Saturday, March 28, 2026

Sunday Post 132

Hi everyone!

Through Monday, I am linking with the following: 

I didn't publish a Sunday Post last week because I had a busier than usual weekend. One of the things I did was an Escape Room with five other people. This was only the second time I did an Escape Room. It was beginner level and we still didn't escape in time. The operator told us we were about 80-85% done.
 
The theme was high school detention. The scenario was we, the students, were in detention. (Hmmm...any fans of The Breakfast Club out there?) We had a substitute teacher who got bored, so he left us alone and told us he'd be back in an hour. Our mission was to try and escape before then.

The first time I did an Escape Room, I think it was eight years ago, we escaped. However, I had no clue about anything in that experience. I just let everyone else do their thing, and with lots of hints, we escaped with two minutes to spare. That was a level 6/10 room.

There was mixed feedback regarding the Escape Room we did last weekend. Some thought it was harder than the last one, some thought it was about the same, and I thought it was easier even though we didn't escape. I felt like I knew what I was doing with this one, though. I knew what we were looking for. It was just difficult to crack the codes.

But most importantly, everyone had a good time and we all want to eventually do another Escape Room. Unfortunately, the challenge is finding ones that are wheelchair accessible. Several people in my group use wheelchairs and many Escape Rooms are not accessible. So frustrating that we have fewer choices than everyone else, but I think the situation is improving. Eight years ago, I only knew of one accessible Escape Room in the area. Now I know of at least three.

Oh, and as a bonus, we got candy at the end of the experience. I chose a mini Snickers bar, which was my favorite candy bar in high school. I can't remember the last time I had one before last weekend, so that was a nice treat.

This weekend, I've been glued to The USA Jigsaw Association YouTube channel because they're streaming the 2026 Jigsaw Nationals. Karen Puzzles is my favorite puzzle YouTuber, so I've mostly been watching to see how she does. She doesn't claim to be a top speed puzzler, even though she does do well. Her main goal is always to just have fun doing as many puzzles over the weekend as possible. If you advance in the first rounds, then you move on to the finals, so that's her goal. They have individual, pairs, and team rounds. I like listening to the commentators. I've been picking up some tips here and there. They've also been debuting new puzzles made by Ravensburger that will be available to the public starting on Monday. One of my favorite parts of the commentating is when they interview puzzle artists. It's so interesting to hear about their creative process.

IN THE BOOKS

RECENTLY FINISHED
🍄🍄🍄🍄
I finished reading an ARC of Murder in a Lavender Daze (Aroma Wellness Mystery 2), by Daryl Wood Gerber. There are a couple of things that bothered me throughout this book, but overall I enjoyed it. It releases at the end of April and my review will be posted a few weeks before then. You can read some excerpts here on Friday's post.

IN PROGRESS
Each week, I continue to read The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year, written by Margaret Renkl and illustrated by Billy Renkl. I'm looking forward to seeing what the author notices throughout spring. I'm also enjoying the illustrations.
I'm still listening to The Jig Is Up (Irish Bed & Breakfast Mystery 1), written by Lisa Q. Matthews and narrated by Rebecca Gallagher. I had planned on finishing this one a while ago, but I've gotten distracted by an assortment of podcasts. I'm more than halfway done.
Whiskey Business (Mixology Lounge Mystery 1), by Adrian Andover, is my current read. I'm enjoying the mystery as well as the subplots. Fun fact: The name of the cocktail lounge in this book is called Subplot. I don't drink alcohol at all and I never have, so this is truly an escape for me! You can read some excerpts here.
I had stopped working on the puzzles in Murdle: Volume 1, but I started working on them again. I'm on puzzle number 81 of of 100. I'd like to finish this book by my birthday, which is around the middle of April. I already have Volume 2 waiting in the wings.
UP NEXT
I received an eARC of Spell to Pay (Spellbooked Mystery 2), by Elle Wren Burke, so that will be up next. I'm not sure if I'll be able to start this week or next week. This one is heavy on the fairy theme, which I love, so I'm looking forward to it.
My next audiobook listen will be Paris is Always a Good Idea, by Jenn McKinlay. This is a novel that will become a Hallmark movie later this year. I typically read the book after watching the movie, but this time I'm part of a virtual book club that will be reading it together.

