April Reading List

I read a mix of non-fiction and fiction last month, but I'm not linking to the NF here. Much of it was of a polarizing nature and that is not what this site is about. So. On with recommended fiction.

The Author’s Guide to Murder 2024 by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, Karen White

Three female authors attend a writer’s retreat in a Scottish castle on one of the Hebrides. The retreat’s sponsor is a male writer who keeps himself isolated in a separate tower, supposedly writing his memoirs. The authors pretend to be best friends, but it’s soon obvious that they are not even friendly. There is something going on beneath the surface and this is slowly eked out for the reader. Scottish castle, hunky Scots, murder and romance. Good read. I gave this 5 stars.

The Paris Novel 2024 by Ruth Reichl

I picked up this book by mistake, thinking it was by the mystery writer Ruth Rendell. I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t realize my mistake until after I finished the book. I should have known. The writing is so obviously different. I am so glad I picked it up.

Stella St. Vincent’s unusual and lonely childhood doesn’t prepare her for her mother’s bequest: a small amount of money to be used for a trip to Paris. Used to structuring every minute of her day and denying herself pleasure in everything except art, Stella continues her spartan lifestyle in Paris, until a particular dress helps her begin to slowly open up.

This book is sensual, lyrical, and entertaining. I loved it and gave it 5 stars.

Dream Girl Drama 2025 by Tessa Bailey

Dream Girl is from Tessa’s hockey series. Who doesn’t love a big strong, handsome hockey player? Sig meets and falls for a country club girl, then learns that her mother and his father are getting married, making them step-siblings. The girl is a harp prodigy and Sig is a hockey star. Their friendship and attraction grows despite the taboo on the relationship. 5 stars.

A Messy Murder by Simon Brett 2024

A Messy Murder is the fourth book in Simon Brett’s newest mystery novellas series, this one centered around a British declutterer who solves untimely deaths – making her an amateur sleuth. I also read An Untidy Murder and Waste of a Life.

It’s a great premise. Kate (the main character) is invited into people’s homes and therefore their lives. Homes need decluttering for a variety of reasons ranging from the death of a loved one to extreme hoarding. Anyone who intends to help them out needs to be part psychoanalyst, part social worker, and needs to possess a great deal of patience. They also need to know how best to recycle and dispose of everything taken from the home. This alone makes the series an interesting read. Add in murders, a dysfunctional family and friend, and Simon has another winning series on his hands.

(I had an ulterior motive for picking up this series. I am currently writing book four in a new mystery novella series featuring an amateur sleuth and having great fun with it.)

A Forgotten Murder by Jude Devereaux 2020

This is part of Jude’s Medlar mystery series, a series I love. Wealthy, elderly writer Sara Medlar, her niece Kate, and the handsome and caring Jack travel to a restored English manor house run by Sara’s friend. Once there, Sara tells them about the sudden disappearance of two people twenty years before and the fun begins. I give this 5 healthy stars. Loved it.

I managed to finish a dozen books and discarded another eleven partway through. I used to have to finish every book I picked up, but in the last two years I realized I no longer have time to waste on mediocre writing.