The Curious Case of the Midnight Specter by Moriah Chavis

I received a free advance review copy (ARC) in exchange for my personal and honest opinion of this book—and I loved it.

Set in 1890, this is a YA sleuthing adventure set among London’s high society with Death close at hand.

Leighanna Pauley survives an episode of tuberculosis, and her struggle with Life and Death makes her view her surroundings, and the role of women in society, from a very different perspective.

Title: The Curious Case of the Midnight Specter

Publisher: Twenty Hills Publishing

Expected publication date: Sep 16th, 2025.

She becomes obsessed with justice and with the brutal death of one of her peers, after her ghost appears to her and demands that she find her killer before he strikes again. 

Society is forgetting the young victim, as they don’t like to be reminded of death and weakness, and therefore, the police are not doing enough to catch and punish the murderer. So Leighanna takes it upon herself to uncover the truth and ensure that the victim’s name is remembered.

There are some very interesting characters who interrupt the narrative and give it a whole new direction. I looked forward to their appearances on every page, as those scenes are hilarious and their interactions adorable. I think these passages set this novel apart from other mysteries, giving it that extra something that makes it special.

Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop by Jessica Redland

Finally, a proper romance with meaningful soul-searching, something I usually miss in this kind of story. I must say I absolutely loved it, and it moved me emotionally several times throughout the book. I smiled, and, yes, I cried–more than once. 

Original title: Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Expected publication date: Sep 09 2025

This is the story of Bay Bookshop co-owner, Lily, who’s had a couple of bad romantic experiences and is fed up with the men in her life. Now, she’s facing a different problem: her stepfather and business partner needs surgery, and they need to fill in his position during the 4-month recovery period.

On the other hand, there is Lars–a half-English half-Icelandic guy who has just sold his company and has nothing to occupy his time and mind. Now lost, he finds himself looking for his next professional adventure. A book lover, he’s drawn to the vacancy at Lily's Bay Bookshop, but he suffered all throughout his youth because of his accent, his family and at school… and he unleashed that anger on Lily, his schoolmate, back then.

Will they be able to overcome their past and find a way to work together? Could something new spark between them—something powerful enough to heal wounds both old and new?

→ SPOILER ALERT (jump to next part if you haven't read it yet).

There are a couple of things that slightly pissed me off and they are the reason I am not giving it the full 5 stars: first, Lily’s attitude about the boy who “needs to be fixed”, and second, the idea that after two disastrous relationships, one date with a new guy and she’s already thinking about her wedding dress? Seriously, girl? Didn't we learn? I think that's all for the negatives...

→ You are safe again.

Again, this is a heartfelt story of loss, love, and rediscovery—but above all, about family bonds and finding the right person.

There was a point in the story where I thought there was something about this street and its traders that I should know about but didn’t. I found out in the final acknowledgments that this is Redland’s 27th book, and I believe that some of the previous ones are set in this area. It was a vague feeling, though, and it didn’t really affect my reading experience. 

However, I wanted to comment on this to praise Jessica Redland for achieving that. It’s not easy, especially after writing so many books, as I mentioned in this cozy mystery review or yet in this one and this other one. Although there are writers who really do a good job in this area too. 

Ms. Redland had an advantage, though, as the characters do change from one story to the next.

 

Finally, a big thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Special quotes (beware of vague spoilers):

- “From now on, only books were allowed to reduce me to tears.” (Lily, chapter 5).

- “I’m sure those happy memories will keep coming back to you when you’re ready for them.” (Lily, chapter 50).

Rating: ★★★★⯪

If you're interested in romance, you'll find more reviews following this link.

You can also follow me on Instagram and Goodreads.

Grave Words (A Deadly Deadlines Mystery #2) by Gerri Lewis

What about a murder story where the first person to die is you?

Here you are, you're welcome!

Publication date: June 10th, 2025

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Such a cool way to introduce our character, Winter Snow, her job as an obituary writer and the first people in her entourage.

I must say that I was hooked from the first line—I really loved this book!

Although I had already read the first installment, I thoroughly enjoyed this second adventure. The characters are well introduced, and their relationships develop in a way that you can feel what Winter Snow is going through and how she struggles.

I enjoyed watching the police officers do their job professionally, without divulging information about an ongoing investigation, even though Winter and Kip are a newly formed couple. 

I liked how her role as an obituary writer forces her to find alternative ways to gather clues and solve the different mysteries in order to complete her job, rather than just acting like an amateur sleuth.

Also, the writing was a delight, something that's often lacking in this kind of novel.

Thank you #CrookedLaneBooks and #Netgally for this for this discovery. And of course, to #GerriLewis for writing so beautifully.

Rating: ★★★★★

Shot Through the Book (Lighthouse Library Mystery #12) by Eva Gates

"Shot Through the Book" is the first time I heard of this Lighthouse Library Mystery saga and the first of its novels that I read.

As it's its 12th installment, I felt a bit lost (not much)—it explains who everyone is and also a tiny bit about previous books' connections and a hint of their plots. However, I couldn't help but feel that there was much to be liked about some characters because of prior relationships that I should but didn't care about. I kind of felt left out—in between wanting to read those previous books in order to know what happened and being upset because it made me feel like an outsider.

As for the murder plot, I liked it. It took me a while to know who the killer was going to be. It's well-woven and interesting. But most of all, I enjoyed the cozy moments: the glass of wine on the deck, observing the sea. Those moments that didn't carry previous books' luggage made me feel at peace.

Publication date: May 6th, 2025

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Even having not read the rest of the saga, I loved the idea that Lucy was separated from her police contacts and had to work on her own, she didn't have official resources and had to find other ways to get information (I don't know how it happened in other books, but I liked that in this one).

Character development is quite flat in this installment, though, as I said before, because, I think, it relies too much on having read the previous stories first. I found Connor extremely dull and unpleasant, not the good husband Lucy wanted to sell to us. The only character I enjoyed was Heather—she is strong and her appearances are stressful; she is the one that gives the book the vibrant push it needs. She is a good antagonist and, as it's her first and only appearance, she's well described and developed as a character.

Overall, it's good as a cozy mystery. The surroundings are beautiful, and there's a murder... and a cat!

Rating: ★★★⯪☆

The Little Island Flower Stall by Tilly Tennant

I loved this story! The perfect “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” kind of feel-good page-turner.

Bella discovers that her husband of 15 years is a *** cheater and decides to leave him for good. This is her journey to self-discovery, and you’ll find yourself rooting for her heart and soul to heal. 

At the same time, her 93-year-old great-aunt suffers an injury and needs help keeping her seaside flower stall running, so Bella jumps at the opportunity and visits her, rediscovering her childhood memories on the British island of Jersey. With the life-wisdom and loving support of her great-aunt, Bella finds herself standing tall very soon–holding her head high, as it should be.

I loved the historic background and discovering the island’s fight to defeat the Nazis that invaded their land. It adds to the typical rom-com and wraps it in a light mystery that I was completely grateful for. I must say that I like learning something new from each book I read, and this tale delivered.

I also enjoyed Bella’s internal struggle about her situation, and although she jumps straight into this new relationship with a complete stranger, it feels fluid, and she does it with some sense.

The love interest’s plot itself is quite original, although predictable; however, it’s cozy and mysterious, that ends in a moving way, full of heart.

The Vanishing Bookstore by Helen Phifer

This is a story about Dora, a florist who lives in London with her only family, her aunt Lenny. One day, a creepy guy called George appears in her shop and raises all kinds of red flags for her aunt, who convinces Dora to go visit Salem.

There she finds not only that they are witches, but that she has two more family members, a beloved pet and a long-lost love.

With their help, she embarks on a voyage of self-discovery and the process of learning about her blocked magic powers. She has to do it fast in order to recover the book that will save them from a curse to relive their lives over and over, hunted by the witch-hunter, George Corwin.

I highly enjoyed the story, it is very entertaining and fun in the right places.

There are flashbacks to tell the story about their several past lives, but they are not the typical flashback chapters, instead appearing as passages where the main character regains her memory. I found it very original and beautifully accomplished.

However, just as an improvement, I found that the learning process could have been more meaningful. With time being of the essence, everything goes kind of smoothly—or let’s say, too smoothly. I would have liked her to struggle a bit more. She achieved everything important she set out to do on the first attempt.

Furthermore, I would have liked the bookstore to have more weight or presence, almost like another character. I found myself a little (just a little) disappointed by the title (maybe I like bookstores slightly too much, and that’s the reason!).

Overall, it was a beautiful and entertaining read. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories filled with magic, self-discovery, and a touch of romance.

Las ranas también se enamoran de Megan Maxwell

Como no me siento muy cómoda infravalorando el trabajo de otras personas, me he propuesto releer esta novela de Megan Maxwell, ya que recuerdo que la leí en su día, en una fase que tuve de romcom picantillas, y me gustó más.

En "Las ranas también se enamoran", Marta, madre de una adolescente en edad del pavo, y sus dos mejores amigos, Adrián y Patricia, trabajan en una empresa de confección de trajes de sevillana. Desde el inicio están mejor logradas tanto la pasión sobre el trabajo como la urgencia de sacar el trabajo adelante para el inminente desfile de presentación de su nueva colección. 

Esto les embarca en un viaje a Sevilla donde tendrá un encontronazo al puro estilo “I hate you” con el que sabemos que será su interés sexual y romántico durante el resto de la novela.

En lugar de tener un antagonista en forma de “ex” capullo (que lo hay), en este caso me ha gustado que lo sea la persona cuya opinión más le pueda afectar (no menciono por no hacer spoiler) pero los altibajos de esa relación, sobre todo en la segunda mitad, son los que le da a esta novela ese toque de tensión que le dan mil vueltas a la primera parte de “te conozco, te odio -> te deseo”. Tiene bastantes toques muy graciosos que te sacan una sonrisa y hasta una risotada.

Por otro lado, añadir que solo me he leído dos novelas de esta mujer, pero el final con el que “engancha” al hombre de sus sueños es el mismo. Es un tema que me echa bastante para atrás, ya lo indiqué en la anterior reseña y reafirmo que no es un argumento que me apasione como final feliz. Si la habéis leído y sabéis a lo que me refiero, dejad un comentario y mencionad qué os parece. Si sois fans de Maxwell y habéis leído otras novelas, os agradecería que me dijerais por cuál podría continuar (siempre que no tengan el mismo final, ¡por favor!).

Fecha de primera publicación: 12 septiembre 2011

Editorial: Ediciones Versátil

Sigo pensando que no es una gran prosa literaria, pero al menos es entretenida.

Puntuación: 3/5*

Meddlesome Money (Cozy Corgi Mysteries #13) by Mildred Abbott

Not the best in the series, it promised much more detecting than we finally got. 

Good back story, but I expected more from Fred.

No voy a hacer una crítica de cada entrega de la saga, ya que son casi 40 las que están ya publicadas. No obstante, me he propuesto que, si no os parece mal, de aquí en adelante escribiré sobre aquellas aventuras que me hayan parecido especialmente buenas. 

Eso sí, sin menospreciar el resto de entregas, ya que son todas muy entretenidas. Lecturas "galleta", de las que empiezas por una y no paras hasta que no puedes más... 

Habiendo leído más cozy mystery desde que empecé esta saga, debo decir que es de las que más me gustan, así que si no sabes por cuál empezar, te invito a la primera galleta.

Puntuación: 2.75/5

Traitorous Toys (Cozy Corgi Mysteries #2) by Mildred Abbott

El segundo de la saga, un pelín menos sorprendente ya que usa la misma estructura que el anterior y es algo más predecible, pero es muy entretenido y fácil de leer.

Bajo la premisa de ¿hay peor regalo que encontrar un cadáver en plenas Navidades?

Secretos, secretos y secretos. Fred y Watson deberán abrir cada cajita escondida para descubrir la verdad y meterse de cabeza, de nuevo, en otra peligrosa aventura con final.... ¿feliz?

¡Descúbrelo tú misma o tu mismo! No me digas que estos ojitos no te piden tener esta portada entre las manos...

