I always enjoy Laura Levine's cozy mystery series about lovable author Jaine Austen (no... not that Jane Austin). I always used to buy the books, but awhile ago the publisher began to publish it in hardcover, so I now get the books from the library. This was another good addition to the series, and a pleasant quick read on this Memorial Weekend. I give it a B.
From Amazon:
Things are already off to a rocky start when Jaine discovers a stowaway amisdt her luggage- her persnickety cat, Prozac. To make matters worse, Prozac is also spotted by the ship's steward, an aspiring writer who quickly uses his advantage to blackmail Jaine into editing his massive handwriten manuscript. So much for sun, fun, and relaxation... Jaine's sinking sensation grows stronger at dinner, where she meets chatty Emily Pritchard, a wealthy seventy-year-old who's traveling with her bossy personal secretary, Ms. Nesbitt, and her nephews, arrogant investment banker Kyle, and his ruggedly handsome brother Robbie. Janie can't help but noticing the tension among them, especially when the cruise's charming- and sleazy- British dancer, Graham, whisks Emily on the dance floor and keeps her there for the rest of the evening. Soon Emily is accepting Graham's invitations to every social event on the ship even though her nephews and Ms. Nesbitt clearly don't approve. And when the bubbly couple announce their engagement just two nights later, no one is more surprised than Graham's long time girlfriend Cookie. But the news is quickly overshadowed the next morning by the discovery of Graham's body with an ice pick protuding from his chest...
The captain is quick to accuse Cookie, but Jaine suspects there are more sharks in the water. Was money-hungry Kyle protecting his inhertience? Perhaps Ms. Nesbitt was attempting to regain control over Emily? Or could the notorious lothario have fallen to one of his many paramours? And what about Robbie? Although Jaine finds herself falling for him, she can't help but wonder if he's been completely honest with her. Between hiding a furry fugitive, flirting with Robbie, and baiting the hook for a clever murderer, Jaine is about to dive into her most dangerous case yet...
I always enjoy reading about Jaine and her antics. The situations she finds herself in is always comical, and how she reacts is always good for a few chuckles. I also always enjoy the communication via email with her parents who are always funny and make me smile. I think this book provided more clues towards who the killer was than there were in some of her previous books, which was a pleasure. I like that Jaine is "real" woman, someone who is not concerned about what name brand her shoes are or how she is always dressed, but does sometimes over-indulge into an extra chocolate brownie. If you enjoy a quick, light-hearted cozy mystery, I highly recommend you pick up this book or any other book by Laura Levine. This is not a series that needs to be read in order, as there is no carryover whatsoever.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. Still have more library books to choose from, but I will probably not get to one until later today. The Red Wings start in half an hour and my husband wants me to go to his parents later today. I may beg off of that, but I will get some reading in tonight. I am so happy that all of my cleaning and laundry is done and tomorrow is just filled with enjoying the weather, my day off, and reading a good book. Happy Reading everyone!
Showing posts with label comfort reads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label comfort reads. Show all posts
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Friday, April 4, 2008
Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz
After reading The Spellman Files, I immediately placed the next book in this series on hold through my library. The book came at the perfect time in my life, just when I needed a quick, fun, easy read and it did not disappoint! I give it an A-.
From Amazon:
Starred Review. In the two years that have passed since the action in Lutz's hit debut, The Spellman Files (2007), zany Isabel Spellman, who works for the family PI firm in San Francisco, has become a somewhat responsible member of society. Unfortunately, she's also become obsessed with Subject (aka John Brown), a next-door neighbor who she's convinced has an evil secret she must expose, even if it means losing her PI license. Adding further hilarity is The Stone and Spellman Show, transcripts of recordings revealing 15-year-old sister Rae's fascination with her middle-aged best friend, stoic SFPD inspector Henry Stone, who endures Rae's adoration with liberal doses of Doctor Who watching. Henry's link to the Spellman family's fortunes suggests he might be a good candidate for Isabel's Ex-boyfriend #11 when Subject fails to make the grade.
Like The Spellman Files, there is little mystery to solve. While in normal books this may irritate me, but with Ms. Lutz's books it doesn't matter. I love getting to know these characters, especially Rae and Henry. They are written great, and even though there is little to no physical description of the characters they really come alive in my mind. There was always a little smile on my face and I zipped right through it. I am glad that I didn't buy it though, because it is a $25.00 book and I probably spent a total of 2 hours reading it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes cozy mysteries, enjoys Janet Evanovich books, or just having a good time reading a book. I would, however, suggest that you start with Ms. Lutz's first book. I hope she continues this series... I will be very disappointed if it isn't!
Up next is another library book I got. I placed this on hold after reading about it somewhere, though I am not sure where. It took so long to come in though that I don't remember what sounded so good and grabbed my interest. It is called An Absolute Gentleman and is by R.M. Kinder. I hope I enjoy it. I hope everyone has a great weekend and gets lots of good reading time in! The weather is supposed to finally warm up here, but I am not holding my breath. We shall see. Happy Reading!
From Amazon:
Starred Review. In the two years that have passed since the action in Lutz's hit debut, The Spellman Files (2007), zany Isabel Spellman, who works for the family PI firm in San Francisco, has become a somewhat responsible member of society. Unfortunately, she's also become obsessed with Subject (aka John Brown), a next-door neighbor who she's convinced has an evil secret she must expose, even if it means losing her PI license. Adding further hilarity is The Stone and Spellman Show, transcripts of recordings revealing 15-year-old sister Rae's fascination with her middle-aged best friend, stoic SFPD inspector Henry Stone, who endures Rae's adoration with liberal doses of Doctor Who watching. Henry's link to the Spellman family's fortunes suggests he might be a good candidate for Isabel's Ex-boyfriend #11 when Subject fails to make the grade.
