Mai Tai One On by Jill Marie Landis

Genre:
Cozy Mystery

Publisher:
Bell Bridge Books

Format:
Ebook

Release Date:
July 2011


The Tiki Goddess Series starts off with a bang when Em Johnson is summoned to Hawaii to help her uncle run his Tiki Goddess Bar. After going through a messy divorce, Em thought running the bar would take her mind off her own problems. However, things don’t turn out that way when their nasty neighbor turns up dead in the luau pit. Suspicion falls right on Em and her uncle Louie.

The wacky dancers of the Hula Maidens pitch in to help investigate this murder, but they find themselves getting in deeper and deeper. Two of them are accused of the crime and they do everything they can to clear their names, but are they helping or making matters worse? Even Em is at a loss of who to trust.

Jill Marie Landis literally transports her readers to Hawaii and gives us a cast of memorable characters including a talking parrot named David Letterman. This was truly a fun mystery, although I kind of suspected who the real culprit was early on in the book. Still, it was a fast-paced book with characters that will work their way into your hearts. I’m anxiously looking forward to the second book in this series.




For reading challenge:

A to Z Mystery Reading Challenge

FTC Disclosure: NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

Capable of Murder by Brian Kavanagh

Genre: Mystery
Publisher: BeWrite Books
Release Date: December 2010
Format: EBook

Belinda Lawrence is summoned to England by her great aunt Jane. Leaving her home in Australia behind, Belinda heads to the small English village but she is shocked beyond belief to discover her aunt’s dead body. The police insist it was an accident, but Belinda isn’t buying it. She’s convinced someone murdered her aunt and she intends to find out who that person is.

When Belinda learns she is the sole heir to Jane’s home and belongings, she suddenly finds herself in danger. First, the home she inherits from her aunt is broken into and vandalized, then her own life is threatened. She also finds herself involved with two very handsome men, but she doubts their motives. Are they truly interested in her or are they more interested in her inheritance?

This is the perfect cozy mystery. It has everything from a curious heroine, to a small English village, to a mysterious old house and two men trying to be heroes to our heroine. This is the first Belinda Lawrence and hopefully there are many more to come. Three others have already been written and I will eventually be reviewing those as well.

I loved that this was set in a small English village. It’s been a long time since I read one with this setting and it made me feel like I was right there in that village. It was a warm, cozy feeling.

The author gave us an amazing cast of characters. Belinda is the type of heroine that will be beloved and leave readers wondering what’s happening to her next. I know I will be.

This book had the feel of a mystery along the lines of Agatha Christie. There were many twists and turns leaving readers guessing right along with Belinda. It was fast-paced leaving me wanting more.

Since I loved this so much and it reminded me so much of older beloved mysteries that I'm giving it a Socrates' Great Book Alert Award.








For reading challenges:

A-Z Reading Challenge
A-Z Mystery Reading Challenge
Cruisin' Thru The Cozies Reading Challenge
ARC Reading Challenge
EBook Reading Challenge

A - Z Mystery Challenge 2011

Okay, this is it...this is the last one I'm joining (famous last words!). I love mysteries so I couldn't resist this one. It's being hosted by Red Headed Book Child.

RULES:

• Challenge runs from January 1 - December 31, 2011. Sign up ends February 1, 2011.
• Read A-I, J-P or Q-Z. You choose. The letter group you choose must be the last name of the author. (i.e= S for John Sandford).
• Mystery genre can include Cozy, Suspense, Thriller, or Noir. All Adult novels please.
• Leave a comment if you would like to sign up. I am getting rid of Mr. Linky.
• Write a post about this challenge and which group/s you pick. You can list the authors you choose or do it as you go.
• When you post your reviews, mention this challenge and link back to this sign up post.
• Sign up for my Giveaway below! You must be a follower, reside in the U.S and post about this challenge. I would appreciate it if you would sign up but it is not a requirement. I would like the help in spreading the word.
• Winner will be announced January 11, 2011.

I'm going to choose the J-P group. I'll be listing my books here...

J - Hour of the Hunter by J.A. Jance
K - Capable of Murder by Brian Kavanagh Click for review
L - Mai Tai One On by Jill Marie Landis Click for review
M - Code Blue by Richard Mabry
N - White Heat by Brenda Novak
O - Watch them Die by Kevin O'Brien
P - Night Tides by Alex Prentiss


To sign up, go to Red Headed Book Child.