A Tough Case to Crack (A Nuts About Nuts Cozy Mystery Book 1) by Cindy Bell

author Cindy Bell
review from e-reader

Got to keep an eye on that squirrel, he's a smart one!
There's a newbie in town and she's about to turn the quiet town upside down; or at least what she finds while renovating the shop she just bought just might. With lots of work to do in a limited time, Kerri Gale is ready to put in a hand or two to help the people she hired with the workload. Unfortunately, this almost took the head of the news reporter Steve Newis when a slip of the crowbar sent a board flying in Steve's direction when she took a crowbar to the next floorboard.

An interview for the press could help her get known when her shop opens for business, but among things to be done first is replace the floorboards. Some introduction! But Steve has other things in his mind, like getting to know the new girl in town on perhaps a bit of a personal level. On the business side, the reader learns quite a bit about Kerrie, but also some of the town history as well as the history of the store, good and bad. Let's hope she doesn't get nightmares knowing a murder was committed there, but a long time ago. Who killed Len? Why wasn't he killed in the shop, but at home? Some ties just don't fit.

What is that horrible buzz coming from the shop? Kerri brought Harry breakfast but he can't hear over the saw, neither can she, and no wonder, the saw is running but Harry is dead. What possible reason could there be for Harry to be murdered, for murdered he is, with the saw cord wrapped around his throat. When will this all end?

A find will make her nervous, a visit from police will make her angry and slow her down. From what she has heard there is little interest in most that goes down in this town as far as the police are concerned. They are having trouble connecting the previous owner with a crime, nor was the break-in at his house particularly noted. A messy little clean-up job in both places, both involving broken glass, at two vastly different times. Hmm. Would that be coincidence? What are the police doing about any of it?

Next, Kerri gets home to what appears to be an unlocked house, though she knows she locked it. Is Cashew, her dog, alright? Surprise! The visitor is her grandfather, who always has secrets but is a lot of fun. At least he has made dinner. Does he know about the money? Is he another person who seems to know too much about what has happened. What a surprise to learn her grandfather is moving to town. He has always seemed mysterious and fun to be with.

If the day weren't nutty enough, a squirrel has just grabbed a large bag of Kerri's nuts from her shop, which will be named Nuts About Nuts. Got to keep an eye on that squirrel, he's a smart one! By now, everyone seems to be jumping in the fray...except the police. Her handyman, the newspaper reporter, her grandfather...What's with her grandfather, anyway? Whatever he is or was, he is now retired, isn't he?

Next on the agenda, solve a crime. Nine o-clock and all appears to be well, for a house-breaking. In the meantime, Kerri has something else up her sleeve. There are twists and turns in the latter part of the book, how could there not be with so many people in the mix? Two wonderful recipes also included.

Silly Frilly Grandma Tillie by Laurie A. Jacobs

Illustrated by Anne Jewett
Published by Flashlight Press

Grandma Tillie is everychild's imagination with her many personae. Sophie and Chloe, her granddaughters, love their baby-sitter when they know it will be Grandma Tillie. Laurie A. Jacobs seems to know exactly the kind of Grandma children will love to play with, because when Grandma Tillie comes, she is not alone. She is anyone and everyone and a barrel of fun. Anne Jewett has done a fine job of creating the perfect image of Grandma Tillie with her illustrations in this hard-cover picture book.

She might be Tillie Vanilly, Chef Silly Tillie, or maybe Explorer Chilly Tillie. Whatever or whoever Grandma Tillie is, she is an entertainer and story-teller, a Grandma that any young child would love to have. An endearing childrens' picture book, lovingly created in words and illustrations, bound to be a hit.

A Hot Dog Stand in the Himalayas by Deb Martin-Webster

Reviewed for Review the Book
Publisher:  Authorhouse

A fabulous book for young and old, as we find ourselves back in our childhood right away. What wonderful memories this book will bring to those fortunate to have known a grandmother like Grandmom. The story really belongs to a three year old girl named Raelyn but her Grandmom always calls her Sammie because that's what she thinks is more to her personality.  Sammie narrates the story with a beautiful innocence and brings back all the magic we adult and even many teenagers have left behind us.  I am so pleased to have the opportunity to read the book.  With a title like "A Hot Dog Stand in the Himalayas", what else could I do, I knew I just had to read it. I think it was calling out to me personally.

Deb Martin-Webster must have somehow retained the magic of early youth, she is so on the mark! If I had a hat I would tip it!  She has a remarkable sense of turning imagination into reality. She has tapped into our souls and the child within, either what we were or what we wish we had been. Reading much like a diary, the story flows as conversations, shared secrets and jokes, wonderful camaraderie between the young Sammie and her grandparents Grandmom and Pop-pop. This is a story  for all ages: children will enjoy the thoughts and interactions of Sammie and her Grandmom, older readers will enjoy the storyline, the opportunities around them and ahead of them, and the mystery of "Falling Rock". Adults will remember an earlier, more innocent time, relationships, and recognize the value of imagination as quoted by Grandmom to Sammie, "It is if you believe it is."

Though short (this version is 96 pages), it is packed with life and covers four generations and 6 characters. In other words, this takes us from Sammie at 3 years to Sammie married, with a daughter of her own.  And so, the adventure continues with everything Sammie has learned from her mother and grandparents, and her daughter Krista's own relationship with Great Grandmom and Great "Pee-pop", her own first words for her great grandparents. I won't leave you wondering about Sammie's mother Nina, she is in the book, but this is Sammie's relationship with her grandparents and Nina is rarely mentioned except that the reader can guess that she has also that she shares this same imagination and belief in what she can do.  Where does the title come in?  Read the book, you'll be glad you did.  This is a great example of learning what textbooks can't tell you; learning about using your imagination to create a future for yourself, never say never. You learn while you don't even realize it. Perfect for kids to learn! I loved this book, and this author who obviously has a wonderful outlook.  I definitely want to read more of her books.  Deb Martin-Webster is a very special person, a force of loving and giving.  Highly recommended at any age.

If I’d Killed Him When I Met Him by Sharyn McCrumb

Sharyn McCrumb is a favourite author who caught me by surprise with this book. This is from the Elizabeth MacPherson, forensic anthropologist series. Elizabeth is still mourning her husband lost at sea in Scotland, or maybe he is not, we have no idea if he is dead or alive. Elizabeth keeps writing letters to him regardless, but of course she just hides them away. This story brings her back to Virginia when her brother Bill invites Elizabeth to join him and his partner A.J. Hill, offering her work in their small and struggling office of MacPherson & Hill Attorneys at Law. He hopes she will be able to get her life sorted out and overcome her grief. These three are the main characters consistent to the series.

Three very strange cases come up within hours of each other, so there is soon plenty to occupy all of them and the receptionist Edith, too. At the same time, their recently divorced mother has moved in with a "room-mate", causing misunderstandings and concern to her two offspring, including a hilarious get-together to meet her room-mate and new friends.

A fairly strange story line that keeps one reading, and some interesting facts turn up in research. There are many sides to this story and with a feminist like A.J. involved it becomes just plain traumatic with all three cases befuddling and frustrating at every twist and turn. Reading this book is like falling down the rabbit hole, and just as entertaining. Sharyn is one of a few authors I can’t get enough of.

Note: Sharyn is probably best-known for her Ballad series, with a new book scheduled to come out in June 2010: “The Devil Amongst the Lawyers: A Ballad Novel”. She also writes a very funny series featuring NASCAR drivers with the third book “Faster Pastor” recently released. Not to mention an early Bimbos of the Death Sun sci-fi series.