Mini Book Reviews: A Death in Door County, Under Loch and Key, The Healing Season of Pottery

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn book review, books and reading

It’s time for another round up of mini-reviews!

Let’s start with A Death in Door County.

A Death in Door County by Annelise Ryan: A Death in Door County is about a whole different lake and set of waters than I usually see here on my side of Michigan, this one on the Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan, and Morgan, a cryptozoologist has been hired to find out if there is something lurking beneath the waters after a few tourists end up dead. It was an interesting read, full of fun trivia about folklore, a bookstore with some other interesting items for sale, and some eccentric characters – and of course, good dog Newt. For the first in a series it was pretty interesting, and I enjoyed it.

This book has:

🌲 Small towns
🌲 Independent heroines
🌲 Loch Ness vibes
🌲 Good dogs

Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson: So, I figured I might as well just jump right in to another Loch Ness book. I do enjoy cryptid lore and tales and the Loch Ness is one of my favorites – thank you Scooby Doo for forming a lifelong interest. (does anyone else remember that episode?) Anyone, back to this book. This story is very cute in itself. Key travels to Scotland to connect with her grandparents, whom she has never met, after her father passes away. She meets the annoying, handsome Lachlan, who works for her grandparents. He is a grump, and not only that, but a grump with some pretty big secrets. So, like I said, that whole storyline is interesting and their interactions are funny. Key is a plain speaker, and I like that. She is open and just says what she is thinking and feeling rather than being sulky or playing games. I like her burgeoning relationship with her grandparents, especially her grandfather. I also liked the whole back story, mystery, magic, and family stuff.

Now, let us discuss the spice. I don’t read many romances, and this is definitely an open door book. I would put this at level way high spice, with graphic language as well. I ended up skipping those scenes as I read through the book. However, a YouTuber I watch, the Plant Based Bride, revealed that there is a scene (that she also skipped) that also has a bit of monster transformation spice situation too, so be aware that is in there as well. No judgement here, I guess just know it in case you like it or you don’t like it. I just wanted to put that in here.

This book has:

🌲 Open door
🌲 Family Mysteries and Secrets
🌲 Loch Ness vibes
🌲 Paranormal romance

The Healing Season of Pottery by Yeon Somin: “The reason our coffee tastes good, even when we make it with mediocre beans, is because of the cups.” I believe this, that using a piece that has been handmade with love and care lends a different feeling to what you are eating or drinking or enjoying. That feeling carries through each sip of coffee, each bite of cake eaten from a beautiful plate, echoes in a bowl filled with homemade soup. I may love pottery, btw. And I absolutely loved this book.

Jungmin has been in a cave of her own desire and making since quitting her broadcast writing job, barely setting foot outside for months. One day, dressed completely wrong for the weather, showing just how off balance Jungmin is, how out of season of her life, she stumbles into a pottery studio, thinking it is a cafe. This mistake changes her life. She finds herself enchanted by the pottery, the women who are there, and begins to take lessons. Slowly, slowly, carefully, Jungmin builds a new community for herself, friendships, literally rebuilds herself as she builds objects from clay. Clay has to be tested by fire in order to survive and become something beautiful or practical or useful, and Jungmin learns everyone has a story and fires that they have faced. This was a wonderful book full of found family and the rebuilding of a life.

Have you read any of these?

16 thoughts on “Mini Book Reviews: A Death in Door County, Under Loch and Key, The Healing Season of Pottery”

  1. The word “cryptozoologist” captured my attention immediately. I’m an avid believer in Nessie and Bigfoot, simply because I want to believe in them – very Mulder, I know! 😉
    I don’t know if you had seen my embroidered Nessie and Bigfoot pendants.
    Anyhow, being able to see Loch Ness myself – and crossing it – was a real highlight for me, and of course the landscape is gorgeous.
    I wouldn’t want Nessie to turn into a man because she’s definitely female to me, though, so that would be a no go, but I like the sound of the first book.

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    1. I want to believe in them as well! Lol. I love all the different legends like that! I would love to visit Loch Ness.

      Yes, the author of Under Loch and Key actually apologizes in the notes for making Nessie a male! Nessie is definitely a female.

      A Death in Door County was pretty good. There was a lot of explanation in this book, more telling than showing, but I think she did a pretty good job. I hope to read her second book soon.

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  5. I’m going to have to look up the first of these. That mention of folklore based trivia has instantly intrigued me and I do like the cryptozoologist mystery side of things. I’m also pretty intrigued by the pottery one. It sounds a bit like the books I’ve been seeing everywhere that are meant to be really heartwarming. Completely different to what I’d usually read but it is a sub genre that I’d like go try.

    I’m less sure about the middle one. It sounds like it deals with communication well (besides the secrets but I imagine they’re the type they couldnt share) though which is refreshing to hear.

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    1. I felt like that book..hmm. It had a lot to say about a lot of different things. I really feel like the author probably has a ton of research on cryptids, and wants to get it all out. There were a few info dump areas which I actually liked better than the actual plot. I feel like things could have been smoother, but at the same time I really enjoyed the book and do want to read her others.

      Yeah.. I think of all of these that one could definitely be skipped. I don’t read romances very often so I didn’t have a lot of comparisons for that one. I did just read another romance, Temple of Swoon, and I I realized that Under Loch and Key should have gotten a lower rating from me, because Temple of Swoon showed me a much better version of a romance. I hope all these ramblings make sense. LOL.

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      1. That’s really interesting to hear, especially that you enjoyed some of the info dump areas more than some of the plot. It sounds like it must be a subject that the authors passionate about I guess. I hope you enjoy the others (and hopefully the plot will go smoother in those ones too 🤞)

        I don’t read a lot of romance either. I do want to try and check it out a little more though, especially some of the popular ones that I’ve seen around. I haven’t heard of that one so I’ll have to look it up. But yes everything you’ve said made sense. And ik glad you found one thay worked so wonderfully for you. Even if it did make you even less impressed by Loch & Key.

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      2. That is what I think too. She must really love it and have a storehouse of information in her brain! Lol. I am interested in her second book too. I am hoping to get to it soon, but we all know how that is. Lol.

        I really try to read across all genres when I can, and romance is the one I read the least. I thought February would be a fun month to expand my borders lol. I had one more on my list but it must be in high demand at the library because I am still waiting!

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      3. Lol well I look forward to hearing how you get on with it whenever you do get to it. It’ll be interesting to see if her passion for the subject is there once again.

        I do want to try and do the same but I have so many fantasy books that I’m excited for that it doesn’t always go well 😂 February is the perfect month to get into romance though. Aww I hope it becomes avaliable for you soon then 🥰

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