Mutt Cafe

Lament for a Maker An Inspector Appleby Mystery by Michael Innes Ipso Books Horror, Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 23 Aug 2017 Review Lament for a Maker is a novel that will not appeal to a wide audience. The first half is written in the local Scottish dialect. This gives flavor and helps build the setting, but it also is hard going for readers. As in the other novels that I’ve read by Michael Innes, Lament for a Maker takes its sweet time to reach the heart of the plot. I

She Be Damned A Heloise Chancey Mystery by M.J. Tjia Legend Press Historical Fiction , Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 01 Aug 2017 Review She Be Damned is a difficult book to read, not because of the writing which is excellent, but the troubling topics it addresses. Prostitutes are being killed, but more than that their sexual organs are mutilated and removed. The victims are pregnant young women and their victimization is horrifying. Mrs. Heloise Chancey is similar to the

The Corpse in the Snowman A Nigel Strangeways Mystery by Nicholas Blake Ipso Books General Fiction (Adult) , Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 21 Aug 2017 Review If you like historical mysteries or reprints of novels from the Golden Age of Mystery, you should definitely read at least one of Nicholas Blake’s novels. The Nigel Strangeways mysteries are challenging puzzles where human psychology plays a major role. The Corpse in the Snowman is an excellent manor house mystery

The Man of Dangerous Secrets Margery Allingham writing as Maxwell March By Maxwell March Ipso Books General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 11 Aug 2017 Review This book shows exactly why Margery Allingham is one of the most loved and remembered writers of the Golden Age of Mystery. Before reading The Man of Dangerous Secrets, I didn’t realize that Margery Allingham sometimes used a pseudonym. The Man of Dangerous Secrets has it all, a thrilling mystery, murder

Rubies in the Roses by Vivian Conroy HQ Digital Humor , Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 30 Aug 2017 Review Rubies in the Roses is the second Cornisea island cosy by Vivian Conroy. It is a charming mystery set on a fictional island on the Cornish coast. The mysteries are not very complex, and the cast of characters is relatively small, but they are enjoyable light novels perfect for whiling away an afternoon. Guinevere is a charming, demure lead and her dachshund, Dolly’s a

A Catered Costume Party by Isis Crawford Kensington Books Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 29 Aug 2017 Review I had high expectations for A Catered Costume Party. The introductory chapter where Darius murders his wife has just the right dash of humor. After reading it, I was eager to discover what comes next. On the whole A Catered Costume Party is a fun fresh mystery. Many of the passages are cleverly written and the dialogue is excellent. I was disappointed, however, by

Assaulted Caramel by Amanda Flower Kensington Books Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 29 Aug 2017 Review Assaulted Caramel is a fascinating cozy. Amanda Flower not only provides readers with a solidly plotted murder mystery, she also opens the world of the Amish up to an audience whose familiarity with the culture is likely minimal. Amish country makes for an intriguing setting and the tensions between the plain folk and the Englisch add an additional layer of complexity. Bail

Vanity in Dust By Cheryl Low World Weaver Press General Fiction (Adult), Sci Fi & Fantasy Pub Date 08 Aug 2017 Review Vanity in Dust is one of the most captivating fantasies that I’ve read in recent months. With its strange politics and Asian feel, it is very different than most dystopian reads. The setting is gorgeous, at once decadent and desolate. Magic is at once ever present and tightly reined in. The Realm is ruled by the Queen, rarely seen but immensely powerful. T

The Silver Gun by L.A. Chandlar Kensington Books Historical Fiction , Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 29 Aug 2017 Review Any fan of historical mysteries will love The Silver Gun. Set in New York City during the 1930s, it has the flavor of a city on the move, growing and changing. Art Deco is at its height and the role of women in society and the workforce is changing. It’s a vibrant time and The Silver Gun is a match for its brilliance. Mayor Fio La Guardia is turning the

Dog Dish of Doom An Agent to the Paws Mystery by E.J. Copperman St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 15 Aug 2017 Review How can any animal lover pass on a mystery titled Dog Dish of Doom? The very concept brings forth a smile. E J Copperman has a gift for capturing the personalities of animals as well as their human counterparts. The story has just the right blend of humor, sass and seriousness. Kay Powell is a showbiz girl who has moved on t