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February 2024 MBR The Mystery/Suspense Shelf part 4 of 4
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Midwest Book Review
Feb 21, 2024, 7:00:50 AMFeb 21
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The Mystery/Suspense Shelf part 4 of 4
A Pie to Die For
Gretchen Rue
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639106257, $29.99, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Pie-Die-Lucky-Mysteries/dp/1639106251
Synopsis: Este March runs the family-owned Lucky Pie Diner on Split Pine Island in Northern Michigan. The pies at Lucky Pie aren't just good, they're magical, made from a family recipe that grants certain customers their greatest hopes and dreams when they eat the pie. The remote island is closed to outsiders over the winter months, but on the last day of the season, the unpopular new produce vendor, Jeff, turns up dead on his boat, and Split Pine Island's peace goes up in smoke.
Tom Cunningham, the local sheriff, casts suspicion onto Este, who may have been the last person to see Jeff alive. Not to mention several people witnessed her getting into an argument with the rude vendor in some of his final hours. Este decides to clear her name and her diner's reputation by launching her own investigation, which means she must turn suspicion on her friends and neighbors, because only a local could have murdered the victim.
As Este investigates, she uncovers a deeper web of secrets, finding that many of the locals had reason to either frame her, or kill the victim. The clock is ticking to figure out the killer, and the clues in the case are flakier than an apple pie. Este will have to uncover the killer before her future crumbles.
Critique: A classic cozy mystery from Gretchen Rue, "A Pie to Die For" is the first volume of the author's new 'A Lucky Pie Mystery' series from Crooked Lane Books. Once again we find a young woman compelled to become amateur detective in her attempt to clear herself from a murder mystery by finding out 'whodunnit'. A fresh and fun read from cover to cover, "A Pie to Die For" will prove an instantly popular pick for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that "A Pie to Die For" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.99).
Editorial Note: Gretchen Rue (https://www.sierradean.com/gretchenrue) is a secondary pen-name from author Sierra Dean. She is a cozy mystery author, whose works include The Witches' Brew series and now the Lucky Pie series from Crooked Lane Books as well.
A Killer Romance
Maggie Blackburn
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639106356, $29.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Killer-Romance-Beach-Reads-Mystery/dp/1639106359
Synopsis: When the Beach Reads bookshop hosts a Valentine's Day event, "Romance by the Sea," bookseller Summer Merriweather has no idea that the guest author is under investigation for her own husband's murder. When that same author is found dead at the local bed and breakfast, nobody assumes it's natural causes -- because there were plenty of people who wanted her dead!
As Summer searches for the truth about the author's stranger-than-fiction life, Summer finds suspicious indications of shady behavior in the author's belongings. But the casual sleuthing is quickly derailed when Summer's friend Glads gets hauled in for the murder, and they launch a full-blown investigation to clear her name.
As Summer and company pick through the scant clues to solve the case, they may find more treachery and heartbreak than they bargained for.
Critique: "A Killer Romance" is the third title in author Maggie Blackburn's 'A Beach Reads Mystery' series (following "Once Upon a Seaside Murder" and "Little Bookshop of Murder") and once again an amateur female sleuth is called upon to find out 'whodunnit' assisted by her equally amateur friends -- include one who is accused by the authorities of the crime. A wonderfully original and deftly crafted read from first page to last, "A Killer Romance" is an ideal pick for community library collections and readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.99).
Editorial Note: Maggie Blackburn (https://cozymystery.com/authors/maggie-blackburn) is the author of the Cora Crafts mysteries and the Cumberland Creek mysteries under another pen name. Her books have been selected as finalists for an Agatha Award and a Daphne du Maurier Award and as Top 10 Beach Reads by Woman's World. There is a complete listing of her books online at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19744185.Maggie_Blackburn
Once Upon a Murder
Samantha Larsen
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639106219, $29.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Murder-Librarian-Mystery/dp/1639106219
Synopsis: 1784 England. Officially hired as the librarian for the Duchess of Beaufort, Miss Tiffany Woodall is through with masquerades and murders for good. That is, until she stumbles upon the frozen dead body of former footman Mr. Bernard Coram. The speed with which her peaceful new life is upended is one for the record books: the justice of the peace immediately declares her the primary suspect in the murder.
As Tiffany hunts for the truth to clear her name, she learns that Bernard got into a fight over a woman at the local pub the night of his death - but he was also overheard blackmailing Samir. The justice of the peace arrests Samir, and Tiffany realizes that her life may have more in common with a tragic play than a light-hearted romance.
With her love locked up in jail and her own reputation on the line, Tiffany must attempt to solve the murder before the book closes on her or Samir's life.
Critique: A fascinating and fun read from cover to cover, "Once Upon A Murder" by novelist Samantha Larsen will be of very special interest to fans of historical 'whodunnit' mysteries solved by amateur female sleuths. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Historical Fiction and Cozy Mystery collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Once Upon A Murder" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).
