Thanks for sticking around, life has intervened in the posting/updating. Please keep checking back, when things settle down I’ll be back to blabbering on and on about books!
HAPPY BLOGAVERSARY TO US ! ! !
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Remember to turn your clocks ahead tonight!
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Happy 3rd Blogaversary
We’ve been kicking around here for 3 years now–had some mishaps and technical issues this summer 😦 but hope to see you with lots more books soon. Thanks for sticking around, enjoy your summer reading!!
Moonleapers by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Fun take on the usual time travel trope. Maisie’s mom bribes her to babysit with an old cell phone-her first phone! Maisie isn’t prepared for mysterious texts and what it reveals about the Moonleapers. Super fun and perfect for middle grade readers. Characters were well developed and interesting. I did think it was a bit too much info dump until it got started but the author tightened it all up and it made sense. The ending leaves a few loose ends that I hope means this will be a series. I was given a copy to read and share my thoughts. Obviously, I am NOT the target demographic for this book but Peterson has been a favorite of my kids since forever and she doesn’t disappoint with this one.
Them Bones by David Housewright
3 stars-this book was really good! A dinosaur skull is stolen and McKenzie is after the thieves in a page-turner of a mystery. The plot is basic with McKenzie helping a friend that turns into a full-on SITUATION! Housewright keeps it moving with lots of little details and characters that make it come alive; and who doesn’t enjoy a stolen dinosaur skull caper? The writing style is sparse so you don’t have to wade through fluff to get to the good parts. A solid 3 stars and an ‘OTTER’ read recommendation for book, series, and author. I was given a copy to read/share my thoughts.
Sex and Death on the Beach by Elaine Viets
Fans of Viets will enjoy it and it’s book one of a new series. I thought it was a bit convoluted but it was readable; also fair warning if you prefer ‘cleaner’ books. I just skipped over the problematic parts-did NOT make a difference to the plot. It was a good book for light summer reading. It’s very fluffy and frothy with lots of running around and drinking lovely things on the beach as murder ensues. I was given a copy to read/share my opinion.
I had read several Viets books back in the day and forgot how “sex and the city” they are–my tastes have changed and I didn’t enjoy this one that much. It was ok, and if you are a fan and don’t mind skipping parts, it’s the first of a new series.
One thing I did find odd was all the reviews comparing this to Carl Hiaasen-no. Not even close. The comparisons to Patricia Cornwall and Kathy Reichs, however were right on target. Both those authors are phoning it in with their last 5 or 6 books and ‘Sex and Death on the Beach’ feels the same. The author has a contract to push out X number of books so here is a new series using the same old formula. As I said way up at the top-fans will enjoy it, others may not want to expend the brain cells. I did appreciate #netgalley sending me the book but only 2 stars for this one.
I’ve got quite a few new books I was sent to read so stick around, those will be posting soon!!
SUMMER VACATION
The World’s Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully
When you want to be a great detective, you should learn from the world’s greatest detective. Olivia is an aspiring detective toiling away as an assistant for the most awesome Aubrey. The dynamic of mentor/mentee was well done and Tully gets the reader right into the relationship and the basis for the mystery to come.
The death of a big bucks socialite at her birthday party is quickly ruled a suicide and Aubrey agrees, but Olivia has her doubts. Can she put the clues together and solve the murder? It’s a cozy so of course she can!
The actual murder was easy to solve-for once I figured it out before the characters! It was fun but also frustrating. My main problems with the book were the characters and the dialogue. There were too many people in this book. I spent so much time flipping back and forth trying to remember who was who; way too many people to keep track of; I could see after I finished the book, what the author was going for in terms of red herrings and misdirection but it needed editing.
Also needing the big red pen of an editor was the dialogue. The characters didn’t speak like real people, everything was choppy and ran on and on. Much like the way I write! I do get it, dialogue is hard. Real people talk differently than characters on a page. It’s a tough thing to nail and in places it flowed really well.
Overall this was a good book and apparently the first in a new series. I will read the next one because there were some good bones in the story and Olivia and Aubrey are interesting characters-just hope author Tully trims the fat and tightens up the plot next time. 4 stars. I was given a copy (thank you NetGalley!) to read and share my thoughts.
The Little Ghost Who Was A Quilt by Riel Nason
10 stars. So cute and sweet. Lovely illustrations. Perfect little book for the child in your life that is unique and wonderful. This is a gift edition that releases today in a beautiful cover with gilded edges.  I had not read anything by Riel Nason before, but after reading this I spent a fun hour on her website looking at her other books and her quilts! I have quilted before, but nothing at Riel’s level. WOWZERS-definitely Google her and take a look.  I was given a copy of the book to read and share my thoughts and my recommendation is put The Little Ghost Who Was A Quilt at the top of your “OTTER” read list.
Lethal Prey by John Sandford
Lethal Prey by John Sandford Lucas Davenport #35/Virgil Flowers #16
3 stars. Tightly plotted, the characters are back to normal after the last book (Lettie-ugh). The story is about a 20-year-old cold case that is re-opend and Lucas & Virgil are in the middle of it. The victim’s twin sister faces her own mortality and wants closure on her sister’s murder. I enjoyed the plot and how all the clues seem so weird and not connected until they suddenly do. The $5 million reward draws both crazy people and ALL the true crime bloggers & podcasters. This turns into a fun ride through modern day policing with our heroes using the true crime folks to aid their investigation. Basically, it is your usual Lucas/Virgil story and definitely back up to the usual standards of both series. I was given a copy to read/share my thoughts.
Big Otter Books 