Stacking the Shelves #82

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. 

Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Happy reading y'all!

Blood River: A Journey to Africa's Broken Heart by Tim Butcher 

Free with Kindle points

I used to read lots of books like this one. The documentary type stories about other countries and reporters who bravely venture through dangerous territory. I got tired of the genre and hadn't read any for many years. But this story caught my eye and I started it and found it was hard to put down. This daring author retraces the famous Livingstone/Stanley journey into the Congo in the early 2000's. He has an obsession with completing the journey despite everyone warning him not to. 

I'm on chapter 3 and already full of anxiety for him! Not my usual book to post about but I consider it history (he starts with an account of the Congo's long internal conflict and Livingstone and Stanley's journeys), adventure, and current events. It is also a bit of a mystery in that you are kept wondering what scary event will befall him next. I am really enjoying it. 

Mirage: Napoleon's Scientists and the Unveiling of Egypt by Nina Burleigh

Library borrow: Free

Loving all things Egypt and the Napoleonic Era this book looked interesting, combining both. I had absolutely no idea that Napoleon took a group of scientific explorers and intellectuals into the Middle East to investigate, explore, and catalog everything in the surrounding country of the pyramids. 

I am honestly surprised I'd not heard about this as it seems like a pretty amazing undertaking. It took them three years and created a huge written account of the pyramid treasures. 

Trouble On a Country Lane by Isabella Bassett

Free with Kindle Unlimited trial

Of course no Sunday Stacking the Shelves would be complete for me without a cozy mystery! This is book 4 in one of my favorite series about an English socialite turned assistant who keeps getting involved in....you guessed it....murders. Along with her adorable, eccentric Uncle Albert (who she works for), she and her love interest, James, work to find out whoodunit. 

I love the locations for these books, Uncle Albert's quirkiness and affiliation with the Royal Society, and Lady Caroline's humor. It's one series I will continue to stick with. 

A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany by Vivian Conroy (Miss Ashford Investigates Book Three)

 

Publication Date:

April 13, 2023

Genre: 

Cozy Mystery/Historical Mystery

Length:  

369 pages

Series:

Miss Ashford Investigates

Book description courtesy of Goodreads

An escape to Tuscany
An unexpected invitation
A murder at midnight…

When novice detective Atalanta Ashford is whisked away to Italy by her friend, race car driver Raoul Lemont, she anticipates a happy holiday under the Tuscan sun. But a chance meeting on the Orient Express with Italian heiress Catharina Lanetti leads to a party invitation…and front row seats for a mysterious murder.

With their new friend under suspicion Atalanta and Raoul set to work trying to discover who really murdered Catharina’s father. But with more than half a dozen suspects – all with compelling motives – Atalanta may just be facing her toughest case yet.

My Thoughts

This was book three in a really cute cozy series set in locations I love. The characters of Atalanta and Raoul have grown on me enough to keep going with the stories. In this one, the author did a better job than book two of creating an authentic Italian feel including the food, countryside, and hot headed Italian family vibe. There were a lot of references to the Borgia family and although I already know a good deal about them as a history lover, those that don't will find those parts interesting and might end up reading more about the family. 

The murder mystery was exciting and the storyline interesting as we find out more about Catharina and her brothers. Each is set to inherit the family fortune but split in ways no one is happy with. Set in wine country in a sprawling country home, there is a great Tuscan atmosphere with an overbearing, cruel Patriarch who plays everyone he meets against each other. When he winds up dead there are many suspects. Atalanta and Raoul, having been invited to the party are determined to find out what happened. Atalanta, already a seasoned detective is well equipped for the task. And Raoul has always managed to be alongside her when she stumbles on a new crime. 

As they dig further, they find a hidden backstory within the family that connects it all. It seems Catharina's parents have kept many secrets and the new revelations cause the whole family to be turned upside down. With tensions rising, the siblings become more heated with each other and determined to claim their share of what they think is their father's will. Atalanta and Raoul want to clear their new friend's name, but proving she isn't the killer will prove more difficult than they think. Local police seem to be going down the wrong track so it is up to them to find out the truth. 

I really enjoyed this one and it was fun having the two main characters ride on the Orient Express. That was a nice touch. I'll definitely be continuing with this series in 2026!

Stacking the Shelves #81

 

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Reading Reality. It's a place to showcase any books I have purchased, borrowed, or been lucky enough to have been given an advance copy of. 

Hope you find something that looks interesting to you or that makes you remember a favorite book you need to finish. Happy reading y'all!

Arsenic at Ascot by Kelly Oliver (A Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane Mystery Book 4)

Libby borrow: Free

I'm ready to start the next mystery in this series and see what Fiona, Kitty, Archie, and Fredricks are up to. In this one, Fiona is invited to a country house to infiltrate animal rights activists and the death of a horse doctor. I love the mix of humor, WW I history, and Fiona's love triangle with Archie and Fredricks. It's a unique series with lots of fun twists. 

The History of Scotland by History Nerds 

Free with Kindle points

Yes, I'm a history nerd for sure so enough said.....all about Scotland from start to finish, written simply, and easily read by the average person wanting to know more. My favorite kind of history book. 

Crossed Skis: An Alpine Mystery by Carol Carnac (British Crime Classics)

Free with Kindle Unlimited free trial

I'm trying to slowly collect and work my way through this series of British classic mysteries. This one looked interesting from the title and cover. Written in 1952 and taking place in London and the Austrian Alps it looked like a good mystery to try out.

Happy New Year 2026

Wishing all my friends in the bookish world a fun year of reading, blogging, and learning. I hope you have the best year yet! My blog turns four today and I can't believe it. Thank you to everyone who has commented on or read it over the years. And thank you to all the fellow bloggers who are so helpful and give me great new ideas! 

No more reviews this week as I'll be reading, relaxing, and getting ready for new January posts. Happy reading y'all!

New Years Eve 2025 Post....my year in books

 

I love looking back on my reading goals on New Years Eve. Thanks to Goodreads that is easy to do! I am excited to be ending another great year in the bookish community and starting year five on my blog tomorrow. I can't believe it! I hope everyone has a great day today ringing in 2026. Here are my stats from 2025....it's been a great journey in the book world. 

Favorite Book: My re-read of The Land Beyond the Sea

Favorite Author: Sharon Kay Penman

Most read genres: History, Historical Fiction, Historical Mysteries, Fiction

Have you read any of these books? And what were your favorite books/authors this year?