The Chapel of Bones by Kate Ellis

 

First Lines: Beasts. Large beasts, small beasts. Fierce beasts, gentle beasts. Beasts slithering on the ground, beasts flying in the air with mighty beating wings.

Things have calmed down now that tourist season is over in South Devon. The woman who recently bought Sycamore House is looking forward to the completion of renovations, but when the builder finds a mummified body behind a wall, everything comes to a screeching halt.

The body is that of Dr. Aleric Donnal, a scholar specializing in medieval history who was last seen over a decade ago around the time Sycamore House was owned by a commune that believed the house occupied a sacred site. 

While Detective Inspector Wesley Peterson looks for potential suspects, his friend, Dr. Neil Watson, is investigating the ruins of an ancient chapel nearby. But when a new murder occurs nearby, Wesley has to wonder-- are the two crimes linked?

~

It's hard to believe that The Chapel of Bones is the thirtieth book in Kate Ellis's series-- and that I've read them all. By now, the entire cast feels like a beloved part of my (fictional) family. If you have yet to sample this excellent blend of crime, history, and archaeology, I urge you to do so. Due to the character development, it would be best to begin at the beginning (The Merchant's House). If thirty books feel daunting, start anywhere you like, but don't be surprised if you find yourself looking for the rest.

There's the usual catch-up with the characters. Wesley's boss, Gerry Heffernan, is still being pressured by higher-ups to retire. Neil Watson feels a twinge of jealousy when he's not unearthing an ancient chapel, and-- to his horror-- he has a groupie following him. Wesley and his wife, Pam, may be getting the hang of dealing with troublesome mother-in-law, Della, which pleased me to no end. As you can see, this series is perfect for character-driven readers.

As much as I love the characters, I think my favorite part of this series is how Ellis blends a current crime with local history. I've learned a lot in the most enjoyable way from reading these books, and The Chapel of Bones is no exception. In this investigation, Wesley and his team are hampered by the difficulty in identifying both victims and suspects. One thing that could help is tracking the previous owners of Sycamore House, but even that proves difficult. (How would you like to trace the owners of a property that is hundreds of years old and has undergone several name changes?) 

The Chapel of Bones is another strong entry in this long-running series. I'm looking forward to Wesley's next investigation.

The Chapel of Bones by Kate Ellis

eISBN: 9780349442976

Constable © 2026

eBook, 335 pages

Police Procedural, #30 Wesley Peterson

Rating: B+

Source: Purchased from Amazon.

The Tailor by Tim Sullivan

 

First Line: The man in seat C24 on the 10 a.m. Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington train service was studying the young girl sitting across the aisle from him with her mother.

A dead man in the first-class toilet of a train, his throat cut and a plastic bag over his head, shocks the police officers on the scene. Detective Sergeant George Cross doesn't miss a single detail, but what catches his attention isn't all the blood; it's the man's beautifully tailored suit.

The victim is Billy Titcomb, a tailor trusted by clients around the world for his workmanship and discretion. Who would want a tailor dead? Along with his new partner, Detective Constable Alice Mackenzie, Cross starts pulling at threads and discovers all sorts of suspects and clues that just don't add up. 

The deeper Cross digs, the less this looks like a simple murder... and the more it looks like he might be in new territory for him: the world of spies and state secrets.

~

There are many layers to the mystery in Tim Sullivan's latest delight, The Tailor. The convoluted mystery, the world of tailoring and bespoke suits, and a scene that genuinely had me worried for George, all combine with probably the finest cast of characters in fiction to make this one of my best reads of the year.

And if that isn't enough for you, there's plenty of humor, too, such as calling an overzealous helicopter mother "an Apache assault helicopter" or the contest between two characters to see who can get the most information to Cross the quickest.

While I was trying to figure out what was going on, I was also catching up on the lives of the characters. Newly-appointed Detective Constable Alice Mackenzie has to learn how to be Cross's partner as well as how to deal with her relationship with Cross's biggest groupie. Any character-driven reader will feel as if they're in paradise as they read these books. 

