mystery

Audiobook Review: College Can be Murder by Meredith Potts

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Mark Richardson is convinced that the sheriff is dead wrong. In Mark’s mind, there is no way that his daughter took her own life. There has to be another explanation for what happened to her. So Mark hires a private investigator.
But is he really prepared to find out the twisted truth?

My Review

I chose to listen to this book after receiving a free audio copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

I’ve listened to a few of Meredith Potts’ cozy mysteries, and I like this one the most so far. It’s not predictable the way the previous ones were.

Melanie Cooper is a PI, and Mark, a pastor, has hired her to find out what happened to his daughter. The police believe she committed suicide by jumping off a cliff, but Mark doesn’t believe that she would kill herself.

With a little creative investigating, Melanie finds out what happened to Jennifer. Now what should she do?

I like this narrator because her voice is pleasant to listen to and her pace and timing are just right. I look forward to her narration of Meredith Potts’ books.

About the Author

I love my two adorable cats, taking walks on the beach, and baking cookies. There’s nothing quite like soft-baked chocolate chip cookies. Or chocolate in general. I do love my sweets. Or watching a beautiful sunset while watching the ocean waves crash against the shore. Is it any wonder why I write cozy mysteries? Please check out one of my lovely books. There’s over 50 to choose from. The Daley Buzz series is a great starting point.

Sign up for my mailing list here and be the first to know about my new books.

It’s always fantastic hearing from my fans. You can contact me at meredithpottscozy@gmail.com.

Website: http://www.meredithpottsauthor.com.

Part of this box set

Audiobook Review & Giveaway: Snow Storm by Mike Alger

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Book Title:  SNOW STORM by Mike Alger
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +) 
Genre:  Mystery / Thriller
Publisher:  Publish America
Release date:   July 2002
Content Rating:  PG – I wavered between G and PG…there’s no explicit language, but there is some mild-violence.

He smiled. “Kidnapping? Naw… you don’t have to worry about that. Oy’m not here to kidnap you. Oy’m here to kill you.”

You ever had one of those days? You know the kind. You wake up one morning, and all of a sudden an internationally feared assassin wants you dead? I hate it when that happens. And what do you do when the forecast for your friendly neighborhood TV weatherman looks like murder?

​KRGX meteorologist Greg O’Brien is having one of those days. He just hopes it’s not his last.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Audible 
Add to Goodreads

My Review

I chose to listen to this book after receiving a free audio copy from iRead Book Tours. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Greg O’Brien is a meteorologist who is targeted for assassination, and he has no idea why. Through luck, he is able to survive several attempts on his life before he decides that he can’t spend his life (no matter how short it might be) looking over his shoulder. And what about his family’s safety? So, he sends them away and allows a newly acquired friend to help him get his life back.

This book is full of danger, suspense, action, murder, and dealing with assassins and drug cartels. It’s difficult to stop listening to this one!

My favorite line in the book: “Latitude without longitude is like a kiss without a squeeze.”

I’ve listened to Mike Alger’s narration of many novels, but this is the first time I’ve listened to him narrate his own book. He’s one of my favorite narrators. His voice is pleasant to listen to and it’s easy to distinguish the different characters. His pace and timing are perfect.

I hope there are more books from Mike Alger to come!

About the Author

One of the most popular and recognizable faces on television sets in Nevada and California; Mike Alger is the Chief Meteorologist for KTVN-TV Channel 2 (CBS) in Reno, Nevada. The award-winning weatherman is a holder of the American Meteorological Society’s Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal of Approval. He is happily married with two children.

​

connect with the author: 
website ~ acx ~ facebook ~  twitter

Giveaway

Enter to win SNOW STORM
(audiobook)
(three winners) 

Gleam

Book Review: The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda

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A mystery about a group of former classmates who reunite to mark the tenth anniversary of a tragic accident—only to have one of the survivors disappear, casting fear and suspicion on the original tragedy.

Seven hours in the past. Seven days in the present. Seven survivors remaining. Who would you save?

A decade ago, two vans filled with high school seniors on a school service trip crashed into a Tennessee ravine—a tragedy that claimed the lives of multiple classmates and teachers. The nine students who managed to escape the river that night were irrevocably changed. A year later, after one of the survivors dies by suicide on the anniversary of the crash, the rest of them make a pact: to come together each year to commemorate that terrible night.

To keep one another safe.
To hold one another accountable.
Or both.

Their annual meeting place, a house on the Outer Banks, has long been a refuge. But by the tenth anniversary, Cassidy Bent has worked to distance herself from the tragedy, and from the other survivors. She’s changed her mobile number. She’s blocked the others’ email addresses. This year, she is determined to finally break ties once and for all. But on the day of the reunion, she receives a text with an obituary attached: another survivor is gone. Now they are seven—and Cassidy finds herself hurling back toward the group, wild with grief—and suspicion.

Almost immediately, something feels off this year. Cassidy is the first to notice when Amaya, annual organizer, slips away, overwhelmed. This wouldn’t raise alarm except for the impending storm. Suddenly, they’re facing the threat of closed roads and surging waters…again. Then Amaya stops responding to her phone. After all they’ve been through, she wouldn’t willfully make them worry. Would she?

And—as they promised long ago—each survivor will do whatever he or she can do to save one another. Won’t they?

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy from Simon & Schuster. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

The survivors from a horrible accident their high school senior year meet during the week of the accident to support one another. They always go to a house on the beach, and although Cassidy doesn’t want to go, she decides to go at the last minute. Once she’s there, she realizes that it was a mistake. It would be best to let the past stay in the past.

Although The Only Survivors moves slowly at times, it kept my attention. I had to know what happened 10 years ago that made the survivors feel so guilty. After two suicides, it couldn’t be just survivor’s guilt. Besides, someone has been watching them…

Several of the survivors seem sketchy, and they all have their secrets. If not for the accident, they wouldn’t be in each other’s lives. They come from diverse backgrounds even though they are from the same town. Some have stayed close to home, but others want nothing to do with their old home.

Although I had my theories, the ending was still a surprise to me. If you don’t mind a slow moving but interesting mystery, this is a book you’ll enjoy.

About the Author

Megan Miranda is the New York Times bestselling author of All the Missing Girls; The Perfect Stranger; The Last House Guest, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick; The Girl from Widow Hills; Such a Quiet Place; and The Last to Vanish. She has also written several books for young adults. She grew up in New Jersey, graduated from MIT, and lives in North Carolina with her husband and two children.

Her next thriller, The Only Survivors, will be published on April 11th, 2023.

Follow @MeganLMiranda on Instagram, @AuthorMeganMiranda on Facebook, or visit www.meganmiranda.com (less)

Book Review: If She Lives by Erik Therme

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Tess Parker knows tragedy better than most.

After surviving the death of her daughter and kidnapping of her nephew, Tess is ready to return to normal life. But her troubled past has other plans, and when an old threat reemerges, Tess must seek the help of an unlikely ally to set things right.

No matter what the cost.

Amazon

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

I have read Erik Therme‘s books and enjoy his writing style and the suspense in his books. I read the first two books in this series, If She Dies and If She Wakes. Of course, I had to read the last book in the series to find out what happens!

Tess is not as much of a mess as she was in the first two books. She’s realizing the mistakes she made in the past, although she was a grieving mother with little support, so it’s kind of understandable. She and her sister-in-law, Torrie, have become close and Tess has been staying with her since she separated from her husband, Josh. She takes care of Levi, Torrie’s baby, while Torrie works.

Tess is happy in her current situation, so, of course, it doesn’t last for long. Torrie’s house catches on fire and things spiral from there. She’s scared for herself and her family, and the journey she ends up taking is full of suspense.

The ending was satisfactory. It was a bit of a surprise, but I knew there was something…I just couldn’t put my finger on it! If She Lives is a standalone novel, but I suggest reading all three in order to get the most out of it.

About the Author

Erik Therme has thrashed in garage bands, inadvertently harbored runaways, and met Darth Vader. When he’s not at his computer, he can be found cheering on his youngest daughter’s volleyball team or watching horror movies with his oldest. He currently resides in Iowa City, Iowa—one of only twenty-eight places in the world that UNESCO has certified as a City of Literature.

Join Erik’s mailing list to be notified of new releases and author giveaways: http://eepurl.com/cD1F8L

Website: http://www.eriktherme.com
Twitter: eriktherme

Audiobook Review: Watson Falls by Morgan St. James

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Mack Peters enjoys the good life now, but it always wasn’t that way. Twelve years before, tragedy struck on a lovely Sunday morning, as Mack and his father, Beverly Hills Police Chief Bill Watson, finished their breakfast on the patio of a Beverly Hills restaurant. At the time, Mack was a member of the LAPD. In his quest for peace of mind, he resigned from the LAPD and backpacked through Europe for an extended time.

