZON bestselling author Carolyn Ridder Aspenson introduces her now trademark blend of witty dialog and hilarious banter in the first book of her hilarious and heartwarming paranormal chick lit, cozy mystery, Angela Panther series.

When Angela Panther's mother Fran Richter wakes her up in the middle of the night ranting about stolen Hershey Bars, Angela thinks her mother's got a screw loose. And then it hits her. Her mother is dead. Just a few hours before, Angela watched as the funeral home staff nearly dropped her mother's body off the gurney while sliding her into the hearse. So maybe she's the one that's nuttier than a fruitcake?

But Fran keeps popping in and with a volcano full of drama already brewing at home—crazy or not—Angela's grateful for her mother's presence.

It's the other ghosts Angela can do without.

Seems Fran's return opened a portal between Angela and the other side and ghosts are hitting up the reluctant psychic medium for help. From the naked British guy juggling balls in the coffee shop parking lot to the woman desperately trying to save her sick child, Angela must find a way to balance her own life with the unfinished business of the dead.In UNFINISHED BUSINESS AN ANGELA PANTHER NOVEL, #1 AMAZON bestselling author Carolyn Ridder Aspenson introduces her now trademark blend of witty dialog and hilarious banter in the first book of her hilarious and heartwarming paranormal chick lit, cozy mystery, Angela Panther series. 

When Angela Panther's mother Fran Richter wakes her up in the middle of the night ranting about stolen Hershey Bars, Angela thinks her mother's got a screw loose. And then it hits her. Her mother is dead. Just a few hours before, Angela watched as the funeral home staff nearly dropped her mother's body off the gurney while sliding her into the hearse. So maybe she's the one that's nuttier than a fruitcake?

But Fran keeps popping in and with a volcano full of drama already brewing at home—crazy or not—Angela's grateful for her mother's presence. 

It's the other ghosts Angela can do without.
Seems Fran's return opened a portal between Angela and the other side and ghosts are hitting up the reluctant psychic medium for help. From the naked British guy juggling balls in the coffee shop parking lot to the woman desperately trying to save her sick child, Angela must find a way to balance her own life with the unfinished business of the dead.

From Carolyn: This series is a women’s sleuth mystery series, and not a cozy series. If you’re a straight cozy only reader, I recommend my other books, they’ll be more to your liking. 

I have read two in this series and liked them. They are humorus, good mysteries and I like the basic idea of the story; Angela's mother who is no longer living, helps her out.

Lily Sprayberry Realtor Cozy Mystery Series: six book in this series

"Meet Lily Sprayberry. Selling homes is her career. Solving murders, her calling."

"Her knack for solving crimes in her small Southern town will keep you entertained and guessing! And the other characters, especially the older ladies, Henrietta and Bonnie, will make you laugh out loud and send your pets in search of a quite place!"

These are cozies as the title says. I have read two books in this series. Again, they are funny, good mystery and I like the references to the current fixer upper trends.

Here is a link to the latest, Deal Gone Dead. https://amzn.to/2SrAwya

Chantilly Adair Psychic Medium Series: four books in this series

"A bump on the head has this Southern woman seeing spirits and solving crimes."

"Divorced mother Chantilly Adair didn't take the job as the head of the Castleberry Georgia Historical Society because she thought it would be easy, in fact, she felt the exact opposite, and that suited her just fine. Desperate to get away from Birmingham and her ex-husband, she took her pre-teen son and high-tailed it straight to her childhood home in Castleberry, Georgia, and the echoes of her recently deceased parents."

Pooch Party Cozy Mystery Series: two books in this series

"Widow Missy Kingston loves a good mystery and all the dogs. As the pooch party and dog trainer for her city shelter, she spends her days training dogs for a better chance at their furever home. Unfortunately, those pesky little murders keep getting in her way." 

Holiday Hills Witch Cozy Mystery Series: new series, one book so far

There's a New Witch in Town book #1 in the series just came out this week!

