Good Reads: Counterfeit Conspiricies

Counterfeit Conspiracies by Ritter Ames
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Counterfeit Conspiricies is the first book in the Bodies of Art mystery/suspense series. It is a very well written and professionally edited full length novel.

The heroine works for a nonprofit foundation liberating (stealing) art works from thieves and unscrupulous collectors, then returning them to their rightful owners. She suddenly finds herself in a caper alongside a mystery man that seems to have a similar skill set and the ability to waylay her at the most inconvenient times.

This is a rollicking start to a fascinating and fun series. The plot is fast paced and the characters well developed and complex. Counterfeit Conspiricies was a hard book to put down.

I highly recommend this novel which ends with a HFN.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

Good Reads: The Girls She Left Behind

The Girls She Left Behind by Sarah Graves
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Girls She Left Behind is the second book in the Lizzie Snow mystery/suspense series. It is a very well written and professionally edited full length novel.

The Maine winter has hit hard with the added complications of an out of control forest fire and an escaped serial kidnapper. Add a missing teenager and tough heroine, Lizzie Snow, and this plot sizzles with action and suspense.

I am loving this series and I can't wait for new releases. I recommend reading this series in order to fully understand the characters and their actions.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

Good Reads: Winter At The Door

Winter at the Door by Sarah Graves
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Winter at the Door is the first book in the Lizzie Snow mystery/suspense series. It is a well written and professionally edited full length novel.

Lizzie Snow has left her prestigious job as a homicide detective in Boston to move to a small, rural town in Maine. Her new position as a deputy should allow her to pursue her own search for her missing niece. But first she's thrown into investigating a rash of deaths and all of the victims are ex law enforcement officers.

I love a smart, strong female lead and a fast paced plot and this book delivered. I look forward to reading more of this series in the future.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

Good Reads: Santa 365

Santa 365: A Chet and Bernie eShort Story by Spencer Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Santa 365 is a fun Christmas romp with Chet and Bernie. It is a well written and professionally edited novella.

This is a quick, fast paced mystery that is swiftly solved and remains upbeat throughout the story.

Definitely a must read for Chet and Bernie lovers.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

Good Reads: Scheduled To Die

Scheduled to Die by Alan Cupp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Scheduled To Die is the second book in the Carter Mays mystery series. It is an extremely well written and professionally edited full length novel.

The beginning of this book just sucked me in and the plot wouldn't let me go. The transition from a perfectly normal, even fun, situation to horrifying was shocking (in a good way).

Characterization was so well done; the bad guy was frightening, the victims vulnerable, but ultimately strong and the Hero calm and determined. I would like to know more about Carter Mays though; his appearance and background are only lightly touched on.

Scheduled To Die can be read as a standalone, but reading the series in order will bring better understanding of the H. If you like mystery/suspense you will love the Carter Mays series.

ARC provided by Henery Press via Netgalley.

Good Reads: Bridges Burned

Bridges Burned by Annette Dashofy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bridges Burned is the third book in the Zoe Chambers mystery/romance series. It is a well written, professionally edited, full length novel.

Zoe finds herself embroiled in a series of murders and mysterious fires while working as an EMT. Her relationship with the chief of police, Pete, was moving forward until they disagree about likely suspects in the murder cases.

The plot is fast paced and the mystery interesting, but I thought that Pete's handling of the investigation and dealing with Zoe was unprofessional. It did add needed conflict to the plot.

Secondary characters were well developed and added diversity to the story.

Overall, I enjoyed Bridges Burned and I recommend it to mystery lovers. It ends with a satisfying HFN.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

Good Reads: Quicksand

Quicksand by Gigi Pandian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Quicksand is the third full length novel in the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt series. It is a well written and professionally edited mystery.

Jaya has settled into her professorship and has just started a new semester of teaching when she receives an invitation to travel to Paris to reunite with an old love. She finds herself being blackmailed by a master criminal who insists on her becoming his assistant.

With a complex plot and interesting characters, Quicksand is a fun read. It can be read as a standalone, but I suggest reading the series in order. The book ends with a satisfying HFN.

ARC provided by Henery Press via Netgalley.

Good Reads: Swan Dive

Swan Dive by Kendel Lynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Swan Dive is the third book in the Elliott Lisbon mystery series. It is a well written and professionally edited full length novel. While it could be read as a standalone, I suggest reading the series in order to have a full understanding of the characters and their motivations.

In her capacity as the director of the Ballantyne Foundation Elliott is attending a ballet, the Nutcracker Suite, when the lead ballerina is found dead in her dressing room. Elliot is tasked with assisting the police with their murder investigation and is soon embroiled in the world of dance, cooking competitions and botanical poisons.

The plot of Swan Dive is complex, circuitous and fast paced. Once I began reading I didn't want to put the book down. I was put off a bit by Elliott keeping so much evidence and information from the police. It bordered on obstruction.

