July's mini theme for murderous mayhem was wedding bells. All those heightened emotions, all that stress around planning a modern wedding--it's a surprise there aren't real life murders walking down the aisle.
Death Knells and Wedding Bells (Lighthouse Library book 10) by Eva Gates I've read several Lighthouse Library books, and they are pleasant, with nice characters with whom you enjoy spending time. Importantly, while some story elements arc across the novels, they also function as stand alone books. Librarian Lucy Richardson is finally marrying her long time sweetheart, Connor MacNeil, mayor and dentist, and the whole community is ready to celebrate. I really loved that Ms. Gates started the story at the reception; she didn't suck the reader into the melodrama that television and social media would have us believe attends modern weddings. Unfortunately for Lucy, one of their guests is found dead, and it soon is established that the death was a murder. Also unfortunately for Lucy, her friend the sheriff is not heading the investigation, but the new homicide detective in town is, and he is not appreciative of her efforts to help solve the murder. This a great summer read. Lucy and Connor are a nice, normal couple, and the interjection of their extended families into the mix provides nice relief to the usual library staff who get involved in Lucy's escapades. Fast paced, the story takes place over just a few days, and is paced well. The Outer Banks setting plays a slightly more prominent role this time, and as I love a well developed setting, I enjoyed that very much. Recommended (NetGalley)
Dedication to Murder (Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery book 9) by Maureen Elliott From a library setting I moved on to the bookstore setting. I've read one book in this series before, and I don't remember anything about it, so I suspect I didn't enjoy it that much. But I like to give series a second chance because they and their authors can grow, and my tastes change. But I'm still not really liking this series, which is unfortunate since a bookstore setting would be a natural love of mine. The book opens at the wedding of bookstore owner Addie Greyborne and Dr. Simon Emerson when every bride's worse nightmare happens. I won't say more, but unlike the happy wedding of the previous book, this wedding is beset by drama. The wedding drama, the mystery Addie investigates--both are interesting plot devices on their own, but their execution by the author just didn't sweep me away, as I'd hoped. This is more of a romance with a little murder thrown in than a murder mystery, so if that's what you like, you'll probably enjoy this book much more than I did. And I should add that I dislike melodrama intensely, although it's clear I'm in the minority these days, when melodrama, real and fictional, permeates daily life, mass entertainment, and politics and religion. I do, however, give props to Ms. Elliott for a most unusual murderer; nice twist. (NetGalley)
The Mystery Traveler at Lake Fortune by Cathie Pelletier This is a wonderful YA book about Charlie and his sister, Clarissa, who are very disappointed when their parents announce they are going to Lake Fortune to camp for two weeks in the summer. Worst part: no electricity and no cell phones. How will Clarissa survive without her cell phone? But when Charlie finds a jar with a mysterious message in it, the pair get drawn into discovering the clues left by the Mystery Traveler. Will they discover who the Mystery Traveler is before vacation is over? Great coming of age book, in which Charlie and Clarissa redefine their relationship as siblings, their relationship and understanding of their father (who summered at the lake as a boy), and come to appreciate the differences that life can hold. Lovely ink drawings. Recommended. (NetGalley)
Tales of Terror and Mystery by Arthur Conan Doyle Interesting collection of short stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle that blend mystery, terror, and science fiction. While some of the short stories are superior to the others in terms of premise and plotting, it's very interesting to see another side of the creativity that spawned Sherlock Holmes. (Audiobook)
