Maulever Hall - Jane Aiken Hodge

Maulever Hall by Jane Aiken Hodge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I mostly enjoyed this old-school gothic romance. It has so many classic elements - old house, the moors, hostile servants, sinister woods in the fog, mysterious murder attempts, and questions of identity and intent.

If only there hadn't been so much plot driven by lack of communication! Even though I realize that this happens in real life, I usually just want to scream at characters to talk to each other.

Still, I think it's actually my favorite Hodge so far. She actually gives more to the romance than stating a happily ever after in this one.

This is lighter gothic fare, and I wouldn't go into it expecting anything unfamiliar or earth-shattering. Although I do enjoy the familiarity of a classic gothic atmosphere, myself. There's something cozy about it.

Agnes and the Hitman - Jennifer Crusie

Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a pleasant surprise. It's a great mix of chick lit and suspense. Full of murders, cooking, mobsters, and wedding prep - a combo that worked, believe it or not, and gave me plenty to chew on, keeping track of it all. It even earned a few chuckles from me - which is not easy, since I hardly ever get things that are supposed to be funny.

Be Buried in the Rain - Barbara Michaels

Be Buried in the Rain by Barbara Michaels

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I really enjoyed this Gothic suspense novel. I was afraid it might be cheesy, especially since it was published in the 1980s, but it wasn't. I also didn't know what I would think of a Gothic novel set in contemporary Virginia, but the old manor house, its occupants, and the surrounding woods were broken down, overgrown, and eerie enough for a mystery of old bones.

The atmosphere was all you could wish for in this kind of book. It reminded me of Susanna Kearsley without the dual time periods, except this was more creepy (I think it was the bones). It was creepy enough to disturb me in the dark the last couple of nights - not that that's saying much, since I am easily affected by such things and avoid horror like the plague.

Also, I really enjoyed the dog.

I'll definitely be reading more of this author's work. I'm glad to see there's plenty to choose from.

Review: Rapture in Death

Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Meh. This wasn't nearly as good as the first three books. It was mainly just about sex - a lot of it. Maybe it's because it's Eve & Roarke's honeymoon period, but it forced the mystery to take a back seat, and the mystery itself just wasn't very gripping.

I wonder if Eve & Roarke's relationship can stay interesting now that they're together, or will it just be two or three sex scenes per book? And I find myself wondering how this series is still going on at 37 books with another one on the way. Is it really that good? Is it worth continuing on?



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