Weekly Mews: Bookish Mewsings on Mrs. Morris and the Witch & Mother-Daughter Murder Night

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (TSS) hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz  where participants recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. I am also linking It's Monday! What Are you Reading? hosted by Kathryn of Book Date where readers talk about what they have been, are and will be reading.

It has been a busy weekend, and so I am getting this post up later than usual. Our neighborhood has been getting in the Halloween spirit, many decorations going up. Ours are still in the garage, but perhaps they'll find their way out soon. This is one of my favorite times of year. 

I currently am reading Starling House by Alix E. Harrow, which so far is as every bit as good as I heard it would be. 

Next up, I will be picking up the October TBR Winner of my TBR List Poll. 

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn and The Beekeeper's Apprentice (Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes #1) by Laurie R. King tied with 5 votes each, while Yellowface by R.F. Kuang won with 7 votes! I have heard great things about Yellowface and am anxious to start it. Thank you again for all who voted!

My TBR List is hosted by the awesome Michelle  at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and let you vote for my next read during that month. My review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise). 

This past week I finished reading Nightfall (Keeper of the Lost Cities #6) by Shannon Messenger and Mrs. Morris and the Witch (Salem B&B Mystery #2) by Traci Wilton (see below for my thoughts on the latter).

I continue to enjoy the Keeper of the Lost Cities, a middle grade fantasy series, which is one of my daughter's favorites. Although Nightfall got off to a slower start than the previous books in the series, it eventually picked up. Mouse is all caught up with the series, but I still have a way to go. I can see why Mouse adores the series with her love for fantasy and characters she can root for. It's imaginative and action packed. There's tween/teen angst, lots of blushing, magic, animals of all kinds, danger, and kids who save the day. The tenth final book in the series is rumored to be coming out later this year.

Mouse is currently reading Holes by Louis Sachar in school, a book I have not had the chance to read. It seems to be well loved though, and perhaps I will find my way to it at some point. She's been sharing with me what's going on in the story each evening, and so I feel like I am reading it alongside her. 

Mrs. Morris and the Witch (Salem B&B Mystery #2) by Traci Wilton (Kensington Books, 2020; Mystery/Cozy; 219 pgs)
Source: from the publisher via NetGalley; all opinions are my own.

"All Hallows' Eve--Salem's most celebrated night of the year," Charlene Morris said to Jack Strathmore, seated next to her on the love seat in the privacy of her personal suite. ~ Opening of Mrs. Morris and the Witch

I read the first book in this series, Mrs. Morris and the Ghost, three years ago and enjoyed it. Widowed Charlene Morris bought a mansion sight unseen with plans to turn in into a bed and breakfast. Little did she know it came with its own resident ghost, Jack Strathmore.

Mrs. Morris and the Witch, picks up soon after the events in the first book of this cozy mystery series. Charlene is excited about hosting her first guests over Halloween and has planned an unforgettable evening Halloween night with a tour of Salem and a cemetery, led by a local ghost expert. Unfortunately, the night takes a turn for the worst when Charlene finds Morganna, a local Wiccan, dead in her shop. One of Charlene's guests is a person of interest, and Charlene is determined to clear his name. Charlene's inquiries lead her down the path to find the murderer, learning about the modern day Wiccan community and coven politics in Salem along the way.

It was a pleasure to spend time with Charlene again as well as her friendly household ghost, Jack. She uses him as a sounding board quite a bit in the novel, and he offers some helpful suggestions along the way. Her friend and detective, Sam, seems quite capable at his job, and it's obvious he is frustrated with Charlene's interference--not to mention the way she puts herself in danger. I can't really blame him. There is one scene in the novel in which Charlene does something very dumb, in fact; but I had to laugh because not too long after that scene, Charlene is reading a romantic suspense novel and describes the heroine as "smart and savvy, not the too-stupid-to-live kind, like she'd been the night before." Kudos to authors Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton for calling their own character out! I do like Charlene though even if her curiosity gets the better of her sometimes.

I was along for the ride in this paranormal cozy mystery and did not figure out who was behind the murder until the end. The cast of characters, some familiar from the previous book, and others new, had interesting backstories of their own, and I am enjoying getting to know Charlene's Salem through her eyes. I look forward to reading more of the series. I believe it's set around Christmas time--so perfect for the upcoming winter season!

Challenge Met: COYER / Mount TBR / Backlist / Cruisin' Thru the Cozies

Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon (William Morrow, 2023; Mystery/Thriller; 352 pgs)

Source: from the publisher via NetGalley; all opinions are my own.

Beth knew she couldn't leave for work until she dealt with the dead body on the beach. ~ Opening of Mother-Daughter Murder Night 

Earlier this month, I read Mother-Daughter Night and loved it. This was more than just a mystery/suspense novel, but also a novel about mother and daughter relationships, the choices we make as parents-- as humans, really--and how they can impact the other.

Lana Rubicon is as ambitious as they come, putting her career in real estate above all else. She learned the hard way how a person can only depend on themselves. A diagnosis of cancer and the stresses treatment put on her body mean Lana must turn to her daughter, Beth, for help. Lana finds Beth to be an enigma. She seems to be everything Lana is not. Beth lives a quiet life as a nurse in a sleepy coastal town with her teenage daughter, Jack. Jack is fiercely independent and longs for a different life than the one she's living. She loves her grandmother and mother and wishes they got along better.

When Jack finds a dead body while leading a kayak tour, the police are quick to name her as their main suspect. Lana and Beth are beside themselves with the accusations made by the police. Lana is quick to realize the police are not up to the task of finding the real killer, and, in an effort to prove her granddaughter is innocent, she begins to look for other possible suspects on her own. Beth, on the other hand, is not keen on the idea of her mother conducting her own investigation, especially not while she's in such a weakened state and should be focusing on her recovery. It soon becomes clear though that there is no stopping Lana, and Jack and a reluctant Beth lend her a hand.

Lana and Beth's relationship is mired in the past by slights and misunderstandings. I found myself siding with one or the other at various points in the book, but ultimately hoping they would find common ground between them. They are so much alike even as they think they are so different. And I really felt for Jack being in the middle. The relationships between all three women do grow over the course of the novel. I found all of them extremely relatable. (Not to mention I love the idea of a Mother-Daughter Murder Night! Read the book and you'll know why.)

From wealthy ranchers to land trusts, family vendettas and secret deals, Lana, Beth and Jack find themselves in dangerous territory. While not a fast paced mystery in the way some mysteries are, Mother-Daughter Murder Night was a compelling read. The mystery itself was made up of a complex web of conflict and characters that had me wanting to know where each thread would lead. While the final whodunnit was not a real surprise, the fun was in getting there.

Challenge Met: COYER

I hope you have a great week! Let me know what you have been reading!

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© 2023, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Weekly Mews: School Is Out for the Summer (if only work was too)!

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (TSS) hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz  where participants recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. I am also linking It's Monday! What Are you Reading? hosted by Kathryn of Book Date where readers talk about what they have been, are and will be reading.

I am linking up Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently.  

It's hard to believe it is already June. May brought the end of the school year for us. The promotion ceremony was very nice. Mouse earned a President's Award for Educational Excellence. Her dad and I are so proud of her and all the hard work she's put in. We were sorry my mom could not be there, but she is still in Washington with my Great Aunt and her partner. There is good news on that front though. My Great Aunt is doing well and expected to get out of rehab this coming week. 

We went to a minor league baseball game last weekend. It was supposed to be a late Mother's Day present for my mom, but since she's out of town, we took one of Mouse's friends instead. The girls weren't really interested in the game, but they had a good time hanging out together. The home team won--yay! We followed up after the game with a trip to Barnes and Noble (because of course we did!) and dinner at Red Robin. It made for a nice day.

