The Librarians by Sherry Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’ve been a fan of Thomas’ Lady Sherlock series since it began and I’ve dipped my toe into one or two of her other books, so I felt I was reasonably able to understand the way her stories unfold. After reading several reviews, however, I left this book on my Wishlist far longer than I should have.
Sherry Thomas is not a ‘cookie cutter’ writer. Her characters, plots, and story telling are rich, diverse, and not a little complicated. Also, she isn’t afraid to do a deep dive into back stories and explanations where necessary.
That being said, I ended up going through this audio book more than once to make sure I hadn’t missed anything – and I’m pretty sure I have but that will encourage another listen.
What starts out appearing simple and ordinary quickly shifts into that space where the reader notices something is amiss. Actually quite a few things are amiss.
Each of the librarians has his/her own unique story and situation. Their backgrounds are diverse. Many have at least one thing in common; an acquaintance with one person in particular.
As the individual stories unfold the main mystery starts to unfold, too and when combined the reader is treated to the reality that each character has his/her own response and reaction. From what I’ve seen in the comments this seems to unsettle some folks.
Thomas always gathers the various strings of her plot lines and not only manages to resolve the main mystery but the individual character’s situations, too.
If you like a well plotted mystery and interesting characters but aren’t afraid to stretch the imagination a bit if necessary, I think you will find this book well worth the time.
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Category: Books
From The Reading Table: I Love Suggestions!
I’ve been reading Charlaine Harris’ blog and books for a Very Long Time. I enjoy her books and I enjoy her reading list.
I always look forward to her latest blog where she shares her reading list. I always get some great suggestions for my own To Be Read List.
Her January 5, 2026 blog post has some great information, not to mention inspiration. Click on the link and see what you think.
From The Reading Table: Clean In 15
Clean in 15: Create a Clean & Happy Home in Minutes by Iwan Carrington
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’ve been a long time subscriber to Mr. Carrington’s YouTube channel and have followed along as this book was created.
I thought I knew what to expect when the book came out. I am already half way through and am gobsmacked. I don’t think he missed anything.
I love the color coding as it makes things easier.
The organization is excellent.
While he does provide what I call ‘things to think about’ regarding acquisition of tools and cleaners, he also provides recipes for cleaners (etc) you can make yourself. And those are easy to do and cost effective. If you know Mr. C, those are his hallmarks.
He has included information on the symbols and labels that we see on pretty much everything.
And, yes, he provides routines for actually cleaning in 15 minutes or so. But not just for the inside of the house. Mr. C has added the outside areas to his list of routines.
The book is designed to go in with your cleaning supplies for handy reference and is easy to maneuver to find the information you need when you need it.
I knew this book would be a great tool for anyone who needs to know how to clean pretty much anything. I was not disappointed. I also think this book would be a great gift for those who are embarking on their first home (campus dorm, first apartment, etc.). As one who has been cleaning for longer than I care to admit, I think it is an excellent resource for folks like me.
This is one of the handiest books you will ever own.
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From the Reading Table: Emily Cherry Cozy Mysteries
Emily Cherry Cozy Mysteries #1-10 by Donna Doyle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have to admit Emily Cherry has been a much enjoyed and appreciated cozy companion lately. i actually took my time with it rather than rushing through.
I came across the full series available on Audible and decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised by the development of all the characters and the way that Emily decided to stretch herself rather than stay stuck.
The books are not long. The narrator does a credible job. The subject matter made me want to actually read Emily’s blog.
All in all, a nice, comforting cozy listen without a lot of noise or language. While each book is available on its own, I suggest going for the full set (10 books) so you can enjoy the full series.
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From the Reading Table: A Most Efficient Murder
A Most Efficient Murder by Anthony Slayton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’m not sure how I discovered this book but it has been on my Audible Wishlist for a while. Recently I decided to give it a go and, I have to say, I rather enjoyed it.
While there is a definite Christie vibe (think Roger Ackroyd), it is very unlike anything I’ve read or listened to as a Cozy British Mystery. To be honest, that is a huge plus. No sweet young thing with no life experience saving the day. No dry as old cardboard story line.
What we have is subtle humor, characters that are not quite over the top, a rather interesting story (or should that be stories?) with a bit of a surprising ending.
This is one of those mysteries where I sit back and let the author take me where he wants me to go, as opposed to me trying to outwit him by figuring everything out as I go. I’ve discovered that when I approach books in this manner they are more enjoyable and less stressful.
What starts out as a celebration of an 18th birthday ends up with at least 2 murders and quite a bit of misdirection thanks to some well designed interference by at least 1 of the characters. At least one.
Things are not always what we are told and neither are the participants in the plot.
Worth the listen, or the read. I enjoyed it enough to add Book 2 to my wishlist.
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From The Reading Table: Clean in 15
So excited to learn that Mr. Carrington’s new book, Clean in 15, is in preorder! To learn more:
I have followed his cleaning adventures for years and have always learned something new.
Well done, Mr. C!
