Book Review: The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker

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The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker  was published on March 17, 2025. It opens with Detective Declan Shaw at a closed subway station trying to work up the nerve to commit suicide when he receives a call from his partner about a break in and homicide at the home of a true crime author. Shaw makes his way to the crime scene to work the case, and in a turn of events, Declan comes under scrutiny in another case loosely connected to this new case. I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Writer  from NetGalley and Little , Brown, and Company for free in exchange for my honest review. I'm appreciative that my request for this book was approved. With this story opening with the main character trying to commit suicide, I almost didn't go any further with the book. However, I am glad I stuck with it as it took me on a fantastic ride and had my emotions all over the place. There were so many twists and turns that just when I thought I had it all figured out, there was ...

Book Review: Masquerade Party Murder (Juniper Holiday, #4) by Leighann Dobbs

Masquerade Party Murder (Juniper Holiday, #4) opens with Juniper Holiday setting up for her New Years Eve party, but the party goes horribly awry during the fireworks when the mayor is found dead . . . killed by a gunshot.  Juniper must find out who the murderer is and clear her dear friend's name.

I have absolutely fallen in love with the Juniper Holiday book series by Leighann Dobbs.  The books in this series are the perfect beach read and super fun.  And, if I get in a funk while reading, these books definitely pull me out of that funk.  Masquerade Party Murder definitely pulled me out of a reading funk.

What's great about this series is that you don't have to read them in order, although it definitely helps, and Masquerade Party Murder can be read as a stand alone book like the rest in the series.  Even though this is a cozy mystery, there are some fantasy elements in the story lines . . . witches and werewolves play a part, and of course, ghosts do as well.  If you're not a fan of fantasy, you don't have to worry as the witches and werewolves aren't in the forefront of the story.
 
I love the characters, especially Juniper and Victoria and even Detective Mallard.  In fact, I keep waiting for Victoria and the detective start dating and fall in love.  If that happens, and I think it will, it will probably not happen for several books . . . just a guess.

There were a few red herrings in the story, which I definitely fell for in my guessing of who did it.  However, when a certain piece of evidence is introduced, it confirmed my original guess of who the killer was, and I was mad at myself for being led astray.  

Five out of five stars is what I gave Masquerade Party Murder (Juniper Holiday, #4) by Leighann Dobbs.  I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series, and I hope there are many more.  If you enjoyed this book, I recommend reading the Lucy Stone book series by Leslie Meier.

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