Apparitions, Aerobics, and Arson (Bewitcher's Beach Mystery 3), by Emily Fluke

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I have been enjoying the Bewitcher's Beach series, by Emily Fluke, since the beginning. Every time I have finished one book in the series, I have eagerly anticipated the next one. So I was very excited when an ARC of Apparitions, Aerobics, and Arson, book 3, was recently delivered to my inbox.

In this installment of the Bewitcher's Beach Mysteries, Christmas is around the corner. Everyone is in a festive mood until their plans to celebrate the holiday go up in flames. A serial arsonist is targeting certain residents of the small paranormal town. While some of the townspeople flee the area after receiving threatening notes, Noema decides to stay in order to protect her video rental shop and try to figure out who the culprit is.

This is another strong installment in the Bewitcher's Beach Mystery series. This paranormal town is like no other I've read in a cozy. There continues to be an eclectic mix of characters with quirky traits that make their interactions fun to read about. At the front of the book, there is a list of the main characters. I always find this helpful, but I would have liked to see all of the secondary characters listed too. As I read more books in the series, I'm getting to know all of the main characters and I really enjoy spending time with them.

Noema, our werewolf single mom of four pups, amateur sleuth, and narrator, frequently uses her sense of smell to detect the emotions of others and explain her own feelings. For example, she smelled banana cream pie when something excited her. This is such a unique way of getting the reader to understand the characters' thoughts and feelings, and it works really well.

Since Noema is a werewolf, she can transform into wolf form whenever she needs to get some place fast. However, the ability to transform comes with its challenges. When she is not able to control her emotions, she can easily start to turn into wolf form when she doesn't want to. It's interesting and amusing at the same time to see how she deals with this challenge.

The mystery is well-crafted with lots of suspects to consider. I did figure out who the culprit was fairly early, but it was still fun to see how Noema and the authorities would identify them. Noema did a lot of speculating and wondering throughout the book and I felt her emotions. While I would have liked to see more sleuthing on her part, I enjoyed all the twists and turns that eventually led us to the arsonist. 

There is a bit of romance in this installment, but it does not overshadow the mystery. I'm hoping to see more of the love triangle in future installments. Believe me when I tell you this is the most intriguing and unique love triangle I've ever read about. I'm curious to see how Noema will sort out her feelings and which one she will choose, if she does choose one of them.

This series is set in the late 90s and it is filled with nostalgia. Emily Fluke does a fantastic job detailing certain aspects of that era. The fact that Noema works at a video rental store is just one example. Mention of an internet modem trying to connect online is another example. I especially enjoyed the references to Whitney Houston, as she was one of my favorite singers from that time period. There are more examples of 90s nostalgia, but you'll have to read the series to find out what they are.

If you enjoy recipes in cozies, you will be happy to know there are a few at the end of the book. Since this is a Christmas-themed book, all of the recipes are traditional holiday dishes. Each recipe comes from a different character in the book.

If you have not yet picked up this series, I highly recommend starting with the first installment, Magic, Movies, and Murder, and reading them order. While each one is a self-contained mystery, as with most cozy mysteries, you will enjoy following the subplots if you read them in order. If you've enjoyed the first two, I'm confident you'll enjoy this third one as well. All three books in the series so far are perfect for this time of year when we're in the midst of fall, with Christmas on the horizon. 

I'm so glad there are more books in this series in the works. I can't wait to spend more time with these characters in the small town of Bewitcher's Beach!

Thank you to Emily Fluke for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Murder, She Wrote (Season 3)

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Happy 40th Anniversary to Murder, She Wrote! On this date 40 years ago, the series premiered with a two-hour episode called "The Murder of Sherlock Holmes". That episode now airs in reruns as two one-hour episodes. The beloved series, starring Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher, would go on to last 12 seasons. I have already reviewed seasons 1 and 2, and today, in honor of the 40th anniversary I am finally reviewing season 3.

Most of this season is very much like the first two. They are one-hour episodes where a murder happens and Jessica Fletcher does her amateur, but intelligent, sleuthing to help the authorities get to the bottom of each mystery. Some of the murders happen in Jessica's hometown of Cabot Cove, but she also travels a lot. So while the murder rate in Cabot Cove isn't as high as some people say it is, murder does seem to follow Ms. Fletcher wherever she goes.

There are two episodes in season 3 where Ms. Fletcher isn't featured prominently as the sleuth. In one episode she is in bed recovering and in another episode she narrates a book. They were okay, but these are my least favorite episodes in the season. I prefer the ones where she is up and about doing the sleuthing. The other problem I have with this season is that in one episode the word "retard" is improperly used. I will say that back in the 80's when the episode first aired, it was much more widely used than it is now. Thankfully, that probably wouldn't be acceptable on television these days.

My favorite episode from season 3 was the one that took place on the plane called "The Corpse Flew First Class". This was very much like a locked-room mystery, except that it was on airplane, not in a room. I also really enjoyed the episode called The Days Dwindle Down. This episode was partially filmed in black and white since it dealt with a crime that was committed in the 1950s. I thought it was very well done.

Murder, She Wrote is well-known for having notable guest stars on each episode. One I need to mention in season 3 is Daryl Wood Gerber. She is now the author of several cozy mystery series, including one of my favorites, The Fairy Garden Mysteries. In season 3 of Murder, She Wrote, she had a small role in the episode called "Simon Says, Color Me Dead" It was so fun to see her in this episode.

As someone who enjoys listening to audiobooks, I found the last episode, "Murder, She Spoke", in this season especially interesting. Ms. Fletcher was recording an audiobook for one of her books. She was doing this for the blind. Nowadays, unless it's a memoir, authors usually do not record their own books. And nowadays, audiobooks aren't just for the blind. It's amazing to think how far we've come in 40 years.

So overall, I really liked this season. For the most part, it maintained the same vibe as the previous two, with the exception of the two episodes that did not prominently feature Ms. Fletcher as the sleuth. I'm excited to watch the next season, and now that I've posted my review of season 3, I can do that!

Puzzle 95 - Making Apple Cider

Yep! Again with the apple cider. Since I'm allergic to apples, I'm enjoying them through books and puzzles.

This one took me 3:58 using 42 non-rotating pieces. Feel free to share your time below and how you modified it if you did. 

Most of all, enjoy!

The Friday Six 13

Happy Friday!

Today I'm participating in six blog hops.  You can click on the host links below to find the blogs of others who are participating in each blog hop. If you're a blogger, feel free to join through the host links.

BOOK BLOGGER HOP, hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

Question: With the changing of seasons from summer to fall in September, do you have a favorite book that reflects the essence of this transitional period or one that you enjoy reading when the temperature cools down?

My response: I rarely re-read books, but mostly I'm a seasonal reader unless I'm reading an ARC or a book club selection.  I'm planning to read plenty of fall-themed cozy mysteries and maybe some fall-themed romance or romcoms as well this fall.

FIRST LINE FRIDAY, hosted by Reading is My Superpower

FRIDAY 56, hosted by My Head is Full of Books

BOOK BEGINNINGS, hosted by Rose City Reader

Today's excerpts are from the e-ARC format of Apparitions, Aerobics, and Arson (Bewitcher's Beach Mystery 3), by Emily Fluke.

Here is the beginning:

I kicked off my neon blue sneakers and stretched the thick socks over my ankles, settling in to watch the robber get handcuffed.

And here is an excerpt from page 56:

A dark figure in the lobby caught the corner of my eye, and goosebumps rippled down the back of my neck. Who was watching me? I twisted in between sets of "branch breaking" to see Crow arrive with a new black shirt. identical to the one from the day before but without the slashes from my claws.

If you enjoy paranormal cozy mysteries with great world-building and 90's nostalgia, you'll enjoy this series. This book releases next Tuesday, October 1st, so I'm planning to have my review published sometime in the next week.

