The Ninth District-An excellent start to a new series

An excellent start to a new series. There were points where the plot felt a little thin and there was some padding with some of the family stuff but I think this series will get better and better. Looking forward to the next installment.

Would I pay money for it?

Would I read more by this author? Yes

Would I recommend this to a friend? Yes

Purchased as a freebie February 14, 2013

The Girl with the Cat Tattoo-Like the fluffy frosting on a cupcake

This was quick to read and fun. A little mystery, some romance, some fun with a cat and a lot of quirkiness and whimsy. It felt light and fluffy and a great read for when you just want entertainment. No deep thinking here. It's actually a chance to let your mind relax and just go with the flow. Good escapism.

Would I pay money for it? Yes but it's short so it couldn't be too much

Would I read more by this author? Yes

Would I recommend this to a friend? Yes

Purchased as a freebie March 13, 2013

A Bobwhite Killing-A fun piece of entertainment

A Bobwhite Killing is quite a fun piece of entertainment!  It's cozy, it's funny, it's engaging and it has a decent mystery.

Bob White has decided to spend the weekend bird watching with Jack O'Keefe's birding group to escape his sister's relentless preparations for her upcoming wedding.  It's been reported that the Northern Bobwhite, which was thought to be extinct, has been spotted in the area.  It's enough to get any true birder's heart beating fast!  When he arrives, he finds that the leader of the birding weekend is now married to Bob's teenage crush.  When he later finds that leader murdered, it's clear the weekend won't turn out as he's planned.

This is pure escapism.  It has a gentle feel that I thoroughly enjoyed.  It had a lot of humour and I like the Minnesota setting.  I could feel the atmosphere of the forest. 

The only slight drawback to me was how many characters there were.  I had to go back a couple of times to see who was who.  I actually laughed when I read this sentence, "I think Billy called up Ben after he followed Jack to Kami's at Shana's request."  So many names!  I wondered if the author meant that to be humorous or if it just came across that way to me. However it was meant, this is an enjoyable cozy that gave me several hours of pleasure and I'm sure the others in the series will do the same.

Would I pay money for it?   Yes

Would I read more by this author? Yes

Would I recommend this to a friend? Yes

Purchased as a freebie July 10, 2013

Inn Keeping with Murder-I'm a sucker for a big old Victorian House even if there's a murder in it

I have a thing for big old Victorian houses,(yes, I live in one) so the cover of this book drew me in immediately. The characters drew me in further. An good start to what is evidently going to be a new cozy series.

Julia Applegate owns the St. Claire Inn on Mercer Island which has been converted into a high end B&B. She and the close friends in her book club have formed a tight bond that is almost family. When a good friend of theirs apparently commits suicide and then one of their own members drops dead in the Inn right in front of them, they are determined to find the culprit.
The St. Claire Inn is haunted and even the ghosts get in on the action of helping to solve the murders. A Great Dane and two dachshunds round out the cast of pretty interesting characters.

I felt the answer to the mystery was telegraphed pretty early in the book. I'm not usually good at figuring out whodunit so it was unusual for me to have nailed it so early. I did enjoy the characters and the setting. I'm enjoying books where the characters are a bit older and yet are still fully drawn individuals. I love this trend of older characters in mysteries.

If there are more books forthcoming, I'll be back for them. I think the potential in the characters is enormous and the setting of an Inn with strangers coming and going could be a great platform for mysteries. I'll watch and see where this goes.

Would I pay money for it?   Yes

Would I read more by this author? Yes

Would I recommend this to a friend? Yes