Railway to Murder by Danny J. Bradbury
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Railway to Murder was my first book by this author. I don’t normally go for westerns but I’m really glad I did. The characters were realistic and I really like the historical accuracy. It’s a super easy ready and I enjoyed it.
Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Mr Lucky (Trentbridge Tales #1) is the first in the series by Lee Wood. It has many POVs that it shifts with throughout but mainly follows James Sheldon and David Rex. I normally love the multiple POV but this one seemed like it had too many. It was very slow going for the first half of the book, minus the first chapter. The first chapter has a mafia style hit that I am honestly not sure ever really played into the rest of the book… the last quarter of the book the urgency increased and I actually enjoyed it at that point.
Wheel of Evil by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wheel of Evil: honestly my favorite book in the series so far! As always, I absolutely love the historical details given for such a fascinating period of time. The characters are so well written and I really feel like I’m actually getting to know them. Once again, Nefet finds herself involved in yet another murder/mystery. This time, however, since the plot involves her uncle with his and the entire families lives and safety at sake, not even her papa can find a valid reason to keep her from investigating. The plot twist at the end on this one threw me! Didn’t see it coming and I love it when that happens. Great read! Don’t have to read the first ones to understand, but I would recommend it.
Come Home to Death by Marilyn Levinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Come Home to Death
I really enjoyed this book and finished it very quickly. It is intriguing and has some twists that I did not expect, which is always nice in a mystery! I was rather frustrated with Erica at times throughout the book, but I believe the author did a very good job conveying her youth/naivety in the storyline. It was annoying to me how she handled (or didn’t handle) her problems and responded to her aunts when they were helping and looking out for her.
**spoilers**
Upon finding out that she is about to become a multimillionaire, Erica also discovers some harsh truths about her husband and realizes she doesn’t really know him at all. After some attempts on her life, and her husband’s murder, she finds herself returning back home, a thing she swore she would never do. However, even there the trouble follows her and intensifies.
Happy endings and a new love wrap up this book nicely.
Murder on West Main: A South Shore Mystery by I.M. Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Murder on West Main: A South Shore Mystery by I. M. Foster was a really good book! I was hooked throughout the entire book, it kept a decently fast pace and the tone of the book reflected the attitudes of the time very accurately.
When a universally disliked man in a small town is unexpectedly found to be the victim of a homicide, there are many suspects, and no one is shedding any tears over the man. Primary suspect, and who found him at the scene, is Colin Brissedon, brother of Kathleen Brissedon who is the love interest of the town physician and coroner- and lead investigator on this case. When Kathleen insists on doing some investigating of her own, things start to get interesting.
Intrigue and romance, danger lurking in the shadows, and witty dialogue. This book was a really good read and I loved the historical accuracies and how they were later explained in further depth at the end of the book.
Web of Evil by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Web of Evil (Hani’s Daughter Mysteries Book 2) is the 2nd book in the series. It technically could be read as a stand alone, but I really feel like you should read the 1st book to fully understand. The writing style is definitely different than other books I’m used to and I can’t tell if it’s to be representative of Neferet’s thoughts or if it’s the authors style. Either way, it’s different haha
This book Neferet and Bener-Ib once again find themselves solving a murder that landed in their laps. There were a few twists that I did not see coming which I really enjoyed. The ancient Egyptian world fascinates me so I do love learning more about that while reading these stories. Overall, I enjoyed the read and would likely pick up the next.
