We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

 I love The Thursday Murder Club series, but when I read that Richard Osman was releasing a new series, I was skeptical that it could be as good. Boy, was I ever wrong to doubt him!

Amy Wheeler is a bodyguard for a private security company. Her current assignment, guarding bestselling author Rosie D'Antonio from a Russian oligarch out to kill her, is a challenging one. Rosie is a free spirit, and when Amy is forced to kill a man, Rosie puts her considerable resources into finding out who is behind multiple murders aimed at framing Amy. With few people she can trust, Amy turns to her retired police detective father-in-law, Steve, to assist her and Rosie. Together, the trio begins following clues while trying to outsmart a hired assassin hot on their trail.

Following in the vein of The Thursday Murder Club series, Osman uses older characters to help solve murders, showing that retired individuals are just as intelligent and resourceful as their younger counterparts. Handled with humor and fast pacing, the story unwinds quickly as the trio spans the globe in search of answers. I loved the characters, especially Rosie, and I can't wait to read more about them. 

5/5 stars.

For more information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Man in Black: And Other Stories by Elly Griffiths

 

I'm not usually a fan of short stories - right when I get into them, they end - but I am a fan of Elly Griffiths, and I was delighted with this collection.

There is something for everyone in this collection - cozy mysteries, ghost stories, and, of course, murder mysteries. Being a fan of Griffiths's Ruth Galloway series, I was pleased to see her featured in some stories. The character Harbinder Kaur even makes an appearance! I also liked how the characters featured in one story appear in passing in another. Stories written from the vantage point of an animal do not appeal to me, but Griffiths won me over with a story told by Ruth's cat, Flint. Overall, I was very pleased with this collection. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Mariner Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is October 15, 2024.

For more information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Last Word by Elly Griffiths

 

Although this is billed as a Harbinder Kaur book, the detective has a supporting role, with the three characters from The Postscript Murders again taking center stage. Not that that is a bad thing—I love those characters—but I would have preferred more Harbinder.

When author Melody Chambers dies, her daughters, sure she was murdered by their step-father, employ detectives Naatalka and Edwin to discover the truth. An unlikely duo, 30-something Ukranian-born Natalka and eight-four-year-old Edwin, had successfully solved the murder of their friend, Peggy, a few years earlier. Suspecting there is a link between Melody's death and the death of an obituary writer, Edwin goes undercover with Benedict, Natalka's life partner, at a writer's retreat. No sooner do they arrive when one of the attendees mysteriously dies. Up to their eyeballs in murder victims and suspects, the trio begin sifting through the evidence with some help from Detective Harbinder Kaur and the local constabulary. Unfortunately, their activities have put them in the crosshairs of the murderer. It's now a race against time with their lives in jeopardy.

I love Natalka, Edwin, and Benedict and thoroughly enjoyed them in The Postscript Murders. This time, the complicated plot isn't as intriguing as in The Postscript Murders. The Last Word isn't as fast-paced or humorous either, but its twists and character interaction are first-rate. I would have preferred Harbinder's presence, as she is another excellent character. This is another good book from Elly Griffiths.

 4/5 stars.

For more information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Don't Let the Devil Ride by Ace Atkins

 I agree that this book compares favorably to the works of S.A. Cosby and Don Winslow. This noir crime novel bursting with colorful characters, intrigue, and action.

Addison McKeller has a beautiful home in an exclusive Memphis suburb, two beautiful children, and a husband with a flourishing international construction company. However, everything is in peril when her husband, Dean, disappears. Getting no response from the local police to her missing person report, Addison hires renowned private investigator Porter Hayes to find Dean. When Hayes begins digging, he uncovers some troubling details about Dean that will rock Addison's world. Not only is Dean living a lie, but he is also associated with some shady dealings involving dangerous figures that put all their lives in danger. Can Hayes find Dean and untangle the lies he has woven in time to save the family? It's a race against time, and lives are at stake.

This is an atmospheric novel that is fast-paced and contains a complex plot. The writing is crisp, and the dialogue is snappy. The subplots tie in nicely with the main storyline, and although I felt the ending was a bit rushed, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. If you enjoy Southern noir stories, I think you will enjoy this book. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 25, 2024.

For more information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

I admit it: the title grabbed me, but the story kept me engaged. Although the title could indicate a time travel book, instead, it is a cleverly plotted whodunit.

Frances, Rose, and Emily are best friends. In 1965, they were at a fair in the English hamlet of Castle Knoll when Frances has her fortune told--one that predicts she will be murdered. She spends the rest of her life trying to find out what happened to Emily, who disappeared soon after the fair and trying to prevent her own murder. Unfortunately, she fails at both.

Flash forward to the present day. Annie Adams, Frances's great-niece, is summoned to Castle Knoll because Frances has changed her will and named Annie the prime beneficiary, which is odd because they have never met. Upon arrival, Annie and others designated in Frances's will find Frances murdered at her country estate. In a letter from beyond the grave, Frances pits the three most interested parties to her vast estate against each other: whoever solves her murder gets it all.

This book was a page-turner for me. It is an imaginative, well-written story with twists and interesting characters, especially Annie and Frances. The subplot of Emily's disappearance moved the story along, and the past, as recounted in Frances's journal, made me wonder how the disappearance and murder were connected. It is apparent that the author is not finished with Annie and company, and I look forward to the next book in this new series. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Dutton, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The publication date is March 26, 2024.

For more information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble