The same great mystery and excitement is all there
928296
This season is a lot more perilous with elements of danger. The same great mystery and excitement is all there.
3582861
The follow up to anitque magic is just as fun and crazy as the first mystery in the series was. Here Ali is going to Pennsylvania to help out family friends and murder is abound. She arrives with hesitation because the future clock told her a something disturbing. More disturbing though was what was happening with the Darnells and those around them. The first murder occurs and more questions arise. the detective isn't a big fan of Ali but turns out he is friends with Nick. Who we see make cameos in this book and you will love him more than ever. He is to sweet. so is Lawrence and his little crush is precious. I hope him and Laudine have some kind of HEA. they both go through so much. Litte mysteries pop up everywhere as Ali slowly catalogs the jewelry and more victims crop up as well. The past of Olivia and her sister is seen. The secret love of Olivia and his nefarious ways is revealed. The story in how the forgeries began and the downward spiral is seen as well. You will feel for Arthur. Although you don't think that way you will. The guy lost so much and he really did love with passion. Poor thing he was to weak to stand up for himself and didn't want others hurt as well. So many things are revealed and muddle up the mystery but the death of the detective was just wow. That one turned the heat up a notch and set more things in motion faster than I thought. What you think isn't quite what to expect and what you expect isn't quite what you think. the book is fast paced and has quirky twists and turns. Some things I wasn't quite sure why they were included. the houseguest in the guesthouse was a little lost on me and the painting thing didn't really help. I got a little bit of the meaning in the end but she was lost in translation until then. the twist with Janice and the reveal from Ali to the detective didn't make me change my mind or even think I cared. I think it was supposed to help you with things but for me it didnt. So many twists and fun turns that you will be dying to know how the book will end and who the culprit is but really is there a culprit with all the mystery and odd happenings. Heck we have forgery, murder, and general mayhem happening in a fun twisty and light way. a wonderful follow up mystery that has you enjoying the series more and excited for the next mystery Ali will be sent into with her future clock and hopefully Nick at her side.
2361539
Drama, suspense, mystery and some love thrown in there too. This book has it all! Loyal series readers will love catching up with old friends, and each character has their own qualities to make them interesting to new readers. The characters backstories make them so complex and adds a realistic quality, however its not too complicated to read and follow along. We got a thrilling mystery that allowed you to wonder who did it and what would happen next. Looking forward to the next one!
1017290
Just catching up on some of the books I missed previously. This one was great as usual And everything I look for in a mystery. The characters are realistic, with many of the characters being people youd like to have as FrIends. The plot has touching moments as well as exciting ones, and held my interest the whole way through!
2965646
Ben and Ann Witherington have done it again in this third installment of the Art West series of mysteries. Paipas and the Mysterious Menorah is a fast-moving archaeological thriller filled with tantalizing discoveries of "biblical" proportions. Biblical scholar and archaeologist Art West finds himself consulting on a new cache of scrolls in Turkey that seem to be from the second Christian century. And as he gets involved with the dig and the newly discovered documents, it quickly becomes evident they have unearthed something of grand significance: the home, church, and writings of the famous second-century bishop, Papias. But the plot quickly thickens as Art is trapped and nearly killed in a tunnel connected to the home. As he recovers from his near miss, Art and fellow archaeologist Marissa Okur, the supervisor of the dig and a person of growing "interest" to Art, find themselves on a whirlwind journey to both understand the significance of the Paipas house and scrolls and to understand the forces that seem to be nefariously aligning against them. Meanwhile, West's friend Kahlil el Said and his daughter Hannah have chosen a wedding gift from their antiquities shop for their mutual friend Grace Levine's upcoming wedding, but the provenance and mysterious contents of their fortuitously chosen menorah come to light, even more mystery and discovery ensue.

I greatly enjoyed the first two installments of the Witheringtons' Art West Adventures, and this third volume is certainly no different. The writing is solid, the settings are uniformly enjoyable, as are the characters. Especially valuable is the obvious familiarity with both the ancient and modern intricacies of the middle east, as well as the thorough knowledge of biblical studies and archaeology that they bring. And unlike Dan Brown's imaginative fiction concerning Christian origins, the Witheringtons' imaginings are informed and plausible, even if they occasionally indulge some of Ben's minority opinions (such as the fictional confirmation of Lazarus's identity as the "Beloved Disciple" in the fourth gospel), but none of these judgments can be argued to be misleading or distorting. And for me one of the greatest values of these great mysteries, beyond their obvious intrinsic worth as fun reads, is that they bring to life the investigation of the ancient world and its documents and dramatize the revelations that can come from the pursuit and interpretation of ancient sites and documents. So I highly recommend all of three of the extant Art West Adventures, and look forward to the unveiling of future volumes.

