Roberta Reads

A Terrible Village Poisoning by Hannah Hendy My rating: 4 of 5 stars I really enjoyed the previous two books in this series (The Dinner Lady Detectives and An Unfortunate Christmas Murder), so I was keen to get my hands on A Terrible Village Poisoning. This time around, Margery, Clementine, and friends are not in their familiar surroundings, but on holiday in another village. Naturally, people start dropping dead, and they can’t resist poking their noses in. I loved revisiting these characters, they are so much fun. I really like the relationship that Margery and Clementine have, they understand each other well and care very much. The plot is particularly fun this time - there’s a lot of confusing things going on in this village, and it takes a while to start making sense. It was very enjoyable trying to figure out the solution as more clues were revealed! Overall, this was a fun mystery, with a collection of characters that never fail to make me lau...

Review: 5 out of 5 stars I was so excited to read the first book in Jessica Redland’s new series. I loved the Hedgehog Hollow series (not to mention all her other books), so the start of a new series is definitely something to celebrate! The characters were great. I loved Barney. He’s such a lovely man, who works hard and cares about people. I also really like Amber, and the way she’s there for her sister (among other people). And of course I enjoyed seeing some cameos from Hedgehog Hollow characters too! I love the setting. Like Amber, I feel at home on farms (one side of my family has a number of farmers), so Bumblebee Barn felt like home immediately. I adore the bumblebee watercolour at the top of each chapter, and the cover is beautiful too. The plot was a lovely one. Jessica Redland writes really well, and has a great way of conveying the characters emotions, and making it easy to connect with them. The story was absorbing and kept my attention (something I’ve been finding difficu...

Murder at the Charity Ball by Helena Dixon My rating: 5 of 5 stars I love the Miss Underhay books, they’re one of my favourite cosy crime series. So I couldn’t wait to get my copy of Murder at the Charity Ball, the 11th volume. Once again, Kitty just happens to be at an event when a dead body is found - this time by her father. I loved the mystery plot, it kept me guessing right until the end. There were plenty of suspicious characters it could have been! It was lovely to return to this favourite group of characters, and to see the fulfilment of a certain happy event! Kitty and Matt now work well together, along with Inspector Greville, and others. I’m pleased to see Bertie still being mischievous, though thankfully starting to calm down a little. And I absolutely loved the way that Alice saved the day. Overall, this was another excellent story in a great series, and the mystery kept me guessing until the very end. Although this book would read well ...

Libby and the Highland Heist by Jo Clarke My rating: 4 of 5 stars I selected this book because the cover looked fun, and the blurb sounded interesting. I’ve not read the previous book in the series (Libby and the Parisian Puzzle). However, that didn’t prevent my enjoyment of this story, though I think if you’re going to read the whole series, it would work best read from the beginning. I really liked Connie and Libby, they are both feisty and find ways to solve mysteries in spite of the fact that they’re at school. Their friendship is a very important part of the story. The plot was fun, with thefts and cons, and the children were very inventive in their efforts to bring the wrongdoers to justice. Overall, this was a fun mystery, with a great friendship at its centre. I look forward to reading more stories by Jo Clarke. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

The Secret of Angel Cove - 4 stars: I read Winter at Cliff’s End Cottage last year, and loved it so much that I have since read many of Sheila Norton’s back catalogue. And so I jumped on the chance to review The Secret of Angel Cove. What a lovely story. I loved meeting Joy and Sara, and all the other more minor characters. I loved reading about the friendship that the two of them strike up, when they’re both at a time of big change in their lives. I really enjoy reading stories about friendship between people of different ages, because we don’t just make friends with people our own age in real life. I loved the setting too. The Smugglers’ Cottages at Angel Cove sound like such a beautiful place to live.  I enjoyed the flashbacks to Philip and Chrissie’s story too, and all the conversations at the historical society. I don’t know what else to say really, apart from how happy reading this book made me feel. I really loved reading about characters of lots of different ages. Overall, ...