After Mack returned to the States, the former LA cop struck it rich when he came up with an ingenuous idea that gave him a lot of free time and produced millions of dollars. If asked what he does for a living, he says with a smile, “I go to my mailbox and collect checks.” 

With a thriving business that practically runs itself, he has the luxury of being able to take off on trips when the spirit moves him. His friends Marcie and Kurt Conklin suggested that he visit a quaint town in Washington State called Leavenworth, and it wasn’t hard to persuade him. But they had an ulterior motive—a motive that resulted him agreeing to help one of their friends track down her missing sister. That led him to the remote small town of Watson Falls and a situation and people more deadly than he could have ever imagined. 

Audible

My Review

I chose to listen to this book after receiving a free audio copy from the author through Librarything. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Mack Peters goes to Watson Falls to find a friend’s sister, Greta, who is a reporter. Greta went to look for her godson, Tony, and it turns out that she was undercover. She and Mack meet a couple of times while they both try to figure out what’s going on in Watson Falls. What they find is more shocking than they imagined.

The characters could have been more developed which would have made the story more suspenseful. There was a surprise at the end about two people who were interested in each other, but I had no clue. If they had shown interest in each other during the story, that would have made it more interesting.

The narrator was great. His timing and pace were perfect, and his voice is an enjoyable one to listen to.

I did like ending, and I would listen to Watson Falls again or read another Mack Peters book even though I think this could have been an outstanding book with some tweaking.

About the Author

Former interior designer Morgan St. James is the author of 18 books. A frequent panelist, moderator and speaker, she has also been on radio and TV. Morgan lives in Las Vegas with her trusty rescue dog Dylan and is on the board of Writers of Southern Nevada. 

About the Narrator

Brad Holbrook was born on July 26, 1954 in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. Brad is an actor, narrator and writer, known for Faded Love (2015), The Manchurian Candidate (2004) and The International (2009).

Book Review: Blood on the Tyne: Red Snow by Colin Garrow

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A dead body. A hoard of forged banknotes. A gangster out for blood.

Newcastle, December 1955. Returning home after a weekend away, singer and amateur sleuth Rosie Robson discovers a man lying on a baggage trolley with his throat cut. After the police get involved, an attack on Rosie and her boss prompts Inspector Vic Walton to find a safe house for the pair. But the bad guys seem to be one step ahead of them and Rosie is forced to track down a possible witness to the murder in a bid to learn the truth. Can the canny crooner solve the mystery before a Newcastle gang boss catches up with her? 

Set on Tyneside, Blood on the Tyne: Red Snow is book #3 in the Rosie Robson Murder Mysteries series.

Purchase Link – https://geni.us/3PKXkN

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from Rachel’s Random Resources. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Although this is the third book in the series, it’s the first one I’ve read, and it definitely stands on its own.

Rosie and Cindy find a body when they get off a train after a shopping trip. Suddenly, Rosie is being chased by bad guys and wherever she goes, the bad guys find her! She has some help from interesting friends and acquaintances while she’s trying to stay ahead of the bad guys.

There are some twists in Blood on the Tyne: Red Snow and a lot of action. It’s not an easy book to put down. I wish, though, that I had realized that there is a Geordie Glossary at the end. There were times I had to slow down to figure out what was being said.

I definitely recommend this book, and plan on reading the first two books in the series soon.

About the Author

True-born Geordie Colin Garrow grew up in a former mining town in Northumberland and has worked in a plethora of professions including taxi driver, antiques dealer, drama facilitator, theatre director and fish processor. He has also occasionally masqueraded as a pirate. Colin’s published books include the Watson Letters series, the Terry Bell Mysteries and the Rosie Robson Murder Mysteries. His short stories have appeared in several literary mags, including: SN Review, Flash Fiction Magazine, The Grind, A3 Review, Inkapture and Scribble Magazine. These days he lives in a humble cottage in Northeast Scotland.

Social Media Links –

Website (Adults) https://colingarrow.org/

Website (Children) https://colingarrowbooks.com/

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B014Z5DZD4

Twitter https://twitter.com/colingarrow

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/colingarrow

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/colingarrowthewriter

Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/colin-garrow

Book Review & Giveaway: Driven by Kerena Swan

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Every mother’s worst nightmare
It was only for a couple of minutes, while dropping Noah off at nursery. Little did Melanie realise that leaving her sleeping son in the car would end up being the biggest regret of her life.

A teenage challenge turns sour
For teenager Woody, stealing cars with his new friend helps alleviate the tedium of a life of poverty and boredom. This isn’t what he wants to do with his life but for now, he feels accepted. Except on this occasion, his actions have consequences that could change his life forever. Is it too late to turn his life around?

How far would you go to save those you love?
While DI Paton is on the case of the missing child, he is quickly drawn into a web of deception that hits dangerously close to home. He soon finds himself torn in two, not knowing which way to turn: save his career or his family? Will he be able to crack the case before he himself cracks?

Purchase Links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Driven-Paton-Investigates-Book-2-ebook/dp/B0BMGS953P

US – https://www.amazon.com/Driven-Paton-Investigates-Book-2-ebook/dp/B0BMGS953P

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Driven starts with two teens, Roach and Woody, stealing a car with 2-year-old Louie sleeping in the backseat. They have no idea Louie is there until they are out of town. To Woody’s horror, Roach stops the car in the middle of nowhere and leaves Louie on the side of the road!

This is the first case that DI Paton gets to take the lead on. He’s sure is ready but is now the right time with his wife out of town and his son’s school closed for the week? As he takes on more and more, he (and I) wonders if he’s going to make it through this stressful time.

The characters are well developed, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for most of them. I already addressed DI Paton. Louie’s parents are, of course, beside themselves with worry, and his mom feels enormous guilt because she’d left her keys in the car. Woody isn’t a bad person but gets in with the wrong crowd and wants out. Those are just examples of the poor characters I felt bad for. There are several more!

It was difficult to put Driven down at times. I had to find out what happened to Louie and then to DI Paton’s son, Tommy. There are some twists along the way that kept me turning the pages. This is definitely a book you’ll want to read if you enjoy suspenseful detective mysteries. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

About the Author

We are thrilled to be introducing DI Dave Paton and his son Tommy, the stars of the first novel in Kerena Swan’s new series, to the world. Before coming to Hobeck, Kerena had published three novels, Dying To See You, Scared to Breathe and Who’s There? and has built a solid fan base around her writing career thus far. She is a juggler extraordinaire: driving forward a successful care business she runs with her husband yet finding time to write. She loves to write, here and there and everywhere when she’s not working. We don’t know how she does it but we are glad that she does! Kerena talks about her writing, her influences and how she came to Hobeck in this video.

​

Social Media Links

Website: https://kerenaswan.wordpress.com/   

Twitter: @kerenaswan

Facebook : @kerenaswan  · Author

Giveaway

Win a paperback copy of Blood Loss by Kerena Swan (Open to UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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Book Review: Supernatural PI by Courtney Davis

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Supernatual P.I. (The Fawn Malero Mysteries Book 2) by Courtney Davis
Publisher:  DX Varos Publishing (October 11, 2022)
Category: Supernatural, Paranormal, Mystery, Vampires
ISBN: 978-1955065627
Available in Print and ebook, 240 pages

Just when Fawn Malero was getting comfortable in her new life….

Fawn was enjoying her new-found career as a Supernatural P.I., settling into a relationship with the Werewolf, Logan, and figuring out how to interact with all the supernatural creatures living in the Seattle area. But it never occurred to her the water off the shore was also under her administration…that was until they started crawling out to beg for help.

Before she knew it, Fawn was on a quest to learn who was attempting to steal the magical properties of the ocean, where a powerful Vampire’s daughter was being held captive. And could she catch the Magician who’d been selling dangerous items to humans?

Of course, she wasn’t alone. The posse she’d collected were still with her and determined to help. If she was going to make it as a P.I. she wasn’t going to do it without backup.

Pre-order

Amazon
DX Varos Publishing

Guest Review by Sal

A great supernatural mystery story with diverse world building and a fantastic plot! ‘Supernatural P.I.’ by Courtney Davis has everything that I love in a book of this genre. A strong female main character, a steamy romance and an interesting fantasy setting.

Fawn Malero’s version of Seattle is filled to the brim with vampires, werewolves, elves, shifters, witches, magicians and just about every other type of supernatural being that you can think of. But having all of those different supes in one place makes for a lot of inter-world problems, and someone needs to be there to solve them.

Enter Fawn Malero, the Supernatural P.I. Fawn is a Magician with the ability to communicate with animals, amongst several other powers. Because of this she is a vegetarian, and she keeps a lot of pets.

When a woman begs her for help to find a missing stone that is supposed to have the ability to control the seas, Fawn feels duty-bound to give her the help she needs. The woman turns out to be an octopus shifter named Eldoris, and the stone is one that once belonged to Poseidon himself but has now been lost to a human fisherman.

