Petter Off Dead (Dog Groomer Mysteries Book 7)

Author:    Chelsea Thomas

Genre:     Mystery

Digital Book

ASIN #:    B09MDQ1J5K

Independently Published

203 Pages

$5.99 Amazon

July 21, 2022

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Welcome to Santa Barbara, a quaint coastal village just a short drive north of Los Angeles.  There are wineries, cute little shops, beautiful missions, and all the charm and scenery a girl could ask for.  It's the kind of place where life feels easy and simple...

...until the dead bodies turn up.

When Amy and her grumpy Granny head up the California coast for a pet care convention, they think it'll be the perfect getaway.  But nothing kills vacation vibes like a corpse, especially when the killer could strike again.

There were no signs of a struggle and the poor, unsuspecting victim left a note, so the death seems like a suicide.  But something doesn't add up.  For one thing, the note makes no sense, and for another, the victim's widow swears he would never do something like this.

Will our sleuths crack the case in time?  Or will this pet care convention be murder?

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In this seventh outing of the series, Amy, Granny, and Betsy are headed to Santa Barbara for a pet care convention.  Along for the trip is Amy's boyfriend (maybe?) Mike Fine, who is taking a vacation from his police detective job to spend it with Amy.  Upon arriving, Amy is upset to learn the room she requested has been given to someone else, but Mike seems fine with it, so Amy, disappointed, goes along with it.

But Granny and Betsy can't stop arguing about anything and everything.  So much for a vacation.  While Amy is off to get them something for their booth, she runs into a man -- literally -- and he's rude and almost threatens her.  To her dismay, the man's booth is right next door to them, and it appears he's trying to stop people from going to their booth.  However, both Amy and Betsy are sidetracked by finding a dead body, and Amy, with her penchant for wanting to know the killer, spends her time looking for him or her; and if that's not bad enough, Mike is spending his time without her.  So what else can she do except try to solve the case?

This is a very fun cozy, with a lot going on.  You have a killer on the loose, Granny being Granny and scaring away people, Betsy trying to write a screenplay (again), and Amy at loose ends looking for clues.  What can go wrong?  Apparently, everything.  Without giving too much away, as I don't want to spoil it for others, let me tell you that this book is one that keeps you reading in one sitting, because you don't want to miss anything.  It's not only fun, it's full of clues that make it difficult to discover until almost Amy does at the same time.

Granny is still Granny; loud and grumpy; Betsy is still a hoot; and I love the fact that there might be a new addition to the cast (hopefully).  Amy has her hands full trying to keep the peace between her two coworkers, and doing some things that might not be legal, but oh, well; it's all in the name of justice, right?

What we wind up with is a whirlwind of action, with Amy finding it hard to keep her mind on business (even though she knows she should) and using all her wits to find the murderer before the convention ends.  She might not have a horse in the race, but she's determined to get to the finish line first.

I loved this mystery and all that it entailed; it is witty, fun, and I feel Amy's frustration right along with her.  When the murderer is revealed, it's satisfying and gives us something to look forward to in the next in the series.  Highly recommended.

I was given an advance copy of this book from the author and BookSprout but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Petter-Dead-Groomer-Mysteries-Book-ebook/dp/B09MDQ1J5K/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4849428001

More on Chelsea Thomas's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/t/chelsea-thomas/

A Study in Scarlet (Sherlock Holmes #1)

Author:    Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Genre:     Historical Mystery

Digital Book

ASIN #:    B0B6F59KS2

Independently Published

158 Pages

$3.99 Amazon

July 12, 2022

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Study in Scarlet is a detective mystery novel written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, introducing his new characters, "consulting detective" Sherlock Holmes and his friend and chronicler Dr. John Watson, who later became two of the most famous characters in literature.  Conan Doyle wrote the story in 1886, and it was published the following year.  The book's title derives from a speech given by Holmes to Dr. Watson on the nature of his work, in which he describes the story's murder investigation as his "study in scarlet"; "There's the scarlet thread of murder running through the colourless skein of life, and our duty is to unravel it, and isolate it, and expose every inch of it."

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When Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote this story in 1886, little did he know that Mr. Sherlock Holmes would go on to become the most famous detective of mystery.  This is the first of these stories, and in it we get to meet Dr. John Watson first, and why he returned to England from the war.  When we meet Mr. Holmes, he is in his laboratory doing experiments - what else? - and seems flighty to Watson; but as we know, first impressions can be deceiving.  It is not long before he discovers what Holmes does for a living; and he encourages him to take a case when asked by Scotland Yard detectives to intervene.