A Hard Day for a Hangover by Darynda Jones My rating: 5 of 5 stars Darynda Jones is one of the only two authors where I buy their books without even reading the blurb (Gail Carriger is the other). So I was very excited to get my hands on the third, and final, book in the Sunshine series, A Hard Day for a Hangover. I loved this book so much. I love this collection of characters, and the quirky town they live in. I especially love Sunshine and Auri, and their relationship. I was pleased to read the developments in Sun and Levi’s relationship (can’t say more because spoilers!). The plot was (as always) a brilliant one that kept me turning the pages. It’s really such a wonderful blend of the cases Sunshine is trying to solve (and Auri too, for that matter), and the personal stories too. And of course it’s full of fun banter and the chapter headings that we all love! Overall, this was everything you’d expect from a Darynda Jones book, a page-turning plot,...

  Review -  5 stars: This is my first book by Eliza J. Scott. I loved the cover, so snowy and two dogs! Having read A Cosy Christmas with the Village Vet, I’ll definitely be checking out the other books in the series. I really enjoyed reading this book. It was full of seasonal cheer, and the warmth of community. Not to mention lots of lovely dogs!  I loved the setting in Yorkshire, and the snow made it feel very wintery and Christmassy. I loved the village of Lytell Stangdale, and the sense of people supporting one another. The romance was great too, and the way Nick and Brogan met, and then re-met, was definitely entertaining. They’re both great characters, well written and realistic. I very quickly empathised with both of them. Overall, this was a lovely romance, full of Christmassy cheer and community feeling. Perfect to curl up with on a cold winter evening. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. Blurb: It’s the most magical time of the year! Will Br...

  Review - 5 Stars: The Lady Eleanor Swift mysteries are a favourite series, and we’re already on book 12. I have loved every single one, including Murder in an Irish Castle. This time, Eleanor and Clifford have travelled to Ireland, where they’ve been invited to spend Christmas at the estate she inherited there from her uncle. When they arrive, they discover that all is not as it should be at the estate, and in the village. They obviously then investigate! This book felt more sinister than any of the previous stories. I think perhaps because Eleanor was cut off from all her usual resources (except for Clifford), and there seemed to be some sort of conspiracy going on. However, there was still plenty of banter between the two, and other funny moments. It was interesting to see them manage both the mystery, and the day to day chores etc, without the usual backup. Luckily they are both very intrepid and resourceful, after all their adventures (both in the book series and before). The...

A Snowfall by the Sea by Isla Gordon My rating: 4 of 5 stars I’ve been enjoying Isla Gordon’s books for many years now (under her various pen names). This one is no exception. The story follows Cleo, who has got a bit stuck in her life, and wants to start speaking up for herself more. I think Isla Gordon does an excellent job of showing us how trapped Cleo has become by her own inertia and wanting to please the people she loves, and really making the reader feel that frustration build. I really enjoyed seeing Cleo start to break that shell and figure out what she wants from life. Of course, as well as the personal development, there’s a lovely romance too. I loved seeing all the almost moments through the years that Cleo and Eliot have known each other. I love romances that don’t just start over a few days! I enjoyed the relationship between Cleo and Gabriela, how they support each other. I loved the chaotic Christmas caused by the snow, with new peo...

A Killer Christmas at Honeychurch Hall by Hannah Dennison My rating: 3 of 5 stars It’s always fun to return to Honeychurch Hall and its surroundings for another mystery. This time around, a rare Emerald Barbie is stolen, and then dead bodies start appearing. This book was another fun and easy read from Hannah Dennison. I enjoyed following Kat as she tried to find out what on earth is going on, yet again! However, I’m beginning to find Kat’s relationship troubles rather tiresome. It’s about time she had some happiness in (or out of) a relationship. I also enjoyed Edith’s shenanigans, though I do feel concerned about her health. The plot was a good one, and I didn’t work out who the culprit was until almost the big reveal (mostly because there were so many shady characters!). It’s always enjoyable when I don’t have it figured out early in the book. Overall, this was a fun murder mystery, full of shady characters. A good way to while away a few hours. I...