The Marquess of Gorsewall Manor By: Adella J. Harris

What I thought was going to be a gay regency romance, turned out to be a more of a mystery tan romance-which is fine by me, I love a good mystery.  While i did figure out who te culprit was, the book was still engaging enough for me to want to see how the protagonist followed the clues and figured it out.  Rich details in local and a great sense of time and engaging characters made this a nice surprise.

The Last Thing to Burn By: Will Dean

Not going to lie, this one was rough to read.  It's claustrophobic, it's uncomfortable, it's infuriating, and it's oh so engaging.  As angry as it will make you, you still won't be ale to tear yourself away from this psychological thriller.  I don't want to give anything away, so plot points won't be mentioned. Suffice it to say that Will Dean has a a massive talent and this book will linger with the reader for a long time!

 

LOVING: A Photographic History of Men in Love, 1850s-1950s By: Hugh Nini & Neal Treadwell

With it being Pride month and with my husband and I set to celebrate our 25th Anniversary later this year, it was a perfect time to dive into this gorgeous book!  A collection of photos from the Nini-Treadwell collection, that are deeply moving in their simplicity, and in their strength.  In this day and age where it is marginally more easy for someone to come out, these photos beautifully show the strength and bravery of the men who had their pictures taken, in a time period where such evidence was a danger to them.  Think about it...a photograph that could be used as a weapon.  Defying that, and showing vulnerability and ease and joy, even for a brief moment to immortalize your soul mate... that's the true definition of Loving!

A Study in Stone By: Michael Campling

What a delightful surprise!  A Study in Stone was not what I had expected..not a mystery with a fresh murder and an investigation.  This brilliant story was a mystery of the historical kind, which is one of my favs!  The hunt for a good cup of coffee leads Dan and his neighbor Alan on a trek through the past to discover what happened to a local man 100 years ago.  Containing many of the twists and turns you'd expect in a traditional mystery and a very satisfying conclusion would make this a great read on their own, but add to it, the Frick & Frack type relationship of Dan an Alan, and you get an exceptional read!

 

If She Knew By: Blake Pierce

 

Sometimes, when you get a freebie kindle book, you get a typo-ridden, poorly written, story that reads like a 6th grade term paper.  And sometimes you get a gem!  Blake Pierce's If She Knew is an absolute gem of a thriller!  Kate Wise, a recently retired, storied FBI Agent, comes out of retirement to solve a recent rash of murders in an exclusive neighborhood, while trying to figure out her life and navigate being a newly minted Grandmother.  Taut action, real suspense, twists and great characters make this a spectacular read!

Majestic Cove Mysteries Books 1-3 Box Set By: Meredith Potts

This was a bit of an odd read.  I was expecting a cozy series, and these 3 very short books felt more like chapters from a longer story.  None of the books had a major mystery in them, and some plot points were left dangling.  These could have been combined into a longer book that would have more of a hard boiled PI vibe than a cozy.  With all that said, I did enjoy reading them, and the characters were well drawn.  These just left me wanting more.

 

Beachfront Bakery: A Killer Cupcake By: Fiona Grace

 

Ali Sweet has had it, and when she loses it and gets her self fired, it opens up the possibility of pursuing her dream.  She should have been more careful with what she wished for!  In opening her dream bakery, she gets a lot more than she bargained for.  It's not long before she finds her self the main suspect in a murder investigation.  Join Ali, a stray dog, a hot Australian surfer, and whole cast of quirky characters in this funny and charming cozy series, you'll be glad you did!

Tempest in the Tea Leaves By: Kari Lee Townsend

This read was so much fun!  A touch of whimsy, a hint of the fantastical and a whole lot of sass, make Sunny Meadows a perfect Cozy character.  This well plotted mystery has plenty of red herrings to keep the reader guessing and plenty of laughs to keep the reader amused.  Just an absolute delight to read!

 

The Woodchipper Murder By: Ruth Kanton

An interesting anthology of true crime cases, which surprisingly, I hadn't heard of!  A great many typos throughout, but each case is a a quick snapshot, more reportage than in depth look into the cases. Some were more well written than others.

Murder at the Taffy Shop By: Maddie Day

Another glorious week on the Cape for Mac and her Book Club, and another murder!  With Mac's best friend, Gin at the top of the suspect list, Mac's life gets more complicated.  Add to that troubles in her relationship and a pet parrot who won't stop sopping through Alexa, and you have a tension filled week for the Cozy Capers!