September Reading Wrap-up and Mini-Reviews
1) MURDER AT THE PICCADILLY PLAYHOUSE BY C.J. ARCHER (Adult Cozy Mystery) (254 pages) (4⭐️)
This is the second book in the Cleopatra Fox mystery series. In this one, an actress who is the mistress of a hotel guest is found dead. Her lover believes she was murdered and Cleo and Harry (who now has his own detective agency) must solve the case. This was a really good followup to book one. It was another quick, enjoyable read. The ending reveal was pretty predicable.
FULL REVIEW: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8896837093
2) MURDER IN THE DRAWING ROOM BY C.J. ARCHER (Adult Cozy Mystery) (246 pages) (4⭐️)
This is the third installment in the Cleopatra Fox mystery series. In this one, Cleo and Harry's case of adultery turns into a murder investigation. The mystery in this book was my favorite in the series to date. There were lots of twists and turns and red herrings to keep the reader guessing.
FULL REVIEW: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8919427618
3) KINGDOM OF CLAW BY DEMI WINTERS (Adult Romantasy) (626 pages) (4.25⭐️)
This is the second book in the Ashen series. In this book we follow two storylines. There is the Silla-Rey storyline in which Silla is trying to master her newfound magic. Then there is the Saga storyline where the prisoner princess is trying to secretly undermine the usurper family. This novel was a feast for a Silla-Rey shipper like me - I just loved how soft he is with her and how they both were exactly what the other needed. The novel also does a lot to progress the overarching plot. There is a shocking cliffhanger that left me curious as to how it will all play out in book 3.
FULL REVIEW: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8215028852
4) NINE LIARS BY MAUREEN JOHNSON (YA Mystery) (445 pages) (4.25⭐️)
This is the fifth book in the Truly Devious series and the second in the series to follow a standalone mystery (the series was originally a trilogy but has since been extended). In this book, Stevie and her friends travel to England and solve a cold case from the 90s featuring a group of nine college friends. This is my comfort series and this was actually a reread for me in anticipation of the release of the sixth book (the first in almost 4 years). I love the mystery in this book because everything about it is reminiscent of my favorite board game, Clue.
FULL REVIEW: https://www.haleysbookhaven.com/post/a-spoiler-free-review-of-nine-liars-by-maureen-johnson
5) MURDER IN THE DRESSMAKER'S SALON BY C.J. ARCHER (Adult Cozy Mystery) (248 pages) (4⭐️)
This is the fourth book in the Cleopatra Fox mystery series. In this book, a famous dressmaker is found murdered. This was my second favorite mystery in the series to date. Madame Poitier was an interesting victim because so much about her identity was fabricated. There is also a little development in Cleo and Harry's relationship in this book.
FULL REVIEW: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8936377276
6) DEAD BEAT BY LEIGH BARDUGO (Adult Fantasy) (475 pages) (4.75⭐️)
This is the finale to the Ninth House trilogy. Taking place shortly after the cliffhanger in book 2, this book follows Alex, Darlington, Dawes, Turner, and Tripp as they hunt down demons who escaped from hell. The wait for this final book was long (the start of the series dates back to pre-COVID days), but it was well worth it. Alex and company face threats from all sides - earthside demons, vampires, princes of hell, and corrupt humans. I feared the ending would feel rushed, but it didn't. Instead, everything was wrapped up in a satisfactory manner.
FULL REVIEW: Coming soon to the blog!
AVG. RATING (SEP): 4.21⭐️
TOTAL BOOKS READ (JAN-SEP): 53
TOTAL DNFS (JAN-SEP): 10
TOTAL PAGES READ (JAN-SEP): 20,142
AVG. BOOK LENGTH (JAN-SEP): 380 pages