Forest Park: Logan Book 2 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Having read the first book in the series I was rather eager to start the next book and I think this my very well be the case for each book ! I get so excited when a book grabs me from the very first moment and it’s even more of a treat when I know it’s a series and there’s more to follow it almost feels like a never needing gift 🤣😉❣️📚
We left Logan at the end of the last book exploring a new relationship and it was good to see how that was developing and there were some tense moments as well , after everything that she’s been through I think a break is in order and she heads to Portland …
While in Portland there’s an explosion at a Vietnamese food truck , Logan knew the the old lady that perished in the explosion and the people who owned the truck and my heart hurt for these people , they’re trying to make a living and survive and then this happens and just to put the cherry on top the police suspect the truck owner 🥲🙈
What I did appreciate and want to commend the author for is how she broached subjects that many see as taboo but she looked at these topics from all angles and different perspectives which in turn made me see things in a different light 🙏
Also fair warning eat before you read this otherwise you’ll be left drooling and craving 🤣🙈
All in all a brilliant read that tick all my boxes 😉
This is book #2. I unfortunately read the series out of order. I really wished I hadn’t but it is what it is. Logan McKenna is visiting Portland for work. She meets several people and of course someone dies, however there is another whole story going on during this one. I kinda of got lost within the stories. I was trying to figure out how they connected and how the title was incorporated into the story. I eventually did understand why the other story was going on and how it connects with the mystery of who killed the victim. What I don’t understand is why Ben’s story hasn’t been told and what her relationship with him has to do with the troubles she finds herself in by being nosy. While I do have many questions, which may or may not be answered, I do know that I couldn’t put this book down until I finished it. There are moments where I got lost and there are moments that are very sad but overall this was a good book. I still want to know more about Ben and his past for some reason.
Forest Park: Logan Book 2 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is book #2. I unfortunately read the series out of order. I really wished I hadn’t but it is what it is. Logan McKenna is visiting Portland for work. She meets several people and of course someone dies, however there is another whole story going on during this one. I kinda of got lost within the stories. I was trying to figure out how they connected and how the title was incorporated into the story. I eventually did understand why the other story was going on and how it connects with the mystery of who killed the victim. What I don’t understand is why Ben’s story hasn’t been told and what her relationship with him has to do with the troubles she finds herself in by being nosy. While I do have many questions, which may or may not be answered, I do know that I couldn’t put this book down until I finished it. There are moments where I got lost and there are moments that are very sad but overall this was a good book. I still want to know more about Ben and his past for some reason.
Forest Park: Logan Book 2 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The beginning does have you very intrigued to keep you reading. The author does really well in providing vivid imagery about the scenery and the characters. It does provide you with a point of view from different characters, sometimes it’s kinda hard to tell when it does shift, I had to think for a minute before I read more. The characters are very well developed. The author does provide some insight on what it was like for Vietnamese especially during and after the Vietnam War.
Shattered: Logan Book 1 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The beginning does have a very slow start and in the prologue it does capture your attention to want to read more. It does take awhile to build up the plot. I like how the author puts a lot of information and details about the major and minor characters. Logan is very relatable and she has gone through so much. I love how the author uses and describes the scenery, it is very vivid especially at the art festival.
Forest Park: Logan Book 2 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Forest Park is book two in the Logan McKenna Mystery series. Logan McKenna is back and this time we see things from different perspectives and thoughts of different characters. there was not much transition from one character’s thoughts to another, but I was able to easily follow who it is we are are meant to be in the head of. I enjoyed that sensitive topics were handled well and not shoved into the reader’s faces, and was not presented in a way to come across as lecturing. While this is a continuation from book one (about 6 months after the last book), I think this could easily be read as a standalone. Their are two stories happening in Forest Park. One is dealing with a Vietnamese food truck that was bombed and the other is a homeless veteran with PTSD and it somehow works that both storylines come together smoothly. I wouldnt really say this was much of a mystery, and more of a thriller, but I still enjoyed the story and the way it was presented and I do think the writing, overall, is well done.
Reviewed by @zoltrixes
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Shattered: Logan Book 1 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Shattered is book one in the Logan McKenna Mystery/Thriller series and my first read from this author. Logan’s life is falling apart around her. She has lost her husband to a car accident and sold her business to become a school teacher. Other teachers began accusing her of helping her students cheat, so now she might lose that as well. To try to escape from everything and get her head back in the game, she goes to South Cali for the summer. The fresh air and familiar faces will do her well….until a body shows up at the art festival she is working at. Now Logan McKenna has to help solve the murder to save her and her friend from false accusations. I love the strong female lead character quite a bit, and the story progressed well without too many slow spots or unbelievable moments. I still have 8 more books in the series to read so I am curious where it goes next.