I will restrain myself and stop waxing poetic about The Tailor (and the entire series). Yes, you could jump into the action with this latest book and not feel lost, but why deny yourself the pleasure of getting to know these characters (and solving some fine mysteries) from the very beginning (The Dentist)? Do it, please!

The Tailor by Tim Sullivan

eISBN: 9780802167156 

Atlantic Crime © 2026

eBook, 363 pages

Police Procedural, #8 DS George Cross

Rating: A+

Source: Net Galley

A Murder in Springtime by Martin Walker

 

First Line: The young boy's thin arms started to tremble under the strain.

For the first time, Bruno Courrèges must be recused from investigating a murder case when a woman is found dead on his friend Pamela's patio. The victim was new to the area and had taken a job at the local nursing home. There was no time for her to have made enemies or any real friends.

The police assign their rising star rookie, Fabien Panton, to the case, and Bruno is happy for him to take the lead. There are too many distractions for him at the moment: his spluttering relationship with Laura Segret, a film crew that's descended on the Dordogne, and a group of opinionated small business owners in St. Denis.

Unfortunately, Bruno never seems able to catch a break. When Fabien learns that the victim is connected to his own past, Bruno must step in to help solve the crime.

~

I distinctly remember complaining in my last review of a Bruno Chief of Police mystery that the books had been focusing on the investigations and had very little to do with the food and camaraderie that are two of the reasons why I enjoy this series so much. Well, A Murder in Springtime fixes that. 

Although the mystery concerning the woman who was killed is an interesting one, for the most part, it remains in the background so the focus can shift to the preparation of delicious food and sharing it with friends. This made me happy because, since the very first book, the characters have become part of my literary family.

Another focal point that I liked was Bruno's attempt to revitalize his small village of St. Denis. Neighboring towns have stolen away many shoppers and tourists, and St. Denis' markets, shops, and business owners are suffering. Bruno comes up with some very good ideas, but human nature tells us that not everyone is going to be on Bruno's side. 

Speaking of characters, I hope this is the first of many appearances for Fabien Panton, the man sent to St. Denis to investigate the murder. He's quite the personality and fits in well with the others.

Here I am, all caught up again and waiting for Bruno's next case. If you want to be transported to southwestern France, pick up these books. They are so filled with Gallic charm that I read them with a French accent.

A Murder in Springtime by Martin Walker

eISBN: 9798217207978

Alfred A. Knopf © 2026

eBook, 288 pages

Police Procedural, #19 Bruno, Chief of Police

Rating: B

Source: Net Galley

The Bookseller by Tim Sullivan

 

First Line: "I have cancer, George."

Life has thrown Detective Sergeant George Cross a curveball in his personal life, so when the body of a bookseller is found lying in a pool of blood in his own bookshop, George must do something he's never actually had to do before: rely on his team for help.

Can the world of books really be all that cutthroat?

~

If it seems as though I've spent most of my time this year praising Tim Sullivan's George Cross mysteries, you're probably right. I've almost caught up with the series, so those of you who wish I'd dial it back will be happy.

Tim Sullivan has created a rich world of characters and mysteries that will keep readers on their toes. In The Bookseller, we see how George reacts to a family crisis, and it's every bit as funny and touching as fans would expect.

One of the things that makes George Cross so special is that he's always learning something new about himself. These characters are not static. His partner, Josie Ottey, hesitates to share some news with him, and there's a new police staff officer, Prianka Patel, who's replaced Alice MacKenzie. (Don't worry, Alice has news of her own.) I have to keep reading these books just to keep up with the characters!

But the mysteries are every bit as good as Sullivan's cast. This time around, readers will learn about the bookselling business while sorting through the list of suspects. Although there is sadness and worry in The Bookseller, readers will also get to laugh while watching DCI Carson marshal the troops to apprehend a suspect. 

Strong mysteries, wonderful characters, humor, and poignancy-- if you have yet to make the acquaintance of George and his team, what on earth are you waiting for?

The Bookseller by Tim Sullivan

eISBN: 9780802167705

Atlantic Crime © 2026

eBook, 384 pages

Police Procedural, #7 George Cross

Rating: A

Source: Net Galley

The Brothers McKay by Craig Johnson

 

First Line: It wasn't so much of a surprise that Pepper McKay was dead as much as it was an amazement to everyone in the county that it had taken so long for him to die, or for somebody to kill him.

When Pepper McKay is found murdered on his ranch in Crazy Woman Canyon, suspects aren't in short supply-- he was one of the most hated men in Absaroka County. But Sheriff Walt Longmire quickly focuses on the people who attended a family meeting the night before his death. Those people? His very different sons: a charmer, a journalist, a monk, and a half-Native ranch hand. Each had a motive. Each insists he's innocent.

In no time at all, Walt is pulled into a web of old grudges and secrets. Then a second body turns up, and a wildfire roars through Crazy Woman Canyon, trapping Walt and making him fight for his life as the killer and the fire close in.

~

I have been a lover of Craig Johnson's Walt Longmire mysteries since the very first one, The Cold Dish, but even this diehard fan has to admit that, in the last few books, when Walt seriously began contemplating his mortality and his future, the spark that makes this series so special has been slowly flickering out. In the case of The Brothers McKay, maybe it's because I wasn't impressed by the author this book was inspired by. After reading Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov, I knew he wasn't the writer for me, and my "underwhelm-ment" might have passed on to Johnson's book. Who knows?

But no matter how much I wasn't impressed by the storyline, I can always find something to enjoy in a Walt Longmire book. The wildfire scene is excellent. I was completely drawn in and even thought I could smell smoke in the house as I read. Johnson also manages to throw in one or two new characters for me to fall in love with. This time, it's Maxim Sidorov, a Russian whose English often made me smile. The other character? A mule named Borax. What an animal!

The end of The Brothers McKay promises readers that unfinished business will take Walt to the ends of the earth. It sounds like we're going to need to fasten our seatbelts. 

The Brothers McKay by Craig Johnson

eISBN: 9780593830741

Viking © 2026

eBook, 368 pages

Police Procedural, #22 Walt Longmire

Rating: B

Source: Net Galley

Ironwood by Michael Connelly

 

First Line: Stilwell could hear the plane but couldn't see it.

When Detective Sergeant Stilwell acts on a tip from a confidential informant, the operation goes disastrously wrong, and he's benched until he's cleared of all responsibility. 

Forced to cool his heels, Stilwell decides to clear out the lost and found at his station and finds a valuable backpack that was never claimed. He traces the backpack to a woman who disappeared while hiking four years ago, but the backpack was only turned in two months ago.

There's no way Stilwell can leave this alone, and when he follows this mystery, it takes him all the way to the LAPD's Open-Unsolved Unit and Detective Renée Ballard.

Ballard and Stilwell quickly learn that this case has a much wider reach than originally believed, and Stilwell risks his already shaky standing in the police department to pursue it.

~

Michael Connelly's second Catalina mystery, Ironwood, is a pleasure to read. Yes, fans do get an update on Harry Bosch, and they do get to watch Stilwell work with Renée Ballard, but that's merely the icing on the cake. Stilwell is cut from the same cloth as Bosch and Ballard, and his commitment to getting justice for victims means that he often has to find workarounds in an attempt to keep out of hot water with his superiors. I love how the gears in that mind of his are always whirring away.

Ironwood is filled with little tidbits of Catalina Island's past that give the story depth and a true sense of place, but the backbone of this book is the police station and its checkered history. Catalina is where the Los Angeles Police Department sends its disgraced officers, officers who've gotten into some kind of trouble but can't be fired. Stilwell is one such officer, although his "disgrace" was his insistence on doing the right thing when his superiors told him otherwise. This habit of the LAPD causes problems because Stilwell is never told why new officers have been sent to him. He certainly could've used more of this kind of intel before conducting the operation which went so horribly wrong.

