Friday, December 9, 2022

Great Escapes Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway: The Socialite's Guide to Murder by S.K. Golden


 

Today I'm participating in the The Socialite's Guide to Murder Blog Tour. In this post you'll find book and author information along with my review.  And be sure to enter the giveaway below. 

 

About the book . . .

 

 The Socialite's Guide to Murder (A Pinnacle Hotel Mystery)

 Historical Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – New York City, 1958
Crooked Lane Books (October 11, 2022)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639101764
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639101764
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09Q7XM28Y
  

 

Synopsis . . . The hotel was her refuge, but scandal is afoot—and a killer stalks the halls in this charming series debut perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen and Ashley Weaver.

It’s 1958 and Evelyn Elizabeth Grace Murphy has not left the Pinnacle Hotel in fourteen months. She suffers from agoraphobia, and what’s more, it’s her father’s hotel, and everything she needs is there. Evelyn’s always been good at finding things, she discovered her mother dead in a Manhattan alleyway fifteen years earlier. Now she’s finding trouble inside her sanctuary. At a party for artist Billie Bell, his newest work is stolen, and Evelyn’s fake boyfriend (and real best friend), movie star Henry Fox, is accused of the theft. But just as Evelyn sets out to prove Henry’s innocence, she finds Billie Bell dead.

The murder weapon links the crime to the hotel’s chief of security. But why would he use a knife with his initials on the handle? With her beloved home in disarray, Evelyn joins up with hotel employee (and her secret crush) Mac Cooper to get to the bottom of the case. 

As Mac picks locks and Evelyn snoops around the hotel, they discover the walls around them contain more secrets than they previously knew. Now, Evelyn must force herself to leave the hotel to follow the clues—but when she and Mac set off to chase a lead, their car crashes and they barely escape with their lives. Someone snipped Evelyn’s brake lines, and now the stakes have become dangerously high.

Evelyn’s knack for sleuthing—and her playful imagination—are always hard at work, and she throws an elaborate party at the hotel where every guest is a suspect. But will the killer emerge from the glamorous lineup? If not, Evelyn just might find herself…next in line for murder.

 

My review . . . At first glance, Evelyn Murphy is a pampered, sheltered young woman who is heiress to the elegant Pinnacle Hotel. The first-class establishment is owned by her father, and is the only home she has ever known. Yet all is not rosy for Evelyn. She is a captive to the hotel's luxurious trappings who hasn't left the premises in the last fourteen months. She struggles with crippling fears that prevent her from venturing beyond the hotel walls, the only place she feels truly safe. 

The theft of a major artwork and death of its prominent artist at the Pinnacle bring the dangers of the outside world to Evelyn's doorstep, however, threatening both the safety of her refuge and the freedom of her closest friend, actor Henry Fox, the police's main suspect. With the help of several allies, Evelyn manages to face her fears head on, allowing her to use her innate detecting abilities to piece together the truth. In the final pages of the novel, Evelyn channels her fondness for Agatha Christie novels by bringing all the suspects together at a lavish party, where she engages each of them in laying out the case and revealing the murderer—all while wearing the perfect designer outfit and serving the finest food and beverages, of course.

The Socialite's Guide to Murder, first book in the new Pinnacle Hotel Mystery Series, introduces amateur sleuth, Evelyn Elizabeth Grace Murphy, her adorable pup Presley, and the eccentric staff and guests of the Pinnacle Hotel. The protagonist has a taste for the finer things in life, along with a strong curious streak. Set in mid-twentieth century New York City, readers are treated to the comings and goings of the upstairs/downstairs characters during a by-gone era, with surprises at every turn.  

Author S.K. Golden has created a sumptuous environment, replete with a lively mix of charming and dastardly characters, and a well-plotted story filled with a satisfying mix of mystery, romance, and drama. This delightful historical series is off to a terrific start, with the seeds for future plot lines and character interactions expertly planted in book one.

 

Giveaway . . . Enter for a chance to win a signed hardcover copy of the book along with a bookmark, pen, and sticker (U.S. only) by clicking this link.

