by Charlotte and Aaron Elkins A Audio-Book Review by Jackie Houchin In A CRUISE TO DIE FOR, Charlotte and Aaron Elkins (husband & wife team) have created a wonderful art world mystery with characters you’ll love (except the bad guys, of course) and a gorgeous super posh setting aboard a mega yacht in the beautiful…
by Barbara Venkataraman A Book Review by Jackie Houchin Okay, have you ever seen the word, Didgeridoo, before (did’ jer ee doo’ – just like it’s spelled, well almost)? If you haven’t, it’s a musical instrument. A very long, horn-like tube, slightly bent and flaring at the end, and sounding like a deep base kazoo. (You…
by Aaron Elkins, narrated by Joel Richards an Audiobook Review by Jackie Houchin I’ve read most of Aaron Elkins’ Gideon Oliver “the bone detective” mysteries and find them all intriguing. Oh, the things you can discover from a pile of old bones. The reason I picked up UNEASY RELATIONS again is because it is set…
by Amy Vansant a Book Review by Jackie Houchin PINEAPPLE CRUISE, A Pineapple Port Mystery by Amy Vansant is a scary-fun mystery set on the maiden voyage of a cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico. Unlike the Titanic, it doesn’t sink, but people die anyway! What is it about Table 12 in the dining…
by Alan Bradley A Short Story Review by Jackie Houchin In this brief story, Flavia de Luce receives a mysterious letter from a local boys’ boarding school. “Murder! Come at once. Anson House, Greyminster, Staircase No. 3.” Never of a mind to miss a murder investigation, she mounts her trusty bicycle, Gladys, and despite the…
by Catherine Aird, read by Derek Perkins An Audiobook Review by Jackie Houchin LAST RESPECTS is a classic English Detective mystery by Catherine Aird. A boat, a bronze “marble,” a ship’s bell, and a body are found on, near, above, or in a rural country river. The body is the most crucial problem to solve,…
by Victoria Tait A Book Review by Jackie Houchin VALUED FOR MURDER, another dive into the world of antiques and art, builds beautifully on Victoria Tait’s first book in the series, FAKE DEATH. (And also the prequel novella – HOUR IS COME – which the author is giving away free as backstory for her heroine, Dotty…
by Jennifer Bohnet, narrated by Julia Franklin An Audiobook review by Jackie Houchin I enjoyed ONE SUMMER IN MONTE CARLO, especially having just visited the Principality in the last few weeks. Jennifer Bohnet brought the setting alive, particularly with the yachts in the harbor, and the set-up and anticipation of the Monaco Grand Prix…
by Kim Fay, And narrated by Kimberly Farr, Cassandra Campbell, Mark Bramhall, Maggi-Meg Reed, and the author. An audiobook review by Jackie Houchin Kim Fay’s LOVE & SAFFRON is heartwarming and a pleasure to read. It’s an epistolary (written in letters) between two women whose friendship grows through the experiences (and recipes) they…
by Mary Stewart a book review by Jackie Houchin “It’s a rough sort of magic for such as we are – a mere musician, and a couple of players…” I’ve said many times before that “This Rough Magic” by Mary Stewart is my all-time favorite book ever, and after reading it yet again for the…
Words and Reviews 