River of Lies by James L'Etoile Book Review

About the Book:

Detective Emily Hunter must be the voice for the voiceless.

The homeless camps spread throughout the city of Sacramento are a topic of heated debate among residents. They’re considered undesirable—a nuisance—an eyesore. But when the camps fall victim to a string of devastating arson attacks, Detective Emily Hunter and her partner, Javier Medina, dive into the investigation and become acquainted with the real people whose lives have been destroyed.

The attacks only begin to draw attention when two of the victims are identified as the city’s former anti-homeless mayor and a camp social worker—but rather than strengthening the push for justice, the movement to completely abolish the camps intensifies.

The investigation becomes politically charged when Emily discovers who stands to gain from burning the homeless out of their shelters. She struggles to balance the high-stakes investigation with caring for her Alzheimer’s-stricken mother, whose condition is rapidly deteriorating. The investigation uncovers an unlikely suspect and a reluctant witness standing between Emily and the shocking truth. Can Emily overcome resistance and her personal obstacles to halt the attacks?

My Review:

This is another good police procedure from L'Etoile. Emily is a well crafted police detective. She is known to be outspoken and tenacious in her investigations. She also has to deal with her mother's developing Alzheimer's. Readers are given a good balance of Emily's police work and her personal life. I really like the banter between Emily and her police partner, Javier.

Issues that surface in this novel include prejudice against the homeless and racism. We get a good idea of the politics involved in dealing with the homeless when the land they are on is wanted by high end investors. Some want to discount the homeless but Emily sees them as humans needing justice just like anyone else. There is a twist at the very end I did not see coming at all.

This is the second in a series but this novel reads very well on its own. It is a good novel for readers who like a dedicated police detective and a difficult murder investigation.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

You can read my review of the first in this series, Face of Greed. 

 

About the Author:

James L’Etoile is a former associate warden in a maximum-security prison, hostage negotiator, facility captain, and director of California’s state parole system, and he uses his twenty-nine years “behind bars” as an influence in his award-winning novels, short stories, and screenplays. His novels include Dead Drop, Black Label, At What Cost, Bury the Past, and Little River. River of Lies is his latest novel and the second book in the Detective Emily Hunter Mystery Series. L’Etoile lives with his wife outside of Sacramento, California. When he’s not writing, you can find him working with his Corgi therapy dogs.

Oceanview Publishing, 384 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

What I Left For You by Liz Tolsma Blog Tour Book Review

About the Book

Book: What I Left for You (Echoes of the Past Book Three)

Author: Liz Tolsma

Genre: Christian Fiction / Romance / Historical Fiction

Release date: December 1, 2024

A Family’s Ties Were Broken in Poland of 1939

1939
Helena Kostyszak is an oddity—an educated female ethnic minority lecturing at a university in Krakow at the outbreak of WWII. When the Germans close the university and force Jews into the ghetto, she spirits out a friend’s infant daughter and flees to her small village in the southern hills. Helena does everything in her power to protect her family, but it may not be enough. It will take all of her strength and God’s intervention for both of them to survive the war and the ethnic cleansing to come.

2023
Recently unengaged social worker McKenna Muir is dealt an awful blow when a two-year-old she’s been working with is murdered. It’s all too much to take, so her friend suggests she dive into her family’s past like she’s always wanted. Putting distance between herself and her problems might help her heal, so she and her friend head on Sabbatical to Poland. But what McKenna discovers about her family shocks everyone, including one long-lost family member.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

This is a very touching novel about a marginalized people who experienced great tragedy during WW II. We often read accounts involving Jews but this novel opened my eyes to others who suffered too. The descriptions of those in ghettos and those in labor camps were hard to read.

This is a dual time novel, Tolsma going back and forth, revealing information in the current era as we have read the correlating historical event. The current section involves a young woman seeking her historical roots. As there was tragedy during WW II, there is also tragedy in the current time involving the death of a child. Why God would allow such things is a theme recurrent in both the historical and current narratives.

