Book Review: Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji

 

From the publisher:

Philadelphia, 1875: It is the start of term at Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania. Dr. Lydia Weston, professor and anatomist, is immersed in teaching her students in the lecture hall and hospital. When the body of a patient, Anna Ward, is dredged out of the Schuylkill River, the young chambermaid’s death is deemed a suicide. But Lydia is suspicious and she is soon brought into the police investigation.

Aided by a diary filled with cryptic passages of poetry, Lydia discovers more about the young woman she thought she knew. Through her skill at the autopsy table and her clinical acumen, Lydia draws nearer the truth. Soon a terrible secret, long hidden, will be revealed. But Lydia must act quickly, before she becomes the next target of those who wished to silence Anna.

Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji was published October 17th, 2023 by Simon & Schuster. 

My Thoughts: This is an enjoyable historical mystery. I really liked Dr. Lydia Weston. She was smart and sympathetic. She worked well with the police. I appreciated that she didn't do much investigating on her own. i liked seeing how the attitude from some of the police changed over the course of the book. It was notable that they chose to consult her in the first place. I liked that not all the men she encountered treated her in a condescending manner.

The plot moved along at a good pace The twists worked well. I was surprised at the ending. The details of her actions as a doctor and investigator made it more real. Overall, it is well-written. 

I gave it 5 stars out of 5. I would definitely recommend this book to people who like a good historical mystery with a strong female protagonist. I look forward to seeing where Ritu Mukerji takes Dr. Weston from here.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my review.

Book Review: Never Whistle at Night edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.

 

From the publisher:

Many Indigenous people believe that one should never whistle at night. This belief takes many forms: for instance, Native Hawaiians believe it summons the Hukai’po, the spirits of ancient warriors, and Native Mexicans say it calls Lechuza, a witch that can transform into an owl. But what all these legends hold in common is the certainty that whistling at night can cause evil spirits to appear—and even follow you home.

These wholly original and shiver-inducing tales introduce readers to ghosts, curses, hauntings, monstrous creatures, complex family legacies, desperate deeds, and chilling acts of revenge. Introduced and contextualized by bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones, these stories are a celebration of Indigenous peoples’ survival and imagination, and a glorious reveling in all the things an ill-advised whistle might summon.

Never Whistle at Night  was published September 19th, 2023 by Vintage.

My Thoughts:  This is a perfect read for this time of year and for anytime you want to spook yourself. Even the introduction has it's creepy moments.

Some of the stories are really scary. Others are gross in their horror. The first story in the book is one of my favorites, Kushtuka by Mathilda Zeller. I caught myself holding my breath in places in the story. I was worried for the protagonist. 

This is an anthology of dark fiction. Some of it is supernatural horror. Some of it is the horror of the things people do to each other. But, all of it is well written. 

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. I would recommend it to fans of dark fiction. It's well worth a read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my review.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #483: Stings and Stones by Jennifer Estep

 

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

From Amazon: 

New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Estep serves up an Elemental Assassin short story collection featuring danger, magic, and a touch of romance. Perfect for fans of Ilona Andrews, Anne Bishop, Patricia Briggs, and Faith Hunter.

Flash back to one of Gin Blanco’s many missions as the assassin the Spider. Learn more about Gin’s relationships with her mentor, Fletcher Lane, and her foster brother, Finnegan Lane, and see what trouble the other characters get themselves into when Gin’s not around. From a ghost’s lost love to a villain’s origin story, this action-packed collection has something for every urban fantasy and paranormal romance fan.

The Stings and Stones collection features ten short stories told by various characters:

“Spider’s Bargain” — Gin Blanco
“Web of Death” — Gin Blanco
“Web of Deceit” — Fletcher Lane
“Poison” — Finnegan Lane
“Wasted” — Finnegan Lane
“Tangled Dreams” — Jo-Jo and Sophia Deveraux
“Tangled Schemes” — Bria Coolidge
“Spider’s Nemesis” — Mab Monroe
“Haints and Hobwebs” — Gin Blanco
“Parlor Tricks” — Gin Blanco

Note: Stings and Stones is a 67,000-word collection of Elemental Assassin short stories. Some of the stories previously appeared on Jennifer Estep’s website, while others have been featured in anthologies.

Stings and Stones by Jennifer Estep is due out November 28, 2023. It is available for preorder now.

Why am I waiting on this book? This is an urban fantasy series that I've really enjoyed. I missed most of the stories when they were originally published in varous places. If you've read any of the series, this is a must. If you haven't yet, this may be a good introduction to some of the major characters.

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!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #482: Killing Me Softly by Julie Mulhern

 

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

From the publisher: Ellison Russell Jones’ best friend Libba has a questionable track record when it comes to men. But finally—finally—she’s selected a good one.

Charlie Ardmore hales from a fine family, plays a mean game of golf, and is a cardiologist.

Even Mothers approves.

But when Charlie’s patients start dying, the whispers begin. Is Charlie a killer?