 

About the author . . .  Sarah K Golden is the author of the Pinnacle Hotel cozy mystery series. Born and raised in the Florida Keys, she married a commercial fisherman. The two of them still live on the islands with their five kids (one boy, four girls — including identical twins!), two cats, and a corgi named Goku.

 

 

She graduated from Saint Leo University with a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Administration and has put it to good use approximately zero times. She’s worked as a bank teller, a pharmacy technician, and an executive assistant at her father’s church. Sarah is delighted to be doing none of those things now. She is currently working on book two in the series.

 

Author links . . .

 

Purchase links . . .

      PenguinRandomHouseAmazonB&NKoboIndieBound  

 

 Blog Tours 

 

Tour Participants . . . 

December 5 – Reading Reality – REVIEW

December 5 – Brooke Blogs – CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 5 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 6 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 6 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

December 6 – Bootsie’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

December 7 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

December 7 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 8 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 8 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 8 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 8 – Novels Alive – REVIEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 9 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

December 9 – I’m Into Books – SPOTLIGHT

December 9 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

December 9 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW

December 10 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – Elza Reads – REVIEW

December 11 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

December 11 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

 

 

Note . . . I received a complimentary copy of The Socialite's Guide to Murder from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.



 
This Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the Book Club Librarian blog. It cannot be republished without attribution.

 

 

 

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Friday Focus: The Friday 56 and Book Beginnings


16

 It's Friday . . . time to share book excerpts with:

  • Book Beginnings on Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader, where bloggers share the first sentence or more of a current read, as well as initial thoughts about the sentence(s), impressions of the book, or anything else that the opening inspires.  
  • The Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice, where you grab a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% of an eBook), find one or more interesting sentences (no spoilers), and post them.

Today I'm featuring a recent blog tour read, The Socialite's Guide to Murder by S.K. Golden, the first book in the Pinnacle Hotel historical mystery series. The excerpts shared are from an eBook provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

 

Beginning:  I was in the middle of my two o'clock appointment when a shadow fell over me.

"Mr. Peters," I said, "you're blocking my sun."

********************  

56% of eBook:  He shook my hand with a loud sigh. "Have a good day, Miss Murphy. Or, at least, a better day." He took his hanky, and I waited until he was back in the elevator before stepping into my apartment and locking the door.

********************  

My thoughts: This new series, set at a luxury hotel in 1950's New York City introduces amateur sleuth Evelyn Murphy, a hotel heiress with a curious streak and penchant for Agatha Christie novels. This first book in the series is a carefully plotted mystery with surprises at every turn.

********************  

From GoodReads: The hotel was her refuge, but scandal is afoot—and a killer stalks the halls in this charming series debut perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen and Ashley Weaver.


It’s 1958 and Evelyn Elizabeth Grace Murphy has not left the Pinnacle Hotel in fourteen months. She suffers from agoraphobia, and what’s more, it’s her father’s hotel, and everything she needs is there. Evelyn’s always been good at finding things, she discovered her mother dead in a Manhattan alleyway fifteen years earlier. Now she’s finding trouble inside her sanctuary. At a party for artist Billie Bell, his newest work is stolen, and Evelyn’s fake boyfriend (and real best friend), movie star Henry Fox, is accused of the theft. But just as Evelyn sets out to prove Henry’s innocence, she finds Billie Bell dead.

The murder weapon links the crime to the hotel’s chief of security. But why would he use a knife with his initials on the handle? With her beloved home in disarray, Evelyn joins up with hotel employee (and her secret crush) Mac Cooper to get to the bottom of the case.

As Mac picks locks and Evelyn snoops around the hotel, they discover the walls around them contain more secrets than they previously knew. Now, Evelyn must force herself to leave the hotel to follow the clues—but when she and Mac set off to chase a lead, their car crashes and they barely escape with their lives. Someone snipped Evelyn’s brake lines, and now the stakes have become dangerously high.

