Audiobook Review: Disturbing the Dead by Kelley Armstrong

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Narrator: Kate Handford
Title: Disturbing the Dead

Series: A Rip Through Time #3

Genre: Mystery, SciFi, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Format: Audiobook
Published: May 7, 2024
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Victorian Scotland is becoming less strange to modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson. Though inhabiting someone else’s body will always be unsettling, even if her employers know that she’s not actually housemaid Catriona Mitchell, ever since the night both of them were attacked in the same dark alley 150 years apart. Mallory likes her job as assistant to undertaker/medical examiner Dr. Duncan Gray, and is developing true friends―and feelings―in this century.

So, understanding the Victorian fascination with death, Mallory isn't that surprised when she and her friends are invited to a mummy unwrapping at the home of Sir Alastair Christie. When their host is missing when it comes time to unwrap the mummy, Gray and Mallory are asked to step in. And upon closer inspection, it’s not a mummy they’ve unwrapped, but a much more modern body.

Review:

Yayyy book 3!

We are back at it with Mallory and crew. Mallory has been in this body and this time period for a while now, and she is finally finding her footing. She is loving being the assistant to Dr. Gray and is friends with him and the others. The Victorians have a fascination with death, so Mallory isn't surprised when they are all invited to a mummy unwrapping at Sir Alastair's house. However, things go awry when the host is missing, and something isn't right with the mummy. Mallory and crew are asked to step in. 

You for sure need to have read the last two books for this one. You can skip the shorts, but there are some references and things you will need to understand. 

Ooooooh Mallory. I love her so. I love the whole crew. I'm even warming up to Gray's other sister and Mrs Wallace.

I'll admit something. I was enjoying myself, but it was feeling....stale at first. I wasn't necessarily bored, but it felt like the other two. The mysteries didn't shock me. It's kind of hard to explain. BUT that all changed after a BIG moment. A nice TWIST. I will not say but that was a nice reminder that there is a fantasy/SciFi element to the story. Eeee. I can't wait for the next book. 

The narrator did a lovely job. Great accents. Great voices for everyone. 

What more?

THIS SERIES IS SO GOOD!!! Read it or do the audio like me. 100% recommend. 

4 stars from me. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #13

- Library Love #9

Book Review: Coffeehouse Confessions by Susanne Ash

Author: Susanne Ash

Title: Coffeehouse Confessions

Series: The Alphabet Sweethearts

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Short Story

Format: ebook

Pages: 58

Published: February 4, 2025

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

Maggie Carter loves working at Novel Sips, the coffee shop and bookstore owned by her older brother, Andrew. But when Andrew’s old college roommate, Ethan Ward, shows up with a notebook full of sci-fi stories and a reserved demeanor, Maggie can’t help but be intrigued. He’s broody, brilliant, and completely off-limits—according to her overprotective brother.

Ethan came to Juniper Falls to escape his past and focus on finishing his novel, not to complicate his life by falling for his best friend’s little sister. But Maggie’s warmth and quick wit are impossible to resist, and soon their connection grows from cautious conversations to something much deeper.

When Andrew steps in, determined to keep them apart, insecurities and doubts threaten to tear them down before they even get started. Can Ethan prove he’s more than the sum of his fears—and that he’s worth taking a chance on?

Review:

This series and town are so cute. I love the whole concept of the alphabet and naming each book. 

This time it is time for Maggie to find love. Ethan is in town and she can't but be intrigued. He used to be college roommates with her brother and now he is trying to become the next big writer. The chemistry is off the charts with them and they can't stay away from each other. 

Again, I will use the word cute. Watching them fall for each other and take the risk was adorable. They are soooo meant for each other. 

I actually read this twice that is how much I liked it. It's short and cute. 

Can I please go to his coffeehouse? 

5 stars. 

Blodeuedd's Tuesday Review: Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

Series: Emily Wilde (#3)

Format: 368 pages, Paperback

Published: January 14, 2025 by Hachette Australia

Academic fantasy/own

Emily and Wendell has been through a lot, and now he has found his way back to his fairie kingdom. His step mother is gone and he has to take his throne.

But things are not easy in his kingdom. Disgruntled nobles, a curse upon the land, an angry sibling and more. And Emily is a mere mortal .

Wendell is always cheerful and kind. Emily is more thoughtful, and stubborn. I do like them together.

Still, nothing compares to book 1. I was so blown away with that easy read. But now I am finished. It was a good run

Emily Wilde has spent her life studying faeries. A renowned dryadologist, she has documented hundreds of species of Folk in her Encyclopaedia of Faeries. Now she is about to embark on her most dangerous academic project studying the inner workings of a faerie realm—as its queen.

Along with her former academic rival—now fiancé—the dashing and mercurial Wendell Bambleby, Emily is immediately thrust into the deadly intrigues of Faerie as the two of them seize the throne of Wendell’s long-lost kingdom, which Emily finds a beautiful nightmare filled with scholarly treasures.

Emily has been obsessed with faerie stories her entire life, but at first she feels as ill-suited to Faerie as she did to the mortal How can an unassuming scholar such as herself pass for a queen? Yet there is little time to settle in, for Wendell’s murderous stepmother has placed a deadly curse upon the land before vanishing without a trace. It will take all of Wendell’s magic—and Emily’s knowledge of stories—to unravel the mystery before they lose everything they hold dear.

Movie Review: Hamnet (2025)

Title: Hamnet

Length: 2h 5m

Released: 2025

Genre: Drama, Historical
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Peacock

SUMMARY:

In late 16th-century England, Agnes, a healer sensitive to the world around her, builds a home with William, a local tutor and aspiring playwright. As their lives fracture, they are tested by distance, silence, and grief.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Eeeeeeeeeeek. Been dying to watch this film. I love some Shakespeare and I remember writing a huge paper on him and his life. Not much is known about his wife, which is sad. 

Here we follow Agnes (Anne) who is a healer and falls for William. He is younger and just a local tutor with dreams of being a playwright. Years go by and things find a nice pace....until their lives are fractured and everything is tested when their beloved son passes away. 

I cried. 

I cried A LOT. 

This film was beautiful. This film hit all the emotions. There was some humor but this was a tragedy. 

That last scene? I was in awe. Beautiful. The way that we got to see forgiveness and love without a single word. This took some powerful actors and this was a lovely cast.

You do not need to be a huge 'Hamlet' or Shakespeare fan to enjoy this film. It was a lovely people story. 

5 stars.