The ending is a HFN and I look forward to reading future books in this series.

ARC provided by Henery Press via Netgalley.

Good Reads: The Deep End

The Deep End by Julie Mulhern
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Deep End is a very well written and professionally edited murder mystery. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down.

The heroine is a country club wife, barely existing while under the thumbs of her philandering husband and manipulative mother. Only her art gives her hope. When she discovers the body of her husband's mistress she becomes the prime suspect in a series of murders. She decides she must solve the murders in order to prove her innocence.

At times I was annoyed with the h's passivity, but she did begin to grow stronger as the plot developed. The secondary characters were interesting, especially the two men that become romantic interests.

The plot was full of twists and turns. It held my interest and at times contained a quirky humor. I didn't figure out who the murderer was until it was revealed.

I highly recommend The Deep End and I look forward to reading more books by this author.

ARC provided by Henery Press via Netgalley.

Good Reads: No Test For The Wicked

No Test for the Wicked by Julie Moffett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

No Test For The Wicked is the fifth book in the Lexi Carmichael mystery/romance series. It is extremely well written and professionally edited.

High school wasn't good for Lexi, cyber investigator, the first time around and when she has to pose as a high school student to investigate hackers at a prestigious private school the second time isn't much better. Especially when the terrorists show up.

I love Lexi's character and watching my favorite nerd girl growing as a person. In fact, the funniest and loveliest moments in this book are when she is feeling her way through her interactions with others. I was a little disappointed at the lack of appearance of some of the secondary characters. The break with Finn has been glossed over in the last two books, which really doesn't fit in with his Lexi obsessed and strong willed character in earlier books.

The plot was suspense filled and fast paced. It was a believable scenario and I love how it paralleled current events. The ending was poignant, but filled with hope, so I guess I would qualify it as a HFN.

I am a major Lexi Carmichael fan girl and I highly recommend this book and series.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

Good Read: Fatal Brushstroke

Fatal Brushstroke by Sybil Johnson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Fatal Brushstroke is the first book in the Aurora Anderson mystery series. It is adequately written and professionally edited.

The plot is interesting and fast paced, but a bit disorganized. Information and events in the story were presented in a way that made me feel as though I had missed their introduction. I went back to reread a few sections hoping to find some reason for a new event thinking that I had overlooked something.

The characters were varied and most were very appealing. The main character, Rory, had an interesting backstory which I would have loved to have read more about. In the first half of the book I had a problem empathizing with Rory and her problems because she continually lied to the police and her behavior was so erratic. I finally warmed up to her towards the end of the story.

Overall, Fatal Brushstroke was an easy, fun read. It can be read as a standalone, but I look forward to reading more of this series.

ARC provided by Henery Press via Netgalley.

Good Reads: The Bullet Catch

The Bullet Catch by John Gaspard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Bullet Catch is the second book in the Eli Marks Mystery series. It is well written and professionally edited.

Eli has been cast adrift, with his girlfriend asking for a "break" , his fear of heights growing and dealing with his ex wife and her new, homicide detective husband. He is asked to work on a film about a magician killed while performing the Bullet Catch, a particularly dangerous magic trick. Soon he finds himself embroiled in a homicide investigation or rather several homicides, as people around him keep being murdered.

The plot is interesting and filled with a variety of secondary characters. But I think my real love in this series is the main character, Eli. He is a sort of Everyman, just a nice man trying to live his life well. It is easy to identify with him and cheer him on while he deals with life's verities.

I highly recommend The Bullet Catch. It can be read as a standalone, but it is more fun to read the series. It ends with a satisfying HFN.

Good Reads: Double Strike

Double Strike by Gretchen Archer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Double Strike is the third book in the Davis Way series. It is a very well written and professionally edited mystery/crime/humor/romance novel. It can be read as a standalone, but it will be easier to understand the plot nuances if you read the series in order.

Davis is still working undercover security at a casino and occasionally acting as the casino manager's wife's double. The security team finds themselves suspicious of a new casino employee that may be laundering money for drug dealers. Davis finds her marriage delayed by work and the small fact that she is still married to her ex ex husband. This plot was fast paced, fun and filled with social media. #NeverADullMoment

I highly recommend Double Strike and I look forward to reading more books in this series ( I would love to see Bianca get treated the way she deserves).

ARC provided by Henery Press via Netgalley.

Good Reads: Dang Near Dead

Dang Near Dead by Nancy G. West
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Dang Near Dead is the second book in the Aggie Mundeen Mysery series. It is a decently written and professionally edited murder mystery.

I was put off by the first half of this book. A large number of characters are thrown at the reader, references are made to the first book without any explanation, and the plot seems erratic and disorganized. The heroine, Aggie, comes off as irrational and, frankly, not very bright.

Somewhere between 50% and 70% the story finally became more appealing and the reader is finally able to keep up with the plot.

