Into the Dim series by Janet B. Taylor

There are two books in this series and both have been out for a while. Book one is Into the Dim and book two is Sparks of Light. I did see there was mention of a third one on Goodreads (which I so hope is true) but I'm not sure if it's going to happen.

I came across this series by accident at the bookstore. I was looking for another author and the first book Into the Dim caught my eye, and I picked it up. 

The series starts with Hope Watson. She's a teenager who has lost her mother to an earth quake and goes to Scotland for the summer to stay with her mother's family. Turns out that her mother and her mother's family are time travellers and it's going to be up to Hope to go back in time to rescue her mother who isn't dead, just in another time. 

First off, the detail and the time traveling aspects of this series is fascinating! I loved the twists and turns in these books and I couldn't put them down! I was worried and excited about what was going to happen. 

The first book was my favourite of the two, but I still really enjoyed the second book. I really fell for all the characters and I thought the romance aspect of the books to be seen and lovely. 

I had to go back to the bookstore right after I finished the first book to get the second one because I needed to keep the story going. 

This series has villains, family, courage, love, time travel, history, and more all beyond my wildest dreams. This series felt new and interesting to me in ways I haven't seen often. 

What really surprised me was that I hadn't seen any of these books on bookstagram. No mention of them, no one really talking about them. For an awesome series about time travel and history, I would have thought otherwise. 

The second book was great, but I did find myself becoming a little confused in the middle. It looked like the story was going in one direction but then went in a total different direction which I felt was jarring, but I ended up enjoying the outcome. You do have to read the first one before this one though. I don't think it would have been easy to follow the tangent of the story without having read the first one before this one. 

Both of these books kept me glued to the page, and I really wish the third one would become reality. This really was a stellar series. 

Recommendation: Read this if you love time travel, historical fiction, the weak growing strong and kicking butt. 

The Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas

I LOVE these books!

So far, there are three in the series. I didn't know they existed until I was approved to read the third one before it was released from First to Read (run by Penguin). The third book is out now, though and it's just as great as the first two! Also, I seriously hope there are more to come in this series because I adore them!!

This series is a pretty neat one. It's about a young woman who goes by the name of Charlotte Holmes. She's everything you would think of when you think of Sherlock. It's set back in the time of Sherlock too, so you get all that historical feel to the book that really makes it come alive.

I won't say anymore about the main characters though, because I think how the author created her world, and her version of Sherlock and company was something truly awesome that it needs to be experienced as you read! (and I don't want to spoil anything either.)

As usual these books are filled with all the mystery, deduction, and intrigue we all love from traditional Sherlock stories, but these ones have a little bit of romance thrown in. Nothing too crazy or distracting, but there is a little bit of love hanging around, which I really enjoyed.

In the first book A Study in Scarlett Women, Charlotte must do whatever she can to solve a mystery to save her father and her sister who are under suspicion of committing the crime.

In the second book A Conspiracy in Belgravia, the wife of one of Charlotte's good friends comes to Sherlock looking for help in finding her first love, who also happens to be Charlotte's half brother. Of course, he's missing.

In the third book The Hollow of Fear, the wife of her dear friend is murdered and the suspicion falls on her friend. Moriarty is ever present and wreaking havoc on their lives, but Charlotte, acting as Sherlock, must prevail.

I found the writing of this series to be quite lyrical and detailed. It's definitely more of a slow burn series, but honestly, that didn't matter to me. I was fully on board with this series right from page one!

I own the first two in paperback, and I will be adding the third one to my collection in physical form very soon. I don't often find myself re-reading mysteries, but I think this series will be one I'll grab off my shelf and read again.

Recommendation: Must read for the lovers of Sherlock Holmes, for the lovers of mystery, for the lovers of serious female characters.

The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo

This series in a word: AH-MAZE-ING

Every single moment of these books kept me glued to the page. I was totally along for the journey, no questions asked. I was all in.

I feel like I was one of the last to this book party when I finally picked these up, but I am so very happy that I did.

This series is about a girl named Alina. It's set in a universe with Russian feels (that I adored). It involves magic, the people who wield this power, the pursuit to defeat evil and restore the good to save the people.

Yes, it sounds like the basic fantasy type of story, but I assure you, it is not. Nothing is quite what it seems, things aren't clear cut and rosy, it's not the usual.