It is in the murder room that Dr. Watson sees Mr. Sherlock Holmes at his best and how he goes about deciphering clues.  While it is strange indeed, with Holmes putting his face to the floor, picking up bits of dust, and walking back and forth across the room, he is intrigued and wants to know more.  It is here that Holmes gives Scotland Yard detectives Gregson and Lestrade their clues -- and watches while they bungle the case.  He, however, is cleverer than that (which we know) and he manages to not only figure out the murderer, but the name also, and where he may be found.  

After the capture, we are given the story behind the reasons for the murder, and it is very sad and heart-wrenching; it is a story of revenge that carries decades of pain with it.  After the man is dispatched to Scotland Yard (no spoilers here; we know he will be captured and taken to the Yard), Holmes explains to Watson how it was done.   It is a masterpiece written centuries ago, one that still stands the test of time.  How Holmes mind works is an amazing piece of art; how he uses reason and logic and no emotions at all in solving; and how he is satisfied with himself at the end -- these are the true reasons for reading the book.  We cannot hope to reach his expertise, nor do we want to; it is enough that these wonderful books are here for our reading pleasure.  Highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6F59KS2/ref=sr_1_9

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/323587525

More on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/sir-arthur-conan-doyle/

The Game Is A Footnote (A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery #8)

Author:    Vicki Delany

Genre:     Mystery

Hardcover; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781639101450

Crooked Lane Books

320 Pages

$26.99; $13.99 Amazon

January 10, 2023

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Scarlet House, now a historical re-enactment museum, is the oldest building in West London, Massachusetts.  When things start moving around on their own, board members suggest that Gemma Doyle, owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, might be able to get to the bottom of it.  Gemma doesn't believe in ghosts, but she agrees to 'eliminate the impossible.'  But when Gemma and Jayne stumble across a dead body on the property, they're forced to consider an all too physical threat.

Gemma and Jayne suspect foul play as they start to uncover more secrets about the museum.  With the museum being a revolving door for potential killers, they have plenty of options for who might be the actual culprit.

Despite Gemma's determination not to get further involved, it would appear that once again, and much to the displeasure of Detective Ryan Ashburton, the game is afoot.

Will Gemma and Jayne be able to solve the mystery behind the haunted museum, or will they be the next to haunt it?

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Gemma Doyle, owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, has special skills that allow her to discover things about others.  She has superb observation skills.  It's served her well in helping to solve more than one murder.  But now she's been asked to see if Scarlet House is haunted.  It seems things have been moving around at night when no one is there.  Not really wanting to, but since the asking came from her best friend Jayne's mother Leslie, she agrees to do so.  So she finds herself, along with Jayne and Jayne's fiancé Andy, spending the night in the old house.  The only other people there are out in the barn: a retired veterinarian who cares for the animals, and volunteer Craig Jones.  Gemma, who doesn't believe in ghosts, spends time walking through the house at various hours to see if there is any activity.  

But when there's noise in the kitchen, nothing seems to have been disturbed.  And when there's noise in the barn, it seems the animals have been spooked by something unknown.  Then a body is discovered on the premises and Gemma calls the police, with her boyfriend Detective Ryan Ashburton arriving to check it out.

Now, Gemma is once again in pursuit of a killer, with clues few and far between.  She'll need all her wits about her to solve this murder, even if the police don't want her involved.

Then there's a bit of a complication:  Gemma's sister Pippa shows up out of the blue, claiming she's taking a bit of a vacation while her employer is in Washington on business.  Gemma, ever alert as she is, knows something else is up with Pippa.  Pippa is Mycroft Holmes to Gemma's Sherlock, and together they might just be unstoppable...and now the game is afoot... 

This is the eighth book in the series, and I have read them all.  While in the first book I wasn't fond of Gemma, I have now grown to love her.  She's extremely intelligent, loyal to her friends and family, loves animals, her shop, and, of course, Ryan.  She's an extraordinary woman, and she doesn't actually accuse anyone without having facts to back it up.  She also has a sudden problem with one of her employees, and while she'd like to leave it alone, her curiosity gets the better of her and she needs the answers she's looking for.

But now Pippa has come on the scene, with the story that she's on vacation, but Gemma doesn't believe it one whit.  She knows there's something going on, and she's determined to figure it out.  What she finds out from Pippa isn't what she expects, and she's surprised at it.  Watching both Gemma and Pippa together is a lot of fun, and makes your brain work just a little bit harder to try and figure it out before they do.

