In the Hall with the Knife

Title:  In the Hall with the Knife

Author:  Diana Peterfreund

Series:  Clue Mystery #1

Publisher:  Harry N. Abrams

Date Published:  October 8, 2019

Genre:  Young Adult, Mystery

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    I love the Clue game and movie, so when I saw there were books based on the classic board game, I knew I had to read them.

-    The story takes place in an elite school called Blackbrook Academy. The students include a bunch of names you'll recognize, but the characters do not resemble their board game counterparts. The book includes some of the newer characters a.k.a. Orchid and Rusty. There are a couple of other people thrown in for fun.

      A terrible storm hits the campus, and most of the student body has gone, but the remaining students must take shelter on higher ground in the old Tudor mansion that is being used as a girl's dorm. Dun dun duuuuun! I think you know what happens next. 

-    I liked the liberties the author took with the characters. They were new yet familiar. 

-    The setting was perfect! I love the old Tudor Mansion from Clue, and when you add a thunderstorm, it is magical.

-    Sadly, the title gives away the what and where, so the reader has to figure out who. I was able to figure it out, but it was still fun to find out why and how. 

-    The book is a little slow, and there isn't a lot that happens. You mostly spend time getting to know the characters. I wish there had been more action and deaths.

-    Overall, it was an okay read. It isn't super memorable, but I'm glad I read the book. There are two more in the series, and I want to at least give #2 a try. 

My Thoughts in a GIF:

The Silence of Bones

Title:  The Silence of Bones

Author:  June Hur

Publisher:  Feiwel & Friends

Date Published:  April 21, 2020

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Mystery, Young Adult

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    Seol is practically a slave to the police bureau, but she has dreams of home and finding her long lost brother. When a wealthy woman is murdered, Seol becomes invaluable to the detective put in charge of the investigation. It turns out the Seol is brave, good at getting information, and clever. Besides solving a murder, Seol also has to deal with the struggles of her station. 

-    I loved Seol's character. She was easy to root for, and I just wanted her to get a happy ending. I loved how fear didn't stop her from doing things. She was so brave, and her curiosity was a curse and a blessing. 

-    I didn't know who to trust most of the time. I had no idea how the story was going to end. It was heartwarming and heartbreaking. The ending gave me all the feels. 

-    I loved the beautiful setting of Joseon Korea. It was such a beautiful time and place in history, but it also had it's low points. I loved all the politics and intrigue.

-    I really appreciated this book, and I hope there are a lot more Korean historical fiction books coming. 

My Thoughts in a GIF:

The Cartographers

Title:  The Cartographers

Author:  Peng Shepherd

Publisher:  William Morrow

Date Published:  March 15, 2022

Genre:  Adult Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    The Cartographers was one of the choices for my Book of the Month subscription. It caught my eye out of all the picks, and I'm glad I chose it. I'm not sure I would have read it otherwise. 

-    Nell loves maps, and so do her parents, and everyone else she knows. Nell is also on non-speaking terms with her father, which is majorly sad when she gets a call from a family friend that her dad has mysteriously died. While going through his office, Nell discovers an old gas station map. It was among a box of other maps that started the feud with her father. Nell doesn't understand why he would keep such a worthless map, especially after their fight over how worthless it was. Nell starts digging into the past, and she slowly discovers a mystery surrounding a family secret and a town that doesn't exist.

-    The story is a very s l o w build. There were times when I had to push through so I could get to the next good part. The mystery and discoveries kept me interested, and there were moments where the pacing was more exciting, but I struggled through the slower parts.  

-    I don't read a lot of magical realism, so this was new and unique for me. I enjoyed the overall story and "what if" factor. It definitely got the imagination going. 

-    I felt like the whole book is a love note to all map lovers. I really liked the way the characters talked about maps and their importance. The question, "What is the purpose of a map?" kept coming up, and I loved all the answers. I will never look at maps the same way. 

My Thoughts in a GIF:

Spy School the Graphic Novel

Title:  Spy School the Graphic Novel

Author:  Stuart Gibbs

Illustrator:  Anjan Sarkar

Publisher:  Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

Date Published:  February 15, 2022

Genre:  Middle Grade, Graphic Novel, Mystery

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

-    Ben Ripley loves James Bond, and he wants to become a spy just like him. Ben is really good at a video game that was produced by the CIA, and they have been monitoring Ben's skills. One day, Ben gets a surprise visit from an agent and recruited to spy school. Sadly, it isn't as fun as Ben thought it would be, and there is a mole amongst the students. Dun Dun Dun! 

