As you can see, I definitely got behind on my monthly book reviews! They just fell through the cracks… In order to catch up quickly, I decided to list the books with a quick review so that next month, I’ll be caught up.
July Reads:
The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder (The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder #1) by C.L. Miller
~I read the sequel to this first, click here for that review. This was a fun adventure although I was, at times, distracted from the story by the choices of the main character…i.e. they seemed out of character even if she was trying to be bold and brave (!!). I’d say it’d be a fun vacation read (which is in no way a slight!) I did enjoy the second one more.
The Californios by Louis L’amour
~Every once in a while, L’amour wrote out of the norm westerns, and this is one of them. First of all, Sean Mulkerin is a sea captain and there’s an element of the supernatural in the quest for gold to save the family ranch. I did highly enjoy it although i do remember being a little confused about some of the happenings.
Unity (Assassin’s Creed, #7) by Oliver Bowden
~I’d not picked up an Assassin’s Creed novel in a couple years probably. I gave this one 3.5 stars on goodreads but I honestly can’t remember why? I remember enjoying it and reading it within a couple days. Shrug
Castaways of the Flying Dutchman (Castaways of the Flying Dutchman #1) by Brian Jacques
~I hadn’t read anything other than the Redwall series by Jacques before but of course I had to snag this to read it! I enjoyed it – the writing definitely felt more for young adult than Redwall (don’t ask me to explain that further…) I was disappointed by how seemingly short a time that the main characters actually spent onboard the Flying Dutchman… Still an engaging story.
All That Is Secret (An Annalee Spain Mystery, #1) by Patricia Raybon
~This touched on two points of interest for me – 1920s and murder mystery. I’d never read anything by Raybon before but I really enjoyed her writing style. What didn’t hit right with me was the near-constant discussion of race and class. (yes I am quite aware of how big an issue it was in those times especially, I just thought it was over-written which almost numbs the reader to it.) Definitely recommend if you’re wanting a fun, faith-filled murder mystery with some fabulous twists. I still think about one near the end that I never saw coming, but afterward, you realize it was skillfully woven throughout the story.
Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson – audiobook
~A very unique adventure from Sanderson that came out this year (2025) – I was enthralled with the stories of Dusk and Starling as they both struggled to do their best in trying circumstances. Highly recommend this one if you’re a fantasy fan.
August Reads:
The Rithmatist (The Rithmatist #1) by Brandon Sanderson
~no denying that this is a young-adult story but it was quite fun, very unique in that the villains are chalk drawings and the only way to fight them? With chalk.
By the Pricking of My Thumbs (Tommy and Tuppence Mysteries, #4) by Agatha Christie
~I scored this at a little library! The way that the two get caught up in another adventure was pretty clever and I had no idea of the ending. Definitely recommend.
Lady Susan by Jane Austen
~It’s been ages since I read an Austen and wow- Lady Susan is a CHARACTER. This was entertaining for sure, a nice quick read.
September Reads:
The Outcast of Redwall by Brian Jacques
~This didn’t end up being a favorite of the series but I did give it 4 stars on Goodreads.
The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano
~1901. Inventions of the clock-making variety. Murder mystery. Main character needing to prove they’re worthy of the inheritance? Brilliant. There were some side plots that made me confused why that was the author’s choice… but the storytelling was absolutely beautiful. Add in the fact that there’s a pirate butler? Sold.
The Tales of Teltra Season One e1-3 (Tales of Teltra Book 1) by Daniel McCormack
~Highly recommend you go give this a listen (tales-of-teltra). It’s an immersive audiobook in episodes. Fantastic storytelling and was instantly pulled into the story. Can’t wait to finish the rest of it!
The Man in the Brown Suit (Colonel Race #1) by Agatha Christie
~This was an absolutely wild ride. I felt almost like I’d come in, in the middle of a series or something. Some of Anne’s decisions made me just groan in frustration, honestly.
The Murder on the Links (Hercule Poirot #2) by Agatha Christie
~Poroit’s little sayings are some of my favorites of these books. I had an inkling on the ‘who’ but that’s it. I really do like Hastings, Poroit’s associate.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Hercule Poirot #4) by Agatha Christie
~I did not see the end/reveal coming at all on this one. I’ll admit I did get a little lost at times with who was who and what was what, but I loved how it felt a little bit different in how it was presented. Loved it.
October Reads:
Pearls of Lutra (Redwall #9) by Brian Jacques
~I really liked this story- combining the loveliness of Redwall Abbey with sailing on the ocean, peaceful islands, villianous enemies and all sorts of fabulous characters.
Ten Days in a Mad-House and other stories by Nellie Bly
~It was intriguing reading about Bly’s time at an insane asylum. I enjoyed her writing style.
Currently reading:
Eye of the World (Wheel of Time #1) by Robert Jordan
Ten Days in a Mad-House and other stories by Nellie Bly – ‘and other stories’ still to read
The Secret Adversary (A Tommy & Tuppence Mystery) by Agatha Christie
Tags: all that is secret, an annalee spain mystery, assassin's creed, book review, book reviews, books, Brandon Sanderson, brian jacques, by the pricking of my thumbs, c.l. miller, castaways of the flying dutchman, colonel race, daniel mccormack, eye of the world, hercule poirot, isles of the emberdark, jane austen, joanna davidson politano, lady susan, murder mystery, nellie bly, oliver bowden, patricia raybon, pearls of lutra, redwall series, tales of teltra book one, ten days in a mad house and other stories, the antique hunter's guide to murder, the californios, the curious inheritance of blakely house, the man in the brown suit, the muder on the links, the murder of roger ackroyd, the outcast of redwall, the rithmatist, the secret adversary, the tales of teltra, tommy and tuppence mysteries, unity, wheel of time series
the start of a good life 