CONFESSIONS OF A KNIGHT ERRANT

 

by

 

Gretchen McCullough

 

 

Humorous Fiction

Publisher: Cune Press

Page Count: 240 pages

Publication Date: October 18, 2022

 

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Confessions of a Knight Errant is a comedic, picaresque novel in the tradition of Don Quixote with a flamboyant cast of characters.

Dr. Gary Watson is the picaro, a radical environmentalist and wannabe novelist who has been accused of masterminding a computer hack that wiped out the files of a major publishing company. His Sancho Panza is Kharalombos, a fat, gluttonous Greek dancing teacher, who is wanted by the secret police for cavorting with the daughter of the Big Man of Egypt.

Self-preservation necessitates a hurried journey to the refuge of a girls’ camp in rural Texas. Then a body turns up nearby that is connected to Middle East antiquities, and they are on the run once more.

 

 

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Eccentric characters, varied locations, and humor throughout made this a fun book to read.

I have never been to Egypt or Cairo, but I enjoyed the perspective provided of the people and political climate. Gary is there to recover the last remaining copy of his novel. I chuckled when the people that took over his apartment said they didn’t know where it was, and then it was discovered they used it as scratch paper. While there, they meet up with more intriguing characters, including Gudrun, a German woman that moved to Texas and now operates a camp for girls. This is what brings the gang to Texas.

I enjoyed all of the drama and humor. It kept the story moving at a steady, and at times frenetic, pace. Many times I had to just shake my head at their antics. I think Gudrun was my favorite character with her outlandish dress, words, and actions. However, Mary Alice runs a close second.

While filled with crazy scenarios, there are also some educational parts regarding Native Americans and Egyptians. We also have flashbacks to Gary’s childhood that helps explain why he is the way he is.

This was a fun book to read and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gretchen McCullough was raised in Harlingen Texas. After graduating from Brown University in 1984, she taught in Egypt, Turkey, and Japan. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Alabama and was awarded a teaching Fulbright to Syria from 1997-1999. Her stories, essays and reviews have appeared in The Barcelona Review, Archipelago, National Public Radio, Story South, Guernica, The Common, The Millions, and the LA Review of Books. Translations in English and Arabic have been published in: Nizwa, Banipal, Brooklyn Rail in Translation, World Literature Today and Washington Square Review with Mohamed Metwalli. Her bi-lingual book of short stories in English and Arabic, Three Stories From Cairo, translated with Mohamed Metwalli, was published in July 2011 by AFAQ Publishing House, Cairo. A collection of short stories about expatriate life in Cairo, Shahrazad’s Tooth, was also published by AFAQ in 2013. Currently, she is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Rhetoric and Composition at the American University in Cairo.

 

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Synopsis

 

An abandoned building. A motivated runner. A Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer survivor.

Connor Jackson has been training for a half marathon for the past six weeks. Katie Brandt has been training to beat cancer for the past 50. When Connor discovers an intriguing secret in a tiny, abandoned building on his running route, Katie finds that the mystery is what she needs to help her get through her three-week stem cell replacement procedure. Together, Conner and Katie must find the strength to achieve their personal goals and, in the meantime, expose the many past lives that the tiny building led.

“We all want to find something amazing – some treasure – in old, abandoned places. That’s what we expect.” – Katie Brandt, cancer survivor

 

 

 

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Review

 

This is a tale of friendship, history, running, and even love.

Connor has a demanding job as a nurse. He helps treat cancer patients, and this cannot be an easy task. However, he makes the most of the situation and takes to running to relieve stress. Along the way, he decides to investigate this small brick building close to his condo. What unfolds is a fascinating tale about history, the Underground Railroad, and discovering who he is deep down inside.

The story is told from Connor’s point of view but also from Katie’s point of view. Katie is one of his cancer patients with lymphoma. We learn a little bit about the treatment for the disease and the mettle of Katie from giving birth to twin girls after being diagnosed with cancer. If you know anything about this form of cancer, the treatment can be challenging, but Katie is a fighter. She is also curious and has no problem diving into researching the building that Connor discovered and its history.

I was curious about this building as details were laid out. Did it have a historical significance? How would it impact the town? It was fun to read along and wonder about different aspects of the building and wonder what details and clues they might discover next.

In the process of searching for more information, Connor meets Leah, who happens to be a friend of his brother’s wife. I enjoyed watching their relationship blossom.

If you are a runner, you might enjoy the sections where he shares his training regimen for an upcoming half marathon. He wasn’t afraid to show vulnerability about his fears or concerns about the upcoming race.

Connor also has a fantastic relationship with his nieces. It was fun to watch their interactions, and it reflected what sort of parent he might be someday.

This was a fun read, and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Iris March has a reputation for killing house plants and now she’s killing people off in books? Coincidence? Perhaps not. Iris has spent two decades working in the sustainability field and is usually either reading a book or on a trail. She lives in Ohio with her husband, son, and three cats.

 

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Synopsis

 

An abandoned backpack. A damaged walking stick. A broken bridge. What happened on the Buckeye Trail?

Succulent-savvy sleuth, Molly Green spends her day tending her eco-friendly garden center, inherited from her beloved grandparents. She wants nothing more than to nurture her nursery and share her plant passion with the world.

When a hiker goes missing on the Buckeye Trail that runs behind the garden center and a bridge on the trail is damaged, the police suspect foul play. As clues mount up, Molly fears she may know who is to blame, perhaps someone in her own family.

To make matters worse, Molly must navigate the inconvenient appearance of a loquacious colleague, pulling her from her path to uncover the mystery of the broken bridge.

Can she discover what really happened that day on the trail? Or will the spikes and thorns surrounding this mystery take Molly out as well? Find out in the first book of the Succulent Sleuth Cozy Mystery series, The Broken Bridge.

 

 

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Review

 

This new cozy series has a lovely setting, fun characters, and just the right amount of tension when it comes to the murder.

Molly and May are twins that co-own a plant store with their cousin Shannon. It was inherited from their grandmother, but Molly and May are the driving force that keeps this store running and profitable. I like that Molly is very eco-friendly in her approach to gardening and plants. I also liked that she created unique arrangements using succulents.

There isn’t a large cast of characters, so it was fairly easy for me to narrow down the potential murderer. There were not a lot of clues to point the reader in any one direction.

We learn some things about Molly and May, but I feel like there will be more divulged in future books. I like both of their husbands and felt they helped round out the story.

I had to crack up when Molly came face to face with the killer and her actions and reactions. She does everything you think you shouldn’t do when facing a killer.

This series has great potential, and I look forward to reading future books and learning more about these characters and the box of keys.

We give the book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Iris March has a reputation for killing house plants and now she’s killing people off in books? Coincidence? Perhaps not. Iris has spent two decades working in the sustainability field and is usually either reading a book or on a trail. She lives in Ohio with her husband, son, and three cats.

 

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Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder (Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Wyatt, Arizona
Independently Published (March 7, 2023)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 266 pages

 

 

Synopsis

 

It’s a birthday weekend with the gift of murder.

 

Recently widowed, Emma Banefield looks forward to a getaway birthday weekend with her free-wheeling sister, Nicole Earp, sipping chocolate martinis at the peaceful, historic Dulce Inn. When a rude stranger, a nasty food critic, and a madhouse of temperamental artists greet them, all hope for a tranquil weekend evaporates faster than dew on a hot desert morning.

Overlooking the riotous atmosphere is doubly hard after Em discovers the body of a hotel guest, and a second murder affects Nic personally. Now, entrenched in a caper that pits them against a surly detective, they cozy up to a hotel staff hiding dangerous secrets to uncover clues to the killer.

Using their smarts and love of all-things mystery, will the Chocolate Martini Sisters solve the crime ahead of the obstinate Chief Detective or find themselves trapped in the middle of a third murder?

 

 

 

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Review

 

What happens when you think you are on a relaxing birthday weekend with your sister and stumble across a dead body? You investigate, of course!

Emma and Nicole are quite the pair of sisters. They have a fondness for chocolate martinis, weekends away, and solving puzzles – or murders, in this case. Both sisters bring a set of skills with them to help narrow down the pool of potential killers. The sisters are quite different from one another in how they approach the crime, possible suspects, and their personalities in general. Emma is much more reserved, and Nicole is very gregarious.

The pool of suspects isn’t large, but I couldn’t quite figure out who had the motive to kill. There are clues that will point you in the right direction, but you have to pay attention! I suspected a few things as they were revealed but didn’t quite put all of the pieces of the puzzle together.

This book is told from two different points of view – Emma and Nicole. This is the only thing I didn’t like about the book because I never knew whose point of view was being shared, and trying to decipher it made the story about bit clunky from that point.

Overall, this was a fun mystery to try and solve, and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Authors

 

Joyce Proell is the award-winning author of Amaryllis, Eliza and the Cady Delafield mysteries: A Deadly Truth, A Burning Truth and A Wicked Truth. Along with her husband and little dog, Nellie, she lives in Minnesota in her very own little house on the prairie. She loves to hear from readers.

 

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Brenda Whiteside is the award-winning author of romantic suspense, romance, and cozy mystery. After living in six states and two countries—so far—she and her husband have settled in Central Arizona. They admit to being gypsies at heart and won’t discount the possibility of another move. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW fishes, Brenda writes.

 

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COPPER WATERS

 

Annalisse Series, Book 4

 

by

 

MARLENE M. BELL

 

 

Genre: International Mystery / Crime / Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Ewephoric Publishing

Date of Publication: October 7, 2022

 

Number of Pages: 340

 

 

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A rural New Zealand vacation turns poisonous.

Antiquities expert Annalisse Drury and tycoon Alec Zavos are at an impasse in their relationship when Alec refuses to clear up a paternity issue with an ex-lover.

Frustrated with his avoidance when their future is at stake, Annalisse accepts an invitation from an acquaintance to fly to New Zealand—hoping to escape the recent turbulence in her life.

But even Annalisse’s cottage idyll on the family sheep farm isn’t immune to intrigue.

Alec sends a mutual friend and detective, Bill Drake, to follow her, and a local resident who accompanies them from the Christchurch airport dies mysteriously soon after. A second violent death finds Annalisse and Bill at odds with the official investigations.

The local police want to close both cases as quickly as possible—without unearthing the town’s dirty secrets.

As she and Bill pursue their own leads at serious cost, the dual mysteries force Annalisse to question everything she thought she knew about family ties, politics, and the art of small-town betrayal.

 

 

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Well, I didn’t see that ending coming! Maybe not the ending per se, but the murderer’s revelation. You could have knocked me over with a feather!

This is the fourth in the series, and while could be read on its own, it is best to have an understanding of the history between the various characters. This book also delivers a slower pace while we dive more into Annalisse’s background and family, which we discovered in a previous book. I can only imagine the questions she has for her mother if she can ever catch up to her again. But her trip to New Zealand still provided answers to some questions. I don’t want to spoil anything, so you’ll have to read the book to uncover those questions and answers.

Annalisse is still holding Alec at bay. These two have more baggage than most characters I see, but if you understand everything they have been through until this point, you might have a better grasp on everything that has kept them from fully committing to one another. I would have thought after two years that they could trust each other more than they seemed to. However, I am happy to say that they make some inroads into this by the end of this book. Another reason to read the book; because I’m not going to give away any spoilers.

We also learn more about Bill in this book and some of his past stories. He is a fantastic investigator, and he and Annalisse make a good team, especially when trying to sort out the murders in this small town. I think it would be fascinating to have a spinoff book that gives us more background on Bill. I believe there is a gem hiding inside of him just from the little bit that we learn in this book.

I loved the descriptions of New Zealand, and I want to visit this country even more now. The author paints a picture that will stick in your mind. The author also provides detailed information about sheep, and this might cause you to go down a rabbit hole looking up the various breed and their traits.

This book is filled with deception, corruption, and so much more. I appreciated the slower pace because it allowed me to digest everything that was happening and ruminate on what could possibly happen next. With the new information that is revealed in this book, it has me on pins and needles, waiting for the next book to see how a few situations resolve themselves.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marlene M. Bell is an eclectic mystery writer, artist, photographer, and she raises sheep in beautiful East Texas with her husband, Gregg, three cats and a flock of horned Dorset sheep.

The Annalisse series — mysteries with a touch of romance — has received numerous honors including the Independent Press Award for Best Mystery (Spent Identity) and FAPA (Florida Author’s President’s Gold Award) for two other installments, Stolen Obsession and Scattered Legacy. She also penned the first of her children’s picture books, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team! based on true events from the Bell’s ranch. The simple text and illustrations are a touching tribute of compassion and love between a little girl and her lamb.

 

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No Small Murder: A Mini-Meadows Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Florida
Level Best Books (February 21, 2023)
Number of Pages 215

 

Synopsis

 

Mini Meadows, a Tiny Home community in rural Central Florida, is home to Emma Wells, a downsize specialist who left her daddy’s mansion and her inheritance behind in favor of a simpler, more peaceful life in a tiny home that was once two shipping containers. But when she opens a shipping container and discovers her dead client sitting in a rocking chair, neatly wrapped and labeled, and two of her friends end up on the suspect list, Emma pitches in to help find the killer. With plenty of clues to unpack, Emma narrows down the suspect list, but as she begins to close in on the culprit, she realizes if she’s not careful she could end up in a box of her own.

 

 

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Review

 

What a fun setting for this new cozy series, a tiny home community. I love looking at tiny homes; just not 100% sure I could live in one. If I did, I would need someone like Emma to help me downsize my current home to a new one. I do love all of the suggestions in the book for hidden storage spaces built into these tiny homes; they are tips that could be used for any sized home.

Emma is surprised by the sudden appearance of her grandmother at the beginning of the book. Granny Rose has decided that she doesn’t want to live by her son’s rules and unilaterally decides to move in with Emma. Now if you think about it, Emma lives in a tiny house. Is there enough room for two people? Yes and no. But at the same time, Emma realizes how lonely she has been, despite her business and her friends. Granny Rose is a hoot and fits right in, mainly when she adopts a Great Dane named Buck. Adopt is a strong word. It is really a part of a small house that she wants to purchase from the murder victim’s wife.

I enjoyed the varied cast of characters. Emma has some good friends, and a few new ones are added to the mix in pursuit of the killer. There is even a potential love interest for Emma, but I think that might take another book or two to come to fruition.

The murder is engaging, and I had no idea who the killer was and was quite surprised when all was revealed. There are not many clues, or I just missed them. But it was a well-written mystery, and the answer might surprise you as much as it did me.

I think this is going to be a fun new series, and I look forward to upcoming books. We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Lena Gregory grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, but she recently traded in cold, damp, gray winters for the warmth and sunshine of Central Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full-time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.

 

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Synopsis

 

It’s gonna be a great day! Or, so she thought.

Andi Anna Jones, so-so travel agent, amateur sleuth, doesn’t suspect her least favorite client, Stewart (The Pain) Payne, will set off circumstances that lead to disappearance and death.

After his wife is a no-show for a convention in New Orleans, his threat to sue Graves Travel for “ten times more than it’s worth”, and Andi’s wish to honor one of her late dad’s requests, leads her to The Big Easy in search of Grace Payne.

Five unsolved murders, a body caught in a crawfish cage, and a mysterious candle, magic, and incense shop, takes Andi deep into the bayou on a hunt for clues.

Will another victim be added to a serial killer’s list, or is the main suspect closer to Andi than she thinks?

 

 

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This book will be released on February 27th, 2023.

 

 

Review

 

New Orleans, the home of voodoo, gators, and murder.

Andi Anna is a travel agent in Florida with an overzealous ex-stepmother and a brilliant assistant in her business. When she books a client on a trip to New Orleans, and the client ends up dead, she somehow gets roped into traveling there to figure out what happened.

This is the second book in this series, and I have enjoyed both. Andi Anna can’t help herself and stumbles across clues, and the killer, perhaps a little too often. She does manage to put herself in harm’s way, but not by choice. Luckily, she has some good people on her side that come to her rescue.

The mystery is well written, and while you might guess who the killer is, it isn’t an obvious answer. But there are enough clues to point you in the right direction if you are able to pick up on them.

Andi Anna’s ex-stepmother, Ruby, is the kind of woman you can’t miss. She manages to insert herself into situations and other people’s lives whether they want her there or not. She definitely tests Andi Anna’s patience. Her assistant, Ellie, adds to the story, and it helps that her family lives in the New Orleans area and is able to help out Andi Anna when she needs it the most.

We don’t see a lot of the police detective from Mexico that she met in the first book. However, I think that might change in book three.

This is a fun series, and I look forward to Andi Anna’s next adventure. We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Mary Cunningham grew up on the northern side of the Ohio River in Corydon, Indiana. Her first memories are of her dad’s original bedtime stories that no doubt inspired her imagination and love of a well-spun “yarn.”

Through the author’s horrifying stint as a travel agent, The Andi Anna Jones mysteries sprang to life. The adult/mystery series gives extra meaning to the phrase, “Write what you know.” Cunningham has several published books, including a five-book middle-grade fantasy, a women’s lifestyle/humor book, and a sports/military brat biography about a UConn/WNBA basketball player.

She is a member of Sisters In Crime, Sisters In Crime, Atlanta Chapter, International Thriller Writers, Inc., and the Carrollton Writers Guild.

When she gives her fingers a break from the keyboard, she enjoys golf, swimming, and exploring the mountains of West Georgia, where she makes her home with her husband.

