A Murder to Remember by Brynn Kelly

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I found this on Audible and thought I would take a chance. I’m not usually one for rom/com books but something about this one just tugged at me. I am glad that it did.

Think back to those Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks movies and you get the feel of the work.

Add in some Jane Austen (books, TV and films) and you get the starting point…or do you?

The plot is quirky and surprising on many levels. The characters are well developed. The setting is that perfect storm of fantasy and reality.

While the author did an amazing job both of the readers, Max Roll and Brittany Pressley, brought so much to the piece. And make no mistake, this one is an excellent one to listen to.

I will be checking out more of Brynn Kelly’s work.



View all my reviews

The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder by C.L. Miller

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I picked this book as a change of pace after reading some rather enthusiastic reviews. While I am interested in the subject matter and enjoy a good cozy, this work is a bit of a disappointment. Or not. Frankly, I am not sure.

What I know is that I kept at it thinking eventually there would be some progress in the mystery but with all the twists and turns, it just felt like we were just trudging along with no end in sight.

I usually dive right back into an audio book I have just finished so I can fill in those spots I might have missed or enjoy the story and the reader again. I don’t find myself doing that with this one.

The characters were generally interesting. The setting seemed to be classic English Country without Miss Marple around. The reader did a good job overall but I got the feeling that she, too, was struggling to move forward.

This might be your cup of tea, or not. Don’t take my word for it, check out the other reviews.



View all my reviews

Imperium by Robert Harris

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I had been eyeing this series for quite a while before I took the leap and picked up the first book in a trilogy about the life of Cicero. I listen to audiobooks via Audible.

Little did I know what I was in for.

In less than 2 weeks I have listened to all 3 books more than once. Consider this your fair warning.

I am relatively new to Roman Historical novels, let alone Roman history, and some authors I have tried are, to say the least, a bit dry.

Harris has taken on this section of the history of the Roman Republic by focusing on Cicero through the eyes of his slave, Tiro, who had quite a life himself.

The characters are well developed. The history is incorporated into the story in a way that encouraged me to do a bit of research, which I enjoyed. The story itself is so well written that I found myself captivated. I have had quite a few all night listens, if you see what I mean. The readers did an excellent job.

In short, I found myself getting to know quite a few names from early Roman history in ways that surprised me. I found myself comparing modern history to those old tales and, I won’t lie, it was unsettling to say the least.

There is a reason some people have been talked about, written about, for over 2,000 years. Granted fiction is fiction but when you are intrigued enough to do your own research and learn more about the people and times on your own, I say that is an author who has done his/her job exceptionally well.

I look forward to embarking on this journey again and I encourage you to join me.



View all my reviews

Holmes, Marple & Poe: The Greatest Crime-Solving Team of the Twenty-First Century by James Patterson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Every once in a while I trip over something that surprises me, exceeds my expectations, and reminds me why I love to read. Or, in my case, listen to audio books 🙂

I have enjoyed James Patterson’s work over the years but never became one of those fans who reads everything. That might have to change. To be honest, I did not realize he was one of the authors until I was at least half way into the book. You see, the title captured my attention and my interest and I just dove in.

The main characters are an interesting collection of people, each of whom has a history, none of whom are actually who they say they are. In fact, that situation is a recurring thread through the book.

The three are very highly skilled operatives who really do know their business. There are several mysteries that require involvement on different levels by each of these folks. The twists and turns will keep you guessing. The solutions of each of the mysteries will either surprise you or make you nod your head because you figured it out early on.

The development of the people we meet and their relationships is very well done. This is Patterson, after all. Not a lot of objectionable language or, for lack of word, gore. Just enough to meet minimum requirements. The pace is good and I did not encounter any slow spots or areas that felt rushed.

It is a great beginning for a series. Yes, I’m crossing my fingers here.

While I enjoyed the reader, and the reading, this is one I would enjoy watching. Just a thought.



View all my reviews

The Olympian Affair by Jim Butcher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Every once in a while I come across an audio book that I can’t stop listening to. This is one. I have spent the better part of the last few days listening while I occupied my hands with a project.

Jim Butcher has once again created a world that is interesting and engaging with characters that I want to spend time with and learn more about. Before purchasing this book I took the time to revisit the first book in the series, The Aeronaut’s Windlass. If you are new to the series, do yourself a favor and read that first.

Butcher takes his time with a series and each entry is carefully crafted to build upon the prior book and to add a new layer of the story.

This new addition has expanded some back story, added characters, grown characters, created a bigger world and, as if that weren’t enough, upped the ante. Just when I thought I knew where we might be going, I discovered I really hadn’t a clue.

The ending was a twist I did not expect … actually more than one twist. I don’t know how many books Mr. Butcher is planning for this series but he has definitely created some captivating story lines.

My only hope is that he doesn’t take as long to write the next one as he did to write this one.

Oh, and the cats are probably the best of the bunch, which is saying a lot because I like a lot of these characters.



View all my reviews

The Graveyard of the Hesperides by Lindsey Davis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I enjoy Lindsey Davis’ books and find myself rereading (or rather listening) to them frequently. I always find something I missed when I go through them again.

Flavia Albia is a favorite character among favorites. She has come a long way, in every way possible, since Marcus Didius Falco and Helena Justina adopted her and brought her to Rome.