Se trata de una lectura rápida, un cozy mystery con entregas cada 4-6 meses siguiendo la vida de este dúo que deberá encontrar el equilibrio entre el trabajo en la librería de sus sueños, volver a creer en el amor y la amistad tras varios varapalos anteriores, y desenmascarar a quienes osen irrumpir en la paz de su querido Estes park, entorno y familia. Nada nuevo, ¡pero muy enganchante! 

Puntuación: 3.5/5

Cruel Candy (Cozy Corgi Mysteries, #1) by Mildred Abbott

Ridículamente fácil de leer, generando ganas de tornar la página con cada paso que da Fred por su nueva vida en un pequeño pueblo tras divorciarse y que su mejor amiga le deje en la estocada tras jugársela con el negocio que tenían juntas.

¡Lo que no me esperaba es que fuera una saga que fuera ya por el nº 25! 

No he tardado en coger el segundo...

Puntuación: 3.5/5

La misión de Rox (Guardianes de la Ciudadela #3) de Laura Gallego

Continuamos con autoras y autores nacionales, para finalizar la saga Guardianes de la Ciudadela de Laura Gallego.

Para cerrar esta saga, tenemos una entrega trepidante y emocionante, con giros inesperados y una aventura en toda regla.

Esta vez incluyendo la perspectiva de Rox, con una conexión especial tanto con Axlin como con Xein.

La misión de Rox la alejan del a Ciudadela y se enfrentará a secretos que harán tambalear sus creencias, los recuerdos sobre su pasado y dudar del origen de la propia Guardia en la que tanto confía.

Una de las cosas que más me ha gustado, además del mundo creado, es la evolución de los personajes. La creación del mundo y la aparición de los monstruos también es de una originalidad maravillosa.

Puntuación: 5/5

El secreto de Xein (Guardianes de la Ciudadela #2) de Laura Gallego

Continuamos con autores y autoras nacionales, con la segunda entrega de la saga Guardianes de la Ciudadela. 

Aquí se continúa la historia de Axlin tras su llegada a la Ciudadela. Sus aventuras aquí difieren mucho de las transcurridas durante su road trip hacia la ciudad amurallada, destino de todo ser humano que huye de los monstruos y quiere vivir en paz y sin miedo, pero ¿es oro todo lo que reluce?

En su empeño por encontrar a su amigo Xein y sacarlo de las fauces de la Guardia, continúa con su estudio de las criaturas y, tanto ella como Xein, descubren secretos que no podrán compartir.

La trama se enrevesa y profundiza en este mundo creado por Laura Gallego, que va tomando formas oscuras y maravillosas.

Me ha gustado bastante más que la primera, y eso que normalmente las segundas entregas suelen ser un puente entre la primera novela (descubrimiento) y la tercera (culmen y desenlace). Invito a leerla tanto a jóvenes adultos como a adultos.

Puntuación: 5/5

Iron Flame (The Empyrean #2) by Rebecca Yarros

¡Qué decepción!

No tengo palabras... 

***Ojo: ¡con spoilers!***

En el primer libro, hasta un personaje que te describe en dos párrafos te da pena cuando topa con su destino. En éste, hay tantos nombres que me dan igual todos los que no estuvieran en el primero y ya sepa quiénes son. Según como los describe, ya sabes que no van a salir más.

Y un consejo para la escritora: no se arreglan todas las discusiones (ni la falta de ideas sobre las que escribir) con una escena de sexo (tras otra). No hay ni una resolución satisfactoria a ningún conflicto. Todo acaba igual (sexo) pero no solucionan nada. Parece  como un puente al siguiente libro, que podría omitirse por completo, escrito a todo correr para seguir el impulso de ventas del primero.

Puntuación: 1.5/5

El bestiario de Axlin (Guardianes de la Ciudadela #1) de Laura Gallego

Dedicaré los lunes a autores y autoras nacionales.

Empiezo revisando de la saga para jóvenes-adultos (YA) de Laura Gallego "Guardianes de la Ciudadela" (edad recomendada: a partir de 12 años).

