mystery - No Apology Book Reviews

Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds by Allison Brennan

June 15, 2025

Title: Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds Author: Allison Brennan Series: n/a Much thanks to Allison Brennan, Harlequin, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also thanks to Cheryl Lee for inviting me to join the blog tour. CLICK HERE TO READ AN EXCERPT I liked this book, but the resolution left me wanting. I really hate having unanswered questions when I finish a book; it’s right up there with love triangles. …

Interview with Amanda Flower (I Died for Beauty and Not They Who Soar)

June 6, 2025

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper I Died for Beauty by Amanda Flower is the last Emily Dickinson book of the series. Not They Who Soar is the second book of the Katharine Wright series. I Died for Beauty has Emily Dickinson and her maid Willa investigating a fire in Amherst, 1857. As Amherst families attempt to keep their homes warm, fears of fire abound because of one of the worst winters in New England’s history. In the Irish community …

Interview with Mary Alford (Amish Country Killer)

May 31, 2025

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Amish Country Killer by Mary Alford features a police chief dealing with an Amish cold case where Amish girls have disappeared. Readers will try to solve the case along with the characters as they second guess the clues. The plot opens when Diana Fisher decides to return to her childhood town in Rachel’s Crossing Kentucky, to become police chief. She is following in her father William’s footsteps who once was police chief there. Fifteen …

Review Roundup Spring 2025 – Part 2

May 15, 2025

A roundup of several more small reviews I wrote in Spring 2025. Beware of spoilers! Title: A Most Extraordinary Pursuit Author: Juliana Gray Series: Emmaline Truelove #1 I liked Emma well enough, but there was a lot going on. 1. She inexplicably sees and converses with dead people; I think the intent is for her to wrestle with her conscience Jiminy Cricket-style, but it comes across more like she’s having full-on hallucinations. Frequently. 2. People are inexplicably moving through time, …

Finlay Donovan series by Elle Cosimano

May 13, 2025

Thanks so much to Elle Cosimano, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read free copies of the entire series to date! #1 Title: Finlay Donovan Is Killing It Loved this! A brilliantly written novel. The mystery had so many layers; every time I thought we’d finally figured it out, a plot twist would peel back another layer. Involving the Russian mob might be rather trite, but it really took things up a notch. I love …

Interview with Pamela Fagan Hutchins (Her Burning Lies)

May 9, 2025

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Her Burning Lies by Pamela Fagan Hutchins has it all: a suspenseful plot, great banter, and wonderful characters. Sheriff Deputy Delaney now has two adopted daughters. Sheriff Leo has his sister and nephew living with him. Not only do they need to deal with matters associated with their newly expanded families, but there is a wildfire nearby that they are actively fighting. Then there are dead women appearing in the fire area with swords …

Interview with Shaina Steinberg (An Unquiet Peace)

May 2, 2025

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper An Unquiet Peace by Shaina Steinberg brings back the partners Evelyn Bishop and Nick Gallagher, who are now engaged. Not only are readers treated to the cases Evelyn and Nick are working on but also see the role their wedding will play in the story. The first book, Under the Paper Moon, shows how Nick and Evelyn fell in love during the war while working together as OSS partners, only to break up over …

Interview with Alyssa Maxwell (Two Weddings and a Murder)

March 7, 2025

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Two Weddings and a Murder by Alyssa Maxwell is a great historical cozy mystery. Readers will be sad to learn this is the last book in the series. The book opens with the wedding of Phoebe Renshaw and Owen Seabright. Her lady’s maid, Eva Huntford, is distraught and worried that her boyfriend, Police Constable Miles Brannock, is not in attendance. After he finally appears, he brings the bad news that Chief Inspector Isaac Perkins …

Interview with Shelley Shepard Gray (B is for Bonnet and Unforgotten)

March 6, 2025February 21, 2025

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper B is for Bonnet and Unforgotten by Shelley Shepard Gray are both riveting stories. B is for Bonnet continues the story of four English raised siblings, Martin, Kelsey, Beth, and Johnny, who return to their grandparents Ohio community as they ponder becoming Amish. This book is Johnny’s story who becomes smitten with Amish café owner Treva Kramer. He and she must navigate the difficulties of being heartbroken, she by a former boyfriend and he …

Interview with Lisa Childs (Hostage Security and A Match for the Sheriff)

February 14, 2025

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper Hostage Security and A Match for the Sheriff by Lisa Childs have fascinating stories that are compelling. Hostage Security is a suspenseful romance that involves a child being kidnapped. Five years ago, Josh Stafford ended his engagement to Natalie Croft after he pleaded guilty to a crime he did not commit to protect his loved ones. As he was leaving for prison, he told Natalie that he did not love her, which devasted Natalie. …