another winner now available!
345567
sheenas voice and attitude make this an 80"s treasure. every track has a killer vocal and lyric...plus extra tracks.....cool!
1352469
The ninth installment in the Dick Hardesty mysteries is a wonder to read.  Although I have enjoyed all of the previous titles, I would have to say that the very early stories occasionally exhibited some thin spots in the plotting and the editing was at times lacking.  However, as the series has matured, these shortcomings have been addressed and this latest addition should be considered "must read".

Mr. Grey's mysteries are compelling because of the richness of the plots.  He always provides a large complement of fully developed secondary characters, which allows for several equally probable potential suspects to emerge naturally.  I was especially appreciative of the careful attention to details in _The Popsicle Tree_ regarding the behavior of Joshua, Jonathan's nephew, who has come to stay with Dick and Jonathan as the child undergoes changes in his care providers.

I can only hope that Mr. Grey will continue to add to this series as I look forward to seeing how Dick and Jonathan will develop as their relationship matures further.
1123883
Kelly strikes again with another great offering in the Galactic Pool franchise! I took the opportunity to pre-order this ebook a couple of months ago and then promptly put my Kindle aside and waited impatiently. It was worth the wait, hence the 5 stars.

This author has long ago, in my estimation at least, pushed himself above the pack of emerging authors by pursuing a brand that is all his own. It is truly remarkable that this is the third installment and the gags keep on coming. It is funny, it is intelligent, it is innovative. The characters we have come to know and love and/or just know are back and continuing their respective quests for publication, domination, film making and revenge.

Too many times by this stage of a series the author will spend the majority of the time recapping the events of the previous books to the extent that the actual new data is limited to a couple of sentences at the end. Kelly does not do this, so you will get the new, pure, good stuff and if you are like me you will want to go back and read them all again.

It is notable and extraordinary that there is still a willingness to try new things, to keep all of the strands going, to at times be confusing and just keep going. This is a genuinely rare approach and even considering the list of referenced authors that inspired Kelly the Galactic Pool is cutting edge.

I await with eagerness the production of the main characters as little figures that shall surely go alongside the film adaptation.
4364420
Having tremendously enjoyed this book series thus far, it was no surprise to me that this book was another winner. Not wishing to spoil the fun of watching the storyline unfold, let me skip a description of the plot line. Although the plot was well developed and revealed, I found the development of Kate's character to be  equally fascinating. That alone would have made reading the book worthwhile. I am eager to see  where the next book will take Kate, both geographically and emotionally.
I was provided an ARC but the opinion expressed is uneqivocally my own.
3011503
As a note, a printed galley of this novel was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

There's something delightful about Sherlock Sam and his detective work. Bringing a new generation into the problem-solving world that is a retelling of Sherlock Holmes, the highly anticipated second installment is just as fun and mysterious as the first. The Ghostly Moans in Fort Canning, is full of fun and will engage children and adults of all ages.

Back in action, my friend and her daughter positively adored Sherlock Sam and his adventures. I think they enjoyed The Ghostly Moans in Fort Canning more than the last in the series! And I have to admit, so did I. A.J. Low bring so much to the table in this novel targeted at younger kids that it's impossible to put down and you will be sporting a grin from start to finish.

The best part? Kids of all ages will learn a great deal from it--including, ahem, let's say: detective skills and better understanding the world he lives in (that handy section of information at the back of the books? Perfect!) and it's all in good fun. Sherlock Sam proves once again to be a hit waiting to happen and I expect to hear a lot more from this little guy with a healthy appetite and a knack for problem solving.

If you are a teacher or a parent, this series is just what you're looking for. Fast paced, simple, intelligent, thrilling and just flat out fun, Sherlock Sam has something for everyone.
3668833
This time, the mystery is almost incidental; this book is so much more!
  You'll first be introduced to a loving, caring teacher, who is simultaneously a bit of a recluse: the whole town loves her, but hardly anyone truly knows her.  But you will, and you'll find yourself caring deeply for her. And, suddenly, you'll find yourself inventorying similar folks from your own community, lest the chance to truly know such special people too soon be forever gone.
  You'll enjoy watching Zak interacting with the young boy, Scooter (introduced a couple books ago), and Zoe enjoying Scooter's friend, Alex, who is the girl who has become his best friend in boarding school.  Yes, Zoe's mommy hormones get turned on full and hard by the kids and seeing the wonders of this amazing world through their eyes.  Still, Alex's story of being superfluous excess baggage to two highly driven professional parents will break your heart.
  And you'll find the tears flowing (in a good way) as Ellie and Levi work through personal issues that will either destroy their friendship, or lead to forever strengthened bonds.
  But we cannot forget the mystery. Was the murder related to the life-long threats of demise by the mob from which the victim had been running since early childhood? Or could it be more local and, truly, even more sinister in nature.
  I hope I've said enough to entice you to pick up this latest edition in the Zoe Donovan series.  As always, you'll enjoy Kathi's  light and expressive writing style.  Please accept apologies from me if you feel I've included any spoilers (I try hard not to; I try to say just enough to whet your whistle without revealing adequate substance for spoilage).  [And, if you're new to the series, not to fret: Kathi always makes insights of what's been going on in her stories wherever necessary for first-time readers, without making them redundant for the rest of us.  And she does it in such a way that you can still enjoy going back to read what came before.  She truly is an artist, in that way.]
  One last thing... This book has a special selection of traditional family holiday recipes, which Kathi's readers have shared with her, and she is sharing with us. I can hardly wait to try each and every one.  But I'm starting with the shortbread.  I mean, who DOESN'T want hot, homemade cookies just a slice away!?!

