strange and random happenstance: Monstress

Devil's Delight by M.C. Beaton
Published by: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: December 13th, 2022
Format: Hardcover, 256 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Beloved New York Times bestseller M.C. Beaton's cranky, crafty Agatha Raisin - the star of her own hit T.V. series - is back on the case again in Devil's Delight.

Agatha and her assistant, Toni, are driving to their friend Bill Wong's long-awaited wedding, thinking of nothing more than what the beautiful bride will be wearing when a terrified young man comes running down the country lane towards them wearing...nothing at all.

The encounter leads them to become embroiled with a naturist group, a disappearing corpse, fantasy games, witchcraft, an ice cream empire, intrigue and murder. In the meantime, Agatha’s hectic life swirls along at dizzying pace, her private detective agency as busy as ever and her private affairs in turmoil, with old loves to contend with and a new suitor on the scene.

But when she begins to close in on a suspected murderer, she finds herself in deadly peril, as the sinister nature of the ice cream business leads her to a chilling conclusion..."

Do we think Agatha endures where Hamish doesn't because of the TV series? Oh wait, there's a new Hamish out next year!

A Death in Tokyo by Keigo Higashino
Published by: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: December 13th, 2022
Format: Hardcover, 368 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"In the latest from international bestselling author Keigo Higashino, Tokyo Police Detective Kaga is faced with a very public murder that doesn't quite add up, a prime suspect unable to defend himself, and pressure from the highest levels for a quick solution.

In the Nihonbashi district of Tokyo an unusual statue of a Japanese mythic beast - a kirin - stands guard over the district from the classic Nihonbashi bridge. In the evening, a man who appears to be very drunk staggers onto the bridge and collapses right under the statue of the winged beast. The patrolman who sees this scene unfold, goes to rouse the man, only to discover that the man was not passed out, he was dead; that he was not drunk, he was stabbed in the chest. However, where he died was not where the crime was committed - the key to solving the crime is to find out where he was attacked and why he made such a super human effort to carry himself to the Nihonbashi Bridge. That same night, a young man named Yashima is injured in a car accident while attempting to flee from the police. Found on him is the wallet of the murdered man.

Tokyo Police Detective Kyoichiro Kaga is assigned to the team investigating the murder - and must bring his skills to bear to uncover what actually happened that night on the Nihonbashi bridge. What, if any, connection is there between the murdered man and Yashima, the young man caught with his wallet? Kaga's investigation takes him down dark roads and into the unknown past to uncover what really happened and why.

A Death in Tokyo is another mind-bending mystery from the modern master of classic crime, finalist for both an Edgar Award and a CWA Dagger, the internationally bestselling Keigo Higashino."

Are the deaths on the Nihonbashi bridge connected? I really need to know!

The Last House on the Cliff by Anne Wyn Clark
Published by: Avon Books
Publication Date: December 13th, 2022
Format: Paperback, 384 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"When a young widow's little girl vanishes, could a dark family secret hold the answer?

On the death of her aunt Gwyn, Lowri returns once more to Gwyn's home on the remote island of Anglesey, Wales, with her young daughter Ruby in tow. Lowri hadn't seen her aunt in years, but this beautiful island offers a fresh start.

Yet right away, strange things begin to happen. Ruby insists an old woman is visiting her when no one else is watching, and a tattered old doll keeps being left for Ruby to find.

Then Ruby goes missing. Desperately seeking answers no one seems to have, Lowri looks to her dark family past for clues. But the secrets she uncovers suggest that Ruby is not the only one in danger, and time is running out - for both of them...

A terrifically dark and twisty tale that asks: can you ever really trust those closest to you? Perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, Cass Green and C.J. Tudor."

Perhaps the remote island was a mistake? I mistake I will love reading about late into the night.

Festive Drinks and Season's Hijinks by Laura Greenwood
Published by: Drowlgon Press
Publication Date: December 13th, 2022
Format: Kindle
To Buy

The official patter:
"With Azíl's first Christmas around the the corner, Willow is determined to make it special, no matter how much goes wrong.

Festive Drinks And Season's Hijinks is book seven of the Cauldron Coffee Shop Series, a witchy modern fantasy series with a romantic sub-plot, a mysterious teapot, and a cat who might be up to no good."

The only problem with this delightful series is they're too short and therefore too pricey for their length.

Our Encounters with Evil and Other Stories by Mike Mignola
Published by: Dark Horse Books
Publication Date: December 13th, 2022
Format: Hardcover, 240 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Join monster hunters extraordinaire and jump into eerie and whimsical Victorian-style tales of monster hunters, vampires, and supernatural sleuths in this collection of stories that is equal parts chilling and charming.

