detective – One Chapter

Top 10 Spooky Mysteries: You Wouldn’t Want to Know About! by Fiona MacDonald

3 stars Children’s Nonfiction

I do like a good mystery, and spooky, yes that would make it extra special. This children’s nonfiction caught my attention at the library. This is a slim book consisting of only 32 pages. Those pages include 3 pages of introductions, two pages for the index and table of contents, and two pages for the glossary. In between all of that you have 10 pages of what the author believes are the Top 10 Worse Spooky Mysteries You Wouldn’t Want To Know About!

A mystery is a problem that hasn’t been solved yet inside this book each of the mysteries the author explains, they contain a “probable explanation printed upside down” on the pages of that mystery. As a reader, you’re supposed to try to solve the mystery before reading the upside “probable explanation.”

So let the countdown begin! Each of the two-page spread mysteries feature some vital statistics on the mystery: the name, place, date, the mystery, why you don’t want to know about it, and it’s “probable explanation.” The rest of the two pages are filled with information and illustrations. There are numerous paragraphs with separate titles describing the mysteries accompanying illustrations which are cartoon in nature. The illustrations take up about a third of the space on these pages.

From aliens to Curse of Tutankhamum to Mary Celeste to Dyatlov Pass incident, these mysteries cover ones that everyone should be familiar with and some that are not. I was surprised at the ones that made the list, and I welcomed reading something that I was not that familiar with.

After reading a short paragraph on the spooky mystery, I would read the vital statistics as that is how the book flowed for each of the mysteries. The supporting information followed as I read, and I was not a fan of how that additional information was presented on the pages. I tried different ways to read this information, but this information just felt disjointed, like some of the FYI Facts that someone had just plastered on the pages. I thought they did a great job with the various sizes and font types that were used on the pages, as they set the different sections of the information off from one another. I have mixed feelings about the illustrations that were used. They did a great job in creating the cartoon art for each of the mysteries but I’m not sure if humorous cartoon art was appropriate for this book. Again, this is just my own thoughts and preference. I give this book 3 stars as I was expecting to love this book but I didn’t.

The Lake House by Jeff LaFerney

5 stars Mystery

I thought this was a captivating read as these distinct characters navigated through their life. As the stories started to come together, I liked how the stories blended and how these distinct individual’s lives felt intertwined although their lives felt so different. It reminded me of the saying, “it’s such a small world,” when you find something in common with a stranger. Didn’t see some of the twists that were added which were a great surprise.

You would think that solving a case would be easier when it’s fresh in everyone’s mind, but Reese discovers that isn’t always so. Assigned to such a case, Reese taps into some new resources yet what are Reese’s true intentions as he digs into this case?

Then, there is Beau. Beau does a terrible job on his assignment which has damaging effects for many individuals. Seriously Beau, I can’t believe you failed that job so badly. Kingston tries to come to his rescue, and he had a great idea but then, he steps over the line, and I’m left shaking my head. What the heck Kingston!?! You may have thought you solved that problem, but you just opened a can of worms by doing that. How is this all going to end? Lots of unknowns here but Jeff ties them all together by the time I close the book. 5 stars

Listen to Me (Rizzoli & Isles, #13) by Tess Gerritsen

4.5 stars

Once again, I jumped into the middle of a series but I knew about this one. I knew this book was part of a series when I picked it up so I was prepared to perhaps be confused but I really wasn’t. I had read a few of Tess Gerritsen’s books before and I had enjoyed them, so I was anxious to see how a series of hers would be. I really enjoyed the characters, especially Angela and I liked the little twists that were inside the book which kept the book moving along.

Angela was Jane’s mother and she was my favorite character. I normally don’t care for busy-bodies in books but Angela was hilarious as she kept track of the neighbors around her. She seemed to know what was going on in the neighborhood or so, she thought. She had her own opinion and as she shared it, in the book, she had me chuckling. Her daughter Jane, is a homicide detective and Angela keeps the phone ringing to her daughter, if she spots anything out-of-the-ordinary hoping that her daughter will check it out. Angela doesn’t want the glory if they apprehend a criminal or stop a crime, Angela just wants a safe and secure environment. Jane, on the other hand, is tired of her mother countless phone calls over everything and anything and her mother’s calls begin to fall on deaf ears. Does her mother give up, nope! Her mother calls the police and yes, they’ve dealt with Angela before so they know the routine with her calls.

There’s been a report of a murder and when Jane and her partner investigate it, they realize this case is more than just a burglary/murder. This investigation is just the beginning of an adventure that turns into something much bigger than they imagined.

I enjoyed this book more than I anticipated. There were plenty of little twists here and there that changed the direction of the book and made me rethink that something else was up when I had thought that I had things figured out. I was glad that I was able to read this book as a stand-alone novel, too. I would like to go back and read the beginning of this series; it was that good. 4.5 stars I received a copy of this book from Random House Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion of this book, thank you for sending me this book. #RizzoliIslesListentoMe #NetGalley.

Overboard (V.I.Warshawski #21) by Sara Paretsky

4.5 stars Mystery

I did it again! I jumped into the middle of a series without knowing anything about the characters, the conditions or any previous incidences (which seemed to have played a big role in this book). I was intrigued by the mystery of this case and with a rating above 4, I thought the book had to be good so I dove it. Besides not knowing about some of the previous relationships or should I say, the clashes and quarrels that existed prior to this case, it was a good stand-alone book.

Out walking with her dog along Lake Michigan, Vic’s dog notices something amongst the rocks. Vic’s dog is fixated on whatever he has found, leaving Vic no other choice but to see what has gotten his attention. It’s late and it’s getting darker by the minute so she reluctantly climbs down amongst the rocks to investigate. What? How in the heck did this girl get here? Is she alive? Questions float through Vic’s mind as she pulls her dog away so she can get a better look at the girl and look her over. Alive but barely that, Vic calls the proper authorities to assist the girl as she stays with her and tries to provide comfort.

Assessing the situation, Vic tries to piece together what she can from the evidence that is presented in front of her. Vic plays a vital role in this girl’s life now, even though she doesn’t know it. Vic was first on the scene. She was the eyes and ears of the scene before it was disturbed by the local authorities. Did she see or hear anything that could be important? What lead this girl to be hidden amongst the rocks on the hillside of Lake Michigan?

With a great beginning, I was intrigued as to why this young child was hidden in the rocks? I thought perhaps it was a boating accident but the clues started to go the wrong direction and the authorities just weren’t being honest. There was some shady behavior happening, a cover-up of some sort perhaps and why was a young girl is involved, this was beyond me. Vic was a go-getter and I liked her attitude. Perhaps I should go back and read this series from the beginning. Thank you, William Morrow, and NetGalley for supplying me with arc of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. 4.5 stars