I'm not going into the actual story too much (as always) because I don't want to spoil anything, but I will mention that I was pleasantly surprised what this series had to offer being that it was YA. This series was one of the biggest reasons why I'm reading more YA.

I know there's so much love for this series on bookstagram and it kind of surprised me that there were so many long and heartfelt reviews about (at least the first book) people hating it. They say that the romance was terrible, that Alina was hard to get behind, that the world building wasn't great, but really? Like, what?

Usually, I don't enjoy a whole lot of romance either but it wasn't that much, and it didn't bother me in this series because it wasn't really the main focal point. I think a lot would have been missed without it.

Alina was flawed. Everyone was flawed. Everyone is flawed.

The world building was epic. End of story. The Russian feel of it was so neat. I really enjoyed it.

I currently own all the books Leigh Bardugo has got out in the bookstore right now and even though these are the only ones I've read so far, I am on board with her for life.

Recommendation: Read these. Also these editions are GORGEOUS so what are you waiting for? For the lover of fantasy. Just, read them!

The Jackaby Series by William Ritter

This series was a total cover buy from Book Outlet a while back. I feel like I knew about this series but forgot about it along the way. The covers though, are just so cool.

The series is the Jackaby series, but it's told from the point of view of his new protege Abigail Rook. Abigail Rook is a girl just looking for adventure in 1892. She travels around the world and crosses paths with a man who goes by R. F. Jackaby, completely by accident shortly after she arrives. She's looking for work to fund her new life and he's got a job on offer.


Jackaby is a private detective that solves cases that involve the supernatural. Jackaby is like a cross between Sherlock Holmes and Newt Scamander. There's ghosts, trolls, fairies, shape shifters, and everything else you can imagine. He's as awkward and strange as Sherlock, if Sherlock could see all manners of the supernatural.
This series follows a pattern of events that all coalesce into the fourth novel with the need to stop the mastermind that's been behind what's been going on in the town of New Fiddleham. They cross down into the underworld to help a very dear friend who happens to be a ghost, attend a dig and stop a dragon. All good and wonderful things. Of course,  the culmination is the usual save the world type of mission, but who doesn't love that.

There's a whole big cast of interesting creatures and people who show up and help Jackaby and Abigail stop the danger from getting out of control that appear throughout the series. There's a little bit of romance, a little bit of dealing with a broken heart, and the whole third floor of their building looks like a local park complete with a water feature and a resident duck.

I enjoyed this series. It was easy to read, interesting and kept me coming back for more. It's a young adult series, but it didn't feel like I was reading a young adult book, which I always love.

I gave the first three books 4 stars, but I only gave the last one 3. It was the ending. It was a good ending but everything got flipped on it's side and then it just ends. Like it was a good ending, but there's so much more room for more now and it kills me that the series ends here. Well, as far as I know it's done. If it somehow turns out not to be done I will be overjoyed. The author just put a whole bunch of really cool things in motion in the last like 10 pages of the series and then it's just over. I want more! Still good though!

Recommendation: For fans of Sherlock and Fantastic Beasts. If you like supernatural things and mysteries, you'll love these!

Spirits and Thieves series by Morgan Rhodes

I might have been living under a bit of a rock when it comes to YA books because until I stumbled across the second book in this series I had never seen or heard of Morgan Rhodes books before.

In fact, when I realized how seriously much I loved this series, I was more than happy to learn there was a whole much longer series written by her (in the same universe I think?) that I needed in my life! Those beauties are part of the Falling Kingdoms series and they are living on my shelf as we speak.

Anyway, as to these books. They are perfect. I loved them so much. I got sucked in immediately and taken for a ride that I was more than happy to go on. The endings were on the cliff-hanger side (which means that there better be another one coming out in this series), but still, so good.

This book has sisters from modern day Toronto, a boy from a different world called Mytica, and a book that caused one sister to fall into a coma and appear in this other world as a spirit only the boy from Mytica can see or hear. Of course, there's another boy. One back in modern day Toronto who's part of a secret society that just might have everything to do with the girl in the coma and that other world.

I was also seriously happy to learn that the author is in fact from the same province that I am, so many of the books in the two series I picked up came signed!