 

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A modern, brashly flavorful guide to cooking Taiwanese-American food, from Brooklyn’s lauded Win Son, Win Son Bakery, and Cathy Erway, celebrated writer and expert on the cuisine

Josh Ku, born in Queens to parents from southern Taiwan, and Trigg Brown, a native Virginian whose mentor was a Taiwanese-American chef, forged a friendship over food—specifically, excellent tsang ying tou, or “flies’ head,” a dish of chopped budding chives kissed with pork fat. Their obsession with Taiwanese food and culture propelled them to open Win Son together in 2016. The East Williamsburg restaurant quickly established itself as a destination and often incurs long waits for their vibrant and flavorful Taiwanese-American cuisine.

Ku and Brown have teamed up with Cathy Erway, Taiwanese food expert and celebrated writer, to create this book which explores and celebrates the cuisine of Taiwan and its ever-simmering pot of creative influences. Told through the eyes, taste buds, travels, and busy lives of Ku, Brown, and Erway, this book brings the cuisine of this misunderstood island nation into the spotlight. With 100 creative, yet accessible recipes, this book will unravel the history of this diaspora cuisine. While featuring classic dishes and well-known favorites, this cookbook also stretches this cuisine’s definition, introducing new dishes with brazen twists that are fun, flavorful, and decidedly American-born in style.

 

 

 

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My Thoughts

 

The one thing that I really enjoy about being a part of the Abrams Dinner Party is being exposed to new cuisines. While I am somewhat of an adventurous eater, there are some areas that I have never tried. Taiwanese food is one of those. I guess you could say that I was intimidated by the potentially crazy ingredients (well, for this southern gal anyway), and would my family be open to trying new things?

I picked up this cookbook and started reading. Usually, I don’t read much outside of the recipes and notes for those dishes. However, I read the Prologue this time, drawing me into the cuisine and what might be possible. I enjoyed the information from the chefs, how they created their restaurant and the various dishes they serve.

With a more open mind, I started flipping through the different sections and perusing the recipes. The photos are gorgeous and showcase the various dishes quite well.

The recipes cover a wide variety of palates and range from vegetarian to those for the meat lover. I like how there is a blend of Taiwanese and American, sort of a fusion but not quite.

I have earmarked a few recipes I want to try once I figure out where to get some of the specialty items. There is a large Asian community in my town, and I will have to venture over to one of their markets to see what they have to offer. I think these will have to be dishes I prepare when I can set aside a fair amount of time since it is not something I am used to preparing. It’s a learning curve!

Peppered throughout the book are also conversations with the chefs about the food and how it has impacted their lives. It makes for fascinating reading.

If you are a Taiwanese food fan or want to learn how to make some, check out this cookbook. Please note that the cookie recipe is slightly off, so don’t start with that one!

 

 

Synopsis

 

Inkerman, Queensland, Australia

Fall 1889

 

Jennie Stewart, an unemployed governess, is looking to escape the rule-abiding town of Inkerman.  After the death of her childhood friend, Grace, Jennie takes refuge with several other friends at a beach house, needing to embrace the freedom she so craved…and hopefully find a clue that might lead her to discover who killed her friend and why.

John Atheling, an estate steward, made many personal sacrifices to get to his position, including distancing himself from the fairer sex and their manipulative ways.  His ordered life turns to chaos when he finds the nanny, Grace, dead.

Being given leave from his job, John accepts an invitation from his childhood friend to join him and several others on a retreat to the beach.  He reluctantly accepts after discovering one of the men joining them is suspected of knowing the truth about Grace’s death.

Arriving at the beach, John discovers who the rest of his companions would be over the coming days, including Jennie, a woman who ignites a longing in him that both thrills and scares him.  He hadn’t come to the beach to be lured into the seductive web of a woman, but nor could he deny the instant attraction he has to her.

Jennie should have treated John as the stranger he was, but she was drawn to him, desires burning in her that she couldn’t – and didn’t want to – ignore.  Struggling to remember why she’d come to the beach, she fought against the lure of love and passion, reminding herself that love at first sight was nothing more than a fairytale.

Will John and Jennie surrender to their heart’s desire, or will they fall victim to the murderer they’re chasing before they discover if love at first sight really exists?

 

 

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Review

 

Cultures vary from country to country, but desires between men and women remain the same no matter where you live.

Jennie was trained to be a governess to children of wealthier parents. While in school in England, she met three other women: Mary, Grace, and Beatrice. She, and the others, find themselves in Australia in the same town. What are the odds? Of course, Beatrice is from this town, and I wonder if she helped engineer their arrival. Their friendship remained, even if Beatrice was a bit standoffish to everyone because of who her father was and the opportunities she had compared to the other three.

