Review: 'Mind F**k' by Manna Francis

Mind F**k by Manna Francis, 2007, Casperian Books, softbound, 261 pages. Cover: all right. Category/Genre: Mystery, Erotica. Where we got it: bought it. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 


This book, the start of a series, follows torturer Val Toreth as he struggles to discover the murderer in a series of deaths involving fully immersive computer simulations. 

The simulations, owned by SimTech, are the baby of Dr Keir Warrick, Toreth's new lover. Since Warrick is a suspect, Toreth shouldn't be seeing him; but keeping his hands off Warrick is something that's growing harder and harder for Toreth to do. 

Those offended by graphic sex and language shouldn't open this book. There's plenty of BDSM as well as oral sex. The main characters are bisexual, but the sex scenes are always between men; so if that offends you, don't buy this book.

If you're looking for clean-cut characters, that's another reason not to buy this book. Toreth is a reprehensible sort surrounded by other morally-challenged people. But if 'grey' characters are something you're interested in, this book has them in spades. 


If you like this one, try: Quid Pro Quo, by Manna Francis.


Manna Francis can be found at Mannazone (where you'll also find an original story not related to the Administration series) and Goodreads. 

Review: 'Fox Tracks' by Rita Mae Brown

Fox Tracks by Rita Mae Brown, 2013, Ballantine Books, $15.00, softbound, 293 pages. Cover: good. Category/Genre: Mystery. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 


'Sister' Jane Arnold becomes embroiled in another murder mystery when she befriends a man who is later shot; the man, a tobacco shop owner, is found by Sister and her friend Tootie, with a pack of American Smokes on his chest. The shooting repeats itself in Boston, sparking Sister's curiosity and causing her to investigate the matter. 

Meanwhile, Sister's nemesis, Crawford, is making even more of a nuisance of himself than usual. He's luring landowners to his side by offering them much-needed services they could not otherwise pay for. If this keeps up, Sister and the rest of the Jefferson Hunt foxhunters will have nowhere they are allowed to hunt. 

An intriguing mystery with well-loved characters and a surprising ending. Fans of Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown's Mrs Murphy mysteries will enjoy the dialogue among the animals in this series.


If you like this one, try: Outfoxed, by Rita Mae Brown; and Wish You Were Here, by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown.


Rita Mae Brown can be found at Rita Mae Brown Books, Facebook, and in this Time article. 

Review: 'Nine Lives to Die' by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown

Nine Lives to Die by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown, 2014, Bantam Books, $26.00, hardbound, 253 pages. Cover: like it. Category/Genre: Mystery. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 


Combine mystery with Virginia flavour and add likable characters (both human and animal), and you have a Mrs Murphy story. 

This particular tale has the intrepid tabby trying to help solve an old murder. When Mrs Murphy, Pewter, and Tee Tucker come across a gold bracelet, they don't think much about the fact that it was recently wrapped around the wrist of a skeleton. But before long, the animals find out their human, Harry Haristeen, has a stake in solving the mystery of just how that skeleton came to be on her property. 

There's also a fresh murder, with the victim missing two fingers. Until the fingers show up in a pencil holder at Harry's church . . . 

The barbs between Tee Tucker, a corgi, and Pewter, a grey cat, do get a bit rough -- so if you want to read about animals who get on, this may not be the series for you. 

Note: strong language.


If you like this one, try: Sneaky Pie for President, by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown.


Rita Mae Brown can be found at Rita Mae Brown Books, BrainyQuote, and Facebook. 

Sneaky Pie Brown can be found at CatPrez.com, Twitter, and Facebook. 

Review: 'Nightmares Can Be Murder' by Mary Kennedy

Nightmares Can Be Murder by Mary Kennedy, 2014, Berkley Prime Crime, $7.99, softbound, 292 pages. Cover: like it. Category/Genre: cosy mystery. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.

Freelance business consultant Taylor Blake is in Savannah to help her sister Ali cope with her struggling business. What she doesn't expect is that Ali will rope her into attending the Dream Club, a group of women dedicated to helping each other analyse their dreams.

She also doesn't expect to become embroiled in a murder; but that's exactly what happens when a local dance instructor and ladies' man is killed in his studio. Ali becomes a suspect, and Taylor is determined to solve the case and clear her sister's name.

To do this, she enlists the help of an old friend, Sara Rutledge, a freelance reporter for the local paper, and Taylor's ex, Noah Chandler, a former FBI agent-turned-private enquiry agent. But Taylor isn't over Noah, and she's unclear as to how he feels about her.

We had a couple of issues with this book: there are too many women in it; it's unrealistic. Plus we take great umbrage at the use of 'womans's' – which anyone interested in grammar can tell you is incorrect. Still, it was an enjoyable read, and we recommend it.

This is an unusual mystery, not only for the matter of the dream interpretations, but also because, refreshingly, it doesn't tend to follow the usual formula for cosy mysteries.

If you like this one, try: The Missing Ink, by Karen E Olson.

Review: 'A Grave Matter' by Anna Lee Huber

A Grave Matter by Anna Lee Huber, 2014, Berkley Prime Crime, $16.00, softbound, 421 pages. Cover: excellent. But we thought she was supposed to have dark hair. Category/Genre: historical mystery. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.

The third in the Lady Darby mysteries, this book takes place two months after the events of the previous book. Lady Kiera Darby is still reeling from the loss of a dear friend and finds herself attending – rather unwillingly – the annual Hogmany Ball with her older brother, Trevor.

The festivities are ended when news of a murder comes: the family caretaker, Dodd, was shot and killed, and a body is missing from the family plot at the abby. Because the town doctor is inebriated, Kiera – who has experience with dead bodies and investigations – is asked to view Dodd's body and shed whatever light she can.

She is also soon asked to contact Sebastian Gage, a gentleman investigator, and ask that he come to solve the mystery and retrieve the missing bones. Kiera agrees to this somewhat reluctantly; she and Gage have a past, and she's still not certain of her feelings on the matter – or of his feelings for her, for that matter.

Nonetheless, the investigation and Gage's company combine to draw her out of her dark mood. Soon she is painting again, a talent which has of late eluded her. And sooner than she expects, she has an answer to how Gage feels about her.

The mystery of the body snatching, however, is not so easy. Though the team gather clues, nothing seems to lead them anywhere. Could it be that these body snatchers are just too clever to be caught?

Once again, Anna Lee Huber has woven together an intriguing plot and Scottish history and culture.

Note: mild language.

If you like this one, try: The Anatomist's Wife, by Anna Lee Huber; Mortal Arts, by Anna Lee Huber; Some Danger Involved, by Will Thomas. 

Review: 'The Litter of the Law' by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown

The Litter of the Law by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown, Illustrated by Michael Gellatly, 2013, Bantam, $7.99, softbound, 292 pages. Category/Genre: mystery. Cover: very nice. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.

This series is a bit unusual in that a cat named Sneaky Pie Brown helped write it. Perhaps because of that, there are a good deal of animal characters (one of whom reportedly looks astonishingly like Sneaky Pie Brown), all of whom can talk to each other but who are not understood by humans. The animals' antics are surely one reason this series is so popular – it's a New York Times bestseller – but the human characters are also interesting, and the mystery is intriguing.

Mary Minor 'Harry' Haristeen and her husband, Fair, have a farm and a number of animals – not the least of whom are Mrs Murphy, the grey tiger cat; Tee Tucker, a corgi; and Pewter, a grey cat who loves eating more than just about anything else in the world. It's these three animals who do the most to help Harry when she's trying to solve a mystery, although they also enlist help from the other animals: crows, a possum, horses, a fox, and others.

In this installment, Harry, Fair, and their brood come across a scarecrow – a familiar sight in farmland, especially in October – but what isn't familiar is the attention the scarecrow is getting from the local crows, who are pecking at the scarecrow as if it's some sort of delicacy. Which, it turns out, it is, at least to crows. The scarecrow is actually a murder victim dressed up.

This grisly discovery is only the start; as Harry digs deeper, she uncovers an insidious plot that she and the other inhabitants of Crozet find both horrifying and enraging. But it's only a matter of time before the perpetrator realises Harry is getting too close and decides to cut his losses . . .

A good, quick read, The Litter of the Law will no doubt satisfy both those new to the series and those who are steadfast followers of Mrs Murphy and her gang of animal sleuths. If it were up to us, though, we'd opt for a bit less of the talk of crops and more from the animals' points of view. All in all, well done, and there's a handy reference guide at the beginning so you won't get lost amongst all the characters.