"Welcome to Holiday Hills, where the coffee’s fresh and there’s magic in the air…
I have a perfect life. I recently bought the most adorable little cottage just off the corner of Main Street in Holiday Hills, the charmingest of charming small southern towns. I spend my days ghostwriting a cozy mystery series for a well-known author, and maybe just a minute or two crushing on the town’s police chief. But of course, I’d never let that cat out of the bag because I am so not his type.
Speaking of cats, my little Burmese, Cooper, follows me around like he’s my guard dog. Thankfully, Holiday Hills is animal friendly. Everyone’s got a cat or dog, and that crazy old woman on the back end of town has the snarkiest talking parrot.
Oh, that crazy old woman, she’s a local celebrity, which can be a lot of trouble for her daughter. How do I know? Because that’s me. I’m the crazy old woman’s daughter.
The good news is everyone loves my mother, including me. The bad news is she recently died, and when she did, she opened up a whole new world for me, one I’d always thought was fictional. The magical world.
Now I have witchy powers, a talking cat, and a habit of finding dead bodies.
Ones that don’t die on accident.

My name is Abby Odell and I’m a witch. Who knew? I sure didn’t. Thanks for that, Mom."

I read an ARC of this book and really liked it. It is a quick, fun read, a really good story and a tense situation that Abby gets mixed up in. Kind of like Bewitched meets Harry Potter? I liked Abby's back story - in her free time, she is writing a book about a woman who is a witch, coincidentally. And there is the handsome Chief of Police to help Abby out along with her cat Cooper, who may or may not talk, and her mother's parrot, Mr. Charming, who is wiser than anyone thinks.

Last but not least, Carolyn has a new series coming out later this year with Severn River Publishing under the pen name CR Aspen. This series will be a thriller.
Carolyn's website: 
http://www.carolynridderaspenson.com/
She has three Facebook groups if you would like to check them out: Carolyn Ridder Aspenson Books, Carolyn Ridder Aspenson's Cozy Crowd, Carolyn Ridder Aspenson's ARC team.

She is also part of Sleuthing Women: Read. Sleuth. Solve. Repeat. on Facebook. There are many other authors in this group. Some that I am familiar with are Julie Mulhern, Julie Moffett, Mona Marple, Sam Cheever, Ritter Ames, Jenna St. James, Larissa Reinhart and many more. 

Lots to choose from. Enjoy!

Do you have tsundoku?

This was not the post I intended. I had a pretty lengthy post about a author who had a release

yesterday of a new series, talking about all of her different series' and pictures. As I finished up, I thought I hit "enter". Then I saw a flash of "do you want to save or you will lose...". And then it was gone. I never got to save or choose or anything. Ugh. Will try again tomorrow.

But I did see a blurb about this and thought it was interesting and worth a chuckle.

Tsundoku

Not a version of that number game with boxes that you have to figure out what numbers go in them, for some reason. I never could figure that out. Did I say I hated math and the thought of numbers still makes me nervous?

Tsundoku: A Japanese word that means the desire to buy more books than you can physically read in a lifetime. It comes from the Japanese words tsunde” (meaning “to stack things”), “oku” meaning “to leave for a while”) and “doku” (meaning “to read”).

Now this is not bibliomania. The term “bibliomania” emerged in England around the same time as “tsundoku.” Thomas Frognall Dibdin, an English cleric and bibliographer, wrote Bibliomania, or Book Madness: A Bibliographical Romance  in the 1800s, outlining a fictional “neurosis” that prompted those suffering from it to obsessively collect books of all sorts. 

