It was a fun, mysterious reading month this August! I read 30 books this month, 10 of them audiobooks and so many mysteries. Tell me what you’ve read and loved this month.

Lost Coast Literary by Ellie Alexander is a stand alone gem of a novel just perfect for booklovers. I listened to this and loved every magical minute. Book editor Emily Bryant finds herself unexpectedly in the charming town of Cascata on California’s Lost Coast, holding the keys to her estranged grandmother’s rambling Victorian mansion. Emily learns her grandmother has left her estate to Emily, but Emily must first edit old manuscripts to inherit the estate. Emily quickly realizes that there’s something different about these manuscripts. Any changes she makes come true. At first Emily thinks this is the best way she can help people, but some changes backfire and Emily finds herself in a bit of a mess. This is a family story with magical elements that every booklover wants to believe can truly happen. The writing is vivid and heartwarming. This is a book to hug for sure. 

It’s Elementary by Elise Bryant – this is such a funny, clever mystery. If you liked the Finlay Donovan mysteries and the Class Mom series, be sure to grab this one. Bryant captures the balancing act that is motherhood perfectly, especially in those early elementary years. I was laughing so hard at moments that are seriously relatable. Mavis Miller has a full plate – parenting her seven-year old daughter Pearl and working tirelessly at a nonprofit, only to be overlooked when promotions roll around. Somehow, though, Mavis caves to Trisha Holbrook, the long-reigning, slightly terrifying PTA president, and finds herself in charge of the school’s brand-new DEI committee. As one of the few Black parents at this California elementary school, Mavis tries to convince herself this is an opportunity for real change. That first PTA meeting is anything but normal–the new principal announces a plan that leaves Trisha absolutely furious. Later that night, when Mavis spies Trisha in yellow rubber gloves and booties, lugging cleaning supplies and giant black trash bags to her waiting minivan, it’s only natural that her mind jumps to murder, right? I could not love this more. Funny and thoughtful and mysterious –  it was a joy to read from the very start to the very end. I am secretly hoping for adventures with Mavis

A Murder at the Movies by Ellie Alexander – book two in A Secret Bookcase Mystery series. I could not stop turning the pages.. The setting is beautiful and felt like true arm-chair travel. I’m adding Redwood Grove to my list of fictional places I’d like to visit. I enjoyed how multi-layered the  mystery was and the plot twists kept me guessing until the end. While the murder mystery is resolved, the mystery of Annie’s friend’s murder carries through both, and this entry has a cliff-hanger that had me gasping in shock!

Buried on a Sundae by Lena Gregory – book four in the Coffee & Cream Café Mystery series. Excellent writing, a wonderful blend of mystery, humor and romance, and mouth-watering descriptions of ice cream and waffles make this a wonderful cozy mystery. I am a fan! My only “issue” with this series is that it makes me want to eat ice cream, but let’s be real…that’s not really a bad thing, is it?! 

A Christmas Gift for the East End Library Girls by Patricia McBride – I absolutely adored this heartwarming work of historical fiction. If you loved The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan or The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Bradley, this is a work of historical fiction you must pick up. This was my first entry into the series and I had no issues following along. I read this in one sitting and it was fun to escape to Christmas in London while it was a billion degrees in my real life. The story features such strong characters even in the face of the hardships of war–you can’t help but admire them. And while they face those hardships, they also make the best of what they have. They are creative and thoughtful and there for each other in the face of the ups and downs of life. It’s a gentle, character driven story that I could not put down and I was sorry when it ended. 

Murder at Mistlethwaite Manor  by AJ Skelly – when I sat down to read this page-turning mystery I could not stop reading! I read this in one giant gulp, ignoring everyone and everything around me (let’s all pretend we don’t see those big dust bunnies in the corner). This locked room mystery kicks off almost right away, and hold onto your hats, because it is a wild, mysterious ride with murder almost around every corner. Similar in plot structure to the movie Clue, but with a more serious vibe. The winter/Christmas time setting and being trapped by a snowstorm added to the drama of the story. There was also a little bit of romance here for our Emma Grace and it mixed perfectly with the mystery. Such an entertaining reading for fans of historical mysteries!