Waiting on Wednesday #194/Can't Wait Wednesday: Bryant & May: Wild Chamber by Christopher Fowler

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

This week I'm waiting on #14 in the Bryant & May series, Wild Chamber by Christopher Fowler. It's due out December 5, 2017 from Random House.

Synopsis from Amazon:
Detectives Arthur Bryant and John May are back on the case in this whip-smart and wildly twisting mystery, in which a killer in London’s parks is proving to be a most elusive quarry.
       
Helen Forester’s day starts like any other: Around seven in the morning, she takes her West Highland terrier for a walk in her street’s private garden. But by 7:20 she is dead, strangled yet peacefully laid out on the path, her dog nowhere to be found. The only other person in the locked space is the gardener, who finds the body and calls the police. He expects proper cops to arrive, but what he gets are Bryant, May, and the wily members of the Peculiar Crimes Unit.
                  
Before the detectives can make any headway on the case, a second woman is discovered in a public park, murdered in nearly identical fashion. Bryant, recovering from a health scare, delves into the arcane history of London’s cherished green spaces, rife with class drama, violence, and illicit passions. But as a devious killer continues to strike, Bryant and May struggle to connect the clues, not quite seeing the forest for the trees. Now they have to think and act fast to save innocent lives, the fate of the city’s parks, and the very existence of the PCU. 

Why am I waiting on this one? I've become a fan of Bryant & May and the Peculiar Crimes Unit. They are offbeat detectives. And there is usually some humor to the telling of the story.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Sleeping Beauty, Borrowed Time: A Fairy Tale Fatal Novella by Maia Chance

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Published May 16th 2017 by BookBaby

"Miss Flax, your suspicion is as keen as ever," Gabriel smiled, but his belly sank. He suddenly recalled with great clarity occasions when Ophelia had damned his interest in fairy-tale relics. The words "moldy" and "obsession" had featured prominently.

~ 29% through on my Kindle

Sleeping Beauty, Borrowed Time by Maia Chance was published May 16th. 2017 by BookBaby.

What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Review: Dying Breath by Heather Graham

In her youth, Vickie Preston survived the attack of a serial killer while babysitting. It was the first time she ever saw a ghost, but not the last.

Griffin Price was there that night as a policeman. Now though, he is a Special Agent with the FBI in the Krewe of Hunters. He is in Boston working on the case of another serial killer called The Undertaker. The killer is kidnapping women and putting them into tight spots with not much air and sending notes, hints about their locations, to the police.

Vickie becomes involved when one of the notes mentions her by name. Her vast knowledge of the history of Boston becomes a tool in the arsenal of the Hunters. As Vickie and Griffin work together, they find that they are drawn together.

This is one of the best Krewe of Hunters books that I have read. I loved the way the clues were delivered and the explanations as they were figured out by Vickie, Griffin, the police, and other members of the Krewe. There is information shared about the Boston of today as well as historical Boston. It makes for interesting reading. And it's a good mystery.

Vickie and Griffin are both good characters. The character of ghostly Dylan and Darlene are good and not overused as a plot device. There is romance between Vickie and Griffin. And it does lead to some sex scenes. The mystery takes the forefront of most of the story. The romance is slightly secondary.

Overall, I give Dying Breath 4 out of 5 stars. It's a well-written mystery with romance. I was guessing at who did it right up until the end.

Dying Breath by Heather Graham is #21 in the Krewe of Hunters series. It was released May 30, 2017 from MIRA.

My copy of the book was an ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and freely given.

Waiting on Wednesday #193/Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice’s life on the road, always a step ahead of the uncanny bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice’s grandmother, the reclusive author of a cult-classic book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate, the Hazel Wood, Alice learns how bad her luck can really get: Her mother is stolen away―by a figure who claims to come from the Hinterland, the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother's stories are set. Alice's only lead is the message her mother left behind: “Stay away from the Hazel Wood.”