The Author's Notes are very informative and set the novel in historical and geographical fact. This is a very timely novel as many are having DNA tests to discover their heritage. Much of this novel is based on Tolsma's own investigation into her Lemko ancestry. Except for the distracting and unnecessary relationship breakup of McKenna with her boyfriend, this a good novel and I recommend it. Be sure to have tissues nearby.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

 

About the Author

Liz Tolsma is the author of several WWII novels, romantic suspense novels, prairie romance novellas, and an Amish romance. She is a popular speaker and an editor and resides next to a Wisconsin farm field with her husband and their youngest daughter. Her son is a US Marine, and her oldest daughter is a college student. Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping. 

 

More from Liz

I stared at my computer screen in front of me. For years, I had been searching for my great-grandmother, Anna. I got no good information. Census records in the US weren’t helpful. Some listed her birthplace as Czechoslovakia, while others had it as Austria. I had heard before that she might have been born in Czechoslovakia before, but never Austria. There were no records that I had come across that listed the city or town where she was born.

Until that one day. While searching for my great-grandmother, I ran across a passport application recorded in Warsaw, Poland, for an Anna with the same last name, though spelled differently. Her birthday was listed as 1903, which matched the birth year I knew for my great-grandmother’s niece. As I read through the application, my heart was pounding. This Anna was born in the United States but went to Dubne, Poland, with her family in 1906. It was now 1923, and she wanted to return to the US, and she would be living with…

I started to cry when I saw who her sponsor was. My great-grandfather. The name and address were correct. There could be no doubt about it. It had taken me years, but I finally made the jump to Europe and discovered that my great-grandmother was not born in Czechoslovakia but in what was then the Austro-Hungarian Empire and is now Poland.

Of course, good little researcher that I am, I had to find out all I could about Dubne, the town they were from. That’s when I first came across the term Lemko. What on earth was that?

Lemkos are a Slavic people that settled in the Carpathian Mountains of Southern Poland, Northern Slovakia, and Western Ukraine. They are also known as Lemko Rusyns, Rusyns (especially those born in Slovakia, like my great-grandfather), and Carptho-Rusyns. The mountains kept the world at bay, and they developed their own language, customs, and form of Christianity. For the most part, they were very poor, many of them eking out a living from the rocky ground.

They lived in “black houses,” called that because the poorest people couldn’t afford to have a chimney built. The smoke from the cooking and heating fires stayed inside the house and covered the walls with black tar. If you look at the cemetery records from Dubne, you would be old if you lived into your fifties. Conditions were brutal.

The most the average Lemko could afford was one sheep or one pig. Since this was their most prized possession, they couldn’t take the chance of a wild animal or a neighbor taking it away, so it lived in the house with them.

With all of them. Up to eleven people would live in a two-room house. When I mentioned that in What I Left for You, my editor questioned if I had made a mistake. No, I didn’t. I have no idea how they fit all those people in there, but they did. As I was tracking one branch of our family tree, I kept coming up with people living in house 43. Over and over and over. They stuffed that house full. Grandparents, parents, and children all lived together. They may not have had much, but that forged the Lemkos into strong and resilient people.

I’m proud to be Lemko-Rusyn, and I’m thrilled to share this story with you. I infused Helena, the historical heroine, with as much of the Lemko spunk and spirit as I could. Last October, my daughter and I had the privilege to travel to Poland and Slovakia and see the Lemko homeland for ourselves. It helped me to write a better, richer story because I now understand where they came from and who they were. Enjoy Helena’s story and her journey during WWII and beyond. I hope you come to understand and appreciate the Lemko people as much as I have.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 7

lakesidelivingsite, January 7

Lots of Helpers, January 8

Pens Pages & Pulses, January 8

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 9

Life on Chickadee Lane, January 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 10

Texas Book-aholic, January 11

Connie’s History Classroom , January 11

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 13

For Him and My Family, January 13

Stories By Gina, January 14 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, January 14

Holly’s Book Corner, January 15

Betti Mace, January 16

Jeanette’s Thoughts, January 16

Bigreadersite, January 17

Blossoms and Blessings, January 17

Pause for Tales, January 18

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, January 18

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, January 19

Lights in a Dark World, January 19

Cover Lover Book Review, January 20

 

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.) 

