Seven books for March, plus I listened to Sunrise on the Reaping twice. This is much less than usual for me; I blame the anomaly on my obsession with re-watching all 15 seasons of ER because of the new show The Pitt.

I re-listened to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows because of Kierra Lewis finishing the series.

Favorite: Sunrise on the Reaping (will be reading again soon)

• Once for Yes Allie Millington ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Homicide in the Indian Hills (A Jane Wunderly Mystery #6) Erica Ruth Neubauer ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7) J.K. Rowling ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Case of the Christie Conspiracy (The Detection Club, #1) Kelly Oliver ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Spellman Files (The Spellmans, #1) Lisa Lutz ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Psycho (Psycho, #1) Robert Bloch ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games #0.5) Suzanne Collins ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Our favorite newlywed sleuth, Jane Wunderly, is back; this time traveling through India with her husband, the ever-enigmatic spy, Redvers. Set against the backdrop of growing resistance to British colonial rule, this installment is rich with intrigue, political tensions, and characters with compelling motives.

As someone with several friends and colleagues from India, I appreciate historical fiction that offers a deeper cultural context. Even though this is a mystery, it provides an engaging glimpse into the era’s complexities. Jane and Redvers continue to be a dynamic investigative duo, and I love how emotionally connected I feel to their characters. I can’t wait to see where their next adventure takes them!

The audiobook experience was elevated by Sarah Zimmerman’s outstanding narration. Her voice is perfectly suited to the role, bringing both depth and charm to the story.

Special thanks to @netgalley and RBMedia for providing a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Allie Millington has done it again, weaving a heartfelt story where an inanimate object plays a crucial role in helping a child/family in distress. This time, the focal point is The Odenburgh, an old building on the verge of demolition to make way for a sleek, modern replacement. For 11-year-old Prue, the fight to save her home becomes intertwined with a deeper, more personal quest; to uncover the truth about her sister’s tragic death a year earlier at the age of 12.

Prue’s imagination shines throughout the book, particularly in the way she interprets people’s moods as weather patterns. This unique perspective adds depth to her character and makes her emotions feel vividly real.

The audiobook narration, performed by Sophie Amoss and Johnny Heller, is exceptional. Both narrators bring their characters to life with heartfelt emotion, enhancing the storytelling experience.

Millington’s first novel, Olivetti, was my favorite book last year. I even attended an author event to meet her and enthusiastically recommended it to others, gifting copies to friends and family. Her signature blend of empathy and humor is truly refreshing, and Once for Yes only cements her place as a must-read author for me. I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

Thanks to @NetGalley & RBMedia for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Finlay, Vero, and the ever-grumpy Mrs. Haggerty are back in another wild, laugh-out-loud mystery. It’s rare for a series to maintain its momentum five books in, but Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave might just be the most fun yet. By this point, Finlay and Vero feel less like characters and more like old friends; chaotic, crime-adjacent friends, but friends nonetheless.

This time, Mrs. Haggerty finds herself in a bit of a predicament when a dead body turns up in her backyard. With her home now an active crime scene, she strong-arms her way into crashing in Finlay’s bedroom. But things take a suspicious turn when Finlay starts noticing Mrs. Haggerty’s odd nighttime outings and her suddenly frequent book club meetings. Naturally, hijinks (and trouble) ensue.

One of the highlights of this book is how Mrs. Haggerty helps Finlay’s son grow up a bit—offering tough love in a way only she can. As always, this series shines in its portrayal of women supporting each other through every twist, turn, and crime scene life throws their way.

Angela Dawe delivers another fantastic audiobook performance, bringing each character to life with her signature flair.

A huge thanks to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Loose Lips
By Kemper Donovan
Ghostwriter Mystery #2
What an absolute delight of a sequel to The Busy Body! Kemper Donovan, an avid Agatha Christie fan (and one of my favorite podcasters), seamlessly weaves a charming homage to Death on the Nile while delivering another brilliant mystery.

This time, our beloved ghostwriter (writing under the pen name Belle) embarks on an almost entirely female cruise, where she’s not only teaching writing workshops but also mingling with authors of various genres. The witty banter and engaging personalities on board had me laughing out loud more times than I could count.

A huge shoutout to Eva Kaminsky, the audiobook narrator, whose performance is pitch-perfect. I was thrilled to hear her return from the first book, she really brings the story to life with her dynamic voice.

Thank you to @netgalley and RBMedia for providing me with a copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Published Jan 21, 2025

27 books (all audiobooks)
16 re-reads
Still not in the mood for much besides what I already know.
Ended up at 251 for the year, which is less than last year but that’s fine.