FELINE FRIDAY, hosted my messymimi's meanderings

This was the scene while waiting to see the vet back in July. Bell was the little explorer standing on her hind legs, and Fiona is that lump of  gray fur on the floor to the right of Bell. Fiona was hiding (or she thought she was), but she was by far, the calmer of the two when it was time to be examined (even though Fiona's heart was racing and Bell's was normal).

NATURE FRIDAY, hosted by The LLB Life

Mum's the word! It's beginning to look and feel a lot like fall and that makes me so happy!

Panic in the Panhandle (Elmo Simpson Mystery 1), by J.C. Kenney

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Elmo Simpson is a wild animal relocation specialist in the panhandle of Florida.  All is well and good until a service call to a condo leads to a startling discovery and an apparent murder weapon like no other. Elmo's buddy, Rambo, is almost immediately identified as a prime suspect. However, Elmo knows Rambo couldn't have committed such a heinous crime. Elmo also knows it's his turn to help Rambo because of something that happened back when they first met. With the help of his sometimes girlfriend, Nicola, Elmo is determined to clear Rambo's name.

I absolutely loved this book! From the first to the final sentence, it is filled will humor and suspense, while still feeling cozy. Most of the humor is through Elmo's witty narration. His thought process and the way he explains things are sometimes hilarious. There are also several fun references to television shows and musicians. For example, there was one reference to Shawn Spencer from Psych. That one really stood out to me because I'm currently binging the series for first time.

It was such a refreshing change to read a cozy mystery featuring a male amateur sleuth. Elmo is perfect in this role. He's a kind-hearted man in his 40s who anyone (except maybe a murderer) would want to spend time with. 

I also really enjoyed getting to know Elmo's friends. In the world of cozy mysteries, the cast of characters is unconventional, yet they are all loyal to their loved ones and they help create a strong sense of community. There is a hint of romance throughout the book. Elmo and Nicola have a complicated relationship, but they come together to help unravel this mystery. Also, fans of pets in cozies will be delighted to know that Elmo has a faithful feline companion named Oscar.

The mystery begins from page one and it kept me engaged through the end. There were several suspects to consider. I thought I knew who the culprit was, but in the end, I was wrong. I enjoyed the many twists and turns that sometimes had me on the edge of my seat and other times had me laughing. In fact, this is the funniest cozy mystery I've read so far this year. It was the perfect blend of humor, suspense, and heartwarming moments. 

I did not want this book to end and I cannot wait for the second installment. I'm excited to see how all of the relationships develop and what their next adventure will be. If you enjoy light-hearted cozy mysteries, complete with humor and suspense, I highly recommend Panic in the Panhandle, by J.C. Kenney. You will be happy you read it!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Sunday Post 93

Hi everyone!

Through Monday, I am linking with the following: 

Reading Reality, who hosts Stacking the Shelves

Readerbuzz, who hosts Sunday Salon

Caffeinated Reviewer, who hosts Sunday Post

The Book Date, who hosts It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

On the above blogs you will be able to see links to the posts from others who are participating in those blog hops, and if you're a blogger, you can join too. 

Happy Fall to all who celebrate! We have temps in the low 70s under cloudy skies to start the new season. I'll take it! It's a door open kind of day. I'm glad to give the A/C some much needed rest.

I had one of the best weeks I've had in a while. I didn't do anything out of the ordinary. I just felt good, which is enough for me. I got more reading done this past week than I think I have all summer. I finished one entire book in less than a week, which is huge for me.

Next weekend I have a lot to do, so I'm not sure if I will publish a Sunday Post. If not, I should be back the following week, though.

IN THE BOOKS

Click on 2024 Bookish Challenges on the right sidebar to see how I'm doing with this year's goals.

RECENTLY FINISHED

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I read an e-ARC of Panic in the Panhandle (Elmo Simpson Mystery 1), by J.C. Kenney. This was one wild ride and I loved every minute of it! This book releases this Thursday, September 26th, so come back then to read my full review. I assure you, if you enjoy humorous cozy mysteries, this is a must-read!

