The Little Grave by Carolyn Arnold – Book Review

I was excited to get my hands – and eyes – on Carolyn Arnold's newest book and newest series when it was first published. However, due to a writer’s – or rather a book blogger’s block (I didn’t know that was a thing till I experienced it!) I’m over a year late in posting my review.

I was unable to post reviews for over 6 months, due to what I’m calling bookblogger’s block. I had received an advanced reader’s copy (ARC) of The Little Grave but only managed to sit down and write the review a year-and-a-half later.

So without further ado, I’d like you to meet Carolyn Arnold's The Little Grave, the first book in The Amanda Steele Series.

 

Synopsis

Detective Amanda Steele stops just inside the doorway, recognizing the victim’s face instantly. He seems so vulnerable in death; soft, human, even harmless. But she can never forget the evil he has inflicted. Her heart is hammering as she remembers her precious daughter, with her red curls and infectious laugh, and how she was lowered into that little grave…

It’s been five years since Detective Amanda Steele’s life was derailed in the path of an oncoming drunk driver. The small community of Dumfries, Virginia, may have moved on from the tragic deaths of her husband and daughter, but Amanda cannot. When the driver who killed her family is found murdered in a motel room, she can’t keep away from the case.

Fighting her sergeant to be allowed to work an investigation with such a personal connection to her, Amanda is in a race to prove that she can uncover the truth. But the more she digs into the past of the man who destroyed her future, the more shocking discoveries she makes. And when Amanda finds the link between a silver bracelet in his possession and the brutal unsolved murder of a young exotic dancer, she realizes she’s caught up in something darker than she ever imagined and suspects that more girls could be in danger.

But as Amanda edges toward the truth, she gets closer to a secret as personal as it is deadly. Amanda has stumbled upon a dangerous killer, and she must face some terrible truths in order to catch this killer – and save his next victim as she couldn’t save her own daughter…

A gripping, page-turning thriller full of mystery and suspense. Perfect for fans of Rachel Caine, Lisa Regan and Robert Dugoni.

Book Review of The Little Grave

The Little Grave by Carolyn Arnold is the first book in a new mystery thriller series published by Bookouture. And it's amazing!

If there was ever a thrilling opening worth remembering, it’s Arnold’s opening lines for The Little Grave. The story opens with:

“Five and a half year ago, January

Her past didn’t sit and stay like an obedient dog. It was more a wolf that stalked her every move, breathed down her neck, and inched closer with every passing second.”

The Little Grave is a multi-layered thriller. Amanda Steele is an FBI agent who investigates murders. But her life has been a mess for the past five-and-a-half years after she lost her daughter in a tragic accident.

Then a call arrives for a murdered victim. An lo! And behold! It’s the man who had been drunk behind a wheel and claimed her family’s lives!

Amanda shouldn’t be investigating this crime. It’s too personal. And because it’s too personal, Amanda joins the investigation for as long as she can.

“She didn’t see Palmer as human–he was the monster, the boogieman who had taken her family.”

While it’s a good riddance that Chad Palmer, the man who had killed her daughter, was dead. The investigation leads to a ton of questions and many suspects, some even hitting closer to home.

Like most mysteries, we don’t see a lot of character development in The Little Grave. But we do get to see Amanda from all sides, not just her police-side. We see the darker side, where Amanda isn’t the law-abiding citizen she should be.

“Tendrils of anger twisted through her, squeezing, gripping, like vines to brick, working to pry the stone loose and destroy the structure.”

There many things I enjoy about Carolyn Arnold’s mystery thrillers:

-     They read like a CSI TV show but they go deeper into the characters’ lives and motivations

-        The characters are deep, flawed, and realistic

-        Carolyn’s word choice and imagery is vivid

-        The author plays on the reader’s senses and emotions

And The Little Grave ticks each of those boxes.

“Amanda’s head pounded like a tiny man with no sense of rhythm was playing steel drums in her skull.”

Another reason why The Little Grave is such a beautiful but painful story is that hits really close to home for the main character Amanda Steele. 

Overall rating for The Little Grave by Carolyn Arnold: 5 stars.