-    This series has been on my radar for a while, but I haven't read any of the books, so when I received a copy of the graphic novel in the mail, I was elated. I wanted to read and review the book before it was released, but you know. . .too many books to read. 

-    I really enjoyed the story. Who hasn't wanted or pretended to be spy? I liked that there was a little bit of mystery, but also a lot of a middle schooler trying to fit in and figure out his strengths. 

-    The book is full of delightful humor. Gibbs is amazing when it comes to humor. 

-    The illustrations are fantastic. I loved all the facial expressions and action.

-    When Gnome and I are finished with the Whatever After series, I think we are going to start the spy school series.

My Thoughts in a GIF:

The Magnolia Palace

Title:  The Magnolia Palace

Author:  Fiona Davis 

Publisher:  Dutton

Date Published:  January 25, 2022

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Mystery

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    I am torn between 4 and 5 stars for this one. Maybe 4.5 stars? When is Goodreads going to let us do half stars?

-     Lillian Carter a.k.a. Angelica is a famous and highly sought after model. It is 1919 in New York City, and Angelica's likeness can be seen everywhere. She has posed for many many sculptures. Sadly, she is getting older, and her work is slowing down significantly. After a misunderstanding with the police and her landlord, Lillian goes into hiding. Ironically, she is hiding as a personal secretary to a high profile family that collects art. She gets attached to the family, but more misunderstandings and scandalous situations arise. 

Jump ahead to 1966, Veronica is a newly discovered model that is on one of her first photo shoots in the famous Frick house. The home has been donated to the city, and it has been turned into a museum. Veronica gets trapped in the house because of bad weather, and because she got side tracked with a mysterious puzzle to solve. Joshua is an archivist in the museum, and he is stuck in the house with her. Together, they start uncovering clues about the Frick family. 

-    I normally don't like time jumping stories. I get confused, but the writing and storytelling in this one was well done. I loved how the 1966 storyline tied into the 1919 storyline, and I loved how each time we time jumped there was something new to learn. 

-    I was completely hooked from the beginning of the book till the end. I loved Lillian's story. It was so intriguing to me. I liked Veronica a lot as well. Her motivations and character touched my heart. 

-    The story felt a lot like Downtown Abbey, which I loved. I don't know why the relationship between wealthy people and their servants is so entertaining, but it is.

-    My favorite part about the story was Lillian's character growth. She thought she was only good for her looks, but she learns how intelligent and capable she is. Her character development through the book is empowering. 

-    They should make a movie or a TV series adaptation of this book. It would would be SO fun! 

My Thoughts in a GIF:

Apples Never Fall

Title:  Apples Never Fall

Author:  Liane Moriarty 

Publisher:  Henry Holt and Co.

Date Published:  September 14, 2021

Genre:  Adult Fiction, Mystery

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    Stan and Joy Delaney have recently retired from running a prestigious tennis school. They have four adult children with very different and distinct personalities. Each of them could have become famous tennis stars, but they left the sport to pursue other things. One day, Joy disappears, and the only thing she left was a text message that is absolute gibberish. Her family is very concerned, but they are hesitant to call the police. After various clues and evidence start to pile up, Joy's disappearance is considered a murder, and the number one suspect is her husband. 

-    Moriarty is an expert at dangling that carrot in front of the reader. She lets us smell it and get a little taste, and we continue to chase that carrot on a stick with eagerness and anticipation. I love it!

-    I was hooked and obsessed with the story from the very beginning. When I wasn't reading, I was thinking about the story and eager to return. I was so enthralled with the family and their individual lives. 

-    I love the humor that Moriarty sprinkles in between the suspense. I was giggling out loud during certain parts. The family dynamic and the relationship between Joy and Stan is so relatable, and I love that Moriarty makes it so real and something we can laugh about. 

-    I wish I could talk more about the story without giving anything away. The ending! Oh the ending! It was hilarious, heart warming, and angering all at once. 

