Book Review: Mystery series

I thought I'd highlight a few of the mystery series I've read recently. First up is Her Royal Spyness, first in a new series by Rhys Bowen. Bowen also writes the Molly Murphy series set in 19th century New York, which is pretty good, and the Evan Evans series set in modern small town Wales, which I really enjoy. This one features Lady Georgiana, 34th in line to the throne in 1930s England. Georgie is young and beautiful and flat broke. Since her education prepared her to marry and not much else, she hasn't got a lot of options. She could marry Fishface, the royal suitor the Palace is pushing at her, but that's not very appealing. So she tries to find other ways to earn some cash. Then a mysterious Frenchman turns up, claiming that he holds the title to her ancestral home. Just as she and her brother the earl begin to object, the man turns up dead. In their bathtub.

This one was a fun read. I liked the setting and Georgie is an appealing character. It's not exactly deep, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The language gets a little racy, but it's pretty clean and very much a cozy. I also read the second in the series, A Royal Pain, which was also good, but had more sexual themes. Cautious thumbs up on this one.

Next up is a series by Carrie Bebris. I've been on a bit of a Jane Austen kick lately, and this series is based on Darcy and Elizabeth, but later involves other characters as well. The first up is Pride and Prescience, and picks up with the double wedding of Darcy and Elizabeth and Bingley and Jane. Caroline Bingley, the horribly snobbish sister of Mr. Bingley, has gotten engaged to a charming American. She marries him with all the ceremony she can possibly muster and looks set for a grand time. But her personality undergoes a strange transformation. This series is well done in that all the characters remain true to their Austen origins, but the writer mixes in a supernatural aspect that fits rather strangely. The best in the series in some ways is North by Northanger, which brings in (although sketchily) the characters from Northanger Abbey. I won't give too much away, but the plot twist that I enjoyed most had to do with Lizzie finding an old letter by Darcy's mother, Lady Anne, addressed to his future wife.

If you are a Jane Austen fan and don't mind variations on her books (some people really do!), you might enjoy this series. The books are clean and witty, but the touch of the Gothic makes them a little odd. Try the first and see what you think.

The next series I'm reviewing today is a contemporary one set aboard a cruise ship. Dressed to Keel, by Candy Calvert, features Darcy Cavanaugh as the sleuth and main character. Darcy is a nurse, considering a career change. A good friend has gotten a job as nurse aboard the ship and asks Darcy to come along, since she's in need of a some time to think. A series of thefts aboard ship has Darcy suspicious and when her friend is accused, Darcy jumps to her rescue.

This book definitely has some suggestive dialogue that might put some readers off. (Although I admit I found it funny.) There is some romantic tension but that's about all. If you get past the first chapter and want to keep reading, then you'll probably enjoy the book. It's up to you.

And the last one is Dead Giveaway by Leann Sweeney. This is, frustratingly, not the first in the series, but I didn't realize that until I was about 1/3 of the way through the book. Set in modern Houston, (yay!) it features Abby Rose as a private investigator specializing in adoption. Abby has a meeting with a woman who has some information about her latest client, a rising basketball star. But the meeting doesn't go as planned - the woman is dead. Abby jumps into the investigation, frustrating her copy boyfriend, and putting herself at risk. I liked Abby and the setup and plot were both well done, but it was predictable. I thought Abby took some unreasonable risks. Some sex and language in this one.

Of course, I have to mention a book that's been all the rage in my area. You may have heard of it - Breaking Dawn? Let me start by admitting that I have not read this book. I just don't get the whole vampire genre. Never was a Buffy fan, not up on the vampire myth, just not for me. But I have two daughters who were eagerly awaiting this book. So I'm passing on their assessment.

Two words: Not Good. I know from checking your blogs that there are those of you who LOVED this book. But my girls hated it. Ellen was the first to get to read it and settled down in her room. I thought she'd be in there all day, but just about an hour and half in, she emerged and announced that she was done with the book. Not done as in completed, but done as in not going to read any more. She really objected to some plot twists and found that the honeymoon scene was objectionable. Ellen then offered it to her sister with a warning that she might not like it either. Sarah got further in the book that her sister, but she also gave up. She was grossed out by the honeymoon and said there was no plot at all in the rest of the book. (Which has me totally curious about this honeymoon. I mean, I know what I did on my honeymoon, but what was going on this book?)

Now before I'm bombarded with protests, let me say again that I haven't read the book and don't plan to. It's not my thing. If you loved the book, that's fine with me. I'd love to hear what you think and why. But don't be bashing on my girls!