Reviewed by @zoltrixes
Shattered: Logan Book 1 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In this book we are introduced to Logan McKenna and the recent activities of her life. Her life recently seems to be falling apart. Logan recently lost her husband in a car accident a couple of years ago and is put into the position of having to sell the business that she and her husband built. Since the sale of her business, Logan finds herself being called into being a teacher, everything seems to be going great until she is accused of helping her students cheat. Logan is appalled because she can’t help that she is such a great teacher, and her students are excelling on the standardized tests. Now Logan is a position that has her job on the line. Logan moves to California in hopes that maybe reconnecting with an important part of her past life might help her on her journey to rediscovering who she is.
Everything is going well, until a body is found, and her friend is being considered as a person of interest. Logan now has something to do that will help her try to forget everything that has been going wrong for her.
I loved this story and the amount of detail that Valerie put into Logan and her story. I am impatiently waiting to see what happens to Logan next and to see if she continues to find herself in unique murder mysteries.
Mary Espinoza, November 2023
Forest Park: Logan Book 2 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Forest Park: A Logan McKenna Mystery by Valerie Davisson is book two in the Logan McKenna series, and I personally think that it is just as good as the first book! All Logan is trying to do is figure out what has happened, and why weird stuff keep happening with her around. Logan is just trying to piece her life back together after losing her husband a couple of years before, and it has been an adventure trying to do so! Logan decides to take vacation to Portland Oregon, and she happens to witness an explosion at a food truck and the kicker is that she realizes she knows the deceased. Valerie, our author has a very creative way of explaining in great detail what is going on with our main character and what she is doing. Valerie makes you feel like you are right next to Logan as she tries to go through life. Good job Valerie on writing such awesome books and keep them coming!
Mary Espinoza, November 2023
Forest Park: Logan Book 2 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I absolutely love how this author makes these books that you could read them as stand alone and not have to read them in order. Event thou there are probably parts that would be clearer if reading the books before, but you won’t feel too lost doing so. This was another great book with Logan and her challenges of being involved in murder and crime. Logan is a strong willed, smart, string, courageous, women and really makes you think she could kick some a** if she had too. This book was filled with suspense, mystery, drama, secrets and so much more, that it kept me intrigued the whole time. I felt like I was constantly on the edge of my seat reading this. Really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to drive into the next one.
Forest Park: Logan Book 2 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Murder, mystery, secrets, intrigue and drama….Forest Park is book 2 in The Logan McKenna Series. This was a very good story that kept me engaged at the edge of my seat, trying to figure who “who done it”… I am really enjoying this series so far.
Logan is enjoying new found interest and heads out of town to Portland Oregon to have some time away. With new found friendship develops…..an explosion happens and Logan finds out that the woman whom passed due to this accident, she knows the victim. Fingers are pointing in all directions that this is murder and all eyes are on Logan’s new friend, Thanh. Will Logan be able to find out who was truly responsible for this act before it is to late…
This is a very good mystery and always looking forward to more of Logan McKenna!
Shattered: Logan Book 1 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Secrets, lies, murder with twists and turns along the way! Shattered is Book 1 in The Logan McKenna Series and this is the first book I have read by this author. I thought this book was very good, engaging crime thriller as I try to piece together a murder mystery and love to find out the “who done it”.
Logan McKenna is trying to move on her life after losing her husband two years prior and the aftermath. Picking up a job as a substitute teacher, Logan helps students learn who end up doing well in test, but the there are other teachers who accuse Logan of students and cheating. Taking a break in teaching and these horrible accusations, Logan decides to help at a local festival with her friends, unfortunately there is a murder at the glass blowing booth and Logan’s best friend, Thomas is accused of this crime. Will Logan be able to piece together and find out who the true murderer is before it is to late?
Read and find out! I love the female lead in this series and I am looking forward to reading more!
Shattered: Logan Book 1 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a brilliant start to what looks like is going to be a phenomenal series !
So Logan and Jack were married and ran their their computer business . After he dies I. And accident she’s left settling debts and selling the business . She now needs a job and starts working at a school but it would seem that her job is under threat but she takes everything in her stride ….