• Appointment with Death (Hercule Poirot, #19) Agatha Christie ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding (Hercule Poirot, #37) Agatha Christie ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Three Blind Mice and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot, #30; Miss Marple, #2.2) Agatha Christie ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Murder on the Christmas Express Alexandra Benedict ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret Benjamin Stevenson ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Black Coffee (Hercule Poirot, #7.5) Charles Osborne ⭐️ ⭐️
• Murder Lost and Found (Sophie Sayers #7) Debbie Young ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Murder at the Mill (Sophie Sayers #6) Debbie  Young ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Springtime for Murder (Sophie Sayers #5) Debbie  Young ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas Dr. Seuss ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Westing Game Ellen Raskin ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• A Dying Fall (Ruth Galloway, #5) Elly Griffiths ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The House at Sea’s End (Ruth Galloway, #3) Elly Griffiths ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Janus Stone (Ruth Galloway, #2) Elly Griffiths ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Crossing Places (Ruth Galloway, #1) Elly Griffiths ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Secrets of a Scottish Isle (Jane Wunderly, #5) Erica Ruth Neubauer ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Murder Under the Mistletoe (Jane Wunderly Mysteries #4.5) Erica Ruth Neubauer ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Answer Is No Fredrik Backman ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Hatchet (Brian’s Saga, #1) Gary Paulsen ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Holmes, Miss Marple  Poe Investigations James  Patterson ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The House of Cross (Alex Cross, #33) James  Patterson ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Rivals (Claudia Lin, #2) Jane Pek ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Christmas Eve Murders Noelle Albright ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Christmas Guest Peter Swanson ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night (New Hercule Poirot Mysteries, #5) Sophie Hannah ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Tommyknockers Stephen  King ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

22 books in November. Still in a bit of a funk so mostly read older mysteries. I returned several new books to the library without even starting them. My favorite of the month was probably the re-listen of Station Eleven.

• Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, #10) Agatha Christie ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Author’s Guide to Murder Beatriz Williams ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Murder Takes the Stage (Phyllida Bright Mystery, #4) Colleen Cambridge ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• It Had to Be Murder Cornell Woolrich ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Rear Window Cornell Woolrich ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Rebecca Daphne du Maurier ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Station Eleven Emily St. John Mandel ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Harry Potter, #1) J.K. Rowling ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Murder at an English Seance (A Beryl and Edwina Mystery #8) Jessica Ellicott ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Brat Farrar Josephine Tey ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Miss Pym Disposes Josephine Tey ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 
• The Daughter of Time (Inspector Alan Grant, #5) Josephine Tey ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• To Love and Be Wise (Inspector Alan Grant, #4) Josephine Tey ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 
• The Franchise Affair (Inspector Alan Grant, #3) Josephine Tey ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• A Shilling for Candles (Inspector Alan Grant, #2) Josephine Tey ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Man in the Queue (Inspector Alan Grant, #1) Josephine Tey ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Singing Sands Josephine Tey ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 
• Hotel Lucky Seven (Assassins, #4) Kōtarō Isaka ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Killing Time (Agatha Raisin, #35) M.C. Beaton ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Big Book of Sherlock Holmes Stories Otto Penzler ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 
• The Marlow Murder Club (Marlow Murder Club, #1) Robert Thorogood ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Dark Half Stephen King ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

27 books in October which is misleading because 11 were from the Series of Unfortunate Events so were very short. I’m still in a little bit of a reading rut so most (21) were rereads.

• Hallowe’en Party (Hercule Poirot, #41) Agatha Christie ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 
• The Christmas Jigsaw Murders (Edie O’Sullivan, #1) Alexandra Benedict ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Sign of the Five (the Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall #2) Ali Standish ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Man in Black: Stories Elly Griffiths ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Dust (Silo, #3) Hugh Howey ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Shift (Silo, #2) Hugh Howey ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Wool (Silo, #1) Hugh Howey ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The President’s Lawyer Lawrence S. Robbins ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 
• The End (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #13) Lemony Snicket ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Penultimate Peril (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #12) Lemony Snicket ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Grim Grotto (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #11) Lemony Snicket ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Slippery Slope (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #10) Lemony Snicket ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Carnivorous Carnival (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #9) Lemony Snicket ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 
• The Hostile Hospital (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #8) Lemony Snicket ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Vile Village (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #7) Lemony Snicket ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 
• The Austere Academy (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #5) Lemony Snicket ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Ersatz Elevator (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #6) Lemony Snicket ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Miserable Mill (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #4) Lemony Snicket ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Wide Window (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #3) Lemony Snicket ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Mistletoe Mystery (Molly the Maid, #2.5) Nita Prose ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Christmas Crimes at the Mysterious Bookshop Otto Penzler ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Wrath of the Triple Goddess (PJO The Senior Year Adventures #2) Rick Riordan ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3) Suzanne Collins ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• Catching Fire (Hunger Games, #2) Suzanne Collins ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) Suzanne Collins ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games, #0) Suzanne Collins ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
• The Silence of the Lambs (Hannibal Lecter, #2) Thomas Harris ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️