Special thanks to Bob Todd and Pickwick Publications for the review copy.
2662454
This book is only the start of a great series. My husband is way ahead of me and keeps buying the books one after another. Our daughter is a book junkie and she is hooked on Todd Borg's impressive style. Each one contains a mystery to be solved with high adventure usually involved. In-between the author weaves interesting facts and the detective's Great Dane side-kick provides wonderful diversion. To top it off, the stories take place around Lake Tahoe. Since we live in the Eastern Sierra and frequent Tahoe as often as we can, it is a delight to picture the places that he names. If we can't be there, at least we can imagine the breath-taking scenery. Isn't that what reading is about? Going there in your mind - an arm-chair journey.
3778156
I have been looking forward to another Koko and YumYum mystery.  This new one is just as entertaining as the rest,even if it was easy to solve.  I love the inhabitants of Pickax, and Ms. Braun always adds at least one new neighbor for us to get to know.  The basis of the story is a very dry autumn just before "the snow flies" or the "Big One", as they refer to the first big snow of the season.  The historic shafthouses above the defunct mines are in danger of fire both deliberate and accidental, as are most of the wooden buildings of Pickax.  Disaster strikes in the form of an explosion in Eddington Smith's used book store.  Qwill and Koko are determined to find out who done it.  A great read.
4251996
Once again Mr. Eglin has written another great story. Very exciting tale of mayhem and mystery. I was never quite sure how this story would end and was very pleased with it from the beginning to the final page. I enjoyed ,very much, the writers style and the way the plot unfolds .I was totally absorbed with every turn of the page and felt I was there also, in England ,on the pursuit of the answer to this mystery. I highly recommend this book to all lovers of great mystery and can't wait for the next installment.
3599516
Vera and Joe are complex human beings who solve complex mysteries.  The motivations of the detectives are just as interesting as the suspects.
644688
Being the first book of the series, it gave me a feeling of freshness that's a bit lacking in other of the Sherlock Holmes series which seem a bit too dark for me.
Of course, the mystery and the crime solving part of the book is as great as ever.
2301026
I have read all the books in the Malcolm and Suzanne Rannoch series.  This is book 11 in an ongoing series.  I continue to come back because I really enjoy Tracys writing and the adventures of all the characters and this book is no exception.  Each book / adventure can stand on its own so you don't need to worry.  Tracy provides enough detail for you to understand the relationships and dynamics the characters.  This story hinges on the recovery of some mysterious documents that must be retrieved; there is a murder and a plot to rescue Napolon.  Davids nephew, who has run away from his boarding school, finds the body and Inspector Roth calls Malcolm to help him sort everything out.  At the same time, Suzanne is asked to attend to an migr that Bertrand has brought from France who speaks of the plot to rescue Napolon in his delirium.  As Suzanne and Malcolm try to solve the mystery that are also trying to rebuild the trust in their marriage.  There is also the struggles of David and Simon trying to raise Louisas (Davids dead sister) three children as well as maintaining their relationship.  Not to mention dealing with David's father, Carfax.  There is additional character backstories for Harry and Laura as old lovers appear on the scene and jealousy on the part of Cordy and Raoul.  There is love and betrayal and an ending that will have you wishing for the next installment in the series. I went into this book knowing there was a game changer, but I did not see that ending coming.  Usually, I know there will be good mystery and a satisfactory ending where everyone has survived and I am happy to wait for the next adventure.  The mystery does get solved with a few surprises along the way.  But, this time I am on "pins and needles" waiting to see how all the characters that I love will make out and how the hanging strings will be resolved
4017871
Exciting mystery with great characters.  I really love these books.
2048592
After reading the first book in this series, Through the Woods, I was excited to see if this new installment by April Sebree lived up to the first. No sophomore slump here! The sexual tension and crisp banter between ex-FBI agents Charlotte Essex and Noah Jackson is just as good, if not better. The supporting characters aren't just there to support; they're as alive on the page as Charlotte and Noah. And the mystery enveloping the small New England town where the story is set is even more compelling.

The setting is unique in that an entire town seems haunted rather than a single house, which gives the author plenty of opportunity for good scares, which she provides on a frequent basis. Along with elements of supernatural horror, she deftly sprinkles in plenty of humor, which takes me back to the supporting characters. Often times when reading a mystery/thriller, I don't like leaving the main character(s) because thats where the action is. But in Where the Road Ends, the supporting characters are given nearly an equal measure of intrigue and fun, especially Tim-The-Pot-Smoking-Hacker, who is, as he likes to refer to some of the unexplainable events that keep happening, geektastically amazing.

Amazing is a good word to summarize Where the Road Ends. It provides what youd expect from an engaging mystery  lots of cliffhanger moments and horrible happenings. But it also gives you more than most mysteries, in that it delivers characters that are flawed, funny, and relatable, despite being trapped in something akin to the Twilight Zone. This novel is a perfect blend of that great 60s show, The X-Files, and Fringe. If you love those, youll love this.
1837093
The whole series is a pleasure, great characters, plot, suspense
322
Although the important components of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency remain the same (ethical behavior, love of Botswana, etc.) the characters continue to stretch and grow and delight us, as always. Charlie is still getting into trouble but somehow we sense that the tentacles of maturity are beginning to reach him. Mma Makutsi's shoes, the Greek Chorus extraordinaire, are warning her about the problems of management in her new restaurant, but how many of us really listen to our shoes? And another mystery is solved to the satisfaction of characters and readers. Now I must wait for the next installment although I would not mind beginning from Book One again.
735497
I have, and have read all this author's books, and they never fail to spin a terrific story with red herrings, blind alleys, and great twists and turns in the plot line leading to an unbelievable climax. All his books are a great read for anyone who loves great mysteries.
3795961
I can't say enough in praise of this terrific series.  It's wildly entertaining, fast-paced stories with characters who are easy to love and care about.  The writing is smooth and clear.  The mysteries are always hard, but possible, to solve with the information given us.  The plotting is great. But I have to confess the two things I like best are the historical information and the political vision.  I live in Portland, Oregon where everything I loved about the place is now being destroyed by gentrification and the union-busting "sharing" economy, workers are being displaced and the city given over to become another playground for the wealthy and the uncaring greedy.  So the books could not be more relevant.  I finish the book totally inspired and hungry for more.  This latest one is no exception. What a joy to read!