This particular book is both intriguing and unsettling. The wedding preparations are amusing – the wedding itself is beautifully written so you can find yourself wandering amongst the participants if you are not careful.

The mystery is not straightforward at all and the investigation gathers information on all sorts of topics that could be very uncomfortable for some readers. The solution is … I started to say ‘striking’ changed my mind and thought ‘shocking’ and decided to leave it hanging. You’ll understand the inadvertent puns when you read the book.

Let’s just say ‘surprising’ and ‘unexpected’, shall we?

One of the things I appreciate about Davis’ writing is the way her characters grow and evolve. Sometimes without the reader realizing it. When that is mixed with her delightful locations and interesting mysteries, her books are a pure pleasure to read or listen to. Even the uncomfortable parts.



View all my reviews

Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It is a rare occasion when I find a book that literally keeps me up all night. Happily, this was one of the best.

I have been a Julia Child fan for decades, so the title was a great hook to capture my attention. The reader did a remarkable job of bringing Julia to life. Actually, the reader did a remarkable job with everything thrown at her. There is an interesting mix of languages, locations, and people that are handled with ease.

The author has created not only interesting characters, but has brought to life a time and place that made me feel as if I might be watching a film.

There are plenty of references to mystery writers and characters which kept me on my toes trying to figure out ‘who done it’. And I have to say I was led down many a wrong path before I reached the culmination of the story. Who was involved? What was actually going on? You will have to read (or listen) to find out.

This book is apparently the beginning of a new series, another thing that makes me happy. If the next work is as good as this one, I could be along for long ride.



View all my reviews

I, Claudius/Claudius the God by Robert Graves

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I first encountered Claudius in paperback when PBS ran the British series. It was impossible to ignore. I read both books by Robert Graves, but I have to say that at the time my knowledge of Rome and its history was extremely limited. Fast forward a few decades, toss in a lot more knowledge of Rome and a return visit to Emperor Claudius via the audio versions of Graves’ books. The experience is even more interesting and amazing.

When I started connecting the dots of the history I had learned with the tales Claudius tells, I gained an entirely different understanding.

The first person account of encounters with historical names and places brings both the people and the history to life. Some of it terrifying. Some of it mundane.

Claudius survived a family that pretty much killed off anyone who got in the way. His journey was one of learning to keep out of sight while in plain sight (confusing, yes, but infinitely necessary). He lived in interesting times among interesting people and in places that we can only see in ruins.

The books are not for those who like their history cleaned up and tidy. History has never been either. I would like to suggest that the reader have more than a tendril of knowledge of the subject matter but in the end I’m not sure it would matter. If Claudius’ story captivates enough, it could lead you into an entirely new rabbit hole.












View all my reviews

I honestly do not remember exactly when I was introduced to Sue Grafton and her heroine, Kinsey Millhone. I suspect it was when the first of her Alphabet Mysteries moved into paperback, somewhere around 1982. At that point I was devouring several women mystery writers, but only one stayed on my To Be Read List. Sue.

I should tell you that at that point in time I was young, broke, and frequented the local library when budget would not stretch to cover new paperbacks, let along hardback books. Grafton quickly moved to my Hardback list and stayed there until I acquired my first Kindle.

The Alphabet series was set in the 1980s and stayed there. Something novel after a while because Sue had to construct her stories without computers, cell phones, and a plethora of other tech that just was not available. While Kinsey might have maneuvered the world of paper files and pay phones, many of her later readers wouldn’t have a clue.

Originally intended to have one book per letter for the entire 26 letters, sadly Sue passed away just after book 25 came out. Somehow, it just seemed right. Even now.

Kinsey is sharp, funny, quirky, and a whole host of other things that endeared her to me. I love her sense of humor, her loyalty, her guts and her fears. The books cover her journey not only to crack the cases her clients bring her, but also the quirks of her own life. The books are not just the unfolding of the crime(s) but of life’s mysteries, too.

The audio books are a delight to listen to. Perfectly matched with Judy Kaye’s narration, they bring Kinsey to life.

I won’t lie, I miss Sue and Kinsey. Both are interesting women who put everything into their work. I am grateful, not to mention thankful, that I have several versions of the books (audio, paper and electronic) so I can visit them, not to mention Henry (I can smell his baking from here…) whenever I want.

Check out more about Sue here.

My ‘To Be Read’ list is an ever evolving, and occasionally devolving, list of books I want to listen to. Here are a few of the books at the top of my To Be Read List:

NOTE: I am an audiobook listener but most titles can be found in other mediums.

Time And Again by Jack Finney is an old favorite. The story of science fiction, time travel, history, and, of course, a love story, Time and Again has been a beloved book for decades. In fact, my first encounter with it was in paper form. The audio version just adds that something ‘extra’ to the story.

I would be remiss if I did not include the sequel, From Time to Time, on my list. While not exactly as amazing as its predecessor, it is a good continuation of the tale.

I, Claudius and Claudius The God by Robert Graves. I read these decades ago and thoroughly enjoyed the tale. The books are the base material for the BBC production, “I, Claudius” starring Derek Jacoby. Claudius was born a cripple and a stammerer, most thought him quite dim. The irony of his story is that he survived to become emperor.

If you have not watched “I, Claudius” I suggest you check it out. Be warned: It is bloody, blatant and more than a bit obscene in parts. Much like the time of the story it tells. I recently came across a reunion interview that will give you some insight:

What is on your To Be Read List?