The Silent Speaker by Rex Stout - 19/81

The Silent Speaker by Rex Stout for audiobook category

The feud between the Bureau of Price Regulation and the National Industrial Association has been long and bitter, but few thought it would end in murder. At a large public dinner, however, that's just what happened. Nero Wolfe takes the NIA as a client and agrees to find out who murdered BPR president Cheney Boone. With Archie Goodwin providing the legwork and goading his boss into action, the case moves along until a second murder changes everything. I have enjoyed Nero Wolfe mysteries for a long time, but not as much as some other mystery series. Maybe it's because there are just so many of them that they do get to be a little too similar. This one, though, stands out as the case that actually caused Nero Wolfe to leave the house. If you enjoy mysteries and you haven't tried writer Rex Stout before, this is not a bad place to start.

#15/81 SHOOTS TO KILL by Kate Collins

Abby Knight gets herself into trouble without even doing anything. Her past comes back to haunt her in this mystery related to a young woman who Abby babysat years before. Her gut tells her things that Marco, her friend Dave, and the police can't realize until it is too late. I thought this mystery was fun wth all the twists related to Libby's quirks but I would definitely suggest that a new reader get the previous books in the series for the background.

#12 ON WHAT GROUNDS by Cleo Coyle

This book is the first in the coffeehouse mystery series. The characters are setup well with their interaction and motivations well-defined. At the same time the murder and subsequent investigation are cleverly interwoven with the coffeehouse daily routine.
The author has also interjected numerous coffee techniques and tidbits of coffee history.
However, I do feel that the character's motivations need to be a little more individualized - less of the standard "I'll force them to work and live together to get them back together" type thing. In future books I hope that the "love triangle" is a little better defined instead of just a vague feeling.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I wouldn't say that it was great. I look forward to seeing improvements in the future and possibly might even try some "good" coffee.

#4/81 Framed in Lace by Monica Ferris

This is the second in the Cozy Needlecraft mysteries series and it was just as enjoyable and well-written as the first. The clues were subtly distributed throughout the storyline yet were there to be accumulated and put together so that the reader could solve the mystery along with Betsy. Can't wait for the next one!

#3 CREWEL WORLD… by Monica Ferris

This is the first in a cozy mystery series that centers around needlecraft. Since I love mysteries and needlework, I was really forwardto this and I wasn't disappointed. This book was well-written and well-plotted. I was surprised at the victim and was with Betsy the entire way wanted to solve the murder. I loved the way the little clues were left like breadcrumbs to help you figure it out. My only problem-- it was over too fast!