thecosymoose's reviews
66 reviews

Death in the Arctic by Tom Hindle

mysterious tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

"Airborne A-holes" was the subtitle that I invented for this book and it got stuck in my head whilst reading. Some really insufferable characters are onboard an experimental flight on an airship up to the North Pole, being tested before commercial flights can begin. When one passenger is found dead, I was disappointed that it wasn't the most obnoxious. It's soon suspected that the death wasn't accidental or natural, but as the passengers are in a confined space and miles away from anywhere, tensions ramp up and everyone starts to suspect each other. I love that Tom Hindle has created characters that provide strong reactions, and I really did enjoy this new take on a locked room mystery, and couldn't stop reading it, despite hating everyone!

Date with Mystery by Julia Chapman

4.0

The third in the Dales Detective series, opens with a death (by natural causes), leading Samson O'Brien and Delilah Metcalfe digging around in the past - a past that people are desperate to keep hidden. I'm really enjoying re-reading this series - it's like hanging out with old friends. Samson and Delilah complement each other perfectly and the Yorkshire backdrop and weather are just as important as the story's characters. Julia Chapman has created such a wonderful community, I love spending time with them.

The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder by C.L. Miller

adventurous informative mysterious

Debut novel from C L Miller. I was expecting a gentle cosy mystery, and that’s how it started out. Protagonist Freya Lockwood is called back to where she grew up, as her Aunt Carole’s best friend, Arthur Crockleford, has been found dead. 

What starts out with a dead body in a village antiques shop leads to uncovering a massive international black market antiques operation. In doing so, Freya rediscovered her independence and strength and begins to rebuild her life post-marriage. Now the joint owner of Crockleford Antiques with Aunt Carole, Freya also decides to return to investigating missing antiques; work that she used to do decades ago with Arthur, before they became estranged.

A solid and ambitious debut, setting up the series for much bigger things. I enjoyed reading it, and loved the characters. 

Murder in Verona by T.A. Williams

lighthearted mysterious

4.0

Are we even in Italy if there aren't fast cars and opera? Contacted by a late Italian opera star's mother, convinced her son's fatal traffic accident was murder, retired detective Dan Armstrong heads to Verona to investigate, and is caught up in a plot worthy of an opera itself, with very dramatic characters and secret affairs. Another enjoyable trip - one day I will actually get to Italy myself, but in the mean time, I'll live vicariously through T A Williams wonderful mysteries. 

Murder in Portofino by T.A. Williams

mysterious

4.0

The trip around Italy continues, and retired detective Dan Armstrong's dreams of a writing career are put on the back burner as his new career as a private detective is going from strength to strength. In this adventure, he's called upon to investigate the disappearance of a teacher, and finds himself in the glamorous and murky world of the yacht-set in Portofino. A lovely dose of sunshine to banish the mid-winter blues. 

A Little Bird Told Me by Rachael Gray

lighthearted mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A

5.0

What a debut! Just when you think you've read every type of cosy mystery going, Rachael Gray comes along and pulls the rug from under you. 
A Little Bird Told Me reads like a traditional English Village cosy mystery, set in modern day but with an old-school feel, as psychologist Laurel Nightingale moves to the village of Elderwick in North Yorkshire. Along with the quirky characters and hidden secrets, there's an eerie feel to the village, and while the main mystery is solved by the end of the book, you feel that there is a lot more to uncover. 
A wonderful debut novel that surprises, leaves you satisfied but makes you want more.

I read this for the first time last year, but with the audiobook newly out, narrated by Imogen Church, I had to give it another listen, and it stands up well to re-reads. 

The Garden Club Murders by Jonathan Whitelaw

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

The Bingo Hall Detectives are back for a fourth adventure! After an evening out in Manchester with her fellow bingo players, Amita Khatri returns home, hungover as heck and without her mobile.
Unable to deal with being cut off, she picks up a used phone from a contact dealing goods from his allotment shed, and starts getting worrying messages, sent to the phone’s previous owner.
Amita Khatri is a pensioner, fond of sparkly shell suits, and known as the Sheriff of Penrith. Living with her daughter, Radha, and her family – freelance journalist Jason and their two children – she has been involved in solving a number of crimes in the local area, dragging her hapless son-in-law into the escapades.
The messages on the new phone worry Amita, and once again convinces Jason to help investigate. Soon they are on the case of two missing men – one an academic IT lecturer and researcher, the other his shady-sounding business partner. Unwilling to go to the police initially, they recruit the irrascible former DI Frank Alby, a bundle of rage and anger, now retired to a life of meditation. Meeting back up with Jason and Amita, no amount of meditation is going to temper his irritable nature – they’ve crossed paths before in previous adventures, and Amita has to use all her persuasive powers to get him involved with them again.
What follows is a fun chaotic investigation with wonderfully drawn characters, and there are many laugh out loud moments. Amita is such a brilliant character, a real force of nature – a detecting whirlwind who drags everyone along in her wake, regardless if she’s even going in the right direction. As always, the characters are brilliantly and sharply written. I just love the relationship between Amita and Jason – they’re a fabulous team.
Just don’t ask what happened in Manchester.
Thank you to the author, Harper North and Netgalley for the advanced eARC for review

Murder on the Italian Riviera by T.A. Williams

lighthearted mysterious

4.0

In the 7th book in the Armstrong and Oscar cosy mystery series, former police chief and now private detective Dan Armstrong is contacted by someone who he once helped to jail - Bianca Moretti. A body is found at the resort run by her father and while the police have filed it as an accident, Bianca and her father aren't so sure. 

Dan takes the job and finds himself trying to solve a murder in a naturist resort, with a very excitable Labrador by his side. Are the resort guests everything they seem? And who exactly was the victim? Murder on the Italian Riviera is a fun mystery, the sunny climes just what we need to brighten up a dreary wintery day. I'm totally sucked into this series, and very excited that another has been published today (2nd February) to extend my reading a little longer! 

Date with Malice by Julia Chapman

funny lighthearted mysterious

5.0

Continuing my re-read of the Dales Detective series, Date with Malice is the 2nd of the series, and quite possibly one of my favourites (although that's like choosing a favourite child!). A resident of the local retirement complex is convinced someone is trying to kill her her, and tries to hire detective Samson O'Brien, who isn't convinced. 

And then she's found dead, and fellow residents are convinced the manager is up to no good, and Samson ropes in the help of Delilah Metcalfe to solve the case. 

I love the shenanigans of the Bruncliffe pensioners, who show that age hasn't diminished their core of Yorkshire grit. The whole series is full of the most wonderful characters who I just love spending time with. A perfect cosy mystery with genuine laugh out loud moments. 

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

emotional reflective

4.0

Following a bad break up, Takako finds herself going to stay with her Uncle Satoru who runs a second hand bookshop in Jinbōchō, Tokyo - a neighbourhood full of bookshops. 

I struggled to connect with Takako at first, I found it hard to relate to her lack of interest in books! Jinbōchō sounds like my idea of heaven, and an ideal place to go and heal, especially if you're given use of an apartment rent-free! But, Takako does heal, and even discovers the joy of reading - losing yourself in a book can be powerful. 

The second half of the book deals with Uncle Satoru, and his relationship with his wife, Momoko, who has left him, but reappears out of the blue. Taking a trip together, Takako and Momoko bond and learn more about each other and why Mokoko left., and why she has now returned. 

A wonderful quiet book about connections - while it took me a while to warm to the main character, I did feel it a worthwhile read.