I loved her writing style. It was totally a series that picked you up and carried you away as if you were in a dream. It was effortless to follow along and fall in love with these books. I didn't want to put them down and I didn't want them to end!

I haven't started the longer series yet because I know that she ends things on a cliffhanger and the newest book *just* came out so I'm not in a hurry to rush to wait for the next one (since I'm collecting paperbacks).

Recommendations: If you've thought about reading these, or any of her works, just go do it. You won't be disappointed and you'll be seriously missing out if you don't! Fantasy lovers, these are for you!

The Immortal Empire series by Kate Locke

So I came across this trilogy in the adult fantasy section at the bookstore by accident one day. I had a coupon to spend and the bright colours of the books caught my eye. I don't think I've ever seen these mentioned anywhere else before either which is always a plus for me.

These books take place in a present day steampunk version of London. In this version of the world, the plague didn't wipe out people, instead it caused some people to become vampires, werewolves, and goblins. It seems that those of noble blood handled the virus much better and became full blooded creatures and those of poorer and not so noble circumstances either did not get infected at all, or were partially infected.

Of course you can imagine the acrimony this caused for the future of all the races. Everything is hanging in a delicate balance. It all starts when Royal Guard Xandra Vardan's sister goes missing, things start to crumble down around everyone's ears. Oh, and did I mention that Queen Victoria still rules (as an undead Vampire, naturally).

I loved the idea behind this series. It totally grabbed me right from the beginning and I was on board for whatever the series was going to throw at me, and I was not disappointed in the least.

I did find the beginning of the first book a little shaky. There was so much world building and information that the author needed us to get a grip on rather quickly (which I totally understand) but... I felt the delivery method, the internal monologue type of thing, felt more like a repetitive info dump at times, and less like we were fully going along for the ride.

It totally go better though, but it was something that made it a little hard going at first. I didn't have any of those problems after I got into the series and even though there was a bit of referral in each book back to the one before it, it didn't have that same info dump feel at all.

There was romance, intrigue, mystery, and action. Everything a good series needs. The characters were interesting, and it felt like such a different story than some others I've read that follow the same idea (I'm thinking The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger that I totally adore.) It was along the same lines but still well worth the read!

Recommendation: This is a great series for those loving steampunk, vampires, werewolves, and goblins. It's quite an adventure and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

Joanne Fluke: The Hannah Swensen series

I have been reading this series for years now. These mysteries are focused around the main character Hannah Swensen who is a baker living in a small town. She owns a cookie shop and with the help of her sisters, one of the two main men in her life, and her awesome detective skills, she solves mysteries. Quite often she even manages to find the bodies herself! Every book is full of recipes for delicious baked goods, even some other great dishes, that are mentioned in the story. As such, each murder mystery is named for a key baked good that features in the mystery.

I own a good chunk of the series as e-books. I tend to read them in the middle of the night when I can't sleep on my phone or my e-reader. They are fairly easy reads that aren't overly complicated and because of that I prefer to get them from the library or on my e-reader. 

I find these books to be rather light, they tend to follow the same kind of formula, with a lot of the same characters. I don't mind this though, because even though they are pretty simple, I don't tend to figure out the end before its over which is something I look for in a good mystery. I don't want to be able to solve it early. There`s a lot of repetition as far as things go with the characters, but the author stays true to them, they never come off feeling fake. 

I guess they've made one into a made-for-TV-movie... no interest in watching it. At all. I saw the cast, and it doesn't make any sense. 

These are fun little reads that make your mouth water with delicious recipes. 

Recommendation: Perfect for the lover of sweet treats and light mysteries. 

If you were wondering which of her books are in my e-book library, here they are (in no particular order):

• Cherry Cheesecake Murder
• Blueberry Muffin Murder
• Apple Turnover Murder
• Fudge Cupcake Murder
• Peach Cobbler Murder
• Chocolate Chip Murder
• Key Lime Pie Murder
• Cream Puff Murder
• Red Velvet Cupcake Murder
• Cinnamon Roll Murder
• Sugar Cookie Murder
• Candy Cane Murder
• Plum Pudding Murder
• Gingerbread Cookie Murder
• Carrot Cake Murder
• Devil`s Food Cake Murder

M. C. Beaton: The Hamish Macbeth series

I adore these books. They are truly delightful simple reads that might be quick and easy, but are not short on entertainment.