"Bibliomania has a dark past, documented more as a pseudo-illness that inspired real fear than a harmless knack for acquiring books we won’t have time to read. “Some collectors spent their entire fortunes to build their personal libraries,” Lauren Young wrote for Atlas Obscura. “While it was never medically classified, people in the 1800s truly feared bibliomania.”  Tsundoku seems to better capture the lighter side of compulsive book shopping, a word that evokes images of precariously stacked tomes one good breeze away from toppling over." Full article: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/theres-a-japanese-word-for-people-who-buy-more-books-than-they-can-actually-read_n_58f79b7ae4b029063d364226

I say in this day and age, we have a new problem. E books. Gosh you can download a book and never remember it is there. I tried to make various lists of all the books I have; handwritten lists, excel spreadsheets, by category - hard copy, Kindle, Nook, PDF, but I had to give that up pretty quick. One positive I saw of having lots of books is a predictor of "reading performance" and shows that a person has lots of interests in lots of different things. For me, I just like books. With hard cover and paper backs, I like the look of all the different covers and sizes. I like seeing my list of e book; the titles and the cover pictures. So many to choose from depending on my mood. As Lemony Snicket once said (Yes I read all of those books, and thought they were funny.) : "It is likely I will die next to a pile of things I was meaning to read."

Dark Matter - Blake Crouch

Our first Mystery Book Club selection of 2020 was Dark Matter by Blake Crouch.

About: "Jason Dessen is walking home through the chilly Chicago streets one night, looking forward to a quiet evening in front of the fireplace with his wife, Daniela, and their son, Charlie—when his reality shatters.

It starts with a man in a mask kidnapping him at gunpoint, for reasons Jason can’t begin to fathom—what would anyone want with an ordinary physics professor?—and grows even more terrifying from there, as Jason’s abductor injects him with some unknown drug and watches while he loses consciousness.

When Jason awakes, he’s in a lab, strapped to a gurney—and a man he’s never seen before is cheerily telling him “welcome back!”

Jason soon learns that in this world he’s woken up to, his house is not his house. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born.

And someone is hunting him."

This was an appropriate choice to start 2020. Just seeing that year written is kind of sci-fi-y. 

I had wondered what the MBC group would think of it. I would call it a Sci Fi Thriller. Although some of the members attend other book groups, some seem interested in certain kinds of, perhaps traditional mysteries. Well, surprise. Everyone seemed to like it.  

My thoughts; The story starts with a nice family evening at home, let's you into the family dynamics and sets the scene as the near perfect family. It quickly changes, grabs you right away and takes you for a bumpy ride. This really is a page turner and you could finish it in one setting.

We ended up having a pretty interesting discussion on the story. After the typical what we thought about it, the discussion turned to quantum physics, quantum mechanics, and could this happen. A few of the members have read up on this subject...for fun.  (My brain doesn't understand that, but that's ok.)We talked about was this book really a "mystery" but we decided mysteries fall into so many different types these days that it is a mystery with a science fiction theme. Several people were planning on getting Blake Crouch's next book, Recursion after we finished for the evening. Most felt there is an opening for another book? A screenplay may be in the works.

I am a big fan of Wayward Pines by Blake Crouch. I never read the books, but loved the series. I thought that left an opening for more but so far that hasn't happened. If you liked Wayward Pines, you would like this book.

The Ghosts of Notchey Creek

My last book of 2019 was The Ghosts of Notchey Creek - Harley Henrickson Cozy Mystery Book 2 by Liz S. Andrews.



About:
"It's the holiday season in Notchey Creek, and whiskey distiller Harley Henrickson is busy mixing yuletide cocktails at her store, Smoky Mountain Spirits. There is snow on the ground, holiday music in the air, and wreathes on every lamppost. Everything seems perfect for the town’s biggest event of the year, the Small Town Christmas Festival. Even Harley’s pet pig, Matilda, is feeling festive, wearing the Elf on the Shelf costume Aunt Wilma bought for her. But not all is merry and bright in this little mountain town. Harley senses something eerie in the air, and it all points to Notchey Creek's oldest and most beautiful home—Briarcliffe.

No sooner has rock star Beau Arson settled into his ancestral mansion of Briarcliffe, than a self-righteous ghost hunter arrives in town, telling macabre tales about Beau’s new home. According to legend, a young woman by the name of Margaret Reed hung herself in the woods behind Briarcliffe on Christmas Day, over a century ago. To make matters worse, Beau has been experiencing ghostly encounters at night, seeking to drive him from his family’s home.