Evelyn’s knack for sleuthing—and her playful imagination—are always hard at work, and she throws an elaborate party at the hotel where every guest is a suspect. But will the killer emerge from the glamorous lineup? If not, Evelyn just might find herself…next in line for murder.

 

 

  

*******************

This Friday Focus: The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution.

 

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Great Escapes Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway: Death by Puffin by Jennifer S. Alderson

Today I'm participating in the Death by Puffin Blog Tour. In this post you'll find book and author information along with my review.  And be sure to enter the giveaway below.

 

About the book . . .

 

Death by Puffin: A Bachelorette Party Murder in Reykjavik

Cozy Mystery
9th in the Travel Can Be Murder Series
Setting – Iceland
Traveling Life Press (November 24, 2022)
Number of Pages: 180
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09WX2D57V

 

Synopsis . . .   Iceland—land of fire, ice … and murder?

After a nasty fight with her boyfriend, tour guide Lana Hansen takes a week off work to get her head straight. Fate brings her to Iceland and the Hotel Puffin where she hopes the magnificent natural surroundings will help heal her heart and point the way forward.

Instead of the rest and relaxation she wishes to find, Lana ends up neighbors with a group of rowdy Americans in town for a bachelorette party and wedding. Their joyous frivolity is a painful reminder of her own relationship problems, and Lana does her best to steer clear of the group.

Yet when someone in the wedding party dies under mysterious circumstances, she gets pulled into the investigation. Can Lana help unmask the killer before they strike again—or will this trip be her last?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mysteries are heartwarming stories about making friends, traveling, and celebrating new experiences. Join tour guide Lana Hansen as she leads tourists and readers to fascinating cities around the globe on intriguing adventures that often turn deadly.

Books in the Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mystery series:
Book 1 – Death on the Danube: A New Year’s Murder in Budapest
Book 2 – Death by Baguette: A Valentine’s Day Murder in Paris
Book 3 – Death by Windmill: A Mother’s Day Murder in Amsterdam
Book 4 – Death by Bagpipes: A Summer Murder in Edinburgh
Book 5 – Death by Fountain: A Christmas Murder in Rome
Book 6 – Death by Leprechaun: A Saint Patrick’s Day Murder in Dublin
Book 7 – Death by Flamenco: An Easter Murder in Seville
Book 8 – Death by Gondola: A Springtime Murder in Venice
Book 9 – Death by Puffin: A Bachelorette Party Murder in Reykjavik
Books 10-12 – More adventures are coming soon!!

 

My review . . . With her career at Wanderlust Tours and her relationship with her beau Alex in question, Lana embarks on a trip to Reykjavik to do some soul searching--this time as a tourist rather than a guide. Lana has been rattled by the deaths that occurred on each of the previous trips she's led, and by the distrust that has crept into her romance. She hopes that time away will help her formulate a plan for her future. Unfortunately, however, Lana can't seem to escape being a magnet for murder . . .

Fate has Lana crossing paths in Iceland with a boisterous group of bachelorettes who are not only guests at the same hotel, but participants on several tours she has booked. When one of the bachelorettes meets her death under suspicious circumstances just two days before the wedding, the police zero in on a suspect whom Lana is convinced is innocent. Disturbed by the injustice, Lana is reluctantly drawn into the investigation . . .

As the plot thickens, Lana faces three questions: Who killed the bachelorette? Can her relationship with Alex return to solid ground? Will Lana be forced to give up her love of travel as an occupation?

There's a slow build up to the actual murder in Jennifer Alderson's latest Travel Can Be Murder story, which allows the author to create plenty of delicious drama between the obnoxious, bachelorette frenemies, the bride- and groom-to-be, and their families. With many viable suspects to explore, finding the true culprit is an absorbing task that holds one's attention.

Set against the backdrop of Iceland's natural rugged beauty and wildlife, Alderson's dynamic, accurate descriptions of local tourist attractions once again has readers feeling as though they are physically on location. During a time when many have curtailed travel, reading this series is an enjoyable and satisfying escape around the world. The series need not be read in order--one can jump in at any time by choosing a desired location. I am an avid fan of the series, and truly look forward to every adventure and destination to come.

