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Mystery, oh, man, mystery can be such fun, a bit scary, or even sad. I love mystery reads, movies, and most fictional things with mysteries as I enjoy the puzzling out of mysteries.
My favorite hobbies put my brain to work, and books are one of them so combining two great loves in reading mysteries is twice the fun. Now, I'm not saying I don't figure out the plot or mystery from the start (because I totally have, and it happens most times) but I love the back and forth of going "oooh, it's him or no, it's totally her!"
So, join me in seeing some of my favorite mysteries! And I hope you'll share some of yours.
The Addicental Cases of Emily Abbott #1 Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick
About Red Rover, Red Rover
He's a spy, and he needs her help...
Emily Abbott is working hard as a coffee barista in downtown Phoenix, keeping one eye on her tiny college fund and the other on the mysterious new guy with his profound lack of coffee-making skills.
Just when she thinks they might be getting the hang of working together, she's abruptly thrust into his world of espionage and danger. Brent Peterson needs her help to keep Red Rover safe and the information he carries out of the wrong hands. But she's just a barista—what can she do?
Much more than she thinks.
"The Accidental Cases of Emily Abbott" is a series of clean spy-comedy novellas set in Phoenix, Arizona.
Review
This started out perfectly! We were driving when I started this book and I didn't even realize we had crossed the state line while I was sucked into the story. A fast-paced and unending action fills this short episode like a novella. While fast and packed with layers of danger Red Rover, Red Rover is a 5-star winner in the rating department. Plus, Brent and his naming is so funny and quite lifelike - my brother is always renaming everyone every other day. The content is clean enough 12 up can read it though there is some slight violence. A perfect read short yet not too short read!
About The Paris Betrayal
After a rough mission in Rome involving the discovery of a devastating bioweapon, Company spy Ben Calix returns to Paris to find his perfectly ordered world has collapsed. A sniper attack. An ambush. A call for help that brings French SWAT forces down on his head. Ben is out. This is a severance--reserved for incompetents and traitors.
Searching for answers and anticipating a coming attack, Ben and a woman swept up in his misfortunes must travel across Europe to find the sniper who tried to kill him, the medic who saved his life, the schoolmaster who trained him, and an upstart hacker from his former team. More than that, Ben must come to grips with his own insignificance as the Company's plan to stop Leviathan from unleashing the bioweapon at any cost moves forward without him--and he struggles against the infection that is swiftly claiming territory within his own body.
Award-winning author James R. Hannibal rachets up the tension on every page of this suspenseful new thriller.
Review
When I was told I gave up too easily on James R. Hannibal's books I did not expect people to be so right!
A big reason I gave this book another chance is the author is a former Air Force pilot and I'm a sucker for the Air Force (#AirForcebrat), I've seen raving reviews from friends on his books, another reason is the back cover of "The Paris Betrayal" grabbed my attention AND didn't give spoilers that would cause me to be disappointed in the book.
I got my copy in the mail and not three hours later I flipped the last page and found that it is one of the best books I've read in a while. Surprising, but so exciting! And, the suspense kept me guessing, I called one or two little things but most of the time I was close to biting my nails. The plotline of a pandemic, bioweapon, and other things related to those didn't bother me with the way the topics were approached but you should still be warned that they do play a big part of the book and some people may not want to read this book yet.
Be Calix is not your everyday hero even for a spy thriller, his story is a new take on a CIA plotline, and just everything about him was AWESOME. I loved every bit of this book and I already want to reread it!
I highly recommend you pre-order your copy NOW, you must read this book, and why not support the author with a pre-order now?!
As for me, I need to go fish my copies of Hannibal's other books from my depths of to-be-read book piles and read them promptly.
I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About Masquerade at middlecrest abbey
When the widowed Lord Torrington agreed to spy for the crown, he never planned to impersonate a highwayman, let alone rob the wrong carriage. Stranded on the road with an unconscious young woman, he is forced to propose marriage to protect his identity, as well as his dangerous mission.
Trapped by not only the duty to her country but her limited options, Miss Elizabeth Cantrell and her illegitimate son are whisked away to Middlecrest Abbey by none other than the elder brother of her son’s absent father. She is met by Torrington’s beautiful grown daughters, a vicious murderer, and an urgent hunt for the missing intelligence that could turn the war with France. Afraid of what Lord Torrington might do if he learns of her son’s true identity, Elizabeth must remain one step ahead of her fragile heart, her uncertain future, and the relentless mystery person bent on her new family’s ruin.
review
Is it truly over?
When reading a book like Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey you are so centralized that you barely notice as pages turn, chapters tick away, and an hour then two have gone. And with the last word read I am in shock, in Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey there is such intrigue that you can't help but devour each word with a baited breath, until the story is concluded with a neat, sweet ending.
The mystery is something like Doyle, the romance a dash of Austen, and the writing all Wilson. This being my first book from Abigail Wilson I wasn't sure quite what to expect, I had heard so many good things about her first books and when I saw the cover of this one I knew I needed to read it at the first chance I got -- and so I did.
Finding one of, what I expect to be, my top 5 favorite books of 2020 I am pleased that I read this book, the characters, especially Lord Torrington, were not the normal characters one finds in a historical romance. The care with which Lord Torrington takes of Isaac and others with similar stories shows just how much of a gentleman he is. I can't say as I didn't see some things coming because I did but I didn't guess everything within the first half of the book which was a wonderful surprise. I look forward to more from Wilson.
The mystery tied up with good pace, not too soon or too long winded, and was not too dark for my tastes.
I only have to add that there are mentions of mistresses, prostitutes, children born out of wedlock, sleeping with a man/woman were already married to another man/woman, and such things that were very common in the era of Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and am truly happy to provide it.
About The Chase
US Marshal Madison James may not be sure who shot her three months ago, but she does know one thing--it's time to get back out into the field. When her partner, Jonas Quinn, receives a message that a federal warrant just came in on a man connected to a string of bank robberies, Madison jumps at the chance to get back to work. What she and Jonas find is a bank robbery in progress that's gone wrong--and things are about to get worse.
For these bank robbers, it's never been just about the money. It's about taking risks and adrenaline rushes, and getting caught is not part of the game. When the suspects escape, Madison and Jonas must hunt them down and bring them to justice before someone else--someone close to them--gets hurt . . . or worse.
From Seattle to the San Juan Islands, bestselling author Lisa Harris takes you on a nonstop chase where feelings are complicated and failure isn't an option.
Review
There was no chance to catch my breath while I was reading "The Chase" by Lisa Harris!
I fell in love with Harris' US Marshals series when I read "The Escape" and fell in love with Madison's and Jonas' story and seeing US Marshals since I've read so many suspense books with other agencies and not so many with about the Marshals.
One of the plot lines is quite like one of my favorite mystery movies which makes me adore this book even more. There were things that I wished didn't happen and I also was really sad at some of the twists but this book left me eager for the next one!
I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About Three Missing Days
The third book in a riveting new series from USA TODAY bestselling romantic suspense author Colleen Coble.
A shocking murder.
Chief of Police Jane Hardy plunges into the investigation of a tragic local murder, but everything in her personal life is unraveling.
Her son’s arrest.
Jane’s son is accused of manslaughter, and she has to decide whether or not she can trust her ex, Reid, in the attempt to prove Will’s innocence—and whether she’s going to trust Reid with her heart.
Three missing days.
With the recent discovery of her mother’s whereabouts, Jane learns not only that her mother stole something vital all those years ago but that she drugged Jane so she wouldn’t be able to remember. What happened in those three days could change everything.
It all started with one little lie. But the truth is finally coming out.
Review
After a wonderful start I found Three Missing Days started to lose my interest as the mix of suspense and normal life was somewhat weird in the telling. I stuck with it not expecting much while at the same time expecting to finish the book with at least 3 stars since I’ve found in the past Coble’s books to drag and then pick up.
Wow, was I glad I stuck with it. The second half of the book grabbed my attention and with a few groans at slow places I was still eager to find out what would happen to the characters and where the story was going.
This isn’t your normal suspense as it is so much … more. It ends with a beautiful redeeming end after a story that was at times quite stark.
Content warnings: mentions of past mistakes, dealings with cults, murders, threats, and more of the like.
Suggested for 18+
I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
So, what did you think? Find any new mysteries for yourself (or a friend or family member?) I hope you did!
Make sure to stop by Kate's blog for the giveaway to get your entries in for today, a free read, and the rest of the great blog posts! You can find her blog here.
Last question, what's your very favorite mystery?