IN PROGRESS

I continued listening to Apple Cider Slaying (Cider Shop Mystery 1), written by Julie Ann Lindsey and narrated by Amy Melissa Bentley. I'm reading this as a read-along and we are on target to finish this week. I always enjoy books by Julie Ann Lindsey (and all of her pen names) and this one is no different. 

I'm still reading a paperback ARC of Murder on the Page (Literary Dining Mystery 1), by Daryl Wood Gerber and I'm really enjoying it so far. It has a double theme - literature and  food. There are many references to the characters in Pride and Prejudice, but you don't have to be a fan of that to enjoy this book. It releases in October.

I continued reading Tatyana McFadden: Ya Sama! Moments from My Life, by Tatyana McFadden with Tom Walker. This is actually a short book, but I only read a few pages this week. Tatyana McFadden grew up in my hometown. She competed in the Paris Paralympics and added to her medal collection. She has became the athlete to win the most medals in Paralympic Track & Field.

You may recall, I started reading The Complete Book of Flower Fairies, by Cicely Mary Barker. This is a book of poetry. The first part of the book is divided into the four seasons. For whatever reason, I stopped reading it at the end of summer last year. So I'm picking it up again this week with the set of fall poems and illustrations.

UP NEXT

The next e-book I read will be an ARC of Apparitions, Aerobics, and Arson (Bewitcher's Beach Mystery 3), by Emily Fluke. I have really enjoyed this series from the beginning and I've been looking forward to this third installment ever since I finished the second one. This is a paranormal cozy mystery series set in the 1990s. This third installment is set around Christmastime.

My next audiobook listen will finally be the 18th installment in the Hannah Swensen mysteries, by Joanne Fluke. I thought I would read Double Fudge Brownie Murder earlier this summer, but I didn't get to it. I'm looking forward to visiting Lake Eden again.

ON THE SCREEN

• Psych - I finished all seasons, except 7, which I will go back and watch either after I watch all of the movies or in between watching the movies. I think season 8 is my least favorite season so far. I especially did not like the second to last episode, Nightmare on State Street. It just didn't work for me. I thought the series finale was pretty good, though. I'm looking forward to watching the movies.
• Chicken Sisters - I watched the second episode and decided this series isn't for me. I will not continue watching it. Hallmark really went off brand with this series. I'm all for trying something different, but I don't believe this should be on Hallmark. I've always turned to Hallmark for their cozy, happy vibes. I'm not getting that with this series at all. One might argue that The Way Home isn't cozy and happy, but in many ways it is. I enjoy The Way Home, but not so much Chicken Sisters. At some point I might give the book a try, but I'm done watching the series.
• The Heiress and the Handyman - The plot of this movie was average at best. They tried to make it look like fall, but it was staged. The trees were all green, so it was clearly not fall. I did like the farm theme, though.
• The Cases of Mystery Lane: Death is Listening - This was the second installment in The Cases of Mystery Lane series. Although the humor was still too over-the-top for me at times, overall I enjoyed it more than the first one. I did figure out who the culprit was as soon as that character was introduced, but I still enjoyed seeing the mystery unfold. With the way it ended, I sure hope we'll be seeing another one soon.
• Agatha All Along - I have been looking forward to this Marvel series ever since I heard it was in the works. I canceled my Disney+ account earlier this year and had planned to reactivate it when this series was finished so I could binge it. However, I just couldn't wait. I'm glad I reactivated it when I did because there's a temporary deal on three months for those who are new or who reactivate their account. The first two episodes did not disappoint! I can't wait to see more.

ON THE BLOG

• Sunday Post - 09/15 - Weekly Recap
• August Caboodle of Movies and Books - 9/17 - Monthly Lists of Movies Watched and Books Finished
• The Friday Six - 9/20 - Bookish Response and excerpts, Feline Friday, Nature Pic
• Puzzle - 9/21 - Hot Apple Cider

Have a great week!

Puzzle 94 - Hot Apple Cider

Hot apple cider, anyone? Since I'm allergic to apples, you can have my share.

But the puzzle was fun. It took me 3:13 using 30 non-rotating pieces.

Enjoy!