Could Harrington Walford, Ellison’s beloved father and one of Charlie’s patients, be the next to die?

Can Ellison stop a killer in time?

Killing Me Softly by Julie Mulhern will be available December 26th, 2023. It can be preordered at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Apple Books.

Why am I waiting on this book? This is part of Julie Mulhern's Country Club Murder series. I've really enjoyed the others in the series. They are humorous cozies set in the 1970s. I'd recommend them to anyone who enjoys their mysteries with a side of humor.

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!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #481: You'd Look Better as a Ghost by Joanna Wallace

 

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

From the publisher: 

A comic thriller following the trials and tribulations of Claire, a part-time serial killer, who is keen to keep her favorite hobby a secret—despite the efforts of a determined blackmailer.

The night after her father's funeral, Claire meets Lucas in a bar. Lucas doesn't know it, but it's not a chance meeting. One thoughtless mistyped email has put him in the crosshairs of an extremely put-out serial killer. But before they make eye contact, before Claire lets him buy her a drink—even before she takes him home and carves him up into little pieces—something about that night is very wrong. Because someone is watching Claire. Someone who is about to discover her murderous little hobby.

The thing is, it's not sensible to tangle with a part-time serial killer, even one who is distracted by attending a weekly bereavement support group and trying to get her art career off the ground. Will Claire finish off her blackmailer before her pursuer reveals all? Let the games begin . . .

You'd Look Better as a Ghost  by Joanna Wallace is expected out April 16th, 2024 from Penguin Books.

Why am I waiting on this book? I like stories with some humor to them. This one seems to have that. Plus it sounds like a good mystery, an unusual mystery. 

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!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #480: The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

 

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

From the publisher:

A sumptuous Gothic horror for fans of Rebecca and Mexican Gothic.

Hacienda San Isidro was meant to be Beatriz’s haven, her salvation from an oppressive life with her uncle and his vicious wife. When Don Rodolfo Solórzano proposed, Beatriz dreamed only of the security his estate in the countryside would provide, ignoring the rumors surrounding his first wife’s demise and his sinister allegiances. She will have her own home again, no matter the price.

But the house has ideas of its own. Visions and voices claw at Beatriz, stealing her sleep, and the weight of invisible eyes follows her every move. Deep in her bones, Beatriz knows—something is wrong with San Isidro.

Desperate for help, she turns to the young priest, Padre Andrés. Handsome and sympathetic, he seems like Beatriz’s only hope. But as their passions rise and the walls close in around Beatriz, the weight of secrets everyone is carrying may lead them all to their doom.

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas is expected out October 26, 2023 from Solaris.

Why am I waiting on this book? I like a good gothic tale. I read Mexican Gothic  by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and enjoyed it. The blurb suggests that if you liked that book, you will enjoy this one. I want to know what will happen to Beatriz and how much is supernatural and how much is from the secrets being kept from her. It sounds like the perfect read for this time of year.

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!

Book Review: Hex Education by Maureen Kilmer

 

From the publisher:

Nice witches finish last…

A guilt-ridden former coven is forced to tap into the magic of their past . . . if they want to stop their lives from going up in flames again.

On the outside, luxury real estate agent Sarah Nelson looks like every other mom in the suburb. But she has an edge that others don’t: She’s a witch. And no one knows . . . except her estranged ex-coven and college friends, Katrina and Alicia.

One terrible night during their freshman year, the trio accidentally burned down their dorm, and soon after they scattered. Their secret had been safe, until Sarah learns they’ve been invited back to commemorate the anniversary of the fire.

Suddenly, the magic doesn’t want to be controlled. Sarah’s orange tabby cat, Katy Purry, now argues with her. Her broom has become self-brooming, and her fridge somehow restocks thirty pounds of sliced turkey for school lunches. As it grows increasingly difficult to hide the magic and the past, Sarah, Katrina, and Alicia must harness their power together . . . before they find out if polite society still burns witches.

Hex Education by Maureen Kilmer was released September 19th, 2023 from G.P. Putnam's Sons.

My Thoughts:

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. If you are looking for a good horror story with some humor, Hex Education by Maureen Kilmer would be a good book for you. 

Three very different friends made up a coven while they were in college. They did get some good out of it, think Sarah being able to communicate with her cat telepathically and use small magics to help her around the house and in her career. The dorm fire was a major drawback. 

Coming back together, their basic personalities haven't changed much. Magic surges and the three of them are caught in the web again. This time they are dealing with a podcast journalist who threatens to upend their lives.

I kind of wish that there was more of how the three women used to be shown. But the story still works. Two out of three of the women show character development. The third one seems stuck out of fear.

The book moves along at a decent pace. I thought the twists were well done. And I thought that the tension in the story was also done well.

Overall, it's worth a read. In particular, if you enjoyed Suburban Hell then you will enjoy this book as well. And if you like your horror with a touch of humor, you will also like this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.