How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin (★★★★☆)
Audiobook • Libby • Mystery • 2024
Short synopsis: After a fortune-teller predicts her murder in 1965, Frances Adams spends her life investigating the crime before it happens. Decades later, the prophecy comes true and Frances’s great-niece Annie arrives at her estate to unravel the mystery.
This was a fun, easy-to-read mystery that works well as a palate cleanser. The story alternates between Frances’s diary entries from the late 1960s and the present-day plot, where Annie, a struggling mystery writer, must solve her great-aunt’s murder to inherit her estate. The characters are engaging, and I loved the heartfelt mother/daughter and friendship dynamics. Plus, there’s a gruff but attractive detective who helps Annie, lending a tiny bit of romance to the story. I did not suspect the “whodunit,” either, so it was a clever ending from my perspective!
The Love Haters by Katherine Center (★★☆☆☆ 1/2)
Print • Owned (Book of the Month) • Contemporary Romance • 2025
Short synopsis: Katie, a video producer, lands a dream assignment in Key West, only to get tangled in lies, family tension, and unexpected romance with a guarded Coast Guard rescue swimmer named Hutch.
I should have trusted myself. Katherine Center’s books don’t usually work for me, but after hearing so many rave reviews, I wanted to give this romance the chance to change my mind. Alas, it was not to be. This romance started strong, and I was so captivated by Katie and Hutch. They had sizzling chemistry from their first interaction! I was fully prepared to give this book a rave review… until the story took a sharp turn a little more than halfway through and completely lost me. Suddenly, we had villainous characters with no nuance, a bizarre subplot, and an ending that was so unbelievable, I wanted to throw the book across the room.
A major part of this book is Katie dealing with body image issues, including elements that could be triggering for those with ED histories. I didn’t feel these themes were handled with the care or depth they deserved. More than anything, I didn’t believe in Katie’s emotional journey. Her shift toward self-acceptance felt rushed and surface-level, and I needed more complexity and development to make it feel earned. All in all, this wasn’t the right book for me, and I’m officially jumping off the Katherine Center train.
The Appeal by Janice Hallett (★★★★☆)
Print • Owned (indie bookstore) • Mystery • 2021
Short synopsis: When a small-town theatre troupe rallies to fund a child’s experimental cancer treatment, simmering doubts and hidden motives erupt into a shocking dress rehearsal death, leaving two young lawyers to unravel a killer lurking in plain sight.
I had a lot of fun reading this book! It’s one of those mixed-media mysteries told through emails, text messages, police interview transcripts, and academic papers, which makes for a really engaging reading experience. I didn’t find it too hard to keep up with the cast of characters, as the author does a great job of giving each character a distinct voice and a believable motive for the murder. There were times when I thought, “People don’t email like this. This is madness!” and times when I was delighted by how she captured both the drama and absurdity of a close-knit community. It was also fun seeing the lawyers’ notes as they essentially read alongside me and we reached similar realizations in real time. Overall, it’s a clever, interactive mystery that invites you to play along. It was my first Janice Hallett book, and it definitely won’t be my last.
What are you reading?
Katherine Center does not work for me, either. She’s so bland! Those other two sound like books I’d really like, though. I just read two mixed media books and loved them both, so that’s my current jam.
I’ll be interested in your thoughts on The Appeal if you read it! I gave it to my mom and she is DEVOURING it, and she’s not someone who reads a ton!
I haven’t read a Katherine Center book in quite some time. He books just don’t jump out to me. I haven’t disliked any but I haven’t loved any.
Right now I am reading Isola for my May book club. It got off to a slow start for me but it’s picking up. It’s set in the 1500 or 1600s? I find that I do not care for deeply historical novels. I need them to be set in modern times. This book has a pretty high review on GR, though, so maybe it will be the exception for me. I just hate how women have no rights and are treated so terribly!
Ooh, I haven’t read many books from that time period so I might have to check out Isola. I do love a good deep historical novel!
Once again our tastes diverge! I loved The Love Haters, except for the name, which I thought was stupid. But I really liked that book – I read it on holiday and it was kind of perfect. Also it had a big dog and that was a fun point for me.
The Love Haters is such a terrible title. Who approved that?! Argh. The big doggo who was scared of storms was my FAVE, too.
Bye Katherine, bye. We won’t be fooled again! UGH. I wish someone else would write the fun ideas she has.
Oh that’s funny, I’ve read some books with emails in them before too and thought the same. I am glad it worked out for you though!
I am reading Big Chicas Don’t Cry.
HA, I love this: “I wish someone else would write the fun ideas she has.” Yes, yes, yes!
The Appeal worked for me as well! I hesitated to read it for a long time because I didn’t think I would like a book made up mostly of people’s emails… but I was WRONG. It was really fun to read. I just heard- maybe on Currently Reading?- that she’s coming out with a sequel, with the same cast of characters.
I just finished Lake Effect by Cynthia Sweeney- so good!!!
Ooh, a sequel! I need more from Isabel who is completely unhinged and I love her. HA.
Yay, I’m glad you liked Lake Effect!
So many people like Katherine Center’s books so I’ve tried reading several of them and just can’t, all have been DNF.
You are not missing ANYTHING. I have tried way too many and all have been disappointing.
I read Solve Your Own Murder last year and thought it was good. It did get compared to Thursday Murder Club and Vera Wong, but I still would put those two ahead of it as far as overall enjoyment. I have read a few other Katherine Center books and some were better than others but they tend to be pretty rote romances, if that is what you are in the mood for. I probably will give this one a pass given you, the romance queen, didn’t enjoy it as much!
I definitely agree that I would put Thursday Murder Club and Vera Wong ahead of How to Solve Your Own Murder! It was a fun book, but not a standout in the genre.
The romance queen! I love that title. 🙂
I’ve not read anything by Katherine Center. This book doesn’t appeal to me. I do think the Appeal sounds really interesting. I finally finished Good Dirt. It was good, but I felt like it dragged on a bit. Like, get to the point already. I’m still (snail’s pace as I only read in my bed before I drift off – sometimes only for a few minutes) reading Road to Tender’s Heart. It’s a quirky book, but I am enjoying it. The daughter just showed up and was like WHAT? YOU ADOPTED KIDS? YOU DON’T HAVE A BROTHER. Bah ha ha.
I’m glad you’re still enjoying The Road to Tender Hearts! It’s such a quirky little book. 🙂