"A Murmuration of Starlings", by Steve Burrows

A Birder Murder Mystery book #10

This latest has two settings one in the Australian outback and the other in Norfolk, England. The story pursues Mr. Borrows passion for birdwatching around the world.

In a few words:

Detective Inspector Dominic Jejeune visits a former superior Superintendent Colleen Shepperd in Australia to discuss his future career and not sooner into the country Jejeune becomes enmeshed in the kidnapping and death of a Compliance Officer of a large mining firm. Meanwhile his team in Norfolk need to deal with the death of the CEO of a large lithium battery facility, some think it may be an accident other suspect foul play….and the mystery commences…..

My thoughts:

This is definitely not the right place to star this series. I read some previous books some time ago, so my memory wasn’t exactly up to par, I had some trouble collecting enough back story to be comfortable with the context in this latest, although having said this I still enjoyed the police procedural and the complex plot played by a wonderful cast. Not forgetting the environment: a crash course in different native cultures: Wadjela , Noongar and the white people. By the end of this story, I know a little bit more about the outback of Australia, its birds, snakes and animals…. watch out for those emos, they run the place….. and the kangaroos also….

I particularly love the ending it quite awesome and turns personal for our protagonist, I hope his life will be quieter and he can stay put in England.

In conclusion:

The story is well said and the pacing is fast and steady, not a dull moment as we go and back from one continent to the other entertained by characters that are well rounded.

My thanks to Dundurn Press and Netgalley for this ARC

"Please Enjoy Your Stay", by Tara Goedjen

 

This story follows Mia, still haunted by a tragedy that occurred when she was a teenager, her cousin was murdered during a vacation at a mountain castle in the Alps, Mia was the only witness and helped to put the murderer in prison.

A decade later, the case resurfaced when the murderer appeals his conviction and a true crime podcast covers the events.

Mia makes a trip back to the Alps, take a job as a nanny to find out further…..soon finds herself at risk of becoming a victim……

I have mix feelings about this book: not liking it but not dislike it….I already forgotten most of what happened…in one ear and out the next.

This story has two tempos, going back and forth between the present day with Mia at the castle and her aunt Iris’s notes from 2015 at the time of her son murder.

I didn’t find much mystery, it drags a lot and a lot is said that is a one-time deal that never has any follow up, it just dropped. This is simply one of those plain read that mosey along and seems to never end. Although I liked the ending, the author leaves us with a surprise….In all about 10% of this story has some kind of excitement….the rest I leave it up to you …..

Apart from the protagonist I agree with those saying the others are add on, they were simply just there. The characters in general were boring, even Mia.

My verdict….it is an ok book.

My thanks to Atria Books/Atria/Emily Bestler Books and to Netgalley for this ARC

"Bark Humbug", by David Rosenfelt

Andy Carpenter book #34

A legal thriller

This mystery centers on the highly publicized murder of a state governor candidate pulling Andy out of early retirement after he agreed to be part of a photospread profiling celebrities and their dogs not realizing it was a ploy to get him to represent murder suspect Jon Lowery, who got his dog Luna from Andy’s Tara Foundation a couple a years before…..Andy reluctantly defends Lowery….. and we are propelled right into the murder scene, the dubious investigating methods and the court room shenanigans.

Using his usual formula Mr. Rosenfelt has our hero followed and threatened, his associate Marcus Clark beating people to extract information, Sam hacking to get locations and of course we have Laura doing her thing and spoiling the boys.

This is a fun read full of sarcastic remarks and playful banters and many many amusing passages. Andy definitely hates Christmas music preferring to be waterboarded than listening to it… oh and hates emojis…😊.

As usual, at trial Andy is at his best poking holes in the testimony of the prosecution witness and going all out to defend Lowery. What a surprise ending we are left with ….

As always Mr. Rosenfelt has penned an entertaining blend of mystery and legal thriller with humorous elements. Definitely “Bark Humbug" has a solid and fast-paced plot played out by colourful players.

Enjoy

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books and Netgalley for this ARC