Back Burner Mystery

Back in May, I reviewed a copy of the second book in the Drew Farthering series for Bethany House. When they offered me a copy of the third book, I was pretty excited to continue the story!
Julianna Deering's newest release, "Murder at the Mikado" seemed like the perfect August read.

Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into this one. The back and forth between Drew and his fiance was just too much for me. He was sneaky. She didn't like it. They worked it out. But then they realized that they really hadn't. The mystery seemed to take a back burner, which was disappointing to me. 

There were about 150 pages that were SOLID and had me ALMOST changing my mind about this book. I was eager to figure out which clues were meant to lead me astray. Those pages had me content to keep reading so that I could get to the bottom of exactly WHO was behind the crimes taking place.  

No sooner did I really get into it that the mood changed and it was right back to the on again off again relationships between certain characters.

Deering is so capable of putting together a good story. I'm just not in it for the human interactions and cliche dilemmas that they may face.  

While I couldn't get into this book, you might just love it! If you are interested, you may pick up a copy HERE. 

* I was provided a review copy of this book by Bethany House. All thoughts are my honest opinion.

Hatpins, Literature, and Mystery

Well, the big Sweet 16 bash came off without a hitch!!! :) I'll be back next week with lots of pictures and maybe even some mushy words! For now, it's Saturday and I have a book to tell you about!

"Death by the Book"  will have you following Drew Farthering through the summer of 1932 in the small English village where he ends up in the middle of an investigation involving multiple murders.

Drew is so easy to like. He is honorable in how he treats the people around him. He seems to have every reason to be full of himself and uses his charm on a few occasions, but mostly, he remains easy going and humble.

Throughout the pages of this book you will find interesting characters such as Mr. Llewellyn who flies around the village on his bicycle and delights in sharing his knowledge of the American war between the states. Those readers who enjoy books that reference other books will be right at home here. Deering references other authors and places a literary quote at the scene of each murder.

The mystery is a good one, the characters are interesting, and Drew Farthering makes a great focal point. As with so many books these days, there is an element of romance to "Death by the Book". Drew is trying to convince his newly found friend Madeline Parker to marry him. I appreciated the presence of Madeline's Aunt Ruth who was constantly stepping in and reminding the two young people to keep their heads and not be led by the fickleness of feelings.

This book is second in the Drew Farthering series. The author, Julianna Deering, is also known as DeAnna Julie Dodson. Due to the ease with which she references the work of Dorothy Sayers and the British way of speaking and interacting, I was shocked to find out that Deering/Dodson is actually a Texan!

Click HERE to pick up a copy of this book and give a shot at figuring out whodunit before Drew Farthering and the police in his village! I'm excited to read the book again to see what clues I missed the first time around.


* I was provided a review copy of this book by Bethany House. All thoughts are my honest opinion.