It has turned into a lovely day today. Not too warm and not too cool. Mouse and her Girl Scout troop spent the afternoon at the nearby Air Reserve Base passing out donated Girl Scout cookies to the local troops. One of the service people offered to take them on a tour and they got to see a Reaper drone up close. The girls enjoyed being able to offer a small token of thanks to the troops who serve the country. 

In between all this, it's been work as usual. 

What have you been up to lately? 

I just started reading Ashley Weaver's Playing It Safe, the third book in the Electra McDonnell series. I enjoyed the first two books in this historical mystery/espionage series and have high hopes for this one too. 

When I finished the first book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series by Shannon Messenger (see my thoughts below in Mouse's Corner), my daughter set copies of the next two books on my desk so I could start them right away. I'm just so excited she's finally letting me read her favorite series! I am well into the second book in the series, Exile. 

It has been awhile since I last picked up a nonfiction book and decided to start Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood by Lisa Damour. I haven't read a lot of parenting books, but this one came highly recommended by several different sources.

What are you reading at the moment?

I recently came across Sue's Big Book Summer Challenge and am going to take part in it this year. The challenge is to read one or two or however many books a person wants that are over 400 pages long. I have a few books I am considering for this, but haven't quite settled on them yet. The challenge lasts from May 25th to September 4th. Check out Sue's blog, Book By Book, for the details and to sign up! 

My TBR List is hosted by the awesome Michelle  at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and let you vote for my next read during that month. My review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise). 

I could use your help deciding which book to read next! I am in the mood for historical fiction, and, when looking over my shelves, these three popped out above the rest. Which of these three books do you think I should read next? Have you read any of them? If so, what did you think? 

The Last Heir to Blackwood Library by Hester Fox

In post–World War I England, a young woman inherits a mysterious library and must untangle its powerful secrets…

With the stroke of a pen, twenty-three-year-old Ivy Radcliffe becomes Lady Hayworth, owner of a sprawling estate on the Yorkshire moors. Ivy has never heard of Blackwood Abbey, or of the ancient bloodline from which she’s descended. With nothing to keep her in London since losing her brother in the Great War, she warily makes her way to her new home.

The abbey is foreboding, the servants reserved and suspicious. But there is a treasure waiting behind locked doors: a magnificent library. Despite cryptic warnings from the staff, Ivy feels irresistibly drawn to its dusty shelves, where familiar works mingle with strange, esoteric texts. And she senses something else in the library too, a presence that seems to have a will of its own.

Rumors swirl in the village about the abbey’s previous owners, about ghosts and curses, and an enigmatic manuscript at the center of it all. And as events grow more sinister, it will be up to Ivy to uncover the library’s mysteries in order to reclaim her own story—before it vanishes forever.

Lush, atmospheric and transporting, The Last Heir to Blackwood Library is a skillful reflection on memory and female agency, and a love letter to books from a writer at the height of her power. [Goodreads Summary]

Weyward by Emilia Hart

I am a Weyward, and wild inside.

2019: Under cover of darkness, Kate flees London for ramshackle Weyward Cottage, inherited from a great aunt she barely remembers. With its tumbling ivy and overgrown garden, the cottage is worlds away from the abusive partner who tormented Kate. But she begins to suspect that her great aunt had a secret. One that lurks in the bones of the cottage, hidden ever since the witch-hunts of the 17th century.

1619: Altha is awaiting trial for the murder of a local farmer who was stampeded to death by his herd. As a girl, Altha’s mother taught her their magic, a kind not rooted in spell casting but in a deep knowledge of the natural world. But unusual women have always been deemed dangerous, and as the evidence for witchcraft is set out against Altha, she knows it will take all of her powers to maintain her freedom.

