MURDERS IN THE MARQUEE by Dana Mentink, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

(Murder Most Fowl Mysteries Book 1)

PAULA'S REVIEW:
A historical mystery set in the Marquee in San Francisco although patterned after the Peabody Hotel with its Duck Brigade. 

A few light moments in spite of the dead bodies are in store for Kitty, daughter of a famous opera star, Henry an elevator man and Saul fresh out of jail and tasked with overseeing a dozen mallards. 

Saul is sure he saw something drop from a balcony but the trio cannot find a body. They find lots of other puzzling happenings and fishy acting people. 

Ms. Mentink sends us on a merry chase with lots of suppositions by Kitty who wants to become a Pinkerton, new Christian Saul who strives not to be just another ex-con and Henry who wants to break into Vaudeville as a juggler. The author kept me guessing right up to the end. 

I wonder what these stealthy sleuths will get into next. There is a teaser that another case is in the works for Kitty, Henry and Saul.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Love Inspired through NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
In this witty historical murder mystery set in a San Francisco hotel, an unlikely trio of amateur sleuths must uncover a killer before another guest checks out for good. This first book in the Murder Most Fowl Mysteries is perfect for fans of Only Murders in the Building.

In 1905, the Grand Mallard Marquee is well known for its iconic style, as well as its daily duck parade. For Saul Niffler, a reformed jewel thief, working at the luxurious hotel offers a much-needed second chance. Staying out of trouble and in gainful employment is essential. Which makes seeing a body plummet from a penthouse window extra complicated.

Except…did he see it? There’s no body to be found, and Saul knows he should concentrate on his new duties as “Duck Commandant” rather than meddle. If only Kitty Rossi, a persistent young guest yearning to be a Pinkerton detective, would leave well enough alone. Kitty has already roped in Henry, the elevator man, to investigate suspicious goings-on around the hotel. And against his better judgment, Saul feels compelled to join them.

Between the mystery of Saul’s missing predecessor and a grisly discovery in a drain, all signs point to murder most fowl. And with a cold-blooded killer roaming the Marquee’s lavish corridors, keeping his job may be the least of Saul’s problems…

For fans of:Amateur Sleuths
Historical Cozy Mystery
Twisty-Turny Whodunits
Turn-of-the-Century Settings

Don't miss Book 2 in the Murder Most Fowl Mysteries series, Missing from Suite Five, coming Fall 2027!

Love Inspired, September, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy MURDERS IN THE MARQUEE at Amazon, or Christianbook

FATAL FINALE by Nancy Mehl, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

Erin Delaney Series #3

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"They'd never see it coming. He was certain they'd forgotten all about him. But after he was finished, they'd remember him forever."

When Erin Delaney's best friend Kaely Quinn-Hunter fails to show up on time, worry begins to take root. Her anxiety only gets worse after she receives a cryptic phone call with a horrifying message, "you have six days to save her". Accompanying those heinous words are the first of six daily riddles that Erin, local police chief Adrian Nightengale and Kaely's husband, Noah must solve . . . and the clock is already ticking.

Meanwhile, Kaely is desperately attempting to use her unique profiling giftedness as a means to survive her dire circumstances. When she realizes the truth about her captor, it becomes a matter of staying alive long enough for her husband and friends to find her. As the days draw closer to her kidnapper's self-imposed deadline, every move she makes becomes more and more dangerous, and her strength less and less visible.

With an intensity equaling the plot line, readers and characters alike are caught up in the day by day determination to locate Kaely. The power of Scripture applied to prayer provides a deep sense of hope . . . but still . . . A fabulous series finale that deserves a rousing round of applause!  
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
They'd started back to the house when they heard a male voice behind them. Then a shot rang out.
"Run!" Kaely said.

When bestselling author Erin Delaney's novel gets picked up for a movie deal, she eagerly awaits her friend Kaely Quinn-Hunter's arrival in Tennessee before they head to California to observe the film's production. However, when Kaely does not arrive at the scheduled time and Erin can't reach her by phone, her concern grows.

A cryptic phone call from Kaely's kidnapper confirms Erin's worst fear--she has exactly six days to save her friend's life by solving his twisted clues. The message comes with a warning: Contact the police or FBI, and Kaely dies. But Erin works for the Sanctuary Police Department, and Kaely's husband is with the FBI, putting her in an impossible situation. As Erin races against time, she's forced to crack the kidnapper's chilling puzzle before it's too late.

Nancy Mehl delivers thrills like no one else in the closure of her high-stakes Christian romantic suspense series full of action, investigations, cryptic clues, and dangerous threats. This promises to captivate fans of Criminal Minds, Lynette Eason, Colleen Coble, Irene Hannon, Susan May Warren, and Elizabeth Goddard. 

Bethany House Publishing, August, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:

Buy FATAL FINALE at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House 

 

 

TAILORED TO YOU by Marissa Adams, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

A No-Spice Friends to Lovers Christian Chick Lit

PAULA'S REVIEW:
This was a fun foray into a fashion designer with a self image problem. 

Clever dialogue makes this cute story sing. 

Mari is a fashion designer who crafts unusual clothes. I appreciate learning about the art of designing since I have been sewing for 60 years. I loved the angle of matchmaker Aunt Theresa planning Monday dates for Mari, although it has been 3 years of not finding that special person. “I had learned to expect every Monday to be a disappointment. So far, my expectations had been met.” One criteria with no exception--her date must be a Christian. Lots of funny moments when Mari critiques her dates with internal dialogue. She always discusses the dates with her favorite barista at her favorite coffee shop. Q is a Christian too and offers advice and suggestions. Could her special person be right in front of her? 

Her big fashion break comes when a famous actress wants her to design something unique, which turns out great after many false starts and some snarky reviews. The witty banter is just priceless. 

I will definitely read this author again.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a strong faith theme

BackCover Blurb:
I thought between finding an acceptable date and winning a fashion design contest, the first would be easier.

But with 135 bad dates behind me and an award in my hands, it seems I was wrong. It’s not like I’m super picky. Give me a nice, solid Christian guy who also happens to be the love of my life, and I would be 100% satisfied.

Luckily, distractions careen in faster than a speeding train: finding a new friend group, starting up a dressmaking studio, and trying to ignore the hollow pit in my stomach from the snide comments of fashion critics.

To top the list of distractions, my pseudo-therapist barista named Q is falling in love with a pretty customer. Given his rock-like personality and his inability to communicate with strangers beyond a grunt, I’ve come up with the fabulous plan for us to go on a fake date and give each other tips.

Because with one platonic date between two totally platonic friends, what could go wrong? 

September, 2026 Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon 

 

THE HEIRESS AND THE WOODSMAN by Christine Hill Suntz, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"This home is all that Simon will have, Charlotte. Promise me you won't let your father run this estate into the ground."

A promise made to her mother, a promise that Charlotte Carruthers was desperately trying to keep. If she only knew where her brother was so that she could convince him to return home. His appearance would quell suspicions about his rebel leanings and help Charlotte stave off offers to buy their crumbling family estate which was rich in valuable clay deposits. Tired of waiting for someone else to solve her problems, Charlotte impulsively heads off on her own to find Simon, and of course runs into a wee bit of trouble.

Woodsman Joshua Robertson is also on a quest to retrieve a brother, determined to learn the funds necessary to pay off Henry's unfortunate indenture. Imagine his surprise when he happens upon a stranded traveler along a dangerous road, failing in her disguise as a lad, offering him payment in return for his employ as her guide. Since Joshua has already been contracted to head in her same direction, he agrees, never realizing what a chain of events he has ignited; a threat to his heart being among them.

"The good Lord gives you opportunities. Only you can choose what you will make of them."

Impressive! Immersed within the lush, dense, untamed setting of this story while being equally absorbed into the dilemmas shouldered by each of these characters, it was impossible for me to ignore the fact that their struggles were real, their decisions tenuous, and the outcome both perilous and uncertain. Clinging to mere vestiges of hope, the God who never forsakes proved Himself forever faithful, one chapter at a time!

*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5 stars

 

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BackCover Blurb:
Charlotte Carruthers must find her brother. Joshua Robertson needs the funds to free his. On the road into the Canadian wilderness, they become reluctant allies in a race to save their siblings before brewing rebellion tears the colony apart.

Canada, 1837. Charlotte is determined to hold onto her family's crumbling estate—the last vestige of their former place in Toronto society before her mother's death and her father's financial ruin. But when her missing brother Simon is suspected of aiding a political rebellion, Charlotte heads north to find him before his impulsive decisions ruin what's left of their family's standing and break her ailing father's heart.

Joshua has worked tirelessly to carve a home from the wilderness for the younger brother he was forced to leave behind, only to learn his first harvest is nearly worthless and his brother has been sold into an indenture Joshua can't afford to redeem. When a stranger offers him work tracking down a settler in the bush, he's desperate enough to agree.

Nothing has prepared Charlotte for the challenges of surviving the wilderness. When Joshua comes to her aid, she offers to pay him for guidance through the bush. Though he knows a spoiled city girl will slow him down, he can't refuse the money. As Charlotte and Joshua face the dangers of travel through rough terrain, admiration and friendship grow, even as class divides and hidden truths complicate their bond. But when they are caught in the crossfire of rebellion, they must decide if the futures they've fought for are truly their hearts' desire—or if something unexpected awaits.

-Clean and wholesome historical romance with reluctant allies and secret identities tropes
-Filled with love, faith, and adventure
-Perfect for fans of Julie Klassen, Laura Frantz, and Tamera Alexander
-Includes discussion questions for book clubs 

Tyndale Fiction, August, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook

Buy THE HEIRESS AND THE WOODSMAN at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House