Homer is on the Case - A Review

 

Homer Is On The Case

by

Henry Cole

A Review

The author has created a delightful cozy mystery starring Homer (a homing pigeon) and Lulu (an Amazon Parrot). Together these two birds solve a series of burglaries that are haunting the city's parks.

Together they will track the villains down and then communicate to their humans their results. I found myself both intrigued by these characters. I was laughing as they communicated together, with their humans, and, eventually, officials from around the town. They put on quite the performance.

I could not tell if the book was aimed at an adult audience (I am an adult and did enjoy the book) or a pre-adolescent audience (I expect that pre-teens would enjoy the book as well). For the adult reader the book is a fun, quick read. I give it 5-stars. I can hope that the author finds more cases for these two feathered friends to solve.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Lowcountry Bordello - A Review

Lowcountry Bordello

by

Susan M. Boyer

A Review

"A bordello plus a ghost makes for an interesting plot." That was my Facebook post a week ago after reading only 30% of the book - having finished it this past weekend, my thoughts have not changed.

First, let me make it clear that though the central setting is a bordello, it contains absolutely no sex. It is a fun read where multiple murders over several years provide the additional backdrop for an intense and entertaining story.

Liz Talbot, who, with her fiance, is getting married at the end of the week; but before the nuptials can take place, a bridesmaid stumbles onto a murder, a murder that must be solved if the wedding ceremony can go off without a hitch. With the help of her best friend, Colleen, a Guardian Spirit, Liz, her finance, Nate, and the local police department would need to put the puzzle pieces together.  And that would need to be done without getting Aunt Dean, Olivia, or the borders at the bordello killed. Oh, and don't forget the Christmas wedding to which the whole dysfunctional crew is invited.

For the reader looking for a satisfying murder mystery as they prepare for the holidays, light enough to make one smile, but intense enough to hold the reader's interest, Lowcountry Bordello might just fit nicely on the night table.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Winterthorn - A Review

Winterthorn

by

David R. Phillips

A Review

Winterthorn is a continuation of the Fairy World stories begun in the author’s earlier work, Gliserwood.  It, like the previous work, has the feel of reading The Wizard of Oz for the first time - magical, mysterious, and attention grabbing. I was certainly glad that I had taken the time to read the first book in the series as it introduced the reader to many of individuals and species that are part of this second book.  Having said that, this second book adds new characters, species, and history that make this make believe world come alive to the reader.

As we learn more of Laurel’s heritage and the reason the Fairy World seems so much like home.  At the same time, the Fairy World if facing its worst crisis as a group of rebellious beings try to redefine the very world they have called home.  Laurel and her new friends will need to step forward and help save the environment that has become home.

My first comments to myself, as I began to read this book, included the following thoughts:

1. I am glad I had read the first book.
2. The author has matured as a writer - there is an obvious improvement in the style and approach the author has taken has he puts words to paper.

It was a pleasure to again visit the fairy world and walk with Laurel and her friends as they seek to understand the events around them.  I am already looking forward to the third part of this trilogy.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the author for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Gliserwood - A Review

Gliserwood:

A Fairy World Story

by

David R. Phillips

A Review

I grew up in a different generation.  Actually, two generations ago.  My favorite books as a child were a series of 14 books by L. Frank Baum - beginning with The Wizard of Oz. I am pleased to have read a book, written by our church’s youth pastor, that reminds me of the magic I felt as a young reader beginning my journey into books.

Laurel spent summers at her Aunts house.  She did not like those boring summers, where her best friends were the clouds that floated by.  Her biggest dream was to visit the woods, an act forbidden her by her aunt.  

But Laurel stumbles on a baker; no, the baker, Mr. Lewisago, hired to watch over her by her mother.  And as she spends time with her new friend, her curiosity gets the better of her.  One night she and Mr. Mumkin, a chinchilla given to Laurel as a birthday present by her mother, decide to finally visit the woods.  And the magic begins.

As the story evolves, we meet Fairy Queens, dragons, Zlugs, and Flipityflops - the kinds of creatures that made the unbelievable of Oz very real to those who read the books.  The kinds of creatures of that bring Gliserwood to life.

For the parent looking for a book to read to your youngsters as they go to bed, as an adult looking for something lighter, or for the young teen looking for the perfect birthday gift for a friend, Gliserwood may fill the bill.  

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the author for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Dreaming Spies - A Review

Dreaming Spies

by

Laurie R. King

A Review

I do not claim to be a Sherlock Holmes expert, merely a fan.  Though the original author of Holmes’ memoirs died in 1930, other writers have picked up the pen and continued to add to the unofficial canon that make up Holmes’ history.  Among those is Laurie R. King.

Dreaming Spies continues her look at Holmes’ marriage to Mary Russell - this time with a romp to Japan and the Far East and an adventure in early 20th century England. The mystery is quite entertaining, it is unclear who plays the role of detective and of villain.  Is it Holmes that is being played - or has Holmes played one of the villain himself.  

Though the answer is never quite clear, the story of English mystery mixed with Japanese Samurai makes an enjoyable read on a Winter evening.  

• Was this the best Holmes story I have read?  NO
• Was this the worst Holmes story I have read?  NO
• Would I recommend this to the casual Holmes reader? YES
• Would I recommend this to the Holmes expert?  I Don’t Know

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.