1942: As World War II rages, Violet is trapped in her family's grand, crumbling estate. Straitjacketed by societal convention, she longs for the robust education her brother receives––and for her mother, long deceased, who was rumored to have gone mad before her death. The only traces Violet has of her are a locket bearing the initial W and the word weyward scratched into the baseboard of her bedroom.

Weaving together the stories of three extraordinary women across five centuries, Emilia Hart's Weyward is an enthralling novel of female resilience and the transformative power of the natural world. [Goodreads Summary]

The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner

A spellbinding tale about two daring women who hunt for truth and justice in the perilous art of conjuring the dead.

1873. At an abandoned château on the outskirts of Paris, a dark séance is about to take place, led by acclaimed spiritualist Vaudeline D’Allaire. Known worldwide for her talent in conjuring the spirits of murder victims to ascertain the identities of the people who killed them, she is highly sought after by widows and investigators alike.

Lenna Wickes has come to Paris to find answers about her sister’s death, but to do so, she must embrace the unknown and overcome her own logic-driven bias against the occult. When Vaudeline is beckoned to England to solve a high-profile murder, Lenna accompanies her as an understudy. But as the women team up with the powerful men of London’s exclusive Séance Society to solve the mystery, they begin to suspect that they are not merely out to solve a crime, but perhaps entangled in one themselves… [Goodreads Summary]

Thank you for voting! What will you be reading next? 

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn (Berkley, 2022; 365 pgs)

Older women often feel invisible, but sometimes that's their secret weapon.  

They've spent their lives as the deadliest assassins in a clandestine international organization, but now that they're sixty years old, four women friends can't just retire - it's kill or be killed in this action-packed thriller. [Goodreads Summary]

Killers of a Certain Age was a bit different than other books by Deanna Raybourn, but I was no less excited to read it. Who wouldn't with a description like the one above?! Billie, Mary Alice, Natalie, and Helen were the first all female assassin team, known as the Sphinxes, working for an organization that originally got its start going after Nazis and later other people deemed to be a threat to social justice. Now their employer has invited them on an all expense paid cruise to celebrate their retirement, but nothing is ever quite what it seems, is it? The four women are lounging on the deck of the ship one minute and on the run the next, in this clever thriller. Just why did the organization turn on them and how can they save themselves? 

The author takes the reader back and forth between the past and present, sharing how each of the women became the skilled assassins they are and their current predicament. They aren't sure who they can trust, if anyone, other than each other. They draw on all their experience and prove that the old school ways can be just as effective today as they were back then.

Witty and tension filled, Killers of a Certain Age was an enjoyable read. Perhaps with more aches and body creaks than they once had, the four heroines in the novel are nothing to be trifled with. While the mystery behind the who and why did not come as a complete surprise, I enjoyed it just the same. The backstories of the characters were interesting, and one of the strengths of the novel was the relationships between the women. 

Thank you to everyone who voted for this book in my May TBR List Poll! 

Challenges Met: Mount TBR / COYER

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto (Berkley, 2023; 368 pgs)

Put the kettle on, there’s a mystery brewing…  

Tea-shop owner. Matchmaker. Detective? [Goodreads Summary]

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers was such a fun read! It was heartwarming, laugh out loud funny and charming wrapped in a well thought out mystery. Vera Wong's tea shop has seen better days. She is a 60 year old widow with an adult son who is too busy to take much time out for her. And only one regular customer. One morning, she comes downstairs from her living quarters into the shop and discovers a dead body. In anticipation of the police, she makes tea and prepares for their arrival. Vera is sure the man was murdered but the police aren't so certain. Vera comes to the conclusion that she can do a better job in finding the killer than the police.

Vera befriends her suspects as only Vera can, over tea and a little mothering, which they all seem to be in need of. The mystery is told from the point of view of several different characters, including Vera, a format that works very well for this novel. All of the characters (except the victim) are relatable, none of whom I wanted to be guilty but whom all had motives. Vera is really the heart of the novel, which, of course, will come as no surprise. I forgive author Jesse Q. Sutanto for putting off the next Aunties book to write this one. It's my favorite of hers yet. 

