Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge 2025 Results

 

I suck at remembering to post monthly on my achievements. This post will show all my readings for the year for this challenge. I had selected Amateur 5-15 books with a total of 20.

Long Paw of the Law 4 by Laurie Anne Marie (audio)

Death of a Crafty Knitter by Angela Pepper (audio)

Little Blue by Jay Lang (ebook)

Shadows of the Past by ML Rose (ebook)

Death of a Batty Genius by Angela Pepper (audio)

A Murderer Among Us by Marilyn Levinson (ebook)

French Cruises Can Kill You by Constance Meccarello-Gerson (ebook)

By Hook or By Book by Misty Simon (ebook)

The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully (ebook)

The Long Paw of the Law 5 by Laurie Anne Marie (audio)

The Long Paw of the Law 6 by Laurie Anne Marie (audio)

Sick as a Dog by Tracy Carter (audio)

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer by Ragnar Jonasson (ebook)

Miss Morton and the Missing Heir by Catherine Lloyd (ebook)

The Retirees by Leah Orr (ebook)

Miss Morton and the Deadly Inheritance by Catherine Lloyd (audio)

Early Snow by Kevin Wolf (ebook)

Death of a Modern King by Angela Pepper (audio)

Echoes of Fortune: Shadows of Cozumel by David R. Leng (ebook)

Death of a Double Dipper by Angela Pepper (audio)

Audiobook Review: Miss Morton and the Deadly Inheritance (A Miss Morton Mystery #3) by Catherine Lloyd

Blurb: 

Social standing is everything in Regency England—and no one knows better than Miss Caroline Morton, a lady’s companion from a disgraced line. But when she has a chance to claim what’s rightfully hers, the one obstacle in her way is a dangerous murder mystery . . .

Miss Caroline has doubts when she receives an urgent invitation from a London law firm to discuss her late father’s estate. After all, the dishonored Earl of Morton died without a pound sterling to pass on to his two daughters. But while immersing herself in helping Mrs. Frogerton’s capricious daughter navigate the high social season, Caroline meets with a cagey lawyer, Mr. Smith, who shares life-altering news—the earl composed a second will, leaving behind an undisclosed fortune.

Mrs. Frogerton, however, is thoroughly unimpressed with the firm’s conduct and suspicious of their true motives. Her instinct proves right when the two ladies find the office ransacked, staff in turmoil, and Mr. Smith missing. The full weight of the situation doesn’t sink in until Mr. Smith dies following a brutal attack on the street—discovered with an empty envelope bearing Caroline’s name in his pocket.

With a connection forming between two deaths at the firm, Caroline can’t imagine why anyone would kill twice over the contents of a will. Further complicating matters is the amorous Mr. DeBloom—who claims his mother goaded the earl into making bad investments and promises to link Caroline to her inheritance—and the disappearance of Susan, her younger sister. As Caroline unwittingly becomes the center of both a criminal case and a sordid love triangle, she must tread with caution while seeking the truth . . . because someone is waiting to reduce her to nothing more than a signature on a dotted line.

Amazon: Miss Morton and the Deadly Inheritance (A Miss Morton Mystery Book 3) - Kindle edition by Lloyd, Catherine. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Audible: Miss Morton and the Deadly Inheritance Audiobook by Catherine Lloyd

Audiobooks: https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/miss-morton-and-the-deadly-inheritance/738356

Bookbub: Miss Morton and the Deadly Inheritance by Catherine Lloyd - BookBub

Goodreads: Miss Morton and the Deadly Inheritance by Catherine Lloyd | Goodreads

My Review - 4 1/2 of 5 stars - 

4 1/2 stars for me. More information about Caroline's father's legal mess brought a couple more murders into her life. While on this was going on, there was the issue of Caroline's sister running away/being kidnapped by her aunt, further personal attachments were evident. I enjoyed all the personal side trips, giving more backstory to Caroline. As to the murders, I had an inkling who the killer was, but I did get misled by the subtle red herrings. Still a good story.

The narration by Lucy Rayner was entertaining. She did a good job trying to keep the voices separate in order for us to know who was talking. Overall, an enjoyable listen.

This is my unsolicited review.

Book Review: Miss Morton and the Missing Heir (A Miss Morton Mystery #4) by Catherine Lloyd

 

Blurb: 

Society in England is most unforgiving of a reversal of fortune, as Miss Caroline Morton, left penniless after her father’s suspicious death, knows all too well. Once a lady, now a lady’s companion, she is still enmeshed in the settling of the earl's estate—and soon murder as well—in this "charming cross between a Regency romance and a well-constructed detective story” (Kirkus Reviews) for of Victoria Thompson, C.S. Harris, and Deanna Raybourn.

Distraught over her younger sister Susan’s decision to leave for America and weary of shepherding her employer Mrs. Frogerton’s daughter in her relentless pursuit of marrying a peer, Caroline is dealt another blow when her family solicitors indicate they may have found the lost heir to the Morton earldom.

Possible heir Thomas, his mother Mrs. Scutton, and her widowed daughter Mary all descend on Mrs. Frogerton’s home on Half Moon Street. The air inside the house is soon thick with family tension and the near palpable presence of avarice. But things go from tense to tragic following the appearance of Mary’s dead husband—very much alive and recently released from debtors’ prison. Unseen by Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton, a fight breaks out upstairs, leaving Mary fatally stabbed and her mother wounded.

The manhunt is on for Mary’s husband, led by Inspector Ross. But both Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton begin to suspect that all is not as it seems The Scuttons have brought more than trouble into the home—they may be harboring secrets that could put Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton’s very lives at risk . . .

Amazon: Miss Morton and the Missing Heir (A Miss Morton Mystery Book 4) - Kindle edition by Lloyd, Catherine. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

B&N: Miss Morton and the Missing Heir by Catherine Lloyd | eBook | Barnes & Noble®

Kobo: Miss Morton and the Missing Heir eBook by Catherine Lloyd - EPUB | Rakuten Kobo United States

Google: Miss Morton and the Missing Heir by Catherine Lloyd - Books on Google Play

Bookbub: Miss Morton and the Missing Heir (A Miss Morton Mystery Book 4) by Catherine Lloyd - BookBub

Goodreads: Miss Morton and the Missing Heir by Catherine Lloyd | Goodreads

My Review - 5 of 5 stars - 

I enjoyed this story very much. Miss Caroline's family history came to the door of Mrs. Frogerton's home. An heir to take over the earldom and his mother and sister arrived to stay while proof is found of the rightness of the claim. When death followed them, Miss Caroline and Mrs. Frogerton work together to figure out the truth. I loved the personal side of Caroline's storyline with gentlemen who were interested in her, making her take a closer look at her own life. Also, her happy moment when she finally heard from her sister. I found her strong, loyal, and determined. These two made a great crime-fighting duo. I look forward to more.

I received an ARC through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

Book Review: Birds, Puppies and Murder (The Chocolate Martini Sisters #4) by Joyce Proell and Brenda Whiteside

 

Blurb: 

Lost puppies, endangered birds…
The sisters are birddogs on a murder most fowl.
The sisters are thriving like mountain sage in an Arizona autumn. Nicole’s yoga business is gaining a foothold in Wyatt. Emma’s first mystery novel is scheduled for release. But a proposed, expansive building project in the pristine area of the bird sanctuary has the community in an uproar. It’s Environmentalists versus Big Business, and the sisters are caught in the cross-fire.

When one of Nic’s yoga students is found dead near the planned resort, the amateur sleuths are back on the trail of a killer. Who has the most to gain from her death—the morally challenged developer, the money-grubbing boyfriend, her jealous brother, a nasty neighbor, or a co-worker with dark secrets? And where has Skittles, the dog, gone?

While the Chocolate Martini Sisters sort through the litany of villains, they’re leaving no mystery unsolved. The stakes are escalating, throwing the sisters on divergent paths that all come together at a dangerous intersection. As they unsnarl the tangled mysteries, will they expose the murderer before the killer finds a way to silence them?

Amazon: Birds, Puppies, and Murder (Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery Book 4) - Kindle edition by Whiteside, Brenda, Proell, Joyce. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Bookbub: Birds, Puppies, and Murder (Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery Book 4) by Brenda Whiteside and Joyce Proell - BookBub

Goodreads: Birds, Puppies, and Murder by Brenda Whiteside | Goodreads

My Review - 4 of 5 stars - 

I enjoyed this mystery. Nicole and Emma were entertaining and intelligent from the finding of the body (help from Gus, their dog) to the solving of the crime. The sisters were so opposite but worked well together. There were plenty of twists and turns, and surprises as they went about figuring out the clues. I recommend this story.

I received a copy through Goddess Fish Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.

Audiobook Review: Sick as a Dog (A Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery #3) by Tracy Carter

 

Blurb: 

Echoes of a past tragedy haunt Veronica Kildare as she and her talented search and rescue and drug detection dog, Leda, are drawn into an investigation surrounding odd fish and wildlife deaths in the Colorado wilderness by her friend, Kimana, an award-winning freelance investigative reporter. The mystery surrounding this backcountry region only deepens when Leda discovers the body of a dead woman in the area under scrutiny and the district wildlife manager is targeted in a devious attack.

While Veronica also trains a conservation canine and a 911 call center therapy dog who are desperately needed as service animals, and searches for lost hikers in peril, her entire team is soon involved in trying to uncover the identity of the murder victim and the reason for her violent death. Veronica and Leda tenaciously follow the trail of the criminals who have brutally disrupted the serenity of the Repentant River, and it eventually becomes clear that the ominous events originate from more than one source and the villains have far-reaching national and international connections. Can Veronica and her team decipher the sources of the evil that have turned the wilderness deadly in time to prevent further tragedy?

Amazon: Sick as a Dog (A Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery Book 3) - Kindle edition by Carter, Tracy. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Audible: Sick as a Dog Audiobook by Tracy Carter

B&N: Sick as a Dog by Tracy Carter | eBook | Barnes & Noble®

Kobo: Sick as a Dog eBook by Tracy Carter - EPUB | Rakuten Kobo United States

Bookbub: Sick As a Dog by Tracy Carter - BookBub

Goodreads: Sick as a Dog: A Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery, Book 3 by Tracy Carter | Goodreads

My Review - 5 of 5 stars - 

I really enjoyed this story with all the twists and turns, unexpected suspects, and quite a cast of characters. Veronica and Leda got pulled into a case, and with the help of many friends, they were able to figure out who the victim was, how she died, and who the culprit was. I like the little details thrown in about the training of the dogs for so many different purposes. I look forward to the next in the series.

The narration of Alyssa Baumann complemented the story, bringing more excitement to the story.

I received a copy as a gift, and this is my unsolicited review.

Audiobook Review: The Long Paw of the Law 5 (Ashley Crane Cozy Mystery #5) by Laurie Anne Marie, narrator Meghan McConnell

 

Blurb: 

The much anticipated wedding of Ashley Crane and Sean McDonnell is finally here. Once the happy couple ties the knot, they embark on a relaxing honeymoon in Hawaii.
But when they return to Comfortville, trouble strikes. An old acquantaince of Sean's is murdered at a reknowned Shakespeare festival in the town of Brewer. In addition, one of Ashley's childhood friends is a major player at the festival.
At first, Ashley decides to leave the investigation to the local Brewer detective, but soon it becomes clear that he is in way over his head.
In an effort to keep this case from going cold, Ashley starts digging around and uncovers a web of deceit and hidden corruption.
Will Ashley's meddling put her and Sean in danger and cost them everything they care about?
Books in the Ashley Crane series:
Long Paw of the Law
Long Paw of the Law 2
Long Paw of the Law 3
Long Paw of the Law 4
Long Paw of the Law 5

Amazon: The Long Paw of the Law 5 (Ashley Crane Cozy Mystery) - Kindle edition by Anne Marie, Laurie. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Audible: The Long Paw of the Law 5 Audiobook by Laurie Anne Marie

Bookbub: The Long Paw of the Law 5 by Laurie Anne Marie - BookBub

Goodreads: The Long Paw of the Law 5: Ashley Crane Cozy Mystery, Book 5 by Laurie Anne Marie | Goodreads

My Review - 4 of 5 stars - 

At last, the wedding between Ashley and Sean had arrived. Despite their happiness, trouble was brewing around them. They tried to stay out of it, even though they knew some of the people involved (murder victim and suspects). Ashley could not quite keep from helping, bringing danger in their direction, but she was tenacious, wanting this mystery resolved. Sean even joined in. Enjoyed it.
Meghan McConnell did another wonderful job beginning the story to life, making it that much more enjoyable.

This is my unsolicited review.

Book Review: The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant (A Merritt and Blunt Mystery #1) by Liza Tully

 

Blurb: 

A brilliant Boomer detective and her ambitious Gen Z assistant try to get along in this delightful feel-good mystery.

Olivia Blunt is thrilled to be hired as assistant to the nationally renowned investigator Aubrey Merritt. She longs to become a valued contributor to the great detective’s work, but Merritt is a difficult, exacting boss, and the learning curve is steeper than she expected.

After weeks of boring computer work, Olivia is finally invited to join Merritt on an important case. On the night of her sixty-fifth birthday party, Victoria Summersworth somehow fell over her balcony railing to her death on the rocky shore of Vermont’s Lake Champlain. She was a happy woman—rich, beloved, in love, and matriarch of the preeminent Summersworth family. The police ruled her death a suicide, but Victoria’s daughter Haley thinks it was murder.

Merritt and Olivia soon discover that the Summersworth family is complicated web of lies, ambitions, and resentments. As the list of suspects grows, Olivia makes one apparent mistake after another. When she blunders into a truly dangerous situation, she realizes Merritt might be right: she might be in over her head with this whole detective thing…or she might be unravelling a mystery even bigger than the one they started with.

Amazon: The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant (Merritt & Blunt Mysteries Book 1) - Kindle edition by Tully, Liza. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

B&N: The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully | eBook | Barnes & Noble®

Kobo: The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant eBook by Liza Tully - EPUB | Rakuten Kobo United States

Google: The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully - Books on Google Play

Bookbub: The World’s Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully - BookBub

Goodreads: The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully | Goodreads

My Review - 4 1/2 of 5 stars - 

4 1/2 stars. I enjoyed this story with plenty of twists and surprises. There were a lot of characters and different family dynamics. Clues were there along with red herrings. I loved Olivia's confidence in her ability to be a private investigator, even as she found that she was not as observant as she thought. Her determination to show what she could do led to some answers. Ms. Merritt was very strict and adamant about her expectations, even as she was taught Olivia. Humor added to the story, keeping the story moving along.

I received a copy through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

Book Review: French Cruises Can Kill You (Hassle High Mystery #3) by Constance Meccarello-Gerson

 

Blurb: 

Cozy Mystery with Death, Romance and twists on a French cruise with the Hassle High group. Complete with occult, kidnapping, and French recipes.

Amazon: Amazon.com: French Cruises Can Kill You: Hassle High Mystery book 3 (Hassle High series) eBook : Meccarello-Gerson, Constance : Kindle Store

Bookbub: French Cruises Can Kill You: Hassle High Mystery book 3 (Hassle High series) by Constance Meccarello-Gerson - BookBub

Goodreads: French Cruises Can Kill You: Hassle High Mystery book 3 by Constance Meccarello-Gerson | Goodreads

My Review - 4 of 5 stars - 

This was interesting, the first I have read by this author. Maria went on a cruise with students and teachers, and found more than tourist sights. As the danger grew, clues led to more incidents and clues, red herrings, and surprise results. I enjoyed the story and found the recipes enticing.

I received a copy through RABT Book Tours, and this is my unsolicited review.

Book Review: Shadows of the Past (The Arla Baker Series #15) by ML Rose

 Blurb: 

DCI Arla Baker is back in a twisted, heart pounding mystery that will keep you up all night…

The skeleton of a woman is discovered in one of London’s canals. She was wrapped up in a tarpaulin, tied with stones, and then her body was left to sink in the dark waters of the canal…Today DCI Baker has to uncover the secrets of her terrible death…

But the more she investigates, the greater the dangers become. The missing woman was connected to one of London’s notorious gangsters, and this man had powerful connections.

The people who are drawn into this web of deceit want to keep the past buried – but Arla wants to discover the truth. She faces a vicious web of treachery and lies that sucks her into mortal danger.

As Arla peels back the secretive layers, she uncovers the work of a blood thirsty serial killer who is still hiding in the shadows today…

The killer is back on the streets, and this time, he is hunting for Arla…with her back to the wall, Arla has to fight back like never before…will she succeed?

If you like James Patterson, Harlan Coben, Patricia Cornwell, Michael Connelly, then discover the Arla Baker Series by ML Rose today!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Past-Arla-Baker-Book-ebook/dp/B0DVGVLFL4/

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadows-of-the-past-ml-rose/1146911172?ean=9781917511155

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/shadows-of-the-past-91

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/shadows-of-the-past-the-arla-baker-series-book-15-by-ml-rose

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/224126634-shadows-of-the-past

My Review - 5 of 5 stars - 

This story kept me turning the pages. There was plenty of action, guesswork, and some luck to solve this case. I enjoyed following Arla's deductions as she worked out the evidence. Her team were brilliant, and I loved the camaraderie between them. As the author also included her usual glimpses into the background of all the suspects and witness, I tried to piece everything together along with Arla, didn't quite figure it out. A great read.

I received an ARC, and this is my unsolicited review.

Audiobook Review: Long Paw of the Law 4 (Ashley Crane Cozy Mystery) by Laurie Anne Marie

 

Blurb: 

All Ashley Crane wants is a simple and relaxing vacation with her fiancé, Sean. They leave their home of Comfortville in the leafy green northwest and embark on an exciting trip to the southwest desert. The sights, sounds, and unique landscape of their destination instantly enchant them. But no sooner do they settle down in their cabin than a murder happens overnight on a nearby mesa.
At first, Ashley wants to leave the investigation to the authorities and just relax, but the history of the local people and the events leading up to the shocking murder pull her and Sean into the case.
Without the usual support from her beloved cat, family, and friends, can Ashley help bring the guilty party to justice, or will their vacation turn fatal?
Books In The Ashley Crane series:
Long Paw Of The Law
Long Paw Of The Law 2
Long Paw Of The Law 3
Long Paw Of The Law 4

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Long-Ashley-Crane-Cozy-Mystery-ebook/dp/B077FZK385/

Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Long-Paw-of-the-Law-4-Audiobook/B0DQ2KJ2FR?

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-long-paw-of-the-law-4-by-laurie-anne-marie

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36597196-long-paw-of-the-law-4

My Review - 4 of 5 stars - 

Another good one in this series. This time Ashley and Sean were on vacation and found themselves in a murder case. The history of the Native American tribes and rituals added to the story. Danger had Ashley struggling on her own for a bit and worried about Sean and his disappearance. Receiving support from the tribe made it possible for a happy ending, capture of the murderers, and reunion of Sean and Ashley.

The narration by Meghan McConnell was wonderful. She kept enthusiasm and emotion in the story, allowing me to sense the feelings of the characters. I enjoyed it.

This is my unsolicited review.

Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge 2025

 

This will be my first time attempting this challenge. I enjoy mysteries though not as my main reading genre. I am starting off slow with the Amateur Sleuth 5-15 books.

Challenge Rules:

• You can read any book that is from the mystery/suspense/thriller/crime/true crime genres. Any sub-genres are welcome as long as they incorporate one of these genres.
• You don’t need a blog to participate but you do need a place to post your reviews to link up. (blog, Goodreads, Instagram, etc.)
• Make a goal post and link it back here with your goal for this challenge.
• Books need to be at least 100 pages long. Please no short stories.
• Crossovers with other challenges are fine.
• The Challenge will run from Jan. 1st to Dec. 31st. (Sign up ends March 15.)

We still have our facebook group so if you haven’t joined we would love for you to! Here’s the group’s link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/350512171977943/. It’s a closed group so just ask to join and we’ll let you in.

There will be a monthly link-up so we can see what everyone’s reading – and probably add some to our own tbr lists. At the halfway mark and at the end we will have a giveaway for those participating.

We’ll continue to use the hashtag #CloakDaggerChal.

Levels:

5-15 books – Amateur sleuth

16-25 books – Detective

26-35 books – Inspector

36 – 55 books – Special agent

56+ books – Sherlock Holmes 

Challenge was added on The StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/8b801c66-5ff4-4e17-aac5-72744438c318.

Add a link to your sign-up post or Goodreads shelf below or in the comments.