It's a delightful romp of a book, bringing the staid British together with the emotional Americans, and watching the two combine and deliver conclusions at the end is quite worthwhile.  It leaves us wanting more and waiting impatiently for the next in the series.  I enjoyed this book so much that I have decided to revisit the great Holmes himself in A Study in Scarlet.  Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Footnote-Sherlock-Holmes-Bookshop-Mystery-ebook/dp/B09XM5M8SC/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4842911731

More on Vicki Delany's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/vicki-delany/

The Diva Says Cheesecake (A Domestic Diva Mystery Book 15)

Author:    Krista Davis

Genre:     Mystery

Hardcover; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781496732767

Kensington Cozies

304 Pages

$23.49; $12.99 Amazon

May 31, 2022

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Old Town's midsummer festivities are getting a tasty addition this year.  To coincide with a public performance of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Bobbie Sue Bodoin, the Queen of Cheesecake, has hired Sophie to organize a dinner with a dessert buffet on the waterfront.  Bobbie Sue's homegrown company is thriving, and since her baking dish overfloweth, she wants to reward her employees.

Bobbie Sue has only one menu demand: no cheesecake!  But her specialty isn't the only thing missing from the evening -- Tate, Bobbie Sue's husband, is too, much to her annoyance.  Next morning, however, Tate's dead body is discovered.  Bobbie Sue insists she didn't kick her spouse to the crub, and begs for Sophie's help finding the real killer.  Digging in, Sophie discovers an assortment of Old Town locals who all had a reason to want a piece of Tate.  Can she gather together the crumbs the killer left behind in time to prevent a second helping of murder?

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When Sophie Winston, cook extraordinaire, is asked to cater a dinner for Bobbie Sue Bodoin's employees, she's more than happy to do so.  The meal goes off splendidly, except for the fact that Bobbie Sue is upset with her husband Tate, who promised to be there to see their son Spencer run a race, and watch his daughter Jo in a ballet routine.  At first Bobbie Sue is irritated, but the next morning she's frantic because Tate hasn't come home.  She asks Sophie's help in finding him, and Sophie agrees.  But what she doesn't agree to is finding Tate's body in the basement of his restaurant -- dead.  Now the primary suspect is is rival in business, Sophie's good friend Bernie.

While Sophie knows Bernie couldn't be a killer, the evidence is climbing toward him killing Tate.  But she, along with all Bernie's friends, are determined to find the true killer.  When Sophie is attacked, she knows the killer is out there, even if the police still think it's Bernie.  Sophie needs to use all of her wits to evade a killer who might be nearer than anyone knows...

This is the fifteenth book in the series, and I have to say that I enjoyed it immensely.  This series just seems to keep on getting better with each book.  I like the fact that Sophie isn't bending over backward to please Natasha, and even talks back to her when Natasha thinks she's making a 'helpful' remark.  Natasha is still as annoying as always, allowing her mouth to speak before her brain can process...or maybe she's just wired differently.

Bernie's friends rally 'round him loyally, and this book is as much a mystery as it is showing what true friendship looks like.  I loved the warmth between the friends and the fact that they are so comfortable and caring with each other.  I especially liked the scenes where Nina was trying to figure out what was going on with her husband.  They were definitely humorous.

I knew who the killer was the moment that person stepped on the page, but it's the why and how that I wanted to see Sophie figure out.  It was indeed worth reading the entire book to come to the climax of that moment in time.  When the killer is discovered and the reason discerned, it shows you can never understand the reasoning of other people.  So sad.

In the end, it all came together in a nice package, with the story being long on friendship, a few subplots thrown in that were all interesting (poor Natasha can't get a break), and the ending being both satisfying and worth it all.  There are also quite a few yummy recipes thrown in at the back if you want to try them (I know I am going to).  Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Diva-Says-Cheesecake-Domestic-Mystery-ebook/dp/B09FFXSHP4/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4571396519

More on Krista Davis's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/krista-davis/

Steeped in Secrets (A Crystals & CuriosiTEAS Mystery #1)

Author:    Lauren Elliott

Genre:     Mystery/Fantasy

Hardcover; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781496735201

Kensington Cozies

304 Pages

$26.00; $12.99 Amazon

November 29, 2022

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Even with her life in ruins in New Mexico, Shay feels uneasy about settling into the small seaside town where she grew up on California's Monterey Peninsula and taking over an estate bequeathed to her by Bridget Early, a woman she had barely known.  Her heightened senses -- an empathic gift she's had since childhood -- go into overdrive upon touring Crystals & CuriosiTEAS, Bridget's eclectic tea and psychic shop brimming with Irish lore and Celtic symbols.  They reach a boiling point when Shay looks up to discover a stranger's body sprawled across the shop's greenhouse roof...

