48: Death at the Sign of the Rook – Kate Atkinson
Jackson Brodie is back. I’d held off reading this one until I’d read the previous Jackson Brodie books from Kate Atkinson, but it can be read as a standalone. I love the way various storylines weave in and out until they all meet. It’s beautiful storytelling. Jackson Brodie is on the case of a missing painting, which may link to a previous theft from a country mansion, which now hosts murder mystery weekends. The story is built up in layers, and is a fabulous read.
49: Men at Arms – Terry Pratchett
It’s been a tough week for me, and so when time are tough, I reach for my comfort reads, the first of which will always be Terry Pratchett. The Watch is probably my favourite series, and Men at Arms is one for me the best of the best. Mixing murder mystery and fantasy, with sharp observation on the nature of humanity, there are moments that make me laugh out loud, and moments that make me sad that there aren’t more Vimes in the world. Sir Terry is sorely missed, but I’m grateful we have his words to fall back on.
50: Death in Douglas Glade – GB Ralph
On the subject of comfort reads, the Milverton Mysteries have quickly installed themselves as one of my new favourites. Addison Harper arrived in Milverton in the first book of the series to settle the estate of the Uncle he didn’t even know. It was meant to be a weekend trip, but Milverton doesn’t want to let him go. In this book, Addison – normally a chaos-magnet – manages to out-awkward even himself when, finally on a date with the local hot police sergeant, he stumbles on a dead body. Of an ex.
Are the Milverton Mysteries the perfect cosy series? It’s well up there, with lovable characters that are so easy to root for; time spent with this series is like hanging out with good friends. And I seriously need a Mabel Zhao in my life to kick my ass and sort me out. Full of warmth and humour (and the odd dead body), I know I’ll be escaping to Milverton regularly.
51: A Victim at Valentine’s – Ellie Alexander
We return to Northern California, where Annie Murray is living her dream of setting up a detective agency along side running a book shop. It’s not long before another body is found and she’s embroiled in yet another case. A wealthy patron is found dead outside the bookshop, apparently poisoned, and while his philanthropy is well known, the secret to his death may be hidden in his past.
52: Murder on the Cornish Coast – Helena Dixon (ARC)
A Helena Dixon mystery is guaranteed to be a fabulous read, and the 19th book featuring Kitty Underhay (now Bryant) is no exception. In fact, the series is going from strength to strength.
Left for dead after the murder of her father, Lady Cordelia Hedges hires Kitty and Matt to investigate. The brutal attack left her with severe memory loss, but as the memories return, so does the danger.
Full review to be published on February 24th.
53: The Hanging Tree – Ben Aaronovitch
Owing one of the goddesses of the rivers a favour comes back to haunt PC Grant – especially when that goddess is Lady Tyburn.
I’d doing a full re-read of this series as the new instalment is out this year, and I’ll never tire of listening to these on audio. Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is one of the best narrators out there
54: Date with Poison – Julia Chapman
Another series I’m re-reading is the Dales Detective Series. This series is like a pendulum, and in this book, the pendulum starts to reach its lowest point. Someone is poisoning pets and animals in Bruncliffe, but not only that, forces are working to poison the village against returned black sheep Samson O’Brien. They’re not afraid of causing collateral damage either, causing big problems for the Metcalfes.
55: Lies Sleeping – Ben Aaronovitch
Lies Sleeping is a fabulous action packed episode of the Rivers of London series, which ties up a number of ongoing story arcs, whilst laying the grounds for future adventures. I always have to listen to the Hanging Tree and this one together, almost like a 2-parter.
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