Challenges Met: Cruisin' with the Cozies / COYER

Have you read either of these books? If so, what did you think? 

Mouse was reluctant to let me read the first book in her favorite series, but she finally relented (I'd been begging her for ages now). I read Keeper of the Lost Cities Illustrated and Annotated Edition (#1) by Shannon Messenger (Aladdin, 2012; 544 pgs) this past week. Sophie is a prodigy in more ways than one. At 12 years old, she is a senior in high school and a Telepath. On a school field trip one day, Sophie meets Fitz, a mysterious boy who also has telepathic abilities. Sophie's life changes irrevocably after that, and she is forced to leave her old life behind for a new one--one filled with elves and other fantastical beings. Sophie was an anomaly in the human world and she is proving to be one in the elven world as well. There is a lot Sophie doesn't know about herself, where she came from and why she was hiding among humans. And others want to know too--some of them not so nice.

I can see why my daughter enjoyed this book so much. Sophie doesn't really fit in among the humans and stands out even amongst the elves. She is insecure and smart. That makes her a very relatable character. Although, she does feel a bit more at home in the elven world ultimately--developing strong friendships and attending a school that focuses on helping her better understand and hone her special abilities. There are life endangering moments, not so well kept secrets as well as some that are tightly kept, interesting creatures, and the typical tween drama (bullying, crushes, and angst). 

Keeper of the Lost Cities was cute and kept me entertained. There is something to be said about elves with varying abilities--what I might call magic, but they think of more as science. There are gnomes and goblins too. Shannon Messenger put a lot of thought into her world--and it was fun to step into the world she's created. I admit I did laugh when I first came across a dinosaur, and the novel suffers from all the significant characters being exceptionally good-looking, which always makes me cringe. While I might not be as enamored with this book as my daughter is, I did like it and am interested in seeing where this series will take me next. 

Challenges Met: Mount TBR / Backlist / Big Books Summer

Have you read this middle grade novel and series? 

When I asked Mouse if there was anything special she wanted to do to celebrate the end of the school year, she immediately said she wanted to go to Barnes and Noble.  I wasn't going to complain! We made another trip to the bookstore last weekend after the baseball game. These are our combined finds from the trips: 

Deenie by Judy Blume

Curse of the Night Witch (Emblem Island #1) by Alex Aster

The Saturday Night Ghost Club by Craig Davidson

Serafina and the Black Cloak (#1) by Robert Beatty

Sasaki and Miyano, Vol. 1 by Shou Harusono

Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, Vol. 0 by AidaIro

The Savior's Book Café Story in Another World, Vol. 2 by  Kyouka Izumi, Oumiya, and Reiko Sakurada

King of Scars (#1) by Leigh Bardugo

Rule of Wolves (King of Scars #2) by Leigh Bardugo

Legends & Lattes (#1) by Travis Baldree

Atalanta by Jennifer Saint

Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid

What new books made it onto your shelf recently? 

We celebrated the final day of school last month by going to see the movie Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. It was fun, if a bit silly--although, that is part of its charm.

I finally caught up and finished Dead to Me. I love Christina Applegate in general and she does such a good job in the series. I think my favorite character though is Judy, played by Linda Cardellini. It's a fairly dark comedy, and very well done.

I took the plunge and watched the post-apocalyptic series Sweet Tooth. My daughter said the main character Gus reminds her of a couple of the anime characters she and I love for his innocence and seeing the good in others. I have not read the original comic book series and so am not able to compare the two. I like the show, although cannot say I love it.

My family and I watched the finale of Ted Lasso. The third and final season has gotten some criticism, but I enjoyed it overall. It's such an uplifting show and seeing the characters grow and their relationships evolve over the course of the series was among the best parts of it. A person does not have to be a soccer or sports fan to appreciate the show.

