Dressed for Death Book Review

The Drew Farthering Mystery Series

Book Four

SUMMARY:  A Regency-era costume party should have been an amusing diversion, but it seems wherever Drew Farthering goes, mystery - and murder - are on the guest list.
     Drew and Madeline Farthering arrive at a Regency-era house party at Winteroak House, excited to be reunited with old friends, including Drew's former Oxford classmate Talbot Cummings.  Tal is there with his fiancee, Alice Henley, and though many present seem worried about the couple, nobody is prepared when Alice dies from an apparent overdose.  Tal refuses to believe she's taken the drug intentionally, and a dark question arises of whether the death is an accident or murder.
     The police have their own information, though, and Drew is shocked when they arrest someone he's trusted since his childhood - someone who's been smuggling drugs into the country for years.  Stunned by what has happened, Tal begs Drew to get to the bottom of everything, but Drew has never felt more unsettled.  Questioning his own ability to see people as they really are, Drew doesn't know whom to trust, and he's not ready for the secrets he's about to uncover - or the danger he'll bring down on everyone he holds dear.

REVIEW:  If you like mysteries and suspense, you need to check out Julianna Deering's The Drew Farthering Mystery series.  The latest book, Dressed for Death, is the first I've read from her but I did not miss anything by not reading the others. 
     Even though he is an English aristocrat, Drew is becoming known for his mystery solving and sleuthing skills.  When tragedy strikes during a party, I like how Drew steps in to help his friend.  When terrible events keep occurring, Drew's concern for his wife and friends is admirable.  He wants to figure out who is involved but worries someone else close to him will die next. 
     The mystery surrounding Alice's death, as well as finding proof of who is conducting the drug smuggling ring and committing the other crimes, kept me guessing right to the end.  When the truth finally is revealed, I was not expecting them to be the culprit.  While the deaths in the story were sometimes graphic, the author does a good job conveying it without going into gory detail.
     This book has peaked my interest to read the first three books, as well as any subsequent ones.  Check out this book and this series.

This book was provided by Fiction Guild and Bethany House for review without compensation.

Julianna Deering, author of the acclaimed Murder at the Mikado and Death by the Book in the Drew Farthering Mystery series, is the pen name of novelist DeAnna Julie Dodson.  DeAnna has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen, or the stage. This, together with her keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness, and triumph over adversity.  A fifth-generation Texas, she makes her home north of Dallas, along with three spoiled cats.  When not writing, DeAnna spends her free time quilting, cross-stitching, and watching NHL hockey.  Learn more at JuliannaDeering.com.

Wilderness Rising Book Review

A Church Builder Novel

SUMMARY: It began as a search for the truth about her best friend’s death. Now Bethany Barclay is caught in the ultimate struggle to keep faith alive.
     The Wilderness, an ancient cabal bent on destroying Christianity, has murdered Bethany’s best friend, framed her for acts of terrorism, and captured the brilliant teen hacker she vowed to protect. To ransom the girl, Bethany must traverse England and Europe to find the Pilate Stone—a mysterious first-century artifact that might not even exist.
     She’s not the only one who wants the stone. The Garden, a powerful group of intellectuals sworn to save the Church and help Bethany, is willing to betray her to achieve their higher goals. And a mysterious third faction lurks in the shadows, waiting for her to stumble.
     Alone and on the run in this international landscape of double and triple agents, Bethany’s quest becomes an ever more complex and dangerous contest against players who don’t play fair.
     In this riveting sequel to The Church Builder, many of A. L. Shield’s cunning characters are ruthlessly devoted to preserving a world where faith is possible. Others aim to brutally, and finally, undermine belief.
     Including Bethany’s.