From The Reading Table: There Will be Bodies
There Will Be Bodies: A Flavia Albia Novel by Lindsey Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book in the series to take place out of Rome. I admit I rather enjoyed that! Falco & Helena Justina used to leave Rome every once in a while, which seemed to give the reader (and I suspect the writer) a much needed change of pace.
This time, Flavia Albia and Manlius Faustus are tasked by his uncle Tullius to clear a property that he just purchased sight unseen. Said property was damaged when Vesuvius erupted 10 years earlier.
Needless to say, bodies were found, mysteries were discovered, and to no one’s surprise, Flavia Albia is caught up in the search for the truth of what happened.
I enjoyed spending more time with Faustus’ workmen. I also enjoyed the folks who journeyed with them to the villa, and who came along later. Most of all, I enjoyed Faustus and Albia together. We get a look at a solid partnership, much like Falco and Helena’s.
I always enjoy the epilogues. Ms. Davis has a wonderful habit of dropping pebbles throughout her books about many things but it is in the epilogues that she provides a glimpse into the future. I admit I am often caught off guard by the realization that these books, as with the Falco series, are memoirs written many years after the fact.
It was heartbreaking to learn of the impact the volcano’s eruption had not only on Falco but the rest of the family. Albia’s recollections filled out what little we had learned about Falco heading to Pompeii to find his nephew and family only to return empty handed and broken hearted. She had accompanied her father, seeing the destruction at the time and now the ravages 10 years after.
I find myself pondering Suza’s recovery from her adventures i the prior book. Dromo might actually be maturing. A bit. Maybe. How many children???
Looking forward to an audiobook I hope will be coming soon. As much as I enjoy reading these books, I prefer to listen to them!
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From The Reading Table: Southern Spirits
Every once in a while I enjoy a cozy mystery. I found this one thanks to an Audible sale and liked it enough to tag the rest of the series.<br /><br />Verity is smart (mostly), sassy, determined, and tends to get herself into situations that…scare the wits out of her. Any anyone reading along. Not your generic Damsel in Distress. Ditto her friends and family, not to mention the location of the story.
I like the characters, which don’t feel cookie cutter to me (hoping that continues). I love the skunk. IYKYK. The twists and turns could be a tad confusing but everything seems to even up at the end. The ghosts are some of the most realistically portrayed characters I’ve come across in a long time. Their stories are relayed sympathetically rather than being cliche.
So far, I am enjoying this and looking forward to more.
Hard Copy Rules!
It is no secret that I love books, all sorts of books but my cookery books have to be in hard copy rather than electronic form. I don’t have time, patience or the need to wrestle with a device to cook a recipe. And, yes, I do have a few cookery books in electronic form but, truth be told, I don’t plan on doing much cooking from them. And, yes, I get the irony, too. <shrug>
Recently Anna from Cooking The Books made an excellent point about depending upon online recipes as she showed her home made pickles. Click HERE to check it out.
While there is an advantage to being able to search for a recipe online, the reality is that nothing online is permanent. And we all know that the power never goes out and WiFi never stops. /s
A paper copy gives you the advantage of having what you need, what you use, when you need it to use it. And there are options for how you use that paper copy.
Also, cooking from scratch enables us to be able to create the most amazing things without depending upon someone else to deliver, set up, etc.
Food for thought…
From The Reading Table: Rereading Miss Moriarity, I Presume?
Lately I have gone back to reread (in my case relisten) to the entire Lady Sherlock series to date. I’ve enjoyed the experience but more importantly I discovered details I had not noticed before…
Miss Moriarty, I Presume? by Sherry Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have been revisiting this series lately and when it came time to listen to this book again, I admit, I wasn’t too enthusiastic. It wasn’t a favorite when it first came out. I had assumptions based on what I ‘thought’ the story told bur as the relisten (audio book) progressed, I realized I had either missed or not remembered things correctly.
Big Mistake.
Sherry Thomas’ writing can be very visceral. This particular book is a great example.
The encounter with Moriarity left me exhausted and wound so tight I couldn’t breath for a few minutes. Clearly, I had absorbed the reactions from Charlotte and the group. Then again, the addition of a gattling gun in Sherlock’s bedroom was a bit…
The discovery of a rather important but carefully, craftily noted detail had gone unnoticed until this relisten. Moriarity himself reports to someone higher??????!!!!!!
O.M.G.
Learning this after listening to the entire series many times left me pondering what I might expect with the next book in the series (which can not come fast enough).
This book is an amazing adventure. We have the opportunity to learn more about our key players and discover things that are surprising and intriguing. It is also early enough in the series for me to realize just how carefully crafted the entire series is, not just the individual books.
Clearly, this is a much bigger puzzle than I originally thought.
Moriarity likes to maneuver and manipulate everyone. There are no lengths he will not go to. Pitted against not only his daughter but Charlotte & Company the game becomes far more deadly and the plotting becomes extremely ambitious.
Taken after reading the rest of the series you begin to understand the stakes and contemplate what Charlotte has been planning. Prepare to have your mind boggled!
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