AND A BONUS! This one is totally friendly to even your youngest readers.
2314570
The second offering in the Blackstone & Brenwen series Swansong for a Sibling by Andrew D. Mellusco does not in any way disappoint. With much improved editing and writing the second book is a joy to read.

Once again all our favorite characters are back in all their glory and not so glorious forms, ready to do business as advocates for those who may or may not be as innocent as we have been lead to believe. Punch has been accused of Battery and Judy is testifiying for the prosecution. A swan has shown up where none should be and isn't all that she seems. Fury is dating someone she works with (no I'm not going to tell you who... you have to read it) and things are going along a bit faster than their co-workers are expecting.

Yes, all is well at Balckstone & Brenwen, the usual chaos exists but in such a wonderful way that no one is complaining. Even the office supplies are in a state of Zen until Aladin shows up. Then the stapler hits the hole punch so to speak and the chase, legal shenanigans and romance is on.

I love the characters and can't wait for the third installment.

Karen Bryant Doering,
Parents' Little Black Book
MistBlueEeyore@gmail.com
1974217
McCall Smith has topped himself.  This isn't just another installment - new and memorable characters are introduced and the plot line is more emotionally nuanced than previous books.  There is much to be learned from these "simple" tales from Botswana, and Mma Makutsi is our teacher in this one.

I pounced upon this latest book in Johannesburg last October, knowing it wasn't yet available in America.  I've already read it again, despite the considerable backlog on my bedside table.
2325846
The latest in the Custard Protocol series is another delightful romp. I am finding Miss Carriger's books to be fun, entertaining reads. Miss Carriger has a marvelous hand with drawing room comedies.  I have read Georgette Heyer, Jane Austen and Elizabeth Peters.  Miss Carriger is easily part of this group of authors.  I  highly recommend this title and all of her other books. You should definitely give them all a try!
1674007
Another winner and so glad I am on the mailing list.  Hopefully she writes quickly as now I am hooked on another of her stellar series.
149918
This is another excellent example of Bob Moats ability to flesh out his, very likeable, characters and keep the story fresh and intriguing.  I can't wait for the next book.
I have read all of Bob Moats' books, as soon as they have been released.  I want to invite Jim & Penny over for dinner, have Willie play with Gizzie and Lucy, and want to meet Buck and the rest of the crew.  Each story in the series has held my interest from page one, each mystery has been exceptionally plotted with intriguing twists and turns.  I'd love to spend an evening with Bob around a campfire, he's a wonderful storyteller.
1121927
I've come to expect a good read from this author, and wasn't disappointed. Thoroughly enjoying the tale. Next one, please!
1899708
It ain't over, yet another fine fun Shifty novel, with horseracing at the base! ALL the books are great, and are a series - get em! For the horseracing fan, for the mystery novel fan, for the fan of sleight of hand magic
1949696
Ben has done it again!  Here's a Police procedural mystery,  and a British Constable mystery- which is also Urban Fantasy. Again we meet PCI Peter Grant and his mysterious "governor" Nightingale. Peter grant is a London Metropolitan Constable, given to cool jazz and hot curries,

Here he is teamed up with his very precocious cousin, one Abigale- who is already talking to foxes and so needs to be taken in hand. There is a ghost- well several ghosts- haunting London's underground, The Tube.  While solving the mystery we run into a young godling, a princess locked in a dungeon, and of course quite a few ghostly apparitions. Who ya gonna call? PCI Peter Grant!

Full of wry and typically black English humor, lots of local references (a few footnotes are scattered for us yanks) and of course a well done Police procedural, we have another great entry in this series.

This offer is a little shorter than others- maybe a long novella at 144 pages. Still a great read, I finished it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down!
812814
Another winner from Uncle John! Whether you are on the john, waiting at the doctor's office or awaiting sleep to overtake you, this will keep you happily occupied. Witty and educational, this book is another dynamite addition from the fine folks who "go with the flow"!
4569666
Another winner!

Ms. Simko has once again come up with an intriguing plot. Id read the first book in the series years ago and was afraid I would be lost reading the fourth instalment. However, that was not the case. The book was easy enough for me to understand, with the author doing a great job of filling in the details of the backstory.

The characters are complex and real. The story is tight and fast. Is it a romance? Is it a thriller? I think it falls into the latter category a bit more. Its a read fit for either a man or a woman. It kept my interest and was a very satisfying read.

Ms. Simko has a marvellous imagination and I loved that I could feel her passion as I read her words. Real characters and interesting plot that never disappoints. Read this book now.
1856663
Perhaps the best entry yet into this series! Peter and Julia are home in London caring for their father who is suffering from what seems to be the effects of a stroke (otherwise known as Mystery #1). And, then there is a body found just a few doors down-- a message, it appears, to Peters increasingly beloved, Julia (big Mystery #2) who promptly disappears (Mystery #3). A bigger player is pulling the strings-- one who won't be easy to take down (Mystery #4). What commences is a breathtaking, fast-paced hunt to find Julia and put all the other clues into place to solve all the mysteries plus expose a couple more! The pacing is perfect and the plot intriguingly complex in this novel, and Ward has really added new layers and depth to some side characters. As the writing is stronger with each book, I have high expectations of the next installment which will, its seems, involve Jonas (Mystery #5) who didn't make an appearance until the end of Prayers and was sorely missed by both Margaret, Peter and this reader.