-    Spoiler Alert! <Savannah is a total psychopath! She needs to go to prison and be away from society. There are no excuses for the things she is doing.>

Trigger Warning: Heavy Language, Child Neglect, Divorce, Infertility, Sex (nothing explicit), Domestic Violence

Ink and Ashes

Goodreads Synopsis:    Claire Takata has never known much about her father, who passed away when she was a little girl. But on the anniversary of his death, not long before her seventeenth birthday, she finds a mysterious letter from her deceased father, addressed to her stepfather. Claire never even knew that they had met.

Claire knows she should let it go, but she can’t shake the feeling that something’s been kept from her. In search of answers, Claire combs through anything that will give her information about her father . . . until she discovers he was a member of the yakuza, the Japanese mafia. The discovery opens a door that should have been left closed.

So begins the race to outrun his legacy as the secrets of her father’s past threaten Claire’s friends and family, newfound love, and ultimately her life. Ink and Ashes, winner of Tu Books’ New Visions Award, is a heart-stopping debut mystery that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.

My Thoughts:

-    I have to say, there is a big difference between an author who is Japanese and a Japanese enthusiast author. This book felt more real, and I appreciated the small things, like Claire enjoying seeing other Asians at school. I would have really liked that as a kid.

-    For a mystery, I felt like there wasn't enough suspense and tension. The story moved a little slow, and it spent a lot of time on every day things. I felt like some of the "clues" didn't lead anywhere. I really wanted the letter from Claire's dad to have a bigger part. 

-    There are a lot of kids in Claire's group, and I thought there were too many for a while, but towards the end of the book, I liked each character. 

-    I got tired of Claire blaming Chase for everything. He was a jerk! I get it! Move on!

-    I felt that Claire's letters to her dad weren't needed. I got enough of her personality and feelings from the story.

-    I really liked the relationship between Claire's group of friends. I like that her brothers were involved, and they all watched out for each other.

-    I liked who Claire hooks up with, but there was a too much focus on the romance for a little while, and way too much kissing. Good grief!

-    Overall, it was a good story, and I appreciated all the Japanese American culture. 

Dead Cert

From Goodreads:    As jockey Alan York looked at the back of Bill Davidson astride the great horse Admiral, one thing was different. Before his rival reached the last hurdle, he was dead. Alan knew racing was dangerous; he also knew Bill's death was no accident. It was the kind of knowledge that could get a man killled....














My Thoughts:

-    I usually don't read mystery, but I'd like to get into it. One of my favorite authors said this was one of her favorite authors, so I decided to try it out. 

-    I was bored, really bored. It was very dry, British dry. 

-    I don't know very much about horse racing and jockeys, and I think you need to know more about the sport than I do to comprehend everything that was going on. 

-    I think part of my boredom stemmed from a major book hangover from the coconut cake book.

-    I really want to give mystery another chance. Any recommendations? I'd like to read Agatha Christie, but I don't know where to start. I open to whatever though. 

Key Lime Pie

From Goodreads:    When Sadie Hoffmiller's new friend, Eric Burton, receives word that his missing daughter's body may have been found in Florida, he immediately packs his bags. Sadie is determined to stay home and prove to everyone that she is not a busybody. But when she senses Eric is hiding something, Sadie is compelled to take action. Before she knows it, she's in the heart of Miami, trying to piece together a trail that might just give Eric the answers he's so desperately searching for. In the process, Sadie finds herself in the company of some colorful characters and some good ol' southern cooking. But despite the drama and intrigue, all Sadie really wants is to go home ... as soon as she does just one more thing.

Includes eight new mouthwatering recipes, tested and approved by the official bakers of Sadie's Test Kitchen.

My Thoughts:

-    FINALLY!! Something other than a murder mystery! Well...there is still some murder involved, but the main mystery isn't a murder! 

-    The beginning was a tad slow. It doesn't really pick up until about 3/4 of the way through, and then the fun really begins!

-    Every time I fee like I'm not going to continue with these books, the story pulls me in, and I want to read another. 

-    For some reason, I feel attached to Sadie. I don't know why, but I feel attached, and I want to keep reading about her and her nosiness.

-    I'm starting to get the rhythm and feel for these books, so the ending wasn't a shocker, and I kinda predicted most of what happened. There better be some surprising things in the future for Sadie. 

-    My favorite character in this book was Monty. What a guy!