Shadows on the Levels by David Hodges Book Review

About the Book:

Five old friends. One guilty secret. A crime that won't stay buried.

Detective Kate and her husband Hayden are hoping to ease in gently after a year-long sabbatical.

But on Kate's first day back in the job, she's called out to Pagan's Clump, an isolated, eerie spot on the Somerset Levels. Human remains have been discovered.

Kate races to the scene. Only to learn the bones have been there for many years. This cold case is going nowhere.

Then Kate's called out to a break-in at bestselling novelist Lizzie Johnson's stunning country home. Another false alarm. Lizzie contacted the police with wild tales of a nightmarish face at her window. Now she thinks she was mistaken.

Two days later, Lizzie Johnson is dead. An accidental overdose, it would appear.

Kate is not convinced. She doesn't believe in ghosts and ghouls - but the dead woman was clearly terrified of something.

Then Kate uncovers a link between Lizzie Johnson and the bones at Pagan's Clump - and the case takes a shocking twist . . .

My Review:

While this book is down the line in a long series, it is the first I have read. I felt it read fine on its own. The plot is not a whodunit as we know the crime from the beginning and those who did it. At least we think we do. I was surprised with a twist near the end that set the whole mystery plot on its head. I thought I knew what was going on but there was a deeper layer to the mystery that Kate revealed.

Kate is an interesting detective, known for her independence. I was a little surprised at her harsh comments toward her husband but he seemed to need that treatment to be motivated to action. I am sure previous novels reveal her reasons for her attitude towards him. Why they stay married seems odd but is good for character interaction.

The plot is good as Kate works to uncover the long ago crime. Current murders create a new emphasis to the investigation and a twist in the plot. There is a good amount of suspense near the end. This is a good novel for those who like British crime investigations set in an interesting location.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

A former superintendent with Thames Valley Police, with thirty years experience in the force, David Hodges is a prolific crime writer and author of eighteen crime novels plus an autobiography on his life in the police service. His debut crime novel received critical media acclaim and a welcome accolade from Inspector Morse’s creator, the late great Colin Dexter, and since then he has become the author of several successful stand-alone thrillers.

David has two married daughters and four grandchildren and lives in the UK with his wife, Elizabeth, where he continues to indulge his passion for thriller writing and to pursue his keen interest in wild life and the countryside.

He is a member of the Society of Authors, the Crime Writers and Crime Readers Associations and International Thriller Writers Inc.

Joffe Books, Ltd., 280 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Invisible Jesus by Scot McKnight and Tommy Preson Phillips Book Review

About the Book: 

In recent years, we've seen an increase in the number of Christians who are "deconstructing" their faith, critically analyzing Christianity and finding that it falls short. Many end up leaving behind the beliefs and commitments they formerly held. While many have written on how to reverse this trend, Scot McKnight and Tommy Preson Phillips believe that rather than dismissing these concerns we need to listen more carefully.

Deconstructors are uncovering serious weaknesses in today's church--a renewed fundamentalism, toxic leadership, and legalistic thinking among them. Utilizing the results of recent studies by Pew, Gallup, and others, McKnight and Phillips take a careful look at what deconstructors are really saying, seeking to better understand why many are shedding elements of the faith and church of their youth but also engaging in a reconstruction process, finding Jesus afresh. They are losing their religion, but not losing Jesus.

Filled with stories of those who have walked the path of deconstruction without losing their faith, Invisible Jesus is a prophetic call to examine ourselves and discern if the faith we practice and the church we belong to is really representative of the Jesus we follow. Each chapter looks at a different topic and offers biblical reflections that call for us to not only better listen, but to change how we live out our faith as followers of Jesus today.

My Review:

This is certainly a thought provoking book, whether one agrees with all the theology of McKnight and Phillips or not. Rather than criticizing and discounting those leaving the church, let us learn from them, find out what is in their hearts and minds. Could what we are experiencing really be a prophetic movement?

