mystery - No Apology Book Reviews

Interview with Alyssa Maxwell (Murder at the Elms and Murder at Vinland)

September 20, 2024August 24, 2024

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Each of Murder at the Elms and Murder at Vinland by Alyssa Maxwell intertwines a mystery within an historical novel. The setting is the turn of the century Newport where during the Gilded Age there is vast income and a power disparity. The main character, Emma Cross, is the “poor Vanderbilt” having inherited some money from the famous family. But she is an anomaly because she is independent and a working journalist who owns …

Review Roundup Summer 2024 – Part 3

August 25, 2024August 5, 2024

A quick little roundup of several smaller reviews I wrote in Summer 2024. Beware of spoilers! Title: Thieves’ Gambit Author: Kayvion Lewis Series: Thieves’ Gambit #1 Thank you to Kayvion Lewis, Penguin Young Readers Group, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I liked this book! I saw the twist coming from the start, though. I found little to relate to in Ross, except perhaps in wanting to pursue to her …

Review Roundup Summer 2024 – Part 2

August 5, 2024August 5, 2024

A quick little roundup of several smaller reviews I wrote in Summer 2024. Beware of spoilers! Title: House of Marionne Author: J. Elle Series: House of Marionne #1 Much thanks to J. Elle, Penguin/Razorbill, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book hits many of the same story beats as other YA fantasy*, so I could understand if some readers accuse it of being formulaic. I didn’t mind its predictability. …

Review Roundup Summer 2024 – Part 1

August 5, 2024August 5, 2024

A quick little roundup of several smaller reviews I wrote in Summer 2024. Beware of spoilers! Title: The Burning Author: Linda Castillo Series: Kate Burkholder #16 Much thanks to Linda Castillo, St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to use free ARCs in exchange for an honest review. Not much to say, this book was great! The mystery was very intriguing and brilliantly framed the dilemma of victim blaming, how easy it is to fall into. The …

Interview with Shaina Steinberg (Under the Paper Moon)

April 19, 2024

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Under the Paper Moon by Shaina Steinberg is a fun read. Between the scenes of WWII and the murder of someone in 1948 this blends a mystery and thriller. There is love, duty, loyalty, and forgiveness. The heroine, Evelyn Bishop, has joined the OSS as a spy. Besides wanting to help the allies she is trying to rescue her brother, held in a German POW camp. Her supervisor is Nick Gallagher. They become intimate …

Interview with Lisa Black (The Deepest Kill)

April 12, 2024

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Deepest Kill by Lisa Black brings back forensic investigators Dr. Ellie Carr and Dr. Rachael Davies of the Locard Institute. Once again readers get a glimpse into the forensic world as Black uses her own experiences as a forensic scientist to intertwine information within the riveting plot and readers will not be disappointed. Carr and Davies are asked by billionaire Martin Post to investigate his pregnant daughter’s death. Ashley had taken out her …

Interview with Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles (In Sunshine or In Shadow)

March 30, 2024

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper In Sunshine or In Shadow by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles the focus is on the good friend of Molly Murphy, Sid. As with all these books readers get a glimpse of what is happening in the time period that is weaved throughout the story. This book is very relevant because it delves into the Catskills before it became a resort and how antisemitism flourished, just as today. Because of the typhoid epidemic in …

Review Roundup Spring 2024

August 5, 2024March 18, 2024

A quick little roundup of several smaller reviews I wrote in Spring 2024. Beware of spoilers! Sorry these first two are duds. Title: Lady Charlotte Always Gets Her Man Author: Violet Marsh Series: n/a Thank you to Violet Marsh, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review. Soooo in the approval email, there was a bolded paragraph about how much they wanted feedback on the audio production in …

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

August 5, 2024March 18, 2024

Title: Darling Girls Author: Sally Hepworth Series: n/a an argument for nurture Thank you to Sally Hepworth, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review. First a disclaimer: I have no experience or personal knowledge of the foster care system, much less that of Australia, so I won’t be commenting on it. I have no idea if this novel perpetuates false and/or negative stereotypes or perceptions regarding foster …

Speculations in Sin by Jennifer Ashley

August 5, 2024March 18, 2024

Title: Speculations in Sin Author: Jennifer Ashley Series: Below Stairs Mystery #7 *heart eyes* MUCH thanks to Jennifer Ashley, Berkley, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to Kaila Mundell-Hill once again for inviting me on the blog tour. Yes, another approval from Berkley! They waited several months to approve my request only four days before publication, but a win’s a win! I LOVED this book!! Ashley’s writing …