A Death at Candlewick Castle (Jemima Jago Mystery #2) by Emma Jameson

I enjoyed this one, but for some reason it took me a little bit to get back into the story than the first one ("A Death at Seascape House"). The mystery part actually surprised me though I would have liked Emma to somehow expand a little bit more about the killer's character and motives. We got them but somehow it wasn't enough for me. I liked the progression of relationship between Jem and both her potential love interests - Hank and Rhys. There's definitely more to explore there in the next installment (to be out early 2022). Jem felt a lot more integrated into the community and living on the islands and we do get maybe how she could manage it, as well as progression of Pauley and Micki's characters and their development which was also great (will each also find a HEA? I hope so!). Though Jem is our sole POV, there are a lot of characters to be invested in. 

Going to a party with her two best friends Jem takes her new boat Bellatrix to one of the islands only to discover upon anchoring (another) dead body. She does a little bit of sleuthing (naturally) before she contacts Hack and even if she thought to leave it (as she doesn't know the victim) when someone she cares about gets arrested she cannot sit by and let that happen, though there is motive and maybe even enough evidence she simply doesn't believe it. There is a lot to uncover, new characters to be introduced (as probable suspects - naturally) and old ones to be revisited. As well as friendships to establish and develop. 

A Death at Seascape House (Jemima Jago Mystery #1) by Emma Jameson

Okay, truth being told I didn't expect to enjoy this one as much as I did. For a mystery or even someone getting back into the place she grew up in and pretty much everyone hates (or at least doubts) it was actually funny and entertaining! I mean, there are dark moments - murder.. a sad past.. - but the whole vibe somehow felt sunny and fresh, like walking on the beach - what the Isles of Scilly have in spades. 

Jemima Jago grew up in St. Morwenna. Her life growing up wasn't ideal when you consider she was left there by her dad when he found himself a new family, but while she wasn't accepted by some, she had her loving grandma and her close group of friends - her besti Pauley Gwyn, her boyfriend Rhys Tremayne and his younger brother Cam. Until the day she didn't have any of them anymore. Leaving at the age of 14 she couldn't believe she'd ever have a reason to return. 

Now, almost 20 years later, she found the opportunity and though she isn't sure about seeing any of the town's people, there is one place she is interested in - Pauley Gwyn's ancient library. Working at the Royal Institute of Cornwall and the Courtney Library she is tasked with cataloging and authenticating the Gwyn's family library. As a librarian it's her dream come true!

Blue Christmas (Lord and Lady Hetheridge #6) by Emma Jameson

I really don't know why it takes me this long to sit myself with one of Emma's mystery novels. I struggle to find the "right time" but in the end, once I start I'm immersed in the story and the pages almost turn themselves. It's been awhile since I've read this series and though there are some things I had to scratch my head a bit to remember it was great revisiting Tony and Kate (as well as Paul!). 

The previous installment ending was quite devastating. Both Tony and Kate were injured which let to them leaving London for Tony's ancestral home in Devon - Briarshaw. Truth being told, Tony had enough. He is ready to get back to work (as a PI / Consultant to the Scotland Yard) but Kate is still struggling mentally. Tony tries to be as supportive as he can while also lightly directing Kate to seek help. That's how they find themselves spending a week in London. 

Naturally them arriving in London "just for a light vacation" means someone is going to get murdered and these two are going to be swept into the center of it all. They could have said no when Paul Bahr (Kate's partner) called with the news, and yet they didn't. As they say the curiosity got the cat(s). It helps that the whole murder scene almost looked like a prank. Yet Galen Barnaby was dead, there was no doubt about that. 

Divorce Can Be Deadly (Dr Benjamin Bones Mysteries, #2) by Emma Jameson

Can't believe it took me 4 (!) years to get back to Ben and Juliet. Though I can totally understand why.. I enjoyed this one, I really did. It was smart and funny, with a few interesting mysteries (I was FAR from guessing) and yet it somehow didn't grab me as I hoped it would. Maybe it's me being selfish and wanting something MORE between Ben and Juliet (besides longing from her side and maybe confusion from Ben's). The writing is superb! But it was also a bit difficult at times having to deal with not only the British dialect but also it being dated to 1939. 

We've met Dr. Benjamin "Ben" Bones in the first installment coming to live and work in the country is not exactly what he had in mind, by especially during the war, this is where he is needed. Originally he came with his wife Penny, but she was murdered in the first installment making him not just a doctor but an amateur detective. Together with his new found friend Lady Juliet Linton life is far more interesting. Juliet might not behave like a lady (or dress like one..) but she is smart and fun to be around. I think both find something refreshing and challenging (intellectually) in each other's company even when they are not trying to figure out who killed Bobby Archer. 

Dragons of Drupes by Anyta Sunday

Though this isn't my usual go-to (to say the least) I still enjoyed the ride. It's a Paranormal Young Adult Mystery all-in-one! The story is quite complicated, took me a while to get into it, but once I did, I was totally hooked by our 4 teenagers looking for a stolen gem in different countries and dimensions! Even when it was hard to keep up, it was still SO engaging! Also the dynamics between the 4 friends was interesting, kept evolving and strengthening. I feel like this one could EASILY be a series of these 4 solving cross-dimensional mysteries. Would be cool!

Drake lives in a very strange magical home with 4 other residents, all of them are 16 years old, running away from a horrible life circumstances. Why strange magical home you wonder? First because each floor opens up to a different city/country - Germany, England, New Zealand.. But also you can venture through it to different dimensions / a somewhat parallel universe. While Drake, Jack, Terry and Faye aren't really friends they find a way to manage a household together, and even solve mysteries. In this one they don't really have a choice. As their house is threatened, their only way out is helping a German detective find who stole the "Red Beryl" and retrieve it.

The Lady in the Lake (Camelot West Virginia Season #1, Episode #2) by Emma Jameson & Cyn Mackley

I tried. I really did. But I didn't connect with this installment AT ALL. I've read 67% so you'd think I know what this one suppose to be about but I don't. I'm confused by all the characters and their connection to one another. I'm also confused by the semi-magical situations that occur. IS this a supernatural book? or are the people in this town a bit "off"? I really can't tell.

So this installment, as far as I understand, talks mostly about Mayor Dreama Avalon who is also "The Lady of the Lake" ever since she got her own lake when she was younger. We get to learn a bit about her childhood, who she married and a bit about the kind of person she is now.

Christmas in Camelot (Camelot West Virginia Season #1, Episode #1) by Emma Jameson & Cyn Mackley

This was a nice and sweet surprise release. It's just the "first chapter" in a serialized series by two authors - one I've very familiar with and enjoyed reading - Emma Jameson and new to me Cyn Mackley. I'm not sure when the next one will be published but I DO know I'll grab it and read it ASAP. It was rather short but we already got to meet quite a lot of the people of Camelot and a hint of what's in store for us.

Colonel Merle Emery has recently retired, and after traveling the world he realizes it's time to settle down and not just anywhere but in the small and almost forgotten town of Camelot in the big castle over on the mountain. He has money he recently made and he has his vision of what's his future is going to be. His objective is convincing Misty Avalon, the owner of the castle, to actually sell it to him since she is having some regrets about even posting her family's home for sale.

Blue Blooded (Lord and Lady Hetheridge #5) by Emma Jameson

Though these kind of mystery novels aren't my usual go-to, Emma sure is! I SO enjoyed this book. I LOVE Emma's writing, the way a serious situation can always become hilarious with the right inner joke. Tony and Kate are great together. Their interactions are so sweet to read. Though this book and series in general isn't ABOUT romance, they are still, as a couple, the main focus of the story.

Marriage Can Be Murder (Dr Benjamin Bones Mysteries, #1) by Emma Jameson

Took me long enough to read this book. It's not my "go-to" genre, so I guess it has a lot to do with this fact. I"m not "used" to reading Mysteries, especially not Historical ones. I enjoyed it. Both MC - Dr Ben Bones and Lady Juliet Linton were smart and entertaining. I really wished for something to happen between them but it only shows how many romance novels I've been reading, trying to "hook up" any couple I can find :) I gotta say the Mystery was much more complex than I thought would be. But I wish we had more clues along the way before the "big reveal".

Black & Blue (Lord and Lady Hetheridge #4) by Emma Jameson

I LOVED this one, it's my favorite of the 4 installments! As usual we got our three POVs - Tony, Kate and Paul, but what made this one even better is getting to see more of two hilarious women - Sharada Bhar (Paul's mother) and Mrs. Snell (Tony's secretary). I do hope we'll get more of them in the next installment(s ?). Maybe because this one is shorter than the previous ones, it felt more fast paced and yet we got enough of twists and turns on who our killer is. There's a big change in this one, I was worried about how it would be and how it will influence the whole dynamics of the series, but I have a feeling it would only make it better in the next ones.

Something Blue (Lord and Lady Hetheridge #3) by Emma Jameson

Another great installment in the series. Loved how well it flows, how witty it is, and in general easy to read. Though it's not THAT easy for me, because some of the British nuances are lost on me.. Though it doesn't discourage me anymore :) I just take it as it is. 

Like the previous one, we got 3 POVs, Tony, Kate and Paul (Bahr). Paul's POV adds another layer to the crime solving, and since Tony and Kate's romance takes a very small part, it really doesn't interfere with anything really, it's just perfectly balanced. I really hope Paul will get his own HEA - he SO deserves it!

Blue Murder (Lord and Lady Hetheridge #2) by Emma Jameson

Though this is not my go-to genre, it's so fun and witty, the interaction between the characters and the pace of the crime solving I find that I don't mind that the romance if any is moved WAY back stage. I simply enjoyed this one as it is and can't wait to continue on with the series. I loved that this one we didn't get just Tony and Kate's POV but also Bhar's - I liked him in the previous one, so seeing inside his head was great! I had a better time with the crime in this one, though I was FAR from the mark on who actually did it (and why). If you're into British witty mystery novels you gotta give this series a go! Though beware you need to be a little informed on the slang.. the first one was a bit difficult for me to read because of that (but you don't see me complaining now ;)).

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium Trilogy #1) by Steig Larsson

I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did :)
I can't remember what made me want to read this book. I knew there was a movie about it but I never watch movies before I read the book. 

So I got this book, and started reading. after a few chapters I got lost. I did..