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Mysteries at Sea: S’more Murders and Title Wave

22 Nov

I picked out two mystery books set during cruises to enjoy during my own recent vacation. Whether you are reading them at sea or on dry land you’ll enjoy these clever fast paced cozy reads. Although both are middle books in their respective series they can both be enjoyed as stand alone mysteries, though you will be likely tempted to dive in and read more of them.

S’more Murders
by Maya Corrigan

Looking for a yummy cooking related cozy mystery? S’more Muders is a bittersweet treat! Val Deniston manages a cafe at a local fitness club and occasionally does some catering, but when she hears about a re-creation of the last meal on the Titanic aboard a yacht in the Chesapeake Bay she is at first hesitant to attempt something so lavish. But with her Grandfather, the author of the local paper’s Codger Cooks Column, help she manages to pull off some divine dishes, unfortunately not all goes well at the party and a murder mystery game results in an actual murder at sea. This is the fifth novel in the Five-Ingredient Mystery Series. The novel includes several quick recipes at the end including easy version of some of the Titanic dishes as well as some sweet and savory s’more recipes that sound delish!

Title Wave
by Lorna Barrett

Title Wave is the tenth in the Booktown Mystery series (the latest and 17th book in the series A Questionable Character came out in July). I enjoyed listening to the book as an audiobook read by Karen White. Tricia Miles’s bookstore Haven’t Got a Clue and other local businesses are in a slow period of the year, so she figures this is the perfect time to take a relaxing cruise with her sister, Angelica, along with other members of their town. A bus ride to the dock allows the author to do a quick whos who for those new to the series or needing a refresher. The Author Cruise they book to Bermuda seems like it should be relaxing with a posh suite, elegant afternoon teas and tropical cocktails until another passenger, a particularly prickly author, is murdered. I enjoyed the sisterly dynamic between Tricia and Angelica and having been on several cruises myself with friends and family, I felt this one captured the feel of them perfectly.

Want to learn some interesting cruise facts such as how ships stay a float and nautical origins of everyday terms; check out Cruising: A View Through the Porthole by Lee H. Van Dam.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

Aliens Amongst Us: Dome 6 and The Road to Roswell

15 Nov

Dome 6
by Gail Carriger

Dome 6 is the third and final in Gail Carriger’s Tinkered Starsong Trilogy. It has been quite the journey in this unique Young Adult Science Fiction Series where rock gods literally obtain godly status amongst the stars. In this novel we learn what the mysterious alien species, the Dyesi are truly using the music produced by the “gods” for and though their intentions might be good; it forces Phex to question all that he has been working towards. Phex’s relationships with his friends and romance with Missit continue to evolve. It has been enjoyable to see Phex, whose childhood was so harsh and filled with abandonment, begin to open up and form close bonds with others. You can also read my blog posts about the first and second previous novels in the series. The novels are best enjoyed in order. Those looking for more YA Space Opera might want to consider Charlie Jane Ander’s Unstoppable Series.

The Road to Roswell
by Connie Willis

The Road to Roswell is fun comedic Science Fiction that plays with the conspiracy theories of alien abductions and asks what would happen if alien actually abducted someone from Roswell. In this case it is Francie, a bridesmaid, there for her college BFF’s UFO themed wedding. The alien looks like a tumble weed with vines and she is wearing a fluorescent green bridesmaid dress when he kidnaps her and forces her to drive her friends car to an unknown destination. It is a journey filled with high jinks and along the way they pick up several additional passengers including a conman with heart of gold, a slots obsessed little old lady, and a retiree who loves the old west (none of who are exactly what they at first seem). Slowly, Indy, as they dub the alien wins them over and instead of being abducted, they decide to aid him in his quest, if only they can figure out, what it is he is looking for. A fun mishmash of science fiction, romance, humor, and an unforgettable road trip. You can read a previous post I wrote about Willis‘ Time Travel Novels here (she mentions at the end of this work that another of those novels will be coming out soon!). And if you are looking for a fun Holiday Book Discussion we will be discussing her collection Miracle and Other Christmas Stories (you can also check out the expanded collection A Lot Like Christmas) on December 21.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager