Tea? Coffee? Murder! – Episode 1-3: A Cosy Mystery Compilation by Ellen Barksdale

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


When I look for an audiobook to listen to I tend to aim for something longer than 8 hours. This book, a compilation of the first 3 books in the series, has an 11 hour run time. In other words, each of the individual books is less than 4 hours long, so I would not have considered any of them individually. Being able to actually listen to the three has been enjoyable without lots of filler or diversion.

All that being said, this series is an interesting/odd take on a version of Midsummer Murders/Murder, She Wrote.

The stories are well written, have interesting characters, and there seems to be just enough to keep me interested without additives that just add bulk and no real substance.

If you are looking for something a bit different and yet engaging, give this a try.



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From the Wizarding Archive (Volumes 1 & 2): Curated Writing from the World of Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


When my audio version of this book dropped yesterday I found myself immersed in a world that is as much fun and magical as what I found in the original Harry Potter books. It is difficult to stop.

Every writer has their own process. I learned about JK Rowling’s collection of boxes with her bits and pieces of background, thoughts, hints, etc. years ago. Being able to delve into the boxes and find out more about all sorts of people, places, and things has been great fun.

The audio version is narrated by Evanna Lynch, Hugh Quarshie, Finlay Robertson, Lara Sawalha. There are sound effects in the background, too. The experience adds layers to the work, making it even more interesting than just reading from a page…although I can imagine that would be fun, too.

As one of those folks who love the extras on DVDs, this collection of essays has fulfilled that passion. While it might not be to everyone’s taste, for those like me who are curious, this is a treasure trove of information that I am sure will inform my next listen to the series.





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Death on the Tiber by Lindsey Davis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


First Thought: OMG!

Second Thought: The Didius Boys Strike Again. Actually the entire family.

I awaited the release of this book with a bit of trepidation. Having read the entire Falco and Albia series, I knew Albia’s backstory and her propensity for…strong reaction and response. I’ve seen her tempered as a result of her relationship with Manlius Faustus but there has always been an undercurrent of the fiery temper we knew from her days in Britain when Falco & Helena rescued her.

After the last couple of books where Faustus and the rest of the household were barely in evidence, it was nice to have them all back, front and center. Having more of the extended family just made everything better.

One of the more interesting aspects of this series is the way Lindsey Davis has pulled threads from earlier books (from both series) and brought them forward. Folks were wanting more after Pandora’s Boy and they got their wish. To be honest, I almost was another character list/spreadsheet to keep all the folks straight.

Florius’ return to Rome after decades away has upended the delicate balance of the various crime families in the city. Everyone is jockeying for control, if not just more opportunity to make more money as a result of their various illegal endeavors.

What starts out as an innocent trip to the riverbank turns into Albia’s next case when a body is pulled from the river. It is clear from the very beginning that lots of things just don’t add up. Unraveling the mystery strikes the match that starts on her quest to find (and kill?) Florius.

Family is the overarching theme of this book. Who is, or is not, part of the family? For Albia, the folks who make up her family have a history with many of the other characters we encounter, some going back years.

For Florius, the relationships he has developed over the years create quite a complicated, if not dangerous, web that could get him killed way before Albia finds him.

The original question is Who killed the lady pulled from the river? Early on I found myself thinking it would be the person it ended up being but there was a lot (!!!!) that surprised me.

If you have read Nemesis (Falco #20) you know that solution. If you have read both series you already know what the Didius family are made of. The solution to the original question in this book brought us to a resolution that surprised me…until I thought about what I knew about everyone involved.

Buckle up! It is going to be an interesting read!





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Murder at an English Séance by Jessica Ellicott

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I always enjoy Beryl and Edwina. These books are just the right amount of cozy to make the mystery enjoyable. What surprised me was the realization that we have come to the one year mark of when these two friends reconnected and their adventures in mystery solving began.

Barbara Rosenblat does an amazing job with the voices in these books. Teamed with Jessica Ellicott’s wonderful stories, the audio books are a pleasure to listen to.

One of the most apparent things in this book is the amount of growth all of the characters have undergone. We are also looking at a change in circumstance that, to be honest, I’m not sure will resolve itself in ways some readers (not to mention characters) think it will. We shall have to see.

A psychic medium has come to the village and the resulting uproar might be the cause of the murder or it might simply be the red herring to disguise who did it and why.

Beryl and Edwina carefully peel back the layers to find a resolution for their client (The Vicar’s Wife) while managing to work with Doris Gibbs – who ever thought we would see that?

What is next for our intrepid duo? I, for one, can’t wait to find out!





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A Ruse of Shadows by Sherry Thomas

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


“I am a queen upon this board and I do not play to lose.”

Once again Sherry Thomas and Kate Reading have brought me a book that is luscious to listen to, complicated and meticulously plotted. In short, I had to actually pay attention. LOL!

I found myself thinking back to when I listened to the first book in the series and was astounded at the way Ms. Thomas turned the entire Sherlock Holmes series on its’ ear. As a rule, I don’t care for the many volumes of attempts by authors to evolve the original Holmes into something he wasn’t or to add characters that were not even hinted at by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Charlotte Holmes was, to say the least, totally unexpected and a welcome shift, not to mention addition to, the genre.

A Ruse of Shadows gathers threads from most of the preceding books. This could be a problem for folks who have not started at the beginning of the series, but it could also be a pleasant ‘ah ha’ when they start in with the first book.

As I said, I had to pay attention with this one as there are some twist and turns, not to mention red herrings, that took me off the path. By the time I got to the unveiling/explanation I had forgotten my personal subtitle to the series: Things are not what I think they are, so I was more than a bit surprised.

Watching all the characters evolve has been amazing and satisfying. Contemplating just how far ahead Charlotte has plotted her Grand Plan simply boggles my mind. It is worth reminding folks that she hinted at this during the last book, Tempest at Sea.

I’ve come to the conclusion that Charlotte not only plays 3 dimensional chess but tosses in some snooker to boot.

Enjoy!





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Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me by Whoopi Goldberg

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I have been savoring this book for as long as possible. As I prefer audio books, and this one is read by the author herself, it has been pure heaven.

I have been a fan for as long as Whoopi has been in the public realm. I’ve read many of her books. I enjoy that she speaks her truth without apology.

This book is a tribute to her mother and her brother. It is a memoir of many wonderful, and no so wonderful, times in her life.

I can honestly tell you that for the most of this book, I have had a smile on my face as I listen to her tell her stories. Granted there have been a few spots where tears took the place of the smiles, but even then there was a touch of … maybe a small smile as the story unfolded.

If you know Whoopi, you will more than likely know what to expect. If you don’t know her, this might be surprising, shocking even.

This one is a pleasure and I can’t recommend it highly enough.



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Killing Time by Jodi Taylor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Once again, Jodi has not disappointed. What an incredible listen!

Team 236 is in crisis. There is concern that the team will no longer survive. Then, thanks to some inventive thinking, Mikey creates a rather curious method of criminal restraint and the Time Police HQ finds itself struggling to recover. (I have to admit, I thought Mikey’s idea was quite a solution to a problem, but I never expected what happened…)

On top of all of that, Jane learns of 2 underage time travelers (illegals) who might be in trouble and we are off on one of the most amazing, astounding, and impactful trips.

I have always appreciated Jodi’s way with a story. She has a way of gathering older threads, sneaking them into the current story, surprising us with the unexpected and moving forward with character evolution all while tossing in some well needed doses of humor. And that is even before she drops the cliffhanger in our laps.

Once again Zara Ramm does an amazing job as reader for the audio version of the book.

I could, okay am, thrilled to be spoiled by both Taylor and Ramm.

What a Summer Read (listen)!



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An Assassination on the Agenda by T.E. Kinsey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I’ve been a fan of this series since the beginning but this addition has a slightly different feel to it. It feels like the author has hit his stride.

This is not ‘just’ a murder mystery. The focus is on the efforts to stop an assassination attempt which could (did) start WWI.

While the core relationships still hold firm, we get the opportunity to see Lady Hardcastle and Flo do what they do best.

The writing is crisp and the twists and turns kept me hanging in there.

Excellent addition to a great series!



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The Lady Sherlock Series is written by Sherry Thomas. You can check out her website by clicking HERE.

If you are a regular around here, you might recall that a few years back I found myself listening to the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle works as they were recorded by Stephen Fry. This collection on Audible is everything written by Doyle in pretty much the publication order. A fabulous listen, but a long one at 62 hours and 52 minutes. Totally worth it!

When Sherry Thomas published her first Lady Sherlock book, A Study in Scarlet Women in 2016 I could not resist.

NOTE: As a rule, I do not care for the plethora of female Sherlock Holmes wannabes out there. By that I mean the daughters, the wives, the whatevers. I know they have their fan base and that is fine, I just never found any that really captured my interest.

That first book had me hooked and I could not wait to read the next. Thomas has taken the core of what made Sherlock Holmes great and worked her own particular magic to build a new version of the Holmes genre, this time focusing on the women and their stories.

Each title in the series moves us a step closer to that inevitable final encounter with Moriarty. The plots are carefully constructed, the settings deliciously described and the threads of each book are carefully, deliberately interwoven in later books.

I’m not sure what I enjoy more, the mysteries or the stories. For example, I am currently re-listening to Tempest at Sea. Between the core job that Charlotte & company are working on and the murder(s) that take place in the middle of the journey (literally), I find myself awed by Sherry Thomas’ amazing plot twists not to mention her skill with plot in the first place.

Kate Reading does an exceptional job voicing all these characters and bringing the stories to life. She is one of my Very Favorite Readers.

If you are looking for a series that doesn’t talk down to you but draws you in and makes you think, this is for you. Check it out!

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A little bit Agatha Christie. A little bit Midsomer Murders with a touch of Murder, She Wrote.

I was looking for something that was interesting and a bit different and I found it!

Back in 1965 Frances Adams and her friends embarked on some adventures that would shape the rest of their lives. One of those friends had a very short life, indeed. The repercussions of that summer would impact generations.

Flash forward to the current day and Frances’ great-niece, Annie Adams, finds herself not only learning more about relatives she had never met, but delving into more than one murder.

I have to say I really enjoyed the way this book was put together. The reader did an admirable job delineating all the characters and bringing them to life. The writer created a work that is intriguing and filled with what could, or could not, be red herrings and actual clues. I have to say I wouldn’t mind seeing this on screen one day.

I did not figure out the solution to each murder until it was revealed and then, I had to take some time to come to terms with those solutions. As I stated earlier, the repercussions of that summer of ’65 would last for generations.

Well paced, well written and well read, this one should be on your To Be Read (Listened) List.





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