Murder Unmentionable by Meg London

This is a very fun murder mystery that takes place in Paris, Tennessee in a vintage lingerie shop.  Emma came back to help out her aunt after living in New York City.  She needed a change of scenery.  Unfortunately some people followed her and did not fare so well.  Emma wants to figure out what happened and gets herself in some interesting situations.  The characters were very colorful and intriguing and I am interested to see how London will further develop this series.  It was just a very fun read that made me laugh and forget things for a while, just what a book is supposed to do.

Think Twice by Lisa Scottoline

You get grabbed right in the beginning and it does not stop until the end.  There are identical twins and the 'bad' twin takes over.  The 'good' twin figures it out but has a hard time convincing everyone else.  There are many twists and turns and adventures that made this an amazing book to get through.  Scottoline knows how to develop the characters and make you feel for them or even want to take sides.  She is good at showing what people can be capable of and how far reaching their web can be.  Great author.

Grounds for Murder by Sandra Balzo

This is the second book in a coffee shop mystery series and I can't wait to get to the first one and see how it all started.  There is a coffee convention with a barista competition.  Someone gets murdered.  All of the characters are well developed and colorful and I did  not feel like I missed out on anything by not reading the first one. 

Save Me by Lisa Scottoline

Wow!  She pulls you right in in the beginning and it does not stop until the end.  Rose, a mother who worked as a volunteer in the lunch room at the school where her daughter attended, was there when there was an explosion.  Decisions were made and people misinterpretted things which sent this story on a wild ride.  Rose wanted to prove her innocence and in the end found out much more about the town and it's people than she ever would have really wanted to know.  Scottoline brought about how harsh people could be and how you really need to stand up for what you believe.  People need to go with their gut and follow it through.  If you are a fan of Jodi Picoult you will love this book.

Hail to the Chef by Julie Hyzy

Ollie got into the middle of it all again.  She is the Executive Chef for the White House in this very fun culinary mystery.   They are  gearing up for the holiday season and things just start to go wrong.  Some people die, there is a bomb scare, the first lady is being threatened.  It can be intense at times and it just keeps on going.  Ollie aggravates the Secret Service, among others, but ends up being right about many things.  A very fun book and series with great characters and seamless writing.

Familiar Mirage by Caroline Burns

This was given to me by my neighbor and I was not too sure about it.  It is a Harlequin Intrigue novel and I did not know what to expect.  It was a very enjoyable, easy read.  It takes place in Egypt centered around an archaeological dig.  A huge discovery is made, but someone does not want the team to succeed.  Computers are destroyed and people poisoned.   Beth, the dig leader, is trying to stay on top of things.  The kicker is that it is a cat who is figuring out all of the mystery and deception.   I had fun reading it and will not knock one of these off again.  Very fun.   

To Have and To Kill by Mary Jane Clark

A very fun, light story about Piper who has had to move back home because her acting career has kind of tanked.  Her mother owns a bakery and Piper helps out when she can.  A friend of hers is getting married  and in the mix of things people start dying.  Piper slowly starts to realize that things are connected, but does not realize until it is almost too late, who the murdered is.  Clark did a great job stringing you on until the end and I really did not see it coming.  Very enjoyable.

The Wishing Jar by Penelope Stokes

An interesting story following three generations of women.  They have lived in the family house forever and there are many stories to tell.  There is the young, struggling with the pressures of growing up who is also dealing with a difficult loss.  The middle age who is trying to find her way with a teenager, loss and an aging mother.  The elderly who feels like she has seen it all and is lost in the shuffle.  The one thing that holds them together is the wishing jar.  Much is learned through trial and error and trust. A wonderful story with a very fitting ending.