In Ironwood, we once again see a master at work. Connelly, a master of characterization, plotting, pacing... the whole enchilada. I am definitely looking forward to seeing Detective Sergeant Stilwell butt heads with his superiors again.

Ironwood by Michael Connelly

eISBN: 9780316595391

Little, Brown and Company © 2026

eBook, 400 pages

Police Procedural, #2 Catalina

Rating: A+

Source: Net Galley

The Teacher by Tim Sullivan

 

First Line: The victim's head was at a grotesque and unnatural angle to his body, which lay crumpled like a pile of laundry that had been thrown down the narrow staircase.

Others may think the dead man fell down the stairs and broke his neck, but Detective Sergeant George Cross thinks the stab wound on the elderly schoolteacher's body says differently.

As Cross investigates, he quickly learns that the victim, Alistair Moreton, made life hell for his neighbors and former pupils, so the suspect list is a long one. But every victim deserves justice, so Cross will not rest until he identifies the killer.

~

I may be reading much less than I have in previous years, but one thing is for certain: when the ones I do read are of the high quality of Tim Sullivan's George Cross series, I'm not going to complain. In The Teacher, Sullivan livens things up quite a bit by having Cross's usual partner, DS Josie Ottey, taking time off to move into her new house. He doesn't realize how much he's going to miss her until DI Warner joins the squad. Warner goes out of his way to aggravate Cross, and it's so much fun to watch Cross learn how to deal with him. Warner isn't much liked by anyone else in the squad either, one person even telling him, "He [Cross] is Sherlock Holmes to your Inspector Clouseau."

But Warner isn't the only worrisome item on George's list. His family life is steadily becoming more complicated, and he didn't realize how much he depended on DS Ottey to help guide him through the minefields of human interaction until she took this time off. This cast of characters is superb, and Sullivan certainly knows how to keep it fresh. Even DCI Carson-- normally a figure of fun-- is showing readers that he's not just a buffoon.

If you love strong mysteries that are fun to solve, and-- especially-- if you love characters who grow and begin to feel like friends and family, you simply have to start reading this series. Due to the character development, I urge you to start with the first book, The Dentist. You're in for such a treat that I'm almost jealous.

The Teacher by Tim Sullivan

eISBN: 9780802167767

Atlantic Crime © 2026

eBook, 387 pages

Police Procedural, #6 DS George Cross

Rating: A

Source: Net Galley

The Monk by Tim Sullivan

 

First Line: George Cross was rarely shocked by anything he came across during his work as a detective sergeant in the Avon and Somerset police.

Detective George Cross likes his life to be ordered and predictable, but with the reappearance of his mother, he's left feeling confused and uncomfortable. That's undoubtedly why, when the savagely beaten body of a monk is found in a woodland outside Bristol, he throws himself into the investigation.

It's a case tailor-made for him. There are no leads whatsoever. No one knows anything about Brother Dominic's past, and everyone seemed to have loved him. But when Cross learns that Brother Dominic was a wealthy man, he may have found the true motive: greed.

~

I normally prefer spacing series books several months apart, but Tim Sullivan's Detective Sergeant George Cross mysteries have proven to be an exception. Each book, like this latest, The Monk, has a strong mystery and a developing cast of characters that can really get its hooks into a reader.

The dead man, Brother Dominic, is a bit of a mystery. Seemingly beloved by everyone who knew him, nothing is known of his past, and it's not until Cross begins digging into that past that the investigation gains momentum. Watching this man's diligent, unstoppable search for the truth is a true joy. 

Readers learn more about Cross from his reaction to monastic life on repeated visits to St. Eustace's, and we also learn more about the others. Detective Sergeant Josie Ottey has a growing fondness for Cross. She realizes that part of her job is paving the way for this oftentimes difficult man so he can "do his thing." Is she becoming Watson to his Holmes?