Due to the lack of recapping the first book I would say that Dang Near Dead is not a standalone novel. It must be read after the first book to understand the characters and plot. It ends with a HFN with a tiny bit of cliffhanger at the end.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

Good Reads: The Secret Place

The Secret Place by Tana French
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The fifth book in the Dublin Murder Squad series, The Secret Place is a beautifully written and professionally edited murder mystery novel. Even though it is part of a series it reads as a standalone.

Two rather mismatched detectives find themselves investigating a cold murder case together. Taking place at an Irish Catholic boarding school filled with rather frightening teenage girl suspects, this novel had me captivated and kept me guessing from beginning to end.

This isn't a comfortable book to read, especially if you have a teenage daughter. The sometimes viciousness of children, teenage peer pressure, the strength of young friendships and the frailty of the same friendships is disturbing.

I loved The Secret Place and I look forward to reading the other books in the series.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

Goodreads: Paw and Order

Paw and Order by Spencer Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Paw and Order is the seventh book in the Chet and Bernie mystery series. It is extremely well written and professionally edited.

Chet and Bernie leave Louisiana, headed toward Washington DC to reconnect with Bernie's love interest, Suzie, a reporter. Once in Washington they become embroiled in a murder mystery involving local police, federal agents and Russian sleeper agents.

As usual, Chet is a wonderful narrator of his and Bernie's detective work. I love how his dog eye view is described. Bernie is lovable and competent in his slightly bumbling, but endearing way.

The only problem I had with this book is with Suzie and Bernie's romance. Suzie comes off as judgmental and as operating under a double standard.

Paw and Order can be read as a standalone, but I suggest reading the whole series to fully enjoy the novels. This series is a joy and I strongly recommend it.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

Good Reads: Whack Job

Whack Job by Kendel Lynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Whack Job is the second book in the Elliot Lisbon mystery series. It is a well written and edited novel.

El is tasked with another "discreet Inquiry" through her job as director of the Ballantine foundation. She is supposed to help one of their donors find a Faberge egg that his estranged wife has stolen during a contentious divorce. When that wife shows up dead El finds herself investigating a murder.

This was a fast paced and interesting novel, but there was too much happening at once. At times it felt chaotic.

The love triangle between El, Nick and Matty had sort of pooped out in this novel. Neither man seemed particularly interested in her and there were definitely no sparks flying.

Overall this was a fun read with a HEA. It can be read as a stand alone, but I would suggest reading Board Stiff first.

ARC provided by Henery Press via Netgalley.

Good Reads: Small Town Spin

Small Town Spin by LynDee Walker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Small Town Spin is the third book in the A Headlines In High Heels mystery series. It displays the high quality writing and editing that I have come to expect from LynDee Walker and Henery Press.

In this novel the heroine, Nicey, is called upon to write a sensitive article on the death of two small town teenagers. Of course she can't just write about them, she must try to solve their murders.

I thoroughly enjoy Nicey. She is a capable, strong, career woman (newspaper reporter) that has the tendency to get herself into humorous and dangerous situations. Her two love interests are on opposite sides of the law and are competing for her affections.

I highly recommend this mystery series to anyone that enjoys mysteries and romance.

ARC provided by Henery Press via Netgalley.

Good Reads: Circle of Influence

Circle of Influence by Annette Dashofy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Circle of Influence is the first book in the Zoe Chambers mystery series. It is a well written and well edited novel.

Zoe is a paramedic in a small Pennsylvania town trying to live her life quietly, but the murder of her best friend's husband interrupts her peace and brings out some secrets that she has kept well hidden. She begins to work with the police chief to solve the murder; sometimes with his knowledge and sometimes without.

This story is told partially from Zoe's and the Chief's point of views. These different POVs make for an interesting read and gives the reader a variety of bad guys to ponder. The solution to the mystery was kept well hidden and was a surprise for me.

There is a hint of romance between Zoe and the chief which is still in it's early stages by the end of the book. I look forward to seeing it flourish in future books.

Circle of Influence has a happy ending and doesn't end with a cliffhanger. I recommend it to lovers of murder mysteries.

ARC provided by Henery Press via Netgalley.

Good Reads: That Touch of Ink

That Touch of Ink by Diane Vallere
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

That Touch of Ink is the second book in the Mad For Mod mystery/romance series. It is a very well written and well edited novel about the murder mystery solving, Doris Day look alike, Madison.

Madison's lost love, Brad, suddenly reappears claiming that he had forced her out of his life to save her from his criminal friends. Add to that murders centered around some iffy five thousand dollar bills and you have an entertaining mystery novel.

The two men in Madison's life, the detective Tex and handyman Hudson, have been waiting for her to recover from the last mystery she helped solve. In this book Tex is given more emphasis and his true self begins to appear.

With a happy ending and a complex, but satisfying, mystery I highly recommend this novel. It can be read as a stand alone, but I suggest reading the series in order.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.