Roberta Reads

The Cottage on Strawberry Sands by Holly Martin My rating: 5 of 5 stars I’ve been a big Holly Martin fan for many years now, so it’s always a happy moment to get absorbed in one of her books. The Cottage on Strawberry Sands was no exception. I loved this book, and once I’d picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. I love the setting of Apple Hill Bay, and the cast of characters that live there. I loved reading about the animal rescue centre, Little Paws, and the work they do. I also loved Pet Protagonist (can’t say any more about that because of spoilers). I loved the main characters in this book. Roo and Theo are both lovable, caring people, in spite of their pasts. I loved seeing how they got reacquainted and overcame the hurdles in their lives. If you’re looking for a warm hearted and fun romance, that is a joy to read, pick this one. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

  I’ve loved the Lady Eleanor Swift Mysteries since the very first book, A Very English Murder, came out. A Death in Venice was no exception. This time, Eleanor, Clifford, and their animal and human entourage are in Venice. It’s not long before Eleanor gets wrapped up in a mystery! I loved reading this book, the plot is intriguing, and I enjoyed watching Eleanor try and figure it out, especially as there didn’t seem to be much in the way of motive to start with. The setting was excellent, and really different to anything we’ve seen Eleanor and Co tackle before. The colourfulness and unusual landscape of Venice really came through. It felt like the ideal setting for the intrigue of this particular story. Overall, this was an intriguing and exciting mystery, in a unique setting. I can’t wait to see what Eleanor and her friends get up to next. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. Blurb: Stunning views across the Grand Canal and a hotel suite fit for royalty… Lady Elean

The Missing Maid: The BRAND NEW page-turning historical cozy murder mystery from Holly Hepburn for 2024 by Holly Hepburn My rating: 5 of 5 stars I’ve been a fan of Holly Hepburn’s books for some years now, so when I heard she was branching out into my favourite genre, cozy crime, I was thrilled. The Missing Maid exceeded my high expectations. I love the main character, Harriet (known as Harry). She’s determined and intelligent, but also reasonably sensible about staying safe. I love the historical setting. In fact I love the whole world Holly Hepburn has built, and everything and everyone in it. All the characters felt immediately real and I hope to get to know some of them better in future books. I also loved the story, it kept me interested and engaged throughout. I enjoyed watching Harry try (and succeed) to solve the mystery, and balance it with her job and other obligations. Overall, I absolutely loved this exciting and entertaining debut into cozy cri

Death at the Drive-In by Angie Fox My rating: 5 of 5 stars I’ve been a fan of the Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries since I read the very first book, Southern Spirits. I’ve so enjoyed the journey that Verity and the other characters have been on. I’ve loved watching her evolving relationship with Virginia. I love that there are plot lines that develop over the course of the series, as well as the main mystery in each book. Death at the Drive-In was an exciting thrill ride, I have to say. And Verity gets up to things I never thought she would, which is thoroughly entertaining. I can’t say much more without spoilers, but I absolutely loved it! Overall, this was another excellent book in a favourite series, full of excitement and humour. You’ll definitely get more out of this book if you read the whole series in order, but it would work as a stand alone. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

Review: 5 out of 5 stars I’ve been a fan of the Miss Underhay series since the very first book. And Murder at the Island Hotel is no exception. It’s such a joy to be back with this group of favourite characters again. This time, Kitty, Matt, and Alice end up stuck in a hotel on an island with murders happening. I really enjoyed reading this story. It was so much fun trying to figure out who had committed the murders, and there was a twist I definitely wasn’t expecting! Overall, this was another fun and intriguing murder mystery in a favourite series. I can’t wait to read the next one. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. Buy Links: https://geni.us/B0CLKX2BXGsocial Audible: UK:  https://ow.ly/zNNc50QHMvP US:  https://ow.ly/SvjA50QHMvS Listen here:  https://ow.ly/CkfR50QHMvR On X: Narrated by: @KarenCassAudio Blurb: A gorgeous island off the English coast, a beautiful hotel perched on the cliffs, a group of glamourous friends… and a suspicious death? Kitty Underhay’s

The Murder Next Door by Emily Queen My rating: 4 of 5 stars 🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧 I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. I loved getting to know the characters I met in The Case at Barton Manor more. I thought the portrayal of Rosemary’s conflicted feelings towards Max was well done. The narrator did an excellent job, and now I’m used to her voice it took no time at all to get into the story.  Overall, this was another fun and intriguing murder mystery. I can’t wait to listen to the next in the series. I was given a copy of this audiobook, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

The Case at Barton Manor by Emily Queen My rating: 5 of 5 stars   🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧 I’m a fan of cosy crime in general, and I have previously enjoyed The Case at Barton Manor as an ebook, so I was pleased to listen to the audiobook. I really enjoyed this audiobook. The writing is excellent. For the first book in the series, I thought it did an excellent job of convey the world that Rosemary lives in, and the people who inhabit it, without long stretches of description. The characterisation is also excellent, I took to Rosemary immediately, and her grief over losing her husband (some time before the start of the book) was delicately handled, and didn’t weigh the story down. I also liked Vera very much, though she appears frivolous at a glance, she is always there for    Rosemary. The plot is well conceived and executed. The mystery starts off small, and it was great fun to try and figure it out alongside Rosemary and her friends.  The narration is good. It too

The Christmas Love Letters: a gorgeous, heartwarming new Christmas romance to cosy up with this winter by Sue Moorcroft My rating: 5 of 5 stars I love Sue Moorcroft books, and Christmas books, so I was excited to be invited to read The Christmas Love Letters. I was not disappointed! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I loved the story relating to the love letters, and how they (eventually) brought people together. I loved the setting. Nelson’s Bar is clearly a beautiful place near the sea, and all the snow made the book seem extra Christmassy. The characters were also great. I loved Maddy, and the way she’s coped under difficult circumstances, and given Lyla such a lovely childhood. I really liked Raff too, and in fact all the other characters, with the exception of Harris. I understand his reasons, but that is not how you treat anyone you care about! Sue Moorcroft has produced another beautifully romantic and Christmassy story. I highly recomme

Sweet Mercies by Anne Booth My rating: 5 of 5 stars I loved Small Miracles, so I was thrilled to be offered a copy of Sweet Mercies (the sequel) to review. I was such a joy to return and spend time with the Sisters of Saint Philomena again. I loved the sense of community, both in the convent, and the wider area. It’s wonderful to see how all the characters are getting on, they feel like old friends. I especially loved the kittens, and their interactions with Sister Cecilia. The plot was great, I loved all the different threads running through the book, and the way they intertwined. I enjoyed the sense of history, and the way it all comes together in the end. Overall, this book was a joy to read, full of community and kindness. I really hope that there will be more books in the series. I’d love to learn more about Sister Cecilia’s past. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews