Johnny Careless by Kevin Wade

Started: 6/1/2026

Finished: 6/6/2026

Year: 2024

Pages: 228

Genre: mystery

Grade: B-

Reason for reading: library book

Type: hardcover

Blurb (from Amazon): "Police Chief Jeep Mullane has been bounced back home to Long Island’s North Shore by a heartbreaking case that both earned him his NYPD detective’s shield and burned him out of the Job. Now heading up a small local police department, he finds himself navigating the same geography he did growing up there as the son of an NYPD cop. Jeep is a “have-not” among the glittering “haves,” a sharp-witted, down-to-earth man in a territory defined and ruled by multigenerational wealth and power and the daunting tribal codes and customs that come with it.

"When the corpse of Jeep’s childhood friend Johnny Chambliss―born into privilege and known as “Johnny Careless” for his reckless, golden-boy antics―surfaces in the Bayville waters, past collides with present, and Jeep is pulled into a treacherous web. He is challenged by Johnny’s wealthy and secretive family and his beautiful, enigmatic ex-wife as he untangles a knotted mystery fraught with theft, corrupt local moguls, and decades-old secrets, all while grappling with his own deep-seated grief for his lost pal."

Opinion: Not a fan of the whole going back and forth in time with almost each chapter but the overall story was good.

Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke

Started:  5/30/2026

Finished: 5/31/2026

Year: 2010

Pages: 290

Genre: cozy mystery

Grade: B

Reason for reading: library book, continuing with series

Type: hardcover

Blurb (from Amazon): "Early summer brings plenty of work for Hannah, even before Mayor Bascomb's wife drops by The Cookie Jar to place an order for eleven-hundred cookies. Stephanie Bascomb is organizing an elaborate three-day event to support local charities, and though it's a worthy cause, Hannah almost flips when her business partner, Lisa, suggests setting up an apple turnover stand. Hannah's never made a turnover—but pushover that she is, she places her faith in Lisa's mother-in-law's recipe and agrees to be a magician's assistant in the fundraiser's talent show . . .

"Hannah has to admit that stepping out of her comfort zone has been fun as well as profitable. The only snag is the show's host, community college professor Bradford Ramsey. Hannah and her younger sister Michelle each had unfortunate romantic relationships with Ramsey, and when he comes sniffing around between acts, Hannah tells him off. But when the curtain doesn't go up, she discovers Ramsey backstage—dead as a doornail with a turnover in his hand. To protect her reputation and Michelle's, Hannah must get to the bottom of the professor's bitter end—and track down a killer who's flakier than puff pastry—and far more dangerous . . ."

Opinion: Decent whodunit-didn't fully figure it out until the end. Interesting ending

'Salem's Lot by Stephen King

Started: 5/23/2026

Finished: 5/30/2026

Year: 1975

Pages: 451

Genre: horror-vampire

Grade: B

Reason for reading: reading his books in order, library book

Type: hardcover

Blurb (from Amazon): "When two young boys venture into the woods, and only one returns alive, Mears begins to realize that something sinister is at work. In fact, his hometown is under siege from forces of darkness far beyond his imagination. And only he, with a small group of allies, can hope to contain the evil that is growing within the borders of this small New England town."

Opinion: I don't recall seeing any of the TV mini series or movies or even reading this in the past. Reminded me of It-small Maine town being haunted by something unnatural. Decent read. 

S'mores Murders by Maya Corrigan

Started: 5/17/2026

Finished: 5/22/2026

Year: 2018

Pages: 267

Genre: Cozy mystery

Grade: B

Reason for reading: library book, continuing with series

Type: paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "Since catering themed events is a good way to make extra cash, Val agrees to board the Titanic—or at least cater a re-creation of the doomed journey on a yacht. The owner of the yacht, who collects memorabilia related to the disaster, wants Val to serve the last meal the Titanic passengers ate . . . while his guests play a murder-mystery game. But it is the final feast for one passenger who disappears from the ship. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

"Now Val has to reel in a killer before s’more murders go down . . ."

Opinion: Interesting combination of a 30 year old mystery, Titantic and current day.

A Batter of Life and Death by Ellie Alexander

Started: 5/12/2026

Finished: 5/17/2026

Year: 2015

Pages: 269

Genre: cozy mystery

Grade: B

Reason for reading: library book, continuing with series

Type: paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "It's autumn in Ashland, Oregon-'tis the season for a spiced hot apple cider with a serving (or two) of Torte's famous peach cobbler. It's also the perfect time for Jules Capshaw to promote her family's beloved bake shop by competing in The Pastry Channel's reality show, Take the Cake. The prize is $25,000. But as Jules quickly learns, some people would kill for that kind of dough. Literally.

"Then, just as Jules dusts off her Bavarian Chocolate Cake recipe and cinches up her apron, the corpse of a fellow contestant is discovered-death by buttercream. What began as a fun, tasteful televised adventure has morphed into something of a true-crime detective show for Jules and everybody else on set. Who could have killed Chef Marco, and why? Can Jules sift out the killer before someone else gets burned?"

Opinion: Good mysterythat had just enough suspects to not be easily solved.

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Started: 5/6/2026

Finished: 5/12/2026

Year: 2020

Pages: 447

Genre: Fantasy/Adventure

Grade: B

Reason for reading: library book

Type: hardcover

Blurb (from Amazon): "You know what’s worse than breaking up with your girlfriend? Being stuck with her prize-winning show cat. And you know what’s worse than that? An alien invasion, the destruction of all man-made structures on Earth, and the systematic exploitation of all the survivors for a sadistic intergalactic game show. That’s what.

"Join Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, as they try to survive the end of the world—or just get to the next level—in a video game–like, trap-filled fantasy dungeon. A dungeon that’s actually the set of a reality television show with countless viewers across the galaxy. Exploding goblins. Magical potions. Deadly, drug-dealing llamas. This ain’t your ordinary game show."

Opinion: Fans of D&D should enjoy this-or at least can relate when playing a low level character trying to go through a DMs adventure.

The Tell-Tale Tarte by Maya Corrigan

Started: 5/3/2026

Finished: 5/6/2026

Year: 2017

Pages: 301

Genre: cozy mystery

Grade: B-

Reason for reading: library book, continuing with series

Type: paperback

Blurb (from Amazon): "The last thing Val needs in her life is an unsolved murder, especially when the victim, an actor famed for impersonating Edgar Allan Poe, happens to be dressed exactly like her Granddad. To keep an eye on Granddad, whose latest job takes him to the home of Rick Usher, a local author inspired by Poe, Val gets herself hired as a cook in Rick’s House of Usher. When she discovers the actor wasn’t the only one doing an impersonation, separating the innocent from the murderous becomes a real-life horror story. But Val must decipher a killer’s M.O. sooner rather than later . . . or she can forget about finding poetic justice."

Opinion: Not as enjoyable as others in the series but still a decent mystery overall.