Like The Spellman Files, there is little mystery to solve. While in normal books this may irritate me, but with Ms. Lutz's books it doesn't matter. I love getting to know these characters, especially Rae and Henry. They are written great, and even though there is little to no physical description of the characters they really come alive in my mind. There was always a little smile on my face and I zipped right through it. I am glad that I didn't buy it though, because it is a $25.00 book and I probably spent a total of 2 hours reading it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes cozy mysteries, enjoys Janet Evanovich books, or just having a good time reading a book. I would, however, suggest that you start with Ms. Lutz's first book. I hope she continues this series... I will be very disappointed if it isn't!
Up next is another library book I got. I placed this on hold after reading about it somewhere, though I am not sure where. It took so long to come in though that I don't remember what sounded so good and grabbed my interest. It is called An Absolute Gentleman and is by R.M. Kinder. I hope I enjoy it. I hope everyone has a great weekend and gets lots of good reading time in! The weather is supposed to finally warm up here, but I am not holding my breath. We shall see. Happy Reading!
Friday, November 9, 2007
Got Your Number by Stephanie Bond
Finally finished a book! I was reading another book and was about 100 pages in, but wasn't that into it and really wanted to spend the little time I had to read on something fun. Turning to Stephanie Bond, who always puts a smile on my face was a good idea. Got Your Number was a B read.
Gutsy Roxann Beadleman, a volunteer for an underground organization that helps abused wives escape from their husbands, needs to be rescued herself. She's being hunted by Frank Cape, a smarmy PI who wants his wife and child back, and by Joe Capistrano, a rugged police detective whose partner was shot by Cape. Joe intends to find Melissa, Cape's wife, and have her testify against her husband, but Roxann refuses to cooperate, fearful that the police won't be able to protect Melissa. When Roxann receives an invitation to her cousin Angora's wedding, she seizes the opportunity to flee town. Unfortunately, her cousin is jilted at the altar and, against her better judgment, Roxann agrees to accompany Angora to their college reunion in South Bend, Ind. En route, the former roommates have an unnerving run-in with Cape, but Joe steps in just in time. Although Roxann insists that she doesn't need his help or his affection, she quickly changes her mind when she and Angora are accused of murdering their theology professor.
This was a fun read. While not as funny as some of her others, especially Our Husband, I did like it and was looking forward to reading it whenever I had a free moment. I think the light hearted tone of the book really helped me get into it and it was fun. The mystery was kind of light and I had it figured out early on, but I still enjoyed it.
I really miss reading! Books that I have had on hold forever are coming in and I am having to return them unread because I don't have the time. I am not sure if things are going to start to slow down soon, but I do know that I have one month left. I have a ton of stuff to get done, but I think it is really less than I think. This weekend is dedicated to printing things out and preparing my portfolio so once I can see it organized and together, I won't stress as much. This stress is causing problems physically and I am losing a ton of hair and other womanly problems. I am somewhat scared too because I have been in school for so long and I don't know what to do with my time! Wait, I know... catch up on my reading! Yay!
Anyways, I hope everyone else is reading great and fun books. I do have a library book I started called Unnatural Causes by Leah Ruth Robinson. I have only read 24 pages and am on the fence about it. I decided I will probably give books 75 pages to capture my attention and if it doesn't, then it is on to the next one.
Happy reading and a have a great weekend!
Gutsy Roxann Beadleman, a volunteer for an underground organization that helps abused wives escape from their husbands, needs to be rescued herself. She's being hunted by Frank Cape, a smarmy PI who wants his wife and child back, and by Joe Capistrano, a rugged police detective whose partner was shot by Cape. Joe intends to find Melissa, Cape's wife, and have her testify against her husband, but Roxann refuses to cooperate, fearful that the police won't be able to protect Melissa. When Roxann receives an invitation to her cousin Angora's wedding, she seizes the opportunity to flee town. Unfortunately, her cousin is jilted at the altar and, against her better judgment, Roxann agrees to accompany Angora to their college reunion in South Bend, Ind. En route, the former roommates have an unnerving run-in with Cape, but Joe steps in just in time. Although Roxann insists that she doesn't need his help or his affection, she quickly changes her mind when she and Angora are accused of murdering their theology professor.
This was a fun read. While not as funny as some of her others, especially Our Husband, I did like it and was looking forward to reading it whenever I had a free moment. I think the light hearted tone of the book really helped me get into it and it was fun. The mystery was kind of light and I had it figured out early on, but I still enjoyed it.
I really miss reading! Books that I have had on hold forever are coming in and I am having to return them unread because I don't have the time. I am not sure if things are going to start to slow down soon, but I do know that I have one month left. I have a ton of stuff to get done, but I think it is really less than I think. This weekend is dedicated to printing things out and preparing my portfolio so once I can see it organized and together, I won't stress as much. This stress is causing problems physically and I am losing a ton of hair and other womanly problems. I am somewhat scared too because I have been in school for so long and I don't know what to do with my time! Wait, I know... catch up on my reading! Yay!
Anyways, I hope everyone else is reading great and fun books. I do have a library book I started called Unnatural Causes by Leah Ruth Robinson. I have only read 24 pages and am on the fence about it. I decided I will probably give books 75 pages to capture my attention and if it doesn't, then it is on to the next one.
Happy reading and a have a great weekend!
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