Axlin es una niña que vive en una aldea cercada, asediada por monstruos que intentarán eliminar a los seres humanos, tanto niños como adultos, según la especie y sus características.

Desde pequeña, Axlin ha aprendido a sobrevivir en este entorno hostil, donde el conocimiento sobre estas bestias es crucial para la supervivencia. Debido a su cojera, no puede realizar las tareas como el resto del vecindario, por lo que se convierte en escriba.

Esto da a la vida de Axlin un objetivo y decide dejar la aldea para entender mejor a las criaturas que amenazan la vida humana y escribir un manual para combatirlos.

El estudio y la valentía superan el miedo en su travesía hacia lo desconocido.

Una historia muy recomendable, sobre todo una vez avanza la historia y la niña se convierte en una adolescente (hasta entonces se me hizo un poco pesada) y conoce más gente a lo largo de su camino hacia la Ciudadela.

Yo la comencé a leer recomendada por una adolescente, cuya escritora favorita es Laura Gallego, y la verdad, es que no me extraña. Su escritura es ágil e intensa.

Puntuación: 3.5/5

The Night Fire (Renée Ballard #3, Bosch universe #33) by Michael Connelly

Here you can listen to the audiobook by Michael Connelly and narrated by: Christine Lakin and Titus Welliver (who plays Harry Bosch in the Amazon TV-series).

I loved it, I really missed the kind of story that keeps you awake until the end, to be back to the thrills that I didn't have many books before.

The addition of Ballard to the series is a success in my opinion.

The idea of having several cases, one of Bosch's , one of Ballard's and a third one in common, gives the story a speed and spin that keeps you reading.

Nevertheless, it is also a bit of a headache to keep track of everything, but Connelly has always had a clever way to introduce a summary every now and then that doesn't sound like overexposure.

***Spoilers below***

The only thing I found quite unbelievable is how their personal cases were linked, kind of too far-fetched, but it worked in the end, so...

I'm also happy to discover that the work relationship between them both is so good. The ones before her, made Bosch look like an idiot. He treats her like a father, very protective (you need to sleep, don't go alone .. when that's all he does, and has always done).

I'd also like to see more of his daughter... That's just a wish.

If you lost faith in the saga, just jump to this and the previous Ballard books, and recover it!

Puntuación: 5/5

Witch Slap (The Hollowbeck Paranormal Cozy Mysteries #1 ) by Amelia Ash and Kim M. Watt

This is a cozy mystery with a magic touch.

 

We start jumping into a car conversation. I love this kind of beginning—poking into the characters' lives in such a private moment as an argument is. As an outsider, feeling a bit lost at first, but getting to understand their dynamics.

In this particular case, the couple is a sister and her brother. Their relationship is not ideal, but one calls for help, the other one jumps—that's the thing about siblings, right?

Following their footsteps into a magic village (the brother knows it, although the sister doesn't), they get right into a murder scene!

From that moment on, the pace slows down. I think it tries to be intriguing about what kind of being each new character is, as the sister is oblivious to everything, but as a fantasy reader, it's easy to figure out, and it felt a little bit dull.

It was an easy and interesting read, though. I enjoyed the path to discovery, but most of all I enjoyed the development of the siblings' relationship.

So... 

Would you like to be turned into a cat?

Puntuación: 3/5

Fourth Wing (The Empyrean #1) by Rebecca Yarros

A page-turning, very engaging YA novel (more A than Y), you're left wanting to continue, so that's what I'll do.

And yes, as many say it is a mix of Eragon, Shadow & Bones and a few others, but I loved it anyway.

The main character, the 20-year-old Violet Sorrengail, daughter of General Sorrengail, who defies the future that has been laid out for her and joins the Basgiath War College, to train as a dragon rider. 

She will soon discover the competitiveness of her new environment, where death lies at every corner. 

She will also meet Zander Riorson, a skilled and charismatic rider, who she will soon learn to hate and admire.

Rebecca Yarros has also made fore-edge painting famous as a Tiktok trend after asking fans to show their artwork online. You can see some of those here.

See you next week with the review of the second installment of the saga.

Puntuación: 5/5

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