REVIEW:  My daughter and I have been anxiously waiting for this book since we finished the first one.  Now, you DEFINITELY need to read the first book, The Church Builder, before reading this one or you will not be able to follow along.  Even though I had read it, it had been a while so I had trouble trying to remember what happened previously, how it was relevant to this story and who all was involved how.  After a few chapters, everything started falling back into place.
    The author does an excellent job keeping you guessing and sitting on the edge of your seat, quickly turning the pages to see what happens next.  This book is like a classic spy/whodunit-type novel, with all the twists, turns and not knowing who to trust. Quite a few questions from the previous publication were answered and things started falling into place.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Bethany is one character I won't easily forget.

This book was provided by Zondervan and Booklook Bloggers for review without compensation.

A.L. Shields  is a pseudonym for Stephen L. Carter, William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law at Yale, where he has taught for thirty years. He is also the author of seven acclaimed works of nonfiction and five best-selling novels. His first novel, The Emperor of Ocean Park (2002), spent eleven weeks on the New York Times best seller list.

Death Takes A Ride Book Review

The Cate Kinkaid Files

Book Three

SUMMARY:  It's official.  This case is above her pay grade - and Cate's in over her head.

     Cate Kinkaid arrives at H&B Vintage Auto Restorations to give a friend a ride.  But, as usual, trouble finds Cate even there - this time in the form of one dead man, one wounded man, and what appears to be a pretty obvious case of self-defense.

     Despite having been mearly an unfortunate bystander, Cate finds herself sucked into the case.  And the deeper she gets, the more she begins to suspect that the shooting in the H&B office may not have been as cut-and-dried as it appeared.  

     Bestselling and award-winning author Lorena McCourtney takes  you on a wild ride in this clever cozy mystery that will keep you guessing.

REVIEW:  If you like humor with your mysteries, check out Lorena McCourtney's latest book.  Between guessing how the story was going to end and laughing at all the situations Cate found herself in, the book was finished before I knew it.  The author kept me guessing as to how everything would work out and the circumstances leading up to the event.  I love Cate's desire to do a good job, to do what was right even in the hardest of circumstances, and not being afraid to ask for help.  This is the third book in this series but does a good job standing on it's own.  But, I would recommend reading the other ones because they are good and fill in some of the blanks you may have.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Lorena McCourtney is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of dozens of novels, including Invisible (which won a Daphne du Maurier Award from Romance Writers of America), Dying to Read, and Dolled Up to Die.  She resides in Oregon.  Learn more at www.lorenamccourtney.com.

Dolled Up to Die Book Review

The Cate Kinkaid Files

Book 2

SUMMARY:  Cate's not sure just what she expected . . . but she knows it certainly wasn't this.

     When Cate Kinkaid receives a frantic call about a triple homicide, she drives to the scene against her better judgment - aren't triple homicides more up the police department's alley? - only to find that the victims are not quite who she expects.  Now she has a new rule to add to everything she's learned in her short stint as an assistant private investigator: always find out if the victims have human DNA.  Because these three do not. 

     But who would shoot this nice lady's dolls?  What possible reason could the shooter have?  And then there's the startling discovery of another victim, who definitely does have human DNA . . .

     With tension that is matched only by humor, Dolled Up to Die is the exciting second book in Lorena McCourtney's Cate Kinkaid Files.  You won't find a place to stop and take a breath in this fast-paced story.

REVIEW:  The storyline is different from any I've read before but it has just the right amount of mystery to keep you guessing as to who the murderer is and why.  While it does move at a faster pace, you should not get lost or confused.  The characters are wonderfully developed and my favorite, of course, is Cate.  She tries hard to be a good Assistant Private Investigator but makes mistakes just like the rest of us.  She is comfortable in her own skin (and flaming carrot red hair) and is not afraid of taking chances.  Cate has a big heart and is willing to help anyone in need.  This is a great book and a wonderful read.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

 Lorena McCourtney is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of dozens of novels, including Dying to Read, Invisible which won a Daphne du Maurier Award from Romance Writers of America), In Plain Sight, On the Run, and Stranded.  She resides in Oregon.