With her new business a crime scene and questions brewing over Bridget's so-called accidental death, Shay fears she's also inherited the attention of a killer.  The terrifying realization sets her on an impractical investigation for answers aided by her sister, an elusive pure-white German Shepherd, a strikingly handsome pub owner who speaks in a gentle brogue, and a misunderstood young woman with perceptive talents of her own.  As Shay struggles to figure out her true purpose in Bray Harbor and the powerful connection she has with the tea shop, she must trust her judgment above all else to identify a ruthless murderer and save herself from becoming victim number three...

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Shay Myers has left her home in New Mexico, broken from a marriage that left her nothing and took everything.  The reason she is here is because she's learned of an inheritance she's been left by a woman she barely knew, Bridget Early.  Bridget left Shay her business and her home, a cottage by the sea.  At first wanting to sell, she's changed her mind and decided to reopen the shop as a tea room.  But the real estate agent is pushing her, as well as her older sister Jen, to leave -- especially when a body is found above the shop.  But Shay is made of stronger stuff, and with the help of a young woman named Tassi, and a stranger white German Shepherd named Spirit, who seems to know what she needs, Shay decides to make her home here again.

But it's not going to be easy,  With the pushback from others, and an even stranger gift, she wonders what Bridget was trying to tell her.  With the help of the owner of the pub next door, a handsome Irishman, she knows she has to make this work, at any cost.  Even if a killer is looking for her next...

This is the first book in the series, and I do love Ms. Elliott's other series, so I wanted to give this one a chance.  I am not fond of fantasy books but this book had me enthralled in a very short time.  There is so much I can say, but will not so in order not to spoil the book for others.

It is a lot of mystery, a little fantasy, a touch of romance...exactly what it should be to bring the reader into the story.  The author takes us to another place, and even another time, and we are drawn into the story easily, and wanting to be a part of it.  Oh, how I wanted to see the shop and the garden; but I will have to settle for seeing it through Shay's eyes.  A little Irish folklore can go a long way into enchanting a mystery and showing us Shay's future, if not her past.

This is a most delightful beginning to a series, and I can still see it in my mind's eye; wanting to read the next in the series soon.  I will definitely be looking forward to it.  Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Steeped-Secrets-Lauren-Elliott-ebook/dp/B09TX19WNN/ref

Goodreads:   https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4829557960 

More on Lauren Elliott's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/e/lauren-elliott/

Bake Offed (A Five-Ingredient Mystery Book 8)

Author:    Maya Corrigan

Genre:     Mystery

Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781496734570

Kensington Publishing

304 Pages

$8.99; $6.99 Amazon

November 29, 2022

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

When the Deadly Desserts Bake-Off lives up to its name, Val and Granddad turn up the heat on a killer...

The Maryland Mystery Fan Fest sounds like exactly the fun getaway café manager Val Deniston and her grandfather could use.  Granddad will even compete in a dessert competition in which contestants assume the roles of cooks to famous fictional sleuths.  Playing Nero Wolfe's gourmet cook Fritz is an exciting challenge for Granddad.  A restaurant manager is playing Lord Peter Wimsey's valet and cook Bunter.  But Granddad is steamed to learn who will be playing Sherlock Holmes's landlady, Mrs. Hudson -- his nemesis Cynthia Sweet, who he believes ripped off his five-ingredient theme from his column "Codger Cook" to use in her own recipe column.

Apparently, he isn't the only one who has a beef with his not-so-sweet competitor.  When she's found dead in her room with the teakettle whistling, it's up to Val and her grandfather to sort through the festival goers to find out who was most definitely not a fan of Cynthia Sweet...

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Val Deniston and her grandfather Don Myers are attending the Maryland Mystery Fan Fest; Don as a contestant in a dessert contest, and Val as a volunteer to go where needed.  When they receive their welcome packages, Granddad receives a note that seems ominous, and they both wonder if they need to keep an eye on Cynthia Sweet, who has a history of not being so sweet at all.

At night after a full day, Val hears a teakettle whistling, and gets the security guard to open Cynthia's door, where they find her dead.  At first it seems an accident, but then is discovered to be a murder by the police.  Now Val feels she needs to do a little research to find out who had a real grudge against the woman -- enough to kill...

This is the eighth book in the series and I have read them all.  I will admit that at first it started out slower than the previous books, but then reading on, I began to see that it is much different.  This book is almost like those old classic movies where someone in a dark house is murdered, and then the rest of the guests staying there are all suspects; finally, the protagonist discovers the murderer.  Yes, it is just like that.

The 'guests' in this story are people that are attending the fest.  There are several that might have a grudge against the dead woman, and yet all of them seem to have alibis (such as in a movie).  Now it is up to Val and Granddad to disprove the alibis -- at least of one of the guests; the murderer.

It's a fun tale that keeps you wrapped up in the story, and working right alongside Val to figure out who the killer might be.  With red herrings everywhere, and so many people to talk to, you need to keep an eye on the prize: who the killer might be.  And when it's finally discovered, it's strange enough to be true, and sad enough to make you wonder what goes through a killer's mind.

As always, Ms. Corrigan weaves a tidy tale that has has enough action and sifting through peoples' statements to finally come to a completely satisfying end.  I look forward to the next in the series.  Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Bake-Offed-Five-Ingredient-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B09TWZVNX7/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4829483044

More on Maya Corrigan's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/c/maya-corrigan/

A Hint of Mischief (A Fairy Garden Mystery Book 3)

Author:    Daryl Wood Gerber

Genre:     Mystery

Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9781496736048

Kensington Publishing

368 Pages

$15.95; $9.99 Amazon

June 28, 2022

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Courtney has thrown a few fairy garden parties --  for kids.  But if a local socialite is willing to dip into her trust fund for an old sorority sister's fortieth birthday bash, Courtney will be there with bells on.  To make the job even more appealing, a famous actress, Farrah Lawson, is flying in for the occasion, and there's nothing like a celebrity cameo to raise a business's profile.

Now Courtney has less than two weeks to paint a mural, hang up tinkling windchimes, plan party games, and conure up all the details.  While she works her magic, the hostess and her girlfriends head off for an indulgent spa day -- which leads to a fateful facial for Farrah, followed by her mysterious death.  Could the kindhearted eyebrow waxer who Farrah berated in public really be the killer, as the police suspect?  Courtney thinks otherwise, and with the help of her imaginative sleuth fairy, sets out to dig up the truth behind this puzzling murder...

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Courtney has a store named Open Your Imagination that sells fairy gardens and all things connected.  She loves her life, and is even starting a new romance with an old friend.  When trust fund baby Misty Dawn asks her to throw a birthday fairy party at her home for her and her sorority sisters, Courtney is all too happy to do so.  When one of Misty's sorority friends comes to town, it is none other than actress Farrah Lawson, and more than one person is happy to see her again.  The birthday is for their friend Odine, who has her own store in town.  

While having tea in Courtney's fairy garden, Farrah wants to take everyone -- Courtney included -- for a spa day.  While at the spa, Courtney hears a scream and finds Farrah almost hysterical.  It seems the owner's daughter who was waxing Farrah's brows, accidentally caused a problem and Farrah is upset, to say the least.  When her screaming stops, Misty assures her it is fixable.  Contrite, the daughter wants to apologize.  But before she can do so, Farrah is found dead in her rental home.  And Twyla, the daughter, is the main suspect.  Now Courtney, with the help of her own fairy, Fiona, is determined to find the true killer and pull Twyla out of danger...as long as she doesn't put herself in harm's way, right?...

This is the third book in the series and I have read them all.  I find the interactions with the different fairies quite enchanting.  It is almost as if you want to look around for your own fairy in your own garden.  The book is written wonderfully, and the characters are fun to be around.  Everything isn't going as well as Courtney would like, however; an old 'friend' from the past shows up and disrupts her life.  Also, there's a thief running around the town, stealing small items, but stealing just the same, and no one seems to have a clue as to the thief's identity.

But Courtney has to make the birthday party magical, even without Farrah, so she and her friend Meghan and employee Joss set about creating a garden worthy of many fairies.  What Courtney discovers in Misty's yard surprises her, but she continues on with her task.

As the book progresses we learn a little more about the fairies and the different types, and Fiona is learning more as well.  The descriptions of Courtney's garden make me want to go to tea there myself, and spend an afternoon just enjoying it all.  (If I didn't live where it was hot quite a bit, I'd probably have a garden myself).

But the suspects abound, and Courtney has a lot of alibis to sift through; and no one wants to be truthful about their whereabouts.  This gives her pause and makes her wonder what everyone is hiding, and who is the most likely to be the murderer.  It takes her time and much thought to figure it all out, and when she does, the climax is indeed worth reading about.  Courtney can think on her feet, as it were, and I appreciate that in a protagonist.

When the ending comes, it all comes together wonderfully; and there is an epilogue that gives us a hint as to more of the fairy world, and teaser chapters regarding the next book (hurry, please!).  Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Hint-Mischief-Fairy-Garden-Mystery-ebook/dp/B09HRDQZH5/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4820920995

More on Daryl Wood Gerber's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/g/daryl-wood-gerber/