Alice has long steered clear of her grandmother’s cultish fans. But now she has no choice but to ally with classmate Ellery Finch, a Hinterland superfan who may have his own reasons for wanting to help her. To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the world where her grandmother's tales began―and where she might find out how her own story went so wrong. 

This one is due out a while from now, January 30, 2018 from Flatiron Books.

Why am I waiting on this one? A fairy tale life isn't all it's cracked up to be. It sounds like if there was a map, there would be a label: Here there be monsters. I look forward to finding out more about the Hazel Wood and the Hinterland. I like fairy tale type stories. And I wonder if this one will be resolved with a happily ever after or not.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: The Middle Finger of Fate by Kim Hunt Harris

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

You know how you idolize someone and then you see them years later and realize they weren't anything special, just a regular person with normal faults? That was so not what I was feeling. In fact, Bobby seemed every bit as larger-than-life to me as he ever had. He still had that air of the supercool dude, confident, in charge, able to save old ladies and run down bad guys without ruffling his just-a-trifle-too-long hair.

~ 4% through on my Kindle

The lines above refer to Salem's meeting a cop that she hasn't seen for years. This is the first book in the Trailer Park Princess mystery series. I've just recently started reading it and haven't gotten too far in yet. It has some good lines, but one thing bugs me: the way the main character is so focused on her weight gain since high school. She is 28 at the time this book takes place. I can understand a little bit, but it seems overly done. Hoping her focus changes as she investigates the murder mystery. The Trailer Park Princess and the Middle Finger of Fate was published in 2013.

What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday#192/Can't Wait Wednesday: Urban Enemies ed. by Joseph Nassise

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Villains have all the fun—everyone knows that—and this anthology takes you on a wild ride through the dark side! The top villains from sixteen urban fantasy series get their own stories—including the baddies of New York Times bestselling authors Jim Butcher, Kevin Hearne, Kelley Armstrong, Seanan McGuire, and Jonathan Maberry.

For every hero trying to save the world, there’s a villain trying to tear it all down.

In this can’t-miss anthology edited by Joseph Nassise (The Templar Chronicles), you get to plot world domination with the best of the evildoers we love to hate! This outstanding collection brings you stories told from the villains’ point of view, imparting a fresh and unique take on the evil masterminds, wicked witches, and infernal personalities that skulk in the pages of today’s most popular series.

The full anthology features stories by Jim Butcher (the Dresden Files), Kelley Armstrong (the Cainsville and Otherworld series), Seanan McGuire (October Daye), Kevin Hearne (The Iron Druid Chronicles), Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger), Lilith Saintcrow (Jill Kismet), Carrie Vaughn (Kitty Norville), Joseph Nassise (Templar Chronicles), C.E. Murphy (Walker Papers), Steven Savile (Glasstown), Caitlin Kittredge (the Hellhound Chronicles and the Black London series), Jeffrey Somers (The Ustari Cycle), Sam Witt (Pitchfork County), Craig Schaefer (Daniel Faust), Jon F. Merz (Lawson Vampire), Faith Hunter (Jane Yellowrock), and Diana Pharaoh Francis (Horngate Witches).

Urban Enemies is due out August 1, 2017 from Gallery Books.

Why am I waiting on this one? All the stories are urban fantasy tales. And even though I am not familiar with all of the series featured, I am looking forward to reading stories from the villain's perspective. I think I will probably find some new series to read as a result as well.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Dying Breath by Heather Graham

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Dying Breath by Heather Graham is #21 in the Krewe of Hunters series. It was published May 30 by MIRA.

Is that why she felt a ridiculous bond with him? As if they should be much more than occasional acquaintances. Was it Noah's absolute certainty that Griffin shared her odd talent - that he was totally aware that Dylan was still with them - at least, Dylan's ghost or his spirit? 

~ 28% through on my Kindle

Would you keep reading?