We are diving back into the X-Files, slowly making our way through season one after having stalled for a little while there--too interested in other things.

Have you watched any of these shows? What have you watched recently?

I hope you have a great week! Let me know what you have been up to!

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© 2023, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Where Is Your Bookmark: My Bookish Mewsings on The Deep End by Julie Mulhern (& Some of My Favorite Covers From the Past 16 years)

Along with this mini review, I am linking to both Book Beginnings, a meme in which readers share the first sentence of a book they are reading, hosted by Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader and Friday 56 hosted by Freda of Freda's Voice, in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading.

My morning swim doesn't usually involve corpses. If it did, I'd give up swimming for something less stressful, like coaxing cobras out of baskets or my mother out of bed before ten. [opening of The Deep End]

               ★                    

A hand grazed across my forehead and my lashes fluttered. The gentle fingers on my skin paused then disappeared. No point in playing opossum now. I opened my eyes. [excerpt from 56% in The Deep End]

The Deep End (The Country Club Murders #1) by Julie Mulhern
Henery Press, 2015
Crime Fiction/Cozy/Historical; 276 pgs

My thoughts: The Deep End is the first in Julie Mulhern's Country Club Murder series set in Kansas City, and what a fun mystery it was!

Ellison Russell is stuck in an unhappy marriage. She finds joy in painting and raising her teenager daughter, Grace, while maintaining her country club lifestyle and enduring her mother's constant interferences. One morning during a daily swim, Ellison swims right into her husband's mistress--who is definitely no longer breathing. To an outsider, Ellison has a motive for wanting the other woman dead, but Ellison has long since stopped caring about her husband's affairs. Suspicion also falls on her husband who chooses right then to go out of town; to exactly where, no one knows. It turns out, her husband was hiding more than just his affair. With the bodies piling up around her and her family's reputation at stake, Ellison sets out to find out who the killer is.

The novel is set in 1974, and author Julie Mulhern captures that time period well with occasional passing references to historical events, social mores, and the fashion of the day. I love that Ellison drinks Tab, which was my dad's favorite drink (my mom still has a can of the soda in her refrigerator in his memory). It's touches like that which help me immerse myself completely in a novel.

I liked Ellison's spunk and ability to think on her feet. There is mention that she hasn't always stood up for herself in her marriage or with her mother in the past, but, from what I saw, she makes quite a formidable character. Her husband, Henry, was every bit the moron. And I found her mother extremely overbearing, but it was obvious she loves her daughter. Gossip spreads like wildfire in the country club community and it seemed to work for and against Ellison. There are a number of interesting background characters, many with secrets of their own. 

The mystery was well executed. I suspect I figured out who the killer was at just the moment the author hoped I would. Before Ellison but not so soon to say I could see it coming a mile away. I loved the humor throughout the novel--that dry humor that sets just the right tone throughout the novel. This was such an enjoyable read, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

Thank you to everyone who voted for The Deep End in my February TBR poll. This was a winner for me in more ways than one!

Challenges Met: COYER/Cruisin' thru the Cozies/Mount TBR/Backlist Reader/Historical Fiction

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. It is co-hosted by Linda Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, Roberta from Offbeat YA, Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About, Berl's from Because Reading is Better than Real Life, and Karen from For What It’s Worth. Join in by answering this week's question in the comments or on your own blog.

Share some books covers you love!

I went through my list of books read on Goodreads over the past 16 years and selected ten covers (because I couldn't narrow it down any further) that I find especially appealing. Which of these do you like best? 

I hope you will join in next week  to answer next week's Tell Me Something Tuesday question: Time for a pet update! Tell us about yours.

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Do you use other sources for ARCs besides NetGalley? (submitted by Bonnie @ Bonnie Reads and Writes)

Although occasionally an author, agent or publisher will offer me a print advanced reader copy, more often that not, I go through NetGalley and Edelweiss and receive advanced reader e-copies. 