ON THE SCREEN
  • The Brady Bunch - I'm halfway through season 2. After each episode, I'm listening to the corresponding podcast episode for The Real Brady Bros hosted by Barry Williams ("Greg"), and Christopher Knight ("Peter"). It's so fun to hear about the series from their perspectives. Sometimes they have guests who were also on the show.
  • High Potential - I watched season 1 last year and loved it. Season 2 is almost finished airing on ABC, but all previously aired episodes are streaming on Hulu. So far, I've watched the first three episodes in season 2 and I'm loving it. They really know how to elevate the show, while still maintaining the same vibe. 
  • Chasing Leprechauns - I was looking for a movie with a Hallmark vibe to watch on St. Patrick's Day (one that I hadn't seen yet) and I came across this one. Ummm...it was okay.
  • Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder - This second movie in the Nelly Knows series was so much better than the first one. It's my second favorite movie of the year so far, out of the 12 new Hallmark movies. You can read my full review here.
  • Butlers in Love - This is a 2022 movie that I hadn't seen yet. I don't know why, but I didn't think it would be a favorite. However, I really enjoyed it! It's set in Maryland, which I thought was cool since that's my home state. But more than that, the plot was fun.
  • Two for Tee - This is Hallmark's first Spring Into Love movie this year. I thought it had a strong cast, but the plot fell flat for me. I think I'm in the minority with my thoughts on this because I saw that a lot of people loved it. I thought they could have embraced the cultural diversity more than they did.
ON THE BLOG
Have a great week!
at No comments:
Labels:

Puzzle 134 - Blooms

Enjoy this springtime puzzle! It took me 1:38 using 24 non-rotating pieces.

You can change the number of pieces if you prefer to make it easier or more challenging.

at 2 comments:
Labels:

Friday, March 27, 2026

Friday Features 33

Happy Friday!

Today I'm once again 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.

Question: What is your favorite bookish scent, and why does it appeal to you?
My response:  That "new book" scent is always fun when I start reading one that's a physical copy. It makes me excited about the new adventure that's ahead of me.

In honor of National Whiskey Day, today's excerpts are from the paperback format of Whiskey Business (Mixology Lounge Mystery 1), by Adrian Andover.

Here's the beginning:
I rested my blowtorch on the bar.

And here's an excerpt from page 56:
    If Kristin wasn't willing to share more about him and why he was so good at making enemies, I wondered why she went out of her way to chat with me.

I won a signed copy of this book last year and I'm so excited to finally read it. I met the author at Malice Domestic last year, before the book was published. This year, the book is nominated for an Agatha Award. I'll report back when I'm done, but so far, I'm loving it!

I don't have a lot of pictures of the girls together, but when I do get one, this is the vibe.
The first picture was taken on March 19th. The second picture was taken about one week later. These are some of my favorite spring flowers to see on my walks.


at 10 comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Nelly Knows Mysteries: All Manners of Murder (2026)

🍄🍄🍄🍄

Two years ago, Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement, the first in what seemed like it was going to become a series, premiered. I was not a huge fan of it.

This year, a second Nelly Knows Mysteries premiered. As I watch all of the new mysteries, I knew this would be no exception. It took two years for us to get a second one, but it was worth the wait. One change was made for the better and I enjoyed All Manners of Murder much more than the first one.

Nelly (Pascale Hutton) is an advice columnist. In All Manners of Murder, she receives a phone call from someone she replied to in the advice column. An invitation to a dinner party is extended to Nelly so she could be there when bad news is delivered to the estranged family. Nelly accepts the invitation, but asks Detective Mike Hogan (Kavan Smith) to be her plus one. Of course, this is not a date. It's work-related. Or is it? They attend the dinner party, which turns deadly when one of the guests is murdered. How could this have happened and who is responsible for such a heinous crime?

The mystery in this one was strong. I do wish it stayed a "locked room" through most of the movie, but at least the crime took place during the dinner party, which narrowed down the suspects. An incident took place in the opening scene in the movie, and when the characters were introduced after that, I immediately knew who the masked person was. That wasn't the solution to the whole mystery, though. I did identify a second culprit correctly, but it was still fun to watch everything unfold and to see if I would be right.

One major issue I had with the first installment in this series was the character of Nelly. She was too over-the-top perky for my taste. Her character seemed fake. Well, apparently, I wasn't the only one who felt that way because she was toned down quite a bit in this second one. She was fun-loving, not over-the-top. I liked the change and I hope she stays that way if the series continues.

This is Hallmark, so not surprisingly, we did get a touch of romance between Nelly and Detective Mike. I'm enjoying the slow progression of their relationship and I'm excited to see what the next steps are for them. The romance aspect of the movie was just right. It did not interfere with the mystery aspect at all. And I love how Nelly's help on the case is most appreciated.

Longtime Hallmark fans will notice some familiar faces in the form of supporting characters in this movie. I was not expecting any of them, so I was pleasantly surprised. Their appearances didn't feel forced. They all fit right in and they felt like natural additions to the cast. I am curious about where the series is going with one of them, though, as he is one of the characters in another mystery series as well. It seems like he could become a regular character in the Nelly Knows Mysteries.