-    I thought Eric was a jerk and a loser in this book! I didn't like that. I wanted to continue loving him, but Pete stole the stage. Pete was a jerk in the last book though, so now I'm just confused!

-    Why are these considered LDS books? The author is LDS, but so are other authors from Utah that aren't considered LDS authors. There is almost no religion in these. I would just consider them mysteries. 

-    I like it when Sadie gets roughed up. Violence is exciting!

Previous Books in the Culinary Mystery Series

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The Secret of Red Gate Farm

Goodreads Description:    When Bess Marvin purchased an expensive bottle of Oriental perfume, she never expected to stumble into a mystery. Now Bess, Nancy, George, and their new friend Jo are out to unravel the secrets of a mysterious conspiracy, a secretive cult, and a ring of counterfeiters in The Secret of Red Gate Farm.












My Thoughts:

-    The ending of this one was a bit of a surprise to me. I don't know why, but it just wasn't what I was expecting. Loved that!

-    Nancy seems a lot older than 18. She just seems more mature, confident, and smarter than usual 18 year old.

-    I loved that Nancy studied and learned how to decipher codes! She keeps adding new skills to her repertoire. I just admire her!

-    I like that the police take Nancy seriously and value her tips and advice. They see her as a contributor rather than a nuisance, and it is just nice that Nancy and the police work together to solve these mysteries. 

-    I can't get used to a girl named George! I think she is a guy half the time. 

-    Even though the book was a quick and easy read, I didn't feel like the story was rushed. 

Previous Nancy Drew Books

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The Secret of Shadow Ranch

Goodreads Synopsis:    Nancy Drew arrives in Phoenix, Arizona, eagerly looking forward to a fun-filled vacation at Shadow Ranch, but abruptly finds herself involved in a baffling mystery. The ranch is being haunted by a phantom horse and maliciously damaged by an unknown enemy. Local people believe that the ghostly animal is carrying out the curse of Dirk Valentine, the romantic outlaw who was killed many years ago at Shadow Ranch, where he had gone to fulfill a promise to his sweetheart.Suspecting that a treasure hidden by Valentine may be at the root of the Shadow Ranch mystery, Nancy undertakes a challenging search, aided by her friends Bess Marvin and George Fayne. The first vital clue is found in an antique watch and sparks a series of clever deductions and dangerous developments. While seeking further clues, the girls' investigation in a ghost town ends in near disaster when Nancy is trapped inside a building that is toppled by a rockslide -- a rockslide which is deliberately caused. But the pretty titian-haired detective remains undaunted in her determination to solve the mystery.

For those who enjoy a suspenseful thriller, Nancy Drew's first Western adventure makes a great listen.

My Thoughts:

-    Another fun and satisfying Nancy Drew mystery!

-    I like that Nancy Drew went all western in this story. It was a western treasure hunt! Great stuff! I love that each Nancy Drew is so different and unique. The hunt for an outlaw's treasure was cool, and I wish there had been more back story on Valentine. 

-    A girl named George?

-    Nancy knows a lot of people! She has friends everywhere! I guess it is no surprise. She is very polite and kind, and I would like to be her friend.

-    I feel like a character is more heroic and macho when they are on a horse. It might be just me, but I liked that Nancy was an experienced rider.

-    The phantom horse was a fun element to the mystery, and I liked how Nancy and Chief figured out how the phantom horse thing was pulled off. 

-    Nancy is so clever and lucky! She can put clues together, and determine what others will do, and I also think she is incredibly lucky!

-    When reading these books, you can't let your eyes glaze over or zone out. Things happen fast, and I sometimes had to go back and read a couple paragraphs. Some important event will occur, and it takes place in one or two paragraphs. The story moves fast! I like that there is no fluff.

Previous Nancy Drew Book

(Click on cover to see my thoughts)

  

Devil's Food Cake

From Goodreads:    Its been years since author Thom Mortenson has been back to Garrison, Colorado. As part of the committee who invited the bestselling writer to speak at the library fundraising benefit, Sadie Hoffmiller wants everything to be perfect right down to the homemade devils food cake she baked herself. Certainly, murder was not on the menu.











My Thoughts:

-    This was a fun and exciting mystery! This is probably my favorite so far. It was clever and thrilling to read. 

-    Another murder though? I'd like a different mystery. How about Sadie could visit a haunted house, catch a burglar, or anything else!