I think these authors are on to something very important for today's church. Church leaders would do well to read and discuss this book. Is the church's focus Jesus or a flashy worship service and singing catchy songs? Has the desire for earthly power crept in to the leadership? Are people being encouraged to be like Jesus.

As with nearly every book on Christian theology, this one too needs to be weighed against Scripture. (Or perhaps is it my interpretation of Scripture?) McKnight and Phillips have brought up issues Christians need to contemplate and discuss. I recommend this book for those willing to deeply think about their church's focus, worship and ministry in general.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

 

About the Authors:

Scot McKnight (PhD, Nottingham) has been a Professor of New Testament for more than four decades. He is the author of more than ninety books, including the award-winning The Jesus Creed as well as The King Jesus Gospel, A Fellowship of Differents, One.Life, The Blue Parakeet, Revelation for the Rest of Us, and Kingdom Conspiracy.

Tommy Preson Phillips is pastor at Watermark Church in Tampa, Florida. He is also a songwriter and a recording artist with his band Preson Phillips. He holds an MA in New Testament from Northern Seminary. His writing can be found at tommypresonphillips.substack.com.

Zondervan, 240 pages.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall Book Review

About the Book:

All the Water in the World is told in the voice of a girl gifted with a deep feeling for water. In the years after the glaciers melt, Nonie, her older sister and her parents and their researcher friends have stayed behind in an almost deserted New York City, creating a settlement on the roof of the American Museum of Natural History. The rule: Take from the exhibits only in dire need. They hunt and grow their food in Central Park as they work to save the collections of human history and science. When a superstorm breaches the city’s flood walls, Nonie and her family must escape north on the Hudson. They carry with them a book that holds their records of the lost collections. Racing on the swollen river towards what may be safety, they encounter communities that have adapted in very different and sometimes frightening ways to the new reality. But they are determined to find a way to make a new world that honors all they've saved.

Inspired by the stories of the curators in Iraq and Leningrad who worked to protect their collections from war, All the Water in the World is both a meditation on what we save from collapse and an adventure story—with danger, storms, and a fight for survival. In the spirit of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and Parable of the Sower, this wild journey offers the hope that what matters most – love and work, community and knowledge – will survive.

My Review:

I enjoyed this refreshingly different dystopian novel. Rather than earth destroyed by war or heat or an EMP, extreme storms are the cause here. Besides the usual theme of survival, there is also the issue of saving knowledge for future generations. Nonie and her family try to preserve items in the museum. I like that additional emphasis.

The survival venture is good with lots of action and suspense. That aspect of the novel is somewhat typical, with some helping travelers while others will not share. Also somewhat typical is the attempt by an individual to establish a new community. Caffal makes reference to “lost” people, those who have forgotten that being human is to care for other humans.

The structure of the plot is good. I like the events Nonie remembered, flashbacks in a sense, helping us understand how the family came to be where they are. They also add a personal side to the survival story.

This is a good debut effort. Caffal's writing style is good and I'll be watching to see what her next novel will be about.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Eiren Caffall is a writer and musician whose work has appeared in Guernica, The Los Angeles Review of Books, Al Jazeera, The Rumpus, and on three record albums. She is the recipient of a Whiting Foundation Creative Nonfiction Grant and a Social Justice News Nexus fellowship at Northwestern University, among other awards. The author of a memoir, The Mourner’s Bestiary (2024), she lives in Chicago with her family. All the Water in the World is her first novel. Photo credit: Jacob Hand.

St. Martin's Press, 304 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins Book Review

About the Book:

What if the key to happiness, success, and love was as simple as two words?

If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated with where you are, the problem isn't you. The problem is the power you give to other people. Two simple words—Let Them—will set you free. Free from the opinions, drama, and judgments of others. Free from the exhausting cycle of trying to manage everything and everyone around you. The Let Them Theory puts the power to create a life you love back in your hands—and this book will show you exactly how to do it.

In her latest groundbreaking book, The Let Them Theory, Mel Robbins—New York Times Bestselling Author and one of the world's most respected experts on motivation, confidence, and mindset—teaches you how to stop wasting energy on what you can't control and start focusing on what truly matters: YOU. Your happiness. Your goals. Your life.