If you enjoy Hallmark's cozy mysteries, I think you'll be happy with this one. Although I got confused with some of the many clues and it felt convoluted close to the end, it had all the right ingredients to make an overall great mystery. I'll be on the lookout for more in this series.
at 2 comments:
Labels:

Saturday, March 21, 2026

Puzzle 133 - Hello Spring

Happy Springtime!

My time on this one was 2:41 using 35 non-rotating pieces.

Remember, you can modify the number of pieces if you like. 

Enjoy!

at 8 comments:
Labels:

Friday, March 20, 2026

Friday Features 32

Happy Springtime!

Today I'm once again 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.

Question: If you could write the sequel to a classic book, which one would it be? What new characters or plot twists would you bring in? 
My response:  I haven't read too many books that are considered classics, and the ones I have read already have sequels. I'll leave the writing to the authors. I might read them, but not necessarily write them.

Today's excerpts are from the paperback ARC of Murder in a Lavender Daze (Aroma Wellness Mystery 2), by Daryl Wood Gerber.

Here's the beginning:
I was adjusting the spa menu to reflect the Halloween-themed treatments we would offer during the month of October, like the pumpkin spice facial and apple cider wraps - the latter being great for detoxification - when the silent alarm flashed in big red letters on my computer screen and cell phone.

And here's an excerpt from page 56:
    They retreated, and my gaze landed on Rodriguez. She'd moved away from the door and was taking photographs of the surroundings. Was this truly a murder investigation? She snapped an image of the desk, the chaise longue, the armoire, and finally Addison, who sat hunched and miserable and unaware of the officer's attention.

This book releases at the end of April, but I'm almost done reading the ARC. I'm planning to have my review posted next week. I can say I am enjoying it, even more than the first one in the series.

Fiona is taking time out from her busy day of eating and napping to say Hello.



I spy a little bit of spring!
at 8 comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Thursday, March 19, 2026

Syrup to No Good (Maple Syrup Mystery 2), by Catherine Bruns

🍄🍄🍄🍄

Last fall, I received an ARC of In the Blink of a Pie (Maple Syrup Mystery 3), by Catherine Bruns. I had not expected to receive it. I hadn't yet started the series, so I listened the first one, A Doomful of Sugar, but skipped the second one, Syrup to No Good, so I could read and review the ARC of In the Blink of a Pie. I worried a little about getting spoilers that I hadn't yet read in book 2, but someone who read all three assured me that wouldn't happen. And she was right. I recently read book 2 and didn't feel like anything was spoiled having read the third one before it.

In Syrup to No Good, it is spring in Sugar Ridge, Vermont. This marks the end of syrup-making season at Sappy Endings Farm, and farm owner, Leila Khoury, is preparing for her best friend Heather's upcoming wedding. The dynamics in Heather's family are complicated and she not looking forward to having everyone there. Perhaps her intuition was right because at the conclusion of Heather's bridal shower, a dead body is found. Will Heather have her happily ever after?

In addition to the mystery, someone from Leila's past shows up and puts a potential damper on a budding relationship with her current love interest. Leila's mom is convinced that Leila's ex is right for her and she encourages her to work things out with him. Will Leila's feelings from her past, in addition to her mom's influence, affect her future with her current love interest?

I really like most of the main characters in this series, which is one reason I keep reading it. However, in this installment, I found Leila's mother to be overbearing. I understood she wanted her daughter to be happy, but she didn't accept what Leila said would make her happy. On the other hand, I think Leila made the situation worse by keeping a secret. Again, I understood her reason for keeping that secret, but at the same time, being open and honest would have given her mother a better understanding of the situation.

I really liked the romantic relationship aspect of this installment, but I did feel it overpowered the mystery. I would have preferred more sleuthing. At times, it felt like two different books - a romance and a mystery. I don't mind some romance in cozies, but it isn't my preference when it takes time away from the mystery.

While I wanted more focus on the mystery, I did think it was well-crafted. I didn't figure out the whodunnit, but it all made sense in the end. More clues and sleuthing leading up to the big reveal would have been made it even better.

Fans of culinary cozies will appreciate the recipes at the end of this book. I may even give some of them a try, which is saying a lot since I usually skip them. The ones in this book sound delicious and fairly easy to make. Unfortunately, the recipes are not in the audiobook.

If there are more books in this series, I will be reading them. The characters and setting (I love maple syrup and anything about it) will keep me coming back as long as there is growth and evolving relationships. I hope in future installments the mystery takes clear precedence over all of that, however.
at 2 comments:
Labels:
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)