The Cassons continue to charm
350022
As charming as the rest of the series - the Casson world could continue infinitely and I would never tire of them. If you are as immersed in the Casson World as I am, this is a must read.
4966781
Julie Smith has created another hilarious cast of characters, who thankfully provide a bit of relief from murder most foul --- again and again.  This troop is even better than her last series.  And they need all their wits to solve a mystery that stretches back to the victim's childhood and reaches to the echelons of political power.
974547
I've been a fan of the series since the first book. Clare Fergusson makes an especially appealing heroine, with a combined background as Major Fergusson, US Army helicopter pilot, and Episcopal priest. After accepting a pastoral job in the upstate New York town of Millers Kill, Clare becomes involved with the police chief, Russ Van Alstyne. In each volume she becomes involved with a mystery, usually because a parishioner is involved as victim or witness.

This book deviates because it takes place just outside Millers Kill. Clare and Russ have gone to an isolated cabin so Russ can go ice fishing. They become involved in solving a crime, even on Russ's honeymoon, and there's almost nonstop action for a good part of the book.

The book calls for considerable skill by the author and it might be considered a step forward for her. I enjoy Clare's interaction with her parishioners, deacons and vestry. The action was a little strong, compared to the other books in the series. This one focused more on Russ's turf than on Clare's and we spend more time with the bad guys. The plot twists are clever and well handled.

Spencer-Fleming excels when it comes to interpersonal conflict. The scenes between two officers, Kevin Flynn and Hadley Knox, were especially well done. Hadley tries to hide her past from the wholesome Kevin, who's completely in love with her. To the author's credit, there's no simple ending.

There's also conflict between Clare, who's developing alarming maternal urges, and Russ, who resists the notion of fatherhood. The church leadership raises questions about Clare's fitness for the priesthood, given that she's obviously been pregnant before marriage. Given the shortage of priests,the remoteness of Millers Kill, and the congregation's evident approval of Clare, I can't help wondering if a Bishop would really be concerned about Clare's morals.

Already looking forward to the next and hope it takes place closer to home, although the last part of the book (as usual) is a cliffhanger.
3555309
Witches, ghosts, murder, mysytery, and romance; what more couldf you want? i enjoy how this author writes. The characters are very interesting, their quirkiness as witches are so intriqing. I adore Aunt Cass! There was so much happening in this book. Events from the past overshadowing events of the present. Several mysterious things are left unsolved so I can't wait to download the next book. I hope you've decided to read this series, and enjoy it as much as I am.
837925
The cats are special but not unbelievable. Their little asides help in subtle ways and the bad guys are caught.....again. They lend so much fun to the mystery. Infinitely readable.
479968
This latest novel in the Comissario Ricciardi series will not disappoint fans of this series.  It begins with the death of a street urchin which for some reason torments Ricciardi.  It can't be a murder because at the scene of dead child, there is no tell tale ghost to torment the comissario.

Yet the fascination and determination of Ricciardi to learn the details of death drive him into his own personnel vendetta against the uncaring world of Naples, the Church, the State (Fascism) and the police.  Do not wish for something because you may find it.  The chiaroscuro is still there in his portrait of Naples and the souls who people it. There is not warmth in this story whether it be the weather, the attitudes of people and institutions, the water in the streets. It is almost a philosophical mystery all is discovered a posteriori.

The only warmth there is, is in the love which Riccardi ignites in the souls of the Venus-esque Livia and the neighbor, Enrica.  What transpires between this menage a trois will confound the reader and have him reading looking for clues as to its outcome. Yes the same Maione is there but with an added dimension and it is refreshing that he has become just another stock character.

There is sense that in this series there is a genuine development of characters taking place which is not evident in many other series such as those of Camilleri and or Nabb, delightful as they are but it is subtle and certainly  and surprisingly not operatic.
854742
Although this is mor or less the same story that Ms Feehan has told throughout the series she continues to breathe new life into the characters.  We get to return to the Scarletti plazzo with all its intrigue and death.  Byron has found his lifemate whose music calls to his soul.
Antoniette is the heir to the Scarletti fortune and concert pianist.  She was blinded in a "accident" that killed her parents.  She doesn't trust any man as they only want her fortune.  She is attracted to Byron and longs to take him as a lover.  Byron wants more than a temporary relationship.
It is a wonderful book of what patience and love can overcome.  Plus you are introduced to some wonderful new characters.  This is a great romance.
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.
3290296
Another installment to the series and as enjoyable as the first with familiar characters and stories that continue to engage.
467210
If you are already a fan of this series, you will love it love it as much as the others.  Characters are branching out in New directions and learning new lessons.  The writing, as always, is lovely.
3539587
The Napoleonic Wars are over, for almost everyone but Sevie, Raoul, and those with secrets.  Sevie appears to have moved on from spying for Military Intelligence to investigating murders and other crimes.  Raoul is a enigma at the beginning, but he is trying to right some wrongs, although he does so as an anti-hero.  They are joined in figuring out the fate of Pilar after the murder of her mother.

