I love Victoria Thompson's Gaslight Mystery series!!!!
355850
I've been a fan since the first book, and they keep getting better and better. Other authors I've read get into ruts and don't keep their books fresh and interesting. That is absolutely untrue in Thompson's case. Her characters have grown and changed through the years, but she handles those changes expertly and effortlessly keeps the reader's interest in what will happen next. The main characters and their friends and family feel like old friends, but new characters call forth strong feelings - both good and bad. One of my favorite things about this series is that I always learn something new. I found the descriptions of the "newsies" and the orphan trains particularly interesting, especially since the latter took the reader beyond New York City.  Berkeley is one of my favorite mystery publishing houses, and I appreciate their working with NetGalley to provide access to ARCs of their outstanding products.
3431209
This is the first book in the Charles Lenox mystery series written by Charles Finch and after having read all of the books published to date in the series I can say I love them!  I am happily anticipating his next novel in the series, The Inheritance.  If you like mysteries and you also like mysteries set in the Victorian era you will love this series.  The character of Charles Lenox is wonderfully developed, as are the other characters in the book...love Lady Jane!  I can almost see this series on Masterpiece Theater someday.  Keep writing Charles Finch, you have a natural gift!!!
1186932
Another great mystery from Ann Charles!  Deadwood will never be the same to me again after this series!  I knew there were ghosts and haunted hotels in Lead and Deadwood.  Now I'm almost afraid to go visit!  A Wild Fright in Deadwood just keeps adding on to the base book.  Great character writing, you get a feel for all her characters and by the end of the book, you know why each is in the story.  Trust me, they are not just fillers!  Some of the ghosty stuff is hard to wrap by head around, but I know when I read them again (which I will do!) I will understand just a little more each time.  Some scary parts you might end up screeching at, definite funny parts you can't help but giggle out loud at!
14429
I love these books...looking forward for more.
I fell in love with the seniors and  relate to them, and Victoria is like a granddaughter.

It's a blessing to read a mystery with God being worshiped, and refreshing to read one that is wholesome.
4754815
I love this mystery series with  Inspector Vera Stanhope!  She's exceptionally smart, and enough "flawed" to be really appealing.  I look forward to reading/viewing the entire series.
3235305
I just finished reading the latest Installment of The Pink Cupcake Mysteries, Pop-up Truck and Peril.  I love this series, each book gets better and better.  I feel like I really get to know the characters in her books.  I can't wait for the next one!!
2499408
I just finished Easy Innocence by Libby Fischer Hellmann. I was extremely pleased with the involvement of all the characters and how everything became intertwined in the story. My favorite books are mysteries and this book doesn't  disappoint. I am now reading all of the "Georgia Davis" books and an now going to cut this short so I can start the next one. If you like mystery books you can't go wrong with this one or any of the "Georgia Davis" ones!!!!!!
2470536
Since I got hooked on cozy mysteries a while back, the series I read have mostly fallen into two categories -- the series where I might or might not read the next book when it comes out and the series where I start waiting anxiously for the next book the second I finish the last page of the one I'm reading.

The Vintage Kitchen Mysteries by Victoria Hamilton are definitely on my "must read" list. I've been waiting for Bowled Oversince I finished A Deadly Grind, the first book in the series.

Jaymie Leighton collects vintage kitchenware and cookbooks. When she makes potato salad for the Fourth of July picnic, it's made from an old recipe and served from a depression glass bowl.

Everyone in town knows that Jaymie and Kathy Cooper have been enemies since high school, and quite a few people heard Jaymie warn Kathy that she'd be sorry if she didn't stop being so mean... So when Kathy is found dead at the picnic and the bowl from Jaymie's potato salad is the obvious murder weapon, Jaymie is anxious to clear her name and finally discover what it was that brought what was once a deep friendship to such an abrupt end and why Kathy was still so bitter after so many years.

There are so many tangled relationships among Jaymie's friends and neighbors that this one will keep you guessing until the very end, not just who the killer is, but what secrets everyone else in her life is hiding.

And now I want to know when the third book in the series is coming out... I'll definitely be watching Victoria Hamilton's blog  to find out. My copy of the book was provided by the publisher, but I would've bought it anyway.
1400414
I'll happily read anything Victoria Thompson writes.  I love Sarah and her family, friends, neighbors and investigative partners.  Keep 'em comin'!
2330990
Plume
Published by The Penguin Group

A Kate Conway Mystery
First In A Brand New Series
ISBN-10: 0452297060
ISBN-13: 978-0452297067

Kate Conway's soon to be ex-husband Frank is dead and the cops always think the spouse did it so Kate becomes the number one suspect.  Strange too is that his new girlfriend wants to be her new best friend.

She decides to bury herself in work to get her mind off his death and give the police time to find the real killer. She is offered a new assignment for a brand new series, Missing Persons.

Kate starts researching the story of Theresa Moretti, a young woman who has been missing for a year.  Her family is still holding out hope Theresa is alive and believes Kate will find her.  Kate just wants to get enough footage to tell the missing girl's story and move on but Theresa's family has really touched her which causes her to dig a little deeper and the more she digs she finds the death of her ex may be related to this Missing Person story.  She also finds the deeper she digs she may be putting her own life in danger.