-    Sadie is a bit of a busy body who thinks she can do a better job than the police. I get that she is curious, but she goes beyond that! 

-    I don't like that the police are pretty useless. I like to have a bit more faith in my police officers! They know how to do things! 

-    I liked the thrilling parts of the story where Sadie was running or fighting for her life! I couldn't read fast enough. I wanted to know what happened next! Some parts of the book are a little slow, but it makes up for it with the action!

-    A lot happens in one night! Wow! I love that everything but the last couple chapters occur in one evening!

-    I liked how the last book had Breanna in it, and this one had Shawn in it. I like getting to know Sadie's children, and I like seeing the relationship Sadie has with her children. It is nice. 

-    I liked the new character, Eric, a lot! He was right there when Sadie needed him, and he stuck by her for the rest of the crazy events! I would totally dump Pete for him! Women like men that they can count on and will back them up!

-    These culinary mysteries make me hungry! I love that recipes are added in the book, and i really want to make everything! They sound SO yummy, and it makes me crave it! If there is one thing Kilpack can do, it is to work up an appetite in her readers! 

-    These are fun books, but I can see how I could get bored with them. For now, I'm still interested, so I'll continue to read. 

Previous Book in the Culinary Mystery series

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

 

The Mystery of Lilac Inn

From Goodreads:    Teenage detective Nancy Drew finds herself in danger when she sets out to track a jewel thief.
















My Thoughts:

-    This book was really fun! It had a lot more dangers in it that the previous books.

-    Nancy is the victim of identity theft, but as the story continues Nancy find out she has a doppelganger out there!

-    Nancy's life is constantly in danger in this story. There are people out there trying to kill her! She gets a spear thrown at her, she gets run off the road, she gets a rock thrown at her head, and more!

-    I really like Nancy's relationship with her father. They are close and can openly talk with each other. I love that they trust each other implicitly. 

-    The story and mystery are more complicated than the previous ones. I really feel like this book stepped it up a notch.

Previous Nancy Drew Book

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The Bungalow Mystery

From Goodreads:    While trying to help a friend out of a difficulty, teenage detective Nancy Drew has a perilous experience in and around a deserted bungalow.















My Thoughts:

-    These books are just plain old fashioned fun!

-    I love that each book is a different kind of mystery. The last book was a ghost mystery, and this one was more dangerous. 

-    I think Nancy is getting more inquisitive and bold with each case she solves. She almost has no boundaries on what she will do for clues. I enjoy seeing our young sleuth grow as a detective.

-    Like I said, this book was filled with more dangers. It had more action in it! The book starts out with Nancy almost drowning, and it isn't the last time Nancy's life is threatened.

-    I like the illustrations in these books. They are fun and old school sketches. 

-    I like how Nancy involves people in her investigations. She always lets people know where she is and what she is planning. I like how everyone helps her and cares for her. Nancy has a really nice support group going for her.

-    Nancy makes friends everywhere she goes. She is intelligent and kind. I really admire her character. 

Previous Nancy Drew Book

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The Hidden Staircase

Goodreads Bit:    Teenage detective Nancy Drew uses her courage and powers of deduction to solve the mysterious happenings in an old stone mansion.
















My Thoughts:

-    At first I was a little embarrassed reading Nancy Drew, but I'm going to take Stephanie Perkins' advice, and I'm not going to be ashamed of anything I enjoy reading, so here it is: I really like reading these Nancy Drew books! I feel like I missed out when I was younger. 

-    The title kind of gives away some of the mystery. I don't like that.

-    I liked that this story was a pretty different mystery than the first one. I enjoyed the ghost story element and creepy old houses!

-    There was some added danger to Nancy's family, and it made the mystery even more urgent. 

-    Nancy is very confident, and she has a lot of courage. I would not go hunting for ghosts in creepy attics and basements, but she did it willingly! I also like that Nancy is very polite and considerate. She has good character!

-    I liked that the police weren't useless. I hate it in movies and books when the police are totally useless and the protagonists have to do everything themselves. Nancy involves the police and helps them, and she lets the police do their job! Thank you!

-    I thought the ending was a bit abrupt, but everything was solved, so I guess it was ok. I like that the book doesn't have a bunch of added fluff, and the story moves along quickly. 

Previous Nancy Drew Book

(Click on cover to see my thoughts)