In this three part collection, Professor Meinhardt and his assistant Mr. Knox pursue the undead and Mr. Higgins' tragic history; explore strange supernatural happenings with investigator Ms. Mary Van Sloan; and seek to uncover the truth of the prolific vampire slayer and one-time compatriot of theirs, James Falconspeare.

Collecting Mr. Higgins Comes Home, Our Encounters with Evil, and Falconspeare from Mike Mignola and Warwick Johnson-Cadwell's iconic team-up."

All things Mike Mignola!!!

Monstress, Book Two by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda
Published by: Image Comics
Publication Date: December 13th, 2022
Format: Hardcover, 528 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"War between humans and the hybrid Arcanics is poised to explode across the Known World, but the wounds of the last war have yet to heal. Maika Halfwolf, a hardened Arcanic survivor, is on a mission to discover the secrets of her past -- and to understand Zinn, the eldritch monster that lives beneath her skin. But to find those answers, she'll have to figure out who she can trust - and who is poised to betray her.

Collecting volumes 4-6 of the Eisner, Hugo, Harvey and British Fantasy Award-winning series by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda, Monstress, Book Two is a deluxe, oversized hardcover brimming with more than 500 pages of art deco beauty and steampunk horror that will make an elegant addition to any fan's shelf.

Collects Monstress #19-35 and Monstress: Talk-Stories #1-2."

If you're not reading and in awe of Monstress what is wrong with you? Time to course correct!

Giuseppe's Italian Bakes by Giuseppe Dell'Anno
Published by: Quadrille Publishing
Publication Date: December 13th, 2022
Format: Hardcover, 176 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Giuseppe Dell'Anno won hearts the world over when he was crowned winner of the Great British Baking Show in 2021. In Giuseppe's Italian Bakes, his first cookbook, Giuseppe shares his skill, knowledge and love of baking through over 60 new sweet and savory recipes.

Growing up in Italy and learning to cook at the side of his beloved chef-father, Giuseppe has mastered everything from focaccia to florentines, each with his own signature twist on the classics of Italian baking.

Through his step-by-step recipes, Giuseppe guides you through making focaccia, pannacotta, tiramisù, rum baba, piadine, Sicilian cannoli and, of course, pizza, among many other delectable treats. With gorgeous color photos throughout and tips and tricks from the master of the technical challenge, bring a taste of the Italian bakery to your home with Giuseppe's Italian Bakes."

If you didn't cry when Giuseppe won you have no heart!

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 0 comments

Labels: Agatha Raisin, Anne Wyn Clark, Cauldron Coffee Shop Series, GBBO, Giuseppe Dell'Anno, Hamish Macbeth, Keigo Higashino, Laura Greenwood, M.C. Beaton, Marjorie Liu, Mike Mignola, Monstress, R.W. Green, Sana Takeda

Million Dollar Demon by Kim Harrison
Published by: Ace
Publication Date: June 15th, 2021
Format: Hardcover, 464 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"To save the city, Rachel Morgan will need to show some teeth in the next Hollows novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison.

The new master vampire of Cincinnati has arrived...and she wants Rachel Morgan out. No matter where Rachel goes, Constance is there - threatening Rachel's allies, causing city-wide chaos, and, to add insult to injury, even forcing Rachel out of her current quarters. Ever since Rachel found a way to save the souls of vampires, the old undead's longtime ascendancy has been broken. Now Constance sees eliminating Rachel as the key to consolidating her own power.

Rachel has no desire to be enthralled or killed - and she's terrified of what may become of the city if Constance forces a return to the ancient ways. But even a witch-born demon can't stand against the old undead - at least, not alone. And if Rachel refuses to claim the role of Cincinnati's master demon, the city will tear itself apart, taking her and all those who stand beside her with it."

Urban fantasy at it's finest!

Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury
Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: June 15th, 2021
Format: Hardcover, 496 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"A rich, dark urban fantasy debut following a teen witch who is given a horrifying task: sacrificing her first love to save her family’s magic. The problem is, she’s never been in love - she’ll have to find the perfect guy before she can kill him.

After years of waiting for her Calling - a trial every witch must pass in order to come into their powers - the one thing Voya Thomas didn’t expect was to fail. When Voya’s ancestor gives her an unprecedented second chance to complete her Calling, she agrees - and then is horrified when her task is to kill her first love. And this time, failure means every Thomas witch will be stripped of their magic.

Voya is determined to save her family’s magic no matter the cost. The problem is, Voya has never been in love, so for her to succeed, she’ll first have to find the perfect guy - and fast. Fortunately, a genetic matchmaking program has just hit the market. Her plan is to join the program, fall in love, and complete her task before the deadline. What she doesn’t count on is being paired with the infuriating Luc - how can she fall in love with a guy who seemingly wants nothing to do with her?

With mounting pressure from her family, Voya is caught between her morality and her duty to her bloodline. If she wants to save their heritage and Luc, she’ll have to find something her ancestor wants more than blood. And in witchcraft, blood is everything."

This feels like it was written for younger me, it's like a dark Charmed with a dark Sabrina the Teenage Witch (the OG!)

The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson
Published by: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: June 15th, 2021
Format: Hardcover, 400 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"After solving the case of Truly Devious, Stevie Bell investigates her first mystery outside of Ellingham Academy in this spine-chilling and hilarious stand-alone mystery from New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson.

Amateur sleuth Stevie Bell needs a good murder. After catching a killer at her high school, she’s back at home for a normal (that means boring) summer.

But then she gets a message from the owner of Sunny Pines, formerly known as Camp Wonder Falls - the site of the notorious unsolved case, the Box in the Woods Murders. Back in 1978, four camp counselors were killed in the woods outside of the town of Barlow Corners, their bodies left in a gruesome display. The new owner offers Stevie an invitation: Come to the camp and help him work on a true crime podcast about the case.

Stevie agrees, as long as she can bring along her friends from Ellingham Academy. Nothing sounds better than a summer spent together, investigating old murders.

But something evil still lurks in Barlow Corners. When Stevie opens the lid on this long-dormant case, she gets much more than she bargained for. The Box in the Woods will make room for more victims. This time, Stevie may not make it out alive."

OK, calling the camp Camp Wonder Falls made this a must read for me.

The Tangleroot Palace by Marjorie Liu
Published by: Tachyon Publications,
Publication Date: June 15th, 2021
Format: Paperback, 256 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"New York Times bestseller and Hugo, British Fantasy, Romantic Times, and Eisner award-winning author of the graphic novel Monstress, Marjorie Liu leads you deep into the heart of the tangled woods. In her long-awaited debut collection of dark, lush, and spellbinding short fiction, you will find unexpected detours, dangerous magic, and even more dangerous women.

Briar, bodyguard for a body-stealing sorceress, discovers her love for Rose, whose true soul emerges only once a week. An apprentice witch seeks her freedom through betrayal, the bones of the innocent, and a meticulously plotted spell. In a world powered by crystal skulls, a warrior returns to save China from invasion by her jealous ex. A princess runs away from an arranged marriage, finding family in a strange troupe of traveling actors at the border of the kingdom's deep, dark woods. Concluding with a gorgeous full-length novella, Marjorie Liu's first short fiction collection is an unflinching sojourn into her thorny tales of love, revenge, and new beginnings."

If you have no idea who Marjorie Liu is I'm no longer talking to you until you've read this book and ALL of Monstress to date.

The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
Published by: Celadon Books
Publication Date: June 15th, 2021
Format: Hardcover, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Silent Patient comes a spellbinding tale of psychological suspense, weaving together Greek mythology, murder, and obsession, that further cements "Michaelides as a major player in the field" (Publishers Weekly).

Edward Fosca is a murderer. Of this Mariana is certain. But Fosca is untouchable. A handsome and charismatic Greek tragedy professor at Cambridge University, Fosca is adored by staff and students alike - particularly by the members of a secret society of female students known as The Maidens.

Mariana Andros is a brilliant but troubled group therapist who becomes fixated on The Maidens when one member, a friend of Mariana’s niece Zoe, is found murdered in Cambridge.

Mariana, who was once herself a student at the university, quickly suspects that behind the idyllic beauty of the spires and turrets, and beneath the ancient traditions, lies something sinister. And she becomes convinced that, despite his alibi, Edward Fosca is guilty of the murder. But why would the professor target one of his students? And why does he keep returning to the rites of Persephone, the maiden, and her journey to the underworld?

When another body is found, Mariana’s obsession with proving Fosca’s guilt spirals out of control, threatening to destroy her credibility as well as her closest relationships. But Mariana is determined to stop this killer, even if it costs her everything - including her own life."

Because I'm ALL about Greek Myths right now!

Unravelled Knots by Baroness Orczy
Published by: Pushkin Vertigo
Publication Date: June 15th, 2021
Format: Paperback, 284 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Another classic collection of mysteries from the Golden Age of British crime writing, by the author of The Scarlet Pimpernel.

It has been twenty years since Polly Burton last saw the Teahouse Detective, but one foggy afternoon she stumbles into a Fleet Street café and chances upon the cantankerous sleuth again. The years have not softened his manner, nor dulled his appetite for unravelling the most tortuous of conspiracies, shedding light on mysteries that have confounded the finest minds of the police.

How did Prince Orsoff disappear from his railway carriage in-between stations? How could the Ingres masterpiece be seen in two places at once? And what is the truth behind the story of the blood-stained tunic that exonerated its owner?

From the comfort of his seat by the fire, the Teahouse Detective sets his brilliant mind to work once more."

Because Baroness Orczy was about way more than The Scarlet Pimpernel!