Courtesy of Anne Shillolo’s newsletter I downloaded her Murder At Aspen Creek prequel novella for free. It was a quick and enjoyable read — I’m already a fan of her Port Alma Murder Mysteries. I’ll be reading the new series too. 📚

I’m going to stop reading A Space Girl from Earth (The Kyroibi Trilogy Book 1) by Christina McMullen. I’m not the target audience and I’m more annoyed by it than interested. 📚

not only is Ellie an alien, but … the forbidden knowledge of a lost civilization is hidden deep within her genetic code.

The books in this series by Kris Bock are good reads: Someone Missing from Malapais Mountain (Book 4 in The Accidental Detective series). The mystery is interesting, the characters enjoyable. 📚

Another very enjoyable read from Kris Bock: Someone Cruel in Coyote Creek (The Accidental Detective Book 3) 📚

Kate … receives a message claiming Mayor Todd Paradise is taking bribes … Kate sets out to discover the truth, with help from her multi-generational … crew.

I was enthralled by the sample: this was an immediate buy and a fantastic read. You’re Welcome, Universe by Whitney Gardner. 📚

Themes of identity, friendships and finding a place in the world, all while being Deaf.

Highly recommended.

Jana DeLeon somehow manages to keep her Miss Fortune books fresh and interesting. Clue Krewe (Miss Fortune Mysteries Book 24) was another very enjoyable read and a great adventure with Fortune, Gertie and Ida, while not forgoing explosions and chaos. 📚

Once I was used to the noirish language I enjoyed the adventure of Tropical Punch (Bubbles in Space Book 1) by S.C. Jensen. 📚

Does she like her job? No. Is she good at it? Also no. She can’t afford to be too good. The last time … cost her a job, a limb, and almost her life.

I enjoyed the lightweight and mildly humorous sci-fi Independent Living (EarthCent Universe Book 1) by E. M. Foner. 📚

a group of retirees leaving Earth and a young woman in EarthCent’s new witness protection … are all going to live on Flower, an enormous alien colony vessel

There is so much about this book that makes it unlikely I would enjoy it — romance genre, sports, genius level maths…. I was riveted: Simply Connected: A Lesbian/Nonbinary Sports Romance by Alex Washoe. Leaves me with much to think about. 📚

Thanks to @Cheri for mentioning Racing Hearts by Alex Washoe. I kept reading even when other things demanded my attention. 📚

a grumpy/sunshine opposites attract romance.

Contents warnings for encounters with transphobia and bigotry and for depictions of mental health issues.

I really enjoyed this Australian light cozy mystery. A gentle fun read: Till Daph Do Us Part (Daphne Jones Mysteries) by Phillipa Nefri Clark. 📚

Daphne Jones has travelled … to officiate a wedding … a member of the bridal party ends up face down in the swimming pool.

I pretty much enjoyed The Unsound Theory (STAR Academy Book 1) by Emilia Zeeland. It’s a YA book — the main characters were in their late teens. Somewhat interesting ideas. Not sure I’ll read the rest of the series though. 📚

This was a simple read — an easily solved murder mystery, a bit of romance. Always on Duty: Companion Novella (A Klondike Mystery) by D. B. McNicol. 📚

The unusual mystery writer conceit in Secret Sleuth Box Set (Books 1–2) by Patricia McLinn took a bit of getting used to, but the books were a good read. 📚

Enjoyed the hunt in Graves On The Fens (DI Nikki Galena Series Book 14) by Joy Ellis. 📚

It arrives in the morning. An old-fashioned airmail envelope addressed to Detective Nikki Galena. Inside, on a single sheet of blue airmail paper, are three words: You failed me.

Whew, I’ve struggled my way through Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Translated (in 1862) by George Long. The language is dense so it’s hard going. I’d love to see a modern feminist translation. I’ve clipped a number of pithy remarks though. 📚

I enjoyed reading Mountain Town Murder: Jackson Hole Moose’s Bakery Not So Cozy Mystery #1 by Sue Pepper and may well read more of the series. I specially enjoyed the author’s life views on topics such as worker housing, and awareness of different perspectives on life. 📚

Today’s surprise discovery 📚:

the Southern Cross [constellation] hasn’t always been ours. Thanks to a phenomenon known as precession … it formerly belonged to the northern hemisphere skies …

Source: Southern Nights: the story of New Zealand’s night sky by Naomi Arnold.

Another book from an author I quite like: The New Teacher (The Sheridan County Mysteries Book 1) by Erin Lark Maples. 📚

The story flows well, and I’m intrigued by a few American words I’m not familiar with.

Hmmm, The Raven’s Mark by Christie J Newport just wasn’t really my thing. 📚

Beth must break all the rules to stop any more girls from suffering. But will her everything be enough to stop a sick murderer?

I quite enjoyed Knight Trials by Alice Bienia, though it felt a little tangled in parts. One page that sticks in my mind was a couple of paras of totally gratuitous tech jargon, presumably aiming to make a point. 📚

I’m 26% of the way through The Cardiff Killings (DI Jemima Huxley Crime Thriller Book 1) by Gaynor Torrance but have decided to read no further. I have no points where I can relate to a person desperate to have kids and who cuts herself to relieve unbearable stress.… 📚

I enjoyed reading Knight Blind (Jorja Knight Private Investigator Mystery Series Book 1) by Alice Bienia. Jorja is relatable, and gradually reveals some of her background while chasing down leads in an unexpected case. I’ll read more in this series. 📚

Another good story and an enjoyable read. The Girl Who Lost Him (The Shee McQueen Mystery Thriller Series Book 4) by Amy Vansant. 📚

I quite enjoyed The Sled Dog (The Sheridan County Mysteries Book 2) by Erin Lark Maples:

After the race, [Elizabeth] discovers an abandoned, injured dog and her family falls in love with their new foster pup.

But things aren’t that simple… 📚