If you like this one, try: Wish You Were Here, by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown; and The Cat Who . . . books by Lilian Jackson Braun. 

Review: 'Let Them Eat Stake' by Sarah Zettel

Let Them Eat Stake, by Sarah Zettel, 2012, Obsidian, $7.99, softbound, 308 pages. Category/Genre: mystery/paranormal. Cover: quirky. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.


This is the second in a series about chef Charlotte Caine and her Manhattan restaurant, Nightlife. Charlotte caters to both 'daybloods' (humans) and 'nightbloods' (vampires); human herself, she's dating Brendan Maddox, a warlock, and is binterested in vampire Anatole Sevarin. 

But Charlotte's love life isn't the only thing that's complicated. She's catering the first witch/vampire wedding she's ever heard of, and her executive chef, Oscar, is not only refusing to work for the wedding, he won't let any of his staff work for the wedding, either. 

Then Oscar is discovered dead. Charlotte takes it upon herself to find out who's responsible, and puts herself in harm's way in the process. One thing she is sure of: the possession of a certain powerful artifact may be at the heart of what's going on. 

This is a good book, and we look forward to trying the rest of the series. There's some humour, and the characters are interesting; what's more, the combination of vampires and chefs is an unusual pairing for a mystery. 

If you like this one, try: A Taste of the Nightlife, by Sarah Zettel.  

Review: 'Pies and Prejudice' by Ellery Adams

Pies and Prejudice by Ellery Adams, 2012, Berkley Prime Crime, $7.99, softbound, 291 pages. Category/Genre: mystery/fantasy. Cover: attractive. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 


Ella Mae LeFaye Kitteridge bakes pies for a living -- but they're not ordinary pies; they have magical effects on the people who eat them. Owning a pie shop where she can sell her wares has long been a dream of Ella Mae's, but she has problems, too. 

For one thing, her childhood bully, Loralyn Gaynor, is trying to sabotage the open house where Ella Mae is supplying desserts. For another, Ella Mae's longtime crush, firefighter Hugh Dylan, used to date Loralyn -- and he may still have feelings for her. 

But none of that compares to the fact that Ella Mae's rolling pin is used as a murder weapon against Loralyn's fiance. Now Ella Mae must get to the bottom of the mystery before she's locked up. 

Filled with descriptive prose and colourful characters (most notably Chewy, Ella Mae's Jack Russell terrier, and Ella Mae's aunts and mum), this is the start of a promising new series. 

Includes pie recipes.

Note: strong language. 

If you like this one, try: Peach Pies and Alibis, by Ellery Adams; Pecan Pies and Homicides, by Ellery Adams; and Sugar and Iced, by Jenn McKinlay.  

Review: 'Cake on a Hot Tin Roof' by Jacklyn Brady

Cake on a Hot Tin Roof by Jacklyn Brady, 2012, The Berkeley Publishing Group, $7.99, softbound, 297 pages. Category/Genre: mystery. Cover: appropriate to the story, but it didn't really catch our attention. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.


It's New Orleans, and soon it will be Mardi Gras. Rita Lucerno, owner of Zydeco Cakes, is up to her ears in cake orders when her ex-mother-in-law, Miss Frankie, invites her to an important business party. Rita's life is further complicated when her Uncle Nestor and Aunt Yolanda come for a visit without calling first.
     
At the party, Uncle Nestor trades fists with a minor New Orleans celebrity, Big Daddy Boudreaux. Before the night is over, Big Daddy has been murdered, and Uncle Nestor soon becomes the prime suspect.
     
Rita lies to the police at first; then she assumes Big Daddy's widow is the one who told reporters about the fight between him and Uncle Nestor, and proceeds to tell people Big Daddy's widow is at fault as if it were a fact. That was annoying. However, it was, overall, a pretty good read. 
     
This one has lots of New Orleans flavour. 
     
Note: mild language. 


If you like this one, try: The Walled Flower, by Lorraine Bartlett. 

Review: 'The Walled Flower' by Lorraine Bartlett

The Walled Flower by Lorraine Bartlett, 2012, Berkley Prime Crime, $7.99, softbound, 294 pages. Category/Genre: mystery. Cover: pretty nice. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million.


Spoiler Alert!

Katie Bonner, owner and manager of Artisans Alley in Victoria Square, has a problem: she and her late husband, Chad, saved up for years to buy the Webster mansion with the idea of turning it into a B and B. But Janice and Toby Ryan have just bought the place and are renovating it for the same purpose. 

Then Katie lends a hand with the renovating and uncovers a body. The body happens to be Heather, the niece of Katie's friend, Rose Nash, and when Rose finds out, she enlists Katie's help in solving the murder. 

It won't be easy. Not only is Katie not a detective, she has other things on her mind. Polly Bremerton, one of the craftswomen working at Artisans Alley, has accused another crafter of stealing; and Katie also agrees to become the matron of honour for yet another crafter -- a job which ends up taking much more effort than she imagined. Plus Katie is moving soon and has nowhere to go. 

The mystery deepens when the victim's best friend, Barbie, asks Katie for a secret meeting. Later, another body is found at the mansion: Barbie's. And things heat up at Artisans Alley when Polly is found to have been passing off new dolls as antiques and selling them.   

This was a fine read. Recipes are included in the back. 

Note: strong language. 


If you like this one, try: Thread Reckoning by Amanda Lee; The Long Stitch Goodnight by Amanda Lee; The Cat, the Quilt, and the Corpse by Leann Sweeney, and The Cat, the Lady, and the Liar by Leann Sweeney.   

   

Review: 'Tailing a Tabby' by Laurie Cass

Tailing a Tabby by Laurie Cass, 2014, Obsidian, $7.99, softbound, 340 pages. Category/Genre: mystery. Cover: quite good. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.


The second in a series, this book can stand alone. It follows librarian Minnie Hamilton and her rescue cat, Eddie, as they drive the library's bookmobile to various spots around town. Minnie has a few problems in her life, most of them to do with work -- until she and Eddie happen across a woman in need of help for her husband, who's had a stroke. Minnie and Eddie take the couple to the hospital, where Minnie finds out the man in question is Russell 'Cade' McCade, her favourite artist. The four become steadfast friends, so it's not surprising that Minnie agrees to help out once again when Cade is suspected of murder. 


It's a good mystery, but the most fun to be had is in reading about Eddie's antics. The characters are well-done and interesting, and readers will want to read the next installment just to visit those characters again. The book has humour and suspense, and plenty of local flavour. It's certain to draw both cat lovers and book lovers.

If you like this one, try: Murder Past Due, by Miranda James; Bookmarked for Death, by Lorna Barrett; and Double Booked for Death, by Ali Brandon.

Review: 'Little Shop of Homicide' by Denise Swanson

Little Shop of Homicide by Denise Swanson, 2012, Obsidian, $7.99, softbound, 259 pages. Category/Genre: mystery. Cover: stylised but good. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 


Shadow Bend, MO: Devereaux Sinclair, who owns Devereaux's Dime Store and Gift Baskets, gets embroiled in a mystery when the fiance of her ex-boyfriend turns up dead. 

Devereaux is a suspect, partly because of her past, which involves working for a man who stole his investors' life savings; unfortunately for Devereaux, the copper on her case, Det Woods, was personally affected by that scandal.

But Dev isn't alone; she has gal pal Poppy Kincaid on her side, as well as friend and conspiracy nut Boone St Onge. Poppy has secret listening devices installed in her bar, and Boone is an attorney. 

Navigating the sleuthing world can be pretty tough, though; not only must Dev face her ex, but she's trying to ignore the lusty thoughts going through her head every time deputy US Marshal Jake comes into view. 

An interesting mystery with interesting characters. 

Note: strong language; sexual language. 

If you like this one, try: Mortar and Murder, by Jennie Bentley. 

Review: 'Murder for Choir' by Joelle Charbonneau

Murder for Choir by Joelle Charbonneau, 2012, Berkley Prime Crime, $7.99, softbound, 294 pages. Category/Genre: mystery. Cover: good. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.


Struggling opera singer Paige Marshall is the new coach of Prospect Glen High School's show choir. When Paige finds Greg Lucas, director of the rival school's show choir, dead at the piano with a wound on his head and a mike cord round his neck, she's shocked. Oddly, fellow choir coach Larry is calm when he sees the body. Even more suspicious is the fact that Larry had a confrontation with Greg before his death. 

However, Larry isn't the only suspect. A cell phone belonging to student Eric Metz is found on the scene, and Greg made a pass at Eric's girlfriend. Dana, Greg's ex-wife, was angry with Greg because of an affair and the fact that he was getting joint custody of their son. And Curtis Bennett, North Shore High School's football coach, was angry with Greg because the choir director got Curtis's star wide receiver to give up football for choir. 

With plenty of intrigue and interesting characters, this is a book you won't want to miss. 

If you like this one, try: Little Shop of Homicide, by Denise Swanson. 

Review: 'The Cat, the Wife and the Weapon' by Leann Sweeney

The Cat, the Wife and the Weapon by Leann Sweeney, 2012, Obsidian, $7.99, softbound, 288 pages. Category/Genre: mystery. Cover: clever. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 


Part of the 'Cats in Trouble' mysteries, this book finds cat lover and quilter Jillian Hart worried about boyfriend Tom Stewart, who hasn't called, even though she's left ten messages.

Deepening the mystery is the fact that Bob Cochran, Tom's brother (who Jillian didn't know about), has been staying in Tom's house for two days, waiting for Tom to come home. 

When at last Tom resurfaces, he opens up to Jillian about his past -- his ex-wife and his son, Finn, who is missing. When Finn and his dog Yoshi show up, Finn is injured and in possession of a gun he can't remember obtaining. A man is dead, and Finn is a suspect; in order to clear the teenager's name, Jillian and Tom will have to do some serious sleuthing. 

Filled with the characters you'll have grown to love from the other books in the series, this installment doesn't fail to entertain. Newcomers to the series will be able to follow the plot, as well. 

If you like this one, try: The Cat, the Mill and the Murder, by Leann Sweeney; Red Velvet Revenge, by Jenn McKinlay. 

Review: 'Mortal Arts' by Anna Lee Huber

Mortal Arts by Anna Lee Huber, 2013, Berkley Prime Crime, $16.00, softbound, 374 pages. Category/Genre: mystery. Cover: quite good. Where we got it: author. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.


If you haven't read Huber's The Anatomist's Wife, the first book in the Lady Darby mysteries, do so, not because you have to in order to understand this book (you don't), but because it's good. 

In this installment, Lady Kiera Darby finds herself once again beside gentleman investigator Sebastian Gage as the two try to find out what happened to a missing girl. In the centre of the turmoil is Kiera's old friend William Dalmay, who has returned home after a ten-year stay in a lunatic asylum. Kiera is determined to prove William innocent of the crime, but Gage isn't so sure. 

Set against a historical backdrop (1830 Scotland), this book takes place two months after the events in The Anatomist's Wife. The mystery is engrossing, the characters engaging, and the writing adept. If you like Scotland, the Victorian era, or are just fond of mysteries, this book is for you.

If you like this one, try: The Anatomist's Wife, by Anna Lee Huber; A Grave Matter, by Anna Lee Huber. 

Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour!

Geo Librarian.

Review: 'The Anatomist's Wife' by Anna Lee Huber

The Anatomist's Wife by Anna Lee Huber, 2012, Berkley Prime Crime, $15.00, softbound, 357 pages. Category/Genre: mystery. Cover: very good. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 


In Scotland, 1830, Lady Kiera Darby is in self-exile, having endured great scandal in London. Now she's living at Gairloch Castle with her sister, Alana, and her family. She is dreading a house party, which some of the upper crust is to attend. 

Then one of the guests is murdered, and suspicion falls on Lady Darby -- she was the artist for her now-dead husband's human dissections, and people think her unnatural. It's up to Lady Darby to clear her own name, but she won't be investigating alone; Sebastian Gage, son of a gentleman enquiry agent, will be heading the investigation. 

A rousing good mystery with a dash of romance, a compelling heroine, and an atmospheric setting. 

If you like this one, try: Mortal Arts, by Anna Lee Huber.   

Review: 'File M for Murder' by Miranda James

File M for Murder by Miranda James, 2012, Berkley Prime Crime, $7.99, softbound, 294 pages. Category/Genre: mystery. Cover: great. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 


Part of the 'Cat in the Stacks' mysteries, this installment has librarian Charlie Harris and his Maine coon rescue cat, Diesel, solving another murder mystery.

This time Charlie's daughter, Laura, comes for a surprise visit; she's going to be teaching acting at the local college and helping with autumn productions of the theatre department there. When her ex, abrasive playwright Connor Lawton, is murdered, Charlie knows Laura is keeping secrets from the police. 

