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Title: Cherry Cheesecake Murder
Author: Joanne Fluke
Number of Pages: 352
Genre: Mystery
Book Number/Goal: 72/75 in 2009

Review: A-typically, I did not figure this one out before the big reveal. It *might* have had something to do with the fact that I was highly distracted by cherry cheesecake though. I'm craving cheesecake SO MUCH right now.

I was very happy to have this book available immediately following the last one because of the character-cliffy. I don't think I could have waited very patiently to find out what happened. Thankfully, I didn't have to wait AND I was happy with the resolution.

The mystery itself was a bit different from her norm. We actually get to read the murder scene in the prologue and then start two-weeks prior to it in Chapter One and catch up to the murder about 1/2 way (a little more) through the book. It was a different approach than her other books, but I think it worked out OK.

Title: Fudge Cupcake Murder (Hannah Swensen #5)
Author: Joanne Fluke
Number of Pages: 304
Genre: Mystery
Book Number/Goal: 69/75 in 2009

Review: Forget the mystery (though it was a very good read) I can't wait to try out the recipes in this book, namely the fudge icing and the raspberry chocolate cupcakes! Yumm.

Title: Sugar Cookie Murder (Hannah Swensen #6)
Author: Joanne Fluke
Number of Pages: 380 (200 for the mystery, 174 for the cook book)
Genre: Mystery
Book Number/Goal: 70/75 in 2009

Review: This is by far the shortest of the mysteries thus far, which was quite surprising since the book was so thick. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that half of the book is a mystery, and the other half of the book is the Lake Eden Holliday Buffet Cookbook that has been a major plot point for the last couple of books. Even thought the mystery was on the shorter side, I thought it was well done and I'm looking forward to starting the next book in the series. The recipes look really good too, and I fully intend to try a lot of them out. I just love small-town home-cookin’.

I realized that while I was updating my personal journal with my book reviews, I have been neglecting to add them here. I'll post some now and some later to spare f-lists.

Title: The Walkers of Dembly (Agatha Raisin #4)
Author: MC Beaton
Number of Pages: 192
Genre: Mystery
Book Number/Goal: 63/75 in 2009

Review: The book was quite short and felt like it was simply there to move along the character's story arcs. It wasn't a bad read, but the mystery was almost secondary given the developments at the end.

Title: Still Alice
Author: Lisa Genova
Number of Pages: 320
Genre: Fiction
Book Number/Goal: 64/75 in 2009

Review: I started crying on page 100; I didn't stop until I was done. This is a beautifully written story. It's both moving and frightening. I pray to God that I don't have to go through this one day, either as a patient or as a care-giver.

Title: Kindred In Death (In Death Series #29)
Author: JD Robb
Number of Pages: 384
Genre: Fiction
Book Number/Goal: 65/75 in 2009

Review: #29 in the series and they're still awesome! I love the In Death series, and this one does not dissapoint. There is a short story coming out later this month, and then it's another six months until the next one. *taps fingers* ( Spoiler )

Title: The Potted Gardener (Agatha Raisin Series #3)
Author: MC Beaton
Number of Pages: 224
Genre: Mystery
Book Number/Goal: 61/75 in 2009

Review: This one was a bit more enjoyable than the last one. Some of the minor characters are starting to grow on me more. I think I might enjoy this series if I give it enough of a chance.

( Spoilers )

It looks like I have a lot of catching up to do. I've done lots of reading, not so much reviewing...


Title: The Scarpetta Factor (Scarpetta Series #17)
Author: Patricia Cornwell
Number of Pages: 512
Genre: Mystery/Forensic Thriller
Book Number/Goal: 59/75 in 2009

Review: Not the best one of the series, but certainly not one of the worst. It was an enjoyable read. It was nice to get another installment into the character's lives. The plot was definitely secondary, in my opinion. I just wonder how long I'll have to wait for another one.

( ***SPOILERS*** )


Title: The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Hannah Swensen Series #1)
Author: Joanne Fluke
Number of Pages: 304
Genre: Mystery
Book Number/Goal: 58/75 in 2009

Review: I'm definitely hooked on this series. Hannah is an extremely likable main character, as are the supporting characters. She's sweet, she's smart, and she seems very "real".

I wasn't sure how convoluted this mystery was going to be (though I should have guessed not very based on the genre) so I couldn't quite figure out whodunnit. I was hoping throughout the whole book that it wasn't X, Y, or Z because I just liked them too much.

In addition to just being a fun and entertaining read, you really can't go wrong with a book that has cookie recipes included every few chapters!

Title: Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera Book One)
Author: Jim Butcher
Number of Pages: 512
Genre: Fantasy
Book Number/Goal: 57/75 in 2009

Review: FANTASTIC!!! Epic-fantasy done so very right.

I absolutely LOVED this book. I literally couldn't read it fast enough. It's like LOTR on speed. It's simply amazing. Butcher is a fantastic writer, and it really comes through right out of the gate. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I wouldn't normally pick up a fantasy novel, but I decided to give it a try since I'm such a fan of Butcher's Dresden Files series. While nothing like DF, I'm so glad I gave it a chance!

Title: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (Wimpy Kid Series #4)
Author: Jeff Kinney
Number of Pages: 224
Genre: Fiction/Humor
Book Number/Goal: 56/75 in 2009

Review: Another good installment of the Wimpy Kid series. The original is still my favorite, but this was an enjoyable read.

Title: Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death (Agatha Raisin series, #1)
Author: M.C. Beaton
Number of Pages: 272
Genre: Mystery
Book Number/Goal: 53/75 in 2009

Review: As far as "cosy mysteries" go, this one was pretty much par for the course. It was by no means a page-turner, but it was interesting enough for me to want to finish it. I will be reading the next book in the series. I think like many series, it probably starts off slow and builds up steam as it continues.

Title: Strong Poison
Author: Dorothy L Sayers
Number of Pages: 272
Genre: Fiction
Book Number/Goal: 51/75 in 2009

Review: This was a paperback bookclub selection. While I hadn't read any of the Wimsey novels before, I do fondly remember the character from PBS' Mystery! Our bookclub theme this quarter was 'food', so this was an excellent selection. It is the 5th book in the series, but the first with Harriet Vane.

I find Wimsey's character to be very witty. He's quite clever, and it's fun to follow him around town as he does his "thing". I'd almost dare to compare him to the likes of Det. Goren on Law & Order: CI. (He's not quite that 'weird' but there are definitely parallels there.) The book is a very light read. It's not really a page turner, which actually worked out well so that I could pick it up and read for only a few minutes as I had time throughout the day. (I save the page-turners for at night after my 3-year old goes to bed.)

Title: The Coffin Dancer (Lincoln Rhyme novel #2)
Author: Jeffery Deaver
Number of Pages: 458
Genre: Mystery
Book Number/Goal: 48/50 in 2009

Review: I could not put this book down. I picked it up about 50 pages in last evening and I could not stop and go to bed. It was after 3AM when I finally finished it and crawled in to bed. It was just that good.

I'm fast becoming a huge fan of the Lincoln Rhyme series. I think the plots, with all the twists and turns, are fantastic and the characters are so likable. I'm definitely a Rhyme/Sachs shipper at this point.

Title: Turn Coat (Book 11/11 in the Dresden Files series)
Author: Jim Butcher
Number of Pages: 418
Genre: Mystery/Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Book Number/Goal: 46/50 in 2009

Review: Absolutely fantastic. I enjoyed every single page of this book. It also left me with just enough resolution that I can *almost* patiently wait for #12 to be released in April, though I'm quite interested to see in what direction things will now unfold.

( spoilers )

Title: Small Favor (Book 10/11 in the Dresden Files series)
Author: Jim Butcher
Number of Pages: 432
Genre: Mystery/Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Book Number/Goal: 43/50 in 2009

Review: I'm just going to cut right to spoilers here. This one really caught me off guard.

( spoilers )

Title: Backup (Novelette in the Dresden Files series)
Author: Jim Butcher
Number of Pages: 72 pages
Genre: Mystery/Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Book Number/Goal: 44/50 in 2009 (I'm going to lump this novelette in with the 5 other DF shorts that I've already read - plus the one after TC that is waiting to be read - in to one "book")

Review: The book is from Thomas Raith's POV and it was quite interesting to see Harry through the eyes of another character. The (brief) plot held my attention, but was almost secondary to the humor and perspective on Harry. Quite a nice little "bonus" in the series.

Additionally, I tried to read the graphic novel "Welcome to the Jungle" but I find that I can't get into the comic format. I have a difficult time reading the panels. My husband, on the other hand, who has been reading comics for almost 30 years, found it quite enjoyable. I think I can get him in to the series via the comics. Yay!