When Harley finds the body of a mysterious woman in the woods near Briarcliffe, and then a wealthy antiques dealer is murdered, she decides to investigate. Can Harley intervene before a century of lies, greed, and passion destroy Beau Arson’s new life—the past he’s just only come to know?

In the meantime, other issues are causing problems for Harley. Aunt Wilma and Opha Mae Shaw are designing a Christmas dress of epic proportions for Harley (and one for Matilda, of course). Uncle Tater and Floyd have been devising top-secret plans in The Shed that might have to do with the upcoming Christmas Parade. And Harley’s best friend, Tina Rizchek, is at her wit’s end when her colorful grandmother and pet parrot visit from Pittsburgh for the holidays. "


The book is wonderfully written with an intriguing, ghostly mystery, interesting characters including Harley's quirky relatives; Uncle Tater and Aunt Wilma and her pet pig Matilda. (see Matilda on the cover). While there are some laugh out loud moments in this book, the mystery is very good and well developed. The story grabbed me right away and read this book almost in one sitting.

The story centers around a historical mystery, going back to Prohibition. There are stories about the history of Briarcliffe, ghosts, a dead body that disappears, and a sighting of a women walking around the grounds with a noose around her neck.

I mentioned the humor. Here's an example:

Mayor Ruby Montgomery addressing the local sheriff:  "I don't see why someone always has to get themselves killed right before one of my festivals. It's uncanny and most inconvenient...Then there is Beau Arson. His minions are congregating around town again, like those zombies on TV, doing shots outside Bud's Pool Hall, harassing the costumed artisans. Tiny Tim had his crutch stolen the other night and my Ghost of Christmas Past had it's glowing cone...And I swear one of them sneaked into City Hall and replaced the Christmas music with Twisted Sister." lol If you are from Texas you may be reminded of Greater Tuna. (laughing)

The book delivers everything I want in a story including a hint at romance. The story ends with an opening to the third book, which I am really looking forward to.

I read the first book in this series, The Mist Rises Over Notchey Creek, in February 2019.

https://gbmysteries.blogspot.com/2019/02/

If you are looking for a new series, I recommend this one.

Here is the author's webpage: https://www.lizsandrewsauthor.com/

I received a free copy and voluntarily provided this review.

Hallmark Mysteries and Movies, A Crossword Puzzle and Nancy Drew

The mysteries are back on Hallmark Mysteries and Movies. YAY!

First up Sunday January 5, 8 p.m. CST
Crossword Mysteries: Abracadaver

A well-known magician drops dead in the middle of a dangerous trick on stage in front of a packed audience, but when the sudden death turns out to be murder, New York Sentinel Crosswords editor (and part-timer sleuth) Tess Harper (Chabert) and NYPD detective Logan O’Connor (Elliott) team up to discover exactly whose sleight of hand is behind the deadly “now you see him, now you don’t” stunt. Together, they must uncover the not-so-obvious clues and work their investigative magic to bring a killer to justice. Starring: Lacey Chabert, Brennan Elliott and Barbara Niven  

You can download a crossword puzzle goes with this movie here:

https://cdn.crownmediadev.com/2b/b1/f1f352514dc1b615a112460cc2a2/crossword-mysteriesabracadevar-final.pdf

It is on the Hallmark website under the title of this movie/crossword. Many of the clues are in the movie and they will post the answers January 7.

Sunday January 12, 8 p.m. CST

A Beautiful Place to Die: A Martha's Vineyard Mystery

This is a brand new movie/series starring Jesse Metcalf and Sara Lind.

After being forced into early retirement, former detective Jeff Jackson returns to a quiet life on Martha's Vineyard. Quiet, at least, until a body washes up and he's drawn back into crime solving. Stars Jesse Metcalfe, Sarah Lind

January 19, 8 pm. CST

Roux the Day: A Gourmet Detective Mystery 

Henry and Maggie find themselves in a murder mystery where secrets hidden within a treasured recipe book have dire consequences for all who own it. Starring Dylan Neal and Brooke Burns.  

To see more about all three movies, click here: https://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/      

I sometimes am able to add pictures but the HM website is fussy or else my computer is, so sorry no pics.    

OK did you watch the Nancy Drew series on CW this past fall? I know. When I watched the first episode, I thought I wasn't going to like it and from the feedback I saw in book groups, others didn't think much of it either. What have they done with Nancy Drew and her all American, apple pie eating, record playing friends?  But I gave it a chance and watch the next episode then the next and got hooked on it. Forget the original books and watch it for what it is - a modern day adaptation. I really liked it. If you didn't watch it or gave up too soon, I saw you can watch the episodes on the CW website.

My only complaint is that the actor that plays Nancy's father, Carson Drew, seems too young. Scott Wolf is the actor. Anyhow, it returns...

Wednesday January 15 at 8 pm. CST

Here is the website: nancydrewtv.com

I will let you go now and set up your DVRs.

Happy 2020! What are your book resolutions?

I had to double check when I typed "2020". That seems so weird, doesn't it? Think back to the turn of the century. Doesn't that sound scary? I mean the year 2000. Many thought that was the end of technology as we know it. Even scarier is to realize that was 20 years ago.

Well, here we are, another year with new opportunities. I suppose we are all making the usually resolutions; eat better, loose weight, exercise more, be happier, nicer, work harder etc.

Do you have any book resolutions? How many books do you want to read in 2020? You can go over to Goodreads and set a goal. I set mine last year for 40 books. I read 54. I am surprised. Some people set a goal for 10 books for the year. I saw one person set a goal to read 250 books in 2020.Wow! As much as I would like to read more, I have to be realistic for myself. I can read 3 or 4 a month. That's really about it. And you need to set what is realistic for your.

Why read? All the ways to watch movies and t.v. now why take the time. You can "watch" on your television, on your laptop, on your phone with so many "streaming" options. Here are just a few reasons to take time out to read.

1. Mental Stimulation
2. Stress Reduction
3. Knowledge
4. Vocabulary Expansion
5. Memory Improvement

It really is good for you.

So what is my book resolution for 2020? Read all of the books I have purchased, won, and been gifted in 2019. 

No you are right. I probably can't do it. But I really want to get started on them and do the best I can. They all sound so good. I have all varieties of mysteries, and some non mystery fiction. 

Who are you looking forward to reading more of in 2020? I know several of my go to authors have books coming out this year. Just off the top of my head, in no particular order:

Julie Mulhern: Poppy Fields and Country Club Murder books

Jack Benton (Chris Ward): Slim Hardy series

Janet Pywell: Mikky dos Santos

Shawn McGuire: Whispering Pines series

Liz S. Andrews: Harley Henrickson series (I have the latest one to talk about this week)

David Ahern : Madam Tulip series

I want to get back to reading Susan Wittig Albert. China Bayles, Darling Dahlias and now the Crystal Cave novellas. This features Ruby from the China Bayles books. 

I have not yet read A Better Man by Louise Penny. I have read all of the other Gamache books. 

I am lined up to read a couple of non mystery fiction this month: Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn. I was gifted this from Kensington Publishers for joining their online book club. I am also waiting for The Daughter's Tale by Armando Lucas Correa. This is another on line book club selection. Mysteries remain my favorite genre but I am feeling like reading some others lately also.

For our January selection, our Mystery Book Club is reading Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. I have not read any of his books but loved the series, Wayward Pines, based on his Wayward Pines trilogy.

We will not be getting more books from one of my favorite authors. I was very sad to see the M.C. Beaton passed away on December 30, 2019 at the age of 83. I love the Agatha Raisin series and the television adaptions. 

Happy Reading!