Laura is also getting harassing mail, she thinks from Connor's ex, Damitra Vane, a terrible actress who's jealous of Connor's relationship with Laura.

Helping Charlie and Diesel sort things out is Charlie's live-in son, Sean, who's studying for the bar and doing investigative work for the town's best-known lawyer. 

Filled with engaging characters and a solid plot, this book is a must-have for both mystery lovers and cat lovers.

Note: mild language.

If you like this one, try: Murder Past Due, by Miranda James; Classified as Murder, by Miranda James; and Out of Circulation, by Miranda James. 

Review: 'Allergic to Death' by Peg Cochran

Allergic to Death by Peg Cochran, 2012, Berkley Prime Crime, $7.99, softbound, 264 pages. Category/Genre: mystery. Cover: good. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble. 


Gigi Fitzgerald owns Gourmet De-Lite, a one-person company that caters tasty meals to diet-conscious customers. Business may be about to boom: Branston Foods wants her to produce a line of diet foods, and Martha Bernhardt, restaurant reviewer for the local paper, is Gigi's newest client. 

Then things go horribly, horribly wrong. Martha dies in a car wreck, and it's discovered that she wrecked because she was suffering from anaphylactic shock due to eating peanut oil -- and one of Gigi's meals was the last thing she ate. 

Desperate to clear her name, Gigi begins investigating. Along the way, she gets Reg, a West Highland terrier, and tries to ignore the growing feelings she has for Carlo Franchi, who works at Al Forno restaurant. 

This is a good mystery, with a dash of humour and some diet tips and low-fat recipes included. 

Note: mild language. 

If you like this one, try: Sour Apples, by Sheila Connolly. 

Review: 'When the Cookie Crumbles' by Virginia Lowell

When the Cookie Crumbles by Virginia Lowell, 2012, Berkley, $7.99, softbound, 294 pages. Category/Genre: mystery. Cover: a bit busy, but not bad. Like the dog. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.


Olivia Greyson owns The Gingerbread House cookie shop and runs it with her business partner and best friend Maddie Briggs. Olivia is obsessed with cookies and cookie cutters . . . but she seems to have a flair for solving mysteries, as well.

The 250th birthday of Chatterley Heights is approaching, and Maddie is working hard to finish a special gingerbread house of the famous Chatterley Mansion. Meanwhile, Olivia is on the committee to help plan the birthday bash. 

When the owner of Chatterley Mansion is killed, Olivia takes it upon herself to help solve the murder. There's also the mystery of the fabled antique cookie cutters rumoured to be in existence -- but Olivia isn't sure she even believes the tale. 

Filled with interesting characters (not the least of whom is Olivia's rescue Yorkie, Spunky) and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, this is a great read for any mystery lover. 

If you like this one, try: Cookie Dough or Die, by Virginia Lowell; A Cookie before Dying, by Virginia Lowell; Death by the Dozen, by Jenn McKinlay; and Buttercream Bump Off, by Jenn McKinlay.   

Review: 'If Hooks Could Kill' by Betty Hechtman

If Hooks Could Kill by Betty Hechtman, 2012, Berkley Prime Crime, $24.95, hardbound, 327 pages. Category/Genre: mystery. Cover: not bad; like the dog. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 


Tarzana resident and crocheter Molly Pink gets into another murder mystery in this, the seventh installment of the Crochet Mysteries by Betty Hechtman. 

Molly's crochet group, the Tarzana Hookers, have a booth at the Jungle Days Fair and have been waiting for Hooker Kelly Donahue to provide the crocheted items she's been promising. Then Kelly is murdered, and Molly takes it upon herself to solve the crime. 

Competing with Molly for the title of sleuth is fellow crocheter Adele Abrams, who makes it her job to point out how clever she herself is at solving mysteries. 

Molly's love life is also complicated, most notably by the fact that she's allowing her ex, Barry Greenberg, to live with her whilst he recovers from a gunshot wound. 

There are some problems with this book, including several grammatical errors and the fact that Molly considers Adele's going behind her boyfriend's back to investigate 'standing up for herself.' Worse still is Adele and her boyfriend's insistence on calling each other such dreadful terms as 'Cutchykins.' But the mystery is interesting and the characters memorable. Be forewarned, though: the book ends with a cliffhanger. 

If you like this one, try: Skirting the Grave, by Annette Blair.