Using the same no-nonsense, science-backed approach that's made The Mel Robbins Podcast a global sensation, Robbins explains why The Let Them Theory is already loved by millions and how you can apply it in eight key areas of your life to make the biggest impact. Within a few pages, you'll realize how much energy and time you've been wasting trying to control the wrong things—at work, in relationships, and in pursuing your goals—and how this is keeping you from the happiness and success you deserve.

Written as an easy-to-understand guide, Robbins shares relatable stories from her own life, highlights key takeaways, relevant research and introduces you to world-renowned experts in psychology, neuroscience, relationships, happiness, and ancient wisdom who champion The Let Them Theory every step of the way.

Learn how to:

• Stop wasting energy on things you can't control
• Stop comparing yourself to other people
• Break free from fear and self-doubt
• Release the grip of people's expectations
• Build the best friendships of your life
• Create the love you deserve
• Pursue what truly matters to you with confidence
• Build resilience against everyday stressors and distractions
• Define your own path to success, joy, and fulfillment

...and so much more.

The Let Them Theory will forever change the way you think about relationships, control, and personal power. Whether you want to advance your career, motivate others to change, take creative risks, find deeper connections, build better habits, start a new chapter, or simply create more happiness in your life and relationships, this book gives you the mindset and tools to unlock your full potential.

My Review:

Mel Robbins nailed it again. We certainly feel safe and comfortable when we are in control. But we cannot control other people. We can only control ourselves. I had no idea how much stress in my own life originated from my attitude toward other people.

Quit making other people the problem, Robbins says. Let them be. They are revealing their character to you. She has compiled information from a number of scientific and psychological sources. Robbins covers potential problems. She tells lots of her own stories too.

She does not leave us helpless, however, and includes how we can inspire and influence others. While the desire to change must be their own, we can provide support and the right atmosphere for them.

I learned much from this book, including why we don't want to change and what really motivates us. It is a good book for better understanding the dynamics of personal relationships and how to be less stressful in them.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

 

About the Author:

Mel Robbins is the creator and host of the award-winning The Mel Robbins Podcast, one of the most successful podcasts in the world, and a #1 New York Times best-selling author. She has amassed 21 million followers online and is considered the most sought after expert in life improvement, mindset, and behavior change. The Wall Street Journal calls her a “billion view podcaster” and TIME Magazine says she gives millions of listeners around the globe “a reason to believe in themselves.”

Her books have been translated into 50 languages and include the #1 New York Times bestselling The Let Them Theory, which Oprah called a “life-changer” and Oprah Daily named as one of the best books of 2025. She is also the author of the multimillion-copy-selling The 5 Second Rule, The High 5 Habit, and seven #1 audiobook releases on Audible.

Robbins is a self-publishing maverick and entrepreneur who has been at the forefront of innovation and disruption in the publishing industry and sits on the board of Amplify Publishing. USA Today calls her “a force to be reckoned with.” 143 Studios Inc., her female-led media company, produces provocative and award-winning content with unprecedented results: millions of books sold, billions of video views, and original courses and professional development education for clients like Starbucks, Ulta Beauty, JP Morgan Chase, LinkedIn, Spotify, Headspace, and Audible.
‍
Notable accolades for Robbins include being a Forbes 50 Over 50 Honoree 2023; Apple Podcast Top Shared and Followed Shows of 2024 and 2023; Spotify Top Global Shows of 2024; USA Today Top 5 Mindset & Performance Coaches in the World, 2023; one of the fifty most influential influencers on The Hollywood Reporter’s Creator A-List in 2024; The Mel Robbins Podcast has won some of the most prestigious awards given to podcasts, including Webby and Signal Awards, and more.

You can find out more and listen to her podcast at https://www.melrobbins.com/.

Hay House LLC, 336 pages.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.) 

Lethal Wilderness Trap by Susan Furlong Blog Tour Book Review

 

LETHAL WILDERNESS TRAP

by Susan Furlong

December 30, 2024 - January 31, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Trust means everything...
when danger hits too close to home.