She buys a small house at the beach in South Calafornia , she has friends there that partake I the annual otter festival and she’s going to help them at their stall and play her fiddle and wait for this she loves Edith Piaf ( like hello new best friend ) oh and she has a yummy Viking looking neighbour named Ben . He welcomes her to the neighbourhood with coffee , how sweet is this man !?
I enjoyed the way both the arts of knife making and glass blowing was explained and it really did intrigue me I even shared parts of the knife making with a friend of mine whose husband makes knives !!
I fell in with little Dimebox 🐾❣️ thank you Logan for giving the little fur ball another chance at life 🥰
Thomas and Lisa , married friends of Logan have their stall at the festival and she helps them , all things seems to be going well until a body is found at the glassblowers stall !
Thomas is a suspect and Logan isn’t having any of it and is determined to prove his innocence .
I’m keen to find out if things will develop between her and Ben but more I’d like to go for a drive with her in Lola , her ‘58 Corvette 😉
Forest Park: Logan Book 2 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The second book in the Logan McKenna Series, Forest Park, delivers the same great characters along with some new and lovable faces. I love the introduction of so many unique, diverse characters and the way Valerie Davisson discusses sensitive topics such as homelessness, PTSD, and addiction. She delivers a harsh reality while not becoming overly sentimental or preachy. I did read the first book in the series and believe that, although having some of the back story helped navigate this book, the books could be read as standalone stories. This book seemed to flow a little better than the first and still included amazing world building and descriptive imagination! Davisson paints such a vivid picture in the reader’s mind of the setting in which the story takes place. I can’t wait to read the next book!
Shattered: Logan Book 1 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was my first book by Valerie Davisson but I love a good mystery/crime story so was eager to read it. The characters in this book are original, believable, and realistic. Logan seems like the type of person I could be friends with in real life. She is independent, hard working, and sassy; and I’m all for it! The story was original, combining an art festival with a murder, death and blossoming love. Amateur sleuthing takes Logan on a roller coaster of emotions and many twists and turns. I was unsure who was the killer for the longest time! I did feel like the story kept backtracking a few times, repeating contradictory information, but these instances were brief and I was able to pick up the story pretty well after. Overall, a great mystery by a new-to-me author!
Liar, Liar by Winter Austin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Liar, Liar: The McIntire County Series: #4 by Winter Austin- this was an amazing book! It’s the 4th in a series but can also stand alone. Gives enough back story on the characters that you know them, but not so much that it bogs the storyline down if you’ve read the previous books.
This one focuses on the towns sheriff, Shane, and a yet another murder mystery that happens in his small town. The characters are believable and realistic. Great world building, and I love how the author can convey and help you feel the characters frustrations and emotions while reading.
Would recommend starting from the beginning, but if you didn’t it’s still a good read!
The Moon That Fell from Heaven by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Moon That Fell from Heaven by N. L. Holmes was such a good read! It takes place in ancient Egypt and I absolutely love all the detail given in the book. The history loving side of me really enjoyed it! I also really liked how at the end of most chapters there was an author’s note explaining the historical accuracy/importance or realty of the times for that situation.
The world building was amazing, characters were super easy to love and/or hate depending on who they were! Intrigue start right away and keeps you guessing throughout. Great book.
Shattered: Logan Book 1 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Shattered
By: Valerie Davisson
In this book we are introduced to Logan McKenna. Her entire life seems to be falling apart. She recently lost her husband in a car accident. She sells the business that she had build with her husband and becomes a teacher. She then is accused of helping her students cheat because they are doing so well on standardized tests. This means that her job is on the line.
She decides to move to the beach in SoCal. Near a very important part of her life of her childhood – the Otter Arts Festival. She decides that she will reconnect with her old friends and just relax and figure out her next steps. Well this is until a body is found and her friend is a person of interest. This gives Logan something to do other than think about everything that has been going wrong in her life recently.
I LOVED this story. I loved Logan as a character and all the chaos that she has been through. I feel that it made her even more likable. I loved the aspect of glass blowing as this is an art that has literally always been of interest to me. I loved everything about this book and I cannot wait to see more of Logan McKenna.
