Mysteries for Your Beach Reads by Christine Duncan

I am nowhere near any beach that I could loll around. Nor am I expecting to be. But I am still reading in my sparse time off and I thought I'd share some of that with you.

The first book I want to share with you is from Jenny Bentley's Do-It-Yourself Mystery series. Number three in the line-up is named Plaster and Poison and it has just come out. I'm a big fan of the series as I have spent more time than I want to think about doing home repairs and I like the series heroine, Avery Baker.

In this book, Avery and her live-in love decide to help out their friend by renovating an old carriage house for her. Avery has her doubts as she has never done anything more than cosmetic repairs before but the renovation seems to be going along fine and on schedule until she finds a body in the house. Which of course, is when all the fun begins.

Bentley writes cozy so you don't have to worry about graphic violence or language. I definitely recommend this book.

Another book I just read this summer is JD Robb's Fantasy in Death JD Robb is, of course, noted romance author, Nora Roberts and I've found some mystery fanatics who are down on this series, but frankly I love it. It is rare that I've been able to guess the ending unless of course, the author made it plain and the character of Eve with her jaundiced view of the world is interesting. I have more than once wanted to say some of the things that come out of that character's mouth, but my mama raised me better, (or I'm chicken--take your pick.) But a word of warning to those who dislike graphic language. This book may not be for you.

Anyway, it's a fun series. This book deals with the death of a computer gaming manufacturer and although I guessed this particular ending well in advance, I didn't put the book down because I was still enjoying it so much.

So what are you reading this summer? Come on, share!

Christine Duncan is the author of the Kaye Berreano mystery series. Book two of the series, Safe House is now available.

More Summer Reads By Christine Duncan

I can't help pinging off Libby's post because I too love summer reading. I don't know why--memories of the beach at Sea Isle where I spent my childhood summers? Anyway, there just seems to be more time to read in summer.
I read a bunch of different ways. The paper books I'm reading right now are both historical mysteries. I picked up the first one, The Serpent's Daughter by Suzanne Arruda, because I "met" the author on Twitter. I can identify with Suzanne's heroine, Jade, who is a likeable and outspoken heroine and I'm learning a bit of history with the book too.
The other historical mystery I'm reading is Fiona Buckley's The Fugitive Queen. I've liked the whole series which is set in Elizabethan times. Ursula is, frankly, a lot braver than I am but it is interesting reading without pushing my "scaredy cat" button. Makng its way to the front with these two is Sharon Short's Tie Dyed and Dead. This series has been a lot of fun for me as I really like the heroine, Josie Toadfern.
Last but not least, I'm in the middle of Web of Evil by J.A. Jance which I'm listening to on audio as I run. I loved her Sheriff Joanna Brady series so I just couldn't bring myself to make the change to this one until now. But the whole divorce/lost job theme is so real, I'm finding reasons to do more running so I can listen--always a good thing in summer when I'd rather sit in a lawn chair on the patio with a lemonade.
So what are you reading? Help me beef up my TBR list.


Christine Duncan is the author of the Kaye Berreano mystery series. Book two, Safe House is due out in print in July from Trebleheartbooks

Summer Reads

I love summer reading – it’s like ice cream on a hot day without the calories! I move from genre to genre, somehow always coming back to the mystery or the suspense/thriller category, though. There’s just something about trying to figure out whodunit, while sitting in the shade of an oak or maple tree, even a shade umbrella, that relaxes me. I don’t consider summer reading the time for fluff either – I love books and reading at any time, but somehow, the relaxation of summer means it’s okay to spend an afternoon reading.

Right now, I have a couple of books on the go. I tried a new author with Michael Blair and his Depth of Field: A Granville Island book. I’m really enjoying it so far and it’s always great to discover a new-to-you author.

Tried and true – I’m also reading the James Patterson and Maxine Paetro book The 8th Confession on my iPod Touch. I’m a Women’s Murder Club addict and was very displeased when they didn’t pick up the series for more than one season on television. I really liked the casting, and it was a case of the series led me to the books. Anyway, just getting started on this one, but I can always count on the perfect summer read in this series.

I also like how Patterson works with other authors – can you imagine the career boost (even if you’re already successful) of working with Patterson. It’s a guaranteed sale to the publisher and lots of sales, and thus royalties. I’m not sure how the collaboration works, but it would be fantastic to have the opportunity to work with an author like Patterson who has the process down to a fine art when it comes to writing, marketing, publicity, etc.

Anyway, what are your favorite summer reads that you’re either already indulging in or looking forward to reading?