I read 28 books in July 2024 and here are my favorites of the month.

When I Was Alice by Jennifer Murgia –I read this book in one day! 21 year old Grace Brighton is beside herself with worry for her brother as he lies in a coma after a car accident. One night in desperation she climbs the famous Hollywood sign to make a wish for his recovery. Grace, though, loses her footing and falls, only to wake up in 1953 Hollywood. Fans of historical mysteries mixed with time travel should scoop this up. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the book as Grace unraveled a sinister side to the movie making business. I wasn’t sure who she should trust and there is a nail-biting scene towards the end. I don’t want to give any spoilers away, but just know that you will find stellar writing, an intricate and captivating plot and a main character to root for. 

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore – There’s a lot of buzz about this book and the buzz is well deserved! What a strong mystery, perfect for summer. “When a teenager vanishes from her Adirondack summer camp, two worlds collide. As a panicked search begins, a thrilling drama unfolds.” I usually avoid books with missing kids but something about the reviews drew me to this book and I am so glad I picked it up. I read it quickly, needing to have resolution to both the mysteries from the past and present stories. The language is beautiful and the setting of the woods in summer time made this the perfect read. It’s a bit creepy as there are some very awful people, but others are wonderful and watching how first impressions can change and true character unfold was fascinating.

Requiem for a Mouse (Cat in the Stacks Mystery, #16) by Miranda James – If cozy mysteries are your thing and you haven’t picked up this series, go now and do so. If you’ve never tried a cozy mystery and want to escape the real world for a while, grab this series. While this entry, the newest, could be read as a stand alone, don’t deny yourself the joy of reading the first 15 in the series. This is one of my most favorite cozy mystery series. This entry was perhaps my favorite of all. The mystery was unique and not a straightforward mystery – there were layers that made the case fascinating to piece together. All the cozy details were there, which I adore. I wish I could spend a day with librarian Charlie and his cat Diesel. 

A Very Woodsy Murder (Golden Motel Mystery, #1) Ellen Byron – Sitcom writer Dee Stern and her best friend Jeff (who happens to be her first ex-husband) leave city life behind and become the new owners of a mid-century motel that has its fair share of cobwebs. They dream of the Golden Motel becoming a hiker’s oasis as it is nestled into the wilderness and in the shadow of a national park.The quaint village of Foundgold, population 68, is the only nearby town, and townsfolk are hesitant to welcome these newcomers, especially after their very first guest (TV writer Michael Adam Baker) is found murdered on Golden Motel property. Guess who is on the top of the suspect list? You know it’s Dee and Jeff. Oh my gosh this was just so much fun. First of all, I’m a big fan of Ellen Byron’s writing. I love her work and this new novel did not disappoint. I was immediately pulled into the setting as the descriptions brought the hotel, small town and surrounding wilderness to life. And some scenes are laugh-out-loud funny. (No spoilers, but just wait until you learn about Stoney the Bear…I’m still giggling).

One of You (A Tower Grove District Mystery, #2) by Lorie Lewis Ham – This was such a great read for so many reasons! First, the mystery itself was well thought out and plotted. I loved following along as Roxi and her PI cousin Stephen investigated the murder, especially as they found themselves uncovering all sorts of information that led to many twists and turns. I had my guesses, but was never sure until the end, which, as someone who reads a lot of mysteries, I love it when I’m stumped! That the mystery was set around Halloween added another layer of enjoyment. I enjoyed (despite the murder) the idea of the Mysteryfest and the other activities created to attract folks to the festival. Authors, readers and theater people blend seamlessly together in my mind and it was fun to see that reflected on the page. The foggy weather of the Tower District in the fall made for an excellent setting.