Ms. Bourne does what I love: mix a little bit of lust and touch of fear of commitment on both sides without the usual bits swelling or throbbing of the characters' bits (so relieved to know it's possible to read a story without this).  There's no insta-love (cheers!).  The story evolves as the two unravel the pieces of their pasts, finding out the significance of their chance meeting.  Their attraction moves into respect.  These characters critically evaluate the other, gaining an appreciation of their respecitve skills.  At the end, Sevie and Raoul not only love each other, they like the other.  And of course, they find PIlar, and they give the villains (who are clearly identified) their comeuppance.  The ending is indeed a fine finish to one of my favorite series.

Great tone and atmosphere:  this is a story that pretty much takes place in the night--balls, assassination attempts, robberies, and ambushes.  There is darkness, but there are also the dawns.

My negative comment:  if you loved the previous characters in the series, they are here in abundance.  The book is not a standalone.  You do need to have read the previous books to appreciate the interactions.
4724859
In this 2nd book of the series we learn a great deal about Cass' past as it catchers up to her.  It's a bit better than the first book as Cass tries to deal with her crew as well as some external threats.  But the full story of what is going on will have to wait until the third book of the series.
4034464
Once again Allie has a murder mystery to solve. This time the pyro tech she hired for the July 4th fireworks show on Mackinac Island has been murdered or otherwise killed when an arsonist/bomber exploded the warehouse that the fireworks were being stored at. The pyro tech's murder takes a back seat while Allie tries to find a replacement and figures out who is setting fires around the island. A stray cat adds a little fun to the mix.

The series and the hotel and fudge shop on Mackinac Island is a fun angle. I enjoy reading the fudge recipes but I prefer to buy fudge than make it. No different that the previous books in the series, every time a new person shows up on the scene, what they're wearing and how their hair is fixed (usually in a bun) is overly described. This novel seemed a little off, not quite as peppy as the other books. It could be the scenery. There's only so much murder and mayhem can happen on a small island. Looking forward to the next in the series.
4851259
We are getting some answers to the questions behind Cass and her sisters of the heart,  but they lead the story even better as things heat up with Cass and Aidan wven if we understand more. We still get a great new plot to follow
1494042
Cassatt was no Sargent or Hassam, but her style reflects sensitivity and charm. This is a great book to own about Cassatt, full of good plates and at a bargain price. You can't go wrong with this one!
1621836
Always good to have another Deryni book, however, after just having read the Heirs of Saint Camber Series, I can't help but wonder if Katherine Kurtz is getting soft in her slightly older age.  In all the other series, it seems as though Mrs. Kurtz goes out of her way to make sure that freakishly bad things happen quite haphazardly, and often, to our heroes any time things are going well (just look at the last thirty pages of Camber the Heretic).  But now she seems to have fallen in love with Kelson and decided that he deserved a break or two; she allows him to sail through all challenges with Eddingesqe ease.  The only real danger in the book is easily thwarted, although this allows for the most satisfying part of the book (see below).
Funnily, there isn't much bride in King Kelson's Bride, and the only wedding is not Kelson's.  Morgan and crew are mostly absent from the book, and three years later, Kelson hasn't investigated the Camberian artifacts.  However, tantalizingly, we begin to see some hint of the "True" Camberian Council that is described at the end of the Camber series and that not perhaps less was lost than is commonly thought, and all is forgiven.  I hope that we see more of that developed in the coming books.  I've certainly been waiting long enough.
94790
I continue to love this series. The events can still surprise, even as I guess others. I find many ways in which the story lends itself to drawing parallels with real life situations, which I appreciate.
With so many different storylines, and principal characters, it is becoming a little harder to keep track, and less time is spent on individual character development. But these are the same characters we've already come to know intimately in previous volumes.
I look forward to reaching the resolution of this story, but I am beginning to suspect that I may not find it as fulfilling as I have been hoping for.