Mini Thoughts
Hello, all!
If you're looking for a cozy historical mystery series that feels like a BBC show, this is it. My love for these characters continues to grow with every installment. Amelia is so headstrong, and I love ferreting out clues alongside her. I liked how we got to see her work more with the side characters in this one, especially Simon. They've had a subtle romance blossoming for a while, and it was adorable to see it finally come to fruition. Like in the previous installments, the mystery isn't mind-blowing, but it's entertaining. This one reminded me the most of an Agatha Christie novel. This series is so easy to fly through, and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next.
I've read and loved a few of Quinn's historical fictions, so I was intrigued to see her take on the fantasy genre. I think we can all agree that being able to live in your favorite fictional world is the ultimate bookworm dream, so the premise immediately sold me. I liked Alix and the Librarian, and watching them join forces to figure out what was going on. It was fun seeing them jump through stories, but I wish we had stayed longer in them and interacted more with the characters/settings. There's also a hint of romance between Alix and Beau, which was cute, but could've been developed further. This truly felt like a love letter to libraries, highlighting why those spaces should be protected. I recommend checking it out, especially if you love books about books.
For a series that deals with murders, it's so charming. It always reminds me of if Murder, She Wrote was a BBC mystery show. I've really enjoyed following Annie as she investigates these murders. This one felt a bit more tense since it was so close to home. Like in the previous books, there's a dual timeline here, but for whatever reason, this one kept throwing me off. Perhaps it was because I listened to the audiobook, but it took me a minute to figure out whose perspective we were in. I thought the mystery was well-paced, and I appreciated the twists Perrin threw in. My favorite thing about this series is the relationship between Annie and Crane. I'm sitting over here giggling over the merest crumbs. I typically get bored with cozier mysteries, but this is one series I'll keep coming back to. I’m excited to see what happens next.
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| Pub Date: 10-25-25 Adult - Historical Mystery |
Murder in Matrimony- Mary Winters: Countess Amelia Amesbury has been living a double life as the popular advice columnist, Lady Agony. Only a few of her closest friends know her secret, but now a blackmailer is threatening to expose her identity to the ton. As if Amelia didn't have enough to deal with, her sister is getting married, leaving Amelia to handle all the planning. But when the beloved vicar of the local parish is found murdered, Amelia takes it upon herself to find the culprit. Amelia must rely on her friends, including the handsome Simon Bainbridge, to unravel the clues left by the vicar before it's too late.
If you're looking for a cozy historical mystery series that feels like a BBC show, this is it. My love for these characters continues to grow with every installment. Amelia is so headstrong, and I love ferreting out clues alongside her. I liked how we got to see her work more with the side characters in this one, especially Simon. They've had a subtle romance blossoming for a while, and it was adorable to see it finally come to fruition. Like in the previous installments, the mystery isn't mind-blowing, but it's entertaining. This one reminded me the most of an Agatha Christie novel. This series is so easy to fly through, and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next.
Rating: 3/5
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| Pub Date: 2-17-26 Adult - Fantasy |
The Astral Library- Kate Quinn: After being abandoned by her mother when she was a child, Alix Watson spent the majority of her younger years being shuffled between foster homes. Alix quickly realized that people will always let you down, but books never will. There's nothing Alix loves more than getting lost in a fantasy world, so when she's given the opportunity to leave her dead-end life behind and go on an adventure, she jumps at the chance. The Astral Library, and its formidable Librarian, is a sanctuary for anyone desperate to start over inside their favorite books. The Librarian reluctantly takes Alix under her wing, but before Alix can dive into a new life, the library is attacked, and its Patrons threatened. Alix may have just stumbled into the Astral Library, but she is willing to defend it by any means possible.
I've read and loved a few of Quinn's historical fictions, so I was intrigued to see her take on the fantasy genre. I think we can all agree that being able to live in your favorite fictional world is the ultimate bookworm dream, so the premise immediately sold me. I liked Alix and the Librarian, and watching them join forces to figure out what was going on. It was fun seeing them jump through stories, but I wish we had stayed longer in them and interacted more with the characters/settings. There's also a hint of romance between Alix and Beau, which was cute, but could've been developed further. This truly felt like a love letter to libraries, highlighting why those spaces should be protected. I recommend checking it out, especially if you love books about books.
Rating: 3.5/5
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| Pub Date: 4-28-26 Adult - Mystery |
How to Cheat Your Own Death- Kristen Perrin: Annie Adams is no stranger to a murder investigation. Since inheriting her late great aunt Frances's home in Castle Knoll, Annie has solved quite a few of them. But the last thing Annie expected to find when she visits her artist mother in London is a body. When Annie stumbles upon the mutilated body of her mother's protege, something sparks in Annie's mind. She's sure she's read about a murder just like this one in Frances's diaries from the 1960s. As Annie teams up with Detective Crane to investigate, threats start piling up against her mother, and it's a race to uncover the killer before they set their sights on her.
For a series that deals with murders, it's so charming. It always reminds me of if Murder, She Wrote was a BBC mystery show. I've really enjoyed following Annie as she investigates these murders. This one felt a bit more tense since it was so close to home. Like in the previous books, there's a dual timeline here, but for whatever reason, this one kept throwing me off. Perhaps it was because I listened to the audiobook, but it took me a minute to figure out whose perspective we were in. I thought the mystery was well-paced, and I appreciated the twists Perrin threw in. My favorite thing about this series is the relationship between Annie and Crane. I'm sitting over here giggling over the merest crumbs. I typically get bored with cozier mysteries, but this is one series I'll keep coming back to. I’m excited to see what happens next.
Rating: 3/5
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