Not Precisely Mr. Knightley by Carolyn Miller

 

EJ(Emma Jane) and her best friend Jordan have created a dating app called Dream Match. They have worked for years on it. Ever since EJ was young she has been driven to succeed. Now she is close to her goal and she is determined to reach it even if it means alienating her best friend and her family. Will EJ realize what she already has before it is too late?

This is the second book in The Silver Teapot series. I have to say I liked the first one better. Although this is loosely based on Emma by Jane Austen it is very loose. As in similar names, and maybe a bit of Mr. Knightley setting Emma straight. Just as I had a hard time getting through Emma, I had a hard time getting through this book. And oddly it wasn't because I didn't like it, it just moved along rather slowly. So should I say ploddingly? I definitely didn't care for EJ's character. She was driven. It made her harsh and a bit blind to what was going on around her. For a smart person it took her awhile to come to her senses. I liked Jordan's character. Above all else he told Emma the truth...until he didn't. He never lied to her, he just avoided her. He was harsh, and then he avoided her. It confused her and their friendship wasn't based on confusion. But as in Emma, everything worked out in the end and EJ once again became a character I could like. The third book, Not So Very Sensible, comes out in October of 2026. The description sounds good so I will most definitely read it. As for Not Precisely Mr. Knightley, like EJ, I was determined to reach my goal by finishing the book. I found that it was worth it in the end and I'm glad I stuck with it. If you read it let me know what you think!

Mad About Murder by Cindy Vincent

 

Maddie Montgomery is once again involved in a murder mystery in her neighborhood. Even though her new beau has warned her to stay off the case Maddie is determined to solve who killed her philandering neighbor. Not only is she dealing with a murder investigation, but she is also dealing with a young teenager bent on sabotaging Maddie's book sales. Between disastrous kitchen episodes from said teen, nightmare hair appointments from one of her neighbors jilted loves, and an evening of speed dating will Maddie be able to solve the murder? And there is still the mystery that her husband left when he passed away. Once again, will Maddie be able to survive a murderer on the loose?

This is the second book in the Maddie Montgomery Mystery series. I enjoyed it very much and it gave me several chuckles along the way. Like Maddie, I wasn't happy with the way Remy treated her when he went on duty, but I also wasn't happy with the way their relationship is still kind of up in the air by the end of the story. And what about the new guy in her life? Guy seems like a nice enough man, but I have a feeling there is more to him than we get to see in this installment of the series. There were a few things left hanging by the end of the story. What was Maddie's husband mixed up in that are now coming to light? Who will Maddie choose, Remy or Guy? And what is up with Maddie's neighbor Spencer Poe? Is he former CIA as Maddie thinks or is there something more mysterious about him? The humor in the series is entertaining. Oh my goodness, Maddie's hair mishaps about killed me! The teenager trying to replicate Maddie's recipes found in her books about did me in! The speed dating scene had me cracking up! If you enjoy cozy mysteries and light humor then try this series. You'll enjoy it as much as I did!

Truffle Trouble by Amanda Flower

 

Bailey and Aiden are finally getting married! Of course chaos reigns the days leading up to the wedding! It wouldn't be Bailey, Harvest or of course Margot if chaos didn't reign. And of course what is a wedding without a murder? And of course said murder keeps Bailey and Aiden from starting out their married life with a honeymoon! 

So many thoughts! I'm thrilled that Bailey and Aiden are finally married. We've waited for this for a long while now. That being said, I found the lack of sparks between the new Mr. and Mrs. kind of disappointing. I know the point of the story is the mystery, but a steamy happy marriage kiss would have been nice, and called for. There were such few scenes between Aiden and Bailey in fact that it was like business as usual and nothing special. Which kind of was disappointing. Moving on...Margot! Oh my gosh! Margot! I got so frustrated with her pushiness and Bailey's constant waffling under her. Just say NO people! Even Juliette! Everyone expects a piece of Bailey and for Bailey to fix everything. Great, but what happens when Bailey runs out of Bailey to give? The good and fun parts? Oh my! Lois and Jean-Pierre? Hysterical! And what a marvelous duo! I love them together! Who'd have thought? The "who-done-it" had me waffling until the reveal. I always am surprised by the end of the mystery of the motive and the who. Always clever and always has me saying "of course!" All of the usual characters were present and accounted for. Ruth? Oh she's a piece of work for sure! Definitely a fun read and a clever mystery. I want to give the author and her husband a shout-out for their Etsy shop. All the proceeds of what they sell go to their cat rescue efforts. I can't remember how many cats they themselves have adopted, helped, fostered, etc. but they have a passion for these pets and if you are interested in learning more you can visit their Etsy shop: AmandaFlowerDesigns. 

Death From High Places by Benedict Brown

 

Christopher and Lord Edgington investigate the death of one of Albert's friends. Christopher faces a fear of jumping out of an air balloon. Unfortunately someone doesn't make it. Which one of the friends is a murderer and why?

A fast read since this is a novella. Even though it was short it was still well-written and entertaining. I enjoyed it very much. 

Emma A Modern Retelling by Alexander McCall Smith

 

Emma by Jane Austen was not my favorite Austen book. I have managed to get through it only once and that took me a couple of tries to finally buckle down and finish it. I don't know why that is. But anyway, this modern retelling by Alexander McCall Smith seemed to move faster and be more interesting even though it followed Austen's book very well. I really like Alexander McCall Smith's writing. If you have never read his No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series you are missing out! He did this retelling justice and made it much more easy for me to get through it. The story was easy to follow, and modern enough to keep reading, but not so modern that it detracted from the authenticity of the original. There wasn't any gratuitous cursing or sex scenes, which was much appreciated! An enjoyable read and well done retelling!

Two Seconds Too Late by Dani Pettrey

 

Riley's friend has disappeared. Now she and Greyson must go undercover as a couple to the spa that Kelly was last seen. Throughout their search Riley knows they are heading to the one place she never wants to return to. Grey is fighting his own battles. His feelings are beyond brotherly concern for Riley, but he has convinced himself he can never act on those feelings. As the two fight their feelings for each other they get closer and closer to a killer. 

I liked both Riley and Greyson's characters. I did get a bit frustrated with the baggage that they both carried, but more-so with Greyson's unwillingness to let go of his. The danger they faced was intense and made for a great suspense. The conclusion totally leaves us hanging for the next book in the series! I hope that it comes out quickly.

Blood on the Banisters by Benedict Brown

 

Christopher's brother Albert is finally getting married. It is tradition that the bride and groom trade houses the night before the wedding. Albert, Christopher and Lord Edgington go to the bride's family home. Albert finds that his fiance's family are completely horrible, but he still wants to marry Cassandra. When Cassandra's mother is murdered in the middle of the night it is a good thing that Christopher and his grandfather are there and on the case as it looks like Albert may be the murderer! Will they be able to solve the case before the wedding? 

Oh my! Suspects are coming out of the woodwork in this one. Could one of Cassandra's brothers have killed their mother? She was a completely awful woman to all of her family. So throughout the story I was wondering which one finally cracked enough to kill her. I was a little disappointed in Christopher this go-round because he seemed to not have as many insights as he has in the past. But for this case I think he can be forgiven. I too was confused and led astray by so many suspects. By the time I got to the end of the book I never would have guessed who-done-it! Never fear though, Lord Edgington does not seem to be at a loss as to what is going on and manages to wrap the case up quite tidily. Christopher and his grandfather are the perfect detective duo and I look forward to more adventures with them!