What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday #191: The Ninja's Illusion by Gigi Pandian

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings. 

This week I'm waiting on the 5th installment in the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mysteries, The Ninja's Illusion by Gigi Pandian. It's due to be released October 3, 2017 by Henery Press.

Publisher's synopsis:

A fabled illusion performed by a stage magician who claims to possess real supernatural powers. A treasure from the colonial era in India when international supremacies vied for power. A phantom trading ship lost over 200 years ago. And a ninja whose murderous intentions in present-day Japan connect the deeds of a long-dead trader who was much more than he seemed…

When Jaya travels from San Francisco to Japan with her stage magician best friend Sanjay—a.k.a. The Hindi Houdini—for his Japanese debut, she jumps at the chance to pursue her own research that could solve a tantalizing centuries-old mystery. 

With the colorful autumn leaves of historic Kyoto falling around her, Jaya soon loses sight of what’s real and what’s a deception. A mysterious ninja attempts sabotage on Sanjay’s trick, along with Japan’s most controversial magician, Akira. Ancient folklore blurs the lines between illusion and reality when a magician’s assistant appears to be a kitsune, a mythical fox spirit. As tricks escalate to murder, Jaya and her friends must unravel secrets hidden in the ancient capital of Japan, before one of their own becomes the next victim.

Why am I waiting on this one? The Jaya Jones mysteries just get better and better with each addition to the series. I enjoy reading about Jaya's exploits, some of which are Indiana Jones-ish. This book looks like it has a good blend of folklore and history along with action. And it's from Henery Press. They have a good line of mysteries.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: Belle Weather by Celia Rivenbark

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I just naturally assumed Soph would be reading Nancy Drew, just as I did at her age. Wrong, Hogwarts breath. My kid is bored senseless by the wholesome adventures of the "athletic blond girl detective." I suppose after reading about Harry and best friend Ron squaring off against ten-foot-tall furry black spiders inside a cave, the antics that ensue when you return a stolen locket to its rightful owner in the nursing home isn't really that big a deal. 

~ p. 82 hardcover edition. This edition was published August 2008 from St. Martin's Press.

What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Review: Bad Housekeeping by Maia Chance

Bad Housekeeping by Maia Chance is the first in a new series of Agnes and Effy mysteries. Agnes is the mayor's 28-year-old daughter who has recently moved back home after being jilted. Effy is her great aunt who has recently inherited a fairly decrepit inn. Effy offers Agnes a job helping to remodel the inn. Agnes accepts.

Effy and Agnes find a woman murdered on the back porch of the inn. A woman who they both had had words with the day before. They are the prime suspects in the case, though framed. And they are desperate to find someone else for the cops to blame.

They begin their somewhat inept investigation around the small town mostly on their own. They find quite a few people had reasons to kill the woman. It becomes a question of finding a motive and the killer from among their suspect pool as well as staying alive and out of jail long enough to get their man - or woman.

If you enjoy humorous mysteries, you will most likely enjoy this one. Both Agnes and Effy are good strong female characters and the rapport they share is funny. Agnes is reduced to living at home again now that her professor fiance has dumped her for a fitness instructor. She is wearing old clothes from high school that have seen better days and are a bit tight. But her brain is working on all four cylinders. Euphemia, aka Effie, has moved into the soon to be demolished Stagecoach Inn and is trying to get it a stay of execution. Effy has style and grace and is a chain-smoking fiend.

The mystery itself is a good one. The pool of suspects while wide narrows as a few of them bite the dust. The suspense and pace of the mystery are well done. I had fun trying to guess who had done the dastardly deed and why. I was still surprised in the end.

I give Bad Housekeeping 4 out of 5 stars. It's a good humorous mystery. And being first in a new series, I'm happy there will be more to look forward to.

The expected publication date for Bad Housekeeping is June 13, 2017 from Crooked Lane Books.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. This review is solely my opinion and freely given.