What about you?

I hope you will join in next week  to answer next week's Book Blogger Hop question: What is the significance of your blog header? 

 I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading and are up to!

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© 2023 Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Weekly Mews: My Bookish Mewsings on Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun & February's TBR Poll Winner

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (TSS) hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz  where participants recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. I am also linking It's Monday! What Are you Reading? hosted by Kathryn of Book Date where readers talk about what they have been, are and will be reading.

  

I had good intentions and hoped to catch up on visiting your blogs and responding to comments this past week, but personal computer time has been scarce. With my in-laws visit last weekend, an overwhelming amount of work during the week, Girl Scout cookies season, dental appointments, and a general sense of exhaustion, I was only able to get so much done. Which is also why this post is on the shorter side this week.

I had to capture the above photo of my two cats sleeping on the bed because this is the closest I have ever seen them sleeping together. They aren't the cuddle buddies that our past cats were. 

Our Nina

I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning to finish Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun (#3) by Elle Cosimano  (Minotaur Books, 2023; 304 pages). Thank goodness I did not have to get up extra early this morning to go to work. 

Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan series has become one of my favorites. It is funny and entertaining. Yes, it's a bit over the top--but in a good way. That's part of the fun of the series! The third book in the series, Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, is no different. 

Finlay is an author and a divorced mother who, along with her nanny/accountant, trouble seems to find all too often. It is not Finlay and Vero's fault that people seem to die around them.  Finlay is on a deadline to finish her latest novel, her ex-husband wants to reconcile, the sexy cop she has likes but is avoiding keeps calling, and she is trying to help Vero get out from under a debt she owes a not so nice person from her past. All the while parenting her two children.  Oh, and Mob boss Feliks expects Finlay and Vero to figure out the identity of the contract killer that is out to undermine him. Finlay strongly suspects the killer is a cop, and she has two weeks to find out who he is. When the opportunity to attend a citizen's police academy comes, Vero and Finlay decide this may be their best chance--not only to find the killer, but also hide from the people after Vero. 

Finlay and Vero find themselves in several tight situations as expected, and seeing how they will get out of those situations is half the fun. I loved that the author found a way to include Finlay's nosy neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. She's quite the character. Then there is Finlay's ex, Steven. By the end of the last book, Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead, I had begun to think that Finlay's ex might have some redeeming qualities, but I am back to disliking him completely. I enjoyed seeing detective Nick and Finlay's relationship go to the next level. The parallels between Finlay's struggle to finish her novel and her relationship with Nick were a nice touch. 

Finding out the identity of the contract killer does not prove to be easy, although Vero and Finlay have a few ideas. Their efforts to find the killer are hampered by other crises that arise. My suspicions may have proved correct, but I enjoyed seeing how everything played out. 

While this book can be read as a stand alone, I do not recommend reading the books out of order. Each book builds on the other and, while the author does a good job of catching the reader up in a natural way, having the full backstory is part of fun of this series. 

There was plenty of action, humor, and a few moments of "what are you thinking?!" All the while I had a good time reading this book. I cannot get enough of this series. I enjoy spending time with the characters, and stepping into Finlay's world for a little while is a great escape. 

My TBR List is hosted by the awesome Michelle  at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and let you vote for my next read during that month. My review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise). 

Thank you to everyone who voted in my TBR List Poll this month! I am excited about reading all three of these and cannot wait to start reading the winner. 

Five of you voted for Jennifer Ashley's The Secret of Bow Lane and seven people voted for A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn. The Deep End by Julie Mulhern came out on top with eight votes! 

Thank you for voting!

This Past Week In Reading Mews

• Can't Wait to Read Wednesday: The Shadow of Perseus / Ana Takes Manhattan / The Radium Girls
• Where Is Your Bookmark: A Peek Into Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, Romance Reading & Other Bookish Thoughts

I hope you have a great week! 

Let me know what you  are up to and have been reading!

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