Hunting a never-caught killer, Special Agent Nolan Shea learns of a new victim. But the body on Ava Burke's land puts her and her young daughter, Rose, in someone's lethal sights. With a trail of shocking clues pointing to her family's involvement, Ava starts to question everything she holds dear and is soon desperate to uncover the truth with Nolan. Step after step, they confront their fears. But will finally cornering a murderer out in the wilderness become a trap they can't escape?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

My Review:

Furlong gives readers a good inspirational romantic suspense. The book opens with a body discovered and Rose, Ava's daughter, may have seen the murderer. The suspense heightens when it becomes evident Rose may be in danger. There are a number of suspects to the murder and all else that is going on so there are twists when new information is uncovered. The major characters were good but my favorite character was actually the dog Creed, comfort to Rose and a hero in the end.

The romance between Ava and Nolan is subtle at first. He waited almost until the investigation was over to kiss her. I do like it better when the romance holds off until the case is actually closed and there is no more conflict of interest. Both of them have hurts from the past they need to overcome and there are some misunderstandings creating obstacles to the romance. The faith element is present but subtle. Potential readers should know the plot involves human trafficking.

I enjoyed this novel of suspense. Furlong's writing style is good and kept me reading to see what would be happening. The novel is a good addition to this genre.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Book Details:

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense
Published by: Harlequin
Publication Date: January 21, 2025
Number of Pages: 208
ISBN: 9781335980427 (ISBN10: 1335980423)
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Harlequin

Author Bio:

Susan Furlong grew up in North Dakota where she spent long winters at her local library scouring the shelves for mysteries to read. Now, she lives in Illinois with her husband and children and writes mysteries of all types. She has over a dozen published novels and her work has earned a spot in the New York Times list of top crime fiction books of the year. When not writing, she volunteers at her church and spends time hiking and fishing.

Catch Up With Susan Furlong:
www.SusanFurlong.com
Goodreads
BookBub - @SusanFurlongAuthor
Instagram - @susanfurlong
Threads - @susanfurlong
Facebook - @SusanFurlongAuthor
Susan Furlong's Amazon Author Page

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!

Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Partners in Crime Book Tours.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.) 

Death in the Hills by Kate Wells Book Review

About the Book:

This is no peaceful walk in the countryside…

When Jude Gray and DI Binnie Khatri join a local walking group, their expectations for a peaceful outing to the Malvern Hills takes a grim turn. Arguments abound, and the hike ends in tragedy when one of the walkers is found dead in her car.

Initially ruled as an accident, Jude's instincts tell her there’s more to the story.

As Jude and Binnie dig deeper, they uncover tensions and secrets within the group. From hidden affairs to longstanding rivalries, it becomes clear this death was no accident.

With each revelation, the danger grows. Can Jude and Binnie unravel the mystery before the killer strikes again?

My Review:

This is an entertaining cozy mystery involving rambling through the countryside. I liked learning a bit about how farm lands are open to those walking through on established trails. While private property is respected, historical walking paths are available. Jude is a capable amateur sleuth, investigating by talking to people and sneaking into residences to find evidence. The plot has a consistent pace, suitable for a cozy mystery set in the British farmlands. There is a good bit of suspense near the end. The setting of farmlands is good and feels relaxing. I really like the good descriptions of the rambling locations.

This is a nice cozy mystery, especially if you like dogs and sheep and good descriptions of the countryside.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Kate grew up in Malvern on the Herefordshire/Worcestershire border and still spends much of her time there. It is her heart's home and the muse for a lot of her writing.

She began her adult life training as a nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital and then moved to Reading where she took a teaching degree.

When she took a break to have her two daughters she began creating stories and hasn't stopped writing since!

Having spent time living and working on farms she developed a love of the rural life and often dreamt of running a sheep farm, especially when she married the son of a farmer. It wasn't to be though, so instead, she lives out her farming dreams through researching and writing her books.

These days she's often found in a field talking to the sheep, or out on the Malvern Hills walking her border collie cross.

Boldwood Books, 350 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)