This series follows fictional Scottish police man Hamish Macbeth who simply wishes to be left alone in his small station, walking his beat, and avoiding promotion. Of course it's not quite as simple as that because there is always a murder or two cropping up and he is the one to solve them. 

Hamish is fair, honest, and good. He's a small village man who operates a little differently than most in stories that we read, but it just makes him all the more interesting.  The village is full of funny and interesting characters. Quite often I find myself laughing at loud at some of the antics in these stories. There's a bit of underlying love story elements that follow through the books, but for the most part, these can be read out of order which is bound to be the case for most readers because there are quite a few of these novels!

I have loved these from the first read and I cannot foresee a time when I won't still love them.  I don't tend to buy them unless I can get them second hand or as an e-book because they are quick reads for me (they only take me a couple hours) but if I can get my hands on a copy I can keep for a good price, then I am all over it! So far I only have these ones in paper copies, and a few more as e-books!

Recommendation: Treat yo'self! These are fast, easy, tasty treats for your mystery loving mind! 

Robert B. Parker's Wonderland by Ace Atkins

My mother was the one who introduced me to the novels by Robert B. Parker years ago at the library.  I was just getting into reading adult novels, and as he wrote mysteries, I ate them up.

He wrote about 70 novels in his time, passing away in 2011 I believe. He was known (as his website says) as the dean of American crime fiction. Many of his works were best sellers. Three of his series that I've read and enjoyed were the Spenser series, the Sunny Randall series, and the Jesse Stone series. The Spenser and Sunny Randall books follow their respective protagonists who are private detectives, and the Jesse Stone books follow a policeman of the same name. I do believe one or two of his Jesse Stone books were made into made for tv movies (if I remember correctly, but I could be wrong).

Now, there are multiple authors who are taking up his mantle and continuing on his work (with permission from his estate of course) with some of his series. This book is part of his Spenser series, and was written by Ace Atkins.

I am always leery about books written by someone else after an authors death. Especially in this situation, because the writing of Robert B. Parker was so different and unique in my opinion. I was curious to see if someone else could really accomplish what Parker could.

In my opinion, this was well done. If you have never had the pleasure of reading anything by Parker, I recommend you grab one from the library. His books can be read out of order without much of an issue, which is always good. He writes in such a way that less is more. With little words, he can convey big ideas. His detectives are flawed and different, but perfectly the stereotype of the American P.I. They are wonderful reads. Quite easy and quick reads too.

The characters all have their own codes of conduct as it were and his stories follow a certain type of formula. I was happily surprised that Ace Atkins accomplished everything that Parker did. It was well done. I do believe I will pick up more of these at the library when I see them.

Recommendation: I would check out the works of Robert B. Parker. He was a brilliant and prolific writer. Especially if you like reading about private detectives.

Flavia De Luce Mysteries by Alan Bradley

I discovered the Flavia De Luce mysteries purely by chance a couple years ago. I was looking to step away from my usual authors and pick up something new. There was a whole display of newer books and I picked up The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie mostly because of the title.

The novels follow Flavia De Luce the eleven year old chemist as she discovers dead bodies and becomes wrapped up in the mysteries that ensue. She's stubborn, shes very smart, and she keeps you on your toes. She is an English girl living in a big mansion with her father, two sisters, a man of all trades, and a cook that comes to help out in their kitchen. Everyone is a character and a half and well worth getting to know. 

I love these books. I really do. The main character is a refreshing one, and the titles alone are totally cool. There are six so far in the series, and I have them all. I read somewhere that there are plans for 10 which makes me incredibly happy because these books are great.

The latest one that has come out this year has the novel going in a bit of a different direction, but I am a-okay with it. These are definitely up there with my favorite books. I had hoped to get them all in soft cover, but I found the third one at a thrift store for about $5 in hard cover so I couldn't resist. Same with the newest one, it was 40% off I believe, so I didn't wait for soft cover. 

I love that these books were written by a Canadian, but I still find it a little odd that a man can write a little girl so well. I will say that perhaps Flavia is a little more masculine because of it. Doesn't matter though, I am still on board and loving these books.

Recommendation: If you love a good mystery, pick these up! They are wonderful!


Thank you for reading!


Pamela