Here are the titles I gave five stars this month. A list of all the titles I read this month is at the end of this post. This month I read 26 books in total, including 13 on audio. It was a delightful reading month, which I appreciated as both kids were sick at different times this month. I appreciated the bookish escapes. 

Tell me – what have you read that you enjoyed?

The Village Library Demon Hunting Society by CM Waggoner

When I read in the publisher blurb that this new mystery/fantasy was a “mix of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Murder, She Wrote” I immediately put it at the top of my to-be-read stack. This was SO much fun. See my full review at KRL News & Reviews. 

All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories: A Stagecoach Mary Fields Collection by Leslie Budewitz

This title brings together three short stories (originally published in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine), and a novella, all exploring the life of “Stagecoach Mary” Fields. These carefully researched and richly detailed pieces of historical fiction are based on Mary’s life in Montana in the late 1800s. I could not put this collection down, and was totally immersed thanks to the details and storytelling. I would look up and find myself surprised to be sitting in the car pick-up line at school and not out on the frontier of Montana. The ending is beautiful and satisfying, and while I closed the book a while ago, Mary will stay with me for a long time. See my full review at KRL News & Reviews. 

A Scandal in Mayfair by Katharine Schellman

I’ve been a fan of Katharine Schellman’s Lily Adler Mysteries since book one, A Body in the Garden, released in April 2020. Book five, the newest book in this historical mystery series, A Scandal in Mayfair is a page-turning delight. For readers who enjoy audiobooks, I can also recommend these titles in audio format. See my full review at Kings River Life Magazine. 

Murder Among the Pyramids by Sara Rosett

Sara Rosett is the author of the High Society Lady Detective series, which I thoroughly enjoy, so when I saw she had a new historical mystery coming out I was excited to get my hands on a copy. I alternated between print and audio. This was true armchair travel, as I could easily visualize the setting. I did not have a guess as to the murderer ahead of time and enjoyed the classic murder mystery feel of the story. Fans of historical mysteries shouldn’t wait to get their hands on this new book.

What Time the Sexton’s Spade Doth Rust by Alan Bradley

Oh, Flavia, I had missed you so much! I started reading the Flavia de Luce mysteries by Alan Bradley when they first came out in 2009 and read all of them as they were published. Set in 1950s England the series features a precocious motherless 11-year old named Flavia. Flavia is fascinated with chemistry and death, and she bicycles around the town of Bishop’s Lacey from her family’s ancient country house, Buckshaw. Book 10, The Golden Tresses of the Dead came out in 2019 and after that I wasn’t sure when or if we’d get a new one. And this newest entry did not disappoint. And this newest entry did not disappoint the perfect combination of cozy, mysterious and funny. The writing is stunning. All my favorite characters were back and there were some serious jaw dropping moments. I do so hope we get more from Flavia. If you haven’t read this series, you must start with book one! 

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

I’m late to the party when it comes to reading this series, but I’m SO glad my 13-almost-14 year old pressed this in my hands. And on audio with a full cast – YES! My heart was pounding as I listened and I came up with every possible chore to do that allowed for listening time. Can’t wait to listen to book two.

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

I did not think I would be into a book about a werewolf and a vampire but oh my goodness I was. I inhaled this spicy read and was so annoyed when I had to put it down. If romance/fantasy is your thing and you haven’t read this, go now. If you don’t enjoy open door romances, do not pick this up. Whew.

Murder, She Wrote: A Killer Christmas by Terrie F Moran

Murder, She Wrote stories (both the TV show and the books) are my favorite comfort reads, and this latest entry (number 59!) was a festive five star read! If you’re looking for a mystery to put you in the holiday spirit, look no further. I also grabbed this one on audio from the library and it was a delight to my ears.

Where the Light Shines Through by Kathleen Bailey

Little hooks in a book’s “about” blurb get me every time, and when I saw that this title (book one in the Olivia Penn Mysteries) was recommended for fans of Clue and Nancy Drew, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. This is a mysterious treat for sure and now I’m anxious to read books two-four.

A Dead Giveaway by Joy Patrick

What an entertaining read! This was my first in the Magnolia Manor series and while this read easily as a standalone, I enjoyed it so much that I’ve added the previous titles to my TBR. And I was certainly impressed that there were not one, but two mysteries contained in this novel! Joy’s skill as a writer shines as she gets a lot in this shorter mystery without overwhelming readers. The humor and tension mix perfectly and kept me turning the pages. I would have read this in one sitting if adulting hadn’t got in the way.

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive by Michele P Wacek

I was immediately drawn into the story (I love so much getting to start at the beginning of a series). Michele does a great job introducing the characters (I’m a new reader of Michele’s work) and describing the setting. There are mysterious moments as the newly established detective agency takes on their first case, and those moments are blended perfectly with great humor and wonderful dialogue. This is my first read from Michele and when I saw that it was a spin-off from another series by her (the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series), I immediately downloaded book one in that series. (The Murder Before Christmas: A twisty cozy mystery, only .99 cents when I downloaded!) 

The rest of the books I read this month include:  

• A Pie to Die For by Gretchen Rue
• A Death of Fresh Air by Helen Golden
• Study Guide for Murder by Lori Robbins
• Murder on the Page by Daryl Wood Gerber
• Diners, Drive ins and Lies by Misty Simon
• Silence Says the Most by Kathleen Bailey
• Death at the Old Curiosity Shop by Debbie Young
• Daughter of Ruins by Yvette M Corporon
• The Secret Keeper of Main Street by Trisha R. Thomas
• The Girl in the Castle by Santa Montefiore
• Murder at the Piccadilly Playhouse by CJ Archer
• Murder in the Drawing Room by CJ Archer
• Murder Under a Cold Moon by Abigail Keam
• Liz’s Road Trip by Bernadette Marie
• Enchanted to Meet You by Meg Cabot