We also see how each of the major characters spends a weekend away from work. Character-driven readers should sink into the books in this series with a deep sigh of pleasure.

I love this series. Can you read them out of order? Yes, but I wouldn't recommend it. As strong as the mysteries are, watching the characters grow is the best part. Now that I've read The Monk, I'm looking forward to meeting with Cross and the others again soon.

The Monk by Tim Sullivan

eISBN: 9780802167729

Atlantic Crime © 2026

eBook, 408 pages

Police Procedural, #5 DS George Cross

Rating: A

Source: Net Galley

I Must Get Caught Up on My Reviews!

The time has come for another edition of Catching Up on My Book Reviews. Are you ready? 

I have four books that I want to give you my thoughts on. I have included a link to Amazon US if you'd like to read the synopses or find out more about each book. Here we go!

The Program by Charlie Lovett

Standalone Science Fiction set in New York City

Rating: D

My Thoughts: Lovett has written some wonderful books, like The Lost Book of the Grail, but The Program isn't one of them. This tale of a highly popular new weight loss program kept me intrigued, but when how the program really worked was revealed, it completely lost me. 

This one may not satisfy, but as I said earlier, he has written some wonderful books. 

The Restoration Garden by Sara Blaydes

Dual timeline Fiction set in England

Rating: B

My Thoughts: Julia Esdaile, who specializes in historic garden restoration, has been hired to restore the gardens of Havenworth Manor to the way they were in 1940. Many family secrets are uncovered along the way.

I enjoyed learning more about the language of flowers as well as the garden restoration itself. The characters were sympathetically drawn in both timelines, although the modern-day characters were a bit predictable.

An enjoyable, although not particularly memorable, read.

Lost Hills by Lee Goldberg

#1 Eve Ronin Police procedural set in Los Angeles, California

Rating: A

My Thoughts: When I shared how much I was enjoying Goldberg's Ian Ludlow books, I was told that I should give his Eve Ronin series a try. Of course, I had to.

Eve Ronin (AKA Deathfist) found a way to get the job she wanted in the LAPD, and although she has to put up with nonsense from her fellow officers, she doesn't let that stop her. Goldberg shows Eve's mistakes as well as her real talent as she investigates. 

Filled with Goldberg's usual fast pace, vivid descriptions, and laugh-out-loud humor, I thoroughly enjoyed Lost Hills and look forward to meeting Eve again.

The Missing Checkout Girl Mystery by Rachel Ward

#1 Supermarket Mystery set in England

Rating: B+

My Thoughts: I don't remember how this book first caught my eye, but it did. I was surprised by how many good reviews it had received, and I decided to give it a try because, well... I'd never read a mystery with a supermarket checkout employee as a sleuth. (It also brought back memories of the first time I set foot in a British supermarket and saw the checkout employees sitting down.)

After reading The Missing Checkout Girl Mystery, I am no longer surprised by its good reviews. Bea Jordan and her cohorts are so engaging, and I loved getting to know all of them. In fact, I enjoyed the days of our lives in a supermarket so much that I almost didn't care whodunit.

An added bonus was learning a bit more about British retail, as well as a certain slang term that even had my three English nieces a bit puzzled. (Pasta parcels, anyone?)

Okay. Are you sitting down? You'd better be because I am finally caught up with my reviews! 

Did I tempt you with any of these books? Which ones?

The Politician by Tim Sullivan

 

First Lines: A cup or mug for drinking tea wasn't even a question for DS George Cross. A cup. Obviously. Bone china, preferably.

When an investigation begins into the death of former mayor Peggy Frampton, Detective Sergeant George Cross can see that she was murdered. It is definitely not a case of a burglary gone wrong. 

After her career in politics, Frampton became a controversial blogger whose opinions attracted plenty of vitriol. But online trolls aren't the only suspects in this case. There are former political opponents... and that family of hers. 

The sheer number of suspects is really putting Cross's skills to the test.

~

My love affair with Tim Sullivan's Detective Sergeant George Cross series deepens with each book that I read. I could wax poetic for pages about this latest release, The Politician, but instead, I'll try to limit myself.

Each book in this series has a strong mystery for George (and readers) to solve, and The Politician is no exception. Wading through motivations and suspects alone is daunting, and it's always a pleasure to watch George put all the pieces of the puzzle together. So... plot-driven readers should love this series.

However, as strong as the mysteries are, character-driven readers will be in heaven. The character studies are marvelous. Sullivan has created a fantastic cast, and readers are always learning something new about each person.

The sly humor in each book is usually based on people's reactions to George, and readers will find themselves chuckling or smiling as they read. In The Politician, George not only has a perplexing mystery to solve, but he's also learning more about his own family. While he's learning about his family, his partner is learning ways to force Cross into acceptable mainstream behavior, and that's something else to make readers smile. 

We're also introduced to a new character, forensic scientist Michael Swift, who's so tall that he's been dubbed "the Shard" (London skyscraper). Swift is also a self-professed Cross groupie, so it's good to see someone work with Cross because he's Cross instead of despite the fact that he's Cross. (If I haven't mentioned it before, Cross is on the spectrum, and the only reason why most people on the police force put up with him is because of his phenomenal success rate.)

Well, I tried to limit myself, but I didn't succeed. Those of you who have already read a book in this series are undoubtedly fans like me. If you haven't succumbed to temptation, I urge you to do so. Because of the marvelous characters, I would suggest you begin with the first book, The Dentist. You are in for a treat!

The Politician by Tim Sullivan

eISBN: 9780802167743

Atlantic Crime © 2026

Originally published 2022.

eBook, 382 pages

Police Procedural, #4 DS George Cross

Rating: A

Source: Net Galley

Blood Relay by Devon Mihesuah

 

First Lines: Dels Billy rolled up the window and plugged her iPhone cord into the dash. The Jonas Brothers' song "Sucker" blasted the cab.

When Dels Billy, a popular women's Indian Horse Relay rider, disappears, Choctaw Detective Perry Antelope and her partner, Sophia Burns, are called in to investigate. It doesn't take them long to realize that this isn't a cut-and-dried missing persons case.

Disturbing connections between Dels' disappearance and a series of unsolved abductions of women from Oklahoma reservations are uncovered, but the perpetrators always seem to be a step ahead. This doesn't deter Perry and Sophia. They are determined that Dels is not going to become just another statistic.

~

I am always on the lookout for Native American-themed mysteries, so it's no surprise this book interested me. Devon Mihesuah's debut thriller also caught my eye because of the Indian Horse Relay aspect, which I did know a little about. I am very happy to say that Blood Relay is a multi-layered mystery and character study that knocked my socks off. I want more.

The mystery in Blood Relay is a fast-paced thrill ride that kept me guessing, and I do like the fact that more is being written about missing Indigenous women, a plague that has disgraced our country for much too long. 

If you're worried about the Indian Horse Relay aspect of the book, don't be. It takes up very little of the story. In fact, I wouldn't have minded if Mihesuah had included a bit more about it.

I am a character-driven reader, and this is where Blood Relay shines. Perry Antelope is a seasoned investigator, and-- wonder of wonders-- where spouses in police procedurals are usually more hindrance than help, Perry's husband, Troy, is extremely supportive. Their family life is a rock-solid foundation, and one of the reasons why Perry is such a good detective.

Her partner, Sophia Burns, is an ex-Olympic shot putter and a former street-smart police officer. She and Perry have only been partners for six months, but they've created a strong bond and an impressive success rate. With the help of Choctaw Lighthorseman Raquel Hunter ("She still looked as if she could barrel through a cinder-block wall."), these two make a fascinating and formidable team. 

