Book Review: The Last Death of the Year (New Hercule Poirot Mysteries, #6) by Sophie Hannah

-
Image
The Last Death of the Year (New Hercule Poirot Mysteries, #6)  by Sophie Hannah and Agatha Christie  opens with Hercule Poirot and Inspector Edward Catchpool arriving on the island of Lamperos in Greece on New Year's Eve in 1932. Poirot has been requested by the leader of a religious community to investigate the threat against one of its members, but just a short while later, another resident is found dead after a New Year's game threatened this member's life. I'd like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for approving my request for an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this mystery. I've been a long time fan of Agatha Christie and her Hercule Poirot series, so learning I'd receive a copy of Sophie Hannah's new book based on this series made me absolutely giddy. A digital copy was provided to me in exchange for my honest review. Sophie Hannah has done a fabulous job of recreating Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot series and keeping a similar style of writin...
Post a Comment

Book Review: Public Anchovy #1 (Deep Dish Mysteries, #3) by Mindy Quigley

-
NetGalley ARC Book Review of Public Anchovy #1 (Deep Dish Mysteries, #3) by Mindy Quigley
Public Anchovy #1 (Deep Dish Mysteries, #3) by Mindy Quigley was published on December 26, 2023 and opens with Delilah O'Leary on her way to a library fundraiser where she's providing the catering.  Of course, everything that can go wrong does go wrong ... a last minute guest has a special dietary request ... no gluten, no dairy, and no nightshade foods.  Upon arriving at the Prohibition themed dinner, one of the guests falls down the stairs and dies.  Then, a storm takes out the power, causing most of the guests and staff to be trapped in the remote mansion.  Can Delilah use her skills to deduce what happened?

I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Public Anchovy #1 from NetGalley for free in exchange for my honest review. Thrilled, excited, and delighted are just a few of the words that come to mind when I think about how I felt upon learning that I was approved to receive this advanced copy. It’s a unique thrill to be among the first to read a book.

Although the story started off a bit slow, it quickly found its footing once the first death occurred, and from that point on, the pacing picked up, and I found myself racing through the pages, eager to uncover the truth and piece together the clues. The author skillfully weaves in numerous red herrings, and I was repeatedly thrown off the trail, which made the reading experience even better. Mindy Quigley’s writing in Public Anchovy #1 reminded me of a modern day Agatha Christie. That only added to my enjoyment.

When the big reveal finally arrived, it was both shocking and gratifying. In hindsight, all the clues were there, and I couldn’t help thinking that I should have realized who the killer, or killers, were much earlier. That aha moment at the end is exactly what I look for in a great mystery novel, and it left me impressed with how well the story was constructed and how effectively the author kept me guessing until the very end.

When I requested this book, I didn't realize that it was the third book in a series.  Had I known, I would've made sure to read the first two books in the series before reading this installment. It would have helped me better understand the backstory and fully connect with the characters early on. Don’t get me wrong, the author does provide some background information as the story unfolds, but I found myself wishing there had been a bit more of that context at the beginning.

All in all, I loved this story and can't wait to read more in the series.  In fact, I plan on reading the first two books to tie me over until the author comes out with a fourth installment, which I do see coming because there was a minor cliffhanger . . . don't worry, all the ends were tied up with the mystery.  Four out of five stars is what I give Public Anchovy #1 (Deep Dish Mysteries, #3) by Mindy Quigley.

Follow The Running Bibliophile On Social Media

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Book Review: The Dare by Natasha Preston

-
Image
The Dare by Natasha Preston is a young adult horror novel centered on Marley and her friends Atlas, Lucia, and Jesse, all seniors in high school. What begins as harmless, lighthearted senior pranks quickly takes a dark turn when Rhett starts assigning dares that are far more serious and dangerous. As the stakes rise, the question becomes whether Marley and her friends will survive the consequences of playing along. A huge thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced readers copy of The Dare by Natasha Preston. The last book I read by this author was well written and engaging, so I was excited to dive into her latest young adult horror story. From the start, the novel feels reminiscent of R.L. Stine’s Fear Street series, which instantly brought back a wave of childhood nostalgia. Unfortunately, that initial excitement didn’t last. Before long, the plot shifts into territory that felt eerily similar to the movie I Know What You Did Last Summer . At that point, my interest started ...
Read more

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

-
Image
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 ...
Read more

Book Review: Dirty Thirty (Stephanie Plum, #30) by Janet Evanovich

-
Image
Book Review: Dirty Thirty (Stephanie Plum, #30) by Janet Evanovich Dirty Thirty (Stephanie Plum, #30) by Janet Evanovich is the latest installment in the long-running and beloved Stephanie Plum series, and it opens with Joe Morelli asking Stephanie to dog-sit his famously quirky dog, Bob, while he’s out of town testifying at a trial. As expected, things quickly spiral into chaos when Stephanie has to bring Bob along while attempting to apprehend her usual lineup of FTAs. Between chasing fugitives, dodging danger, and juggling her complicated personal life, Stephanie also finds herself seriously questioning whether marriage is something she truly wants. Each book in the Stephanie Plum series tends to follow a familiar and comforting formula, with everything wrapped up in a neat, tidy bow by the end. That predictability is actually one of the main reasons I keep coming back to these books. I always know Stephanie will get herself into trouble, Ranger or Morelli will step in to help,...
Read more