Janet Evanovich - Foul Play (1989)

This is one of the first books written by Evanovich and it was re-printed recently, along with a handful of others, that she says disappeared from print as soon as they came out. It's interesting to read an early Evanovich, you can see the character development. There are character names and aspects of personalities that start in these early books and are fleshed out for her Stephanie Plum series.

Amy Klasse is fired from her children's TV show job and replaced by a big breasted woman with a dancing chicken. Incensed, she rampages her way through a supermarket and runs into veterinarian Jake Elliott. Jake takes pity on her and gives Amy a job as his receptionist. Unfortunately, the chicken disappears and Amy is suspect number one in this wacky romantic adventure.

It's an okay book. It's a nice bit of fluff for the end of a tiring day when you just want a light crazy-romance-comedy-adventure with a happy ending.

Lisa Shearin - The Dragon Conspiracy (2015)

This is the second book in the SPI Files series.

They're the Supernatural Protection and Investigations Agency. They try to stop what roams in the night from eating you. In this book they have to find a cluster of diamond eggs, stolen by Harpies, that can cause complete chaos in the supernatural community. Mostly by unmasking supernaturals, removing their glamour and exposing them to the world. In a city as big as New York with a large supernatural community, that's a lot of rioting, burning torches and pitchforks once the humans learn what lives alongside them.

Once more it's down to the human seer Makenna and her human partner Ian to solve the mystery and save New York - with the help of the SPI team. I really love these books. There's nothing Shearin has written that I haven't loved. Shearin is a fantastic writer, her characters are so evolved you feel sad even when a walk-through character dies. This book was a fun ride, I was sad when it was over. I like the way the characters and the stories are developing. I cannot wait for book three - although I hope it has better cover art.

Rhys Bowen - Queen of Hearts (2014)

This is the 8th book in Her Royal Spyness series. It takes Lady Georgiana Rannoch to America, accompanying her mother as she heads to Reno for a divorce. Georgie's beloved Darcy turns up on the trail of a jewel thief and they all end up in Hollywood, solving a murder, making a movie and drinking cocktails with the amorous Charlie Chaplin.

It was a fun book and I'm relieved to see Georgie and Darcy's relationship moving ahead. The whole will-they-won't-they in the previous books was annoying. I was hoping Darcy would get hit by a bus and Georgie would have a chance to fall in love with someone who loved and respected her, not just using her for her aristocracy connections.

Definitely read this series, the whole Darcy-Georgie thing is a small part of the fun and chaos that happens when she's solving mysteries or sent on 'errands' for the Queen. The only sad part is whenever Georgie has tea with the Queen - there's so many luscious cakes on the table, but etiquette says you may only eat what the Queen does, and she only eats a small slice of bread. So poor Georgie always leaves afternoon tea hungry. Take pity on the poor girl your majesty, please!

Agatha Christie - The Man In The Brown Suit (1924)

 I read this Christie mystery at least once a year and it will always be one of my favourite-of-all-time novels. Not just because I'm half in love with Colonel Race either *sigh*. It's all of the characters, they feel so real and the adventure feels such fun. I'm there in Africa with Anne, I'm not just reading about it. I'm living the story.

Christie is one of the greatest authors ever, but I consider this in her top 10 best. The story is set in Africa (most of the time), with a master criminal who is charming and adorable, handsome dashing heroes and an in omnia paratus heroine - Anne. All of whom are searching for a murderer and Kimberley diamonds.

Anne is brilliant - she's so vibrant, ebullient, sparkling, vivacious... there just aren't enough words for how lively she is. You can feel Anne throughout the novel, everything she does and says. I couldn't relate to her one bit, I don't want to emulate her in any ways, I definitely didn't approve of the hero she chose for her husband - but I still adore her!

The only part of this novel that made me sad was the point where Colonel Race is described as a big game hunter (he's really British secret service, thankfully). I know everyone thought it was a fair fight back then, a bunch of guns and an unaware animal. But, I don't and never will. I know it continues today on private safari-slaughter sites in Africa and I'm appalled by it. Anyways, ending the rant - still a great novel!

Robin Benway - Also Known As (2013)

Maggie Silver is a brilliant safe-cracker and teenage spy. Spending her childhood roaming the world with her spy parents, solving world crises, trying not to get kidnapped and keeping her life 'beige' is all she has ever known.

Until New York.

The spy ring Maggie's parents work for suddenly thrusts her on a solo mission at an expensive private school with the lives of every spy in the organisation at stake. No pressure, right?

Benway writes a fun novel. I really liked the characters and the plot progression. The ending of the mission seemed a bit sudden, but it was really more a backdrop for Maggie's introduction to high school and a normal teenage lifestyle. Any girl who has ever wanted to be a spy will love this book... I did.

Lynn Viehl - The Clockwork Wolf (2014)

This is book two in Viehl's Disenchanted & Co series and absolutely the best Steampunk novel I have ever read. It's just so full of ingenious ideas, inventions and fun plots. I could not put the book down, resented every interruption by my family and was completely devastated when I finished reading and realised I'd probably be waiting a YEAR for book three!

In this adventure Kit investigates rampaging mechanised wolfmen and finds much more of a plot than she initially thought possible, one that almost destroys the city of Rumsen. It's magic and steam-powered machinery in a Victorian era Toriana (America). The imagery is beautiful and doesn't overwhelm the story, just enhances it. The plot is superb and completely unexpected, yet believable. If you're a Steampunk enthusiast you cannot do better than this series.

Georgette Heyer - The Grand Sophy (1950)

Heyer obviously had extensive knowledge of the Regency period in English history. Her books are full of the kind of details that tell you the author was as much an historian as she is a brilliant fictional novelist. She included much trivia that you wouldn't generally find in a history book, the little things that make the culture of the time - like the name for a ladies maid was an Abigail, which we now use as a girl's name. These little authentic details make the books and show how much the author cares about what she writes.

The Grand Sophy has the most assertive heroine yet. Nothing gets between Sophy and what she believes is the right thing to do - and woe betide anyone who tries. But what can be expected from a girl raised by a father who preferred her not to be missish, able to handle her own gun, to ride at a neck or nothing rate and thought dragging her around Europe on his consulate missions, surrounded by soldiers during the Napoleonic war, was a good environment to raise a child - and he was right. Sophy is just majestic. She is lively, caring, intelligent and courageous. Sophy is everything I'd want to be if I lived in the Regency period.

Sophy is my absolute favourite Heyer book. The character's are lovelorn, grumpy, annoying and often hilarious. What can you say to a Marquesa who thinks it perfectly polite to suggest that her luncheon guests join her in the sitting room for a little siesta or the poet who forgets the world when his muse whispers to him and the Lord who thinks everyone wants to know every detail of his last cold and what his mother treated it with? Nothing. You can only laugh. Heyer is at her wittiest in this book. The characters are just endearing even though you wouldn't like to meet some of them and Sophy handles them all with skill. She would have made a brilliant tactician - Sophy moves people around like a King leading troops into battle.