It's been a long time since I've been so impressed with a debut mystery. (In an aside, I was pleased to see that Mihesuah thanks fellow writer Marcie Rendon in her acknowledgements. Those of you who have had the pleasure of reading Rendon's Cash Blackbear mysteries will understand.) Now that I've had the good fortune of meeting Perry, Sophia, and Raquel, all I can say is that I hope I get to see them many more times.

Blood Relay by Devon Mihesuah

eISBN: 9780593983836

Bantam Books © 2026

eBook, 336 pages

Police Procedural/Native American mystery

Rating: A+

Source: Net Galley

Catching Up on My Book Reviews...Again

 

This is my latest attempt to share the books I've read with you all. My only excuse is that, for the past few months, I've been much too easily distracted to concentrate on reviews. 

These won't be the size of my normal reviews, but I will provide links to Amazon in each title if you want to learn more about any of the books.

Deadly Remains by Kate Ellis

#29 Wesley Peterson police procedural set in Devon, UK

Rating: B+

My Thoughts: Kate Ellis's Wesley Peterson series has been a "Go To" series for me for years. I love the blend of mystery, history, and archaeology. 

While Wesley and his team investigate the death of a celebrity ghostwriter and his missing laptop, Dr. Neil Watson, with the help of Wesley's teenage son Michael, excavates a crashed World War II plane on Dartmoor.

The mystery is solid, and the ongoing lives of the characters rich and satisfying. You can tell how much I like this series by the fact that it's 29 books long (so far), and I've read every one.

Killer Thriller by Lee Goldberg

#2 Ian Ludlow thriller set in Hong Kong

Rating: A

My Thoughts: After thoroughly enjoying the first book in the series, True Fiction, once again, I found myself in need of some light, fast-paced fun, so I turned to this second. I was not disappointed. 

In fact, his assistant Margo's choice of weapon in a fight had me howling with laughter. There's lots to learn about China and even filmmaking, but if you're in the mood to buckle your seatbelt and sit back for a laugh-filled adventure, I can't recommend this one highly enough.

One of my favorite lines? "The ambiance was so masculine that infertile men could increase their sperm count just by walking in the door."

Ian Ludlow's observations alone are well worth the price of admission. I'm sad that there's only one more book in the series.

Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell

Standalone Historical Fiction set in the Egypt and the Middle East

Rating: B+

My Thoughts: Narrated by schoolteacher Agnes Shanklin, we follow her through life with a suffocating mother, through the losses of World War I and the Great Influenza, and right into the creation of the modern Middle East. 

Russell, once again, has a marvelous sense of time and place. I found myself wanting to swat flies as Agnes walked the streets of Cairo, and the friendships she made with people like Winston Churchill, T.E. Lawrence, and Gertrude Bell gave the sheltered woman's life a fairy tale aspect. Few would have expected her to have the bravery to set out on such an adventure by herself.

All in all, Agnes reminded me of a young Eleanor Roosevelt, and I enjoyed her story.

Jungle of Stone: The Extraordinary Journey of John L. Stephens and Frederick Catherwood, and the Discovery of the Lost Civilization of the Maya by William Carlsen

Set in Central America

Non-Fiction

Rating: C+

My Thoughts: I have always been fascinated by the ancient civilizations of the Aztec, the Inca, and the Maya, so this book was right up my street.

The sections on the Maya were fascinating, but the book bogged down with the detailed biographies of Stephens and Catherwood. For some reason, the title of the book led me to expect more Maya than it delivered, which was disappointing.

A Fatal Feast at Honeychurch Hall by Hannah Dennison

#11 in the Honeychurch Hall cozy series set in England

Rating: C+

My Thoughts: Although the number of cozy mysteries I read has fallen in recent years, there are still certain series that I follow, and this is one of them.

Unfortunately, not all entries in a long-running series can be dazzling. This one is lackluster. There is little humor, nothing about antiques, and the whodunit was easy to deduce. The emphasis is on people's mean-spirited, money-grubbing actions, and that's never been a favorite of mine.