Forest Park: Logan Book 2 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Forest Park
By: Valerie Davisson
This was a fantastic book. This is the second book by Valerie Davisson that I have read as well as the second Logan McKenna book I have read. Each one has been absolutely fantastic. It contains fantastic thriller and mystery elements as well as elements of Women’s Fiction. Valerie Davisson crafts fantastic novels that read quickly and contain a fantastic amount of character development. This book looks ast two stories that surround a mysterious explosion. The first plot line looks at a the Vietnamese family who’s food truck was involved in the explosion. The second looks at a Vietnam vet who is struggling deeply with PTSD. Additionally we have Logan who is involved after witnessing this explosion. This book is absolutely amazing and I cannot wait to continue reading this series. I enjoy Logan McKenna as a protagonist and am loving her development from book to book thus far.
Forest Park: Logan Book 2 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book two in this series is another cozy mystery. This time, there are several stories woven together beautifully. As with the first in this series, the author adds sensitive real life issues into the story without making them awkward. They feel genuine. The setting was detailed well. You feel like you are actually there. I am looking forward to reading more in the series
Shattered: Logan Book 1 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A great cozy mystery to get sucked in to. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Logan has great character development. She goes through an awful lot but doesn’t let any of it keep her down. After a lot of loss, she must find something to do with the rest of her life. This book is loaded with real life issues mixed into a fictional story. You can start to relate to the main character and you really start to care for her.
Forest Park: Logan Book 2 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
After enjoying book 1 in this series I was looking forward to seeing what Logan would be doing in this second book and I wasn’t disappointed. Again the author told an exciting, gripping read which kept me turning the pages. Her writing is engaging and exciting. I really like the main character Logan, she just has something about her that makes you like her instantly. I liked the differing POV’s in the book it meant that the story had more depth to it in my opinion. There were a few sensitive topics within the books but I felt he author dealt with them really well and respectfully.
I can’t wait to see what happens with Logan in the next book!
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50864453-forest-park” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”Forest Park: Logan Book 2 (The Logan McKenna Series)” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1567788301l/50864453._SX98_SY160_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50864453-forest-park”>Forest Park: Logan Book 2</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5872901.Valerie_Davisson”>Valerie Davisson</a><br/>
My rating: <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5890221534″>5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
The Logan McKenna Series has been a great adventure. I hate to admit this but ai started reading these books around book four or five and then read books one through three. All have been great and all can be read individually without needing to read any of the others. I do however highly suggest reading all of them because you will fall in love with the characters. This is book two of this series and we see Logan dipping her toes back into the dating scene having started a new relationship. On a trip to Portland, Oregon she makes a new friend in Than, a Vietnamese vet trying to get back on his feet and owner of a food truck. When an explosion destroys Than’s truck, he is one if the main suspects. Logan is determined to help get him cleared as a suspect and find the true culprit. Not knowing anyone on the force in Portland and not having her normal access to any evidence she is on her own. Who can she trust? Will she be able to find this guy before he strikes again?
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Shattered: Logan Book 1 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a really exciting read and one I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s a little out of my usual reading comfort zone but it was nice to read something a little different. The pace of the story was really good and the characters were well developed. The book was easy to read and follow. The authors descriptions in the story are pretty vivid so it was quite easy to imagine what was going on – probably not a book to be reading before bed I have to admit! The main character Logan was a likeable and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more about her in future books.
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50043781-shattered” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”Shattered: Logan Book 1 (The Logan McKenna Series)” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565703158l/50043781._SX98_SY160_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50043781-shattered”>Shattered: Logan Book 1</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5872901.Valerie_Davisson”>Valerie Davisson</a><br/>
My rating: <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5890206685″>4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Poor Logan had recently lost her husband and the life she has known for years. Even though she is grieving, she drops everything to help one of her good friends clear his name when he is accused in the death of a young artist. She throws her all into uncovering the truth so an innocent doesn’t end up in prison. The closer she gets to the truth, the more antsy the real culprit becomes. Will she be able to find the perpetrator before he or she strikes again? This book was a great start to a great series. It will keep you engaged and turning the pages.
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