It takes all of Fawn’s P.I. know-how to locate the stone and get it back, and then she has a whole new problem on her hands when she has to decide which branch of the supernatural community gets to keep it. With help from her troll friend, Betina, and her half-elf, half-witch friend, Annabel, Fawn must find a way to appease all of the supernaturals in Seattle and do so before any more disasters take place.

This was such a great book that it made me want to go back and read the first book in the series to see where the story began!

About the Author

Courtney Davis is a mother, wife and teacher who has always loved to find time to escape into a good story. She’s been in love with reading and writing since she was a child and dreams of a life where she can devote herself fully to creating worlds and exploring relationships. To give someone else enjoyment through her words is the ultimate thrill.

Website:  http://authorcourtneydavis.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorcdavis
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCDavis/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorcourtneydavis/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorcdavis?lang=en

Giveaway

This giveaway is for 3 print copies, open to the U.S. only. This giveaway ends on November 16, 2022 midnight, pacific time. Entries accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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Follow the Tour

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Oct 17 Kickoff & Interview

Jody Amazon Oct 18 Review

Lu Ann Rockin Book Reviews Oct 19 Guest Post

Melleny Instagram Oct 20 Spotlight (postponed)

Danielle Urban Book Reviews Oct 24 Guest Post

Bookgirl Amazon Oct 25 Review

Suzie My Tangled Skeins Book Reviews Oct 27 Review

Sal Bound 4 Escape Nov 4 Guest Review

Nora S. Storeybook Reviews Nov 7 Guest Review & Excerpt

Denise Amazon & Goodreads Nov 9 Review

Danielle Urban Book Reviews Nov 10 Review

Laura Lee Celticlady’s Reviews Nov 11 Guest Review & Excerpt

Lu Ann Rockin Book Reviews Nov 14 Review

Bee Book Pleasures Nov 15 Review & Interview

Praise For A Life With Beasts by Courtney Davis

The Fawn Malero Mysteries Book 1

“A Life with Beasts is a story of intrigue and attraction that is especially recommended for mystery readers who enjoy more than a light dose of paranormal encounters and a touch of romance.”-D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review

“a fun adventure/mystery. Courtney Davis brings a fresh perspective to the supernatural creatures we are all familiar with without sacrificing the original ideas associated with them. She creates an exciting world of werewolves, vampires, witches/warlocks, magicians, trolls, and many others.
The book is easy to read and fast-paced. It’s a great read for the summer holidays or when you want a light, fun read. Can’t wait for the sequel!
Also, there is a healthy dose of romance, which can tend to be a bit much for those who don’t read romance (like me). However, Davis has done a great job of making the romance central to the plot, so I found it quite enjoyable.”- Writa Bhattacharjee, GoodReads

“This was a fast read and I really enjoyed it. It gave me some high school Twilight memories but brought more supernatural beings into play. There were several mysteries and problems being solved but they didn’t feel. I found the characters likeable and funny.”-Sara, GoodReads

Book Review: Driven by Dane Cobain

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Meet private detective James Leipfold, computer whizzkid Maile O’Hara and good-natured cop Jack Cholmondeley in the first book of the Leipfold series.

A car strikes in the middle of the night and a young actress lies dead in the road. The police force thinks it’s an accident, but Maile and Leipfold aren’t so sure.

Putting their differences aside and brought together by a shared love of crosswords and busting bad guys, Maile and Leipfold investigate. But not all is as it seems, as they soon find out to their peril…

Goodreads

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

This is the first book in the Leipfold Mystery series. It’s a good mystery with several suspects. I couldn’t decide who the murderer was, so I had to wait until Leipfold’s big reveal. I like how he gathered everyone related to the case no matter how small a role they played to reveal how things went down.

The characters in Driven are interesting, and I enjoyed them as much as I did the mystery. Leipfold is kind of different, and his new assistant, Maille, is very different, but I like them both. I especially enjoyed the development of their relationship.

I’m looking forward to starting the next book in the series, The Tower Hill Terror!

