Anthony Bathurst accepted the last minute spot on Sir Charles Considine’s cricket team, thinking a week of fun and games with his old university friends was just was he needed. After a dinner conversation on the skills of fictional detectives, Bathurst is willing to bet on his skills standing up to Scotland Yard’s, given the same resources. And then Gerry Prescott goes and gets murdered.
Bottom Line: The Billiard-Room Mystery is for you if like sinking your teeth into classic whodunnit mysteries.
NOTE: The Billiard-Room Mystery was original published in 1929. Reprints are available or you can get it for free at the Gutenburg Project. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/58413
The strength of this story is…the end. Really. I was getting frustrated reading, thinking this was one of the worst written mysteries I’d ever read and then WHAMMO. Everything fell into place…and it was awesome.
This story is told in the classic Holmes-Watson style. Bathurst is the detective, working in, under and around Inspector Baddeley. Bill Cunningham, a buddy from college, is drafted into the Watson role of narrator.
The police investigators of Inspector Baddeley and his junior officer Roper are good cops – not portrayed as bumbling, etc. The house party presents an ample pool of suspects, some with motive, some with opportunity.
Where this story fell short: I’ve been doing alot of thinking on this one and haven’t found a logic flaw. Bathurst is a good lead detective and Cunningham does his job as narrator.
While I loved the “gotcha”, I could see some readers taking exception to it. This is definitely personal preference and I fall on the “love it” side.
Mick Darabont fell in the bathroom, hit is head, and died. It happens at his age. But, is that what happened this time? Investigator Stef Kopriva knows Mick as the gruff park institution with a love of checkers. Others don’t paint such a nice picture. Now Stef is on the case and working to solve a classic locked-room mystery in this two-part story.
Listen to part 1 here or wherever you get Mysteries to Die For podcast. Come back next week for the conclusion.
ABOUT Frank Zafiro
Frank Zafiro writes gritty crime fiction from both sides of the badge. During his life, he has been a military intelligence linguist, a police officer (a twenty year career, retiring as a captain), and an independent consultant and instructor. He has taught both writing and police related topics at the collegiate level and professional venues. Through it all, he has been a writer. To date, he has published 48 novels, over 100 short stories, and appeared in over 50 anthologies. He lives in Redmond, Oregon, with his wife, Kristi, who is a teacher. https://www.frankzafiro.com/
ABOUT Checkers
According to the website Wonderopolis, checkers is much older than the more sophisticated chess, with the game being mentioned in the writings of Homer and Plato. Historians currently date checkers back to an archeologist find in the ancient city of Ur in Iraq. This dates to 3,000 BC. In the 12th century, the French had the idea of playing checkers on a chess board. With the updated design and accompanying rules, the game migrated to England and outward. With a game this old and that has traveled the globe, it should be no surprise that it have many names and variations. Wikipedia has an extended citation on the games, the boards, and the pieces. Even the size of the boards change. An 8×8 board is common, but 10×10 and 12×12 boards are used, too. Given the rich history and complexity of this “simple” game, Mick Darabont just may have been right.
Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervillesis a comedic, cozy mystery. Babs Norman is a Hollywood stunner, but instead of gracing the silver screen, she’s gumshoeing it through the star-studded streets. Hollywood’s movers and shakers are reeling as canine stars and faithful companions alike are disappearing. Babs must mingle with Tinseltown’s elite to find the hand that holds the leash.
Bottom line: Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles is for you if you like cozy-styled mysteries and fun-filled romps through the golden age of Hollywood.
Listen to the first chapter here or wherever you get Mysteries to Die For podcast
Strengths of the story. One of the shining stars (ha!) of the story was the 1940 Hollywood setting. Crowens took us into the glitz and glamour of the parties, the mansions, and the sets. It was one of the most unique and detailed settings I think I have ever read. The depth of Crowens imagination is a remarkable as she brings a lost world back to life.
The characters surrounding the mystery are just as creatively detailed. Basil Rathbone of Sherlock Holmes fame and his Watson, Nigel Bruce. Myrna Loy and William Powell. Crowens takes what could have been cardboard cut outs of the icons and gives them family, relationship troubles, friends, and secrets – just like normal people. I don’t know how much research Crowens did or if the result was pure imagination, but it was a sweet result.
The character of Babs Norman and her partner Guy Brandt are a good, functional team. They were witty and engaging, but largely played the straight role to the Hollywood icons. I do look to see how much a detective drives the story. In the first half of the book, Babs goes about traditional Q&A which doesn’t yield much success. Then she decides to take a risk, grabbing control of the story and getting it moving forward.
This story has been classified as a cozy, won awards as a comedy, and listed as a historical. The steady pacing and clean storytelling style is a real treat.
Where the story fell short of ideal: When it came to the motive behind the dognappings, it was as solid as it was creative. But inside of that, there were elements that felt underplayed or inconsistent. The number of dogs missing and their fame increases but there is no outcry, it isn’t picked up in the press, etc. It was believable when it was two dogs, but as it grew, I felt like the story didn’t grow with it.
While it is critical that the detective drives their story, the logic of the actions also matters. There was a point where Babs had earned her big break in the case, and then the story took a doglegged turn. She abandoned her first success for a half-heard reference. I had issues with the sudden redirection that seemed to fly in the face of the evidence.
In the category of personal preference, I struggled with the breakdown of the chapters. There are 38 chapters, most of which are seven to ten pages. Then three of the last four chapters were over 20 pages each with subsections. It confused me as I read as I was conditioned to expect the short, quick hitting chapters.
All in all, this was a clean, fun read.
The Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles was released from Level Best Books and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON and other book retailers.
About Elizabeth Crowens. Elizabeth has worn many hats in the entertainment industry and has a popular Caption Contest on Facebook. She has three award-winning alternate history novels. Awards include 2020 Leo B. Burstein Scholarship from the MWA-NY Chapter, New York Foundation of the Arts grant, an Eric Hoffer Award, Honorable Mention in the Glimmer Train Awards, and two grand prize and five first prize Chanticleer Awards, including Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles. https://www.elizabethcrowens.com/
Partners In Crime Tours represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers from around the world. Founded in 2011, PICT offers virtual book tour services for well-established and best-selling authors, as well as those just starting out with their careers. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages for authors, with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com
Misha Soleby-Welkins was looking for some practical experience in geriatric social work. The community center was the antithesis of its name with an overbearing boss, an unsettled group of clients, a lunch that defies classification and a dead body. Now she getting a lesson in means, motive, and opportunity.
Listen here or wherever you get Mysteries to Die For podcast
KM Rockwood draws on a varied background for stories, among them working as a laborer in a steel fabrication plant, operating glass melters and related equipment in a fiberglass manufacturing facility, and supervising an inmate work crew in a large medium security state prison. These jobs, as well as work as a special education teacher in an alternative high school and a GED teacher in county detention facilities, provide most of the background for novels and short stories.
Check out her backlist on her website or on Amazon
Playing Deadis a mystery. A body is put on display in Det. Jesus De La Cruz’s neighborhood. The victim isn’t random but some Cruz and the Cleveland police have been after, Alexander “Rotten” Carter. There was nothing plain and simple about this murder. Point in fact: the corpse was dressed as the king of hearts…the suicide king. Now Cruz is on the case to find answers to Carter’s killing and to the activities that hit much closer to home.
Bottom line: Playing Dead is for you if you like complex mysteries and being part of the detective’s professional and personal life.
Listen to the first chapter here or wherever you get Mysteries to Die For podcast
At the time of this recording, Playing Dead was days away from release, so there are no reviews to pull from. So, I’m putting my M2D4 hat on and critiquing my own book.
Strengths of the story. Playing Dead is the 4th book in the series that deals as much with the ups and downs of the personal life of Jesus De La Cruz as it does the details of the mystery. The characters continue to grow from past novels, making it feel like we are catching up with old friends.
The main characters of Cruz, his fiancé Aurora, best friend Det Matt Yablonski, and awkward brainiac Professor Grayson Manor are fully developed, having strengths that bridge challenges and weaknesses their work against their success. The side characters often offer comedic relief to the intensity of the murder.
The mystery itself ties off storyline from the last two books. Reading prior books is not a necessity in following the mystery itself. The motivations and actions of the suspects is fully contained within this book. Reading the prior stories will be helpful in understanding the emotional strain the victim, Rotten Carter, cause to the cast of characters.
The story is told linearly including both Cruz’s on-the-clock and personal time. This drives the pacing as Cruz, like all of use, juggles the demands of a challenging professional life and a full private life, which includes a best friend who is treading dangerously close to over-the-line.
Where the story fell short of ideal: For lovers of stand-alone mysteries where the story is one-hundred-percent about the murder, the incorporation of personal life may not be as rewarding.
As with all series, starting a book four may has the potential to leave new readers feeling either like they are left out of the story or not getting as immersed in the emotions the characters are feeling. Certainly, as the author, I worked to make it welcoming to new readers, but this is always a challenge of series.
The Playing Dead was released from Down & Out Books and is promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.
About TG Wolff. You are already on my website. Please click around to learn more about me and my projects. Thanks for stopping by!
Partners In Crime Tours represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers from around the world. Founded in 2011, PICT offers virtual book tour services for well-established and best-selling authors, as well as those just starting out with their careers. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages for authors, with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com
DUTCH THREATis an amateur sleuth mystery. History grad student Jack Farmer gets the opportunity of a lifetime – a two-week research assignment in Amsterdam. But when the old crone in the apartment next door is murdered and her young, beautiful nurse is suspected, well, what’s a guy to do but jump in and make like a detective.
Bottom line: DUTCH THREAT is for you if you like light-hearted mysteries where the setting is as interesting as the plot.
Strengths of the story. DUTCH THREAT is a stand-alone novel featuring the lead character Jack Farmer. Jack Farmer is a 24-year-old history grad student. He doesn’t take himself too seriously, is known to make references to mid-20th Century pop culture, and generally doesn’t know when to stay quiet. He has a wonderful amount of energy and curiosity. Working with Jack is Jet (pronounced yet), the nurse suspected of the murder. She is patient with a sweet disposition who finds Jack charming.
Most stories have a side plot and in DUTCH THREAT this is a tour of Amsterdam. Jack and Jet dine on everything from fries dipped in mayonnaise (which we are taught to pronounce correctly) to local Chinese food. Jet takes Jack to her favorite museums and shares history as well as some ghost stories. Foodies and travel lovers will delight in the excursions into neighborhoods of Amsterdam.
The pacing is fair and steady. With breaking up the murder investigation with the side trips into Amsterdam, this doesn’t have a frantic sense of pace but a more deliberate one, perhaps reflecting the city itself.
The biggest strength of this story was just how enjoyable it was to read. It is largely a clean book, for those who prefer that style. Near the end, Jack goes on a little rant which prevents it from being completely clean. Jack was very entertaining as he interjected poorly timed attempts at humor that referenced Americana some 40-80 years before he was born. References to Groucho Marx and similar may be lost on young readers and delight older ones.
Where the story fell short of ideal: For me, I look for the detective to be instrumental in the resolution of the mystery. That didn’t happen here. Despite the work Jack and Jet did, the mystery was resolved when the killer revealed itself (note word choice to avoid any spoiler!) I did appreciate the killer’s confession, explaining the whys and hows. In the end, there were few clues or evidence revealed that the reader could use to deduce the solution.
Throughout the story, there is a lot of Dutch dialog. I hope those who speak/read Dutch find this to be charming. As I don’t have even a rudimentary understanding the language, at some point, the dialog swung from being a strength to a shortcoming. I eventually found myself visually skipping over those passages. I don’t at all think that incorporating other languages is a negative. In this instance, it just was too extended for my tastes.
Jake Randall delighted in playing every “vagina” card in his Cards Against Humanity to the discomfort of the female players. Detective Ana Friedman, one of those women, escapes to the bathroom for some quiet reading time. And that’s when somebody struck. Now Ana needs to solve Jake’s murder or live with her vic dying while she was on the toilet.
Listen here or wherever you get Mysteries to Die For podcast
Objects of Desireis a PI Mystery. Two years ago, PI Rita Mars broke up with Diane Winter. It was loud and messy end to their relationship. Now Diane is missing and the note left behind points in Rita’s direction. Juggling a case of corporate embezzlement, Diane’s disappearance, and a mother with early dementia means Rita has to do a lot of juggling to keep the balls in the air and her butt out of jail.
Bottom line: Objects of Desire is for you if you like mysteries without murder, female-centric casts, and clean storytelling.
Listen to the Prologue and Chapters 1 & 2 here or wherever you get Mysteries to Die For podcast
Strengths of the story. The second in the Rita Mars thriller series, Objects of Desire is listed as an LGBTQ+ Mystery and Women’s Detective Fiction on Amazon. I do agree with the genres of mystery and detective fiction, moreso than thriller. Rita runs her own PI agency and juggles two cases, keeping both stories moving forward. While there were implied threats to Rita from the police investigation, this was a subplot, which placed the mysteries front and center.
The characters of Rita, her assistant Beverly Hills, her best friend Mary Margaret Smooth, and IT wizard Roswell were comfortable in their roles, which reflected this being the second book in the series. Rita was a PI who relied on her team to extend her reach and resources. As compared to other PI characters, she runs a team and uses them to their strengths. The characters were both likable and interesting. Rita’s mother played the role of the comic relief with her sugar and Oreo obsession.
I have not read the first Rita Mars story but had no problem reading Objects of Desire. Webster did a nice job of giving new readers the information needed to jump into Rita’s world.
Webster’s storytelling style is clean, without cursing, sex, or on-stage violence. There is the implication and threat of violence but not actual depiction of, which makes this a great choice for readers who prefer classic mystery styles of Miss Jane Marple, Nero Wolfe, and others. On the spectrum of cozy to hard boiled, this is closer to the cozy end.
The financial mystery was well developed. While Rita developed the theories, the technical nature of the crimes meant that Roswell did more of the leg work than Rita. This worked to keep the story progressing while Rita worked on Diane’s case.
The kidnapping mystery was a straighter story. The biggest challenge here is there was nothing for Rita or the cops to start from. Rita had to return to PI gumshoe roots, working through all of Diane’s friends, acquaintances, and other exes to get to a clue that led somewhere.
This mystery is categorized as LGBTQ+ with the majority of the main characters being gay. Rita Mars and Objects of Desire stands as a solid mystery because of the plot, not because of the characters’ enduring attraction to the same sex. While being gay is central to Rita’s identity, much as being from Belgium was central to Poirot, it has no bearing on her capability as a PI. If you are a reader looking for a lead from the LGBTQ+ community, read Rita Mars. If you are a reader looking for a clean mystery with an intelligent PI, read Rita Mars.
Where the story fell short of ideal. Considering Objects of Desire as a mystery, there was a lot to like, as already mentioned, but I had a few minor items. I did think that the urgency of finding Diane was undermined by both the financial case and Rita’s mother, at times slowing down the pacing of the storytelling. The evidence in the financial case evolved consistently where Diane’s case turned when Rita latched on to a single comment during an interview. The smoothness of the former heightened the abruptness of the latter for me. Finally, I struggled with Rita’s actions in the ending being consistent with her approach and decision making throughout the book. None of these affected the overall logic of the storylines or appeal of the characters.
The Objects of Desire is published by Valerie Webster with Ignited Ink Writing and promoted by Partners In Crime Tours and is available from AMAZON LINK and other book retailers.
About Valerie Webster
Valerie Webster spent a career developing law enforcement applications for surveillance, security and forensics. She has also been a triathlete and a crime reporter. She honed her writing skills through “Sisters in Crime” and “Mystery Writers of America’s” mentoring program. Valerie makes her home near Boulder, CO.
Partners In Crime Tours represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers from around the world. Founded in 2011, PICT offers virtual book tour services for well-established and best-selling authors, as well as those just starting out with their careers. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages for authors, with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com
It’s August, 1968 and the rural community of Titus Town, South Carolina is looking forward to the cow bingo fundraiser. But before Katie Hammet’s Jersey cow can do her thing, Deputy Sandy Buford has to figure out who snuffed out the local hip-pocket lender and emptied his till.
Listen here or wherever you get Mysteries for Die For podcast
About Paul.
Paul A. Barra is a chemistry teacher, a former newspaper reporter, and Naval officer. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V and other decorations for his service on the rivers of the Mekong Delta. He is married and has eight children with his wife, the former Joni Lee. They reside in Columbia, South Carolina.
Help support Paul and make writing for Mysteries to Die For the best decision he’s ever made by going to his website and buying his books. Then write a review and help other mystery lovers find him.
The January Corpseis a PI Mystery. Former lawyer turned investigator Dave Garrett is picking up sloppy seconds with this case. The family of Daniel Wilson has filed suit to declare the man missing for 7 years as dead to claim the life insurance benefit. What should be a chore of routine investigation into a cold case gets messy, mean, and dirty in the blink of an eye.
Bottom line: The January Corpse is for you if you like fast-thinking private eyes, cases with too many loose ends, and action and adventure in Pennsylvania Dutch country.
Listen to the first chapter here or wherever you get Mysteries to Die For podcast
Strengths of the story. Dave Garrett is an intellectual PI who uses his head rather than brute force for investigating. Being an ex-attorney, he is a different take on a private investigator than characters with backgrounds in law enforcement or military. Dave has some emotional scars, making him an interesting character and somewhat outsider.
The mystery itself is the right size for something solved in 3 days. You would think after 7 years, it wouldn’t be so easy to solve the disappearance of Dan Wilson. Does Dave get lucky? Some could say that, but he invested the time and tenacity that ended up paying off. No one gifted him with the answers, he earned every single one. This is one of the biggest strengths, Dave Garrett is the hero of his story.
The setting is Philadelphia, 1990. I loved the details on Philly and the surrounding area, the kind that come from an author really knowing the area. For example, there is a passage discussing the odd travel patterns. Some days, it takes 10 minutes to get into the city, then you’re stuck in gridlock for 3 blocks. Other times it takes 90 minutes and once you’re in the city, you’re free an clear. You don’t get those types of observations using Google Earth. The descriptions of the neighborhoods, people, and buildings give texture to the story.
The pacing is excellent for those of us looking for a reason to binge read a book in one sitting (yeah, I did that.) When Dave gets the case Friday morning, it’s with the expectation of appearing in court to testify on Monday. The clock starts ticking immediately. I like that part of the story includes Dave weighing what is the best use of his limited time – especially limited business hours. In that short period, there is a fight, a car chase, a hostage situation, and a hot chili pepper romance scene.
Where the story fell short of ideal: Not much to pick on here. The logic of the story held up well, something I always look for. The events that were surprising and action packed when reading fully made sense with the benefit of hindsight. As is often the case with PI stories, people lie to Dave but he sniffs out the truth in a way where he does the heavy lifting of sleuthing (i.e. no coincidences, etc) and the lies make sense.
A word of warning and an explanation – you may see some typesetting errors, like open quotes at the end of dialog instead of closed quotes. Talking with Neil, technology has been working against him, as it does all of us at one time or another. He’s aware of them and working to correct. If you find one, treat it like a four-leaf clover, something to smile about as you continue reading this very excellent story.
Neil Albert is a trial lawyer in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and this book is based on a real presumption of death hearing. He has completed nine of the projected twelve books in the Dave Garrett series and hopes to finish with December within the next two years. His interest in writing mysteries was kindled by reading Ross Macdonald. Neil operates a blog with an in-depth analysis of each of Macdonald’s books. In his younger years, he was an avid fox hunter. His best memory is that he hunted for fifteen years and was the only member not be to seriously injured at least once.
The January Corpse is promoted by Partners In Crime. Partners In Crime Tours represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers from around the world. Founded in 2011, PICT offers virtual book tour services for well-established and best-selling authors, as well as those just starting out with their careers. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages for authors, with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.com
TG Wolff 