For more book quotes from Carolyn Arnold’s The Little Grave and other books, follow me on Instagram. 

Other books by Carolyn Arnold reviewed on the Nadaness In Motion blog:

FBI series, psychological thrillers:

On the Count of Three

Past Deeds

What We Bury

 

Historical fiction and adventure:

The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh, Book 2 in The Matthew Connor Series

The Legend of Gasparilla & His Treasure, Book 3 in The Matthew Connor Series

Cozy mysteries:

Coffee Is Murder

Halloween Is Murder

Exercise Is Murder 

Money Is Murder

Aches and Epiphanies by Aries - Poetry Book Review

Today, I'm featuring a belated book review for Aches and Epiphanies by Aries (pen name).

About the book:

Aches and Epiphanies is a collection of poetry, prose and thoughts from poet and songwriter, Aries. From love lost to happiness found; from pain to joy and vice versa. The words of the unspoken and raw human emotions come to the fore.

For those who have stood face to face with love and it has been terrifying or have hidden secrets behind closed doors. For those who find comfort in the hands of another, you will learn, page by page. As the universe takes its last breath, it looks at you with glittering eyes and smiles. You were worth the destruction.

Book Review of Aches and Epiphanies

Aches and Epiphanies by Aries is a poetry collection featuring a large number of poems. The book is divided into chapter-like section representing chapters from the poet’s life or focusing on specific themes.

The first section is called “Aches,” and features several poems, each of which seems to be divided into several shorter pieces. I found this to format to be rather confusing because I wasn’t sure if the pieces where standalones or if they were part of a larger piece. But they were quite relatable.

I loved “A Letter to the Ones After Me” and the second part or poem in "Real" which depicted a very flawed and feeble character.

“Grey” and “Salt and Pepper” are two must-read poems in this section, while “Love Decides” is a stunning albeit painful piece.

One of the interesting and beautifully written pieces in Aches and Epiphanies is “14.2.2016” which I gather the author Aries wasn’t sure about how to name the piece so she used the date in which it was written or the date of the event that prompted it.

“A Beautiful Mess” is a cute poem written about people just starting to fall in love.  On page 68, there’s a beautiful entitled piece. One of many untitled pieces. There are also several one-line, two-line, and three-line poems, which though beautiful result in lots of white space.

I’d be particularly annoyed if this book were in print because of the wasted paper. It’s not something I’d normally comment on but it was particularly noticeable in this poetry collection.

Pages 75 & 76 feature thought-like pieces that are written as if the author is talking to someone. The untitled piece on page 78 is a painful poem about two people growing apart.

I also enjoyed the various untitled pieces in Aches and Epiphanies scattered on pages 90 to 92. I also enjoyed “Learning to See the Good in Goodbye,” “Stars,” and “Get Lost,” which I found to be beautifully-written and emotional.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t count the number of poems because many of them are untitled or because of the way they are divided. That’s why I opted to use page numbers as well.

Overall, I enjoyed reading Aches and Epiphanies by Aries. The collection features many deep, raw, and emotional poems. As a poet, I understand how hard it is to title poems. So, I totally relate to the untitled pieces. 😊

Overall rating: 3.5 stars

 

Note: I received a free copy of Aches and Epiphanies from its author Aries in exchange for an honest review. This did not impact my review in any way.

Note: I got my copy back in 2021 but due to a writer’s block, I’m just posting it now due to a bad case of book blogger's block (That's a thing! At least for me, it is.)

Meet An Eyre of Mystery by G. Leeson - Book Release Blitz

Today, I'm excited to feature author Gayle Leeson or Gayle Trent as I got to know her the first time we met – virtually – as part of a blog tour.

I met Gayle when I read her paranormal cozy mystery Designs on Murder. And it's a 5-star read!

I was happy to feature Gayle again in a spotlight for her another of her books. And today, I'm part of a book blitz for the release of her newest book An Eyre of Mystery, which I look forward to reading in August.

So let me tell you a bit about the book. 

Here's the synopsis:

Classic literature is at risk of disappearing from the world…

When Gia accepts a job as a library archivist at a manor house in North Carolina, she has no idea what she’s in for. On day one, she finds herself outside her comfort zone when she accidentally travels through a magical portal to the world of Jane Eyre. She finds Edward Rochester imprisoned as he awaits his death sentence for killing his wife. But Gia has read the book, and she knows Edward is innocent of murder.

Soon, she realizes that there are sinister mystical forces working to rewrite the narrative, hoping to destroy the manuscript altogether. To restore order and reset the book to its original state, Gia must discover who actually killed Bertha Rochester and framed her husband for the crime.

But few of the people she meets are who they claim to be and they all have secrets...including Edward.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Gayle [G. Leeson, for this book] has taken a real leap of faith with An Eyre of Mystery and the world of Literatia. She decided to explore what would happen if a reader--or in this case, an archivist--actually got lost in a great book.

But when she travels through the portal into the world Jane Eyre, she finds it to be a topsy-turvy mess. Edward Rochester is facing a death sentence, and Gia has been tasked with finding out who really killed his wife so that Edward can go free, the book will reset to its original form, and Gia may return home.

If you'd like to get a sample of the book, here's an extended sneak peek of An Eyre of Mystery (first five chapters).

Connect with Gayle Leeson via her Website, Facebook page, Facebook Group Twitter, and Instagram.

Keep up with the rest of the book blast here. 

 

Ellery's Magic Bicycle by Maria Monte; illustrated by Zoe Saunders – Book Review

My newest book review is of children's book Ellery's Magic Bicycle. This one is super short but perfect for children ages 2 and up.

Ellery's Magic Bicycle by Maria Monte and illustrated by Zoe Saunders is a beautiful children's book.

The story is about Ellery who discovers a bicycle. But not just any bicycle. It's a magic bicycle. Ellery begins to play with the bicycle every day. In a way, the bicycle becomes her best friend.

But when she grows old, they drift apart. But will Ellery find and remember the great times she's had with her magic bicycle? Will grown-up Ellery rekindle that friendship?

Check out Ellery's Magic Bicycle to find out.

I must say the artwork is absolutely stunning and colorful. 

Whether you're reading Ellery's Magic Bicycle to family or children at a nursery, I'm sure children will love the beautiful and colorful illustrations by Zoe Saunders. I'm over 30 and I loved them too!

Kudos to author and artist for this lovely and quick read.

Learn more about author Maria Monte via her Website and connect with her via Facebook and Twitter. 

The Double Exposure Murder by Jeanne Quigley - Book Review and Blog tour

Today, I'm featuring a book review as part of a blog tour for Jeanne Quigley's The Double Exposure Murder.

My post comes a couple of days late but here it is.

Book: The Double Exposure Murder

Series: 1st in series, Robyn Cavanagh Mystery Series

Author: Jeanne Quigley

Genre: Cozy mystery

Publisher: TouchPoint Press

Number of Pages: 270

 

Synopsis:

Robyn Cavanagh enjoys a thriving second career as a portrait photographer in her beloved suburban hometown of Garland, New York.

Having built a large portfolio of high school senior photos and family portraits, Robyn is thrilled when math teacher Brooke Gibson hires her to take photos of a different subject: 16 Clover Lane, the house Brooke has recently inherited from her late great-aunt.

Brooke will soon put the home on the market and wants Robyn to take the photos for the real estate listing. Robyn thinks the cozy house will attract prospective buyers—until she finds bride-to-be Brooke’s battered body in the garden shed.

When Brooke’s mother asks her help in canceling the wedding plans, Robyn plays amateur sleuth and gathers clues while also collecting refunds from Brooke’s wedding vendors.

With help from her friend Will Vonderlin, Robyn assembles evidence of a possible love triangle, financial indiscretions, and neighborhood feuds and builds a suspect list that includes Brooke’s fiancé, a jealous relative, a longtime rival, and a shady bartender.

The clues lead Robyn to the killer and a spectacular July Fourth finale complete with a marching band and a parade of howling dogs.

 

Book Review of The Double Exposure Murder

 

"Violent acts of any sort were a rarity in Garland. I was certain that Brooke knew her killer."

The Double Exposure Murder by Jeanne Quigley is the first book in the Robyn Cavanagh Mystery series.

The book opens with photographer-slash-accountant Robyn Cavanagh taking photos and listening to bride-to-be Brooke talk about her July wedding.

In addition to preparing for her wedding, Brooke is also working to sell her late Aunt Olive's house. Aunt Olive had left the house to Brooke and her cousin Jessica.

Robyn goes to meet Brooke, a few days later, to finalize some pictures. Instead, she stumbles on to Brooke's dead body.

"With my Olympus [camera], I had photographed a charming home and the engagement photos of a beautiful young woman. The detective had just filled a memory card with shots of the same person and setting, but of a darker scene and mood.

I much preferred the hopefulness and serenity in my photos to the violence and despair in his frames."

Soon after, Laurel, Brooke's mother, tasks Robyn with collecting the wedding refunds from various businesses in their town.

Doing so gives Robyn the opportunity to help Laurel and uncover many unsettling things about her friend Brooke. It also leads Robyn to considering various crazy theories about who wanted to kill Brooke and why.

At first I felt the book was slow especially with the first chapter focused on a babbling Brooke.

But I believe it was because author Jeanne Quigley wants readers to see how nice Brooke is and make a connection with her. But then when Robyn begins her own secret investigation,

Chapter 27 in The Double Exposure Murder was one of the longest and most boring chapters in the book. I don't like – or understand – American football. I think there were a few sections that were just there and that the author could have sped it up a little.

"You should stop snooping around the case. Leave it to the police. Perhaps they should investigate you. You are the one who found Brooke's body. You should be the price suspect."

One of my problems with The Double Exposure Murder was that I got confused a few times by the characters.

Since the book handles teens, there are the teens and their parents, and others. So I felt they were a lot!

I also felt that the reason why Brooke was killed was a bit complex. I had to read the final bit a couple of times to realize what was going on. The fact that Robyn had dug up a lot of dirt on the seemingly-sweet Brooke may or may not have contributed to that.

While reading The Double Exposure Murder, I was annoyed a few times by Robyn's many far-fetched ideas about who the killer was and why they murdered Brooke.

But then I realized: Robyn wasn't a detective, so it was natural for her thoughts to be all over the place.

Quigley has left with a few ideas and thoughts of my own.

On the other hand, here a few of the things I liked about The Double Exposure Murder:

1.      Robyn Cavanagh is around 46 and single with no apparent romantic interest. You don't see that too much in cozy mysteries.

2.     Robyn's sarcasm and inner sarcastic dialogue.

3.     Yogi, Robyn's dog. You get the impression that he's so understanding and Robyn has these cute conversations with 'him.'

4.     I loved how all of Robyn's family pitched in to discuss the murder, the suspects, the potential motives, and so on.

 

Overall, I found The Double Exposure Murder to be an interesting read. It may slow down in some parts by it's generally enjoyable.

Overall rating for The Double Exposure Murder by Jeanne Quigley: 4 Stars.

 

Note: I received a free copy of The Double Exposure Murder by Jeanne Quigley from Lori Caswell as part of a blog tour with Dolly Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

  

About the Author

Jeanne Quigley is the author of the Veronica Walsh Mysteries and the Robyn Cavanagh mystery series.

Unlike her fictional sleuths, she has never been a soap opera star or an accountant (though she was an accounting major for a few minutes in the spring of 1985), but she has worked for an educational publisher and in the music industry.

A lifelong New Yorker, Jeanne lives in her native Rockland County.

Connect with Jeanne via Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon, and her blog.

 

Last but certainly not least, as part of the blog tour, there's a giveaway! So use the Widget below to enter. Good luck!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Witches at the Wedding by Alison Golden – Book Review

At last, here is my book review of Witches at the Wedding by Alison Golden.

I'm super happy to be part of Golden's street team to help her promote her books. And that's how I got a free copy of Witches at the Wedding. This has not affected my review in any way whatsoever.

 

Synopsis:

A body in a barn. A secret from the past. Wedding plans can be murder...

Reverend Annabelle Dixon is back! A vicar with a taste for sweets and a nose for crime, Annabelle seems doggedly distracted from her impending wedding to Inspector Nicholls. Much to the dismay of her wedding organizer, Philippa.

So when a visiting priest stumbles over a corpse in a cow barn, Annabelle is all too eager to investigate. But when an ancient journal links the victim to a travesty from the past, Annabelle wonders if she’s in over her head. Meanwhile, the inspector has his hands full with potential suspects... And a troubling lack of clues.

Disgruntled laborers, absent relatives, a group of sinister travelers... The list of possible killers seems endless. But when someone burns down Annabelle and Mike’s wedding marquee days before the ceremony, they find themselves in a race against time.

Can Annabelle solve this disturbing crime, and banish her wedding day jitters once and for all, before it’s too late?

Witches at the Wedding is the eighth in a furiously fast-paced, funny new series featuring a young female vicar whose passion and dedication to her parish are matched only by her weakness for cake.

If you like quirky characters, clever puzzles, and a touch of sweet romance, then you’ll love Alison Golden’s deliciously addictive storytelling.

**This series of books are clean cozy mysteries that contain no swearing or graphic descriptions of violence or bedroom activities. There are even recipes in the back!**

Book Review of Witches at the Wedding

Is Annabelle running away from her wedding responsibilities or can't she just pass up another chance to solve a mystery?

Witches at the Wedding marks my 4th read in the Reverend Annabelle Dixon Mystery Series and overall my 9th read (!) for Alison Golden. It is sadly the final book in this fun series.

"Only three days left! And she's barely prepared anything!"

As you can see Witches at the Wedding starts off strong with the third person view of Philipa, Annabelle's and the Upton St. Mary Church's cook.

In this final book in the Reverend Annabelle Dixon Mystery Series, Annabelle has accepted Inspector Mike Nicholls' marriage proposal and they're due to get married. In three days!

And if you're wondering if Annabelle manages to land herself in a mystery within those three days… then you're right! She does!

"It's a strange case. Nothing stolen. A victim who seemed to have had little contact with the outside world. And yet such a violent, grisly murder. It almost feels personal, intimate."

Unlike previous books, the murder in Witches at the Wedding is pretty gruesome. Though as cozy mysteries go, we don't see the murder itself. Phew!

Annabelle seems to be running away from the responsibilities of getting married – I mean who hasn't chosen their cake or tried on their dress three days before the wedding?! So when a mystery knocks on her door, Annabelle dives straight in.

"Oh it was never a question of trust, Annabelle," Mike said. "I always have faith" –he winked at her– "that you'll get yourself into trouble eventually,."

There's lots hanging on this particular case. Inspector Mike Nicholls, Annabelle's husband-to-be, would get a promotion if he solves this case before his wedding day. And if the case is closed quickly, then Annabelle can get back to planning and going-on-with her wedding.

In their search for the killer, Annabelle and Nicholls come across a group of people – gypsies – living on the outskirts of the town. There, one of the women who is said to be a fortune teller, gives a reading to the couple, albeit separately, adding to the scary sense that Annabelle may not go forward with the wedding.

"You are a good, steadfast woman. There are dark forces at play. More than your people understand. These shadows are seeking, observing, and hiding in plain sight."

As always, Annabelle is funny but even more so is Philippa who is struggling to manage and prepare for the wedding.

I enjoyed this final conclusion to the Reverend Annabelle Dixon Mystery Series. Golden has a surprise and interesting ending so I'll leave it at that.

I find that Witches at the Wedding is a great conclusion to the series. Though I'd love to see more of the Annabelle-Nicholls couple having their own series again or making an appearance in another series by Golden.

 

Overall rating for Witches at the Wedding by Alison Golden: 4.5 stars

 

Note: I received a free copy of Witches at the Wedding from its author Alison Golden for being part of her street team. This in no way affected my review of the book.

 

Read more of my book reviews of Alison Golden's books:

Reverend Annabelle Dixon Mystery Series

-         Death at the Café (Book 1)

-         Horror in the Highlands (Book 5)

-         Killer at the Cult (Book 6)

Detective Inspector Graham Series

-         The Case of the Screaming Beauty

-         The Case of the Hidden Flame

-         The Case of the Broken Doll

-         The Case of Samson's Leap