 

Giveaway . . . Enter for a chance to win Kindle copies of Books 1-3 in the Travel Can Be Murder Series by clicking on this link. 


About the author . . . Jennifer S. Alderson was born in San Francisco, raised in Seattle, and currently lives in Amsterdam. After traveling extensively around Asia, Oceania, and Central America, she moved to Darwin, Australia, before settling in the Netherlands. Her background in journalism, multimedia development, and art history enriches her novels.


When not writing, she can be found in a museum, biking around Amsterdam, or enjoying a coffee along the canal while planning her next research trip.

 

Author links . . .

Website: http://www.jennifersalderson.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jenniferSAldersonauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JSAauthor

Instagram: https://instagram.com/JSAauthor

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jennifer-s-alderson

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/JennifeSAlderson 

 

Purchase links . . .  Amazon (US)    Amazon Worldwide

 

Blog Tours 

 

Tour participants . . .

November 28 – I’m Into Books – SPOTLIGHT

November 28 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT  

November 29 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 29 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

November 30 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 30 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

December 1 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 1 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

December 2 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 2 – Bootsie’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

December 3 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

December 3 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

December 4 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 4 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW  

December 5 – Novels Alive – REVIEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 5 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

December 6 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW  

December 6 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 7 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW  

December 7 – eBook Addicts – REVIEW

 

 

Note . . . I received a complimentary copy of Death by Puffin from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.



 
This Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the Book Club Librarian blog.  It cannot be republished without attribution. 

 

 

 

 

Monday, December 5, 2022

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph

It's Tuesday . . . time for . . . 



. . . First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros . . . hosted by Yvonne at Socrates' Book Reviews, where bloggers share excerpts from a book they have read, are currently reading, or are planning to read.
 
Today I'm featuring a recent blog tour read, Death by Puffin by Jennifer S. Alderson, the ninth book in the Travel Can Be Murder mystery series. The excerpt shared is from an advance eBook provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
 
 

 

First Chapter:  Storm Brewing

Sunday--Reykjavik, Iceland

Lana Hansen stared outside, taking in the storm brewing over Faxafloi Bay. Gale-force winds whipped rain and hail across her hotel's windows, temporarily blurring her view of  Mount Esja, rising high above Reykjavik's skyline.

Despite the breathtakingly beautiful sight before her, Lana couldn't enjoy it. Right now, it felt as if the turbulent weather mirrored the storm raging in her heart and mind. Her job and relationship were both on the fritz, and after a week of soul-searching, she still couldn't see a way out of either predicament. 

 

What do you think?  Would you continue reading? 

The Travel Can Be Murder series is an enjoyable, satisfying escape around the world. The author's dynamic, accurate descriptions of tourist attractions makes readers feel as though they are physically on location. I am an avid fan of the series, and truly look forward to every adventure and destination to come.



 



This First Chapter~First Paragraph post was originally composed and/or compiled by Catherine for the Book Club Librarian blog.

 

Friday, November 18, 2022

Great Escapes Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway: Death on a Deadline by Joyce St. Anthony


Today I'm participating in the Death on a Deadline Blog Tour. In this post you'll find book and author information along with my review.  And be sure to enter the giveaway below.

 

About the book . . .

  

Death on a Deadline (A Homefront News Mystery)

 Historical Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Pennsylvania
Crooked Lane Books (November 8, 2022)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639101152
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639101153
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09S3GBPM4
 

 

Synopsis . . .  Editor-in-chief Irene Ingram pencils in her newest mystery in Joyce St. Anthony’s second captivating Homefront News mystery, perfect for fans of Anne Perry and Rhys Bowen.

As World War II rages in Europe and the Pacific, the small town of Progress is doing its part for the soldiers in the field with a war bond drive at the annual county fair. Town gossip Ava Dempsey rumors that Clark Gable will be among the participating stars. Instead of Gable, the headliner is Freddie Harrison, a B-movie star. When Freddie turns up dead in the dunk tank, Irene Ingram, editor-in-chief of The Progress Herald, starts chasing the real headline.

There are plenty of suspects and little evidence. Ava’s sister Angel, who was married to the dead actor, is the most obvious. The couple had argued about his affair with the young starlet Belinda Fox, and Angel was the last person to see Freddie alive.

Irene discovers there’s more than one person who might have wanted Freddie dead. As Irene draws on her well-honed reporter’s instincts to find the killer—nothing is what it seems in Progress, and now her own deadline could be right around the corner. 

 

My review . . . Patriotic fervor is strong in the small town of Progress, Pennsylvania, where a war bond drive is underway at the annual county fair. A group of lesser-known actors from the Hollywood Victory Committee descend on Progress with their entourage, boosting bond sales and creating unexpected drama. Among them is heart throb Freddie Harrison, traveling with both his wife Angel, daughter of the local diner proprietor and sister of the beauty salon owner, and his girlfriend Belinda, a fellow actor.

When Freddie's lifeless body is found floating in the dunk tank at the fairgrounds, the women in his life are the obvious suspects. But are either Angel or Belinda capable of murder? The police open an investigation, as does Irene Ingram, the editor-in-chief of The Progress Herald, who puts her journalistic skills and curiosity to the test. Ultimately, Irene uncovers unseemly behavior on Freddie's part that widens the list of suspects dramatically. And time is of the essence to identify the culprit after a second victim is discovered. Can Irene solve the crime before the killer strikes a third time?

At its heart, Death on a Deadline is an engaging story that captures life on the home front during the second world war. Readers get a realistic sense of the importance of women in keeping businesses and families intact in the face of uncertainty. Scandal and murder brought to the small town by outsiders add to the story's appeal. After all, Progress is a sleepy place where people know each other and live in relative harmony. Unlike most cozy mysteries where law enforcement is at odds with the amateur sleuth, a close bond between the protagonist and the police chief allows them to work cooperatively, sharing clues and developments that help crack the case.

While there are references to the first book in the series within its pages, Death by Deadline can be read as a standalone. In fact, snippets from the previous book actually whet the appetite, beckoning readers to reach for it—if they haven't already—as they await the next book in this captivating historical series. Joyce St. Anthony has created a setting and characters that successful cozy series are noted for, and one that readers will enjoy returning to again and again.

 

Giveaway . . .  Enter the contest for a chance to win a copy of Death by Deadline by clicking here.

 

About the author . . .   Joyce St. Anthony was a police secretary for ten years and more than once envisioned the demise of certain co-workers, but settled on writing as a way to keep herself out of jail.

 

In addition to the Homefront News Mysteries, she is the author of the Brewing Trouble Mysteries and the upcoming Cider House Mysteries written under her own name, Joyce Tremel. She lives in the beautiful Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania with her husband.

 

Author links . . .

Website:      http://www.joycetremel.com     

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/JoyceTremel

Twitter:       https://twitter.com/JoyceTremel

 

Purchase links . . . AmazonB&NKoboPenguin Random House   

 

Blog Tours 

 

Tour participants . . .

November 7 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 8 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

November 8 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW

November 9 – I’m Into Books – SPOTLIGHT

November 10 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 10 – Novels Alive – REVIEW – SPOTLIGHT

November 11 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

November 11 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

November 12 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

November 12 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 13 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

November 14 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 14 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT  

November 14 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

November 15 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 15 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

November 16 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 17 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

November 18 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

November 18 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW

November 19 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

November 19 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

November 20 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

November 20 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – AUTHOR GUEST POST

 

 

Note . . . I received a complimentary copy of Death on a Deadline from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.



 
This Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the Book Club Librarian blog.  It cannot be republished without attribution. 

Thursday, November 17, 2022

Friday Focus: The Friday 56 and Book Beginnings

16

 It's Friday . . . time to share book excerpts with:

  • Book Beginnings on Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader, where bloggers share the first sentence or more of a current read, as well as initial thoughts about the sentence(s), impressions of the book, or anything else that the opening inspires.  
  • The Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice, where you grab a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% of an eBook), find one or more interesting sentences (no spoilers), and post them.

Today I'm featuring a recent blog tour read, Death on a Deadline by Joyce St. Anthony, the second book in the Homefront News mystery series. The excerpts shared are from an eBook provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 


 

Beginning:  "Clark Gable is coming to Progress and will be appearing at our war bond drive," Ava Dempsey said. "I have it on good authority."

********************  

56% of eBook:  There was a tangled thread of something tickling the back of my brain that I couldn't quite unravel. Whatever it was, Louise wouldn't talk about it. Neither would Kirk. I'd talk to Ken tomorrow and see if he remembered anything. And then I'd talk to Kirk again. I only hoped he'd be sober when I did.

********************  

My thoughts:  At its heart, Death on a Deadline is an engaging story that captures life on the home front in Progress, Pennsylvania during the second world war. Readers get a realistic sense of the importance of women in keeping businesses and families intact in the face of uncertainty. Scandal and murder brought to the sleepy small town by outsiders add to the story's appeal, making this a delightful series that cozy mystery lovers and historical fiction fans will enjoy.

********************  

From GoodReads: Editor-in-chief Irene Ingram pencils in her newest mystery in Joyce St. Anthony’s second captivating Homefront News mystery, perfect for fans of Anne Perry and Rhys Bowen.

As World War II rages in Europe and the Pacific, the small town of Progress is doing its part for the soldiers in the field with a war bond drive at the annual county fair. Town gossip Ava Dempsey rumors that Clark Gable will be among the participating stars. Instead of Gable, the headliner is Freddie Harrison, a B-movie star. When Freddie turns up dead in the dunk tank, Irene Ingram, editor-in-chief of The Progress Herald, starts chasing the real headline.

There are plenty of suspects and little evidence. Ava’s sister Angel, who was married to the dead actor, is the most obvious. The couple had argued about his affair with the young starlet Belinda Fox, and Angel was the last person to see Freddie alive.

Irene discovers there’s more than one person who might have wanted Freddie dead. As Irene draws on her well-honed reporter’s instincts to find the killer—nothing is what it seems in Progress, and now her own deadline could be right around the corner.




*******************

This Friday Focus: The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution.

 

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Great Escapes Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway: A Book Club to Die For by Dorothy St. James




Today I'm participating in the A Book Club to Die For Blog Tour. In this post you'll find book and author information along with my review.  And be sure to enter the giveaway below.


About the book . . .  

A Book Club to Die For (Beloved Bookroom Mystery)

 Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Cypress, South Carolina
‎Berkley (November 1, 2022)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593098633
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593098639
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09PZSBCVW

 

Synopsis . . . When a member of an exclusive book club is checked out, spunky librarian Trudell Becket must sort fact from fiction to solve the murder.

The Cypress Arete Society is one of the town’s oldest and most exclusive clubs. When assistant librarian Trudell Becket is invited to speak to the group about the library, its modernization, and her efforts to bring printed books to the reading public, her friend Flossie invites herself along. Flossie has been on the book club’s waiting list for five years, and she’s determined to find out why she’s never received an invitation to join.

But not long after Tru and Flossie arrive for the meeting, they’re shocked to find the club’s president, Rebecca White, dead in the kitchen. Rebecca was a former TV actress and local celebrity, but was not known for being patient or pleasant. She’d been particularly unkind to the book club’s host for the evening, who also happens to be the mother of Detective Jace Bailey, Tru’s boyfriend. And Rebecca had made it clear that she didn’t think Flossie was book club material.

With her boyfriend and one of her best friends wrapped up in a murder, Tru has to work fast to figure out who cut Rebecca’s story short before the killer takes another victim out of circulation….

 

My review . . . Mystery-solving librarian Tru Becket has more than her share of mystifying circumstances to confront in book three of the Beloved Bookroom series: both her good friend Flossie and boyfriend Jace's mother Hazel are the main suspects in the murder of the president of the highly selective Arete Society book club; her father Ashley has disappeared without a trace; and her cat Dewey Decimal is behaving more oddly than usual. As troubling as an incommunicado parent and misbehaving pet can be, the hunt for an elusive killer takes center stage for Tru . . .

Tru is compelled to undertake an investigation to find the guilty party and clear the names of the women she cares about. This is no easy task as the victim, Rebecca White, antagonized and intimidated many of the town folk she came in contact with. There is no shortage of suspects, including members and aspiring members of the Arete Society. Tru must discover who had the strongest motive--and the opportunity--to murder Rebecca. And time is of the essence as Tru's proximity to the truth puts her own life in danger. Is Tru up to the task? 

And in other matters . . . will Tru get to the bottom of her father's disappearance? Can she figure out why Dewey is acting destructively towards certain books in the library? Is there any connection between these odd occurrences and Rebecca's death?

In A Book Club to Die For, author Dorothy St. James has once again crafted an enjoyable blend of mystery, humor, and romance. Her talent for presenting numerous viable suspects and planting misleading clues keeps the plot moving forward at a satisfying pace. It's always a pleasure to visit St. James's small town of Cypress, South Carolina, where the unexpected is second nature for its eccentric book-loving residents. At the end of this installment, I'm left to wonder what further adventures and personal developments await in this series that is an ode to libraries and book lovers of all kinds.

 

Giveaway . . .   

    https://www.filepicker.io/api/file/QtHRbJznQIWAIWK3YRKI/convert?dl=false&crop=0,0,1489,2016&quality=95&fit=scale&cache=true

Enter for a chance to win a library-theme tote bag filled with books and goodies by clicking this link.

 

About the author . . .  Dorothy St. James is a former Folly Beach beach bum. She now lives in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, with her family, slightly (OK, terribly) needy dogs, and the friendliest cat you’ll ever meet.

 

Author of a dozen novels, Dorothy enjoys writing both cozy mysteries and romance.

 

Author links . . . 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/dorothy.stjames 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/dorothywrites

Instagram: www.instagram.com/dorothymcfalls

Website: www.dorothystjames.com

 

Purchase links . . . 

        AmazonPenguin Random HouseB&NKoboIndieBound  

 

Blog Tours

 

Tour Participants . . .

November 1 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 1 – I’m Into Books – SPOTLIGHT

November 1 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT

November 2 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

November 2 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 2 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

November 3 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

November 3 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

November 3 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 4 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 4 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

November 4 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

November 5 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 5 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

November 5 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 6 – The Book Diva’s Reads – AUTHOR GUEST POST

November 6 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

November 7 – Angel’s Guilty Pleasures – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 7 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

November 8 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

November 8 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW

November 9 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

November 9 – Nadaness In Motion – SPOTLIGHT

November 10 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 10 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

 

 

Note . . . I received a complimentary copy of A Book Club to Die For from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.



 
This Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the Book Club Librarian blog.  It cannot be republished without attribution. 

Monday, November 7, 2022

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph

It's Tuesday . . . time for . . . 



. . . First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros . . . hosted by Yvonne at Socrates' Book Reviews, where bloggers share excerpts from a book they have read, are currently reading, or are planning to read.
 
Today I'm featuring a recent blog tour read, A Book Club to Die For by Dorothy St. James, the third book in the Beloved Bookroom mystery series. The excerpt shared is from an advance eBook provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

First Chapter:  Librarians are keepers of knowledge, caretakers of truth, and sowers of wisdom. Many of us rush out to share the world with our communities with the enthusiasm of a child who has suddenly mastered a new skill. We want people to know, to know . . . well, everything.

This is our mission. This is our passion.

We are the bringers.

We are the beacons cutting through the darkest of nights.

 

What do you think?  Would you continue reading? 

As a librarian, the opening paragraphs of this book perfectly express why I pursued the profession, and why I think it is more important than ever given the amount of misinformation being disseminated. Readers who love cozy mysteries, libraries, the written word, and books will no doubt find this series as delightful as I do.




 



This First Chapter~First Paragraph post was originally composed and/or compiled by Catherine for the Book Club Librarian blog.