I LOVED IT!!!!!

This is an edgy story that not only draws you in but educates on how these True Crime shows are made and with an author that has a background in television all the jargon rings true, especially how long it takes, how much film is needed, and how much is cut to tell a story in about 22 minutes.

The unexpected is that as each clue is uncovered you feel you are actually right on the scene.  This can happen with a lot of stories but this one actually played in my mind's eye like a television program. It made you almost forget this is a work of fiction and that you were actually reading a book. It really is hard to believe the same author who wrote the Someday Quilts series in the same person who wrote this book.  Clare you have a wonderful imagination and I LOVE IT!!!

I am sure readers of the previous series will love this book but I see it bringing in a whole new group of readers, those who love true crime. This story fits the description of a cozy mystery in the way that the crime solver in an intelligent female amateur sleuth,  but this series seems to go further just because of Kate's job and takes place in the big city of Chicago.

This series has a wealth of information available as people go missing and crimes are committed everyday.  I look forward to being on the scene of the next Kate Conway Mystery.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Plume, A Division of Penguin Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
2393128
Drawing Close is a wonderful addition to this series - I was pleasantly surprised to see that some characters have more "heart" than I was initially giving them credit for.... and now, there's a new mystery character that I can't wait to find out more about!! And still.... more mystery with other characters! I was pleasantly surprised in places, and shocked in others. Overall, a very entertaining read! Thanks Barbara Hinske for hooking me on your series!! I love Rosemont and the people you've created!!
585518
Sue Ann Jaffarian brings readers the fourth book in her Ghost of Granny Apples mystery series, Ghost of a Gamble. Emma and Granny are off on another road trip in this book, this time to Sin City, Vegas will never be the same. This humorous mystery series featuring paranormal elements will have readers sitting on the edge of their collective seats. Jaffarian has an over the top writing style that is appealing and full of surprises. Readers never know what is going to happen next in a Granny Apples mystery and Ghost of a Gamble is no different. A great addition to the series.

What I liked:

Sue Ann Jaffarian is one of those writers that can give you a totally unbelievable idea and make you believe every word of it. Her stories are written with a flamboyant style that draws the reader in and has them giggling under their breath in no time. Jaffarian's use of humor is excellent and almost as entertaining as the mystery itself... almost!

Emma is a great cozy heroine. She is a medium and is used to dealing with spirits and their issues. She has a humorous outlook on life that is contagious and she knows how to solve a mystery. I love the fact that her sidekick is the ghost of her great great great grandmother. It adds a great paranormal aspect to this mystery series that will draw in a whole different audience. Emma is a cross between The Ghost Whisperer and the Long Island Medium, serious at times and hilarious at others. A very versatile character.

I loved the Los Vegas setting for this one. I have enjoyed the fact that the Granny Apples mysteries tend to take place in different areas and are not limited by a stagnant setting. Jaffarian does a fantastic job using the history of Vegas to add to the details of this mystery. It's obvious that she did her homework and the city really comes to life for the reader. I liked the whole mobster idea and how it played into the outcome of the mystery as well.

Granny Apples once again steals the show in this mystery though. I love her character and how each time Emma finds herself in the middle of another mystery, it somehow involves Granny. I like the fact that Granny can move around and travel to different places, which gives each mystery more versatility. But the humor and comic relief that Granny adds to every book is the best part of all. I think Jaffarian has done a great job with this series and I look forward to seeing where Granny and Emma turn up next.

What I didn't like:

I thought this one was a fun romp in Las Vegas that happened to center around a murder. The mystery itself was a little long in coming to a head, but once readers get past that, it is a great read, that is original and full of surprises.

Bottom Line:

This is a great series with a lot of humor and it always features a great mystery that makes the reader do a little thinking to figure it out. I love the paranormal aspects of the book, featuring Granny Apples and the charismatic lead character, Emma.
2205414
Haven't read it yet; but I love all of Victoria Thompson's Gaslight Mysteries...So, I expect to enjoy this one, also.
3962628
I have read all of the Alvarez Murder Mysteries, and am anxiously awaiting the 4th!!  Heather Haven is an excellent, fun and witty author! I would highly recommend any of her books!
4303680
I love the books! Because I really like a good mystery and the more I read them the more I love them!!!!
3337942
The reason it took 2 day is because I had to stop and recharge my iTouch.  Now that I read with the Kindle type product I don't know if I'd really like to go back to books.  I really love Victoria Thompson's books.  I have read most of them.  I think I only have two more and then I will have read all of her Gaslight Series books.  I can't wait for her next book to be released.

I feel like Ms. Thompson does her research and I get to learn a lot about life back in that era.  During that period of time, things were so different and the neighborhoods were so segregated by nationality.  You also learn about the customs of the different nationalities with these books.

I really like these books.
2500100
I love these books.  It's wonderful to read well written mysteries without all the bad language and sex talk.  Thank you, thank you!!