Category: Mystery

VERONICA RUIZ BREAKS THE BANK by Elle Cosimano (Audiobook)

1/27/2025

Read by Stacy Gonzalez.
#3.5 - Finlay Donovan

The Vero-focused novel was available immediately after the third Finlay book and I seized upon it. It was a VERY quick read giving the backstory that leads to Vero becoming part of Finlay's world. Veronica is so brash, so ballsy in the Finlay books and it's great to see the build of that. Not that she was ever a shrinking violet. Cosimano sets her up for the start as a ballbuster. It plays a little bit into the feel of a comedic heist which, as I've mentioned before, is one of my favorite genres. Also, I love a good backstory. It's wonderful to "meet" a character we've known for a few stories and find out more about their world.

4.5/5

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FINLAY DONOVAN JUMPS THE GUN by Elle Cosimano (Audiobook)

1/27/2025

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Read by Angela Dawe.
#3 - Finlay Donovan

I was fortunate to pick up book three so soon after finishing book two. The carryover from the previous novels regarding the Russian mob is fun to see and of course, Finlay is trying to handle her love life, encouraged by Vero. The pair signs up for police training, trying to gain protection while simultaneously finding themselves in further danger. Not to mention that Finlay has been trying to take care of her kids at the same time - no easy feat. I have to say it - Finlay is starting to climb up to the Gamache and de Luce level, though I don't think she'll quite reach it. Still, she's such a delightfully relatable protagonist that one can't help but root for her. Cosimano's writing is easy, light, and fun.

4.5/5

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WHAT TIME THE SEXTON'S SPADE DOTH RUST by Alan Bradley (Print)

1/26/2025

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#11 - Flavia de Luce

As with Inspector Gamache, Alan Bradley's Flavia de Luce is another favorite detective of mine. Set in mid-20th century England, Flavia is a young girl in love with chemistry and she has a cheek that is all her own. I am not best pleased by the growing prominence of her cousin Undine but I cannot deny that she provides an excellent foil now that Ophelia and Daphne (Flavia's older sisters) are not so much in the picture. The manservant, Dogger, is always a welcome character and of course, Mrs. Mullet, who finds herself in the center of the turmoil this time. It was actually kind of nice learn more of Mrs. Mullet. I also appreciated a grand surprise in this tale (no spoilers, of course). Overall, though, not my favorite Flavia novel.

4.25/5

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FINLAY DONOVAN KNOCKS 'EM DEAD by Elle Cosimano (Audiobook)

1/24/2025

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Read by Angela Dawe.
#2 - Finlay Donovan

As much as I want to hate Finlay's ex, Steven, I just can't - which is the point of this novel. Cosimano has set up Steven to be a villain in book one but we get to see more of the man here and he becomes more fleshed out. We also get more of some of Finlay's love interests which I am here for. I have to also shout out Sylvia, Finlay's agent, who is just a classic broad. In fact, she reminds me of Estelle, Joey's agent from Friends. I love the way that Finlay just ends up in the middle of chaos through very little action of her own. She and Vero are a great sleuthing team. Really enjoying this series.

4.5/5

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FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT by Elle Cosimano (Audiobook)

1/15/2025

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Read by Angela Dawe.
#1 - Finlay Donovan

I picked this up because of another recently read list and I'm glad I did. I really enjoy a fun mystery and this delivered. Finlay Donovan is a reluctant sleuth/murderess and Cosimano's style is fun and quirky. I like Finlay's relationship with Vero and the hijinks they get up to remind me of one of my favorite genres of film: the comedic heist. Not to mention, there's a healthy dose of romantic interest in the form of attractive men, which is never a bad thing. Cosimano is also good at keeping the lines of good and bad lightly drawn so that characters may accidentally (or on purpose) erase parts of the line with their movements. Definitely a fun start to the series.

4.5/5

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BUTTER by Asako Yuzuki (Audiobook)

1/13/2025

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Translated by Polly Barton.
Read by Hanako Footman.

I wanted to like this more than I did. It was on a friend's recently read list and rated relatively highly so I thought I would pick it up. It never quite achieved the mystery element I thought it was going for. It has more of an Inventing Anna feel to It and I wasn't sure quite what the message of the novel was. I was sympathetic to both Rika and Kajii but I never really understood their relationship or what Kajii really wanted from Raki. I liked some of the descriptions which is good because they took prominence over the story itself. Overall, it was well-written and I'm glad I read it.

4/5

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THE GREY WOLF by Louise Penny (Print)

1/8/2025

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#19 - Inspector Gamache

Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series is one of my favorites to read and I eagerly await each succeeding novel. While this certainly did not disappoint, the ending was not wholly satisfying and I am on tenterhooks until the next novel is released. It's amazing how Penny has managed to craft a serial while keeping an over-arcing path for Gamache throughout. In this, THE GREY WOLF, Penny introduces yet another potential villain (they're almost always potential - Penny is adept at creating characters that are neither wholly good nor evil) and Gamache must face more of his past to rescue and retain humanity. The only complaint I have is that I always want more of the people of Three Pines. It seems that Gamache is wandering farther from home with each novel. Like Jessica Fletcher, I know not all murders cannot happen in Cabot Cove but I do wish we could return there more often and check in with the locals. Penny has created such a wonderful cast of characters and I miss them. Still, THE GREY WOLF is the 19th in a wonderful series that never seems to droop.

5/5

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VERONICA RUIZ BREAKS THE BANK by Elle Cosimano (Audiobook)

FINLAY DONOVAN JUMPS THE GUN by Elle Cosimano (Audiobook)

WHAT TIME THE SEXTON'S SPADE DOTH RUST by Alan Bradley (Print)

FINLAY DONOVAN KNOCKS 'EM DEAD by Elle Cosimano (Audiobook)

FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT by Elle Cosimano (Audiobook)

BUTTER by Asako Yuzuki (Audiobook)

THE GREY WOLF by Louise Penny (Print)

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