I'd also like to add that I think it's past time for Kat's mother's chickens to come home to roost. I've never liked her allergy to the truth and what it's done to the people in her life, but I doubt it's going to happen. I have a feeling that most readers find her funny. I wish I did!

That's all for now. I'm getting really close to being completely caught up. When that happens, I may have palpitations! 

The Cyclist by Tim Sullivan

 

First Line: "Excuse me? How long before my men can get back to work?"

Detective Sergeant George Cross's logic, determination, and precision can make him almost impossible to work with, but since he has the highest crime clearance rate, his co-workers in the Bristol police force make allowances for his peculiarities.

The faint clues on a ravaged body found in a demolition site lead Cross into the world of amateur cycling, drugs, ambition, and a family that is imploding. But just when the police seem to have solved the case, Cross doubles back on his investigation. Is he doing the right thing?

~

Tim Sullivan's George Cross series was one of my favorite discoveries of 2025, and this second book in the series, The Cyclist, definitely makes me want to read more. The mystery is ingenious. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, Cross did an about-face and headed in a different direction. Did this anger me? No. This man has "an inbuilt intolerance of things being wrong," and I've quickly learned to trust him.

I'm not the only one who's learned to trust him. One of the best things about this series is that readers don't get the story from Cross's point of view alone; we're treated to how his co-workers, DC Josie Ottey and trainee Police Staff Investigator Alice MacKenzie, are continuously learning how to deal with his eccentricities. Being privy to their thoughts when Cross is being particularly uncooperative is a treat.

And speaking of treats, Cross's relationship with his father is tested in The Cyclist, and his frequent (spot-on) digs at the ongoing cost-cutting methods of the police department turn into a running joke.

Tim Sullivan's characters and plots make this a very enjoyable series, and I'm looking forward to the next book.

The Cyclist by Tim Sullivan

eISBN: 9780802167781

Grove Atlantic © 2026

eBook, 272 pages

Police Procedural, #2 DS George Cross

Rating: A

Source: Net Galley

The Red Shore by William Shaw

 

First Lines: The boy wakes, scared. Something is wrong. It is all his fault.

Metropolitan police detective Eden Driscoll is quite satisfied with his single and childless life, but then the phone call comes. His estranged sister has vanished from her boat, leaving him the responsibility of Finn, a nephew he didn't know he had.

Resettled in the seaside town of Teignmouth, Eden finds adjusting to parenthood to be difficult, but he soldiers on. Problems mount when his sister's body is finally found. Her death is ruled an accident by the local police, but Eden isn't convinced.

Now the only thing he can do is search his sister's life for answers and continue to forge a relationship with a very recalcitrant little boy.

~

Being an unabashed cheerleader for William Shaw's standalone thrillers and his Alexandra Cupidi series, I couldn't wait to get my hands on The Red Shore, the start to a brand new Devon-set crime series. Wow! When my copy arrived from the UK, I jumped right in and was immediately hooked when I met Finn, a scared little boy alone on a boat at sea.

The Red Shore has an atmospheric setting (par for the course for Shaw) and a 

fantastic mystery that kept me turning the pages-- and even thinking about it when I was forced to stop reading, but the characters bring this book to an entirely different level. Eden, seemingly satisfied with his life in London, yet unable to escape his unconventional childhood. Finn, a little boy who's scared to death by his mother's disappearance and wants nothing to do with this uncle he didn't know anything about.

While I was trying to figure out the mystery, I was constantly intrigued by the dynamics between Eden and Finn. I have to admit that I found Finn to be very mouthy and abrasive at first, but his circumstances made his behavior make sense, and I did gradually warm up to the little boy. (Hey, I'm childless, just like Eden.)

The Red Shore is probably the best book I've read in 2025, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series. Write faster, Mr. Shaw! 

The Red Shore by William Shaw

ISBN: 9780008720407

Hemlock Press © 2025

Hardcover, 384 pages

Police Procedural, #1 Eden Driscoll

Rating: A+

Source: Purchased from Amazon UK.