2022 Goodreads Wrap-up

I am so pleased that I was able to complete my Goodreads Reading Challenge for 2022 by reading and reviewing 50 books! This makes seven years in a row that I’ve achieved that goal. Here are the final titles for the year. And yes, I’ve already signed up for the 2023 Challenge!

Wedding Mints and Witnesses by Kelsey Browning and Nancy Naigle
Seasoned Southern Sleuths, Book 5
This is the last book in the series – at least the last book that’s available right now. Abby Ruth’s daughter and Sheriff Teague Castro are finally tying the knot, and the ladies want to make it a day to remember. In the meantime, Abby Ruth is fighting her feelings for a man who was important to her many years ago and who wants to reinstate himself in her life. Add in a healthy dose of mystery when Abby’s wedding crasher friends start experiencing jewel thefts, and you’ve got action and adventure! I enjoyed this story as much as the rest, and I’m hoping that Amazon notifications will let me know if and when another episode is available. 

Buried Hearts by Diana Stout
Laurel Ridge Novellas Book 4
This series of novellas about a core group of friends during the same set of days continues to provide great reading. Buried Hearts is the story of Clint, an archaeologist, and balloonist/psychic Gabby. They meet when she is hired to take Clint’s parents on a balloon ride, and he’s immediately smitten. Neither of them has had a good experience at relationships, and there are a lot of misunderstandings and mistrust. A clue is discovered relating to a mystery begun in a previous book about a recently recovered Volkswagen that’s been missing for years. As another reviewer noted, the banter is witty and keeps you reading. There are also hints at the storylines in upcoming installments. 

The Quiche of Death by M. C. Beaton
Agatha Raisin Mystery, Book 1
After our Friday Fox alerted me to this series, I couldn’t wait to check it out. One of my holiday splurges was a subscription to Audible, so I listened to this book while cutting out fabric for quilts, crocheting tote bags, and otherwise keeping my hands busy. Since Tonette has already presented a detailed summary of the series premise back in November (see her post at https://fourfoxesonehound.wordpress.com/2022/11/11/another-agatha/), I won’t repeat it all here. In this particular story, Agatha seeks to “fit in” by entering and presumably winning the prize for Best Quiche in the local baking competition. She doesn’t bake, so she drives back to London and purchases one from an upper-crust quicherie, but the plan goes awry when the judge dies from food poisoning and the death is traced to an ingredient in her quiche. 
I especially loved the colorful characters in this story, such as her flamboyant friend from London who comes to visit, the demanding elderly couple that she volunteers to drive about, the quiet vicar’s wife, and the kind policeman Bill Wong who reminds her to let the police do their work rather than try to investigate things herself. After listening to this book, I’m eager to see what happens to her next!

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