I really liked Jennie’s character, except when she was being silly or obstinate in various situations. I’m not sure why she had such a hard time with trust. Perhaps it was tied to an incident in England where a man attacked and nearly raped her. A man that somehow also ended up in this same Australian town. You will quickly discover that he is sadistic and blames his lack of women on Jennie. This does not bode well for her future, especially her safety.

John is enamored by Jennie. He doesn’t know who she is until he ends up at the beach with her and 4 other people. She had visited the estate where he worked to see her friend Grace, which is how John somewhat recognized her. This trip allows them time to meet, discover who they are, and what their future can hold for the two of them. It is a rocky start, but if you believe in love at first sight, this is what happens to them. While there was a mutual attraction, they had to also deal with misconceptions and lies told by another party member about them. These lies spread doubt, which makes it harder for John and Jennie to trust each other initially.

I admired Jennie’s strength and desire to shed the propriety society in Australia had set down regarding apparel and thoughts. This is common for the late 1800s, and Jennie would be considered something of a rebel or blue stocking in her desire to enjoy a bohemian lifestyle. Both John and Jennie have some baggage that also creates distrust. Had they spoken plainly to one another and been blunt about certain situations, many misunderstandings could have been avoided.

Some drama happens near the end, but I will not spoil that for the reader. Let’s just say that certain situations came to a head at the end of the book, and things could have ended badly for John and Jennie.

I enjoyed this story and the multiple layers of the characters that added dimension to the story. I couldn’t believe the actions of one character. Actually, I could believe it, but not to the extreme level by the end of the story. I also felt like I learned something about Australia and its culture at the end of the 1800s.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Faye Hall spent her early years listening to stories about the families – including her own – who settled townships in and around her hometown in North Queensland, Australia.  The local townspeople, including her own parents, told her stories of corruption and slavery, along with family secrets and forbidden love.

Faye’s passionate stories combine controversial subjects, and provocative encounters as her characters struggle to survive the lifestyle in early rural townships throughout Australia.

When she’s not writing, Faye enjoys sharing a bottle of wine with her husband and encouraging the varied interests of their larger than average family.

 

 

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Synopsis

 

Ghostly Command is the riveting story about a ghost and a reluctant paranormal investigator working together to solve the ghost’s murder, the first book in the Joanna Davis Mystery series.

Author Joanna Davis has a gift, an uncomfortable gift she has had since she was ten-years-old. She can see and hear those who have passed on. Suddenly she has a ghost in her kitchen who is trying to solve her own murder, except there is already someone in jail for the crime, an innocent someone or so says the ghost. Can Joanna help? Does she want to? Does she even have a choice? Follow this reluctant investigator as she works to solve this case and find the person who actually committed the crime.

 

 

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Review

 

If you like ghostly mysteries, then check out this book. It is the first in a series with a middle-aged divorced woman that has the gift of communicating with ghosts.

I have to admit that I didn’t remember that from the synopsis, so when I started the book I felt a little lost. It seemed like things were happening without that background information until a little later. However, once that information is disclosed, some of the incidents make a lot more sense.

Joanna is a likable character, as are many of the main characters we meet. This is set in a somewhat smaller town, so gossip abounds and there will always be the “haters.” I liked that Joanna wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted, and the main things was remodeling her home. As it is with older homes, when you start working one thing you find five other things wrong. Good thing she had a good contractor helping her with those renovations.

When Joanna first meets the ghost, it was a bit unnerving, but as time went on, she discovered a mystery that needed to be solved. As an author, she did a lot of research for her books, so researching this ghost and what happened to her wasn’t too hard. Now it was a matter of finding someone that believed her and would take another look at this supposedly solved case.

I won’t give you any spoilers, but I was quite surprised at how the mystery unraveled itself. Considering the individual involved, it could have blown up even more so.

This was an enjoyable storyline and it kept me engaged. There were times when I thought the writing felt stilted, or there information was repeated multiple times. However, that did not detract from my enjoyment of this book.

We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Author R.K. O’Brien has been writing since she was 7 with a debut short story titled THE BLOB THAT ATE WEST HAVEN. Her BA is in English and Creative Writing and my MS is in Investigations. She has been writing professionally for over 25 years and was an actress in musical theatre before that. She usually write novels, but has also published poetry, a guide to pocket parks and a self-help book. Her occasional side gig is as a high school director of musical theatre and as a speaker on the art and craft of writing.

 

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