Editorial Note: Samantha Larsen has degrees from Brigham Young University, the University of Reading (Berkshire, England), and the University of North Texas. She met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. She spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, drinking tea, and chasing her kids. She publishes historical romances under Samantha Hastings. Learn more at She also publishes historical romances under Samantha Hastings (www.SamanthaHastings.com).
Coded to Kill
Marschall Runge, MD
Post Hill Press
www.posthillpress.com
9781637589250, $30.00 Hardcover/$18.99 Paper/$7.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Coded-Kill-Marschall-Runge-M-D/dp/1637589255
Coded to Kill represents a play on medical terminology suitable for its subject as a medical/techno-thriller, inviting readers to enter a world steeped in ethical questions of medical breakthroughs and their ultimate costs.
At the heart of this story is Drexel Hospital's revolutionary new Electronic Health Records system, which sports the real-time medical records of every American for instant access through any medical system. Sounds good. But even the best of intentions can go awry. Hugh Torrence views the new system as an unprecedented opportunity for profit and power. Until patients begin mysteriously dying. As computer techies, physicians, and prominent administrators in positions of power vie for control of the new system and answers about its underlying puzzles, readers enjoy a compelling novel of espionage, intrigue, and unexpected ethical conundrums as an ideal medical scenario falls apart.
From chief technicians who can't seem to press the 'reset' button fast enough to investigators who are certain that someone is harming patients on purpose, the fast-paced action and swirl of competing special interests creates a compelling story packed with high-octane action. Its unexpected twists and turns keep readers guessing about perps, purposes, and outcomes. Marschall Runge's familiarity with the medical system and its administration lends a realistic atmosphere to a story peppered with red flags of warning as the characters confront IT, medical issues, and their personal ability to make problems vanish. At the heart of this adventure lie social and ethical conundrums that will lead readers to think about the ultimate impact of imperfect 'perfect' systems, and the process of managing and accessing patient care in a high-tech world.
Libraries and readers looking for medical thrillers with the atmosphere of a good Robin Cook production, the tension and feel of Michael Crichton's unexpected twists, and the ethical dilemmas of Patricia Cornwell's medical mysteries will find Coded to Kill a powerful juxtaposition of medical and personal ethics. Coded to Kill should ideally find its way onto the shelves of any library and reader serious about acquiring and imbibing the finest of medical thrillers.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no funds from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, internet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested individuals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.
The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "California Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwatch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview (dot) com
Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugalmuse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publisher, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number, and list price).
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
A Pie to Die For
Gretchen Rue
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639106257, $29.99, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Pie-Die-Lucky-Mysteries/dp/1639106251
Synopsis: Este March runs the family-owned Lucky Pie Diner on Split Pine Island in Northern Michigan. The pies at Lucky Pie aren't just good, they're magical, made from a family recipe that grants certain customers their greatest hopes and dreams when they eat the pie. The remote island is closed to outsiders over the winter months, but on the last day of the season, the unpopular new produce vendor, Jeff, turns up dead on his boat, and Split Pine Island's peace goes up in smoke.
Tom Cunningham, the local sheriff, casts suspicion onto Este, who may have been the last person to see Jeff alive. Not to mention several people witnessed her getting into an argument with the rude vendor in some of his final hours. Este decides to clear her name and her diner's reputation by launching her own investigation, which means she must turn suspicion on her friends and neighbors, because only a local could have murdered the victim.
As Este investigates, she uncovers a deeper web of secrets, finding that many of the locals had reason to either frame her, or kill the victim. The clock is ticking to figure out the killer, and the clues in the case are flakier than an apple pie. Este will have to uncover the killer before her future crumbles.
Critique: A classic cozy mystery from Gretchen Rue, "A Pie to Die For" is the first volume of the author's new 'A Lucky Pie Mystery' series from Crooked Lane Books. Once again we find a young woman compelled to become amateur detective in her attempt to clear herself from a murder mystery by finding out 'whodunnit'. A fresh and fun read from cover to cover, "A Pie to Die For" will prove an instantly popular pick for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that "A Pie to Die For" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.99).
Editorial Note: Gretchen Rue (https://www.sierradean.com/gretchenrue) is a secondary pen-name from author Sierra Dean. She is a cozy mystery author, whose works include The Witches' Brew series and now the Lucky Pie series from Crooked Lane Books as well.
A Killer Romance
Maggie Blackburn
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639106356, $29.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Killer-Romance-Beach-Reads-Mystery/dp/1639106359
Synopsis: When the Beach Reads bookshop hosts a Valentine's Day event, "Romance by the Sea," bookseller Summer Merriweather has no idea that the guest author is under investigation for her own husband's murder. When that same author is found dead at the local bed and breakfast, nobody assumes it's natural causes -- because there were plenty of people who wanted her dead!
As Summer searches for the truth about the author's stranger-than-fiction life, Summer finds suspicious indications of shady behavior in the author's belongings. But the casual sleuthing is quickly derailed when Summer's friend Glads gets hauled in for the murder, and they launch a full-blown investigation to clear her name.
As Summer and company pick through the scant clues to solve the case, they may find more treachery and heartbreak than they bargained for.
Critique: "A Killer Romance" is the third title in author Maggie Blackburn's 'A Beach Reads Mystery' series (following "Once Upon a Seaside Murder" and "Little Bookshop of Murder") and once again an amateur female sleuth is called upon to find out 'whodunnit' assisted by her equally amateur friends -- include one who is accused by the authorities of the crime. A wonderfully original and deftly crafted read from first page to last, "A Killer Romance" is an ideal pick for community library collections and readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.99).
Editorial Note: Maggie Blackburn (https://cozymystery.com/authors/maggie-blackburn) is the author of the Cora Crafts mysteries and the Cumberland Creek mysteries under another pen name. Her books have been selected as finalists for an Agatha Award and a Daphne du Maurier Award and as Top 10 Beach Reads by Woman's World. There is a complete listing of her books online at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19744185.Maggie_Blackburn
Once Upon a Murder
Samantha Larsen
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781639106219, $29.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Murder-Librarian-Mystery/dp/1639106219
Synopsis: 1784 England. Officially hired as the librarian for the Duchess of Beaufort, Miss Tiffany Woodall is through with masquerades and murders for good. That is, until she stumbles upon the frozen dead body of former footman Mr. Bernard Coram. The speed with which her peaceful new life is upended is one for the record books: the justice of the peace immediately declares her the primary suspect in the murder.
As Tiffany hunts for the truth to clear her name, she learns that Bernard got into a fight over a woman at the local pub the night of his death - but he was also overheard blackmailing Samir. The justice of the peace arrests Samir, and Tiffany realizes that her life may have more in common with a tragic play than a light-hearted romance.
With her love locked up in jail and her own reputation on the line, Tiffany must attempt to solve the murder before the book closes on her or Samir's life.
Critique: A fascinating and fun read from cover to cover, "Once Upon A Murder" by novelist Samantha Larsen will be of very special interest to fans of historical 'whodunnit' mysteries solved by amateur female sleuths. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Historical Fiction and Cozy Mystery collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Once Upon A Murder" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).
Editorial Note: Samantha Larsen has degrees from Brigham Young University, the University of Reading (Berkshire, England), and the University of North Texas. She met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. She spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, drinking tea, and chasing her kids. She publishes historical romances under Samantha Hastings. Learn more at She also publishes historical romances under Samantha Hastings (www.SamanthaHastings.com).
Coded to Kill
Marschall Runge, MD
Post Hill Press
www.posthillpress.com
9781637589250, $30.00 Hardcover/$18.99 Paper/$7.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Coded-Kill-Marschall-Runge-M-D/dp/1637589255
Coded to Kill represents a play on medical terminology suitable for its subject as a medical/techno-thriller, inviting readers to enter a world steeped in ethical questions of medical breakthroughs and their ultimate costs.
At the heart of this story is Drexel Hospital's revolutionary new Electronic Health Records system, which sports the real-time medical records of every American for instant access through any medical system. Sounds good. But even the best of intentions can go awry. Hugh Torrence views the new system as an unprecedented opportunity for profit and power. Until patients begin mysteriously dying. As computer techies, physicians, and prominent administrators in positions of power vie for control of the new system and answers about its underlying puzzles, readers enjoy a compelling novel of espionage, intrigue, and unexpected ethical conundrums as an ideal medical scenario falls apart.
From chief technicians who can't seem to press the 'reset' button fast enough to investigators who are certain that someone is harming patients on purpose, the fast-paced action and swirl of competing special interests creates a compelling story packed with high-octane action. Its unexpected twists and turns keep readers guessing about perps, purposes, and outcomes. Marschall Runge's familiarity with the medical system and its administration lends a realistic atmosphere to a story peppered with red flags of warning as the characters confront IT, medical issues, and their personal ability to make problems vanish. At the heart of this adventure lie social and ethical conundrums that will lead readers to think about the ultimate impact of imperfect 'perfect' systems, and the process of managing and accessing patient care in a high-tech world.
Libraries and readers looking for medical thrillers with the atmosphere of a good Robin Cook production, the tension and feel of Michael Crichton's unexpected twists, and the ethical dilemmas of Patricia Cornwell's medical mysteries will find Coded to Kill a powerful juxtaposition of medical and personal ethics. Coded to Kill should ideally find its way onto the shelves of any library and reader serious about acquiring and imbibing the finest of medical thrillers.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no funds from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, internet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested individuals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.
The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "California Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwatch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview (dot) com
Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugalmuse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publisher, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number, and list price).
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
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