About the Author

DANE COBAIN (High Wycombe, U.K.) is a published author, freelance writer, poet and musician with a passion for language and learning. When he’s not working on his next release, he can be found
reading and reviewing books for his award-winning book blog, SocialBookshelves.com, while trying not to be distracted by Wikipedia. His releases include Driven and The Tower Hill Terror, books one and two of the Leipfold series. For the latest news, follow Dane on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Website: http://www.danecobain.com

Twitter: danecobain

“If you enjoy a good crime/mystery, then you need to get your hands on these books!”
—Katie, KitKatsCanRead

“A fast-paced and intriguing thriller that kept me turning the pages and reading past my bedtime to get to the resolution.”
—Mary-Ann Maronski

“This was a unique premise fit into a classic PI/police procedural mystery.”
—Mindy’s Book Journey

“This book reminded me of a few of my favourite crime series—there are hints of Poirot and Paul Temple… if you’re a fan of the genre you ought to read it.”
—Charles Heathcote

“Enjoyable, well-written and interesting”
—Emma Rose

Book Review & Giveaway: The Seraphim’s Song by Barbara Casey

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Book Title: The Seraphim’s Song (Book 5 of The F.I.G. Mysteries) by Barbara Casey
Category: YA Fiction (Ages 13-17), 213 pages
Genre: Mystery, Fantasy
Publisher: Gauthier Publications (Hungry Goat Press)
Release date: April 2022
Content Rating: G. THE SERAPHIM’S SONG is suitable for all readers – adult and young adult.

Many changes have taken place at Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women while Carolina and Larry were on their honeymoon in Frascati, Italy, on the Granchelli farm. The newlyweds have been given a larger bungalow; Ms. Alcott, niece of the founder of Wood Rose, and Mrs. Ball, assistant to the headmaster, have moved into a bungalow together; and Jimmy Bob, caretaker and night watchman at Wood Rose has moved from his family home down the road a bit into a small bungalow on the orphanage property with his hound dog Tick, as well as his new cat and her litter of kittens.

Summer is coming to an end and the F.I.G.s will soon return to the universities to complete their special projects. They are starting to feel anxious, and the coping mechanisms they have used their entire lives are starting to work overtime. Dara’s thoughts turn to an unknown language, possibly from another world; Mackenzie focuses on the relationship of math to music; and Jennifer keeps hearing the note of B flat minor and is drawing dark swirls on her canvas board.

Buy the Book:
Amazon
B&N ~ Books-A-Million
and local bookstores everywhere
Add to Goodreads

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.  I’ve read several books by Barbara Casey including the first four books in this series. The first two books, The Wish Rider and The Cadence of Gypsies, are my favorites by the author so far. Even though this is the fifth book in the series, it definitely stands on its own.

Even though Carolina is married, her husband is out of town, so she is on her own after their honeymoon. The F.I.G.s are on summer break, though, so she has their company. Unfortunately, they’re all aware that something is going to happen because their coping mechanisms are in high gear. When Carolina hears from her mother, Lyuba, in Italy, they know that they have to figure out her message ASAP.

It’s obvious that the author did a lot of research for this book, and I found the history interesting. Along with the history is mystery, adventure, gypsies, natural disasters and danger.

I liked The Seraphim’s Song but not as much as the first two books. This being book five, I feel like I know Carolina and the F.I.G.s well, so I felt like I had to wade through a lot of backstory to get to the essence of The Seraphim’s Song.

About the Author

Barbara Casey is the author of several award-winning novels and book-length works of nonfiction for both adults and young adults, and numerous articles, poems, and short stories. Several of her books have been optioned for major films and television series.

In addition to her own writing, Barbara is an editorial consultant and president of the Barbara Casey Agency. Established in 1995, she represents authors throughout the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan.

In 2018 Barbara received the prestigious Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award and Top Professional Award for her extensive experience and notable accomplishments in the field of publishing and other areas.

Barbara lives on a mountain in Georgia with three cats who adopted her: Homer, a Southern coon cat; Reese, a black cat; and Earl Gray, a gray cat and Reese’s best friend.

​Connect with the author:  Barbara Casey Author ~ Barbara Casey Agency ~ Goodreads

Giveaway

Enter to win a signed copy of THE SERAPHIM’S SONG
(Book 5 – THE F.I.G Mysteries)
(one winner/USA only)

Gleam

Follow the Tour

July 5 – Rockin” Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
July 5 – Cover Lover Book Review – book spotlight / giveaway
July 6 – Kam’s Place – book spotlight
July 8 – The Momma Spot – book review / giveaway
July 8 – Lisa’s Reading – book spotlight / giveaway
July 11 –Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
July 12 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
July 13 – Pick a Good Book – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
July 14 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
July 15 – Books for Books – book review
July 18 – Laura McHale Holland, Author, Dreamer, Storyteller – book review
July 19 – Mystery Review Crew – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
July 20 – Sadie’s Spotlight – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
July 20 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review / giveaway
July 21 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
July 22 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
July 25 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway